BACKGROUND: HLA-B27 can effect clinical presentation and course of ankylosing spondylitis. Different detection techniques of HLA-B27 are available with variable sensitivities and specificities. OBJECTIVE: To compare serologic and molecular diagnostic techniques of detecting HLA-B27 status and to correlate it with some clinical variables among ankylosing spondylitis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 Iraqi patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were reported. HLA-B27 status was determined in all patients by real-time PCR using HLA-B27 RealFast™ kit; ELISA method was used as well to detect soluble serum HLA-B27 antigens using Human Leukocyte Antigen® kit. RESULTS: The mean age of patients ± SD was (38.4±9.8) years. Male to female ratio was 9:1. Disease onset occurred <30 years in 78% of cases. All (100%) cases had lower back pain, 44 (54%) patients had enthesitis, 14 (16.9%) had peripheral arthritis, 12 (14.5%) had eye involvement, whil
Background: One way to target polypharmacy and inappropriate medication in hemodialysis (HD) patients is with medication deprescribing. Objective: To assess the impact of implementing a pharmacist-led deprescribing program on medication adherence among HD patients. Method: A prospective interventional, one-group pretest-posttest-only design study was conducted at a hemodialysis center in Wasit Governorate, Iraq. Medication reconciliation followed by medication review based on the deprescribing program was done for all eligible patients, and the patients were monitored for three months for any possible complications. Results: Two hundred and seventy patients were screened for eligibility. Only one hundred and eighteen were enrolled i
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Background: The anticancer impact of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) the highly active polyphenol of green tea was abundantly studied. Though, the exact mechanism of its cytotoxicity is still under investigation. Objectives: Hence, the current study designed to investigate the molecular target of EGCG in HepG2 cells on thirteen autophagy- and/or apoptosis- related genes. Methods: The apoptosis detection analyses such as flow cytometry and dual apoptosis assay were used. The genes expression profile was explored by the real-time quantitative-PCR. Results: EGCG increases G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and the real-time apoptosis markers proteins leading to stimulate apoptos
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Background: Obesity is an evolving major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Traditional obesity indices as body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip-ratio are well known measures to identify obese subjects, however, neck circumference as an index of upper-body obesity was found to be a simple and time-saving screening measure that can be used to identify obesity and the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients.
Aim: to investigate the relationship of neck circumference (NC) to obesity and metabolic syndrome in Iraqi subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The study group included 90 type 2 diabetic subjects (48 men and 42 women) aged 30-68 years. The subjects were those w
Background: Background : Patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation have high risk of thromboembolism especially ischemic stroke usually arising from left atrial appendage .Transoesophageal echocardiography provides useful information for risk stratification in these patients as it detects thrombus in the left atrial or left atrial appendage. Objective : This study was conducted at Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital to assess the prevalence of left atrial chamber thrombi in patients with chronic non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation using transoesophageal echocardiography and its clinical significance as well as to verify the superiority of transoesophageal over transthoracic echocardiography in the detection of these abnormalities. Type of
... Show MoreSome metal ions (Mn+2, Co+2, Ni+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, Cd+2 and Hg+2) complexes of quinaldic acid (QuinH) and α-picoline (α-Pic) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of their , FTIR, (U.V-Vis) spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility and atomic absorption. From the results obtained the following general formula has suggested for the prepared complexes [M(Quin)2( α-Pic)2].XH2O where M+2 = (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg), X = 2, X = zero for (Co+2 and Hg+2) complexes, (Quin-) = quinaldate ion, (α-Pic) = α-picoline. The results showed that the deprotonated ligand (QuinH) by using (KOH) coordinated to metal ions as bidentate ligand through the oxygen atom of the carboxylate group (-COO-) and the nitrogen ato
... Show MoreSome metal ions (Mn+2, Co+2, Ni+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, Cd+2 and Hg+2) complexes of quinaldic acid (QuinH) and α-picoline (α-Pic) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of their , FTIR, (U.V-Vis) spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility and atomic absorption. From the results obtained the following general formula has suggested for the prepared complexes [M(Quin)2( α-Pic)2].XH2O where M+2 = (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg), X = 2, X = zero for (Co+2 and Hg+2) complexes, (Quin-) = quinaldate ion, (α-Pic) = α-picoline. The results showed that the deprotonated ligand (QuinH) by using (KOH) coordinated to metal ions as bidentate ligand through the oxygen atom of the carboxylate group (-COO-) and the nitrogen ato
... Show MoreBackground: Neudesin is a peptide secreted in brain and adipose tissues that has neural and metabolic functions. Its role as regulator of energy expenditure leads to assumption that its level may be regulated depending on thyroid gland pathology. Objective: This study aimed to investigate serum neudesin levels in patients with thyroidism and to evaluate1 any possible relationship between plasma neudesin levels and thyroid hormone levels. Methods: The study included 100 women with newly diagnosed thyroidisim were subdivided into two groups: hyperthyroidism group (50 female patients with age ranged from 18 to 60 years) and hypothyroidism group (50 female patients with age ranged from 18 to 75 years). A control group (30 healthy females with a
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The expression of the Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 gene (PCSK9) is inextricably related to lipid levels and a risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD). The present study aims to measure the quantity of PCSK9 gene expression and the effect of methylation on its expression level taking part in the pathogenesis of acute coronary artery disorder.
A current study included 150 subjects from the Iraqi population, 100 ASCAD patients and 50 healthy controls. The concentration of PCSK9 in each serum sample was determined by the ELISA technique, the expression levels of the PCSK9 gene in whole blood were estimated by RT-qPCR – Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR method, and DNA
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This study included effect of polyherbs mixture treatment of diabetic patients type II for two months. The polyherbs mixture contains Nigella sativa seeds, Boswellia carterri gum, Citrus aurantifolia fruits, Elettaria cardamomum fruits. Also this study included estimation of some biochemical parameters in the serum Diabetes Mellitus (D.M.) patients-type II and knowing the relationship of these parameters with this disease. The parameters are glucose, cholesterol ,High density , Low density lipoproteins( HDL-C, LDL-C) respectively , Triglycerides TG, urea, total protein , albumin , Alkaline phosphatase ALP,Transaminase GOT, GPT enzymes . Take (77) samples of diabetic patients serum type II which included (47) samples for group one: herbs
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