Background: Oil refinery workers are continuously exposed to numerous hazardous materials. Petroleum contains the heavy metals as a natural constituent or as additives. These metals induce the production of ROS which associated with an oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. This study was conducted to assess the salivary levels of heavy metals, salivary oxidative status, oral immunological activity (salivary sIgA) and assessment of the oral findings among the workers of Al-Daura oil refinery in Baghdad city. Subjects, Materials and Methods: This study was done in Al-Daura oil refinery; samples consist of 60 workers involved in refinery processes (study group) and 20 non-workers (control group). Oral examination and saliva collection was done to assess the oral findings and measurement the level of heavy metals (lead and cadmium), oxidative status (MDA and SOD) and secretary IgA. Results: salivary lead and cadmium was higher in study group (6.34 µg/dl and 0.56 µg/l) than that of control group (3.3 µg/dl and 0.34 µg/l) with highly significant difference (p<0.001). A significant increase (p<0.05) was found in salivary MDA (15.3 ng/ml) and salivary sIgA (464.36 µg/ml) and significant decrease in salivary SOD (1895.1 pg/ml) among the study group. Lead has shown significant linear correlation with MDA and IgA. A significant reverse correlation was found between heavy metals (lead and cadmium) and SOD. The oral examination revealed no oral lesions of interest. Conclusion: Workers in Al- Daura oil refinery exposed to pollution with heavy metals (Pb and Cd) which was associated with changes in the biochemical and immunological findings among the oral cavity.
Alopecia areata is a common disorder, hypothesized to be autoimmune in etiology. Cortisone taken orally may stimulate new hair growth. Prednisone (orally administered steroid (has proved effective for patients with alopecia areata, but its potential side effects include weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne and menstrual problems.
This clinical study was designed to assess the clinical significance of the nutrient antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C) in reducing the dose of corticosteroids (prednisolone), and as a consequence, their side effects in patient with alopecia. The results of this study reveal the potential clinical significance of the therapy for two months with these antioxidants in reducing the dose
... Show MoreBackground: While warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used to manage thromboembolic events, they possess several features that impact adherence. Objective: To assess medication adherence and self-efficacy in patients receiving warfarin or DOAC treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Ibn Al-Bitar Hospital in Baghdad from December 2022 to May 2023 on patients receiving either warfarin or DOACs. The Arabic version of the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) questionnaire and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale (SES6C) questionnaire were used to assess adherence and self-efficacy. Results: 181 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 56.9% received warfarin an
... Show MoreBackground: Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth. One of the leading environmental factors that are closely related not only to the risk but also to the prognosis of periodontitis is smoking. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of smoking on periodontal health status and to measure the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in smokers and nonsmokers chronic periodontitis patients, also it aimed to test the correlation between the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and the clinical periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: Five milliliters samples of un-stimulated whole saliva and full-mouth clinical periodontal recordings (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing,
... Show MoreBackground: This study aims to determine whether cigarette smoking and anxiety degrees are related among nurses. Methods: A correlation design study was conducted at Baquba Teaching Hospital in Diyala Governorate, and the study period extended from September 10th, 2023, to January 28th, 2024. A nonprobability purposive sample was used to include 200 nurses working at Baquba Teaching Hospital, Iraq. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from January 10th to February 7th, 2024. There were two components to the study instruments. Initially, the demographic sheet contained the individuals' sociodemographic data. The Taylor manifest anxiety scale is included in the second section. The collected data were analyzed us
... Show MoreCollaborative learning in class‐based teaching presents a challenge for a tutor to ensure every group and individual student has the best learning experience. We present Group Tagging, a web application that supports reflection on collaborative, group‐based classroom activities. Group Tagging provides students with an opportunity to record important moments within the class‐based group work and enables reflection on and promotion of professional skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. After class, students use the tagged clips to create short videos showcasing their group work activities, which can later be reviewed by the teacher. We report on a deployment of Group Tagging in an undergraduate Computing Scie
... Show MoreThe purpose of this study is to assess the level of computer literacy of the students at AlQuds open university in Tulkarm Branch. The study investigates the effects of the variables of gender, specialization, academic level, owning a personal computer, internet communication, and own an email account on the level of computer literacy. A test of computer literacy was constructed by the researchers consisting of (37) multiple choice items with a reliability rate (0.85). The study population consisted of (4100) students, while the sample contained (352) students. The study revealed that the level of computer literacy of the students at AlQuds Open University in Tulkarm Branch was (66.2 %) which is educationally acceptable. It also
... Show MoreThe current research aims to focus on strategic vigilance dimensions and contained (environmental vigilance, technological vigilance, competitive vigilance, vigilance marketing) to improve nursing services, which include a) the quality, timeliness, problem-solving and decision-making, relationships with others, leadership skills) and measure the degree link and influence between strategic vigilance in the hospital respondent and improve nursing service that the problem of the research lies in the weakness of strategic plans and health organizations in general and the hospital surveyed (martyr Ghazi al-Hariri), in particular, the lack of awareness of the hospital researched strategy vigilant management to improve nursing services,
... Show MoreBackground: Goiter is one of the most common conditions that affect people’s at different age groups with its effect on the metabolic status of the body through the hyper&/hypo functioning gland that may needs surgical resection. This prospective study had been conducted on 100 patient (85 females&15 males} at the specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes mellitus in Baghdad city, between Jan.2013-Oct.2014;Their ages were ranging between 11-75 years ; the median age is (40.5 years) .Objectives: define the clinic-pathological pattern of goiter in the center .Methods: This is a prospective study at the specialized center for endocrinology & diabetes in Baghdad at ALRissafa district; including 100 patients (84 f
Objective: to assess the risk factors of coronary artery disease patients.
Methodology: A non-probability (purposive) sample of (100) patients. The study population consisted of
a sample of adults from both genders whose ages were 30 years and more, and was newly diagnosed as
having CAD by coronary angiography in the cardiac catheterization unit of An Nasiriyah heart center.
Results: The result of the study showed that the most common modifiable risk factors were low HDL-C
levels (58%), smoking (53%), hypertension (46%), diabetes mellitus (34%), obesity (30%), high
triglycerides (19%), hypercholesterolemia (17%), and high LDLC (14%). All these factors were positively
and significantly associated with the development