Elevated Interleukin-13 (IL-13) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, yet, the attenuated response did not notice across all severe cases. Susceptibility to asthma in specific populations is associated with several SNPs of multifunctional cytokines, such as IL-13, IL-31 and IL-33. This prospective case-control study is designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility in subsets of Iraqi patients with COVID-19 by targeting the variants of interleukin IL-13rs20541 polymorphism in relation to disease susceptibility and severity of clinical presentation. One hundred samples were obtained from the throat, nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs enrolled in this study. Eighty samples of the throat, nasopharyngeal and nasal localization swabs were obtained from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (both COVID-19 and non-COVID19 patients), while other 20 nasopharyngeal swabs were included as a healthy control group (AHC). Detection of IL-13rs20541 polymorphism was done by ARMS technique. The frequencies of GG- genotype in ARDS- patients with COVID-19, non-COVID19-, and AHC groups were respectively 14%, 12% and 3%, where, and as compared to the control group, showed a significant increase in COVID-19 patients. The AA- genotype in patients with COVID-19 group, non- COVID-19 group and healthy control group documented the frequency of 9%, 7%, and 14%, respectively, where the frequency decreased in the patient's groups as compared to the AHC group. Finally, and among the studied groups, an increase of AG- genotype (as rate OR=1.89) was documented compared to genotype GG and A-. Genetic polymorphisms in the IL-13rs20541 gene might influence its functions in patients with SARS-associated respiratory tract infection and thus might involve the pathogenicity of patients with COVID-19.
Background: This study was conducted among diabetic persons to assess the sweet and salty taste sensitivity with its effect on gingival health in relation to salivary serotonin levels. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional comparative study design was used. All patients with diabetes aged 12-14 years that attend the Paediatric hospital at Baghdad medical city with specific inclusion criteria were involved in the sample of the present study (patients group 50 patients) compared with non-diabetic persons matched in age and gender of the study sample (control group 70 patients) who were attending dental unit in the college of dentistry/university of Baghdad. A two-alternative forced choice question including each component presented at f
... Show MoreAcute toxoplasmosis (AT) which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to induction of pro-inflammatory and/or oxidative stress changes through activation of host immune response. Therefore, the endeavor of the present study was to assess endothelial dysfunction(ED) and oxidative stress in patients with acute toxoplasmosis.
BackgroundThe diagnosis and important aspects in treating acute abdomen during pregnancy tend to be delayed due to the peculiar physiological features of pregnancy and the restrictions imposed on imaging diagnostic techniques such as x-ray and CT.Aim of the studyTo identify the most common causes of acute abdomen during pregnancy and identifying the approaches for early diagnosis and to take a correct decision for surgery and assigning the complications that may occur during and/or after surgery for the mother and the fetus.Patients and Methods This is a prospective study that involves data obtained from 91 pregnant patients admitted in the surgical wards in Baghdad teaching hospital during the period from January 2008 to December 2009 .
... Show MoreBackground: Beta thalassemia major is an inherited disorder that may affect general and oral health.The purpose of this study was toassess the severity of dental caries in relation to oral cleanliness, mutans streptococciamong a group of boys with beta thalassemia majorin comparison with a control group. Materials and Methods: The study involved 30 boys with BTM aged 10-12 years compared to 30 healthy boys with the same age group. d1-4mfs and D1-4 MFS indices were applied (Muhlemann, 1976), the viable counts of mutans streptococci in stimulated saliva were also determined. Results: The entire thalassemic group was caries-active. For both dentitions, a higher dmfs/DMFS values were recorded for study compared to control group, difference was
... Show MoreThe unresolved COVID‐19 pandemic considerably impacts the health services in Iraq and worldwide. Consecutive waves of mutated virus increased virus spread and further constrained health systems. Although molecular identification of the virus by polymerase chain reaction is the only recommended method in diagnosing COVID‐19 infection, radiological, biochemical, and hematological studies are substantially important in risk stratification, patient follow‐up, and outcome prediction.
This narrative review summarized the hematological changes including the blood indices, coagulative indicator
Type 2 diabetes mellitus which abbreviate as T2DM is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder arisingfrom genetic and environmental factors interaction which in turn induce various degrees of insulin functionalalteration on peripheral tissues. Globally, T2DM has develop into a public health problem. Therefore, Thestudy included (75) patients(37 female and 38 males) suffering from T2DM who visit al-kadhimiya teachinghospital with age range 20-80 years and (70) as healthy controls with age range 20-70 years. All studiedgroups were evaluated CMV IgG by ELISA,B. urea, S. Creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride the resultsshowed that B.urea, S.creatinine and serum cholesterol showed a non-significant differences between studiedgroup,
... Show MoreThe present study aims to estimating the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disorders in Iraqi infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Eighty-five Iraqi women, with age range (19-45) years, were divided into three groups; first group included 33 women with PCOS; second group included 30 women without PCOS; while third group included 22 fertile women as controls. The clinical data [age, body mass index (BMI), and menstrual status] have been recorded. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of reproductive hormones [estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)]; and thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4)]. Also, autoimmune thyroid antibodies assessment h
... Show Morentroduction. Finding a safe innate immune response stimulator is one of the greatest challenges facing immunologists and vaccine manufacturers. Gap statement. The role of sterile bacterial secretions (SBSs) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in stimulating the innate immune response was not investigated previously. Aim. The comparative effect of SBSs and bacterial cells of P. aeruginosa isolates isolated from freshwater (PAE) and infected wounds (PAC) on the respiratory tract innate immune response. Methodology. Four test mice groups were instilled intranasally (i.n.) with 106 c.f.u of PAC, 106 c.f.u of PAE, SBS of PAC, and SBS of PAE. Two control groups were given i.n. either LB broth or PBS. Time-course changes in IL-1 beta mRNA, TNF-alpha mRNA, I
... Show MoreThe research seeks to identify the correlation relationship between strategic intelligence and fifth preparatory students’ achievement in mathematics. To achieve this objective, stratified random sampling were used based on participants’ gender and the branch of study. The sample consisted of (200) male and female fifth preparatory students for both (literary and scientific branch) who were displaced to Arbil city in Iraq for the academic year 2016-2017. As for research tool, the researcher administered strategic intelligence test to the study sample in the second semester which was designed by Ibrahim (2017), it includes (30) items divided into five domains (predictability, organized thinking, future view, motivation, and pa
... Show MoreObjective: This research aimed to study the relation between maximal bite force (MBF) and maximum mouth opening among 12-year-old school children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 400 children aged 12 years (194 boys and 206 girls) were examined. The MBF for the right and left side, as well as the anterior region, were evaluated for all children. The MMO was measured using an electronic digital caliper. To analyze the data path analysis method was used. Results: Boys showed a higher MMO of 48.797 ± 6.500 than girls (46.710 ± 5.926 mm). The MMO increased with increasing MBF, with significant differences between females and males. Conclusion: The MMO was higher in boys than in girls. Gender plays a significant ro
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