Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible the association between +3061 (G>A, rs1143676) missense mutation in exon 24 of the integrin α-4 subunit (ITGA-4) gene and the response to natalizumab in a sample of Iraqi multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: A sample of 59 patients with multiple sclerosis (16 males and 43 females; mean age of 32 years; age range of 15 to 52 years) receiving natalizumab for at least 12 consecutive months were involved in the study between March and August/ 2022. The sample was categorized into two groups according to their response to natalizumab treatment (responders and non-responders). Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger’s sequencing for the extracted deoxyribonucleic acid was pe

Background : To assess the actual practice of breast self-examination (BSE), as an early detection tool for breast cancer, among a sample of patients affected with breast cancer in Iraq.Methods: A random sample of 200 female patients with breast cancer was analyzed to evaluate the extent of their actual practice of breast self-examination before the diagnosis of the disease.  The examined variables included the age of the patients, marital status, education, occupation, smoking habit, family history of cancer, frequency of gravidity, parity and abortions. Results: The age of patients ranged from (24-70) years with a mean age of 48 years. The highest frequency of the examined sample

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a worldwide distribution and common infections. The presence of HCMV genome and antigens has been detected in many kinds of human cancers. The proto-oncogene Her2/neu is overexpressed in 25% to 30% of human breast cancers and frequently associated with tumor aggressiveness and worse prognosis. Examination was applied to detect different HCMV antigens and to demonstrate their correlation with Her2/neu overexpression in breast cancer. The present study includes samples from 70 women of 60 breast cancer patients and 10 normal breast tissues. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks were obtained from each woman according to ethical approval. Human cytomegalovirus early antigen expression was detected in 5

Background: Epithelial salivary gland tumours are relatively uncommon and constitute a wide spectrum of variable morphologic and biologic entities. The cell proliferation / death balance is most important in the development of salivary gland tumours. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of PCNA protein immunohistochemically and Bax mRNA gene using in situ hybridization techniques and to correlate between the clinicopathological features of salivary gland tumours with the expressions of PCNA protein and Bax mRNA. Materials and Methods: Forty nine formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of epithelial salivary gland tumours were used in this study. Haematoxylin and Eosin stain was used for reassessment of the histopath

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a chronic and progressive condition, which affects people all around the world. The risk of complications increases with age if the disease is not managed properly. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by excessive blood glucose and lipid levels, resulting in nerve damage. Apelin is a peptide hormone that is found in different human organs, including the central nervous system and adipose tissue. The aim of this study is to estimate Apelin levels in diabetes type 2 and Diabetic peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Iraqi patients and show the extent of peripheral nerve damage. The current study included 120 participants: 40 patients with Diabetes Mellitus, 40 patients with Diabetic peripheral Neuropathy, and 40 healthy

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women's health, with an increasing incidence worldwide. This study aimed to measure the intracellular concentration of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α), tumor suppression protein p53, and estradiol (E2) in tumor tissues of adult females with breast cancer and their relation to tumor grade, tumor size, and lymph node metastases (LNM). The study was conducted on 65 adult female participants with breast mass admitted to the operating theater in Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital and Al-Habboby Teaching Hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq, from January to November 2021. Fresh breast tumor tissues were collated and homogenized for intracellular biochemical analysis using the enzyme-linked immuno