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Background and objective: One of the well-organized diagnostic methods of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is bacterial DNA detection in saliva using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, a wide range of factors is present in human saliva that could hinder detection efficiency. One of these factors seems to be the pH of saliva, which is investigated in this study as to whether its variation could have any effects on H. pylori DNA presence in the saliva of infected patients. Methods: Saliva samples of 89 H. pylori-infected Patients were collected and measured for pH levels. The DNA of H. pylori was extracted from the saliva of patients and then quantified directly by Real-time PCR. One Way ANOVA and Linear Regression tests were performed to determine the effect of pH on the detection of H. pylori DNA in the saliva. Results: 58% of samples were PCR positive (17% high, 19% medium, and 22% low titer), and no DNA was detected in 42% samples. There was no significant association between the age of patients and the detection of DNA (P = 0.98). A statistically significant difference in pH level was found between negative and positive PCR samples. Calculation of linear regression of DNA copy numbers and independently increasing pH showed R2 = 0.041. Conclusion: The ability to detect H. Pylori DNA was generally confined to pH of 5.5 to 7.5 with an apparently reduced detectability at above neutral pH of saliva. However, pH variation from 5.5 to 7.5 did not determine the levels of detected DNA of H. pylori in saliva. Keywords:

Background and objective: The constant increase of Candida infection and unstopping emergence of drug resistant Candida species is a major concern. Natural medicinal products particularly those of edible plant could be a safe and effective alternative to synthetic substances. Considering their anti-microbial contents, the leave extracts of Anethemgraveolens and Apiumgraveolens have been investigated for their effects against Candida species. Methods: Fresh leaves of Anethem and Apium were collected from Erbil province in Iraq. The leaves were dried then after grinding the ethanol extract was prepared. The radical scavenging activity of extracts was measured via DPPH inhibition activity method. Anti-Candida effect was assessed against C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. tamatta, C. parapsiosis, and C. guilliermondii. Standard antifungal drugs were used as control including Nystatin, Clotrimazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, and Miconazole. Results: The highest radical scavenging activity of both extracts was found at 0.2 mg/mL. Both extracts did not affect the growth inhibition of C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. tamatta. However, they were significantly effective to the extent of other antifungal drugs against the growth of other Candida species including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. guillermondii, and C. parapsiosis. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that both Apium and Anethem which are widespread vegetable and could have similar anti-Candia effects which can be a great alternative to the commonly used antifungal drugs.

Background: Coronary artery disease a dominant cause for morbidity and mortality. Risk factors in the form of clinical data or biomarkers for atherosclerosis are useful for risk stratification, treatment and prevention. Objective: This study aims to assess the level of testosterone in stable atherosclerotic heart disease and myocardial infarction compared to normal and effect of DM on testosterone in ischemic heart disease in both stable ischemia and myocardial infarction. Patients and Methods: In this cross sectional study a total number of 65 male patients were taken. 35 patients with angiographically detected atherosclerosis and 30 patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction that compared to 30 normal controls in Hawler cardiac center during the period from 8th September 2014 till 2nd February 2015. Results: The level of testosterone was 0.470 ± 0.655ng/ml in atherosclerotic coronary arteries, 0.043 ± 0.008ng/ml in patients with history of acute myocardial infarction and 1.12 ± 0.29 ng/ml in healthy control male, which was statistically significant (P-value 0.002), diabetic patient had further lower testosterone level in all group. Conclusion: Testosterone assessment may be beneficial in patients with recognized coronary artery disease with no significant conventional risk factors and it could be a novel risk factor if larger studies performed assessing testosterone level in atherosclerosis.

Background: Since early times, plants as a source of medicinal compounds, has been playing a prominent role in the human health maintenance. They have been utilized in traditional medicine containing a vast number of substances that can be considered in the treatment of chronic diseases and a variety of infections. Objective: To Antioxidant activity estimation of plant extraction, effect of the antimicrobial activity and estimation of total tannin. Patients and Methods: The leaves of Eucalyptus and the seeds of Quercus were collected in Erbil and Shaqlawa during September 2014. The leaf water extracted from Eucalyptus globulus and Quercus persica plants were studied its antibacterial activity against two types of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli each plant was used in three different concentrations (25%, 50% and 100%). Results: It was recognized that both plant extracts have inhibitory effects against two tested bacteria with the observations that the Eucalyptus has more anti-bacterial activity than Oak. Conclusion: A significant effect on the growth inhibition of gram positive and gram negative bacteria occur during use water extract of Eucalyptus globulus and Quercus persica Plants