Journal of Al-Farabi for Medical Sciences

Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a fast-growing neurodegenerative disorder. It affects people at the ages of 55 to 65 years. PD causes substantial disability and so the patients would have a poor quality of life. There are many factors that could induce this disease such as genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. While this disease is incurable, many scientific researchers are trying to find a cure in addition to managing the motor and non-motor symptoms. Levodopa is the key treatment for PD; though, its motor complications and induction of dyskinesia limited its long-term use. In patients with advanced stage PD, it is favorable to initiate combination therapy with dopamine agonists, catechol O methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT), or monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors (MAOs). Surgical procedures are the last option to treat patients with a late stage of the disease. In addition, managing a healthy lifestyle, balanced food and physical excesses are very crucial to improve patients’ life. This review discusses epidemiology of PD, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment that can deliver ideas about patient-specific care, so diminish drugs side effects and open new paths to develop updated strategies to control the progress of this disease.Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; neurodegeneration; genetic factors; treatment; epidemiology

Abstract
The possibility of studying bacterial pathogens' dynamics and genomic evolution during human colonization and infection has been made possible by whole-genome sequencing. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is a common human pathogen. It can cause mild erythema or serious life-threatening ailments. A challenge in treating and controlling Staphylococcus. aureus stems from its prevalence and increasing resistance to clinically used antibiotics. The full Staphylococcus. aureus genomes published in 2001 and provided the first view of genome structure and gene content. This research focuses on infections, virulence factors, genetic diversity, resistant genes, Single nucleotide polymorphism, novel identification, and comparative studies of Staphylococcus. aureus. The purpose of this study is to draw attention to the genetic features of Staphylococcus aureus based on Whole-Genome Sequencing, a bacterium that is frequently found in clinical microbiology labs.
Journal of Al-Farabi University College Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Whole-genome sequencin

Abstract
Due to their excellent properties, silver nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered a lot of interest lately as highly desirable nanomaterials in research. They have a reputation for their strong antibacterial qualities, which can help fight off a variety of ailments. Their unique optical properties, like their limited SPR, make them more useful, especially in the imaging and biosensing domains. Furthermore, enhanced durability and targeted interactions with biological systems are provided by the capacity to modify them utilizing biocompatible chemicals and change their surface charge. Silver nanoparticles are perfect for several kinds of biological applications because of their remarkable durability and low chemical reactivity. Chemical, biological, and physical processes—all of which have unique benefits and drawbacks—produce these NPs. Complex purification, reactive components, and high energy consumption are common problems in chemical and physical processes. Although biological methods take longer to process, they are more environmentally friendly. The chosen synthesis method has a major influence on the stability, size distribution, and purity of the NPs. This review highlights how crucial it is to select the right synthesis technique in order to maximize the properties and applications of silver nanoparticles.Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Optical properties, antimicrobial agents, Reproduction, Surface plasmon resonance, Physical and Chemical Properties

Abstract
Chaste tree, is a plant distributed in few regions like the Middle East and Southern Europe. Conventionally used for the treatment of several health issues and symptoms, such as hormonal changes premenstrual ones and spasmodic dysmenorrhea, certain menopausal conditions, poor lactation, and pimples (acne). Several reports have told that Vitex agnus-castus contained phytochemical that really interesting to be studied like phenols and flavonoids, and others. The work aims to estimate the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay activity of methanol extracts from leaves of Vitex agnus-castus in Iraq, and see if it contains appreciate level of bioactive ingredient of phenols and flavonoids. Dried samples were submitted to extraction with methanol using soxhlet and total flavonoids, and phenols were tested in the sample. DPPH free radical levels were significantly lowered in a concentration-dependent mode, there was no statistically significant difference (p >0.05) between our extract and ascorbic acid in percent of inhibition of free radical. The IC50 found to be 725.4 μg/ ml as compared with the standard ascorbic acid (246.53 μg/ml), and the phenols level was 43.43 ± 1.12 (mg GAE/g extract) mg of Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) per g of extract, while the flavonoid was 14.7 ± 0.25 (mg QE/g) mg quercetin equivalence per gram dried extract. Therefore, Iraqi Vitex agnus-castus L. can be considered as encouraging candidates for natural herb sources of antioxidants with high value.
Keywords: Vitex agnus castus, Antioxidant, DPPH, Total phenols, Total Flavonoids

Abstract
One of the most important concerns in the field of transfusion medicine is blood product safety. A prior study conducted in the Central Laboratory in Samara, Iraq, revealed that the hepatitis virus was widespread . The study aimed to determine the frequency of anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies in serum samples of healthy blood donors that tested negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Methods; 440 hundred men was tested before pre-marriage for viral hepatitis. Blood samples were taken from all volunteers and there were healthy men that tested for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Results; 32 (7.3%) of the 440 blood samples that tested negative for HBsAg also tested positive for anti-HBc. Anti-HBs was detected in 3 (1.47%) of the 13 anti-HBc positive individuals. Conclusion: It was found that the frequency of hepatitis C was remarkably low as compare with HBsAg. Key words : Prevalence, Viral Hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Samara, Iraq.

Abstract
Two obligatory intracellular infectious microorganisms include Toxoplasma gondii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The microbe T. gondii is the source of the parasitic disease Toxoplasmosis, whereas hepatitis B and C viruses are a viral infection known for its ability to damage the liver. The hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are the foundation of the severe type of hepatitis disease. The current study's objectives are to investigate the toxoplasma and hepatitis B and C virus (hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses) infection in addition to identify any possible correlation between the two in TB patients compared to those who apparently healthy. Methodology: This is a case-control study. It was conducted between July 2022 and February 2023 at the Chest and Respiratory Disease Specialized Center in Baghdad under fully aseptic circumstances. Samples were taken from a hundred tuberculosis patients and a control group. The recognition depends on Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and Anti -hepatitis B virus (HCV and HBV) in their serums via using Toxoplasma IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit ELISA technique. The current study's findings conclude that the occurrence of anti-toxoplasma IgG among tuberculosis patients and control group was (58%) and(16%), respectively. P=0.0006 indicates a statistically significant difference in the measurement of Toxoplasma infection in the middle of tuberculosis patients and control group. The research showed that, in contrast control group 1 (2%), 7 (14%) and 5 (10%) of TB patients tested positive for HBV and HCV, respectively. When comparing TB patients and the control group, it was demonstrated that there was a significant difference (P<0.01) between T. gondii/HBV and T. gondii/HCV of 28.5% and 60%, respectively.Keywords: Toxoplasma, hepatitis B virus (HBV),hepatitis C virus (HCV) TB patients.

Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease cause 18.6 million mortality worldwide. In 2019 there were 182 million cases of ischemic heart disease and 9.14 million deaths globally. The most effective method for diagnosis ischemic heart disease is coronary angiography (CAG). That cause anxiety for 82% of patients who undergo this invasive procedure. The aim of study: was to evaluate the effect of music on anxiety level of patients undergoing CAG. Materials and methods: An experimental design was done at the Cardiac Catheterization and Surgery Center, in the Al-Diwaniyah city, Iraq. A systematic sampling was used to recruited patients in the study then simple random sampling used to allocate the participant in one of the two groups. Conducted on 78 patients undergoing elective CAG and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). They were assigned as music group, and control group. The anxiety level of patients in two groups was measured by state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) before and after CAG intervention. Results: The results of STAI between the pre-test and post-test showed that high significant mean different at p < 0.01. The anxiety level of study groups post-test had reduced significantly (control, p =.001; Music, p = .000). Post-test mean score of music group was lower than control group at p ≤ 0.0. Conclusion: Listening to music during CAG and/or PCI, significantly reduced anxiety level post-test.Keywords: anxiety, cardiovascular disease, coronary angiography, music

Abstract
Background: Accurate diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly the distinction between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis. Serological markers serve as noninvasive diagnostic instruments that may assist in differentiating Crohn’s disease from ulcerative colitis, addressing cases of indeterminate colitis, and identifying specific subgroups within inflammatory bowel disease. Aim is to clarify the diagnostic precision of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients and Methods: anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies was studied in a cohort of consecutive inflammatory bowel disease patients (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and normal healthy as control. A standardized ELISA was performed for detection of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies. Results: The prevalence of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies was notably elevated among patients with Crohn's disease (70.9%) and ulcerative colitis (26.3%).Conclusion; Specificity of serological markers for inflammatory bowel disease is high, but low sensitivity makes them less useful as diagnostic tests. Keywords: anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease.

Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is progressive irreversible optic nerve degeneration in which there are optic disc cupping with loss of ganglionic axons and loss in the visual field. Cinnarizine, a calcium channel antagonist, block alpha -1S subunit of voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel.
Aim of the study: to investigate the intraocular hypotensive effects of cinnarizine as calcium ion entry blocker to prevent or treat glaucoma in comparing with the approved drug, timolol.
Methodology: The study sample that consist of thirty rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Group A: 10 rabbits represent the control group and received the vehicle into each eye. Group B: 10 rabbits received timolol 0.5% w/v into the right eye and the vehicle into the left. Group C: 10 rabbits received cinnarizine 0.5% w/v into the right eye and the vehicle into the left. Basal intraocular pressure was recorded in all rabbits for both eyes. At least 3 readings were documented for each IOP measures and the mean was obtained before instillation of drugs. One drop of cinnarizine 0.5% or timolol 0.5% was administered in the right eye; whereas the left eye considered as a control and one drop of normal saline was applicate into the eye. After 30 min of drugs administration, IOPs were measured in each eye. In addition, IOP measurements were done every 10 min for 170 minutes.