The study of single nucleotide polymorphism in a promoter region of ACE-2 receptor gene in the samples of Iraqi population with COVID-19.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an essential receptor on the host cell's cell membrane. It's interesting to note that the entry point receptor ACE2 protein and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus are correlated. This study aimed to determine the influence of the ACE gene genotype and explore the effects of genetic variation in the promotor region of the ACE-2 gene receptor in SARS COV-2 patients.

Genetic variation of CYP2C9 gene and its correlation with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Background: The major enzyme that is responsible for Sulfonylureas (SUs) metabolism is hepatic cytochrome P-450 2C9 (CYP2C9). It is encoded by the polymorphic gene CYP2C9, which has many allelic variants, among those the CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 are the most common and clinically significant allelic variations. People with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), and their risk of dying from it is more than two times higher than that of people without the condition.

Estrogens and the risk of breast cancer: A narrative review of literature.

In female mammals, the development and regulation of the reproductive system and non-reproductive system are significantly influenced by estrogens (oestrogens). In addition, lipid metabolism is another physiological role of estrogens. Estrogens act through different types of receptors to introduce signals to the target cell by affecting many estrogen response elements.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on smoking habits and lifestyle: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, the resultant psychological disturbances led to more tobacco consumption and deteriorated smoking behaviors among smokers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the smoking behaviors of the Jordanian population.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was designed using the Google Forms service and distributed by social media platforms.

A cross-sectional study of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity of Jordanian population.

Background: Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on 11th March 2020, the public health recommendations have applied lockdowns and restrictions to limit the spread of the disease. These measures determined outdoor activities and access to many forms of exercise.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity (PA) of the Jordanian population.

Genetic analysis of X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (X-STR) frequencies in Arab Iraqi male population.

Background: The X-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms are a particular tool in the fields of human population genetics and personal identification. It was necessary in investigating complex kinship or deficiency cases in conditions where information on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or Y chromosome polymorphisms have been used to explore their direct paternal line. This study aimed to investigate the allele frequency of (12X-STR) of 200 unrelated males from different region of Baghdad City to serve as a reference data base for individual identification in Iraqi population.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Jordanian eating and nutritional habits.

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, variable measures have been implemented to control the invasion of SARS-CoV-19 worldwide. Some of these measures included lockdowns for several months in some countries. In Jordan, various protocols have been implemented to deal with the epidemic, such as border closures, closures and local protocols for open days until we reach the partial opening in mid-2021.

Factors affecting medical student's decision in choosing a future career specialty: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Diversity in the specialties is essential to provide optimal health care. Future career specialties chosen by the students had great significance for balanced doctor's distribution in different specialties, as it determines the composition of the physician workforce. Therefore, there has been a deeper interest in the issues of career preference among medical students.

Molecular identification of Neospora caninum and co-infection with Toxoplasma gondii in genital apparatus of naturally infected cows in North Tunisia.

The aim of this study was to estimate the molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and the co-infection by both Apicomplexan parasites in uterus tissues of cows. PCR was used to detect T. gondii and N.

Pneumocephalus secondary to a spinal surgery: A literature review and a case report.

Introduction: We report a case of pneumocephalus, which is identified as the presence of air in the cranial cavity and is a rare complication after spinal surgeries, in addition to a literature review of similarly reported cases.

Case Presentation: The patient is a 63-year-old male who developed pneumocephalus after undergoing a minimally invasive left side decompression at L3-L4 with left L4 foraminotomy even though there were no signs of dural tears or Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leaks. After the diagnosis of pneumocephalus using brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the patient was treated conservatively and was discharged after 3 weeks without developing further complications.

ApoB gene polymorphism (rs676210) and its pharmacogenetics impact on atorvastatin response among Iraqi population with coronary artery disease.

Background: Drug response is below genetic influence, proven by the genetic variants. Pharmacogenetics trials are performed in many diseases, including coronary artery disease. This study was designed to determine the genetic polymorphism (rs676210) Pro2739leu G > A in the lipid metabolism-related gene (ApoB gene) and its pharmacogenetic role in the response to atorvastatin drug in a sample of Iraqi population with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Health- Related Quality of Life Among Jordanian Adolescent Cancer Patients Receiving Active Treatment.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life among adolescents diagnosed with malignancies and currently undergoing treatment in the age group of 13-18 years old.

Method: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Participants were recruited from the pediatric oncology department at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan.

First detection and molecular identification of Neospora caninum from naturally infected cattle and sheep in North Africa.

Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, is a major cause of reproductive failure in ruminants causing enormous economic losses. The objective of this study was to estimate the infection rate and molecular identification of N. caninum in Tunisian cattle and sheep.

First detection and molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. in small ruminants in North-West Tunisia.

Sarcocystosis is a parasitic disease caused by varying Sarcocystis species infecting humans and animals. It is commonly found in small ruminants causing pathogenic effects. This contributes to detrimental economic loss for local farmers and the local economy due this disease.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered ruminants (sheep, goats and cattle) in Northwest Tunisia.

The present study aimed to estimate the molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection in meat from slaughtered sheep, goats and cattle in Northwest Tunisia (Béja district). PCRs were performed on genomic DNA extracted from 420 meat samples (150 ewes, 120 goats and 150 cows).

First molecular detection and characterization of Sarcocystis species in slaughtered cattle in North-West Tunisia.

Sarcocystis spp. is one of the most prevalent foodborne parasites infecting both animals and humans. Consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat is a risk factor of human intestinal sarcocystosis.

Detection of Metallo-β-Lactamase Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Public and Private Hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq.

Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported to be an important nosocomial infection. Its intrinsic and acquired resistance to various antimicrobial agents and its ability to develop multidrug resistance imposes a serious therapeutic problem. Different clinical samples were collected from public and private hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq.

Changes in biologic features between primary and recurrent or relapsed breast cancers.

Objective: Changes in ER, PR and Her2 receptor status between primary and metastatic cancer tissue have been suggested in breast cancer. The frequencies of these changes are still not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these changes in breast cancer population of Kuwait.

An assessment of the effectiveness of mechanical and chemical cleaning of Essix orthodontic retainer.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of mechanical and chemical cleaning on the removal of microorganisms from Essix orthodontic retainers.

Design: In vitro laboratory study.

Setting: Department of Orthodontics and Microbiology, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, UK.

Connexin 26 gene mutations in non-syndromic hearing loss among Kuwaiti patients.

Objective: To study connexin 26 (Cx26) gene mutations among autosomal recessive non-syndromal hearing loss in Kuwaiti patients and evaluate their effect on phenotypes.

Subjects And Methods: This cross sectional study included 100 patients aged between 6 months and 18 years, who were referred to the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Centre for audiology and speech evaluation of autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss confirmed by clinico-genetic evaluation and a battery of diagnostic tests. Gene profiling and sequencing were performed to detect the presence and nature of Cx26 mutation.

Analysis of neoadjuvant therapies in breast cancer with respect to pathological complete response, disease-free survival and overall survival: 15 years follow-up data from Kuwait.

Aims: Optimizing neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens is essential for achieving maximal pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with breast cancer. pCR is usually considered as a surrogate marker for survival. The aim of this study was to analyze pCR with respect to various neoadjuvant regimens and its effect on survival.

Thymus capitatus from Tunisian arid zone: chemical composition and in vitro anthelmintic effects on Haemonchus contortus.

The increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistant strains of helminths, the drug residues in animal products and the high cost of conventional anthelmintics has created an interest in studying medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintics. Thymus capitatus (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) is used traditionally by people as spices and reported to possess some biological effects. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of T.

Using whole-exome sequencing to identify inherited causes of autism.

Despite significant heritability of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), their extreme genetic heterogeneity has proven challenging for gene discovery. Studies of primarily simplex families have implicated de novo copy number changes and point mutations, but are not optimally designed to identify inherited risk alleles. We apply whole-exome sequencing (WES) to ASD families enriched for inherited causes due to consanguinity and find familial ASD associated with biallelic mutations in disease genes (AMT, PEX7, SYNE1, VPS13B, PAH, and POMGNT1).