Background: Decreased taste acuity to the four basic tastes is closely related to health problems (diseases & medications), aging, and smoking. This study aimed to determine taste detection and recognition thresholds to the four basic tastes in some physiological and pathological conditions, determine saliva flow rate, serum and saliva zinc levels in these groups.
Objective and Methods: The study includes 218 individuals (35–80) years old divided into six groups; the control, aging (subjects over 60 years), smokers, diabetics, haemodialysis patients and hypertensive patients on chronic use of captopril.The taste detection and recognition thresholds of sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes, saliva flo

Metabolic dysregulation and obesity are associated with many metabolic alterations, including impairment of insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia. Recent studies highlight the key role of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange proteins (PREX proteins) in the pathogenesis of obesity, advocating further elucidation of their potential therapeutic implications. The present study aimed to estimate the serum level of PREX proteins and its potential association with insulin resistance markers and plasma lipids level in obese and overweight non-diabetic patients. The study included 30 persons classified as obese, 30 as overweight, and 30 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. The levels of PREX1 and PREX2 were

The impact of smoking on human health is remarkable and can lead to death. This research was performed to test the effects of cigarette smoking on some parameters that are considered as signs of critical problems in human body. The study was carried out on fifty Iraqi male smokers in Baghdad city, who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least 15 years. The group includes 25 male smokers with an age range of 20 -55 years and 25 male non-smokers who were collected with the same range of age for statistical comparison. The results of the study revealed significant increases in blood parameters, including hemoglobin (Hb, 16.0917 (g/dl) , packed cell volume (PCV, 49.2%), red blood cells (RBC, 5.4763 X1012/L), white blood cell (WBC, 1

The study is sought to determine specific alteration in AVP-LI level of plasma and sites of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial-system; supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), neurointermediate lobe (NIL), and median eminence (ME), related to effects of stress of different anesthetics and electrical stimulation of RVLM/C1area. Urethane or halothane anesthetized Wistar rats were subjected to intra-RVLM electrical stimulation of 10 sec train, 1msec pulse duration at 40 Hz, and 2V every 30s.  After 30min stimulation, AVP-LI extracted from plasma, NIL, ME, SON, and PVN and measured by RIA, were compared with that of sham-stimulated urethane- or halothane-anesthetized rats and unstimulated unanesthetized control rats. Data

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by androgen excess and chronic anovulation. Some trace elements, macroelements, and heavy metals have been linked to pathophysiological mechanisms of PCOS .

To study the alterations in the serum levels of the trace element manganese (Mn), some macroelements, magnesium(Mg) and calcium (Ca), and the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), in obese and non-obese PCOS patients; and the association of these alterations with some of the hormonal changes occurring in PCOS.

The study was carried out at Kamal Al-Samarrai Hospital (Center for Infertility treatment and in vitro Fertilization "IVF") Baghdad- Iraq. Eig

Examination of 241 specimens of two bee-eater species, Merops apiaster and Merops
superciliosus persicus reveal recording of Haemoproteus meropis (Zagar, 1945) emend.
Bennett, 1978 and H. manwelli Bennett, 1978 for the first time in Iraq. A new species
Haemoproteus hudaidensis sp. nov. is described. Microfilariae are also infected the two host
species. The results are discussed with the pertinent literature and the necessary comparision
of morphometric measurements of the recorded parasites with that previously reported is
provided along with a taxonomic key including the newly described haemoproteid.

Background: Acute exercise stress is associated with a lower lymphocyte functional response. It is suggested that exercise can enhance or reduce immunity depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of the exercise.
Subjects and Methods: From November 2007 to January 2008, thirty healthy Volunteers were recruited from medical, paramedical staffs, and students of Baghdad College of Medicine (all males). Participants were chosen according to the following: (1)Age (between 20 and 35 years), (2) Non obese : Body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) was used as an index of obesity, (3) Non-smoker, (4) No recent medical problem, (5) No recent medications, and (6) No musculoskeletal complaint. After a general m

Background: JAK2V617F mutation is the most prevalent molecular abnormality in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and has become a valuable marker for diagnosis of MPNs. Almost all patients with polycythemia vera (PV) have this acquired mutation. However, it has also been found in many other hematological diseases, and some studies even detected the presence of JAK2V617F in normal blood samples.
Objectives: To discuss the actual need to defer blood donors with high hematocrit.
Patients and methods: This prospective case control study was started on 16th of December 2012 and completed on 8th of July 2013, and enrolled 94 male blood donors who attended the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Bagh

One of the health issues that a coronavirus can induce is blood clotting. Coronavirus can be prevented in a number of ways. Vaccination is one of the critical methods for preventing illness or lessening its impact. This study seeks to estimate a few blood coagulation variables. 147 samples were collected from the Baghdad Governorate in the autumn of 2021. The samples were split into three groups: COVID-19 patients, healthy individuals before and after receiving the (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine, and healthy individuals only. Prothrombin Time (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), Protein C (PTN-C), Protein S (PTN-S), and International Normalized Ratio (INR) for 49 samples were measured and computed for each group. The results have shown th