Development of a novel doxorubicin delivery system for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is considered as the 4th most aggressive cancer in the Western world. There is a direct link between pancreatic cancer diagnosis and patient age with high occurrence of the disease happening in the 65-75-year age group. The majority of cases are diagnosed at the advanced stages, making curing of this disease unattainable and leading to high mortality rates. Problems related to treatment of cancer using traditional systemically delivered drugs are as a result of an ineffective absorption, bioavailability or high systemic toxicity resulting in unwanted side effects. Thus there is an unmet need for better, more efficient delivery systems causing an increased patient quality of life. In this work a poly(allylamine) graft polymer modified with 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol hydrophobic pendant groups was developed. This polymer was capable of incorporation of metallic hybrid iron oxide-gold nanoparticles. The resultant magnetomicelles were capable not only of laser triggered heating but also carrying lipophilic drug molecules which we exploited in this work. In order to produce a heat triggered drug delivery system, a two new analogues of doxorubicin was created modifying the molecule with spermine or lipoic acid forming DOX-SP and DOX-LA respectively. Magnetomicelle synthesis was confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, inductively coupled spectra - optical emission spectroscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The aggregation behaviour was confirmed using photon correlation spectroscopy. Reversible drug incorporation was realised via linkage between the drug analogue linkers and the hybrid nanoparticle surface in the magnetomicelle. The magnetomicelles developed exhibited up to 59.21% drug release noticed at 44 °C after 24 h. Cytotoxicity of the doxorubicin analogue formulations was tested on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (BxPC3) cells. The unloaded nano-aggregates were incubated for 24 h with the cells and the cell viability was compared to control wells. The result revealed that 50% of the total cell number was viable (IC50) at 50 gmL-1 (PAA-Ox5-HNPs). These values revealed that the incorporation of the metallic HNPs into the polymer backbone did not result in any significant increase in toxicity (p>0.001)

Distribution of some Heavy Metals Pollution Caused byAl- Daura Refinery in the Surrounding Region

Due to the higher increase in the oil industry activities in Iraq, since there are a little information of the environmental status of the areas around the refinery locations, and the concerns of a possible environmental pollution that will cause health and life threats to living organisms, this study was carried out.To understand the status of heavy metals pollution in areas inside and surrounding Al-Daura refinery activities, (17) testing locations were chosen, ten locationsoutsidethe refinery and sevenlocationsinside it.One additional location was chosen in a rural (control) area, in the University of Baghdad, to compare between the heavy metals concentration in the study area and a sample from the rural area not affected by the pollution. The soil samples have been taken from (5 and 60 cm) depth from the top surface of the soil. Three samples were taken from each depth for each location to take an average of results.All the samples of soil were taken during the period from Dec/2010 to Feb/2011.The experimental work has been includes the heavy metals concentrations, such as Zinc, Nickel, Lead and Cadmium, have been measured at each selected depth for each testing locations.The results indicate that the mean concentration of Zn and Ni is (62.4 µg/g) and (100.5 µg/g) respectively and this valuesexceeded the mean allowable value by (Alloway, 1995 [2]; Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 1992 [6]).The most concentrations of Zn, Ni and Pb, with some exceptions, accumulate at the top soil and decrease with the depth except Cd

Modulating Heat Shock Proteins 70 and 90 Expression by Low Power Laser Irradiation (635nm and 780nm) in Jurkat E6.1 T-lymphocyte Leukemia Cell Line

Introduction: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones involved in protein folding, stability and turnover, and due to their role in cancer progression, the effect of low power laser irradiation (LPLI) on the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in Jurkat E6.1 T-lymphocyte leukemia (JELT) cell line was investigated in vitro.Methods: JETL cells were irradiated with LPLI at 635nm and 780m wavelengths (energy density 9.174 J/cm2), and assessed for the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 by flow cytometry after 24, 48 and 72 incubation time periods (ITPs).Results: At 24 hours ITP post-irradiation, control cultures showed that 10.7% of cells expressed HSP70, while LPLI cultures at 635nm and 780nm manifested a higher expression (32.1and 21.3%, respectively), and the difference was significant (P ≤ 0.05). However, at 48 hours ITP, the three means were decreased but approximated (5.6, 4.9 and 6.2%, respectively), while at 72 hours ITP, they were markedly increased (45.2, 76.5 and 66.7%, respectively). In contrast, HSP90 responded differently to LPLI. At 24 hours ITP, control cultures and 780nm cultures showed a similar expression (55.9 and 55.9%, respectively), but both means were significantly higher than that of 635nm cultures (24.0%). No such difference was observed at 48 hours ITP, and at 72 hours ITP, control cultures and 635nm cultures shared approximated means (31.7 and 35.6%, respectively); but both means were significantly higher than the observed mean in 780nm cultures (15.2%).Conclusion: The results highlighted that HSP70 and HSP90 expression responded differently to LPLI in JETL cells; an observation that may pave the way for further investigations in malignant cells

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AL-AMMARAH SOIL IN MESSAN GOVERNORATE

This paper describes the geotechnical properties of Al-Ammarah soil of Ammarah city in Messan Governorate-southern parts of Iraq. Data and other information taken from numbers of geotechnical reports that performed under the supervision of Consulting Engineering Bureau of Baghdad University. This research is devoted to study the correlation between different physical properties such as (LL, PI, LI, W., C.) with different mechanical properties such as (qu, Ces C SPT). The correlation is verified using simple regression analysis. From the regression results it was found that there is direct correlation between different parameters. By using the correlation-with some information- preliminary investigation stages and studies of any structure can be performed to find indicative design parameter

Inhibition the mutagenicity of vitamin a by using Olea europaea extract

This study aims to investigate the predisposition of the extraction of the extract of olive leaves (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, or the olive family) to frustrate the excretion of the inherent toxic caused by vitamin A (henceforth VA). After being sure that the extraction is inane of any negative effects on the living creature, the following tests are adopted, the mitotic index test of the medulla ossium of the bones, and the chromosomal aberration test. The results showed that toxic dose of vitamin A have cytogenetic effect. It cusses increased in bone marrow cell proliferation and increase in chromosome malformation, the olea leaf extract showed anti-mutagenic activity against the cytogenetic effect of vitamin A it decrees chromosome malformation and kept the Mitotic index in normal level

Severe Persistent Eczema in a Recipient of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts have been made to design safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.Numerous vaccines have been designed and tested in limited clinical trials in various countries. Among them, the Sputnik V vaccine has shown a relatively safe profile and, to our knowledge, has no associated major side effects. We describe the case of a 40-year-old female healthcare worker who developed severe persistent eczematous lesions on the second day after she received the first dose of the Sputnik vaccine. The eczematous lesions were refractory to an antihistamine and persisted at the 1 month follow-up. Severe persistent eczematous lesions should be viewed as a potential side effect of vaccination with the Sputnik V vaccine. Moreover, a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-2019 vaccine may indicate the vaccine is ineffective in the recipient

Acute Management of Heat Stroke: Facts and Figures

Heat-related illnesses range from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency causing multiple organ dysfunction that if not treated, can be fatal. It is a severe heat illness with a body temperature of more than 400c and organ dysfunction. Epidemiology of heat stroke varies depending on geographic location, and reported incidences range from 1.98 to 2.89/100000 per year. Heat stroke is classified as exertional or non-exertional. Pathophysiology is exposure to higher temperatures with impaired thermoregulation. Patients will present with high core body temperature; tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension may be present. The manifestations of organ dysfunction range from coagulopathy to altered levels of consciousness, and pulmonary edema. Accurate core body temperature measurement with clinical manifestations will diagnose the heat stroke. Early diagnosis, earlier temperature management, and organ supportive care are essential

Levels of Psychosocial Problems of Children Attending outpatient Clinics of the Paediatric Hospitals in the City of Baghdad

AbstractObjective: The purpose of the study is to find out the levels of psychosocial problems in a sample of out-patient children attending the paediatric hospitals in Baghdad city at the time of this study.Methodology: A descriptive study design was achieved from Aug. 21ist through Nov. 10th 2013. A non-probability accidental sample of 138 children with age ranged from six to twelve year and more, who attended with their parent in one of the outpatient departments of paediatric hospitals in Baghdad city, participated in this study. A designed questionnaire was used for the study. This questionnaire is a modified version of Paediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC) and it consists of two parts; a basic demographic characteristics which includes the information about the child: age, gender, class and number of children in the family; information about the parents such as age, level of education and occupation and secondly, a part forms the inventory. The inventory comprised of 38 items organised into five subcategories. Four choices were for each item. The total score of the inventory was ranged from zero to 114.Results: One hundred and thirty eight questionnaires were completed. 56.5% of sample is male, 29.7% of the pupils are in fifth class, and 56.5% are of families having 4 to 6 child. Half of the fathers are of four decade old while more than half of the mothers are of three decade old; and 41.3% of parents and 54.3% of mothers have primary school. The severity of psychosocial problems of the participants ranged from mild (38.4%, n: 53); moderate (31.9%, n: 44); and severe (29.7%, n: 41). The study found that the higher severity of the child's psychosocial problems was significantly correlated with older age of their parents.Conclusions: The present study revealed that more than half of children are male; and also more than half of the families have four children and more; less than half of fathers and more than half of mothers have primary school level of education; half of the fathers are from fourth decade and more than half of mothers are from third decade; the study indicated that more than half of children have level of psychosocial problems ranged between moderate toKUFA JOURNAL FOR NURSING SCIENCES Vol. 6 No. 3 Sep. through Dec. 2016050severe. Finally, the results indicated that the older the parents are the severer levels of psychosocial problems have their children.Recommendation: The study recommends that the psychosocial health should be considered as target and important aspect for such study as a part of child health service; suggest an educational program for the importance of psychosocial health, in hospitals, out-patients clinics, and non-governmental organizations in order to increase people's level of understanding regarding psychosocial health as well as preventing child's distress; and conduct further studies to provide critical information concerning factors that influence child's psychosocial health, with more concerns about other unstudied factors.Keywords: psychosocial, children, out-patient, paediatric, Baghdad city

Haematologic Parameters In Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Patients Treated With ALL Trans- Retinoic acid

Background: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is commonly associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and early correction of coagulopathy is of vital importance. All Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is considered to be the drug of choice in the treatment of APL.  Objective: The work was conducted to 1- Identify patients with APL who show laboratory evidence of DIC. 2- Study the serial changes in haemostatic parameters in APL patients treated with ATRA and to compare their results with those treated with conventional chemotherapy without ATRA. Subjective and methods: In this prospective study (from October 2003 to October 2005), 44 newly diagnosed, untreated APL patients were included. ATRA plus chemotherapy – treated patients were 24 while 17 patients were treated with chemotherapy other than ATRA. For each patient, a full clinical evaluation was done and hematological investigations were accomplished at time of diagnosis and repeated on day 3 and 7 of therapy. Diagnosis of DIC was based on finding a positive D- dimer test with hypofibrinogenaemia with or without pathologically prolonged (PT and/or APTT). Results: In 44 newly diagnosed, untreated APL patients studied, the age range between 6-81 years with a median of 27 years. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Before treatment all patients had anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated level of D – dimer. DIC was present in all patients at time of diagnosis. All parameters that showed abnormal level at time of diagnosis had returned to normality within one week in ATRA treated group, indicating that DIC has essentially resolved. By contrast, those parameters remained abnormal even on day 7 in the chemotherapy treated group. Indicating that DIC was on going. Conclusion: ATRA therapy in APL patients is associated with rapid improvement of coagulopathy therefore , it is justified to be used from day one of the treatment

The mediating effect of information technology on the cost of internal control systems and enhancing confidence in quality relationship on accounting information quality

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of information technology on the relationship between internal control system's costs and enhancing confidence in the quality of accounting information in banks working in Jordan. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers designed a 56-items questionnaire and 200 versions of this questionnaire were distributed on a random sample from the study population represented by all employees of the internal control departments in banks operating in Jordan, and 152 questionnaires were retrieved, and 4 questionnaires were excluded because they were not valid for analysis so, the valid questionnaires for analysis were 148 questionnaires. Effect was assessed using the Multiple Regression Analysis and after the appropriate statistical treatment, the study concluded with a group of results the most important among which that there was a mediating effect of information technology on the relationship between internal control system's costs and increasing confidence in accounting information in banks working in Jordan in terms of internal control environment costs, internal control activities' costs, internal risk assessment's costs, internal monitoring and follow-up costs, information and internal communication costs among banks working in Jordan that use internal control systems. In light of the results revealed, the researchers recommended the need for implementing internal control systems within certain cost limits in banks because of their significant role in increasing confidence in accounting information through the aforementioned variables