Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a chronic and progressive condition, which affects people all around the world. The risk of complications increases with age if the disease is not managed properly. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by excessive blood glucose and lipid levels, resulting in nerve damage. Apelin is a peptide hormone that is found in different human organs, including the central nervous system and adipose tissue. The aim of this study is to estimate Apelin levels in diabetes type 2 and Diabetic peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Iraqi patients and show the extent of peripheral nerve damage. The current study included 120 participants: 40 patients with Diabetes Mellitus, 40 patients with Diabetic peripheral Neuropathy, and 40 healthy persons as control, the age range of 34-66 years, matched in age and sex. For all groups, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile (Cholesterol, Triglyceride, High-density lipoprotein, Low-density lipoprotein, and very-low-density lipoprotein), HbA1c, serum total Apelin levels, BMI, and Waist to Hip Ratio were calculated. The results showed highly increase in Apelin levels in neuropathy patients 670.4 ± 41.67 pg/ml compared to diabetes patients 247.6 ± 20.37 pg/ml nd healthy people 208.02 ± 8.30 pg/ml with a P value=0.001. Body Mass Index showed increase in diabetic and neuropathy patients compared with control group 31.05 ± 1.01 kg/m2, 31.05 ± 0.73 kg/m2, versus 23.92 ± 0.16 kg/m2, respectively, with a P value=0.001. The result showed a significant increase in lipid profile with p≤0.05, except HDL which showed a significant decrease p≤0.05. The present study concluded that incremented Apelin levels have an important role in Neuropathy pathogenesis and could determine the extent of peripheral nerve damage by the high levels in the blood due to their presence in the central nervous system. Also, increasing BMI, excessive lipid, and duration of disease showed a progressive role in DM and neuropathy and cause damage to the nerves, and play roles in the development of complications.
In their cross-sectional study, Al-Rubaye et al studied the extent of vitamin D (VD) deficiency/ insufficiency, factors affecting its degree, and the adverse outcomes of the altered VD status among a group of mothers and their neonates from Baghdad, Iraq. They found that 96.6% of the mothers had VD deficiency/ insufficiency compared to 86.4% in their neonates. Maternal VD levels and neonatal weights were significantly correlated with neonatal VD levels. We believe that the study results need to be revised. This is based two points listed in this letter to editor
Background: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight). Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al-Rusafah from 1st of June 2019 to 31st of August 2019. Dat
... Show MoreBackground: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery.
Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight).
Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al
... Show MoreBackground: With the increasing demands for adult orthodontics, a growing need arises to bond attachments to porcelain surfaces. Optimal adhesion to porcelain surface should allow orthodontic treatment without bond failure but not jeopardize porcelain integrity after debonding.The present study was carried out to compare the shear bond strength of metal bracket bonded to porcelain surface prepared by two mechanical treatments and by using different etching systems (Hydrofluoric acid 9% and acidulated phosphate fluoride 1.23%). Materials and Methods: The samples were comprised of 60 models (28mm *15mm*28mm) of metal fused to porcelain (feldspathic porcelain). They were divided as the following: group I (control): the porcelain surface left u
... Show MoreBackground. Teaching quality in gymnastics is influenced by teachers' performance and attitudes, leading to increased functional creativity and psychological well-being. This, in turn, contributes to the success of the sports institution by enhancing the overall performance and overall well-being of the students. Objectives. The research aims to assess the psychological well-being and functional creativity of female gymnastics professors in Iraqi colleges of physical education and sports sciences, focusing on their level of well-being and the relationship between these factors. Methods. The researchers used a descriptive survey method to survey female gymnastics professors at 16 colleges in Iraq's physical education and sports science
... Show MoreThe continuous advancement in the use of the IoT has greatly transformed industries, though at the same time it has made the IoT network vulnerable to highly advanced cybercrimes. There are several limitations with traditional security measures for IoT; the protection of distributed and adaptive IoT systems requires new approaches. This research presents novel threat intelligence for IoT networks based on deep learning, which maintains compliance with IEEE standards. Interweaving artificial intelligence with standardization frameworks is the goal of the study and, thus, improves the identification, protection, and reduction of cyber threats impacting IoT environments. The study is systematic and begins by examining IoT-specific thre
... Show MoreThe study aimed to identify Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its genotypes prevalent among Iraqi women. They collected 89 cervical swab samples from diagnosed patients at Baghdad Teaching Hospital's Early Detection Clinic. Using PCR technique on 19 samples, they found HPV16 (57.89%) and HPV6 (10.52%) genotypes, while HPV-11, 18, and 45 were absent. HPV 16 and HPV 6 were common in cervical cancer among Iraqi women. Sequencing revealed nucleic acid variants in HPV-6 (124A>C) and HPV-16 (225G>T) E6 genes, resulting in silent effects on the encoded protein. These changes didn't alter amino acid residues (p.74I= and p.L117=). Phylogenetic analysis showed substantial distances between their samples and other viral types, indicating di
... Show MoreIntroduction: Cerebral hydatid disease (CHD) is rare and the multiple-cystic variety is even rarer. In this paper, we report a case of multiple CHD and explore a possible link with a preceding spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Case presentation: A 27-year old gentleman with a history of surgically-evacuated, spontaneous ICH presented with severe headache, left-sided weakness - Medical Research Council (MRC) grade II - and recurrent tonic-clonic seizures, while on a full dose of anti-epileptic medication. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed multiple intra-axial cystic lesions in the right hemisphere. The cysts were removed intact using Dowling’s technique through a large temporoparietal crani
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