Objectives: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is WNT/b-catenin pathway antagonist which plays a detrimental role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This research aimed to assess serum DKK-1 levels in diabetic patients who have and have not developed DR and, compare them with the control subjects finding out whether we can use it as an indicator for DR early diagnosis and to find out which one of the widely used two groups of antidiabetic treatments had the greater effect on this biomarker and hence on the progression of DR. Methods: The study participants were divided into two subgroups: First, 70 patients (36 male, 34 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, among them 35 patients diagnosed with DR and 35 with no evidence of DR, and secondly, non-diabetic controls (11 male, 9 female) were selected from the patients attending Ibn AL-Haitham hospital for ophthalmology and a specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes. Venous blood samples of all participants were drawn after an overnight fast, and serum samples were stored at -20ºC until DKK-1 assay. Results: Serum DKK-1 showed significantly lower levels in diabetic patients with (6.1 ± 2 ng/mL) or without DR (14 ± 6.2 ng/mL) when compared to those of controls (34 ± 12.25 ng/mL) (p 0.05). Furthermore, serum DKK-1 levels were lower in the late stage of DR compared to the early stage 5.6 ± 1.7 and 7 ± 1.9 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, DPP-4 inhibitors cause a better increment in DKK-1 levels when compared to SU in the NDR group. Conclusions: Reduced serum levels of DKK-1 are related to the existence and worsening of DR and have the prospect to serve as an indicator for this condition.
Blood samples of One hundred and twenty patients from different hospitals in Baghdad infected with hydatidosis in different sites of the body (Liver, Lung, multiorgans and kidney) were collected for this study. On the other hand, 30 healthy individuals were included as a control group. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of this disease on the serum protein profile of the patients using electrophoresis. The results revealed four different protein banding patterns with difference in number of bands and their molecular weights in comparison to the control group, and these differences depended on the site of infection. However the data showed a presence of the same band in all patients with different site of infection.
Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease restricted to the large intestine, characterized by superficial ulceration. It is a progressive and chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. Although its etiology remains unknown, it is suggested that environmental factors influence genetically susceptible individuals, leading to the onset of the disease. (C-X-C) ligand 9 is a chemokine that belongs to the CXC chemokine family, it plays a role in the differentiation of immune cells such as cytotoxic lymphocytes, natural killer T cells, and macrophages. Its interaction with its corresponding receptor CXCR3 which is expressed by a variety of cells such as effector T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and macrophage
... Show MoreThe recurrent somatic variations in
The aim of the study was to detect the frequency of R132 mutations in the
Objectives: The study aims to evaluate patients’ performance toward insulin injection after training program to
identify the variation in skill of patients in insulin injection technique with regard to some variable (i.e.
educational level and duration of insulin injection.
Methodology: A quasi experimental study has been conducted on diabetic patients.
An observational checklist had been prepared which consisted of 4 main areas with 37 sub-items, which are
syringe preparation for injection, insulin drawing; skin preparation for injection and insulin injection. Each of the
sub-items has 2 options yes or no. One score for positive answer and zero for no.
The sample of the study consisted of (n =30) males and females
This paper discusses reliability R of the (2+1) Cascade model of inverse Weibull distribution. Reliability is to be found when strength-stress distributed is inverse Weibull random variables with unknown scale parameter and known shape parameter. Six estimation methods (Maximum likelihood, Moment, Least Square, Weighted Least Square, Regression and Percentile) are used to estimate reliability. There is a comparison between six different estimation methods by the simulation study by MATLAB 2016, using two statistical criteria Mean square error and Mean Absolute Percentage Error, where it is found that best estimator between the six estimators is Maximum likelihood estimation method.
Alterations of trace element concentrations adversely affect biological processes and could promote carcinogenesis. Trace element deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression of some cancers like colorectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in patients with colorectal cancer from Iraqi male patient with those of healthy subjects. During the period of March 2015 until august 2015, a total of 25 patients with metastatic colon cancer and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled from the Al-Kadhimia Teaching Hospital after the diagnosis using a histopathological examination for the malignant tumor; their age was between (38-60) years. Higher levels o
... Show MoreThe study was carried out to detection of H.pylori in (200) patients who attended two teaching hospitals in Baghdad. The diagnosis done by Immunochromatography methods. Stools and blood samples was taken from each patient as well as other (30) healthy control matching in their age. The study included detection the Levels of Interleukin-40 and CRP in sera of patients and control. The result indicated presence of H pylori antigen in 115 cases 59 cases of males and 51 of females, Also, the result indicated increasing levels of IL-40, cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low density lipoprotein, Very Low density lipoprotein increased significantly while the level of High density lipoprotein decreased in patients sera in comparison with healthy c
... Show MoreType 2 diabetes is a global public health problem especially in middle east countries and Iraq has not spared from this pandemic. The prevalence in Iraq. and rank in Middle East. Beside increasing in prevalence- also poor glucose control. Nutrition plays a critical role. This paper narratively review variables that affect reduce the incidence of T2DM in Iraq and affect nutritional status among Iraqi withT2DM. The factors contribute to T2DM were high rates of obesity and overweight, as well as levels of body fat indicate a high prevalence of poor glycemic control. Likewise, levels of physical activity are low among older Iraqis.
Objective: To find out the relationship between the bio-social aspect with cholelithiasis patients and
demographic characteristics in Baghdad city.
Methodology: A purposive (non-probability) sample of (100) patients, from (20-70) years old, who were
selected from patients who were admitted to hospital at preoperative stage, from Gastroenterology and
Hepatology Hospital, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Al-Yarmook Teaching Hospital, Al-Karama Teaching
Hospital, Teaching Hospital. A descriptive study was carried out from 25th of June 2004 to the end of October
2004.
An assessment form was constructed for the purpose of the study. Test-retest reliability was employed through
computation of Pearson correlation coefficient.