Objectives: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is WNT/b-catenin pathway antagonist which plays a detrimental role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This research aimed to assess serum DKK-1 levels in diabetic patients who have and have not developed DR and, compare them with the control subjects finding out whether we can use it as an indicator for DR early diagnosis and to find out which one of the widely used two groups of antidiabetic treatments had the greater effect on this biomarker and hence on the progression of DR. Methods: The study participants were divided into two subgroups: First, 70 patients (36 male, 34 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, among them 35 patients diagnosed with DR and 35 with no evidence of DR, and s

Aspergillus fumigatus considered to be the most important species to cause respiratory infection cases in both humans and animals especially in cats in the last decades. In this study, we focused on the isolation and identification of Aspergillus fumigates by collecting 40 samples in deferent veterinary clinics and stray cats in Baghdad city, during the period (October 2021 to January 2022), all samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and malt extract agar. The isolates identified by the laboratory methods, it’s depend on macroscopic and microscopic appearance. The results showed that (40) swaps taken from the pharynx of infected cats, included: Aspergillus fumigatus 16 (40%), Aspergillus spp. 7 (17.5%), Aspergillus niger

Leishmania major is a protozoan parasite that causes cutaneous Leishmaniasis disease in human beings and animals. The disease is prevalent in tropical and semitropical countries and has great health importance. The present study aimed to identify the histological changes in the organs infected with L. major and to provide a sophisticated diagnostic method for infection through detecting TGF-β cytokine by immunohistochemistry technique(IHC) from October 2020 to January 2021. A total of 40 samples of paraffin blocks were used for different organs including skin, spleen, liver, kidney, and heart of male and female BALB/c mice, aged 6-8 weeks, which were previously infected subcutaneously with L. major promastigotes at a dose of 1×107 promast

The study was conducted to determine the effect Toxoplasma gondii and the efficacy of azithromycin and garlic tablets on the treatment of acute murine toxoplasmosis and observe the histopathological changes due to infection. 60 Albino mice were divided into six groups, and their survival rate, pathology, bioassay trial and immunofluorescence were observed. Results revealed that azithromycin (250 mg/kg/day) given to infected mice increased the survival rate (90% on day 7 PI) and decreased the histopathological changes when compared with the control groups. Garlic tablets (500 mg/kg/day) had lesser effect on infected mice, and the survival rate (40% at days 6 and 7 PI) was lower than the groups treated with azithromycin. The group treated wit

There is substantial data supporting the importance of both endogenous and exogenous estrogen in maintaining reproductive health and preventing chronic disease, androgens in women's health are rarely discussed. This is one of the first researches to investigate correlates of blood testosterone concentrations in women with osteopenia, in anticipation of the growing interest in the role of androgens in women's health. A 65 volunteer women were enrolled in the current study, they were divided into two groups, 35 postmenopausal women with osteopenia were in the first group, and the second group contained 30 postmenopausal women without osteopenia as a control. Blood samples were collected from all participants and analyzed for testosterone l

Background: Periodontal diseases are initiated by microbial plaque, which accumulates in the sulcular region and induces an inflammatory response. The Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand / osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) axis is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism in periodontitis, in which an increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand or a decrease in osteoprotegerin can tip the balance in favor of osteoclastogenesis and the resorption of alveolar bone that is the hallmark of periodontitis. This study was performed to investigate the role of salivary levels of RANKL and OPG in pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. Subjects and Methods: Fifty five subjects with chronic periodontitis with ages rang

Seventy four Iraqi breast cancer paraffin blocks were collected from patients were attended to center health laboratory, histopathology department, Bagdad, Iraq. The patients information’s which included: name, age, and the pathological stage, grade, tumor size were obtained from the clinical records of the patients also relation with sex hormones was recorded. The cases which has been taken included invasive ductal and invasive lobular carcinoma type Women age were ranged from 24-80 years peak age frequency of tumor occurred in the category of more than 40 years old. Immunohistochemical expression of her-2/neu was from total 74 cases of infiltrative ductal carcinoma cases, 27(36.49%)were positive for Her-2/neu expression, 47(63.51%) were

Objective: Geographic differences in clinical and pathological aspects of ameloblastoma have been suggested, therefore the purpose of this study was to analyze cases of ameloblastoma in terms of clinical and radiographic manifestations, histopathological types, treatment modalities and recurrence rate and compare them with reports from other parts of the world. Methods: The medical reports of patients diagnosed with ameloblastoma were reviewed and the data concerning the age, gender, chief complaint, the anatomical site of the lesion, radiographic appearance, histopathological diagnosis, treatment approach and recurrence were retrieved. Surgical treatment consisted of either enucleation with curettage and peripheral ostectomy or resection;

Background: During Ramadan, Muslims fast throughout daylight hours. There is a direct link between fasting and increasing incidence of infections. Antibiotic usage for treatment of infections should be based on accurate diagnosis, with the correct dose and dosing regimen for the shortest period to avoid bacterial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the practices of physicians in prescribing suitable antibiotics for fasting patients and the compliance of the patients in using such antibiotics at regular intervals. Materials and methods: An observational study was carried out during the middle 10 days of Ramadan 2014 in two pharmacies at Baghdad. A total of 34 prescriptions (Rx) for adults who suffered from infections were examined. For