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Neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors are significant medical ailments that impact the brain. Administering therapeutic drugs to the brain is more challenging compared to other organs or systems. The existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses significant complexities and challenges in delivering drugs to the brain. This study explores the potential of Fullerene nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic agent for delivering drugs to the brain and their neuroprotective roles within the central nervous system. Novel drug delivery methods have been devised to surmount obstacles posed by BBB and accomplish targeted drug delivery to the brain. Carbon nanostructures are an excellent option for delivering drugs into the brain because they have favorable biocompatibility and can easily penetrate BBB. Furthermore, these nanocarriers has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent inside the central nervous system, exhibiting neurogenerative properties in some cases. Additionally, their impact on the proliferation of neurons and their ability to counteract the formation of amyloid plaques is particularly remarkable. Carbon-based nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional fullerene (C60), one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and twodimensional graphene, have shown significant potential in the area of nanomedicine. This is attributed to their unique blend of chemical and physical characteristics, as well as their hydrophobic surfaces. Fullerene nanoparticles have the potential to greatly improve the treatment of brain illnesses by serving as both carriers and therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is an allograft bone composed of native insoluble bone morphogenetic proteins and plays important roles in skeletal development, osteogenesis, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The osteoinductive capabilities of Allogenic DBM make it a potential drug delivery system for preventive treatment in various anatomical sites. In this study, the cytotoxic and teratogenic effects of DBM nanoparticles, on Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells and chicken embryos were evaluated. Materials and Methods: DBM nanoparticles were injected into fertile eggs at doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 µM / egg. Then morphological, histological, and skeletal malformations were evaluated. Cytotoxic effects of DBM nanoparticles on Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells were also assessed using MTT test. Results: Results showed that the fetal growth abnormality occurred only in embryos treated at the highest dose tested (i.e., 100 µM / egg) and MTT test showed no cytotoxicity in low concentration. Conclusion: These results indicated that nanoparticles do not have significant toxic effects on chick embryos and cultured stem cells. Only high doses of DBM nanoparticles reduce growth in embryos and cultured cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI/s) are common orthopedic conditions, characterized by motor and sensory deficits in the damaged region. There is growing evidence that the L‐type calcium channel antagonist nimodipine has neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects in animal models of neurological disorders. The efficacy of nimodipine on improving motor function and sensation following a sciatic nerve crush model was investigated in male Wistar rats as a model of PNI. At different time periods following damage, we evaluated motor function, sensory recovery, electrophysiology, histomorphometry, and gene expression. Moreover, we used histological and mass ratio analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle to assess atrophy. Our findings suggest that the nimodipine improves motor and sensory function more quickly in the damaged region 2, 4, and 6 weeks after 1 week of treatment. Nimodipine treatment also increased the number of myelinated fibers while decreasing their thickness, as shown by histomorphometry. Additionally, nimodipine treatment increases the mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and NGF), which are known to contribute to the regeneration of injured neurons. The impact of nimodipine in PNI recovery may be due to its stimulation of the CREB signaling pathway and suppression of pro‐inflammatory factor production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Stem cells play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration due to their self-renewal properties. In recent years, the use of stem cells as an important and valuable treatment method has created a new hope for the treatment of diseases and disorders that were previously difficult to treat. In this review article, the introduction of stem cells and their capabilities for treatment, as well as the sources of stem cells and the use of these sources for the treatment of diseases, including the treatment of leukemia, have been discussed. Evidence Acquisition: Extensive search in Google Scholar and PubMed using keywords related to the article and review of various articles published between 1957 and 2022 about stem cells and the use of these cells to treat diseases. Results: Recently, it has been proven that hematopoietic stem cells can be produced from pluripotent embryonic stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells can make different blood cells. These findings help medical science in the treatment of various types of blood cancer. Also, during the conducted research, it has been determined that induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs) can be used in the treatment of various diseases, including leukemia.NOTCH, Wnt, TGF-B1 signaling pathways play an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Evidence shows that cancer stem cells have a high ability to create tumors. The presence of cancer stem cells has been reported in some patients, including those with acute myeloid leukemia.Also, the results of research conducted in recent years show that the SALL4 gene can be used in the treatment of leukemia. Conclusions: The results of various researches show that treatment with stem cells, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, can be a suitable method for treating patients with leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a substantial risk factor for heart disease unrelated to diet. Many clinical and epidemiological research has found a link between elevated plasma homocysteine and the development of atherosclerosis in people. This investigation aims to identify the typical homocysteine levels in the blood. As well as lipids in healthy Iraqi control groups and to compare them with atherosclerotic patients. Blood samples were taken from 62 healthy control subjects (42 male and 20 female), 68 patients suffering from premature signs of Ischemic heart disease admitted to the cardiac care unit (38 male and 30 female), and (15) patients suffering from hyperhomocysteinemia. These participants were divided into five groups based on their age. The blood samples from these groups were analyzed to measure plasma total homocysteine, total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, and HDL. All control subjects have normal fasting blood glucose, serum lipids also blood pressure. According to the findings, patients' plasma total homocysteine levels were considerably higher. Had previous signs of atherosclerosis compared to control groups. The study has also classified plasma homocysteine according to the severity of hyperhomocysteinemia. The findings show that intermediate hyperhomocysteinemia is more frequent (32 patients; 47.05 %) as compared to moderate (25 patients; 36.77%) and severe hyperhomocysteinemia (11 patients; 16.18%). The results also showed that the lipid profile of The patient group was substantially higher than the control group., except for HDL-cholesterol, which has been significantly lower than in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Celastrol is an herbal compound with neuroprotective properties. Our research aimed to assess the neuroprotective properties of celastrol on sciatic nerve transection in rats. Materials and Methods: The rats' left sciatic nerve was cut and sutured directly. The animals were then given 1 or 2 mg/kg celastrol intraperitoneally for two weeks. The sensory and locomotor behaviors of the animals were then evaluated for 16 weeks. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and real-time PCR were also utilized to evaluate macrophage polarization, cytokine secretion, and neurotrophin expression in injured nerves. Results: Results showed that both doses of celastrol significantly accelerated nerve regeneration and improved sensorimotor functional recovery when compared with controls. Nevertheless, administration of 2 mg/kg of celastrol significantly outperforms treatment with a dose of 1 mg/kg. Celastrol treatment-induced M2 polarization in macrophages decreased proinflammatory cytokines at the injury site. It also increased the expression of BDNF mRNA. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a two-week treatment with celastrol had neuroprotective effects in a rat sciatic nerve transection model, most likely by inducing macrophage M2 polarization and anti-inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thalassemia is considered as an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease synthesis rate of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin (Hb) is reduced due to genetic defect. This reduction leads to form abnormal Hb which, in turn, causes the anemia, and this considers as the main characteristic symptoms of thalassemia. Materials and Methods: The number of patients with thalassemia that included in this study was 60 participants. The range of patient's age was between 5 and 12 years. These participants were diagnosed as thalassemic patients in thalassemia central at "Al-Zahra'a Teaching Hospital" in Najaf Governorate-Iraq. All these patients had β-thalassemia major as recorded to exclude elevated ferritin. These patients had treated blood transfusion and had a negative serum, C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined by the selection of 30 healthy children as a control group. Serum iron (S. iron) and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were diagnosed in spectrophotometrically. Results: Thalassemic patients showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in all iron indices in comparison with the control group except TIBC were decreased significant (P < 0.05). Insulin resistance (IR) is high by four methods that include determination quantitative insulin check index (QUIKI), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), fasting insulin (FI), and McAuley (McA). IR found in 17 (28.3%), 27 (45%), 38 (63.3%), and 40 (66.7%) out of the 60 beta-thalassemia by FI, McA, QUICKi, and HOMA, respectively. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationships between insulin, interleukin-8 (IL-8), CRP, ferritin, S. iron, TIBC, body mass index levels, and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with IR results also show that the mean value of serum insulin was significantly high (P < 0.05) in beta-thalassemia patients group. Also Serum IL-8 mean value was high in beta-thalassemia patients group. Conclusions: The current study concludes significant elevations in serum insulin, ferritin, S. iron, and HbA1C with a nonsignificant decline CRP in β-thalassemia and NIDDM patients in comparison with normal subjects due to metabolic effect of β-thalassemia and diabetes itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iraq is located in the prevailing region of â-thalassemias. Thalassemia is one of the most wide genetic diseases and the majorityof beta thalassemia is the severe form. The aim of this study is to evaluation hematological characteristics and some biochemical conditions in the blood of thalassemia patients prior to transfusion compared to healthy groups. This study was conducted at the Hematology department of Pediatric teaching hospital, Karbala city, Iraq from January to October 2018. Measurements were performed at the laboratories of Pediatric Teaching Hospital. We have been randomly collecting samples from patients group. As well as from of health group. The result appear a highly significant (p≤0.05) difference in the mean of All hematological parameters including RBC, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC and PLT except Hb was lower than the healthy group. The results showed non-significant increase (p≤0.05) in the mean of the WBC in patients with â-thalassemia when contrast with Healthy group. Moreover, a significant elevate in PLT found in beta-thalassemia patients compared with Healthy group (p≤0.01). The results showed a significant elevation (p≤0.05) in the mean of the serum ALT and AST Except for ALP in patients when compared with healthy group. Furthermore, a highly significant high in Total Serum Bilirubinfound in patients compared with Healthy group (p≤0.05). In addition, the results showed a significant decrease (p≤0.01) in the mean of Ferritin in patients with beta-thalassemia when compared with Health group. However, the results of the current study showed the presence of non-significant change in the mean of Urea and creatinine in patients with beta-thalassemia equivalent with Healthy group (p≤0.05). Non-important difference was observed in Kidney test among patients and health group. This study demonstrate that hematological parameters are commonly affected in beta-thalassemia patients. Of all the parameters, red cell indices are the ones commonly affected. This study shows that â-thalassemia patients and healthy group have a variationin serum level of liver enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder occurs as a result of the imbalance in the construction of haemoglobin chains cause haemolytic anaemia. This study was aimed to evaluate the serum level of immunological parameters (Transforming growth factor beta1, Interleukin-23) and hematological parameters in patients with alpha and beta thalassemia at Kerbala province. And was conducted at Kerbala Children's Hospital / Thalassemia Department / Kerbala Governorate during the period from November 2017 to May 2018. Seventy patients involved 48 beta thalassemia patients and 22 alpha thalassemia patients with age ranged 10-20 years old and ten matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Result exposed non-significant increase (p>0.05) in IL-23 and TGF-β in thalassemia patients compared with control group. In β-thalassemia patients the results of the current study indicated that non-significant positive correlation between IL-23 with WBC, there was non-significant positive correlation between TGF-β1 with WBC and PLT. As for β-thalassemia patients the present study showed non-significant positive correlation between IL-23 with Hb and WBC, and there was non-significant positive correlation between TGF-β1 with WBC. The study showed changes in the immunological parameters in patients with thalassemia of both types, as the serum level of both IL-23 and TGF-β1 were raised in addition to changes in hematological and Biochemical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research designed to investigate the impact of single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6166) of the Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) gene in a group of females diagnosed with primary amenorrhea. Blood samples were collected from healthy control group consisted of 40 females between the ages of 12-35 who appeared to be in good health, while 62 patients who visited the educational laboratories at the City of Medicine in Baghdad from October 2018 to February 2019. In the meantime, molecular analyses were performed on all blood samples. SNP (rs6166) determinations were performed using direct sequencing. Calculations of allele frequency for exon10 rs6166 single nucleotide polymorphism showed that G and A alleles was not associated with the disease with P value (0.306) for both alleles and also showed no significant association for the AA, AG and GG genotypes with the disease with P (0.650), (0.675) and(0.261) respectively. Comparing between genotype variations and hormones level in serum in control group showed a significant association of AG genotype with FSH level with P value(0.031), while in patient group the comparison showed significant association of AA and AG genotypes with LH level. The comparison of age categories with genotype variations for both control and patient groups showed no significances with P >0.05. All these results confirmed that rs6166 polymorphism could not considered as a molecular marker for primary amenorrhea in Iraqi females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex syndrome involving both endocrine and metabolic disorders. Additionally, the most common reason for infertility in women of reproductive age, with a variety of clinical symptoms. Claudin-5 (CLDN5) is the most enriched tight junction protein and is critical to controlling endothelial cell polarity and pericellular permeability. Aim of the study: In the current study, the serum CLDN5 level and its affecting factor were examined in patients with recently diagnosed polycystic ovarian symptoms (PCOS). Materials and methods: An age-matched case-control study included 90 recently diagnosed PCOS women as patients group using the Rotterdam criteria and 90 normally infertile women as the healthy control group. ELISA was determined CLDN-5, fasting insulin (FINS) and other hormone levels. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) assessed insulin resistance. The outcomes were examined using suitable statistical analysis. Results: According to the study's findings, PCOS women had significantly higher of BMI, LH, LH/FSH ratio, TT, FAI, FSG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels than healthy fertile women, PCOS patients' have a significant lower of SHBG and HDL-C levels. Serum level of CLDN5 was a highly significant increase in PCOS women compared with healthy women (17.18±3.30 vs10.01±4.21), respectively. Furthermore, the result showed a significant positive correlation between CLND5 level with age, LH, FINS, and HOMA-IR in the PCOS patients group. Conclusion: Serum CLND5 levels were increased in PCOS patients than in healthy control women and strongly correlated with elevated HOM-IR levels, Serum CLDN5 may serve as helpful indications for the management of alterations in the microvascular endothelium in PCOS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]