Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome called coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to its concerning rate of transmission and intensity, coronavirus was classified as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. With the continuous evolution of the viral genome and mutations that may alter infectivity, disease severity or interactions with host immunity, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into many variants: Alpha (B.1.1.7 lineage), Delta (B.1.617.2 lineage), Delta plus (B.1.617.2.1), Omicron (B.1.1.529 lineage) and other variants. Thus, this study aimed to find and provide database for local clinical characteristics of different variants of SARS-COV-2 and severity of infection with viral load compared with the wild type. A total of 247 nasal swabs were collected from COVID-19 positive patients between March 2021 to March 2022. Specimens were tested by using real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction rRT-PCR assay to confirm the infection after RNA extraction by specialized kits. Results showed Alpha, Delta, Delta plus and Omicron variants presence in local population at the same time of their global spread at high rates with different cases of severity. The finding showed increase in severity with Alpha 79/87 (90%), wild type 26/32 (81%) (with 3 mortality cases), Delta/ Delta plus 68/84 (80%) and Kappa only one case. Also, Alpha along with the wild type was more associated to severe and critical cases, while mild to moderate group appeared with Omicron variant (32/43 (74%)). In addition, there was an increase in the severity among older patients (>40) and in men more than the women. Results indicate that although the wild type was no less dangerous or severe than Alpha or other variants, but with continuous appearence of new variants led to its reduced prevalence. In conclusion, findings demonstrated that most of the severe and critical cases had infection with Alpha, wild type than Delta or Delta plus variants. Whereas mild to moderate cases occurred in Omicron variants.
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare disease affecting people with hereditary factors. Its treatment includes life style modification and use of drugs such as the biologic agent infliximab or its biosimilar, CT-P13 infliximab. Despite their therapeutic usefulness, these agents are associated with a number of serious adverse effects such as immunogenicity.
Objectives: The aim of current study was to investigate if immunogenicity of the biosimilar CT-P13 infliximab or the original infliximab, in Iraqi patients with Ankylosing spondylitis, is affected by any of the patients’ demographic characteristics.
Methods: A retrospective open-label study was conducted from Dec
... Show MoreAbstract Background: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) proto-oncogene is overexpressed or amplified in approximately 15%-25% of invasive breast cancers. Approximately 35% of HER2-amplified breast cancers have coamplification of the topoisomerase II-alpha (TOP2A) gene encoding an enzyme that is a major target of anthracyclines. Hence, the determination of genetic alteration (amplification or deletion) of both genes is considered as an important predictive factor that determines the response of breast cancer patients to treatment. The aims of this study are to determinate TOP2A status gene amplification in a set of Iraqi patients with breast cancer that have had an equivocal (2+) and positive HER2/neu by immunohistochemistry
... Show MoreLiquid-side mass-transfer coefficients (KLa) were measured in air-suction type fermentors using physical absorption of oxygen. A fermentor of 0. 5 m i.d. was used with a working capacity of 60 liters of liquid. Tap water was used as the liquid phase, and air was used as the gas phase. The bioreactor mixing system consists of shrouded-disk/curved-blade turbine with six evacuated bending blades. The effect of liquid submergence (S) was investigated. Further, the effects of the ratio of the impeller diameter (D) to the tank diameter (T), and the clearance of the impeller from the tank bottom(C) were also studied. The agitation speed (N) was varied in the range of 50-800 rpm. It was found that the value of K
... Show MoreDevelopment of NSAIDS based on inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity. However, the different physiological consequences arrised by appearance of new drugs with different selectivity to COX-2 enzyme upon their administration with their relevant affects on some cardiovascular risk factors. To study the potential effects of relatively diclofenac and highly specific celecoxib COX-2 inhibitors on lipid profile and serum C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes, whom have hyperlipidemia to be compared by their effects with normolipidemic patients. A total number of 34 type 2 diabetics (14 normolipidemics and 20 hyperlipidemics) treated with either diclofenac 100mg/day or celecoxib 200mg/day for eight weeks. Analysis of results indi
... Show MoreType 2 diabetes Nephropathy complication is one of the most commonest metabolic disorders that becomes an advanced serum level of hormone altered. The objective is to study the effect of leptin levels in Type 2 diabetes nephropathy (D.N) complication and healthy subject. This study was done in National Diabetes Center (NDC), AL-Mustansriya University;on a total (64) individuals whase age were ranged from(45-60) years,of which (38) patients of type 2 diabetes nephropathy, and (26) healthy( controls). The collected data ,information concerning the individuals used in the present study were: age, sex , body mass index (BMI) and blood samples to
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to establish the existence and interaction of TMPRSS2 – ERG gene fusion status with clinicopathological features of prostate cancer patients. This research consisted of 123 embedded formalin-fixed tissues obtained from the prostate tumor patients. The above gene fusion is detected through the technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) by means of a triple color probe. Seven samples have not been scored due to technical difficulties and 46 patients have fusion (39.6%), while the remaining (70) have not been seen with fusion. Of the 46 fusion-positive, 17 (36%) were caused by ERG-translocation, of the other 29 (63%) were caused by the interstitial segment deletion between the two genes due to the
... Show MoreCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health concern and leading of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glutathione S – Transferase(GST) are known for their broad range of detoxification and in the metabolism of xenobiotics . The role of functional variants of these genes in the development of various disorder is proven. We investigated the possible role of these variants in the development of CAD in T2DM patients. In this case – control study a total of 60 patients (T2DM = 30 ; T2DM – CAD = 30) and 30 controls were included. Serum lipid profiles were measured and DNA was extracted from the blood samples. Multiplex PCR for GSTT1/M1 (present / null) polymorphism, were performed for genotyping of study pa
... Show MoreCorrelation of Serum levels of Chromium, Copper, and Manganese with the Glucose levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ira
Background: The metabolism of many trace elements such as chromium, copper, and manganese were reported to be altered in type 2 diabetes militates. This element may have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease.
Objectives: To evaluate the serum levels of copper, chromium, and manganese in type 2 diabetic patients in Iraq.
Patients and Methods: This case-control study included 100 type 2 diabetic patients, 35-60 years old, with high BMI as cases, and 100 non-diabetic subjects as controls who were healthy
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