bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Dental Caries and Sociobehavioral Factors Among Female Students in Secondary Schools and College of Dentistry in Babylon Province
Authors: Al Jothery Aqeel Handil , Al Helal Ahmed Ghanim 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Continuous changes in socioeconomic and lifestyle aspects in Iraq have incurred a lot of adverse effects on oral health quality, especially among adolescents. However, minimal studies have been conducted among adolescent females concerning the prevalence of dental caries (DC).

Objectives:
This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of DC and its severity concerning different aspects of sociobehavioral (SB) factors among female students in secondary schools and dental colleges in Babylon Province, Iraq.

Materials and Methods:
About 500 students from both Al-Tali’a secondary school (16–18 years) and Babylon Dental College (19–20 years) were recruited in this study from March to May 2023. DC was assessed based on the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) scores, and SB and socioeconomic factors were obtained from a structured questionnaire.

Results:
The prevalence of DC was high (98.6%), and its association with measured SB factors was not significant. However, the severity of DC was positively (P < 0.05) associated with sugar intake and previous dental visits, but negatively (P < 0.05) associated with the frequency of brushing and household wealth index.

Conclusion:
The results here highlight the considerable effects of SB factors on the severity of DC, which in turn reflect a poor education of oral health among adolescent females in Babylon City, and it also recommends the desperate need for creating preventive programs for reducing the occurrence of DC among the students.
Incidence of Helicobacter pylori in Type l Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Association with Certain HLA Alleles
Authors: Aljawahiry Samir S. , Alkaabawi Naer A. M. , Jawad Alaa A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:

Helicobacter pylori infection was mainly the factor that causes both gastric tumors and lymphomas.

Objectives:
This study aimed to detect H. pylori infection and investigate any relationship between the infection of H. pylori and the disease of diabetes, to find out if there is an association with certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and to study the frequency of H. pylori infection among type l diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Materials and Methods:
Several 140 patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), as well as 60 healthy individuals (nondiabetic) were enrolled in this study. The oligonucleotide technique of sequence-specific was performed for genotyping of HLAs using a polymerase chain reaction machine. A specific screening (H. pylori antibodies combo rapid test) is used to diagnose H. pylori infection by detection of specific antibodies in the samples.

Results:
This study revealed that people who are diagnosed T1DM are more predisposed to be infected by H. pylori (61%) compared with healthier people, and the pathogen infects significantly females compared with males. Results also revealed a great frequency of DQB1*0101 allele within diabetics (30%) in comparison with healthy (control) group, whereas HLA-A*3301,*1122 B*0826,*3948, DRB1*0701,*1101, and HLA-DQB1-*0604,*630,*730 alleles were recorded noteworthy low frequency according to the results after statistical analysis of P value (P < 0.05) in patients compared with healthy control groups.

Conclusion:
Diabetic women of the same age are more susceptible to the infection compared with males. The great frequencies of HLA-DQB1*0101 alleles could be a risk factor for T1DM patients.
Relationship between Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Forced Oscillometric Technique in the Assessment of Asthma
Authors: Abbas Amjed H. , Jasim Ahmed Hussein , Alesawi Kareem Nasir Hussien , Hammoud Samir Sawadi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and forced oscillometric technique (FOT) represent noninvasive and sensitive tools for measuring airway inflammation and resistance, respectively, but the studies that use FeNO and FOT to assess patients with asthma until now are few.

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the role of FeNO and FOT in the assessment of chronic asthma.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study involved 75 patients (10–70 years old) with chronic asthma who visited a private Spiro clinic in Al-Hilla City, Iraq, in the period from April 2022 to February 2023. They were examined by using the FeNO apparatus and FOT.

Results:
There were no significant differences between the patient and control group regarding age, gender, and body mass index. The study showed a significant relationship between expiratory flow rate and FeNO (P = 0.000). There was also a significant relationship between large airway resistance (Rrs) and FeNO (P = 0.008). In addition, there was a significant relationship between the resistance of small airways (as represented by Rrs19Hz) and FeNO level (P = 0.04). The study also found a significant relationship between reactance and FeNO level (P = 0.008).

Conclusion:
From the results, they conclude that the use of FOT and FeNO together gives considerable importance in the assessment of asthma.
The Prevalence of Premature Loss of Primary Molars Among Children Who Attended College of Dentistry/Hillah City, Iraq
Authors: Al Khafaji Sarah Y. , Wais Zahraa Mohamed Hussain , Salman Omaima Lateef 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Early tooth loss can compromise the integrity of the arch length required for subsequent permanent teeth, causing crowding, rotation, and impaction of the permanent teeth.

Objective:
The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of early primary molar loss at the dentistry college in Hillah, Iraq.

Materials and Methods:
An experienced examiner performed each clinical examination while using the proper illumination. For the study, a total of 206 children (84 boys and 122 girls) between the ages of 5 and 10 were chosen. Age and tooth loss were among the information gathered. The acquired data were then subjected to statistical analysis. All statistical calculations are made using the SPSS version 26 software. The Pearson chi-squared test and Cramer V test are used to assess categorical variables, which are provided as absolute numbers and percentages. P values lower than 0.05 were regarded as significant.

Result:
The study found that in the sample, 69.83% had early loss of primary teeth with girls having a higher incidence of primary tooth loss than boys (59.2%). Both first and second molars are affected with premature loss equally. Premature tooth loss was significant in the mandibular left side (36.9%).

Conclusion:
Early primary tooth loss was shown to be more common significantly in girls when compared to boys. The left mandibular tooth was most commonly affected, then right side followed by maxillary right and left side sequentially. First and second molars are equally affected with premature loss.
Mothers’ Knowledge and Noncompliance of Childhood Vaccination in Primary Health Care Centers at Mosul City
Authors: Alsaeed Hana A. , Khaleel Rayyan Ibrahim , Mukhlif Hanaa Hussein 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
A vaccine ensures children that they are immune to or resistant to an infectious disease.

Objectives:
The study aimed to assess mothers’ knowledge. In addition, identify the reasons for noncompliance with vaccination of their children, and the relationship between the mothers’ knowledge with their educational level.

Materials and Methods:
A descriptive study was designed for a sample of 250 mothers attending primary health care centers between September 15, 2022, and December 20, 2022, for their children’s immunizations. The tool of the study contains questions about the sample’s sociodemographic characteristics. As well as 7 questions about the mother’s knowledge and 12 questions about reasons for children’s inadequate immunizations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed.

Results:
The results revealed that regarding mothers’ knowledge about immunization, the study revealed that most mothers do not have sufficient knowledge about vaccinations for their children. Most of them believe that vaccines can be harmful to the child (81.2%). The study found a linkage between mothers’ knowledge of vaccinations with their educational level.

Conclusion:
This study concludes that insufficient knowledge of mothers about vaccination and the reasons for fear of side effects and the unavailability of the vaccine entails effective dissemination of information, campaigning, and family involvement.
Role of Axillary Lymph Nodes Involvement in Some Complications of Modified Radical Mastectomy
Authors: Obaid Hussein Abbas , Mohammed Mohammed Radhi , Abd Haider Hussein 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is an excellent surgical approach for breast cancer. Some complications following mastectomy are wound infection, lymphedema, and seroma.

Objectives:
To explore lymph node involvement role in some complications of MRM.

Materials and Methods:
A prospective study enrolling 100 women with breast cancer admitted to Baghdad Teaching Hospital from January 2015 to January 2018. Data about demography, past medical history, family history, and other relevant data were taken. We did MRM with axillary lymph nodes excision level one, two, and three, depending on the lymph node involvement extent. According to the number of lymph nodes involved, patients were allocated into group one (1–3 lymph nodes), or two (4–9), or three (10 or more). Follow-up lasted 2 years after surgery to detect wound infection, lymphedema, and seroma.

Results:
Wound infection, lymphedema, and seroma occurred more in patients of group three; however, only lymphedema and seroma showed a significantly different rate among the three groups.

Conclusions:
The number and degree of lymph nodes involvement is an important factor in the occurrence of lymphedema and seroma.
The Impact of Chronic Low-Back Pain on Quality of Life among Samples of Iraqi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mohammed Jawad Nadia Ayad , Alosami Mohammad Hadi , Mahdi Zainab Fadhil 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
The term “chronic pain” refers to discomfort that lasts longer than 3–6 months. Particularly in industrialized nations, low-back pain (LBP) and its accompanying limitations are becoming a rising public health concern. Disability is the inability to do an activity in a way that is appropriate for a human being or within their normal range.

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and pain severity and quality of life in chronic LBP (CLBP) patients from Iraq.

Materials and Methods:
The study was carried out between September 2020 and January 2021, involving 100 participants conveniently selected in the rheumatology unit at Baghdad Teaching Hospital/Medical City, Iraq. Data were collected using a questionnaire that consisted of the sociodemographic variables, the short form 36 score (SF-36), and the numerical pain score. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for the statistical analysis.

Results:
In the study, there were 100 patients with persistent LBP, ranging in age from 17 to 58, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 45.54 (11.36) years. About 54% of them were female. Approximately 72% were married, and the highest percentage (40%) had a secondary educational level. The individuals under study had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.61 kg/m2. Nearly 12% of them were current smokers, and 46.0% were housewives. A higher mean Numerical Pain Score was reported among current smokers (P = 0.016). A nonsignificant difference in numerical pain score has been noted in relation to gender, age, marital status, occupation, BMI, and educational level (P values of 0.876, 0.06, 0.392, 0.307, 0.139, and 0.664, respectively). This study also revealed a low total score for quality of life among participants with increasing age, retired or not working, and widowed patients.

Conclusion:
Participants’ quality of life is significantly impacted by CLBP. On both the total level of quality of life and the mental area, it has a very adverse effect.
The Impact of Ramadan Fasting on Salivary Oxidative Stress in Relation to a Gingival Health Condition
Authors: Hussein Ryam Abdul Kareem , Awn Baydaa Hussein 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
In the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Remarkably, this fasting process has been known to enhance oral and general health.

Objectives:
Male dental students undergoing Ramadan fasting were the research subjects of a study that aimed to determine the linkage between gingival health and salivary oxidative stress during the fasting.

Materials and Methods:
The subject population of this study comprised 30 male dental students aged 20–23 years old. The sample collection process entailed taking saliva from each student three times—1 week prior to Ramadan’s commencement (T0), during its last week (T1), and 1 month after its end (T2). Alongside these, various clinical and periodontal evaluations were carried out. Subsequently, the samples were analyzed using ELISA for malondialdehyde (MDA)—markers of oxidative stress and a spectrophotometer for determining total antioxidant capacity (TAC).

Results:
During the course of the study, it was found that salivary MDA levels underwent a significant decrease from baseline to Ramadan (P < 0.05), while TAC in the saliva increased from baseline with a significant increase from baseline to after Ramadan fasting (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in gingival index values were observed during the baseline, Ramadan, and after Ramadan periods (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation between gingival and plaque indices was observed throughout all three periods as well (P < 0.05). additionally, there was also a positive significant correlation observed between the salivary antioxidant capacity and gingival index during baseline and Ramadan (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Ramadan fasting results in lower salivary MDA levels and increased total salivary antioxidant capacity, leading to improved gingival health status.
Lifestyle and Dietary Habits Among Private College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq
Authors: Owadh Hasanain Kamil , AbdElrahman Mohamed , Salem Karrar Hazim , Kadhim Zaineb F. , Malik Samir Azzat , Fadhil Ali Q. , Naham Hebatallah S. , Sahb Manar N. , Abdul Hussein Sarah F. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Students’ lifestyles and eating habits can be disturbed due to their busy work schedule.

Objectives:
This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of healthy habits among students from the private colleges of pharmacy and Physical Education Sport Sciences in Iraq.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 358 students of Al-Mustaqbal University in Babylon province, Iraq were participated in this cross-sectional study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a predesigned questionnaire, which includes questions on the student’s sociodemographic information, weight status, meal habits, smoking status, alcohol use, fried food consumption, and overall fruits and vegetables intake. The Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to determine descriptive statistics.

Results:
Students’ body mass index (BMI) revealed that 2.9% of male students were underweight, 51.2% were normal, and 37.3% were overweight, whereas 6.4% of female students were underweight, 64% were normal, and 26.4% were overweight. Eating irregularly was highly reported between females and males (P < 0.001). More students in sports science eat breakfast daily compared with students in pharmacy. Of the total sample, 37.1% and 44.4% of students reported regularly snacking and consuming fried food, respectively. Female student smoking was reported (P < 0.001). Students reported rarely drinking alcohol.

Conclusions:
The findings of this study indicated that students attending private college had lifestyle behaviors that range from healthy to unhealthy. These behaviors were potentially affected by gender and college type.
Pregnant Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension: A Physiological Overview
Authors: Ubeid Muhsin Hmeadi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Diabetes is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy and it carries significant risk for the fetus and the mother.

Objectives:
This study includes hematological variables on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in pregnant women that rely on insulin intake.

Materials and Methods:
In this study, there are 60 pregnant individuals with insulin-dependent T2DM and severe hypertension (HTN). In the governorate of Erbil, patients are seen in the medical labs of the Layla Qasim Center, Maternity Hospital, and Rizgary Teaching Hospitals. The control group consists of 20 healthy women.

Results:
The results demonstrate that pregnant women with diabetes, who are dependent on insulin intake, have a mean systolic blood pressure measurement of 153.8 ± 0.11 mm Hg, which is significantly higher than that of the control group. Blood levels of random glucose are significantly linked with HTN. Females with diabetes have a tiny bit fewer red blood cells (RBCs) than females without the disease. The hemoglobin (Hb) levels of pregnant patients with T2DM diabetes revealed lower levels compared to nondiabetic female group. Estimated sedimentation rate (ESR) levels are greater in T2DM than in the control group. The white blood cell (WBC) count is significantly higher in pregnant women with T2DM, particularly in the monocyte subtype of leukocyte, which exhibits a significantly elevated level. However, there is no difference observed in the proportion of high-type neutrophils in diabetes pregnant patients. The lymphocytes of pregnant T2DM patients who are dependent on insulin consumption do not demonstrate any relevance.

Conclusion:
Patients with hyperglycemia dramatically changed their total and differential leukocyte counts. This outcome was caused by an acute infection. Females with diabetes have fewer RBCs than those in the control group. High significance correlation exists between HTN and random blood glucose levels.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Genes (CagA, BabA, and HomB) with Stem Cell Markers (LGR5 and CD133) in Severity of Gastric Disease
Authors: Abdullah Safyia Khalid , Bakir Wasan Abdul-elah , Alsikafi Mais Ibrahim 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Gastritis is commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori, which colonizes the mucosa of the gastric epithelium in more than half the population worldwide. It adheres to the gastric epithelium, with an important aspect of the pathogenicity of the microorganism facilitating the transport of certain proteins such as CagA, BabA, and Hom into that epithelium.

Objective:
This study aimed to determine the association between the co-expression of LGR5 and CD133 in patients with gastric diseases and assess the distribution of H. pylori outer membrane genes (CagA, BabA, and HomB) with gastrointestinal disease outcomes.

Materials and Methods:
For the 140 patients enrolled, H. pylori virulence factors including Cag, BabA, and HomB were detected using Multiplex real-time PCR, while LGR5 and CD133 expressions were determined via immunohistochemistry.

Results:
The expressions of BabA and HomB had a significant difference with gastric disease such as gastric cancer, gastric metaplasia, and gastritis with and without the colonization of H. pylori, while there was no significant difference of CAG gene expression with gastric disease. Co-expression of LGR5 and CD133 had significant association with gastric disease.

Conclusion:
There was a significant increase in H. pylori Ag (BabA and HomB) expression among patients with gastric disease. However, no significant differences were observed between H. pylori Cag Ag expression among patients with gastric disease, and all the patients were infected with H. pylori having the Cag gene (100%). It is suggested that CD133 and Lgr5 may play an important role in gastric carcinoma.
Inflammatory Cytokines—The Link between Coronavirus Disease and Abortion: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Alfadhel Samar Muayad , Thamer Niran Ali 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection and the risk of abortion have become a major concern for pregnant women worldwide. Whereas research studies have not yet determined the exact risk of abortion due to COVID-19 infection, the virus could increase the risk of pregnancy complications through inflammatory cytokines and immune response.

Objective:
The study highlights prognostic markers for pregnancy complications during COVID-19 infections by testing interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (INF-γ) in the serum of pregnant women with and without COVID-19.

Materials and Methods:
A case‐control study consists of 100 cases; included are 50 COVID-19 pregnant women matched with 50 non-COVID-19 pregnant women, with both groups free from any abortion risk factors. The study measured serum IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α and INF-γ tests to predict cases with severe infection and those at high risk for fetal loss.

Results:
The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between elevated immunological markers levels and the severity of COVID-19 and pregnancy complication P value (0.001, 0.005, 0.001, and 0.001 for IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and INF-γ, respectively). Furthermore, the odd ratio explains that elevated immunological markers increased the risk of baby loss; through COVID-19 infection. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis verified these accuracies; the excellent test referred to IL-6, followed by IL-18 and INF-γ very good tests, then TNF-α as a medium test to predict the risk of pregnancy complication.

Conclusion:
These results concluded that monitoring these immunological markers’ levels could help predict COVID-19 infection in the severe stage and the risk of pregnancy complications in COVID-19-positive women.
Role of Soluble CD23 in Patients with Hyperthyroidism: Case–Control Study
Authors: Hassan Salim Hussein , Abd Al-Salam Aqeel S. , Esmaeel Nawras A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Hyperthyroidism, or Graves’ disease (GD), is the consequence of an overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Objective:
This study aimed to determine the concentration of soluble CD23 in GD patients and the correlation of its level with biomarkers (T.3, T.4, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], FT.3, FT.4, and vitamin D, among those.

Materials and Methods:
There were eighty patients (50 patients with hyperthyroidism and 30 controls), during the time frame beginning in February 2021 and ending in April 2022 at Karbala city. In this research, participants were required to have a positive result on both an ultrasound of the thyroid and a test for thyrotropin receptor autoantibody (TRAB). FT.3, FT.4, and TRAB. Levels were determined by the VIDAS technique. Serum sCD23 and vitamin D3 levels were determined by ELISA using commercial test kits.

Results:
The mean age of the patients included in this study was 39 ± 12 years, while that of the control group was 30 ± 10 years. GD was noticed among female more than male patients. Regarding the age groups of GD, more patients were in the 25–44 years age group than in the other age groups. The immunological marker sCD23 is higher in the patients’ group when compared with the control group (486.16 ± 185.39, 166.64 ± 61.15, respectively) and no correlation between levels of it and T3, T4, TSH, and vitamin D.

Conclusion:
There was a statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups in the levels of sCD23 and thyroid panel test.