Y-chromosomal STR variation in Kurds and Arabs population in Iraqi Kurdistan

Background: The Iraqi Kurdistan local population involves more than eight gatherings of tenants. The Muslim Kurds make up most of the population and after that the Yezidi Kurds. Alternate gatherings incorporate Armenians, Assyrian, Chaldea, Syriacs, and little minority of Arab and Turkmen individuals.Methods: A total of 36 unrelated males from the two population groups in Iraqi Kurdistan: Kurds and Arabs were analyzed for eight Y-chromosome STRs (DYS19, DYS392, DYS437, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635 and Y-GATA-H4). Total DNA from blood cells was extracted using DNA extraction Kit.Results: A number of genetic parameters such as mean number of alleles, allele frequency, gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC), and genetic distance were calculated using Power Marker V3.25 software. The DYS458 had the highest diversity (GD: 0.883), while loci DYS456 and Y-GATA-H4 had the lowest (GD: 0.574). The Dendrogram separated the populations into two main clades, the Kurd group and the Arab group except in one case only from the whole population.Conclusions: This study confirms the discriminating power of high-resolution Y-STR typing and provides first primary dataset on Iraqi Kurdistan samples. The comparison of Kurdish and Arab datasets reveals an interesting overall picture of isolation of Kurdish group. The primers DYS19, DYS448, DYS458, and DYS635 can be considered the best for their high PIC power.

Anatomical Variations Of The Cystic Duct And Their Surgical Implications In Sudanese Population: A Cadaveric Study

Background: Anatomic variations of cystic ducts are common and continuously encountered during Surgical andradiological interventions. Failure to identify these clinically important variations may result in complicationsduring surgical or endoscopic procedures.Patients and methods: This is an observational descriptive cross-sectional study. 65 cadavers in the dissectingrooms of the medical colleges, in which the length and mode of insertion of cystic duct (CD) into common bileduct (CBD) were observed.Results: The mean length of the CD in the cadavers examined was (2.06 ± 1.03) with a minimum length of d” 0.5 cmand a maximum of 5 cm. Regarding the mode of insertion of CD into the CBD; 53.8% were found to have a lowjunction between the CD and common hepatic duct (CHD) which is considered the normal insertion. 46.2% foundto be abnormal variations of insertion; short CD (d”0.5 cm) observed in 10.8%; whereas in 13.8% of cadavers wefound that the CD is adherent to the CHD and runs in parallel to it. In 7.8% there was a high junction between theCD and CBD and in 9.2% we found that CD courses anterior or posterior to CBD and joins it medially.Conclusion: CD variations are not uncommon and it is important to identify these anatomical variations. Adetailed knowledge of the extra hepatic biliary tract, as well as of its variations, is important for the diagnosticand therapeutic success in many clinical situations since they allow the surgeon prompt identification ofcertain pathologies, making surgical procedures more accurate and affective.

Identification of Candida spp. isolated from vaginal swab by phenotypic methods and multiplex PCR in Duhok, Iraq.

Background: Candida species are the second most common cause of vulvovaginitis worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of vaginal Candida isolates by using phenotypic and Multiplex PCR techniques. Methods: 91 isolates from patients admitted to Azadi hospital and Maternity hospital in Duhok city were collected. The vaginal swab specimens were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Colonies were then sub cultured on Chromogenic Candida agar. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit. For rapid identification of Candida spp., specific primers based on the genomic sequence of DNA topoisomerase 11 of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis I, C. parapsilosis II, C. guilliermondi, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, C. kefyr and C. glabrata, C. tropicalis I, C. tropicalis II, C. lusitaniae were used. The multiplex PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. Results: 4 Candida species, namely C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis were distinguished by Chromogenic Candida agar on the basis of colony colour and morphology. PCR with the primer mixes yielded 7 different sized of PCR products corresponding to C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. krusei and C. tropicalis II. The analysis revealed C. glabrata and C. albicans were the most common species isolated with the percentage 40% and 30% respectively. Conclusions: This study concluded that phenotypic characteristics on selective agar medium such as chromogenic candida agar are useful for presumptive identification of Candiada spp. with the support of molecular method such as multiplex PCR.

Outcome of children older than one year with neuroblastoma

To assess the outcome of children older than one year with neuroblastoma treated at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We retrospectively reviewed the files of 52 children older than one year with neuroblastoma [NBL] treated at our center between September 1987 and May 2003. Treatment consisted of OPEC chemotherapy regimen [vincristine, cisplatin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide] or alternating OPEC/OJEC [carboplatin in place of cisplatin], surgical resection +/- radiotherapy [RT]. No patient received high dose therapy [HDT]. Thirty-four patients [65%] were stage 4, 12 [23%] stage 3, and 6 [11%] stage 2. Three stage 2 patients were treated with surgery only, all are alive in complete remission [CR]. All stage 3 and 4 patients were treated with chemotherapy and surgery +/- RT. After induction chemotherapy, CR was achieved in 17 patients [32%] and partial remission in 10 [19%]. Complete surgical resection was possible in 11 patients [22%]. Disease recurrence or progression occurred in 27 patients [51%]. With a median follow-up of 24 months [range 4-120], the 2-year event free survival was 10%, 82%, and 87% and the overall survival was 12%, 83%, and 100% for stage 4, 3, and 2. Children older than one year with localized NBL have good prognosis compared to those with stage 4. The use of HDT may improve the outcome in the latter group. Toxicity was significant, and adoption of risk-stratified treatment may help to reduce treatment complications

Outcome of lumbar sympathectomy for peripheral vascular disease

To analyse the results of sympathectomy in cases of Peripheral Vascular Disease [PVD] in lower limbs. A quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out at CMH Rawalpindi from June 1998 to June 2001. In this study, 37 patients of PVD of lower limbs, irrespective of age and sex were evaluated. Lumbar sympathectomy was undertaken unilaterally in 29 [78.4%] patients, while in 08 [21.6%] patients bilateral procedure was carried out. Patients with advanced disease 05 in number underwent conservative amputation of toes. Sympathectomy in each case was performed with standard technique and findings were recorded. Post operatively, all lumbar ganglia removed were sent for histopathological confirmation. Cases of PVD in which reconstructive surgery was not possible because of diffuse segmental nature of the occlusive lesion coupled with frequent lack of distal target vessel were included in this study. Of the 37 patients, 34 [91.9%] were males and 3 [8.1%] females, their mean age being 33.34 years. Rest Pain followed by intermittent claudication was the main mode of presentation. Indigenous cigarette smokers were 30 [81.1%] patients and 09 [24.3%] patients were diabetic. Out come measures based on subjective and objective improvements. Lumbar sympathectomy showed full recovery in 26 [70.37%] patients, marked improvement in 02 [5.4%] and no improvement in 09 [24.3%] cases. Only in 02 [5.4%] patients wound infection noticed, while no recurrence noticed during one year follow up. Cases of PVD in which reconstructive vascular surgery is not feasible, sympathectomy has particular use for limb pain relief, ulcer healing and in avoiding or delaying limb amputation