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 s

Background: Patients requiring renal biopsies have various glomerular diseases according to their demographic characteristics.
Objective: To study types of glomerular disease among adult Iraqi patients in a single center in Baghdad/Iraq
Material and Methods: A total of 120 native kidney biopsies were studied. All biopsies were adequate and were processed for Light Microscopy.
The age range of the study patients was 17-67 years, with a mean of 38.5 years. The mean follow up period was 28 weeks (4-52 weeks)
Indication for biopsy included: Nephrotic syndrome (N=72; 60%), Asymptomatic proteinuria (N=21; 17.5%), acute nephritic presentation (N=17; 14.16%), asymptomatic haematuria (N=10; 8.33%).
Results: Primary glomerulonephrit

During recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the investigation of the cytokines roles in pathogenesis of cancer, thus the study aimed at evaluating the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-?) in sera of Iraqi multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Beta 2-microglobulion (?2-m) was assessed to determine if there was any association between this cytokine and the level of ?2- m, as the latter is related to the stage of the disease. In addition, the age and gender were also taken into consideration. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between IgG and TNF-? in sera of patients. 49 Iraqi patients (27 males and 22 females).The patients were also divided into two groups: the first group included (17) patients who were

Schizophrenic patients who are at great risk of relapse are characterized by non-compliance,
denial of illness and need for treatment and no contact with family. So, the prevention of relapse
and readmission to hospital are crucial in mental health practice.
The present study is a descriptive-analytical study that was carried out from November 2nd
2006 through the end of 20 of April 2008.
Objectives: To assess the associated factors with the risk of relapse in schizophrenic patients at
psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad city.
Methodology: A purposive "non-probability" sample of (50) schizophrenic patient who hasd
relapsed was involved in the present study. Data were collected through the use of the constructed
qu

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the presence Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) which was created by a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (t [9;22] [q34;q11]. The approval of the 2nd generation TKI ( Nilotinib) takes the treatment of CML patients into new erea with more efficiency and mild to moderate adverse effects. This study was aimed at evaluation of molecular cytogenetic response by (FISH) for Nilotinib in Iraqi patients with assessment for electrolytes disturbances of Nilotinb by measuring a panel of electrolyte (Na+, K+, Ca++, PO4--- and Mg++) , where thirty Iraqi patients with CML who have resistance or no response to Imatinib treatment, attending to Baghdad Teaching Ho

Background: Cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) is a serum/cell surface glycoprotein; and it is a pattern recognition receptor. CD14 expressed on the surface of various cells, or it found soluble in saliva and other body fluids. It has been proposed that soluble CD14 (sCD14) may play a protective role by controlling Gram negative bacterial infections through its capacity to bind lipopolysaccharide. This study was conducted to assess the level of soluble CD14 in saliva of patients with different periodontal diseases and healthy subjects and determine its correlation with clinical periodontal parameters. Materials & Methods: A total of 80 subjects, age ranged (25-50) years old, divided into three main groups, group ? consisted of 45 chronic

Background: Understanding the challenges facing nurses toward providing care to patients with cerebrovascular accidents is the initial step in developing strategies to address these challenges, thereby ensuring high-quality care. Aim: The study aimed to assess the challenges experienced by nurses in delivering care to patients with CVAs in neurological wards. Results: Of the 80 questionnaire participants in the qualitative part, (MS = 0.66) reported a "moderate" rating as an overall assessment. These challenges are divided into workload (MS = 0.53) at a moderate rate, the psychological burden (MS = 0.85) at a high rate, the supporting materials (MS = 0.85) at a high rate, the sense of responsibility (MS = 0.77) at a high rate, and the role