CORRELATION BETWEEN RS6265 SNP IN BDNF AND THE CONTEXT OF DIABETES TYPE II INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQI PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: In this study, we looked into the possible link between the G196A polymorphism in the BDNF gene and DM in Iraqi patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: By using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach, 100 subjects were genotyped for the G196A SNP of the BDNF gene, 50 as DM and 50 as controls, age-sex and ethnically matched healthy controls. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the association of this polymorphism, and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and healthy controls.

RESULTS

Results: Our result show that patient with the AG (Val-Met) genotype had a 40%of total DM patients than those and GG (Val-Val) genotypes. Therefore, we concluded that as a future aspect of the report the work can be further extended on proteomic level wherein the corresponding change occurred due to the mutation in the protein can be further detected at structural and functional level.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: conclusion of our result was any patient with covid-19 must need to follow up for at least 1 month after recovery to notified of the post-Covid symptoms especially the male gender.

EVALUATION OF COVID-19 VACCINES EFFICACY IN IRAQI PEOPLES

OBJECTIVE

The aim: The present study was carried out on patients recovered from COVID-19, including those patients who have taken vaccine and those who have not.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The patients were recruited via an online panel and surveyed at different regions of Iraq from June 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021.

RESULTS

Results: Our results demonstrated that the highest percentage of people recommended Pfizer vaccine followed by Sinopharm, while AstraZeneca vaccine was least recommended.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The efficacy of different vaccines differed significantly; the highest effectiveness was observed with Pfizer vaccine followed by AstraZeneca and Sinopharm with effectiveness ranging from 94%, 89%, and 74%, respectively. Further, the highest percentage of re-infected patients was observed with Sinopharm vaccine followed by Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccine, respectively. Also, the highest percent of re-infection with masking used was seen in the case of Sinopharm vaccine followed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine. Although, we observed that post-vaccination symptoms were lowest than pre-vaccination symptoms, the percent of asymptomatic cases post-vaccination was highest than pre-vaccination cases for all vaccines.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS POST COVID-19 OUTBREAK

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To determine the pandemic's impact on worldwide psychological suffering and its consequences for vulnerable groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: 200 participants (mean 66.5% males) from 6 provinces of central and southern Iraq responded to the survey for 6 months. Mental signs and symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and State Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Over 55% of the post-Covid respondents had depression; the male gender was higher than female gender (56% vs. 44%). About 44% of the post-Covid respondents had Nervousness, 59% of them was male. Participates had moderate level of confusion & memory loss about 73%, however, the male gender was greater suffering from it than female (72% vs. 28%).

RESULTS

Results: Results show that Post Covid-19 patients have high depression, Nervousness, and memory loss, and also Male gender with Covid-19 have a severe level of depression, Nervousness, memory loss as compare with the female gender.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Post Covid-19 patients have high depression, Nervousness, and memory loss as compared with those without covid-19 one. Patients who have a history of psychological problems inpatient with Covid-19 must be taken and treated in combination with a protocol of covid-19 management. The male gender with Covid-19 has a severe level of depression, Nervousness, memory loss as compared with the female gender.

GASTROINTESTINAL AND METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN POST-COVID-19 DISEASE OUTCOMES

OBJECTIVE

The aim: Recognizing gastrointestinal symptoms that precede COVID-19 respiratory difficulties may be crucial for effective early detection and treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: A total of 200 individuals with the post-covid-19 symptoms for both genders in clinical private and hospital COVID-19 verified by polymerase chain reaction were tracked until they recovered. To evaluate the duration of symptoms as a predictor of COVID-19 prognosis, we proposed a link between gastrointestinal symptoms, metabolic disturbances and disease severity. Glucose disturbances were observed in 65 percent of participants, higher D-Dimer plasma levels have been found in 77 percent of participants, and ferritin plasma levels were found in 62 percent of participants.

RESULTS

Results: While gastrointestinal symptoms were common, with nausea accounting for 51% of participants, an increase in appetite accounting for 76% of patients, and anal fissure accounting for 30% of participants. Both metabolic and GIT symptoms disturbances impact a large percentage of men.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Our conclusion was any patient with covid-19 must need to follow up for at least 1 month after recovery to notified of the post-covid symptoms especially the male gender.

The poor design of clinical trials of statins in oncology may explain their failure - Lessons for drug repurposing

Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. However, by inhibiting the production of mevalonate, they also reduce the production of several isoprenoids that are necessary for the function of small GTPase oncogenes such as Ras. As such, statins offer an attractive way to inhibit an "undruggable" target, suggesting that they may be usefully repurposed to treat cancer. However, despite numerous studies, there is still no consensus whether statins are useful in the oncology arena. Numerous preclinical studies have provided evidence justifying the evaluation of statins in cancer patients. Some retrospective studies of patients taking statins to control cholesterol have identified a reduced risk of cancer mortality. However, prospective clinical studies have mostly not been successful. We believe that this has occurred because many of the prospective clinical trials have been poorly designed. Many of these trials have failed to take into account some or all of the factors identified in preclinical studies that are likely to be necessary for statins to be efficacious. We suggest an improved trial design which takes these factors into account. Importantly, we suggest that the design of clinical trials of drugs which are being considered for repurposing should not assume it is appropriate to use them in the same way as they are used in their original indication. Rather, such trials deserve to be informed by preclinical studies that are comparable to those for any novel drug.

Effect of estradiol and progesterone on human chorionic gonadotropin secretion in vitro

Many of the substances known to control the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins also modulate the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by the placenta. In order to study the effect of estrogens and progestins on hCG secretion, term placental explants were cultured in culture media for 144 hours. During the culture period, hCG secretion increased after 48 hours, and a fortyfold increase was observed after 144 hours (p less than 0.001). Compared to concentrations of hCG in control cultures, secretion of hCG was markedly suppressed in the presence of progesterone 2.25 X 10(-5)M (p less than 0.001), a concentration similar to that found in term placental tissue (1.7 +/- 0.2 micrograms/gm of tissue). Suppression of hCG by progesterone occurred in a dose-response manner (r = -0.9100, p less than 0.01). Estradiol, an important steroid modulator of pituitary gonadotropins, did not significantly suppress the secretion of hCG, except in pharmacologic concentrations (10(-4)M), and physiologic concentrations of estradiol had no effect on the suppression of hCG by progesterone. These results suggest that the mechanism by which progesterone suppresses the secretion of hCG differs from the manner in which steroids modulate the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins.

A rapid method for repurifying partly degraded radiolabeled steroids

This rapid method for repurifying radiolabeled steroids from degraded products is based upon differential partitioning of intact and degraded molecules between aqueous-phase solution and anhydrous diethyl ether. Results compare favorably with those by liquid-chromatographic methods.

A rapid method for repurifying partly degraded radiolabeled steroids

This rapid method for repurifying radiolabeled steroids from degraded products is based upon differential partitioning of intact and degraded molecules between aqueous-phase solution and anhydrous diethyl ether. Results compare favorably with those by liquid-chromatographic methods.

Determination of gestational age by serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin

To examine the accuracy and predictability of human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in determining gestational age, serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-subunit) were measured during the first 157 days after last menses. Using the regression curve generated, human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations obtained during the first 60 days accurately predicted the day of gestation. The difference (mean +/- SD) between the human chorionic gonadotropin-predicted estimated date of confinement and the estimated date of confinement established by known dates of last menses was 3.1 +/- 2.3 days. In patients followed to parturition, the difference between human chorionic gonadotropin-estimated gestational age and gestational age by physical assessment of the neonate was 8.1 +/- 7.1 days. After 60 days' gestation, human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations vary widely and are of little value in predicting gestational age. In addition to documenting conception, early human chorionic gonadotropin determinations accurately date the gestation and complement other clinical and biophysical methods for determining gestational age that are frequently used later in pregnancy.

Prolactin hyperstimulation in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with endometriosis

In order to clarify the role of hyperprolactinemia as a possible cause of infertility in patients with endometriosis, baseline serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations and the PRL response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation were measured in 14 infertile women with endometriosis and in 13 normal, fertile women. Baseline PRL concentrations were 2-fold greater in the endometriosis group than in normal subjects, but the mean values did not differ significantly. Following TRH administration, a significant increase in peak PRL concentrations was observed in patients with endometriosis (211.5 +/- 34.9 ng/ml) when compared with corresponding values in control subjects (117.1 +/- 14.9 ng/ml, P less than 0.05). This hypersecretory state was selective for PRL because no significant differences between the baseline and TRH-stimulated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations or total serum thyroxine concentrations were observed. In summary, some infertile women with endometriosis exhibit a greater capacity for PRL secretion than normal women. These results suggest that relative hyperprolactinemia may be responsible for the infertility associated with endometriosis, and that PRL suppression may be indicated in these patients.

Effect of dextran-coated charcoal on radioimmunoassays of unconjugated estriol in serum

Lipid interference in the radioimmunoassay of steroids can cause an apparent variation in post-prandial serum concentrations of unconjugated estriol. The effects of increased concentrations of dextran-coated charcoal (15--60 g/l) in the radioimmunoassay of estriol standards with and without triglycerides were studied. All concentrations of dextran-coated charcoal used in this study eliminated the previously observed effects of estriol-lipid partitioning. When we used similar concentrations of dextran-coated charcoal, we found that serum cortisol levels in pregnant women declined significantly during the day (P less than 0.001), but no significant variation in estriol concentrations was observed. These results indicate that the previously reported diurnal variation in serum unconjugated estriol concentrations attributed to steroid-lipid partitioning can be eliminated by increasing the concentration of dextran-coated charcoal in assays using this method of separation.

Adrenal androgen excess and defective 11 beta-hydroxylation in women with idiopathic hirsutism

We studied the simultaneous responses of four serum androgens (testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) and five other steroids (deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone) to the infusion of small amounts of cosyntropin in eight patients with idiopathic hirsutism and in six normal women. Serum testosterone and androstenedione concentrations were significantly higher in hirsute women after graded cosyntropin infusions than in controls, as were concentrations of plasma deoxycorticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol. Analysis of the substrate/product ratios 11-deoxycortisol/cortisol and deoxycorticosterone/corticosterone revealed defective 11 beta-hydroxylation in women with hirsutism. The presence of increased circulating androgen levels in response to physiologic amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone thus appears to be a common response in women with idiopathic hirsutism, and, together with impaired adrenal 11 beta-hydroxylation, points to an adrenal defect as important components of this disorder.

Stimulation of human chorionic gonadotropin secretion by glucocorticoids

The effects of glucocorticoids on hormone secretion by human placenta in organ culture were studied. The addition of cortisol resulted in a fourfold increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion over that in untreated cultures after 144 hours' incubation (P less than 0.05), and a twofold increase in hCG was observed in the presence of cortisone (P less than 0.01). Dexamethasone stimulated hCG secretion in a dose-response manner (r = 0.9542; P less than 0.01). Progesterone, which suppresses hCG under these conditions, decreased the cortisol-enhanced secretion of hCG (r = -0.9794; P less than 0.01). No change in the secretion of human chorionic somatomammotropin was observed, but glucocorticoids increased heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activity (P less than 0.001). The physiologic significance of glucocorticoid effects on placental hormone synthesis is discussed.

Rates of exponential increase of serum estradiol concentrations in normal and human menopausal gonadotropin-induced cycles

Serum unconjugated estradiol concentrations were measured daily in patients who ovulated spontaneously and in patients whose ovulations were induced with human menopausal gonadotropins. When the logarithm of the estradiol concentration was plotted against time (semi-log plot) for each patient, the plots were essentially linear, and the rates of estradiol production were similar during spontaneous and induced cycles. Based on two or three estradiol determinations, subsequent estradiol concentrations can be determined as long as the established rates of estradiol production falls within reasonable confidence limits. The slope of serum unconjugated estradiol concentrations of a patient known to have a multiple gestation due to multiple ovulations did not differ significantly from the slopes of estradiol concentrations with single pregnancies, suggesting that the follicular phase estradiol concentrations do not reflect number of dominant follicles.

Effect of variations in globulin concentrations on serum radioimmunoassay results, as exemplified by choriogonadotropin

Variations in serum protein concentrations can affect results of radioimmunoassay of human choriogonadotropin involving either polyethylene glycol or double-antibody methods of separation. Relative to the maximal binding of choriogonadotropin in the presence of normal (30 g/L) globulin concentrations, globulin concentrations of 10 to 60 g/L were associated with maximal binding ranging from 84.9 to 115.6% in the polyethylene glycol system, and from 109.9 to 92.5% in the double-antibody system. This effect was quantitatively much the same throughout the standard curve in the polyethylene glycol system, but diminished with the higher standard concentrations in the double-antibody system. In assays involving polyethylene glycol separation, an increase in globulin was associated with a linear increase in nonspecific binding, but no detectable effect of globulin on nonspecific binding was observed in the double-antibody system. Determination and compensation for nonspecific binding of individual samples (rather than for mean assay nonspecific binding) eliminated the globulin effect in the polyethylene glycol system but not in the double-antibody system.

Effect of variations in globulin concentrations on serum radioimmunoassay results, as exemplified by choriogonadotropin

Variations in serum protein concentrations can affect results of radioimmunoassay of human choriogonadotropin involving either polyethylene glycol or double-antibody methods of separation. Relative to the maximal binding of choriogonadotropin in the presence of normal (30 g/L) globulin concentrations, globulin concentrations of 10 to 60 g/L were associated with maximal binding ranging from 84.9 to 115.6% in the polyethylene glycol system, and from 109.9 to 92.5% in the double-antibody system. This effect was quantitatively much the same throughout the standard curve in the polyethylene glycol system, but diminished with the higher standard concentrations in the double-antibody system. In assays involving polyethylene glycol separation, an increase in globulin was associated with a linear increase in nonspecific binding, but no detectable effect of globulin on nonspecific binding was observed in the double-antibody system. Determination and compensation for nonspecific binding of individual samples (rather than for mean assay nonspecific binding) eliminated the globulin effect in the polyethylene glycol system but not in the double-antibody system.

Corticosteroid-binding globulin as a biologic assay for endogenous estrogen in patients with and without endometrial carcinoma

Serum corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) concentrations in blood respond to endogenous or exogenous estrogens in a dose-response manner and serve as a biologic assay for estrogens. Because endometrial carcinoma is associated with unopposed or excessive estrogen stimulation, the CBG binding capacity of sera of patients with endometrial cancer was compared to that of normal premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The mean +/- SEM values for CBG concentrations in patients with endometrial cancer (28.3 +/- 1.3 mg/L) were significantly greater than CBG concentrations in premenopausal women (21.4 +/- 0.9 mg/L, p less than 0.001), but not significantly different from those of normal postmenopausal women (26.7 +/- 1.2 mg/L). Patients with polycystic ovarian disease, a risk factor for endometrial carcinoma, also had CBG concentrations significantly greater than those of normal premenopausal women (27.9 +/- 1.8 mg/L, p less than 0.01). CBG levels decline with age (r = -0.6474, p less than 0.05) but are unaffected by body weight or percent ideal body weight. These results indicate that CBG can distinguish categories of patients at risk for endometrial carcinoma, but it is not an effective biochemical marker for patients in these high-risk groups who have or will develop endometrial carcinoma.

Effect of serum lipids on radioimmunoassays of unconjugated estriol in serum

Controversy regarding the presence of a circadian rhythm in unconjugated estriol in serum during pregnancy led us to study the possibility that the observed rhythms actually are the result of partitioning of estriol into serum lipids when these increase postprandially. Addition of triglycerides to purified estriol standards significantly decreased (p less than 0.001) apparent estriol as detected by radioimmunoassay after separation on dextran-coated charcoal and significantly increased (p less than 0.001) estriol as detected by radioimmunoassay after double-antibody separation. Compensation for individual nonspecific binding of standards nullified the effect of lipids only in systems involving dextran-coated charcoal separation, incubated for 1.0 h at 37 degrees C followed by 1.0 h at 4 degrees C. In contrast to other protocols, data obtained with this system revealed no significant circadian variation in serum estriol concentrations in normal pregnant women (CV, 4.3%). Evidently, reported variations in apparent serum estriol concentration are artifactual.

Effect of serum lipids on radioimmunoassays of unconjugated estriol in serum

Controversy regarding the presence of a circadian rhythm in unconjugated estriol in serum during pregnancy led us to study the possibility that the observed rhythms actually are the result of partitioning of estriol into serum lipids when these increase postprandially. Addition of triglycerides to purified estriol standards significantly decreased (p less than 0.001) apparent estriol as detected by radioimmunoassay after separation on dextran-coated charcoal and significantly increased (p less than 0.001) estriol as detected by radioimmunoassay after double-antibody separation. Compensation for individual nonspecific binding of standards nullified the effect of lipids only in systems involving dextran-coated charcoal separation, incubated for 1.0 h at 37 degrees C followed by 1.0 h at 4 degrees C. In contrast to other protocols, data obtained with this system revealed no significant circadian variation in serum estriol concentrations in normal pregnant women (CV, 4.3%). Evidently, reported variations in apparent serum estriol concentration are artifactual.

Suppression of human chorionic gonadotropin by progestational steroids

The dynamics of the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were studied by culturing explants of normal term placentas for as long as 144 hours. A significant accumulation of immunoreactive hCG (beta-subunit) was first detected at 48 to 72 hours, and a sixfold increase in hCG was observed in control culture medium at 144 hours. Compared to control cultures, progesterone (P < 0.001) in physiologic tissue levels of 5 to 20 micrograms/ml, pregnenolone (P < 0.001), 20 micrograms/ml, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (P < 0.001), 20 micrograms/ml, suppressed the secretion of hCG throughout the study period. Progesterone decreased the secretion of hCG in a dose-response manner (r = -0.8S87, P < 0.1). No suppression of hCG was observed in the presence of cortisol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, or estriol. The secretion of human chorionic somatomammotropin was unchanged in the presence of progesterone. The augmented hCG response in the presence of dibutyl cAMP (P < 0.001) was significantly, but not completely, suppressed by progesterone 20 micrograms/ml culture medium (P < 0.01). Under these conditions progestational steroids or their immediate metabolites suppress the secretion of hCG, and they may be responsible for the decline in the levels of hCG during pregnancy.

Corticosteroid-binding globulin and estrogens in maternal and cord blood

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is produced by the liver in small concentrations and binds steroids with high affinity. Its concentration in the blood is sensitive to endogenous or exogenous estrogens in a dose-response manner and serves as a biological assay for estrogens. CBG concentrations were measured in sera collected from maternal and umbilical vein blood during labor and delivery and at elective cesarean section and correlated with endogenous estradiol and estriol concentrations. CBG and estradiol concentrations of maternal blood were significantly exceeded those of maternal serum. A highly significant increase in cord blood estriol concentration was found following vaginal delivery compared to elective cesarean section, indicating an increase in adrenal activity due to the stress of labor. CBG levels correlated directly with maternal estradiol but not estriol cencentrations. Cord blood CBG concentration varied little despite a wide range of estrogen concentrations. The physiologic significance of CBG concentrations in maternal and fetal blood is discussed.

Improved radioimmunoassay of urinary estriol

We report a rapid double-antibody radioimmunoassay for urinary estriol. Advantages over other current methods include: (a) 30-min hydrolysis; (b) total incubation time, 55 min; (c) assay unaffected by urinary glucose; (d) no degradation of estriol evident during hydrolysis; (e) superior (85%) analytical recovery of estriol conjugates; (f) linear standard curve by logit-log extrapolation; (g) good correlation (r = 0.83) with total estrogen determination by a generally accepted colorimetric method; (h) only 20 muL of urine required; and (i) the detection range is 1.9 to 100.5 mg/24-h urine.

Improved radioimmunoassay of urinary estriol

We report a rapid double-antibody radioimmunoassay for urinary estriol. Advantages over other current methods include: (a) 30-min hydrolysis; (b) total incubation time, 55 min; (c) assay unaffected by urinary glucose; (d) no degradation of estriol evident during hydrolysis; (e) superior (85%) analytical recovery of estriol conjugates; (f) linear standard curve by logit-log extrapolation; (g) good correlation (r = 0.83) with total estrogen determination by a generally accepted colorimetric method; (h) only 20 muL of urine required; and (i) the detection range is 1.9 to 100.5 mg/24-h urine.