Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm arises from Bcr-Abl gene translocation (called Ph chromosome) in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This genetic abnormality results in constitutive activation of tyrosine kinase and subsequent uncontrol growth and multiplication of granulocytes. The cornerstone in treatment of CML are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, of which imatinib is the most effectively used. JAK2V617F mutation is an acquired single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) occurs in JAK2 gene and is associated with many hematological malignancy other than CML. It was thought that the two genetic abnormalities (Bcr-Abl and JAK2V617F) occur mutually; however, growing body of evidences suggested the reverse. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of JAK2V617 mutation associated with serum levels of alkaline phophatase (ALK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in Ph+ CML Iraqi patients treated with imatinib. A total of 43 Ph+ CML patients (24 males and 18 females, age range 16-80 years) who attend Iraqi National Center of Hematology for Research and Treatment/Baghdad were enrolled in this study. Each patient has been received at least six month therapy with imatinib. A consent form involving age, gender, height, weight, smoking status, residency and first family relative history of leukemia was obtained from each patient. Besides, blood samples were collected, from which the granulocytes were separated and then DNA was extracted using a ready kit. Two assays were used for detection of JAK2V617F mutation; real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using specific primers and probe, and allele specific PCR (AS-PCR) using specific primers. Total white blood corpuscles (WBC) as well as serum levels of ALP and LDH were measured. qPCR assay revealed 5 patients out of 43 (11.62%) were heterozygous for the muatant allele of JAK2V617F mutation (genotype GT). The concentration of this allele ranged from 0.01% to 0.12%. None of blood sample gave positive result for AS-PCR assay. From the all risk factors, only gender had significant association with the incidence of JAK2V617F mutation (p= 0.034, OR= 0.5, 95%CI= 0.364-0.687). Average total WBC count, and serum levels of ALP and LDH were higher in JAK2V617F-positive patients (9042±1512.55, 146.05±8.028 IU/L and 204±10.85 IU/L respectively) than that of JAK2V617F-negative patients (6039±1772.239, 64.45±40.15 IU/L and 178.33±13.693 IU/L respectively) with significant differences. These results indicate that JAK2V617F mutation can occur simultaneously with Ph chromosome in CML patients, and qPCR is a highly sensitive method for the detection of this mutation. Furthermore, serum activity of APL can be used as an indicator for the presence of JAK2V617F mutation in CML patients.
Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease with unknown aetiology that may be associated with the defect in proliferation and differentiation of the keratinocytes related to inflammatory cell infiltration. According to published reports, it is universal in occurrence; its prevalence in different populations varies from 0.1% to 11.8%. Receiving Apremilast resulted in a strong reduction in interleukin 17 and interleukin 23, as well as reduced expression of other inflammatory cytokines and improvement of psoriatic lesions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of Apremilast on levels of IL-17, IL-23, and lipids in obese psoriatic patients. Methods: Thirty obese patients with psoriasis were included in
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Background: Beta thalassemia major (β-TM) is an inheritable condition with many complications, especially in children. The blood-borne viral infection was proposed as a risk factor due to the recurrent blood transfusion regimen (hemotherapy) as human parvovirus B19 (B19V). Objective: This study investigated the B19V seroprevalence, DNA presence, B19V viral load, and B19V genotypes in β-TM patients and blood donors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study incorporating 180 subjects, segregated into three distinct groups each of 60 patients, namely control, β-TM, and β-TM infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). For the B19V prevalence in the studied group, the ELISA technique and real-time PCR were used. The genotyping was follo
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This study presents a comprehensive set of laboratory works for the examined soil layers extracted from Baghdad city (specifically from Alkadhimya, Alaitaifiya, and Alhurriya) to illustrate their engineering properties. The researchers have adopted the unified soil classification system for soil classification purposes. Also, the direct shear test was performed for soil samples with various degrees of saturation (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The test results have shown a significant reduction in cohesion property with higher moisture content within soil samples. Also, a noticeable reduction in angle of internal friction value has occurred with such changes. Furthermore, it has been found that the bearing capacity of unsaturated soi
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by androgen excess and chronic anovulation. Some trace elements, macroelements, and heavy metals have been linked to pathophysiological mechanisms of PCOS .
To study the alterations in the serum levels of the trace element manganese (Mn), some macroelements, magnesium(Mg) and calcium (Ca), and the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), in obese and non-obese PCOS patients; and the association of these alterations with some of the hormonal changes occurring in PCOS.
The study was carried out at Kamal Al-Samarrai Hospital (Center for Infertility treatment and in vitro Fertilization "IVF") Baghdad- Iraq. Eig
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This paper presents a complete design and implementation of a monitoring system for the operation of the three-phase induction motors. This system is built using a personal computer and two types of sensors (current, vibration) to detect some of the mechanical faults that may occur in the motor. The study and examination of several types of faults including (ball bearing and shaft misalignment faults) have been done through the extraction of fault data by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. Results showed that the motor current signature analysis (MCSA) technique, and measurement of vibration technique have high possibility in the detection and diagnosis of most mechanical faults with high accuracy. Subsequently, diagnosi
... Show MoreBackground: Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor that has a clear strong association with the prevalence and severity of chronic periodontitis (CP). Salivary biochemical parameters may be affected by both smoking and CP together. Materials and methods: Eighty systematically healthy male patients were included in this study. They were grouped based on their periodontal and smoking status. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected from all subject. Salivary flow rate (FR) was measured during sample collection. Parameters such as salivary pH, total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), total fucose (TF), protein bound fucose (PBF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were estimated. Results: Salivary flow rate was not altered regarding to smoking
... Show MoreObjective: To assess nurses' exposure to hospitals chronic diseases hazards in Thi-Qar governorate, and to identify the association between nurses' socio-demographic characteristics of age, sex, marital status, place of work, the experience and educational attainment and their exposure to the hazards of chronic diseases. Methodology: A purposive "non-probability" sample of (433) nurses who were selected from four public hospitals in Thi-qar governorate for the period from November 4th 2013 to June 8th of 2014. Results: The study results indicated that that the vast majority of participants have mild chronic di