Articles in This Issue
Abstract
The area of Biotechnology has been both interesting and surprising from the beginning. At first, the scientists were filled with apprehension regarding the cessation of this technology's usage. It is more prudent to be cautious when making alterations to nature as the resulting outcomes remain unpredictable. Utilizing this innovative technology to enhance the nutritional value of food and combat illnesses is a logical approach. The process of creating GMOs involves extracting specific genes from one organism and inserting them into a different organism to generate modified living entities. This process usually gives the new organism specific traits that we want it to have. GMOs can be plants, animals, or enzymes that have been genetically modified. Some genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been given permission by government agencies to be used for business and to be eaten, while others are still being reviewed by these agencies. Some GMOs are still being tested in laboratories. Genetic modification or genetic engineering of organisms can be put into groups: Green genetic engineering, also known as agro-genetic engineering, is all about creating genetically modified plants for use in farming and food production , Genetic engineering in red/yellow is used in medicine, tests for genetics, and gene therapy, as well as to make drugs like insulin and vaccines , Bacteria or yeast: These micro-organisms are created by changing their genes to make them produce specific chemicals. The chemicals they produce are used in industries to make things like medicine or other products.
Abstract
Drug delivery methods have evolved to improve therapeutic outcomes, patient compliance, and therapy outcomes. This review examines the historical progression of drug delivery strategies, current innovations, and emerging trends shaping the future of therapeutic approaches. Traditional methods of giving medications, like oral and injection routes, had many problems, such as low bioavailability and systemic side effects. This review looks at how drug delivery systems have changed throughout several drug development eras. It focuses on new developments such as nanotechnology-based delivery, biologics, and the creation of smart drug delivery systems. This review highlights breakthroughs in controlled-release systems, nanocarriers, transdermal patches, and implantable drug-delivery devices, comparing both conventional and modern strategies. Further, advances in microencapsulation technology, gene therapy delivery strategies, and AI-assisted drug formulation are examined in the context of precision and efficacy. These innovations reflect a paradigm shift toward precision medicine with personalized drug delivery strategies minimizing side effects while maximizing therapeutic outcomes. Importantly, nanomedicine and biological therapies have successfully addressed critical challenges of drug stability, bioavailability, and drug delivery mechanisms for controlled release devices
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the biochemical parameters (collagen IV and neopterin) and the etiology of Cushing's disease in Iraqi patients and to examine the biochemical action of the treatment (prednisolone and hydrocortisone) on the biochemical parameters (cortisol, ACTH, collagen IV, and neopterin). Methods: The patients were classified into four groups: G3 composed of (25) newly diagnosed males with Cushing’s disease / without treatment, G4 composed of (25) newly diagnosed females with Cushing’s disease / without treatment, G5 composed of (25) males with Cushing’s disease / under treatment with prednisolone and hydrocortisone and G6 composed of (25) females with Cushing’s disease / under treatment with prednisolone, Cushing’s patient were compared with healthy subjects with approximately the same range of age-matched with the patients and regarded as two control group: G1 composed of (25) healthy males and (G2) composed of (25) healthy females. The levels of all parameters were determined in sera of both patients and control groups. Results: Statistically, the level of cortisol and neopterin were highly significantly increased, ACTH level was significantly increased and collagen IV was highly significantly decreased in G3 and G4 compared with G1 and G2 respectively, the levels of cortisol and neopterin were decreased (non-significantly for males and significantly for females regarding cortisol, highly significant for males and significantly for females regarding neopterin ) in G5 and G6 compared with G3 and G4 respectively while the same treatment caused a side effect on both ACTH and collagen IV. Cortisol level was a highly significant increase in newly diagnosed females compared with males while the difference was non-significant regarding ACTH, Collagen IV, and neopterin. Conclusion: The current study submits novel findings by elucidating that collagen IV and neopterin show promise as novel biochemical markers for CD. Also, it highlights the reactive action of prednisolone and hydrocortisone in shifting cortisol and neopterin into the balance and the side effects and non-significant effects of these drugs on ACTH and collagen IV respectively.
Abstract
Objective: worldwide to lessen the impact of the tobacco pandemic. A major roadblock to reducing tobacco consumption is the absence of smoking statistics in the Iraqi population. The study set out to answer the question, " Does having a smoking friend or parent encourage Baghdad Medical students to smoke?" by looking for a correlation between social contacts and smoking behaviors within the demographic and the prevalence of smoking among medical students. Methods: This work uses cross-sectional studies to investigate the effects of social and familial elements as well as their consequences for public health policies. Students' one-on-one encounters in healthcare environments provided the data for the cross-sectional observational study. Comprising 599 college students ranging in age from 18 to 23, the sample included two groups of smoking and nonsmoking individuals. Conclusions: This study intends to investigate how friends and parents’ behavior affect medical students from Baghdad's smoking behavior. The data showed a significant relationship among the smoking group who already had a parent or a friend who smokes. The study recommends a new anti-smoking campaign focused on the medical students. Stressing the need for robust and resilient training and awareness efforts to reduce this phenomenon.
Abstract
Streptococcus salivarius is a Gram-positive, non-pathogenic bacterium naturally found in the oral microbiota of healthy individuals. It is recognized as an effective probiotic due to its antimicrobial properties and ability to stimulate the immune system, particularly activating natural killer (NK) cells and producing anti-tumor cytokines such as interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 (IL-12). Strains K12 and M18 of this bacterium are specifically used to combat harmful oral bacteria and prevent tooth decay. These strains act by producing bacteriocins, especially against Streptococcus mutans (the main cause of tooth decay). Probiotics, in general, are live microorganisms that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, have beneficial effects on the host's health. Streptococcus salivarius, as a probiotic, plays a role not only in oral and dental health but also in improving overall body health. Studies have shown that this bacterium can help reduce bad breath, improve gum health, and reduce dental plaque formation. Additionally, the use of products containing this probiotic, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, can help its effective colonization in the oral cavity. Compared to conventional methods such as the use of antibiotics, probiotics are safer and reduce the risk of microbial resistance. However, probiotic consumption may cause mild side effects such as bloating or diarrhea in some individuals. Overall, Streptococcus salivarius as a promising probiotic plays an important role in maintaining oral and dental health and improving the quality of life.