Background:The pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the appearance of intracytoplasmic inclusions known as Lewy bodies in which its principal component is α-synuclein.Aim:This study aimed to determine salivary α-synuclein and the extinction coefficient of the saliva protein as biomarkers of PD.Materials and Methods:This observational study was done in Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine in cooperation with Department of Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry at Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, Iraq from September 2013 to March 2014. A total number of 20 PD patients and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Unstimulated saliva obtained from each participant obtained for determination of salivary flow rate, saliva protein and α-synuclein using enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) technique.Results:Total saliva protein and uncontaminated protein with nucleic acids are significantly higher in PD compared with healthy subjects. The mean extinction coefficient of that protein is 27.25 M.cm-1 which significantly (P < 0.001) less than corresponding value of healthy subjects (33.48 M.cm−1 ). Saliva α-synuclein level is significantly less in PD (65 ± 52.2 pg/ml) than healthy subjects (314.01 ± 435.9 pg/ml).Conclusions:We conclude that saliva α-synuclein serves as a biomarker for PD if its level compared with healthy subjects, and a specific protein with extinction coefficient 27.25 M.cm-1 is detected in saliva of Parkinson's patients.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines. The aim of this study is to compare the cytotoxic effect of aspirin with diclofenac on the growth of HeLa cell, mammary cell carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and fibroblast cell lines in the culture media. The cells are cultured in RPMI-1640 culture media supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum and antibiotics. Aspirin (5 mg/well) and diclofenac (0.625 mg/well) significantly inhibit the growth of HeLa, rhabdomyosarcoma and fibroblast cells. The cytotoxic effect of aspirin against rhabdomyosarcoma is significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of diclofenac with a potency approximated 2.6. It concludes that aspirin and diclofenac inhibit the growth of fibroblast and cancer cell by inhibiting the up-regulation of cyclooxygenases enzymes in cancer cells. Aspirin is more effective than diclofenac against the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma cell line.

Objectives:Evidences of oxidative and/or nitrosative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus were demonstrated in experimental and human studies. This study is aimed to assess the serum peroxynitrite and oxidized lipoproteins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with clinical and laboratory evidences of peripheral neuropathy.Materials and Methods:Eighty four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (51 of them had neuropathy) and 31 apparent healthy subjects were studied in the unit of neurophysiology at the University Hospital of Medical College, Al-Nahrin University in Baghdad, Iraq. Neuropathy total symptom score (NTSS), neuropathy impairment score in the lower leg (NIS-LL), and nerve conduction velocity of sensory (ulnar and sural) and motor (ulnar and common peroneal) nerves were used to assess the neuropathy. Fasting venous blood was obtained from each participant for the determination of serum glucose and oxidized lipoproteins.Results:The electrophysiology study revealed significant decrease in conduction velocity of ulnar (sensory and motor components), sural, and common peroneal nerves in diabetic neuropathy compared to diabetics without neuropathy and healthy subjects. Significant high level of serum peroxynitrite was found in diabetic patients with or without neuropathy compared with non-diabetics. The changes in serum-oxidized lipoproteins in patients with diabetics with or without neuropathy were non-significantly differed from healthy subjects. Neither nitrosative stress nor oxidative stress indices correlated with the variables that are related to the neuropathy.Conclusion:It concludes that evidence of nitrosative and to less extent the oxidative stress is associated with neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their indices not correlated with variables related to neuropathy.

Objectives:The pathogenesis of neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus is multifactorial.Dyslipidemia may contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy. This study aimed to assess the atherogenic lipid indices in type 2 diabetic patients with neuropathy.Material and Methods:Fifty-one patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 31 healthy subjects were studied in the Unit of Neurophysiology at the University Hospital of Medical College, Al-Nahrin University in Baghdad, Iraq, from January 2002 to January 2003. Neuropathy total symptom score (NTSS), neuropathy impairment score in the lower leg (NIS-LL), and electrophysiological study of sensory (ulnar and sural) and motor (ulnar and common peroneal) nerves were used to assess nerve function. Fasting venous blood was obtained from each participant for determination of lipid profile and atherogenic lipid ratios.Results:The frequency of high blood pressure was significantly higher in neuropathic patients. The electrophysiology study revealed significant decrease in conduction velocity of ulnar (sensory and motor components), sural, and common peroneal nerves. The minimum F-wave latency of motor nerve was significantly prolonged. Among the lipid fractions, only high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol was significantly reduced by 14% of healthy participant's value. Atherogenic lipid ratios were significantly higher in diabetic patients than corresponding healthy ratios.Conclusion:Metabolic lipid disturbances in terms of atherogenicity co-existwith neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus, irrespective of duration of disease.

The complete blood picture of patients with COVID-19 showed lymphocytopenia and neutrophilia. Changes in the circulating blood cells are served as prognostic factors of COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the clinical importance of determining the hematological indices and ratios as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers of COVID-19. Methods:This cross-sectional observational study was performed in the West Erbil Emergency Hospital, Kurdistan region, Erbil-Iraq, between August 10 and November 19, 2020. A total of 204 patients with COVID-19 were included in this study. The hematological indices and their derived ratios were determined, C-reactive protein and the outcome events were the primary outcome measures. Results:The mean value of leukocytes is ≥ 10,000 cell/mm 3 , which characterized by neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia. The percentage of monocyte is significantly higher in patients with hypertension with and without diabetes mellitus compared with other patients. There are no significant differences between patients with and without concomitant diseases in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The mortality rate was 31.3% (64 out of 204). Red distribution width and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are significant discriminators of the non-survivor patients with COVID-19 (The area under the curve with 95% confidence interval: 0.618 (0.510-0.726) and 0.612 (0.505-0.718), with odd ratios of 3.02, 2.407, at cutoff values ≥13.2 % and 12.0), respectively. Conclusion:Significant high values of red distribution width and lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio are associated with unpleasant outcome events of COVID-19 patients, while a higher percentage of monocyte is commonly found in hypertensive patients presented with COVID-19.

Background:This study aimed to assess the serum serotonin levels in the newly diagnosed fibromyalgia (FM) and to relate these levels to the presenting signs and symptoms.Materials and Methods:This case–control study included 35 healthy women (Group I) served as controls and 130 women with newly diagnosed FM (Group II). The diagnosis of FM was confirmed by the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology-10. The assessment of pain using a revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire and tender points scoring, blood platelet indices, and serum serotonin levels were determined.Results:Group II patients had significantly (P < 0.001) higher values of mean platelet volume (MPV) (10.60 ± 1.57fL) and platelet width distribution (16.25 ± 1.45%) than the corresponding values in Group I (8.73 ± 0.81fL and 15.0 ± 1.15%). Significant low-serum serotonin levels observed in Group II patients compared with Group I healthy individuals (187.3 ± 50.3 ng/ml vs. 219.5 ± 78.3 ng/ml, P = 0.026). Multiple linear regression analysis showed the nonsignificant correlations between serum serotonin levels and platelet indices in Group II patients.Conclusion:Newly diagnosed FM women have significantly low-serum serotonin levels, which does not correlate with a significant increment of the platelet activity expressed as increase MPV and platelet width distribution percentage. Therefore, this study highlighted that the correction of serum serotonin level by medicines could help the patients.

Twelve healthy, young males were allocated randomly from college students and participated in a balanced one-period cross-over investigation, with each period separated by a 7-day washed-out period. Participants were asked to perform psychomotor performance (choice reaction time and critical flicker-fusion threshold tests) before and after 2 h of receiving single oral dose of either meloxicam (7.5 mg) or rofecoxib (25 mg). Results: Results: Meloxicam and rofecoxib were statistically significant, differing from placebo in reducing motor and recognition reaction times, respectively, of the objective test used. Both drugs were not significantly different from placebo in critical flicker-fusion frequency thresholds. Conclusion: Conclusion: These results allow the conclusion that the effects of preferential (meloxicam) and highly selective (rofecoxib) cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors showed central effect by improving psychomotor performance, but in different directions.

‫العيادات‬ ‫مرضى‬ ‫في‬ ‫اجلنسي‬ ‫الوظيفي‬ ‫اخللل‬ ‫انتشار‬ ‫لقياس‬ ‫األهداف:‬ ‫الباروكستني‬ ‫أو‬ ‫بالفلوكستني‬ ‫عوجلوا‬ ‫الذين‬ ‫النفسية‬ ‫لألمراض‬ ‫اخلارجية‬ ‫امليرتازابني.‬ ‫أو‬ ‫الفينالفاكسني‬ ‫أو‬ ‫جامعة‬ ‫مستشفى‬ ‫في‬ ‫رجعي‬ ‫بأثر‬ ‫مقطعية‬ ‫دراسة‬ ‫أجريت‬ ‫املنهجية:‬ ‫سن‬ ‫فوق‬ ‫املرضى‬ ‫جميع‬ ‫دعينا‬ ‫عمان.‬ ، ‫مسقط‬ ‫قابوس،‬ ‫السلطان‬ ‫النفسية‬ ‫العيادة‬ ‫حضروا‬ ‫الذين‬ ‫الدراسة،‬ ‫في‬ ‫للمشاركة‬ ‫عام‬ 18 ‫أو‬ ‫فينالفاكسني‬ ، ‫باروكستني‬ ‫فلوكستني،‬ ‫من‬ ‫كال‬ ‫واستخدموا‬ ‫لتوثيق‬ ‫البيانات‬ ‫جلمع‬ ‫ورقة‬ ‫تصميم‬ ‫مت‬ ‫املؤشرات.‬ ‫ملختلف‬ ‫ميرتازابني‬ ‫وجرعة‬ ‫ونوع‬ ‫النفسي‬ ‫والتشخيص‬ ‫للمرضى‬ ‫الدميوغرافية‬ ‫اخلصائص‬ ‫اجلانبية‬ ‫اآلثار‬ ‫من‬ ‫جزء‬ ‫استخدام‬ ‫مت‬ ‫لالكتئاب.‬ ‫املضاد‬ ‫العالج‬ ‫ومدة‬ ‫وظيفي‬ ‫خلل‬ ‫وجود‬ ‫لتقييم‬ TSES‫لـ‬ ‫اجلانبي‬ ‫التأثير‬ ‫مقياس‬ ‫من‬ ‫اجلنسية‬ ‫جنسي.‬ ‫أنثى:‬ ،51% ‫(ذكر:‬ ‫مريضا‬ 137 ‫على‬ ‫الدراسة‬ ‫اشتملت‬ ‫النتائج:‬ ‫(املدى:‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫عام‬ 38 ‫للمشاركني‬ ‫العمر‬ ‫متوسط‬ ‫كان‬ ‫الدراسة.‬ ‫في‬ )49% ‫على‬ ‫االكتئاب‬ ‫مضادات‬ ‫لكل‬ ‫املرضى‬ ‫عدد‬ ‫وكان‬ ‫ا).‬ ً ‫عام‬ 19-72 ، ‫ا)‬ ‫مريضً‬ 36( ‫فلوكستني‬ ، ‫ا)‬ ‫مريضً‬ 52( ‫باروكستني‬ ‫التالي:‬ ‫النحو‬ ‫متوسط‬ ‫وكان‬ ‫ا).‬ ‫مريضً‬ 17( ‫وفينالفاكسني‬ ‫ا)‬ ‫مريضً‬ 36( ‫ميرتازابني‬ ‫انتشار‬ ‫معدل‬ ‫كان‬ ‫سنوات.‬ 17 ‫االكتئاب‬ ‫مضادات‬ ‫استخدام‬ ‫مدة‬ ‫االكتئاب‬ ‫مضادات‬ ‫أكثر‬ ‫هو‬ ‫الباروكستني‬ ‫كان‬ .39% ‫اجلنسي‬ ‫العجز‬ ‫انخفاض‬ ‫بسبب‬ ً ‫خاصة‬ ‫اجلنسي‬ ‫الوظيفي‬ ‫باالختالل‬ ‫املرتبطة‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫شيوع‬ ‫املقابل،‬ ‫في‬ .)34.4%( ‫القذف‬ ‫وتأخر‬ )59.6%( ‫اجلنسية‬ ‫الرغبة‬ ‫اختالل‬ ‫تسبب‬ ‫التي‬ ‫االكتئاب‬ ‫مضادات‬ ‫بني‬ ‫األقل‬ ‫هو‬ ‫امليرتازابني‬ ‫كان‬ ‫جنسي.‬ ‫وظيفي‬ ‫مبضادات‬ ‫عوجلوا‬ ‫الذين‬ ‫املرضى‬ ‫بني‬ ‫شائع‬ ‫اجلنسي‬ ‫اخللل‬ ‫إن‬ ‫اخلالصة:‬ ‫االنتقائية‬ ‫السيروتونني‬ ‫امتصاص‬ ‫مثبطات‬ ‫وخاصة‬ ‫االكتئاب‬ ‫في‬ ‫املبكرة‬ ‫اجلانبية‬ ‫اآلثار‬ ‫هذه‬ ‫معاجلة‬ ‫تؤدي‬ ‫أن‬ ‫ميكن‬ .)SSRIs( ‫االنتكاسات‬ ‫ومنع‬ ‫للعالج‬ ‫االمتثال‬ ‫حتسني‬ ‫إلى‬ ‫العالج‬ Objectives:To measure the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in psychiatric outpatients treated with fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine or mirtazapine.Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Original ArticlesMuscat, Oman. All patients above 18 years of age, attending psychiatric clinic and taking fluoxetine, paroxetiene, venlafaxine or mirtazapine for various indications were invited to participate in the study. A data collection sheet was designed to document the patients' demographic features, psychiatric diagnosis, type, dose and duration of antidepressant treatment. Sexual side effects' part of Toronto Side Effect Scale )TSES( was used to assess the presence of sexual dysfunction.Results: A total of 137 patients )Male: 51%, Female: 49%( were included in the study. The mean age for the participants was 38 years )range: 19-72 years(.The number of patients for each antidepressant was as follows: paroxetine )52 patients(, fluoxetine )36(, mirtazapine )36 patients( and venlafaxine )17 patients(. The average duration of the antidepressant use was 3.9 years. The overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 39%. Paroxetine was...