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Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungus that infects the mucosa of oral cavity. Oral candidiasis remains one of the most common forms of Candida infections. Objective: To isolated C. albicans from oral cavity of human and cats and study which one was more virulence. Patients and Methods: C. albicans was collected by swabbing samples from oral mucosa to human and domestic cats. Mice injected with C. albicans isolated from human and cat divided to groups to study the immunological role. For each groups were divided depends of the time subjected to blood serum and tissue biopsy collected (6, 24 hours and 10 days) after mice injected with Candida. Measured IL-17, HMGB1 and G-CSF level in blood samples and tissue biopsy were done. Results: The concentration of IL-17 in a group of mice injected with isolated Candida from mouth of human showed a significant increase in the two times of draw ( 24h and 10 days), while the concentration of IL-17 in group of mice injected with isolated Candida from mouth of cat showed significant increase and this elevation was shown in the two times of tissue biopsy collection ( 6h and 24h).While the higher increase in the levels of serum HMGB-1 recorded in mice at 6h and 24h after injected with isolated Candida from mouths of cats. On another hand the result of the concentration of G-CSF in tissue biopsy showed decreased at 10 days compared with control group. Conclusion: Candida isolated from human more virulence form Candida isolated from.

Creating a Z-scheme heterojunction system can enhance the efficiency of separating and transporting charge carriers responsible for degrading pollutants. Hence, in this study, ZnCo 2 O 4 was combined with g-C 3 N 4 through a straightforward approach to create a novel Z-scheme heterogeneous nanocomposite. Various techniques were employed to inspect the photocatalysts' crystallinity, morphology, chemical composition, functional groups, band structure, and electrochemical properties. The Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue reveals that the catalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 /ZnCo 2 O 4 nanocomposite (414 × 10−4 min−1) is considerably greater than that of the individual building units (g-C 3 N 4 : 45.7 × 10−4 min−1 and ZnCo 2 O 4 79.5 × 10−4 min−1). The impact of operational parameters such as photocatalyst dosage (mg), pH, and dye concentration (ppm) on the photodegradation ability of the nanocomposite g-C 3 N 4 /ZnCo 2 O 4 was assessed and optimized based on response surface methodology and central composite design model. The highest level of degradation, reaching 99%, was gained in the optimal condition, including pH = 7, 90 mg of g-C 3 N 4 /ZnCo 2 O 4 photocatalyst, and 5 ppm of MB. The photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results revealed that the significant attenuation of the generated electron-hole pair recombination increased the nanocomposite photocatalytic performance. Also, extensive solar light absorption and adaptation of the band structures of the two semiconductors resulted in increased photocatalytic activity. The addition of scavengers to the photocatalytic test environment showed the importance of the contribution of each active species in the decomposition of methylene blue. The heterojunction photocatalytic system showed good reproducibility and reusability in the reaction solution. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanisms of protein aggregation are of immense interest in therapeutic biology and neurodegenerative medicine. Biochemical processes within the living cell occur in a highly crowded environment. The phenomenon of macromolecular crowding affects the diffusional and conformational dynamics of proteins and modulates their folding. Macromolecular crowding is reported to cause protein aggregation in some cases, so it is a cause of concern as it leads to a plethora of neurodegenerative disorders and systemic amyloidosis. To divulge the mechanism of aggregation, it is imperative to study aggregation in well-characterized model proteins in the presence of macromolecular crowder. One such protein is ribonuclease A (RNase A), which deciphers neurotoxic function in humans; therefore we decided to explore the amyloid fibrillogenesis of this thermodynamically stable protein. To elucidate the impact of crowder, dextran-70 and its monomer glucose on the aggregation profile of RNase-A various techniques such as Absorbance, Fluorescence, Fourier Transforms Infrared, Dynamic Light Scattering and circular Dichroism spectroscopies along with imaging techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy were employed. Thermal aggregation and fibrillation were further promoted by dextran-70 while glucose counteracted the effect of the crowding agent in a concentration-dependent manner. This study shows that glucose provides stability to the protein and prevents fibrillation. Intending to combat aggregation, which is the hallmark of numerous late-onset neurological disorders and systemic amyloidosis, this investigation unveils that naturally occurring osmolytes or other co-solutes can be further exploited in novel drug design strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The long-term performance of WMA and modified WMA mixtures under 3FTC and AP conditions were evaluated. • The effect of NRGO on the fracture behavior of WMA at low and intermediate temperatures was evaluated. • The effect of crack type, i.e. vertical or angular cracks, on the fracture behavior of WMA and modified WMA mixture was evaluated. • The addition of 0.6% and 0.3% NRGO improved the fracture behavior of WMA at low and intermediate temperatures. • Applying 3FTC was suggested to estimate the long-term performance of asphalt mixture (instead of AP). Recent studies have shown that in addition to ambient temperature, time-dependent factors such as temperature cycles and freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) affect the speed of creation and growth of low-temperature cracks (LTCs) and intermediate-temperature cracks (ITCs) by creating the aging process in the asphalt mixture. Therefore, it is necessary to study the cracking behavior of asphalt mixtures by considering these factors. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the long-term fracture behavior of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) modified with nano-reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) containing vertical and angular cracks under mode I loading conditions at low and intermediate temperatures using Semi-circular bend (SCB) geometry. In order to simulate long-term performance, two conditions of 3 FTC and aging process (for 6 days) were applied to the mixtures with and without NRGO, and the results were compared with samples subjected to 0 FTC (short-term performance). The results showed that adding 0.3% and 0.6% NRGO to the WMA mixture increased fracture toughness (K IC), fracture energy (G F), and stiffness under mode I at low and intermediate temperatures. At +15 °C and for the geometry containing the vertical crack, the NRGO-modified WMA mixture had better flexibility under 3 FTC than 0 FTC; while, the flexibility of the NRGO-modified WMA mixture decreased under aging process. For geometry containing angular crack, flexibility indices improved for NRGO-containing mixtures under 3 FTC and aging process (at +15 °C temperature). On the other hand, the results showed that the addition of NRGO to the WMA mixture, while increasing the maximum load at the moment of fracture, caused a decrease in the displacement at the fractured moment at low and intermediate temperatures. This result was obtained for the mixtures that were conditioned under aging process. However, the results showed that applying 3 FTCs decreased the maximum load at the moment of fracture and increased the displacement at the fractured moment. Finally, the results showed that the reduction of fracture indices was higher for WMA and NRGO-modified WMA mixtures under 3 FTCs (at temperatures ±15 °C); therefore, applying 3 FTC instead of aging process can be used to evaluate the long-term performance of asphalt mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simulation of a hydrogen energy system. • Using PEM electrolysis for the hydrogen productionon. • Techno-economic assessment of the system for the feasibility study. • Multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization. • Neural network-based optimization of the proposed system. In this research, we try to investigate a solar-geothermal energy system. This system includes three turbines for power production, a PEM electrolyzer for hydrogen production, and a thermoelectric for generating electricity from excess heat. In addition, the seawater will be passed through the osmotic cycle to gain fresh water. The required power for this osmotic cycle will be obtained through the energy produced by the main turbines. The generated load, hydrogen production flow rate, purified water flow rate, and heating consumption are assessed in this study. The results showed that this system can produce 3.8 megawatts of electricity as well as 8 g per second of hydrogen fuel at the operating point. Also, the energy efficiency of this system is estimated to be 19%. Afterward, machine learning methods are used to optimize designing parameters, and the optimum operating point in terms of useful power and stored fuel flow rate is obtained by a genetic algorithm. The optimum operating point of this energy system has a useful power output of 4.099 megawatts and a hydrogen flow rate of 29 g per second. In the end, the distribution of the design parameters is displayed for points of the beam curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breast cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy in women. Prognostic factors are important in predicting disease. Malignant tumors are composed of a small population of distinct cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess characteristics of both stem cells and cancer cells, in that they have the properties of self-renewal, asymmetric cell division, resistance to apoptosis, independent growth, tumourigenicity and metastatic potential. Objective of this studythat detect cancer stem cell of breast cancer patients by using CD44 and study the compares between patients with breast cancer and patients with benign breast lesions. This study which included 31 patients with breast cancer and 19 patients with benign breast lesions Prognostic factors were registered including: age, histopathological subtype, degree of differentiation. Results of this was Positive expression ofCD44 was observed in 16 cases, while 15cases were negative expression of CD44 out of 31samplesof breast cancer. In Benign1cases were positive expression, while 18 cases were negative expression. CD44 expression showed high significant difference between malignant breast samples and benign samples (P

Background: Proctoring in neuroendovascular surgery is one of the potential solutions for the shortage of personnel and experience, particularly in unstable and limited-resource areas such as Iraq., Methods: The study was conducted at the Baghdad Neurovascular Center (BNC), the first Hybrid neurovascular institution in Iraq, where sequential online zoom-based meetings between the BNC team and the expert from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were used for teleproctoring for neurointerventional procedures., Results: A total of 28 sessions were conducted, four sessions for each case. Seven cases with various intracranial vascular lesions were operated for neuroendovascular procedures from July/2021 to March/2022. The teleproctoring for each case included four sequential sessions: (1) preoperative planning, (2) device selection and preparation, (3) intraoperative live-stream proctoring, and (4) postoperative reflection and follow-up planning. The procedures include coiling for dural arteriovenous fistula; preoperative tumor embolization; preoperative, partial, and staged embolization for arteriovenous malformation; coiling for intracranial aneurysm; and attempted Giant aneurysm flow-diversion. Major complications were avoided through teleproctoring, and all patients had good outcomes. In addition, the teleproctoring provided an effective training experience to the local neuroendovascular team that is otherwise not feasible., Conclusion: Teleproctoring is an effective and feasible tool to improve patient outcomes and provide a training experience to the local neuroendovascular teams in resource-limited regions., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background and Objectives: Access to the anterolateral pontine lesions can be achieved through the peritrigeminal and supratrigeminal safe entry zones using Kawase, retrosigmoid, or translabyrinthine approaches. However, these approaches entail shallow extensive dissection, tangential access, and compromise vestibulocochlear function. We aimed to investigate infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach to access pontine lesions through the peritrigeminal zone., Methods: We performed 10 presigmoid retrolabyrinthine suprameatal approach dissections in 5 cadaveric heads. Anatomic-radiological characteristics and variations were evaluated. Six morphometric parameters were measured and analyzed to predict surgical accessibility., Results: The pontine infratrigeminal area was accessible in all patients. The mean exposed area of the anterolateral pontine surface was 98.95 cm 2 (±38.11 cm 2 ). The mean length of the exposed trigeminal nerve was 7.9 cm (±2.9 cm). Preoperative anatomic-radiological parameters may allow to select patients with favorable anatomy that offers appropriate surgical accessibility to the anterior pontine cavernoma through a presigmoid retrolabyrinthine corridor., Conclusion: Anterolateral pontine lesions can be accessed through a minimally invasive infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach by targeting the infratrigeminal safe entry zone. Further clinical studies should be conducted to evaluate the viability of this technique for treating these complex pathologies in real clinical settings., (Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2023. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mentorship programs are crucial for continuous medical education, improving personal confidence, knowledge, and skills, and have been associated with staff retention and overall career satisfaction. However, there are limited studies evaluating the effectiveness of mentorship programs in neurosurgery. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mentorship programs in neurosurgery, focusing on knowledge and skill development, personal growth, and networking opportunities., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 9th Hoz Neurosurgery Mentorship Program, involving 175 participants from 16 countries. Precourse and postcourse surveys assessed participants' neurosurgical knowledge, research experience, personal abilities, and acknowledgment of neurosurgical subspecialties., Results: Of the participants, 89% were from Iraq, with the remaining from various countries. Most participants were medical students in their early years. The average neurosurgical knowledge score increased from 35.29/60 precourse to 38.4/60 postcourse. The total passing percentage increased from 71% precourse to 86% postcourse. Prior to the program, 87% of participants had not participated in research projects, and 69% had not presented at scientific meetings. Feedback from the postcourse survey highlighted personal development, leadership, teamwork, public speaking skills, and ethical and moral aspects of being a neurosurgeon., Conclusions: Mentorship programs are effective in advancing the skills and capabilities of medical students, junior residents, and physicians. Evaluation of their effectiveness should consider not only scientific knowledge but also practical capabilities, personal growth, and critical thinking development. Free-of-charge programs with diverse participants and overall effectiveness make such experiences unique compared to other mentorship opportunities., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Rectus gyrus hematoma (RGH) is a localized intracerebral hemorrhage involving the most medial part of the orbital surface of the frontal lobe. It can be an imaging finding in the setting of a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm; however, other differentials are rarely reported in the literature. In this paper, we opt to present for the 1 st time an overview of RGH regarding its history, anatomical correlation, and related neuroimaging with particular emphasis on the potential differential diagnosis for underlying pathologies., Methods: A literature review was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Google scholar databases to review the existing literature highlighting the history, pertinent anatomy, and clinical characteristics of RGH., Results: The literature review yielded papers targeting the RGH neither as a radiological sign nor as a surgical correlate to the cerebrovascular lesion. We used the available indirectly related articles to formulate an overview to serve the aim of this paper and to highlight the potential value of studying the RGH., Conclusion: The RGH may represent an overlooked radiological finding that has potential significance through its relation to a set of vascular lesions affecting the brain. Further studies into the topic are needed to expand the utility of this sign., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms are considered one of the most common intracranial aneurysms, contributing to approximately 40% of the subarachnoid hemorrhages related to aneurysmal rupture. Aneurysms of the anterior circulation are commonly present with visual defects varying in their nature according to the aneurysmal site. However, complete bilateral vision loss associated with AcomA aneurysms is a significantly rare finding. We are reporting a case of complete bilateral blindness in a patient with a ruptured AcomA aneurysm with a literature review., Methods: We conducted a PubMed Medline database search by the following combined formula of subjects' headings: (((Intracranial Aneurysm [MeSH Terms]) AND (AcomA Aneurysm [Title/Abstract])) AND [(Vision loss OR Blindness [Text Word])) AND (case reports [Filter]). Additional articles were searched through the reference lists of the included articles., Results: Our review yielded a total of five cases. All the present cases revealed unilateral blindness only, and their outcomes after treatment vary from recovery of vision to unchanged complete vision loss - none of the cases found in the literature presented with bilateral blindness., Conclusion: AcomA aneurysms can be associated with visual loss in some cases. However, usually, the defect is unilateral. Studies of the visual defects, including potential bilateral complete blindness associated with rupture inferiorly, directed AcomA aneurysm, should be highlighted., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest, (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Nonmissile penetrating spine injury (NMPSI) represents a small percent of spinal cord injuries (SCIs), estimated at 0.8% in Western countries. Regarding the causes, an NMPSI injury caused by a screwdriver is rare. This study reports a case of a retained double-headed screwdriver in a 37-year-old man who sustained a stab injury to the back of the neck, leaving the patient with a C4 Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS). We discuss the intricacies of the surgical management of such cases with a literature review., Methods: PubMed database was searched by the following combined formula of medical subjects headings, (MESH) terms, and keywords: (((SCIs [MeSH Terms]) OR (nmpsi [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term])) AND (BSS [MeSH Terms])) OR (BSS [MeSH Terms])., Results: A total of 338 results were found; 258 were case reports. After excluding nonrelated cases, 16 cases were found of BSS induced by spinal cord injury by a retained object. The male-to-female ratio in these cases is 11:5, and ages ranged from 11 to 72. The causes of spinal cord injury included screwdrivers in three cases, knives in five cases, and glass in three cases. The extracted data were analyzed., Conclusion: Screwdriver stabs causing cervical SCIs are extremely rare. This is the first case from Iraq where the assault device is retained in situ at the time of presentation. Such cases should be managed immediately to carefully withdraw the object under direct vision and prevent further neurological deterioration., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest, (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Flow diverters are becoming one of the main endovascular procedures used to treat aneurysms. Flow diverter devices (FDDs) have multiple types approved for endovascular procedure use. Although their indications are not well described, they are usually used for large or giant, wide-necked, and recurrent aneurysms. Multiple FDDs can be deployed to treat giant aneurysms to ensure and accelerate aneurysm occlusion and mitigate complications. We report a case of endovascular treatment of an intracranial aneurysm using three silk FDDs complicated by a delayed migration of the stents along the parent artery, along with a literature review of the related cases., Methods: We conducted a PubMed Medline database search by the following combined formula of subjects headings: ((((((intracranial aneurysm[MeSH Terms]) AND (endovascular procedure[MeSH Terms])) OR (endovascular technique[MeSH Terms])) AND (endovascular[Title/Abstract]) AND (Flow diverter[Title/ Abstract])) OR (flow diversion[Title/Abstract])) OR (Pipeline[Title/Abstract])) AND (Multiple[Title/Abstract])., Results: The result was eight cases of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with multiple FDD. The male-to-female ratio in these cases was 5:3, and there is a wide age range from 22 months to 69 years old. The cases differed in the type and number of FDDs used, yet, they all had similar results with aneurysm occlusion and recovery of the patient with no observed complications., Conclusion: Tandem flow diverter deployment has technical challenges and complications such as complete obstruction can occur. Planning and learning from experience with those new technologies are the typical way to overcome such complications in the future., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy that is characterized by irregular cellular proliferation and deformed construction of the arterial wall that causes segmentation, constriction, or aneurysm in the intermediate-sized arteries. The incidence of FMD is 0.42-3.4%, and the unilateral occurrence is even rarer. Herein, we report a rare case of a localized extracranial carotid unilateral FMD associated with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) treated by extracranial-intracranial bypass for indirect revascularization. The specific localization of the disease rendered our case unique., Methods: We conducted a review of the PubMed Medline database search using the following combined formula: ((FMD [Title/Abstract]) AND ((isolated [Title/Abstract]) OR (localized [Title/Abstract]))) AND Internal carotid artery (ICA) (Title/Abstract). Additional resources were included by screening the reference list of the selected papers., Results: A total of six cases were found, and all accounted for localized FMD affecting the ICA. The age range was between 19 and 52, the male-to-female ratio was (2:4), and all of the cases consisted of unilateral carotid FMD, mainly on the left side with a left-to-right ratio of 5:1. The management and outcome of these cases varied according to the case and associated complications., Conclusion: Extracranial localized FMD of the ICA is a rare subtype of FMD that has little documentation in the literature. In our case, it was a localized extracranial carotid unilateral FMD associated with recurrent TIAs. The appropriate treatment was using the intracranial-extracranial bypass., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest, (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: Access to high-quality neurosurgery online learning is limited in low- and middle-income countries, and Iraq is part of this category. The need for collaboration and connection of people worldwide to exchange ideas and experiences in neurosurgery is a challenge. Surgical Neurology International® (SNI)/SNI Digital stimulated the establishment of the joint effort to bring the discussion about the best experiences in neurosurgery from the United States and Iraq together in an internet meeting format., Methods: An online survey was formulated and distributed to the attendees of the SNI-Baghdad neurosurgery meetings. The survey investigates the last 14 consecutive meetings for the period May/2021-April/2022. The online survey was designed utilizing Google Forms. The survey outline includes demographics, general aspects of the meetings, research aspects, surgical anatomy, neuroradiology, and capacity-building aspects. All these sections of the survey used a 5-point Likert scale., Results: The total number of participants was 84 out of 115 sent, with a response rate of 73.1%. The participants were diverse as they ranged from medical students to attending neurosurgeons. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. Most attendees were from Baghdad ( n = 66 [77.6%]) and the highest number of the responders was from the University of Baghdad ( n = 46 [54.1%])., Conclusion: The targeted online collaborative meetings, SNI-Baghdad neurosurgery meeting as an example, give an insight into the effectiveness of such methods in providing a mutually beneficial educational experience between people of different parts of the world, as assessed by a survey initiated and performed by the attendees., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Surgical Neurology International.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.