University of Babylon

Pemphigus is a rare fatal group of autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucosa. The pathophysiology is mediated by IgG autoantibodies against desmosomal adhesion molecules, mainly desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and desmoglein 3 (Dsg3), that result in acantholysis and intraepidermal blistering. The major clinical variants pemphigus vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceus (PF), paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), and IgA pemphigus are distinguished by their clinical phenotype, histopathological findings, and specific autoantibody profiles. While the precise etiology remains unknown, a combination of genetic predisposition (e.g., specific HLA alleles) and environmental triggers, such as certain medications and infections, is thought to contribute to disease onset. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of pemphigus, highlighting key molecular mechanisms and clinical manifestations.

The present study investigated the enhancement of convective heat transfer in horizontal tubes using twisted tape inserts, particularly emphasizing the influence of modifications to their geometrical configurations. Three twisted tape models were designed using SolidWorks: a plain tape, a tape with curved edges, and a tape with curved edges and holes. Two twist ratios were considered, namely TR1 = 6.666 and TR2 = 5. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to evaluate the velocity and temperature fields, Nusselt number, and friction factor over a Reynolds number range of 15,000–25,000. The results indicate that employing twisted tape with curved edges and perforations leads to the greatest enhancement in heat transfer. Specifically, the Nusselt number increases from 410 for curved edges without perforations to 460, whereas the plain tape achieves 380 at Re = 25,000 and TR2. The tape with curved edges (without holes) demonstrated the most favorable improvement in friction factor, attaining a value of 0.024 versus 0.029 for the plain tape, corresponding to a 20.8% reduction. As a result, the performance evaluation factor achieved a peak value of 1.24, indicating a 30.5% improvement. These findings demonstrated that optimized twisted tape geometries significantly enhanced heat transfer performance while maintaining reasonable pressure drop penalties. This highlights their potential applicability in thermal system design, particularly in compact and energy-efficient heat exchangers.

Accurate pre-operative assessment of axillary lymph node status is key for planning surgeries in early and newly diagnosed breast cancer. Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used, but their performance is inconsistent across studies. This meta-analysis evaluates and compares the predictive performance of MRI and US for pre-operative lymph node metastasis in early and newly diagnosed breast cancer. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science (inception-31 December 2025) for studies on diagnostic performance in preoperative axillary staging using ultrasound and/or MRI. Two independent reviewers extracted or reconstructed true positive, true negative, false positive, false negative, and applied QUADAS-2. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled with random-effects GLMM, with direct comparisons and prevalence-based predictive values. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies (n = 8,544) were included. Pooled sensitivity/specificity were 61.1%/92.0% for MRI and 59.8%/90.3% for ultrasound, yielding LR + 7.64 vs. 6.19 and DOR 18.1 vs. 13.9. HSROC AUCs were 0.863 (MRI) and 0.843 (ultrasound). In paired cohorts (k = 12), sensitivity did not differ, and MRI showed a non-significant specificity advantage. MRI and ultrasound showed comparable, moderate sensitivity and high specificity for preoperative axillary metastasis. MRI tended toward higher specificity and positive predictive value, whereas sensitivity did not differ in paired studies. Imaging can guide triage, but histopathology remains necessary for definitive staging.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by idiopathic inflammation primarily affecting the mucosa and submucosa of the colon. It manifests with symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and rectal bleeding, following a relapsing and remitting pattern. UC incidence peaks at ages 15–30 and 50– 70, with an equal gender distribution. This multifactorial disease involves genetic predispositions, environmental influences, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immunological factors. The intricate interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental triggers continues to shape our understanding of UC, offering potential pathways for targeted therapies and preventive strategies. Despite advances in conventional therapies—including amino-salicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics—many patients experience treatment failure, loss of response over time, or debilitating side effects such as infections, malignancies, and systemic toxicities. These limitations underscore the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches that are both more effective and safer. In this review, we highlight recent advances in UC management, focusing on emerging small molecules, novel clinical applications, and therapeutic agents that aim to provide patients with more targeted, durable, and tolerable treatment options.

The sol-gel method was used to synthesize Zn1−xBixS compounds (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) with the aim of studying the structural, morphological, and optical effects of bismuth ions within the crystal lattice of zinc sulfide (ZnS). X-ray diffraction results showed that all samples crystallized in the cubic ZnS phase, with the appearance of a bismuth disulfide secondary phase at higher bismuth (Bi) content. The crystallite size increased from 10.5 nm at x = 0 to 26.7 nm at x = 0.75 and reached 31.6 nm at x = 1, accompanied by a sharp decrease in microstrain from 1.48% to about 0.49%. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed a clear morphological transition from spheroidal ZnS particles to layered, sheet-like particles at higher Bi substitution ratios. Ultraviolet–visible spectrum showed a redshift with a band gap decreasing from 3.95 eV for pure ZnS to 3.59 eV at total substitution (x = 1), attributed to bismuth ions’ 6p energy levels near the conduction band edge, creating surface and electron levels that reduce the electron transition energy. These results demonstrate that the sequential replacement of bismuth provides an effective strategy that tailors the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the ZnS compound, making it a promising candidate for thin-film solar cells and photocatalytic applications.

Immune Anergy (IA) is based upon cellular and molecular mechanisms that are finalized by T and/or B lymphocyte dysfunction. Comparative immune-biology of anergic B cell, anergic T and anergic T-exhausted T cell were summed up. IA appeared as a block in lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine inhibition. I t is associated with chronic persistent intracellular microbial infection like tuberculosis and leprosy. It is molecular mechanism found valid for prolongation of tissue graft acceptance and for autoimmunity prevention. IA shared an in common immune features with; immune exhaustion, immune resilience and be a part of immune tolerance. The IA concept, paradigm, mechanisms and immune features were elucidated. Biology of anergy and allied concepts were briefed. The objective of the present opinion paper was to make an at glance insight to IA and showcase one of our previous works on tuberculous immune anergy. Adult anergic tuberculous patients have been showing decline in adaptive cellular immune function and normal innate cellular immune functions compared to tuberculin positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for more deaths than any other malignancy. Despite advances in treatment, it remains highly lethal, with 5-year survival rates showing minimal improvement over the past several decades, highlighting a critical unmet clinical need. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that contributes to inflammation and cancer, promoting tumor growth, progression, and metastasis through modulation of the tumor microenvironment, stimulation of angiogenesis, and regulation of immune responses. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of MIF, such as high-expression CATT repeats, influence MIF expression and susceptibility to a range of inflammatory, autoimmune, and malignant disorders, yet their role in lung cancer remains largely unexplored. Therapeutic strategies targeting MIF, including small-molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and peptide-based agents, have shown promise in preclinical models, although their clinical translation is still limited. This review discusses the dual role of MIF in inflammation and oncology, summarizes current therapeutic developments, and emphasizes the potential of MIF-targeted interventions in lung cancer. It discusses the significance of genetic predisposition, particularly high-expression MIF alleles, in guiding personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer and identifying patients who may derive benefit from MIF inhibition.