Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common health problem that has a worldwide distribution. Apart from the direct effect of the virus on the liver, there are many extrahepatic manifestations among which the probable effect on bone turnover associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between treated and untreated chronic HBV infection with BMD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which included a total of 48 patients with chronic HBV (28 patients treated with tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate [TDF] antiviral drug and 20 patients have not yet started treatment). Other age- and sex-matched 30 apparently healthy individuals were recruited to represent the healthy controls. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on the anteroposterior lumbar spine (L1–L4 spine) views, from which T-score was calculated. Liver function tests were also evaluated from serum samples. Results: Treated patients showed a lower T‑score (−0.48 ± 0.72) than either healthy individuals (1.08 ± 0.84) or untreated patients (0.78 ± 0.51), with highly significant differences. In multivariate regression, only disease duration (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 9.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.8–16.68) and TDF treatment (adjusted OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 4.18–97.05) were significantly associated with BMD. Conclusions: Prolonged use of TDF in the treatment of HBV infection can significantly reduce BMD. Moreover, BMD can also be inversely affected in long-standing HBV, regardless of treatment regimen.
The molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a dermatotropic poxvirus. The causative agent of molluscum contagiosum (MC) is nonlethal, common and worldwide. Additionally, little inflammation is associated with MC papules. The present study aims to evaluate the immune status of MC patients by measuring the level of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM by using the radial immune diffusion assay (RIA) and the level of interleukin 18 receptor 1 (IL-18R1) by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The study is conducted during November 2013 to April, 2014 in outpatient clinic of Baquba Teaching Hospital. There are 75 patients, diagnosed with clinical lesions of MCV on different areas of the body, whose age is ranged between 2-50 years including 40(53.
... Show MoreThis work aims to detect the associations of C-peptide and the homeostasis model assessment of beta-cells function (HOMA2-B%) with inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant-women in comparison with non-pregnant women. Sera of 28 normal pregnant women at late pregnancy versus 27 matched age non-pregnant women (control), were used to estimate C-peptide, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4) by Enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fasting blood sugar (FBS) by automatic analyzer Biolis 24i, hematology-tests by hematology analyzer and the calculation of HOMA2-B% and homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S%) by using C-peptide values instead of insulin. The comparisons, correlations, regression analysis tests were perfo
... Show MoreEGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) initially responds well to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), yet resistance is nearly inevitable and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remain limited. In a retrospective cohort of 57 patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab, the objective response rate was 12.3%, although responses were concentrated in a small subgroup with concurrent high PD-L1 expression and dense intratumoral CD8⁺ immune-cell infiltration. Emerging evidence links these outcomes to chemokine-network dysregulation that alters immune trafficking and spatial organization. Oncogenic EGFR signaling shifts chemokine networks away from effector T-cell recruitment
... Show MoreThe river water salinity is a major concern in many countries, and salinity can be expressed as total dissolved solids. So, the water salinity impact of the river is one of the major factors effects of water quality. Tigris river water salinity increase with streamline and time due to the decrease in the river flow and dam construction from neighboring countries. The major objective of this research to developed salinity model to study the change of salinity and its impact on the Al-Karkh, Sharq Dijla, Al-Karama, Al-Wathba, Al-Dora, and Al-Wihda water treatment plant along Tigris River in Baghdad city using artificial neural network model (ANN). The parameter used in a model built is (Turbidity, Ec, T.s, S.s, and TDS in)
... Show MoreObjectives: This study explored knowledge, attitude, and practice of infection control by dental students at College of Dentistry/ University of Baghdad, Iraq. Material and Methods: Three hundred dental students participated in this study. A self administrated questionnaire with 21 close ended questions related to use of personal protective equipments, infection control awareness, vaccination status, percutaneous exposures, and attitude towards treatment of patients with hepatitis B (HBV)/ or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was distributed to dental students. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Fisher exact and Chi-square test were used with significance level set to 0.05. Results: The
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The prevention of bankruptcy not only prolongs the economic life of the company and increases its financial performance, but also helps to improve the general economic well-being of the country. Therefore, forecasting the financial shortfall can affect various factors and affect different aspects of the company, including dividends. In this regard, this study examines the prediction of the financial deficit of companies that use the logistic regression method and its impact on the earnings per share of companies listed on the Iraqi Stock Exchange. The time period of the research is from 2015 to 2020, where 33 companies that were accepted in the Iraqi Stock Exchange were selected as a sample, and the res
... Show MoreThe research aims to know the extent of the impact of the risks of foreign exchange centers represented in commitment risks, liquidity risks, and exchange rate risks on the continuity of the economic unit. The research in the light of its presentation of the intellectual, cognitive and applied contributions about the risks of foreign currency centers and the continuity of the economic unit, and represented the research community in the banking sector, and the sample included nine private commercial banks listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange, and they relied on the research on a time series consisting of four years that extended from one year 2017 to 2020. The research problem was the impact of the risks associated with foreign currency cent
... Show MoreThe interest in the issue of capital movement as an economic phenomenon has increased because of its effects and effects and its ability to influence the economic balance and the effectiveness of monetary policy. All countries seek to attract capital and benefit from it because of its effects and results such as supporting economic development process and optimal allocation of economic resources. The problem of the financing gap that most countries suffer from, and others, but sometimes the movement of capital creates challenges for monetary policy makers in achieving their goals.
After 2003, the Iraqi economy witnessed an openness and economic liberalization unlike previous years, which
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