The Growth Differentiation Factor -15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. İt represents an example of the stress response cytokines. It's mostly found in cardiac myocytes, adipocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular endothelial cells, whether they're generated normally or not. GDF-15 levels have increased and are associated with cardiovascular risk. Aim of the study: To investigate the correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with the level of plasma GDF-15 in a group of hypertensive patients. Materials and methods: A case-control study involved 90 individuals, 60 hypertensive patients (36 on ACE inhibitors and 24 on ARBs)

ABSTRACT Background: One of the methods used in the treatment of maxillofacial fracture is intermaxillary fixation(IMF), the most common type is the Erich arch bar with interdental wiring. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of intermaxillary fixation on gingival health condition among a group of patients with facial fracture in relation to salivary physical properties. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with an age range of (17-37) years old with facial fractures and indicated for IMF. Plaque index and gingival index (Loe, 1967) were used to assess both of them before application and after removal of IMF. Unstimulated saliva sample collection was carried out under standardized conditions according to Navazesh and Kum

Background: Mouth breathing can lead to introduce cold, dry unprepared air that insults the tissue of oral cavity, nasopharynx and lung, leading in turn to pathological changes in oronasal cavity, nasopharyngeal and other respiratory tissue, mouth breathing associated with nasal obstruction may lead to many health problems, in particular oral health problems such as inflammation of gingiva, oral dryness, change in oral environment that may decrease pH, salivary flow rate and increase bacteria and dental caries.Aims of the present study were to assess the oral health condition among mouth breather associated with nasal obstruction, including dental caries, oral cleanliness and gingival health condition as well as to evaluate the changes in s

Background: There are many congenital anomalies associated with cleft lip and/or palate. This research is to study the prevalence of congenitally missing teeth and supernumerary teeth in this population group. Materials and Method: One hundred eight cleft lip and/or palate Iraqi patients had participated in this study (57 male, 51 female), 3-12 years of age. 26 of them had orthopantomogram were within (6-12) years of age were inspected for congenitally missing teeth and supernumerary teeth. Patients whom age range 3-5 years were checked for the congenitally missing teeth by clinical examination with strongly insisting the teeth were not missed due to caries or trauma. Results: There were 19(73.076%) patients with 41 congenitally missing tee

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by joint inflammation and the presence of autoantibodies, mostly Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACCP) which are released when the body loses its ability to distinguish between self and foreign molecules. Serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) is an acute phase protein produced in response to inflammatory conditions including RA.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic ability of SAA2 in comparison with ACCP and the prediction of disease activity and response to treatment by Methotrexate and Etanercept in Iraqi RA patients.  

Patients and methods: A case control study, on a to

       The present study conducted on 30 female patients with osteoarthritis OA a attending Baghdad teaching hospital, in addition to 30 healthy females, all subjects were (35-65) year's old .Parameters were measured in the sera of patients group and healthy groups were interleukin -8 (IL-8) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).The results revealed a higher significant in all parameters of patients sera compared to healthy groups. Conclusion was obtained that IL-8 and hs- CRP were a markers or player inflammatory disease like osteoarthritis nodal  

M(II) Ions using amino acid L- proline as a primary ligand and either Nicotinamide or 8- hydroxyqinoline as secondary ligand, respectively: a. The mixed ligand complexes of composition,[M(pro)2(na)2]. b. The mixed ligand complexes of composition , Na[M(pro)2(Q)]. Where proline (C5H9NO2) symbolized as pro H , Nicotinamide (C6H6N2O) symbolized as (NA) , 8- hydroxyqinoline, (C9H7NO2) symbolized as (8-HQ). The ligands and the metal chlorides were brought into reaction at room temperature (37ºc) in ethanol as solvent .The reaction required the following molar ratios [(1:2:2) metal:2NA:2pro-] and [(1:1:2) metal:Q:2pro-] with M+2 ions, where M = [Mn (II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and pd(II)]. Products were found to be solid crystall

Background: Obesity and dental caries are multifactorial diseases related to poor eating habits and show a close relationship with the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals presenting these diseases. This research aimed to investigate the severity of dental caries among group of obese boys aged 12 year in relation to salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of unstimulated whole saliva in comparison with normal weighted boys of the same age. Materials and Methods: The study group included 40 obese boys, with an age of 12 year. The control group included 40 normal weighted boys of the same age. The total sample involved for nutritional status assessment using Body Mass Index specific for age and gender according t