bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Abdul Waheed Yasamine Abdul Hussein , Al-Shireefy Haider Mehdi Mueen
Published: May 2024

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and associated with worse prognosis.

Objective:

We aim to assess the incidence of AKI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Merjan Teaching Hospital from May 1 to October 1, 2021. It involved a review of data of 174 hospitalized polymerase chain reaction–confirmed COVID-19 patients from hospital health records.

Results:

In our hospitalized COVID-19 patients, AKI was found in 14 patients forming 8.05% of the total hospitalized patients. The age of participants with AKI was 62.64 ± 19.08 years; male patients formed the larger proportion (53.45%). More than one-third of the patients (36.21%) had a history of hypertension, and more than one-fifth of the patients had a history of diabetes mellitus (22.99%). History of ischemic heart disease was present in 4.60%, heart failure in 0.57%, asthma in 3.45%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 1.15%, cerebrovascular accidents in 1.75%, and lung fibrosis in 1.15%. Patients with AKI had a significantly higher level of blood urea (22.44 ± 11.74); the level of serum creatinine was also significantly higher among patients with AKI (267.57 ± 87.27); significant relationship was observed between the outcome of the patient and the incidence of AKI.

Conclusions:

The current study showed a higher risk of mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 patients with AKI. Identifying high-risk groups and earlier diagnosis of AKI in COVID-19 patients can improve results in patients and decrease mortality.
Mother’s Perception Toward Childhood Diarrhea
Authors: Khazaal Abbas Abid , Yousif Miami Kadhim , Mousa Hasnah Abdelzahra
Published: May 2024

Background:

Diarrheal disease is considered as the second most common cause of death among under-5 children globally.

Objective:

The aim of this article is to determine mothers’ knowledge and practices regarding diarrhea causes and principles of management.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 mothers of under-5 children who attended the pediatric outpatient department for diarrhea. The correlation between mothers’ age and level of education with their knowledge regarding signs of dehydration and their awareness of the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and management of diarrhea was done. The χ2 test was used, and a P-value of 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Nearly half (45%) of the mothers believed intestinal infection caused that diarrhea, whereas (37.5%) blamed the teething process. Mothers rated the severity of diarrhea as increased frequency (70%), change in consistency (62.5%), foul smell stool (13.5%), and change in stool color (7%). The study showed that 45% of the mothers did not know any sign of dehydration and indicated poor mothers’ adherence to ORS use (4%), despite their awareness of ORS (66.5%). The study showed a significant correlation between mothers’ education and initial management of diarrhea at home (P <0.05), but not with their awareness of ORS or their knowledge about signs of dehydration. There was no significant relation between mothers’ age and their awareness of ORS, their knowledge regarding the signs of dehydration, and their initial action to manage diarrhea at home.

Conclusion:

Most respondents lack satisfactory knowledge of diarrheal diseases. Therefore, mothers need health education to create a better attitude toward the prevention and management of diarrheal diseases.
Evaluating the Effect of Lemongrass Essential Oil Addition on Some Properties of Heat Cure Acrylic Soft-Lining Material
Authors: Naser Huda Jaafar , Abdul-Ameer Faiza M.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Denture liners’ viscoelasticity absorbs shocks and relieves tissue pressure. Soft liners must be replaced every 6–12 months because oral conditions destroy elastomers. By adding chemicals to soft liners, researchers have created a new class of flexible, oral-friendly materials. This lowers denture and mucosa pressure.

Objectives:

The aim of the study is to discover if the best two concentrations of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) added to heat-cured soft denture liner improves the material’s hardness, the strength of the peel bond, and surface roughness.

Materials and Methods:

In a pilot study, 2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.% LGEO improved the heat-cured soft-liner material’s Shore A hardness and surface roughness. The main study categorized 90 specimens into three groups (Shore A hardness, peel bond strength, and surface roughness). Each of the groups has three subgroups (control, 2.5 vol.% of LGEO additive, and 5 vol.% of LGEO additive). One-way analysis of variance, Dunnett’s T3 post hoc, Tukey’s honestly significant difference, and Fisher’s exact test were used for data analysis, which was significant at P < 0.05.

Results:

After adding 2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.% of LGEO additives (experimental subgroups), Shore hardness, peel bond strength, and surface roughness of the two experimental subgroups decreased significantly from the control subgroup at P < 0.05, except for 2.5 vol.% of the LGEO additive subgroup, which did not differ significantly at P > 0.05. When failure mode was assessed, all subgroups varied substantially. The 2.5 vol.% of LGEO addition specimens showed adhesive and cohesive failure with some mixed type, whereas 5 vol.% showed predominantly cohesive failure.

Conclusions:

LGEO enhances the hardness and surface roughness of the soft-lining material, making it more resilient and smoother. This leads to a greater cushioning effect and reduced damage to the oral tissues while decreasing the liner’s peel bond strength to an acceptable level. 5 vol.% is the best percentage that improves liner properties.
Association of mycoplasma pneumoniae and (rs9271366) HLA-DRB1gene polymorphism with the immune susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Obaead Alfatlawi Wael Rasheed , Al-Saadi Mohammed A K , Ali Akbar Adil Hasan
Published: May 2024

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the immune system. The primary cause of RA is unknown, but there is evidence that genetic and environmental factors also contribute to the development of the disease.

Objectives:

This study aimed to illustrate the relationship between the RA and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Materials and Methods:

The work was performed on 50 RA patients of various ages, ranging from 25 to 75 years of age, who were treated at the rheumatology clinic of the city of Medical Marjan between February 2022 to October 2022.Blood samples were used for DNA extraction. HLA-DRB1, IL-6 and mycoplasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

The results showed that compared with RA patients not infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and healthy subjects, serum IL-6 concentration was significantly increased in RA patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The results showed that serum concentrations of HLADRB1 were significantly elevated in RA patients infected with M. pneumoniae compared with RA patients not infected with M. pneumoniae and healthy subjects.

Conclusions:

In HLA-DRB1 the SNP rs9271366 was significantly associated with RA and G allele represent as dominant pathogenic allele in which the individual that carry GG and AG genotype have more susceptibility to mycoplasma infection than subjects that carry AA genotype (P = 0.036).
Medical Aspect of Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy in Skull Base Center of Basra
Authors: Alali Mustafa H. , Obaid Firas T. , Abbasi Ahmed M. Al
Published: May 2024

Background:

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (EETS) approach is a minimally invasive technique that has gained increased acceptability for the removal of sellar and para-sellar tumors.

Objectives:

To evaluate the EETH in the skull base center of Basra and compare our EETH procedures with others done in different centers.

Patients and Methods:

A prospective observational study was carried out in Basra skull base center at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital between August 2017 and July 2019, and it included 50 patients (29 female and 21 male) with a female to male ratio of 1.38:1. We included all patients with a pituitary tumor fit for surgery, and there were no exclusion criteria. The standard technique involved a unilateral, endoscopic, and endonasal approach to the sella turcica via an anterior sphenoidotomy, with enlargement of the natural sphenoid ostium using powered instrumentation and 0° and 30° rigid endoscopes for visualization. This was performed as a joint procedure by a consultant otolaryngologist and a consultant neurosurgeon.

Results:

The most common presenting symptom for pituitary tumor was headache, which is present in 80% (40 patients) of patients, followed by visual disturbance in 56% (28 patients). The MRI study of the brain and sellar region shows that 46 patients (90%) were diagnosed as having pituitary adenomas. Eighty-four patients present had a tumor larger than 1cm in size. Sixty eight percent (34 patients) had an abnormal hormonal study before the operation, whereas 32% (16 patients) had a normal hormonal analysis. Histopathological examination of the tumors showed pituitary adenoma in 90% (45 patients), followed by craniopharyngiomas in 6% (three patients) and 2% (one patient) was Rathke's cyst and 2% (one patient) was pituitary carcinoma. Postoperative follow-up result indicated headache improvement in 82% (34 patients), improvement in menstrual disturbance in 67% (13 patients), and vision improvement in 46% (13 patients). Seventy-four percent showed hormonal normalization after EETH, which is statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

This study show that endoscopic, endonasal, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe procedure to remove pituitary tumors.
Assessment of Electroencephalographic Changes and Clinical Characteristics Among Patients with Substance-Related Disorder
Authors: Mubarek Zainab Walaa Sahib , Abbas Farah Nabil , Al-Agam Azher Nema Mohammed
Published: May 2024

Background:

Substance abuse is defined as the hazardous use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol and illegal narcotics. It is a significant global public health concern. Chronic relapsing diseases, defined by compulsive use of drugs despite negative health effects, were substantial contributors to the illness burden in the USA and all over the world.

Objective:

The objectives were as follows: (a) to determine the presence of electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and their types among patients with substance-related disorders and (b) to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with substance-related disorder.

Materials and Methods:

It was a cross-sectional study conducted from September 1, 2021 to August 1, 2022. It was performed on 112 patients (104 males and 8 females) in the Neurophysiology Department of Al Imam Al Sadiq Teaching Hospital in Al-Hilla Governorate. The patients were diagnosed by psychiatrists, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. All patients were assessed by history, physical examination, and EEG test.

Results:

The study showed that the frequency of EEG changes was 57.1%, whereas those without any changes was 42.9%. Those with score 2 or moderate severity were 53.6%. Severe abnormalities were found in 3.5% of the patients. There was a significant association between the EEG change and the type of substance taken, with aP-value of 0.008. The study showed the association between the EEG change and duration of substance taken, with aP-value of 0.0001, which was significant. There was a significant association between the type of substance taken and age (P= 0.002). The association between the type of substance taken and gender, residence, and occupation was non-significant.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that the EEG changes were of high prevalence in patients with substance-related disorder. The most common abnormality was score 2 (moderate severity). The most common substance with an abnormal EEG change was amphetamine.
The Role of Asprosin and Ceramides in the Development of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children
Authors: Al-Jubawi Muntadher Mohammad , Mohammed Seenaa B. , Al-Abedi Rihab F.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is an endocrine condition, which is defined as a reduction in growth hormone (GH) synthesis; this study aims to evaluate the level of asprosin and ceramides in children (patients) with idiopathic isolated GHD.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was designed as a case–control study; 43 patients (24 males and 19 females) with idiopathic isolated GHD were involved in this study. Forty-five subjects (26 males and 19 females) who were apparently healthy control that enrolled in this study were matched with patients of the same sex and age.

Results:

The present study revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the levels of asprosin, ceramides, and glucose in patients with GHD when compared with its control group.

Conclusions:

Asprosin may be one of the underlying causes of GHD through its indirect role in releasing GH. GHD may decrease the level of ceramides by the effect of GH on lipid metabolism.
Study of Serum Chitinase-3-like-1 Protein (CHI3L1) and C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Patients Suffering from Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Al-Saba Ahmed Hassan , Shemran Khawla Abdulhamza , Al-Hattab Mohammed K.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the formation of well-defined raised erythematous plaques on the skin surface with silvery white scales. Chitinase-3-like-1 protein (CHI3L1) is thought to be important in physiological and pathological processes including angiogenesis, mitogenesis, and remodeling. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been suggested as an inflammatory biomarker in psoriasis and other disorders.

Objectives:

The aim of the current study is to determine the serum levels of CHI3L1 and CRP in psoriasis patients and to compare with healthy controls. In addition, the present study aims to investigate which is more sensitive and specific for diagnosing psoriasis.

Materials and Methods:

This is a case–control study. Sixty patients were involved in this study, divided into two groups (severe group that contains 30 patients and moderate group that contains 30 patients). Thirty individuals apparently healthy as control subjects were involved in the current study and all of them without any skin disease or other autoimmune diseases.

Results:

The current study revealed a significant increase in the serum CHI3L1 and CRP among psoriatic patients when compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion:

CHI3L1 and CRP increase with increased severity of psoriasis disease. CHI3L1 was a more sensitive and specific biomarker than CRP, according to the area under the curve in the receiver-operating characteristic curve test. Therefore, it is a good marker for the diagnosis of psoriasis patients.
Association of TNF-α-308G/A Gene Polymorphism with Coronavirus Disease-19 Severity
Authors: Al-Mayah Qasim S. , Umayra Ali Nayyef , Hassan Jabbar Salman
Published: May 2024

Background:

From the time when the first outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), only a small proportion of infected people developed a severe infection, which is usually a sequel of cytokine overproduction. Genetic variations in the genes of some cytokines can influence the transcription rate of these cytokines.

Objective:

The going research article tried to evaluate the link between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-308 gene polymorphism and COVID-19 severity.

Materials and Methods:

Blood samples were obtained from 60 patients with COVID-19 and verified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in nasopharyngeal swabs. Patients were categorized into two categories based on the severity of the disease: severe COVID-19 included 30 patients and mild/moderate COVID-19 with 30 patients. The nucleic DNA was obtained from the whole blood, and TNF-α-308G>A polymorphism was genotyped utilizing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results:

Homozygous (GG) and heterozygous (GA) genotypes were more frequent among severe than among mild cases, although the differences were not significant. At the allelic level, the frequency of a mutant allele (A) was higher in severe than in mild cases with a noticeable distinction (odds ratio = 2.49, 95% confidence interval = 1.1–5.64, P = 0.029).

Conclusion:

Allele A of TNF-α-308G>A may be deemed a threat for the severity of COVID-19.
Pectin-Based Nanomaterials as a Universal Polymer for Type 2 Diabetes Management
Authors: Abdulhakeem Zahraa Raad , Odda Atheer Hameid , Abdulsattar Sura Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insufficient tissue insulin sensitivity, insufficient compensatory insulin secretory response, and insufficient insulin production by pancreatic islet cells, which account for more than 90% of all instances of diabetes mellitus, and defects in any of the mechanisms at play may cause a metabolic imbalance that results in the development of T2DM. By getting around several delivery limitations, nanomedicine can effectively increase the efficacy of oral drug administration. According to reports, nanostructures are absorbed 15–250 times more readily than microparticles. Furthermore, nanostructures are constantly used to maintain the release of drugs that are encapsulated to lower doses and dosage frequency, improving patient compliance and reducing adverse effects. Pectin is a biocompatible polysaccharide with a natural biological activity, which pectin in rats with type 2 diabetes was discovered to have potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant, immunomodulating, and anticancer properties that improved diabetic conditions and consequences, reduced insulin resistance, improved blood lipid levels, and reduced liver glycogen content, glucose tolerance, and glucose levels. As a result, the purpose of this article was to evaluate the background materials on the current condition of the scientific literature in this field of study and to review the employment feasibility as well as pectin-modified nanomaterial toward T2DM treatment because it has the ability to reduce insulin secretion and/or blood glucose levels following a sugar load.
An Endocrine Perspective of Juvenile Moyamoya Syndrome/Disease
Authors: Alabedi Rihab Faisal , Alsaffar Hussain , Ibrahim Basma Adel , Abdullah Wasnaa Hadi
Published: May 2024

Moyamoya disease is a progressive rare type of cerebrovascular disease marked by stenosis and occlusion of the distal internal carotid arteries and circle of Willis branches, leading to the development of a collateral network of blood vessels at the base of the brain. For Moyamoya angiopathy, endocrinopathies may be risk factors, sequelae, or just coincidental findings. So, it is worth checking and regularly monitoring for these endocrinopathies in patients with Moyamoya angiopathy, aiming for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Estimation and study effect of some trace elements and some electrolytes in hyperlipidemia patients
Authors: Duhaib Huda Ahmed , Ewadh Mufeed Jalil , Mgheer Tariq Hussein
Published: May 2024

Background:

Measuring electrolytes in the blood is considered one of the most common diagnostic techniques.

Objectives:

To assess sodium, potassium, zinc, and copper levels and examine the correlation between parameters and study their probable relation with hyperlipidemia in Babylon province.

Materials and Methods:

Sodium, potassium, zinc, and copper were estimated in one hundred subjects; 50 patients with hyperlipidemia and 50 healthy subjects participated in this study. The age of the patients and control groups ranged between 19 and 75 years. Sodium and potassium levels were assessed by colorimetric enzymatic technique, whereas the level of zinc and copper was assessed in serum by the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer method.

Results:

Serum levels of sodium and zinc displayed a significant decrease, whereas serum copper significantly elevated (P< 0.05) in hyperlipidemia patients compared with the control group. Serum potassium observed nonsignificant change (P-value > 0.05) in hyperlipidemia patients. On the other hand, copper and zinc correlated significantly with cholesterol, triglyceride, and sodium.

Conclusion:

Among hyperlipidemia patients in Babylon province, the variability in some trace elements and some electrolytes concentration indicate a significant relationship with hyperlipidemia.
Strengthening the Component of Teaching and Assessing Attitude in the Medical Curriculum
Authors: Shrivastava Saurabh RamBihariLal , Shrivastava Prateek Saurabh
Published: May 2024

In any field, learning among learners happens in all three domains, namely, knowledge, skill, and attitudes. In contrast to knowledge and skill domains, “attitude domain” is difficult to teach and even more difficult to assess. The purpose of the current review was to explore the different ways in which attitude domain can be taught and assessed during the medical education training. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine, and a total of six studies were selected based on the suitability with the current review objectives and analyzed. As learning should happen in attitude domain as well, it is a must that we should orient the students about the same and accordingly formulate learning objectives and employ appropriate learning and assessment tools. Even though it is a challenging task, nevertheless, training can be given to medical students with regard to the development of positive attitudes. In conclusion, the presence of positive attitude is an indispensable component to improve learning and patient care. However, considering that the training and assessment of attitudes are often undermined, there has to be a conscious attempt from the medical educators to improve the existing scenario and eventually improve the patient outcomes in the long run.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Salbutamol by Oxidative Coupling Reaction with 1-Naphthylamine-4-Sulfonic Acid in the Presence of Potassium Per Sulfate
Authors: Hussein Kameran S. , Ahmed Abdul Majeed K. , Mohammed Fatimah Y.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Oxidative coupling reactions are among the most important reactions that have wide applications in chemistry, and the oxidative coupling process involves the interaction of two or more organic substances in the presence of an oxidizing agent, where an oxidation process occurs for these substances forming intermediate compounds that interact with each other to form a colored product that can be determined by either spectrophotometric, polarographic, or various chromatographic methods and these reactions were used to quantify many different organic and inorganic compounds. In this article, the spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol was done by an oxidative coupling reaction with the reagent 1-Naphthylamine-4-sulfonic acid in the presence of potassium per sulfate.

Objective:

In this study, we developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, selective, and accurate UV-visible spectrophotometric method for analyzing salbutamol in pure drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.

Materials and Methods:

Based on oxidative reaction with 1-Naphthylamine-4-sulfonic acid at pH 11.24, form a yellow-orange colored product in alkaline medium has a maximum absorbance at 470 nm. The Beer's law is followed in the concentration range 5–23 μg/mL.

Results:

The product was stable for 60 min, molar absorptivity was found to be 0.8054 × 104 L·mol−1·cm−1, and sandal index was 0.0296 μg·cm−2 with a relative error (RE) of 0 to −0.79, and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.54%–1.84%. Detection limit (DL) was 0.227 μg/mL, quantitative limit (QL) was 0.756μg/mL, correlation coefficient was 0.9998, and recovery was 99.51%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The method was found to be accurate and precise, as indicated by recovery studies which is up to 100% and relative standard deviation is not more than 2 that is good result. The proposed method has been successfully applied in the determination of preparations containing salbutamol.
Microbial Distribution and Secretory IgA Level among Crossbite Patients at an Early Stage of Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Hasan Al-khafaji Sarah Falih , Al-mahdi Zainab Khudhur Ahmed , Alhamadi Wisam W.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Crossbite is any discrepancy in the relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Crossbites have a relationship with oral microorganisms, such as S. mutans and lactobacillus infections. Viral infections can spread to the oral cavity especially its soft tissue especially herpes simplex virus & cytomegalovirus. Secretory immunoglobulin represents a factor for acquired immunity in the oral cavity which is associated with oral infection and variation.

Objectives:

Isolation of microbes from crossbite patients, identifying by molecular techniques, determining sIgA level, and selecting appropriate antibiotics for the most common microbe.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 60 (30 samples of saliva and swab before Orthodontic Treatment and 30 samples of saliva after Orthodontic) during the period from October 2021 to April 2022, Sample were taken from patients and microbiological identification by microscopical and biochemical tests. An antibiotic sensitivity test for S. mutans. Genetic identification was detected in the S. mutans samples by using specificity Sm479 primers, and HCMV primers for cytomegalovirus. Secretory IgA was determined by ELISA Kit.

Results:

A number of gram-positive bacteria were more than gram-negative (51% and 49%) respectively. The S. mutans and Lactobacillus are the most frequent among the other species, followed by Candida, Klebsiella, and S. epidermidis. 53% in male, while 47% in female, and age group (13­15) was the most prevalent among samples 53%. Regarding S. mutans, the highest sensitive rate is Erythromycin 81%, followed by Amoxiclav 57%, Vancomycin 52%, and Nalidixic acid 43%.

Conclusion:

Most infectious cases were in ages (14-15) years. S. mutans is more prevalent among bacterial infections, molecular detection by PCR more specifically for S.mutans and CMV virus, sIgA level non-significant inverse correlations between age and sIgA level before treatment, while significant inverse correlation between age and sIgA level after treatment, and S. mutans, reported the highest sensitive rate is Erythromycin (81%), followed by Amoxiclav, Vancomycin, and Nalidixic acid.
Occurrence of Class 1, 2, and 3 Integrons among Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Babylon Province, Iraq
Authors: Almuttairi Ahmed Abdulkareem , Abdulla Anwar A.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Clinical management of bacterial infections has faced significant difficulties in recent years due to the advent and spread of multiple drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Worldwide, nosocomial infections are brought on by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a clinically significant Pseudomonas species.

Objectives:

This research aimed to identify class 1, 2, and 3 integrons in P. aeruginosa in Babylon, Iraq.

Materials and Methods:

From February 2022 to October 2022, 131 isolates from various sites including (burn, wound, and urine) were collected from different hospitals in Babylon Province for both genders and ages. These isolates were identified using traditional techniques as well as the Vitek 2 system (bioMerieux, France). Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were subjected to disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Class 1, 2, and 3 integron-specific primers were used in the polymerase chain reaction technique for the molecular identification of integron genes.

Results:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that were 131 (100%) had integron class 1. On the contrary, only five (3.81%) contained a class 2 integron. There was no presence of class 3 integron in any isolate.

Conclusion:

The MDR P. aeruginosa was highly prevalent (100%) and this suggested that the availability of class 1 integrons in our area was alarmingly high, showing the need for epidemiological monitoring.
Healthcare providers’ knowledge and challenges they face regarding growth charts’ utilization in primary healthcare practice
Authors: Hassan Sahar , Baiee Hassan Alwan , Shaban Mostafa , Zaky Mohammed El Sayed , Mahdi Mushtaq Talib
Published: May 2024

Background:

Growth charts have been used worldwide for about 40 years, but their use has always been fraught with problems.

Objectives:

Assessment the knowledge and challenges among healthcare providers regarding the utilization of growth charts in primary healthcare practice.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was aimed to assess healthcare providers’ knowledge toward growth chart in Al-Hilla city—Babylon Governorate—Iraq, during the period from the beginning of first January till April/2022. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire filled by physicians and nurses enrolled in this study after obtaining their verbal consents.

Results:

Seventy percent health workers were studied to determine their knowledge toward growth chart utilization, 51.4 were physicians, male-to-female ratio was 1:7. Results of this study revealed that 41.4% of participants had poor knowledge. Only 54.3% of the participants were exposed to previous training courses. There were significant associations between good knowledge and age group 30–39 years and exposure to combined training (theoretical and practical).

Conclusions:

More than half of the studied healthcare workers had good knowledge; the levels of knowledge are significantly associated with age, number, and duration of previous training.
Strategies for Challenging Development in Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Jasim Rasha A. F.
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem and a threat to public health. It occurs due to germs developing the ability to drub the antimicrobial agents designed to kill them. The danger comes from the quickly spreading of antimicrobial resistance around the world; therefore, it is recognized as a global public health issue by many international health organizations. Consequently, the reduction of this issue requires major and alternative solutions at the same time. Major solutions involve the ideal use of antimicrobial agents, conduction of antimicrobial and drugs surveillance programs, increased awareness for all categories of society, cleanliness and disinfection, restriction of the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and agriculture, and investigation or development of new antimicrobial agents. Whereas, an alternative solution occurs via developing new approaches, and return to the use of ancient drug. Hence, this review comes as an effort to make aware all the categories of society about the possible solutions of this problem.
A comparative study between the outcome of using LigaSure® versus suture ligation in thyroid surgery
Authors: Kadhim Salah Hadi , Ibrahim Karrar Mahmood
Published: May 2024

Background:

Thyroid surgery is one of the most performed operations; with the high vascularity of the thyroid gland and the importance of hemostasis to the surgical outcome, many surgeons have begun to use energy-based devices to perform thyroid surgical procedures, and numerous studies demonstrated the benefit of these devices. The aim was to compare the use of a vessel sealing device (LigaSure) with suture ligation in perioperative time, hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage, blood loss after surgery, hematoma formation, and period of the patient.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, 81 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for different diseases, and divided into two groups corresponding to the hemostasis type: vessel sealing devices (LigaSure) group, and suture ligation group, these groups compared regarding operative time; hypocalcemia, RLN injury, blood loss after surgical procedure, hematoma formation, and period of hospital admissions.

Results:

The duration of surgery was more significant and shorter in the LigaSure® group 66.57 ± 8.93 min than suture ligation group 86.84 ± 17.5 min with P = 0.0001, with bleeding after surgery, was lesser in LigaSure® patients 52.76 ± 22.8 mL than suture ligation group 95.09 ± 39.91 mL with P = 0.0001; other outcomes (postoperative hematoma formation, injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve, hypocalcemia after surgery, and period of hospital admission), and there was no difference between the two groups mentioned above.

Conclusion:

The role of the LigaSure instrument in thyroidectomy surgery is to decrease the operative time duration and blood loss after surgery, with no effect on the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, postoperative low serum calcium level, and hematoma formation.
Effect of prevalence of e-learning and excessive use of disinfectants to bacterial contamination of mobile phones and computer keyboards during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Al Sa’ady Amal Talib , Almjalawi Batool Shakir Abed
Published: May 2024

Background:

In Iraq, first confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in February 24, 2020. Because of applying of healthy quarantine, electronic learning was applied in order to prevent the potential spreading of COVID-19 in the educational institutions, using of mobile phone and computer increased and given a great opportunity for increasing the microbial contamination.

Aims:

Study effect of excessive use of e-learning and disinfectants on the bacterial contamination of mobile phones and keyboards during the Corona epidemic.

Methods and Materials:

200 samples were collected from computer keyboards and mobile phones used for E-learning by undergraduate students in college of Pharmacy/University of Babylon, Iraq for the period from 1st April–15th June 2021, during COVID-19 pandemic. Isolates were diagnosed by VITEK 2 system. Agar-well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of some disinfectants included sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (5% (, ethanol 70%, ethanol 99%, chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v, and chloroxylenol 4.8 w/v.

Results:

308 isolates were obtained included 183 isolates from mobile phones and 125 isolates from computer keyboards. Antibacterial activity was varied depending on bacterial isolates, type and concentration of disinfectant. Sodium hypochlorite 5% revealed highest antibacterial activity against all studied bacteria followed by ethanol 70% and chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v, whereas chloroxylenol 4.8 w/v and ethanol 99% have the lowest activity.

Conclusions:

In light of the world’s preoccupation with the Corona pandemic, the use of mobile phones and computers for the purpose of e-learning increased, which caused an increase in bacterial contamination of these devices, which required drawing attention to this aspect.
Clinical and Epidemiological Study of Measles Cases in Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Babylon Province
Authors: Mohammed Ali Khalid , Nasir Ahmed Raheem , Alsweedy Muhanned Muhdy Joda
Published: May 2024

Background:

It is an acute highly contagious disease occurs frequently in young children. It consists of three stages: An incubation stage of approximately 10–12 days. Prodromal stage with an enanthem (Koplik’s spots) on the buccal and pharyngeal mucosa, low grade fever, conjunctivitis, coryza, and sometimes-increasing cough. A final stage of a maculopopular rash erupting over the neck and face, body, arms, and legs associated with high fever.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology, clinical features, complications, effectiveness of vaccine and treatment on cases of measles.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective case study of measles cases who are less than 13 years of age admitted to central teaching hospital of pediatrics during the period between 1/4/2015-1/10/2015 Diagnosis of measles was done by the classical history of the prodromal, fever, and cough, conjunctivitis, followed by the appearance of the classical rash after few days of the prodromal stage with the presence of the path gnomonic Kopliks spots in some patients. Chest X-rays (CXR) was done to all patients with suspicion of pneumonia. In addition to CBC and blood film. GSE was done to all patients with gastroenteritis, in addition to CBC. blood film and stool culture.

Results:

Two hundred seventy-seven patients were studied The male patients were (158, 57.03%) patients and the females were (119, 42.97%) patients, most of them (203, 73.28%) were not vaccinated (74, 26.72%) patients received the first dose of the vaccine at age of 9 months (21, 7.58%) patients received the first dose at 9 months with the second dose (MMR) at age of 15 months and only three patients (1.08%) received first, second, and third dose (MMR) at age of 4 years. The commonest clinical features were rash, fever, cough, conjunctivitis with coryza. Pneumonia was the commonest complication followed by gastroenteritis. There are only two cases of death: one due to severe pneumonia and the other due to septicemia and its complications.

Conclusion:

Measles is still a major health problem even in vaccinated children and the severity of illness is the same in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated children, with the peak age of incidence is during the second half of first year of life.
Peripheral Blood Smear Can Be a Reliable and Inexpensive Alternative to Blood Culture in Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Majumdar Arijit , Biswas Soumali , Jana Angshuman
Published: May 2024

Background:

Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns, more so in the developing countries.

Objectives:

The aim of this article is to study the role of peripheral smear, to evaluate the usefulness of white blood cell (WBC) parameters, and to establish the sensitivity and specificity of each parameter for early diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.

Materials and Methods:

The prospective study is of 150 neonates admitted and fulfilling the inclusion criteria, over the period of June 2019 to December 2020, and tests were performed at the Department of Pathology in a tertiary medical college and hospital. Peripheral blood sample was obtained by venipuncture and the sepsis work-up included routine blood counts and blood culture. Total leucocytes counts were counted on an automated hematology analyzer. Leishman-stained peripheral blood smears were used for the study.

Results:

Based on the clinical findings and laboratory data, neonates were classified into three categories: sepsis (n = 70), probable infection (n = 50), and no infection (n = 30). The blood culture reports of confirmed sepsis cases reveal the commonest organism as Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and beta-hemolytic streptococci. Abnormal I:T ratio (≥0.2) shows highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (95%).

Conclusion:

The peripheral smear study is found to be very useful in the early diagnosis of neonatal septicemia as it can be performed even in a small laboratory without any special equipment and within a short period of time. Among WBC parameters, the I:T ratio shows highest sensitivity and specificity.
Lead precipitation on the gingival tissue of Iraqi workers in some fuel stations in Baghdad
Authors: Sabea Dunia Wadeea
Published: May 2024

Background:

Lead usually is precipitated at the gingiva of the fuel station workers. Lead interacts with different molecules, thereby interfering with their function. An excess of lead contents could be toxic to the human body.

Objectives:

This proposed study was conducted for the evaluation of salivary lead level effect and the severity of gingival pigmentation in Iraqi fuel station workers.

Materials and Methods:

This study involves 40 individuals, who were asked to answer a questionnaire. The case sheet questions involve the personal details of participants such as gender, age, marital status, and working experience. It was filled by the participants. This is followed by an oral examination to assess the oral hygiene status and color of gingiva, then divided into three groups according to working period. To evaluate the level of lead within the saliva, it was estimated in teaching laboratories in Medical City by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer as well as clinical evaluation of the intensity of gingival discoloration according to the gingival surface and dental sites. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics and descriptive statistics to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies.

Result:

It was shown that gingival discoloration was noticed in 40% of the total sample with light brown to mixed brown/pink (average lead level = 5.74 mg/dL). In addition, 30% of the sample had a mixed brown/pink pigmentation (average lead level = 6.75 mg/dL) and the rest (30%) presented with mixed brown/pink to dark brown (average lead level = 10 mg/dL). The working periods range from 3 months to 10 years, the lowest value and the highest of lead in saliva were 8.3 and 11.8 mg/dL, respectively. The average of these values is 10.00 mg/dL.

Conclusion:

The intensity and severity of gingival pigmentation are directly associated with the level of salivary lead. Occupational safeties are essential for workers who are at high risk of exposure to avoid adverse effects of this metal on general health.
Molecular detection of SPA-type of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Urinary Tract Infection patient in Wasit Province, Iraq
Authors: Raheema Rana H , Nasser Dhilal Dhiaa , Chabuck Zainab Adil Ghani
Published: May 2024

Background:

Staphylococcus aureus, a commonly occurring pathogen, is associated with severe diseases both in community and hospital settings and has been a significant concern for public health. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections have become widespread in many regions worldwide.

Objective:

The objective of their study was to employ polymerase chain reaction to identify certain virulence genes and determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of S. aureus strains.

Materials and Methods:

Initially, the identification of these isolates involved culture, microscopic examination, and biochemical tests. S. aureus accounted for 36.4% of the growth observed.

Results:

The findings of antibiotic susceptibility testing for MRSA S. aureus indicated the highest resistance rates to cefoxitin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, followed by clindamycin and tetracycline. On the other hand, S. aureus showed maximum sensitivity to gentamicin and nitrofurantoin. It was suggested that Imipenem and nitrofurantoin exhibited the least antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infection patients. The DNA was extracted from the isolates, and the purity of the nucleic acid samples ranged from 1.8 to 2.0, while the concentration varied from 50 to 360 mg/μL. Molecular analysis of the genes showed that 33.3% of the isolates possessed the icaD gene, whereas none of the MRSA strains exhibited the presence of the icaA gene.

Conclusion:

The study findings indicate a relatively high prevalence of MRSA strains among S. aureus isolates in hospitals located in Wasit Province. Moreover, a significant proportion of these MRSA strains exhibit robust biofilm production capabilities.
Correlation of Human Protein Kinase a (PKA) and G-Glycoprotein in Patients with T2DM
Authors: Khadhim Sura S. , Smaism Maha F. , Albayati Ali
Published: May 2024

Background:

Type 2 diabetes usually starts with insulin resistance—a condition that happens when muscle, fat, and liver cells cannot use insulin to deliver glucose into the cells of the body for energy use.

Materials and Methods:

The group subjected to this study consists of 45 type 2 diabetic patients whose age ranges from 30 to 55 years, from both sexes (22 males and 23 females); the control group also includes 45 apparently healthy persons, and they were free from symptoms and signs of any diseases and ages of this group ranged between 30 and 55 years, from both sexes (23 females and 22 males). Protein kinase A (PKA) and G-glycoprotein concentrations was determined by Sandwich-ELISA kits by Sunlong (China) Company.

Results:

The results of this study revealed no significant differences in the concentration of PKA between patients and control groups, that is, PKA level of female patients and its control and of male patients and its control and between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) male and T2DM female (P > 0.05). Also, the results of the study revealed that there were no significant differences in the concentration of P-glycoprotein (PGP) between patient and control groups, T2DM females and T2DM males, and between T2DM male and its control group (P > 0.05), except for that between female T2DM and its control; the results revealed that there was a significant difference in the PGP concentration (P < 0.05). Finally, a moderate significant positive correlation was found between PKA and PGP concentrations (P = 0.000, r=0.51).

Conclusion:

In our study, we measure the actual PKA concentration; it is important for future studies to measure PKA activity instead of concentration to find the role of active PKA in glucose hemostasis. Also, the study of G-glycoprotein gene expression, instead of concentration, is used to explore the accurate function of G-glycoprotein in the distribution and clearance of anti-diabetic drugs.
Association of interleukin-4 in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Khalaf Ghadeer Talib , Hamdi Al-Amiedi Baha , Hindy Suha Abdulhussein
Published: May 2024

Background:

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a frequent ulcerative inflammatory disorder of the mouth. Various localized, systemic, and immunologic factors have quite a function in oral tolerance, although the etiology of RAS remains unexplained. The previous studies suggest that there is a significant association (interleukin-4—IL-4) level between in case and control group with RAS in saliva, and no significant difference between IL-4 rs 2243266 gene polymorphism with RAS.

Objectives:

To determine the level of IL-4 in saliva and the association of IL-4 gene polymorphism with the incidence of RAS.

Materials and Methods:

The subjects enrolled in the present study were (80) subjects of both genders. The age range was from 20 to 60 years. This study is carried out to detect the association of IL-4 level with RAS by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in Babylon Province, Iraq. The study sample consists of (80) subjects of both genders. The samples were divided into two groups including the patient group, (40) samples (female 21 and male 19) with RAS, and the control group (C) included (40) samples (20 females and males 20).

Results:

The results of the association between IL-4 level with RAS showed a significant association while the result of PCR sequencing found that there was no significant association of AG genotype of rs 2243266 with RAS with odd ratio 1.169 (0.54–2.54) 0.855 (0.39–1.86) and P-value 0.693.

Conclusion:

Females were more affected by RAS than males. There was a significant difference in IL-4 levels between the case and control groups.