Background: Mycotoxins have a significant impact on population health worldwide. Ochratoxin is a common mycotoxin that can be detected in the serum of healthy people due to its prevalence in food. Researches on ochratoxin and its metabolites in biological fluids can help us better understand the toxin's biological impacts. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether individuals in Baghdad, Iraq, were exposed to ochratoxin A. Methodology: Serum samples were obtained from 90 healthy persons (ages 14–40 years) and evaluated for ochratoxin A using the human Ochratoxin A ELISA Kit, an accurate, quantitative, and sensitive technique (limit of detection 0.34 ng/ml). Results: We detected Ochratoxin A in all serum samples, with a mean concentration of 10.447 ng/ml (ranging from 2.66 to 71.447 ng/ml). The most prevalent concentration of ochratoxin A was between 10.1 and 20 ng/ml. The correlation between OTA concentration level and age groups was significant at the 0.01 level. The study did not show a significant difference in the concentration of ochratoxin between males and females. Conclusion: This study provides useful information about human exposure to OTA in Baghdad. Further research in youngsters, elderly, and adult cohorts from various regions is recommended. © 2025, Egyptian Society for Medical Microbiology (ESMM). All rights reserved.
Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the diagnostic and referral skills of final-year dental students at Al-Iraqia University using a questionnaire based on malocclusion cases ranging from mild to severe. Methods: The questionnaire, featuring photos and radiographs of five selected treated cases from two textbooks, was answered by 165 students who were asked to assess each case and determine whether orthodontic or surgical treatment was necessary, as well as to identify factors contributing to an unesthetic profile, such as irregular teeth. Frequency distribution and the Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results indicated good overall clinical competence. The unesthetic profile and irregular tee
... Show MoreThe study evaluated the recovery performance of any home herbs group as first aid in some emergency cases. The study involved 10 items of herbs (chamomile, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and anise) which used in acute cases such as cold, colic, inflammation of the intestine and tonsillitis, and (hibiscus, catnip, dried lime, cress seed, and ginger) were used for chronic cases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. The results showed the herbs had healing power and efficiency in the primary remedy for the above-mentioned diseases. The side effects, the contradictions, and the overdoses of these substances were discussed. It was concluded that home herbs could be used for treatment in emergency cases until moder
... Show MoreCosmetic products contain variable amounts of nutrients that support microbial growth. Most contaminants in cosmetic products include bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Achromobacter and Alcaligenes. Contaminated water is a likely source of organisms found in cosmetic products. Products such as shampoo, hand and body lotion, facial cleanser, and liquid soaps were analyzed. In this study, out of 60 cosmetic products analyzed, 26.4% were found to be contaminated. Most of the contamination was from bacteria and no fungal contamination was detected. The highest level o
... Show MoreBackground: Type 2 diabetes mellitusand chronic periodontitis hold a close relationship that has been the focus of many researches. Currently there is an appreciation to the role of adipose tissue-derived substances "the adipokines" in immune-inflammatory responses; also, there is an interest in using the simple non-invasive saliva in diagnosing and linking oral and general health problems. The current study aims to determine the periodontal health status in the chronic periodontitis patients with and without poorly or well controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, measure the salivary levels of two adipokines "leptin and resistin", pH and flow rate and then correlate between these clinical periodontal, biochemical and physical parameters in eac
... Show MoreBanks face many of the various risks: which are of dangerous phenomena that cause the state achieved a waste of money and a threat to future development plans to be applied to reach the goals set by: prompting banks and departments to find appropriate solutions and fast: and it was within these solutions rely on Banking risk management and effective role in defining and identifying: measuring and monitoring risk and trying to control and take risks is expected to occur in order to encircle and make it in within acceptable limits: and try to avoid them in the future to reduce the losses that are likely to be exposed to the bank: and it began to emerge and dominate a lot of legislation that seeks to structure the year risk management and t
... Show MorePompe disease is a progressive, multisystemic, debilitating, often fatal neuromuscular disease caused by a pathogenic variant in the acid α-glucosidase gene leading to GAA enzyme deficiency and lysosomal glycogen accumulation. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of early onset Pompe disease in Basra, using the dried blood spot (DBS) as a screening tool, also to determine the spectrum of presentation. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study conducted in Basrah, Iraq, from October 2021 to September 2023, all infants with a family member diagnosed as a case of Pompe disease, hypotonia, or ventricular hypertrophy referred to the pediatric cardiology unit in Basra Cardiac Hospital were subjected to echocardiographic e
... Show MoreIraqi insurance market need to develop products and to find new insurance policies to cover the damages of the violence and political commotions dangers and to meet the needs of the proposers.
The global insurance companies recently issued such policies to pay the losses wich caused by the violent political acts of vandalism suffered by the property and investments wich estimated billions of dollars.
... Show MoreListeria monocytogenes represents a critical foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis, a severe infection with mortality rates of 20- 30%. This comprehensive review integrates cutting-edge research from 2015-2024 with Iraqi epidemiological data to address significant knowledge gaps in regional surveillance and global comparative analysis. Recent discoveries include five novel Listeria species in 2021, revolutionary whole genome sequencing (WGS) surveillance systems, and advanced understanding of RNA-mediated regulation. Iraqi prevalence data reveals concerning patterns with rates ranging from 3.5% to 93.8% across different sample types, substantially higher than global averages. Critically, Iraqi isolates demonstrate alarming antibiotic resis
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