BACKGROUND: Diffuse astrocytomas constitute the largest group of primary malignant human intracranial tumours. They are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) into three histological malignancy grades: diffuse astrocytomas (grade II), anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) and glioblastoma (grade IV) based on histopathological features such as cellular atypia, mitotic activity, necrosis and microvascular proliferation. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a 170-kDa transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor expressed in a variety of normal and malignant cells regulating critical cellular processes. When activated, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) triggers several signalling cascades leading to increased proliferation and angiogenesis and decreased apoptosis and hence associated with aggressive progression of the tumour. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) level is known to be a strong indicator associated with the aggressive behaviour of the tumour and acts as a prognostic factor for evaluating the survival rate. AIM: To evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in different grades of astrocytoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded astrocytic tumours of 44 patients were collected from the archival material of pathology department of Ghazi Al Hariri Teaching Hospital during the period from June to December 2018. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were used to characterise the tumours histologically based on cellularity, nuclear hyperchromasia, polymorphism, mitotic activity, vascular proliferation and necrosis with or without pseudopallisading of tumour cells. Diagnosis and grading of astrocytic tumours in this study were made according to WHO criteria (2016). Using a monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and immunohistochemical analysis, the expression and distribution of epidermal growth factor receptor in astrocytic tumours were examined. RESULTS: The study included 1 case pilocytic astrocytoma (grade I), 20 cases diffuse astrocytoma (grade II), 5 cases anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III) and 18 cases of glioblastoma (grade IV). Expression of EGFR was found in 38.88% of the glioblastoma samples (grade IV). However, none of the astrocytomas of WHO grades I, II and III showed immunoreactivity for EGFR protein. Different patterns of immunoreactive cells and significant intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR expression were observed in glioblastomas. CONCLUSION: The immunohistochemical expression of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was restricted only to high-grade astrocytic tumours, namely glioblastoma, thus may use to predict glioblastoma.
Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of incidence rate 1-2%. Genetic, congenital, developmental, tumors, head trauma and central nervous system infections maybe the cause of epilepsy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of stomatitis, xerostomia and taste disorder among patients taking carbamazepine or sodium valproate and to make salivary analysis for IgA, cystatin c and salivary flow rate. Material and method:This study performed in al- Yarmuk teaching hospital in Baghdad, Samples consist of (70) epileptics half of them treated with carbamazepine and other half treated with sodium valproate, and (18) healthy control group of both genders and with different ages to detect the prevalence of oral manifestations, s
... Show MoreHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is ubiquitous and successfully reactivated in patients with immune dysfunction as in patient with multiple myeloma (MM), causing a wide range of life-threatening diseases. Early detection of HCMV and significant advances in MM management has amended patient outcomes and prolonged survival rates.
The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of active HCMV in MM patients.
This is a case–control study involved 50 MM patients attending Hematology Center, Bag
Background: Fractures of the humeral shaft
accounting for approximately 3% of all
fractures. There is a wide array of good
options for their treatment and controversy
over the best methods. Although good
techniques of osteosynthesis are available, the
aim of this article is toemphasize on the benefit
and good outcome of conservative treatment
for properly selected cases to decrease the cost
and avoid the complications of surgery.
In this study, 158 clinical samples were collected from hospitalized burn patients during the period from December 2012 to June 2013 in Karbala province\ Iraq. Bacterial isolates were identified using conventional biochemical tests and then identification was confirmed by using Vitek-2 compact system. Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovery was 60 isolates in this study. These isolates were analyzed for antibiotic susceptibility by the disk diffusion test (DDT) according to Kirby Bauer's method using seven clinically important antipseudomonal agents: carbapenems (Imipenem and Meropenem), pencillins (Piperacillin), cephalosporins (Ceftazidim), monobactam (Aztreonam), quinolones (Ciprofloxacin) and aminoglycosides (Gentamicin). The results of resista
... Show MoreThe present study was identified the type of bacterial contamination of Iraqi banknotes currency (Iraqi dinars) in circulation. 68 Iraqi banknotes currency of different denominations samples were randomly gathered from different locations and different occupational groups in Baghdad city. The results showed 61 (89.70%) of the samples were determined to be contaminated with bacteria, whereas 7 (10.29%) were confirmed to be sterile. A total of 11 different species of bacteria resulting in 72 isolates were found from those 61 contaminated Iraqi banknotes currency. Based on culture, morphological and biochemical tests, 11 isolates were identified as Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Leu
... Show MoreThroughout what mentioned above, It is obvious that the aware narrator in these biography models was the strongest tool in presenting the content, especially the biographies under study were written by feminine hands, striving to prove her identity by all means and ways. In addition, we can suppose that the hiding of she writer behind the character is no more than a mask, by which she want to mask herself so that she can express herself frankly and freely, especially when she talks about subjects that are inconsistent with the society, customs and traditions. It is important to refer that the existence of the participant narrator in the biographies under study does not prevent the presence of another narrator such as external or aware na
... Show Moreجريت التجربة في اصص فخارية سعة كل اصيص 4 كغم تربة في البيت الزجاجي التابع لقسم علوم الحياة/كلية التربية ابن الهيثـــــــــم/جـامعــة بـغداد لموســم النمـو 2008-2009 لدراســة تأثيــر اربعـــة مستويـــــات من سمــــاد اليوريـــا وهي (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) غم/اصيص والتي تعادل (0, 100, 200, 400) كغم/هكتار وثلاث مستويات من سماد السوبر فوسفات وهي (0, 0.1, 0.2) غم/اصيص والتي تعادل (0, 100, 200) كغم/هكتارفي مكونـات الحاصـــل لنبــات الحلبـــة Trigonella foe
... Show MoreAbstract Asthma is a complex disease defined by chronic airway inflammation and airflow limitation causing variable respiratory symptoms which include shortness of breath (SOB), wheezing, chest tightness and cough. Asthma guidelines advocate adding a second long acting bronchodilator to medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) rather using high doses of ICS alone to control moderate to severe persistent asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of three medication regimens indicated for Iraqi patients suffering from persistent asthma. This study was interventional randomized clinical study conducted on a sample of adult Iraqi asthmatic patients in Baghdad City. The study com
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among the Iraqi population. Affected patients exhibit different clinical behaviours according to the molecular subtypes of the tumour. AIM: To identify the clinical and pathological presentations of the Iraqi breast cancer subtypes identified by Estrogen receptors (ER), Progesterone receptors (PR) and HER2 expressions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 486 Iraqi female patients diagnosed with breast cancer. ER, PR and HER2 contents of the primary tumours were assessed through immunohistochemical staining; classifying the patients into five different groups: Triple Negative (ER/PR negative/HER2 negative), Triple Positive (ER/PR positive/HER2 positive), Luminal A (ER
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