Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-6 serum level was high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). In addition, ET-1 level was high in acute toxoplasmosis (7.29 ± 4.59 pg/mL) compared with controls (3.11 ± 1.69 pg/mL) (P < 0.01). In addition, MDA serum level was high (9.34 ± 4.17 nmol/mL) compared with controls (2.87 ± 1.13 nmol/mL), (P < 0.01). In acute toxoplasmosis IgM serum level was significantly correlated with IgG (r = 0.55, P = 0.001), IgA (r = 0.57, P = 0.0008), IL-6 (r = 0.45, P = 0.01), ET-1 (r = 0.51, P = 0.003) and MDA (r = 0.85, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Acute toxoplasmosis is associated with significant oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes which contribute to development of endothelial dysfunction
The rate of births delivered by cesarean section (CS) has gone up substantially all over the world. Post-cesarean surgical site infection (SSI) is a common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality that results in prolonged period of hospitalization with increased cost and direct health implications, especially in low socioeconomic population, resource- restricted settings, and war- related conditions with internal forced movement. This study was aimed to find incidence of post cesarean section surgical site infection withthe accompanying risk factors.Pregnant ladies admitted to department of obstetrics and gynecology at Medical City Hospital in Baghdad who had undergone CSs were followed up prospectively from first of January 2017 till end
... Show MoreA new, simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of sulfamethoxazole in both pure form and pharmaceutical preparations has been reported.The adapted technique based on utilization 4-aminobenzene sulfonic acid as a new modern chromogenic through an oxidative coupling reaction with sulfamethoxazole and potassium iodate in basic media to form orange soluble dye product with absorption maxima at 490 nm. Subject to Beer's law in the range 2–32μg mL-1. The values of molarabsorption coefficient (ε) and correlation coefficient were found to be 9.118 × 103 and0.9999 respectively whereas the Sandels index was
... Show MoreShear lag is the phenomenon that occurs when a supported slender member undergoes deformation from lateral loading, causing in-plane non-uniform distribution of stresses that results in reducing the member’s minimum strength capacity. This paper investigates the behaviour of shear distribution in steel I-section and box girders when subjected to both static and impact loadings. Three-dimensional finite element analysis models were prepared in Strand7 and validated against experimental results providing a basis for further comparison research into shear lagging effects. A parametric study was conducted comparing the effects of impact loading through certain specified velocities at the midspan of restrained ends. It provided new ins
... Show MoreThis paper aimed to investigate the relationship between work stress and cognitive failures among administrators of university professors and included a sample by searching from (474) teachers’ administrators and those who obtaining master degree or doctorate. Work stress scale was used, which is prepared by Amina Boashiri supporting by that, a measure of cognitive failures has also been used which is prepared by Khamis Shaeal Al Badri. In order to obtain the results statistical methods were used including (one-sample t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient) results indicated a high level of stress Work stress and high level of cognitive failures among professors as administrators, and also there is a positive correlation, as well as stat
... Show MoreThis study includes design and synthesis of new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) with expected cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibition to achieve better activity and low gastric side effects. Two series of compounds have been designed and synthesized as potential NSAIDs,these are: Salicylamide derivatives (compounds 3,4,5 ) and Diflunisal derivatives (compounds 10&11). In vivo acute anti-inflammatory effect of one of the synthesized agents (compound 3) was evaluated in the rat using egg-white induced paw edema model of inflammation. Preliminary pharmacological study revealed that compound 3 exhibited less anti-inflammatory effect compared to that of aspirin after
... Show MoreObesity and cancer are two major epidemics of this century. Obesity is related to a higher risk of many types of cancer. Studies have accessed circulating adipokines, as key-mediators in obesity and breast cancer. The study is aimed to examine the circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in premenopausal Iraqi women with breast cancer. The current study was performed during the period from June 2019 to December 2019 at Oncology unit/ Medical City Hospital-Baghdad. A total of 90 premenopausal women with BC/ stage II and III after 2nd dose of chemotherapy were contributed in this study as patients group. Their ages ranged from (35- 50) years in addition to 90 premenopausal healthy women wer
... Show MoreThis study was aimed to estimate off-farm labor supply model. Data were collected randomly from 267 wheat producers in Salah El-Din province for the year 2020, 67.4% of them are produced using pivot sprinklers for irrigation and with three tenure categories (60,80,12) dunums. Furthermore. The KS coefficient was used to analyze the producers' risk-taking behavior after estimating the production function and determining the area variable that has the most influence on the production process. If it increased by 1%, production would increase by 0.802%. The farmer's decision to adopt the technology was based on economic, social, and institutional factors. It turns out that 40% of farmers make their decision based on financing. When a
... Show MoreObjectives: The current study aims at identifying the level of perceived stress among nursing college students and determining the factors associated with stress they have. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study initiated for the period on November 1st, 2014 to May 1st, 2015. The study has been conducted on the undergraduate nursing college students / University of Baghdad. The sample of the study was consisted of (128) students who were selected purposively. The questionnaire of the study was adopted and modified for the present study which consisted of socio-demographic data and the scale of
The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among dentists during covid-19 lockdown and to investigate the relationship between stress and each mental health state.
A cross-sectional survey on 269 dentists was conducted using DASS-21 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate models were constructed and the odds ratio (OR) was calculated to assess the strength of the association between an independent categorical variable and the outcome.
Being unsatisfied with the job was as