Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia [FMS] is a common, chronic widespread pain syndrome usually associated with other somatic and psychologic symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties Oxidative stress means an alteration in the delicate balance between free radicals and the scavenging capacity of antioxidant enzymes in favor of free radical in the body system. To evaluate and compare the antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in patients with fibromyalgia and healthy control. The study has included sixty patients with FMS [40 females and 20 males] and thirty healthy subjects. The subjects were selected from people attending the out patients clinic in Medical City-Baghdad Teaching Hospital-Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Consultation Unit. Laboratory parameters included: uric acid, albumin, caeruloplasmin, total thaiol, malondiaaldehyde [MDA] and peroxinitrate[ONOO[-]]. MBA and uric acid levels in serum of patients with fibromyalgia were significantly higher than in the control group. While the levels of ONOO[-] GSH,CP, albumin in serum of patients with fibromyalgia were significantly lower than in healthy control. oxidative stress may have a role in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome

Effect of treatment with metformin on omentin-1, ghrelin and other biochemical, clinical features in PCOS patients

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Previous studies suggest that metformin by reducing hyperinsulinemia is clinically useful in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. This study's Objective is to observe the role of metformin in omentin1, ghrelin, and other biochemical, clinical features within three months in hyperinsulinemic women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Another aim is to assess the decrease in hyperinsulinemia and body weight by metformin in the population. This study was carried out at the Kamal AL Samarai Hospital between June 2007 and March 2008. 60 women fulfilling the clinical and biochemical criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperinsulinemia were enrolled. Metformin was started at an oral dose of 850 mg/day for 3 months. Besides Body Mass Index [BMI], Waist Hip Ratio [WHR], serum omentin1, ghrelin, fasting insulin, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile levels were performed. After three months, all these parameters were assessed. Omentin1, ghrelin and insulin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured by colorimetric methods. Mean Body Mass Index and Waist Hip Ratio had significantly decreased in the 60 polycystic ovary syndrome patients after three months of Metformin therapy. Serum levels of omentin1, ghrelin and HDL-cholesterol were increased while the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was decreased significantly. Serum concentrations of insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] and HOMA beta -cell% were also decreased significantly, the present study showed a significant increase in omentin1: insulin ratio, omentin1: HOMA ratio and omentin1: HOMA beta -cell% ratio. There was a significant an increase in omentin1: insulin ratio, omentin1: HOMA ratio and omentin1: HOMA beta-cell% ratio. These results in the present study are shown the first time, these factors may be useful in following improvements in insulin sensitivity in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome or obesity treated with insulin sensitizers. Further studies are needed to certify these factors in other populations with these treatment or with other insulin sensitizers or when treated with diet and exercise

Study of omentin-1 and other adipokines and hormones in PCOS patients

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Recent studies have shown that plasma omentin-1 levels decrease with obesity. Currently, no data exists on the relative correlation between omentin-1 with other adipokines or the expression and regulation of omentin-1 in the serum of women with PCOS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of omentin-1 levels or omentin-1/adipokines ratio in the serum of women with PCOS compared with matched control subjects. The study involved 60 patients with PCOS and 30 women without PCOS who were used as controls. To examine the relationship between fasting serum omentin-1 and serum interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], resistin, ghrelin, leptin RBP-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] levels in infertile PCOS and non-PCOS subjects. Also, insulin and other hormones were measured in both groups. All these factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. From the total of 60 cases, there was a significant increase [p<0.001] in PCOS patients when compared to the control group in fasting serum, serum interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], resistin, leptin RBp-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] levels and insulin. A significant decrease in omentin-1 and ghrelin [p<0.001] was observed. The results also showed that 93.33% and 98.30% in PCOS patients had abnormal omentin 1: Insulin ratio and omentin 1: Resistin ratio respectively according to the cut off values

Beneficial effect of isotretinoin gel as adjunctive treatment to oral azithromycin in the management of facial acne vulgaris

Acne is a multifactorial disease with multiple pathogenic factors, hence combination therapies needed. Combination therapies using agents with complementary mechanisms of action increasingly are recognized as an effective strategy for treating acne. The rationale of utilizing topical retinoids with azithromycin in treating facial acne vulgaris will highlighted, particularly in relation to improvement. A randomized, clinical trial was carried out at the outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital between April 2007 and August 2008. A total of 48 patients with moderate to severe papulopustular acne vulgaris were allocated to two groups, azithromycin and azithromycin plus isotretinoin gel, both groups received Azithromycin for two months. Azithromycin 250 mg was prescribed every day for one month and every other day for the following month. Patients in second group were instructed to apply Isotretinoin gel 0.05% once daily over a 3 months treatment period. The clinical assessment was done by counting the number of inflammatory lesions in three occasions: baseline, two months and three months. After two months, both groups showed a statistically significant difference from the baseline in reducing inflammatory lesions and improving acne. Adding topical isotretinoin gel produced a higher percentage of reduction in their lesional counts, but differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. After three months, regression in the percentage of reduction of the lesional count from 57.7% to 32.4% in the first group. While in the second group the reduction was maintain in 69.8%. Adding topical 0.05 per cent isotretinoin gel to oral azithromycin enhances and maintains the rate of improvement of facial acne vulgaris

Perinatal mortality rate in Al Ramadi maternity and children's hospital, western Iraq

To estimate the perinatal mortality rate [PMR] in Al-Ramadi city, Iraq, and study its associated causative factors following the 2003 Coalition Forces occupation of Iraq. All the hospital stillbirth, and early neonatal death deliveries at the Al-Ramadi Maternity and Children's Hospital, Al-Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, from 15th June to 15th December 2005 were included in the study. Data collected for the mother includes: age, residence, parity, plurality, mode of delivery, medical and obstetrical history, antenatal care [ANC], and previous perinatal death. For dead babies: gestational age, gender, birth weight, and Apgar scores were also collected. The total studied deliveries were 3,249 births. The perinatal mortalities were 125 [43 stillbirths, and 82 neonatal deaths], giving an overall PMR of [38.5/1000]. Males showed higher PMR [45.9/1000] than females [29.1/1000]. Low birth weight babies among live births were 939 [29.2%], and were of higher [95.8/1000] PMR than normal [15.1/1000] weight births. Significant association was found between the gestational age, Apgar score, maternal age, residence, previous medical history, previous perinatal death, and plurality with the PMR. While no association was found between the mode of delivery, parity, ANC, and PMR. This study showed lower rates than some Iraqi studies applied before 2003, but still was of higher PMR when compared with the rates of most neighboring Arab and other developed countries

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers in Baghdad, Iraq

There are several reports on the occupational risk of hepatitis C virus infection of health care workers [HCWs] by accidental inoculation of infected blood. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV among a sample of Iraqi HCWs. A total of 1656 HCWs selected from various hospitals and medical units in Baghdad, together with 238 "apparently" healthy subjects [controls] were tested for anti-HCV from June 1995 to April !998. Serum testing was carried out by a third generation of enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for screening for anti-HCV and a third generation recombinant immunoblot assay [RIA-111] for confirmation of the presence of HCV antibodies. A higher rate of anti-HCV [1.51%] was observed among HCWs than controls [0.84%]. The highest prevalence rate of anti-HCV was detected in the renal dialysis group [6.25%] followed by the dentistry group [4.26%]. These were the only groups having a statistically significant higher prevalence of anti-HCV than controls when each group was compared with controls. An increase in the prevalence of anti-HCV with duration of professional practice was demonstrated. The highest rate of anti-HCV was detected among HCWs in cardiovascular surgery hospitals [4.21%] followed by infectious disease hospitals [3.37%]. Efforts to reduce exposure to blood and other body fluids are needed to reduce the risk of the occupational transmission of HCV infection, as no vaccine against HCV infection is available yet

Prevalence of Hepatitis B serological markers among health care workers in Baghdad, Iraq

Most previous studies on the prevalence of hepatitis B markers among Iraqi health care workers [HCW's] were limited to detection of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies. This work is a comprehensive one carried out to determine the prevalence of serological markers of HBV among a sample of Iraqi HCW's, and to elucidate the effect of various health professions, duration of professional practice, and the practice in different hospitals on exposure to HBV. A total of 1656 HCW's selected from various hospitals and medical units in Baghdad, together with 238 apparently healthy subjects [as control group] were screened for HBsAg and anti-HGs antibodies in the period from June 1995 to April 1998.All HBsAg positive subjects [HCWs and controls] were tested for anti-HBc [IgM], HBeAg and anti-HBe. Serum testing was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. A higher rate of HBsAg [5.4%] was observed among HCW's than controls [3.4%]. A significantly higher prevalence rate of anti-HBs antibodies in HCW's [39.3%] than controls [24.4%] was demonstrated. A significant difference in the prevalence of HBsAg was detected in the renal dialysis group only when each group was compared with the controls. The frequency of HBV infection was more than two times higher in HCW's with more than twenty years duration of professional practice compared to those with less than one year duration of practice. The lowest rate of HBsAg was seen among HCW's in general hospitals [4.8%], wherase the highest rate seen among those infectious diseases hospitals [9.0%]. HCW's still represent a high-risk group for HBV infection, and they may act as a potential source of infection to their contacts. Therefore vaccination of HCW's should be vigorously applied

Doxycycline in pityriasis rosea: placebo-controlled clinical trial

Pityriasis rosea is an acute, self-limiting skin disease, probably of infective origin. Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and most probably has an immunomodulator and an anti-inflammatory effect. To assess the efficacy of doxycycline in the treatment of pityriasis rosea in patients evaluated between January 2001 and May 2002. This was a placebo-controlled clinical trial. One hundred and twenty patients with pityriasis rosea were included in the study; all of them were above 12 years of age. They had been divided into 2 groups, the treatment group consisted of 60 patients and received doxycycline capsule. 100 mg orally for 14 days and the placebo group consisted of 60 patients and received glucose capsules for 14 days, all the patients were followed up clinically for 4 weeks after treatment, the responses were categorized into excellent, partial and no response. Forty-six patients from the treatment group completed the study. Excellent response was achieved in 30 patients [65%], partial response in 15 patients [33.5%] and no response in 1 patient [1.5%]. Forty patients from the placebo group completed the study. Excellent response was achieved in 4 patients [10%], partial response in 20 [50%] and no response in 16 patients [40%]. The results were statistically significant. We concluded that doxycycline was effective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea, with very few adverse effects

Oviductal flushing medium support in vitro fertilization of mice: experimental model for mammals

To evaluate and examine the effect of oviductal flushing medium on the fertilization rate and embryonic development in vitro using the mice as a model. Prospective study. The study was conducted through years 2001-2003 in IVF Institute-Baghdad University. Two hundred fifty mice ova were collected from superovulated [SUO] and spontaneously ovulated [SO] females. Oviductal fluid was flushed and treated for in vitro vasal sperms activation . In vitro fertilization was performed using 50% oviductal flushing medium [OFM] and IVF medium alone. Fertilization rate, normal development of different early embryonic cleavage stages was recorded. There was a significant increase [P < 0.05] in the fertilization rate [FR] of SO mice oocytes [75%] by using 50% OFM compared to both groups of SUO mice, 50% OFM group [57%] and IVF medium group [43%] . Using 50% OFM, the number of 1-cell and 4-cell embryonic stages of SO mice were significantly higher [P < 0.05] than that of SO mice embryos cultured with IVF medium alone [65% and 50% Vs. 33.3% and 30% .respectively]. The investigation showed that the oviductal flushing medium may contain many growth factors that support the FR and normal development of early cleavage stages of mice embryos in vitro

Captopril failed to attenuate the vascular response in type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria

This study is designed to study the effect if captopril on forearm blood flow aiming to understanding the mechanism of vascular response in type 2 diabetics with microalbuminuria. Department of pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad- Iraq Design; Arandomized Controlled-Clinical Trial. -24Hour Uriary Albumin Excretion -Echocardiogarphic Study -Doppler Ultrasonographic Study of Brachial Artery. The Initil echocardiographic data of diabetics with regarding the left ventricular dimensions. Single dose of nitroglycerin alttreed theleft ventricular dimension of controls but not the diabetics. Captopril of 12.5 mg/day for 7 days resulted in a significant effect on the aortic root dimension in controls but not in diabetics. Doppler study revealed that reactive hyperemia produced a significant improvement in brachial blood flow in controls rather than in diabetics in term of mean velocity. Nitroglycerin improved the blood flow in diabetics by 11.7% increment of mean velocity Vs 3.4% in controls, while captopril failed to show this effect [7.0% Vs 1.7% increment in controls and diabetics respectively]. The vascular response in type 2 diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria was influenced by dysfunction rather than the structure of blood vessels by the evidence of effect of nitroglycerin and not captopril

Ciprofloxacin ear drop for active chronic suppurative otitis media; It is safe and effective

This study was designed to show the efficacy of Ciprofloxacin ear drop in 30 patints [40 ears] with active chronic suppurative otitis media [CSOM]. It was performed at Al-Rasheed Military Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq [between may-2001 and jun-2002]. The study was a pilot, observational screening study. Measurements performed included clinical assessment [healing rate and adverse effects] and culture and sensitivity of ear discharge. Results have shown that ciprofloxacin ear-drop was found effective in reducing the otorrhea and making the discharge aseptic. This effect seems to be dose dependant since it is more pronounced and rapid at the higher dose. The success rates after 8 days were 93.3% and 60% for 0.5% and 0.25% of Ciprofloxacin concentration respectively. No important adverse effects were reported during the course of treatment. In addition there were no signe of local intolerance or ototoxicity during the period of drug administration. Ciprofloxacin ear-drop appeared to be safe and effective in treating active CSOM

Hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease

We examined whether hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease [CAD] in randomly selected 25 male patients who have angiographically proved CAD and without any of classical cardiovascular risk factors. And 20 male healthy volunteers are enrolled in this study. The outcome measures include; coronary angiography, ECG, SBp, DBp, FBS, Fasting plasma total Homocysteine [tHcy], Lipid profile, and anthropometric measures. The results showed that all patients and volunteers were below 45 years age, no one of the patients had obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or smoking habit. The results: there were no significant difference between patients and controls regarding age, BMI, WHR, SBp, DBp, FBS, and Lipid profile [P>0.05]. While there were a significant higher levels in fasting plasma tHcy in patients compared to that of controls [P< 0.05]. Our results indicate that fasting plasma tHcy levels may act as an independent risk factor for development of CAD, and this result may open anew line of treatment of cardiovascular disease by using drugs that affect the levels of plasma homocystein

Periodontal diseases in Mosul city: Clinical and radiographical study

To determine the prevalence of periodontal diseases in Mosut city. Design: Case-series descriptive design: Participants: Five hundred adult patients attending the principal dental health center In Mosul. Setting: The principal dental health center in Mosul is the referral dental clinic. The patients were examined during 6 months from March to the end of August 1996. Mean outcome measures: Clinical examination of dental plague, gingival tissue, periodontal pocket depth, loss of attachment and alveolar bone and supported by radiographic examination of the alveolar bone crest. The extent of the alveolar bone loss was 4.4% in women and 4% in men of the sample examined. The study showed a moderate gingivitis that was observed in the majority of population involved in this study. The loss of attachment increased with age and was higher in women than in men

Lupus anticoagulant as a cause of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT] in preoperative patients

This study aims at finding the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant [LA] in a selected group of patients going for elective surgery in whom the activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT] was undertaken as part of routine preoperative coagulation screening. Recent years have witnessed enormous expansion in our knowledge of the coagulation inhibitor, especially as a cause of the prolonged [APTT]. The study population consists of 900 consecutive preoperative patients admitted to the surgical wards at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, over a period from December 1995 to March 1996. Four hundred and seventy patients were females and 430 were males; their ages ranging from 1 to 69 years. The coagulation tests undertaken included: APTT, platelet neutralization procedure [PNP], koalin clotting time [KCT], prothrombin time, plasma fibrinogen and clotting factors eight, nine, and twelve. The prevalence of LA was found to be 5.3% among patients as compared to 2.9% among controls [healthy blood donors n=205]. Among the 48 patients who were LA positive there was significant reduction in the clotting factor levels [<25%], most prominent with F twelve [15/48] and F eleven [10/48]. The results of this study have established the fact that LA is a common cause of prolonged APTT in routine coagulation laboratory. These results emphasize the importance of establishing the assay procedures for LA in major general hospitals and also attract the attention of laboratory physicians to be on the look out for it