Kurdish Population Research Articles

"Martyrs do not die": Politics and security in Kurdish insurgents' funerals.

Insurgents' funerals play a significant role in the conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish insurgent group PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) for both parties. This article examines the dual features of the insurgents' funerals. While the Kurdish population seeks to reintegrate the dead into larger narratives of the "Kurdish liberation movement" and use funerals as a site for mobilization, the regime portrays the social and political lives of the dead manifested in the funerals as a matter of security and integrates them into larger security discourses. Kurdish mayors and deputies were dismissed from office and imprisoned for organizing and attending these funerals, and even for publicly displaying grief. In this article, I demonstrate how the social and political life of the dead that survives the biological death can still remain in the language and practices of security, and argue that securitization of funerals have a broader implication of leaving no space for the Kurdish Question to exist except for the realm of security.

The Efficacy and Safety of Green-Lipped Mussel Extract Plus Ginkgo Biloba on Anti-Inflammatory Status in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Clinical research on the efficacy of nutraceutical compounds recommended for the relief of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms has been largely disputed. In addition, no link has been established between its safety and efficacy in Kurdish population. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract + Ginkgo biloba (GLME+) in patients with OA, and analyze the effect of GLME+ on inflammation. Methods: In an open-label, single-group allocation study, 40 patients diagnosed with knee OA were administrated 1000 mg/day of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract and 100 mg/day of Ginkgo biloba for eight weeks. The outcome measure was scored using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC). The serum concentration of inflammatory chemokine (CCL3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured. An intention-to-treat analysis was employed and subject data at T0 and T8 weeks. Results: Results showed a significant improvement in WOMAC score in post-treated OA patients with GLME+ (P<0.001). In addition, CCL3 serum levels were significantly decreased after an 8-week intervention (P<0.001). Moreover, no statistical significance was observed within groups in MPO serum levels (P> 0.05). Conclusions: GLME+ improved knee joint pain, stiffness, and mobility in OA patients. Two of GLME+'s chondroprotective properties were the reduction of oxidative damage and the inhibition of inflammation, both of which have been linked to the etiology of OA cartilage destruction. The findings indicated that GLME+ may be useful in the treatment of OA patients.

Курдский народ в борьбе за независимость (вторая половина ХХ – начало ХХI в.) и геноцид в Иракском Курдистане

The article delves into the struggle of the people of Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan for self-determination and the repression of the ruling regime in Iraq, which brought the Kurdish population to the brink of extermination. The issue of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq has been on the agenda for many decades. The Iraqi Kurds achieved self-government at the cost of incredible efforts. It is emphasized that the recognition of the right to territorial autonomy by the Iraqi government in 1974 was a success of the Kurdish national movement. However, the infringement of the rights of the Kurds continued. The apogee of the repressions were the events of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 and the use of chemical weapons against the population of the autonomy. In 2005, Iraq promulgated a new draft Constitution, which reflected the opinion of all ethno-confessional groups of the country – Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds: the country was declared a Federal Republic, and the Kurdish language was declared the state language on the territory of Kurdistan. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the centuries-long struggle of the Kurds of Iraq ended with the proclamation of autonomy and the granting of democratic rights and freedoms to the population of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. And the facts reflected in the documents of international organizations on the deliberate destruction of the Kurdish minority in Iraq, especially during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, are obvious. An important condition for the success of the Kurdish national movement at any stage of its development is the unity of its ranks. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of historicism and objectivity. Documentary materials, personal sources, and media news data serve as the empirical basis of the study and are introduced into scientific discourse.

Strong association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in BRCA1, ATM, and CHEK2 with breast cancer susceptibility in a sub-population of Iranian women.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy in females worldwide. Mutations in the DNA repair pathway genes contribute to a significant increase in BC risk. The present study aimed to assess the frequency of polymorphisms in BRCA1, ATM, and CHEK2 genes and their association with BC susceptibility in the Kurdish population from the West of Iran. In the present case-control study, the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHEK2 (rs17879961), ATM (rs28904921), and BRCA1 (rs80357906, rs1555576855, rs1555576858, and rs397509247) genes were investigated in 335 BC cases and 354 healthy-matched controls by Taqman allelic discrimination assay. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test was employed for the assessment of Hardy-Weinberg Equation. Relative risk and odds ratios were calculated based on the Koopman asymptotic score and the Baptista-Pike method, respectively. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of each polymorphism were assessed using the Wilson-Brown test and a P-value < 0.05 indicating significant differences between the two groups in all assessments. Data showed there was a strong association between rs397509247 (OR = 7.53, 95% CI 1.88-90.91, p = 0.004), rs1555576858 (OR = 10.53, 95% CI 0.01-0.51, p = 0.0005), and rs80357906 (OR = 6.33, 95% CI 0.05-0.043, p < 0.0001) in BRCA1 gene and rs17879961 (OR = 3.52, 95% CI 0.084-0.946, p = 0.02) in CHEK2 gene, with BC risk in the population of interest. Among these, rs28904921 in ATM gene demonstrated the strongest association (OR = 72.66, 95% CI 0.007-0.214, p < 0.0001). This suggests that these SNPs, particularly rs28904921, are significantly associated with an increased risk of BC in the studied population. Our results indicated that BRCA1, ATM, and CHEK2 polymorphisms have a high frequency in the Iranian breast cancer population, with some mutant allele frequencies being much higher than those reported in other populations. We have also provided a simple, multiplex, rapid, and accurate genotyping assay that is useful in clinical settings.

The impact of religious diversity on the Kurdish identity within a geopolitical framework

Importance. The Kurds are currently dispersed across four countries (Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq), which are quite negative towards them, trying to suppress expression of their identity. Historiographically, the Kurdish issue is usually perceived as another obstacle to regional stability in the Middle East, but the uniqueness of their position forces us to look at the situation from a different perspective. The aim of the study is to prove that the experience of asymmetric interaction of Kurds with various social actors can be extrapolated to address the problem of long-term stability in the Middle East and the resolution of other conflicts.Materials and Methods. The research is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity; chronological and structural methods and comparative analysis are used.Results and Discussion. The novelty of the study is that it allows us to consider the religious heterogeneity of the Kurds as a possible positive factor that can be used to build a new Kurdish identity. The peculiarities of the situation of the Kurds in different territories, including in a religious context, are also analyzed. The trends in ethnic relations in the territories of four nearby countries (Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey) are determined.Conclusion. The eclectic nature of Kurdistan’s religious composition has greatly influenced Kurdish political identity, and despite external divisive factors, the diverse Kurdish population is united due to its culture of tolerance, which stems from its long history of diverse religious traditions. At the same time, it complicates their interactions with the neighbouring states that are intolerant of dissent and other faiths.

Dams in intrastate ethnic conflict: A comparison of Turkey and Ethiopia

AbstractWhy do dams exacerbate ethnic conflict in Turkey but not in Ethiopia? This paper analyzes the impacts of a growing push to develop water resources through hydroelectric dams, which promise clean energy, jobs, and economic opportunities. Yet dam building also causes environmental degradation, mass relocation, the flooding of historical sites, and long‐lasting cultural impacts. This paper focuses on how dams, as an extension of the state, can increase ethnic tensions by decreasing their autonomy and challenging their cultural practices, ultimately exacerbating violence. A comparison of two instances of large‐scale dam building in Ethiopia and Turkey during conflict illustrates various factors that contribute to ethnic tensions between minority groups. In Turkey, dams are weaponized against the Kurdish population, deepening ethnic conflict as the state asserts itself and a state‐centered national consciousness into a region historically wary of Turkish nation‐building. In Ethiopia, dam‐building, while framed in similar language as it is in Turkey, avoids heightening ethnic conflict because dams are seen as unifying the country rather than homogenizing ethnic minorities in rural areas. This paper argues that ethnic conflict is exacerbated when both (1) damming disproportionately targets one ethnic group and (2) when the targeted population is unable to access alternative mechanisms to air grievances. In developing the proposed theory, more insight can be gained into water, conflict, and dam‐building in conflict‐prone areas in fragile political positions. From a policy perspective, these findings indicate that more scrutiny over dams in such contexts is necessary for the protection of minority populations.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Apolipoprotein B Gene Polymorphism in Kurdish Patients With Severe Hypercholesterolemia.

Background Polymorphisms in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B 100 (APOB-100) genes have been linked to severe hypercholesterolemia in several populations. This study investigated the frequency of LDLR-Ava II and APOB-Xba I polymorphisms among Kurdish patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. Methodology We investigated LDLR-Ava II and APOB-Xba I gene polymorphisms in Kurdish patients attending the Duhok Specialized Laboratory Center in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. We included a total of 80 subjects in this study, of which 40 (20 males and 20 females) had severe hypercholesterolemia, and 40 apparently healthy volunteers (21 males and 19 females) had normocholesterolemia, served as a control group. We used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique to determine the polymorphisms of the LDLR-Ava II and APOB-Xba I genes. Results In those with severe hypercholesterolemia, the observed allele frequencies were AA LDLR-Ava II polymorphism (eight, 20%) followed by TT APOB-Xba I polymorphisms (six, 15%), whereas these frequencies were five (12.5%) and one (2.5%) in those with normocholesterolemia, respectively. The AA genotype group had considerably higher cholesterol and LDL-C levels compared with the GG genotype group. A similar pattern was observed when comparing the TT and CC genotype groups. Conclusions Our results showed a high frequency of AA LDLR-Ava II polymorphism in conjunction with TT APOB-Xba I polymorphism which may be strongly associated with hypercholesterolemia in the Kurdish population.

Zinc Status in Kurdish Adults With Hair Loss.

Zinc is an essential element for hair growth and may act as a strong inhibitor in accelerating follicle regression, besides being an accelerator for the recovery of the hair follicle.This study investigated the status of zinc in Kurdish adults with hair loss and its relation with each of the four types of hair loss. We investigated the zinc status of a sample of Kurdish adults with hair loss who attended the Dermatology Outpatient Clinics at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. We included a total of 200 subjects in this study, of which 125 had hair loss with a diagnosis of alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium, and 75 were sex- and age-matched apparently healthy subjects without hair fall as a control group. Serum samples were used to measure zinc by colorimetric technique. In participants with hair loss, we found significantly lower serum zinc levels (p=0.002) compared with the control group. The telogen effluvium group had the lowest mean serum zinc level (p=0.006) and higher odds ratio compared with other hair loss groups (4.61). Overall, severe zinc deficiency was found in 12 (9.6%) subjects with hair loss, whereas none of the controls had severe zinc deficiency. Mild-to-moderate zinc deficiency was observed in 43 (34.4%) subjects with hair loss compared to one (1.3%) in the control group. Conclusions: Our results showed that lower zinc status is linked to hair loss, especially alopecia areata and telogen effluvium in the Kurdish population.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus and its determining factors in a Kurdish population: insights from a cohort study in western Iran

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most widespread non-communicable diseases and poses a substantial global health challenge. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of DM and its nutritional, anthropometric, laboratory, demographic, and behavioral determinants, as well as comorbidities, within a Kurdish population residing in western Iran. This research was conducted in the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study, followed 9170 participants aged 35–65 years, for an average ± SD of 7.11 ± 1.26 years, from 2015 until 2023. A hierarchical Cox regression model was used to estimates the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). The incidence of DM was 4.45 (95% CI 3.96, 4.99) per 1000 person-years. We found several significant predictors for DM incidence, including prediabetes, comorbidity, urban residence, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the interaction between gender and body mass index (BMI). Prediabetes emerged as the strongest predictor of DM incidence, with a hazard ratio of 10.13 (CI 7.84, 13.09). Additionally, having two diseases (HR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.44, 3.29) or three and more diseases (HR = 3.17; 95% CI 2.06, 4.90) increased the risk of developing DM. Also, the hazard ratios for the effects of gender on DM incidence in the normal, overweight, and obese BMI groups were 0.24, 0.81, and 1.01, respectively. The presence of prediabetes and obesity serve as the crucial indicators for the onset of DM, emphasizing the pressing need for interventions to prevent DM in these circumstances. Furthermore, there are notable disparities between urban and rural populations in this study, warranting further investigations to ascertain the underlying causes of such variations.

Breast Cancer High-Penetrance Genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations Using Next-Generation Sequencing Among Iraqi Kurdish Women.

Background BRCA1andBRCA2genesare the main high-penetrance genes that are responsible for most cases of inherited breast cancer. The present study aimed to detect the frequencies of inherited breast cancer caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among Kurdish breast cancer patients, including all the exome of these two genes, using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Methodology Seventy women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and registered at Nanakali Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, were included. Blood samples were collected for molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) targeting all exomes of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. All exome regions are sequenced by NGS using the Miseq system (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). Obtained data were visualized using Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV 2.3 Software, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA). Data were interpreted based on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Clinically Relevant Variation (ClinVar) archives, and other databases. Results Among 70 samples, more than forty-two variants have been detected, 20 on BRCA1 and 22 on BRCA2. Regarding clinical significance, six (14.28%) variants were pathogenic, four of them on theBRCA1 gene, which were: c.3607C>T, c.3544C>T, c.68_69del, and c.224_227delAAAG, and two pathogenic variants were on BRCA2 gene: c.100G>T, and c.1813delA. Also, two (4.76%) variants were conflict interpretations of pathogenicity, one (2.38%) was a variant of uncertain significant VUS, and the rest 29 (69%) variants were benign.In addition, four new variants (three in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2 gene), never previously reported, were identified. Conclusions In conclusion, analyzing the BRCA1/2 genes provide a better prediction for the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. Variant types and frequencies differ among different populations and ethnicities, the common mutations worldwide may not be prevalent in the Kurdish population. The current research findings will be useful for future screening studies of these two genes in the Kurdish population.

Histopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Malignant Breast Tumors in the Kurdish Population During 2019 - 2021

Background: Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by multiple tumor types with distinct tissue patterns, biological characteristics, and clinical behaviors. Given the critical role of histopathological and molecular characteristics in the treatment and management of breast cancer. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the histopathological characteristics of malignant breast masses in the city of Sanandaj from 2019 to 2021. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, out of 1,631 pathology reports from breast tissue samples collected in Sanandaj, a city in northwest Iran, between 2019 and 2021, 597 (36%) malignant cases were examined for their pathological type and molecular characteristics. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26 software, employing chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 49.7 ± 11.9 years. The most prevalent molecular subtype was luminal A (56.4%), followed by triple-negative (16.7%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive/enriched (14.1%), and luminal B (14%). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the predominant histological type, accounting for 82.7% of cases, followed by lobular invasive carcinoma (8.2%). Papillary carcinoma accounted for 5.9% of cases, metaplastic carcinoma for 1.8%, and mucinous carcinoma for 1.3%. Higher grades at the time of diagnosis were associated with the metaplastic subtype (P &lt; 0.001). The only biomarker that showed a significant association with pathological types of breast cancer was Ki-67. The percentage of cases positive for Ki-67 was higher in three types of breast cancer: Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, metaplastic, and papillary (intraductal) carcinoma, compared to the other types (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: According to our data, infiltrating ductal and lobular carcinoma are the most prevalent pathological types, and luminal A is the most common molecular subtype among Kurdish women in Iran. It is recommended that future studies examine patient survival based on the pathological and molecular types of tumors, including the evaluation of additional biomarkers. Furthermore, comparing these results with those from other ethnic groups could provide valuable insights into the impact of ethnicity on breast cancer characteristics and outcomes.

Examining Color Recognition in the Kurdish Language: A Sociolinguistic Perspective

This study employs a cross-sectional research design to explore color recognition among Kurdish participants, encompassing individuals from various age and education groups. The research aims to investigate patterns of color perception across demographic segments within the Kurdish population. Participants were selected from four distinct groups: elementary school graduates (elderly), high school students, university students, and university graduates. The study involved presenting participants with a list of color names in Kurdish and recording their responses to assess color recognition. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages, were utilized to analyze the data and identify trends in color perception. The total number of participants in the study was 274. Findings indicate a high level of familiarity with basic colors such as black, white, red, green, yellow, and blue across all participant groups, with recognition rates ranging from 85% to 96%. However, less common colors, including gray, orange, pink, and purple, showed varying levels of recognition among different participant groups. Gray was relatively better recognized compared to other less common colors, with recognition rates ranging from 8.93% to 15%, suggesting potential differences in exposure to color terminology among different age and education groups.

Multi-scalar and diasporic integration: Kurdish populations in Europe between state, diaspora and geopolitics

Abstract This article challenges both methodological nationalist and decolonial approaches to ‘integration’ by drawing attention to how transnational factors—including trans-state diaspora networks and geopolitical relations between European states and Kurdish ‘homelands’—have direct impacts on the integration trajectories of newly arrived Kurdish displaced populations in Europe. Based on over 200 interviews with Kurdish immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers across seventeen sites in rural and urban regions in six European countries, our research suggests the need to move beyond local and national-level understandings of integration to one which is also transnational, diasporic, and multi-scalar, taking account of the enduring effects of homeland politics on integration determinants. Such a model of integration does not throw out the concept, but recognizes both the protective and empowering role that local and national policies can play in enabling refugee and diaspora populations to function autonomously in a broader transnational and global context.

Dental caries prevalence in relation to the cardiovascular diseases: cross-sectional findings from the Iranian kurdish population.

Oral and dental health (ODH) is a significant public health concern globally, affecting billions of people. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the prevalence of dental caries using the DMFT index and investigate its relationship with cardiovascular diseases in the Iranian Kurdish population. A total of 3,996 individuals aged 35-70 years were included from the Dehgolan prospective cohort study (DehPCS). Clinical examinations were performed to assess decayed (DT), missing (MT) and filled (FT) teeth (DMFT index). Data on demographics, socioeconomic status, medical history, oral hygiene practices were also collected. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) history was self-reported via questionnaires assessing heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between oral health indicators and self-reported CVD, adjusting for potential confounders. The mean DMFT score was 18.18 ± 19, indicating a high oral disease burden. Specifically, 60.04% had DT, 37.82% had more than 16 MT, and 38.83% had FT. Only 13.21% reported flossing regularly and 43.17% brushed less than daily, showing suboptimal oral hygiene. The overall CVD prevalence was 9.21%. Individuals with high DMFT (≥ 14) scores had approximately two times higher CVD prevalence than those with low DMFT. DMFT decreased by 10.23% with increase in education level, and by 5.87% as economic status increased In adjusted analyses, high DMFT scores (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.2-1.9) and MT (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1-2.1) were associated with 50-150% increased odds of CVD, though associations weakened after adjusting for age. Among men, DMFT remained a significant predictor for CVD after age adjustment, with an odds ratio of 2.37 (95% CI: 1.22-4.60). This population had substantial oral disease and poor oral hygiene. Higher DMFT scores and MT positively correlated with increased CVD prevalence. Promoting preventive oral care and health education could help reduce dental issues and potentially lower CVD risk. Further research is needed to clarify biological mechanisms linking oral and systemic health.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Forensic Parameters of Thirteen X-Chromosome Markers in the Iraqi Kurdish Population.

X-chromosome short tandem repeat (X-STR) tools are crucial in forensic genetics and human population fields. This study presents the development and validation of a multiplex STR system consisting of thirteen X-STR loci and amelogenin specific to the human X chromosome. The system was optimized and tested for species specificity, sensitivity, stability, and DNA mixture using 9947A female and 9948 male control genomic DNA. The amplified products of nine loci were sequenced to determine the correct amplicon length. Allele frequencies, forensic parameters, mean exclusion chance (MEC), linkage disequilibrium (LD), and allelic patterns were investigated using DNA samples from 225 (159 male, 66 female) unrelated Kurdish individuals who live in Sulaymaniyah province in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The most informative locus in the Kurdish population was GATA172D05, while the least informative locus was DXS10164. The results demonstrated that the 13 X-STR system is highly polymorphic and sensitive for forensic DNA identification. Genetic distance-based clustering, metric multidimensional scaling (MDS), and correlation matrix were analyzed for 19 ethnic groups and populations. The phylogenetic tree showed that populations clustered according to their ethnogeographic relationships. The findings revealed genetic links between the Iraqi Kurds, Caucasians, Iraqi Arabs, United States (U.S.) ethnic groups, and Chinese populations.

Premarital Screening is Pivotal in Reducing the Births of Babies Affected with Thalassemia Major in Iraq

Thalassemia major is one of the health problems in Iraq, especially in Kurdistan. Pre-marriage mandatory preventive screening program was established in Kurdistan in 2008, which allowed us to study the prevalence of different hemoglobinopathies among newly married young adults in this region. A total of 1154 subjects (577 couples) attending the Koya district, premarital Health center, were screened using red cell indices. Those who had mean corpuscular volume (MCV)<80 fl and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)<27 pg had high-performance liquid chromatography and iron studies. Out of 1154 individuals that were evaluated, 183 (11.9%) had low MCV and MCH. Of the former 183 subjects, 69 (5.97%) had β-thalassemia trait, 10 (0.86%) had δβ-thalassemia trait, and no other hemoglobinopathies were recorded in our study. There was second-degree consanguinity in 4.7% of all 577 couples. In two couples, both partners had β-thalassemia trait and both were consanguineous. Both couples decided to separate after counseling. Based on the current study, the role of the premarital screening program in decreasing the number of new thalassemia major cases among the Kurdish population is laudable. Therefore, mandatory premarital screening is advised in all parts of Iraq.

Cephalometric Assessment of Skeletal Class II Malocclusion in a Sample of Kurdish Population in Sulaimani City (Retrospective Study)

Objective: This retrospective comparative cephalometric study aims to identify the cephalometric features of skeletal class IImalocclusion in a sample of the Kurdish population, the result of this study willl be useful in diagnosing and treating orthodontic andjaw surgery.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 85 pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs with skeletal class II malocclusion (ANB&gt;=4) and 81 withskeletal class I malocclusion (1=&lt;ANB&lt;4) were obtained from the pre-orthodontic patient records in a private orthodontic clinic inSulaimani city. The patients were between 18 and 35 years old. The lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed digitally usingFACAD cephalometric software. Twenty-two variables were measured from each cephalometric radiograph. The correlation betweenClass I and II was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney Test.&#x0D; Results: The result showed that the values of SNA, ANB, Y-axis, Convexity angle, Gonial angle, Intermaxillary angle, facial angleand FMA, posterior cranial base, effective maxillary length, LAFH were higher in skeletal Class II than in Class I cases, which indicatesthat skeletal class II Kurdish population have more vertical mandibular growth and prognathic maxilla, retrognathic mandible, andlonger face than class I. Meanwhile, SNB, Mandibular length, TFH, UAFH, Maxillary length, UI-Palatal plane angle, IMPA, andeffective mandibular length values were lower and the difference was statistically significant in the majority of cases.This illustratesthat the incisors are more proclined in class I than skeletal class II, whereas the mandible is shorter in skeletal class II patients. Theseresults summarize the characteristic features of skeletal class II patients in a sample of the Kurdish population in Sulaimani City, whichare caused by etiological factors (genetic, congenital). This information is useful for enabling orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeonsto attain a diagnosis and treatment plan for skeletal class II patients in a shorter period.&#x0D; Conclusions: Skeletal class II malocclusion in the Kurdish population is characterized by a prognathic but short maxilla, retrognathic,short, backward, and downward rotated mandible, and a prominent chin.

The Association Between the 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 2A Gene Variants rs6311 and rs6313 and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Iranian Kurdish Population.

Introduction: Sleep is one of the most significant parts of everyone's life. Most people sleep for about one-third of their lives. Sleep disorders negatively impact the quality of life. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe sleep disorder that significantly impacts the patient's life and their family members. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between rs6313 and rs6311 polymorphisms in the serotonin receptor type 2A gene and OSA in the Kurdish population. Materials and Methods: The study's population comprises 100 OSAsufferers and 100 healthy people. Polysomnography diagnostic tests were done on both the patient and control groups. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to investigate the relationship between OSAand LEPR gene polymorphisms. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between genotype frequencies of patient and control groups of rs6311 with OSAin dominant [odds ratio (OR) = 5.203, p < 0.001) and codominant models (OR = 9.7, p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant relationship between genotype frequencies of patient and control groups of rs6313 with OSAin dominant (OR = 10.565, p < 0.001) and codominant models (OR = 5.938, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings from the study demonstrated that the two polymorphisms rs6311 and rs6313 could be effective at causing OSA; however, there was no correlation between the severity of the disease and either of the two polymorphisms.

E-selectin is associated with stable angina and myocardial infarction in a sample of Kurdish population.

Endothelial dysfunction is the main factor that causes the onset of CAD. Leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium of the active blood artery wall has been demonstrated to be one of the early indicators of arteriosclerosis. This process is regulated by selectins. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the relationship between the polymorphisms in the E-selectin gene that have been linked to ischemic heart disease. We looked at the functional impact of the E-selectin gene polymorphism 7170G>C in Iraqi patients with IHD. This study was conducted on 200 participants who were admitted to the surgical specialty hospital-cardiac center in Erbil City, Iraq between October 2021 and May 2022. Based on the outcomes of the clinical examination, laboratory tests, coronary angiography (COA), acute myocardial infarction (MI) type ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stable angina pectoris (SAP), and healthy control groups were tested. Each sample was subjected to Sanger sequencing. The polymorphism was significantly linked to stable angina and myocardial infarction Genotype CC was higher in SAP when compared with MI and control groups which was statistically significant with (p-value<0.05). A higher proportion of C allele was observed in SAP patients (15.7%) which was significantly higher than MI (14.58%) and control (10.8%). The statistical chi-square analysis for allele G frequency showed insignificant differences (p-value>0.05) between patients and the control group. Genetic variation in E-selectin such as polymorphism in nucleotide 7170 G>C at exon 4 region can significantly affect the outcome of cardiovascular diseases.

Mandibular canal assessment in dentate and edentulous ridges of 400 Iraqi Arab and Kurdish populations using cone beam computed tomography

ObjectivesThis study aims to compare differences in mandibular canal (MC) location between dentate and edentulous ridges, in the second premolar region as well as the first, second, and third molar regions using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of Arabic and Kurdish Iraqi populations. Materials and MethodsCBCT images of 400 subjects (200 Arabs, 200 Kurds) were collected from radiological archives. RadiAnt DICOM software (Medixant, Poland) was used for image analyses. Measurements were performed from MC to buccal and lingual alveolar crests and to buccal, lingual, and inferior aspect of the mandible for both dentate and edentulous ridges. Additionally, distance to the most superior aspect of residual edentulous ridge were performed. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test were performed utilising SPSS v.26. ResultsDistances from MC to buccal and lingual alveolar crests were consistently lower in edentulous ridge compared to dentate ridge across all teeth regions. Distances to lingual and inferior border of the mandible were higher in edentulous ridge compared to dentate ridge of all teeth regions. Distances to buccal surface of the mandible varies with fluctuations of dentate and edentulous ridges displaying higher measurements. Distance to superior aspect of residual edentulous ridge revealed mean values in the range of 13.45 to 15.69 mm in Arabs and 13.96 to 16.37 mm in Kurds. ConclusionsDiscrepancy in vertical position of MC was observed between dentate and edentulous ridges within Arab and Kurd populations. Horizontal position of MC was unaffected by tooth loss and found to be closer to lingual surface of all molars. The residual alveolar ridge was sufficient to accommodate the common length and width of dental implants. Clinical significanceThe findings could play a crucial role in planning surgical interventions of the mandible, helping to prevent complications that might arise due to inadequate preoperative assessments.