Interleukin -33 is a new member of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines that is expressed mainly by stromal cells.Its expression is upregulated following pro-inflammatory stimulation.Aim of the present study was to assess the serum IL-33 level and its relationship with inflammatory biomarker CRP in Iraqi females patients with celiac disease. Thirty five patients with celiac disease (CD) and thirty healthy individuals as control group were enrolled in this study,their age ranged (20-35) year.Anti-Gliadin IgA ,IgG and Anti-Tissue IgA ,IgG were estimated in all subjects as diagnostic parameters .ESR and CRP were assayed as inflammatory biomarkers. IL-33 was determined in patients and control groups.The results of the present study revealed a hig

     Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infection that occurs when the number of lactobacillus spp. bacteria (vaginal flora) decreases in the vaginal canal. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus within vaginosis in order to emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment. Totally, 90 vaginal swabs were collected using speculum and swabbing. The vaginal swabs were subjected to standard microbiological testing, which included microscopy, cultures (Blood agar and Mannitol salt agar), and antibiotic sensitivity testing. The results showed that out of 90 samples, only 40 S.aureus isolates were collected. S. aureus isolates showed maximum sensitivity to gentamic

      Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common heterogeneous disorder syndrome in females, characterized by chronic oligoovulation, polycystic ovary, and hyperandrogenism. This study aimed to the association of ferritin and transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) levels with insulin resistance, cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks. Patients and methods: (61) Iraqi women with PCOS patients diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria, were subdivided according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) to: (20) lean women with normal BMI: (18-24), (17) overweight women with BMI: (25-29) and (25) obese women with BMI >30. For the the purpose of comparison, (20) healthy Iraqi women were enrolled as controls ma

Background: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery.  

Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight).

Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al

In their cross-sectional study, Al-Rubaye et al studied the extent of vitamin D (VD) deficiency/ insufficiency, factors affecting its degree, and the adverse outcomes of the altered VD status among a group of mothers and their neonates from Baghdad, Iraq. They found that 96.6% of the mothers had VD deficiency/ insufficiency compared to 86.4% in their neonates. Maternal VD levels and neonatal weights were significantly correlated with neonatal VD levels. We believe that the study results need to be revised. This is based  two points listed in this letter to editor

Background: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery.   Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight). Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al-Rusafah from 1st of June 2019 to 31st of August 2019. Dat

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The metabolism of iron is closely regulated by hepcidin which exerts its action by interacting with a ferroportin.

 The aim of the present study was to assess the alterations in the levels of some serum biomarkers that have a role in iron homeostasis (hepcidin and ferroportin) in addition to hematological parameters (hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelets count) in different stages of BC.

This study included 66 women with BC. The patients were categorized as follows : group 1 includes :22 patients with stage I disease ,group 2 includes: 22 patients with stage II disease ,and group 3 include: 22 patients with stage III disease .Group 4 includes :22 appare

Background: Oocytes are susceptible to alterations in the various fatty acid contents of follicular fluid (FF), which may influence maturation and embryogenesis. Different fatty acids exert various effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which needs further studies to uncover the involved mechanisms. Objectives: To assess FF fatty acids in women undergoing ICSI and to correlate them with ICSI parameters, namely the total count of aspirated oocytes, oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate and percentage of good-quality embryos. Methods: Fifty women undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. FF samples were collected during oocyte retrieval and were analyzed for fatty acids using gas chromatography. Fa

Background: Oocytes are susceptible to alterations in the various fatty acid contents of follicular fluid (FF), which may influence maturation and embryogenesis. Different fatty acids exert various effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which needs further studies to uncover the involved mechanisms. Objectives: To assess FF fatty acids in women undergoing ICSI and to correlate them with ICSI parameters, namely the total count of aspirated oocytes, oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate and percentage of good-quality embryos. Methods: Fifty women undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. FF samples were collected during oocyte retrieval and were analyzed for fatty acids using gas chromatography. Fa

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular diseases in immunocompromised organ transplant patients; it has been linked with the elevated arterial blood pressure. This study aimed to find a relationship between CMV antibody titers and blood pressure elevation by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure CMV IgG levels in the serum of 60 patients with high blood pressure, in comparison to 30 healthy persons with normal blood pressure as a control. All patients and control were 25-50 years old. The results showed that CMV antibody titers were higher in those who undergo blood pressure elevation. This finding supports the hypothesis that; the common CMV infection may leads to i