Objectives Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants in the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-1 (SMPD1) gene, which encodes acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). ASMD has 3 broad phenotypes (type A, type A/B, and type B) characterized by the age of onset, symptomatology, and the rapidity of disease progression. The diagnosis of ASMD can be delayed or missed because of the wide spectrum of severity and its variable manifestations. Analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations can help to determine ASMD disease type and inform management. Here, we describe the clinical presentation of 47 patients with ASMD referred to a single center in Iraq since 2007, whose diagnosis was confirmed by gene sequencing and ASM activity. Study design This was a retrospective observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with ASMD in Iraq. Results The cohort included 47 patients with ASMD. A positive family history and consanguinity were noted in 66% and 98% of these cases, respectively. Hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were present in 100%, 79%, and 44% of patients, respectively. Notably, dysmorphic features were observed in 23% of cases. Thirteen SMPD1 variants were present in this cohort, the most common of which were c.1556A > G (p.Tyr519Cys), c.740delG (p.Gly247Alafs*10), c.967A > C (p.Ser323Arg), and c.1267C > T (p.His423Tyr). Three of the variants identified were novel, specifically c.967A > C (p.Ser323Arg), c.1579A > G (p.Asn527Asp), and c.905C > T (p.Thr302Ile). Conclusions Physicians assessing infants and children who present with hepatosplenomegaly or anemia and dysmorphic features should have a high index of suspicion for ASMD, particularly in regions with high rates of consanguineous unions.
Background: Young children’s oral health maintenance and outcomes are influenced by their parent’s knowledge and beliefs, which affect oral hygiene and healthy eating habits. This study aims at assessing caries risk in children aged 6 months to 6 years attending the Specialized Center of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry Center at Al-Resafa sector in Baghdad. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 May – 15 June 2018, all children attended the center (80 children) were assessed by using the standard caries risk assessment tool of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Results: The highest percentage of children was as follows: no fluoride exposure 44(55%), did not brush 46(5
... Show MoreCopper (I) complex containing folic acid ligand was prepared and characterized on the basis of metal analyses, UV-VIS, FTIR spectroscopies and magnetic susceptibility. The density functional theory (DFT) as molecular modeling calculations was used to determine the donor atoms of folic acid ligand which appear clearly at oxygen atoms binding to hydrogen. Detection of donation sights is supported by theoretical parameters such as geometry, mulliken population, mulliken charge and HOMO-LUMO gap obtained by DFT calculations.
The present study provides a new insight into valuable information on the diverse structure of the Anisakid population and discusses the limited species richness in the Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch,1791) (Perciformes, Nemiperidae). The fishing area consists of various locations in the Arabian Gulf (29°58 0 33 00 N48°28 0 20 E). A total of 315 marine fish were examined, (n=287) were infected. Larval stages (n= 763) encysted within the mesenteries peritoneum and viscera of fish organs were isolated, with a prevalence of 91.11% of infection and, the intensity was 2.65. Molecular analysis was carried out on thirty individuals who have examined the morphology and showed some appearance differences, by amplifying internal transcribed spacers
... Show MoreThis study confirms the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme 2B (Rad6) plays a significant role in the DNA repair pathway also because the ubiquitin-conjugating pathway. The DNA repair pathway could be a variety of bypass repair mechanism where the broken base pair is bypassed by permitting the replication fork to labor under the site of injury. This is often done by a shift mechanism wherever deoxyribonucleic acid enzyme - δ is switched with DNA enzyme - η (DNAP - η). Site of DNAP - η is massive enough to permit the broken ester to labor under, and so bypass the broken nucleotide. However, this is often potential solely through the involvement of Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) that could be a processivity issue and it acts as a plat
... Show MoreThis study was conducted to investigate phytoplasma causing a virescence disease on Arabic jasmine Jasminum sambac based on microscopy and molecular approaches. Samples were collected from symptomatic Arabic jasmine plants grown in nurseries in Baghdad-Iraq. Specimens from infected plants were prepared and Dienes stained for light microscopy examination. Phytoplasma were detected in infected plants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using P1/P7 and SecAfor1/SecArev3 Candidatus Phytoplasma specific primer sets. Light microscopy test showed symptomatic Arabic jasmine plants were phytoplasms infected when phloem tissues were stained with a dark blue color. PCR test confirmed the symptomatic plants were phytoplasms infected when SecAfor1/Sec
... Show MoreBackground: Cancer is rising as a significant global public health concern. The global cancer burden is escalating, exerting considerable physical, emotional, and financial strain on people, families, communities, and healthcare systems. Objective: To explore the challenges faced in cancer management from the perspectives of physicians. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. Physicians were recruited from three different centers in Baghdad and Karbala using purposive and snowball sampling. The data collection was concluded upon reaching a saturation point. Results: This study included twenty-six oncologists. There was about parity between the two genders, with a slight male predominance.
... Show MoreInformation pollution is regarded as a big problem facing journalists working in the editing section, whereby journalistic materials face such pollution through their way across the editing pyramid. This research is an attempt to define the concept of journalistic information pollution, and what are the causes and sources of this pollution. The research applied the descriptive research method to achieve its objectives. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The findings indicate that journalists are aware of the existence of information pollution in journalism, and this pollution has its causes and resources.
Unstable angina pectoris often leads to acute myocardial infarction. Since uric acid is thought to be risk factor for cardiovascular disease and considered a major antioxidant in human blood .The level of uric acid and lipid peroxidation in the sera of patients with unstable angina and myocardial infarction were measured and compared to the healthy individuals. Twenty-nine patients with unstable angina and twenty-nine patients with myocardial infarction were studied and compared to twenty-five healthy individuals. Uric acid was measured by using Human Kit. Malondialdelyde (MDA) a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured by thiobarbituric acid method .Significant elevation of uric acid and MDA were observed in the sera of pati
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