bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Association between Beta-blocker Use and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk, Severity, and Exacerbation
Authors: Saber Hemin Khalid 
Published: May 2024

Background:
There is controversy about the role of beta-blockers in the number of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives:
The study aimed to find the role of beta-blockers using in the exacerbation number in patients with COPD in the presence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Materials and Methods:
In this comparative study, patients who attended the internal medicine department of two general hospitals in Erbil city and diagnosed with COPD with any CVD were included between April and November 2018.

Results:
The beta-blocker-using COPD patients were older compared to nonusing beta-blocker COPD patients (64.67 vs. 59.95 years, respectively) and had more comorbidities of myocardial infarction (28.1%) and heart failure (28.1%) (P < 0.001). The study showed no significant difference in acute exacerbations (0.50 vs. 0.47; P= 0.821), forced expiratory volume 1 level (62.19 vs. 60.44; P= 0.544), between the user and nonuser beta-blockers, respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of acute exacerbations between COPD patients with CVD and without comorbidity in beta-blocker users; 0.45 versus 0.50; P= 0.820. While in nonusers of beta-blockers, the COPD patients with CVD had a significantly higher number of exacerbations (1.29) compared to those COPD patients without comorbidity (0.45; P= 0.020). The COPD beta-blocker using patients with CVD had significantly less number of exacerbation compared to those COPD nonusing beta-blocker patients with CVD.

Conclusions:
The present study showed that COPD patients who used beta-blockers have a substantially lower number of acute exacerbations in the last year compared to those COPD patients who did not use beta-blockers.
Ceruloplasmin Activity and Ferritin in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Habeeb Mohammed Hussein , Ewadh Mufeed Jalil , Mousa Mazen Jaafer 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Ceruloplasmin (CP) is a copper-containing glycoprotein found in the globulin portion of human blood serum 2. CP, a glycoprotein secreted by hepatocytes, carries more than 90% of copper in the bloodstream of healthy people. CP is an effective antioxidant that prevents lipid peroxidation by removing oxygen. CP inhibits lipid peroxidation initiation. CP has function also known as an extracellular superoxide dismutase species (SOD) that neutralizes radicals of superoxide anions.

Aims:
The aim of this study is to understand the status of CP in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, which could yield important information regarding the overall oxidative stress and iron storage. Out of the total 86 samples, 50 samples were patients who have been diagnosed with CLD, especially chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), collected from the Center of Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Marjan Teaching Hospital in Hillah city, Babylon Province, Iraq and other samples were healthy controls.

Materials and Methods:
The CP oxidase activity test was processed by PPD buffer oxidation. Ferritin concentration was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:
There were no significant differences in levels of ferritin between HBV and HCV patient groups, but there are slight increases in the mean of CP activity in the HCV patients. A positive significant correlation was observed between CP activity and ferritin.

Conclusion:
1. CP activity increases in CLD patient and in HCV more than HBV. 2. CP activity is affected by viral load so it increases in positive viral load patients compared with negative viral load patients. 3. There was a positive correlation between CP activity and ferritin. 4. Serum ferritin is not affected by CLD.
Study the Effect of a Fixed Orthodontic Appliance on the Oral Microbial Cavity
Authors: Al-nafaee Asaad Kareem , Al-warid Rasha Jasim , Abeas Kasem Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Orthodontics is that branch of dentistry specialty dealing with diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malocclusion aiming to enhance oral health, dental function, and esthetics. The presence of a fixed orthodontic appliance within the oral cavity can alter the microbial balance and so the composition of dental plaque. However, the presence of a fixed appliance alters the physiological characteristics of the oral cavity, causing impaired hygiene, a raise in dental plaque collection, and a delay in the spontaneous physiological processes of tooth cleaning that result in pathogenic bacteria colonization, which causes gingival inflammation, periodontal support degradation, and enamel surface alterations.

Objective:
The study’s objectives were isolated, identification, and molecular detection of microbes associated with orthodontic appliance patients.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 88 study samples (68 case; 20 control), 29 males and 59 females, aged 14–35 years, underwent fixed orthodontics during the initial stage of treatment. The samples were cultured on enrichment media and selective media, including mitis-salivarius agar, Mitis-Salivarius Bacitracin agar, Lactobacillus MRS agar, Eosin Methylene Blue agar, and Mannitol agar. They cultured in aerobic and anaerobic (10% CO2) conditions.

Results:
The positive samples were then purified and identified using morphological and biochemical tests. Among the microbial species gram-positive bacteria accounted for 82.3%, gram-negative bacteria 16.2%, and fungi 1.5%. Our results show that on one hand, gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus mutans make higher percentage (48.5%) compared to other types. On the other hand, the Escherichia coli with 11.7% is the highest percentage of gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusion:
Bacteria colonization of orthodontic patients was found to be remarkably high compared to that of controls. Finally, the most common bacteria are S. mutans identify using PCR utilizing Sm.479.F/R primer combination.
Expression of Circulatory Interleukin-6 Concentration Associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Persistence in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Al-lateef Bareq A. , Al-shukri Maysaa S.M. , Judi Mohammad Ridha 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The main superfamily cytokine member is interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6, promptly produced in response to infections and tissue injuries, contributes to host defense through the stimulation of acute phase responses, hematopoiesis, and immune reactions.

Objectives:
To investigate the role of IL-6 as a biomarker in recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs). The real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed by using specific primers with reference gene GAPDH and the target genes IL-6.

Materials and Methods:
A case–control study was done in Babylon city hospital from February 2021 to March 2022. A total of 110 patients with RUTIs with different age and sex, and healthy individuals as control group were enrolled in this study. Midstream urine was taken for culturing and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Blood samples were obtained from all the patients and the secreted IL-6 levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RNA was extracted for gene expression.

Results:
The expression of IL-6 was increased more than % 30-fold in UTIs compared with control group. Also, the results found that serum concentrations of IL-6 detected by ELISA assay showed significant differences at P < 0.001 for the patients compared with control group.

Conclusions:
Interleukin-6 gene expression shows up regulation in RUTI caused by P. aeruginosa.
Students’ Perspective Regarding Current Pathology Training in Theory Classes in MBBS Course and Insights to Improve Teaching–Learning Strategies
Authors: Deshmukh Abhay Vilas , Yadav Vandna , Gupta Anupama , Gangane Nitin M. 
Published: May 2024

Background:
As the subject pathology in second MBBS represents a transition phase between theoretical knowledge regarding etiopathogenesis of a disease and communication with patients in clinics, the main goal of a medical teacher is to provide a framework for the description of disease course and to understand the clinical signs/symptoms for management aspects as well.

Objectives:
The aim of this article is to find out students’ perception of importance of pathology subject in MBBS curriculum as well as to assess subject understanding, teaching methodology, and assessment criteria.

Settings and Design:
This is a cross-sectional descriptive e-platform-based feedback analysis.

Materials and Methods:
Ninety-eight students of 2nd MBBS (2018 batch) who were about to appear in university examination in the year 2020 were enrolled. The feedback from students was obtained.

Results:
About 75.8% of students were satisfied with number of lectures for the chapters taught during their tenure. About 91% (n = 81) opined that combination of two or more methods is better while teaching for better understanding; 73.6% (n = 67) felt that pathology lectures were interactive enough. About 80.2% (n = 73) opined that adequate diagrams, flow charts, tables, and clinical applications were included in the lectures, and 79.1% (n = 72) of the students opined that they could implement the knowledge gained in first year whereas 82.5% was same regarding implementation in clinical posting. About 71.34% (n = 65) suggested that weightage of internal examination marks should be increased and 50% passing cut off in university examination should be reduced.

Conclusion:
The study has emphasized the importance of pathology as a subject for understanding clinical subjects and underlines the need of a few changes in teaching-learning process and assessment criteria as per student's perception. As NMC has implemented its competency-based curriculum from 2019 batch onwards, it requires a fundamental change of the roles and commitments of not only educators but also planners and policymakers.
Is There an Association between the Familial Form of Generalized Joint Hypermobility and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children?
Authors: Doski Jagar Omar , Ali Farman Ola 
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives:
This study aimed to examine the association between the familial generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children.

Materials and Methods:
All infants and children included in this case (with DDH)–control study were examined for features of GJH by the revised Beighton's Test Scale (BTS), provided that they had no teratogenic or pathological causes of DDH or GJH.

Results:
Two hundred and eight participants were included in this study: 101 (48.6%) cases and 107 (51.4%) controls; age mean 16.57 [standard deviation (SD) 18.1] months; 61.1% (127) females and 38.9% (81) males. The odds ratio was 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.197–3.679). The cases had a higher value of BTS score (mean = 4.7, SD = 3.015) when compared with the controls (mean = 3.42, SD = 3.448). The difference was statistically significant, but the correlation coefficient (r) between the study groups and BTS scores was weak (r = 0.194, P = 0.005). The correlation gained slight improvement by justification of the age to obtain homogeneity between the groups (r = 0.276, P < 0.001), but deteriorated and lost its significance when the sex was controlled as a confounder (r = 0.121, P = 0.082). There was a gradual increase in the mean BTS score from grade 1 to grade 4 of DDH but without a statistically significant value (r = 0,132, P = 0.128).

Conclusion:
The familial GJH has a weak positive correlation with DDH but cannot be considered as a possible risk factor for it.
Preparation of Modified Selective Medium for Isolation of Enterococcus faecalis in Pure Culture from Heavy Sources (Rapid Diagnosis)
Authors: AL-Khafaji Jawad Kadhim Tarrad 
Published: May 2024

Subject:
This research focuses on the preparation of a new modified selective medium for the primary isolation of Enterococcus faecalis in pure culture from heavy and clinical sources.

Materials and Methods:
The modified selective medium was prepared and named as Enterococcus Jawad (EJ)–Medium. The new medium was prepared by adding 0.4 g of sodium azide, 2 mL of 0.1% crystal violet (CV), and 60 g of sodium chloride in a liter of Brain-Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA), and the pH of the medium was adjusted to 8.6. The primary isolation of E. faecalis from heavy bacterial sources and clinical infections was performed by culturing all collected samples on EJ-medium and comparing them with other approved selective media, such as Azide-BHIA, CV-blood agar, and Enterococcus selective agar (ESA), to estimate the ability of these media in isolating E. faecalis (during primary isolation) in pure culture.

Results:
The results showed that the EJ-medium had a high rate of isolation, 100%, of E. faecalis in pure culture from heavy sources (human feces and sewage water) and from clinical sources (urine, bedsore, and blood) when compared with other culture media that were already used for isolation of this organism. The Azide-BHIA and CV-blood agar showed no high purity in an initial isolation of the organism.

Conclusions:
From these results, we concluded that the EJ-medium is highly efficient in the primary isolation of E. faecalis in pure culture by one step from different environmental and clinical sources; thus, it does not need to be diagnosed by classical methods that are expensive and consume a long time. Since Azide-BHIA, CV-blood agar, and ESA were not exactly selective media for the isolation of E. faecalis in pure cultures from heavy sources, their use was limited in clinical cases.
Congenital atresia of posterior nares: Diagnosis and treatment at Hilla, Iraq
Authors: Aljubory Saad Abdul-Raheem Hussein 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
Atresia of posterior nares (choana) is a congenital condition in which the posterior nares fail to develop either bilaterally or unilaterally.

Objectives:
The aim of this article is to show different methods of diagnosis and surgical procedures used for management in our department.

Materials and Methods:
In this study, 21 patients were included. It is a retrospective study form. The confirmation of the diagnosis is by failure of 6–8-F tube catheter to pass; CT scan of posterior choana shows the type and thickening of atretic plate (cartilage or bone), and endoscopic examination confirms it.

Results:
Female patients were 15, whereas male patients were 6. Age range was from 1 day to 25 years. All of the patients were within the pediatric age group except one adult patient. Unilateral cases were found in 14 patients, while 7 patients had bilateral atresia. Bilateral atresia was presented within early day life (1–3 days). They were five females and two males. The unilateral cases diagnose at a later life period (4–25 years). There were 4 males and 10 females. Proved by CT scan, mixed bony and membranous atresia were in 18 patients, bony atresia was in 3 patients, and there was no pure membranous atresia. Thirteen of the unilateral cases involved right side, while only one case had left-side atresia (7.6%). Three cases of bilateral atresia had other congenital anomalies (14%). Ten patients were treated by nonendoscopic (transnasal) surgical approach (five of them had bilateral and unilateral atresia, respectively). Endoscopic trans-septal approach was done in two patients, both had bilateral atresia. Nine patients were treated by transnasal endoscopic method. Stent was used in 13 patients postoperatively for 4–6 weeks. Two patients required revision surgery for restenosis.

Conclusion:
Endoscopic transnasal approach is the proper way in the surgical treatment of atresia because it is more accurate, under surgeon vision, less invasive with less morbidity in spite of longer time to perform.
Complications of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy and standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A comparative study
Authors: Sharif Rawaz Azad Hamad , Jawad Nihad Rifaat 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a major surgical procedure and the preferred treatment of choice for renal calculi (medium and large) size.

Objectives:
The study aims to determine complications between mini-PCNL and standard-PCNL, which is a comparative study to show which one has fewer complications and is safer for a patient with better outcomes.

Materials and Methods:
In a 1-year prospective study, clinical data from 44 patients who underwent PCNL (standard and mini) type between February 2021 and March 2022 for renal stones in Erbil city. Inclusion criteria included patients with renal stones (stag-horn, partial stag-horn, and non-stag-horn) and who are performing PCNL procedures. The exclusion criteria included patients who have a contraindication for doing PCNL.

Results:
Forty-four patients participated in the study, 17 underwent mini-PCNL, and 27 underwent standard PCNL. The mean hospital stay among the standard PCNL group (2.5 days) was significantly (P = 0.005) higher than that of the mini-PCNL group (1.7 days). Postoperative fever, infection, and sepsis (25%), bleeding (15.9%), hematuria (65.9%), and retained stone (20.5%). However, the differences in these rates were not significant between the groups. The rate of extravasation in the standard PCNL group (25.9%) was significantly (P = 0.032) higher than that of the mini-PCNL group (0%). Around two-thirds (64.7%) of the mini-PCNL group had no pain, compared with only 11.1% of the standard PCNL group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:
The effectiveness of mini-PCNL is still under observation. Mini-PCNL postoperatively with less pain and limitation of blood loss, and less hospitalization for patients, with excellent results for stone free in comparison with standard PCNL.
Preparation of Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid)-Loaded Pentoxyfilline by Nanoparticipation Technique
Authors: Raheem Saad Saleem , Hasan Huda Falah 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Nanomaterial concerned to an incidental, natural, or synthesized material containing particles utilized for curing several diseases and keeping for human with animals health; it is either in an unbound condition or as a combination in which one or more external measurements in the size range of 1–100 nm.

Objectives:
The study intended to assess the possible mitigating outcome of the reference pentoxifylline by progressed a new manner of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loading with pentoxifylline on induced thin layer endometrial in female rats.

Materials and Methods:
PLGA nanoparticle was made by employing two procedures included nanoprecipitation technique and double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The experiment firstly was achieved numerous of diagnostic tests to the knowledge of PLGA nanoparticle characteristics that involved ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer test.

Results:
UV spectrophotometer test shown for Pentoxyfilline absorbance (0.300124), at wave length (2979) and PLGA- loaded Pentoxyfilline absorbance (3.07877), at wave length 1565), while other tests (scanning electron microscope, cumulative %; encapsulation drug efficiency loading, and zeta) of PLGA-nanoparticle appeared (28.35 nm-35.45 nm, (8.48, 93.3 at maximum wavelength 275 nm, (−13.44 mV), with mobility (−1.05 [μ/s]/[V/cm]) respectively. Conclusion: Regarding the characterization of PLGA displayed in this study, it can be concluded that DMSO related organic phase alone gives the shape, particle size with a small diameter, negatively charged in addition to suitable LD, EE with suitable stabilizer. Also, PLGA-Pentoxyfilline regimen treatment with different doses had the ability in recovery of female rats that exposed experimentally induced thin layer endometrium in the uterine horn by ethanol.
Smell and Taste Disturbances among COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Swain Santosh Kumar , Lenka Smarita 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is caused by a novel coronal virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The common symptoms of the COVID-19 patients include cough, fever, dyspnea, and myalgia. However, the disturbances of the smell and taste are the important clinical presentations of the COVID-19 patients.

Objectives:
The objective of this study is to assess the olfactory dysfunction among COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods:
This is a retrospective study, which included COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and August 2020. There were 192 COVID-19 patients evaluated to find out loss of smell and taste. The diagnosis was done from nasopharyngeal swab with laboratory confirmed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction positive for COVID-19. All the participating patients were undergoing proper otorhinolaryngological examinations, including anterior rhinoscopy, cold spatula tests, and diagnostic nasal endoscopy for proper evaluation of the nose, nasopharynx, and paranasal sinuses.

Results:
There were 112 patients (58.33%) olfactory dysfunction and 86 patients had taste disturbances out of the 192 COVID-19 patients. The mean age of the 112 patients was 52.42 years. Out of the 112 patients, 74 (66.07%) were male and 38 (33.92%) were female. Out of the 112 patients, 32 were presented with pneumonia during their hospitalization. Olfactory dysfunction began 5.4 (4–12) days. The mean duration of the anosmia was 9.2 (4–22) days and 96% of the cases recovered within 26 days.

Conclusion:
Smell and taste disturbances are the important clinical markers for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Testing the smell and taste in this COVID-19 pandemic may be helpful for the early identification of the COVID-19 patients and initiate early treatment or quarantine.