Israa hashem Al-Zubaidy, Saife D. Al-Ahmer, Mohammed Issa Aldafaee
{"title":"Determine the Whole Genome Sequences of SARS-COV-2 Isolated from Iraqi Patients Using NGS Method","authors":"Israa hashem Al-Zubaidy, Saife D. Al-Ahmer, Mohammed Issa Aldafaee","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.777","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.777","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can monitor the transmission of COVID-19 and viral alterations. Objectives: To provide information about testing techniques and infection control measures, as well as to direct the development of vaccines and treatments for the Corona virus. Methods: Six Iraqi SARS-CoV-2 strains were investigated using whole-genome sequencing using the next-generation sequencing method. The sequencing was carried out with an Illumina MiSeq system, and phylogenetic analysis was carried out for all Iraqi sequences retrieved from GISAID. Results: The analysis of the isolates from this study showed that all the sequences from the most recent wave, which happened in the summer of 2022, were primarily clustered in the 20A clades and the 21K, 21L (Omicron) clades, as determined by the GISAID and Nextclade systems. On the other hand, the PANGO system revealed that six sequences were of the BA.1 lineage in Iraq, while four were of the BA.2 lineage. We found that throughout the country's subsequent pandemic waves, SARS-CoV-2 clades and their lineages exhibited circulation patterns and dominance. Conclusions: NGS continues to supply vital COVID-19 evidence to academics, vaccine and medication makers, and public health regulators.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":" 61","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141367526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gelatin/PLGA Microspheres as a 3D Scaffold for Chondrocytes","authors":"Z. M. Alzubaidi, Fazren Azmi, Haliza Katas","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.898","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.898","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) degrades cartilage and bone. Osteochondral autograft, allograft, and total replacement knee surgery have limitations, such as prompt immune responses, lack of cartilage tissue obtainability, invasiveness, and a loosening implant that may require further correction. Tissue engineering, which involves injecting chondrocytes into 3D porous scaffold carriers in the joint, seems promising for tissue repair and growth. Objective: To develop gelatin/poly DL-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microspheres as a porous scaffold for chondrocyte carriers. Methods: The double emulsion method is one of the most popular and best methods for forming microspheres. In summary, in the PLGA oil phase, we emulsified a gelatin solution representing the inner aqueous phase. Next, in an external aqueous phase of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), we emulsified the resultant first emulsion. The double emulsion was stirred to evaporate organic solvent and centrifuged to collect gelatin and PLGA microspheres. Results: The Mastersizer result showed polydispersed particles with 23.53% of the desirable cell injection size range between 1-300 µm. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images revealed spherical and porous microspheres with smooth surfaces. The average absolute zeta potential value was -30.7±4.895, indicating stable preparation. Conclusions: Gelatin and PLAGA polymers worked together to make 3D scaffold microspheres that were the right size, had the right number of holes, and were strong.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":" 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141368448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association of TPO Gene (rs 2048722) Polymorphisms and Serum Level of Thyroid Hormones with Papillary Thyroid Cancer","authors":"Ayaat Abbas Abdulsada, Hadeel Jabbar Neama","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.781","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent form of thyroid cancer, making up about 80% of cases. It is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, making it the most prevalent form of thyroid cancer. Objective: Determine the connection between PTC and polymorphisms in the thyroid peroxidase gene (TPO, rs2048722) as a risk factor, as well as the changes in thyroid hormone serum levels. Methods: The study involved 52 PTC patients and 48 healthy controls. We looked into the link between a type of TPO polymorphism and the risk of getting PTC by finding and genotyping TPO (rs2048722) C/T in healthy people and people who had PTC using T-ARMS-PCR and checking thyroid hormone levels in the Al-Diwaniyah Governorate. Results: The polymorphism TPO (rs2048722) increased the PTC risk. According to multiple genetic models, homozygous TT genotypes increased the risk of PTC in the test by 4.03 times relative to other genotypes, and a heterozygous C/T genotype increased the risk by 2.09 times. Patients with PTC have elevated TSH. Patients over 50 exhibited greater mean values than the control group. In addition, T3 and T4 blood levels dropped significantly and increased overall. Compared to other groups, patients aged 50 and older had lower mean T3 levels. Conclusions: In the Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, there was strong evidence that the TPO rs2048722 polymorphism was linked to a higher risk of PTC. This risk was affected by age, gender, and serum thyroid hormone levels.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":" 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141373780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparing Piezosurgery and Rotary Techniques in Direct Maxillary Sinus Lifting","authors":"Enas Abdulsattar Abdulmageed, Rana Razzaq Noor","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.783","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Sinus lifting is a common surgery for bone loss in the posterior part of the maxilla. It facilitates inserting prostheses and rehabilitating the edentulous posterior maxilla. If the alveolar bone remains less than 5 mm, direct sinus lifting using the rotatory handpiece is used to perform the lateral window approach. Objective: To compare piezosurgery and rotary techniques in direct sinus lifting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to August 2023. We enrolled 15 patients, ranging in age from 45 to 66 years, who required bilateral direct sinus lifting. Piezosurgery was performed on one side, while rotary surgery was performed on the other. We assessed the intraoperative time of opening the bony window, as well as the postoperative pain, swelling, and mouth opening at 1 hour, 2 days, 7 days, and 1 month after the procedure. Results: With rotary tools, the time for opening a bony window was significantly shorter. Piezosurgery resulted in significantly less swelling after 2 days, but there was no significant difference between the two groups after 7 days and 1 month. Regarding mouth opening, the piezo group yielded a significantly larger difference after 2 days, but the two groups demonstrated no significant difference after 7 days and 1 month. Regarding pain, the piezo group demonstrated a lower score after 6 hours and 2 days, but the two groups demonstrated no significant difference after 7 days. Conclusions: Postoperatively, piezosurgery for sinus lifting leads to less pain, swelling, and limited mouth opening.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"361 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141380711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preparation and Evaluation of Solid Dispersion-Based Bilastine Effervescent Granules","authors":"Mariam Hamid Ali, Kawthar Khalid Ahmed","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.806","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.806","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Bilastine (BLA) is a second-generation H1 antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Because of its limited solubility, it falls under class II of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BSC). The solid dispersion (SD) approach significantly improves the solubility and dissolution rate of insoluble medicines. Objective: To improve BLA solubility and dissolution rate by formulating a solid dispersion in the form of effervescent granules. Methods: To create BLA SDs, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) and poloxamer 188 (PLX188) were mixed in various ratios (1:5, 1:10, and 1:15) using the kneading technique. All formulations were evaluated based on percent yield, drug content, and saturation solubility. The formulae with the greatest solubility enhancement were subjected to in vitro dissolution studies, Fourier transform infrared, and thermal analysis to study drug crystallinity and drug-polymer interactions. The best SD formula was made as effervescent granules using wet granulation and tested further. Results: The SD3 formula, which contained PVP K30 in a 1:15 ratio, had the highest solubility and release. In phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), over 88.43% of the BLA was released within the first 15 minutes. The optimum formula's effervescent granules demonstrated excellent flow qualities, a disintegration time of 87 seconds, an acceptable pH of 5.9, and 9.7 mg of BLA dissolved in the first 5 minutes. Conclusions: BLA dissolution can be improved via the solid dispersion technique, allowing for successful effervescent granule formulation.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141273224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed Sami, Mohammed Mahmood Mohammed, Manal Younus
{"title":"Mortality Rate Related to Adverse Drug Reactions in Iraqi Patients: A Study Based on WHO Database","authors":"Ahmed Sami, Mohammed Mahmood Mohammed, Manal Younus","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.725","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unintended harmful effects caused by medications that can occur at any dose. ADRs are a significant contributor to hospital admissions and are responsible for numerous fatalities, particularly among older adults with multiple chronic illnesses who take multiple medications. Reporting ADRs is critical for identifying the harmful effects of medications and monitoring patients in hospitals. Objective: ADRs have a significant impact on mortality rates, but no previous studies in Iraq have focused on death-related reports. To address this problem, we conducted a study to assess mortality rates associated with ADRs in Iraq and identify the drugs most frequently involved. Methods: We collected the ADR reports of Iraqi patients that were registered as fatal from January 2010 to January 2024 in the World Health Organization (WHO) pharmacovigilance database, VigiBase. The case-non-case method will be used to investigate the reporting risk in Iraq versus the rest of the world. Results: A total of 329 fatal ADRs were found, and the mean age of affected patients was 36 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.25:1. Antineoplastic agents ranked first among drugs that caused fatal ADRs (38.4%), and pembrolizumab was the leading active ingredient (27 cases, 6.85%). Conclusions: This study is the first to identify and describe fatal ADRs in Iraq and found them less common in Iraq, and the risk is lower in Iraqi women compared to Iraqi men.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"44 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141103801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farhan Hussein Kalaf, Manal Kamal Rasheed, Mohammed Bassil Ismail
{"title":"Assessment of Urine and Serum Exosomes as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer","authors":"Farhan Hussein Kalaf, Manal Kamal Rasheed, Mohammed Bassil Ismail","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.758","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary tract and the tenth most common malignancy worldwide. Exosomes are 40–100 nm-diameter nanovesicles that are either released straight from the plasma membrane during budding or merged with the plasma membrane by multivesicular bodies. Objectives: To assess the proportion of serum and urinary Exosome levels in urinary bladder cancer patients, as well as their impact on the disease. Methods: From January 2023 to June 2023, a total of 45 samples of blood and urine were collected from individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer at the Ghazi Hariri Hospital for Specialized Surgery. They included 45 male and female patients, varying in age, as well as 45 healthy controls. The samples were analyzed for exosome levels using the ELISA method. Results: The mean serum and urine exosome levels in the patients' group (14.18 and 20.04) were significantly higher than in the control group (8.21 and 8.94), respectively. Serum exosomes exhibited a significant positive and moderate correlation with urine exosome levels. Conclusions: Serum and urine levels of exosomes can be used as biomarkers to detect bladder cancer, and the urine level seems to be preferential.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"10 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141110232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Fadhil AboKsour, M. Al-Marjani, A. Rheima
{"title":"Preparation and Effects of Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles Against Quinolone-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Hospital Wastewater","authors":"Mohammed Fadhil AboKsour, M. Al-Marjani, A. Rheima","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.728","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The widespread administration of quinolones may have led to an increase in bacterial resistance development. Objective: To synthesize and characterize manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2NPs) and evaluate their effects on the viability and biofilm formation of quinolone-resistant gram-positive and negative pathogenic bacteria. Methods: We prepared MnO2NPs using the photo-irradiation method and recorded their characteristics using XRD, TEM, and SEM. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from the wastewater of Baghdad hospitals during the period from July 3rd to July 14th, 2023. We used the VITEK2 system to confirm and identify all of the isolates. We conducted biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility tests using nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, aztreonam, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin, and also detected the qnrA and qnrB genes. Finally, we evaluated the effects of the prepared nanoparticles on the viability and biofilm formation of bacterial isolates. Results: MnO2NPs characterizations showed a diffraction peak at 2θ values with 21 nm average sizes; qnrA and qnrB genes were found in three and four isolates, respectively; and significant effects of MnO2NPs against viability and biofilm formation were recorded. Conclusions: The synthesized nanoparticles have antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities against a variety of bacteria possessing qnr genes. Even multi-resistant bacterial isolates have the potential to be strong antimicrobial agents against these pathogens.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"104 33","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141124737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zaid Saad Madhi, Muhanad Al-Jubouri, I. Madhi, J. Mehsen, John Leach, R. Verma, Mohammed Naveed Yasin, Saeed Mohammed, Frances Arnell, Irfan Siddique
{"title":"Preoperative Leg Pain as a Predictor of Clinical Outcomes after Single Lumbar Microdecompression Surgery in Young and Middle-Aged Groups: A Retrospective Study","authors":"Zaid Saad Madhi, Muhanad Al-Jubouri, I. Madhi, J. Mehsen, John Leach, R. Verma, Mohammed Naveed Yasin, Saeed Mohammed, Frances Arnell, Irfan Siddique","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.737","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.737","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Previous studies have stated that the higher the LP VAS, the better the outcome. However, there is no quantification of this relationship. Objectives: To maximize the understanding of the effect of symptom duration and intensity of leg pain on surgical outcome at one year, ascertain whether the level of radiculopathy influences outcome, and examine the possible factors that may lead to repeat surgery at the same level in young and middle age groups. Methods: Retrospective data was collected from patients who underwent primary, single-level lumbar decompression surgery with a 12-month follow-up period. We used the ROC curve to determine the LP VAS cutoff value. Results: 500 patients were included. There was a significant improvement in LBP VAS and LP VAS after 12-month follow-up (84% and 95%, respectively). There was a significant relationship between the reoperation rate and LP VAS, with a p-value of 0.001. LP VAS (>7.0) is the maximum area under the curve, with 92% sensitivity and 37% specificity to predict reoperation. There was no significant relationship with the duration of radiculopathy. Conclusions: Patients (92%) with a preoperative LP VAS >7.0 are more susceptible to re-operation surgery. LP cannot be used as a predictor of surgical outcome independently of other factors. Surgeons should be more cautious in selecting patients for surgery and not base their decision only on preoperative leg pain.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"8 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140963611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amal Abdullah Mohammed, Shaimaa Nazar Abd Alhammid
{"title":"Formulation and Characterization of Clozapine Nanosuspension as a Sublingual Film","authors":"Amal Abdullah Mohammed, Shaimaa Nazar Abd Alhammid","doi":"10.54133/ajms.v6i2.772","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v6i2.772","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Clozapine (CLZ) is a potent antipsychotic drug that suppresses the symptoms of schizophrenia and mania. Clozapine falls into Class II (BCS); its poor bioavailability is attributed to low water solubility and an extensive first-pass effect. Objective: To prepare CLZ as a nanosuspension (NS) to improve its low water solubility and load it into a sublingual film to enhance oral bioavailability. Methods: CLZ nanosuspensions are prepared by the “solvent anti-solvent precipitation” method using Soluplus as a stabilizing agent. We evaluated the polydispersity index (PDI) and the particle size of the CLZ nanosuspension formulations. The optimized formula of CLZ nanosuspension is loaded directly onto a sublingual thin film, eliminating the need for freeze-drying for solidification by the solvent casting approach. The sublingual films were characterized by thickness, surface pH, folding endurance, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution rate. Results: We selected the formula F1 sublingual film as the best, as it demonstrated a uniform thickness of 0.087mm, good flexibility, and a surface pH of 6.7. It disintegrated quickly in 13 seconds and had a faster in vitro dissolution rate (3 min) compared to the CLZ ordinary films. Conclusions: The results confirmed the success of CLZ NS as a sublingual thin film for dissolution rate enhancement, which may improve oral bioavailability.","PeriodicalId":105471,"journal":{"name":"Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN 2789-3219 )","volume":"39 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140969857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}