This study included the isolation and identification of Citrobacter freundii from 220 samples collected from inpatients and outpatients suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI) and identified at the laboratory of the General Samarra Hospital in Samarra City, Iraq. The study was conducted to investigate some of the virulence factors produced by C. freundii. The results showed that 67 isolates were belonging to the C. freundii, with a rate of 30.45%. Twenty eight samples were from inpatients (41.8%) and 39 samples were from outpatients. The bacterial identification was based on cultural and biochemical tests and confirmed by using VITEK2 compact system. Virulence factor results showed that all isolates were not blood hydrolyzing whereas they produced protease. Seven isolates (10.4%) produced biofilm, five from inpatients and two from outpatients, at rates of 17.8% and 5.1%, respectively. The results showed that 17 (25.4%) of the pathogenic isolates were β-lactamase producers, as determined by the iodometric method, twelve of them (17.9%) were from inpatients and 5 (7.5%) from outpatients. Four isolates of C. freundii produced Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESβL) enzymes, three from inpatients and one from outpatients, with ratios of 4.5% and 1.4%, respectively. Also, the via B gene, which is responsible for virulence factors, was investigated using PCR. The results showed that 12 isolates from inpatients and 4 isolates from outpatients were harboring this gene. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer’s method showed that all isolates that produced β-lactamase were resistant to antibiotics.
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic inflammatory disease affecting mainly the spine and sacroiliac joints. Since the copper-to-zinc ratio (Cu/Zn) indicates an inflammatory response, the change in ratio is expected to correlate with axSpA. This study compared levels of Cu/Zn in the serum of axSpA patients. Serum samples were obtained from 53 patients with axSpA divided according to biological treatment into cohorts A and B, and 28 healthy control as cohort C. Serum levels of Cu and Zn were determined first by a fully automated chemistry analyzer TC-Matrix Plus, then the ratio was obtained. The elevated serum Cu concentration means of cohort B (189.32 ± 13.808 µg/dL) compared to cohort A (168.85 ± 7.244 µg/dL) a
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Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine illness, affecting an increasing number of people all over the world. It is caused by a lack, or inadequate synthesis of insulin by the pancreas leading to an increase in blood glucose concentrations. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most strongly linked disease to obesity of all disorders. The number of obesity-related diabetes is predicted to reach 300 million by 2025. The term 'diabesity' was coined as a result of this strong link, therefore, weight loss is seen as a key therapeutic goal in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agon
... Show MoreThe Covid-19 virus disease has been shown to affect numerous organs and systems including the liver. The study aimed to compare lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels in individuals who had recovered from Covid-19 infection. To achieve the study objectives, liver Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Random Blood Sugar (RBS) and Lipid profile which include cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Triglycerides (T.G), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and Very low-density Lipoprotein (VLDL) were determined.
One hundred twenty serum samples were obtained, of which fifty samples were utilized as the control healthy persons (not affected by COVID) and seventy samples came f
... Show MoreBreast cancer is the most diagnosed form of malignant tumour in Iraqi women. Tamoxifen and trastuzumab are highly effective adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.
This study's objectives were to define the patient's belief in tamoxifen or trastuzumab when used as adjuvant therapy and to determine the variation in belief between the two medications in a sample of Iraqi breast cancer patients.
The cross-section survey was conducted using the BMQ-Specific questionnaire. Ninety-seven participants (sixty-seven tamoxifen, thirty trastuzumab) participated in this study.
The mean of specific-necessity scale for tamoxifen was (3.7) and for trastuzumab (4). The findings showed a high necessity for both medicines, and there wer
... Show MoreUnderstanding Caspase-3 (CASP-3) and interleukin-32 (IL32) roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical to linearize the pathogenesis of the virus as well as the resultant disease which may uncover novel therapeutic targets in treating COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to evaluate caspase‐3 (CASP3) and interleukin 32 (IL32) roles and their correlation with the disease severity among patients. The case-control study (140 patients and 60 healthy controls) was performed with molecular and ELISA assays. CASP3 and IL32 serum levels were determined along with other clinical data of patients. CASP3 levels were classified as significantly higher (p < 0.001), while IL-32 levels were significantly lower in production (p
... Show MoreBackground: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity plays a central role in causing disability both directly and via indirect effects mediated through joint damage. Evaluation of RA disease activity is therefore important to predict the outcome and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions during follow-up. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) is new simple tool for measurement of disease activity.
Objectives: To assess validity and reliability of CDAI in comparison to disease activity score-28 joints (DAS28) in Iraqi patients with active RA.
Patients and Methods: Sixty nine Iraqi RA patients were included in this study. All patients were fulfilling the ACR classification criteria and active. Full history was taken and comple
This study aims to investigate the relationship between thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) and thyroid function tests (TSH, T3 and T4) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ninety women and men, with ages ranging between 35-65 years and weighing 60-80 kgs, were selected for this study. They were classified into three groups: G1 included 15 healthy control group, G2 had15 patients with T2DM and G3 had 60 patients with T2DM and hypothyroidism. Blood samples were collected from each individual via vein puncture to assess thyroid hormone and TPO-Ab. The results showed highly significant (p < 0.01) increase in TSH level in the diabetic group with hypothyroidism when compared to the other groups. There was no significant
... Show MoreAfter restoration of Iraqi marshes during 2003, three locations were chosen, one in each main marsh (Um Al-Naaj site in Al-Hwaizeh marsh; Al-Nagarah site in Al-Hammar marsh and Al-Baghdadia site in Al-Chebaysh marsh) to determine the concentrations of nutrients (Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate and Silicate) in water seasonally for the period winter, spring, summer, and autumn at 2007. Five water replicates were collected from each site, seasonally. In the Lab., the samples were analyzed by colorimetric methods; the results showed that Um-Al-Naaj site has the highest nutrients level, while Al-Nagarah site has the lowest level. The statistical program t-test was applied at the significant levels (P-value < 0.01) and (P-value < 0.05) to know
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