Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder and its etiology appears to be complex and multifactorial; characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and infertility. It’s associated with evidence of low-grade chronic inflammation, as indicated by the presence of elevated levels of high sensitive C- reactive protein levels, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The source of excess circulating tumor necrosis factor-α in obese Polycystic ovary syndrome patient is likely to be the adipose tissues while in lean women increased visceral adiposity has been proposed as a source of excess tumor necrosis factor-α.Objectives: to evaluate the levels of high sensitive C- reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after treatment with metformin; with emphasis on their relationship with the improvement in ovulation rate and body mass index in Iraqi women.Methods: 69 Iraqi females with PCOS, with mean age of 25.8±4.4 years, body mass index 31.14±2.23 kg/m2 and insulin resistant equal to 3.15±0.25. Additionally, 30 healthy fertile women BMI= 26.87±3.1 kg/m2 and mean age 23.4±2.8 years), the patients were treated with metformin 1500 mg/day for 3 months. Blood samples were obtained in the morning subsequent to an overnight fasting at baseline and at the end of the 12 weeks period of treatment, the samples were analyzed for plasma glucose level estimated by enzymatic colorimetric kit, while serum insulin , TNF-α, IL-6 , hs-CRP, Progesterone and sex hormone binding globulin . Results: BMI values were significantly increased at baseline value in patients (P<0.05) compared with healthy controls, then significantly decreased (12.9%) after treatment compared with baseline values, HOMA-IR index were significantly elevated in patients group at baseline compared with control, and significantly decreased by 17.4% after treatment. Regarding the influence of metformin on inflammatory markers, the present study demonstrated significant elevation of baseline levels (P<0.05) of TNF-α, hs-CRP and IL-6 compared with controls, and the baseline levels significantly decreased after treatment by 16%, 38% and 37% respectively. Meanwhile, sex hormone binding globulin levels were significantly decreased in PCOS patients compared with healthy controls, and significantly increased after treatment by 16.6%, also progesterone levels decline at baseline compared with control group, and it was increased significantly after treatment by 24%.Conclusions: The study detects an increased level of inflammatory cytokines, SHBG and decrease level of progesterone in Iraqi females with PCOS, and metformin therapy improves serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines associated with increased ovulation rate.
Objective(s): To determine the impact of psychological distress in women upon coping with breast cancer.
Methodology: A descriptive design is carried throughout the present study. Convenient sample of (60) woman with breast cancer is recruited from the community. Two instruments, psychological distress scale and coping scale are developed for the study. Internal consistency reliability and content validity are obtained for the study instruments. Data are collect through the application of the study instruments. Data are analyzed through the use of descriptive statistical data analysis approach and inferential statistical data analysis approach.
Results: The study findings depict that women with breast cancer have experien
... Show MoreRecent studies have revealed some conflicting results about the health effects of caffeine. These studies are inconsistent in terms of design and population and source of consumed caffeine. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the possible health effects of dietary caffeine intake among overweight and obese individuals.
In this cross-sectional study, 488 apparently healthy individuals with overweight and obesity were participated. Dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and
Placental dysfunction and or fetal central nervous system infestation caused by Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital non-genetic neuro-developmental problems of the newborn, worldwide. Although the highest rates of congenital infection and CMV seroprevalence occurs in developing countries like Iraq, there remains a paucity of data from that part of the world. This descriptive case control study was undertaken in Babylon/ Iraq to determine the local seroprevalence of CMV in women of child bearing age, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with it. This study found a seropositivity peak amongst the 26-35 yr olds which declined in the 36 – 45 yr olds. However, the
... Show MoreThis study was established to investigate the correlation between the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1) and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Blood samples were collected from 55 female patients with inflammatory OA and controls for estimation of serum (MMP-1) levels. In the current study, there is significant increase (p<0.001) in the mean of serum MMP-1 levels in osteoarthritis females (4027.73 ± 1345.28 pg/ml) than that in control females (798.76 ± 136.79 pg/ml). It was concluded that MMP-1 may be associated with the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Renal function tests are commonly used in clinical practice to look for renal disease, the most common includes the serum urea, uric acid and creatinine. Heart failure patients have a higher incidence of renal function test abnormalities than individuals who do not have heart failure disease. Fifty subjects of adults (male) were divided in to two groups, 25 subjects (healthy) as control (group1) and 25 subjects with heart failure (group 2). Our results indicate that serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine values were significantly elevated (P≤0.05) in patients group (2) compared with healthy group (1). The results also showed, the effect of age categories on uric acid blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values (P≤0.05) and there were no si
... Show MoreThe study was carried out to detection of H.pylori in (200) patients who attended two teaching hospitals in Baghdad. The diagnosis done by Immunochromatography methods. Stools and blood samples was taken from each patient as well as other (30) healthy control matching in their age. The study included detection the Levels of Interleukin-40 and CRP in sera of patients and control. The result indicated presence of H pylori antigen in 115 cases 59 cases of males and 51 of females, Also, the result indicated increasing levels of IL-40, cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low density lipoprotein, Very Low density lipoprotein increased significantly while the level of High density lipoprotein decreased in patients sera in comparison with healthy c
... Show MoreDiabetes 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
... Show MoreIntroduction: Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of women worldwide. While advancements in diagnosis and treatment have improved survival rates, the impact of this disease extends beyond physical health. It also significantly influences a woman's lifestyle and overall well-being. Objectives: The current study intends to analyze the lifestyle of breast cancer patients who are receiving therapy or are being followed up at the Oncology Teaching Hospital in Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq. Method: The present study uses a descriptive design with an application of an evaluation approach. A convenience sample of 100 women with breast cancer was selected from the Teaching Oncology Hospital at the Medical C
... Show MoreDiabetic Nephropathy(DN) is a complex disease manifested by persistence microalbuminuria occurring due to the interaction between hemodynamic and metabolic pathway that activates the local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system resulting in a decline in renal functions.
This study aimed to quantify the associations between serum aldosterone concentration and fetuin- A as a marker of calcification in type 2 diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria from one side, and study the possible relationship between aldosterone and fetuin-A with glycemic indices, serum electrolyte, renal function and microalbuminuria and body mass index from the other side.
A case-control study involved eighty-six adult subjects
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