The use of antibiotics without prescription (self-medication) is growing globally and is associated with increased bacterial resistance, ineffective treatment and adverse reactions. This study aimed at assessing the practice of antibiotic self-medication in the Iraqi population. A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this work. The sample was comprised of 303 staff members from the non-medical colleges in Iraq. An online questionnaire was distributed between the 29th of June to the 14th of September 2021 to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics and questions about antibiotic self-medication. Most of the participants had a university degree and a moderate monthly income. The majority (88%) have practiced self-medication at least once before. A “simple” condition and convenience were the main motivators behind self-medication, which was mainly used for sore throat, fever and cough. Own experience was the most reported determining factor for selecting an antibiotic, and community pharmacies were the main source for obtaining the antibiotics. About 40% of the participants admitted to switching the antibiotic or changing its dose during the treatment course. Self-medication with antibiotics is a major issue in our community and measures have to be taken to reduce its impact on public health through the development of bacterial resistance.
Gestational diabetes mellitus is glucose intolerance of varying degree with onset or first detection duringpregnancy,it can causelong and short term morbidities in both the mother and the child, such as shoulder dystocia,preeclampsia, and high blood pressure. The most powerful endogenous vasoconstrictor peptide, urotensin II, andits receptor are involved in the etiology of gestational diabetes mellitus.Aim of the study: The study’s goal was to see if there is a link between Urotensin II levels and insulin resistancein pregnant women with gestational diabetes.Patients and method: A case-control study that was conducted in obstetrics and gynecology department atBaghdad Teaching hospital from the first of January 2019 to the end of D
... Show MoreBackground: Insulin resistance is present in 50% or more of patients with primary hypothyroidism. Metformin can decrease TSH levels in these patients by a complex matter, this can be of great help in clinical practice.
Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of metformin in reducing TSH levels in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
Methods: Hundred patients with primary hypothyroidism, 82 females, 18 males were included in this study, everyone was followed up for two months after adding metformin 850 mg twice daily in addition to thyroxin.
Results: 36 patients (36%) have a normal baseline TSH and no change after 2 months, 64 pa
... Show MoreThree hundred and sixty different samples were collected from different sources, including wound, burn, nasal, and oral swabs from several hospitals in Baghdad. A number of 150 (53%) Staphylococcus aureus samples were isolated and identified among a total of 283 samples. Then, the spread of the Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 gene (tsst-1) was investigated in β-lactamase resistant S. aureus. According to the source of samples, the distribution of S. aureus isolates was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01) in wound samples as compared to other sources. According to the age, a highly significant distribution (p < 0.01) was recorded in the age group of 15-30 years,
... Show MoreThe preparation of low cost activated carbon from date stones and microwave method by using K2CO3 as chemical activator were investigated.
The prepared activated carbon was used to remove fluoroquinolones antibiotics from aqueous solution. The characterizations of the activated carbon is represented by surface area, pore volume, ash content, moisture content, bulk density, and iodine number. The adsorbed fluoroquinolones antibiotics are Ciprofloxcin (CIP), Norfloxcin (NOR) and Levofloxcin (LEVO). Different variables as pH, initial concentrations and contact time were studied to show the efficieny of prepared activated carbon. The experimental adsorption data were analyzed by Lungmuir, Freundlich
... Show MoreAtotal of 75 different clinical samples were collected from different hospitals in Baghdad Biochemical and morphological characterization tests showed that forty isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus Antibiotic susceptibility tests of all isolates towards ten antibiotics were carried out and results showed that many isolates (97.5 %) were resistant to ?-lactam antibiotic , 70 % were resistant to Tetracyclinee , 62.5% were resistant to co-trimoxazole , 60 % were resistant to ciprofloxacin , 55% were resistant both of chloramphenicol and erythromycin , 52.5% were resistant to gentamicin , 35% were resistant to rifampicin , 10% were resistant to vancomycin . According to the above results the S.aureus I1 which is isolated
... Show MoreBackground and Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs), among a wide range of microbial infections, are of a double-edged worry with health-care and economic implications. They are serious diseases that can influence various parts of the urinary tract. The aim of this study was characterization of the enteric bacteria isolated from urine of human UTIs and studying their antimicrobial sensitivity. Materials and methods: A total of 50 urine samples were collected from patients with UTIs of both genders. The isolates identification was done using routine diagnostic methods and confirmed by Vitek2. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done against 10 antimicrobials. Results: Both genders of human were found to suffer from urinary tract problems
... Show MoreA field study was conducted in Al-Khalis district, Diyala Governorate in 2019 to test the sensitivity of three varieties of pepper to the population density of the whitefly B. tabaci, Anaheim pepper, Aleppo and local variety, and the results showed that the Anaheim variety was the most infested with the whitefly density 4.08 whitefly/ leaf and then the local variety 2.7 whitefly/ leaf. The lowest population density was 1.25 whitefly/ leaf of Aleppo variety. Variety Aleppo also recorded the lowest percentage of whitefly infection B. tabaci of 39.22%, but not have significant differences in the percentage of whitefly infestation, as it reached 53.64% and 54.85% for the Anaheim and local varieties, respectively. The resistance of variety Alepp
... Show MorePeriodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease that affects tooth-supporting soft/hard tissues of the dentition. The dental plaque biofilm is considered as a primary etiological factor in susceptible patients; however, other factors contribute to progression, such as diabetes and smoking. Current management utilizes mechanical biofilm removal as the gold standard of treatment. Antibacterial agents might be indicated in certain conditions as an adjunct to this mechanical approach. However, in view of the growing concern about bacterial resistance, alternative approaches have been investigated. Currently, a range of antimicrobial agents and protocols have been used in clinical management, but these remain largely non-v
... Show MoreThe results of the present study showed that twenty-five samples were collected for the age group 35–40 years and four samples for the age group 65–70 years for both genders. The results showed that 48 (48%) of the samples were obtained from the hands, 16 (16%) from the legs, 12 (12%) from the abdominal area, and 10 (10%) from the chest area. The four (4%) samples were obtained from burns in the back and thighs area. The samples taken according to the cause of burns were 40 (40%) due to hot water, hot liquids, or hot steam, followed by 18 (18%) due to the use of hot tools, 15 (15%) due to fires, 12 (12%) due to electric currents, 10 (10%) due to chemicals such as strong acids, alkaline lye, paint thinner, or gasoline, and 5 (5%) due
... Show MoreThe development of new building materials, able of absorbing more energy is an active research area. Engineering Cementitious Composite (ECC) is a class of super-elastic fiberreinforced cement composites characterized by high ductility and tight crack width control. The use of bendable concrete produced from Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) may lead to an interest in new concrete mixes. Impact results of bendable concrete reinforced with steel mesh and polymer fibers will provide data for the use of this concrete in areas subject to impact loading. The experimental part consisted of compressive strength and impact resistance tests along with a result comparison with unreinforced concrete. Concrete samples, with dimensions of 100×
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