Chronic liver disease (CLD) can potentially cause disruptions in the normal functioning of various endocrine organs responsible for producing hormones. As a result, individuals suffering from CLD may experience fluctuations or imbalances in the levels of certain hormones within their bodies. As well as they frequently have suppressed immune systems making them more vulnerable to parasite infections. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between Toxoplasma gondii infections and liver function by analyzing the interplay between these parasites and hormones. This study was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2021 to May 2022. One hundred and twenty male patients with Chronic liver disease (CLD) (age:14-75 years) and 120 control males (age: 24-70 years) participated in this study. Stool and serum samples were collected from all individuals and were then analysed for intestinal protozoan parasites and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies respectively. Hormonal tests were conducted for all participants which included (Cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, insulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH). Biochemical tests included (Prothrombin time PT, international normalized ratio INR and albumin); liver enzymes were (aspartate aminotransferase AST, alanine aminotransferase ALT, alkaline phosphatase ALP and gamma-glutamyl transferase GGT) and interleukins (Interleukin 13 IL-13 and transforming growth factor TGF). The findings indicate that among the control group participants, 34 individuals, which constitute 28.33% of that group, tested positive for protozoan parasitic infections. In contrast, a higher proportion, 69 individuals or 57.5%, of the participants diagnosed with CLD were found to be positive for protozoan parasites. Four sub-groups were formed in response to prior results: Control-parasites positive, control-parasites negative, CLD-parasite positive and CLD-parasite negative. The status of the protozoan parasites did not affect the hormones levels. The results of liver enzymes showed that parasite positive status was significantly related to all enzymes among CLD patients except the GGT. As well as parasite positive status was not correlated with the other biochemical (PT, INR, and albumin) and immunological parameters (IL-13 and TGF). There was no correlation between the positive status of parasites and cortisol, testosterone, insulin, prolactin, or TSH. The liver enzyme results showed a high correlation (p<0.05) between the presence of parasites and all of the enzymes among CLD patients, with the exception of the GGT enzyme. PT, INR, albumin, and the other biochemical and immunological markers (IL-13 and TGF) did not correlate with the presence of parasites.
The purpose of the current study was to explore the standards that teachers take into consideration when selecting and using assistive technology (AT), in addition to their knowledge and skills in this area. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used and a convenience sample of 79 teachers of students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated in the current study. Based on the four main areas of the SETT Framework—student, environment, tasks, and tools—, teachers reported a lack consideration for most of the standards in each area. Among other findings, statistically significant differences were found between teachers’ standards of the SETT Framework, with teachers who had previous profe
... Show MoreIntroduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons. Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in fall 2018 in four provinces in Iraq. Customers of 19 community pharmacies asking for OCSs for themselves without a prescription were administered a paper survey. This study used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to measure the relation
... Show MoreBackground: Despite the importance of vaccines in preventing COVID-19, the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines is lower among RA patients than in the general population. Objective: To determine the extent of COVID-19 knowledge among RA patients and their attitudes and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: A qualitative study with a phenomenology approach was performed through face-to-face, individual-based, semi-structured interviews in the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, rheumatology unit. A convenient sample of RA patients using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was included until the point of saturation. A thematic content analysis approach was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: Twenty-five RA pa
... Show MoreBackground: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a significant contributor to end-stage renal failure in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by tubular atrophy, glomerular dilation, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and proteinuria, resulting in deterioration of kidney function. DN, primarily caused by hyperglycemia, accounts for millions of deaths globally and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Matrix metalloproteinase 10 is an enzyme essential for the breakdown of extracellular matrix constituents. Fetuin-A forms soluble complexes with calcium and phosphate to prevent soft tissue mineralization Objectives: To determine the levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase 10 and
... Show Moreتعد لعبة كرة السلة من الألعاب الرياضية التي تحتاج متطلبات بدنية ووظيفية خاصة بها، وذلك من خلال الانتقال داخل الملعب بالكرة أو بدونها والسبل للتخلص من ملاحقة الخصم أثناء الدفاع وكيفية المناورة أثناء الهجوم مع إجادة التصويب بكافة أنواعه داخل الملعب، ومن هنا تكونت مشكلة البحث في كيفية تطوير تلك العوامل الوظيفية والتي لها الأثر في الارتقاء بمستوى أداء اللاعب أثناء اللعب، وعن طريق استخدام الباحثان لطريقة جهاز ا
... Show MoreBackground: Studies discussing the correlation between biochemical markers of bone turnover and the diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Iraqi women are rare. This study is devoted to find out the significance of serum osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN) levels with the incidence of osteoporosis and its major complication (fracture).Objectives: to investigate the significance of bone turnover biochemical markers; serum osteocalcin and serum osteopontin in evaluating osteoporosis for postmenopausal Iraqi women with and without history of vertebral fracture, as well as to explore the relationship of these markers with bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: Fifty seven postmenopausal women whose ages are fifty years old and over, cat
... Show MoreABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Estrogens has traditionally been known as the female hormone, but this idea has been challenged in early 1990’s and an essential physiological role for estrogen in male fertility was identified. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal plant chemicals that can act like the female hormone estrogen. The herbs ( anise alfalfa and vervain ) chosen in this study contain phytoestrogens. OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrated controversy of the effects of phytoestrogens on the rat testes .Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to investigate the influence of typical dose of herbs containing phytoestrogen on the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four apparently normal mature male rats we
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This study aimed to survey fungi associated with the product Indomie and Chips being the trades Iargely by a very important segment of society who are the children, beside consumed by adults, but less so, as the survey results to accompany some fungui samples sterile showed proportions presence included various fungi like. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium Spp., Fusarium graminearum, F.moniliforme, Alternaria alternate and Rhizopus Spp., and other fungi sterile are not diagnosed. The results showed large dominion fungi A. niger by presence sterile samples of both producers, followed by infection in Fusarium Spp., Penicillium Spp., and A. alternata by infection percentage 55, 20 and 17% respectively for the pr