Al-Iraqia Medical College Journal

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that in MS the immune system which normally protects us from viruses, bacteria, and other threats mistakenly attacks healthy cells. predominantly affects young adults and is characterized by chronic autoimmune activity. This study explores the crucial role of cytokines, like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Osteopontin which promoting inflammation and CNS tissue injury. The current study comprised fifty patients with relapse remitting MS. Blood was drawn from 50 MS patients and 40 healthy people who served as controls. The serum levels of IFN-γ and OPN were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Our results indicate non-significant differences in IFN-γ level between MS patients and controls group of the study’s sample (P> 0.05), whereas the level OPN cytokines was significantly higher in patients with RRMS compared with healthy individuals (P≤ 0.001**).
The current study shown on significant differences between MS patients and controls in serum levels of IFN-γ. Higher OPN serum level in studied patients suggests that OPN increased in RRMS patients who were in remission phase.

Pediatric Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, yet its exact causes remain unclear. Both genetic predisposition and host biological factors may influence susceptibility. ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group systems, beyond their role in transfusion compatibility, have been linked to the risk of various cancers through mechanisms involving immune response, cell adhesion, and inflammation. Family history of malignancy is another established risk marker, reflecting shared genetic and environmental influences. Objectives of the study is to investigate the combined influence of ABO and Rh blood group types and family history of malignancy on the risk of developing pediatric leukemia. The current study was conducted on 50 patients with leukemia of all kinds in the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Baghdad, Iraq. The diagnosis was confirmed based on bone marrow aspiration and blood film. ABO and Rh blood group was tested manually for all patients, and Family history was determined through the medical records. The blood groups were predominantly O+ (20; 40%), followed by B+ (12; 24%), A+ (10; 20%), AB+ (7; 1%), and O- (1; 2%), respectively. The analysis of family history regarding cancer in the patient samples revealed that a majority of children with leukemia had a negative family history, compared to those with a positive family history (80% vs. 20%). Furthermore, the majority of the case group\'s leukemic children were evaluated and classified as being at standard (low) risk (42%), with high and intermediate risks coming in second and third, respectively, at 36% and 22%. This study highlights that pediatric leukemia risk patterns differ by subtype, with predominance of low-risk classifications in B-ALL, ALL, and AML, while T-ALL cases were uniformly high-risk. The findings suggest that ABO blood group and family history may influence leukemia susceptibility and prognosis in a subtype-specific manner, blood group O and Rh D positive are risk factors for the incidence of ALL in children underscoring the need for larger studies to clarify these associations

Epidermal nevi (EN) are hamartomas that are characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal structures. This case report describes the successful treatment of extensive, long-standing Verrucous Epidermal Nevus (VEN) in a 15-year-old female using a combination oral Acitretin (25mg/day) and topical 30% Urea cream applied nightly. After failure of multiple prior therapies including topical agents and ablative CO2 laser, this regimen achieved a dramatic clinical and cosmetic response within 60 days, resulting in complete resolution of lesions with only mild cheilitis as a side effect.
Laboratory monitoring remained normal throughout treatment. This combination offers a promising non-surgical approach for extensive VEN.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterized by both systemic and local inflammation. It is considered to be among the most common systemic inflammatory illnesses, which include synovial swelling that can lead to joint degeneration and extra-articular complaints if not solved. Vitamin D may be linked to an increased likelihood of getting rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as symptoms in individuals. People with RA had considerably greater symptoms of drying (ocular, cutaneous, and mouth), which might have been due to subsequent Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) itself.
The study sought to investigate vitamin D3 and E levels in RA individuals as well as determine their relationship to disease activity. A doctor working at Baqubah medical center and a private practice reported 100 cases (80 individuals infected with rheumatoid arthritis and 20 controls). From each scenario, samples of blood were taken.
The findings regarding determining vitamin D and E levels significantly dissimilar. The Patients\' sample registered arithmetic mean levels for vitamins D3 (21.18 ± 1.10), whereas the control sample had a mathematical mean (24.35 ± 2.01).

There was no substantial difference between the two groups. In terms of vitamin E, the sick group had a lower arithmetic mean (23.52±1.25) compared to the control group (30.54±2.28), indicating a significant distinction within the groups.
Patients with RA had significantly lower vitamin E and D levels, which suggests that their antioxidant defense systems are weaker and oxidative stress is higher.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease differentiated by low bone density measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the levels of dynamic thiol and the procollagen type I N- terminal propeptide (PINP) in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. The current study included a total number of 75 voluntaries (Individuals) divided into two groups: the first was the control group of apparently healthy individuals. This group consisted of 22 samples whose ages ranged between (46-65 years). The second group was the group of patients of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, which consisted of 53 samples whose ages also ranged between (46-65 years), The results of PINP, T-score, and Dynamic thiol showed significant variance between the studded groups (P<0.05). Serum levels of PINP showed a notable rise in osteoporosis patients compared to healthy individuals (P<0.01). Moreover, the serum level of Dynamic thiol showed a notable increase in the patient group when compared to the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: according to the presented result PINP recommended indicator for bone turnover markers and a Dynamic thiol risk factors for fractures. Thiol /disulphide homeostasis shifted to the disulphide side.

Malaria is one of the infectious diseases caused by a parasite from the bite of a mosquito carrying the infection. This disease spreads in tropical and subtropical countries, and the lack of early diagnosis and treatment may lead to death. This study aims to analyze and compare the indicators of malaria as prevalence and mortality, while estimating the possible cases in future periods using statistical measures. Publications for the year 2024 on the incidence and mortality of malaria epidemic in global regions were used, with a comparison made by regions and finding their indicators, illustrated with graphs.
The results of the data analysis showed that there were no cases of incidence or mortality in the malaria epidemic on the continent of Europe, as well as in the Americas, it was very limited, the highest was in the continent of Africa, where the death rate was (96%) of the total global deaths (627000) persons.
Conclusion: The fifteen countries with the most deaths from the malaria epidemic were all on the continent of Africa except, India which recorded a death rate of (3%), the highest countries in Africa were Nigeria, followed by Congo, Uganda, and least of all Guyana.

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents the redefined spectrum of fatty liver disorders linked to metabolic risk factors such as central obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Central obesity, measured by the waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), has been shown to better predict metabolic and hepatic complications than body mass index (BMI). However, data from Middle Eastern populations, particularly Iraq, remain limited. Objective: To evaluate the metabolic, inflammatory, and hepatic consequences of central obesity among Iraqi patients diagnosed with MASLD. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 120 adult MASLD patients attending tertiary hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, between September 2024 and June 2025. Participants were divided into two groups based on WtHR: centrally obese (WtHR > 0.5) and non-obese (WtHR < 0.5). Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and hepatic parameters were compared using t-tests and chi-square analysis. Logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of central obesity. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Centrally obese patients were significantly older (46.7 ± 11.3 years) than non-obese patients (39.9 ± 12.4 years; p = 0.003). They exhibited higher mean levels of ALT (49.7 vs 33.1 U/L), AST (46.3 vs 38.0 U/L), fasting glucose (110.3 vs 87.8 mg/dL), triglycerides (235.6 vs 161.1 mg/dL), total cholesterol (253.8 vs 183.4 mg/dL), CRP (19.9 vs 9.7 mg/L), and HOMA-IR (5.93 vs 3.39), all p < 0.05. HDL levels were lower in centrally obese participants (35.1 vs 41.9 mg/dL). FIB-4 index and FibroScan grades were significantly higher, indicating more advanced hepatic fibrosis (p = 0.046). Multivariate regression identified age > 45 years (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.0), physical inactivity (OR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.0–7.2), and unhealthy diet (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 2.1–10.1) as independent predictors of central obesity. Central obesity strongly correlates with metabolic dysregulation, systemic inflammation, and advanced hepatic injury in MASLD. Regular screening using WtHR alongside biochemical markers such as CRP and HOMA-IR can aid early detection and risk stratification in Iraqi clinical settings.

The time of artificial intelligence (AI) is now in training and altering both medical education and healthcare; thus, the demand for a thorough knowledge of how future doctors see and deal with this new technology is increasing. This study was carried out to determine medical students\\\\&#039; attitudes, self-reported knowledge, usage patterns, and training needs regarding AI in the context of undergraduate medical education. A cross-sectional descriptive study was done at the College of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University, with a self-administered questionnaire drawn from a review of current literature being distributed to undergraduate medical students across all academic years. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied to explore relationships between variables.
Out of 850 invited students, 199 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 23.5%). Most respondents were female (57.3%), while the mean age was 20.73 years (SD ±1.85). It is worth mentioning that 45.2% of students had a background knowledge of AI, but only 10.1% could deliver a detailed explanation. AI tools were utilized by 89.9% of the participants at least once per month. High interest rates of students in AI-related training topics were recorded mainly in clinical, legal, and educational fields. The ethical concerns raised, such as data bias and unclear legal liability, were also significant.
Even though medical students have shown a remarkable amount of interest and have a moderate familiarity with AI, a considerable evidence-based knowledge gap and absence of training persist. These findings emphasize a requirement for curriculum reform that should cover interdisciplinary, ethical AI education to prepare students for working in technology healthcare environments.