Journal Of AL-Turath University College

This review study claims parallels and differences of the medieval Crusades (1095-1291) and the recent West military interventions in the Islamic world especially the war in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003). Using historical, political, and cultural literature, this paper will examine how modern conflicts have been decoded using the Crusades as a prism by several players, including the Western political heavy-weights, Islamist movements and the academicians. The paper will examine the Clash of Civilizations thesis proposed by Samuel Huntington, and its critiques and will discuss how the paradigm has influenced the process of policy making as well as the way it has influenced the people. With the help of exploring the continuities and discontinuities between medieval and modern wars, this review proves that the historical contexts of the Crusades and the contemporary geopolitical rhetorical and symbolic appeals are still perpetually connected in the historical and present-day geopolitics and interreligious and interethnic relations.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common fungal infection with millions of women becoming victims worldwide. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation of Candida species distribution, host immune response, hormonal profile and virulence factors in non-pregnant women in Tikrit, Iraq. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out between February to May 2025 among a total of 210 non-pregnant women between 18-45 years. Vaginal swabs and blood samples were taken. The identification of Candida was done by the use of culture and CHROMagar. ELISA was used to measure serum Estradiol, Progesterone, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-a. Virulence factors such as biofilm formation, phospholipase activity, proteinase activity and adhesion capacity were evaluated. The Candida species were obtained in 102 (48.6) participants. The predominant one was C. albicans (66.7%), then C. glabrata (21.6%). VVC women had much higher serum levels of Estradiol (192 +- 34 vs. 121 +- 27 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 levels than controls. Fifty-eight percent of isolates were found to be strong biofilm formers. The vaginal pH was highly raised in infected females (4.9 +- 0.4 vs. 4.2 +- 0.3). Candida adhesion ability had a positive relationship with Estradiol levels (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). VVC in Tikrit is linked with high estrogen, disturbed vaginal microenvironment, high levels of inflammatory cytokines and high Candida virulence. Patient management can be enhanced by including immunological, hormonal markers into the diagnostic strategies.

A chain of religious wars that took place between the eleventh and the thirteenth centuries and were known as the Crusades have had an unparalleled impact on the history of the collective memory of the Western and Middle East societies. This review article looks at how the memory of Crusades has been produced, recreated and used in modern political and cultural discourse. This paper uses the theory of collective memory as developed by Maurice Halbwachs to examine how the narratives of the Crusades have evolved since medieval historiography to the current age of political rhetoric with specific reference to the post 9/11 age. The review delves into the three themes, which are interrelated, as well as, the theoretical underpinnings of collective memory as used in the context of the Crusades, the metamorphosis of Crusade memory in Arab nationalist and Islamist discourse, and the usage of Crusade rhetoric in Western politics. According to this analysis, collective memory of the Crusades is an effective tool in the terms of identity formation, legitimizing political activity, and framing present-day conflicts in historical terms.

The issue of bacterial biofilms may be deemed one of the significant problems of modern medicine and microbiology. These surface bound microbial communities of high density are enclosed by an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix that is self-secreted to shield them against antimicrobial agents and immune systems of the host. Approximately 80 percent of all microbial infections in human beings are associated with biofilm infection resulting in chronic and recurring illnesses that are notoriously difficult to treat. This is a review that detailed the study on the role of biofilms in enhancing the virulence of bacteria and therapeutic resistance. We discuss the stages of biofilm formation, the organization, and purpose of EPS, the quorum sensing in the behavior coordination of the bacterial cells and the persister cell formation. In addition, we explore the numerous resistance mechanisms employed by the biofilm entrenched bacteria as the reduced penetration of the antibiotics, regulated micro environment, horizontal gene transfer, and phenotypic heterogeneity. These mechanisms are also studied, which is significant in the development of new treatment measures to counter biofilm-related diseases.