Volume 10, Issue (S1): October 2023
Description Volume 10, Special 1
It is with great pleasure that we announce the special issue of our journal, dedicated to showcasing the exceptional contributions of Iraqi authors in the field of life sciences. This special issue is a testament to the vitality of research and the commitment to advancing knowledge in Iraq, despite the challenges faced in recent years.
Iraqi scientists have made substantial contributions to various aspects of life sciences, and this special issue have provided a platform to highlight their important work. The research articles in this issue cover a diverse range of topics within life sciences, including but not limited to biology, biotechnology, genetics, and health sciences. We hope that this collection of articles will not only shed light on the cutting-edge research conducted by Iraqi authors but also foster international collaboration and inspire future generations of scientists.
We extend our gratitude to the authors, reviewers, and our editorial team for their unwavering dedication to this project. We also appreciate the ongoing support of our readers and the global scientific community.
Editorial Note: This issue was published on 20 October 2023 but appeared online, with complete data, on 14 December 2023.
Articles
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Correlation between Pentraxin 3 level and some biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus Iraqi patients
Ali Muhammad Hasan, Hind Salman Jasim, Shatha Hamed Jwaid
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
1. The paper repeatedly and fundamentally misinterprets statistics by using an inverted definition of the p-value (e.g., stating P > 0.01 means "highly significant"). This error invalidates every single claim of statistical significance made in the paper and, consequently, all of the conclusions that are based on them.
2. The inclusion of a completely irrelevant and nonsensical paragraph about premature infants in the results section is a gross error. This, along with a reference in the discussion to a biomarker that was never measured in the study, strongly suggests that the manuscript was carelessly assembled from multiple, unrelated sources. This calls the authenticity and integrity of the entire paper into serious question.
3. The paper contains direct errors in its data reporting, such as using the numerical value for one biomarker while discussing another.
4. The methodology states that consent was obtained from patients "orally." The standard and preferred method for clinical research involving sample collection is written informed consent, making the study's ethical procedure a potential point of weakness.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
Hanan Selman Hessan, Reyam Abdul Khuder Mohammed
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we asses if the reported scientific findings are reliable.
Editorial Note
26 June 2025: Post-publication review of this paper by a member of the editorial board has highlighted significant limitations related to the sample size and the absence of statistical analysis of the reported results. However, as the authors have acknowledged this limitation in the Discussion section, and the previous editorial and peer review process classified this paper as a 'Short Communication', it will remain published. Nonetheless, readers are advised to interpret and use the findings with due consideration of the above comments. The Editorial Expression of Concern is revoked.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Anti-calponin, anti-PCNA immunohistochemical study of the parenchymatous cells in mice parotid salivary glands exposed to dental radiograph
Firas Riyadh Muhammad, Hayder Jawad Kadhim, May. F. M. Al-Habib
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
1. The paper presents results for four experimental sub-groups that are never defined or described in the methods section.
2. The manuscript's reporting of its results is problematic.
- The textual description of the data is filled with statements that are the exact opposite of what the quantitative tables show, indicating a total disconnect between the data and its interpretation.
- The main conclusion about increased cancer risk is not supported by, and is potentially contradicted by, the study's own data for a cell proliferation marker.
3. The data tables report a sample size that is demonstrably false and inconsistent with the total number of animals used in the study.
After a thorough review of the evidence, the Editorial Board has provisionally decided to retract this paper from the scientific record. This action is being considered due to the gravity of the issues identified, which we believe pose a risk to the integrity of the citable scientific literature.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Histological study of the parenchymatous cells in mice parotid salivary glands exposed to dental radiograph
Firas Riyadh Muhammad
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we asses if the reported scientific findings are reliable.
Editorial Note
26 June 2025: Following a detailed post-publication assessment, critical ethical and methodological concerns have been identified in this article. Specifically, the study involved in vivo experimentation on 75 mice without any declaration of institutional ethical approval, and lacked essential methodological details such as radiation dosage, equipment parameters, and quantitative analysis. These deficiencies make the findings scientifically unreliable. A formal process of retracting this article has been initiated based on these post-publication findings. The retraction process will be completed after responses from the authors. Meanwhile, full text of the article shall remain unavailable for citation (this notice has been issued in alignment with COPE guidance and industry best practices). A show cause notice has also been issued to the relevant editorial team member for oversight in the peer-review process.
Retraction Note
23 July 2025: The Editor-in-Chief, upon the recommendation of the Inquiry Team, has retracted this article due to the above mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
Evaluation of the Profile and Treatment Results for Allergic Children
Rana Ali Othman, Thaer Ali Hussein
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we asses if the reported scientific findings are reliable.
Editorial Note
26 June 2025: Following a detailed post-publication review, significant ethical, methodological, and analytical concerns have been identified in this article. Specifically, the study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 422 pediatric patients without any declaration of institutional ethical approval or documentation of informed consent, which constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards for human subject research. In addition, multiple methodological and statistical deficiencies were observed including but not limited to internal contradictions in reported findings (e.g., sex-based prevalence). These deficiencies make the findings scientifically unreliable. A formal retraction process has therefore been initiated in accordance with COPE guidance and established publishing standards. The retraction process will conclude upon receiving responses from the corresponding authors. In the meantime, the full text of the article shall remain inaccessible for citation. A show cause notice has also been issued to the responsible editorial team member for the evident oversight during the peer-review and editorial decision process.
Rescinded: Editorial Expression of Concern
23 July 2025: Editorial expression of concern issued on 20 June 2025 is hereby rescinded on account of authors' following justifications of the found technical shortcomings in light of COPE guidelines. An institutional ethical approval statement has also been provided by the authors to address research ethics concern.
1. Justification for the Retrospective Study Design:
This study was designed as a retrospective analysis because it allowed assessment of a large patient population over an extended period within limited resources. Retrospective studies are valuable for identifying epidemiological trends, clinical features, and treatment responses in real-world settings, especially in specialized units such as pediatric allergy clinics.
Moreover, retrospective data are often the first step before conducting prospective, longitudinal studies to generate hypotheses and detect local patterns.
2. Justification for Limited Generalizability:
We clearly stated that the results are specific to our unit and patient population and may not be generalized broadly. Our unit primarily serves urban and suburban populations, and referral patterns, environmental exposures, and healthcare accessibility likely influence the findings.
However, these results still provide a reliable baseline for future research in similar settings or populations.
3. Justification for Sex and Location Differences:
The observed male predominance (2.1:1 ratio) and higher urban prevalence are consistent with many global studies, particularly in pediatric populations where males are biologically more prone to wheezing illnesses early in life, likely due to anatomical and immunological differences.
Urban predominance may reflect greater exposure to pollution, indoor allergens, viral infections, and differing healthcare-seeking behaviors compared to rural areas.
4. Justification for Feeding Type Analysis:
The analysis of breastfeeding vs. artificial feeding is included because early feeding patterns are frequently studied for their impact on immune system development. While exclusive breastfeeding is generally considered protective, some studies have shown conflicting results in high-risk populations, particularly when strong genetic predisposition or environmental triggers are present. Our findings align with some reports showing no consistent protective effect against asthma in certain populations.
5. Justification for Using Total IgE and Eosinophil Counts:
Total IgE and eosinophil counts are commonly used clinical markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases. While they are not highly specific, elevated levels are often associated with allergic asthma, and their use is justified as part of routine allergy workups, particularly in resource-limited settings where advanced molecular testing is not feasible.
6. Justification for Outcome Classification:
Our classification of active vs. remission state was based on clear, clinically relevant criteria using patient symptoms and medication use. This approach provides a pragmatic method to assess treatment outcomes in real-world clinical settings and is suitable for retrospective studies.
7. Justification for the Role of Environmental Factors and Viral Triggers:
The inclusion of viral infections, cold air, indoor allergens, fumes, foods, puberty, and psychological stress as precipitating factors reflects both the clinical reality and the literature showing that asthma exacerbations often have multiple, overlapping triggers. The statistical analysis helped us identify which factors were associated with active or remission states in our cohort.
8. Justification for Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) as Primary Therapy:
ICS remains the mainstay of asthma management worldwide according to global guidelines (e.g., GINA). Our finding that most patients received ICS aligns with best-practice recommendations, reinforcing the validity of our treatment protocols.
9. Justification for Small Sample in Some Subgroups (e.g., Sulfonamide Reactions):
Some subgroups, such as reactions to specific drugs, had small sample sizes due to their rarity in the pediatric population. Despite small numbers, we presented these results for completeness and transparency.
10. Justification for Limitations:
We openly acknowledged the limitations of our study, including its retrospective nature, sample size, and single-center setting. However, these limitations are inherent to many hospital-based epidemiological studies and do not diminish the value of identifying local clinical patterns.
Bilal Ahmed Thmail, Mohammed Mezher Hussain, Amal Rasheed Farhan
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Correlation between Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated with Lipocaline and Megalin in Type 2 Diabetic patients
Duaa Abdul-Jabbar Dawood, Emad Mohamed Rasheed, Ahmad Saadi Hassan
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we asses if the reported scientific findings are reliable.
Editorial Note
26 June 2025: Post-publication review of this paper by a member of the editorial board has highlighted significant limitations related to the rationale of the methodology, p-value formatting, and language usage. The authors have been requested to make post-publication corrections. Nonetheless, readers are advised to interpret and use the findings with due consideration of the above comments. The Editorial Expression of Concern will be revoked upon completion of the necessary corrections by the authors.
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the above mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
The authors do not agree to this retraction.
Maitham G. Yousif, Fadhil G. Al-Amran, Salman Rawaf, Dhiya Al-Jumeily
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Demographics, Risk Factors, and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Among Patients in the Middle Euphrates Region of Iraq
Maitham G. Yousif, Luma S. Zeiny, Fadhil G. Al-Amran, Alaa M. Sadeq, Salman Rawaf, Dhiya Al-Jumeily
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
1. The manuscript is riddled with direct contradictions in its core data.
- The stated age range of the participants conflicts with the age groups presented in the data tables.
- The total number of smokers reported in the text is significantly different from the sum of the numbers provided in the tables.
- Data for a key risk factor (obesity) is presented with three different conflicting values across the text and within duplicated tables.
- These are fundamental inconsistencies that make the dataset unreliable.
2. The study's analytical methods are either invalid or so poorly explained.
- The paper claims to use "machine learning" to generate predictions but fails to provide any methodological details. The results are presented in a scientifically implausible way, assigning a single outcome to entire, diverse age groups.
- "Statistical probabilities" are presented without any context, making them scientifically unsound and unverifiable.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
Morooj Ali Fahad, Nabaa Ali Jasim, Shahad Nazar Mustafa, Fatima Malallah Mohammed
Value of Serum Inhibin B as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Non-obstructive Azoospermia
Ali A. Abo-Alshaar, Hind Abdulkadim, Walaa Saeb Mejbel, Raghad Hussein Ahmed
Wissam Jabbar Hussein, Hiba Abid Al-Hussein Hassan, Abbas Muhsin Gata
Assessment of Interleukin-10 Levels in Iraqi Diabetic Type 2 Patients Infected with Toxoplasmosis
Sarah Ali Saeed, Israa Kasim Al-Aubaidi
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.
Editorial Note
25 June 2025: Mention of reference values and similar usage sequence of commonly used parts of phrases have been found as major sources of total verbatim similarity (27%). Therefore, it may not be considered as plagiarism. Hence, the Editorial Expression of Concern is revoked.
Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of Linseeds Against Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Line
Dhifaf Zeki Aziz, Maysaa Adil Hadi, Khalida Kadhim Abbas Al-Kelaby, Zahraa Ali Abdullah, Azhar Hamza, Amel Ali Altaee, Hanan Ahmed Hadi AL-Qaraawi
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about quality of figures. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address this.
Editorial Note
24 June 2025: Readers may please see figure 3 with higher DPI given at the end of References section in the PDF version. Expression of concern is hereby revoked.
Muntadher Abdulateef Alhasan, Manal Badi Salih
RETRACTED ARTICLE: HIF-1α and ENPP2 as Biomarkers in Chemotherapy Resistance of Children with Neuroblastoma in south Iraq
Jamal Harbi Hussein Alsaadi, Sama Y. Yousif
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.
Editorial Note
25 June 2025: While rerunning the Turnitin originality analysis, a similarity index of 39% was found for this article. Editorial board of Advancements in Life Sciences has started the process of retracting this article due to the above post-publication findings. The process shall be concluded after registering responses from the authors. Meanwhile, full text of the article shall remain unavailable for citations (this notice has been updated following insights derived from relevant COPE cases and the industry standards). Show of cause notice has also been issued to the concerned editorial team member.
Retraction Note
20 July 2025: The Editor-in-Chief, upon the recommendation of the Inquiry Team, has retracted this article due to plagiarism. An internal audit revealed that several articles, including this one, exhibited a high similarity index without proper disclosure or attribution by the authors. This constitutes a breach of the journal’s editorial policy, and the article is therefore being retracted.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from Placental Tissue and its Effect on Malondialdehyde Levels in Pregnant Women in Al-Anbar Province of Iraq
Ridhab Ajeel Jasim, Saif Subhi Noori, Adeeb Shakir Mahmood, Fatin Zuher Abd Alkareem
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed while doing language improvements.
1. The paper's central conclusion is about the effect of the parasite on Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but the quantitative data—the actual figure and table showing these results—is entirely absent. A study that does not present the data for its primary conclusion is unsubstantiated and scientifically invalid.
2. It describes two different and unconnected groups of participants (one for a blood test, another for a placenta analysis) without explaining how they relate to each other. Furthermore, it reports using an incorrect statistical test (a paired t-test for independent groups), which invalidates any claims of statistical significance.
3. The methodology describes using an impossibly large and incorrect dosage of an antibiotic ("100 grams"), which demonstrates a lack of care and brings the validity of all other reported values into question.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of Vitamin D3 level on the gene expression of Immune checkpoint Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes antigen-4 in Iraqi patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Aseel S. Mahmood, Ahmed Sabah Kadhim, Yasir W. Issa
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.
Editorial Note
24 June 2025: Similar usage sequence of commonly used scientific terms and phrases in funding/acknowledgement sections have been found as major source of total verbatim similarity (25%). Therefore, it may not be considered as plagiarism. Hence, the Editorial Expression of Concern is revoked.
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies.
1. The paper marks key findings as statistically significant when the p-values provided in the very same table are greater than 0.05. This is a direct misrepresentation of the statistical results and amounts to making a false scientific claim.
2. The manuscript has contradictions that make the entire dataset unreliable.
- The total number of patients is stated as 100 in the text but is consistently 55 in the data.
- The number of male and female control subjects is reported with two completely different sets of numbers.
- The paper presents three different, conflicting correlation coefficients for the same primary relationship it is investigating.
It is impossible for a reader to know which, if any, of the reported numbers are correct.
3. The combination of the above errors with a confusing study design, unprofessional typos ("deceptively healthy"), and severe grammatical issues that impede comprehension demonstrates a lack of scholarly rigor.
The authors do not agree to this retraction.
Investigation of the Impact of Environment Friendly Alumina Nanoparticles on Bacterial Activity
Taqwa Gh. Hamad, Taghried Ali Salman
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.
Editorial Note
26 June 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language. Expression of concern is hereby revoked.
Bioaccumulation of Lead and Cadmium in Fresh Local and Imported Frozen Beef Livers
Asawer Abdul Jabbar Al-Salman, Ahmed Mahdi Al-Badri
Jaffar O. Dawood, Ahmed Abu-Raghif
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Single Nucleotide Gene Polymorphism of Toll-Like Receptor 2 to Toxoplasmosis in Recurrent Aborted Women
Mohammed Hassan Aubed, Ghada Basil Ali Alomashi
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
1. The paper's conclusion claims that the studied gene variants play a "risk factor role" in causing abortions. However, the abstract and the actual data tables clearly and repeatedly state that the results were not statistically significant. A non-significant result cannot be interpreted as a risk factor. Therefore, the paper's main conclusion is a direct misrepresentation of its own data and is verifiably false.
2. The unreliability of the study is reinforced by the following critical errors.
- Key numerical data reported in the abstract is incorrect and does not match the results tables.
- Multiple tables contain footnotes that incorrectly define statistical significance (e.g., "significant at P > 0.05"), reversing the standard and universally accepted meaning of statistical testing.
- The number of participants is reported inconsistently throughout the manuscript.
The authors do not agree to this retraction.
Molecular detection and probiotic treatment for bacteria that cause diarrhea
Riyam Mohsen Dakheel Al-Hilali, Hanaa Daaj Khalaf Al-Mozan
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Association of TLR2 and TLR6 gene polymorphism with Trichomoniasis vaginalis Infection
Zainab Waddah Kermasha, Hayam Khalis Al-Masoudi, Suhaila Fadhil Al-Shaikh
Retraction Note
24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.
1. The study claims to have analyzed 40 patients and 30 controls for genetic data. However, the results tables presenting this genetic data account for only 20 patients and 15 controls.
2. The paper's conclusion about the role of one of the studied genes is directly self-contradictory, with different sections making opposite claims.
3. The authors fundamentally misinterpret a key statistical test (the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium test), incorrectly concluding that the data fits the model when the statistics actually show a significant deviation.
The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.
