The Medical Journal of Tikrit University

Introduction: This work was conducted to investigate the morphology
and histological structure of the filiform papillae in neonate to assess their
cellular composition ,keratinization and arrangement in the lingual
mucosa .The results contribute to know the early functional maturation of
the tongue surface ,which is essential for new born feeding and sensory
adaptation.
Materials: Thirteen tissue specimens taken from the anterior two- third
portion of the dorsal surface of the tongue of Thirteen full-term stillborn
neonates . The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and
processed for light microscopy
Result: The papillae appeared structurally immature, in the form of small
prominent slider–like structure covered with thin para-keratinized
stratified squamous epithelium with absent of taste buds and secondary
papillae, which means that, the primary papillae is without branch to form
secondary papillae, because they were not fully mature. while it was noted
the interpapillary regions had thin none keratinized epithelium and loos of
connective tissue without secondary papilla or ridges .The mean of the
epithelial thickens for filiform papillae in neonates was 54.9μm , while
the mean for the papillae height was 86,6 μm .
Keywords : Filiform Papillae , Neonatal, Tongue

Background: Bariatric surgery is prevalent worldwide, including in Iraq. Morbid obesity, on the other hand, has become a global epidemic in the 20th century. Until now, bariatric surgery has been the only effective treatment for this disease, leading to sustained weight loss and the improvement of comorbidities.
Aims of the study: To measure serum amylase pre and post bariatric surgery.
Study design: This study is a case-control flow-up study.
Method and Materials: We conducted the study in numerous obesity centers located in Mosul. The study commenced in December 2023 and concluded in May 2024. This study included 100 individual male and female who were over 18 years old, divided into two groups, 50 people control group BMI 18.5 – 24.9 kg/m2 and bariatric group BMI ≥ 40 kg/m ,
2
and were ready to undergo bariatric surgery. Serum amylase, if above 100 U/L, would indicate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Result: The mean serum amylase level in the bariatric group (pre- operative) compared to the control group was 56.58±11.53 vs. . 43.30±9.62 U/L (P = 0.0001), and between two independent means bariatric groups (pre- and post-surgery) were 56.58±11.53 vs. 61.64±14.24 U/L (p-value = 0.001).
Conclusions: In this study, 8% of the patients complained of increased serum amylase after surgery, and there was a risk of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after sleeve surgery.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) lead to significant hospitalization costs and are a primary contributor to medical amputations of the lower limb. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is notably common in DFUs. The identification of the most effective antibiotics for DFUs continues to be an evolving challenge.
Methodology: Cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 patients with DFU of both sexes aged 25-85 years. From each patient, wound swab was taken and cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar. Then positive cultures were subcultured on cetrimide agar for preliminary identification by biochemical tests. Definitive identification was done by using VITEK- 2 compact system and then tested for their sensitivity toward various antimicrobials.
Results: From 150, only 53 (35.33%) were P. aeruginosa. The results showed high prevalence of DFUs among males than females (70% and 30%, respectively). Antibiotic susceptibility testing of P. aeruginosa against 11 distinct antibiotics showed that the resistance rate of carbenicillin was (100%), levofloxacin was (79.24%), piperacillin was (77.36%), ciprofloxacin was (73.58%), cefepime was (69.81%), gentamicin was (66.04%), norfloxacin was (64.15%), meropenem was (56.6%), imipenem was (45.3%), netilmicin was (37.73%) and ceftazidime was (13.2%).
Conclusion: P. aeruginosa was found to be prevalent in DFUs. The antibiotic ceftazidime was found to be most effective antibiotic against P. aeruginosa in contrast to carbenicillin, which was found to be the less effective.

Background: Escherichia coli is part of a huge bacterial family, Enterobacteriaceae, which are gram-negative bacilli, rod-shaped bacteria that are usually found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. E. coli is a motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacterium that ferments lactose quickly and produces an indole ring, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive colonies that appeared pink in color on MacConkey agar at optimum temperature 37°C. Its main virulence factors are toxins such as Shiga toxin-1 and Shiga toxin-2. E. coli frequently colonizes the colonic mucosa; it can cause chronic active colitis. Artemisia species are widely distributed throughout the world and are used worldwide for food, seasoning, and traditional medicinal treatment. A. annua extract has demonstrated diverse biological activities and contained antimicrobial compounds with selective activity against E. coli and other gram-negative bacteria.
Aimof the study: To detection pathogen E.coli in ulcerative colitis and the therapeutic potential activity of A. annua extract against isolated bacteria. Patients and methods: This study was designed to include 74 children below 4 years old and 100 adult with a suspected of ulcerative colitis, who underwent biopsy sampling in the Teaching Hospital for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Sulaimaniyah between Marc 2024 to December 2024. blood agar and MacConkey agar was employed for the cultivation of the bacteria at 37C for 24 hours. Prepared A.annua extract, then well diffusion method was used for detect the therapeutic potential activity of different concentration of A.annua against isolated bacteria.
Results: A significant difference (P≤0.01) has been found in value of the activity of different concentration of A. annua extract on the isolated bacteria compared with negative control. We have been recorded increased the mean level of both concentration of A.annua (20 and 40)mg/ml, with pathogenic bacteria compared with control.
Conclusion: The effective methods for detection pathogen E.coli in ulcerative colitis is Molecular method to detect the E.coli nucleic acid and the Stx1 gene that is responsible for colitis; A. annua extract showed significantly higher effectiveness against E.coli.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, a unicellular eukaryote that resides within host cells and impacts around one-third of the global population, particularly patients that are immunocompromised.
Aim: To evaluate the importance of IL8 and IL17A in serum of the thalassemia patients infected with T.gondii .
Patients and methods : This study conducted on 50 thalassemia patients and 25 sample collected from healthy people as a control group . During the period from May 2024 to December 2024 .
Results: A significant difference (P≤0.01) has been found in value of IL8 and IL17A in thalassemia patients infected by toxoplasmosis compared with control group. We have been recorded increased the mean level of both IL8 and IL17A in thalassemia patients with toxoplasmosis compared with control group.
Conclusions: The serum mean levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL8 and IL17A appear to be elevated in thalassemia patients with serological evidence of T.gondii infection.

Background: Adiposity is a serious health problem worldwide and is described as having excessive amount of body fat. It is generally known that vitamin D deficiency is very common in obese people and is most likely brought on by volumetric dilution into the higher amounts of fat, serum, liver, and muscle. However, other mechanisms might also be working at the same time, so they cannot be completely ruled out. Low vitamin D could not yet be ruled out as a cause of obesity because of its impact on adipose tissue's vitamin D receptors. Even though research has yielded conflicting findings and taking vitamin D is still not proven to be advantageous.
Aim: This review aims to find the frequently documented link between low vitamin D levels and obesity, taking into account potential underlying mechanisms.
Methods: match the word "vitamin D" with several other terms, such as "obesity," "weight loss," and "fatty tissue inflammation."
Results and conclusion: Obesity and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are often shown to be inversely correlated in observational research’s. Vitamin D supplementation in obese individuals suggests that it may have a protective effect on the development of obesity. Weight loss may improve vitamin D state. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and some of adipokines.

Background: Painless labor entails the utilization of many techniques, both non-pharmacological and pharmaceutical, to assist women in effectively managing the pain experienced during childbirth.
Patients and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 400 participants from the 1st of February till 30th of July 2024, to assess their knowledge, attitude regarding painless labor, via convenient sampling by direct interview questionnaire (20 questions on knowledge an 6 on attitude) after obtaining their agreement and explaining the aim of the study that took 15 minutes to complete, from outpatients of obstetrics & gynaecology clinics of seven governmental hospitals of Al-Kharkh sector, achieved scores of pregnant women were analysed.
Results: The study included 400 participants, most of them were married at age less than 20 years with residence in an urban area, 65% had poor knowledge, 33% had fair knowledge while only 2%mothers had good knowledge about painless labor, highest good knowledge was with women aged 23-36 years, age at marriage more than 30 years, urban residency, enough family income, High educational level and multipara making statistical significance among others. As regards overall attitude, 55% of participants had negative attitude while 45% had positive attitude towards painless labor, urban residency, enough family income and high educational level (college and more) and governmental employee shoes the highest positive attitude towards painless labor reaching statistically significance.
Conclusion: The result of the study regarding knowledge was unsatisfactory toward painless labor, majority falls in poor category, with variation between age, parity, residency and educational level and more than half of them had negative attitude.

Background: Educational environment is defined as: ‘a social system that includes the learner, the individuals with whom the learner interacts, the setting and purpose of the interaction, and the formal and informal rules or policies or norms governing the interaction’. An effective learning reflect positively on academic performance of medical students. This study aims to evaluate the students’ perception of the learning environment in Tikrit medical college.
Subjects and methods: A cross sectional study taken place at Tikrit Medical College, between 17th October 2023 and 20th February 2024, with a simple random sample represent by 458 medical students participated. the data collection and analysis were according to the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure.
Results: Tikrit Medical college have the following scores: regarding general attitude it was with "more positive than negative" direction with 110.7/200 score. Student’s perception of learning (27.09) and student perception of educational setting (25.39) showed a more positive than negative direction, with the exception of student social self-perception (14.79) which showed a more negative direction. Conclusion: The overall score of learning environment perception was 110.7/200 (more positive than negative) and highlighted some areas of weakness including, insufficient support system, students’ tiredness and boredom, time management of the course, cheating, teachers’ authority and anger, plus some recommendations for enhancements for those areas of weakness.
Recommendations: Promotion of educational environment to improve teaching and learning process. As well as conducting a periodic studies and measurements of the learning environment.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) develops from the epithelium lining the larynx, hypopharynx, oropharynx, and oral cavity. This study sought to determine the prevalence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma among patients presenting at the medical city hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq.
Methods: Between February 2024 and February 2025, 90 patients with HNSCC (as determined by clinical examination and histopathological diagnosis) and 90 healthy participants were chosen at random from among those who visited their patients at National Al-Amal Hospital for Oncology, Teaching Oncology Hospital, and Baghdad Center for Radiation – Medical City (Baghdad, Iraq) as part of this case control study. Every participant\'s data was acquired. These comprised their profile\'s laboratory tests for histological diagnosis, age, sex, length, weight, smoking, family history, cancer kind, and concomitant conditions. Results: The patients\' mean age was 55.26±15.85 years, which was considerably greater than the controls\' mean age of 51.12±10.59 years. While controls had a more balanced male-to-female ratio (58.89% male, 41.11% female), HNC patients are overwhelmingly male (82.22%), with (p = 0.001). Compared to 8.89% of controls, a much larger number of HNC patients (45.56%) were smokers, a difference that was highly significant (p < 0.001). A positive family history of cancer was slightly more common in HNC patients (23.33%) than in controls (15.56%), There is no substantial variation (p =0.187).
Conclusions: Male more predisposed to infected with HNSCC, and smoking consider risk factor for HNSCC, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the commonest HNSCC in this study.

Background: The mammary glands are responsible for milk production in infants. It comprises lobes, lobules, secretory alveoli, and ducts for milk transport to the nipples. These structures are surrounded by adipose tissue, which provides insulation and protection to the mammary glands. Objective: To examine mammary gland growth and development from puberty to menopause
Materials and methods: This study involved 60 samples collected from corpses at Baghdad's Morgue Department of the Forensic Medicine Department. The ages of the participants ranged from 15 to over 60 years. The collected samples were divided into three groups: group I (15- 25 years), group II (26-45 years), and group III (46-60 years). The samples were fixed in 10% NBF and processed with H&E and PAS staining. Results: The number of lobules between groups was counted, and different numbers of lobules between groups were observed. The thickness of the epithelial lining of the secretory units (SU) was also measured. The diameters of the secretory glands were measured between the groups. Thickness of epithelial lining of secretory units. The results were statistically significant (p = 0.001). This study aimed to evaluate the age-related changes in women's mammary glands. Group I had inactive secretory alveoli with fewer and smaller lobules. Group II, representing late pregnancy or lactation, exhibited swollen mammary glands with larger diameters, milk secretions, and more lobules. Group III, corresponding to menopause, displayed numerous alveoli undergoing cell death and was replaced by connective and fat tissues. Conclusion: The histological features of mammary glands transition progressively from active to regressive states as age advances.

Background The DNA virus known as adenovirus was initially identified in the 1950s in soldiers who were suffering from pneumonia that was unusual. There are now seven species (A–G) of human adenovirus (HAdV) with over 100 genotypes. Disease types and severity vary depending on the genotype of infection by adenovirus. In children as well as adults, human adenovirus type three is a significant respiratory infection that spreads and causes complications.
The main objective of this study: was to identify adenoviruses genotype 3 by real time PCR from plasma sample of adult patients with respiratory infection. This research was carried out at Kirkuk Teaching Hospital/Azadi Teaching Hospital and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Woman Hospital in Kirkuk City between the first of November 2024, and the fifth of February 2025. One hundred patients' plasma was tested for adenovirus genotype 3 by using Real Time PCR Technique, there were 42 (42%) female patients and 58 (58%) male patients. The findings indicated that 76 patients (76%) had negative results and 24 patients (24%) had positive result. Adenovirus type-3 DNA detection did not significantly differ between males and females (52.26% and 47.74%, respectively; p>0.05). The investigation revealed an insufficient correlation between location, age and gender with positive results.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health issue influenced by gut microbiota composition. Alterations in gut bacteria impact metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, making microbiota a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Methodology: A case-control study in Kirkuk City (November 2024 – March 2025) included 100 T2DM patients and 40 apparently healthy individuals as a control group. Stool and blood samples were analyzed for microbiological and immunological markers. Bacterial identification was performed using culture and biochemical tests, and interleukin (IL)- 38 levels were measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: patients with T2DM exhibited increased Escherichia coli abundance, indicating gut dysbiosis linked to inflammation and impaired gut barrier function. Microbial diversity declined with disease duration, and differences in microbiota composition were observed in patients with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Age-related variations suggested a higher metabolic risk in older diabetics.
Discussion: The study confirmed gut dysbiosis as a contributor to T2DM by promoting systemic inflammation and metabolic endotoxemia. Increased E. coli levels align with previous findings on intestinal permeability and insulin resistance. The impact of age and comorbidities on microbiota highlights its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target. Microbiota-based interventions, such as probiotics and dietary modifications, may enhance insulin sensitivity and glycemic control.
Conclusion: This study highlights the link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and T2DM, emphasizing its role in disease progression. Future research should explore microbiota-targeted therapies to improve diabetes management.

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most important chronic illnesses in the world, affecting both adults and children, but adolescents suffer from the biggest burden of the condition.
Objective: Is to assess asthma regarding current prevalence, severity of symptoms and the need for medical care among school children aged 13-14 years in Baghdad.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on both sides of Baghdad from Juan to September 2021, using the translated Arabic questionnaire of Global Asthma Network (GAN) Phase I and the methodology adhered to the GAN’s protocol. A total of 43 schools were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling technique and the data was obtained via an electronic questionnaire.
Results: In this study, 2835 students 1314 (46.6%) girls and boys1521 (53.4%) boys participated. Prevalence of ever wheezing was 10.4 % among them (46.5%) had current wheezing. No significance association between boys and girls (p >0.001). 18.4% of students with current wheezing suffer from severe asthma .
The prevalence of ever asthma was 9% with no significant association between boys and girls (P= 0.39). Among asthmatics (1.9 %) reported they were hospitalized urgently for breathing difficulties more than two times in the past year, boys are more than girls with significant difference between them (p= 0.02). 17.3% of the students with ever asthma missed school in the past year because of breathing difficulties and it was significantly higher in girls (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The prevalence of current wheeze in school children aged 13-14 years in Baghdad was very high compared to the global prevalence.

Background: Otitis externa is one of the more common diseases in otorhinolaryngological practice and is also fre quently encountered in primary and pediatric care. It ranges in severity from a mild infection of the external audi tory canal to life-threatening malignant otitis externa.The aim of study is to provide fresh light on the population suffering from otitis externa and the relationship between Nuclear factor kappa B and IL-1 β with P. aeruginosa infection.
Material and method: From total patients (50) were taken two types of samples for each patient, the first included cotton swab, the second sample included five milliliters of venous blood sample, collected from Primary health care sector in balad , Balad General Hospital and private laboratory in Balad City Under the supervision of a specialist doctor. The patients who attending during (2024). Patients were interviewed directly by using an anonymous questionnaire form which included (age and sex).
Results: The current study includes 67 samples, Otitis externa = 50 , and Control = 17 . The research found that gastric patients were 41 (82%) gave positive result while the 9 (18%) were gave negative result for detecting P. aeruginosa by routine test ( cultural and biochemiacal identification ) and Vitek 2 system. In addition, this research found that the concentration of Nuclear factor kappa B and IL-1 β in P. aeruginosa infected patients increase significantly(P< 0.05) than healthy control. Higher levels of NF-κB and IL-1β have been detected in otitis externa patients. NF-κB beginning contributes to the creation of IL-1β, aggravating inflammation.
Conclusion: NF-KB and IL-1Beta are cytokines that production important role in the immune system, as well as the rule of immune responses in contradiction of bacterial pathogens.