Metastatic Osteoarticular Infective Endocarditis by Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-known complication of bacteremia with high-risk microorganisms such as  and . Skin and soft tissue infections with Staphylococcus remain a significant cause of bacteremia and IE, even with proper prompt management of the source of infection and the absence of risk factors. Although methicillin-resistant is a well-known etiology for osteoarticular septic emboli in IE, healthcare providers should be aware of the hidden virulence of methicillin-sensitive  for metastatic osteoarticular infection.

The Frequency and Risk Factors of Delayed Graft Function in living Donor Kidney Transplantation and Its Clinical Impact on Graft and Patient Survival in Part of Middle East.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a form of acute renal failure which results in increased post-transplantation allograft immunogenicity and risk of acute rejection episodes in addition to decreased long-term survival. Its incidence and risk factors have been extensively studied, especially after deceased donation. Until now, only few data has been  published on DGF in living donor kidney transplant recipients.

The relationship between mean platelet volume and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background&aim: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is suggested as a marker of platelet reactivity and tendency for thrombosis and microvascular complications like albuminuria in patients with type 2 DM. We aimed to measure the MPV in patients with type 2 DM and its correlation with albuminuria, body mass index (BMI), duration of DM, hypertension (HTN), stroke, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and HbA1c level.

Methods: A cross sectional study included 100 patients with type 2 DM ≥ 18 y of both genders who were randomly selected from the medical units of Baghdad Teaching Hospital.

The importance of measurement of plasma fibrinogen level among patients with type- 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background & Aim: Fibrinogen has been implicated as a cause of atherosclerosis and its complications in patients with type 2 DM. We aimed to measure the plasma fibrinogen level in type 2 diabetics and to correlate it with the duration, type of treatment, HbA1c, smoking, lipid profile, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension and ischemic heart disease in comparison to control.

Methods: A case control single center study included 50 patients with type 2 DM between the ages of 35-85 y who were randomly selected from the medical units of Baghdad Teaching Hospital compared to 30 non-diabetics as a control.

Follicular dendritic cells display microvesicle-associated LMP1 in reactive germinal centers of EBV+ classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Expression of the latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was investigated in 153 cases of EBV+ classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL); 120 cases were pediatric patients (< 14 years of age) from Iraq, and 33 cases were adult patients from Italy. We describe for the first time the presence of LMP1 protein in EBV-encoded RNA (EBER)-negative follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) of reactive germinal centers (GC) associated with EBV+ cHL. Presence of LMP1+ GCs was independent of geographic region and age of patients.

Correction to: Human Development Index and its association with staff spiritual care provision: a Middle Eastern oncology study.

Incorrect family name of Layth Mula-Hussain.

Assessment of the difficulties in laparoscopic cholecystectomy among patients at Baghdad province.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cholecystectomy has become the typical procedure for symptomatic gallbladder stone diseases treatment as a type of minimal invasiveness surgery associated with less pain and early recovery as there is minimal trauma of access without shrinking the exposure of operative field. The current study aimed to assess factors associated with difficult LC.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at medical city complex (Baghdad Teaching Hospital) from October 2015 to October 2016, in which all patients that were admitted for LC were examined preoperatively, underwent LC and followed postoperatively to study factors associated with difficult LC.

Human Development Index and its association with staff spiritual care provision: a Middle Eastern oncology study.

Background: Although staff spiritual care provision plays a key role in patient-centered care, there is insufficient information on international variance in attitudes toward spiritual care and its actual provision.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the attitudes of Middle Eastern oncology physicians and nurses toward eight examples of staff provision of spiritual care: two questionnaire items concerned prayer, while six items related to applied information gathering, such as spiritual history taking, referrals, and encouraging patients in their spirituality. In addition, respondents reported on spiritual care provision for their last three advanced cancer patients.

Nephrotic range proteinuria; does it predict lung involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is well known for its long term serious complications. Proteinuria whether micro or macroproteinuria is one of these complications. Many studies has related proteinuria to other complications of diabetes as retinopathy and cardiovascular disease of diabetes, while the lungs of diabetic patients which is the largest organ in the body with a large macro and microvascular bed, has not been related to this complication.

Epidemiological characteristics of burn injuries in Iraq: A burn hospital-based study.

This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burn injuries, estimate the case fatality rate for burn patients, and determine the main determinants of the associated death among burn patients who were admitted to Baghdad Burn Hospital, Medical City Teaching Hospitals, Baghdad, Iraq during 2015. This study involved a retrospective review of medical records of all burn patients who were admitted to Baghdad Burn Hospital in 2015. Data were collected using a special form and included information on demographic characteristics and burn characteristics and outcomes.

Interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms and serum erythropoietin and hemoglobin in hemodialysis Iraqi patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic and pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in different biological activities such as hematopoiesis, inflammation, and acute-phase response. The rate of IL-6 synthesis and degradation is affected by single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Management of hypertensive crises in the elderly.

Hypertensive crises are elevations of blood pressure higher than 180/120 mmHg. These can be urgent or emergent, depending on the presence of end organ damage. The clinical presentation of hypertensive crises is quite variable in elderly patients, and clinicians must be suspicious of non-specific symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Vitiligo: A Novel Association.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the relationship between fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and vitiligo in Iraqi patients and evaluate the predictors of this relationship, if present.

Patients And Methods: The case-control study included 100 Iraqi patients (46 males, 54 females; mean age 30.4±14 years; range 15 to 65 years) with vitiligo and 200 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (74 males, 126 females; mean age 30.

Burkitt lymphoma in Iraqi children: A distinctive form of sporadic disease with high incidence of EBV cases and more frequent expression of MUM1/IRF4 protein in cases with head and neck presentation.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferative disorders are relatively common in Iraqi children. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) accounted for 40% of lymphoma cases. The mean age of 125 BL cases was 5.

Rhabdomyolysis; is it an overlooked DKA complication.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is considered by some studies as a rare complication of a common disorder of diabetic ketoacidosis, while others consider it as not so uncommon. The mechanism is still not clear but can be attributed to a number of factors like acidosis, hyperglycemia and electrolyte disturbances especially hypophosphatemia and hypokalaemia. Missing it may lead to more serious complications and may prolong and/or complicate full recovery of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for 29 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2016: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Importance: The increasing burden due to cancer and other noncommunicable diseases poses a threat to human development, which has resulted in global political commitments reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Non-Communicable Diseases. To determine if these commitments have resulted in improved cancer control, quantitative assessments of the cancer burden are required.

Objective: To assess the burden for 29 cancer groups over time to provide a framework for policy discussion, resource allocation, and research focus.

Biosimilars in rheumatology: recommendations for regulation and use in Middle Eastern countries.

The increasing availability of biosimilar medicines in Middle Eastern regions may provide an opportunity to increase the number of rheumatology patients who have access to traditionally more expensive biologic medicines. However, as well as a lack of real-world data on the use of biosimilar medicines in practice, the availability of intended copies in the region may undermine physician confidence in prescribing legitimate biosimilar medicines. There is a need for regional recommendations for healthcare professionals to ensure that biosimilar drugs can be used safely.

Malnutrition, inflamation and atherosclerosis (MIA syndrome) in patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (a single centre experience).

Background: Inflammation and malnutrition play an important role in endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients AIM OF THE STUDY: The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of inflammation, malnutrition and atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Secondary objective was to determine the association for atherosclerosis with inflammation and malnutrition.

Patient And Methods: One hundred and one adult patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis who are met with the exclusion criteria were enrolled in this cross sectional study from haemodialysis unit of Baghdad teaching hospital over the period of July/2015 - June 2016.

The value of venous blood gas analysis in the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Background & Aim: Newer blood gas analyzers have the ability to report electrolyte values and glucose in addition to pH, so this diagnostic process could be condensed in diagnosing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We aimed to assess the accuracy of the venous blood gas (VBG) analysis with electrolytes for diagnosing DKA.

Methods: This study prospectively identified a convenience sample of (60 patients) presented with DKA and tested their VBG and serum electrolytes.

Prediction of autonomic neuropathy in chronic kidney disease (stage 5) Iraqi patients (case control study).

Background: The presence of autonomic neuropathy in association with end stage chronic kidney disease have not yet been established. An extending studies need to evaluate the presence of autonomic neuropathy in different stages of chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence rate of autonomic neuropathy in stage 5 chronic kidney disease.

Imaging findings of flexion type of hangman's fracture; an attempt for a more objective evaluation with newly introduced scoring system.

Objective: To identify the flexion type of hangman's fracture on imaging studies.

Methods: 38 cases of hangman's fracture were retrospectively studied and categorized into flexion and non-flexion groups. Plain radiograph, CT and MRI of these patients were evaluated; 13 radiological parameters that might define flexion injuries were measured.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in children: a disease reminiscent of Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the elderly.

Pediatric Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (EBV+ DLBCL) is a rare disease in nonimmunocompromised hosts. In a review of 231 cases of malignant lymphoma (87 Hodgkin lymphoma and 144 non-Hodgkin lymphoma) occurring in Iraqi children, 7 cases (5% of NHLs) were classified as EBV+ DLBCL. Six children presented with nodal disease, and 1 presented with extranodal localization (bone).

Mammography performance in Oman: Review of factors influencing cancer yield and positive predictive value.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess mammography performance in Oman by estimating the breast cancer rate and the positive predictive value (PPV) with the influence of some variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on mammograms done in one of the three main breast imaging centers in Oman between January 2008 and July 2012. Diagnostic and screening groups were identified and assessed separately.