Corrigendum to: Anti- SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Levels in Iraqi General Population.

A typographical error in the Reference No. 175 appeared erroneously in the References List of the article titled "Anti- SARSCoV- 2 IgG and IgM Levels in Iraqi General Population", 2023; 22(2) [1]. Original: Barassi, A.; Pezzilli, R.; Mondoni, M.; Rinaldo, R.F.; Dav, I.M.; Cozzolino, M. Vitamin D in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients with non-invasive ventilation support. Panminerva Med., 2021, ••• Corrected: Barassi, A.; Pezzilli, R.; Mondoni, M.; Rinaldo, R.F.; Davì, M.; Cozzolino, M. Vitamin D in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients with non-invasive ventilation support. Panminerva Med., 2023, 65(1), 23-29. We apologize to the readers for the inconvenience caused due to this error. The original article can be found online at: https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/135111.

Anti- SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Levels in Iraqi General Population.

BACKGROUND: Acquired immunity plays an important role in the prevention of viral infections. SARS-CoV-2 is an infection that leads to a pandemic. The development of specific anti-SARSCoV- 2 antibodies may play a vital role in disease prevention and control. Thus IgG antibody screening in the general population provides information on the immunological status of the community. AIM: To clarify the SARS-CoV-2 immune status in the general population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kirkuk province during the period from 15 May 2022 to 11 September 2022. The samples were collected from voluntary subjects and informed consent was taken from each participant before their enrolment in the study. SARS-CoV-2 IgG, SARSCoV- 2 IgM, 25-OH Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Folate were determined using the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (eCLIA) technique with the instrument NIPIGON-Robot R1Automated ECL Analyzer (Canada). RESULTS: The overall IgG mean concentration was 37.75 ± 23.18 COI, with a median of 39.99 COI and a range of 0.25 - 87.23 COI. Additionally, 93% of tested samples were with concentrations of more than 1 COI. The highest frequency (18.2%) was for the IgG concentration of 51 to 60 COI, while the lowest frequency (1.3%) was for the concentration of 81 - 90 COI. The IgG was significantly higher (P = 0.046) in males (39.87 ± 24.04 COI) than that in females (35.12 ± 21.89 COI). The IgM overall concentration was 0.569 ± 0.456 COI, with a median of 0.489 COI and a range of 0.17 - 6.40 COI. The mean serum level of folic acid concentration was 9.03 ± 5.72 ng/ml, with a median of 7.476 ng/ml and a range of 0.60 - 20.00 ng/ml. The mean serum concentration of vitamin B12 was 462.65 ± 349.18 pg/ml, with a median of 353 pg/ml and a range of 13.05 - 2000 pg/ml. The mean serum concentration of vitamin D was 18.29 ± 18.42 ng/ml with a median of 12.44 ng/ml and a range of 3 - 100 ng/ml. IgG and IgM serum levels did not show a significant correlation with serum levels of folic acid, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. However, there was a significant correlation between folic acid and vitamin D (r = 0.197; P = 0.012); vitamin B12 and vitamin D (r = 0.253, P = 0.001). While there was a non-significant correlation between folic acid and vitamin D serum levels (r = 0.129, P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: General population IgG antibody concentration reflects a high rate of herd immunity. Folic acid was with a mean value of about half of the upper normal limit and only 17.7% were with low values. Vitamin B12, only 6.3% of the population had values lower than normal. However, the range of vitamin B12 was wide. While vitamin D values were lower than the normal limit at 82.6%. However, a large scale well designed was warranted to evaluate COVID-19 national immune response.

Inflammation in Asthma Pathogenesis: Role of T Cells, Macrophages, Epithelial Cells and Type 2 Inflammation.

Asthma is a chronic disease with abnormal inflammatory and immunological responses. The disease initiates by antigens in subjects with genetic susceptibility. However, environmental factors play a role in the initiation and exacerbation of asthma attack. Asthma is a T-helper 2 (Th2)-cell-mediated disease. Recent studies indicate that asthma is not a single disease entity, but it occurs with multiple phenotypes and endotypes. The pathophysiological changes in asthma include a series of continuous vicious circles of cellular activation contributing to the induction of chemokines and cytokines that potentiate inflammation. The heterogeneity of asthma influences the treatment response. The asthma pathogenesis is driven by varied sets of cells, such as eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, macrophages, epithelial cells, and T cells. Macrophages induce a set of mediators that are involved in asthma pathogenesis and include MIF, Prostaglandin, CXCR3L, IL-12, IL-1ß, TSLP, IL-18, IL-33, LTC4, MMP-2, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-10, TGF-ß and IL-27. While, T-cells mediators effect in asthma is induced via TNF-α, IL-17, IL-10, TGF-ß, IL-27, Tim, GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, INF- γ, and PPAR γ. However, the epithelial cells induced mediators potentiate proinflammatory effects, increase the number of Th2 cells, activate dendritic cells, increase the number of mast cells, and recruit eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, T-cells, monocytes and dendritic cells. In this review, the role of T cells, macrophages, and epithelial cells is discussed.

Evaluation of the Role of Ghrelin and Leptin as Biochemical Markers in Female with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. PCOS is a heterogeneous complex disorder of defined aetiology. Some studies report its association with various endocrine, metabolic and immunological abnormalities. The hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin affect the pathogenesis of PCOS and might lead to the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in obese women. AIM: The study aims at evaluating the role of ghrelin and leptin level in females with polycystic ovary syndrome as a biochemical marker for the diagnosis and monitoring progression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included one hundred PCOS patients and fifty apparently healthy subjects with regular menstrual cycle, visiting gynecology outpatient clinic of Kalar General Hospital, from the beginning of February 2015 to the end of June 2015. Body Mass Index (BMI) along with serum ghrelin, leptin, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were measured for both groups. Serum leptin was determined using sandwich ELISA, while serum ghrelin was determined using competitive ELISA. Differences between patient and control groups were assessed by using a t-test. Also, one-way Anova was used to test the relationships among different groups. RESULTS: A significant decrease in ghrelin level and an increase in leptin levels in women with PCOS were observed compared to the control group. Also, a significant elevation in serum levels of LH, Testosterone, Prolactin, and a decrease in serum FSH in PCOS patients were observed, when compared to the control group. Additionally, serum ghrelin decreased and serum leptin level increased significantly in women with PCOS compared to controls in all age and BMI groups. CONCLUSION: A significant decrease in ghrelin and an increase in leptin in PCOS patients were observed than in controls, indicating that they are at high risk for metabolic syndrome development.

Effect of Nigella sativa and Allium sativum coadminstered with simvastatin in dyslipidemia patients: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.

Dyslipidemia plays an important role in the provocation of cardiovascular disease. Psoriasis was associated with metabolic disorder and therefore the present study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of combination of blackseed with garlic as a treatment for dyslipidemia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, two arms parallel study consisted of 4 week diet stabilization period that included a 4 week base line evaluation phase, followed by an 8 week treatment period. The study comprised men (n=127) and women (n=131) aged 24 to 57 years, who met the NCEP ATP III criteria for drug treatment of hyperlipidemia and dietary intervention. Three hundred patients were randomized to treatment and 258 completed the study. The lipid profile included total cholesterol, HDL-C, Non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and Triglyceride. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups at the baseline for triglyceride, HDL, Non-HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. Following 8 weeks treatment with simvastatin plus placebo the reduction in Non-HDL, triglyceride, LDL and total cholesterol following treatment course was statistically highly significant (P= <0.01). However, the increase in HDL was significant (P=0.02). Patients who received simvastatin, plus black seed and garlic for 8 weeks of treatment show significant differences between baseline and after treatment course for all tested profiles (P=<0.01). This comparison of mean values reveals a high significant difference (P=<0.01) for cholesterol, triglyceride, Non-HDL, and LDL, and significant difference (P=0.03) for HDL between the two treatment groups. This study suggests that the evaluated combination was effective in correction of dyslipidemia. Large scale clinical trials comparing different doses are warranted.

Evaluation of topical black seed oil in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common manifestation of atopic reaction to inhaled allergens. It is a chronic inflammatory disease which may first appear at any age, but the onset is usually during childhood or adolescence. Up to date there is no curative treatment for this disorder and most of the drugs that were used for treatment only can induce symptomatic relief and some of them have side effect and can cause withdrawal symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the Nigella sativa (NS) extract as treatment approach for allergic rhinitis. PATIENTS & METHODS: A total of 68 patients with AR were included in the study, of them 19 patients were with mild symptoms, 28 patients were with moderate symptoms and 21 patients were with severe symptoms. Each group was subdivided into active and control subgroups. To prove that the patient's symptoms were allergic in nature, skin test was performed for all patients. Any individual with negative skin test was excluded. The individuals in the active group received N. sativa oil and the control group individuals received ordinary food oil in the form of nasal drops for 6 weeks. RESULTS: After the 6 weeks treatment course, 100% of the patients in the mild active group became symptoms free; while in moderate active group 68.7% became symptoms free and 25% were improved; while in severe active group 58.3% became symptoms free and 25% were improved. In addition, 92.1% of total patients in the active group demonstrated improvement in their symptoms or were symptoms free, while the corresponding value was 30.1% in the control group (P=0.000). At the end of 6 weeks of treatment with topical use, the improvement in tolerability of allergen exposure in active group became 55.2% which was significant (P=0.006) as compared with control group which was accounted for 20% at the same time. CONCLUSION: Topical application of black seed oil was effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, with minimal side effects.