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.
Background: Currently there are four general approaches to correct refractive errors: refractive corneal surgery, crystalline lens surgery and implantation of an intraocular lens in anterior or posterior chamber. Aim: To evaluate the predictability, safety and stability of toric phakic implantable collamer lens implantation to correct moderate to high myopic astigmatism. Methods: Sixty eyes of 40 patients underwent implantation of a toric implantable collamer lens (V4c design) in the Eye Specialty Private Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq were studied. The mean spherical refraction was -11.32±3.17 diopter (D) with a range of -6.00 to -18.00 D and a mean cylinder of -2.61±1.16 with range of -1.00 to -5.50 D. The outcome measures that evaluat
... Show MoreMulti-drug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is considered a significant challenge due to its ability to resist antibiotics and form biofilms. UPEC biofilm formers are well protected and largely inaccessible to antibiotics, which leads to persistent infections and evasion of the host immune system. Understanding how ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole affect biofilm formation is essential for improving treatment strategies for urinary tract infections (UTIs). A total of 76 UPEC isolates were obtained from Iraqi patients and identified using morphological and biochemical characteristics, as well as the Vitek®-2 Compact system. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the Vitek®-2 system, whic
... Show MoreExposure to cryogenic liquids can significantly impact the petrophysical properties of rock, affecting its density, porosity, permeability, and elastic properties. These effects can have important implications for various applications, including oil and gas production and carbon sequestration. Cryogenic liquid fracturing is a promising alternative to traditional hydraulic fracturing for exploiting unconventional oil and gas resources and geothermal energy. This technology offers several advantages over traditional hydraulic fracturing, including reduced water consumption, reduced formation damage, and a reduced risk of flow-back fluid contamination. In this study, an updated review of recent studies demonstrates how the
... Show MoreA new light-weight nanocarbon prepared by spray-drying method to obtain particle size is 21.7 nm based of polylactic acid biodegradable film in antistatic packaging .Bio carbon (biochar) is obtained from plants and soils to naturally absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere . Therefor it has been used to support biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) with to obtain 100% recyclable material.
Using plasticizer thymol of polylactic acid and biochar (bio carbon) as composites were prepared by a solution casting method with (0.5-10)wt% biochar. The composites characterized by FTIR, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties , contact angle and Colar and Brightness . Results show th
... Show MoreThe waste material problem in today's world has become a major topic affecting all sectors of human life. Researchers are interested in providing solutions for each kind of waste material. Waste glass is one of the waste materials whose amounts increase daily. This article deals with two types of modified cement mortar with glass granular in the masonry wall to find their effect on the wall's property (direct tensile, flexural, and compressive bond strength). Seven different mixes were prepared according to the used glass granular ratio (three mixes contained white glass with 15, 20, and 25% while three of them contained green glass granular 5, 10, and 15%, and the last mix was a controlled mix which contains no glass gr
... Show MorePolymer matrix composites are suitable materials for medical applications, such as denture base resin polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). This includes light weight and high strength. This paper describes the effect of selected weight fractions (1, 2, 3, 4 & 5) % wt of nano(Alumina AL2O3, Zirconia ZrO2, Hydroxyapatite HA and Halloysite nanoClay) reinforcements on the biopolymer matrix (PMMA). Some tribology tests were used to evaluate the prepared system (impact strength, hardness surface, and wear rate) tests. The samples were fabricated by (Hand Lay-Up) with different particle reinforcement percentages. All tests were accomplished at room temperature, and samples were developed according to the ASTM standard. The weight fraction o
... Show MoreObjective This study evaluated the effects of adding titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofillers on the tear strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage, and hardness of room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) VST50F and high-temperature-vulcanized (HTV) Cosmesil M511 maxillofacial silicone elastomers. Methods Two types of maxillofacial elastomers, VST50F RTV and Cosmesil M511 HTV, were used. Nano-TiO2 powder was applied as a nanofiller. A total of 120 specimens were fabricated, 60 each of VST50F and Cosmesil M511. The specimens of each type of elastomer were divided into three equal groups on which tests were conducted for tear strength, tensile strength, and hardness i.e., 20 specimens were used for each test. Each group of 20 specimens was further
... Show MoreCelery and coriander are vastly applied in modern medicine and traditionally because various medicinal and nutritional benefits depend on their medicinal characteristics. The study aimed to detect, isolate and compare extracts contents of phenolic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids) in ethyl acetate fraction of fresh and dry aerial parts of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) of the Apiaceae family. The extraction of these constituents was carried out by maceration method using 70% ethanol and fractionation was done by using petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate. The existence of caffeic and p-coumaric acids in aerial part extracts of two plants was identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-
... Show MoreBackground: The possibility of converting the organic fraction of municipal solid waste to mature compost using the composting bin method was studied. Nine distinct treatments were created by combining municipal solid waste (MSW) with animal waste (3:1, 2:1), poultry manure (3:1, 2:1), mixed waste (2:1:1), agricultural waste (dry leaves), biocont (Trichoderm hazarium), and humic acid. Weekly monitoring of temperature, pH, EC, organic matter (OM percent), and the C/N ratio was performed, and macronutrients (N, P, K) were measured. Trace elements, including heavy metals (Cd and Pb), were tested in the first and final weeks of maturity. Results: Temperatures in the first days of composting reached the thermophilic phase in MSW compost
... Show MoreBackground: The possibility of converting the organic fraction of municipal solid waste to mature compost using the composting bin method was studied. Nine distinct treatments were created by combining municipal solid waste (MSW) with animal waste (3:1, 2:1), poultry manure (3:1, 2:1), mixed waste (2:1:1), agricultural waste (dry leaves), biocont (Trichoderm hazarium), and humic acid. Weekly monitoring of temperature, pH, EC, organic matter (OM percent), and the C/N ratio was performed, and macronutrients (N, P, K) were measured. Trace elements, including heavy metals (Cd and Pb), were tested in the first and final weeks of maturity. Results: Temperatures in the first days of composting reached the thermophilic phase in MSW compost
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