EVALUATION OF COVID-19 VACCINES EFFICACY IN IRAQI PEOPLES.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The present study was carried out on patients recovered from COVID-19, including those patients who have taken vaccine and those who have not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The patients were recruited via an online panel and surveyed at different regions of Iraq from June 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021. RESULTS: Results: Our results demonstrated that the highest percentage of people recommended Pfizer vaccine followed by Sinopharm, while AstraZeneca vaccine was least recommended. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The efficacy of different vaccines differed significantly; the highest effectiveness was observed with Pfizer vaccine followed by AstraZeneca and Sinopharm with effectiveness ranging from 94%, 89%, and 74%, respectively. Further, the highest percentage of re-infected patients was observed with Sinopharm vaccine followed by Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccine, respectively. Also, the highest percent of re-infection with masking used was seen in the case of Sinopharm vaccine followed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine. Although, we observed that post-vaccination symptoms were lowest than pre-vaccination symptoms, the percent of asymptomatic cases post-vaccination was highest than pre-vaccination cases for all vaccines.

CORRELATION BETWEEN RS6265 SNP IN BDNF AND THE CONTEXT OF DIABETES TYPE II INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQI PATIENTS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: In this study, we looked into the possible link between the G196A polymorphism in the BDNF gene and DM in Iraqi patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: By using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach, 100 subjects were genotyped for the G196A SNP of the BDNF gene, 50 as DM and 50 as controls, age-sex and ethnically matched healthy controls. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the association of this polymorphism, and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: Results: Our result show that patient with the AG (Val-Met) genotype had a 40%of total DM patients than those and GG (Val-Val) genotypes. Therefore, we concluded that as a future aspect of the report the work can be further extended on proteomic level wherein the corresponding change occurred due to the mutation in the protein can be further detected at structural and functional level. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: conclusion of our result was any patient with covid-19 must need to follow up for at least 1 month after recovery to notified of the post-Covid symptoms especially the male gender.

Identification of foods that affect the anti-cancer activity of pitavastatin in cells.

Statins inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate, a precursor isoprenoid molecule to geranylgeraniol that is necessary for the post-translational modification of several small GTPase oncogenes. Despite numerous preclinical studies suggesting that statins can be effective anticancer agents, prospective clinical trials have failed to demonstrate any clinical benefit in patients with cancer. We previously demonstrated that geranylgeraniol suppresses the activity of statins in cell culture studies, and that pitavastatin can cause regression of ovarian cancer xenografts in mice if the animals' diet is modified to avoid the inclusion of geranylgeraniol. Dietary sources of geranylgeraniol may consequently limit the activity of statins in cancer clinical trials. The present study tested several foods to identify those that affected the cytotoxic activity of pitavastatin towards ovarian cancer cells. Solvent extracts of several foods were tested for their ability to suppress the effects of pitavastatin in cell growth assays. The results revealed that pitavastatin induced cell death in ovarian cancer cells (IC50=5.2 µM) and this was blocked by geranylgeraniol whereas other products of the mevalonate pathway (coenzyme Q, dolichol or cholesterol) had no effect on the activity of pitavastatin in cell growth assays. Solvent extracts from several foods, especially oils (apart from rapeseed), also blocked the cytotoxic activity of pitavastatin. Several extracts from a range of fruit, vegetables and carbohydrate-rich foods also did not block the activity of pitavastatin. However, extracts from beans, lettuce, oats, eggs and various nuts reduced the activity of pitavastatin. These data identified foods that patients could eat to potentially improve the outcome of clinical trials of pitavastatin in cancer.

GASTROINTESTINAL AND METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN POST-COVID-19 DISEASE OUTCOMES.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: Recognizing gastrointestinal symptoms that precede COVID-19 respiratory difficulties may be crucial for effective early detection and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A total of 200 individuals with the post-covid-19 symptoms for both genders in clinical private and hospital COVID-19 verified by polymerase chain reaction were tracked until they recovered. To evaluate the duration of symptoms as a predictor of COVID-19 prognosis, we proposed a link between gastrointestinal symptoms, metabolic disturbances and disease severity. Glucose disturbances were observed in 65 percent of participants, higher D-Dimer plasma levels have been found in 77 percent of participants, and ferritin plasma levels were found in 62 percent of participants. RESULTS: Results: While gastrointestinal symptoms were common, with nausea accounting for 51% of participants, an increase in appetite accounting for 76% of patients, and anal fissure accounting for 30% of participants. Both metabolic and GIT symptoms disturbances impact a large percentage of men. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Our conclusion was any patient with covid-19 must need to follow up for at least 1 month after recovery to notified of the post-covid symptoms especially the male gender.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS POST COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the pandemic's impact on worldwide psychological suffering and its consequences for vulnerable groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 200 participants (mean 66.5% males) from 6 provinces of central and southern Iraq responded to the survey for 6 months. Mental signs and symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and State Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Over 55% of the post-Covid respondents had depression; the male gender was higher than female gender (56% vs. 44%). About 44% of the post-Covid respondents had Nervousness, 59% of them was male. Participates had moderate level of confusion & memory loss about 73%, however, the male gender was greater suffering from it than female (72% vs. 28%). RESULTS: Results: Results show that Post Covid-19 patients have high depression, Nervousness, and memory loss, and also Male gender with Covid-19 have a severe level of depression, Nervousness, memory loss as compare with the female gender. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Post Covid-19 patients have high depression, Nervousness, and memory loss as compared with those without covid-19 one. Patients who have a history of psychological problems inpatient with Covid-19 must be taken and treated in combination with a protocol of covid-19 management. The male gender with Covid-19 has a severe level of depression, Nervousness, memory loss as compared with the female gender.

The poor design of clinical trials of statins in oncology may explain their failure - Lessons for drug repurposing.

Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. However, by inhibiting the production of mevalonate, they also reduce the production of several isoprenoids that are necessary for the function of small GTPase oncogenes such as Ras. As such, statins offer an attractive way to inhibit an "undruggable" target, suggesting that they may be usefully repurposed to treat cancer. However, despite numerous studies, there is still no consensus whether statins are useful in the oncology arena. Numerous preclinical studies have provided evidence justifying the evaluation of statins in cancer patients. Some retrospective studies of patients taking statins to control cholesterol have identified a reduced risk of cancer mortality. However, prospective clinical studies have mostly not been successful. We believe that this has occurred because many of the prospective clinical trials have been poorly designed. Many of these trials have failed to take into account some or all of the factors identified in preclinical studies that are likely to be necessary for statins to be efficacious. We suggest an improved trial design which takes these factors into account. Importantly, we suggest that the design of clinical trials of drugs which are being considered for repurposing should not assume it is appropriate to use them in the same way as they are used in their original indication. Rather, such trials deserve to be informed by preclinical studies that are comparable to those for any novel drug.