Al Mustansiriyah Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In oral applications, the microsponge system has been shown to increase the rate of
solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs by entrapping such drugs in the microsponge
system\\'s pores.Because these pores are very small, the drug is in effect reduced to
microscopic particles and increased surface area thus greatly increases the rate of
solubilization.
This investigation was done to increase solubility and then bioavialibility of poorly
soluble ketoconazole (BCS class II drug) by preparing it as microsponges by quasi emulsion
solvent technique using different types of Eudragits as Eudragit E 100, Eudragit RS or
Eudragi tRL. Physicochemical interaction between drug and excipients as individual one,
physical mixture and prepared microsponge has been evaluated using Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which indicates the
absence of interaction between them. The1: 0.1 ratio drug: Eudragit E 100 at stirring rate of
2000 rpm (F1b) was found to give the best production yield of 80.46±2.41, entrapment
efficiency of 70.84%±1.71, and smallest particle size of 57.42±2.26 µm. Scanning electron
microscopy of F1b at magnification of 1000x and 50000x shows the presence of drug as
nanocrystals inside microsponge. All prepared formulas shows good flow properties indicated
the possibility of capsule formulation which show significant (P<0.05) high drug release
percent in 0.1 HCl compared with traditional Nizoral® oral tablet (83.15%±1.10) but Eudragit
E (F1b ) shows the best drug release percent of 100±0.91 at 20 minutes. Finally, the overall
obtained data revealed the feasibility of preparing fast release ketaconazole as microsponges
in oral capsules dosage form.
Key words: micosponag, ketocanazol, and quasi emulsion solvent technique.

In this study (300) blood samples were collected from healthy volunteer at national
transfusion center, ministry of health, republic of Iraq, was examined for anti-Toxoplasma
gondii antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of anti
Toxoplasma gondii total IgG, IgM antibodies were 85 (56.6%), 40 (26.6%) respectively.
While positive rate for IgG, IgM in female and male were 65 (43.3%), 35 (23.3%) and 20
(13.3%), 5 (3.3%) respectively. The high positive rate of IgG and IgM appear in femle who
age rated between (21-30) and (31-40) years old, were 27 (25.7%), 7 (15.5%) respectively.
Also rate of toxoplasmosis in married women greater than married men 27 (28.4%), 2 (1.9%).
The same things for women cats breed, the rate of IgG and IgM was 24(44.4), higher than
men who breed cats.
Key word: Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii.

To evaluate the changes in anti cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) antibodies,
rheumatoid factor (RF), interleukins 17 and 10 (IL-17 and IL-10), high sensitivity C- reactive
protein (hs CRP) and T regulatory cells (Treg) count following an anti TNF-α biological agent
(etanercept) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients who failed treatment with DMARDs (disease
modifying anti rheumatic drugs) were treated with etanercept for three months. Serum and blood
samples were tested before and after therapy for six markers including ACCP, RF, IL- 10, IL 17,
hs CRP, and Treg cell. A significant dropping down in the serum level of ACCP, RF and hs CRP
was documented 3 months after etanercept therapy. On the other hand a non- significant elevation
in IL-10 serum level and peripheral blood Treg cell count, as well as a non significant dropping
down in the serum level of IL-17 were also reported. Etanercept is a successful anti-TNF-α
therapy in refractory RA patients for the first three months of the course therapy as indicated by
clinical improvement and amelioration in 6 disease activity markers.
Key words: rheumatoid arthritis, IL-17, etanercept, Treg, TNF-

In this study, a total of one hundred clinical samples were collected for isolation of
Staphylococcus aureus from different hospitals (Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and Hospital
Child Central and a number of Al- Harthiya laboratories) in Baghdad.
The diagnostic results showed that 34 out of 100 samples were beloned to gram
positive bacteria and 66 were gram negative according to their morphological and cultural
characteristics. From these 34 gram positive isolates 25 isolates were confirmed as
Staphylococcus aureus, 6 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 3 Staphylococcus saprophytic us.
These S. aureus isolates were tested for their ability to produce hyaluronidase enzyme
and results showed that all the isolates were hyaluronidase producers; among them, S. aureus
isolate S2 obtained from urine was the most efficient in hyaluroniase production. Enzyme
specific activity of the crude filtrate of this isolate was 96 U/mg proteins.

This is the first study to test the using of hot water extract of Cichorium intybus
(chicory) of roots as alternative medium for Bacterial growth.
The tested bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Salmonella typhi and Acinetobacter spp.The results showed heavy growth of all tested
bacteria after incubation at 37oC for 24hrs.
In conclusion, Cichorium intybus (chicory) roots medium is a good source of
nutrients, in both solid and liquid media, due to it contains of proteins, fructoligosaccharide
(inulin) and elements and can used as alternative medium.
Key words: culture media, chicory roots, hot water extract.

The study title evaluate nurses’ practices toward application of Apgar scores for newly
born baby at delivery room in Baghdad city for the purposes of finding the relationship
between the nurses\\' practices and their demographic characteristics.
A descriptive study was carried out in teaching and non teaching hospitals (Al-Numan
General Hospital, Al-aluwa Delivery Hospital in Baghdad City from the 10th September 2012
to 10th January 2013. A purposive (non probability) sample of (20) nurses who are working in
the delivery room in these hospital. The data was collected through using constructed
questionnaire which comprises (25) items add filled by using interview technique.
The reliability of the questionnaire was determined through a pilot study and validity
through a panel of experts. The data were analyzed through the application of descriptive
statistic that including frequency, percentage, and the application of inferential statistical
procedures, which include Pearson correlation coefficient, mean of score, standard deviation
and chi-square.
The finding of the study there was no statistical significance differences between the
nurses\\' practices and their demographic characteristics espial educational level, years of
experience in the delivery room, years of employment in the nursing, and the finding of the
study was indicated that the nurses have poor practices about application of Apgar scores for
newly born baby at delivery room. The study recommended that nurses \\'practices should be
improved toward application of Apgar scores for newly born infant at delivery room
throughout establishment of educational program.
Key wards: Evaluation, Nurses\\' Practices, Apgar scores.

Hypothyroidism is a condition resulting from insufficient production or diminished action
of either T3 and/or T4 thyroid hormones.
The present study is to look for a correlation between oxidative stress and histological changes of
thyroid gland in hypothyroidism patients.30 hypothyroidism patients and 30 healthy individuals
as control subjects were included in the study.
We measured their serum tri-iodothyronine, thyroxin and thyroid-stimulating hormone
(T3, T4, TSH) respectively. Estimation of MalondyIdehyd (MDA) and Glutathione (GSH) in
serum and in homogenized thyroid tissue was carried out by standard methods. TSH was
elevated in both serum and in homogenized tissue of patients compared to controls, while T4 and
T3 were significantly lower in the patients than in controls. Melanodyldehyd (MDA) as Lipid
Peroxidation marker were significantly higher in both serum and in homogenized tissue of
patients than in the controls, while(GSH) were significantly lower in both serum and in
homogenized tissue of patients than in the control subjects.
Hypothyroidism patients showed histological changes in thyroid gland tissues include,
hyaline thickness of the blood vessel walls, necrotic follicles, a strong inflammatory reaction,
and peeling of necrotic cells in the follicles.
Keywords: Glutathione Melanodyldehyd, Oxidative stress, Thyroid gland, Hypothyroidism,
Thyroid hormones .

In this study, solid dispersion using hydrophilic carriers (polyethylene glycols) and
fast dissolving sugars (sorbitol and lactose) has been employed to enhance dissolution and
hence the bioavailability of ibuprofen.
Solid dispersions of different weight ratios (drug: carrier: fast dissolving sugars) have
been prepared using fusion method.
Microscopic images showed disappearance of specific features of ibuprofen, carriers
and sugars in the solid dispersions.
Release study of ibuprofen from prepared systems was performed in phosphate buffer
pH 6.8; faster drug release was obtained from solid dispersions with high polyethylene glycol
ratio and/ or from solid dispersions to which fast dissolving sugars has been added during
their preparations.
The study also explored hydrogen bond interactions between polyethylene glycols
and ibuprofen in the solid dispersions. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed intermolecular
interaction at (2:1) drug to carrier mole ratio. This interaction was considered the most
important factor in enhancing the dissolution of ibuprofen via solid dispersions.
Keywords: Solid dispersion, ibuprofen, polyethylene glycols, fusion method.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyroid hormones
disorders on serum lipid profile among the hypothyroidism diabetic patients. For this purpose
blood samples were collected randomly from (40) subjects with hypothyroidism (TSH> 5 m
IU/L, T4 < 50 n mol/L) (male and female) from the endocrine center of Al-Yarmook teaching
hospital in the age range of (30- 65) years. Included (21) diabetic patients who had thyroid
dysfunction (hypothyroidism) according to clinical examinations and laboratory results, (were
chosen as case group) and the remaining (19) subjects were consider as control group.
The following variables were measured: Fasting serum glucose, thyroid hormones
(T3, T4 and TSH) and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Very Low density lipoprotein VLDL
and triglycerides (TG)).
The statistical analysis of results of this study revealed a significant correlation
between fasting serum glucose (FSG) with severity of thyroid hormones disorders levels (T3,
T4 and TSH), beside significantly increased serum total cholesterol (include HDL, LDL and
VLDL) and triglyceride (P. value < 0.05) with hyperglycemia.
We conclude that hyperglycemia is associated with significant changes in lipid profile
and thyroid hormones level in hypothyroid-diabetic patient as compared with non diabetic
control group with negative correlations.

The antibacterial activity of local isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (P1and P2)
were tested against some pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis,
Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus faecium isolated from stool urine and wounds by
modified agar block method at 370C for 24 hr. The isolates of P. fluorescens were positive as
producer of bacteriocin with a wide inhibition range on growth of gram positive pathogenic
bacteria. P1 inhibited the bacterial growth of S. aureus isolates with a range of inhibition zone
(12-20) mm. while P2 inhibited the bacterial growth with a range of inhibition zone was (13
22) mm .The range of inhibition zones of S.epidermidis by P1 were (10-18) mm. while the
range by P2 was (9-20) mm. The isolate P1 inhibited the growth of all the tested isolates of
S. faecalis with a range of inhibition zone between (12-19) mm. The range of inhibition zones
of S. faecalis by P2 were (10-18) mm. The bacterial growth of S. faecium isolates were
inhibited by P1 with a range of (15-19) mm. and (16-19) mm. with P2. Agar block method
was suitable and easy for screening of bacteriocin production from this bacterium.
Key words: Pseudomonas fluorescens, antibacterial activity, bacteriocin, pathogenic bacteria

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in female during
reproductive age. The aim of this study was to find out the correlation between LH, FSH
hormone and LH: FSH ratio and polycystic ovary syndrome .
The present study included 50 patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (25 married in
age group ranged between 20-45 years and 25 unmarried women with age ranged between 15
18years) and a control group comprising of 30 women (15 married & 15 unmarried) in the
same age. Blood samples were aspirated from individual from 2nd – 5th day menstrual cycle
(early follicular phase) for those of normal cycle while for patients with Polycystic ovary
syndrome blood sample were collected regardless to the duration of the cycle to measure
FSH, LH, and LH:FSH ratio by using ELISA methods
The results of this study showed the mean levels of LH and LH/FSH ratio significantly
elevated in PCOS groups compared with normal groups in both married and unmarried
women. We suggested that changes in the LH level and LH: FSH ratio has a role in polycystic
ovarian syndrome.
Key words: Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicular Stimulating Hormones (FSH), polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Pine is regarded as a remedy of wounds in traditional medicine. Terpene acids like abietic
and isopimaric acid are the active constituents which poses antibacterial activities.
The hexane fraction of both Pinus halepensis and Cedrus libani was assayed against eight
different bacteria of G+ve and G-ve using agar diffusion method. The zones of inhibition were
determined and compared with the wide spectrum antibacterial ciprofloxacin as a positive
control.
Key words: terpen acid, abietic acid, Pinus halepensis, Cedrus libani, antibacterial activity

A simple, precise, rapid, and accurate reversed–phase high performance liquid
chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in pure
from, pharmaceutical formulations, biological samples and in environmental water samples.
Chromatography was carried out on supercar L1 (C18 ) reversed- phase column (25cm×
4.6mm), 5 microns, using a mixture of methanol : water (42: 58v/v) as a mobile phase at a
flow rate of 1.0 ml.min-1.Detection was performed at 254nm at ambient temperature.
The retention time for ascorbic acid was found 2.3 minutes. The calibration curve was
linear (r= 0.9998) over a concentration range from 0.5 to 12.5µg/ml. Limit of detection
(LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found 3ng/ml and 9 ng/ml respectively. The
method was validated for its linearity, precision and accuracy.
The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of ascorbic acid
in pure form, pharmaceutical formulations, and biological samples and in environmental
water samples.
Keyword: HPLC, Ascorbic acid, Pharmaceutical formulations

The drug polymer was prepared by modification of polyvinylpyrrolidinone (PVP) with
paracetamol through ester group formation, and partially ring opening of PVP with
paracetomol, could let the chitosan to graft on other rings of PVP.
Also the NH2 group of chitosan was reacted with PVP produced a new copolymer
biopolymer; the prepared polymers were characterized by UV, FT-IR,1H-NMR
Spectroscopies, DSC thermal analysis was carried out.
Controlled drug release was studied in different PH values. The physical properties
and intrinsic viscosity were measured. The work aimed to prolong the sustainable drug
delivery system.
Key word: Polyvinylpyrrolidinone, Drug polymer, Chitosan

Despite the numbers of studies upon burning symptoms in patients with
clinically healthy appearance of the oral mucosa, as well as burning mouth syndrome
(BMS) itself, they both remain still challenging subjects.
The aim of this study was arranged to evaluate the effects of some systemic
medication in the occurrence of BMS in relation to other etiological factors that may
share in causing this disease in an Iraqi sample.
Out of eighty, fifty patients (28 female and 22 males) were selected as a study
group, all of them suffered from BMS, clinical and laboratory examinations in
addition to previous diagnosis for the patients on the referral forma were depending
on identifying the etiological causes for the BMS.
This study revealed that antihypertensive and antidepressant medications were
more affecting among this studied Iraqi sample with BMS than other etiological
factor.
Key words: Burning mouth syndrome BMS, systemic medication, menopausal
conditions, etiological factors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on postoperative
complications after surgical removal of impacted lower third molar.
Sixty patients submitted for surgical removal of impacted lower third molar, thirty
patients received dexamethasone ampoule I.M (8 mg/2 ml) one hour preoperatively followed by
one ampoule 12 hours post operatively, compared with another thirty patients who did not
receive dexamethasone. The parameters of comparison were swelling and trismus depending on
the patient\'s outcome (Yes or No), in addition to pain using VAS scale. Findings were recorded
at second, fourth, and seventh days postoperatively.
Dexamethasone appear to have great effect on reducing the post operative complications
(pain, swelling and trismus) after the surgical removal of lower third molar and the statistical
analysis showed a highly significant difference between group one that received dexamethasone
and group two without dexamethasone.
We concluded that the dexamethasone was statistically more efficient in reducing the
pain, swelling and trismus.
Keywords: dexamethasone, complications, impacted wisdom

An experiment was conducted to assess the antistress efficacy of Withania somnifera
roots ethanolic on some blood physiological traits of Japanese quail hens reared under high
environmental temperature (27-37-27ºC).
Three hundred Japanese quail hens of six weeks old were randomly distributed into
five treatments T0 untreated group (control), T1, T2 quails supplemented orally with 50, 100
mg/kg/day root ethanolic extract(WSRE) respectively,T3, T4 received 1,2 g/kg diet root
powder(WSRP) respectively.
Results revealed significant increase in Hb and PCV % in quails supplemented with T4
at 10 and 15weeks of age, and in T3 and T4 groups at 12 weeks of age in comparison with T0
and WSRE groups. At 10 and 15 weeks old, T2 resulted in significant increasing in
Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio in comparison withT0and other treatments. At 15 weeks of
age,T1and T2 significantly increased Heterophil% in comparison with T0 and WSRP groups,
while, quails in T4 showed significant reduction in Heterophil% and significant increasing in
Lymphocyte% compared with T1, also results showed that supplementing quails with T4
significantly increased serum iron .Thyroid hormones didn’t affected significantly due to
treatments while T3 significantly increased TSH.
Keywords: Heat stress; Withania somnifera roots; Physiological parameters; Japanese quail.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen with increasing clinical
importance, especially in immunocompromised patients, causing nosocomial infections of the
lungs, urinary tract and surgical wounds. Carbapenems are important antibiotics for treating
multidrug resistant A. baumannii infections. Insertion sequence ISAba1 has been detected in
correlation with many antimicrobial agent resistance genes in A. baumannii. The aim of this
study was to investigate existence of insertion sequence (ISAba1) in clinical isolates of
carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolated from hospitals in Baghdad city.
Seventy Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were obtained from clinical samples (42
from sputa and 28 from blood) between September 2012 and March 2013.Antibiogram
towards several groups of antimicrobial agents including: β- Lactams; aminoglycosides;
fluoroquinolone ; and sulfa; as well as the combination of amoxicillin / β-Lactamase inhibitor
using disc diffusion method was carried out. Multi-drug resistant isolates were observed in
almost all the studied isolates .Minimum inhibitory concentration values were demonstrated
using agar dilution method for imipenem antibiotic. Forty eight (68.57%) of 70 isolates were
resistant to imipenem with values of MIC ranging between (16-256) µg/ml.ISAba1 sequence
among imipenem resistant isolates using PCR technique were identified in 44 isolates
(91.66%). Sequencing of amplified product (549 bp) was performed to ensure the occurrence
of the ISAba1 sequence in the studied carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii.

Otitis can affect the inner or outer parts of the ear. Some times it is difficult in a rapid
response to the treatment. The condition is classified according to occured suddenly for a short
time (acute) or repeatedly over a long period of time (chronic).The types of treatments and
sustainability were depended in most cases on bacterial infections.
23 samples of Iraqi patients infected with otitis collected from Yarmook hospital. The
aural exudates screened to determine whether the infection was external or interior ear on
MacConkey agar, and the negative Gram bacteria has been selected due to its higher connectivity
with human diseases.
The growth colonies diagnosed by assay of biochemical reaction and we genetically
confirmed the availability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by PCR. The diversity of bacterial
infection showed the dominancy of Pseudomonas spp. (60%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(17%) in it compared to other bacteria such as Proteus Vulgaris (13%), Morganella morganii
(4%) and Klebsiella spp. (4%).
Key words: Pseudomonas, Otitis, Azurin,

Infection with Helicobacter pylori, particularly with strains positive for cytotoxicity–
associated gene (CagA) gene, increases the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and it may be
associated with carcinogenesis in extra gastric target organ. The aim of this study to explore
the possible association between CagA positive H. pylori and colorectal carcinoma and
determine the association with clinico-pathological features.
Paraffin embedded tumor specimens from (49) patients with colorectal adeno
carcinoma and (30) healthy control were assessed by in situ hybridization for the expression
of H. pylori CagA mRNA.
Statistical analysis of H. pylori CagA positive expression revealed highly significant
difference in colorectal carcinoma patients than in control group. There was no relationship
between H. pylori CagA positive expression and range of clinicopathological features.
Among patients infected with H. pylori CagA positive is associated with increased risk for
colonic cancer.
Keywords: H. pylori, CagA, colorectal cancer.