Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world. Patients with PD face numerous challenges in managing their chronic condition, particularly in countries with scarce healthcare infrastructure. Objective This qualitative study aimed to delve into neurologists’ perspectives on challenges and gaps in the Iraqi healthcare system that influence the management of PD, as well as strategies to mitigate these obstacles. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with neurologists from five different Iraqi provinces, working in both hospitals and private neurology clinics, between November 2024 and January 2025. A thematic analysis approach was employed to identify the main challenge

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common comorbidities associated with enlarged extremities, occurring in 60 % of patients with acromegaly. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of growth hormone and insulin such as growth factor-1 with obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10), as risk factors for cardiovascular disorder in acromegaly patients. Eighty subjects were included and categorized into two groups: 40 acromegaly patients and 40 of the control group. The results indicated weight excess, hyperglycemia, hypertension, lipid disorder, and elevated levels of interleukins (2, 6, and 10). The correlation of both GH and IGF-1 with each of weight, BMI, systolic blood p

Susceptibility to the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently been associated with ABO blood groups in patients of different ethnicities. This study sought to understand the genetic association of this polymorphic system with risk of disease in Iraqi patients. Two outcomes of COVID-19, recovery and death, were also explored. ABO blood groups were determined in 300 hospitalized COVID-19 Iraqi patients (159 under therapy, 104 recovered, and 37 deceased) and 595 healthy blood donors. The detection kit for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) was used in the diagnosis of disease.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a proangiogenic factor that exerts different effects over stem cell survival growth, apoptosis, and adhesion. Its impact on leukemogenesis has been established by many studies. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of plasma HGF activity on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients at presentation and after remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study of 30 newly-diagnosed, adult, and AML patients. All patients received the 7+3 treatment protocol. Patients’ clinical data were taken at presentation, and patients were followed up for 6 months to evaluate the clinical status. Plasma HGF levels were estimated by ELISA based methods in the pa

Background: Microscopic examination of parotid gland reveals hypertrophy of the aciner cells sometimes two to three times greater than normal size of PG, in cases associated with longstanding diabetes. This study was designed to determine the effects of duration, fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin on parotid gland enlargement among poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects, Materials, and Method: This study was conducted on 36 parotid glands of 18 with type 2 DM , at age range ( 40-60) years, all of them were selected from subjects attending (Endocrine clinic for diabetic patients) in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. , pg was measured with ultrasonography in both longitudinal and horizontal plane. Results: the rate of e

Background: with the advent of new postmaterial in dentistry, it has become important to measure fitness of post restoration along the horizontal plane of the root space.This study aimed to measure and compare, the cement film thickness of conventional zinc phosphate cement in micrometer between the post and root dentin along horizontal plane at different post space regions (coronal, middle and apical) of four types of posts, by using stereomicroscopy. Material and methods: Thirty-two extracted human maxillary canines, mandibular canines and maxillary central incisors (n=32) were instrumented with ProTaper system files (hand use) and obturated with gutta-percha for ProTaper and AH26® root canal sealer. After 24hrs of incubation at 37ºC, p

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory autoimmune disease of unidentified etiology, associated with articular, extra-articular and systemic manifestation that require long-standing treatment. Taking patient’s beliefs about the prescribed medication in consideration had been shown to be an essential factor that affects adherence of the patient in whom having positive beliefs is an essential for better adherence. The purpose of the current study was to measure beliefs about medicines among a sample of Iraqi patients with Rheumatoid arthritis and to determine possible association between this belief and some patient-certain factors. This study is a cross-sectional study carried out on 250 already diagnosed rheumatoid

Spray pyrolysis technique was used to make Carbon60-Zinc oxide (C60-ZnO) thin films, and chemical, structural, antibacterial, and optical characterizations regarding such nanocomposite have been done prior to and following treatment. Fullerene peaks in C60-ZnO thin films are identical and appear at the same angles. Following the treatment of the plasma, the existence regarding fullerene peaks in the thin films investigated suggests that the crystallographic quality related to C60-ZnO thin films has enhanced. Following plasma treatment, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images regarding a C60-ZnO thin film indicate that both zinc oxide and fullerene particles had shrunk in the size and have an even distribution. In addition

Background: An oily calcium hydroxide formulation proved over the last years to be highly efficient in promoting bone regeneration in closed defects as periapical lesions, cysts, or post-extraction defects. The aim of the present study is the assessment of the outcome of treatment of deep intrabony periodontal defects with an Open Flap Debridement) (OFD) + combination of {(30% Hydroxyapatite HAp + 70% ?-Tricalcium Phosphate granules mixed with an Oily Calcium Hydroxide Suspension (OCHS )} and compare the results with {(OFD) alone)}. The combination of OCHS& TCP was used in humans with a sort of positive results, and more conduction of studies was recommended. Material and method: The sample of this study composed of sixteen patients;