Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow. In most patients, monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chains or light chains are produced and are associated with organ dysfunction. The growth factor B-cell activating factor (BAFF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma due to its ability to promote B-cell survival, expansion, and differentiation. Objective: to measure the circulatory level of B-cell activating factor in multiple myeloma patients in relapsed and remission states and explore its possible correlations with the clinical staging, β2-microglobulin, and interleukin-6. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 multiple myeloma patients, with 30 in remission and 30 in relapse, as well as 20 healthy individuals serving as a control group. The study was conducted in the Hematology department of Baghdad Teaching Hospital in the Medical City Complex from January to September 2020. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to measure plasma levels of B-cell activating factor, β2-microglobulin, and interleukin-6. Results: The B-cell activating factor levels were significantly higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to the control, and in relapsed patients compared to those in remission. The level of B-cell activating factor increased with advanced disease, in both remission and relapse states. There are positive correlations with β2-microglobulin and interleukin-6 levels in both relapsed and remission states. Conclusion: Increased B-cell activating factor level in relapse more than remission states is a useful biomarker of disease activity in multiple myeloma and has positive correlations with β2-microglobulin and interleukin-6 levels.
Background: Hemophilia B is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the F9 gene, causing bleeding tendency predominantly in males. The mutational spectrum of the F9 gene has not been adequately studied in Iraq. Objectives: To detect the disease-causing variants of exons 6, 7, and 8 and immediate introns of F9 gene using Sanger sequencing among Iraqi hemophilia B patients and to correlate them with phenotypes. Methods: Forty Iraqi hemophilia B patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study from The Hereditary Bleeding Disorder Ward in the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, between November 2021 and April 2022 using a consecutive sampling technique. Peripheral blood samples were used for sequencin
... Show MoreTo asses methylene blue as a cell marker, the cells of the buffy coat were labelled by incubating them in a medium containing a lable [Methylene blue] which is prepared in a concentration of 1%[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] drops were tried at different periods of incubation [+/-,+/-, 1+/-, 1+/-] at 37 C degree. The results showed that monocytes and polymorphs are the main cells involved in the phagocytosis of this dye
The present study was set to demonstrate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection and its effects on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through determining their serum levels of anti-dsDNA and IL-18 antibodies. For this purpose, the sera from 132 SLE and/or toxoplasmosis patients and 30 healthy women, were collected. The study sample was divided into four groups of SLE, toxoplasmosis, SLE coinfected with toxoplasmosis, and healthy control. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were examined for all the samples using ELISA kit. The results showed a high mean level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG among SLE patients coinfected with toxoplasmosis (104.8792±12.31585pg/ml) in comparison to that in toxoplasmosis patients (91.1705±12.577
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Nebulized Salbutamol have great advantages for patients with respiratory problems by depositing drugs directly to the lungs, inspite of reported adverse metabolic effects on different electrolytes and glucose heamostasis of patients.AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the effect of nebulized salbutamol used in the management of patients with asthma who have normal serum potassium and blood glucose levels. in the emergency department after 30 and 60 minutes of administration and to find out if these results are of clinical importance that should be taken in consideration when treating patients especially those with abnormal glucose hemostasis or electrolyte disturbance. PATIENTS & METHODS: The study is a prospective follow
... Show MoreOmentin (or intelectin) is a main visceral fat secretory adipokine. There is a growing interest to link omentin, obesity and co-morbidity factors. The aim of the present study is to evaluate serum omentin and its association to insulin resistance biomarkers, lipid profile and atherogenic indies. This cross – sectional study was conducted in Obesity Research and Therapy Unit-Alkindy College of Medicine by recruiting (115) individuals; 49 males /66 females. Subjects between (20 to 60) years of age were selected and classified into two groups according to their Body mass index (BMI). Group1 involved healthy lean volunteers (25 male/ 36 female; BMI 18.5 - 24.9). Group2 involved obese subjects; (24 male / 36 female with BMI ≥ 30). The s
... Show MoreLipid disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are known to be increased in patients with diabetes mellitus. The effects of statins on serum lipid levels are well known; however, previous studies did not compare the effects of statins on serum lipid levels in diabetic patients with non-diabetic patients. To investigate the effects of Atorvastatin on serum lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in comparison with hyperlipidemic patients without diabetes.This study was conducted on 33 type 2 diabetic patients & 34 non-diabetic patients; their age range was 40-80 years, all of them were hyperlipidemic, who had been administered 10, 20, & 40 mg daily of Atorvastatin and completed a 6-month foll
... Show More
