Background: Directly observed therapy-short course (DOTS) had been adopted by World Health Organization (WHO) as hopeful strategy for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) since early nineties. Iraqi health authorities started DOTS implementation since 2001 in Baghdad. Coverage expanded gradually till 100% in 2004. War and unstable security condition hit Iraq since March 2003. Objective: The objective of this study was To evaluate the DOTS implementation program in Baghdad in different periods including 2 unstable periods for proper assessment of war and instability on treatment of TB. Patients and methods: This study had been conducted in Baghdad during four different periods (before and during 2003 war, after war; without and with DOTS). Direct interview with patients, and follow up of their treatment were done. Results: The results reveled that78% of patients were in active age groups, 62% of them were males. Surprisingly, direct observation was not achieved in those who were treated under DOTS in the whole periods. Patients treated under DOTS in the 1st and 4th periods showed much better sputum conversion rate after 2 month treatment (88.7 %in 1st and86.5% in 4th periods` patients) than those treated under DOTS during war (45.9% or Non-DOTS 75.6%). A better cure rate also found in patients of both periods (64.9% in 1st and 63% in 4th period) than patients in other periods ( 11% in 2nd% and 43.6% in the 3rd one) .Conclusions: DOTS strategy played important role in improving registration and curing of TB cases in Baghdad. War and unstable security conditions got a destructive effect on treatment of TB patients regardless the followed strategy. Involvement of private medical sector and other governmental and nongovernmental organization can improve TB treatment outcome.
Bacteriophages have the potential to eliminate both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive bacteria; as a result, they have become a major focus of such research. In contrast to antibiotics, which assault the entire bacterial population without discrimination, bacteriophages have a limited set of characteristics that allow them to target infectious microbes while avoiding friendly species (commensal microbiota). Nevertheless, large groups of naturally occurring bacteriophages that are well-differentiated and selective for the most clinically recognized pathogenic bacterial strains are required. Utilizing genetic engineering techniques that modify the target phage genome to synthesize phages with known characteristics in a brief period o
... Show MoreBackground: Mondor's disease means superficial thrombophlibitis of the chest wall in human, treatment is entirely symptomatic. Hot, wet dressing and anodynes may be used for pain relief.
Objective: To evaluate the role of systemic and transdermal action of diclofenac (olfen) with respect to the symptom and sign (pain, erythema along the superficial vein), and the use of Doppler ultrasonography which is a colored ultrasound used for assessment of flow of blood in vessels.
Method: The study was performed on 12 cases with Mondor's disease in middle age female patients with the involvement of lnframammary veins in all of the them (commonly affected), 4 cases had reassurance only, 4 cases had reassurance with systemic diclofenac, and th
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and spine, associated with clinical symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the vertebral column, after which, in a considerable number of individuals, new bone growth occurs. Objective: The current research study attempted to find out whether the presence of SNPs in TNF receptor [TNFRSF1A (rs767455), TNFRSF1B (rs1061622)] encoding genes could influence patients' outcomes to etanercept in a specimen of Iraqi AS patients. Patients and methods: Sixty patients with established AS receiving only etanercept were selected to be enrolled in this research with a mean age of 40.75 ± 8.67 years, 51 patients of them were males and only 9 patients were females. Patients we
... Show MoreAnticyclone of synoptic studies that influence weather and climate of Iraq, The aim of
the study is to clarify the effect variation of repetition of Anticyclone and effect on thermal
characteristic in Iraq were pressure level has been analyzed (1000) millibars and that because
of pressure level is the closet to the earth surface and the clarity of climatic phenomenon
based on a systematic analysis of synoptic seeking maps and observation and (12:00)
according to timing GMT for five climatic stations which is (Mosul, Kirkuk, Baghdad, Rutba,
and Basra) and so far three consecutive climatic cycles which is first climatic cycle for period
(1986-1976). and second climatic cycle for period (1997-1987) and third climatic cy
The aim of this project was to study the in vitro effect of antineoplastic drugs (vincristine and vinblastine) on mice spermatozoa. Eighteen adult (age 8-9 weeks) male mice were divided into three groups equally. The animals in each group were slain by cervical dislocation, the testes were removed and two tails of epididymides isolated. Spermatozoa were obtained from the two tails of epididymides by mincing in 500 µl TCM-199.The first group non-treated (unadded) as a control group, second group added 10 µg/ml of vincristine to TCM-199 and the third group added 10 µg/ml of vinblastine to TCM-199. After 10 minutes from added of vincristine and vinblastin measured the following test: spermatozoa activity, percentage dead spermatozoa and mor
... Show MoreCO2 laser (10.6 μm) is the most often used laser in the oral surgery due to its high absorption by water of the oral tissues. Several benefits of the use of CO2 laser have been reported for oral surgical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CO2 laser on soft and hard oral tissues (in vitro study). This study was done on fresh tissues from sheep’s head. CO2Surgical Laser with different operation modes was used; 0.2 mm spot size using different laser parameters on the tongue, and bone making holes, incisions and cutting. The depths and widths of holes and incisions were measured using endodontic file under magnification. The speed of incisions was calculated and the required time for cutting was measured using sport clo
... Show MoreThis study investigated the application of the crystallization process for oilfield produced water from the East Baghdad oilfield affiliated to the Midland Oil Company (Iraq). Zero liquid discharge system (ZLD) consists of several parts such as oil skimming, coagulation/flocculation, forward osmosis, and crystallization, the crystallization process is a final part of a zero liquid discharge system. The laboratory-scale simple evaporation system was used to evaluate the performance of the crystallization process. In this work, sodium chloride solution and East Baghdad oilfield produced water were used as a feed solution with a concentration of 177 and 220 g/l. The impact of temperature (70, 80, and 90 °C), mixing speed (300, 400, and 500 rp
... Show MoreThis study investigated the application of the crystallization process for oilfield produced water from the East Baghdad oilfield affiliated to the Midland Oil Company (Iraq). Zero liquid discharge system (ZLD) consists of several parts such as oil skimming, coagulation/flocculation, forward osmosis, and crystallization, the crystallization process is a final part of a zero liquid discharge system. The laboratory-scale simple evaporation system was used to evaluate the performance of the crystallization process. In this work, sodium chloride solution and East Baghdad oilfield produced water were used as a feed solution with a concentration of 177 and 220 g/l. The impact of temperature (70, 80, and 90 °C), mixing speed (300, 400, and 500
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