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Go to Editorial ManagerABSTRACT objective: To consolidate current knowledge regarding the diagnostic challenges associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibition, to describe reported clinical infections occurring during tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy, and to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy and safety profile. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted at Tel Aviv Medical Center (Helsinki Committee approved). Nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tocilizumab who developed confirmed infections between 2022 and 2025 were included. Data collected included C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, and clinical outcomes. Infection was confirmed based on clinical findings, laboratory investigations, and imaging studies. Results: Nine hospital admissions that met the inclusion criteria were identified. Seven patients were receiving tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis, while two were treated for giant cell arteritis. TCZ was administered intravenously once monthly in seven patients and subcutaneously once weekly in two patients. Conclusion: Tocilizumab is effective in rheumatoid arthritis but may mask inflammatory responses by suppressing CRP levels. Clinicians should not rely solely on CRP for infection detection and should incorporate clinical assessment and alternative biomarkers to avoid delayed diagnosis. Keywords: "tocilizumab", "IL-6 blockade", "CRP suppression", "rheumatoid arthritis", and "infection"
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.
Objective: Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogenic bacterium with clinical attributes of nosocomial infection and resistance to antibiotics. Phage therapy represents a potential solution because it can specifically target MDR strains. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a lytic bacteriophage specific to A. baumannii, evaluate its kinetic and lytic properties, and investigate the effects of laser treatment on enhancing phage antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Methods: Clinical specimens were collected from patients in three hospitals in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq, and A. baumannii isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests, API systems, and 16S rRNA PCR sequencing. Environmental samples were screened to isolate lytic phages, which were propagated, purified, and analyzed using plaque assays and scanning electron microscopy. Phage kinetics—including adsorption rate, eclipse period, lysis time, and burst size—were assessed using standard bacteriophage quantification methods. Laser treatment was applied to evaluate its effect on phage activity under different temperatures and pH conditions. Results: A lytic phage specific to A. baumannii was successfully isolated, exhibiting an icosahedral head and a long tail typical of virulent phages. The phage showed rapid adsorption, a short eclipse period, and a high burst size (~111 phages per infected cell). It demonstrated strong lytic activity at temperatures between 35–45 °C and pH 8–10.5. Laser exposure, at 250 pulses, significantly enhanced phage antibacterial activity, resulting in faster bacterial lysis and increased phage productivity. Conclusions: The combination of phage therapy and laser treatment represents a promising strategy for combating MDR A. baumannii
Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis complex. TB causes a wide range of clinical infections affecting many parts of the body. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by bacteria that are resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin, the most effective anti- TB drugs, or more. MDR-TB presents a major concern in many countries and continues to threaten TB control. Methods: A retrospective cohort study carried out from 5 Jan 2020 to 30 March 2020 at the Specialized Chest and Respiratory Disease Center in Baghdad. The records of the patients who received multidrug treatment were included in the study. On the other hand, all the records that not contain full information about the socio-demographic characteristics, history of travelling or other disease, type and duration of treatment, and drug culture sensitivity excluded from the study. Results: From the 650 patients whom there records were reviewed, 130 patients had single or multi-drug resistance mainly to rifampicin and isoniazide. Comparing the presence of drug resistance according the gender showed that the number of males who had resistance to drugs was higher than that of females. Conclusion: Tuberculosis affects mainly the productive age group. It affects males more than females. Resistance to anti TB drugs was found in one fifth of patients who received treatment.
Objective: To compare glycaemia control between glimepiride and metformin group with sitagliptin, glimepiride and metformin group in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patient. Methods: This retrospective, randomized, clinical study was done in the diabetes research center. The number of the patient in this study was thirty-five patients. The patients examined individually in detail to check their general health in addition to the physical state. For all the patients, data had been collected and fasting plasma glucose level had been measured. Participants have been chosen by unresponsiveness of diabetic patient to single therapy of metformin or glimepiride in this trial. The patients were allocated into 2 groups. Group I include 14 patient given glimepiride, metformin and sitagliptin, while group II include 21 patients given glimepiride and metformin. Both Results: A statistical significant decrease was found in fasting plasma glucose level when compare before and after treatment regimen of sitagliptin, Glimepiride and Metformin group while no significant difference in fasting plasma glucose when comparing the triple therapy group (Sitagliptin, Glimepiride and Metformin) with the double therapy group (Glimepiride and Metformin) after thirty days of treatment. groups continue treatment for thirty days and statistical analyses include data collection was done. Conclusion: No significant difference was found between glimepiride and metformin therapy with sitagliptin, glimepiride and metformin therapy in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patient.
Diabetic ulcer is a significant medical issue affecting millions of patients globally due to consequential morbidity, mortality, and health care system costs. The complex pathophysiological process of delayed wound healing in diabetic patients remains inadequately addressed with conventional treatment modalities. This review summarises recent advances in smart, responsive engineered drug delivery systems for the treatment of diabetic ulcers. Moreover, we exemplify these strategies using emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, hydrogel matrices, stimulus-responsive systems, and bioactives. New methodologies, including next-generation approaches such as 3D-printed scaffolds, nanofiber systems, and theranostic platforms, are presented as alternative treatment options that could change the landscape of diabetes-related wound care. Discussions on the challenges of translation, regulation, and application of new pharma-technologies in clinical research are offered
Objective Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor growth and progression, and thus it represents a promising therapeutic target. Lawsonia inermis (henna) is a widely-used traditional medicine with different biological applications, and its bioactive components, especially lawsone, showed anticancer activity. The objective of this research was to measure the anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties of Lawsonia inermis leaf ethanolic extract in ex vivo and in vivo systems. Methods Soxhlet was used to prepare the ethanolic extract of the Lawsonia inermis leaf. The ex vivo rat aorta ring assay was used to test the anti-angiogenic activity at the concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 µg/mL. The in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was employed to confirm the anti-angiogenic effect at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity with a concentration range of 3.125 to 100 µg/mL. Results The ethanolic extract demonstrated high anti-angiogenic activity in the rat aorta ring with 65.82% inhibition at 100 µg/mL and dose-dependent inhibition with an IC 50 of 54.2 µg/mL. In the CAM assay, acetylsalicylic acid (positive control) resulted in complete suppression of vascularization, validating the assay system. The extract exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging ability of DPPH radical with an IC 50 value of 0.05 µg/mL. Conclusions Lawsonia inermis ethanolic extract has strong anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties, which implies its possible application as a treatment of angiogenesis-related disorders, such as cancer. The anti-angiogenic effect was confirmed in both ex vivo and in vivo models.
Mitoxantrone is a chemotherapeutic very effective against a variety of human malignancies Administration of Mitoxantrone is associated with hepatotoxicity Zinc has protective effect in liver illness. This study aimed to determine the role of zinc gluconate as a hepatoprotective agent in Mitoxantrone induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods there were twenty-four male and female rats used. Rats were divided up Into three groups, each consisting of eight animals. Distilled water is in Group I (negative control).Group II Mitoxantrone was delivered intraperitoneally with a dosage of 2.50 mg/ kg in order to achieve a cumulative complete dosage of 7.50 mg /kg by day 20. Group III Zinc gluconate was orally provided at a dosage of 20 mg/ kg/day, and Mitoxantrone was injected intraperitoneally at a rate of 2.50 mg/kg. The goal was to attain a cumulative total dosage of 7.50mg/ kg by day 20.After 48 hours following the completion of the treatment period, diethyl ether was used to euthanize each animal (i.e., on day 22). Serum was used to determine the activity of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes.Each animal's liver was removed in order to perform a terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated-deoxyuridine-triphosphate, necked labeling (TUNEL) test to detect DNA fragmentation. Results Zinc gluconate significantly (P<0.05) decreased blood ALT and AST, and group III showed a higher percentage of normal hepatocyte cells and a lower percentage of apoptotic cells than group II. Conclusions Zinc gluconate may have a protective effect against the hepatotoxicity induced by Mitoxantrone in rats.
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.
Objective To develop and disseminate a novel multimodal therapeutic concept for movement disorders (MD) that will not only aim at symptom suppression, but on the functional reorganization of motor networks allowing more stable and meaningful recovery. Methods A net-based model was employed by creating three integrated modules: • Pharmacological tuning in network physiology. • There are some interventional and non-invasive co-modulations of the invasive ones. • Task specific motor retraining at therapeutically optimum doses, in order to reconstruct maladaptive circuits. It was constructed through observations in systems neuroscience and functional imaging of network dynamics involving the basal ganglia, cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. Results The intervention aims beyond alleviation of symptoms to normalize abnormal connectivity, oscillatory activity and maladaptive plasticity in the respective motor networks. While clinical validation is empirical, theoretical analysis supports the idea that combination of pharmacological, neuromodulator and motor retraining approach might promote functional reorganization and would be effective in longer term improvement. Conclusions Such a multimodal, network-informed therapy could outperform current MD approaches by not only relieving symptoms, but also facilitating adaptive motor network reorganization. This combination of therapies is expected to result in such a superior long-term functional outcome and less variability in patient response.
Objective: To compare the distribution of ApoE polymorphisms between women with PCOS and healthy controls to explore whether specific ApoE genotypes contribute to the genetic susceptibility of developing PCOS, and to investigate the association between APOE gene polymorphisms and lipid profiles in PCOS patients. Methods: A case-control study was conducted between November 2023 and January 2025, enrolling 120 women with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria and 60 age-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent comprehensive clinical assessment, hormonal evaluation (FSH, LH, total and free testosterone), lipid profiling, and inflammatory marker analysis. DNA extraction was performed from whole blood, followed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing of ApoE gene fragments containing SNPs rs429358 and rs7412. Results: PCOS participants demonstrated significantly higher age, body weight, and height compared to controls (p<0.05). Hormonal analysis revealed characteristic PCOS patterns with elevated LH, total testosterone, free testosterone, and C-reactive protein levels, alongside reduced FSH concentrations (p<0.001). Lipid profile analysis showed significantly higher total cholesterol and LDL levels, with lower HDL concentrations in PCOS patients (p<0.05). Genetic analysis identified three ApoE genotypes (ε3ε3, ε2ε3, ε3ε4), with ε3ε3 being most prevalent in both groups. No significant differences were observed in ApoE genotype or allele distribution between PCOS patients and controls (p>0.05). However, within the PCOS group, ε4 allele carriers exhibited significantly elevated total cholesterol (p=0.039), triglycerides (p=0.013), and VLDL levels (p=0.026) compared to ε2 and ε3 carriers. Conclusions: ApoE gene polymorphisms do not appear to significantly influence PCOS susceptibility, as genotype distributions were comparable between patients and controls. However, ApoE variants, particularly the ε4 allele, may modulate metabolic dysfunction severity in women with established PCOS, potentially affecting cardiovascular risk stratification and therapeutic management approaches.
ABSTRACT Psoriasis (PSO) is an immune-mediated dermatological disorder marked by thick, erythematous, scaly plaques resulting from rapid, excessive cellular growth. Anti-inflammatory agents, immunosuppressant’s, and additional pharmaceuticals serve as the principal therapeutic strategy for psoriasis to alleviate symptoms, diminish inflammation, and inhibit the proliferation and division of epidermal cells. Nevertheless, these drugs generally include disadvantages that impose significant physiological and pathological burdens on patients, including inadequate targeting, brief half-lives, limited absorption rates, and severe toxic side effects. Researchers have recently concentrated significant effort on employing delivery systems for the topical administration of drugs to affected psoriatic skin regions. These systems increase pharmacological efficacy, stability, and penetration. More therapeutic concepts for the treatment of PSO are made possible by the ongoing development of numerous multifunctional topical delivery technologies. This publication reviews various delivery strategies, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, microneedles, micelles, dendrimers, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and vesicles, for topical therapy of PSO and delineates their current developmental status in clinical treatment. It is expected to facilitate the progression of PSO treatment methodologies and provide a benchmark for the development of novel topical delivery systems.
Objective: Wireless technologies are expanding rapidly, leading to a marked increase in human exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), mainly in the microwave frequency band emitted by mobile phones. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cell phone–generated microwave radiation on human red blood cells (RBCs) in vitro. Methods: Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers and exposed to microwaves emitted from mobile phones at a distance of 1 cm for durations of 1, 5, and 20 minutes. Both computerized and manual hematological parameters were analyzed, including hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), RBC count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), aggregation, deformability, and osmotic fragility. Results: A significant reduction in Hb concentration was observed after 20 minutes of exposure, along with a significant decrease in RBC count after 1 minute. The flow rate increased markedly, while aggregation and deformability parameters indicated alterations in the RBC membrane. Conclusion: The findings suggest that non-thermal microwave exposure can affect RBC morphology and function, likely through modifications in membrane integrity and surface charge, which may have implications for blood rheology under prolonged EMR exposure.
The use of radioactive isotopes in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer is now an integral part of modern nuclear medicine. Gamma-emitting isotopes such as technetium-99m and iodine-123 serve as the main diagnostic imaging weapon enabling great sensitivity and specificity, non-invasive functional visualization of thyroid physiology and disease. Todine-131 is the dominant therapeutic isotope, emitting cytotoxic beta radiation for the treatment of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer and thyroid remnant ablation. The effectiveness of radioactive iodine treatment is dependent on various factors including sodium-iodide symporter expression as well as dosimetry methods seeking to maximize absorbed dosages whilst simultaneously achieving successful treatment alongside minimizing non-target organ toxicity. Molecular radiotheragnostics and personalized dosimetry methods are slowly entering the clinical routine and will ensure higher diagnostic power and treatment efficacy in the future. Radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancers have long been challenging to manage, warranting novel approaches to integrate molecular biology, targeted therapies and immunotherapy. The changing context of radionuclide use in thyroid care highlights the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches, which promise to increase patient outcomes and the management of thyroid cancer
Graphene is one of the most important compounds that possess a lot of very unique chemical properties. The importance of graphene and its diverse medical use in all directions has increased, making this matter the focus of attention and attention of scientists and medical specialists with regard to the early diagnosis of cancer and tumors, its clinical follow-up and treatment, especially in recent years. In this review, the medical and pharmacological applications and uses of graphene in the early diagnosis of different types of cancer and how to follow up on disease cases were discussed. The most important difficulties facing researchers in the applied medical field of graphene were also discussed. The important and exceptional feature of graphene composite was the influential point in the diversity of medical applications of graphene, including electronic superconductivity, very high surface area, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, low economic cost, and possible development methods .A deep and comprehensive understanding of the interactions of graphene, which include organs and tissues, could lead to the production or formation of nano platforms such as graphene oxide that are more productive than graphene, Which has shown many important achievements regarding the applications of medical sensors that were in their initial stages.
Background A major limitation is the low selectivity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, which results in severe toxicity on non-malignant tissues. Scaffolds based on indole have recently been identified as interesting new anticancer candidates but selective cytotoxicity continues to be a key target. Objective The goal of this study was to determine the cytotoxic and specific anticancer effects of a novel 5-bromo-indole-derived carbothioamide (BTIC) on several malignant and non-cancerous cell lines. Methods After a 48-hour treatment, BTIC's antiproliferative effectiveness against human breast cancer (MCF-7), lung cancer (A549), & normal endothelium (HUVEC) cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay. Data shown as dose-response curves were subjected to nonlinear regression analysis to determine IC50 values. Preferential cytotoxicity was evaluated using the selectivity index (SI). Results In every cell line examined, BTIC had a cytotoxic impact; furthermore, this toxicity was concentration-dependent. This compound exhibited the most powerful activity against A549 cells (IC50 = 3.5 µg/mL), followed by MCF-7 cells IC50 (5.4 µg/mL), and significant cytotoxicity was recorded in HUVEC cells (IC50 = 10.4 µg/mL). A selective cytotoxicity on cancer cells was suggested by these reported SI values (2.97 and 1.93 for A549 and MCF-7, respectively). Conclusion BTIC was also a lead chemical with potent anticancer action against lung cancer cells in vitro, which exhibited high specificity. Therapeutic translation requires additional mechanistic and in vivo studies.