Environmental pollution from crude oil and its derivatives poses a significant environmental challenge due to the presence of toxic hydrocarbons such as benzene, phenols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Bioremediation has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical and physical methods. In this study, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using cell filtrate as a green, low-cost, and sustainable approach. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized via visual observation, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and FTIR spectroscopy, confirming their formation and stability. Subsequently, the efficacy of A. niger alone and in combination with AgNPs in treating crude oil-contaminated water samples was evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations and a significant degradation of PAHs. Treatment with the A. niger-AgNP mixture demonstrated superior performance compared to using fungi alone, particularly in degrading complex and stubborn hydrocarbon compounds. These results confirm the potential of nano-assisted fungal biotechnology as a promising option for sustainable environmental remediation.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifaceted endocrine and metabolic disorder, which involves not only defects in insulin action and β-cell function. There is some evidence that the chronic hyperglycemia, increased visceral adipose tissue and low-grade inflammation seen in patients affected with T2DM may lead to derangement of hypothalamic–pituitary function and therefore gonadal steroidogenesis, however sex-specific hormonal profile has been poorly described in Middle Eastern individuals. The present case–control study addressed levels of pituitary and gonadal hormones in T2DM adults, and was conducted to assess their association with glycemic control. One hundred adults were recruited (50 patients with T2DM [25 men and 25 women] and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls). Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were estimated. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone (TT) in men and estradiol (E2) in women were measured with chemiluminescent immunoassays. Patients with T2DM showed higher body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c levels than controls (p < 0.001). Gonadotropin was significantly lower and prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were higher in male as well as female patients. Men with T2DM had significantly lower testosterone and affected women had significantly lower estradiol concentration. Glycated hemoglobin significantly negatively correlated with gonadotropins and sex steroids, and positively correlated with prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone. These data showed that T2DM was associated with abnormalities in pituitary–gonadal and pituitary–thyroid function (represented by hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia and thyroid axis alterations), regardless of gender; this finding highlights a need to carry out endocrinological evaluation in poorly controlled patients.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy, reversible hair loss. Increasing evidence suggests that immune dysregulation and hormonal imbalance may play a role in disease onset and progression. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in patients with alopecia areata compared with healthy controls, and to assess their potential role in disease pathogenesis. Methods: A case–control study was conducted on 72 participants (42 patients with AA and 30 healthy volunteers) attending the dermatology outpatient clinic at Al-Ramadi Hospital, Al-Anbar, Iraq, between December 2019 and March 2020. Detailed clinical history and dermatological examination were obtained. Venous blood samples (5 mL) were collected, and serum LH and FSH levels were measured using standard laboratory techniques. Data were analyzed for age and gender distribution, and statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. Results: Patients with AA demonstrated significantly higher LH and FSH concentrations compared with controls. LH levels were elevated across all age groups (mean 6.97 IU/mL vs. 4.62 IU/mL, p < 0.001). Similarly, FSH levels were higher in patients (mean 7.96 IU/mL) than controls (mean 4.93 IU/mL, p < 0.05). Gender analysis revealed significantly higher LH and FSH in both males and females with AA compared to controls. Conclusion: This study highlights a strong correlation between alopecia areata and elevated pituitary gonadotropins (LH and FSH). Screening for hormonal abnormalities in AA patients may provide insights into disease mechanisms and guide early therapeutic strategies, particularly in relation to immune-endocrine interactions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disorder, characterized with progressive synovitis, cartilage damage and bone resorption. Inflammation is a complex immune response and cytokines play an important role. Interleukin-12 (IL-12 and interleukin 17(A IL-17) are now known to be key players of the pathogenesis in RA. IL-12 promotes differentiation of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and IFNγ production, whereas Th17-induced IL-17 coordinates inflammatory cascades leading to articular destruction. In this review we detail the data from 2015 to 2026 supporting roles for IL-12 and IL-17 in the pathogenesis of RA, serum and synovial levels, association with disease activity, and therapeutic efficacy. Understanding these cytokines is helpful for establishing new- agents and personalized therapies.

Residual chlorine resulting from treatment of drinking water may be an unrecognized source of abiotic stress in agrosystems. This study aimed to, using a integrated morphological and RAPD-PCR method, analyse the dose-dependent effects of sodium hypochlorite on morphological performance and genomic stability of broad bean (Vicia faba L.). Seeds were treated with five different chlorine levels (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg l −1) and a control treatment irrigated with river water. Morphological characteristics, such as height of plants, leaf number, branching, flowering and leaf size were recorded while molecular changes were screened by ten RAPD primers. The outcomes indicated that all vegetative growth parameters decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with increasing concentration of chlorine and severe inhibition was detected at 5 mg/l and sometimes =>10 mg/l whereas low exposure to chlorine (1 mg/l) caused slight stimulation in branching of tomato with no stimulating effect on foliage count as evidence for manifestation of hormesis response. RAPD analysis indicated that significant genomic instability occurred under high dose of chlorine, including new appearance and absent bands of DNA and its variation being 77%-100%. The number of unique RAPD bands also increased with increasing chlorine concentration; indicating that the genotoxic effects were dose-dependent. These results indicate that NaOCl has a dual action in broad bean, i.e., an enhancing effect at low doses and morphological inhibition and genomic instability under high dose. RAPD markers were found to be sensitive in the early detection of genotoxic stress caused by chlorine and it emphasized the necessity of controlling residual chlorine in irrigation water for crop genetic integrity.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that is one of the principal agents of human disease. The clinical importance of the organism is enhanced by an increase in antimicrobial resistance across the globe in which treatment options are compromised both in hospitals and in the community. Objective: Characterize the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and its respective resistance phenotype to the commonly used antibiotics. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional investigation to be developed between 2023 and 2025 at the Dar Al Shifa Hospital, which will process 388 clinical samples, including sputum, wound exudate, and peripheral blood. Traditional methods of bacterial culture were initially used, and then a conclusive identification and antimicrobial susceptibility screening was performed using an automated VITEK 2 instrumentation as per CLSI guidelines. Results: Among 272 cultures exhibiting growth, 80 were identified to be S. aureus (29.41% of positive cultures). The sources of skin and soft-tissues were most commonly represented (40.31 ⁻), wound sites (50 ⁛ of isolates). The highest rate of infection was observed in the age group of 21 to 40 years (31.25 30 -40) (31.25 30 -40). Both benzylpenicillin and erythromycin resistance was significantly high at 91.3 and 62.5 percent respectively with a 47.5 percent prevalence rate of MRSA. Notably, the isolates were all sensitive to vancomycin and tigecycline. Conclusion: The results highlight the presence of a significant MRSA burden in Basrah that should be immediately changed by updating empirical antimicrobial regimens.

In Iraq soil contamination with cadmium and lead is an increasingly pressing issue for both environmental and public health due to anthropogenic activity (industrial discharge, agricultural practices, and conflict over many years) In this study an Innovative integrated remediation approach through a synergistic combination of two sustainable technologies Nano-remediation using curcumin functionalized nanoparticles, and phytoremediation with Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). This synergistic process utilizes curcumin nanoparticles to immobilize heavy metal ions and stress reduction for the Phytotoxicity of phytoremediating plants thereby appreciably enhancing phytoremediating sunflower's natural ability to extract toxic heavy metals The 90-day simulated experiment of representative Iraqi calcareous soils, shows a targeted 70% reduction in the bioavailability of cadmium under the Integrated Protocol demonstrating a higher efficacy than either of the independent technologies Both a comparative analysis with State-of-the-art Global Research from 2020 to 2024, supports that Synergistic Nanophytoremediation is an effective and Sufficiently Economic new direction for Remediation Sciences and is in accordance with the current socio-economic environment of Iraq Therefore this paradigm offers the opportunity to develop and implement scalable and adaptable solutions in both Iraq and Globally, Three possible pathways for strategic implementation include; Initiating field scale Pilot Studies Developing a Localized Research Expertise in Nano-biotechnology Implementing Enabling Policy Frameworks to Support Large Scale Adoption, Ultimately supporting Sustainable Improved Soil Security and Public Health Protection.