The B-type Raf kinase (BRAF) is a member of RAS\RAF\MEK\ERK pathway and this pathway can lead to increased cellular growth, invasion and metastasis. The mutated BRAF protein activates MAPK signaling pathway, results in abnormal cellular growth, apoptosis resistance, tumor progression and metastasis. Pan-BRAF is one of available BRAF monoclonal antibodies and shared by both the wild and mutant BRAF.BRAF status is mostly determined by DNA sequencing methods. In this investigation we assessed the monoclonal Pan BRAF specific antibody that can identify wild and mutant type proteins together in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded thyroid tumor tissues by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Archival thyroid samples from 43 iraqi patients were immunohistochemically tested with antibodies for BRAF. Out of 43 thyroid tissue cases, (23) were thyroid malignant,(12) benign, and (8) control cases(diagnosed as colloid goiter).The malignant tumors included Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC), Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma (FTC), Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC), Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma (ATC) and Hürthle cell cancer (HCC).Immunohistochemical staining for BRAF was performed for all specimens. Results of the study showed that Immunohistochemical expression of pan BRAF was significantly higher in malignant thyroid tumors as compared with adenomas and control cases (P<0.05). BRAF over-expression was detected in 5\12 of PTC, 3\5 MTC, 2\4 of FTCas well as all cases of HCC, ATC.Whereas it was detected in 4\12 of adenomas, and totally negative in control cases. No association was observed between BRAF and other clinicopathological traits. We conclude from this study that IHC using BRAF monoclonal antibody is a
successful way for checking of BRAF status in different thyroid tumors. IHC may be the alternative to molecular biology for the routine detection of this marker in patients with thyroid tumors.
Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting the Iraqi population and the leading cause of cancer related mortality among Iraqi women. It has been well documented that prognosis of patients depends largely upon the hormone receptor contents and HER-2 over expression of their neoplasm. Recent studies suggest that Triple Positive (TP) tumors, bearing the three markers, tend to exhibit a relatively favorable clinical behavior in which overtreatment is not recommended. Aim: To document the different frequencies of ER/PR/HER2 breast cancer molecular subtypes focusing on the Triple Positive pattern; correlating those with the corresponding clinico-pathological characteristics among a sample of Iraqi patients diagnosed with th
... Show MoreInflammatory bowel disease includes both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, progressive relapsing disease of gastrointestinal tract that require long-term treatment or maintenance therapy. Taking patient’s beliefs about the prescribed medication in consideration had been shown to be an important factor that affects compliance of the patient in whom having positive beliefs is a prerequisite for better compliance. The aim of the current study was to investigate and assess beliefs about medicines among a sample of Iraqi patients with inflammatory bowel disease and to determine possible association between these beliefs and some patient-specific factors.
This study is a cross-sectional study carried out o
... Show MoreCOVID-19 is a coronavirus disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was responsible for 87,747,940 recorded infections and 1,891,352 confirmed deaths as of January 9, 2021. Antibodies that target the Sprotein are efficient in neutralizing the virus. Methodology: 180 samples were collected from clinical sources (Blood and Nasopharyngeal swabs) and from different ages and genders at diverse hospitals in Baghdad / IRAQ between November 5, 2021, to January 20, 2022. All samples were confirmed infected with COVID-19 disease by RT-PCR technique. Haematology analysis and blood group were done for all samples, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay used an Ig
... Show MoreExogenous levothyroxine dose modulation and euthyroidism achievement is a persistent challenge in clinical settings. This study strives to assess the adequacy of treatment and identify the patients’ factors that can be used to estimate the euthyroid levothyroxine dose. A secondary objective was to assess vitamin D supplementation impact on thyroid status.
A review of a prospectively collected information from 142 female patients from Baghdad Center of Nuclear Medicine from June 2019 until March 2020 who were receiving levothyroxine for different causes was done. After a follow-up period, the patients’ thyroid tests were assessed and the euthyroid doses for each cause category were statistically analyzed. Thyroid function was
... Show MoreBackground: Sex variations in coronary artery disease (CAD) are well documented. However, sex differences in coronary artery calcium (CAC) and its role in the detection of coronary artery stenosis remain controversial. Objective: To assess the impact of sex variation on coronary artery calcification and its efficacy in predicting coronary artery stenosis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study including 230 consecutive patients with suspected CAD (120 men and 110 women) referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The study analyzed sex-based differences in the sensitivity and specificity of coronary artery calcification (CAC) for detecting moderate to severe stenosis across various coronary arteries
... Show MoreThe 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)
... Show MoreDuring 2011; 300 milk and white cheese samples were collected from Baghdad markets. Out of 200 staphylococcal isolates isolated from milk and white cheese samples, the predominant species was Staphylococcus aureus 97 isolates (48%), followed by S.chromogenes 82 (41%) and 21 (11%) S.epidermidis isolates. S. aureus isolates were DNase, coagulase, protease, urease, lipase, gelatinase and slime layer producers, other species were variable in the production of such virulence factors. S. chromogenes was the most prevalent isolated staphylococcal species from milk samples; while cheese samples contaminated mainly by S. aureus.
Tissue culture of Catharanthus roseus was established under many parameters to insure good results for detection of the alkaloids present in this plant . It was found that NItsch and Nitsch medium containing 8µM Benzyladeninpurine plus Naphalene acetic acid were the best and the callus of C.roseus left to grow in the dark and had much better influence for the production of Alkloids. The precursor phenylalanine showed a better result than other precursor( tryptophan ) . Abscisic acid has an inhibitory effect on the production of Alkaloid
Photoacoustic is a unique imaging method that combines the absorption contrast of light or radio frequency waves with ultrasound resolution. When the deposition of this energy is sufficiently short, a thermo-elastic expansion takes place whereby acoustic waves are generated. These waves can be recorded and stored to construct an image. This work presents experimental procedure of laser photoacoustic two dimensional imaging to detect tumor embedded within normal tissue. The experimental work is accomplished using phantoms that are sandwiched from fish heart or blood sac (simulating a tumor) 1-14mm mean diameter embedded within chicken breast to simulate a real tissue. Nd: YAG laser of 1.064μm and 532nm wavelengths, 10ns pulse duration, 4
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