Evaluation of empagliflozin efficacy as a promising anti-aging treatment in mice: In-vivo study

Aim: Evaluation of the anti-aging properties of Empagliflozin (EMP) associated with the aging process in mice. Methods: The mice were allocated into four groups: negative control received normal saline without receiving D-galactose (DGA); all the three other groups received DGA (200 mg/kg/day orally) for eight weeks; the second group received normal saline; the third group received vitamin C, the final group received EMP and continued for another eight weeks. Results: Treatment with EMP reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA levels significantly compared to induction group (91.7±9.6 ng/ml, 30.6±5.5 pg/ml, and 66.7±8.3 ng/ml vs. 304.0±102.9 ng/ml, 70.2±6.8 pg/ml, and 204.7±56.9 ng/ml; respectively), while levels of GSH-Px were significantly increased (3.3±0.6 ng/ml vs. 0.3±0.2 ng/ml). In addition, EMP increases the level of both COL-1 and COL-3 compared to the induction group (1,783.6±186.9, and 1,583.6±186.9, vs. 885.7±242.5, and 685.7±242.5 pg/ml; respectively). Conclusion: EMP positively affects several aging parameters in mice

A NOVEL STUDY OF VALIDITY OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS AS A PREDICTOR TO TUBERCULOSIS OF THORACIC SPINE

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the validity of latent tuberculosis (TB) as a predictor for TB of thoracic spine.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 31 patients with osteoarticular TB diagnosed on the base of clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging, and tissue biopsy. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics of the disease were recorded. Latent TB was diagnosed by tuberculin skin test (TST) >10 mm. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.9 ± 19.0 years. Females were 17 (54.8) and mean body mass index was 24.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2. Thoracic spine was the highest osteoarticular TB site. Then, lumbar spine TB was 3 (9.7%) patients. Third in rank was TB of the knee joints 2 (6.5%). Cervical spine and hip joint TB were each one, 1 (3.2) patients, respectively. Validity of latent TB as a test to predict TB of thoracic spine revealed that if TST was positive, then this test will be accurate in 77.42% and we can establish the diagnosis of TB of the thoracic spine with 90.48% confidence if we had a clinical suspicion of TB of thoracic spine.Conclusion: There was a significant positive correlation between osteoarticular TB and latent TB. Thoracic spine TB was the most common osteoarticular TB infection compared to other sites. Patients who had latent TB have 9.5 times risk of having TB of the thoracic spine. Latent TB was a valid measure to predict TB of thoracic spine

EVALUATION OF OSTEOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH BETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR USING DIFFERENT IRON CHELATION THERAPIES

Objective: We aim to assess the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone biochemical parameters in Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM).Methods: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan was used to evaluate bone density and interpreted about Z-score which compares to the BMD of age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched reference population. Biochemical parameters such as calcium, 25-OH Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and serum ferritin (SF) evaluated.Results: No statistical difference in SF between pediatrics and adults was determined; however, 66 patients were having their SF between 1000 and 2500 ng/ml and 122 patients with SF ˃2500 ng/ml. Calcium and Vitamin D levels are low in both adults and pediatrics. The bone status shows high percentages of osteoporosis 62% and 54.5% for pediatrics and adults, respectively, as well as osteopenia 27% and 34.3% for both pediatric and adults and to a lesser extent normal bone status 11% for each. Conclusion: Osteopathy has a high prevalence in Iraqi patients with β-TM and should receive an optimal transfusion and chelation therapy to prevent bone expansion. Calcium and Vitamin D should be routinely determined to prevent deficiency

NEOPTERIN AND INTERFERON-GAMMA AS IMMUNE RESPONSE MARKERS IN BETATHALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS

Objective: The assessment of neopterin and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels as a part of immune system response about serum iron status in β-thalassemia (TM) major patients.Methods: Spectrophotometry applied for the estimation of iron status including serum iron level, total iron-binding capacity, and unsaturated iron-binding capacity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) applied for the estimation of the serum cytokines included neopterin and IFN-γ also serum ferritin estimation by ELISA from 130 β-TM major patients where they divided according to serum ferritin level (< and ≥2500 ng/mL).Results: The neopterin and IFN-γ concentration showed significantly increased with direct correlation among TM patient group when compared to the normal healthy control group. However, there was no significant difference between different levels of serum ferritin.Conclusion: The increased serum level of neopterin and IFN-γ found in patients with β-TM may be due to the direct effect of iron on cellular immune cells beside of immune system response to the effect of iron toxicity on different body organs. There was a direct moderate relationship between neopterin and IFN-γ

ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA TREATED WITH IMATINIB AT THE NATIONAL CENTER OF HEMATOLOGY

Objective: The objective was to study the assessment of the possible cardiotoxic effect of imatinib using echocardiography.Methods: Prospective study included 50 patients that treated at the National Hematology Center of Al-Mustansiriya University from May 2008 to December 2009, echocardiography was used to measure the cardiac ejection fraction accurately, indices of ventricular ejection and relaxation and measurement of left ventricular internal diameter in diastole and (LVIDd) at baseline and after 12 months.Results: 24 (41%) were men and 26 (59%) were women. Their ages ranged from 18 to 74 years, with a median age of 36.8 years. At baseline, mean EF was 0.63±0.057 and after 12 months; mean EF was 0.64±0.068 (p>0.05). Mean peak emptying rate at baseline was 3.23±0.5 ED/s, and after 1 year was 3.21±0.5 ED/s (p>0.05). Time to peak filling rate at baseline was 144±26 ms, and after 1 year was 143±25 ms (p>0.05). There is a significant inverse trend for both LVIDd and LVID in systole (LVIDs) reduced as age increase; the female had significantly lower LVIDd and LVIDs compared to male.Conclusion: We find no evidence of significant impairment in cardiac function over 12 months of imatinib treatment. Advancing age associated with reduced cardiac performance for patients receiving imatinib

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

subclinical hypothyroidism in type II DM patients ‎

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Ocular Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

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Ocular Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents ‎

Data se

Assessment of anxiety and depression among professional healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – observational cross-sectional study

Aim: Evaluate the prevalence of depression among professional healthcare workers (PHCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the fourth wave of COVID-19 infection in Iraq. A semi-structured questionnaire in English was used to obtain information about the study variables. Results: The study included 314 participants, with a mean age of 34.3 years, slightly higher male to female sex (55.1 to 44.9%), doctors represent (26.1%), pharmacist represent (26.4%) while 36.9% includes other PHCW (nurse, laboratory technician, doctor assistance, and paramedics). There was a high prevalence of depression in the current study (98.4%). There was no significant association between total HADS with sex, specialty, and duration of working in COVID-19 isolation wards. Meanwhile, age above 50 years appears to be associated with higher HADS scores compared to younger PHCW. Conclusion: Healthcare practitioners faced a heightened susceptibility to experiencing depression throughout the COVID-19 pandemic