THE CHANGING PROFILE OF CONSANGUINITY RATES IN BAHRAIN, 1990-2009

Consanguineous marriage is traditional and respected in most communities of North Africa, the Middle East and West Asia, including Bahrain, with intra-familial unions accounting for 20-50+% of all marriages. Significant secular changes in consanguinity rates have been reported in recent decades in different populations. Among parents of 14,237 newborns in Bahrain in 2008-2009, the total consanguinity and first cousin marriage rates over a period of four months in 2008 were 10.9% and 6.9% respectively, while during all of 2009 the rates were 11.4% and 6.8% respectively. The study confirms that over a ten-year period first cousin marriage rates in Bahrain have declined from 24% to nearly 7%. Although advice against cousin marriages was not attempted at any stage in the comprehensive community genetics programmes in Bahrain, increasing the literacy of the public and of the health care providers on prevention strategies for genetic diseases could have contributed to this decline in consanguinity rate in Bahrai

استراتيجية تسويق حرب العصابات وانعكاسها على سلوك المستهلك دراسة استطلاعية لآراء عينة من العاملين في متاجر التجزئة في مدينة الموصل

يهدف البحث إلى قياس قدرة استراتيجية تسويق حرب العصابات في تعزيز سلوك المستهلك للمنظمات كي تحقق التواصل والنجاح، وتم اختيار (متاجر التجزئة في مدينة الموصل) كمجتمع للبحث، وتم اختيار (108) من العاملين في تلك المتاجر بطريقيه عشوائية كعينة للبحث، واعتمد الباحث استمارة الاستبانة بعد التأكد من صدقها وثباتها كأداة رئيسية في جمع البيانات وتم تحليل بواسطة الحزمة الاحصائية لتطبيقات العلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS21) من خلال الاستعانة بمجموعة من بالأساليب الإحصائية، وتم تعزيز البحث بمجموعة من الفرضيات التي تم اختبارها من خلال جملة من التحاليل الاحصائية التي عكست واقع تلك الفرضيات بالإيجاب أو النفي للوصول إلى النتيجة التي تدعم الفرضيات الرئيسية للبحث، وقد توصل الباحث إلى عدد من الاستنتاجات منها (حاجة المتاجر إلى مزج الثقافة المحلية في المادة الاعلانية التي يتلقها الزبون)، واتساقا مع مضمون الاستنتاجات، فقد توصل الباحث إلى عدد من المقترحات منها (التأكيد على أهمية قدرة المتاجر على مزج الثقافة المحلية في المادة الاعلانية التي يتلقها الزبون)

Immunoglobulins assessment (IgE,G,A,M) in some Iraqi patients with acute and chronic urticaria

60 patients diagnosed as having urticaria were included in the study ; 30 patients were effected with acute urticaria and 30 patients were affected with chronic urticaria. In addition, 30 healthy adult volunteers were selected as control group .The patients and control groups sera were examined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) to detect total level IgE and radial immunodiffusion (RID) to detect levels of IgG , IgA and IgM . The total level of IgE in acute urticaria ( 1.45±0.13) IU/mL and chronic urticaria (2.12 ± 0.10) IU/mL patients were significantly higher than the control groups ( 0.85 ± 0.10)IU/mL (

Comparison of Debulking Combined with Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection Versus Debulking Alone, for the Treatment of Earlobe and Helical Keloids.

Background: Keloids of the ear present a significant clinical challenge, with surgical excision alone associated with high recurrence rates (45%–100%). Various adjuvant treatments have been explored to improve outcomes, with intra-lesional corticosteroids showing promise. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of debulking combined with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide versus debulking alone in treating earlobe and helical keloids. Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, from January 2014 to October 2015. Twenty-eight female patients with 67 keloid lesions resulting from ear piercing were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent debulking followed by intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (0.25 mg to 1 mg), while Group 2 received debulking alone. The treatment response was assessed over six months using keloid height measurements, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for improvement, patient satisfaction scores, and recurrence rates. Results: Group 1 demonstrated more significant improvement, with a mean VAS score of 8.8 ± 2.00 compared to 3.5 ± 2.63 in Group 2. Patient satisfaction was also higher in Group 1 (8.6 ± 2.38) than in Group 2 (3.5 ± 2.40). The recurrence rate was markedly lower in Group 1 (13.3%) compared to Group 2 (92.3%). No significant side effects or systemic adverse effects were observed in either group. Conclusion: Debulking combined with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection is a more effective treatment for earlobe and helical keloids than debulking alone. This approach is simple, cost-effective, and well-tolerated, leading to higher patient satisfaction and significantly lower recurrence rates

Biallelic loss of function variants in PPP1R21 cause a neurodevelopmental syndrome with impaired endocytic function

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has been instrumental in solving the genetic basis of rare inherited diseases, especially neurodevelopmental syndromes. However, functional workup is essential for precise phenotype definition and to understand the underlying disease mechanisms. Using whole exome (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) in four independent families with hypotonia, neurodevelopmental delay, facial dysmorphism, loss of white matter, and thinning of the corpus callosum, we identified four previously unreported homozygous truncating PPP1R21 alleles: c.347delT p.(Ile116Lysfs*25), c.2170_2171insGGTA p.(Ile724Argfs*8), c.1607dupT p.(Leu536Phefs*7), c.2063delA p.(Lys688Serfs*26) and found that PPP1R21 was absent in fibroblasts of an affected individual, supporting the allele's loss of function effect. PPP1R21 function had not been studied except that a large scale affinity proteomics approach suggested an interaction with PIBF1 defective in Joubert syndrome. Our co‐immunoprecipitation studies did not confirm this but in contrast defined the localization of PPP1R21 to the early endosome. Consistent with the subcellular expression pattern and the clinical phenotype exhibiting features of storage diseases, we found patient fibroblasts exhibited a delay in clearance of transferrin‐488 while uptake was normal. In summary, we delineate a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by biallelic PPP1R21 loss of function variants, and suggest a role of PPP1R21 within the endosomal sorting process or endosome maturation pathway

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Age and Smoking on Nail Growth Rate in Healthy Individuals

Background: The nail organ has an important functional and aesthetic importance. Nail Growth Rate (NGR) has attracted the attention of many investigators not only due to the importance of the nail apparatus but also as a tool to reflect health. Objective: To study the effects of smoking and age on nail growth. Patients and methods:The study was conducted at the Department of Physiology and the Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad during the period from January 2011 to May 2011. Nail growth measurement was performed by etching a T – mark on the nail plate of the right and the left thumbs with a wide bore needle. The vertical distance between the point of meeting of the T and the proximal nail fold was measured using (vernier). A second measurement was performed one month later. The difference between the 2 readings was divided by the number of days between the readings to give the NGR. Results:The NGR was measured in a total of 106 subjects. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: Group1 (Smoker male subjects): 23 subjects were included in this group. Their ages ranged between 20 and 59 years with a mean of 35.87 +11.72 years. Group 2 (Non-smoker male subjects): 34 subjects were included. Their ages ranged between 13 and 52 years with a mean of 31.76 + 10.16 years.Group 3 (Non-smoker female subjects): 49 subjects were included. Their ages ranged between 8 and 58 years with a mean of 27.49 +11.66 years. NGR measurement in: Group 1:The mean growth rate in the right thumb was 95.4 + 28.8 microns/day, and for the left thumb was 96 + 34 microns/day. Group 2:The NGR was 105.6 + 34.35, and 103.4 + 34.24 microns /day, for the right thumb and the left thumb respectively. . Group 3: The NGR was 100 .5 + 33.52 microns/day for the right thumb and 101.6 + 31.77 microns /day for the left thumb. Conclusion: Age was inversely correlated with nail growth in right and left thumbs in all groups. The duration of smoking and number of cigarettes was inversely related to nail growth, but it did not reach statistical significance

The role of open knowledge management in driving marketing innovation within organizations: The mediating role of technology empowerment

Type of the article: Research Article Abstract Open knowledge management has become a strategy for enhancing marketing innovation using internal and external knowledge resources. This study aims to examine the impact of open knowledge management on marketing innovation in an organization and the mediating role of technology empowerment in this relationship. This study adopts a quantitative research approach. Data were collected from November 2024 to April 2025 using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 150 marketing professionals representing a variety of industries in the Iraqi city of Nineveh. The results indicate that collaboration has a positive and significant effect on marketing innovation (β = 0.121, p < 0.011). Similarly, collaboration has a positive and significant effect on technological empowerment (β = 0.317, p < 0.000). In addition, accessibility to knowledge has a strong effect on marketing innovation (β = 0.080, p < 0.012) and technological empowerment (β = 0.210, p < 0.002). The mediating role of technological empowerment has a significant effect between open knowledge management and marketing innovation (β = 0.382, p < 0.000). Knowledge sharing has no significant impact on marketing innovation (β = 0.069, p < 0.065). On the other hand, knowledge sharing has a significant effect on technology empowerment (β = 0.181, p < 0.026). The findings highlight the need for managers to achieve a competitive advantage through significant impacts and knowledge-based strategies

Chronic ulcerative Cutaneous Vasculitis of the legs Clinical and histopathological study

Background: Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis characterized by necrosis and inflammation of upper dermal blood vessels. It presents with ulcers and systemic manifestations after extensive acute onset. Many patients have a form of cutaneous vasculitis that presents with chronic painful ulcerations & purpuras involving the ankles without systemic manifestations, with some similarity in clinical presentation to livedoid vasculopathy. Patients and Methods: Thirteen patients were seen in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, for a period extending from January 2004 to March 2005. They were evaluated clinically, histopathologically and other laboratory studies. In addition, evaluation of the clinical response to prednisolone 0.5mg/kg/day and azathioprine150mg/day was done. Results: Thirteen patients were included in this study; eight females and five males, with male to female ratio of 1:1.6. Their ages ranged between 26-66 years with a mean ±SD of 42 ± 13.8 years. The duration of the disease ranged from 0.5 – 18 years with a mean ±SD of 38 ± 59.2 months.The clinical examination revealed multiple oval punched out ulcers, with an indurated base, and surrounded by a zone of erythema; affecting mainly the ankles and dorsa of feet. Histopathological evaluation showed upper dermal vessels' wall necrosis, fibrinoid deposition, obliteration of the lumen, extravasation of red blood cells, endothelial cells swelling with perivascular and vascular wall infiltration mainly by mononuclear cells.The treatment was started with prednisolone & azathioprine. The ulcers healed completely with residual hyperpigmentation - hypopigmentation, atrophy and scars within 10-15 weeks  Conclusions: Chronic ulcerative cutaneous vasculitis is often a neglected and misdiagnosed variant of vasulitis. Histologically it has vascuiltic features, and clinically looks like livedoid vasculopathy

Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs

Consanguineous marriages have been practiced since the early existence of modern humans. Until now consanguinity is widely practiced in several global communities with variable rates depending on religion, culture, and geography. Arab populations have a long tradition of consanguinity due to socio-cultural factors. Many Arab countries display some of the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in the world, and specifically first cousin marriages which may reach 25-30% of all marriages. In some countries like Qatar, Yemen, and UAE, consanguinity rates are increasing in the current generation. Research among Arabs and worldwide has indicated that consanguinity could have an effect on some reproductive health parameters such as postnatal mortality and rates of congenital malformations. The association of consanguinity with other reproductive health parameters, such as fertility and fetal wastage, is controversial. The main impact of consanguinity, however, is an increase in the rate of homozygotes for autosomal recessive genetic disorders. Worldwide, known dominant disorders are more numerous than known recessive disorders. However, data on genetic disorders in Arab populations as extracted from the Catalogue of Transmission Genetics in Arabs (CTGA) database indicate a relative abundance of recessive disorders in the region that is clearly associated with the practice of consanguinity