Abstract Background: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) proto-oncogene is overexpressed or amplified in approximately 15%-25% of invasive breast cancers. Approximately 35% of HER2-amplified breast cancers have coamplification of the topoisomerase II-alpha (TOP2A) gene encoding an enzyme that is a major target of anthracyclines. Hence, the determination of genetic alteration (amplification or deletion) of both genes is considered as an important predictive factor that determines the response of breast cancer patients to treatment. The aims of this study are to determinate TOP2A status gene amplification in a set of Iraqi patients with breast cancer that have had an equivocal (2+) and positive HER2/neu by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to compare the results with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu status. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional prospective study done on 53 patients with invasive breast carcinoma. Twenty-six out of total 53 cases were positive HER2/neu (3+), the remaining 27 equivocal HER2-IHC (2+) cases reanalyzed using dual-color chromogenic in situ hybridization (ZytoVision) probe kit for further identification of HER2/neu gene amplification. Using chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH), TOP2A gene status determination was done for all cases. Results: There is a direct significant correlation between TOP2A gene amplification and HER2/neu positivity, P < 0.05 in that 15 (39.4%) out of 38 positive HER2/neu cases were associated with topoisomerase gene amplification. Regarding relation of topoisomerase gene to hormone receptor status (ER and PR), there was a significant negative relationship between the gene and ER receptor status. The higher level of gene amplification was noticed in ER and PR negative cases in about 13 (43.3%) and 14 (48.2%) for ER and PR, respectively. Conclusion: TOP2A gene status has a significantly positive correlation with HER2/neu status while it has a significantly negative correlation with hormone receptor status.
All major organs may be impacted by the connective disease systemic lupus erythematosus, a separate risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Adhesion molecules like intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM) can detect endothelial damage and dysfunction, which appear to play a crucial role. This study investigated whether people with SLE had elevated subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis risk factors. Traditional CAD risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia cannot entirely explain this elevation. It is thought that immunological dysfunction also increases CAD risk in SLE patients. The study aimed to assess early endothelial changes in SLE Iraqi female patients w
... Show MoreNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by hepatic fat accumulation in individuals consuming little or no alcohol, has become highly prevalent globally. Oxidative stress plays a central role in instigating inflammation and cell death pathways driving NAFLD progression. This case–control study aimed to elucidate the association between circulating levels of the pivotal non-enzymatic antioxidants – coenzyme Q10 and vitamins E and C – and liver injury parameters among 60 Iraqi NAFLD patients versus 30 healthy controls. NAFLD diagnosis entailed over 5% hepatic steatosis on ultrasound excluding other etiologies. Patients spanned three age groups: 20–29, 30–39, an
The recurrent somatic variations in
The aim of the study was to detect the frequency of R132 mutations in the
Persons with spinal cord injury are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, and their caregivers are in a critical position to help prevent them. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program for caregivers of persons with spinal cord injuries to prevent pressure injuries in Iraq. A pre- and post-test design was used and involved 25 caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury during the acute care phase in an SCI-specific unit of a hospital. A scale and questionnaire were used to gather the participants’ demographic information, pre- and post-educational program knowledge, and observations of their pre- and post-program performance of pressure injury preventive tasks. Descriptive s
... Show MoreThe objective of this study is to determine the extent to which the determinants of organizational support contributed to enhancing the mental status of banking services in a number of banks in Dohuk governorate in order to diagnose the correlation between the perceived organizational support and the mental status of services. Availability in the environment of banks and to enhance the mental position from the point of view of customers as the main hypotheses focused on the nature of the relationship between the dimensions of research among them has been tested these hypotheses using statistical and descriptive methods have been The study concluded that the contribution of organizational support, which is
... Show MoreAbstract Objective: Comparison of femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction (FS-SMILE) versus Femtosecond laser Insitu keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) regarding dry eye disease (DED) and corneal sensitivity (CS) after those refractive surgeries. Methods: A comparative prospective study conducted for a period of 2 years; from March 2017 until February, 2019. Enrolled patients were diagnosed with myopia. Fifty patients (100 eyes) were scheduled for bilateral FS-SMILE and the other 50 patients (100 eyes) had been scheduled for bilateral FS-LASIK. Both groups were followed for six months after surgery. The age, gender, and preoperative refraction for both groups were matched. Complete evaluation of dry eye disease had been
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