Awareness toward breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination among Iraqi female students at faculty of basic education.

The most prevalent cancer and the one with the highest fatality rate is breast cancer, accounting for 27% of all malignancies in women and ranking one among all cancers in women. It appears that breast cancer affects both developed and developing nations. Hence, raising public awareness of breast malignancy prevention strategies is crucial in lowering the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. The awareness and practices of female undergraduate students at Tikrit University regarding breast self-examination (BSE) were evaluated in this study. This cross-sectional investigation was performed on 420 Iraqi undergraduate scholars at the Faculty of Basic Education, University of Tikrit. The students were polled online using a self-administrated Google Forms that was disseminated through social media. Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS version 22 were used to analyze the data that had been gathered. The majority of responders (70.2%) claimed to be knowledgeable about breast cancer. Out of the participants, around 31.8% expressed the belief that a positive family history, followed by obesity 18.9% was responsible for its occurrence. BSE as a technique to find breast cancer early was only known by 33.2% of individuals who were aware of breast cancer. The significant relationships between BSE practice and breast cancer were demonstrated (P = 0.01). Timely identification and treatment of breast cancer potentially lead to improved outcomes and complete recovery when individuals promptly report signs and symptoms. By promoting awareness of breast cancer and conducting BSE, it is possible to minimize the financial burden of the treatment plan and mitigate the impact of synonyms.

Prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support among neonates with acute respiratory failure: a review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry.

The objective of this study was to identify types of neonatal diseases associated with prolonged (≥21 days) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), characteristics of survivors and nonsurvivors among those requiring prolonged ECMO, and factors associated with mortality. Data were obtained from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry over the period from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2011, for all neonates (age <31 days), with respiratory failure as the indication for ECMO. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared for 1) patient demographics, 2) primary diagnosis, 3) pre-ECMO clinical course and therapies, and 4) ECMO course and associated complications. The most common diagnosis associated with prolonged ECMO support in neonates is congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH; 69%). Infants with meconium aspiration syndrome had the highest survival rate (71%) compared with other diagnoses analyzed (26.3%; p < 0.001). Nonsurvivors were more likely to experience complications on ECMO, and multivariate analysis showed that the need for inotropes while on ECMO support (odds ratio, 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7]; p = 0.003) was independently associated with mortality. Neonates requiring prolonged ECMO support have a 24% survival to discharge. Many of these cases involve CDH. Complications are common with prolonged ECMO, but only receipt of inotropes was shown to be independently associated with mortality. This report may help guide clinical decision making and family counseling for neonates requiring prolonged ECMO support.

Assessing of plasma protein denaturation induced by exposure to cadmium, electromagnetic fields and their combined actions on rat.

In our environment, we have numerous chances to be exposed to not only electromagnetic fields (EMFs) but also many chemicals containing mutagens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate whether rat's exposure to cadmium and/or EMFs could cause oxidative damage to molecular structure of proteins and whether and to what extent the effects of co-exposure differ from those observed under the treatment with each exposure alone. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was termed as control, group 2 was treated with cadmium (3.0 mg/Kg), group 3 was exposed to EMF (10 mT/h/day) and group 4 was treated with cadmium and exposed to EMF. Protein carbonyls (PCO) in the plasma as a marker of oxidative protein damage and total oxidant status (TOS), as well as electrical conductivity and SDS electrophoresis to estimate changes in molecular structure of protein, were determined. The exposure to Cd and/or EMF led to oxidative protein damage (increased PCO and TOS) accomplished by increased stress of electrical charges on the surface of the protein molecule (increased electrical conductivity) and changes in the molecular structure of protein. The effects were more pronounced after treatment with both Cd and EMF than at the treatment with each exposure alone. The serious damage to proteins at the co-exposure to Cd and EMF seems to be due to the interference of the EMF with the toxic activity of cadmium. This work concluded that combined exposure to Cd and EMFs might increase the risk of plasma damage via enhancing free radical generation and protein oxidation.

Bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis risk factor in Egyptian male and female battery manufacturing workers.

The study was conducted to estimate the relation between lead exposure and the risk of various symptoms of osteoporosis in male and female battery manufacturing workers by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A total of 18 female and 24 male workers were chosen with the same age range, duty hours per day, work history and weight. A total of 15 healthy controls were chosen with no previous history of bone illness and normal blood lead concentration. Blood lead concentration was measured in all workers and controls. Non-lead elevated subjects were excluded. Bone mineral density was measured by X-ray-based dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan machine. Spine, femur neck and radius sites were studied. Results showed that both male and female workers recorded significant elevated levels of lead concentration accompanied by osteoporosis when compared with control. Interestingly, the data revealed that fracture risk in female was significantly higher than male workers. It was concluded that lead poisoning may act as osteoporosis risk factor or co-factor in female workers by activating the conversion of osteopenia to osteoporosis.

Ketoisophorone transformation by Marchantia polymorpha and Nicotiana tabacum cultured cells.

Stereospecific olefin (C=C) and carbonyl (C=O) reduction of the readily available prochiral compound ketoisophorone (2,2,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione) (1) by Marchantia polymorpha and Nicotiana tabacum cell suspension cultures produce the chiral products (6R)-levodione (2), (4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (3), and (4R,6R)-actinol (4) as well as the minor components (4R)-hydroxyisophorone (5) and (4S)-phorenol (6).

Asthma Knowledge among Asthmatic School Students.

OBJECTIVES: Bronchial asthma is a common and life threatening problem affecting school children and adolescents. The flare-up of asthma may lead to impaired daily function and absence from school. These complications of bronchial asthma could be influenced by poor knowledge, poor use of inhaler technique, non-compliance and negative attitude toward the illness and drugs. The study is designed to assess the asthma knowledge of school students suffering form asthma and identify the resources of the knowledge. METHODS: All diagnosed asthma students (131 cases) selected from school health register grade 7-12 was included in this study. The self administrated questionnaire was distributed among them. It was designed to collect information of the students about epidemiology of asthma, source of their information and effect of the disease on their school attendance. Special knowledge score was constructed to measure the level of the students' knowledge. RESULTS: The study showed that from 131 diagnosed asthma cases 90% (118) aware about their diagnosis. Medical and paramedical personnel were found to be the source of knowledge for 49.4% (65) of the students, while teachers were mentioned by only 9.2% (12) of the students as their source of information. Regarding the effect of asthma on school absenteeism, 66% (87) of school students may miss their school due asthma attack. CONCLUSION: Health education about bronchial asthma is a need for school students. This require inter-disciplinary approach from various organization particularly the schools. It is vital that school teachers' knowledge be improved and continuously updated that it can reflect in students' knowledge and attitudes too.

Premature infants: analysis of serum phosphate during the first 4 weeks of life.

The purpose of this study was to establish phosphate norms for the first 4 weeks of life for neonates with birthweight (BW) 500 to 1500 g. The study group included 52 consecutively born neonates: group A (n = 24; BW 500 to 1000 g), and group B (n = 28; BW 1001 to 1500 g). Phosphate levels are reported daily (days 1 to 5), and then weekly until week 4. Except for the first 2 days of life, phosphate levels were statistically lower in group A versus group B. A prospective study is required to examine whether phosphate levels can be used as a marker of acuity in neonates and to examine the effect of phosphate repletion on metabolic functions.

Constituents of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus.

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. viscidiflorus afforded three new [chrysothol (1), 2 and 4] and seven known compounds, including five sesquiterpenes, two cinnamic acid derivatives, two ketoalcohol derivatives and one coumarin glucoside. The structures of two previously reported compounds, 1b and 1c, were revised on the basis of chemical reaction. Structures of the compounds were determined by extensive NMR studies, including DEPT, COSY, NOE, HMQC, HMBC and X-ray analysis. The unpublished X-ray data of the known compounds 6 and 7 are reported. Compounds chrysothol (1), and 8-10 showed anti-cancer activity against human breast cancer cells.

Naphthaquinones of Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss.

The roots of Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss yielded alpha-methyl-n-butyl alkannin (compound 1) and alkannin acetate (compound 2). The compounds were identified by UV, MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. Quantitative determination of alpha-methyl-n-butyl alkannin and alkannin acetate in Alkanna orientalis (L) Boiss roots was established by TLC densitometry.