Karbala Journal of Medicine

b
ackground: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the
central nervous system affecting nearly 2 million people worldwide. The
pathogenesis of MS is at best incompletely understood. There are several proposed
mechanisms that may be important in the production of MS plaques: autoimmunity, infection,
bystander demyelination and heredity. Deviation of immune responses plays a central role in
the pathogenesis of MS. Auto antibodies to many myelin constituents is present in MS. These
antibodies may be an autoimmune reaction to an “MS antigens” or simply part of a
generalized “non-sense” antibody response. In either case, the antibodies may affect the
pathology of MS.
Objective: To study the association between Anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (anti
MAG) antibody and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in Iraq.
Method: 105 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and 85 patients with other
neurological diseases (OND) as control group were recruited in this study. The cases were
collected from Baghdad teaching hospital, MS center, Baghdad, Iraq at the period from April
2009 to February 2010. The sera of all patents were tested for MAG- antibodies.
Results: The present study showed increase in the percent of patients with positive anti
MAG antibody in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis than the control group
(7.6% in the patients group viz 3.5% in the control group) but with no statistical significance.
Also among patients group we try to study the relationship between severity of the disease
measured by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and positive serum anti-MAG antibody
and we found no significant statistical association.
Conclusion: There is a higher percent of patients with positive anti-MAG antibody in the
serum of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis than the control group

bbjectives: To assess the pre-operative difficulties in primary cementless total hip
arthroplasty.
Patients and Method: A prospective study for 50 total cementless total hip
replacements performed in 45 patients from Jan.2010 to Sep. 2011 in orthopedic department
in Al-Kadimiya hospital to assess the difficulties encountered during the operation which
were classified into femoral, acetabular and soft tissues difficulties.
Results: The indications for surgery were 26% for primary osteoarthritis, 44% for avascular
necrosis (primary and secondary to alcohol, steroid or sickle cell disease), 24% due to post
traumatic osteoarthritis and 6% due to rheumatoid arthritis. The difficulties encountered
during the operation were narrow femoral canal and difficult femoral reaming in 16%, soft
tissues contractures and tight capsule in 24% , proximally migrated greater trochanter in
8%,posterior acetabular wall defect in 10% and protrusio acetabulum in 6%, only (10%)
were in need for intraoperative blood transfusion.
Conclusion: Extensive pre-operative planning is essential for any hip arthroplasty with the
availability of all the range of prosthesis sizes and designs for optimum results.

b
bjective: To determine the family functioning among caregivers of patients with
schizophrenia and its association with patient’s and caregiver’s socio-demographic
characteristics.
Methodology: Sixty caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were recruited during their
relatives' in-patient psychiatric hospitals: Baghdad Teaching Hospital, 10th floor, and Ibn
Rushd Psychiatric Hospital. Caregivers were interviewed and the data were collected by a
self-reported questionnaire through using the Family Functioning Scale. Then, data were
analyzed by using descriptive statistical measures and inferential statistical measures "Linear
Regression".
Results: All the dimensions of the family functioning are healthy. There was significant
association between patients’ clinical characteristics and caregivers’ socio-demographic
characteristics with family functioning.
Recommendations: The researchers recommend conducting a longitudinal studies on family
caregivers, using psychiatric and family assessment / intervention for those caregivers with
family dysfunction

bL
actobacilli isolated from stool samples of healthy infants aged 2-28 days were identified
as Lactobacillus jensenii based on its morphological description on MRS agar and blood
agar, Gram stain, catalase test, and results of API 20 A system.
The Lactobacilli were assessed for characteristics considered important for in vitro resistance
ability to low pH (3, 4, 5, and 6), and resistance ability to different bile salt concentrations
(0.5%,1%,1.5%,2%,2.5%, and 3%). The'other characteristics studied were culture and
sensitivity of probiotic bacteria to different types of antimicrobial and antibiotics. The
probiotic bacteria revealed inhibitory activities against several pathogenic bacteria
(Staphylococus aureus, Streptococcus agalactia, Clostridium perifrenges, Pseudomonas
aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, 'Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and
Shigella flexneri). Lactobacillus jensenii also exhibited its ability for attachment to epithelial
cells of human intestine (in vitro).

b
ackground: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive
neuropathy with high incidence rates of the upper limb, occurring due to compression
of the median nerve at the wrist (1).
Aim: is to determine the therapeutic effect of topical steroid application as an alternative
therapy for surgical and local injection of steroids.
Method: 30 female patients ranging were selected randomly and divided into 2 groups; 10 of
them were selected as control group and 20 of them were selected to test our therapy (topical
Clobetasol ointment). EMG and NCS were done before and after the therapy to determine the
success of the proposed drug.
Results: There was a significant result both clinically and by EMG and NCS finding after 30
days of treatment in which about 80% of patient were approximately free of pain after
treatment as a clinical assessment with a significant EMG and NCS finding at P <0.05.
Conclusion: topical skin application over carpal tunnel is of a great value as an alternative
conservative treatment for CTS

background: Floaters and photopsia are common eye symptoms. This prospective
study aims to detect the relative importance of floaters, photopsia, or both as
predictors of vitreo-retinal pathology.
Material: 202 patients attending the outpatient clinic in Alkadhimya teaching hospital
between 2008–2010 complaining of floaters, photopsia, or both were interrogated .starting
with inquiry about the mode of presentation, then slit lamp examination of the anterior
segment, and dilatation of the pupil by mydriacyl drops 0.5% and phenylphrine drops 10%,
followed by 3 mirror examination of the vitreous and peripheral retina.
Results: 98 patients were male while 104 patients were female. 104 patients (51.49%)
presented with floaters; 24 patients (11.88%) presented with photopsia; and 74 patients
(36.63%) presented with both floaters and photopsia. 102 patients (50.50%) had posterior
vitreous detachment (PVD) while 52 patients (25.74%) had synchysis, and 48 patients
(23.76%) had normal vitreous. The highest percentage of PVD was in the age group 60 – 69
years and was 40 patients (39.21%). Regarding the mode of presentation, the highest
percentage of PVD was in the group of patients presenting with both floaters and photopsia
and was 46 patients (62.16%). The total number of retinal tear cases detected was 14; 8 of
them were present in patients having PVD and presenting with floaters and photopsia, while
4 cases of retinal tears were detected in patients having PVD and presenting with floaters, and
finally 2 retinal tear cases were detected in patients having PVD and presenting with
photopsia. 12 eyes (85.71%) who had retinal tears had vitreous pigment granules, while 2
eyes with retinal tears (14.29%) did not have vitreous pigment granules.
Conclusion: the symptoms of floaters, photopsia, or both are an important predictors of
vitreo- retinal pathology. A significant number of patients had PVD, and this was associated
with retinal tears in a number of patients. Vitreous pigment granules in these patients were
closely correlated with the presence of retinal tears. Careful examination of patients including
3 mirror contact lens examinations is mandatory.

background:Cryptorchidism is one of the most common genitourinary disorders in
young boys. Management of non- palpable undescended testis is a surgical challenge
involving evaluation and surgical management. The objective of this study is to
present our initial experience with laparoscopy in patients with non- palpable testis.
Patients and methods: Laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia on 25 patients.
If the internal spermatic vessels and vas deferens made their way into the internal inguinal
ring, the inguinal canal was dissected. Laparoscopic orchiopexy or orchiectomy was
performed in cases with intra-abdominal testis. If the internal spermatic vessels found
terminated intraperitoneally with a blind-end, the case was considered as a vanishing testis.
Results: Twenty five boys, aged from 2.5 years to 32 years (median 8.7 years) were
identified with 30 non- palpable testes. In five of the 30 non- palpable testes, the vas and the
vessels were through the internal ring, and the inguinal region needed dissection. Orchiopexy
was performed on 4 testes and orchiectomy was performed on one atrophic testis. Twenty of
30 testes were intra-abdominally localized. Laparoscopic orchiopexy was performed in 16
testes and laparoscopic orchiectomy was performed in 4 testes. Five boys were diagnosed as
vanishing testes.
Conclusions: Laparoscopy seems to offer a safe and reliable
diagnostic and therapeutic option to patients with non- palpable testes

background: While the use of continuous renal replacement therapies in the
management of children with acute and chronic renal failure have increased , the role
of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of pediatric renal failure(RF) has received
less attention .
Objectives: This study considers causes of renal failure, complications during and after the
procedure of peritoneal dialysis (PD), and their outcome.
Methods: A retrospective database review of children requiring PD for RF from March 2010
to July 2011 in pediatric peritoneal dialysis unit in Babylon Gynecology and Children
Teaching Hospital. Fifty two patients with or without previously known underlying renal
disease were investigated with biochemical and radiological studies and got no benefit from
conservative management so they have been referred for PD for the treatment of their renal
failure.
Results: The outcome of the patients with peritoneal dialysis was: Thirty three survivors (63.
46 %), mortality (19 cases) 100% during infantile period (1 day – 1 year) age group. Causes
of mortality: Eighteen patients died due to multiorgan failure (94 .73 %) Causes of renal
failure were: Sepsis (19), renal disease (15) cardiac problems (6), perinatal asphyxia (3),
hemolytic uremic syndrome (3) hypovoleamia (3) meningo -encephallitis (2) and inborn
error of metabolism (1). Complications of PD occurred in (42 .3 %), the most prevalent was
the need for further regular dialysis (45.8%).
Conclusion: The common age of death from renal failure is below one year, the commonest
cause of death was multiorgan failure. Forty five percent of patients need another dialysis

b
ackground: Postoperative hypocalcaemia is one of the most common complications
of thyroid surgery.
Objective: To evaluate the significance of thyrotoxicosis in developing
hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery.
Patients and Methods: A prospective study for patients whom submitted to bilateral subtotal
thyroidectomy in AL-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital in the period from Mars 2006-Mars 2011
were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups; in group A the patients
had toxic goiter, while in group B, the patients had euthyroid goiter. Both groups are nearly
identical for age, sex, size of the goiter, and the size of the removed thyroid tissue. All the
operations were done by the same surgeon and same technique. At least 2 parathyroid glands
are identified and carefully preserved in every patient. Serum calcium was measured before
and after operation. Patients with malignant thyroid and those underwent lobectomy were
excluded from this study.
Results: The total number was 97 patients. Group A, include 24 patients, 10(41.6%) of them
had transient hypocalcaemia and 5(20.8%) patients had permanent hypocalcaemia. One
patient (4.1%) died eighteen months after the operation due to cardiomyopathy and heart
failure.GroupB, include 73patients, 5(6.8%) of them had transient hypocalcemia.The relative
risk of hypocalcaemia in toxic goiter is 3.53 (confidence interval 95%) in comparison with
euthyroid goiter; P value <0.001which is very significant.
Conclusion: Thyrotoxicosis is a significant risk factor in developing hypocalcaemia after
thyroid surgery.

background: Gallstone disease is a common clinical entity affecting the adult
population of both sexes.
Aim of the study: The objective of present investigation was to compare the impact
of sex, age and BMI on the gallstone disease.
Subject and Methods: A total of 150 subjects whom suffered from gallstones visible by
ultrasound were considered as cases aged (48.52 ± 9.534) years comprised from 19 men and
131 women and subjects negative for gallstones were classified as controls, consist of 50
parsons aged (27.96 ± 6.72) years, 14 males and 36 females.
Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of individual factors and their association
with women were affected nearly fivefold than men (5:1). The objectives of present
investigation were to compare the impact of sex, age and BMI on the gallstone disease. In
order to identify the risk factors, we further performed a multivariate logistic regression
analysis. The factors significantly (OR 5.40, 95%CI 0.77-46.99; p = 0.05, OR 2.80, 95%
0.86-16.12; p = 0.04) associated with gallstones disease were an age 30-49 and an age > 50
years (OR 8.25, 1.17-92.97; p= 0.01, OR 21.94, 6.72-97.26; p= 0.0001) for males and
females respectively. High body mass index, however was detected as an independent risk
factor for gallstone disease in females (OR 1.96, 0.88- 4.42; p = 0.05).In the male population,
no such association was present.
Conclusion: Present studies have defined the role of sex difference on the formation of
gallstone.

b
ackground: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many
cells and cellular elements play a role, leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Although clinicians are satisfied with
this definition, epidemiologists are still searching for their own. Studies on asthma used either
questionnaire or histopathophysiologic way to define asthma each has its privileges and
drawbacks. Asthma has become more common in both children and adults around the world
in recent decades. Its prevalence has been dramatically increased during last few years, but
still no definite asthma prevalence is specified in Iraq.
Aim of the Study: To define the prevalence of some risk factors in Iraqi asthmatics, patterns
of presentation, and to find the level of education about asthma among the patients, this study
was conducted.
Method :Two hundred twenty five asthmatic patients diagnosed by questionnaire, supported
by clinical detection of wheeze, were included in a cross sectional study done in outpatients
clinic, Baghdad Teaching hospital in Baghdad, collected from December 2007 to March
2008.
Results: mean age for the study sample is 38 years, 50 are men and 175 are women. Normal
body mass index reported in 86 patients, 78 patients (33.7 %) have positive family history of
allergic diseases, 110 patients reported exposure to environment with house dust mite, and 49
patients (21.7%) were passive smoker. Persistent symptoms are commonest pattern of asthma
reported in 157 patients. Eighty eight patients use their treatment regularly, and 31 patients
used steroid inhalers. Proper usage of inhalers as assessed by demonstration found in only 39
patients. Spirometry or pulmonary function tests are performed only in 11 patients (4.9 %)
for diagnosis or asthma follow-up.
Conclusions: High body mass index, exposure to an environment in favored for house mite
inhabitance, family history of atopy, history of allergic diseases, Gastro-intestinal symptoms
suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are the
commonest risk factors reported by asthmatics.Irregular treatment with inhalers especially
corticosteroid and their improper usage are still widely spread among our patients, also
spirometry and other pulmonary function tests are still rarely used in diagnosis, and
management of asthmatic patients.

background: Fever with seizure,is a common complaint with which a child may
presented to the emergency department ,is mainly due to febrile seizure, but it may
also be duo to central nervous system infection.
Objective: This study was done to evaluate the utility of Lumbar puncture for first
simple febrile seizures among children 6 to 18 months of age.
Method: A prospective study was conducted in emergency department of Karbala teaching
hospital for children. Patients who were presented with first simple febrile seizure in age
group 6 to 18 months were included. Lumbar puncture was done and meningitis diagnosed on
the bases of either cytological and biochemical criteria or Cerebrospinal Fluid culture.
Results: Out of 105 patients with First simple febrile seizure, 41 patients (39.05%) were 6 to
12 months old, 41.5% of them had meningitis while 64 patients (60.95%) were 12 to 18
months old, and 17.2% of them had meningitis. Cerebrospinal Fluid, cultures were negative
in all cases. Meningitis was more in males than females for both age groups with a
male:female ratio 3:1.
Conclusion: First simple febrile seizure is a common pediatric emergency and high percent
of patients with this sole presentation had meningitis.

b: To assess the family economic status of juvenile delinquents, to assess the family
economic status of non-delinquents juvenile, to Identify the differences between cases and
controls, and to find out the relationship between family economic status and some of
delinquents’ variables. And used to determining the relationship between family economic
status and juvenile parents' variables.
Methodology: The study carried out on a purposive “non probability” sample of (100) delinquents’
juveniles were selected from a Reformation schools for boys in Baghdad City and 100 of non-
delinquents juveniles who were matched with them from general population. A questionnaire is
constructed for the purpose of the present study which is distributed across 2 main parts. Part one
included the demographic characteristics of juvenile and their parents, and part two included sections
of family economic status. The overall items which were included in the questionnaire are 42 items
regarding juvenile delinquency, and 38 regarding non – delinquents juveniles. Validity and reliability
of the questionnaire were determined through the review of a panel of experts and the pilot study.
Data were collected through the period from September 2sd 2011 to October 2sd 2011. It was
analyzed through the descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean of score) and inferential
statistics.
Results: The results revealed that were a significant difference was found in juvenile delinquents'
family economic status with regard to their age at delinquent acts, duration of punishment, and mother
occupational status. Also there were highly significant differences between case and control with
regard to their family economic status.
Conclusion: The study concluded that juvenile delinquency is a serious problem facing families of
children. Where family economic status plays an important role in the community of this problem and
put the juveniles in trouble with the law because of their behavior, as evidenced by this study, that the
instability of the family economic and related problems plays an important role in the occurrence of
this problem.

b: Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous bacterium that is generating
increasingly bad press coverage due to its propensity to adopt a pathogenic lifestyle in
hospital and community settings. S. aureus colonies are found in approximately 30%
of the general population. It colonizes the skin readily and can lead to a wide range of
pathological conditions from skin lesions to osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and septicemia.
Many bacteria produce substances that are cytolysins i.e they dissolve red blood cells
(hemolysins) or kill tissue cells or leukocytes (leukocidins). The β-toxin degrades
sphingomyelin and therefore is toxic for many kinds of cells, including human red blood
cells. Hemolysins were extracted and the optimum conditions for their production were
extensively studied including optimum pH, temperature, incubation period, and various
manipulations of the culture media.
Objectives
1-Extraction of hemolysin from a local isolate of S. aureus.
2-Studying the effects of pH and temperature on hemolysin production.
Methods: Bacterial samples were identified by subjecting them to the standard laboratory
procedures while semi quantitative screening on blood agar (containing 5% human blood)
revealed that all isolates were hemolysin producer but in different efficiencies. Determination
of the optimal conditions for hemolysin production including the optimum pH and
temperature were also performed.
Results: Bacterial samples were identified by subjecting them to the standard laboratory
procedures and the results showed that forty isolates out of the total of 100 were identified as
Staphylococcus aureus. Semi quantitative screening on blood agar (containing 5% human
blood) revealed that all isolates were hemolysin producer but in different efficiencies.
Depending on the semi-quantitative screening and hemolytic assays isolate SW-14 of
Staphylococcus aureus was the higher hemolysin producing isolate. Determination of the
optimal conditions for hemolysin production including the optimum pH and temperature
were performed, the results demonstrated that the best hemolysin production was in the pH
near neutrality (pH 7-7.5) and in temperature of 35-40oC.
Conclusions
1. Conventional methods can be performed to extract hemolysins.
2. Hemolysin was maximally produced when the pH was near neutrality and incubation
temperature was 37oC and this conclusion indicates that hemolysin was produced when the
conditions were similar to that of the host.

b
vascular necrosis (AVN) is defined as cellular death of bone components
due to interruption of the blood supply; the bone structures then collapse,
resulting in bone destruction, pain, and loss of joint function. AVN is
associated with numerous conditions and usually involves the epiphysis of long
bones, such as the femoral head. In clinical practice, AVN is most commonly
encountered in the hip. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can delay the need
for joint replacement. However, most patients present late in the disease course. Without
treatment, the process is almost always progressive, leading to joint destruction within 5
years. Treatment of a vascular necrosis depends mainly on early diagnosis which mainly
based on clinical findings, x-ray finding & MRI.A variety of non-vascularized bone
grafting techniques have been proposed with varying degrees of success as
treatment alternatives for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The success of these
procedures may be enhanced using ancillary growth and differentiation factors.
Patients & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 37 patients (44 hips) with
osteonecrosis of the femoral head between May 2007, and March 2011, divided into
two groups. Group A include 17 patients (22 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral
head who had non vascularized bone grafting procedures done for them. Minimum
follow-up was 12 months. We compared the outcomes in this cohort to similar hip
number (22 hips) in 20 patients treated with core decompression only (group B). We
used Phemister technique to make a window at the posterior aspect of greater
trochanter to remove necrotic bone and packed the excavated area with autogenous
cancellous bone graft taken from ipsilateral iliac crest or leave it without bone graft
(decompression only).
Results: We report the result of treatment for femoral head avascular necrosis
depending on Ficat classification stage I, II, & III. The minimum follow up was 12
months (12m-36m).The success percentage of hips in our cohort of patients with
non-vascularized bone grafting group A are 86% (19 of 22 hips), which is higher
than group B 63% (14 of 22 hips) with core decompression alone.
Conclusion: These procedures (core decompression and autogenous cancellous
bone graft) effectively reduce donor site morbidity and may defer joint arthroplasty
in selected patients & it is more effective than core decompression alone in treating

b
e prospective study undertaken between January 2007 and January 2011, 58
consecutive cases with compound tibial shaft fractures. All fractures were
stabilized by external fixator device AO/ASIF type after failed the manipulation
under anesthesia (MUA) to restore the osseous alignment. In 32 patients cancellous bone
graft were used from the upper part of the tibia to enhance healing process, all these patients
were followed for an average of 8 – 12 months.Our findings showed that stabilization of the
fracture shaft tibia by external fixation with cancellous bone graft had significantly better
result, than external fixation alone.We conclude that unilateral, uniplanar external fixation
with early bone grafting from upper part of the tibia is considered the best method of
management for unstable tibial shaft fracture in our community. The frame offered sufficient
stability even in segmental fractures; application time is very short in the hands of the
experienced surgeon. dynamization of the fixator must not be forgotten, and lastly we
recommended that the external fixation is not only used as temporary form of immobilization
but can be used as a definitive stabilizing procedure until consolidation of the fracture. It is
safe, effective, cheap and available in almost all orthopedics units in Iraq.

b
ackground: Early-onset neonatal infections are acquired before or during delivery
(vertical mother-to-child transmission). Late-onset infections develop after delivery
from organisms acquired in the hospital or the community. The age at onset depends
on the timing of exposure and virulence of the infecting organism. Very-late-onset infections
(onset after 1 mo of life) may also occur, particularly in VLBW preterm infants or term
infants requiring prolonged neonatal intensive care.
Aims of the study: To study the effect of some risk factors, laboratory investigations and
outcome on early and late onset neonatal sepsis and their relation with early and late onset
neonatal sepsis.
Patients and methods: A prospective study was carried out in Karbala teaching hospital
from the first of January 2011 through the first of January 2012 for a group of 150 neonates
who were subgrouped into 86 (57.3%) with early onset neonatal sepsis and 64 (42.7%) with
late onset neonatal sepsis. Information were taken about the patients regarding the age in
days, gender, perinatal and maternal history and blood samples were aspirated for complete
blood count, blood culture, and C-reactive protein.
Results: We found that the neonate is more susceptible to early onset neonatal sepsis in
comparison to late onset neonatal sepsis. Premature neonates were more liable for late onset
neonatal sepsis than full term ones, 93 vs. 57 neonates (62% vs. 38%). Neonates of mothers
with prolonged rupture of membranes were more liable for early onset neonatal sepsis than
late onset neonatal sepsis, 27 neonates vs. 11 neonates (31.3 vs.17.2) respectively. Also we
found that the blood culture result highly affecting by antibiotics used before culture. The
number of neonates with history of maternal fever during pregnancy or shortly before labor
was associated with higher number of early onset neonatal sepsis than late onset sepsis, 20 vs.
16 neonates (13.3% vs. 10.7%) respectively. The mortality rate is more in ENS in comparison
to late type.
Conclusion: Prematurity and prolonged rupture of membranes had significant association
with early onset neonatal sepsis while gender, antenatal care and maternal fever had no
difference between early onset and late onset neonatal sepsis. Incidence and mortality of early
onset neonatal sepsis was higher than late onset neonatal sepsis. Immature: total neutrophils
count, and platelets count had high sensitivity to the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

b
ackground: It has been assumed that the failure in trophoblastic invasion and the
induction of an inflammatory process within placenta in patients with preeclampsia
may trigger the expression of Cancer antigen 125. C-reactive protein is a marker of
tissue damage and inflammation; increased C-reactive protein may reflect endothelial cell
dysfunction in preeclampsia and may be a potential marker of preeclampsia.
Objectives: To evaluate the association of serum Cancer antigen 125 and C-reactive protein
level with the severity of preeclampsia. .
Patients & methods: A case control study was carried out in the department of gynecology
and obstetrics at Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital (Baghdad\Iraq) for one year from April 2010
to March 2011. Hundred singleton pregnant women were divided into fifty patients with
preeclampsia and fifty healthy pregnant women as control group. Blood samples were taken
for measurement of serum cancer antigen-125 and C-reactive protein for both groups.
Results :The mean level of cancer antigen-125 in mild, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia
groups was 32.57±8.08(IU/ml), 38.04±9.44(IU/ml) and 47.60±12.09(IU/ml) respectively
which was significantly higher in comparison to the control group (sampled at the same time)
which was 13.70±8.44(IU/ml) the P value was (0.0001). The mean level of c-reactive protein
in mild, severe preeclampsia & eclampsia was 15.80±6.69(mg/L), 30.64±15.66(mg/L) and
42.60±13.70(mg/L) which was significantly higher in comparison to the control group
which was 7.92±4.05(mg/L) the P value was( 0.0001).
Conclusion: Serum cancer antigen 125 and C - reactive protein were significantly higher in
preeclampsia groups in comparison to the control group and the increment was directly
correlated with the severity of preeclampsia

b
ackground: Coronary artery disease, is a major cause of mortality and morbidity
worldwide .It's incidence among young age groups is increasing rapidly.
Objectives: Coronary artery disease is now frequently encountered in young adult
population. However, not many studies are available in this regard. Therefore, the present
study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and angiographic
features of patients ≤40 years of age with Coronary artery disease and compare them to
patients >40 years.
Methods: this study was conducted at shaheed al muhrab cardiac center in Hilla city, all
patients who had underwent coronary angiography in the catheterization laboratory were
included in the study during the period april 2008 to July 2011. Patient who had history of
revascularization procedure were excluded from the study. The patients were divided into
two groups on the basis of age. The first group (group A) include patients 40 years and
younger, while the second group (group B) include patients older than 40 years.
Results: of the total 803 patients , 58(7.2%) were ≤40 years old (group A) and 745 (92.8%)
were older than 40 years (group B).Smoking , premature CAD and hyperlipidemia were
statically significant risk factors in patients≤40 years old (group A) 24.2%,19% ,17.2%
respectively compared to 13.2%,10.3%, 10.7% in patients older than 40 years (group B),
whereas hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity were more prevalent in(Group B),
27%,22.8%, 16% respectively, compared to (Group A) , 15.5%,13.8%, 10.3% respectively
(p<0.001) .7.2% of patient who have evidence of CAD proved by coronary angiography were
in age group ≤40 years. Younger patients (group A) tends to have single vessel disease 56.9%
compared to older patients (group B) 24.4%, and the reverse is true in regards to three vessel
disease 44.2% vs19%.
Conclusions: 7.2% of angiographically documented cases of coronary artery disease patients
were 40 years & younger in age, this percentage was high among our studied population.
Smoking, family history of premature Coronary artery disease & hyperlipidemia were
significantly associated with Coronary artery disease in young patients (p<0.001) Young
patients tends to have single vessel disease while older ones tends to have three vessel disease

bhe present study was conducted to evaluate the relevance of glycosylated hemoglobin
with oxidative stress in insulin resistant type 2 diabetes mellitus. To achieve this aim,
93 type 2 diabetic patients of ages 38-84 years were recruited. In addition, 19
apparently healthy individuals with ages 30-60 years, were enrolled as a control group.The
concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), insulin, glycosylated
hemoglobin (HbA1c), malodialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were
measured in sera of patient and the control groups. Fasting blood glucose and triglyceride
levels were estimated by spectrophotometeric methods using enzymatic procedures. Insulin
level was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) method. HbA1c level
was determined by an ion exchange chromatographic method, while MDA and GST levels
were measured by spectrophotometeric procedures. Insulin resistance was evaluated by four
methods. They include homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), quantitative insulin check
index (QUIKI), McAulye (McA), and fasting insulin (FI) methods. Insulin resistance was
found in 79 (84.9%), 63 (73.4%), 52 (55.9%) and 35 (37%) out of the 93 diabetic patients by
HOMA, QUICKi, McA and FI methods respectively. Type 2 insulin resistant (79) diabetic
patients (IRP) that obtained through the HOMA method were assessed for the HbA1c, MDA
and GST levels in comparison to the insulin sensitive patients (ISP) as well as to the control
group. The analysis of the data revealed a significant increase (p<0.001) of HbA1c levels in
the IRP group when compared with those of
the control group, while the insulin sensitive group (ISP) couldn’t show significant variation
when compared with those of the IRP. The data of MDA failed to give significant variation.
However, a significant elevation of GST concentration were observed in the IRP group with
respect to those of the control group (p<0.005). On the other hand significant variations could
not be obtained among the ISP and IRP. These data suggested that oxidative stress changes
are independent on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus