Background: The diseases that involve the myocardium directly and are not the result of hypertension, congenital, vascular, coronary, or pericardial abnormalities are called cardiomyopathy (CM). It is known that interleukin-1 (IL-1) family cytokines involve in inflammation and immune regulation and act as an important role in innate and adaptive immunity.

Aim: In this study, it was investigated the antioxidant capacity and their relation trace elements in cardiomyopathy CM patients and its correlation with IL-1β -511 C>T rs16944 SNP.

Methods: TAOC, and Cu-Zn SOD were determined by ELISA, and Cu and Zn were assessed by spectrophotometric method. IL-1β -511 C>T rs16944 SNP was assessed by PCR and DNA sequencing. 

Results: The results were conducted that no statistically significant difference in age between CM and CONT groups (P>0.05). The results showed that was a statistically significant decrease in TAOC and SOD levels in the CM group compared to the CONT group (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant decrease in Cu and Zn levels in the CM group compared to the CONT group (P<0.001). 

Conclusion: This study suggested that the essential role of antioxidant capacity and their trace elements affected by IL-1β -511 C>T rs16944 SNP as a risk factor for the incidence of CM in the Iraqi population.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease, several cardiac complications were reported, including conduction disturbances, we reported a case of complete  Atrio-Ventricular block in a patient with rheumatoide artheritis, with obvious extensive  calcified Rheumatoid granulomas in the interventricular septum.

A dentist's role often involves screening, diagnosing, preventing, and treating a variety of oral diseases. However, it is equally important in both the medical and the judicial field through the identification of unidentified deceased individuals. For this reason, the science of Forensic Dentistry has been developed, the contribution of which is valuable, especially in cases of criminal acts or mass disasters, where the number of victims is high. Its work is characterized as demanding, in which case the immediate and effective action of specially trained and experienced professionals is necessary. The methods of identification used work with outline   the collection, careful examination, radiographic and photographic imaging and recording of post-mortem evidence of teeth and their impressions on the skin alongside the jaws, the lips and the palatal rugae of mucosa in order to be compared with existing ante-mortem and to draw conclusions regarding the racial and age identification of the deceased as well as finding other useful information about him/her. The forensic dentist's contribution to the administration of justice is essential through keeping detailed records of patients and excellent cooperation with local authorities towards a valid and reliable identification process.

Introduction: Acute extradural hematoma (EDH) is a neurosurgical emergency and can be life threatening in many occasions. It is defined as a collection of blood within the dura matter and inner table of the skull. We aimed to study the incidence and outcomes of acute EDH managed in our facility

Materials and Methods: Ninety seven consecutive patients managed surgically for acute extradural hematoma (EDH) within 4 years. Demographic data, time of presentation, GCS score and Glasgow outcome score (extended) were analyzed.

Results: Acute EDH has yearly occurrence of 24.3 per year. Out of 97 cases 89 % were male and 11% were female. The male and female ratio was 7.8: 1. Commonest age group was 21 to 30 years. Commonest mode of injury was Road traffic Accident 59.8%, followed by Assaults. Most common clinical presentation was headache (74.2%) followed by altered consciousness (38%). In this study of 97 cases of EDH, frontal site was involved in 26% followed by parieto-temporal region in 22%. 90% of the patients had favorable outcome while the mortality rate was 3.1%.

Conclusion: Acute Extradural hematoma is a neurosurgical emergency where the admitting GCS score and early surgical intervention is associated with favorable outcome. Legislation and optimal social amenities will reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury and improve the surgical outcome of acute EDH..

Endometriosis is one of the most prevalent gynecological comorbidities in women of reproductive age and has a significant impact on mental health. The aim of this study is to report a case of a patient with endometriosis with ovarian and intestinal involvement who had a significant psychological component, presenting depressive symptoms and anxiety crises. The patient presented atypical symptoms, characterized by frequent nausea, recurrent vomiting, and sialorrhea, which required a sensitive and more critical look from the professionals who followed her, so that the treatment could be individualized and effective. She referred to dysuria, dyschezia, bloating, deep dyspareunia, and associated with these symptoms, the patient also reported pelvic pain, asthenia, and loss of about 10 kilos during this period. Imaging exams were performed, which showed endometriosis with ovarian and intestinal involvement, and from this she underwent surgical procedure for resection of the endometriosis foci and subsequent and anatomopathological study of the specimens, confirming the diagnosis. After the surgical management, the patient reported a decrease in symptoms, but still had signs that did not allow a complete improvement, leading her to add a psychological and psychiatric treatment, which made all the remaining symptoms and atypical for endometriosis disappear. This demonstrates the importance of the intervention in the treatment for endometriosis being done in a complete and multiprofessional manner.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines abortion as pregnancy termination prior to twenty weeks of gestation or a fetus born weighing less than 500g. Abortion in Nepal was legalized in 2002, and the first legal abortion services started on March 18, 2004 (Safe Abortion Law). In developing regions, approximately 99% of the global maternal deaths in 2015 and early 8% of maternal deaths are abortion-related. Unsafe abortion is a public health concern because of its serious reproductive health consequences and impact on maternal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 undergraduate students in colleges in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were processed using IBS SPSS v. 25.0. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used.

Results: The study showed that two-thirds (66.7%) of study participants had good knowledge of abortion, while 33.3% had poor knowledge. Overall, there was a positive attitude toward abortion. Age, sex, residence, religion, ethnicity, type of family, educational level of parents, and occupation of parents were not significantly associated with levels of knowledge on abortion.

Conclusion: Two-thirds of respondents had good knowledge of abortion. Still, a large proportion had poor knowledge regarding abortion, although the study participants were from a health science background. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that health education initiatives target such youth about abortion and its complications, which helps reduce morbidity and mortality associated with unsafe abortion.

Introduction: Emergency contraception (ECPs) is hormonal contraception that is used within 72 to 120 hours after unprotected and unsafe sexual intercourse for the prevention of unintended pregnancies. It is important to prevent unwanted pregnancy and there by induced abortion. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practice on ECPs among non-health bachelor level female students in Kathmandu.

Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 388 female respondents at non-health bachelor colleges in Kathmandu, Nepal. Simple random sampling technique was used. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire were used for data collection.

Result: The study analyzed the knowledge levels of the study participants, finding that 55.15% had adequate knowledge, while 44.84% had inadequate knowledge. 21.64% practiced ECPs. The study also found a significant association (p value= 0.04) between knowledge level and ECPs practice.

Conclusion: The study found that most respondents had adequate knowledge and a significant prevalence of ECP use in Kathmandu district. It is suggested that ECPs not intended to be used as regular form of contraception and should only be used in emergency situation. Frequent use can lead to irregular menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalances.

This study aimed at establishing the profile of fungi isolated from domestic water used by street vendors in Owerri metropolis, Imo State from August 2020 to January 2021.  Fiftynine water samples collected from 25 street vendors with reference to usage. Data obtained was statistically analyzed with p-value set at 0.05 significance level. The following fungi species were identified in the study; Coccidiodes spp. (5.08%), Penicillium spp. (23.73%), Drechsler spp. (8.47%), Candida spp (5.08%), and Paecilomyces spp. (5.08%). Three Aspergillus species were identified, namely A. flavus (16.95%), A. niger (15.25%) and A. fumigatus (11.84). The prevalence relative to fungi species was statistically significant. The result showed that 28(93.33%) of samples from water used for food preparation was contaminated with fungi, while 26 (89.66%) from drinking water were contaminated, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The result recorded (2.01±1.11 TCFU/100 ml) colony-forming units. The overall number of colonies formed by fungi species was significantly different (p˂0.05). Drechsler spp had the highest count of 4.63±4.41TCFU/100 ml, while the least was observed in Aspergillus niger, 1.07±0.10TCFU/100 ml. The fungi total colony-forming units count was not dependent on the type of water usage, however, samples from water used for food preparation (2.56±2.19TCFU/100 ml) had higher counts than drinking water samples (1.43±0.20 TCFU/100 ml). The result has revealed the presence of some fungi of hazardous inclinations in water used by food vendors in Owerri. There is a need for concerted public enlightenment on the risk of fungi contaminated water and observance of sound safety and hygienic practices.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation remains one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death, and cardiovascular morbidity in the world. Its incidence increases with age and the presence of structural heart disease.

Materials and methods: The retrospective analysis was performed on 127 patients over a period of three years (73 men, median age 62, range 37-75, and 54 women, median age 60, range 42-78) duration of atrial fibrillation 48 hours or less.

Results: Efficiency of amiodarone i/v converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm detected in 56 of 69 patients (81.2%). Efficiency of propafenone i/v converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm detected in 26 of 33 patients (78.8%). Efficiency of electrical cardioversion was pronounced in 24 of 25 patients (96.0%). (p<0.001 compared to both amiodarone and propafenone). In case if atrial fibrillation duration is less than 8h propafenone is more effective and for atrial fibrillation with duration over 24h more effective is amiodarone. Efficacy of amiodarone and propafenone in converting atrial fibrillation paroxysm to sinus rhythm was almost the same. The effect of amiodarone was slightly superior that of propafenon.

Conclusion: Amiodarone, propafenone, and electrical cardioversion all three options provide physicians with effective tools to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation duration should be taken into account more often to choose an appropriate treatment in emergency department.

Background: Association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontitis has been established. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on renal function among pre-dialysis CKD patients.

Methods: This is an intervention study involving 120 CKD participants. 60 CKD participants constituted the intervention group while 60 CKD participants constituted the control group. Blood samples were collected from all participants at baseline and after 3 months for the measurement of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum creatinine for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Periodontal clinical examination was performed in all participants at six sites per tooth by the researcher for the measurement of Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL). The intervention group received NSPT (scaling and root planning) and oral hygiene motivation while the control group received only oral hygiene motivation only. Re-evaluation was done after 3 months.

Results: In this study, three months post NSPT, PPD reduced from 5.44mm to 3.17mm (P < 0.01) and CAL from 6.29mm to 4.29mm (P < 0.01) in the intervention group. There was also a statistically significant reduction in the mean values of hsCRP and IL-6 at 3 months post NSPT in the intervention group (p<0.01). However, there was no reduction observed in the control group (p=0.59 and 0.66) respectively. Estimated GFR (eGFR) for the intervention group improved from 40.55 mL/min/1.73m² to 43.22 mL/min/1.73m² three months post NSPT (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential beneficial effects of NSPT on renal function among pre-dialysis CKD participants as estimated by improvement in eGFR.

Down syndrome (DS) is an inherited genetic disease characterized with the trisomy of chromosome 21. The major clinical presentation of DS is intellectual disability which is seen among 12-15% of DS patients in the developed countries. Increased maternal age over 30 years increases the risk of having DS child. DS affects various organ systems causing cardiac disorders, GI abnormalities, hematological anomalies, endocrine disorders and skin diseases along with morphological anomalies of face, feet and hands. The current review aims at outlining the genes associated with cardiac, GI and hematological disorders seen in DS patients along with DS itself and also widely used diagnostic tools in identifying the disorder.

Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) is a common vascular inflammatory disorder that often presents with clinical symptoms necessitating prompt diagnosis. Delay in diagnosis can lead to severe patient impairment. This case report highlights the utility of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 3D-Black Blood (BB) imaging in the diagnostic work-up of GCA, along with its histological correlations. We present the case of an 81-year-old male patient with clinical symptoms suggestive of bilateral temporal arteritis. The patient underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 3D-BB sequence, which revealed wall-enhancement with perivascular "stranding" of both temporal arteries and their branches, luminal narrowing, and pathological enhancement of the vertebral and basilar arteries. Histological analysis after biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of temporal arteritis.

This case report emphasizes the valuable role of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 3D-BB imaging in the diagnosis of GCA, providing higher resolution and flow signal suppression. The observed "perivascular stranding" and histological findings contribute to our understanding of the disease. Radiologists should consider incorporating this imaging sequence into their diagnostic protocols when GCA is suspected.

Background: Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia is the most serious complication; in acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation, several international studies have reported incidence and predictive factors of severe ventricular arrhythmias, without identifying sustained ventricular tachycardia separately; also, its epidemiological data is lacking in Algeria.

Aims: The main objective of our study is the determination of the frequency of sustained ventricular tachycardia in acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation, the secondary objective was the analysis of predictive factors of this arrhythmia, and related mortality.

Methods and materials:  In this prospective study, conducted in the cardiology department of Hussein Dey hospital (Algiers-Algeria), 467 patients with acute coronary syndrome with elevated ST segment (87 women and 380 men) were enrolled between 28 February 2014 and 16 July 2015. The average age is 60 ± 13 years; at admission, a Holter recorder was attached for continuous ECG monitoring during 48 hours

Kruskal’s ANNOVA or H tests were used for comparison of quantitative variables, χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test, were used for qualitative variables, all tests were performed with 1^st species risk of 5%.

Results:  The frequency of Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia is 3.6 % (17 patients), CI 95%: [1.9%-5.3%], multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictors: low diastolic blood pressure, severe coronary artery lesions, Elevated high sensitive troponin concentrations more than 5ng/ml.

The risk of mortality expressed by Hazard Ration (HR) is 6. (CI95%: [1.7-21], p = 0.005); the predictors of mortality are: occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and low diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusion: Sustained Ventricular tachycardia is the most serious complication during acute coronary syndrome with elevated ST segment, its predictive factors according to our study are: low diastolic blood pressure, severe coronary lesions, Elevated high sensitive troponin concentrations more than 5ng/ml, its occurrence increases the risk of hospital mortality.

The study included the use of Aspergillus niger filtrate for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using a reducing medium designed for this purpose. The synthesis of Nanoparticles was verified by means of detections by spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticles were used to inhibit pathogenic bacteria obtained from urinary infections patients, and they included Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus by poisoning the nutrient medium and drilling method. It was also verified that there are no toxins accompanying the biosynthesis of these nanoparticles by the ammonia method. The detections of characterization of GNPs confirmed that the particles were synthesized in spherical, oval, and crystalline shapes with sizes ranging from a few nanometers to 500 nanometers, and they gave a light absorption band at the wavelength of 520 nanometers. Concerning the effect of GNPs on pathogenic bacteria, the method of poisoning the media confirmed that the 15% concentration was significantly effective against the three bacterial species, as it gave the lowest diameter of colony growth (1.1, 1.6, 2.3) cm for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. As for the drilling method, it also showed a high significant ability of 15% concentration to inhibit the tested bacteria by measuring the inhibition zone, which gave an area of ​​(5.1, 5.4,6) cm for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus respectively, with regard to the toxicity test, the study showed that the isolate used in the synthesis does not produce toxins, which confirms its suitability and dependence in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles.