No abstract

Background and Aim: One of the primary pathogenic causes linked to economic losses in the chicken business is the infectious bronchitis virus. This virus exploited its S (spike) gene-encoded protein to hook into the host receptor. The biological diversity of the viral S gene may be linked to the chicken industry's vaccination status. Recently, the virus was detected in broilers of six farms located in different districts of Diyala Governorate by the use of RT-PCR. The current study aimed to explore the pattern of biological diversity of infectious bronchitis viruses based on the possibility of genetic variations of the S gene. Materials and Methods: Ten tissue samples were collected from broilers of six farms located in different districts of Diyala Governorate and named R1 to R10. The chickens were recently vaccinated, but naturally infected with infectious bronchitis virus; a particular RT-PCR fragment partially encompassing the coding domains of the S gene was recently obtained. The amplified fragments were immediately submitted to direct sequencing tests to examine the genetic variation pattern in the samples acquired from various chicken sources. Then unique comprehensive trees were generated to validate the correct genotyping of the identified variations and their phylogenetic distribution.

Background: The first medical college in Iraq was established in 1927, adopting a subject-based curriculum. Aim: To provide a description of undergraduate medical education curricula in Iraq and how they developed since 1927. Methods: We identified Iraqi medical schools and curricula from local and global directories. Curricular data were compared to 3 educational benchmarks (Dale’s effectiveness of teaching methods, SPICES, Miller’s pyramid). We searched for studies describing curricula and modernization. Results: There are 34 medical colleges in Iraq (32 with identified curricula) with a wide scope of visions and aims adopting 3 types of curriculum: subject-based (SBC) 20 (63%), integrated (IC) 10 (31%) and problem-based learning (PBLC) 2 (6%). The majority of updates were SBC to IC, with only 1 moving from SBC to PBLC. The predominant type of curriculum at the start of instruction is SBC or IC. Although PBLC and IC provide opportunities for inquiry-driven competencies in the first 3 years only, none provide such opportunities in the clinical phase (last 3 years). Conclusions: Curricular reform needs to focus on modernizing the learning process/outcomes rather than reorganization of the teaching only. A new approach is needed to provide opportunities for competence and experience to prepare doctors to deal with challenges. One such approach would be the adoption of an outcomes-based curriculum model based on domains of competence with clearly defined outcomes/competencies achievable the time of graduation. All curricula should lead to the achievement of the same outcomes.

It is known that heavy metals (as lead, cadmium and mercury) are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density 5 times greater than that of water. Their different industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical and technological applications may led to distribution widely in the environment, raising their harmful effects on human health and the environment. Their effects and degree of toxicity depend on several factors, including the level of these metals in the blood and the age, gender, genetics, smoking, living place, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. Accordingly and in fact is needed to estimate heavy metals levels in the blood of living people in different areas in Iraq from time to time. The present study was designed to search the relation between heavy metal (lead, cadmium, and mercury) levels in the blood of people and smoking, and living place (rural, and city center), gender, as factors that may aggravate heavy metal toxicity in Diyala Province. Total 72 patients were considered in this study. Group (A) of 21 males (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7) each sub group compose of three males, A1, A2, A3, from rural areas, while A4, A5, A6, A7,were from the center of the city, and group (B) of 51 females ( B1. B2. B3, B4) each sub group of 12, 13, 8, 18 in number respectively according to availability, at age (≤ 29), and at age (≥30). The results showed that in comparison 1 the level of lead and cadmium in the blood of individuals living in the center of the city was significantly higher in comparison to those living in the village in both mail and females at age (≤ 29), While in comparison 2, it was noted that the level of lead and cadmium together in the villagers was more than its level in the blood of city resident individuals, but statistically was not significant. The city’s residents than those in rural areas had more levels of mercury in their blood in all comparisons but statistically was not significant between the studied groups. The smoking factor had an effect on the levels of heavy metals in the blood, as the level of lead in smokers was higher compared to its level in non-smokers (control group) in comparisons 3 and 1, while the opposite was in comparison 2, the level of lead increased in non-smokers but statistically was not significant. The level of cadmium in the blood of smokers was higher compared to its level in non-smokers in all comparisons, as well as with mercury, its level increased in smokers in comparisons 3 and 1, except for comparison 2, where its level increased in non-smokers. The concentration of lead and mercury did not exceed the internationally permissible limits in individuals’ blood, while the cadmium level exceeded the internationally permissible limits.