Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene at locations -308G/A, -857C/T, and -863C/A with the tendency of being non-responder to etanercept.

Patients and methods: Between October 2020 and August 2021, a total of 80 patients (10 males, 70 females; mean age: 50 years; range, 30 to 72 years) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving etanercept for at least six months were included. The patients were divided into two groups responders and non-responders, based on their response after six months of continuous treatment. Following polymerase chain reac

This study designed to examine association between-174G/C polymorphism of interleukin-6 gene and phosphate, calcium, vitamin D₃, and parathyroid hormone levels in Iraqi patient with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. Seventy chronic renal failure patients (patients group) and 20 healthy subjects (control group) were genotyped for interleukin-6 polymorphism and genotyping was performed by conventional polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. No significant differences in phosphate levels were observed in patients and control with different interleukin-6 genotypes. Control had non-significant differences in calcium levels, while patients with GG and CG genotypes displayed significant e

Objective: This study aims to assess the level of nurse's knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis management
in pregnant women.
Methodology: A descriptive analytic study was carried out from January 2012 to March 2012. A sample of
(70)nurses who provide prenatal care to pregnant women at primary health care centers of AL-Adala,ALHindia,AL-Askary,AL-Jamea,AL-Ansar
and AL-Salam in AL-Najaf city. The questionnaire was self-completed
and included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and toxoplasmosis aspects.
Results: The findings of the study indicated that (44.3%) of nurses have moderate level of knowledge.
(32.9%) of nurses was with age ranging from 31-36 years. (74.3%) were male. (52.9%) were secondary
graduate

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Oxidative stress may contribute to its pathogenesis. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme associated with high-density lipoprotein, and its genetic polymorphisms may alter enzyme activity. This study aimed to investigate the association between PON1 L55M polymorphism (rs854560) and PCOS in Iraqi women.Methods: This case-control study included 80 women aged 20–35 years who were in good general health   and matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Genomic DNA was extracted using a commercial kit. The PON1 L55M polymorphism was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped by direct sequen

Background A case-control study was performed to explore eight pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1Ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist), IL-12, IL-17A, IL-31, IL-33, CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10), and CXCL16, with the aim to understand their role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) pathogenesis and evaluate their utility as markers to differentiate between diseased and healthy individuals. Among these cytokines, IL-31 and CXCL16 have not been well studied in AS. Patients and methods The study included 94 male patients with AS and 91 age-matched control males. Interleukin and chemokine levels were measured using ELISA kits. Results Serum levels of IL-17A, CXCL10, and CXCL16 were significantly ele

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health concern and leading of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glutathione S – Transferase(GST) are known for their broad range of detoxification and in the metabolism of xenobiotics . The role of functional variants of these genes in the development of various disorder is proven. We investigated the possible role of these variants in the development of CAD in T2DM patients. In this case – control study a total of 60 patients (T2DM = 30 ; T2DM – CAD = 30) and 30 controls were included. Serum lipid profiles were measured and DNA was extracted from the blood samples. Multiplex PCR for GSTT1/M1 (present / null) polymorphism, were performed for genotyping of study pa