AIM Absolute and relative quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by the use of two mathematical models were applied in order to study the expression of tst gene encoding the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS AND RESULTS Thirteen epidemic MRSA belonging to different clones and carryi...

A variety of factors that influence real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR results were examined. Realtime reaction volumes can be decreased from the manufacturers suggested volumes (50μl) to as little as 5μl. Errors introduced through volume handlings can be significantly mitigated through the use of electronic pipettes. Random hexamers are compared against the use of a specific reverse tran...

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a known and serious condition for the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study evaluated the prevalence of EBV in umbilical cord samples of healthy pregnant women in Baghdad, Iraq.  Methods: 800 umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples were collected from healthy pregnant women. The ...

systemic lupus erythemathosus is an autoimmune disease that affected many various types of tissues in 10% of world population and over 30 genes has associated with it. nouroimmunoendocrynology concepts have shown that immune system could be affected by neuron system and vice versa, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor a (5ht3ra) was studied as a main receptor in these relations. in this study, peripher...

background:breast cancer remains the most common and second lethal cancer in females. her-2/neu is one of the most important amplified oncogene in breast cancer. the amplification of her-2 is correlated with decreased survival, metastasis, and early recurrence.  the amplification of her-2/neu gene and synthesis of the protein are reported in 10%-34% of breast cancer cases associated with tumor ...