Background: Increase in marrow reticulin has long been recognized in primary myelofibrosis, but little was known about the reticulin structure of leukemic marrows, there has been a tendency to accept an increase in marrow reticulin as evidence of myelofibrosis. Similarly, there has been a tendency to diagnose as "acute myelofibrosis" cases of acute leukemia with brisk reticulin and early collagen production. This study was undertaken to determine incidence, type and pattern of fibrosis in the bone marrow of patients with acute leukemia, both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia.
Method: thirty-five bone marrow biopsy specimens from patients with acute leukemia were examined histologically; connective tissue stains were appli

Background: The infertility affects about 20% to 28% of Iraqi population and the primary and secondary infertility cover 80% and 20% of infertility cases respectively. It has been
shown that the major male infertility factors include oligospermia, astheno-spermia, teratospermia and azoospermia.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the fertilizing capacity, in vitro embryonic developmental rate and embryo implantation following the use of epididymal,
testicular, and ejaculated sperm in azoospermic and severely teratospermic men. Patients and Methods: The males in experiment one were divided into three groups, severely teratospermic group (STSG, n=44), azoospermic-epididymal group (ASEG,

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an industrial and environmental pollutant that affect adversely a number of organs in humans and other mammals.
Objectives: To study the effect of cadmium on liver of mice.
Material and Methods: Male Balb/c mice weighing 30-32 gm, 60 days old, were treated intraperitoneally (ip) with (1-10mg/kg body wt. /CdCl2). The body weight, liver weight, histological examination of liver, SEM, metal analysis along with DNA ladder for apoptosis.
Results: Cadmium induced both a time, and dose dependent increase in apoptotic, severity of necrosis. Liver weight, body weight decreased with increase of dose, while metal content was increased by increase of dose.
Conclusion: It has been concluded that cadmium caused

Peroxynitrite is one intermediate of reactive nitrogen species with bactericidal and cylotoxic effects. Fluoroquinolones. drugs used for salmonella infections, are interacted v\ith nitrogen species and their baeterieida effect is influenced by these species. This study aims to assess serum peroxynitrite level in patients with enteric (typhoid) fever and. to investigate the effect of ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin on serum peroxynitrite level as well as in aqueous buffer solution in vitro. Thirty patients with enteric fever diagnosed clinically and serologically and twenty healthy individuals served as controls were admitted in this study. None of our sample was received anli-salmonellosis agents. Our resu

Background: Maxillary sinusitis is one of the most common infections of humans. Sinusitis can be defined as an inflammation of the membrane lining of any sinus, especially one of the
paranasal sinuses.
Objective: To determine the causative microorganisms of acute maxillary sinusitis.
Patients: Forty five acute sinusitis patients were involved in the present study.
Methods: Sampling methods were per-oral nasopharyngeal swabs.
Results: Haemophilus species, Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) and Moraxella catarrhalis (M.catarrhalis) were the most frequent isolates.
Conclusion: The most causative agents of acute maxillary sinusitis were bacterial isolates, which were Haemophilus species followed by S.pne

Background: - Diabetic foot infections may be classified as superficial or deep. Bacteria are liable to enter any cut or ulcer causing infection. Defect in treatment of infected deep diabetic foot may result in oesteomyelitis, limb loss, and even death.
Methods: - Microorganisms were isolated and identified from both superficial & deep foot ulcers infection of (60) diabetic patients.
Results: - The present results showed that high incidence (30.8%) of Escherichia coli (E-coli) was isolated from dry - superficial foot ulcers followed respectively by Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). 3.1 % and 15.4% of Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis), equal Percentages for Klebsiellae Pneumoniae (K. pneum

Background : A retrospective study was done in the Pediatric ward /AL-Kadhimiyia Teaching Hospital on cases diagnosed as idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura admitted since the first of January1992 – the end of December 2004.
Aim of the study : The objective of this paper is to review the natural history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura , presenting feature and response to treatment.
Patients and methods : The review included age ,sex , clinical presentation , physical finding , complications , investigation ,treatment and course of the diseases .
Results: total number of the patients were 65, peak age was between (2 -5) years, 40 cases (61.53%). Females were affected more than Males with male: female

Background: Diabetes mellitus type-1 is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder in childhood. Mononeuropathy, generalized polyneuro-pathy and autonomic neuropathy are frequent complications of diabetes mellitus and may give rise to troublesome manifestations.
Methods: sixty children suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus admitted in Children Welfare Hospital- Medical City-Baghdad in the period from 1st Dec2000-31stJuly 2001 were included in
this prospective descriptive study. History, especially symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, examination specially signs of peripheral neuropathy, absent sinus arrhythmia and postural
hypotension and investigations like nerve conduction study were all performed and ana

Background: To shed some light on the clinical features of patients with Reiter's syndrome.
Methods: Reiter's syndrome in 50 patients (38 males and 12 females) was reported in a prospective study. All patients were subjected to detailed history, full clinical assessment and a slit
lamp eye examination by an Ophthalmologist. A Dermatologist opinion was sought when needed and thorough laboratory and radiological investigations were made for all patients.
Results: Reiter's syndrome was post-dysnteric in 44 (88%) of patients and post-venereal in 6 (12%) patients. Its clinical features are similar to other series. Arthritis was noted in all
patients, diarrhea in 44 (88%), eye lesions in 40 (80%) and mucocutaneous le

Background The Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency stated in 2003 that doctors should endeavor to avoid using products in treatments not covered by their product license. Foley catheters are commonly used in the management of epistaxis although their product license does not cover this.
Aims : To study the extent of the use of these catheters and the knowledge that otolaryngologists had of their legal status.
Method : By undertaking a questionnaire survey of some Otolaryngologists in Baghdad 
Results : Most members appear to use Foley catheters in the management of epistaxis; however most of them are not aware that the product is not licensed for this purpose. Because of this lack o

 اعتلال الكلية السكري هو احد المضاعفات الشائعة لدى مرضى السكري من النوع الثاني وميكانيكية حدوث المرض هو تغير اوتلف يصيب الاوعية الدموية التي تزود الاعصاب الطرفية .والذي يؤدي الى زيادة طرح البروتين في الادرار والى نقصان في عملية الترشيح الكلوي وزيادة في ارتفاع ضغط الدم وفي هذه الدراسة تم التنبؤ بعدة فحوصات مختبرية اجريت على مصل المرضى  يمكن ان تساعد في تشخيص اعتلال الكلية المبكر بالإضافة ا

الخلفية: فترة حديثي الولادة بانها تعرف بأنها الفتره مابين اليوم الاول للولاده واليوم ماقبل الثامن والعشرين وتقسم الى فترتين الفتره الحديثه جدا وتشمل فتره السته ايامى الاولى من الولاده والفتره المتأخره وتمتد من اليوم السابع الى ماقبل اليوم الثامن والعشرين وتعتبر فتره حديثي الولادهذات اهميه كبرى بسبب المشاكل التي تحدث في تلك الفتره

اهميه البحث:دراسه معدل ال

Background: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) means failure to establish effective spontaneous breathing after complete delivery & leads to many changes if not diagnosed or treated immediately as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Objective: to study the demographic and clinical predictors of perinatal outcome in full term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Methods: Forty two neonates were diagnosed as cases of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy by specialist pediatricians & admitted in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital & Al Kut Hospital in the period from January 2008 to March 2009. Predictors studied were sex, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1,5,15 min., meconium

خلفية البحث : تحديد الدراسات الشعاعية التي يجب اجرائها بعد تشخيص التهابات المجاري البولية عند الاطفال هي محل خلاف علمي 

اهداف الدراسة :دراسة الموجودات الاشعاعية عند الاطفال المصابون بالتهابات المجاري البولية المتكررة 

طرائق العمل : شملت الدراسة (104) اطفال مصابون بالتهابات المجاري البولية , اجريت لهم فحوصات التشخيص بالامواج فوق الصوتية ( السونار ) لجميع ال

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: 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: 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