Medical Journal of Babylon最新文献

{"title":"Determine school principals’ satisfaction toward school health services provided by primary health care centers in Al-Numaniyah District, Iraq","authors":"Ghassan A. Washi, N. Saadoon","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_412_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_412_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The delivery of school health services (SHS) is commonly considered to be one of the more crucial parts of the health program in schools, and they are responsible for the students’ overall health. Objectives: To determine satisfaction of elementary school principals toward school health services provided by primary health care centers (PHCCs). Also, to identify the relationship between satisfaction of elementary school principals their socio-demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design consisting of 133 school principals selected by convenient sample distributed on six main PHCCs at Al-Numaniya District from July 5, 2022 to January 25, 2023. Questionnaire was created and prepared to be used for the study’s aim after having revised the literature and comparable research data were collected by interviewing school principals. Results: The study showed 64.7% of the school principals expressed a moderately satisfied and 26.3% of the school principals expressed satisfied while only 9.0% expressed unsatisfied regarding elementary school health services in PHCCs. Conclusions: The study concludes that overall satisfaction of school principals were moderate regarding school health services in PHCCs and there is a significant relationship between satisfaction of school principals and their socio-demographic characteristics (age and training).","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"19 1","pages":"646 - 650"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139366218","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":"Molecular investigation of quinolone-resistant genes among clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Babylon hospitals","authors":"Emad Hamza, S. Fazaa","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_347_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_347_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Staphylococcus aureus is considered an essential etiological factor in several human infections. Although fluoroquinolones are typically used to treat these illnesses, a growing average level of resistance to these medications has been found globally in recent years. Objective: S. aureus is considered a main etiological agent of many human infections. Fluoroquinolones are routinely used in the drugs for these infections; however, in latest years, a growing rate of resistance to these drugs has been reported worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the molecular resistance of quinolone (qnrA and qnrS) genes among clinical S. aureus isolates in Babylon. Materials and Methods: During the research, 431 clinical samples were collected from hospitals in the Babylon Health Directorate between August 2022 and January 2023. Standard laboratory procedures and biochemical tests were used to identify the bacterial isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the standard disk diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detecting the qnrA and qnrS genes. Results: From a total of 78 S. aureus isolates, 18 (23.77%) and 19 (24.35%) isolates of S. aureus bacteria were sensitive and intermediate to quinolone compounds, respectively, whereas 41 (52.56%) isolates showed high-level quinolone resistance. The findings revealed that the majority of them were antibiotic-resistant. Most frequently, high resistance was noted for ciprofloxacin with a ratio of 75%, followed by levofloxacin with a ratio of 72%, and high sensitivity was shown for norfloxacin with an 85% and chloramphenicol with an 80%. From a total of 41 quinolones resistance S. aureus, the qnrA gene was identified in 10 (24.39%) and qnrS in 8 (19.51%). Conclusion: The results showed a high rate of qnr gene resistance among the isolates of S. aureus in the Babylon hospitals, which emphasizes the need for establishing careful policies. From a total of 41 quinolones resistance S. aureus, the qnrA gene was identified in 10 (24.39%) and qnrS in 8 (19.51%).","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"145 1","pages":"553 - 557"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139364472","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":"Investigating the potential correlation between vitamin D with rheumatoid factor, anticyclic citrullinated peptides antibody, and interleukin-12 levels in rheumatoid arthritis women in Erbil, Iraq","authors":"Nasrin Amjadipoor, Bushra H Shnawa","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_199_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_199_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder involving the synovial joints of humans. Recent research has demonstrated that vitamin D (VD3) can influence a person’s susceptibility to RA, and a proinflammatory mediator affects the pathogenesis of RA. Objectives: This work aimed to investigate the correlation of VD3 with autoantibodies and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in RA patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty women were included in this case–control study, 60 confirmed RA and 20 healthy controls (HC) of the age range 29–71 years. The sera of study subjects were examined for anticyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP), vitamin D3, and IL-12 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rheumatoid factor (RF-IgG) was tested by latex agglutination technique. Results: The present findings revealed a significantly high concentration of anti-CCP, RF-IgG, and IL-12 in RA patients in comparison to HC. The anti-CCP expressed high sensitivity and specificity at 80% and 100% compared to RF-IgG at 76.6% and 90%, respectively. Both RA patients and HC groups showed lower levels of VD3 with a nonsignificant difference, 50% of RA patients and 55% of the HC had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL). In RA patients, negative associations were observed between VD3 and anti-CCP and IL-12 levels. In contrast, a positive correlation was observed between anti-CCP and IL-12 in RA women. Conclusion: Anti-CCP had a better diagnostic value than RF. Low vitamin D is prevalent in RA patients and HC. Also, IL-12 may possess a vital role in RA’s pathophysiology and inflammatory activity, along with IL-12 inhibition may be beneficial in treating this disease.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"17 1","pages":"517 - 524"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139364548","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":"A comparative study between the outcome of using LigaSure® versus suture ligation in thyroid surgery","authors":"Salah Kadhim, Karrar Ibrahim","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_434_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_434_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Thyroid surgery is one of the most performed operations; with the high vascularity of the thyroid gland and the importance of hemostasis to the surgical outcome, many surgeons have begun to use energy-based devices to perform thyroid surgical procedures, and numerous studies demonstrated the benefit of these devices. The aim was to compare the use of a vessel sealing device (LigaSure) with suture ligation in perioperative time, hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage, blood loss after surgery, hematoma formation, and period of the patient. Materials and Methods: In this study, 81 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for different diseases, and divided into two groups corresponding to the hemostasis type: vessel sealing devices (LigaSure) group, and suture ligation group, these groups compared regarding operative time; hypocalcemia, RLN injury, blood loss after surgical procedure, hematoma formation, and period of hospital admissions. Results: The duration of surgery was more significant and shorter in the LigaSure® group 66.57 ± 8.93 min than suture ligation group 86.84 ± 17.5 min with P = 0.0001, with bleeding after surgery, was lesser in LigaSure® patients 52.76 ± 22.8 mL than suture ligation group 95.09 ± 39.91 mL with P = 0.0001; other outcomes (postoperative hematoma formation, injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve, hypocalcemia after surgery, and period of hospital admission), and there was no difference between the two groups mentioned above. Conclusion: The role of the LigaSure instrument in thyroidectomy surgery is to decrease the operative time duration and blood loss after surgery, with no effect on the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, postoperative low serum calcium level, and hematoma formation.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"3 1","pages":"569 - 573"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139365447","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":"Study the effects of empagliflozin on model of chronic depression and interleukin-6 in the brain of male rats","authors":"HatemKareem Mijwel, S. Selman, Alaa Al-Charrakh","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_419_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_419_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Empagliflozin (EMP) is an oral anti-diabetic drug with pleiotropic effects such as anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: To evaluate the antidepressant effect of EMP and describe the link between stress and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the brains of male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, 50 rats were separated into five groups G1–G5. The sucrose preference test (SPT) was used to examine the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine and EMP. Rat interleukin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure the IL-6 level in rat brain tissue. SPT was performed on each rat on days 0, 10, and 25. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was performed on each rat for 24 days. Results: By the end of day 10, all rats subjected to the CUS program had a substantial (P < 0.05) reduction in sucrose intake index compared to day 0. EMP significantly increases sucrose intake compared to the stressed group. In comparison to the CUS group, fluoxetine significantly increases sucrose intake (P < 0.05). In terms of IL-6, the mean IL-6 level in G2 was considerably greater than in G1. When compared to group 2, the mean IL-6 level was considerably lower in G3 and G5. Conclusions: EMP has antidepressant-like effects and can counteract the impact of stress-increased IL-6 levels in the brains of depressed rats.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"42 1","pages":"564 - 568"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139364440","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":"Detection of exopolysaccharides (algD, pelF, and pslD) genes in burn wound Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates","authors":"Z. Alwan, R. Lilo, Z. AL-Taee, Liqaa Mohsen, F. Al-Alaq","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_534_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_534_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm is an essential component of virulence that plays a significant role in antimicrobial resistance and chronic burn wound infections. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the biofilm formation capacity of P. aeruginosa isolated from chronic burn wound from January to May 2022 by biochemical and molecular techniques. Materials and Methods: Quantification of biofilm was performed based on tube method for local isolates of P. aeruginosa after growing on brain heart Broth. The genes encoding exopolysaccharides (algD, pelF, and pslD) were targeted by using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The results showed that 92.6% of isolates were biofilm former, interestingly 68% of isolates were considered as strong former comparing with other biofilm categories. Gel electrophoresis result of PCR products presented clear bands for algD and psID genes with percentages (96%) and (3.7%) respectively. However, there was no PCR product for pelf gene among all isolates. Conclusion: The prevalence of algD, the large operon necessary for alginate production, was high among P. aeruginosa biofilm producer in this study and it can be an essential agent in the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa burn wound infections comparing with other biofilm genes (pelF and pslD) of exopolysaccharide structure.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"5 1","pages":"595 - 599"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139365914","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":"Prevalence of OXA genes responsible for carbapenem-resistance among Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from clinical samples in Iraq","authors":"Jawad R. Alzaidi","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_828_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_828_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Acinetobacter, measured as an opportunistic pathogen has lately occurred as a vital nosocomial pathogen in the world, frequently relating patients with reduced host defenses. Patients in dangerous cases obtain infections while they are staying in care wards, so the incidence of these infections varies significantly in different individuals and clinical settings. Objectives: This work aims to examine the prevalence of carbapenem-resistance genes among isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii gathered from three hospitals in Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 isolates of A. baumannii were gathered from different clinical samples from February to July 2022. DNA of all specimens was extracted. Gradient polymerase chain reaction was applied to discover the genes of bla-OXA carbapenemases. Results: The results exhibited a variation of carbapenemase genes in all isolates that had been examined. Although all isolates had at least three genes of carbapenemase that have been tested, the most commonly identified genes in class D β-lactamases were bla OXA-51 and bla OXA-23 which was established in all isolates of A. baumannii 30 (100%) tested. It was also found that nine (30%) of tested isolates had borne the gene of bla OXA-58. No isolate exhibited amplification for the gene of bla OXA-40. Conclusion: The maximum occurrence and prevalence of the genes of OXA β-lactamase in A. baumannii bacteria in Iraqi hospitals were bla OXA-23 and bla OXA-51.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"4 1","pages":"632 - 637"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139366006","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":"Healthcare providers’ knowledge and challenges they face regarding growth charts’ utilization in primary healthcare practice","authors":"Sahar Hassan, Hassan Baiee, Mostafa Shaban, Mohammed Zaky, Mushtaq Mahdi","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_357_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_357_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Growth charts have been used worldwide for about 40 years, but their use has always been fraught with problems. Objectives: Assessment the knowledge and challenges among healthcare providers regarding the utilization of growth charts in primary healthcare practice. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was aimed to assess healthcare providers’ knowledge toward growth chart in Al-Hilla city—Babylon Governorate—Iraq, during the period from the beginning of first January till April/2022. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire filled by physicians and nurses enrolled in this study after obtaining their verbal consents. Results: Seventy percent health workers were studied to determine their knowledge toward growth chart utilization, 51.4 were physicians, male-to-female ratio was 1:7. Results of this study revealed that 41.4% of participants had poor knowledge. Only 54.3% of the participants were exposed to previous training courses. There were significant associations between good knowledge and age group 30–39 years and exposure to combined training (theoretical and practical). Conclusions: More than half of the studied healthcare workers had good knowledge; the levels of knowledge are significantly associated with age, number, and duration of previous training.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"7 1","pages":"574 - 578"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139366201","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":"Impact of erythropoietin on anemia in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis","authors":"Bashaer M. Muhammad-Baqir, Evan Hameed, R. Shareef, Mustafa Ahmed","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_353_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_353_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: End-stage kidney disease occurs when the estimated glomerular filtration rate is not more than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or when the patient requires long-term renal replacement therapy regardless of estimated glomerular filtration rate. Anemia is observed as a frequent comorbid complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency is the crucial cause of CKD-anemia development. Objectives: The aim of study was to determine the impact of EPO on anemia in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis (HD). Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 80 patients (42 men and 38women) at end-stage renal disease planned for HD program at Al-Hakeem general hospital in Al-Najaf city/Iraq in period between November 2020 and February 2021. Many information and analyses were taken such as age, sex, cause of end stage, blood urea, serum creatinine and albumin, hemoglobin, dose of EPO, blood pressure, and body weight. Results: The results of study showed that, the level of hemoglobin (g/dL) significantly increased from (8.24 ± 1.77) to (9.57 ± 1.35) after treatment with EPO (P value < 0.05), whereas the levels of blood urea (mg/dL), albumin (g/L) significantly decreased from (218.51 ± 74.47) to (145.76 ± 42.47) and from (40.65 ± 6.35) to (36.56 ± 6.03) respectively, after treatment with EPO (P value < 0.05). additionally, there are no significant differences in serum creatinine (mg/dL) and blood pressure after treatment with EPO. Conclusion: EPO has a positive role on renal function and in treating anemia in end-stage renal disease patients on HD.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"17 8 1","pages":"558 - 563"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139365495","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":"Exploring the scope of vlogs in strengthening the delivery of medical education","authors":"Saurabh Ram Bihari Shrivastava, P. Shrivastava","doi":"10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_104_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_104_22","url":null,"abstract":"With the passage of time, a number of curricular reforms have been introduced in the process of delivery of medical education. A video blog is a type of blog which utilizes the video medium to reach the audience. The purpose of the current review is to explore the role of video logs in strengthening the delivery of medical education. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out on the PubMed search engine and a total of 13 articles were selected based upon their suitability with the current review objectives and analyzed. Keywords used in the search include video blogs, and medical education in the title alone only. The video blogs have immense scope in the field of medical education, as it is one of an essential tool to promote student-centered learning, and enables the medical student to learn at their pace, and that too at their time of convenience. The need of the hour is that vlogs are integrated within the curriculum on a pilot basis, and research work is carried out to explore their benefit in terms of improving the attainment of knowledge and student engagement. Further, based on the obtained results, we can make modifications and eventually introduce vlogs in a structured manner in the curriculum. To conclude, vlogs are a widely used mode to share information on the online platform, nevertheless, it is high time that its utility is also explored and harnessed for improving the delivery of medical education. This calls for the need of all the stakeholders to take active steps and simultaneously plan for its inclusion and implementation in the teaching-learning process.","PeriodicalId":18326,"journal":{"name":"Medical Journal of Babylon","volume":"25 1","pages":"443 - 446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139365761","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}