Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.1989
Ryiam Sadeq Joda, Basim M. Ibrahim, Ahmed F. Al-Khafagi
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common infections associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in Iraq. Aim of the study: To determine the prognostic factor value of Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) and Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint biomarkers among CKD patients with HCV infection under HD. Methodology: ELISA technique was used for the measurement of the above-mentioned biomarkers in the serum of 90 Iraqi patients. The participants were divided into three groups; Group I included 30 patients infected with HCV without antiviral treatment, group II included 30 patients infected with HCV with recent/previous antiviral treatment, and Group III included 30 patients without viral infection (control group). Results: Serum levels of the measured biomarkers were elevated among all the participants, and highly statistically significant differences were found between patients with no treatment. The area under the curve (AUC) of PD-1 was 99% and for PD-L1 was 96%. Conclusions: The PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint biomarkers have excellent prognostic factor value as predictors for patients with CKD on HD infected with HCV.
{"title":"Role of Programmed Cell Death-1 and Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 immune checkpoint biomarkers among chronic Hepatitis C virus patients under Hemodialysis","authors":"Ryiam Sadeq Joda, Basim M. Ibrahim, Ahmed F. Al-Khafagi","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.1989","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.1989","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common infections associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in Iraq.\u0000Aim of the study: To determine the prognostic factor value of Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) and Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint biomarkers among CKD patients with HCV infection under HD.\u0000Methodology: ELISA technique was used for the measurement of the above-mentioned biomarkers in the serum of 90 Iraqi patients. The participants were divided into three groups; Group I included 30 patients infected with HCV without antiviral treatment, group II included 30 patients infected with HCV with recent/previous antiviral treatment, and Group III included 30 patients without viral infection (control group).\u0000Results: Serum levels of the measured biomarkers were elevated among all the participants, and highly statistically significant differences were found between patients with no treatment. The area under the curve (AUC) of PD-1 was 99% and for PD-L1 was 96%.\u0000Conclusions: The PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint biomarkers have excellent prognostic factor value as predictors for patients with CKD on HD infected with HCV.","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49485067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2050
Muhammed Qadir, Sardar M. Weli
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for a high proportion of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. The incidence of CVDs is largely attributed to several risk factors. Aim of the study: To estimate the prevalence of common risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among secondary school students in Sulaimani city / Kurdistan-Iraq. Subjects and Methods: One thousand and two hundred secondary school students between 16-18 years of age from eight secondary schools in the city of Sulaimani were selected to participate in this study. Students were selected randomly. The questionnaire form, which includes information about risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases, was filled by these students, after which, weight and height were measure to calculate the body mass index (BMI) in addition to measuring blood pressure (BP). Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the principles of the participating schools. Consents were obtained from the parents of the students and the students themselves before data collection. Results: Low physical activity was very high among both males (84%) and females (95.8%). Although the rate of smoking was low among both males (12%) and females (4.2%), the association was statistically significant. The rate of smoking tobacco products other than cigarettes (water pipe and vape) was 27.6% among males and 10.2% among females. The rate of high systolic blood pressure was 6.7% and 2.9% in males and females respectively while the rate of high diastolic blood pressure was 5% and 10.7% in males and females respectively. The rates of high systolic blood pressure among overweight, normal weight and underweight students were 8.3%, 4.0% and 1.6% respectively. Conclusion: A significant prevalence of modifiable common risk factors such as low physical activity, smoking, hypertension, overweight, and obesity was found among both male and female secondary school students in Sulaimani city.
{"title":"Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among secondary school pupils in Sulaimani city Kurdistan-Iraq. A cross-sectional study","authors":"Muhammed Qadir, Sardar M. Weli","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2050","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for a high proportion of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. The incidence of CVDs is largely attributed to several risk factors.\u0000Aim of the study: To estimate the prevalence of common risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among secondary school students in Sulaimani city / Kurdistan-Iraq.\u0000Subjects and Methods: One thousand and two hundred secondary school students between 16-18 years of age from eight secondary schools in the city of Sulaimani were selected to participate in this study. Students were selected randomly. The questionnaire form, which includes information about risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases, was filled by these students, after which, weight and height were measure to calculate the body mass index (BMI) in addition to measuring blood pressure (BP). Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the principles of the participating schools. Consents were obtained from the parents of the students and the students themselves before data collection.\u0000Results: Low physical activity was very high among both males (84%) and females (95.8%). Although the rate of smoking was low among both males (12%) and females (4.2%), the association was statistically significant. The rate of smoking tobacco products other than cigarettes (water pipe and vape) was 27.6% among males and 10.2% among females. The rate of high systolic blood pressure was 6.7% and 2.9% in males and females respectively while the rate of high diastolic blood pressure was 5% and 10.7% in males and females respectively. The rates of high systolic blood pressure among overweight, normal weight and underweight students were 8.3%, 4.0% and 1.6% respectively.\u0000Conclusion: A significant prevalence of modifiable common risk factors such as low physical activity, smoking, hypertension, overweight, and obesity was found among both male and female secondary school students in Sulaimani city.","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42263019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2024
Abbas Alshamary, A. S. Al-Mizraqchi
Background: The green tea have antimicrobial activity against many types of bacteria It is considered a natural substance with few side effect. Aim of the Study: An in vitro study was carried out to investigate the ability of green tea extract and nicotine to inhibit growth, biofilm formation by salivary Mutans streptococci. Methods: This study included a convenient sample of 40 healthy Iraqi volunteers aged 18–23 years old from College of Dentistry / University of Baghdad. Green tea and nicotine aqueous extract were prepared in different concentration to use in agar diffusion method to detect the activity of extract, and ELISA reader in multi titer plate was used to determine the ability of salivary mutans Streptococci to form biofilm in the presence and absence of the extracts.to measure the biofilm inhibition rate. Results: Mutans Streptococci were sensitive to green tea and nicotine in different concentrations the diameters of the inhibition zone were effective in a dose dependent manner significantly. There was a significant difference between the concentrations of each extracts, antibacterial activity was in a dose dependent manner for the extracts. The minimum bactericidal concentration of green tea was (280 mg/ml) and minimum bactericidal concentration of nicotine was (45mg/ml). The study found that biofilm formation by Mutans Streptococci was markedly decreased in the presence of 1/2 minimum bactericidal concentration of both green tea and nicotine with mean of O.D 590 nm = 0.54 in comparison with green tea extracts and nicotine alone O.D 590 nm = 0.15, 0.68 respectively. Conclusions green tea and nicotine extracts in different concentration effectively reduced the biofilm formation of salivary Mutans streptococci. While the presence of nicotine has negatively impacted on the ability of green tea extracts in the inhibition of biofilm formation by Mutans Streptococci in vitro.
{"title":"Anti-microbial activity of Green Tea Extracts and Nicotine on the Growth, Biofilm Formation of Salivary Mutans Streptococci (In-vitro study)","authors":"Abbas Alshamary, A. S. Al-Mizraqchi","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2024","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The green tea have antimicrobial activity against many types of bacteria It is considered a natural substance with few side effect.\u0000 Aim of the Study: An in vitro study was carried out to investigate the ability of green tea extract and nicotine to inhibit growth, biofilm formation by salivary Mutans streptococci.\u0000Methods: This study included a convenient sample of 40 healthy Iraqi volunteers aged 18–23 years old from College of Dentistry / University of Baghdad. Green tea and nicotine aqueous extract were prepared in different concentration to use in agar diffusion method to detect the activity of extract, and ELISA reader in multi titer plate was used to determine the ability of salivary mutans Streptococci to form biofilm in the presence and absence of the extracts.to measure the biofilm inhibition rate.\u0000 Results: Mutans Streptococci were sensitive to green tea and nicotine in different concentrations the diameters of the inhibition zone were effective in a dose dependent manner significantly. There was a significant difference between the concentrations of each extracts, antibacterial activity was in a dose dependent manner for the extracts. The minimum bactericidal concentration of green tea was (280 mg/ml) and minimum bactericidal concentration of nicotine was (45mg/ml). The study found that biofilm formation by Mutans Streptococci was markedly decreased in the presence of 1/2 minimum bactericidal concentration of both green tea and nicotine with mean of O.D 590 nm = 0.54 in comparison with green tea extracts and nicotine alone O.D 590 nm = 0.15, 0.68 respectively.\u0000Conclusions green tea and nicotine extracts in different concentration effectively reduced the biofilm formation of salivary Mutans streptococci. While the presence of nicotine has negatively impacted on the ability of green tea extracts in the inhibition of biofilm formation by Mutans Streptococci in vitro.","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43945626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-01DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2034
A. Yaseen, Mushtaq Talib
Background: Depression is one of the most common mood conditions among the elderly, which is linked to severe consequences such as difficulty in concentration and mood disturbances, followed by a lack of interest in social activities, apathy, pessimism, and changes in appetite and sleep. Aim of the study: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of depression and the associated factors among 60-year-olds and over. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on a group of 218 patients attending selected primary health care centers (PHCC) in Diyala governorate from Al-Khales and Baquba first sectors from first of September 2020 till first of April 2021. A direct interview was conducted by the researcher. Depression in the studied group was measured using the Arabic version of the short form of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Socio-demographical factors were also inquired about in this study. Results: The prevalence of depression among the study participants was 63.3%. There was a statistically significant association between depression and gender (higher in females 69.2%), marital status (in widowed 84.8%), current residence (93.3% in those living alone), and source of monthly income (78.1% in those on financial assistance), medical illnesses (70.2%), and past history of depression (71.3%). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are prevalent among elderly patients attending primary health centers in Diyala Governorate and are associated with female gender, being a widow, living alone, financial insecurity and chronic illnesses.
{"title":"Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Depression among Elderly Patients Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Diyala Governorate","authors":"A. Yaseen, Mushtaq Talib","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.2034","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Depression is one of the most common mood conditions among the elderly, which is linked to severe consequences such as difficulty in concentration and mood disturbances, followed by a lack of interest in social activities, apathy, pessimism, and changes in appetite and sleep.\u0000Aim of the study: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of depression and the associated factors among 60-year-olds and over.\u0000Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on a group of 218 patients attending selected primary health care centers (PHCC) in Diyala governorate from Al-Khales and Baquba first sectors from first of September 2020 till first of April 2021. A direct interview was conducted by the researcher. Depression in the studied group was measured using the Arabic version of the short form of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Socio-demographical factors were also inquired about in this study.\u0000Results: The prevalence of depression among the study participants was 63.3%. There was a statistically significant association between depression and gender (higher in females 69.2%), marital status (in widowed 84.8%), current residence (93.3% in those living alone), and source of monthly income (78.1% in those on financial assistance), medical illnesses (70.2%), and past history of depression (71.3%).\u0000Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are prevalent among elderly patients attending primary health centers in Diyala Governorate and are associated with female gender, being a widow, living alone, financial insecurity and chronic illnesses. ","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46549385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511993
Hayder Naji Sameer, A. A. Al-Jumaili
Aim of the Study: The aims of study were to explore the physicians' insights toward the impact of prospective implementation of the Iraqi Health Insurance Program (IHIP) on patients, healthcare providers (HCPs) and services and identify the potential challenges facing its implementation. Method: This was a qualitative study including semi-structured face-to-face interviews with specialist physicians from different disciplines (Internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, orthopedic, oncology, gynecology, general surgery, pediatricians and dentistry). The interview guide included open-ended questions about the impact of the IHIP on patients and HCPs at three levels: quality of services, costs, and frequency of visits. Potential challenges were also discussed. Interviews were conducted in six provinces from April 19th to August 2022. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview findings and generate themes and subthemes. Results: The study recruited 26 physicians till the saturation point has been reached. Only sixteen from the participants were aware of the IHIP. Most participants believed that the program could enhance patient health and would increase the income of HCPs in the private sector. They also expected that patients would use private-sector services more frequently. Additionally, the implementation of the health insurance can improve the quality of healthcare services and reduce the financial burden regarding private sector fees. The potential challenges of the program implementation include corruption, provision of comprehensive medical services to insured people, overuse of the plan by the insured patients, convincing non-governmental employees to join the health insurance plan and potential delays in the reimbursement to HCPs. Conclusions: The IHIP has several potential advantages, but at the same time, it can face several technical challenges. Thus, the program should be well studied before being implemented, and it needs to be piloted at a small scale before national implementation. Electronic health system must be adopted to facilitate transferring data to health insurance authority. Hiring international experts to help managing the medical claims is pivotal to avoid delaying in the processing. Finally, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) needs to raise the awareness of HCPs and people about the national health insurance plan.
{"title":"The Expected Impact of the New Iraqi Health Insurance Program and the Challenges Facing its Implementation: Physicians’ Perspective","authors":"Hayder Naji Sameer, A. A. Al-Jumaili","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511993","url":null,"abstract":"Aim of the Study: The aims of study were to explore the physicians' insights toward the impact of prospective implementation of the Iraqi Health Insurance Program (IHIP) on patients, healthcare providers (HCPs) and services and identify the potential challenges facing its implementation.\u0000Method: This was a qualitative study including semi-structured face-to-face interviews with specialist physicians from different disciplines (Internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, orthopedic, oncology, gynecology, general surgery, pediatricians and dentistry). The interview guide included open-ended questions about the impact of the IHIP on patients and HCPs at three levels: quality of services, costs, and frequency of visits. Potential challenges were also discussed. Interviews were conducted in six provinces from April 19th to August 2022. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview findings and generate themes and subthemes.\u0000Results: The study recruited 26 physicians till the saturation point has been reached. Only sixteen from the participants were aware of the IHIP. Most participants believed that the program could enhance patient health and would increase the income of HCPs in the private sector. They also expected that patients would use private-sector services more frequently. Additionally, the implementation of the health insurance can improve the quality of healthcare services and reduce the financial burden regarding private sector fees. The potential challenges of the program implementation include corruption, provision of comprehensive medical services to insured people, overuse of the plan by the insured patients, convincing non-governmental employees to join the health insurance plan and potential delays in the reimbursement to HCPs.\u0000Conclusions: The IHIP has several potential advantages, but at the same time, it can face several technical challenges. Thus, the program should be well studied before being implemented, and it needs to be piloted at a small scale before national implementation. Electronic health system must be adopted to facilitate transferring data to health insurance authority. Hiring international experts to help managing the medical claims is pivotal to avoid delaying in the processing. Finally, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) needs to raise the awareness of HCPs and people about the national health insurance plan.","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41726070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512058
Ahmed M. Kmkm, Mowafaq M. Ghareeb
Background: Luliconazole, a newer class of imidazole anti-fungal agent, is very effective against several species of fungi, especially dermatophytes. It has very low aqueous solubility acting as barrier for topical delivery and limiting its dermal availability. Aim of the study: This study aimed to formulate luliconazole oil/water nanoemulsion by the aqueous titration method. Methods: Solubility study resulted in selecting peppermint oil, tween 80 and transcutol p as oil phase, surfactant and cosurfactant respectively, although pseudoternary phase diagram construct nanoemulsion area for picking formulations. Fifteen o/w nanoemulsion formulations prepared and characterised for droplet size, polydispersity index, pH values, percent transmittance, luliconazole content. Among formulations, eight preparations introduced to enhance the viscosity of prepared nanoemulsion by combining 0.5% carbopol 934 as gelling agent. Results: The selected preparations demonstrated homogeneous nanoemulgels with pH values appropriate for skin application and accepted luliconazole content. Viscosity results manifested non-newtonian pseudo plastic behavior with shear-thinning viscosity profile. In vitro release studies revealed dissimilar release profile (f2˂50) than that of pure luliconazole dispersion. The results revealed that the formula NG-1 with oil: Smix(2:1):water (15:40:43.5) ratio containing 1% drug and 0.5% carbopol 934 was the optimised formula with excellent spreadability. Conclusion: The study concluded that nanoemulsion-based gel is contemplated an encouraging and proceed technique for the topical preparation and upgrade solubility, dissolution rate and permeability of insufficient water-soluble drugs across the skin.
{"title":"Natural Oil Nanoemulsion-Based Gel Vehicle for Enhancing Antifungal Effect of Topical Luliconazole","authors":"Ahmed M. Kmkm, Mowafaq M. Ghareeb","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512058","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Luliconazole, a newer class of imidazole anti-fungal agent, is very effective against several species of fungi, especially dermatophytes. It has very low aqueous solubility acting as barrier for topical delivery and limiting its dermal availability.\u0000Aim of the study: This study aimed to formulate luliconazole oil/water nanoemulsion by the aqueous titration method.\u0000Methods: Solubility study resulted in selecting peppermint oil, tween 80 and transcutol p as oil phase, surfactant and cosurfactant respectively, although pseudoternary phase diagram construct nanoemulsion area for picking formulations. Fifteen o/w nanoemulsion formulations prepared and characterised for droplet size, polydispersity index, pH values, percent transmittance, luliconazole content. Among formulations, eight preparations introduced to enhance the viscosity of prepared nanoemulsion by combining 0.5% carbopol 934 as gelling agent.\u0000Results: The selected preparations demonstrated homogeneous nanoemulgels with pH values appropriate for skin application and accepted luliconazole content. Viscosity results manifested non-newtonian pseudo plastic behavior with shear-thinning viscosity profile. In vitro release studies revealed dissimilar release profile (f2˂50) than that of pure luliconazole dispersion. The results revealed that the formula NG-1 with oil: Smix(2:1):water (15:40:43.5) ratio containing 1% drug and 0.5% carbopol 934 was the optimised formula with excellent spreadability.\u0000Conclusion: The study concluded that nanoemulsion-based gel is contemplated an encouraging and proceed technique for the topical preparation and upgrade solubility, dissolution rate and permeability of insufficient water-soluble drugs across the skin.","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46831444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512064
Salaah Aldeen M. Sadeq Alkubaisi, IbrahimAbdul-H. Al-Zubaidy
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common zoonotic disease affecting one-third of the world population with potentially serious health implications. Aim of the study: To find the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among females in Al-Anbar, Iraq. Methodology: Over an eight-month period from (1st November 2021 to 30th June 2022), 200 females visiting private veterinary clinics in Al-Anbar (92 owned cats) participated in this prospective study. Age and residency were recorded. Blood samples were collected from all females and subjected first to the Toxoplasma Latex Agglutination test (TLAT). Samples of cat feces were collected from 57 (62%) pet and 35 (38%) stray cats and subjected first to direct microscopy looking for Toxoplasma oocysts. Blood and fecal samples were then tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) and real-time PCR. Results were then statistically analyzed. Results: Rates of human toxoplasmosis were (n=48, 24%), (n=60, 30%), and (n=77, 38.5%) with TLAT, n-PCR, and RT-PCR tests respectively. Likewise, rates of cat toxoplasmosis were (n=7, 7.6%), (n=55, 60%), and (n=80, 87.0%) with TLAT, n-PCR, and RT-PCR tests respectively. Results of the latex test revealed that females >40 had a high rate of infection (45.8%) compared with those aged 31-40 years (33.8%) and those aged 21-30 years (13.0%) (P≤0.01). City resident females had a lower infection rate compared to village residents (29.7% vs. 55.4%). Conclusions: Toxoplasmosis was more prevalent in females >40 from rural areas but wasn’t related to contact with cats. Real-time PCR provided a better diagnostic yield.
{"title":"Toxoplasmosis in females from Al-Anbar, Iraq","authors":"Salaah Aldeen M. Sadeq Alkubaisi, IbrahimAbdul-H. Al-Zubaidy","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512064","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common zoonotic disease affecting one-third of the world population with potentially serious health implications.\u0000Aim of the study: To find the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among females in Al-Anbar, Iraq. \u0000Methodology: Over an eight-month period from (1st November 2021 to 30th June 2022), 200 females visiting private veterinary clinics in Al-Anbar (92 owned cats) participated in this prospective study. Age and residency were recorded. Blood samples were collected from all females and subjected first to the Toxoplasma Latex Agglutination test (TLAT). Samples of cat feces were collected from 57 (62%) pet and 35 (38%) stray cats and subjected first to direct microscopy looking for Toxoplasma oocysts. Blood and fecal samples were then tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) and real-time PCR. Results were then statistically analyzed.\u0000Results: Rates of human toxoplasmosis were (n=48, 24%), (n=60, 30%), and (n=77, 38.5%) with TLAT, n-PCR, and RT-PCR tests respectively. Likewise, rates of cat toxoplasmosis were (n=7, 7.6%), (n=55, 60%), and (n=80, 87.0%) with TLAT, n-PCR, and RT-PCR tests respectively. Results of the latex test revealed that females >40 had a high rate of infection (45.8%) compared with those aged 31-40 years (33.8%) and those aged 21-30 years (13.0%) (P≤0.01). City resident females had a lower infection rate compared to village residents (29.7% vs. 55.4%).\u0000Conclusions: Toxoplasmosis was more prevalent in females >40 from rural areas but wasn’t related to contact with cats. Real-time PCR provided a better diagnostic yield. ","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42486565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512040
Maad M. Shallal, Najmah Mahmood, Zina A. Hussein
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine illnesses affecting reproductive - age women. L-carnitine has important roles in oxidative stress, energy production and glucose metabolism. It affects insulin resistance as decreased plasma carnitine level has been well reported in type II diabetes mellitus. Hence, it means L-carnitine may reduce insulin resistance which is found in PCO disease. Objective: This study aims to measure the level of L-carnitine and insulin resistance in both obese and non- obese patients with PCOS. Patients and Methods: Sixty women within the reproductive age with PCOS (30 obese and 30 non- obese) were recruited from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital from June 2016 to June 2017. The data collected for each case included: Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, obstetrical, medical, and medication history as well as ultrasound results. A physical examination was done to evaluate the clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. Biochemical measurements included fasting blood sugar, leutinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, Testosterone and lipid profile were measured together with total L-carnitine (using L-Carnitine Assay Kit Sigma-Aldrich Co.). Insulin resistance was diagnosed according to National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). PCOS is diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. Results: This study revealed that insulin resistance (IR) was present in 51.7% of PCOS patients, which was higher in obese PCOS patients (73.3%) than in the non-obese (30%). Age of patients, serum cholesterol, LH, and FSH were not related to IR. High mean BMI, waist circumference, FBS and triglyceride were significantly associated with IR (p < 0.05), while low serum HDL and L-Carnitine were associated with IR (p < 0.05). The mean serum total L-carnitine in this study was 34.03μmol/L. Obese women had lower carnitine levels than non-obese women and low serum L-Carnitine was associated with IR. Serum triglyceride, FBS and testosterone were correlated negatively with serum L-carnitine (p < 0.05) and serum HDL correlated positively with serum L-carnitine (p value = 0.001). Conclusions: The mean value of serum total L-carnitine among the non-obese PCOS women was higher than among the obese ones. Low serum L-carnitine is associated with insulin resistance
{"title":"Total L-carnitine and insulin resistance in non-obese and obese Iraqi women with polycystic ovary syndrome","authors":"Maad M. Shallal, Najmah Mahmood, Zina A. Hussein","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512040","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine illnesses affecting reproductive - age women. L-carnitine has important roles in oxidative stress, energy production and glucose metabolism. It affects insulin resistance as decreased plasma carnitine level has been well reported in type II diabetes mellitus. Hence, it means L-carnitine may reduce insulin resistance which is found in PCO disease.\u0000Objective: This study aims to measure the level of L-carnitine and insulin resistance in both obese and non- obese patients with PCOS.\u0000Patients and Methods: Sixty women within the reproductive age with PCOS (30 obese and 30 non- obese) were recruited from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital from June 2016 to June 2017. The data collected for each case included: Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, obstetrical, medical, and medication history as well as ultrasound results. A physical examination was done to evaluate the clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. Biochemical measurements included fasting blood sugar, leutinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, Testosterone and lipid profile were measured together with total L-carnitine (using L-Carnitine Assay Kit Sigma-Aldrich Co.). Insulin resistance was diagnosed according to National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). PCOS is diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria.\u0000Results: This study revealed that insulin resistance (IR) was present in 51.7% of PCOS patients, which was higher in obese PCOS patients (73.3%) than in the non-obese (30%). Age of patients, serum cholesterol, LH, and FSH were not related to IR. High mean BMI, waist circumference, FBS and triglyceride were significantly associated with IR (p < 0.05), while low serum HDL and L-Carnitine were associated with IR (p < 0.05). The mean serum total L-carnitine in this study was 34.03μmol/L. Obese women had lower carnitine levels than non-obese women and low serum L-Carnitine was associated with IR. Serum triglyceride, FBS and testosterone were correlated negatively with serum L-carnitine (p < 0.05) and serum HDL correlated positively with serum L-carnitine (p value = 0.001).\u0000Conclusions: The mean value of serum total L-carnitine among the non-obese PCOS women was higher than among the obese ones. Low serum L-carnitine is associated with insulin resistance","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47964745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512008
Alaa Ghaith Ahmed, Mohammed Qasim Yahya MalAllah Al Atrakji, Wifaq M.Ali Alwattar
Background: One of the most dominant bacterial infections is urinary tract infection (UTI), both in the community and in the hospital settings Since drug resistance become one of the predominant problems of health worldwide, it is necessary to use new methods to overcome drug-resistant bacteria. In this regard, medicinal plants (Medicago sativa ) are considered one of the richest sources to produce antibiotics. Aim of the study: evaluate the antibacterial effect of the fraction of ethyl acetate of Medicago Sativa extract against Escherichia Coli isolated from urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections. Material and methods: throughout this study 85 urine samples were taken from patients attending one of the hospitals in Iraq's Medical City complex, the study was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022, Semi-quantitative culture techniques were used to culture the urine samples, and conventional microbiological methods were used to identify the bacteria. the Kirby-Bauer Disk diffusion method was used for testing antibiotic susceptibility. The antibacterial effect of Medicago Sativa was tested by preparing Medicago sativa crude extract in 85 percent ethanol in the soxhlet apparatus. The extract is then fractionated into ethyl acetate fraction, then the effectiveness against uropathogenic E. coli was tested at various concentrations (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, and 75 mg/ml). Result: 60% of the population was female compared to 40% of the male in UTI patients with E.coli. Concerning age, the majority of study participants (20–39 years) were under 40 years old (56.7%), and all isolates show complete meropenem sensitivity. The extracts from Medicago Sativa showed significant antibacterial activity against E.Coli. Conclusion: Medicago sativa extracts have excellent potential as an antibacterial agent against uropathogenic E. coli, according to the current investigation findings. Keywords: Escherichia coli, Ethyl acetate fraction, Medicago sativa extract, UTIs
{"title":"Antibacterial effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Medicago Sativa on Escherichia Coli in urinary tract infections","authors":"Alaa Ghaith Ahmed, Mohammed Qasim Yahya MalAllah Al Atrakji, Wifaq M.Ali Alwattar","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6512008","url":null,"abstract":"Background: One of the most dominant bacterial infections is urinary tract infection (UTI), both in the community and in the hospital settings Since drug resistance become one of the predominant problems of health worldwide, it is necessary to use new methods to overcome drug-resistant bacteria. In this regard, medicinal plants (Medicago sativa ) are considered one of the richest sources to produce antibiotics. \u0000Aim of the study: evaluate the antibacterial effect of the fraction of ethyl acetate of Medicago Sativa extract against Escherichia Coli isolated from urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections. \u0000Material and methods: throughout this study 85 urine samples were taken from patients attending one of the hospitals in Iraq's Medical City complex, the study was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022, Semi-quantitative culture techniques were used to culture the urine samples, and conventional microbiological methods were used to identify the bacteria. the Kirby-Bauer Disk diffusion method was used for testing antibiotic susceptibility. The antibacterial effect of Medicago Sativa was tested by preparing Medicago sativa crude extract in 85 percent ethanol in the soxhlet apparatus. The extract is then fractionated into ethyl acetate fraction, then the effectiveness against uropathogenic E. coli was tested at various concentrations (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, and 75 mg/ml). \u0000Result: 60% of the population was female compared to 40% of the male in UTI patients with E.coli. Concerning age, the majority of study participants (20–39 years) were under 40 years old (56.7%), and all isolates show complete meropenem sensitivity. The extracts from Medicago Sativa showed significant antibacterial activity against E.Coli. \u0000Conclusion: Medicago sativa extracts have excellent potential as an antibacterial agent against uropathogenic E. coli, according to the current investigation findings. \u0000Keywords: Escherichia coli, Ethyl acetate fraction, Medicago sativa extract, UTIs","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41695707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511980
N. S. Dawood, Numan S. Dawood, Maan H. Al-khalisy
Background: Bone mineral density has been assessed using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Bone mineral density is measured according to the results of the Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry examination of the vertebral column and pelvis. Although diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is known to affect bone mineral density, at the present time this particular relationship is not clear. Objective: The aim of current study was to evaluate the effects of type II diabetes mellitus on bone mineral density of the upper and lower limbs as well as gender differences. Patients and Methods: This study involved 165 patients complaining of bone pain (85 males and 80 females), 85 patients of who suffered from diabetes, involving both genders. In addition, 90 apparently healthy volunteers had been studied and were considered to constitute the control group. All individuals (255) were studied regarding their bone mineral density via Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry for all parts of the body. Results: The Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry exam revealed highly statistically significant differences between the sides of the body in the same person. In addition, there were significant differences in bone mineral density between females and males, as well as between the control and patient groups with type II diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the bone mineral density of women was less than that in men in all cases (normal, osteoporosis, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) with osteoporosis). Other results obtained from this research revealed that diabetes mellitus type II (DM) can be considered to be one of the major causes of osteoporosis in the general population
{"title":"Evaluation of the effect of type II diabetes mellitus on Bone Mineral Density of Upper and Lower Limbs by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry","authors":"N. S. Dawood, Numan S. Dawood, Maan H. Al-khalisy","doi":"10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511980","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.6511980","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Bone mineral density has been assessed using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Bone mineral density is measured according to the results of the Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry examination of the vertebral column and pelvis. Although diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is known to affect bone mineral density, at the present time this particular relationship is not clear.\u0000 Objective: The aim of current study was to evaluate the effects of type II diabetes mellitus on bone mineral density of the upper and lower limbs as well as gender differences. \u0000Patients and Methods: This study involved 165 patients complaining of bone pain (85 males and 80 females), 85 patients of who suffered from diabetes, involving both genders. In addition, 90 apparently healthy volunteers had been studied and were considered to constitute the control group. All individuals (255) were studied regarding their bone mineral density via Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry for all parts of the body.\u0000Results: The Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry exam revealed highly statistically significant differences between the sides of the body in the same person. In addition, there were significant differences in bone mineral density between females and males, as well as between the control and patient groups with type II diabetes mellitus.\u0000 Conclusion: Our results indicated that the bone mineral density of women was less than that in men in all cases (normal, osteoporosis, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) with osteoporosis). Other results obtained from this research revealed that diabetes mellitus type II (DM) can be considered to be one of the major causes of osteoporosis in the general population","PeriodicalId":33125,"journal":{"name":"mjl@ kly@ lTb","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41279047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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