Ivermectin Augments the Anti-Cancer Activity of Pitavastatin in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

We have previously shown that pitavastatin has the potential to be used to treat ovarian cancer, although relatively high doses are likely to be necessary. One solution to this problem is to identify drugs that are synergistic with pitavastatin, thereby reducing the dose that is necessary to have a therapeutic effect. Here, we tested combinations of pitavastatin with the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in six ovarian cancer cell lines.

CORRELATION BETWEEN RS6265 SNP IN BDNF AND THE CONTEXT OF DIABETES TYPE II INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQI PATIENTS.

Objective: The aim: In this study, we looked into the possible link between the G196A polymorphism in the BDNF gene and DM in Iraqi patients.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: By using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach, 100 subjects were genotyped for the G196A SNP of the BDNF gene, 50 as DM and 50 as controls, age-sex and ethnically matched healthy controls. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the association of this polymorphism, and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and healthy controls.

EVALUATION OF COVID-19 VACCINES EFFICACY IN IRAQI PEOPLES.

Objective: The aim: The present study was carried out on patients recovered from COVID-19, including those patients who have taken vaccine and those who have not.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: The patients were recruited via an online panel and surveyed at different regions of Iraq from June 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021.

Results: Results: Our results demonstrated that the highest percentage of people recommended Pfizer vaccine followed by Sinopharm, while AstraZeneca vaccine was least recommended.

Evaluation of using PFN (proximal femoral nailing) in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Intertrochanteric Fractures (ITF) are common among elderly age groups. Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) is strong biomechanically in comparison with extra medullary device. The study was conducted at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital & Iraqi Red Crescent Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq in the period 1st Jan 2017 to the 31st Dec 2019.

Identification of foods that affect the anti-cancer activity of pitavastatin in cells.

Statins inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate, a precursor isoprenoid molecule to geranylgeraniol that is necessary for the post-translational modification of several small GTPase oncogenes. Despite numerous preclinical studies suggesting that statins can be effective anticancer agents, prospective clinical trials have failed to demonstrate any clinical benefit in patients with cancer. We previously demonstrated that geranylgeraniol suppresses the activity of statins in cell culture studies, and that pitavastatin can cause regression of ovarian cancer xenografts in mice if the animals' diet is modified to avoid the inclusion of geranylgeraniol.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS POST COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

Objective: The aim: To determine the pandemic's impact on worldwide psychological suffering and its consequences for vulnerable groups.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: 200 participants (mean 66.5% males) from 6 provinces of central and southern Iraq responded to the survey for 6 months.

The poor design of clinical trials of statins in oncology may explain their failure - Lessons for drug repurposing.

Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. However, by inhibiting the production of mevalonate, they also reduce the production of several isoprenoids that are necessary for the function of small GTPase oncogenes such as Ras. As such, statins offer an attractive way to inhibit an "undruggable" target, suggesting that they may be usefully repurposed to treat cancer.