Herbal medicine as an auspicious therapeutic approach for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: A concise review.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes gastric mucosa inflammation and gastric cancer mostly via several virulence factors. Induction of proinflammatory pathways plays a crucial role in chronic inflammation, gastric carcinoma, and H.

Seasonal behavior and forecasting trends of tuberculosis incidence in Holy Kerbala, Iraq.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains major public health problem over the world. Cities witnessing religious event throughout of the year like Kerbala/Iraq require great efforts to minimize the incidence of deadly communicable diseases like TB. The aim of this study is to model the monthly incidence rates of PTB cases in Kerbala/Iraq.

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug resistant, and totally drug resistant tuberculosis in Middle East countries.

The 2015 represent the deadline for the global tuberculosis (TB) targets set through the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). From 2016 and onward, new goals were set to end the global TB epidemic via implementing new campaign entitled "the End TB Strategy". The major hurdle to end TB epidemic in several parts of the world is the emergence and spread of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains.

Snapshot of the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Iraq.

Unlabelled: This study explored the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Iraq by spoligotyping and 15-locus-based mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) methods. Initially, 270 isolates from 134 patients were collected and then 134 non-duplicating isolates (1 isolate/patient) were subjected to the study analyses, 70 isolates were found to be multidrug resistant (MDR) upon testing by proportion method on Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Spoligotyping yielded 39 patterns; 111/134 (82.

First experience with using simple polymerase chain reaction-based methods as an alternative to phenotypic drug susceptibility testing for Myobacterium tuberculosis in Iraq.

Context: In Iraq, the time-consuming, phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) on agar is the sole method available for detecting drug resistance in Myobacterium tuberculosis (TB). Furthermore, only single laboratory across Iraq is performing it on wide scale.

Aims: To explore utility of rapid, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems in detection of drug resistance in under the Iraqi settings.

Mutation in katG315 is, possibly, a good prognostic marker for treatment with second-line drugs in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to explore baseline data, laboratory and molecular analyses to determine if any could serve as potential prognostic marker(s) for treatment response to second line tuberculosis regimens. Of a total number of 50 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients starting second-line drug MDR-TB treatment in Iraq, only 21 showed treatment adherence and thus, included in this study. Response to treatment was monitored for 11 months by sputum microscopy and culture.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in situ mRNA expression in colorectal tumors from Iraqi patients.

Context: Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) preferentially degrade the basement membrane, a key step in tumor invasion, metastases, and induction of vascularization of tumor tissue.

Aim: To determine MMP-2 and MMP-9 in situ mRNA expressions in colorectal adenocarcinomas from Iraqi patients.

Materials And Methods: Forty archived paraffin-embedded colorectal adenocarcinoma samples and their resection margins were enrolled in our study.

Significance of intratumoral microvessel density quantification based on immunohistochemical detection of PECAM-1 and vWF in colorectal carcinoma from Iraqi patients.

Context: Counting of newly formed microvessel may prove to be a useful tool in the early detection of metastatic potential and selection of patients for whom antiangiogenesis drugs might be beneficial.

Aims: We designed this study to assess the significance of microvessel quantification in colorectal cancer with respect to different clinicopathological variables.

Materials And Methods: Forty archived paraffin-embedded colorectal adenocarcinoma samples and their resection margins were enrolled in our study.

Evaluation of the rheumatoid factors of the IgG, IgM and IgA isotypes as prognostic parameters for rheumatoid arthritis among Iraqi patients.

Context: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a heterogeneous course, spanning from mild forms tending to remission and reacting well to treatment, to aggressive forms resistant to classical therapeutic measures. Reliable predictive parameters of the disease course in RA are needed. Raised levels of Rheumatoid Factors (RFs) are associated with RA and that this RF is found in IgM, IgA and IgG classes (isotypes).