Hilla university college Journal For Medical Science

Background: Pharmacovigilance is critical for approving medication safety; yet, underreporting of adverse drug
reactions (ADRs) remains common.
Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals in Karbala and Babylon, Iraq, using a structured paper-based questionnaire.
Materials and Methods: This study utilized healthcare professionals in Holy Karbala and Babylon to explore their
demographic proles, pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitudes, and reporting practices.
Results: Among 194 participants, most demonstrated positive attitudes toward ADR reporting, but notable gaps in
knowledge and reporting behavior were observed. Pharmacists showed signicantly higher knowledge levels than other
professions, and formal training was strongly associated with improved understanding and a greater willingness to
report. Major barriers included insufcient training, a lack of reporting systems, and limited institutional feedback.
Participants emphasized the need for educational programs and better integration of reporting tools.
Conclusion: The ndings highlight the importance of strengthening training and system support to enhance pharmacovigilance practices.

Background: Infertility can be dened as the inability to conceive pregnancy when sexually active and not having
used any contraception in 12 months. Flaxseed oil has wide-spectrum applications in health. It has been receiving special
interest in infertility treatment.
Objectives: This research aimed to determine the impact of axseed oil on the fertility of mice.
Methods: It involved seventy-ve mice. These mice were sex-separated and randomly classied into three groups;
one group served as a control group, and the other two groups were exposed to axseed oil extract at a dose of 60 mg/Kg
body weight/day or 120 mg/Kg body weight/day for 2 weeks. The animals were redistributed at the end of the treatment
period, whereby each female group was exposed to male mice from the three male groups for four weeks to investigate
reproductive efciency by calculating the pregnancy rate among females. In males, sperm count was performed with
histopathological examination of the testes and epididymis.
Results: No pregnancies occurred in the axseed oil-treated groups, and azoospermia was observed in all the treated
male groups, with marked histological alterations in the testes and epididymis.
Conclusion: Flaxseed oil had a negative in uence on reproduction in both male and female mice in terms of pregnancy
percentage, sperm count, with histological changes in the testis and epididymi

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent and remitting in ammatory bowel disease (IBD). Anti-in ammatory
cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) are part of the pathophysiology of UC; these cytokines set
off a specic immune response. Extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) reported occurrence differs from 14% to 47%, and
accounts for the majority of related conditions in UC. This study aims to nd the correlation of ulcerative colitis with
TGF-β, ABO blood group and EIMs.
Objectives: To determine the serum level of TGF-β in both groups by sandwich ELISA, determine blood group by
agglutination slide method, identify extra intestinal manifestation in UC patients.
Methods: enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay was used to assessment serum levels of TGF-β in compliance with
the manufacturer’s instructions. Agglutination slide method used to detect ABO and rhesus (Rh) group.
Results: non-signicant difference in apparently healthy individual compared to UC patients regarding to occupation,
smoking, blood group and Rh group as P-value for them was >0.05. UC patients exhibited signicant lower concentration
mean TGF-β (31.57 ± 23.86 pg/ml) compared to control group (42.93 ± 25.35 pg/ml) (P-value = 0.02).
Conclusion: The ndings indicate a decreased serum concentration of TGF-β in UC patient compared to seeming
healthy individual with no signicant link to clinical symptoms or ABO blood group. These results suggest that TGF-β
play role in the pathogenesis of UC independent of clinical presentation or blood type.

Background: Pneumonia is an in ammatory process affecting the airways and lung parenchyma, characterized by
alveolar in ammation that leads to inltration and consolidation of the lungs and disruption of gas exchange, which
may result in respiratory distress.
Objectives: This study aims to identify the bacterial species that cause pneumonia and to determine their antibiotic
resistance patterns.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study assessed antibiotic resistance among patients with pneumonia in
Diyala Province. Patients were identied from hospital and laboratory records over a four-month period (December 1st,
2024 - March 29th, 2025), yielding 100 patients, comprising 55 males and 45 females.
Results: The study population comprised 55% male and 45% female patients. The age distribution showed that most
patients were 36 to 75 years old, with the 66-75 age group representing the largest group at nearly 20%. The 36-45 and 46-55
age groups each accounted for more than 15% of patients. Younger patients (under 16 years) and older patients (76-85
years) were the smallest groups, each with percentages under 5%. It was demonstrated that Streptococcus pneumoniae
accounted for the highest proportion of pneumonia cases. Regarding bacterial resistance, Pseudomonas luteola showed
signicant resistance to cipro oxacin (75%) and chloramphenicol (75%), while Streptococcus pneumoniae showed high
resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin (87.5%).
Conclusion: Considerable variation in antibiotic resistance patterns among bacterial species. Seventy-ve percent of
the high resistance of Pseudomonas luteola to cipro oxacin and chloramphenicol was shown in this study. In addition,
it has been shown that Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of pneumonia and warrants further study
to elucidate the factors that in uence the spread of this infection.

Background: With the increasing number of patients leaving the emergency department against medical advice,
morbidity, mortality, and readmission rates have risen, placing a strain on the healthcare system.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the demographic characteristics and the reasons why patients left against
medical advice among those attending the emergency departments of teaching hospitals in Babylon Governorate.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Babylon Governorate, encompassing
three hospitals. using a convenience sample of patients who left the hospital against their physician’s advice. Data were
collected between August 2024 and February 2025 using a semi-structured questionnaire covering the reasons for and
characteristics of patients who left the hospital against their physician’s wishes. Ethical approvals were obtained from
the administrations of the three hospitals, as well as from the Scientic Committee of the College of Nursing at the
University of Hilla.
Results: The study included 510 patients who left the hospital against medical advice. Nearly two-thirds of the
participants were male (66.7%), and more than three-quarters (76.7%) were from rural areas. Approximately two-thirds
of the patients left without being aware of the potential risks. Respiratory diseases (30.4%) were the most common
medical condition, followed by heart disease (21.6%), trafc accident injuries (15.5%), hypertension (12.9%), urinary tract
infections (12%), and appendicitis (7.6%). Regarding the causes of (DAMA) the most common reason was the patients’
low economic status (40.8%), followed by difculty communicating with medical staff (27.5%).
Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of males and approximately two-thirds of patients are unaware of
the potential risks. The low social status and difculty communicating with medical staff may be the primary reasons
for this. Healthcare providers and educators need strong communication skills.

The physiological functions of prolactin are highly varied, despite the fact that it is most commonly recognized
for its participation in the inhibition of reproduction and the regulation of breastfeeding. The conditions known as
hyperprolactinemia can have a variety of origins, some of which are physiological and others of which are pathologic.
The following are examples of physiological causes: pregnancy, breastfeeding, sleep-related, stimulation of the nipples
and sexual orgasm, stimulation or trauma to the chest wall. Another signicant physiological factor that contributes to
hyperprolactinemia is stress, and the clinical importance of this factor is currently being investigated. This paper aims
to elucidate the physiology of prolactin, the in uence of stress on its secretion, and the overarching clinical strategy for
managing hyperprolactinemia.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect individuals of all ages, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)
being their primary causative agent. The accumulation rate of antimicrobial resistance poses a major public health
challenge, underscoring the need for genetic monitoring of resistant strains.
Objectives: This study aimed to nd virulence genes and antibiotic resistance in UPEC.
Materials and Methods: 110 patients, including 65 females and 45 males, aged 15 to 40 years, were screened for UPEC at
Al-Hilla city between January and March 2025. Urine samples were collected to identify E. coli and to analyze associated
virulence factors.
Results: Biochemical tests conrmed UPEC isolates (n = 25, 22.7%). Females represented 60% (n = 15), while males
represented 40% (n = 10) accounted for UPEC that indicated higher susceptibility in females. Polymerase chain reaction
was employed to identify virulence genes, including Sat, usp, hlyA, and cnf, and all isolates carried the 16S rRNA gene
for strain identication. The Sat and usp genes were detected in 96% of the isolates, while the hlyA gene was present in
92%. None of the isolates harbored the cnf gene.
Conclusion: Although our study included only 25 isolates, antimicrobial resistance in UPEC is a global issue, and our
ndings represent only the tip of the iceberg, highlighting the need for larger-scale surveillance studies.

Background: Type-1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most prevalent chronic autoimmune diseases, which is characterized
by the progressive destruction of insulin-secreting β cells. Evidence indicates that repeated or high-dose exposure
to Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) during MRI can result in long-term tissue deposition and increased
oxidative stress.
Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the oxidative effects of MRI exposure in patients with type-1 diabetes, before
and after gadolinium contrast, for different time intervals, using cyclic voltammetry (CV) as an electrochemical analysis
tool.
Materials and Methods: The study was performed at Ghazi Al-hariri Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from January to July
2025. It included (30) type-1 diabetic patients (15 males and 15 females), with ages ranging from (30–50) years. The
patients were divided into three groups: 10 patients were not injected with GBCAs and were exposed to MRI for (5–50)
minutes, 10 patients were injected with GBCAs and exposed to MRI for the same duration, and 10 patients were not
exposed to MRI.
Results: The results showed a difference in the oxidation current peak (1Ipa) suggesting that oxidative stress increased
as exposure to MRI increased. Furthermore, patients injected with gadolinium had double this effect. This increase in
1Ipa occurred after 35 minutes of exposure. However, patients who were not exposed to MRI had no oxidative stress.
Conclusion: MRI exposure for a long time, particularly in patients who had type 1 diabetes and were injected with
gadolinium, will signicantly increase oxidative stress.

Background: Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes is marked by endothelial dysfunction and disrupted glucose
metabolism. VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 drive vascular repair, while asprosin contributes to insulin resistance.
Objectives: This study explored the association of these biomarkers in individuals with poorly controlled T2DM.
Methods: The study included 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 60 age-matched healthy controls
(45–65 years). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured using a Roche Cobas
Integra 400 Plus analyzer. Serum levels of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, and asprosin were quantied using ELISA.
Results: T2DM patients exhibited signicantly elevated serum levels of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, and asprosin compared
with controls (p < 0.001). Asprosin showed signicant correlations with both VEGF-A and VEGFR-2. Additionally,
VEGF-A and asprosin were strongly associated with glucose levels, whereas no meaningful correlation was observed
between these biomarkers and the overall duration of diabetes, BMI, and lipid proles, except for a modest association
observed between VEGF-A and duration of disease.
Conclusion: VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, and asprosin levels were elevated in T2DM patients, re ecting their roles in angiogenesis and metabolic dysregulation. Poor glycemic control further increased these markers, highlighting the
importance of effective glucose management to mitigate related complications.

Background: Nasal infections are commonly associated with opportunistic microorganisms, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species.
Objectives: This study aimed to molecularly characterize Candida species isolated from the nasal cavity of patients
with nasal infections and to determine their phylogenetic relationships using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)
region.
Methods: A total of 88 nasal swab samples were collected from patients aged 1–80 years in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq,
between December 2023 and March 2024. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Mannitol Salt Agar.
Yeast isolates were identied phenotypically using CHROMagar Candida and germ tube tests. Molecular identication
and genotyping were performed using conventional PCR with ITS1 and ITS4 primers, followed by sequence analysis
using NCBI BLAST tools.
Results: Out of 88 samples, 20 (22.73%) showed positive yeast growth. Molecular analysis demonstrated that Candida
parapsilosis and Candida zeylanoides were the predominant species, each representing 25% of isolates, followed by Candida orthopsilosis (20%) and Candida albicans (10%). Candida glabrata, Clavispora lusitaniae, Debaryomyces hansenii,
and Filobasidium oeirense were detected at lower frequencies (5% each). Sequence analysis revealed several nucleotide
mutations among different genotypes, particularly within C. zeylanoides isolates. Phylogenetic analysis using the
UPGMA method clustered the isolates into distinct species-specic clades according to ITS sequence variations.
Conclusion: The ndings indicate that ITS region sequencing is a reliable molecular approach for accurate identi-
cation and genotyping of Candida species isolated from the nasal cavity and provides important information regarding
their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships.

Background: Most parasites impose some level of damage to their hosts. Factors such as the number of parasites, the
site of infection, the size and mobility of the parasite, along with the host’s physiological condition and whether it serves
as an intermediate or nal host, affect the severity of infections in both humans and animals.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in children under the in uence of some
risk factors.
Materials and Methods: A total of 1213 stool samples were collected from children attending Maysan Pediatric and
Maternity Hospital in Amarah City, Maysan Governorate, southern Iraq. Microscopy examination examined the samples
for cysts and trophozoites of E.histolytica. Month, sex, and stage of infection were among several factors taken into
account.
Results: E. histolytica infection was generally reported as 12.0%. Infection was somewhat more prevalent in males
(6.3%, n=76), and females (5.8%, n=70), with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Infection was signicantly associated
with the month of the year (P < 0.05); May had the highest incidence (3.5%, n=43) and January had the lowest incidence
(1.4%, n=17). There was also a statistically signicant correlation between infection and the diagnostic stages (cyst,
trophozoite, combined). In brief, we found that frequency of infection 12.0%. The infection was rather higher in males
than in females and may be due to behavioral factors.
Conclusion: Infection by E. histolytica in children in Amarah City does not differ from other studies in Iraq generally.
The current study found that infection in children was higher in males than in females, and this agrees with numerous
studies stating that males are more exposed to infection than females due to behavioral factors.

Background: Higher levels of lipid peroxidation are associated with obesity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a byproduct
of this process and acts as a biomarker. Plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) is also connected to obesity and is considered a risk
factor for cardiovascular disease.
Objectives: This study aimed to measure MDA and CP levels in obese people and compare them with levels in people
of normal weight, including both men and women.
Methods: Case and control study was conducted on a total (90) participants, consisting of (45) Normal individuals
with BMI <25 Kg/m2, (45) Obese individuals with BMI ≥30 Kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. Serum MDA and CP
were estimated using the ELISA technique. The present study was carried out from 8th January 2024, to 1st May 2024, at
Rizgary Hospital, Cardiac Center, and Cihan University.
Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) was assessed in both groups. Sensitivity and specicity for MDA were 95.1(0.95)
with signicance (p < 0.0001), for CP 93.33(0.93) with signicance (p < 0.0001), signicant increase in median of MDA from
287.0 (p < 0.0001), median CP from 230.1 (p < 0.0001) in obese subjects. A positive Spearman’s correlation between MDA
and BMI (P < 0.0001) and between CP with BMI (P < 0.0001), indicating that it is an excellent biomarker for diagnosing
obesity.
Conclusion: This nding suggests that obesity is an important factor for enhanced MDA oxidative stress and Cp
protein, with the highest sensitivity and specicity, in obese individuals. which may be suggested as a marker of obesity