Chronic liver disease (CLD) can potentially cause disruptions in the normal functioning of various endocrine organs responsible for producing hormones. As a result, individuals suffering from CLD may experience fluctuations or imbalances in the levels of certain hormones within their bodies. As well as they frequently have suppressed immune systems making them more vulnerable to parasite infections. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between Toxoplasma gondii infections and liver function by analyzing the interplay between these parasites and hormones. This study was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2021 to May 2022. One hundred and twenty male patients with Chronic liver disease (CLD) (age:14-75 years) and 120 control males (age: 24-70 years) participated in this study. Stool and serum samples were collected from all individuals and were then analysed for intestinal protozoan parasites and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies respectively. Hormonal tests were conducted for all participants which included (Cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, insulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH). Biochemical tests included (Prothrombin time PT, international normalized ratio INR and albumin); liver enzymes were (aspartate aminotransferase AST, alanine aminotransferase ALT, alkaline phosphatase ALP and gamma-glutamyl transferase GGT) and interleukins (Interleukin 13 IL-13 and transforming growth factor TGF). The findings indicate that among the control group participants, 34 individuals, which constitute 28.33% of that group, tested positive for protozoan parasitic infections. In contrast, a higher proportion, 69 individuals or 57.5%, of the participants diagnosed with CLD were found to be positive for protozoan parasites. Four sub-groups were formed in response to prior results: Control-parasites positive, control-parasites negative, CLD-parasite positive and CLD-parasite negative. The status of the protozoan parasites did not affect the hormones levels. The results of liver enzymes showed that parasite positive status was significantly related to all enzymes among CLD patients except the GGT. As well as parasite positive status was not correlated with the other biochemical (PT, INR, and albumin) and immunological parameters (IL-13 and TGF). There was no correlation between the positive status of parasites and cortisol, testosterone, insulin, prolactin, or TSH. The liver enzyme results showed a high correlation (p<0.05) between the presence of parasites and all of the enzymes among CLD patients, with the exception of the GGT enzyme. PT, INR, albumin, and the other biochemical and immunological markers (IL-13 and TGF) did not correlate with the presence of parasites.
Objective: to assess the awareness and knowledge of our medical students regarding dose levels of imaging procedures and radiation safety issues, and to conclude how the curriculum of clinical radiology in the college medical program impacts such knowledge.
Subjects and methods: this is a cross-sectional study conducted among 150 medical students in Alkindy College of Medicine between January 2021 to July 2021, regardless of their age or gender. The study included six grades according to the year 2020-2021. A questionnaire consisting of 12 multiple-choice questions was conducted via an online survey using Google Forms. The questions were divided into two parts
... Show MoreObjective: The study aimed to 1) measure the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Iraqi pharmacy and medical students at a number of universities in Baghdad using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 2) investigate the association between various sociodemographic factors and students’ HADS scores. Methods: This study was based on a cross-sectional descriptive design in four universities in Baghdad, Iraq. Depression and anxiety were screened using an Arabic version of the HADS. An online survey was administered via Qualtrics to convenience samples of students at four colleges of pharmacy and a college of medicine between March and June 2018. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated
... Show MoreAim: This study aimed to assessing orthodontic knowledge and attitude among general dentists and non-orthodontic specialists. Background: Early detection of orthodontic disorders is essentialin motivating patients to intervene prior to long term complications when the disorders are not recongised. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed amongst dentistsother than orthodontists. This questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first one aimed to collect demographic, educational level and practice type information. Further two sections consisted of closed-end questions designed to evaluateknowledge and attitude of orthodontics. Results: A total of 313 responses to the survey were submitted. No significant correlation was observed, e
... Show MoreThis study aims to (1) identify the level of job enrichment and organizational cynicism among workers in some youth and sport forums, and (2) identify the influence the job enrichment in the organizational cynicism from their perspective. A descriptive survey was used to guide this study. The study included 478 workers who were randomly selected from the youth and sport forums in Baghdad City in 2019. The Job Enrichment Scale and the Organizational Cynicism Scale were used. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science, version 26. The study results revealed that the level of job enrichment and organizational cynicism among workers were unsatisfactory. This calls for paying more attention to these phenomena and improve
... Show MoreThe current research aims to identify: 1. The level of mathematical construct among the Department of Mathematics students in the colleges of education and basic education. 2. The level of effective mathematical operations in both sides of the brain at the Department of Mathematics students in the colleges of education and basic education. 3. The strength and direction of the correlation between the mathematical construct and effective mathematical operations on both sides of the brain at the Department of Mathematics students in the colleges of Education and Basic Education. To investigate the research objectives, the researcher formulated zero-main hypothesis for each aim and from the same hypothesis, three sub-zero hypotheses are deri
... Show MoreBackground: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative aging disease, with idiopathic PD being most common. Gastrointestinal tract disorders (GITD) and microbiota changes may trigger idiopathic PD. Neurotoxins from microbiota can travel from the gut to the brain via the brain-gut axis (BGA), leading to α-syn protein misfolding and dopaminergic neuron death. Methods: The aim of the current study was to investigate the link between PD and GITD by measuring several biochemical and immunological markers in 142 patients. The biochemical markers measured were vitamins B6, B12, and D, calcium, serotonin, ghrelin, dopamine, and α-syn protein. The immunological markers included transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tu
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to assess the influence of some risks factors on the fistula development after palatoplasty to improve the outcome of the patients
A total of 48 patients (the males were 22, The females were 26) were included in this study. All the patients were examined weekly for the first month postoperatively to assess any breakdown in the wound by inspection and by asking the parents for any nasal regurgitation during fluids feeding.
Applying the constructability concept in the construction industry has proven many benefits in different projects; however, this concept still lacks usage in Iraq. Therefore, it is important to encourage usage of the constructability concept in the construction industry in Iraq. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that affect constructability in Iraq and then classify them according to their importance. A total of 37 factors were collected from an intensive literature review, and they were classified under the sub and main categories. A survey was undertaken in two sessions with open questionnaire and close questionnaire. The results were analysed and the mean
Background: Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism affects the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.Objectives: To identify risk factors for Autism among a sample of autistic children in Baghdad city. Type of the study: this is a case – control, study. Methods: This study was conducted during the period of data collection extended from first of November 2010 until the first of April 2011,The total number of children involved was 100children with diagnosis of autism. Handred children who are free from autism were taken as the control sample. Results: there was a significant association between paternal age and
... Show MoreCilnidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to improve the neurological outcome following subarachnoid hemorrhage. It belongs to BCS class II drugs that have a low oral bioavailability of 13%, thus preparation as nanoparticles would be expected to improve bioavailability. The aim of the study is to prepare Cilnidipine as nanoparticles using different carriers and co-carriers, concentrations, and types. Cilnidipine nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent anti-solvent method using different carriers (Soluplus®, Poloxamer 188, PVA cold) with co-stabilizers (PEG200, glycerol) at different ratios. Based on the obtained results, formula N4, which included Soloplus in a 5:5:1.19 weight ratio of drug to
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