Original Article
16 Aug 2026
Background: Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in propolis and is well known for its diverse pharmacological properties, particularly its antioxidant and potential anticancer activities. This study investigated the extraction of propolis using different solvents and assessed the biological activities of the obtained extracts as well as the isolated chrysin. Methods: Propolis samples obtained that were extracted using ethanol, methanol, and chloroform. The extraction efficiency of each solvent was compared, and the chrysin content of the resulting extracts was quantified. In addition, the in vitro biological activities of the ethanolic propolis extract, purified chrysin, and isolated chrysin were evaluated by determining their cytotoxic effects against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, together with their antioxidant capacities. Results: Among the tested solvents, ethanol showed the highest extraction efficiency, followed by methanol, whereas chloroform produced the lowest extraction yield. Consequently, the ethanolic extract contained the greatest concentration of chrysin (3.764 ± 0.14 mg/g), confirming its superior extraction capability. All tested samples exhibited concentration-dependent inhibitory effects against both HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, with standard chrysin producing the strongest cytotoxic activity. Likewise, antioxidant activity increased with increasing concentration for all tested materials, while standard chrysin demonstrated the highest antioxidant effect (49.32% ± 9.90). Significant differences were observed among the tested groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that ethanol is the most effective solvent for extracting chrysin-rich propolis. Moreover, both the ethanolic propolis extract and the isolated chrysin exhibited remarkable in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities, supporting their potential as promising natural therapeutic agents.
Husham K. Mankhi, Manaf A. Abid
Anticancer activity
antioxidant activity
chrysin
DPPH assay
Original Article
16 Aug 2026
Background: Placental development plays a fundamental role in ensuring a successful
pregnancy. The placenta performs essential physiological, immunological, and endocrine functions and
facilitates the exchange of gases between the maternal and fetal circulations. Aim: This study aimed to
assess the impact of placental maturity on pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Najaf City.
Setting and Design: A purposive sample of 100 pregnant women diagnosed at Al-Zahraa Teaching
Hospital and Private Clinics in Najaf City was included in this study. Materials and Methods: Data were
obtained from obstetric ultrasound examinations, patients’ medical records, and a structured data collection
tool specifically developed for the purposes of this study. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was
performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Descriptive statistics and
correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between placental maturity and pregnancy
outcomes. Results: Cesarean section was performed in 62% of the women. Anemia was reported in 93% of
the participants, while 87% of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension were diagnosed with
preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, or gestational hypertension. Among the neonates,
87% had intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), 68% were delivered by cesarean section, and 80% required
neonatal resuscitation. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that 85% of the participants were between
36 and 39 weeks of gestation. Placental grade was significantly associated with gestational age, neonatal
resuscitation, stillbirth, gestational hypertension, and meconium.
Husham K. Mankhi
Intrauterine growth restriction
placenta,
placental grading
placental maturity
Original Article
04 Jun 2026
Background
Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacterium responsible for severe
infections, particularly in hospital settings. Its resistance is driven by enzymatic genes
such as those encoding beta-lactamases and carbapenemases, which degrade
antibiotics, and non-enzymatic genes that modify mechanisms like efflux pumps and
membrane permeability, further enhancing its defence against treatments. Together,
these factors allow A. baumannii to thrive in clinical environments, complicating
infection management.
Objective
This study aimed to explore the relationships between beta-lactamases,
carbapenemases, efflux pumps, and membrane permeability changes, to understand
their collective contribution to A. baumannii's multidrug resistance.
Materials and Methods
Among 300 clinical isolates from urine, blood, wounds, and burns, 25 (8.33%) were
identified as A. baumannii. These included 8% from urine, 12% from blood, and 40%
each from wound and burn swabs.
all specimens were taken from patients who have different symptoms in
hospital of Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital/ Babylon. The research was
carried out through the period January and June 2024. Bacterial identification was
conducted using the VITEK-2 system and HI-Chromoagar® A. baumannii. Enzymatic
genes were detected using conventional PCR, while non-enzymatic genes were
analyzed via RT-qPCR.
Results
Molecular analysis revealed the presence of beta-lactamase (blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23)
and metallo-beta-lactamase genes (blaVIM, blaIMP), with high antibiotic resistance
rates. Gene expression analysis highlighted efflux pump upregulation (adeB) and
altered permeability (CarO), reinforcing multidrug resistance mechanisms.
Conclusion
The combined action of enzymatic and non-enzymatic resistance genes in A.
baumannii presents a significant treatment challenge, necessitating multi-target
therapeutic approaches.
Richard O. Solomon, Dr. Gary J. Stephens
Acinetobacter baumannii,Non- Enzymatic genes, Enzymatic genes, RT-q PCR
Review Article
04 Jun 2026
Abstract
The review focuses on the positive changes brought by NIPT into prenatal care, stressing
on its effectiveness, nonintrusiveness, and ability to support timely medical actions. It
situates the development of NIPT in the context of the overall trend toward individualized
medicine and preventive care and highlights how the technique may redefine the standard
for prenatal testing. The abstract also recognizes the need for more studies to improve
NIPT performance and expand the range of its applications, but at the same time, the need
for the development of guidelines and ethical standards for the use of this technology in
clinical practice. In general, it situates NIPT as a cutting-edge technology in the context of
genetics, technology, and healthcare with potential benefits for enhancing fetal care and
providing valuable genetic information to expectant parents.
Dr. Serge Mordon, Dr. Omar Hassan
Review Article
04 Jun 2026
Introduction Epidural injections considered to be the mostly performed nonsurgical
treatment for radicular pain due to Lumbar disc herniation. Different types of epidural
injections have been used in the management of lumbar radiculopathy including local
anaesthetics only, different types of steroids, and combined steroids and local
anaesthetics using different approaches.
Methods The literature review used in this assignment will focus on the use of epidural
injections in the management of sciatica. High quality evidence with different study
design will be discussed including Systematic reviews, Randomised Control trials
(RCTs) and retrospective studies.
Discussion Different types of epidural injections have been studied in the management
of lumbar radiculopathy including local anaesthetics only, different types of steroids,
and combined steroids and local anaesthetics using different approaches. Studies
have been conducted in order to assess the superiority of one type on the other in term
of pain relief, functional improvement, and reduce the surgical intervention.
Conclusion the literature has shown that epidural injections are effective treatment for
LDH in term of both pain relief and functional improvement regardless of the type of
injections whether steroids with local anaesthetics or local anaesthetics alone. There is
strong evidence showing that epidural injections are more effective in the short term (<
6 months) than the long term (> 6 months).
Dr. Gary J. Stephens, Dr. Nadia Karimi
Original Article
04 Jun 2026
Background
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the most severe threats facing public and
health care.
Aim of study
Study of bacterial resistance to some types of antibiotics, which shows their impact on
society in general and on individual health in particular.
The result
This study included testing an important group of antibiotics on a number of patients
suffering from chronic infections. The study included various samples of blood, urine,
stool, and swabs from the pharynx and wounds for examination. Susceptibility to
antibiotics for the purpose of knowing and estimating the extent of resistance to
antibiotics within the governorates of Iraq, with the exception of the Kurdistan region,
where the study included 18,216 samples. the proportion of fight to the antibiotics used
in the training, which are (Nitrofurantoin (29%), Gramycin (41%), Doxycycline (40),
Tetracycline (53%), Augmentin (76.5), Methprim (57.02), Amoxicillin (73.96), Ampicillin
(81.77%)). The results of this study underscore several alarming patterns concerning
antibiotic resistance observed in clinical isolates.
Material and methods
Susceptibility to antibiotics for the purpose of knowing and estimating the extent of
resistance to antibiotics within the governorates of Iraq, with the exception of the
Kurdistan region performed using the disk diffusion method.
Conclusion
Ampicillin, Augmentin, amoxicillin, Methprim, tetracycline, gentamicin, doxycycline, and
nitrofurantoin showed differing levels of resistance, highlighting the widespread issue
of antimicrobial resistance. These resistance trends are consistent with prior studies
and emphasize the critical importance of implementing thorough antimicrobial
stewardship initiatives to address and curb the proliferation of resistance.
Prof. James Harrington, Dr. Alfredo Berzal-Herranz, Richard O. Solomon
public health, AMR, Ampicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin, gentamicin
