Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care - 6 - Al-Bayan University Scientific Conference, November 2024

Asthma is a widespread respiratory illness that affects millions of people worldwide, including pregnant women. Using spirometry testing, this study examines the effects of pregnancy on the lungs of pregnant women with and without bronchial asthma. The survey included 200 asthmatic pregnant women overall and 100 pregnant healthy women. FEV1, PEFR, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio, among other lung function indicators, were measured during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The findings show that pregnant women with asthma have significantly worse lung function than healthy pregnant women, with lower FEV1, PEFR, and FEV1% values. In addition, changes in lung function and body mass index (BMI) were observed between the second and third trimesters. The FEV1/FVC ratio remained largely stable, although both FVC and FEV1% decreased significantly. These results highlight the dynamic nature of lung function and BMI during pregnancy and also highlight the importance of monitoring these changes for the health of expectant mothers and their unborn children. To ensure maternal and fetal health, it is essential to understand these physiological changes, especially in people with asthma. Future evaluation of spirometry data should consider reference equations tailored to pregnant women. This will provide important insights into the complex relationship between respiratory health and pregnancy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the association between pregnancy-induced hypertension and the quality of life of the study participants. The study also aimed to detect an association between quality of life and certain demographic data for pregnant women with elevated blood pressure during different gestational periods.

Methods: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A non-probability (purposive) sample of 70 pregnant women was selected. The study tool used was a questionnaire, and interviews were used as a data collection method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Most of the respondents were aged between 26 and 35 years, and the majority of the sample reported that they were satisfied with their income to some extent. The study showed a negative significant correlation between quality of life and some variables.

Conclusion: Quality of life decreased among mothers with a history of abortion, gestational diabetes mellitus, oligohydramnios, and elevated blood pressure. All pregnant mothers who suffered from gestational hypertension had fair quality of life.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) can cause cerebral vasospasm, which narrows the arteries in the brain and significantly affects the prognosis of the patient. Its limitations persist despite current treatments, which is why new delivery pathways such as the nose-to-brain pathway are being investigated. This non-invasive approach to access the central nervous system allows the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to be avoided and systemic side effects to be reduced. The difficulty of delivering drugs to the brain is a major factor in the pharmaceutical industry's focus on aSAH treatments. As a natural defense mechanism, the BBB severely restricts the ability of most medications to enter brain tissue. This obstacle makes it challenging to develop and administer efficient treatments for aSAH, encouraging more studies in this field. The use of nanotechnology is one way to deliver medication via the BBB and into the central nervous system. One possible approach to administer medications directly to the central nervous system is nose-to-brain transfer. It uses the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways, which are directly connected to the brain, to cross the BBB. Nasal mucosal permeability can be increased, systemic adverse effects can be reduced, and targeted pharmaceutical delivery and retention in the brain can be enhanced through nanotechnology-based nose-to-brain drug delivery devices. This article examines how drugs are carried from the nose to the brain, recent advances in nanotechnology-based treatments, and potential uses of these systems in the management of central nervous system disorders.

Introduction: The majority of dental implants and prostheses rely on the association with the soft tissues that may be vulnerable to future requirements.¹ There are two main requirements for osseointegration: first, the bone must be healthy; second, the implant must be stable and able to withstand the functional load.²

Methods and Results: Using both the computer12 model and finite element analysis technique to assess the bone space volume in implants with narrow-neck hybrid design compared with butt platform and bevel design at an inter-implant distance of 1 mm, the result showed approximately 56.7 mm³ in the butt joint platform design implant and between two bevel platforms (+2.74% or more), while it showed 78.42 mm³ (+38.32%) between two narrow-neck hybrid designs.

Discussion and Conclusion: The implant platform switching technique is used to decrease the stress on the crestal bone and allow for better load distribution. This can be done at two levels: one is at the fixture–abutment interface, and the second within the bone at the fixture itself in the body–neck area.³ The narrow-neck hybrid design seems to be superior in lowering the stress on crestal bone and to provide more room for bone healing potential with less negative effect on soft tissue healing.⁴

Background: Traditional teaching methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are not effective for most learners today. They may lead to lack of retention of survival skills and poor outcomes. Various methods are adopted to provide optimal, effective, and attractive teaching methods. Application (app)-based teaching can be used as an alternative way for learners to develop their knowledge and skills. Despite the large number of professional and nonprofessional trainee members, the high quality of CPR is still not fulfilled. Technology-based learning can prove to be an effective way to teach medical subjects such as pediatric cardiac resuscitation, which require an optimal teaching environment.

Aim: This study aims to develop nurses’ knowledge of pediatric CPR through the use of a designed interactive mobile app in simple steps in Arabic.

Methods: The study adopted a quasi-experimental, pretest, and posttest design with a control group. A valid multiple-choice questionnaire was used to evaluate nurses’ knowledge. Nurses working in pediatric intensive care settings were invited to the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program.

Results: There was a significant shift in knowledge score in the posttest compared to the pretest in the study group, while the control group remained on a steady curve throughout the tests.

Discussion and Conclusion: Interactive, technology-based learning is an effective way to learn today. The designed app improves knowledge when it is both conscious and interactive.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the Braille learning method and the psychology of blind children.

Cases and Methods: The study was conducted at Um Alrabeaen Institution for blind and purblind people in June to July 2022. The depression scale was applied during a semi-structured interview with parents of blind children using the modified Hamilton scale, which consisted of eight items (sadness, laziness, suicide, psychological anxiety, other anxiety features, insomnia, confusion, and general body symptoms) using a three-Likert scale. The total sample size was 24, eight children as cases and 16 as controls. The inclusion criterion was blind children aged 8–13 years attending braille courses. The exclusion criterion was mentally retarded children.

Results: This study showed that 16 (66.7%) of the blind children complained of depression, feelings of helplessness, inability, listlessness, loss of interest and slow thinking, trouble sleeping, interrupted sleep, and physical anxiety, although these symptoms were more prevalent among the control group but not statistically significant. Depression was observed more frequently in males than in females (p = 0.003). Blind children suffering from trouble sleeping and interrupted sleep were commonly observed among the control group (14, 87.5%) with no difference between males and females. Depression and feelings of helplessness, inability, listlessness, loss of interest, and slow thinking were observed in 12 (75.0%) blind children. The least reported symptom was the child waking up earlier than usual and not being able to sleep again (10, 6.25%), with no difference between males and females.

Conclusion: Braille courses for blind children had a positive effect on their psychological aspects.

This study demonstrates the potential of sulindac to enhance resistance to tumor proliferation by both blocking tumor-induced immune suppression and stopping the growth of oral tumors. In contrast to adriamycin, sulindac significantly reduces the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 from tumor cells by downregulating the NFκB and JNK signaling pathways. Additionally, it reduces the simultaneously induced production of VEGF and IL-6 during contacts between immune cells and tumors. Furthermore, sulindac dramatically reduces VEGF levels in the presence of IL-2-stimulated NK cells, indicating an improved immune response against tumor cells. Even the immunological suppression caused by tumor cells stimulated with TNF-α is reversed by sulindac. Consequently, the combination of sulindac with chemotherapy can effectively inhibit tumor growth and increase resistance to oral malignancies.

Background: Chest trauma is one of the leading causes of death in all age groups and accounts for 25–50% of all traumatic injuries. A small but significant proportion of individuals with thoracic injuries need an emergency thoracotomy (ET) during their primary resuscitation, although the majority can be managed conservatively. Surgical intervention has been recommended for the withdrawal of pericardial tamponade, control of large air leaks, open cardiac massage, direct management of pulmonary hemorrhage, and cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta. Thoracotomy can be used to define emergency thoracotomies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics and outcomes of ET for chest trauma. The study also examined the indications for ET and the outcomes of mortality and prognosis in chest trauma patients who underwent ET in the operating room.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 patients who were randomly chosen and admitted to Al-Imamain Al-Kadhymain Teaching Hospital between March 2022 and March 2023.

Results: The mean age of the sample population was 31.1 years. Males made up 21 (70%) of the sample, while females made up 9 (30%). There were 22 penetrating chest injuries (73.3%), compared with 8 blunt chest injuries (26.7%): 26 (86.7%) were alive, while 4 (13.3%) were dead.

Conclusion: The need for an ET to save the life of a trauma patient must be made better known. Patient delays in transport to the hospital play a crucial role in saving the lives of trauma victims. We must provide the emergency department with all the necessary equipment to perform an urgent thoracotomy.

Background: For all children, television serves as a window to the outside world. Watching too much television leads to several health issues in children of all ages.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between school-age children's behavior and their TV-watching habits.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach began on October 15, 2022, and ended on April 25, 2023, for conducting cross-sectional studies in primary schools in the province of Babylon. To assess the effect of TV viewing habits among school-age children on their behaviors, a non-probability sample of 150 students was used. After the study questionnaire was distributed to 10 experts, the validity of the tool was determined. All rational and scientific viewpoints put forward by the experts were taken into account. Data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to conclude.

Results: The results of the existing study illustrate that 64.7% of the sample showed a fair attitude toward TV viewing habits, and 73.3% of the sample showed fair behavior. Furthermore, the results show that TV-watching habits have an impact on children's behavior overall, with a p-value of less than 0.05.

Conclusions: The current study concludes that more than half of the study sample had fair habits, and more than two-thirds of the sample had fair behaviors toward TV viewing. In addition, the present study indicates that the habit of TV viewing has an influence on the behavior of children.

A descriptive study design was carried out in the pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. The study is related to mothers’ knowledge of massage therapy for children with lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City from March 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.The aim of the study was to identify mothers of children with lower respiratory tract infections, who received massage therapy to reduce these infections in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. A non-probability (purposive) sample of 100 mothers was selected from medical wards in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. The results of the study revealed that in the quarter of mothers’ age in the sample, more than half of the mothers in the sample (52%) were in the age group between 20 and 29 years, 41% of them were government employees, and 84% of them were from urban areas. As for the educational level of the mothers, 27% of them were college and university graduates. As for the degree of kinship between the mother and her spouse, 52% of them were first-degree kinship. Furthermore, the results show that 45% of mothers had three or more children whose age at first birth was between 25 and 29 years. The results reveal a significant association between mothers’ knowledge and their educational level. However, no significant association was found between mothers’ knowledge in terms of their occupation and their place of residence. The study recommended the existence of an education and training program for mothers regarding children with lower chest infections. It focused on the care of children with lower chest infections and on improving the education level of mothers through media and booklets for children with respiratory tract infections, especially lower chest infections.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge among primary healthcare (PHC) physicians about asthma in Iraq.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Iraq. Data were collected from 400 physicians who completed the electronic asthma training course for four weeks starting in March 2023. This study used aconvenience sampling technique via email from participating physicians. A 15-item questionnaire based on the National Asthma Guideline for Primary Care Physicians was used to assess their knowledge about asthma. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare knowledge scores based on gender, prior training in chronic respiratory disorders, and a personal history of bronchial asthma. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare knowledge scores depending on the specialty and years of practice as a PHC doctor.

Results: The mean age of the participating doctors was 32.5 years, 67.9% were female, and 32.1% were male. Overall, the participants’ knowledge score was poor at less than 70%. The Mann–Whitney test revealed no significant difference in the knowledge scores of the participating physicians depending on their gender, previous asthma training, or personal history of bronchial asthma. A significant difference was found when comparing the knowledge scores of participating physicians depending on their specialty and duration of practice as a PHC doctor.

Conclusion: This study showed that PHC physicians’ knowledge about asthma based on the recommended national guidelines of Iraq was poor. Further research is required to examine the parameters associated with improving both understanding of asthma and compliance with the guidelines.

Solid oral dosage forms are widely used in the management of chronic diseases. They are preferred due to their ease of administration, affordability, stability, and accuracy in dose measurement. However, there are challenges with oral delivery due to a number of physiological and metabolic barriers that may impair therapeutic efficacy. Difficulties such as limited water solubility and biological membrane translocation can have a major impact on how well a drug is absorbed. The complexity of developing an oral dosage form is further compounded by considerations such as the drug stability, the impact of gastrointestinal pH, and interactions with metabolic enzymes and biological efflux mechanisms. One of the most important pharmacokinetic indicators of a drug's ability to achieve systemic availability after absorption is bioavailability. It is controlled by how well the drug dissolves and how well it passes through physiological barriers. The purpose of bilosomes, vesicular carriers composed of bile salts and nonionic surfactants, is to improve the administration of vaccinations and drugs. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can efficiently transport a range of pharmacological drugs, such as those with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic capabilities, as well as vaccines and bioactive molecules that target infectious organisms, due to their stability and malleability. For oral medications, bilosomal formulations exhibit higher delivery efficacy due to the complex and hostile environment of the GIT. This research evaluates the potential of bilosomes as a delivery system and highlights how they could be used to administer medications for diseases and viruses that affect the GIT.

Bacterial samples were collected from 100 patients suffering from chest (respiratory tract) infections, particularly pneumonia, admitted in Baghdad hospitals (Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and Al-Karama Teaching Hospital) between January 2023 and March 2023. The patients were of both genders: males 51/100 (51%) and females 49/100 (49%). Sputum from infected patients was collected in sterile containers and then inoculated onto MacConkey through a swab containing crystal violet medium. The samples were inoculated onto the nutrient agar medium and incubated at 37°C for 24–48 hours. The basic biochemical tests diagnosed bacterial isolates. The results showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39/100, 39%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (34/100, 34%), and Acinetobacter baumanii were (27/100, 27%) were isolated from respiratory tract infected patients who presented as outpatients and inpatients. These isolates were cultured on Mueller–Hinton agar medium to study their antibiotic resistance. The results of the antibiotic susceptibility test showed that K. pneumoniae were resistant to Piperacillin (PRL) 100 μg (31/34, 91.18%), Augmentin (AUG) 30 μg (28/34, 82.35%), Aztreonam (ATM) 30 μg (24/34, 70.59%), Imipenem (IMI) 10 μg (26/34, 76.47%), Meropenem (MRP) 10 μg (28/34, 82.35%), Vancomycin (VA) 30 μg (24/34, 70.59%), Ceftriaxone (CRO) 30 μg (24/34, 70.59%), Cefotaxime (CTX) 30 μg (26/34, 76.48%), Ceftazidime (CAZ) 30 μg (20/34, 58.82%), Cefepime (FEP) 30 μg (19/34, 55.89%), Azithromycin (AZM) 15 μg (22/34, 64.70%), Gentamycin (CN) 10 μg (25/34, 73.53%), Tetracycline (TE) 30 μg (23/34, 67.68%), Amikacin (AK) 30 μg (21, 61.77%), and Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) 100 μg (23/34, 67.68%). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics used in killing or inhibiting bacterial growth, and to study bacterial resistance to these antibiotics to reduce unnecessary antibiotics that lead to increased bacterial resistance through antibiotics for a cure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess undergraduate student's practices and attitudes toward family violence in the University of Baghdad.

Methods: This was a descriptive study on non-probability (purposive) sample of 100 undergraduate students from different colleges at the University of Baghdad from November 15, 2022 to May 20, 2023. A validated questionnaire was prepared with 43 questions, which consisted of three parts: eight items related to students’ demographic data, 13 items related to students’ attitudes, and 22 items related to students’ practices.

Results: Positive attitudes toward family violence were used by the parents, and with respect to the total relative sufficiency (86.18%), the attitude level was moderate. Undergraduate students reported low levels of family violence practices from their parents with respect to the total mean scores (1.43) and the relative sufficiency (47.5). There was a significant relationship between students’ practices and their parents’ perception of family violence (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study concludes that students in the University of Baghdad had positive, moderate attitudes toward parents’ violence. They also experienced a low level of practice toward family violence, as well as parents’ level of education has an impact on students’ violence practices.

Recommendations: There is a need to raise community awareness about the consequences of family violence and mistreatment of the family members through mass media, and to establish family violence counseling centers for students.

Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecological operations done worldwide. Early diagnosis of the psychosexual effects of a hysterectomy and the fast application of appropriate treatment can prevent further worsening and persistence of symptoms, especially with respect to higher levels of anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, and sexual impact after a hysterectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological and sexual problems of women with hysterectomy. A descriptive study was carried out from March 1, 2023 to May 25, 2023 to determine the level of psychosexual problems experienced by women after hysterectomy. A purposive (non-probability) sample of 120 women who visited the outpatient clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital and a private gynecological clinic was selected for the study. Data were collected using a constructed questionnaire and self-administration report process for each woman. The questionnaire was prepared by an investigator to achieve the objectives of the study, which consisted of two parts: the first part addressed demographic characteristics of women and the second part consisted of 32 items describing the psychosexual problems of women with hysterectomy. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by a panel of experts and reliability was assessed by using the statistically acceptable alpha correlation coefficient (r = 89) s. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis (frequency, percentage, mean, and mean score). The results of the study showed that women had moderate levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, with the mean score being 2.33, 2.32, and 2.22, respectively, and had moderate levels of sexual problems, with the mean score being 2.39. The study concluded that psychological examination should be performed before women have a hysterectomy and support in coping after a hysterectomy is required to reduce the persistence of the psychological impact.