Nahrain University

Electrospinning scaffolds composed of antibiotics and natural polymers can be helpful in the simultaneous suppression of infectious procedures and inducing tissue healing in the treatment of bone infections. The present study was performed to prepare and determine antimicrobial effects, biocompatibility, and osteogenic effects of gelatin meropenem/vancomycin -mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Mrp/Van-MSNPs) prepared using an electrospinning procedure. The scaffolds were investigated for physicochemical features, antimicrobial, biocompatibility, and osteogenic properties. The scaffolds showed applicable mechanical features, slow drug release patterns, and showed antimicrobial effects for 21 days. Gelatin-Mrp/Van-MSNPs showed higher antimicrobial and bacterial adhesive effects than gelatin and gelatin-Mrp/Van. All prepared scaffolds exhibited in vitro favorable biocompatibility. Gelatin-Mrp/Van-MSNPs significantly induced the MSCs' attachment, viability, and proliferation. It also significantly triggered the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and induced the expression of osteogenic genes in both the early and late stages of differentiation. Therefore, the gelatin scaffolds with Mrp/Van-MSNPs can be considered for treating osteomyelitis. The addition of MSNPs and antimicrobial drugs in gelatin was not significantly associated with unfavorable effects on gelatin properties. The MSNPs led to improved antimicrobial, biocompatibility, and increasing cellular proliferation, and induced osteogenesis properties of gelatin.

INTRODUCTION: The Iraqi healthcare sector faces significant challenges in the management of medical images, leading to diagnostic delays and increased error rates. Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) are essential for improving workflow and patient care, yet their implementation in Iraq remains limited and underexplored.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the essential user requirements and major obstacles for implementing PACS in Iraqi hospitals, and to propose solutions tailored to the local context.METHODS: A quantitative survey was conducted among 60 healthcare professionals to assess both functional and non-functional requirements for PACS. The survey also explored current usage, perceived barriers, and user expectations.RESULTS: Findings revealed that a significant proportion of respondents had never used PACS, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive training and support. The main obstacles identified were high system upgrade costs, data security concerns, and slow image retrieval times. The study set specific goals: to improve image retrieval speed by at least 40%, ensure 95% data security, increase user satisfaction by 75%, address at least three major usability challenges, and develop and test a PACS prototype in two hospital departments.CONCLUSION: The research recommends the development of a customised PACS solution for Iraq, addressing the unique needs of the healthcare environment. These findings provide a foundation for future digital health initiatives, aiming to enhance healthcare quality, reduce diagnostic errors, and improve operational efficiency in Iraqi hospitals.

BackgroundBiosimilars are increasingly used in rheumatology practice; however, knowledge gaps and regulatory uncertainties may affect their acceptance. This study assessed the knowledge, perceptions, and clinical practices related to biosimilars among rheumatologists in the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR) countries.MethodsA web-based survey of 19 questions, adapted from a European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) tool, was distributed among ArLAR-affiliated rheumatologists between July 2024 and January 2025. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, clinical use, and educational preferences. A French version was developed and validated by the study steering committee. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 105 rheumatologists from various Arab countries participated in the survey. The mean age of participants was 43.6 ± 11.7 years, and 61.9% were females. Most participants were adult rheumatologists (94.3%), primarily from Iraq (37.1%), Morocco (19%), and Algeria (16.2%). While 85.7% reported using biosimilars in practice, only 50.5% correctly identified the formal definition. Comfort with EMA/FDA-approved biosimilars was high (mean score 4.22/5), while concerns remained about switching in stable patients and among multiple biosimilars. The majority (80%) expressed interest in additional biosimilar education, particularly on regulatory approval, extrapolation, and safety.ConclusionArLAR rheumatologists show high uptake of biosimilars but moderate understanding of key regulatory and clinical concepts. Regionally adapted educational programs are needed to support evidence-based biosimilar use and improve confidence in clinical decision-making.

Typhoid fevercaused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi),remains a major public healthconcern, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. The pathogenic success of S. Typhiis driven by a sophisticated array of virulence factors that enable host colonization, immune evasion, systemic dissemination, and long-term persistence. Key determinants include Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS), the Vi capsular polysaccharide, Salmonellapathogenicity islands (SPIs), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and multiple secreted effector proteins. This review aims to summarize the major virulence factors of S. Typhiand elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions, immune modulation, systemic infection, and chronic persistence. It further seeks to highlight recent advances in molecular pathogenesis and genomics that inform vaccine development and novel therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted, focusing on molecular, genetic, and genomic studies of S. Typhivirulence. Peer-reviewed articles addressing T3SS function, SPIs, capsular and surface antigens, intracellular survival strategies, and host immune responses were analyzed to integrate current knowledge on S. Typhipathogenicity. In conclusions: the coordinated action of S. Typhivirulence factors enable efficient invasion, immune evasion, and systemic spread, while specific determinants support survival within host macrophages and persistence in the gallbladder, leading to chronic carriage. Advances in genomics and molecular pathogenesis have deepened understanding of host–pathogen interactions and revealed promising molecular targets for vaccine design and innovative therapeutics. A thorough understanding of S. Typhipathogenic mechanisms is essential for improving typhoid fever prevention, treatment, and control strategies, particularly in endemic regions where the disease burden remains high

Most exoskeletons for upper limbs used in stroke rehabilitation rely solely on muscle activity signals, which are often weak and unstable. This study aimed to develop and improve the control method for these exoskeletons. Two Myo Armband sensors and six force sensors were evaluated to collect electromyography (EMG) signals and reaction forces from the forearm and upper arm regions of ten healthy participants. The data was used to control an external exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation, including basic hand and elbow movements. Three methodological techniques were adopted for classifying and analyzing electromyography (EMG) data: K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Offline analysis revealed that SVM exhibited the highest accuracy, achieving an average of 95.209% for hand motions utilizing only Myo Armband data and 99.406% for elbow movements among the ten participants. A new method that uses an SVM classifier to combine EMG and force data got 99.1% accuracy. This study demonstrates the superiority of the SVM algorithm in classifying movements and enhancing control of upper limb exoskeletons.

Purpose: To characterize azithromycin inclusion complex for enhanced solubility and improved release from the dosage form. Methods: Azithromycin was formulated as an inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and compressed to produce a tablet by direct compression to enhance the dissolution. The nature of azithromycin molecule in its inclusion complex was investigated using the Infra-Red (IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to monitor the dissolution rate and stability studies of azithromycin tablets. Two USP protocols of storage were applied at 40 °C with 75 % Relative Humidity (RH), and at 30 °C with 65 % RH. Results: Pure azithromycin scan showed a prominent endothermic fusion peak between 115 and 122 °C, indicating its melting point. Both pure azithromycin and the inclusion complex with HP-β-CD had the same melting point values, according to the thermogram of the DSC. The molecular structure of azithromycin did not change upon inclusion complexation with HP-β-CD, according to IR spectroscopy. According to the HPLC results, retention time and ionic separation efficiency indicate the ion-pair reversed-phase mode of separation of the applied method. Conclusion: The inclusion complex of azithromycin with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin creates tablets with a high dissolution rate, thereby increasing drug absorption and bioavailability. Azithromycin insertion into the structural cavity of HP-β-CD without a chemical reaction protects the drug molecules from environmental factors and enhances their chemical stability.