Certain bacterial and viral infectious agents may play a role in the activation of inflammation in atherosclerosis lesions. Epidemiological studies indicate that infectious agents may predispose patients to atherosclerosis as Infections have been associated with an increased risk of this disease. Moreover, a positive antibody status has been detected against some infectious organisms associated with atherosclerotic rupture. Infectious agents found in human atheroma, which may directly cause or accelerate atherosclerosis , include many pathogens but the present study focused on Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus surface antigen and C. In order to evaluate the possible association between H. pylori, HBV, and HCV infections and the risk of

The present study aimed to determine the serum sex hormone levels among Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) patients before and after 3 months of oral administration of 5-α reductase inhibitor(finasteride). Forty BPH patients and 40 healthy men from Amara city were involved in this study, their ages were between 40-59 year. They were all subjected  to direct estimation of hormones by MinVidas method including Testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin (PRL), and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) before and after 3 months of treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) (the healthy individuals didn’t take finasteride).The results showed that T level was significantly lo

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common surgical conditions. The hemorrhoid may cause symptoms that are: bleeding, pain, prolapse, itching, spoilage of feces, and psychologic discomfort. There are many methods for treatment of hemorrhoid like, medical therapy, rubber band ligation, electerocoagulation, stapled hemorrhoidpexy, photocoagulation, sclerothereapy, doppler guided artery ligation, Cryosurgery, and surgery. All methods for treatment of hemorrhoids have advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. Conventional haemorrhoidectomy was the traditional operation for the treatment of hemorrhoids. But recently other modalities of treatment had been used as an alternative operations including CO2 laser haemorrhoidectomy. This work aims to

Cervical ectropion is considered to be a physiologic condition caused by columnar epithelium migration from the cervical canal into the vaginal portion of the cervix and usually there is no treatement for clinically asymptomatic cervical ectropion . Treatment can be achieved by thermal cauterization (Electrocautery), Cryosurgery or laser vaporization. Aim of the study: To study the effectiveness of CO2 laser (10600nm) in treatment of symptomatic cervical ectropion . Setting: The study was carried out at Laser Medicine Research Clinic at the Institute of Laser for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad between the first of August 2013 to the end of October 2013. Patients and Methods: Ten female Patients with age range between 25-48 y

Background: Herbs are being widely explored to discover alternatives to synthetic antibacterial agents.Small Cardamom often referred to as queen of spices because of its very pleasant aroma and taste, have a history as old as human race. Most people use cardamom as a spice and are largely unaware of its numerous health benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of water and alcoholic cardamom extracts on sensitivities, growth, and adherence of Mutans streptococci in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this study, saliva was collected from ten volunteers (College students 18-22 years). Agar well technique was used to study the sensitivities of Mutans streptococci to different concentrations of s

Background: Spices and herbs have been used by many cultures to enhance the flavor and aroma of food and for their medicinal value. Black cardamom is one of these spices widely used in cooking because of its unique taste and powerful flavor. The aim of study was to test the effect of black cardamom on Mutans Streptococci in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%) and de-ionized water. Materials and methods: Dried fruits of black cardamom were extracted by using alcohol (70% ethanol). Saliva was collected from seven volunteers. Agar well technique with different concentrations of black cardamom extracts was used to test the sensitivities of Mutans Streptococci, as well black cardamom extracts effect on viable counts of Mutans Streptococ