Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one type of leukemia that arises from lymphocytes' progenitor cell in the Bone marrow, it affects individuals over the age of 50 years in both genders. In Iraq, leukemia affected 1532 (847 males and 683 females) according to the latest announced statistics of the Iraqi Cancer Registry Center in 2012. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia may occur due to several genetic causes, such as chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations, or exposure to carcinogens and mutagens (radiation, chemicals, and oncogenic viruses). The most famous virus is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a gamma herpesvirus that infects more than 90% of individuals. Its infection is mostly a latent infection, and EBV remains latent in memory B-cells. The aim of this study was to determine the EBV-DNA load in the peripheral blood of CLL patients by using the real-time PCR technique. Epstein-Barr virus genome had shown that 11 (18%) of 61 patients have the virus genome, and the number of copies ranged from 1 × 10⁸ to 2 × 10¹¹.
Due to high blood sugar over long periods, the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes are increasing throughout the world. Diabetic complications include microvascular and macrovascular complications that target the kidneys, nerves, eyes, and heart. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the levels of (CTGF) and (TGF-β1) for both men and women and to demonstrate the effect of sex on it. In addition, some related biochemical factors in patients with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy are compared with those in healthy controls. The study included 120 males and females with an age range of (30-65) years old. Ninety patients with type 2 diabetes were subdivided into three groups on the basis of ACR criteria. All the individ
... Show MoreSemliki Forest Virus (SFV), a member of the Alphavirus genus in the Togaviridae family, is a small-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) virus. The virus is spread by mosquitos and can infect humans, resulting in mild febrile disease with symptoms that include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, persistent headaches and asthenia. Virulent strains of SFV in mice cause lethal encephalitis by infecting neurons in the central nervous system. In on-going experiments in the research group using a focused siRNA screen we have investigated the role of deubiquitylases (DUBs) during SFV infection (as a model alphavirus) and monitored the effect of DUB depletion on cell viability after infection. We identified a group of DUBs that h
... Show MoreBackground: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the new respiratory virus SARS-CoV2. It has a tropism in the lung tissues where excess target receptors exist. Periostin plays a role in subepithelial fibrosis associated with bronchial asthma. Since the Coronavirus's target is the human respiratory system, Periostin has been recently described as a valuable new biomarker in the diagnosis and evaluation of disease in patients with COVID-19 lung involvement. Objectives: To assess the level of Periostin in the serum of COVID-19 patients and to correlate its role in disease severity and prognosis. Subjects and Methods: Periostin serum levels were measured for 63 patients attending three main COVID
... Show MoreBackground: Bell's palsy was defined as facial weakness of lower motor neuron type caused by idiopathic facial nerve involvement outside the central nervous system without evidence of aural or more widespread neurologic disease. The cause is unclear, but the disorder occurs more commonly in diabetics.Objectives: to differentiate cases of idiopathic Bell's palsy from diabetic mononeuropathy presented with Facial nerve palsy by assessing the taste, because they differ in etiology, management & prognosis.Patients &Methods: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients were referred for the treatment of facial palsy, from May the 5th 2012 to April 12th 2013 in Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital and The Neurosciences Hospital, in Baghdad / Ira
... Show MoreThis study was aimed to investigate the association between thyroid disorder and Helicobacter pylori infection in 122 patients (100 females and 22 males )and for comparison, 60 healthy individuals (31females and 29 males),who had no thyroid disorder, were also included in the study. Blood samples were collected from both patients and the healthier individuals. Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) technique through using Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS) was applied to measure levels of the thyroid hormones (tri-iodothyronine T3, tetra-iodothyroxine T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). From the results obtained, patients were classified into three groups: 40 were
... Show MoreABSTRACTBackground Subclinical hypothyroidism is mild thyroid hormone deficiency, defined by elevation of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration despite a normal free T3, free T4 level, can be distinguished by clinical and circumstantial observations from other conditions that cause this constellation of laboratory findings. The aim is to find the prevalence, anthropologic, and metabolic changes associate subclinical hypothyroidism(SH) in adult patients presented to obesity research and therapy unit (ORTU Objective: To find the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in adult obese patients presented to obesity research and therapy unit (ORTU) in AL-Kindy College of medicine and to describe the anthropologic and metabolic
... Show MoreBackground: osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density, skeletal microstructure breakdown, increased bone fragility, and fracture susceptibility. Osteopenia is the preceding step to osteoporosis because it causes a decrease in bone mass, osteoporosis reduces a person's quality of life. Periostin (encoded by Postn), its name is derived from the fact that it was first detected in periosteal osteocytes and osteoblasts. Periostin deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis and weak bones. Study objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine periostin levels in serum of Iraqi patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia, and it is also possible to consider periostin as a diagnostic factor to follow the progression o
... Show MoreAbstract Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) results from sequential genetic alterations in a normal hematopoietic stem cell or its progenitors giving rise to an autonomous clone that dominates the bone marrow leading to marrow failure. MicroRNAs are short non-coding nucleic acid sequences that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression by base-pairing with their target mRNAs. MiRNAs can be secreted into extracellular fluids and carried to target cells by vesicles or bound to proteins. Intracellular and circulating miRNAs are believed to be useful markers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various cancers. Practically, circulating miRNAs are more stable at room temperatures and extreme conditions. Purpose: This study aim
... Show MoreNanotechnology extends the limits of molecular diagnostics to the nanoscale. This study describes some of the details of how the body interacts with nanoparticles. Biological tests measuring the presence or activity of selected substances become quicker, more sensitive, and more flexible when certain nanoscale particles are put to work as tags. Particular emphasis is placed on the effects of surface changes on body-borne particles, their transport within the body, and the dose-response effect. Other considerations include the definition of "persistent" in the context of therapy, FDA scientific committees, and the need for nanoparticle tracking. In short, there have been dramatic changes in molecular and genetic research findings, as well as
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