One of the major health problems causing defects or damage to one or more of the four heart valves [aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid] is valvular heart disease [VHD]; it occurs due to congenital abnormalities or acquired pathology. It is a defect that results in weak heart valves and is therefore unable to function as precise pathways of the blood. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp) and the lipid profile of valvular heart disease patients in sera. Ninety subjects were included in this study and 60 patients with HDV were divided into two subgroups according to the affected valve: 33 patients with aortic valve disease (AV) and 27 patients with mitral valve disease (MV group). In addition, 30 healthy individuals were registered in all groups as control(C) group Serum copper (Cu), total protein (TP), activity and specific activity of ferroxidase Cp, and lipid profile were measured. The results showed that there was a highly significant increase in patient (AV & MV) groups compared to the C group in activity, specific Cp and Cu activity levels. In addition, compared to the C group, triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels showed a highly significant increase in the AV and MV groups. No significant differences were found between patients and control groups in TP, Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) & High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Likewise, for all parameters, there were no significant differences between the AV and MV groups. In conclusion, the high serum level of Cu and the activity of Cp ferroxidase may be considered to be a risk factor for VHD.
After harvesting, Alfalfa plant was washed, dried and ground to get fine powder used in treatment water. We used alfalfa plant with ethanol to made alcoholic extract and characterized it applying (GC-Mass, FTIR, UV) spectroscopy to determine active compounds. Alcoholic extract was used to prepare zinc nanoparticle. We characterized Zinc nanoparticles by using FTIR, UV, SEM, EDX Zeta potential and AFM. Zinc nanoparticle with Alfalfa extract and alfalfa powder was used to treat pollutant water with pesticides and negative ions by two methods, namely Batch and continuous processing. Batch process was used two times firstly, with Alfalfa plant to treat water affected by pesticides and negative ions, after 1h pesticides (glyphosate 44.76%, sulfo
... Show MoreCeliac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder caused by gluten in genetically susceptible individuals characterized by chronic inflammation that essentially affects the small intestine. Objective: this study was designed to measure the potential role of some serological biomarkers including vitamin B12 and homocysteine (HCY) in the progression of CD as well as their relations to global DNA methylation (5mC). Materials and methods. Forty CD patients were enrolled in the study with an average age of (36.60 ± 2.03) years (range between 15 and 60). The diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by serological examinations and intestinal endoscopy in Gastroenterology and Liver Teaching Hospital in the Medical City Hospital in Baghdad
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a proangiogenic factor that exerts different effects over stem cell survival growth, apoptosis, and adhesion. Its impact on leukemogenesis has been established by many studies. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of plasma HGF activity on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients at presentation and after remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study of 30 newly-diagnosed, adult, and AML patients. All patients received the 7+3 treatment protocol. Patients’ clinical data were taken at presentation, and patients were followed up for 6 months to evaluate the clinical status. Plasma HGF levels were estimated by ELISA based methods in the pa
... Show MoreBackground: Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent age-related condition that increases the risk of fracture and bone fragility, as result loss of bone mass as well as micro-architectural degradation of the bone, thereby reducing the mass and strength of bone. Human β-defensin (HBD-3) is ananti-inflammatory peptide andcrucial part of the human innate immune system. Giving early therapeutic intervention for OP requires an early diagnosis. Objectives: To evaluate the serum HBD-3 accuracy of diagnosis in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: The study was conducted in the National Joint Center at Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad during September - October 2023. Eighty participants were recruited, all of whom had clinical examinations an
... Show MoreThe Tigris River is a major source of Iraq’s drinking and agricultural water supply. An increase in pollution by heavy metals can be a great threat to human and aquatic life. In this study, the pollution index (PI) and metal index (MI) were used to evaluate the status of the Tigris River in Baghdad City. Five stations were chosen to conduct the study. Five heavy metals were analyzed: iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr). The result of PI was ranked between “No effect to moderately affected for Fe; Slightly Affected to Seriously Affected for Pb; no effect to moderately affected for Ni, and no effect to strongly affected for Cr; only Zn was in the No effec
The neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have the potential to be inflammatory markers that reflect the activity of many inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the NLR and PLR as potential markers of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
The study involved 132 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 81 healthy controls matched in terms of age and gender. Their sociodemographic data, disease activity scores using the Bath Ankylosing
The amount of protein in the serum depends on the balance between the rate of its synthesis, and that of its catabolism or loss. Abnormal metabolism may result from nutritional deficiency, enzyme deficiency, abnormal secretion of hormones, or the actions of drugs and toxins. Renal cancer is the third most common malignancy of the genitourinary system, and accounts for 3% of adult malignancies globally. Total serum proteins were measured in malignant kidney tumor, benign kidney tumors, and non tumoral kidney diseases patient groups, as well as in healthy individuals. A significant decrease (p< 0.001) of total serum protein levels in patients with malignant kidney tumors when compared with those of benign tumors, non tumoral diseases, and hea
... Show MoreBackground: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune vesiculobullous mucocutaneous disease with life-threatening consequences. Rituximab (RTX) has recently emerged as an effective treatment for PV. Objectives: This study aims to determine changes in neutrophil and platelet counts for PV patients treated with RTX or corticosteroids combined with Imuran (azathioprine). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Thirty PV patients received two types of treatment: 15 patients were administered RTX and 15 patients took corticosteroids with Imuran (azathioprine). Neutrophil and platelet counts were detected at the hospital laboratory. Results
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