Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences 

About: Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences is an academic journal published by Hawler Medical University. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Diabetes mellitus. It has an ISSN identifier of 1995-5588. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 452 publications have been published receiving 945 citations. The journal is also known as: Zanco & ZJMS.

Antibacterial effect and healing potential of nutmeg oil for chemically induced oral ulcerations in rabbits

Abstract: 393 Background and objective: Myristica fragrans is an aromatic green tree usually growing to around 5-13 meters high, and their seeds (nutmegs) is firm broadly ovoid. The objectives of the study were to find the concentration of nutmeg oil that has maximum antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and to evaluate the healing potential of this concentration on a chemically induced oral ulceration in the rabbit’s cheek mucosa. Methods: Different concentrations of nutmeg oil were prepared and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was determined by disk diffusion method. The chemically induced oral ulcerations in rabbit’s cheek mucosa were achieved by ethanol, and then these ulcerations were irrigated with 0.5ml (5%) of nutmeg oil twice daily. Biopsies were taken after four and eight days of the experiment, processed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Results: The concentration 100% of nutmeg oil and the dimethyl sulfoxide; which was used as diluents for preparing different concentrations of nutmeg oil, showed no inhibition zone for Staphylococcus aureus. The concentration (5%) showed maximum inhibitory zone (16.8mm) for the micro-organism which was parallel to the effects of amoxicillin (positive control), both with highly significant action (P<0.05). The histopathological pictures showed a delay in the healing process of oral ulcers in rabbits treated by this concentration. Conclusion: The concentration of nutmeg oil (5%) has a good antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, but it causes a delay in the healing process of oral ulcerations.

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis B and C in Iraq: a national survey 2005-2006.

Abstract: Background and objective: Viral Hepatitis Type B&C is serious public health challenge throughout the world.Hepatitis B and C viruses still remain to be the major causes of chronic hepatitis.It is estimated that around 350-400 million people in the world are chronic carriers of HBV, which represents approximately 7% of the total populationwhereas infection with HCV is found in approximately 3% of the world population, which represents 160 million people. Hepatitis B infection has a wide range of seroprevalence in the Mediterranean countries ranging from intermediate (=>2% ) to high prevalence ( =>7%). World Health Organization estimated a prevalence rate for HCV infection of about 4.6% in Eastern Mediterranean in 1999. During the eightieths years of the last century, Iraq was considered to be of intermediate endemicity with hepatitis B as reflected by 3% seroprevalence of HBsAg in normal population. Hepatitis C was found to be of low endemicity among blood donors 0.5%. There were no national wide epidemiological studies regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B&C accordingly we conduct this study to determine the prevalence of both types all over the Iraq. Methods: From the 1 st of January 2005 to 31 st of December 2006, a community based cross-sectional study was conducted all over Iraqi governorates. A total of 9610 persons, recruited by surveying a nationally representative random sample of households were analyzed. A stratified random sample proportional to size of each of the 18 Iraqi governorates, both urban and rural areas were included. Prevalence estimates were therefore weighted and age-adjusted. Five (5ml) of blood samples were taken from the study subjects, and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies . Results: The national prevalence rate of HBs Ag was 1.6% and correlated positively with age. The prevalence rate of anti-HBs antibodies was 17%. The prevalence of anti-HBc was 9.7%. The prevalence of anti-HCV was low (0.4%). The prevalence rate of anti-HBs antibodies in <10 years children is only 32.2%, which raise the issue of incomplete coverage of hepatitis B vaccine during the years preceding the study years. Conclusion: The findings revealed that Iraq is of low prevalence with HBsAg.On the other

Incidence of partial edentulism and its relation with age and gender

Abstract: Background and objective: This study aimed to determine the incidence of various partial edentoulism according to Kennedy’s classification of edentulous arches, modification areas, types of removable partial dentures (RPDs), selection of major connectors for RPDs and patterns of tooth loss in relation to the gender and age. Methods: The study was conducted in Hawler Medical University, College of Dentistry, Dep. of Prosthodontics, Erbil/Iraq. The data were collected from 963 patients aged 17-80 years of both genders. The survey was based on visual examination for determining the incidence of Kennedy’s classification, modification areas in relation to the age and gender, determining the cause of tooth loss and types of major connectors for RPDs. Results: Kennedy’s class III in both dental arches was the most dominant pattern at a frequency of 49.84%, with class IV being the least in number. Mandibular RPDs were more common than maxillary RPDs. With an increase in age, there was an increase in the Class I and Class II dental arch and a decrease in Class III and class IV in both arches. Gender had no significant relationship with distributions of RPD classification.The majority of the constructed RPDs were acrylic resin 881(91.49%) and only 82 (8.51%) were metal. Conclusion: Kennedy’s class III is the most common RPD in both dental arches. Gender had no effect on the prevalence of various Kennedy classes, while age has a significant effect.

Prevalence of urinary tract infections and antibiotics susceptibility pattern among infants and young children in Erbil city

Abstract: Background and objectives: A urinary tract infection is defined by the presence of an organism in the urinary tract that is usually sterile. The age and gender are important factors influencing prevalence of urinary tract infections. The aim of this study was to clarify the microbiology of urinary tract infection, antibiotics susceptibility pattern prevalence and their relation with age, gender and circumcision among infants and young children in Erbil city. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 300 children with sign and symptoms of urinary tract infection at Rapareen Pediatric Hospital in Erbil city. The specimens were cultured on appropriate media and the isolated organisms identified with a significant growth 105 CFU/ml. The susceptibility of bacteria causing urinary tract infection to different antimicrobial agents was investigated. Results: The study showed that 43.3% of children had urinary tract infection (53.2% females, 30.2% males). The highest percentage of infection occurred at age group 6-10 years with female's predominance. The percentage of urinary tract infections in uncircumcised boys was 76.9%. The most common organism isolated was Escherichia coli (33.8%). The isolated bacteria were highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: Early and appropriate diagnosis of urinary tract infection in infants and young children is important as it is marker for urinary tract problems. Escherichia coli was the most common organism causing urinary tract infection in children. The most of urinary isolates had high level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Plants used in Iraqi traditional medicine in Erbil - Kurdistan region

Abstract: Background and objective: Herbal medicine is a traditional or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants’ seeds, berries, roots, leaves, barks, flowers and plant extracts for medicinal purposes. This survey highlights the traditional phytotherapy practices by traditional healers of Erbil-Kurdistan region in the treatment of various disorders. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on the use of medicinal plants in Erbil-Kurdistan region. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and the native plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews. Results: The investigation revealed that the traditional healers were not professionally authorized and 32 plants belonging to 23 families were used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine. The plants reported have been identified and presented in a table with the vernacular names, useful parts, dosage preparations and medicinal uses. Conclusion: Many recorded species of plants are used in Erbil- Kurdistan region in traditional medicine but lack phyto-therapeutic evidence. Most indigenous plants remain to be studied which may yield many exciting data for further investigation.