Premarital screening (PMS) is a vital preventive strategy for managing hereditary blood disorders and infectious diseases. In Basrah, despite the program's long-standing implementation, the gap between clinical diagnosis and behavioral change remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the PMS program in Basrah (2020–2025), focusing on statistical trends, infrastructure readiness, and the impact of genetic counseling on the decision-making of high-risk couples. A multi-dimensional approach was employed, including a longitudinal analysis of 252,361 individuals (2020–2024) and a detailed cohort study of 58,034 participants in 2025. Data collection involved automated extraction from electronically linked centers and manual verification from peripheral outlets, supplemented by telephone interviews with high-risk couples. The findings revealed a 33% increase in screening volume over five years. In 2025, the prevalence of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell traits was 2.2% and 3.4%, respectively. Infrastructure assessment identified a technological divide, with 40% of centers still relying 

on manual entry systems. In 2025, follow-up with high-risk couples revealed that 76.9% (176 couples) proceeded with marriage despite intensive counseling, while 23.1% (53 couples) chose to cancel their marriage plans. This reflects a growing but still limited impact of genetic counseling on behavioral change due to the late timing of the screening. While the program demonstrates high diagnostic efficiency, its preventive impact is severely hindered by socio-cultural pressures and late-stage testing. The study advocates a strategic shift toward routine school-based screening for adolescents to ensure early genetic awareness. Additionally, it recommends full digital integration of all centers and the establishment of a judicial requirement for intensive counseling for high-risk cases.

Background: IDA (iron deficiency anemia) is a major public health issue that is very common in underdeveloped countries. It occurs if the number of erythropoiesis is inhibited due to insufficient iron needed for hemoglobin synthesis. The molecular etiology of anemia may be related to modulation in expression of the erythroid-specific gene aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) required for heme biosynthesis.

Present study aims comparison of ALAS2 gene expression levels between healthy persons in Najaf Governorate/Iraq and patients with iron deficiency anemia organisms during the period from August 2025 to February 2026.

Methodology: In the case-control study, 100 patients were included consisting of 50 IDA patients (cases) and 50 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. The clinical and hematological data of all individuals were recorded. Peripheral blood samples were collected for the iron profile and full blood count. Total RNA was isolated from whole blood, and hybrid DNA (cDNA) were prepared. The ALAS2 gene expression was quantified using RT-qPCR followed by the 2^-ΔΔCt method with a housekeeping gene as a reference. We performed statistical analysis to make group comparisons and correlation analyses between gene expression and hematological parameters.

Results: Compared to the controls, patients with IDA clearly had lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), serum ferritin and serum iron levels and significantly higher TIBC (P <0.001). This showed a significant downregulation in the expression of ALAS2 gene with IDA patients (mean fold change: 0.45 ± 0.20) compared to controls (1.00 ± 0.30) (P < 0.001). ALAS2 expression correlated

positively with hemoglobin, ferritin, MCV, and MCH (r = 0.58, r = 0.65, r = 0.49 and r = 0.44 respectively) while TIBC showed negative correlation (r =−0.46). Regression analysis further revealed that hemoglobin levels were independently predicted by ALAS2 expression. The diagnostic performance was good with the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve being the 0.81 as per ROC analysis.

Conclusions: The data show that iron deficiency anemia is associated with a profound decrease in ALAS2 gene expression that correlates closely with the haematological and total body indices of iron in patients. These findings give insight into the pathophysiology of IDA, and strengthen the hypothesis for ALAS2 to be a molecular marker for dysfunctional erythropoiesis. Genomic expression, biomarkers, erythropoiesis and heme production, iron deficiency anemia, ALAS2

Objectives: This study aimed to optimize bacterial cellulose (BC) production from B. licheniformis and characterize the produced films.

Methods: BC production was optimized by evaluating various nutrient media, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, pH levels, and temperatures. The produced BC films were characterized through solubility tests, swelling capacity measurements, in vitro degradation assays, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Results: MHS nutrient medium yielded the highest BC production, 158 g/l. Glucose was the most efficient carbon source, 158 g/l. Optimal conditions were pH 7 and 35°C with a yield of 188 g/l. while yeast extract and peptone achieved maximum yields of 188 and 170 g/l, respectively.  BC films exhibited insolubility in water and organic solvents, exceptional swelling capacity 2330%, and minimal degradation of 5-10% over 21 days. FTIR confirmed characteristic cellulose peaks (C-O-C, C-O, C-C, C-OH), while TGA demonstrated multistage thermal degradation and high thermal stability. SEM revealed a porous three-dimensional fibrous network with CaCO₃ granules integrated into the fiber structure.

Conclusion: BC was successfully produced from B. licheniformis under optimized conditions, demonstrating superior physicochemical properties and structural characteristics suitable for diverse industrial and biomedical applications.

Background: In the world, cardiovascular diseases are the best morbidity and mortality causes. Objective: The proposed research is a comparative study of the therapeutic implications of Sacubitril/Valsartan (SAC/VAL) and Apelin-13 on the therapeutic effects of the effects of cardiac diseases induced experimentally in rats.  Methods: Wistar rats were randomly selected as males and divided into three groups; control, SAC /VAL -treated, and Apelin-13 -treated. The physiological parameters, serum biochemical markers, inflammatory markers, and heart-specific biomarkers were used to evaluate the cardiac functioning. The data were given in the form of mean +- SD and tested via one-way ANOVA. Results: The findings indicated that SAC/VAL had significant cardiac parameter improvements over Apelin-13 and control groups, whereas Apelin-13 had moderate cardioprotective improvements. Conclusion:  SAC/VAL demonstrates better cardioprotective properties than Apelin13 in rats with induced cardiac disease, has a better lipid profile, lowering myocardial injury, and decreasing inflammation. Protective effects are also provided by Apelin-13 but could be most effectively implemented as a form of adjunctive therapy. These results allow speculating on possible treatment plans of cardiac dysfunction.

Background: Acute Coronary Syndrome represents a challenge to the global public health, because of the high morbidity and mortality. Identifying the risk factors and biomarkers is important for early detection, risk stratification, and effective management. Recent studies suggest a potential association between elevated serum uric acid levels and Acute Coronary Syndrome, yet the relationship remains poorly understood and need further investigation.

Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between serum uric acid levels and the incidence of ACS in a defined population. thereby assessing its potential as a biomarker for detection and prognosis.

Methods: Employing a case-control design, this study will involve participants diagnosed with ACS at IBN SINA Hospital and a matched control group of apparently healthy individuals. Exclusion criteria include chronic kidney disease, malignancies, active inflammatory conditions, and the use of drugs affecting serum uric acid levels. Data collection will focus on demographic information, medical history, clinical characteristics, and serum uric acid levels, determined through blood sample analysis.

Results: Our study involved 64 ACS cases with a mean age of 59.39±11.886 years and 60 healthy controls with a mean age of 56.35±8.631 years. We observed that the median serum uric acid level was significantly higher in ACS cases (341.0) compared to controls (333.0) with a p-value of 0.046, indicating a statistically significant difference.

Gender-based analysis revealed a significant difference in serum uric acid levels among females between cases and controls (p=0.035), but not among males (p=0.602). Age group analysis showed a significant difference only in the 70-79 age group (p=0.045). The ROC analysis suggested that serum uric acid level has a modest discriminatory ability for ACS with an area under the curve of 0.604 (p=0.046).

Conclusion: Elevated serum uric acid levels are associated with an increased risk of ACS, particularly among females and in older age groups. Serum uric acid could serve as a potential biomarker for ACS detection and prognosis, though its utility may vary across different demographic groups. Our findings highlight the importance of considering serum uric acid levels in the risk stratification and management of ACS patients

Background: The Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) ranks as the world's fourth most crucial food crop following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.), offering a well-rounded source of starch, vitamins, and minerals to numerous populations worldwide. Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is an important disease that adversely affects potato growth and tuber yield. Biological agents and plant-derived products may provide alternatives to conventional chemical disease management. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has designated the potato as a key crop for future food security. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of selected bioagents and plant extracts on potato growth, tuber yield, and late blight incidence and control.  Methodology: The field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm in the country of Iraq during the 2024–2025 growing season. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized block design with three replicates and nine treatments. The treatments were biotic agents (fungi and bacteria), plant extracts, or an untreated control. Effects of Trichoderma species and plant extracts on plant height, number of tubers, number of branches, tuber yield, disease incidence, and disease control. Results: according to the design of this study, the treatments resulted in differences in plant growth, yield, and disease components. The highest tuber yield (12.85 t/hectare) was recorded with the treatment (T2) using Trichoderma viridi (T2), while the lowest yield was recorded in the control group (7.32 t/hectare). Neem oil showed a significantly higher tuber yield of 11.91 t/hectare compared to the other plant extract treatments. The evaluated treatments significantly affected late blight spread, potato growth, and tuber production. The biotic agent with the best positive effect on tuber yield and vegetative growth was identified, and neem oil emerged as the most effective plant extract among all tested. All tested biotic agents and plant extracts reduced late blight spread compared to the untreated control group, indicating their potential use in integrated disease management programs. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that biological agents and plant extracts, such as mustard oil, neem oil, and ginger extract, may be effective in controlling diseases, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical control methods in agriculture. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of plant extracts and biological agents in reducing the spread of late blight and increasing certain growth and productivity indicators by evaluating their efficacy compared to an untreated control group. The study suggests that these methods could contribute to the development of an integrated late blight management program for potatoes.

The current study aimed to investigate the protective role of the nano-extract of Epimedium grandiflorum leaves on the testicular tissue structure of male albino rats (Rattas rattus) treated with amlodipine. The study was conducted at the Animal Unit, College of Science, University of Kufa. Thirty-five male albino rats, with an average age of 10 weeks and an average weight of 225-250 grams, were used. The animals were divided into seven groups of five animals each and treated as follows: the control group (group 1), which was treated with normal saline solution only; the second group, which was treated with the drug at a dose of 10 mg/kg; the third group, which was treated with the plant extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg; the fourth group, which was treated with both the plant extract and the drug at a concentration of 500 mg + 10 mg/kg; the fifth group, which was treated with the nano-extract at a dose of 1 mg/kg; and the sixth group, which was treated with the extract.  The nanoparticles and the drug at a concentration of (1) + (10) mg/kg and the zinc oxide group at a concentration of (1 mg/kg), and all groups were treated for 45 days daily via the Abnub gastric dosing route. The animals were then sacrificed, and the testes were removed and placed in formalin for histological section preparation. Microscopic examination of the testicular tissue in the control group of male rats revealed that the seminiferous tubules had well-filled lumen containing sperm, and that Leydig cells and a germinal epithelial layer were present. In the drug group, however, fibrosis, atrophy, or obstruction were observed, along with degeneration and disintegration of the germinal layer, resulting in few or no sperm in the seminiferous tubules and separation of the germinal layer from the basement membrane in most tubules. The testicular tissue in the rat group treated with the plant extract had a normal structure, showing normal seminiferous tubules and nuclei. The group treated with the plant extract and the drug exhibited a near-normal structure and was considered a protective group. Spermatogenous cell layers and regular seminiferous tubules were observed, along with the presence of Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue. As for the nano-extract group, the seminiferous tubules appeared normal, indicating the extract's protective and therapeutic effects against the drug. Sertoli cells also appeared. Similarly, the nano-group combined with the drug showed sperm and seminiferous tubules filled with normal sperm, indicating their regularity. However, the zinc oxide group, the toxic group, exhibited a decrease in the size of the epithelial cell layer, almost no sperm in the tubular lumen, cell disintegration, and separation of the germ layer from the basement membrane.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term inflammatory condition that causes the intestinal mucosa to become inflamed over and over again. To treat it, you need a planned and goal-oriented approach. The major goal of therapy is to achieve long-term steroid-free remission while lowering the adverse effects and problems that come with treatment and the condition. Topical and oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) formulations are used for mild cases, whereas systemic corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies are utilized for moderate to severe cases. Consequently, these treatment strategies are dictated by the severity, scope, and clinical trajectory of the disease. Patients with refractory illness may need advanced therapies, such as calcineurin inhibitors (like cyclosporine or tacrolimus) or biologic medications (like infliximab), which are antibodies that fight tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Surgery is still needed for problems like toxic megacolon, perforation, or severe refractory hemorrhage. To get the best outcomes from this kind of treatment, intestinal inflammation has to be precisely measured. Faecal calprotectin has emerged as a reliable, non-invasive biomarker for intestinal inflammation in recent years. It is very useful in medicine for keeping track of illnesses, predicting relapses, and evaluating how well treatments are working. Integrating it into clinical practice allows for quick changes to treatment and better disease activity evaluation. Including fecal calprotectin in clinical decision-making makes it feasible to have a more personalized and proactive treatment plan. This makes it possible to use faecal calprotectin-guided approaches that cut down on the necessity for invasive procedures like colonoscopy. Because of this, faecal calprotectin is very important for better managing UC, improving the results of the disease, and making treatment decisions that follow approved global standards.

Background: Electric generators workers are unceasingly exposed to a lot of hazardous and toxic fumes that has the potential to cause many health complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of gases rising from electrical power generators on physiological blood parameters, liver and kidney functions in of workers in electrical generators in Al - Najaf Al-Ashraf city. Methodology: The study noted that all the quarters selected in southern sector during morning period have decibel levels above the recommended limits set by Iraqi-standards and WHO. Results: the results recorded that there was elevation in carbon monoxide (CO) concentration emitted by electrical generators in south sectors compared with permissible limits of gaseous air pollutants emission from electrical power generators in Iraq. The results recorded that there was elevation in carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations emitted by electrical generators in north and south sectors compared with permissible limits of gaseous air pollutants emission from electrical power generators in Iraq. the results showed that there was a significant elevation (P≥0.01) in total leukocyte count of electrical generators workers comparison with control group. Conclusions: the result for current study indicated that there was a significant increment (P≥0.01) in hemoglobin and packed cell volume of electric generators workers compared with control group.

This study was conducted at the University of Basra, College of Science - Department of Biology. The study included the evaluation and comparison of the physiological and histological effects of the aqueous solution of the dietary supplement creatine on laboratory rats. The results revealed a significant decrease in weights (p < 0.05) in the group of animals treated with the T3 creatine solution, where a notable drop in weights was observed. Meanwhile, the control group (C). The results revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of both albumin and globulin, as well as total protein, in the animals treated with the T3 creatine solution compared to the control group. The results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in leptin levels compared to the control group C. The results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 in the treated animals compared to the control group C. The results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glucose and insulin levels, as well as insulin resistance, compared to the control group C. The results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT compared to the control group C.  The results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels when compared to the control group.