Journal Of Wassit For Science & Medicine

This study computationally examines the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) influence on blood flow dynamics in a bifurcated artery with mild stenosis. An external transverse magnetic field was used to study the complicated changes in blood flow under a constant Reynolds number (Re = 300) and a certain level of blockage ( = 0.51375). The mathematical model assesses critical physiological characteristics, such as dimensionless pressure drop, wall shear stress, and flow streamline topologies, under different magnetic intensities (M = 0, 4, and 8). The results show that there is a direct positive relationship between the magnetic parameter and the pressure decrease across the stenosis, parent artery, and daughter artery. Also, using the magnetic field makes the wall shear much stronger, making both positive and negative peak fluctuations near the geometric limits worse. Streamline visualizations are very important because they show that in the purely hydrodynamic situation (M = 0), there are clear flow separations and recirculation eddies downstream of the stenosis. However, adding the magnetic field stops these secondary flows. The Lorentz force that is created helps keep things stable by reducing the number of disturbed recirculation zones. To validate the suggested model, the current numerical results were compared with existing literature, revealing substantial concordance. In the end, these results show that external magnetic fields can organize and stabilize complex disturbed flow fields, even though they increase flow resistance and local shear stress. This has important implications for bio-magnetic therapy and the study of how cardiovascular disease progresses.

Helicobacter pylori is a leading cause of chronic gastrointestinal disorders around the globe. Herein authors aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among symptomatic patients in Al-Kut /Iraq during the year 2022. Authors evaluate the diagnostic performance of H. pylori Stool Antigen Tests (SAT) and H. pylori Blood Antibody (Serology) tests. The 14C-Urea Breath Test (UBT) was performed as a confirmatory test. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was very high 51.92% for serology vs. 50.64% for SAT. Infection was confirmed by UBT in 51.85% of the suspected cases. There was a significant correlation between the seasonal trend and high prevalence rates, and notably a marked predilection among females (75%) compared to males (25%).

Toxoplasmosis and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections may have severe effects especially in pregnancy resulting in a greater risk of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study was to research the prevalence of T. gondii and HSV mixed infection in pregnant women and aborted women. The sampled population consisted of 250 patients; 100 pregnant, 100 abortions, and 50 healthy controls. Rapid diagnostic tests of Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and real-time PCR of the T. gondii and HSV DNA were conducted. Positive Toxoplasma IgG showed in 23% of pregnant, 21% of abortion and 0% in healthy women. It was found by real-time PCR that 19% of pregnant women and 16% of aborted women were positive of T. gondii, and 7% of pregnant and 17% of abortion women were positive of HSV. The difference was significant in the prevalence of T. gondii and HSV infection in study groups (p < 0.05).

Fish products in Iraq are low-priced relative to their high nutritional value, and an important part of the Iraqi people's diet. However, freezing process may affect the nutritional values of these products. The study was conducted to detect nutrient levels, including protein, glycogen, and collagen, in the fish product’s meat using histochemical studies. From Iraqi markets, 36 skeletal muscle samples were taken from three types of fish products such as Nile tilapia fillets, Pangasius steaks, and Atlantic salmon portions. All samples were dyed with Bromophenol blue stain, Periodic-acid Schiff stain, Malory`s trichrome stain and measured by the ImageJ program. The histochemical work revealed that muscles of Atlantic salmon portions were the richest in protein, while Pangasius steaks had the lowest protein content. Nile tilapia fillets had the highest glycogen and collagen ratio in this study. Thus, Atlantic salmon portions and Nile Tilapia fillets are good options for dieting.

Pregnancy is accompanied by marked hormonal and immunological changes that may influence oral tissues and increase susceptibility to gingival inflammation. Gingivitis is commonly observed among pregnant women and is often aggravated by these physiological alterations. Therefore, this study evaluated hormonal and immunological changes in pregnant women with gingivitis compared with healthy pregnant and healthy non-pregnant women. The study included three groups, pregnant women with gingivitis, healthy pregnant women, and healthy non-pregnant women. Besides serum levels of reproductive hormones including FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin, as well as inflammatory cytokines were measured and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin were significantly higher, whereas FSH and LH were lower in pregnant women. Inflammatory cytokines were also significantly elevated in pregnant women with gingivitis, indicating increased susceptibility to gingival inflammation during pregnancy for maternal and fetal.

This study investigated the bacterial profile and immunological response in immunocompromised patients suffering from tonsillitis, including recurrent cases, diabetic patients, and pregnant women. Bacteriological analysis revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent isolate (38%), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (20%). Immunologically, a significant downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed across all patient groups. IL-6 levels were significantly reduced in recurrent 14.58 ± 0.95 pg/ml., diabetic 14.77 ± 1.51 pg/ml., and pregnant patients (p < 0.0161) compared to healthy controls. Similarly, IL-12 levels showed a marked decline, particularly in recurrent respiratory patients 169.26 ± 8.06 pg/ml., and diabetic individuals 199.87 ± 23.4 pg/ml., indicating a compromised Th1-mediated immune response. These findings suggest that the suppression of IL-6 and IL-12 signaling pathways impairs pathogen clearance, leading to increased susceptibility and chronicity of tonsillar infections in these vulnerable populations.

Probiotics are used as a method to prevent many disorders and treat diseases. Lactobacillus acidophilus was isolated from breast milk with the intention of studying their properties as probiotics in view of their importance isolates to simulate gastric juice antibacterial activity of bacteria isolates against enteric pathogenic bacteria. Evaluation of five positive samples out of 102 have been isolated and identified, by using selective media (MRS-VA), biochemical tests and molecular diagnosis using the 16S rRNA gene. The probiotic potential was assessed by determining antibiotic susceptibility through the disc diffusion method. Among five isolates, lactobacillus acidophilus was also highly resistant to simulated gastric environment, though there was a decreasing by 0.287 after incubation for three hours at 37 ºC in the simulated gastric juice with pH 2.5. Lactobacillus acidophilus exhibited a strong antimicrobial effect against the selected gram-negative salmonella typhimurium, and E. coli. Also, gram-positive staphylococcus aureus pathogens. The very small p-values (p = 0.001**). Based on findings, isolated lactobacillus acidophilus displayed promising probiotic characteristics, highlighting human milk as a potential source of these beneficial bacteria.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Cynara scolymus seed extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. TiO2 NPs were fully characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and TEM techniques to confirm the formation of stable nanoparticles with a spherical morphology and sizes ranging from 10 to 30 nm. TiO2 NPs demonstrated considerable and instantaneous efficacy to precipitate lead ions (Pb²⁺) from aqueous solutions without pH or contact time adjustments. The green synthesis approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. Also, suggesting a potential application of synthesized nanoparticles for environmental remediation.