Objectives: To identify the frequency and types of microsatellite instability among a group of sporadic CRC patients and to correlate the findings with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: During an 8-month period, all patients with sporadic CRC who attended to two teaching hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq were recruited to this cross-sectional study regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or tumor characteristics. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological features were recorded. DNA was extracted from FFPE-blocks of the resected tumors and normal tissues. PCR amplification of five microsatellite mononucleotide repeat loci (BAT25, BAT26, NR-21, NR-24, and MONO-27) and 2 pentanucleotide repeat control markers (Penta C and Penta D) was performed to determine the MSI status. Capillary electrophoresis and Genetic Analyzer 3500 (Applied Biosystem, Japan) were used to separate and examine the products. Data were analyzed by Genescan software (Promega, USA). Instability of two or more loci is considered MSI-H. Result: In this study, ages of the 45 recruited patients ranged between 20-80 years, with a mean±SD of 55±12.3 years; of them, 31(68.9%) were ≥50 years; 25 (55.6%) were males. Rectal bleeding was the most frequent presenting feature [22 (48.9%)] patients; 23 (51.1%) of CRCs were located at recto-sigmoid region, 29 (64.4%) were T3 tumors, 34(75.5%) were non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, 39(86.7%) were moderately differentiated, 17 (37.8%) patients had stage III tumors; and 25 (55.5%) had lymphovascular invasion. MSI-H was seen in 5/45 (11.1%) patients; 3(60%) of them were ≥50 years, 4(80%) were males, 3(60%) were smokers, 2 (40%) presented with intestinal obstruction and altered bowel habits each; 4(80%) had T3 tumors, 3(60%) had mucinous adenocarcinomas [p=0.004], 2(40%) had stage II tumor and stage III each. Conclusion: The frequency of MSI-H among the recruited patients with CRC was 5/45 (11.1%) and it was significantly associated with mucinous adenocarcinoma subtype. NR-24 and NR-21 were the most prevalent instable markers.
The diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) sometimes is illusive and the accompanying clinical and laboratory manifestations cannot be used for definitive diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in detection of AA. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included a total of 80 adult patients with AA and 62 age- and gender-matched patients with abdominal pain due to causes other than AA. Three milliliter of peripheral blood were collected from each participant. The NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of NLR in detection
... Show MoreBackground: Oral carcinogenesis is a molecular and histological multistage process featuring genetic and phenotypic markers for each stage, which involves enhanced function of several oncogenes and/or the deactivation of tumor suppressor genes, resulting in the loss of cell cycle checkpoints. The progression towards malignancy includes sequential histopathological alterations ranging from hyperplasia through dysplasia to carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. The p16 gene produces p16 protein, which in turn inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma, p16 play a significant role in early carcinogenesis. Human papillomavirus is a well established heterogeneous virus and plays an important role in oral cancers. The aims of the study were to
... Show MoreEvolutionary algorithms (EAs), as global search methods, are proved to be more robust than their counterpart local heuristics for detecting protein complexes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Typically, the source of robustness of these EAs comes from their components and parameters. These components are solution representation, selection, crossover, and mutation. Unfortunately, almost all EA based complex detection methods suggested in the literature were designed with only canonical or traditional components. Further, topological structure of the protein network is the main information that is used in the design of almost all such components. The main contribution of this paper is to formulate a more robust E
... Show MoreBackground/Objectives: Nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) is the gold-standard technique for treating periodontitis. However, an individual’s susceptibility or the inadequate removal of subgingival biofilms could lead to unfavorable responses to NSPT. This study aimed to assess the potential of salivary and microbiological biomarkers in predicting the site-specific and whole-mouth outcomes of NSPT. Methods: A total of 68 periodontitis patients exhibiting 1111 periodontal pockets 4 to 6 mm in depth completed the active phase of periodontal treatment. Clinical periodontal parameters, saliva, and subgingival biofilm samples were collected from each patient at baseline and three months after NSPT. A quantitative PCR assay was us
... Show MoreAbstract—Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder affecting reproductive- age women, often linked to metabolic issues like insulin resistance. Objective: this study aimed to evaluate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and ferric reducing capacity (FRC) levels in women with PCOS, with assess the effects of metformin and Primolut N treatment on their levels. Subjects and Methods: A case− control study was conducted with 150 married Iraqi women, categorized into three groups: 50 healthy controls, 50 untreated PCOS, 50 treated PCOS. Blood samples were analyzed for ODC, FRC levels and hormonal profiles. Statistical analysis applied independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation, ROC curve. Results: The ODC level
... Show MoreThe biological activities of some ternary nickel complexes with a Schiff base obtained from 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and 2-aminophenol have been reported. The Schiff base ( HL1) acts as a primary ligand whereas, anthranilic acid ( HL2), 2-nitroaniline ( HL3), alanine ( HL4) and histidine ( HL5) act as secondary ligand or co-ligand. The anticancer activity of these compounds was studied against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HEPG-2) and human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. As per the results, the compounds were active against the cell lines. The antioxidant activity of the same compounds was evaluated using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) radical scavenging and compared with ascorbic aci
... Show MoreThe antiviral activity of leaf extracts from Datura stramonium and tomato plants inoculated with TMV, combined with 20% skimmed milk, was investigated. A TMV isolate was confirmed using bioassay, serological, and molecular approaches and subsequently used to inoculate plants. Tomato plants, both pre- and post-inoculated with TMV, were sprayed with leaf extracts from either TMV-free or infected plants, alone or mixed with 20% skimmed milk. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using tobamovirus-specific antibodies and local lesion tests were conducted to assess antiviral activity based on virus concentration and infectivity in treated plants. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD), and the Least Significant
... Show Moreobjectives: To investigate the polyomaviruses (BK, JC) in asymptomatic kidney transplant recipients and healthy persons as control. It is one of the first reports on serological detection and molecular characterization that describes the circulation of polyomaviruses (BKV, JCV) have been done in Iraq recently. Methodology: The present study was designed as prospective case control study was done during the period from November 2015 to August 2016. Total of 97 serum and urine samples were collected randomly from 25 healthy control person and 72 renal transplant recipients, attending Iraqi Renal Transplantatio