Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that results in a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible (synovial) joints. Many cases are believed to result from an interaction between genetic factors and environmental exposures. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multip

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Background: The etiology of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is believed to have an immunological component. Association with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) has been previously reported, particularly with DR6.
Patients and methods: 75 cardiac patients were admitted to the coronary care unit, Baghdad Teaching Hospital over the period October 2008-May 2009 with the clinical diagnosis of acute
coronary syndrome and STEMI myocardial infarction their ages range was (25-82) years the number of male was (55) (73.3%) and female was (20) (26.7%). All cases have routine ECG, cardiac marker’s measurements, routine haematological, Biochemical test and 2mls of blood reserved for HLA study.
Results: It was found that H

The practice of self medication is continuously increasing worldwide due to its important roles in curing minor conditions or symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with self medication practice of Iraqi respondents residing in Baghdad City. This study was designed as cross sectional study in which data was collected via direct interviews with respondents using a previously prepared questionnaire. This study investigated 348 respondents from different age groups. The majority of respondents were male aged between 30-60 years, married with secondary or academic level of education and employed with accepted monthly income. The main reason for practicing self medication was previous experience with the same condi

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread infection usually caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite. It occurs in humans and other warm blooded animals, causing severe problems. It was found that there is an alteration in the trace elements concentrations levels associated with some human diseases. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the concentrations of some trace elements (Mg, Fe , Zn, and Cu) in the sera of 60 immunocompetent patients with chronic toxoplasmosis and 82 healthy individuals as a control group. Measuring the serum level of seropositivity rate of anti-T. gondii antibodies was done by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kit, while the concentrations of trace elements were measured by absorption spectrophotometry

Background: Tumor markers are often requested as part of a diagnostic workup, and increased concentrations in serum may suggest malignancy of a particular organ. However, definitive diagnosis is based on histological evaluation of the involved tissue.
Objective: The aim of present study is to evaluated CEA and CA15-3 in order to clarify at least in part their possible use as an early diagnosis tools in sera of patients with stomach, colon and rectum cancers.
Patients and methods: The study was carried out on 61 subjects comprising of 16 patients with colon cancer group (G1), 10 patients with rectum cancer group (G2), 10 patients with stomach cancer group (G3) and 25 normal healthy control The patients were selected, during the peri

ABSTRACTBackground: dyslipidemia plays a crucial rule in the development of cardiovascular disease, which has become the leading cause of death in most developed countries as well as in developing countries (1). The effects of reducing low density lipoprotein – C (LDL-C) concentrations on the prevention of cardiovascular events and stroke have been well reported in many clinical trials.Objectives: Evidence supports the use of statins for lipid modifications in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease, morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of atorvastatin in treating dyslipidemia in Iraqi obese patients.Methods: 200 overweight and obese patients with hypercholesterolemia, according to NCEP ATP

Fifty one patients with serologically confirmed brucellosis and 70 healthy controls were phenotyped for HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ antigens by using standard microlympho-cytotoxicity method, and lymphocytes defined by their CD markers (CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD19). The results revealed a significant (Pc = 0.001) increased frequency of HLA-DR8 (41.18 vs. 10.0%) in the patients . A significant increased percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes was also increased in the patients (25.15 vs. 22.0%; P = 0.006), while CD3+ lymphocytes were significantly decreased (75.1 vs. 79.4%; P = 0.02).

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been found in protein-rich food products where they are generated during certain food processing procedures. Benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P) is a member of a class of PAHs in which the molecular structure includes two or more fused aromatic rings with adjacent rings sharing two or more carbon atoms with the formula C20H12. Dietary intake of these compounds via a formation of B(a)P on processing or cooking lead to metastasis of tumors at several sites, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Objective: We aimed to determinate B(a)P in charcoal and gas broiled chicken, doner kebab and fish meats taken from some restaurants in Baghdad.
Methods: Pro