Cytokine storms are an excessive immune response triggered by severe viral infections, such as SARS-CoV2. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is a key player in these storms. Secondary and co-infections can exacerbate the immune response, leading to amplified cytokine release and potentially severe disease outcomes. This review aims to evaluate the expression of TLR-4 in fungal and bacterial infections that are associated with and secondary to SARS-CoV2. The study collected specimens from 70 patients admitted to a Baghdad hospital’s ICUs and 35 healthy controls, aged 15-80 years, from June 2022 to April 2023. Re¬al-time RT-PCR was used for infection detection, while conventional methods were used to isolate patho¬genic microorganisms and the Vitec 2 system. The findings of this study suggest that TLR-4 may play a crucial role in secondary and co-infections in individuals with severe SARS-CoV2. The study implies that increased TLR-4 expression might contribute to the development of bacterial secondary and co-infections. When TLR-4 detects bacterial components, it triggers immune responses aimed at eliminating the bacte¬ria. However, an overactive TLR-4 response may lead to an excessive release of cytokines, resulting in a cytokine storm. This excessive immune response can cause tissue damage and exacerbate the severity of SARS-CoV2. Furthermore, the TLR-4 expression may not significantly contribute to the immune response against co-fungal infections with SARS-CoV-2, despite its role in antiviral responses and bacterial defense.
Since the appearance of COVID-19 disease as an epidemic and pandemic disease, many studies are performed to uncover the genetic nature of the newly discovered coronavirus with unique clinical features. The last three human coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are caused by Beta-Coronaviruses. Horizontal genetic materials transfer was proven from one coronavirus to the other coronavirus of non-human origin like infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of avian. Horizontal genetic materials transfer was also from non-corona viruses like astroviruses and equine rhinovirus (ERV-2) or from coronavirus-unrelated viruses, like influenza virus type C. However, SARS-CoV-2 is identical to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Interestingly, Wuhan ci
... Show MoreThe study aimed to establish the association of miR-153-3p expression with treatment response to IM in CML patients. Sixty CML patients were included and divided into two groups consistent with their response to treatment whether sensitive or resistant to IM. Ten healthy normal participants were enrolled as control group. RNA was extracted from serum to work out miR-153-3p expression utilizing real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The primers were supplied by Macrogen Inc. Twenty seven patients were sensitive to imatinib and 33 were resistant to imatinib. The ratio of male to female was 1.14:1. The bulk (58%) of patients were within the age range of 41-60 years. Weight and gender did not significantly diffe
... Show MoreDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder categorized hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups from ATP to the tyrosine residues of many important proteins resulting in proteins phosphorylation. The aim of current study was to evaluate serum levels of protein tyrosine kinase enzyme and thyroid hormone (T3, T4and TSH) and to find the correlation between them in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy Iraqi patients. Methods: This study was conducted at The National Diabetes Center, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq and included 150 patients divided into three groups the first group included 50
... Show MoreDiabetes distress (DD), an emotional burden that does not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, has gained attention in the diabetes literature. It was to evaluate the impact of diabetes education among psychological distress in type 2 diabetes patients.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025, at the Endocrine and diabetes center in Baghdad City, Iraq, tar
Background: Cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is caused by mutations in the CTNS gene that encodes the cystine transporter, cystinosin, which leads to lysosomal cystine accumulation. It is the major cause of inherited Fanconi syndrome, and should be suspected in young children with failure to thrive and signs of renal proximal tubular damage. The diagnosis can be missed in infants, because not all signs of renal Fanconi syndrome are present during the first months of life. Elevated white blood cell cystine content is the cornerstone of the diagnosis. Since chitotriosidase (CHIT1 or chitinase-1) is mainly produced by activated macrophages both in normal and inflammator
... Show MoreAs major nosocomial pathogens,
In this study, 20
The present study aims to identifying the effect of Eurygaster integriceps infection on the quality features of the local wheat varity IBA 99. The result revealed significant decrease in the percentage of protein of infected wheat at (4, 5)% compared to sound wheat values for the sound wheat were (10.9%) whereas those for the infected wheat were(9.0, 8.4 )% also the result revealed significant increased in the percentage of ash in the infected wheat flour. The result showed significant decrease in the percentage of wet and dry gluten in the infected wheat by sun bug at the rate of (2, 3, 4, 5)% compared to sound wheat value (27, 9% and 25, 23, 22, 22, 20%) for wet gluten and (8.2, 7.8, 7, 7.2, 6%) for dry glutin . The value of sedimentati
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