Background The link between interleukin-40, a newly discovered cytokine, and the increased risk of type 2 diabetes after menopause has not been previously explored. Objectives To assess the correlation between blood levels of IL-40 and glycemic status in post-menopausal women. Materials and Methods In a cross-sectional study, HbA1c was employed to categorize 80 menopausal women into three groups: normoglycemic (n = 22), prediabetic (n = 22), and type 2 diabetes (n = 36). Serum IL-40 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Besides, hematologic tests, liver and kidney indicators, and the fundamental indices (glycemic, inflammatory, and atherogenic) were assessed. Statistical studies performed included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, group comparisons, correlation, and logistic regression. Results IL-40 concentrations were significantly lower in prediabetic women (P-value = 0.031) than in normoglycemic individuals. Additionally, they demonstrated a negative connection with HbA1c (r = -0.264, P-value = 0.018) and hemoglobin (r = -0.227, P-value = 0.043). For every 1 ng/mL increase in IL-40, the risks of prediabetes reduce by 16% (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73–0.97, P-value = 0.015). Although C-reactive protein (CRP) had a higher overall (AUC) area under the curve (0.841), IL-40 demonstrated acceptable discrimination (AUC = 0.726) with higher specificity (86.4%) after recoding prediabetes as the positive state. When controls were classified as positive, ROC analysis showed an inverse effect (AUC = 0.274). Conclusion IL-40 differentiates between normoglycemic and …

Background Postmenopausal metabolic syndrome (MetS) arises from the complex interplay between estrogen deficiency and systemic inflammation. Yet, standard risk indicators, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and traditional hematological indices (NLR, LMR, NMR), are often limited by low specificity, inconsistent reliability, or high cost. Purpose This study validated the diagnostic precision of a novel hematological metric, the log10(Lymphocyte/MID%) ratio, benchmarking it against standard indices and the novel biomarkers Subfatin and Interleukin-40. Study Type A comparative cross-sectional study. Population 80 postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older were recruited and categorized into MetS (n=43) and non-MetS (n=37) cohorts according to NCEP ATP III guidelines. Assessment Technique(s) or Outcome(s): Fasting blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC) to calculate the novel …

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in disturbances of thyroid function and iron metabolism, but data from Iraqi clinical populations remain limited. We performed a hospital-based cross-sectional study (August 2024-January 2025) of 99 adults (15-45 years; 49 males, 50 females) attending Mosul General Hospital to examine associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and two biochemical markers: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and ferritin. Participants were classified as vitamin D deficient (≤10 ng/mL, n = 37), insufficient (11-20 ng/mL, n = 31), or sufficient (>20 ng/mL, n = 31). Mean TSH was highest in the deficient group (5.09 ± 0.77 μIU/mL) and lowest in the sufficient group (1.90 ± 0.13 μIU/mL; p < 0.001). Mean ferritin was lowest in the deficient group (42.8 ± 3.07 ng/mL) and higher in the sufficient group (60.26 ± 7.3 ng/mL; p = 0.03). Correlation analysis showed a significant inverse association between vitamin D and TSH (r = -0.488, p < 0.001) and a positive association between vitamin D and ferritin (r = 0.212, p = 0.035). These findings indicate that lower vitamin D status is associated with higher TSH and lower iron stores in this hospital cohort. Consideration of vitamin D and iron status may aid the interpretation of abnormal TSH values and warrants prospective investigation to test whether nutritional correction modifies thyroid-related outcomes.

Background: Comparative analysis of liver and kidney function in patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) and beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) is relatively underexplored in the existing literature.Objectives: This study compares liver and kidney function in children with BTM, BTT, and healthy controls, and investigates the potential protective role of ferritin in reducing iron-related tissue damage in BTT patients.Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted on 93 male children (ages 2–12) from Ibn Al-Atheer and Ibn Sina Hospitals in Mosul, Iraq, divided into three groups: BTM (31), BTT (31), and healthy controls (31). Serum levels of liver and kidney biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, DBIL, TBIL, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and ferritin) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26.0) with a significance level of P-value < 0.05.Results: In the BTM group, levels of ALP, AST, urea, and uric acid were significantly higher compared to the control group, while no significant differences were observed between the BTT and control groups for these parameters. ALT, TBIL, DBIL, creatinine, and ferritin levels were elevated in both BTM and BTT groups relative to controls. Notably, all parameters except TBIL were significantly higher in the BTM group than in the BTT group. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between ferritin and ALP in the BTM group, whereas a significant negative correlation was found between ferritin and creatinine in the BTT group.Conclusion: BTM significantly impaired liver and kidney function, while BTT showed mild increases in ALT, TBIL, DBIL, creatinine, and ferritin. In BTM, ferritin correlated with ALP, indicating potential iron toxicity, whereas in BTT, the negative correlation with creatinine may suggest a protective mechanism. Further research is needed to clarify ferritin thresholds for toxicity versus protection.

Objective The variation of iron status with the occurrence of acne vulgaris is not clarified and requires further investigation. Additionally, biochemical indicators such as magnesium, lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) need to be adequately studied in acne patients. The aim of this study was to detect the association of acne vulgaris with iron parameters, gender, magnesium (Mg), lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in adolescents and young adults compared to a control group. Material and methods The study was conducted at the laboratory of Vin Private Hospital in Duhok, Iraq from March to November 2023. The study measured the levels of iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), Mg, lactate, and LDH in the serum samples of 200 individuals. The total ironbinding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS) were calculated mathematically. The study population consisted of 100 individuals diagnosed with acne vulgaris in the dermatology unit at Azadi Teaching Hospital, who were further subdivided into 28 mild, 44 moderate, and 28 severe cases, as well as 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls selected from secondary schools and university students. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 for Windows. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and discussion Iron, TIBC, UIBC, Mg, and LDH levels were significantly increased in the patient group. Logistic regression analyses showed that TIBC and LDH associated with acne vulgaris, with odds ratios of 1.019 and 1.023, respectively. The areas under the ROC curves for TIBC and LDH were 0.808 (95% CI 0.745-0.871) and 0.829 (95% CI 0.771- 0.888), respectively, which was statistically significant. The cutoff values for TIBC and LDH were 309.3 and 197.2, respectively. Multiple comparisons showed no significant differences in iron parameters, Mg, lactate, and LDH activity among the patient subgroups. Conclusion The abnormalities in iron status observed in patients with acne vulgaris, such as elevated total iron levels coupled with increased TIBC, along with elevated LDH, could serve as potential markers indicating the onset of acne vulgaris and concurrent hemolysis.

Background: The relationship between acne vulgaris and lipid profiles has been the subject of limited research across diverse populations, yielding conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are any significant differences in lipid profile and selected apolipoproteins between two groups: adolescents and young adults with acne vulgaris and an age- and sex-matched control group. Additionally, the study aimed to identify indicators associated with severe acne vulgaris. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 100 adolescent and young adult patients (50 adolescents aged 11–18 years and 50 young adults aged 19–26 years) who were visitors to the Dermatology Unit of Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, diagnosed with acne vulgaris. These patients were compared with a control group of 90 healthy individuals who were matched for age, sex, and BMI (body mass index). Measurements included lipid profile, apolipoprotein A (Apo A), apolipoprotein B, and lipase. The Ethics Committee of the Directorate of Health of Duhok City Governate approved the study (reference number: 15092021-9-3). Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software (version 26.0 for Windows), and the p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed an increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), non-HDL-C, and Apo A in the acne vulgaris group compared with the control group (157.5 ± 36, 125.4 ± 50.5, 40.9 ± 10.9, 114.6 ± 41, and 189.5 ± 26 versus 129 ± 22.5, 98.1 ± 49.9, 33.4 ± 8.1, 95.6 ± 32.1 and 179.6 ± 22.4, respectively), all with p values of ≤ 0.05. The regression model showed that an increase in one unit of cholesterol resulted in a 4% increase in the odds of acne vulgaris (p < 0.001). The severity of acne vulgaris was associated with age (mild (17.9 ± 2.7), moderate (18.09 ± 2.8), severe (20 ± 2.7), p < 0.05) and with a decrease in Apo A levels compared with the mild group (179.2 ± 25.5 and 200 ± 25.9, respectively, p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in non-HDL-C levels in young adult patients compared with adolescent patients (125.8 ± 40.3 versus 103.5 ± 39.9, p = 0.01). Conclusions: High cholesterol is a feature of adolescent and young adult patients with acne vulgaris. Older patients tend to have more severe forms of acne, which are significantly associated with elevated non-HDL-C levels. Decreased Apo A levels have also been identified as an additional indicator of severe cases of acne vulgaris.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the name given by the World Health Organization to the virus that causes acute pneumonia, a worldwide pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, ending with serious complications for patients and creating a global health emergency, the virus is transmitted by droplets from the infected patient during talking, sneezing, coughing, and breathe so crowded areas should be avoided. Most COVID-19 patients have slight to mild signs and get better without treatment. However, a few turns severely unwell and require scientific attention. The clinical condition of patients varies from simple asymptomatic to complicated cases suffering from severe pneumonia which may lead to death. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical markers of heart and liver function in COVID-19 patients having severe symptoms. Therefore, the clinical laboratory can contribute to the creation of biomarkers to classify the risk of patients developing more severe and dangerous conditions, thus accelerating the clinical decision-making process.

This work aims to detect the associations of C-peptide and the homeostasis model assessment of beta-cells function (HOMA2-B%) with inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant-women in comparison with non-pregnant women. Sera of 28 normal pregnant women at late pregnancy versus 27 matched age non-pregnant women (control), were used to estimate C-peptide, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4) by Enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fasting blood sugar (FBS) by automatic analyzer Biolis 24i, hematology-tests by hematology analyzer and the calculation of HOMA2-B% and homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S%) by using C-peptide values instead of insulin. The comparisons, correlations, regression analysis tests were performed by the software of statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). In pregnant women group, HOMA2-B%, T3, T4, white blood cell (WBC), MID cells, granulocytes (GRAN) increased significantly (p-values˂0.05), while C-peptide level raised about 11% compared to control. Lymphocytes, red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT) and hemoglobin (HGB) decreased significantly (p-values˂0.05). Lymphocytes predicted both HOMA2-B% and C-peptide level during pregnancy (R2 =0.516, p ˂0.0004; R2=0.31, p ˂0.009 respectively). Prediction of HOMA2-B% and C-peptide levels by lymphocytes account clarifies that the adaptation in beta-cells might be a part of the defense system mechanism of the body against oxidative stress, and this highlights new insight on the proliferation of beta-cells during pregnancy and insulin sensitivity

Irisin is a novel myokine and adipokine, its role during pregnancy and its association with some metabolic risk factors especially pre-pregnancy body mass index (pre-BMI) need more evaluation. The aim of the study is to find whether the pre-BMI could predict irisin levels during normal pregnancy and to clarify associations of irisin with some pathological parameters. Irisin levels were estimated by ELISA in sera of 59 normal pregnant women who enrolled from December 2016 to May 2017 at Maternity Hospital, Zakho city, Kurdistan region (Iraq). Thirty-two normal-weight pregnant (pre-BMI≤24.9 kg/m2, Age=24.03 mean±3.7standard deviation) and 27 overweight/obese-pregnant (pre-BMI>25 kg/m2, Age=27.6 mean±3.9 standard deviation) were accounted for each trimester as10: 8 in first trimester, 10:10 in second trimester and12:9 in third trimester respectively. Twenty-two healthy married non-pregnant women of reproductive age served as controls, accounted as 10 normal-weight women (BMI ≤24.9 kg/m2) and 12 overweight/obese women (BMI>25 kg/m2). In pregnant women as a whole, irisin level significantly increased compared to control (p=0.003), and correlated with the pre-BMI, FBS, TP and HOMA2-IR. Pre-BMI and TP predicted irisin levels in a whole study population (p=0.011 and 0.014 respectively). In Overweight/Obese-pregnant, irisin increased significantly by 55.3% in first trimester compared with Overweight/Obese women control, then decreased progressively toward the end of gestation, correlated with TP, Albumin, FBS, HOMA2-IR and negatively correlated with gestational weight gained. TP and FBS independently predicted irisin level in Overweight/Obese-pregnant group. Conclusion: Circulating irisin levels are influenced by pre-BMI, and both of TP and FBS predict irisin levels in overweight/obese pregnant. Irisin level should be a radical factor in future studies for pathological conditions linked to hypoproteinemias such as edema and hepatic disease.

Introduction: Betatrophin as hepatokine and adipokine influences glucose homeostasis and implicates in the pathophysiological process of obesity and pregnancy. Various studies suggest that metabolic changes in normal weight/lean Pregnant women (PL) are significantly different from overweight/obese pregnant women (PO). However, the exact mechanism of how pre-gravid Body mass index (preBMI) affects betatrophin levels during normal pregnancy and the relationship of betatrophin to other clinical variables in PL and in PO have not been elucidated. Aim: To elucidate the effect of preBMI on betatrophin level in the initial three trimesters of pregnancy, and to determine the possible correlation between betatrophin and lipid profile parameters/ thyroid profile. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2016 to May 2017 at Maternity Hospital, Zakho City, Kurdistan Region (Iraq). Betatrophin levels were estimated in 59 pregnant women in initial three trimester of pregnancy. Among 32 PL (pre BMI≤24.9 kg/m2) and 27 PO (pre BMI>25 kg/m2), 10 and 8 were in First trimester (FT), 10 and 10 were in Second trimester (ST), 12 and 9 were in Third trimester (TT) respectively. Ten Non-pregnant normal weight/lean (NPL) (BMI≤24.9 kg/m2) and 12 Non-pregnant overweight/obese (NPO) (BMI>25 kg/m2) healthy married women of reproductive age were selected as controls. Serum total betatrophin, total triiodothyronine (T3), total-thyroxin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and estradiol (E2) were estimated by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Triglyceride (TG) was estimated by the glycerophosphate oxidase colorimetric method. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Welch test, Kruskal Wallis test, Games-Howell test, Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis were performed to assess the parameters. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Betatrophin levels were elevated by 21.3% in the PL as compared to NPL group. The raised levels in FT gradually decreased towards the end of gestation. Conversely, in the PO, betatrophin was significantly decreased as compared to NPO group (p-value=0.03). In FT, betatrophine showed a significant decline compared to ST, TT and NPO groups (p= 0.017, 0.006 and 0.001 respectively). In PL, betatrophin was correlated with TSH in ST (r=0.721, p=0.019) and with T3 in TT (r=0.759, p=0.004). In NPL, betatrophin correlated with T3 (r=0.823, p=0.003). In PO, Betatrophin correlated with T3 (r=0.433, p=0.024), T4 (r=0.499, p=0.008), E2 (r=0.609, p=0.001), TG (r=0.570, p=0.002) and Gestational weight gained (GWG) (r=0.676, p=0.0001). TG levels were elevated in all trimesters in PO than in PL. Conclusion: Our results highlight the potential involvement of T3 and TSH in regulating betatrophin levels during pregnancy. Therefore, T3 and TSH levels beside TG level should be taken into consideration when interpreting clinical studies of betatrophin. Depending upon the preBMI; betatrophin change in different ways in PL and PO women. Conversely to PL, betatrophin levels increased during pregnancy in PO, and correlated with TG. Therefore, maintaining an ideal weight before pregnancy is recommended to avoid pregnancy related complications such as hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance.

In the present study, the inhibition effect of some heavy metal ions on glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme which has important functions in metabolism, was investigated. For this purpose, GR enzyme was purified with 19.33 EU/mg specific activity, a yield of 14.06% and 128.8-fold from quail liver by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and 2ʹ, 5ʹ-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. To check the purity of GR enzyme, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed and single band was observed. The activity of the GR enzyme was measured spectrophotometrically at 340 nm according to the method of Carlberg and Mannervik. Then, the inhibitory effects of different heavy metal ions (Co 2+, Zn 2+, Pb 2+, Fe 2+, Cd 2+, Al 3+ and Fe 3+) on the activity of GR enzyme were examined under in vitro conditions. For the GR enzyme from quail liver tissue, heavy metal concentrations (IC50) were obtained in which 50% of GR enzyme activity was inhibited in vitro conditions. Finally, Ki values for these metal ions were calculated from the Lineweaver-Burk plots.

Worry, anxiety through Study and preparative to exam may lead to mental stress. Mental stress may contribute to oxidative stress in the body which is the change in balance between oxidants and antioxidants. In this study a concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid oxidation biomarker, lipid profile and some blood parameters like Minmum Inhibitory dilution (MID) were estimated in twenty chemistry and biology students at the day of exam as Stress Condition (SC) compared with the same parameters which obtained from the same students during the university vacation after a month of doing the latest exam as non-Stress Condition (nSC). A significant increase in MDA (p=0.0019), Total Cholesterol (p<0.05), Triglyceride (p<0.05), Low Density Lipoprotein LDL-Cholesterol (p<0.05), Very Low density lipoprotein VLDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) and A significant decrease in High - Density Lipoprotein HDL - Cholesterol (p<0.05), HDL-Cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio(p=0.0012) in stress condition were observed when compared with “non-stress” conditions. Also there were high significant decreases in lymphocyte and minimum inhibitory dilution (MID) (p=0.0001, p<0.0001 respectively) and significant increases in granulocyte and platelets (PLT) (P=0.0113, P=0.0031 respectively) in stress condition compared to non-stress condition. Whereas no significant changes in total WBCs and RBCs in stress and non-stress conditions. These results suggested that during university examinations when students are under mental stress or psychiatric disorder may put them at risk of developing inflammatory disorders like atherosclerosis and/or coronary arteries disorders.

The study included determination of ram's semens concentration in 22 samples collected by using artificial vagina with averag of one ejaculate for aweak. The sperm concentration was (2x 109 /ml) and the percentage of life sperms obtained by using the eosin dye (85%) in addition to the use of Trypan blue to show the intact acrosome. The result showed the concentration of fructose in seminal plasma was (21± 6 mmol/ L) The study also included the measurement of the elements concentrations of (zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and nickel) in ram seminal plasma and the result showed that the order of these concentrations of Na, k, Ca, Zn, Mg, Ni have been decreased respectivly. The presence of these elements in ram semen could have different rols to play in the survival and function of spermatozoa.

The research included studying of myeloperoxidase in human serum, The normal value of myeloperoxidase activity was found (27.71±0.74 U/ml) in control group for both sexes at (19-70 year), with no sex difference, while it was affected by age and smoking. The study also showed a significant increase in myeloperoxidase activity (38.95±1.01 U/ml) in serum of atherosclerosis patients group for both sexes at (31-80 year) in comparison with control, on the other hand, myeloperoxidase activity in serum of patients group was affected by sex, age, smoking and the intake of statins. The results also indicated a significant increase in the concenteration of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein -cholesterol, C-reactive protein and troponin. While a significant decrease in high density lipoprotein -cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, chloride and arylesterease in serum of patients group in comparison with control. Correlation study was performed between the measured biochemical parameters and myeloperoxidase activity in serum by linear correlation coefficient, The results also showed that there was a significant positive correlation between myeloperoxidase activity and troponin in atherosclerosis patients. Also, the research included the isolation of myeloperoxidase from normal human serum using different biochemical techniques, including: precipitation by ammonium sulfate, dialysis, gel filtration chromatography on sephadex G-100. The results predicted that spicefic activity and the number of fold of purification were (8.865 U/ml) and (25) respectively for partially purified enzyme. Furthermore, the comparative molecular weight of the partially isolated myeloperoxidase was (151±1.8 kDa) using gel filtration chromatography. The results were predicted also that myeloperoxidase containing heam group, zinc and calcium elements, which indicated that the enzyme is glycoproteins type. The study showed that the optimum conditions of myeloperoxidase were obtained at the first minute using sodium citrate (0.1 M) as buffer at pH (5.0), at a temperature (45 ºC) and (12 mM) of ο-dianisidin as substrate. It was found that Vmax and Km have the values of (24.27 U/ml) and (2.443 mM) respectively. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, sodium azide, 2-mercaptoethanol and sodium chloride showed inhibition on the activity of myeloperoxidase, where sodium azide had more inhibition in the activity and in an irreversible non competitive inhibition type

A series of -arylidene cyclohexanones (1-4) had been prepared via Claisen-Schmidt condensation, while other series of N-arylidene benzylamines (Schiff bases 5-10) had also been synthesized by equimolar addition. The 1,3-anionic cycloaddition of Schiff bases to -arylidene cyclohexanones under basic conditions afforded the corresponding spiro pyrrolidines (11-23). The structures of the products are supported by valid spectral data and physical properties. Theoretical data had been used to support the suggested mechanism.