Certain bacterial and viral infectious agents may play a role in the activation of inflammation in atherosclerosis lesions. Epidemiological studies indicate that infectious agents may predispose patients to atherosclerosis as Infections have been associated with an increased risk of this disease. Moreover, a positive antibody status has been detected against some infectious organisms associated with atherosclerotic rupture. Infectious agents found in human atheroma, which may directly cause or accelerate atherosclerosis , include many pathogens but the present study focused on Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus surface antigen and C. In order to evaluate the possible association between H. pylori, HBV, and HCV infections and the risk of atherosclerosis. Biochemical markers and acute inflammatory factors that may be involved in atherosclerosis disease were investigated in relation to microbial infections and atheroma formation in Iraqi patients. The present study shows a significant increase in H. pylori IgG antibody concentrations in the sera of the patients (2.941±1.350) [U/L] compared to the controls( 1.962±0.873 ) [U/L] and thus provides evidence that H. pylori infection is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Furthermore patients with positive family history of atherosclerosis were significantly more likely to be positive for H. pylori IgG antibodies 86.3%. While hepatitis B virus infection is not associated with atherosclerosis in our Iraqi patients, there was a significant positive correlation between HBV infection and both the levels of the inflammatory protien ceruloplasmin and family history of atherosclerosis indicating that the HBV association needs further study . No subject was found to be positive for anti-HCV antibodies.
Young people represent the power and cornerstone of societies and their superiority is linked to their well-being. Their empowerment is as essential as the heart to the body, if it is corrupt, then the whole body is corrupt, and vice versa. The exposure to extremism and pressure from their families leads to violent acts and crimes for obtaining money through unknown organized bodies. This will drive them to fail in their life in an attempt to fulfill their most basic needs, which they have been deprived of by their families, the government, and other institutions. Therefore, governments should provide job opportunities for young people and provide entertainment centers, sports clubs, and family education centers that raise awareness of s
... Show MorePlacenta previa refers to placenta which is totally or partly implanted in lower segment of the uterus. Mortality and morbidity of mother increase with placenta previa due to the increase in the incidence of bleeding during pregnancy. This study aims to define placenta previa prevalence among pregnant women at AL-Fallujah teaching hospital and to determine the risk factors and their association with placenta previa incidence in al-Fallujah city population. This retrospective cohort study investigated medical registry of 6339 gravid women in al-Fallujah teaching Hospital in Iraq. We find 13 cases of placenta previa (0.21%) amongst the 6339 cases registered. The risk factors that strongly appeared to affect the complication of pregnancy with
... Show MoreBackground: Water-pipe can be defined as a single or multi stemmed device that used to vaporize and smoke flavored tobacco whose smoke is passed via water vase before inhalation. Water-pipe smokers are at risk of exposure to many toxic chemicals that are not filtered by water, as well as risk of infectious diseases when the mouth piece of the water-pipe is shared. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water pipe on the oral health. Materials and Methods: Sixty persons were included in this study aged between 22 and 23 years. Forty persons were coffee shop workers for at least five years, half of them were water-pipe smokers (active smokers) and the other weren’t smokers (passive smoker), the last group was the co
... Show MoreBackground: Pregnancy is a physiological condition that affects the general and oral health.It is also associated with an increase in oxidative stress, which may presispose to oral diseases including dental caries. Aim of the study: This study aimed to measure salivary protein carbonyl, glutathione peroxidase and selenium levels of women who are pregnant and their association with dental caries in comparison to non-pregnant women, and to find out the mostly affected biomarker of oxidative stress during pregnancy. Subjects, materials and methods: A cross-sectional research was performed for a samples of 30 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant women who were chosen from city of Baghdad's Primary Healthcare Centers. Both groups aged 25-30 years. In
... Show MoreBackground: Gingivitis is one of the most common and widely spread oral diseases in adolescents after dental caries occur in both developed and developing countries. Dental plaque is the main etiological factor of gingivitis. Another oral problem is enamel defect. The aim of this study was to estimate the oral hygiene (dental plaque), and determine the prevalence and severity of gingivitis and enamel defects among 16-17 years old secondary school female students in urban areas of Kirkuk city/Iraq. Materials and methods: A representative sample included in this study consisted of 750 secondary school female students distributed into 387 for the age sixteen and 363 for the age seventeen, they were selected randomly from different female secon
... Show MoreObjectives: In developing countries like Iraq, diarrhea was responsible for 70% of deaths among pediatrics. This study was designed to determine Iraqi mothers’ knowledge and malpractices associated with diarrhea management in pediatrics.Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was done on a convenient sample of mothers in Baghdad – Iraq. Data collection was done using a validated questionnaire specifically designed for this study.Result: Most participants preferred to consult physicians or pharmacists about pediatrics diarrhea management. Breastfeeding was stopped by 19% of participants, whereas 35% of mothers who depend on formulated milk discontinued it. Only 30% of participants use oral rehydration solution therapy always as a
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