Background: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery.  

Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight).

Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al

In their cross-sectional study, Al-Rubaye et al studied the extent of vitamin D (VD) deficiency/ insufficiency, factors affecting its degree, and the adverse outcomes of the altered VD status among a group of mothers and their neonates from Baghdad, Iraq. They found that 96.6% of the mothers had VD deficiency/ insufficiency compared to 86.4% in their neonates. Maternal VD levels and neonatal weights were significantly correlated with neonatal VD levels. We believe that the study results need to be revised. This is based  two points listed in this letter to editor

Abstract: Microfluidic devices present unique advantages for the development of efficient drug assay and screening. The microfluidic platforms might offer a more rapid and cost-effective alternative. Fluids are confined in devices that have a significant dimension on the micrometer scale. Due to this extreme confinement, the volumes used for drug assays are tiny (milliliters to femtoliters).

 In this research, a microfluidic chip consists of micro-channels carved on substrate materials built by using Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA) chip was designed using a Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) laser machine. The CO2 parameters have influence on the width, depth, roughness of the chip. In order to have regular

In the field of civil engineering, the adoption and use of Falling Weight Deflectometers (FWDs) is seen as a response to the ever changing and technology-driven world. Specifically, FWDs refer to devices that aid in evaluating the physical properties of a pavement. This paper has assessed the concepts of data processing, storage, and analysis via FWDs. The device has been found to play an important role in enabling the operators and field practitioners to understand vertical deflection responses upon subjecting pavements to impulse loads. In turn, the resultant data and its analysis outcomes lead to the backcalculation of the state of stiffness, with initial analyses of the deflection bowl occurring in conjunction with the measured or assum

Objectives: To assess the performance of a novel resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (pRMGIC) bonded to various tooth tissues after two-time intervals. Methods: 192 sound human molars were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 64): sound enamel, demineralised enamel, sound dentine. Sixty-four teeth with natural carious lesions including caries-affected dentine (CAD) were selected. All substrates were prepared, conditioned and restored with pRMGIC (30% ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate (EGMP, experimental), Fuji II LC (control), Fuji IX, and Filtek™ Supreme with Scotchbond ™ Universal Adhesive. Shear bond strength (SBS) was determined after 24 h and three months storage in SBF at 37C. The debonded surfaces were examined using stereomi

Microfluidic devices provide distinct benefits for developing effective drug assays and screening. The microfluidic platforms may provide a faster and less expensive alternative. Fluids are contained in devices with considerable micrometer-scale dimensions. Owing to this tight restriction, drug assay quantities are minute (milliliters to femtoliters). In this research, a microfluidic chip consisting of micro-channels carved on substrate materials built using an Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA) chip was designed using a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser machine. The CO2 parameters influence the chip’s width, depth, and roughness. To have a regular channel surface, and low roughness, the laser power (60 W), with scanning speed (250 m/s)

This study focused on the synthesis of novel polymers incorporating the 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring. Four polymers were specifically prepared by blending polymers (6-9) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in defined ratios, resulting in the formation of blended polymers (10-13). The synthesized polymers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The results showed that the structure aligned with the proposed synthetic polymers. Furthermore, the physical and thermal properties were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, the biological activity was examined against two s

This study focused on the synthesis of novel polymers incorporating the 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring. Four polymers were specifically prepared by blending polymers (6-9) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in defined ratios, resulting in the formation of blended polymers (10-13). The synthesized polymers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The results showed that the structure aligned with the proposed synthetic polymers. Furthermore, the physical and thermal properties were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, the biological activity was examined against two s

Background: First six to twelve months after initial urinary tract infection, most infections are caused by Escherichiacoli, although in the first year of life Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter spp andEnterococcus spp, are more frequent than later in life, and there is a higher risk of urosepsis compared with adulthood

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bacterial isolates from Urinary Tract Infections of children at a children hospital in Baghdad and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Type of the study: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: During six months of study (1 June to 31 Dece