Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, involvement of exocrine salivary and lacrimal glands may occur as extra-articular mani¬festations in this disease. This study aimed to provide evidence of altered in function and composition of salivary gland in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by determine salivary flow rate and some biochemical parameters(total protein, amylase, peroxidase) and to investigate the relationship between disease activity and changes in function and composition of salivary gland. Materials and Methods: Fifty five patients with RA (7 males and 48 females) were enrolled in this study with age range (20-69) years. The patients were separated into two groups in proportion to their salivation: normal salivation group (37) and hypo salivation group (18). Thirty five (9 male and 26 female) apparently healthy volunteers were also participated in the study. Three ml of unstimulated saliva was collected from all patients and control to determine salivary flow rate on one hand and salivary total protein, α-amylase and peroxidase by colorimetric method on other hand. Results:Resultsshowed that there is highly significant decrease (P< 0.01; p< 0.001) in the median salivary levels of (flow rate, total protein, α-amylase and peroxidase) among RA patients when compared to control. There was highly significant reduction (P< 0.01) in median salivary levels of flow rate, total protein, α-amylase and peroxidase in two study groups (normal salivation and hypo salivation) as compared to that in control group. Also the levels of all these parameters (sialometry and sialochemistry) were significantly decrease (P =0.00) in RA patients with hypo salivation as compared to that in patients with normal salivation. There was strong positive correlation between total protein and salivary flow rate (r= 0.651, P=0.000), in one hand, and on the other hand, there was strong positive correlation between α-amylase and both salivary flow rate (r=623, P= 0.000) and total protein r=658, P=0.000). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the changes in salivary composition may represent involvement of salivary glands in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Human resistin is an adipokine, with a possible link to coronary heart disease.A few studies were done about resistin in acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) especially in Iraqi patients. Accordingly we design a study to investigate the association between resistin concentration and acute phase of STEMI in Iraqi patients.
The present study was carried out at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital from December 2011 until June 2012. Serum resistin levels were measured in 50 patients with acute STEMI (mean age: 58.16 ± 11.73 years) at the first 12 hours of admission and 34 normal controls (mean age: 53.98 ± 15.46 years) matched for age, sex and other risk factors.
Resistin level in patients wi
... Show MoreThis investigation provides a comprehensive anatomical, histological, and endocrine profile of the thyroid gland in adult guinea fowls (Numida meleagris), a species for which detailed morphological data remain scarce in avian literature. A total of ten clinically healthy specimens, representing both sexes, were subjected to morphometric analysis of their thyroid glands, including lobar dimensions and weight. Anatomical dissection revealed that the glands are bilaterally positioned at the thoracic inlet, symmetrically located near the carotid arteries. Histological examinations—conducted using Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson\'s trichrome stains—demonstrated the presence of structurally uniform follicles surrounded by a highly vasculariz
... Show MoreObjectives: Bone remodeling usually depends on complex molecular signaling, where receptor activator of NF-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) serve as key modulators that regulate osteoclastogenesis and overall bone metabolism process. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the influence of different graft materials on RANKL and OPG expression following alveolar ridge preservation. Methods: An electronic search of the literature was performed in Embase via Ovid, Medline via Ovid, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases, in addition to a manual search regarding all related articles. PRISMA guidelines and PICO framework were followed in this systematic review. The inclusion criteria were limited to English-published studies
... Show MoreThe current study was carried out to investigate the correlation of gene expressions of ADA1 and ADA2 genes with the development of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in a sample of Iraqi females. One hundred patients with AITD and 80 controls were included. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) was utilized for investigation of ADA1 and ADA2 gene expression among patients and controls. The correlation of age and body mass index (BMI) with AITD occurrence comparing with controls was studied. Based on the results of this study, there is high expression level of ADA1 and ADA2 genes in patients compared with healthy controls; also, the gene expression fold (2-ΔΔCT) of ADA1 and ADA2 among AITD patients was recorded and a
... Show MoreThe effect of chronic exposure to two different levels of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) 30 ppb and 40 ppb in drinking water for 12 weeks on thyroid function of mature male rabbits was studied. Eighteen mature male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (each of six ) , control group (group I ): were offered ordinary tap water , and treated groups (II and III ) were offered tap water containing 30ppb and 40 ppb respectively for 12 weeks .Serum concentration of thyroxin (T4 ) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured every six weeks ,as an index of thyroid function , further more , section of thyroid gland were prepared for histological studies. The results showed that chronic exposure of male rabbits
... Show MoreObesity among girls can lead to physical, psychological, or social problems. Enhancing self-esteem and reducing self-stigma toward obesity can play a crucial role in girls’ health. This study aims to assess girls’ self-esteem and its association with self-stigma toward obesity.
A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to meet the study’s objective. A convenience sampling method was used to gather the sample from 24 middle and high schools in five cities across Iraq from (January