Background: All medical colleges give students courses in epidemiology and biostatistics to help them in understanding medical data and to prepare them to conduct graduate and professional research. After graduation, understanding and correct application of the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics help the physicians in making better diagnostic and management decision based on best evidence.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among junior (chronic resident) doctors at several hospitals in Baghdad from the 1st of January till the 31st October 2009. A total of 212 physicians answered the questionnaire which covered demographic characteristics, average score

Background: Population studies suggest that 3–8% of asymptomatic adults have thyroid nodules. Nodules have a 5–15% prevalence of malignancy. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is the primary and frequently initial tool for assessing the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules and selecting patients for thyroid surgery.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study was done during the period from June 2007 to November 2008. The study includes 141 patients with palpable solitary or multiple thyroid nodules. Only patients with normal or low TSH values were referred for ultrasound examination and ultrasound guided FNAC, which were done using fine needles (G 20).
Results: eleven patients (7.8%) have insuffici

Background: Extradural hematoma (epidural hematoma) result from tearing of dural or skull vessels caused by deformation of the skull or fracture. Epidural hematoma can occur at all ages but are seen primarily in patients younger than 60 years.
Patients and Methods: this prospective study was conducted on 50 patients (38 male, 12 female) suffering from head injury and has a CT scan evidence of extradural hematoma during the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008 in Neurology surgery hospital.
Results: There were 4 patients above 50years, the cause of injury was fall in50%, assault24%, RTA20%and bullet injury 6%.the commonest site was temporal region 42%.surgical treatment were done to 39 patient

Background: The coexistence of renal and heart failure carries an extremely bad prognosis. The exact cause of deterioration of kidney function and the mechanism underlying this interaction are complex, multifactorial in nature, and still not completely understood. Both the heart and the kidney act in tandem to regulate blood pressure, vascular tone, diuresis, natriuresis, etc.
Patients and methods: Sixty patients mean age 65.5 year were complaining heart failure duo to different causes assessed for renal function (blood urea &creatinine) and cardiac function by echocardiography in day 0 and 10 day after treatment of heart failure.
Results: The mean value (±S.D) of blood urea and serum creatinine on day 0 were 64.17mg/dL (±30.

Background: Several factors render chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) an interesting subject for study by researchers. These include marked progress in understanding the molecular biology of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes and recent advances in molecular genetics techniques. Among molecular markers, p53 cancer suppressor gene and the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 have been widely studied. 
Patients and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study done on 60 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia compared with 20 controls (anemic patients), all recruited at the Medical City Teaching Hospital laboratories from January 2004 to December 2007. The bone marrow biopsy of each was re-examined histologica

Background: Except for the tight correlation to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, accumulating evidences show that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is correlated to other carcinomas. This study was to investigate the association of EBV with colorectal tumors.
Materials & methods: Forty paraffin embedded blocks of colorectal tumors (thirty were adenocarcinoma and ten were benign tumors) were all examined for the presence of EBV DNA with
the application of In Situ hybridization.
Results: In Situ EBV DNA signals was detected in 6 out of 30 (20%) of colorectal carcinoma with no observed signals in the sections from benign group.
Conclusion: Our results showed that infection of EBV exists in human colorectal adenocarcinoma

Background: Idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is an isolated thrombocytopenia in a patient with no clinically apparent associated conditions or factors that can
cause thrombocytopenia. The syndrome of ITP is caused by platelet-specific auto-antibodies that bind to autologous platelets. The diagnosis of ITP is usually a diagnosis of exclusion based on a demonstration of peripheral thrombocytopenia. Steroids are the conventional first-line therapy for adult ITP. Most patients demonstrate a response to steroids within 2 to 4 weeks, but a late response is possible.
Patients and Methods: A prospective study on 50 patients with diagnosis consistent with ITP, initially treated by steroid, p

Background: Seizures in the neonatal period are common. They can present as focal clonic, focal tonic, myoclonic, generalized tonic and subtle seizures. They can be caused by a variety of
conditions, ranging from benign self-limited illnesses to severe life-threatening disorders.
Patients and methods: A prospective study included 75 neonates with seizures in the first 28 days of life were admitted to neonatal care unit in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital from January 15th 2009 to August 15th 2009. A Full history was obtained and patients were examined by a specialist in the neonatal care unit and the researcher. Laboratory investigations and neuroimaging studies were done for all patients.
Results: Out

Background: Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase -5 (PDE-5) inhibitor increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and amplifies many biological actions of nitric oxide (NO) which is an important mediator of gastric mucosal defense ; was evaluated in this study using different doses for its cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin . We also evaluated the effect of this drug on NO production, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and Interlukin-4 (IL-4) expression.
Methods: The study was performed between April and July 2008 in the Department of Pharmacology / College of Medicine /Baghdad University .It was conducted on 80 adult male albin

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. In Iraq, there is a tendency for this disease to be diagnosed in younger ages, at advanced stages with a prevalence of more aggressive tumor behavior.
Patients and Methods: The study included a total of 216 women with breast lumps and proven breast cancer who visited the Main Referral Training Center for Early Detection of Breast Tumors in the Medical City Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (85 patients) and the Specialized Clinics belonging to the major hospitals of Hilla (62 patients) and Karbala (69 patients) complaining of apparent breast lumps.
Results: 31% of patients was in the age category (40-49 years), 38.4% of patients who

Background: Neonatal septicemia (NNS) is the most serious complication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) that demand urgent diagnosis and accurate treatment.
Methods: Serum was obtained from 31 neonates aged 1 hour-28 days that were diagnosed clinically and bacteriologically to have neonatal septicemia.
Results: Mean serum levels of both IL-8 and IL-1 recorded a significant increase in neonatal septicemia cases.
Conclusion: Usage of IL-8, IL-1 as diagnostic marker for NNS reduces unnecessary antibiotic therapy and therefore unnecessary costs, pain, and possible side effects of antibiotic
therapy and it may help to reduce development and spread of drug resistant bacteria.

Background: Multifunctional cytokines play important and only partially defined roles in mammary tumor development and progression. Normal human mammary epithelial cells constitutively produce interleukin 6(IL-6) and a non-secreted form of tumor necrosis factor. Transformation of mammary epithelial cells by different oncogenesis is frequently associated with alterations of cytokine/ growth factor production and responsiveness.
Methods: We measured levels of 1L-6 in 84 females with breast cancer and examined their correlation with clinicopathological variables including stages of the disease and estrogen and
progesterone receptor expression on tumor cell.
Results: Our results revealed significantly higher

Background: End stage renal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus has been called a medical catastrophe of worldwide dimensions .It was recognized that anemia is a complication of diabetes, particularly in patients with diabetic kidney diseases. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether erythropoietin, adiponectin, and leptin levels correlate with anemia in uremic diabetic patients (under hemodialysis).
Patients and Methods: The studied groups were comprised of (30) diabetic patients(9 patients with type1 and 21 type2 diabetes) with renal failure (group2) who had been under hemodialysis compared with (30) healthy controls (group1). Blood film was obtained in addition to blood tests inc

Background: This study has been performed to detect any structural changes in the testes of rabbits that have been exposed to formaldehyde vapor.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen male rabbits has been used in this study, 12 of them were exposed to formalin vapor for 2 month, while the other 6 were exposed to the vapor of distilled water for 2 month too. All animals were killed at the end of experiments, and then pieces of testes were prepared for light microscopic examination. Sections were collected from the paraffin wax blocks and stained by H & E and finally examined by Olympus light microscope.
Results: Most of the seminiferous tubules from the formaldehyde exposed group were atrophied with no e

Background: Physical exercise is essential for performance of the immune system. The integrity of immune response is dependent on the intensity and duration of the exercise performed. During exercise the metabolic and hormonal changes that occurred can induce lymphocyte apoptosis. Dehydroepiandrosteron sulphate (DHEAS) is one of the hormones that is affected by exercise, it is an androgen released from the adrenal cortex in response to adrenocortiocotropin releasing hormone (ACTH). DHEAS is regarded as an anti-aging hormone; it is primarily immune enhancing, providing some degree of counterbalance to the potentially detrimental effects of catecholamine and cortisol which are immunosuppressive if chronic

Background: Traditionally, evaluation of the results of immunohistochemistry was done by visual quantification.
Materials and methods: for reliable evaluation, more time-efficient and user friendly method we used simple computer program with image analysis options as independent parameters for reading positive results. To test the validity of visually scored results, we compare and correlate the results of Digital image analysis (DIA) variables with the visual scores of 280 pictures taken from entire stained glioma tumor sections for Bcl-2 and P53 oncoproteins in different glioma tumor grades.
Results: In this study, rates expression of both oncoproteins was evaluated visually in glioma tumor samples (

Background: Identification the relationship of pepsinogen test (pepsinogenI and I /pepsinogen II ratio) and gastric cancer patients make the gastric cancer early diagnosed and prolong the life surviving rate.
Patients and Methods: Serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II (PG I and PG I / PG II ratio) measured in 50 patients with gastric cancer ,30 gastritis patients diagnosed , and 16 healthy control by using enzyme immunoassay in those study groups, and the results of PG I and PG I / PG II ratio were comparing to 50 gastric cancer patients whom diagnosed histopathologically according the stomach regions, while the gastritis patients diagnosed endoscopically.
Results: This study showed that the age of pati

Background Tinea versicolor is a common dermatological problem worldwide in distribution, caused by dimorphic fungus called Malassezia furfur, they exist at the very interface between
commensal and pathogen and, as such, their interaction with the human immune system is of great interest. Immuno-inflamatory activity mediated by different cytokines could have a role in the etiology of tinea versicolor.
Patients and Method: The study covered 46 subjects .It comprised 26 patients with TV compared with 20 healthy normal controls. Serum IL-6 analysis was done by ELISA.
Results: The level of IL-6 was elevated in patients with tinea versicolor, when compared with healthy control
Conclusion: IL-6 increases du

Background: Tympanometry findings are considered by many investigators to be associated with passive and active smoking.
Patients and methods: One hundred forty healthy adult men aged (20-50 years). 70 smokers and 70 nonsmokers were recruited for the study. The examination included otoscopy, and screening tympanometry. Smoking history was ascertained by self –report. For each subject, age, smoking status and number of cigarettes per day were noted.
Results: There is a tendency for more negative middle ear pressure in smokers than in non-smokers though this difference may not clinically significant. There were no significant differences in ear canal volume, middle ear compliance and presence of Staped

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain with associated symptoms including stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance and functional impairment. FMS is depicted by chronic pain for at least three months and tender points identified by the American Collage of Rheumatology (ACR). Although several hypotheses have been developed; the cause of FMS is currently unknown.
This study aims to evaluate the contribution of serum apolipoprotein (a) [Apo (a)], leptin, and serum lipid profile to the pathophysiology of FMS.
Subjects & Methods: The study has included 160 patients with FMS with age range (18-72) years and 60 control individuals who were age and sex matc

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a world-wide chronic metabolic disorder affects relatively high percentage of population. A few information is available in diabetes on the salivary content of enzymes GOT (AST) and GPT (ALT).
Patients and methods: we studied 19 patients (NIDDM, type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 29-67 year). Colorimetric determination of salivary GPT and GOT activity was used.
Results: In the whole saliva of non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM, n=19) diabetic patients and from agecross- matched healthy subjects (n=19). Saliva concentrations of GOT (43.92=12.8U/L) in NIDDM patients were higherly significant (P< 0.001) than those observed in normal subjects (23.0± 8.84 U/L). GPT was higher

Background: The study enrolled a total of 78 patients with acute and chronic kidney diseases for evaluation of the activity of enzymes, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and amylase and compared with 42 normal healthy groups with normal albumin, creatinine and other kidney functions test and the samples were obtained from different hospitals in Baghdad.
Patients and methods: Three groups of patients were included. The first group consists of 15 patients with acute kidney diseases that occurs over days to weeks in which measurement of GGT, ALP and amylase were performed. Second group consists of 38 patients suffering from acute kidney diseases for 2-3 months in which serum GGT was

Background: Palmoplantar psoriasis is a therapeutically challenging condition that can significantly impact patient quality of life as it directly affects activities. However, despite this impact, few clinical studies address treatment. Herbs and their extracts have been used for treatment of skin disease for centuries. One of the most popular herbs in our society is black cumin or seed of blessing oil (Nigella Sativa); this plant had diverse clinically useful activity.
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq during the period between January and October 2003. In this singleblind randomly controlled therapeutic stud

Background: Vulvovaginal candiddiasis is an opportunistic mucosal infection caused by Candida albicans that affects large number of otherwise healthy women of child bearing age. Acute episodes often occur during pregnancy.
Patients and methods: This study was done on 50 pregnant women with Candida vulvovagnitis who were diagnosed by direct microscopic examination, culture technique, germ tube production, chlamydospore, and Api 20 candida system, at Baghdad Teaching Hospital in the period between October 2008 to February 2009.
Results: The study group included 50 pregnant women with Candida vulvovaginitis . The percentage of pregnant women with Candida albicans infection who their age is higher than 30

Background: The etiology of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is believed to have an immunological component. Association with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) has been previously reported, particularly with DR6.
Patients and methods: 75 cardiac patients were admitted to the coronary care unit, Baghdad Teaching Hospital over the period October 2008-May 2009 with the clinical diagnosis of acute
coronary syndrome and STEMI myocardial infarction their ages range was (25-82) years the number of male was (55) (73.3%) and female was (20) (26.7%). All cases have routine ECG, cardiac marker’s measurements, routine haematological, Biochemical test and 2mls of blood reserved for HLA study.
Results: It was found that H

Background: image processing of medical images is major method to increase reliability of cancer diagnosis.
Methods: The proposed system proceeded into two stages: First, enhancement stage which was performed using of median filter to reduce the noise and artifacts that present in a CT image of a human lung with a cancer, Second: implementation of k-means clustering algorithm.
Results: the result image of k-means algorithm compared with the image resulted from implementation of fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm.
Conclusion: We found that the time required for k-means algorithm implementation is less than that of FCM algorithm.MATLAB package (version 7.3) was used in writing the programming code of our w

Background: Acute exercise stress is associated with a lower lymphocyte functional response. It is suggested that exercise can enhance or reduce immunity depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of the exercise.
Subjects and Methods: From November 2007 to January 2008, thirty healthy Volunteers were recruited from medical, paramedical staffs, and students of Baghdad College of Medicine (all males). Participants were chosen according to the following: (1)Age (between 20 and 35 years), (2) Non obese : Body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) was used as an index of obesity, (3) Non-smoker, (4) No recent medical problem, (5) No recent medications, and (6) No musculoskeletal complaint. After a general m

Background: Gastric mucosal injury induced by NSAIDs is a major adverse effect of this group of medications, and it is no surprise that protection against such injury has become an important challenge for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats , divided into 4 groups, the first served as a control received the vehicle , the second received indomethacin orally of 60mg/kg .The third was pretreated 30 minutes prior indomethacin with omeprazole 40mg/kg orally. The fourth was given intraperitoneal L-NAME 20mg/kg plus omeprazole to investigate a possible protective role of nitric oxide. The rats were then sacrificed after 4

Background: Glycemic control and prevention of secondary complications are the most important aims of using pharmacological treatments in diabetes mellitus. Due to the high incidence of inadequate response to insulin and, we try to evaluate the effects of adjunct use of silymarin with insulin on glycemic control, lipid profile and renal function in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients.
Patients and Methods: Placebo-controlled, doubled blinded clinical trial method is utilized through which 60 type 1 DM patients allocated into two groups, 30 patients treated with insulin and silymarin 400 mg/day in two divided doses, while the other 30 patients treated with insulin and placebo for 60 days. Fasting serum gluco

Background: - This study was carried out to investigate the ability of Streptococcus bovis to colonise colorectal cancer.
Patients and Methods: - A total of 106 outpatients were subjected for colonscopy. Carcinoma biopsies from patients with colorectal cancer tissue from patient with polyps and normal mucosa stool and blood from all patient and controls were cultured and identified for S.bovis.
Results: - The histopatholgical findings confirmed that 38 patients had colorectal carninoma, 27 patients with benign polyps and 41 with normal colonic mucosa. The faecal carriage rate of S.bovis was 15(39.5%) in patient with colorected cancer, 5(18.5%) in patients with polyp and 7(17.1%) in control.
Conclusion: -