A Periodical International Journal Published by the DAC Democratic Arabic Center GmbH, Berlin, Germany This journal is dedicated to publishing targeted and applied scientific research and studies that are beneficial in all areas of contemporary medical sciences The journal aims to contribute to the advancement of medical sciences by promoting the dissemination of new scientific knowledge, innovative ideas, modern experiences, and technological achievements, including nanotechnology and the use of advanced devices. It encourages researchers in the medical field to conduct impactful and beneficial scientific studies In addition, the journal focuses on publishing experimental research, as well as innovative and advanced studies prepared by researchers in medical sciences, with the goal of enriching and developing high-quality scientific research. The journal promotes scientific communication, intellectual exchange, and the cross-pollination of ideas, aiming to connect researchers from across the Arab world in a modern, purposeful framework for sharing information and practical scientific experiences Nationales ISSN-Zentrum für Deutschland ISSN: 3052-8518 j-medical@democraticac.de
The Correlation Between C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-33 (IL-33) Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients with and without Entamoebiasis in Al-Najaf Governorate
Background: The disease of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is chronic mucosal ulcer formation. In endemic areas such as the Al-Najaf Governorate, double infections with protozoa like Entamoeba histolytica are common and complicate the clinical presentation. Objective: To evaluate and compare the diagnosis relevance of systemic C-reactive protein (CRP) and mucosal IL-33 in UC patients with and without comorbid entamoebiasis. Methods: A comparative cross-section study was conducted on 90 individuals, aged 10-40 years, were taken from Gastroenterology Center, Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital and Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital at the city of Al-Najaf in the period from December 2025 to May 2026. The subjects were divided into three equal groups of 30 each: group 1 (Entamoebiasis only), group 2 (UC only), group 3 (UC and Entamoebiasis co-infection). Serum CRP and IL-33 concentrations were measured by automated immunoturbidimetry and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), respectively. Diagnostic performance was assessed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The serum CRP and IL-33 were markedly increased in co-infection group (48.62±8.34 mg/L and 214.50±35.20 pg/mL, respectively) in comparison with Group 1 and Group 2 (P<0.001). Highly significant strong positive association was observed between CRP and IL-33 in co-infected group (r=0.742, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that serum IL-33 had the best diagnostic value to predict parasitic co-infection in UC subjects (AUC = 0.912, Sensitivity = 90.0%, Specificity = 86.7%) at cut off value of >172.45 pg/mL. Conclusion: Entamoebiasis co-existing with ulcerative colitis and negatively influencing systemic and mucosal inflammation in those patients. The combined monitoring of CRP and IL-33 levels is a dependable non-invasive tool to detect parasitic complications in the context of acute UC relapses, thus avoiding detrimental clinical errors.
Ulcerative Colitis Patients with and without Entamoebiasis
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Progressive Medical Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Assessment of Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Practices Regarding Warning Signs of Pregnancy in Baghdad
Background:Pregnancy warning signs are important indicators of maternal and fetal complications. Early recognition of these signs and seeking appropriate medical care can reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective:This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge and practices regarding warning signs of pregnancy attending primary healthcare centers in Baghdad, Iraq. Methedology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 pregnant women attending primary healthcare centers in Baghdad governorate from September 2025 to April 2026. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, source of information, and practices regarding warning signs of pregnancy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 2019. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used, and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most participants were aged 20–29 years (49.7%), had secondary education (45.3%), and were housewives (70.6%). High awareness was observed for warning signs such as vaginal bleeding or leakage of fluid (89.2%) and reduced fetal movement (82.1%). However, lower awareness was found for jaundice (43.0%), decreased urine output (40.1%), and severe itching (38.5%). The overall knowledge level was moderate among 45.8% of participants, while 29.2% had good knowledge. Most mothers (77.6%) reported immediately going to the hospital when warning signs appeared. Statistically Significance found among knowledge level, age of participants, educational level, and antenatal care visits (p≤0.05). Conclusions: Pregnant women exhibit an acceptable knowledge level with good emergency response practices to warning signs of pregnancy. Both educational level and attendance at antenatal care are significantly associated with maternal knowledge. Mothers' education programs are recommended to increase awareness.
Evaluation of Peripheral Visual Perception Using a Cubic Neuro-Visual Functional Screening Device
Background: Standard visual acuity tests prioritize central spatial resolution but consistently fail to identify functional peripheral visual deficits that impact spatial orientation and mobility. This cross-sectional observational study introduces and validates a novel Cubic Neuro-Visual Functional Screening Device designed to assess peripheral visual perception and central-peripheral visual integration dynamically. Methods: One hundred and fifty participants aged 5–60 years were enrolled across five clinical cohorts: healthy controls (n=50), amblyopia (n=30), glaucoma (n=35), stroke-related peripheral field defects (n=20), and peripheral perception disturbance with normal visual acuity (n=15). The primary outcome was peripheral stimulus recognition response time, measured via a digital precision chronometer while the patient maintained central fixation, monitored by a micro-camera. Results: Healthy controls achieved a mean response time of 0.78 ± 0.12 s, demonstrating significantly faster processing compared to an aggregate pathological group mean of 1.38 ± 0.25 s (p < 0.05). A crucial clinical finding emerged in patients with normal central visual acuity (6/6) but functional disturbances, who exhibited significant peripheral processing delays (1.20 ± 0.15 s). Furthermore, distinct behavioral compensatory mechanisms, including micro-saccades and head tilting, were systematically observed in pathological cohorts. Gender did not significantly influence response times. Conclusions: The cubic screening device demonstrates substantial clinical potential in differentiating healthy from pathological peripheral visual processing. The findings highlight a critical diagnostic gap in relying solely on Snellen acuity, emphasizing the necessity for accessible, rapid functional peripheral assessment tools in routine clinical and neuro-visual rehabilitation settings.
Cubic Neuro-Visual Functional Screening Device
Evaluation of Peripheral Visual Perception
Evaluation of Physical Exercises as a Non-Surgical Treatment Modality for Patients with Diplopia
Background: Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, is the perception of two images of a single object. It may occur due to ocular misalignment, extraocular muscle weakness, trauma, refractive errors, or systemic conditions affecting ocular motility. Binocular diplopia is usually related to misalignment of the visual axes and often improves when one eye is covered. Non-surgical management, including orthoptic and physical eye exercises, may be useful in selected patients, particularly those with mild ocular motility disorders or convergence-related problems. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of physical eye exercises as a non-surgical treatment modality in selected patients with diplopia. Methods: A Prospective interventional clinical study was conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with diplopia at the Consulting Clinic for Health and Medical Technologies, Baghdad, during the period from October 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic and optometric examination, including visual acuity assessment, refractive error evaluation, cover test, ocular motility test, Worth four-dot test, prism bar measurement, and fundus examination when required. Patients with diplopia due to causes requiring medical or surgical intervention, such as cataract, severe neurological disease, or uncontrolled systemic disease, were excluded from the physical exercise treatment group. Selected patients received a structured program of eye exercises and were followed to assess improvement. Results: Among the 20 patients, 13 patients were males (65%) and 7 were females (35%). The highest percentage of patients was found in the age group of 20–25 years, representing 45% of the sample. The most common associated causes of diplopia were squint and extraocular muscle weakness. After treatment, 12 patients (60%) showed improvement with physical eye exercises, 4 patients (20%) required other treatment methods such as prism correction, and 4 patients (20%) showed limited or no improvement mainly due to poor compliance or the need for further management. Conclusions: Physical eye exercises may be beneficial as a non-surgical treatment option in selected patients with binocular diplopia related to mild ocular misalignment or extraocular muscle weakness. However, accurate diagnosis, proper patient selection, and regular follow-up are essential. Physical exercises should not replace medical, optical, or surgical treatment when these are clinically indicated.
Digitizing Binocular Vision Diagnostics via EyeQ Platform: A Study on Algorithmic System Architecture for Convergence Insufficiency (CI) Detection
Background: Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a complex neuromuscular visual disorder traditionally diagnosed using manual, subjective instruments like the RAF Rule, which heavily rely on examiner estimation and patient response times. Methods: To address these clinical limitations, this study introduces the EyeQ platform, an innovative diagnostic framework that integrates eye-tracking technology with deep learning architectures powered by the TensorFlow framework. A single-blind comparative study was conducted involving 50 participants. A broad, heterogenous age spectrum (ranging from 6 to 82 years) was intentionally selected to rigorously validate the system's algorithmic adaptability and robustness across diverse demographic profiles and age-related physiological ocular variations. The platform utilizes a dynamic "Approach-Recede" mechanism to monitor ocular neuromuscular responses and isolate precise Break and Recovery Points. Automated diagnostic outcomes were benchmarked directly against independent clinical evaluations performed by a certified optometrist. Results: The EyeQ platform demonstrated high diagnostic efficacy, achieving an overall accuracy of 94% by matching the specialist's clinical findings in 47 out of the 50 cases. Crucially, detailed clinical analysis revealed that the 6% statistical variance (3 cases) was entirely attributed to physical anatomical obstructions—specifically, two cases of ptosis and one case of severe eyelid edema—which occluded the digital region of interest (ROI) and hindered feature extraction, rather than systemic or algorithmic failure. Conclusion: The EyeQ system provides exceptional digital objectivity and reliability, eliminating subjective examiner bias and establishing a standardized digital database for longitudinal vision tracking. Given its high diagnostic precision and architectural consistency, the platform is highly qualified to It shows potential for use in large-scale screening applications in the future, subject to its validation in multiple centers.
Innate Immune Recognition During RNA Virus Infection: Molecular Mechanisms —A Review
RNA viruses continue to pose a risk for human and animal health because they mutate at high rates and can enact measures of evasive action against host immune defenses. Innate immune system, which is responsible for sensing of viral RNA via PRR such as TLRs (Toll-like receptors), RLRs (RIG-I-like receptors) and NLRs (NOD-like receptors), to mount rapid interferon and pro-inflammatory responses thus act as the first line of antiviral defense. The integrated antiviral response is directed through distinct biological components manifested in mitochondrial antiviral signaling proteins (MAVS), transcription factors NF-κB and IRF3/7, and inflammasome complexes. However, RNA viruses have evolved various means of evading these innate defense mechanisms, by: (1) targeting and cleaving mitochondrial antiviral signaling proteins (MAVS); (2) preventing the addition of ubiquitin to the relevant signaling molecules; and (3) preventing the production of interferon alpha/beta [9]. The introduction of classes of sensors, such as ZBP1-mediated PANoptosis, DHX helicases and the cGAS-STING pathways represent novel antiviral recognition mechanisms that open new therapeutic avenues. In this review we detail classical and contemporary observations of innate immune recognition, highlight mechanisms viruss have developed to counteract host defenses, delineate how vaccine adjuvants may bypass these viral antagonism strategies and sketch implications for the development of therapeutics against important human viruses. Accordingly, deciphering these complex host- pathogen interactions has major implications for the design of direct antiviral therapeutics and alternative indirect immunomodulatory strategies.
Immunological Memory of Viral Infections: Mechanisms, Durability, and Implications for Protective Immunity —A Review
Immune memory is a cornerstone of protective immunity against viral infections, enabling rapid and enhanced responses upon re-exposure to viruses. This review focuses on the interrelated roles of memory B cells, memory T cells, follicular helper T cells (Tfh), and cytokine signaling in maintaining long-term immunity, providing a comprehensive overview of the processes, longevity, and outcomes of immune memory. CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells and CD4⁺ helper T cells are memory T cells that facilitate viral clearance and regulate the immune response, while memory B cells rapidly differentiate into plasma cells, enabling effective antibody-mediated protection. Germline interaction facilitates the formation of long-lasting memory B cells and plasma cells, and follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are essential for this process. Here, we explore how epigenetic regulation of T cell development can influence the establishment and maintenance of immunological memory and discuss in-depth on TCF-1 signaling pathways that play an active role in memory T cell population sustenance. T cell depletion is another important barrier to the retention of efficacious immunological memory, particularly in scenarios of chronic viral infection. Importantly, even though they are exhausted, exhausted T cells likely remain capable of functionally traversing the TCF-1⁺ progenitor pool with the possibility for future therapeutic targets. Importantly, this study demonstrates the significance of both humoral immunity (e.g.: antibodies and memory B cells) as well as cellular immunity (e.g.: memory T cells) to control infections and disease severity. Along with inducing short-term antibody responses, the results indicate that future vaccine strategies should aim to develop functional memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells, as well as stem-like T cell populations for broad and durable protection. Furthermore, reversing T-cell depletion through epigenetic manipulation could, in principle, improve immunotherapy outcomes and vaccination efficacy in cancer and chronic viral infections. These findings offer valuable insights into the interconnected network supporting immune memory and suggest strategies to mitigate the challenges posed by immune depletion in chronic infections—information crucial for future immunotherapy regimens and vaccine development efforts.
Mechanisms, Durability, and Implications for Protective Immunity
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 Activity and Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Thalassemia Patients from Najaf Province: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Immunological dysregulation secondary to the governing chronic disease burden, repetitive blood transfusions, and ongoing antigenic stimulation exposes patients with thalassemia to enhanced risk of viral persistence or reactivation. Soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (sCTLA-4), an important marker associated with immune-checkpoints and physiologically regulating T-cell responses, may be may be elevated due to viral persistence or reactivation of virions that are present as free-floating particles in the serum (also known as viremia) of subjects infected by the Epstein-Barr virus Objective: The aim of this study was evaluation of serum soluble CTLA-4 in thalassemia patients positive and negative for EBV-DNA from Najaf province. Methodology: Cross-sectional study of hundred thalassemia patients. EBV DNA was detected by PCR, while the level of serum soluble CTLA-4 was assessed. This study segregated patients to be either EBV-DNA positive or negative. We analyzed the variables such as age distribution, demographics, clinical features, serum sCTLA-4 levels, logistic regression and correlation, ROC curve. Results: EBV DNA was detected in 45 % of patients. Among patients, EBV-DNA was positive in 56.1% of the population aged between 15–30 years, compared with 30.2% in those aged between 5–15 years. In patients with EBV-DNA, serum soluble CTLA-4 levels were significantly higher than in those without it (56.8 ± 14.9 pg/mL vs 34.7 ± 11.2 pg/mL; P<0.01). Serum sCTLA-4 levels were positively associated with EBV-DNA positivity. Results of logistic regression indicated an increased likelihood of EBV-DNA testing positive with each 10 pg/mL rise in sCTLA-4. In the ROC study, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 was performed well as a strong classifier. Conclusion: Results: The findings showed that EBV-DNA positive was significantly associated with a high level of serum soluble CTLA-4 in thalassemia patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm serum sCTLA-4 as potential biomarker of EBV-induced immune dysregulation disease of thalassemia, together with quantitative profiling for viral load using an appropriate sampling approach and immunophenotyping.
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 Activity
Diagnostic Performance of Maternal Serum Visfatin in Predicting Preterm Labor: Evidence from ROC Curve Analysis
Background: Spontaneous preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Growing evidence suggests that inflammatory pathways play a significant role in the pathophysiology of spontaneous preterm birth. Phesfatin, a multifunctional adipokine with immunometabolic properties, has emerged as a potential biomarker associated with inflammatory activation during pregnancy. PTL is defined as birth occurring prior to the 37th week of pregnancy. It is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objective: The present research explored the potential use of maternal serum visfatin as an early biomarker for diagnosis of spontaneously occurred PTL and evaluated its relationship with inflammation. Methodology: hospital-based case–control study was conducted between March and June 2025 in Basrah governorate, Iraq. Ninety pregnant women in the third trimester were enrolled, 60 of them with spontaneously occurred PTL and 30 healthy pregnant as a control matched according to their gestational age. Maternal serum concentrations of visfatin, were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and addition to the C-reactive protein estimated by biochemical analyzer and Total white blood cells (WBC) counts obtained with an automated hematology analyzer (markers of inflammation). Results: Concentration of visfatin was significantly higher in patients compared to control women (39.63 ± 8.35 vs. 21.15 ± 5.93 ng/mL; p < 0.001). The ROC curve indicated high diagnostic performance of maternal serum visfatin (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.962). The optimal cutoff value of visfatin of 27.7 ng/mL allowed predicting PTL with sensitivity and specificity equal to 93.3% and 90.0%, respectively. In addition, there were strong correlations between visfatin levels and CRP and WBCs. According to multivariate analysis, visfatin was found to be an independent biomarker of spontaneously occurred PTL. Conclusions: The case study concluded that maternal serum visfatin levels are strongly associated with spontaneous preterm birth and activation of systemic inflammation. The diagnostic findings suggest that visfatin may be a promising adjunctive biomarker for identifying women at risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Large-scale, prospective, multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings and determine their clinical relevance.
Serum CCL2 and CXCL8 Levels in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment in Karbala, Iraq: Associations with Hormonal Receptor Status and Therapeutic Modalities
Background: Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers amongst females and is strongly related to inflammatory reactions in the tumor microenvironment. The role of chemokines such as CCL2 and CXCL8 in the development of tumor cells, tumor angiogenesis, and immune system modulation is well established. objective: The current study aimed to assess serum concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL8 chemokines in breast cancer patients under treatment in Karbala governorate, Iraq, and the correlation with hormonal receptor HER2, ER, PR status and treatment strategies. Methodology: A case-control design was carried out on 60 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy subjects. Blood samples were taken from patients during their treatment, and full blood count was conducted. Measurement of serum concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL8 was done using sandwich ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 25, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The outcomes indicate that there was a remarkable difference in chemokine serum concentrations between breast cancer patients and controls. Serum concentration of CCL2 was considerably lower than that in the control group in some molecular subtypes while the serum concentration of CXCL8 was significantly higher in breast cancer patients (p = 0.012). There was a significant association between chemokine concentration and HER2, ER, and PR receptor status. Significantly higher concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL8 were also highly correlated with the treatment strategy, with the maximum concentration being observed in those treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (p ≤ 0.001). High positive correlations between CCL2 and CXCL8 were established. The above findings show that CCL2 and CXCL8 have an important role in the inflammatory microenvironment of breast cancer. CXCL8 concentration is constantly higher in breast cancer patients while CCL2 concentration varies according to the receptor status and treatment type. Conclusions: CXCL8 may be used as a stable biomarker for systemic inflammation in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. CCL2 levels are affected by hormone receptor status and the type of treatment. Further longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic potential.
Evaluation of symptoms, hematological parameter and antibodies levels among two COVID-19 vaccines recipients and control groups
Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection causes high rates of infection and death worldwide, constituting a widespread global pandemic and representing a major public health problem. While COVID-19 vaccines are known to reduce the severity of symptoms, comparative data on vaccine types in Iraq remains limited. objective: The present study aims to estimate and evaluation of symptoms, hematological parameter and antibodies levels among two COVID-19 vaccines recipients and control groups in Basrah populations. Methodology: A total of 277 individuals of both sexes’ adults recruited from Al-Mudaina General Hospital between November 2021 and April 2022., comprising 153 individuals as vaccinated group, 62 of them are males and 91 females with age range 18 years - 78 years, furthermore, 124 individuals as unvaccinated group, 60 of them are males and 64 females with age range 18 years-77 years, were selected Vaccinated participants received either the Pfizer vaccine (n = 117) or the Sinopharm vaccine (n = 36). Clinical symptoms, hematological parameters (white blood cell count and lymphocyte count), and IgG/IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were assessed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was performed on symptomatic individuals. Statistical analysis included t-tests, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex. Results were considered statistically significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. randomly. Results: The present study showed clear significant differences between symptoms in the two studied groups. The symptoms of the disease were more among individuals in the unvaccinated group than in the individuals that received vaccines after dose 2 in vaccinated group. Hematological parameter levels were measured among studied groups. The present results showed that there were significant differences (P< 0.05) in the levels of hematological parameters between the first and second doses within the same vaccine. COVID-19 antibodies levels were measured among vaccinated group. In general, anti-SARS-2 IgG antibodies levels had more significant than anti-SARS-2 IgM antibodies among vaccinated group. Vaccination reduced symptoms after SARS-COV-2 infection. Conclusions: Vaccination is associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced symptom severity. While Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines elicited humoral immune responses, protection cannot be directly inferred from antibody levels alone. Given the observational nature of the study, the findings should be interpreted as correlations, not causal inferences.
Antibacterial Activity of Lactobacillus reuteri–Mediated Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Isolates from Burn and Ulcer Wounds: An In Vitro Study
Background: Burns and ulcerative wounds are high-risk sites for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Silver nanoparticles synthesized using Lactobacillus reuteri bacteria may offer an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative with potent antibacterial activity. Objective: "This study represents a scientific effort to evaluate the inhibitory efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via a green pathway, using Lactobacillus reuteri as both reducing agent and biological carrier, against clinically isolated antibiotic-resistant bacteria from burn and ulcer wounds. Methodology: Isolates were obtained from patients at Al-Hussein Medical City's hospital laboratory in Karbala, Iraq, during October 2024 to March 2025. The study was grounded in the hypothesis that integrating Lactobacillus's biological properties—as part of normal flora, producing organic acids and bacteriocins—with silver nanoparticles' unique physicochemical traits would yield a synergistic effect capable of overcoming complex bacterial resistance mechanisms.". The practical aspect of the research involved collecting twenty clinical swabs from infection sites and transferring them to sterile media to ensure accurate retrieval of bacterial isolates. Critical bacterial strains were identified, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter. Their identity and resistance patterns were confirmed through a series of biochemical and susceptibility tests according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. This was followed by the biosynthesis of nanoparticles, utilizing the reducing capacity of naturally occurring Lactobacillus reuteri to convert silver ions into nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were then characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine the absorption peak and electron microscopy to verify the size distribution and morphology of the resulting particles. Results: The expression levels of resistance genes were assessed, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were found to inhibit the growth of all tested multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. The diameters of the inhibition zones (MZs) (mm) at concentrations of 15, 20, and 25 µg/ml were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus 24.0–27.0, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus 21.0–26.0, Acinetobacter baumannii 19.0–23.0, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17.0–22; Klebsiella pneumoniae 16–18 mm; Escherichia coli 13–17 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 15 and 25 µg/ml. Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria. The observed differences were statistically significant between species and concentrations (p<0.05). Results: Traditional antibiotics showed varying sensitivity, with some Armenian Protestant strains showing resistance to all classes of drugs tested. Conclusions: This proves that this green nanotechnology approach represents a promising and low-cost strategic alternative to address the escalating microbial resistance crisis in clinical settings.
Nanoparticles Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Isolates
Association of ABO Blood Groups and Early T2-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Pediatric Asthma: A Case–Control Study from Najaf, Iraq
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; color: black; border: none; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple;">Background:<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; color: black; border: none; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple;"> Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways that is prevalent mostly in children, and its early diagnosis is not easy because of the similarity of the disease to other respiratory diseases. Objective: This paper examines the interaction between the ABO blood groups and the early diagnostic biomarkers- FeNO, serum IgE, periostin, TSLP, and T2 cytokines in asthma in children. Methods: A total of 50 children with established asthma were recruited as well as 30 children with intermittent asthma-like symptoms recruited in Najaf teaching hospitals. Results: Asthmatic children, compared to the intermittent group, had significant increases in FeNO, IgE, periostin, TSLP, and T2 cytokines. There was a greater prevalence of blood group A in asthmatic children. The findings point to the possibility of using blood group distribution in conjunction with T2-inflammation biomarkers to improve the ability to detect asthma early and phenotype it in children. <span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; color: black; border: none; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-ansi-language: FR;">Conclusions<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; color: black; border: none; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple;"> : <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; color: black; border: none; mso-ligatures: none; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple;">High levels of FeNO, IgE, periostin, TSLP, and T2 cytokines have a strong association with pediatric asthma. A- Splenic blood group A seems to be more prevalent in asthmatic children. The incorporation of the biomarkers with the ABO phenotyping can help to enhance early diagnosis of asthma.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Progressive Medical Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Exhaled Breath Condensate as a Non-Invasive Biomarker of Oxidative Stress in Smokers: A Cross-Sectional Case–Control Study
Introduction: smoking remains a major global health burden, driving disease through persistent oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Traditional serum assays provide valuable information but are invasive and impractical for large-scale screening. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) offers a simple, non-invasive alternative for assessing oxidative biomarkers in the airways. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether oxidative stress biomarkers measured in EBC reflect systemic oxidative changes in apparently healthy smokers and to determine their diagnostic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional, case–control study was conducted among 60 adults (30 smokers, 30 non-smokers) aged 18–45 years. EBC was collected using a standardized condenser system, and both EBC and serum samples were analyzed for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 8-isoprostane, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Data were analyzed using t-tests, correlation analyses, and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Smokers showed markedly higher oxidative-stress biomarkers in both EBC and serum compared with non-smokers. Mean EBC H₂O₂ was 1.84 ± 0.42 µM in smokers versus 0.96 ± 0.28 µM in controls (p < 0.001), and EBC 8-isoprostane levels were 57.4 ± 14.3 pg/mL versus 33.1 ± 10.8 pg/mL (p < 0.001). TAC values were significantly lower in smokers across both matrices. EBC H₂O₂ correlated strongly with serum MDA (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), indicating concordant airway and systemic oxidative stress. ROC analysis showed high diagnostic accuracy for EBC H₂O₂ (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.95). Conclusions: EBC biomarkers, particularly H₂O₂ and 8-isoprostane, reliably mirror systemic oxidative stress in cigarette smokers. The strong correlation between EBC and serum markers supports EBC as a non-invasive, reproducible, and clinically relevant tool for early detection of smoking-related oxidative injury. Its simplicity and low cost make it especially promising for preventive health programs and research in low- and middle-income settings
Multicolonisation and mixed Helicobacter pylori infections: situation in Tunisian patients
H .pylori is known as one of the bacterial species having greatest genetic polymorphism in the world. It is also known that this genetic diversity could be due to mixed infections followed by genetic exchanges between several strains. Our study aimed to determine the presence of both multiple and mixed infections, for that goal, it is important to work on pure isolates obtained from isolated colonies and not from the mixture of different colonies harvested together on the first culture plate. Antral and fundic biopsies were taken and studied separately. The multicolonisation was defined as simultaneous presence of several strains in the same patient, whether it is antral, fundic or both. Antibiotic susceptibility of the H.pylori strains was tested by disk diffusion method and E-test. The Tunisian strains were more polymorphic. Exchanges of genetic material between the various strains were probable. The Tunisian subjects seemed to be colonized by different strains or different clones from the same strain. Several hypotheses might be proposed: initial infection by at least two different strains, infections by different strains at different times, recolonisations are probable.
Correlation of Serum IL-33 with IL-6 and IL-1κ Levels as Immunological Indicators of Host Inflammatory Response in Early-Stage Hepatic Hydatidosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Al-Najaf Province
This article carefully describes the blood concentration of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and its correlation with two important pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). This helps explain the immunological condition that habours liver parasitic hydatid disease patients are in. Methods: From March 2024 to February 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Najaf Province involving 140 subjects divided into two groups: 70 patients seen as early-stage hepatic hydatidosis (CE1 and CE2), and 70 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Samples were collected from four major healthcare centers: Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital, Al-Furat General Hospital, Al-Najaf General Hospital, and Al-Hakeem General Hospital. Using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique, we quantitated serum concentrations of IL-33, IL-6, and IL-1β. Results: As a whole, the results showed that the mean serum levels of IL-33, IL-6, and IL-1β in patients with liver problems were markedly higher than those found control group (P 0.05). The study results suggest that IL-33 is a key “alarmin” in early-stage hepatic CE. Its strong positive correlations with IL-6 and IL-1β parallel the significant role in the inflammatory response that this axis must play. This means these cytokines could be used as monitoring indexes for measuring both the level of inflammation and state hepatocellular hydatidosis is in.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Evaluation of Hematological Parameters and Immunological Indicators in Patients Infected with Leishmania Parasite in Najaf Governorate, Iraq
Background: Leishmaniasis is a public health threat facing Iraq and its transmission dynamics can be impacted by environmental and urban change, such as in the city of Najaf. This study quantifies hematological suppression and immune markers to assess related systemic physiopathology. Methods: A clinical cohort of 80 patients from Al-Sadr Teaching, Al-Hakim, and Najaf General Hospitals (May 2024 – April 2025; NCT05150537) was compared to 30 matched healthy controls. Statistical evaluations of hematological parameters and levels of cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, IFN-γ) were performed. Results 81.3% patients had clinically significant leucopenia (WBC < 3.5 ×103/cc$). Cytokine production was biased towards a strong Th2 deviation with elevated IL-10 ($154.2 \pm 28.5$ pg/ml) and dramatically reduced IFN-γ ($18.5 \pm 4.7$ pg/ml). Lite is still in beta and does not currently support PMCs, but the public is strongly supported.] This result supports the hypothesis and lends credence to elevated IL-10 as an early immunologic escape mechanism that hastens hematological failure against the background of the Iraqi environment.
Rabies Virus Target Cell Specificity and Tropism
Rabies virus (RABV), the causative agent of rabies, is an extremely neurotropic pathogen known to cause fatal encephalitis in humans and animals. The virus shows a high degree of cellular specificity for neurons and spreads efficiently along neural networks to access the central nervous system. It is important to elucidate the mechanisms that govern viral tropism, receptor interactions, and neuronal targeting. In this article, we provide a broad overview of the current literature on rabies virus target cell specificity and tropism. Illustration A total of published studies about viral structure, receptor-mediated entry, neuron- and non-neuron cell interactions, axon transport mechanisms and viral strain differences were reviewed to summarize current knowledge regarding host virus interactions and infection dynamics. The infection of the rabies virus is initiated by viral replication in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle cells followed by receptor-mediated entry into peripheral neurons at the neuromuscular junctions. The attachment and internalization of the virus are mediated by multiple host receptors, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), p75 neurotrophin receptor (NTR), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR). Hosts Virus Glycoprotein Host Cell Entry Membrane Fusion Immune Evasion Upon entry, the virus hijacks dynein-mediated retrograde axonal transport to access the central nervous system in an immune privileged environment2. Additional data indicate that non-neuronal cells like astrocytes can also become infected by the virus and contribute to immune responses. Furthermore, vesicular stomatitis virus infection interferes with neuronal function by disrupting neurotransmitter signaling and axonal structure. Differences also emerge in neural circuit usage, as viral strain variance and host receptor distributions can shape the viruses: host organism interface and drive differences in infection spread through neural circuits. Rabies virus is a neurotropic pathogen that causes fatal encephalitic disease in humans and mammals. This tropism for neural tissues and its spread through neuronal networks underpins the mechanisms of pathogenesis. This review discusses the host range and target cell requirements of rabies virus, with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that determine viral entry into cells, intracellular trafficking and host–virus interplay. The virus first replicates in peripheral tissues, mainly skeletal muscle cells, and subsequently spreads to peripheral neurons by receptor-mediated entry at neuromuscular junctions. Attachment and internalization of viral particles is facilitated by a number of neuronal receptors including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, p75 neurotrophin receptors, neural cell adhesion molecules, and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The viral glycoprotein is involved in crucial processes like receptor binding, membrane fusion, and immune avoidance–all of which also directly influence the infectivity and pathogenicity of the virus. After entering, the rabies virus hijacks dynein-driven retrograde axonal transport to access the central nervous system while evading immune detection. Besides neurons, accumulating evidence indicates that non-neuronal cells including astrocytes may play a role in viral persistence and innate immune modulation. In addition, the infection causes considerable changes in neuronal function: disruptions to neurotransmitter signaling and axonal integrity. Specificity and efficiency of viral spread within neural circuits is additionally influenced by viral strain variation and host receptor distribution. Molecular determinants of rabies virus tropism need to be established, as they not only further our understanding of viral neuro-pathogenesis, but also pave the way for optimised human health therapeutic approaches and enhanced safety in synaptic tracing with rabies-based eukaryotic viruses. The tropism of rabies virus is determined by a complex interplay of viral structural proteins, host receptor availability, and neuronal transport processes. Collectively, these processes facilitate effective neuroinvasion and throughout the nervous system dispersal. These findings provide insights into the molecular and cellular processes underlying rabies viruses; such knowledge will support improv ed antiviral strategies, as well as vaccine design, or safer rabies-based viral tools for neural circuit mapping in neuroscience studies.
Role of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) in Modulating VEGF-A Expression Among Iraqi Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Molecular Study
Background: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latency with periodic reactivation, and is of particular concern in immunocompromised patients, such as those receiving treatment with chemotherapy. Experimental data suggest that upon infection, HSV-1 induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a key mediator of angiogenesis and inflammation. However, the link between HSV-1 reactivation and physiological or systemic VEGF-A in patients receiving oncological therapy have not been examined broadly. Methods: A cross-sectional molecular study to investigate the relationship between HSV-1 reactivation and VEGF-A expression in Iraqi chemotherapy patients. Methods: 300 subjects (200 chemotherapeutic patients and 100 control not receiving chemotherapy) were recruited. HSV-1 status was assessed by serology (IgG, IgM) and qPCR detection of viral DNA in oral swabs and plasma. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum VEGF-A concentrations and reverse transcription qPCR was performed to quantify peripheral blood mononuclear cells levels of VEGFA mRNA. A multivariable linear regression was conducted to determine the independent relationship between positivity for HSV-1 DNA and log-transformed VEGF-A levels while controlling for demographic, clinical, and immunological variables. Results: HSV-1 DNA was found in 18% of patients undergoing chemotherapy versus 5% of controls (p < 0.001). Serum VEGF-A levels in chemotherapy patients were significantly higher than controls (median 412 according to 221 pg/mL; p < 0.001). In chemotherapy patients, individuals who were positive for HSV-1 DNA had significantly higher serum VEGF-A (median 712 with 368 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and increased expression of VEGFA mRNA (median fold change 3.94 compare with 1.63, p < 0.001). Oral viral load positively correlated with serum VEGF-A (Spearman ρ = 0.58, p < 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, positivity for HSV-1 DNA remained independently associated with higher log (VEGF-A) (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.28–0.54, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reactivation of HSV-1 is independently correlated with enhanced VEGF-A expression in un-females and non-HSV infected chemotherapy doomed fatalities. This observation hinted that viral reactivation upon immune suppression might drive systemic angiogenic and inflammatory signaling. The clinical implications of HSV-1–mediated VEGF-A upregulation in oncology settings warrant examination in prospective studies. In the state of virus reactivation, qPCR was used to quantify HSV-1 and VEGF-A expression level.
The effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on anti-dsDNA, anti-ribosomal P, and anti-chromatin (minor DNA) autoantibodies in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is distinguished by the fluctuation of disease activity and the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Infectious agents, such as Toxoplasma gondii, have been proposed to be candidate environmental factors able to influence autoimmune responses. Nevertheless, relationship between T. gondii infection and autoantibody profiles among patients with SLE is not fully realized yet especially in endemic areas. Objective: study the roles of Toxoplasma gondii infection on levels and prevalence of anti-ribosomal P, anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), and anti-chromatin (minor DNA) autoantibodies, in addition to disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: A cross-sectional study which included 100 lupus patients Al-Najaf hospitals. Study period between June 2024 to July 2025. Sunscreen-naive SLE patients were categorized by T. gondii infection: 48 who were with infection and 52 who were without infection. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were determined by ELISA. Serum antibodies to dsDNA, ribosomal P and chromatin were assessed by ELISA. Disease activity was evaluated based on the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Group comparisons, correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results: The seropositivity of T. gondii IgG was considerably higher in SLE patients (48.0% P = 0.03). Anti-dsDNA antibodies (p < 0.001) and anti-chromatin antibodies (p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in seropositive SLE patients., in comparison with seronegative subjects. Patients with T. gondii were more likely to possess anti-ribosomal P antibodies (45.8%; 23.1%, p = 0.01) and these were linked to neuropsychiatric presentation. SLEDAI score was significantly higher in the T. gondii positive group (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between the titer of T. gondii IgG antibodies, the levels of autoantibodies, and disease activity. On multivariate analysis, T. gondii seropositivity was an independent predictor of high disease activity (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–7.1). Conclusions: T gondii infection is correlated with elevated autoantibodies titers and higher SLE activity. These results suggest that chronic toxoplasmosis may act as an immunological modulator in SLE and the need to consider the etiology of parasite infections in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, especially when these are endemic.
Carbapenem Hydrolysing Oxacillinase in Acinetobacter baumannii
The global rise in carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is alarming, as it severely restricts available therapeutic options. Among the resistance mechanisms identified in this species, carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamases (CHDLs) represent the most prevalent β-lactamases and are largely specific to A. baumannii. This review focuses on the different clusters of oxacillinases that have been reported in Acinetobacter baumannii worldwide
Assessment of Toxoplasma gondii Infection with Pro and Anti-inflammatory Cytokine along with sHLA-G Activity in Pregnant Rheumatoid Arthritis Women in Middle Euphrates Region
Background: Pregnancy is a period of profound immune modifications that are necessary for the development of maternal–fetal tolerance. soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) is an important immunomodulatory molecule in this regard. rheumatoid arthritis, Toxoplasma gondii infection respectively affecting the balance of human immune system and sHLA-G expression during pregnancy, however, the effect of interplay rheumatoid arthritis and Toxoplasma gondii infection on sHLA-G expression during pregnancy are not well-known. Objectives: This work was aimed to study the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on serum sHLA-G expression, Pro and Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Activity in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis in Middle Euphrates region-Iraq using serological, molecular and immunological tools. Methods: A cross-sectional case–control study was performed in 112 pregnant women in Middle Euphrates region classified into four groups: Rheumatoid arthritis with T. gondii infection, Rheumatoid arthritis without infection, T. gondii infection with non-RA and healthy pregnant controls. Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies were examined by ELISA, and T. gondii was confirmed using real-time PCR to detect the DNA of pathogens. sHLA-G and cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10) in the serum were evaluated by ELISA. Rheumatoid arthritis activity was measured by DAS28. Statistical analysis involved ANOVA, correlation analysis and multivariable regression. Results: The serum sHLA-G concentrations were significantly different between the study groups (P < 0.001); the highest concentration of serum sHLA-G was detected in pregnant women with Rheumatoid arthritis and concurrent T. gondii infection. Compared with chronic infection, acute toxoplasmosis was characterized by higher sHLA-G levels (P < 0.01). sHLA-G had a positive correlation with IL-10 and disease activity of Rheumatoid arthritis, and negative correlations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. After controlling for confounders, T. gondii infection remained an independent predictor of sHLA-G high concentrations. Conclusions: The correlations reveal further clues about the mechanism of action of sHLA-G: positive correlations with the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (r = +0.62, P01) suggest a mixed pattern of pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokine production in this context. Detailed multivariate regression analysis confirmed that Toxoplasma gondii infection is an independent risk factor for sHLA-G release (p < 0.001). Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis significantly inhibits sHLA-G secretion, suggesting a possible collaboration between autoimmunity and the parasite, and pregnancy-induced immune tolerance. The findings suggest that sHLA-G may become a key indicator of underlying immune regulation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Progressive Medical Sciences
Bacteriophages: Molecular and Virologic Review Study
Earth's most common viruses, bacteriophages, infect bacteria and archaea. Protein capsids and sometimes lipid envelopes encase phage genomes, which vary in kind and structure. Most are double-stranded DNA phages, whereas Cystoviridae are RNA. Phages control bacterial populations, transfer horizontal genes, lyse molecules, and alter metabolism in different situations. Based on their structural morphotypes, which are largely determined by tail architecture, phages are classified as Podoviridae (short tails), Siphoviridae (long, flexible tails), and Myoviridae (long, contractile tails). They build genome transport and host recognition virions with portal proteins, tail fibers, and baseplates. DNA is transferred into capsids by ATP-dependent terminases during genome packing. The lysogenic cycle comprises temperate phages integrating into the host genome as prophages and replicating passively until stimulation activates the lytic phase. Phages with non-lytic chronic infections or carriers exist. Phages limit their host range by recognizing lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane proteins, teichoic acids, and flagella. They can make anti-CRISPR proteins to attack bacteria. Phages indirectly affect human health by influencing microbiota and immune systems. Immunoglobulin-like capsid domains connect them to mucosal surfaces for bacterial clearance and barrier protection. They can also enter tissues and circulation, where they are immunologically tolerated. Phages activate innate and adaptive immunity. Innate sensing and cytokine production are enabled by TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9. However, adaptive immunity produces neutralizing IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies. Recurrent phage therapy can be reduced by phage-neutralizing antibodies. Phage biology is characterized by the discovery of "huge phages" with genomes that rival small bacterial genomes and encode complex functions like tRNAs, translation factors, CRISPR-Cas systems, and nucleus-like compartments that protect phage genomes from host defenses. Phage-encoded CRISPR-Cas systems often lack spacer acquisition or interference genes, resulting in host apparatus repurposing or gene transcriptional silence. Targeting competing phages and host regulatory mechanisms is possible. Phages treat antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Phage treatment has potential despite bacterial resistance and host immune neutralization. They also carry toxin genes (cholera, diphtheria) through lysogenic conversion, boosting bacterial pathogenicity. Dynamic evolutionary arms races affect microbial ecology through phage-host and phage-phage interactions. Recent metagenomics and meta transcriptomics advances have increased the variety of dsRNA and tailless dsDNA phages. This showed unique viral families and the prevalence of phages in human microbiomes, particularly crAss-like phages in the intestine. The molecular details of phage interactions with eukaryotic cells are still emerging, despite the vast knowledge of bacterial receptors for phage attachment. Mammalian cells can use endocytosis mechanisms to internalize phages for immunological regulation and therapeutic delivery. expanding the taxonomy of dsRNA phages, understanding non-lytic infection mechanisms, characterizing phage-host range and interactions, and using phages for biocontrol in agriculture and medicine. It is required to overcome immune clearance, understand phage immunogenicity, and understand the tri-kingdom interactions between phages, bacteria, and human hosts that maintain microbial and immunological homeostasis to maximize phage therapy. Bacteriophages are complex, diversified, and ecologically important viruses. Bacteria, horizontal gene transfer, immune system contact, and burgeoning biological uses including phage therapy and biotechnology are managed. Phages' complex life cycles, structural biology, and interactions with human and bacterial hosts are being understood beyond their role as bacterial predators. Briefly explain bacteriophages, which infect bacteria and archaea, their diversity, dsDNA and dsRNA phages, structure and replication mechanisms, ecological implications, mammalian immunity, and emerging therapeutic applications, including phage therapy. Phage viruses are assembled by complex structural proteins. Widely studied tailed phages including T7 (Autographviridae/Podoviridae-like), SPP1 (Siphoviridae-like), and T4 (Myoviridae-like) have tail and capsid shapes optimized for genome transport and host recognition Biomolecules such lipopolysaccharides and outer membrane proteins bind to baseplate and tail fibers. Genome packing motor ATPases assist phage DNA enter capsids. T4 phages employ the lytic cycle to rapidly multiply and lyse the host cell, while temperate phages use the lysogenic cycle to passively integrate their genome into the host chromosome until induction activates lytic replication. Infection-causing pseudolysogenic or persistent phages do not lyse quickly. In bacterial pathogen phage treatment, these life choices affect phage ecology and application. To identify hosts, phages recognize polysaccharides, proteins, and flagella. Phage host range is limited by specificity. To escape bacterial defenses, phages can encode anti-CRISPR proteins and adapt genomically. Phages transfer toxin genes and other virulence factors to bacteria by lysogenic conversion. Phages influence microbiomes and immunity without infecting humans. Phages can infect tissues and cells via endocytosis, altering immune responses. Phages destroy bacteria to fight antibiotic-resistant illnesses, but immunological responses including neutralizing antibodies can hinder phage treatment. Recent discoveries include "huge phages" with microscopic bacteria genomes. Complex machinery is provided by tRNA, translation factor, and CRISPR-Cas phages. Metagenomic studies have found tailless dsDNA phages from new viral orders and families, enhancing our understanding of phage diversity. CRISPR-mediated phage-host and phage-phage interactions show dynamic evolutionary arms races. Biomedical applications, gene transfer, microbial community dynamics, and bacterial population regulation depend on bacteriophages. Research on their structural biology, trplicative cycles, and host immunological interactions determines their therapeutic and ecological potential. Bacteriophages are everywhere in the biosphere and influence bacterial ecology and evolution. DNA-containing bacteriophages in ecosystems are well-studied, whereas RNA-containing ones are often overlooked.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF STRUMAL CALLA EXPRESSION IN PRIMARY BREAST CARCINOMA IN RELATION TO PATHOLOGICAL RSPONCE AFTER NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY
Background: In this study we aimed to assess the IHC expression of stromal CALLA in invasive breast carcinomas as prognostic factor and correlate its relationship with six clinico-pathological parametrs by assessing the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy Method: Study design is cross-sectional, it conducted on 50 females with breast invasive ductal carcinoma, FFPE tissue blocks collected from the archive of laboratory of Al-Sader medical city - Al Najaf governorate/ Iraq, during the period from September 2023 to September 2024. CALLA immunohistochemistry expression detected by labeled polymers and enhanced polymer system (Dako En-Vision™ Flex) Dako-protocol. it was correlated with age of patients, tumor grade, hormonal expression, her-2/neo expression, Ki-67 expression and molecular profile. Result: Stromal CALLA immunohistochemistry was expressed in 48%. There is statistically significant positive correlations between stromal expression and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.011), most cases with positive CALLA expression either nonresponding to NAC or achieved partial response while most of CALLA negative cases achieved complete pathological response the same for her-2 positive cases, though statistically non-significant but most CALLA expressed cases were Grade III, her-2 enriched and triple negative molecular profile most of them had partial pathological response (not complete) Conclusions: Stromal CALLA had been expressed in 48% of invasive ductal carcinoma and there is positive correlation between stromal CALLA expressions and higher tumor grades, her-2 expression and triple negative profile suggesting the effects of stromal CALLA expression on aggressive behavior of breast ductal carcinoma with decreasing a chance of complete pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Association of MTHFR gene polymorphism (rs1801133) with Type 2 Diabetic Iraqi population
Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a complex of endocrine metabolic disorder. It is believed that polymorphism of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T related to type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, results are conflicted from different ethnic and races. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR (rs1801133) gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This case-control study was included 100 patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases and 100 healthy control individuals. The blood sample was collected for estimation of biochemical parameters for analysis among the T2DM cases and healthy control groups. DNA extraction from whole blood was done to study the MTHFR gene polymorphism by RFLP-PCR method. Results: There were significant difference in genotype distribution among Type2 diabetic patients and control group. Compared with CC wild genotype, CT heterozygous genotype (OR= 5.7, 95% Cl= 3.0-11.0 and P=0.0001) and TT homozygous genotype (OR=4.3, CI=1.5-11.9 and P=0.0005). The T allele frequency increased the risk in diabetic patients by three folds when compared with C allele (OR= 3.6, C. I=2.2-5.5, P= 0.0001), suggested that the effect of MTHFR point mutation on type 2 diabetes mellitus implicated with increased risk of disease. Conclusion; Our results indicate that polymorphism in MTHFR C677T plays significant role in type II diabetes mellitus risk for Iraqi populations
Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in Diarrheal Patients in Al- Najaf Province\ Iraq
The research was conducted at the Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital. There were 1061 patients in all, representing both sexes (males and females) and various age groups (children and adults). Out of all the stool samples studied, 241 were found to be infected with Entamoeba histolytica. The frequency of intestinal protozoa infection was rather high in January (27%), but it started to steadily fall in April (6%). Children aged 1 year had the lowest incidence (6%), while those between 15 to 44 years had the greatest (29%). Males (46%) and females (54%) were distributed by sex in the parasite tests, according to the data. In the cyst stages of E. histolytica, the average percentage was reported at a greater rate (80%) than in the trophozoite stage (20%).
Evaluation of the prevalence of oral parasites and some variables affecting them among students of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University
The present study was conducted for the period from September 2024 to March 2025 to investigate the infection of oral parasites Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis among students of the Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University in Kufa. The number of samples examined 150 saliva samples and gum swabs were collected from the students of the Technical Institute Kufa and the Medical Technical College Kufa; the samples were examined by direct smear and the preparation of wet slides in the laboratories of the Pathological Analysis Department in the Technical Institute Kufa. The prevalence of the E. gingivalis parasite was 10%, and the T. tenax parasite was 18%. The infection rate was higher in males, reaching 20%, than in females, which reached 8%. The incidence rate among students living in rural areas is 60.4%, while 39.6% of infected students are urban residents.
Detection of some mutations in some Mitotic Checkpoint Genes and their Association to Tissue Abnormalities in patients with Breast Cancer
Background: Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease, and several genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to its malignancy. The checkpoint genes Bub1, Bub1B, and MAD2L1 have been shown to be relatively uncommon mutations in cancer. This study aimed to screen for some mutations in some of the mitotic checkpoint genes, including MAD1L1, BUB1, and BUB1B. Materials and Methods: Thirty breast cancer biopsy specimens or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue were isolated. Then, the patient information of the breast cancer patient was recorded. Histological examination and then genomic DNA extraction were performed for all samples. In the next step, DNA purity and concentration were estimated. For MAD1L1, BUB1 and BUB1B genes, initial design was performed and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then gel electrophoresis were performed for PCR products. Electrophoresis bands were cleaned and DNA was sequenced and finally statistical analysis was performed. Results: Histological examination showed differences in shape, orientation, and echo pattern between the invasive cancers and DCIS. An irregular shape (72% vs. 35%), a not parallel orientation (42% vs. 9%), and a hypoechoic or complex echo pattern (92% vs. 6%) were more frequent in invasive cancers when compared with the DCIS cases. The results of matching the sequence obtained according to Sanger method with Chromas version 2.6.6 software showed there were multiple mutations in study genes. Conclusion: In the present study, after histological examining and PCR product sequencing of all samples, it was determined that all the samples studied had altered genotypes in terms and this alteration associated to histological abnormalities
Molecular Determinants of Virophages activity: A Multi-Level Review
Virophages are distinctive parasitic viruses that replicate solely within the viral factories of co-infecting giant viruses (GVs), exerting considerable molecular, ecological, and evolutionary effects on host–virus systems. This study offers a comprehensive synthesis of virophage molecular biology, emphasizing structural factors influencing ligand-receptor recognition, genome organization, transcriptional and translational reliance, host and viral tropism, and mechanisms that disrupt giant-virus replication. Structural analyses demonstrate that virophage capsids possess double-jelly-roll major capsid proteins and specialized surface protrusions, including trimeric fiber-head-like receptor-binding folds, which facilitate attachment to glycosylated GV fibrils and enable hitchhiking-based co-entry into protist hosts. Virophage genomes, usually 17–30 kb dsDNA, contain compact replication modules, packaging ATPases, primase/helicase-like proteins, integrases (in certain lineages like mavirus), and regulatory elements that have evolved to work with the transcriptional machinery of their helper GVs. Once inside the GV viral factory, virophage gene expression follows a pattern of early, middle, and late stages that are mostly controlled by giant-virus polymerases and host ribosomes. RNA metabolism is limited. Capsid–fibril compatibility, promoter recognition specificity, replication-module matching, and viral defense systems like MIMIVIRE, which limit some virophage lineages (like Zamilon), all play a role in host and GV tropism. Integrated provirophage forms, particularly mavirus, exhibit alternative replication strategies that include host-genome integration and giant-virus–induced reactivation, thereby offering sustained antiviral defense at the population level. Virophage infection alters giant-virus transcription, hinders virion assembly, and diminishes GV burst sizes, resulting in significant ecological impacts such as host protection, modification of microbial community structure, and regulation of aquatic viral dynamics. Virophages have been exchanging genes with giant viruses, polintons/Maverick transposons, and eukaryotic genomes for a long time, which helps to diversify mobile elements. Even though cryo-EM, comparative genomics, and metagenomics are giving us more information, we still don't know the answers to some basic questions about the exact GV receptors, the quantitative biophysical affinities, the processes that RNA goes through to mature, and the evolutionary pressures that are causing virophage–GV arms races. This in-depth study shows that virophages play a big role in virus–virus parasitism, microbial ecology, and genome evolution. It also shows that more advanced structural, biochemical, and ecological research is needed.
Assessment of Serum IgE, IL-6, and IL-10 Levels in Children Infected with Enterobius vermicularis in Primary Schools of Al-Barakiah, Najaf Governorate
Pinworm with only human as host, is thus one of the most universal nematodes, and also one of the most prevalent helminths. More than 200 million people are infected worldwide, and currently around 30% of infected children. The Sample consisted of one hundred random samples of primary school students in Najaf governorate (70 males and 30 females) with the age rates of (6-12) years old. Infection: Recruitment took place between October 2023 and January 2024 at ten geographically diverse schools for cases of nosocomial pruritus ani. High prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among primary school children in Najaf governorate, Iraq, is uncommonly. Methods This cross-sectional study included 100 students (70 men, 30 women) sampled between October 2023 and January 2024 to characterize the epidemiology and immunology of E. In total, 70% were infected, with considerable variation between age and month. The highest number of children with it was between ages 6–8 years (55%), and the lowest the mild increase (aged 11–12 years). Seasonal maximum was higher in November (83.3%) and December (80%) as compared to January (46.7%). The median percentage of infected patients was greater for men (71.4%) than for women (66.7%). Immunological analysis showed that serum levels of IgE were much higher in the infected children, and levels of both IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. Concentrations of IgE and eosinophilia were strongly related to infection rate, and peaked at 6–8 years (IgE: 240.50 IU/mL, eosinophils: 0.65×10⁹/L). Inflamed patients have accordingly much higher IL-6 (78.51±35.29pg/mL and 45.90±28.45pg/mL) and IL-10(38.25±12.16pg/mL vs 22.90±8.45pg/mL), both suggesting activated inflammatory and regulatory immune response, respectively. These findings highlight the marked endemicity of enterobiasis in the region and the age-, seasonal and sex-dependent nature of this helminth an infection and the associated modulation of the immune response in the host.