ABSTRACT : Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases linked with dementia, it is characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Ab) in the brain. The present study aims to innovate a biochemical relationship between AD and interleukin 38 (IL-38) as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, expose novel mechanisms and concepts regarding other biochemical parameters studied previously or recently in AD patients and also examine the biochemical action of memantine (10 mg daily) on AD patients. Sixty (60) diagnosed AD patients participated in the present study and classified into four (4) groups: G3 were composed of (15) newly diagnosed males (52-78) years / without treatment, G4 composed of (15) newly diagnosed females (64-90) years/ without treatment, G5 composed of (15) males (60-85) years / under treatment with memantine and G6 composed of (15) females (65-73) years also under treatment with memantine. Patients were compared with healthy subjects as two control groups: G1 composed of (15) males /(52-80) years and G2 composed of (15) females / (64-82) years. Blood samples were collected from the patients and control subjects from November 20th, 2019 to February 26th, 2020. The biochemical parameters determined in the sera of all groups are Interleukin 38, ornithine, and TSH. Results of the present study have revealed that IL-38 level was highly significantly increased in G3 and G4 compared with G1 and G2 respectively while it was highly significant increased in G5 compared with G3 and non significantly increased in G6 compared with G4, the difference between (G5 and G1) and between (G6 and G2) was highly significant while the difference between G4 and G3 was nonsignificant. Ornithine level was highly significantly increased in G3 and G4 compared with G1 and G2 respectively, while it was non significantly decreased in G5 and G6 compared with G3 and G4, respectively. The difference between (G5 and G1) and between (G6 and G2) was highly significant while it was non-significant between G4 and G3. TSH level was highly significant decreased in G3 compared with G1, while it was non significantly decreased in G4 compared with G2. However, it was highly significantly increased in G5 and G6 compared with G3 and G4, respectively, the difference between (G5 and G1) and between (G4 and G3) was nonsignificant while, it was highly significant between (G6 and G2). The present study is the first to report that IL-38 is a novel biochemical marker for AD and also the first elucidating the biochemical action of memantine on IL-38 (by highlighting the anti-inflammatory responses) and ornithine based on the reversible biochemical relationship between arginine, ornithine and glutamate.
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitusand chronic periodontitis hold a close relationship that has been the focus of many researches. Currently there is an appreciation to the role of adipose tissue-derived substances "the adipokines" in immune-inflammatory responses; also, there is an interest in using the simple non-invasive saliva in diagnosing and linking oral and general health problems. The current study aims to determine the periodontal health status in the chronic periodontitis patients with and without poorly or well controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, measure the salivary levels of two adipokines "leptin and resistin", pH and flow rate and then correlate between these clinical periodontal, biochemical and physical parameters in eac
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi is an endemic disease in Iraq. Variations in presentations make it a diagnostic challenge. If untreated or treated inappropriately then it is a serious disease with potentially life-threatening complications. The recent emergence of drug resistant strains of S. Typhi is a rising public health problem and a clinical concern to the physician. AIM: The objectives of the study were to assess and describe the patterns of antimicrobial resistance, clinical characteristics, epidemiological distribution, and complications of typhoid fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty cases of typhoid fever (culture proven) were collected during the period from February 2019 to November 2019 in the me
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that influence the perforation, regardless of the presence of H. pylori infection, in a sample of Iraqi patients with peptic ulcers, admitted to Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital. A total of 90 patients who had perforated peptic ulcer participated in this study. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations and was confirmed intraoperatively. A number of probable risk factors for perforation were investigated. Eighty participants were males and 10 were females (male to female ratio 8:1). About 42.2% of patients were in their fifth decade of life. Forty-nine (54.4%) patients were asymptomatic be
Around 65 million individuals suffer from epilepsy worldwide, and when it is not properly treated, it is linked to higher rates of physical harm and mortality. Due to the requirement for long‐term therapy and the side effects of many medications, medication compliance is a significant issue. The purpose of this review was to summarize the findings of previous studies examining the quality of life (QOL), adherence, patient education, and medication knowledge, as well as the impact of a pharmacist‐led educational intervention. Additionally, to find out if these studies benefit epileptic patients, to find the appropriate method used to help them in all aspects of their lives, and to use these in future studies. A systematic and comprehensi
... Show MoreGalvanic corrosion of stainless steel 316 (SS316) and carbon steel (CS) coupled in 5% wt/v sulfuric acid solution at agitation velocity was investigated. The galvanic behavior of coupled metals was also studied using zero resistance ammeter (ZRA) method. The effects of agitation velocity, temperature, and time on galvanic corrosion current and loss in weight of both metals in both free corrosion and galvanic corrosion were investigated. The trends of open circuit potential (OCP) of each metal and galvanic potential (Eg) of the couple were, also, determined. Results showed that SS316 was cathodic relative to CS in galvanic couple and its OCP was much more positive than that of CS for all investigated ranges of
... Show MoreSpent catalysts for sulfuric acid production have large amount of vanadium and due to environmental authority it is required to reduce the vanadium contain of the spent catalyst. Experimental investigation was conducted to study the vanadium recovery from spent catalyst via leaching process using sodium hydroxide to study the effect of process variables (temperatures, sodium hydroxide molarities, leaching time and particle size) on vanadium recovery. The effect of process variables (temperature, particle size,molarities of sodium hydroxide and leaching time) on the percentages of vanadium recovery were investigated and discussed .It was found that the percentage of vanadium recovery increased with increasing temperature up to 100 , incre
... Show MoreBackground Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world. Patients with PD face numerous challenges in managing their chronic condition, particularly in countries with scarce healthcare infrastructure. Objective This qualitative study aimed to delve into neurologists’ perspectives on challenges and gaps in the Iraqi healthcare system that influence the management of PD, as well as strategies to mitigate these obstacles. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with neurologists from five different Iraqi provinces, working in both hospitals and private neurology clinics, between November 2024 and January 2025. A thematic analysis approach was employed to identify the main challenge
... Show MoreEvaluating treatment effect on interferon-alpha in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study