In their cross-sectional study, Al-Rubaye et al studied the extent of vitamin D (VD) deficiency/ insufficiency, factors affecting its degree, and the adverse outcomes of the altered VD status among a group of mothers and their neonates from Baghdad, Iraq. They found that 96.6% of the mothers had VD deficiency/ insufficiency compared to 86.4% in their neonates. Maternal VD levels and neonatal weights were significantly correlated with neonatal VD levels. We believe that the study results need to be revised. This is based  two points listed in this letter to editor

Background: As photochemical reaction that can stiffen the cornea, CXL is the only promising method of preventing progression of keratectasia such as KC and secondary ectasia following refractive surgery. The aim of CXL is to stabilize the underlying condition with a small chance of visual improvement. Objective: To show the sequences of changes in visual acuity and topographic outcomes during 1 year post CXL for patients with progressive Keratoconus.Type of the study: Cross sectional studyMethods: CXL procedure was done for 45 eyes with progressive KC. The following parameters had been monitored pre operatively, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively: K apex, K2, corneal thickness at thinnest location, anterior and posterior elevation po

Background: Joubert syndrome (JS) is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by agenesis of cerebellar vermis, abnormal eye movements, respiratory irregularities, and delayed generalized motor development. Retinal dystrophy and cystic kidneys may also be associated with this clinical syndrome. The importance of recognizing JS is related to the outcome and its potential complications. This syndrome is difficult to diagnose clinically because of its variable phenotype. Its neuroimaging hallmarks include the characteristic molar tooth sign and bat wing-shaped fourth ventricle

Background:  Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disorder leading to considerable pain and locomotor disability in lower limb function. Locomotor disability, which is difficulty in activities of daily living related to lower limb function, can be the consequence of KOA, so early diagnosis and management may improve quality of life.

Objective: To assess the contribution of radiological osteoarthritis of the knees to disability in the activities of daily living related to lower limb function.

 Methods: One hundred twenty Iraqi KOA patients (104 females and 16 males) who were attending to Rheumatology Unit, Full history was taken and complete clinical exami

Background: Lowering the amount of iodinated contrast material and tube voltage may increase pulmonary artery opacification and thrombus identification without compromising picture quality.

Objectives: To explore the efficiency of using lower tube voltage and a lower contrast medium dose for conducting computed tomography for pulmonary angiography (CTPA) aiming to increase its accuracy in detecting pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Subjects and Methods:100 patients scheduled for CTPA with a preoperative diagnosis of PTE were grouped into two: group A, (50 patients) got 1 mL/kg at 120 kV and group B, (50 patients) received 0.5 mL/kg at 80 kV.The tec

Background: The obesity epidemic is affecting worldwide health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. this gave an impetus to study the new variables Insulin-like peptide 5, Phosphodiesterase 9 and their relationship as a cause or effect factors

Objective: To validate any associations between Phosphodiesterase 9 (PDE9) and, Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5), specific factors and obesity, and to explore how they might integrate with other established agents to combat obesity and improve metabolism.

Subjects and Methods: The study was based analytical cross-sectio

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the new respiratory virus SARS-CoV2. It has a tropism in the lung tissues where excess target receptors exist. Periostin plays a role in subepithelial fibrosis associated with bronchial asthma. Since the Coronavirus's target is the human respiratory system, Periostin has been recently described as a valuable new biomarker in the diagnosis and evaluation of disease in patients with COVID-19 lung involvement.

Objectives: To assess the level of Periostin in the serum of COVID-19 patients and to correlate its role in disease severity and prognosis.

Subjects and Methods: Periostin serum le

Background:

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), or Tic Douloureux, is one of the most common neuropathic pains. Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GNSRS) has been considered one of the procedures for treating primary TN.

Objective:

This study evaluates the effectiveness of GNSRS in treating primary TN in patients who are unresponsive to medical treatment in a single-center experience.

Subjects and Methods:

This study was conducted on 180 patients from January 2018 to October 2021. The study utilized the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score to assess pain before and after GNSRS treatment.

Results:

A total of 180 patients with primary TN were included in this study, 108 female

Leishmaniasis is a transmissible infection brought about by an obligatory intracellular protozoan from the genus Leishmania.  It occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions and can be burdensome in resource-constrained countries. The infection ranges in severity from mild cutaneous lesions to more severe and sometimes life-threatening visceral and distorting mucocutaneous sicknesses. Importantly, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is prevalent in the Middle East with a pooled prevalence of 12%. It imposes a significant health and socioeconomic burden

Background: Genetic factors play an important role in susceptibility to Guillain Barre' syndrome. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as part of immune system has a role in the disease process.Aim of the study: to assess the relationship between HLA-A alleles with Guillain Barre' syndrome (GBS) compared with a healthy control group using PCR-SSOP method.Type of the study: Cross-sectional study.Patients and methods:Patient's group consisted of 30 Iraqi Arab Muslims patients with Guillain Barre' syndrome that consulted the Neurological department in Neurosciences Hospital between January-2013 to January- 2014 were genotyped for HLA-A alleles. A control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers among the staff of AL-Kindi College of Medicine that

Objectives: To report the Cesarean section rate in Al-
Batool Maternity Teaching Hospital and to identify
how many of them were done for maternal and fetal
condition.
Design: A statistical cross sectional study.
Setting: The study was conducted at Al-Batool
Maternity Teaching Hospital (13000 deliveries per
year).
Participants: The patients group consists of 4556
patients admitted for delivery (vaginal and abdominal)
during a period of four months commencing from
January 2003.
Main outcome measures: calculation of all live
births, calculation of cesarean section rate, percentage
of the primary cesarean sections and the repeat
cesarean sections and listing the indications of the
operation acc

Background: Many structural or functional abnormalities can impair the production of thyroid hormones and cause hypothyroidism.Objectives: to identify the main etiological causes of hypothyroidism among patients visiting Specialized Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology.Methods: This study was conducted in the Specialized Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology on 217 patients with proved hypothyroidism, from 2006 to 2008. Every patient was tested with thyroid function tests, Ultrasound examination, thyroid autoantibodies, fine needle aspiration, radiology of skull, isotopes scan, also checking adrenal and gonadal function. Results: Out of these 217 patients 120 patients have thyroiditis 33 patients had been undergone thyroidectomy. 39 pat

Background: The incidence of maternal mortality in
placenta previa accrete is 7%,and its preoperative
diagnosis is of a great value.
Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of transabdominal
color Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing placenta
previa accreta and inccreta. Color Doppler imaging
criteria used in: includes diffuse parenchymal
placental lacunar flow, focal intra parenchymal
placental lacunar flow and bladder uterine serosa
interphase hyper-vascularity.
Design: Prospective study on patients from
January2007 to January 2008.
Patients and method: 48patients with one caesarean
section or more and with persistent anterior placenta
previa diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound were
examined by c

Background: Helicobacter pylorus is one of the most harmful human pathogens & carcinogen. Of the world's population, more than 50% has H. pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tracts. It has been linked to a variety of extra gastric disorders. In correlation to hepatobiliary diseases; recently, the bacterium has been implicated as a risk factor for various diseases ranging from chronic cholecystitis and primary biliary sclerosing cholangitis to gall bladder cancer and primary hepatic carcinomas. However, the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gallbladder diseases is still vague and is controversial.

Aim of study: To elucidate the association of H pylori and gallbladder diseases (calculu

Background:The most common pattern of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients is increased triglyceride (TG) and decreased HDL cholesterol level, The concentration of LDL cholesterol in diabetic patients is usually not significantly different from non diabetic individuals, Diabetic patients may have elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol [ LDL+VLDL]. However type 2 diabetic patients typically have apreponderance of smaller ,denser LDL particles which possibly increases atherogenicity even if the absolute concentration of LDL cholesterol is not significantly increased. The Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP III) and the American Heart Association (AHA ) have designate diabetes as a coronary heart dis

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the standard treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Bile duct injury and accidental gallbladder perforation with spillage of bile and stone are common complications of LC. This study was carried out to assess the early complications of gallbladder perforation during LC, and identify the risk factor of that perforation.

Objectives: to evaluate the early complications which may occur after the perforation of the gallbladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to determine the risk factors which are associated with the perforation of the gall bladder. 

Subjects and methods: A prospective comparative study o

Background: There is plenty of evidence
suggesting that involvement of several groups of
viruses in the development and / or acceleration of
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).
Objective: To analyze the T- cell proliferation in
the presence of Coxsackie virus B5 (CVB5), Polio
and Adenovirus antigens in addition to assessment
of Interferon- gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukins (IL-10
and IL-6).
Methods: In 60 Iraqi T1DM children with recent
onset of T1DM, Lymphocyte proliferation was
analyzed using Methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT)
assay by culturing Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
(PBLs) with Coxsackie Virus B5 (CVB5),
Adenovirus, and Polio vaccine. Serum Interferon-γ,
IL-10 and IL-6 were quantified by sandw

Background: Worldwide gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer with poor prognosis. In early stages, it is hard to distinguish gastric cancer from benign gastric diseases, resulting in delayed diagnosis. There is a need to develop a biomarker for differentiating between gastric cancer and benign gastric diseases. Serum cholinesterase is synthesized in liver and released into plasma, and it has an important role in oncogenesis.

Objectives: To determine the correlation between serum cholinesterase activity and gastric cancer, in comparison to benign gastric diseases.

Subjects and Methods: A case control study carried out at Medical City Direct

Brucellosis, a significant zoonotic infection, is characterized by protean manifestations that can make timely diagnosis difficult. This case report details a severe and atypical presentation of brucellosis in a 41-year-old male from a rural area in Kirkuk, Iraq, a region where the disease is endemic. The patient presented with a one-month history of debilitating upper back pain, fever, and constitutional symptoms. His condition was complicated by the formation of large para-vertebral and epidural abscesses in the cervical spine. For which he was treated with empirical antibiotics, but his symptoms persisted, and he subsequently developed acute brucellar orchitis. The diagnosis was ultimately established through serological testing, as b

Background: Postpartum Depression (PPD) affects 13-19% of moms following childbirth. Globally, around 350,000 maternal deaths occurred in 2022, with depression accounting for 22% of all postpartum deaths. Exercise is increasingly being examined as a preventive intervention. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of exercise, specifically its type, intensity, and duration in reducing postpartum depression.

Subjects and Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA standards. Searches for (postpartum AND exercise) or (physical activity AND lessened postpartum depression) yielded 11 suitable studies. Data were retrieved on activity features and PPD outc

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare genetic disorder resulting from defects in signaling pathway regulation, marked by gastrointestinal hamartomas and mucocutaneous pigmentation. This condition can lead to complications such as intussusception, with colocolic intussusception being particularly rare. We present the case of a 30-year-old female who exhibited acute on chronic abdominal pain and progressive distension, along with digital and perioral hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, her diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome was delayed until she developed intestinal obstruction. Imaging revealed large bowel obstruction with proximal bowel dilatation, prompting a left hemicolectomy and end-to-end colocolic anastomosis. The patient experienced an

Background: Several radiological parameters used to assess the shoulder joint; among these, the critical shoulder angle (CSA), acromion index (AI), and lateral acromion angle (LAA) are widely used. Objectives: the primary objective of our study was to establish a reference value for these parameters among healthy Iraqi adults, and secondly to explore the influence of some anthropometric parameters on these shoulder parameters.

Materials and Methods: the CSA, AI, and LAA were measured for all participants using AP radiographs of the shoulder joints on both sides, the anthropometric parameters were also recorded. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a widely studied neurotrophins found throughout the mammalian central nervous system. These neurotrophins regulate numerous aspects of neuronal and oligodendroglia development and function, including axonal growth, synaptic plasticity, differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factors have a significant impact on neurodegenerative disorders, synaptic plasticity, and the formation and maintenance of a normal brain circuit. Precise regulation of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations, including their controlled release at the transcriptional and translational levels, is essential for the correct functioning of the central nervous system. This review pr

The integration of Artificial Intelligence into medical education is a newly emerging and promising strategy that transforms the outlook of the learning process. This continuously evolving technology influences various aspects of medical education, including curriculum design, learning, and assessment. This editorial will discuss how AI is reshaping all aspects of medical education, highlighting challenges and issues, including bias, data governance, and excessive dependence on technology that may be encountered. 

Background: This study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of hormone receptors (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67) and tumor suppressor genes (PTEN, p53) in women with breast cancer from Erbil, Iraq, focusing on how these expressions relate to patient age.

Subjects and Methods: Between April and October 2024, 120 female breast cancer patients took part in a cross-sectional study. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of PTEN, p53, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67.

Results: Age was significantly positively correlated with PTEN loss, which was shown in 86.7% of patients (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a positive connect