Al-Kunooze Scientific Journal

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a prevalent illness, describes maternal glucose intolerance
that is first discovered during pregnancy. There are multiple risk factors linked to the development
of GDM. Aim of study: to evaluate which risk factors are most common for the development of
GDM in Thi-Qar's reproductive-age women, and to predict which risk factors have the worst
outcomes for both the mother and fetus. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was
conducted on 1504 reproductive-age married women attending an Endocrine Center. All patients’
data were collected from direct interviewees and the use of digital records of the tertiary center,
which used an internal network system and the Microsoft Access program. Demographic
characteristics and Clinical history of GDM, history of macrosomia, and family history of diabetes
were documented. Results: The mean age of participant was 33 ±8 years old, their mean weight
was 76 ±15 kg, their BMI was 30.8±5.7 (Kg/m2), and their waist circumference was 94.5±12.5
centimeters. BMI, first-degree relatives with diabetes, chronic hypertension, macrosomia,
polycystic ovary syndrome, and lipid disorder were significantly higher among women with GDM
rather than those without (p-value = 0.004, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: Family history of DM, obesity, macrosomia, PCOS, hypertension, lipid disorder,
multiparity, and number of stillbirths are measured as dependent risk factors for the prediction of
GDM and DM complications. Heart disease, kidney disease, congenital anomalies, and physical
inactivity were insignificant associations with the incidence of GDM in this study. GDM is
considered another risk factor for the prediction of chronic DM and later complications

Abstract Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is a significant global health issue, particularly in
regions with poor sanitation. Nitric oxide, an adaptable signaling molecule, plays a complex role in
this infection. While NO can contribute to tissue destruction and inflammation, it also exhibits
protective properties by aiding in wound healing and inhibiting parasite proliferation. Thus, NO's
impact on amebiasis involves a delicate balance of harmful and useful effects. This study aimed to
determine the relationships between age, Entamoeba histolytica infection, and nitric oxide levels in
infected patients. This case-control study, conducted in Al-Najaf, Iraq, from September 2024 to
January 2025, investigated nitric oxide levels in 50 confirmed Entamoeba histolytica infection
cases by examining serum samples collected from patients at multiple hospitals. Serum samples
were obtained and stored at -80°C for nitric oxide analysis. The study indicated that E. histolytica
infection was most frequent among individuals aged 21-40 years. Additionally, a notable rise in
nitric oxide levels was observed in infected patients between 31 and 49 years old. In conclusion,
this study suggests Infection was most common in 21-40 year olds, while NO levels were
significantly elevated in infected individuals aged 31-49. 

Abstract The experiment was conducted in the hatchery of the Animal Production Department of the
Directorate of Agricultural Research in Slemani during the period from 1/10/2022 to 1/12/2022.
300 fertilized eggs of local Kurdish chicken (12, 13) were used in the experiment and were divided
into three groups so that their weight and dimensions were not significantly different between the
experimental treatments. The experiment was divided into three treatments, where the eggs of the
first treatment were incubated at a temperature of 37.7 °C, while the eggs of the second treatment
were incubated at a temperature of 38 °C, and the eggs of the last treatment were incubated at a
temperature of 36 °C. After hatching the eggs, the chicks were sexed, and the mortality rate and
quality of the chicks were calculated. There were no significant differences between the treatments
used in the percentage of live and dead chicks. , as it was found that there were no significant
differences in the percentage of chicks with dry and wet between the treatments used. It was found
that there were significant differences between the treatments in the sex ratio of chicks. The
percentage of male and female chicks in the first treatment was 23.1% and 14.8%, respectively.
As for the second treatment, the percentage of males and females was 24.7% and 7.7%,
respectively. In the third treatment, the percentage of males and females was 15.9% and 13.7%,
respectively. It does conclude that increasing or decreasing the incubation temperature affected the
chick sex, and did not affect the hatchability percentage and the chick quality. More studies are
needed to find the effect of incubation temperature on chick sex to use it as a method for sexing
chicks.

Abstract The major cause of death worldwide is cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted
therapy are examples of conventional cancer treatments. However, there are significant obstacles to effective cancer
treatment, including cytotoxicity, lack of selectivity, and multidrug resistance. Cancer diagnosis and therapy have
radically changed with the development of nanotechnology. Through lessening its side effects, nanotechnology has
particular advantages in cancer treatment. Nanoparticles (1–100 nm) can be utilized to treat cancer because of their
unique benefits, which include improved permeability and retention (PR), decreased toxicity, increased stability,
biocompatibility, and precise targeting. The unique drug delivery method using nanoparticles makes use of the
properties of the tumor and its surroundings. Nanoparticles not only overcome multidrug resistance but also address
the shortcomings of traditional cancer treatment. Additionally, nanoparticles are being studied more thoroughly as
new multidrug resistance mechanisms are discovered and examined. Being able to bypass the drug efflux
mechanism linked to such a phenotype and directing drugs to target cancer cells specifically gives them an additional
means of avoiding multidrug resistance. There has been a comparison of the effectiveness of active and passive
nanoparticle (NP) targeting techniques in cancer theranostics. New cancer therapeutics were developed and
improved using a variety of nanomaterials, including inorganic or organic, and synthetic polymers. This review
addresses the function of NPs in cancer treatment, including targeting mechanisms and various drug delivery
techniques for cancer therapy

Abstract The analysis of DNA sequences plays a critical role in genetic research, but challenges persist in attaining
high precision with mixed sequences. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the Mixed Sequence
Analysis application in analyzing DNA sequences with heterozygous base calling as well as manual analysis.
DNA was extracted from 31 unrelated Iraqi individuals, and D13S317 is one specific STR locus that is
highly variable among individuals and was amplified. The mixed sequence was then analyzed using the
Mixed Sequence Analysis tool, complemented by manual chromatogram interpretation. The most frequent
allele detected was TATC 12 (52.27%), followed by TATC 9 (20.45%). The least frequent allele was
TATC10, which was 4.55%; also, different alleles were detected with high variability. The analysis revealed
that while the application was beneficial, there were challenges in distinctive variations at the base level due
to noise in the chromatogram. Despite its limitations, this research highlights the importance of developing
accurate sequencing analysis techniques, particularly in situations where other methods are unavailable.

Abstract Bladder cancer ranks ninth in frequency worldwide and is the most prevalent cancer in the urinary tract.
Significant risk factors include smoking, occupational exposures, and environmental exposures. Hematuria
without discomfort is one of the common symptoms. Examine the following risk factors for bladder cancer:
age, gender, occupation, BMI, smoking, and place of residence. The majority of patients (66.15%) were men
between the ages of 50 and 60. Examine biochemical factors, including: blood urea, creatinine, AST, ALT,
cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). Thirty healthy people served as the study's control group, while 70 bladder
cancer patients participated. Standard methods were used to measure the samples, and SPSS software was
used for statistical analysis. Patients with bladder cancer had significantly higher levels of creatinine and urea
than healthy controls (P<0.05).AST levels did not differ considerably, whereas ALT levels were significantly
lower (P=0.016). While the patients' cholesterol levels were not statistically significant, their triglycerides
were considerably higher (P=0.017). Changes in creatinine, urea, ALT, and triglycerides indicate metabolic
and renal disturbances associated with bladder cancer. Risk factors include age, gender, smoking, and
occupation, highlighting the importance of early detection.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and semen quality indicators
in infertile males. 30 semen samples from fertile controls and 60 from infertile males with aberrant semen
parameters made up the 90 semen samples examined. The semen was analyzed using the WHO (2010)
standards, which include leukocyte count, morphology, motility, and sperm concentration. DNA damage was
evaluated using the aniline blue staining method, and samples were categorized based on the extent of
fragmentation.
All analyzed factors show statistically significant differences (P<0.001), according to the results. The normal
group's mean sperm concentration was significantly greater at 54.93±13.44 million/ml than the abnormal
group's, which was 17.10±15.24 million/ml. Similarly, the aberrant semen group's progressive motility was
significantly lower (19.53±15.30%) than that of the normal group (56.43±16.85%). The normal group's sperm
morphology (61.67±13.08%) was superior to that of the abnormal group (36.33±14.25%). Additionally, the
normal group's semen volume (3.85±1.18 ml) was substantially greater than that of the abnormal group
(3.26±1.47 ml). Furthermore, the abnormal semen group's leukocyte concentration (1.92±1.21 million/ml)
was substantially higher than that of the normal group (0.68±0.28 million/ml).
According to the results, abnormal samples had significantly more DNA damage (49.50 ± 27.50) than normal
samples (19.10 ± 5.31). Sperm DNA damage was much higher in the abnormal group than in the control group
(P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between DNA fragmentation and sperm
motility (r = -0.47, P = 0.001), morphology (r = -0.44, P = 0.001), and concentration (r = -0.41, P = 0.001).
There was also a somewhat positive correlation between DNA fragmentation and leukocytes (r = 0.21, P =
0.052). This study found that infertile guys' low semen quality is closely correlated with greater sperm DNA
fragmentation, which might be a good indicator for male infertility diagnosis. 

Abstract This study aimed to develop novel anticancer agents by synthesizing and evaluating
anthraquinone-based heterocyclic compounds as potential inhibitors of Pyruvate Kinase M2
(PKM2) and topoisomerase. Three target compounds incorporating 1,3,4-oxadiazole (Compound
3), 1,2,4-triazole (Compound 5), and 1,3,4-thiadiazole (Compound 6) moieties with an
anthraquinone core were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13C-NMR). In silico molecular docking revealed that Compound 6 exhibited the highest
binding affinity for both topoisomerase II (ΔG: -8.313 kcal/mol) and PKM2 (ΔG: -9.342 kcal/mol).
ADME predictions indicated all compounds possess high gastrointestinal absorption, are not BBB
permeant, and adhere to Lipinski's rule of five. Cytotoxicity studies (MTT assay) against A549
lung and HepG2 liver cancer cell lines, along with normal HDF cells, demonstrated Compound 6
as the most potent, with IC₅₀ values of 104.37 µg/ml (A549) and 126.59 µg/ml (HepG2).
Compound 6 also showed the highest selectivity for A549 cells (SI: 2.61981). These integrated
findings identify Compound 6 as a promising lead candidate for further investigation in anticancer
drug development

Abstract Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients show varied metabolic profiles influenced
by factors like age, sex, and body mass index, which affect disease progression and risk of other
health problems. To evaluate how demographic factors such as age, sex, and body mass index
(BMI) influence glycemic control and lipid profile parameters in patients newly diagnosed with
type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study included 60 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients aged 30
to 75 years. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting; they were divided into two parts,
with the EDTA tube used immediately for HbA1c measurement, while the other parts were
separated to obtain serum for biochemical parameters. Biochemical measurements included
glucose and lipid profile by enzymatic methods, HbA1c by ion exchange HPLC, and insulin by
sandwich electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin resistance was calculated using the
HOMA-IR formula. Biochemical parameters were not varied significantly by age or sex except
for higher total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in females. Obesity was strongly associated with
increased insulin resistance and an adverse lipid profile characterized by elevated TG, VLDL
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and reduced HDL cholesterol. Glycemic control markers (glucose,
HbA1c) were not significantly linked to lipid abnormalities. This study concluded that age and sex
do not affect glycemic control and lipid profile, except that women have higher total cholesterol
and HDL cholesterol. However, obesity is strongly associated with increased insulin resistance and
an adverse lipid profile.

Abstract This study evaluated the air quality in some areas of Anbar Governorate based on the
concentrations of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂),
nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃). The study results showed varying concentrations of
some air pollutants (SO₂ and NO₂) exceeded the national and international standards at 0.36
ppm and 0.0193 ppm, respectively. The concentrations of CO and NO₂ were below the
permissible limits. The results of the study revealed regional differences in the
concentrations of pollutants. The industrial areas had the highest NO₂ concentrations, while
the commercial areas had the highest CO and SO₂ concentrations, and the residential areas
had the highest O₃ concentrations. The study evaluated the health effects of air pollutants in
the examined area by utilizing the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is a standardized
numerical scale designed to indicate air pollution levels and their implications for public
health. Pollutants within the study were categorized on a scale ranging from 0 to 350.
Findings revealed differences in pollution levels across the sites, with nitrogen dioxide
falling under the "good" category, while sulfur dioxide reached the "hazardous" category. 

Abstract This review focused on the utilization of nanoscale metals such as Ag and Cu, which are
considerable throughout a range of industries spanning environmental, medical, and
engineering sectors, making the synthesis of these nanomaterials a pertinent subject.
Currently, green chemical and biological strategies are predominantly employed for the
synthesis of nanoscale metals; however, these strategies come with unintended
disadvantages such as environmental contamination, excessive power consumption, and
achievable fitness hazards. In addressing these challenges, inexperienced synthesis has
emerged as a promising alternative, making use of plant extracts instead of physical and
industrial chemical dealers to limit metal ions

Abstract The human gastrointestinal system, vaginal tracts, and oral cavity are home to the
common gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria known as Enterococcus species. When
recovered from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients, the most prevalent species of the
broad genus Enterococcus bacteria—which contains over 50 species—are E. faecalis and E.
faecium. This study aim to isolation and identifaction of E.faecalis depended on phenotype and
molecular method, the phenotypic patterns using traditional, and then diagnosed it based on the
genotypes and using specialized primers for 16srRNA and D-Ala:D-Ala ligase genes using
polymerase chain reaction as well as molecular detection of SprE and PAI virulence genes and
carrying out antibiotic susceptibility test . Between June and September 2024 , one hundred and
forty five urine samples were collected from patients of different ages (from 26 to 60 years old)
and of both sexes (males number 81 and female number 64) that suffering from UTIs that avoid
from taking antibiotics for at least a week, Mid-stream urine samples were collected in sterilized
screw-cap containers. To prevent any potential contamination, the specimens were gathered in the
correct manner. Three Babylonian hospitals—Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital, Marjan Hospital, and
Imam Al-Sadq Hospital—were the sites of sample collection, The result showed presence
(16srRNA and ddl) genes in all isolation bacteria at 100% and sprE, PAI genes were performed
by Conventional PCR amplification was 35.71 % , 21.42 % respectively . Antibiotic sensitivity
tests were performed using Vancomycin, linezolid, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin
and ciprofloxacin ,the result of antibiotic sensitivity tests showed very high resistant (96.42%) to
ampicillin, whereas a few isolates exhibited strong ciprofloxacin resistance (85.71%) and
vancomycin (82.14%), while some isolates showed moderate resistance (46.42%) to
nitrofurantoin, and (57.14%) to chloramphenicol, and show low resistance to linezolid (10.71%). 

Abstract Rotavirus infection is considered to be one of the zoonotic diseases, transmitted
between humans and animals. The present study aimed to investigate the association
between cytokine (IL-2, IL-6 and INF-γ) levels with Rotavirus VP7 gene distribution
in humans and cattle by using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Faecal samples (54) and 54 blood samples were
collected from each diarrheic human and cattle. The PCR-VP7 results revealed that
VP7-PCR positivity was observed in 12 human stool(22.2%) and 14 cattle faecal
samples (25.9%). Non-significant effect (P>0.05) for human sex on Rota virusVP7
distribution, and (23.3%) of Rota virusVP7 detection was observed in males compared
to females (20.8%). Significant effect (P<0.05) for cattle sex on Rota virus VP7
distribution, and a higher percentage (47.1%) of Rota virus VP7 infection in cattle was
observed in females compared to males (16.2%). Non-significant effect (P>0.05) for
human and cattle age was observed in this study. A higher percentage of Rota virus VP7
infection was observed in humans and cattle (23.5 and 34.6 % respectively) in the age
group less than 5 years. ELISA-based IL-6, IL-2 and INF-γ results revealed that
Positive cases with VP7 did not differ significantly by species, age, or sex. among the
measured cytokines, only IL-6 in cattle showed a significant elevation in VP7-positive
cases compared with VP7-negative controls (356.87±156.13 vs. 40.84±40.84 pg/mL, p
= 0.020).

Abstract The genus Klebsiella is the pathogenic species for humans, which are linked to numerous ailments, including pneumonia, bacteremia, and urinary tract infections. K. pneumoniae is among the most extensively researched species since it is frequently isolate from hospitals and is of particular concern because of its increased multidrug resistance. K. pneumoniae is one of the Enterobacteriaceae that has developed numerous resistance mechanisms, among which metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are a major concern MBLs belong to the carbapenem-hydrolyzing
class of enzymes that inactivate these essential antimicrobials as well as other β-lactamase .One hundred forty three specimen were collected from the patients attending the Baghdad Medical City Hospital, during the period from March 2024 to October 2024. All Specimens were cultured on MacConkey agar. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their cultural, morphological, and biochemical properties. Followed by VITEK-2 system. The final identification results showed that 31 isolates were confirmed as K. pneumoniae.and showed high resistant (100%) to Ampicillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, Imipenem, amikacin, ceftazidime ( 96.77%) to cefazolin ,
cefoxitin ceftriaxone, Cefepime (93.55%) to Gentamicin (87.10%) to Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin,
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazol and (64.52%) to Nitrofurantion. Phenotypic detection for MBL production by using combined disk diffusion test with EDTA the results showed that 25(74.2%) isolates were positive isolates and 6 (25.8%) isolates were negative. This indicates a high prevalence of MBL production in isolated K. pneumoniae. The genotypic detection of MBL genes show that NDM and VIM genes were detected in all 31 isolates showing a100% prevalence. The IMP gene were not detected in any of the 31 isolates the high detection to The NDM and VIM genes showing the high prevalence of MBL in local isolated K. pneumoniae. 

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen frequently implicated in nosocomial infection, It is commonly acknowledged as a model for multidrug resistance (MDR) brought on by acquired and inherent resistance mechanisms, including biofilm. The goal of the current investigation was to identify trends in antibiotic resistance, the phenotypic biofilm formation and the molecular detection of the genes pslA and pslD among 30 P.aeruginosa clinical isolates recovered from wound swabs, urine, burns, and ear swabs of patients at different hospitals in Najaf, Iraq. Isolation identification and drug sensitivity testing for 16 antibiotics were determined by VITEK-2 Compact System. Phenotypic assessment of biofilm formation was performed using MicroTiter Plate method (MTP), while biofilm genes were detected using PCR. All isolates showed multidrug resistance and active biofilm formation by Microtiter Plate method. Additionally, pslA (119 bp) and pslD (295 bp) genes were detected in all isolates by conventional PCR. These findings highlight the significance of the biofilm formation in the multidrug resistance phenotype of P. aeruginosa, underscoring the necessity of ongoing monitoring and alternate treatment approaches.

Abstract Background: Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). While genetic and immunological factors are well-studied, the contribution of lifestyle variables to IFN-α dysregulation remains underexplored.
Objectives: To evaluated the association between IFN-α levels and selected lifestyle risk factors in SLE patients compared to healthy controls.
Methods: A case-control study included 60 SLE patients and 30 age and sex matched controls. Data on smoking, dietary habits, sun exposure were collected. Serum IFN-α was measured using ELISA. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression.
Results: Interferon-alpha levels were significantly elevated in patients with SLE (180.855 ± 43.665 pg/mL) compared to controls (95.430 ± 103.835 pg/mL; p < 0.001). Smoking, inadequate dietary practices, and restricted sun exposure were notably more common in patients with SLE. Regression analysis revealed that smoking (OR = 3.763, p < 0.001), low sun exposure (OR = 7.429, p < 0.05), and poor diet (OR = 4.750, p < 0.05) serve as independent predictors of increased IFN-α levels.
Conclusion: Modifiable behavioural factors were significantly linked to elevated IFN-α levels in SLE, indicating potential targets for prevention and treatment strategies. Public health strategies aiming these variables may develop disease effects.

Abstract Background: Resistance to immunotherapy continues to be a significant obstacle in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). The interaction between PD-1/PD-L1 immunological checkpoints and JAK2/STAT inflammatory signaling may contribute to resistance; nevertheless, clinical validation is absent. Methodology: This descriptive analytical investigation assessed serum PD-1 and JAK2 using ELISA in 40 gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (stratified by regimen: paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, carboplatin), 14 untreated gastric cancer patients, and 18 healthy controls. Associations with clinic pathological characteristics, treatment efficacy, and survival were evaluated using non-parametric statistics (SPSS v28.0).  Results: Patients treated with paclitaxel demonstrated the highest levels of PD-1 (median: 275.1 ng/mL) and JAK2 (median: 5.25 ng/mL), significantly higher compared to other regimens (*p* < 0.05). Both biomarkers exhibited a correlation with advanced tumor stage (PD-1: ρ = 0.45; JAK2: ρ = 0.32), high grade (OR = 3.2 and 2.5), lymph vascular invasion (JAK2 OR = 2.5), and non-responsiveness to chemotherapy (PD-1 OR = 4.1). Patients under 50 years exhibited more pronounced biomarker induction following treatment. PD-1 levels over 140 ng/mL forecasted high-grade tumours (AUC = 0.85, sensitivity 82%, specificity 88%) and decreased survival (HR = 4.5, *p* = 0.004). JAK2 levels over 4.0 ng/mL similarly forecasted death risk (HR = 3.1, *p* = 0.028).
In conclusion, chemotherapy, especially paclitaxel, enhances the expression of PD-1 and JAK2, facilitating immune evasion and resistance to treatment. Plasma PD-1/JAK2 levels are promising indicators for risk classification and justifying combinations of JAK2 inhibitors with immunotherapy in gastric cancer.