Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

https://majms.alkafeel.edu.iq/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=journal
Abstract
The development of dosage forms necessitates the evaluation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD),
which aids scientists in elucidating the drug\\'s mechanism of action and achieving optimal composite design. The
incorporation of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) efficacy studies in the early phases of lead identification
and optimisation within drug development can markedly expedite the selection of the most promising dosage forms.
The rapid advancement of computer hardware, software, and algorithms, along with drug screening and PK/PD evaluation, has significantly benefited from various computational methods, which substantially decrease the time and cost
associated with drug development. Computational pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling enhances the translation of in vitro compound potency to in vivo contexts and minimises the necessity for in vivo animal studies. This
review seeks to provide people unfamiliar with the insilico program with a fundamental understanding of its main
principles. This review initially examines the significance of insilico software in PK/PD evaluation, covering its history,
applications, developers, and the latest version. The second part focusses on the use of GastroPlusTM to illustrate the
absorption pathway through pre-formulation data. The input data encompassed a physico-chemical evaluation of the
drugs, which included measurements of drug solubility in simulated physiological conditions and the assessment of
permeability, with some examples (R1315 - Sertraline - piroxicam).

https://majms.alkafeel.edu.iq/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1079&context=journal
Abstract
Periodontal diseases are a group of chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory conditions affecting the periodontium,
the supportive structures of the teeth. With severe forms affecting nearly 20 % of the worldwide adult population, these
diseases represent a significant global health challenge. Their impact extends beyond the oral cavity, as periodontitis is
a recognized risk factor for systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Characterized by the
progressive destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent tooth loss. However, conventional diagnostic methods primarily quantify historical tissue damage rather than indicating current disease activity
or predicting future progression. To overcome these limitations, research has focused on biomarkers, objectively
measured characteristics that can indicate normal biological processes or pathogenic states. Saliva has emerged as a
promising diagnostic biofluid for such analysis, due to its non-invasive collection and rich composition of biomolecules. This review evaluates the potential of three functionally distinct salivary biomarkers. Evidence suggests that
levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7, an epithelial-derived enzyme involved in tissue remodeling, are elevated in
periodontitis, indicating active tissue degradation. Conversely, mucin-4, a transmembrane protein that forms a protective barrier, is consistently found at lower concentrations in saliva, suggesting a compromised or degraded mucosal
shield. The role of human beta-defensin 1, a constitutively expressed antimicrobial peptide involved in innate immunity, remains ambiguous due to inconsistent findings across studies. While these salivary biomarkers show
considerable promise, large-scale validation studies are essential to confirm their clinical utility for early diagnosis, risk
assessment, and monitoring of periodontal diseases.

https://majms.alkafeel.edu.iq/journal/vol4/iss3/4/
Background: Maxillary sinus augmentation is a common implant placement procedure when residual bone height
(RBH) in the posterior maxilla is limited, especially in subantral type IV cases. A less invasive alternative to the
traditional lateral window procedure is the crestal approach using the CMC (Crestal approach with membrane Control)
technology.
Objective: To evaluate the differences between the CMC technique and the conventional lateral window approach in
terms of clinical performance, bone density results, surgical time, and complication rates for sinus lifting in subantral
type IV cases.
Methods: Twenty patients with posterior maxillary edentulism and RBH <5 mm were divided into two groups at
random: Group A (n ¼ 10) received direct sinus lift using the lateral window approach, and Group B (n ¼ 10) received
indirect sinus lift using the CMC technique. Four sites (crestal, apical, buccal, and palatal) in Hounsfield Units (HU)
were evaluated for bone density using CBCT scans both before and four months after surgery. A “visual analog scale”
was used to quantify patient discomfort, postoperative problems, and surgery time.
Results: Both methods provide highly effective for implant placement and sinus augmentation, with both groups
showing a notable increase in postoperative bone density. Although the CMC group\'s generally had a shorter surgical
time, but with high-density cortical bone, the advantages of shorter time decrease, and the procedure could take as long
as the lateral approach. Postoperative pain was generally lower in the CMC group; VAS pain scores were lower (3.4 vs.
4.9). The most frequent complication was edema, which was more pronounced in the lateral window group. Membrane
perforation occurred occasionally in both groups. Additionally, minor complications included vertigo, sinus pressure,
epistaxis, and nausea, with variations related to bone density and sinus membrane thickness.
Conclusion: In situations of subantral type IV, both sinus lift procedures are clinically beneficial. With good patient
outcomes, lower morbidity, and sufficient bone regeneration, the CMC approach provides a less invasive alternative.
Anatomical characteristics unique to each patient, membrane thickness, and bone quality should all be taken into
account when choosing a procedure.

https://majms.alkafeel.edu.iq/journal/vol4/iss3/5/
Background: Recent studies have observed that vitamin D insufficiency is quite common among kidney transplant
recipients (KTRs) and has several deleterious effects.
Objective: This study aimed to assess vitamin D (VD) status and investigate its relationships with various health
variables in KTRs in Erbil, Iraq.
Methods: This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 130 consecutive KTRs; their mean age was 39.2 ± 11.3
years, and 56.9 % were men. Demographic data, comorbidities, and baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were
obtained, recorded, and analyzed. The value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] > 30 ng/mL was considered sufficient,
values of 15—30 ng/mL were insufficient, and a value of <15 ng/mL was deficient. The participants were divided into
two groups: VD-deficient and non-deficient, based on their VD status.
Results: A significant proportion (106/130, 81.6 %) of the participants had a suboptimal vitamin VD level; VD deficiency was detected in 34 (26.2 %) KTRs, and insufficiency was demonstrated in 72 (55.4 %) participants. On a densitometry study of bone mineral density (BMD) of 70 participants, 42 (60 %) showed osteopenia, 21 (30 %) osteoporosis,
and only 7 (10 %) displayed normal BMD.
Conclusion: Suboptimal VD levels is quite common among KTRs, and the VD-deficient KTRs are more likely to be
women, diabetics, osteoporotic, have had episodes of rejection, and have higher intact parathyroid hormone levels.
Regular 25(OH) D checking in KTRs might allow for more efficient identification of VD status and could assist in
guiding preventive and therapeutic strategies.

https://majms.alkafeel.edu.iq/journal/vol4/iss3/3/
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that help balance microbes in intestines and promote growth beneficial
bacteria, they vary between bacteria, yeasts, and fungi and they are helpful to human health when taken in adequate and
suitable amounts. In addition to maintaining intestinal health and help with digestion and absorption, also inhibiting
development and preventing spread of harmful microorganisms. It exists in different forms, in the intestines and in the
foods, products fermented, and in the pharmaceutical supplements. Because human health depends largely on the
interaction between humans and these microorganisms known as probiotics, it has found that these organisms have vital
functions in the body depending on their survival and continuity. A very significant improvement in the symptoms of
disease conditions observed when probiotics given to patients for a specific period and this done depending on the type
of these microorganisms. Therefore, this review aimed to describe these microorganisms known as probiotics and
identify their types, in addition to their benefits and the most important beneficial effects of probiotics and their use in
clinical applications for contributing to illness prevention and treatment. It found that it covers numerous medical
disorders, including intestinal infections, lowers intestinal inflammation and treats digestive issues, lessens the incidence of diarrhea, constipation, stomach bacteria, urinary and reproductive tract infections, and enhancing immunity,
helps the immune system become more effective and stronger. As well as its role in protecting against behavioral
disorders such as autism and depression and helping to get rid of obesity. This review offers these disease states as well
as probiotics function, which helps researchers in the field of probiotics to benefit from and use the information provided. This review also discussed the most important sources from which probiotics obtained, in addition to identifying
the most important challenges and obstacles that limit their use. In conclusion, probiotics are helpful microorganisms for
the body. They serve a number of vital functions and offer significant and potent health advantages.