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Background& objectives: Introducing a nucleic acid test program is aimed to diagnose and reduces the risk of viral infection or transmission. DNA assay for HBV can detect infection in the windows period, chronic occult infection and can discriminate between active and inactive HBV infection. This cross-sectional study designed to diagnose, analyze HBV infection and to differentiate active from inactive infection based on viral DNA detection. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 256 patients previously diagnosed on the clinical ground as hepatitis B seropositive in Erbil Central Lab. The viral nucleic acid quantitative assessment was done for the collected samples using RT-PCR. Q-square was performed for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 256 collected blood samples 93 (36.3%) showed HBV-DNA positive titers above 50 IU/ml. Among positive subjects, 67 (72.04%) was categorized as inactive carriers (˂ 2000- 20.000 IU/ml HBV-DNA titers). Conclusions: The data produced from this study confirmed the importance of the RT-PCR technique in sensitivity and reliability as a superior diagnostics tool specifically in differentiating active from inactive HBV carriers.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disorder with clinical manifestations ranging from mild dysfunction to complete kidney failure. The published literature on the incidence and outcome of AKI in the critically ill neonatal population is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types, the associated risk factors and short-term outcome of AKI in the critically ill neonates. A cohort study was conducted including 100 critically ill neonates successively admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The inclusion criteria were a gestational age >28 weeks and body weight > 1 kg. Exclusion criteria included those with multiple congenital anomalies or on drugs altering glomerular filtration rate or AKI developing postoperatively. Neonates were evaluated for the development of AKI [creatinine > 1.5 mg / dL and/or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) > 20 mg / dL] and were assigned as group A (who developed AKI) and group B (who did not develop AKI). Forty-one patients developed AKI (group A) among whom nine (22 %) showed oliguric AKI. The most common risk factors among group A patients were sepsis (75.6 %) and nephrotoxic drug administration (75.6 %), followed by shock (39 %). There were no statistically significant differences between both groups except for male sex predominance and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which were significantly higher among group A (P < 0.05). Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation was significantly higher in neonates without AKI (13.6 % vs 0.0 %, P = 0.02). The mortality rate among group A reached 51.2 %. Various risk factors including gender, gestational age, birth weight, shock, NEC, sepsis, nephrotoxic drugs, oliguria and mechanical ventilation were studied as regards outcome of group A, and all factors except gender and oliguria proved to be significantly higher in deceased neonates. Male sex and NEC were important risk factors for developing AKI that was predominantly non-oliguric. CPAP ventilation may have a protective effect against AKI. The mortality rate was more than three times higher in the AKI group.

Objectives : There has been an increasing need for reliable chronological age (CA) estimation in several aspects, including orthodontic treatment needs and legal, civil and forensic purposes. This study aimed to assess the validity of the Demirjian and Fishman methods in predicting the CA of Yemeni children. Methods : This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at seven schools in Sana’a, Yemen, between December 2016 and December 2017. One orthopantomograph and one left hand-wrist X-ray were obtained for each child to calculate the dental age (DA) and skeletal age (SA) which were correlated and compared with the CA. Results : A total of 358 Yemeni children aged 8–16 years were included in this study. The mean CA, DA and SA were 12.00} 2.25, 11.34} 2.42 and 12.39 } 1.65 years, respectively. The Demirjian method significantly underestimated the CA by 0.58} 1.25 years in the total sample and 0.73} 1.30 and 0.40} 1.17 years in males and females, respectively (P < 0.001). The Fishman method significantly underestimated the CA by 0.23} 1.19 and 0.44} 1.26 years in the total sample and in males, respectively (P ≤0.02). The Fishman method insignificantly underestimated the females CA by 0.02 } 1.08 years (P = 0.898). Conclusions: Yemeni CA is highly correlated to DA and SA estimated by the Demirjian and Fishman methods, respectively. The Fishman method was more accurate amongst Yemeni females. Results showed that Yemeni children are delayed in dental development and skeletal maturity.

Objectives: Breast cancer constitutes the majority of diagnosed cancers in Oman’s females, accounting for 19.2%, which prompted the introduction of a breast cancer screening programme into the Omani healthcare system. There are rising international concerns about the effectiveness of mammography as a screening tool and its psychological impact. The current study aimed to determine the social, emotional and physical dysfunction caused by the waiting time from the day of scheduling the appointment until the day of screening and explore associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and December 2017 at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman, using a two-part self-administered questionnaire. Part one of the questionnaire collected clinical and demographic data. Part two consisted of the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ) and focused on psychological consequences, measuring the effect of mammographic screening on emotional, physical and social functions. Results: A total of 300 women aged ≥40 years old participated in this study (response rate: 100%). Results revealed that there was a minimal negative psychological impact from screening using mammograms. All PCQ domains were significantly impacted for participants who reported a family history of cancer (P = 0.007). The social score was significantly higher among women between 40–50 years old (P = 0.008). Scores of emotional and social functions were significantly affected by participants’ employment status; employed women were more affected than those who were not (P = 0.043 and 0.012, respectively). However, women’s levels of literacy did not affect any of the domains. Conclusion: The psychosocial impact of the waiting period between scheduling and undergoing mammography screening was minimal in the current sample. Future research should evaluate the psychosocial impact on patients at different recall times.

This study was aimed to provide a local database for detection of coronavirus (CoV) species in suspect individual with respiratory tract infections like influenza type A and a tuberculosis using multiplex Sybr green reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (rRT-PCR) technique. A total of 500 samples was collected from individuals suffering from upper and/or lower respiratory tract diseases for testing of 4 CoV species (229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1). RNA extracted, amplified and subsequent the positive samples sequencing. The results showed melting curve analysis (Tm) of the specific amplicons (79.73 ± 0.36) and 9 % positive for CoVs and some of them have other co-infection such as influenza virus 26.67 % , and TB 11.11 % . On the other hands, the CoVs were detected 4.62 % in upper respiratory samples and 20.39% with lower respiratory samples. Sequencing results pointed out two isolates were CoV-NL63 and four isolates were CoV-229E, with first record accession number MN086823.1 and MN086824.1, respectively in GenBank. In conclusion, this rRT-PCR showed the rapid and efficient detection of CoVs with few copies number. This allows being used for the diagnosis of CoVs along with other respiratory viruses in a multiplex assay to reduce processing time. Subsequent applied nested RT-PCR to overcome the low viral load. هدفت الدراسة إلى توفير قاعدة بيانات محلية للكشف عن أنواع فيروس الكورونا في الاشخاص المصابين بالتهابات الجهاز التنفسي مثل الأنفلونزا و السل باستخدام تقنية تفاعل سلسلة البلمرة العكسي اللحظي لصبغة السايبر الخضراء. (rRT-PCR) جمعت 500 عينة من الأفراد الذين يعانون من أمراض الجهاز التنفسي العلوي و السفلي لاختبار أنواع الفيروس و هي 229E، OC43، NL63، HKU1. استخلص الحمض النووي الريبي، ضخمة و بعد ذلك أجرى فحص تسلسل القواعد النيتروجينية للعينات الموجبة. أظهرت النتائج تحليل منحنى الانصهار (Tm) لتضخيم المادة الوراثية الخاصة بالفيروس (79.73 ± 0.36) و كانت 9 ٪ إيجابية CoV و بعضها مصاب بعدوى مشتركة كفيروس الأنفلونزا 26.67 ٪، و السل 11.11 ٪. من ناحية أخرى، تم الكشف عن CoVs % 4.62 في عينات الجهاز التنفسي العلوي و 20.39 ٪ في الجهاز التنفسي السفلي. أشارت النتائج اختبار تتابع القواعد النيتروجينية إلى عزلتين هي CoV-NL63 و أربعة عزلات كانت CoV-229E، و سجلت لأول مرة في بنك الجينات العالمي MN086823.1 و MN086824.1، على التوالي. استنتجت الدراسة، بأن اختبار rRT-PCR هذا هو كشف سريع و فعال بالكشف عن أنواع CoV ذو محتوى فايروسي قليل بالعينة. هذا يسمح باستخدامه لتشخيص الإصابات المصاحبة للفيروسات جنبا إلى جنب مع فيروسات الجهاز التنفسي الأخرى في اختبار متعدد لتقليل وقت التشخيص. تطبيق تقنية تفاعل سلسلة البلمرة العكسية المتداخلةRT-PCR للتغلب على انخفاض الحمل الفيروسي.

The consequences of live kidney donation on the donor health with main emphasis on postdonation blood pressure (BP), proteinuria, kidney size, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were evaluated. Twenty-five donors with minimum of six months postdonation duration were included in the study. Donor age at nephrectomy, duration postnephrectomy, systolic and diastolic BP measurement pre- and post-donation, postdonation, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24-h proteinuria, blood sugar, two-dimensional echocardiogram were recorded. Kidney sizes preand post-donation were noted. GFR was calculated by chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration and modification of diet in renal disease formula and measured by diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid renogram in all donors pre- and post-donation. Twenty-one (84 %) were female, and four (16 %) were male. The mean age at donation was 46.24 ± 9.62 (28–65) years. Median duration postdonor nephrectomy was 26 (minimum 7 and maximum 228) months. There was a mean rise of 6.24 mm Hg in systolic and 4.20 mm Hg diastolic BP (P = 0.001). Remnant kidney size increased from 35.12 ± 6.80 to 42.32 ± 8.59 sq cm (P <0.0001). There was reduction of postdonation GFR from 94.50 ± 18.12 mL / min to 60.48 ± 14.32 mL / min after nephrectomy (P <0.0001). There was significant increase in remnant kidney GFR from 48.83 ± 7.79 mL / min to 60.48 ± 14.32 mL / min (P <0.0001). Two donors had hypertension postdonation while 23 did not. No donor developed postdonation proteinuria. A significant increase in the kidney size and GFR was evident in remnant native kidney in all. No mortality was observed.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 type 2 diabetic patients aged 20-60 years in Baghdad and 20 non diabetic persons as controls. Laboratory assessment of glucose related parameters; Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Insulin and Insulin resistance (IR), renal function test; Blood urea, serum creatinine, Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P), Calcium regulating hormones; Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin and vitamin D, cytokines, Adiponectin and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and comparison these parameters between patients and controls. The results: a high significant (p˂0.01) increase in FBG level in the patients (211.34 ± 11.20 mg/dl) as compared with control (85.89 ± 3.07 mg/dl). A high significant (p˂0.01) increase in HbA1c in the patients (8.89 ± 0.24 %) than to control (4.813 ± 0.09 %), insulin and HOMA2-I.R levels showed a high significant (P< 0.01) increase of patients as compared to control (49.87 ± 15.78 vs. 12.16 ± 2.57 μIU/ml), (28.49 ± 10.77vs. 2.618 ± 0.56 μIU/ml) respectively. A high significant (P<0.01) increase in B. urea and S. creatinine in the T2DM patients (35.77±1.13 mg/dl and 0.84± 0.04 mg/dl, respectively) and control (30.04±0.69 mg/dl and 0.60±0.03 mg/dl, respectively). The calcium level (8.33±0.06 mg/dl vs. 8.59±0.09 mg/dl) shows a significant (P<0.05) decrease in patients. No significant differences in PTH and calcitonin levels between patients and control, vit. D level, there was a high significant (P<0.01) decrease in patients (16.27 ± 0.55 ng/ml) and control (21.42 ± 2.15 ng/ml). Adiponectin was lower significantly (P<0.05) in patients (11.23 ± 0.40 μg/ml) than in control (12.38 ± 0.61 μg/ml), while there was no significant deference between the patients and control in TNF-α. Conclusion: Development of T2DM characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia accompanied with elevated levels of HbA1c and IR, hyperglycemia is the major cause of progressive renal damge, and the decreased levels of vitamin D in the diabetic patients suggest that altered vitamin D and calcium homeostasis may play role in the development of T2DM.

This study investigates the effect of fortifying buffalo meat products with Baladi rose dark red petals on lipid profile and liver and kidney functions in hyperlipidemic rats. The experiment is based on the hypothesis that Baladi rose petals contain phenolic compounds and natural antioxidants that exert therapeutic and protective effects against lipid disorders and organ damage. Samples of buffalo meat products (kofta and sausage) were prepared with different fortification levels of Baladi rose petal powder (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%), and hyperlipidemic male rats were fed on these diets for eight weeks. Biochemical analyses were conducted to determine total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL, as well as liver function enzymes (ALT, AST) and kidney function parameters (urea and creatinine). Results revealed that rats fed on fortified meat products showed significant reductions in harmful lipid levels, liver enzymes, urea, and creatinine, along with a noticeable increase in HDL compared to the untreated hyperlipidemic group. The best results were observed with the 1.5% fortification level. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues confirmed improved tissue structure and reduced inflammatory lesions. The study concludes that fortification of buffalo meat products with Baladi rose dark red petals can serve as a natural and effective means to enhance their nutritional value, mitigate hyperlipidemia, and protect liver and kidney tissues from oxidative damage. The researcher recommends further studies to apply these findings at the industrial and nutritional levels. Abstract Written by Dar AlMandumh, 2025, Using AI.