1- F.I.B.M.S. (Fellowship of the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations Degree) in Community
Medicine/Public Health, University of Baghdad/College of Medicine and the Iraqi Ministry of Health, Baghdad,
Iraq, 2008.
2- M.Sc. in Public Health (Community Medicine), University of Mosul, College of Medicine,
Mosul, Iraq, 1993.
3- M.B.Ch.B. (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), University of Mosul, College of Medicine, Mosul, Iraq, 1988.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Statistics and Probability
11
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
miR-153-5p Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Targeting Tumor Suppressor Gene S100A14 Through an Oncogenic Mechanism Hanaa AL-Mahmoodi, Ibtihal Alshamarti, Dian Jamel Salih, Ghazwan Fawzi Ahmed, Qais AL-Ismaeel, Saad Younis Saeed, Khawla Abdalkarim Kasar, Hazhmat Ali Trends in Sciences, 2025 Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of cancer progression. This study investigates the oncogenic role of miRNA-153-5p and its regulatory effects on the tumor suppressor gene S100A14 in pancreatic cancer. The expression levels of miRNA-153-5p and S100A14 were analyzed in 20 pancreatic cancer tissue samples and adjacent normal tissues using quantitative PCR and Western blot techniques. Bioinformatics analysis predicted S100A14 as a direct target of miRNA-153-5p, which was validated via luciferase reporter assays. Functional assays, including migration, invasion, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis analyses, were performed in pancreatic cancer cell lines with miRNA-153-5p overexpression or inhibition. miRNA-153-5p was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines, while S100A14 was downregulated, demonstrating an inverse correlation. Luciferase assays confirmed S100A14 as a direct target of miRNA-153-5p. Functional assays revealed that miRNA-153-5p overexpression enhanced cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while suppressing apoptosis. Conversely, miRNA-153-5p inhibition reduced tumorigenic properties, an effect reversed by S100A14 knockdown. miRNA-153-5p promotes pancreatic cancer progression by targeting the tumor suppressor S100A14. These findings highlight the potential of miRNA-153-5p as a therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer treatment. HIGHLIGHTS miRNA-153-5p is significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer and directly suppresses S100A14. miRNA-153-5p promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while inhibiting apoptosis. Inhibition of miRNA-153-5p restores S100A14 expression and reduces the aggressiveness pancreatic cancer. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Prevalence, determinants and knowledge toward overweight and obesity among grade 7-12 students in Duhok city Kherailah Kh. Bebo, Hoger A. Sadeeq, Musaab S. Abduljabar, Saad, Y. Saeed Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 2025 Background: Overweight and obesity are common illnesses that impact around one billion individuals worldwide, with a higher prevalence among women than males. The study's objectives were to determine the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among students and their knowledge on the subject.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 500 intermediate and high school students (250 boys and 250 girls) in classes 7-12 in Duhok city, between November 12, 2023, and December 6, 2023. Anthropometric measures were taken, and a systematic questionnaire was used to study the risk factors of overweight and obesity, and the related eating habits, attitude, and knowledge.Results: Out of the 500 students, 48% had normal BMI. whereas 15.6% were obese and up to 23% were overweight. Seventy-six percent of students usually eat breakfast, 55.6% eat fast food twice a week, 38.6% use energy drinks, and 66.8% drink fizzy drinks 3-4 times a week. A significant statistical association was observed between students' understanding and their BMI, as well family history of obesity. The BMI of the students is associated with their educational level, but not with that of their parents.Conclusions: About one half of the students have abnormal BMI, and 38.6% were either overweight or obese. They have a variety of bad eating habits that contribute to the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, such eating fast food, snacks, and fizzy beverages.
Screening for Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq Bland Bayar Khaleel, Farsat Saeed Saadi, Farhad Ismail Shahab, Saad Younis Saeed Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 2024 Objective: To determine the prevalence and significant correlates of prediabetes (pre-DM), diabetes mellitus (DM), prehypertension (pre-HT), and hypertension (HT) among adults in all districts of Duhok Governorate through a community-based screening study.Methods: This is a cross-sectional community-based screening study involving 3,000 non-fasting adults not diagnosed as prediabetes or DM and prehypertension or HT conducted in all districts of Duhok Governorate. Random glucose and blood pressure reading according to American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association Guidelines in 2023 will be used in a community-based screening. BMI will be also calculated in the present study as a screening tool.Results: Findings reveal that 18.2% had DM, 14.7% had pre-DM and 41.3% had HT and 11.5% had pre-HT. The study also revealed that nearly two third had increased BMI in which 40.1% were overweight and 24.5% were obese. Among screened subjects 32% were smokers. Around half of screened subjects reported having family history of DM and HT, DM alone (10.8%), HT alone (12.1%) and 28.9% had family history of both DM and HT together. The study also shows that screened male subjects reported higher prevalence of pre-DM, DM, pre-HT and HT than screened female subjects. Older age group of screened subjects tend to have more abnormal blood sugar and blood pressure levels than younger age group.Conclusion: This study has shown a high prevalence of pre-DM, DM, pre-HT and HT among adults in all districts of Duhok Governorate. Significant correlates of pre-DM, DM, pre-HT and HT in this study were age, gender, BMI, smoking and family history.
Status and Trends of Physical Activity Surveillance, Policy, and Research in 164 Countries: Findings From the Global Observatory for Physical Activity—GoPA! 2015 and 2020 Surveys Andrea Ramírez Varela, Pedro C. Hallal, Juliana Mejía Grueso, Željko Pedišić, Deborah Salvo, Anita Nguyen, Bojana Klepac, Adrian Bauman, Katja Siefken, Erica Hinckson, Adewale L. Oyeyemi, Justin Richards, Elena Daniela Salih Khidir, Shigeru Inoue, Shiho Amagasa, Alejandra Jauregui, Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva, I-Min Lee, Melody Ding, Harold W. Kohl, Ulf Ekelund, Gregory W. Heath, Kenneth E. Powell, Charlie Foster, Aamir Raoof Memon, Abdoulaye Doumbia, Abdul Roof Rather, Abdur Razzaque, Adama Diouf, Adriano Akira Hino, Albertino Damasceno, Alem Deksisa Abebe, Alex Antonio Florindo, Alice Mannocci, Altyn Aringazina, Andrea Backović Juričan, Andrea Poffet, Andrew Decelis, Angela Carlin, Angelica Enescu, Angélica María Ochoa Avilés, Anna Kontsevaya, Annamaria Somhegyi, Anne Vuillemin, Asmaa El Hamdouchi, Asse Amangoua Théodore, Bojan Masanovic, Brigid M. Lynch, Catalina Medina, Cecilia del Campo, Chalchisa Abdeta, Changa Moreways, Chathuranga Ranasinghe, Christina Howitt, Christine Cameron, Danijel Jurakić, David Martinez-Gomez, Dawn Tladi, Debrework Tesfaye Diro, Deepti Adlakha, Dušan Mitić, Duško Bjelica, Elżbieta Biernat, Enock M. Chisati, Estelle Victoria Lambert, Ester Cerin, Eun-Young Lee, Eva-Maria Riso, Felicia Cañete Villalba, Felix Assah, Franjo Lovrić, Gerardo A. Araya-Vargas, Giuseppe La Torre, Gloria Isabel Niño Cruz, Gul Baltaci, Haleama Al Sabbah, Hanna Nalecz, Hilde Liisa Nashandi, Hyuntae Park, Inés Revuelta-Sánchez, Jackline Jema Nusurupia, Jaime Leppe Zamora, Jaroslava Kopcakova, Javier Brazo-Sayavera, Jean-Michel Oppert, Jinlei Nie, John C. Spence, John Stewart Bradley, Jorge Mota, Josef Mitáš, Junshi Chen, Kamilah S Hylton, Karel Fromel, Karen Milton, Katja Borodulin, Keita Amadou Moustapha, Kevin Martinez-Folgar, Lara Nasreddine, Lars Breum Christiansen, Laurent Malisoux, Leapetswe Malete, Lorelie C. Grepo-Jalao, Luciana Zaranza Monteiro, Lyutha K. Al Subhi, Maja Dakskobler, Majed Alnaji, Margarita Claramunt Garro, Maria Hagströmer, Marie H. Murphy, Matthew Mclaughlin, Mercedes Rivera-Morales, Mickey Scheinowitz, Mimoza Shkodra, Monika Piątkowska, Moushumi Chaudhury, Naif Ziyad Alrashdi, Nanette Mutrie, Niamh Murphy, Norhayati Haji Ahmad, Nour A. Obeidat, Nubia Yaneth Ruiz Gómez, Nucharapon Liangruenrom, Oscar Díaz Arnesto, Oscar Flores-Flores, Oscar Incarbone, Oyun Chimeddamba, Pascal Bovet, Pedro Magalhães, Pekka Jousilahti, Piyawat Katewongsa, Rafael Alexander Leandro Gómez, Rawan Awni Shihab, Reginald Ocansey, Réka Veress, Richard Marine, Rolando Carrizales-Ramos, Saad Younis Saeed, Said El-Ashker, Samuel Green, Sandra Kasoma, Santiago Beretervide, Se-Sergio Baldew, Selby Nichols, Selina Khoo, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Shifalika Goenka, Shima Gholamalishahi, Soewarta Kosen, Sofie Compernolle, Stefan Paul Enescu, Stevo Popovic, Susan Paudel, Susana Andrade, Sylvia Titze, Tamu Davidson, Theogene Dusingizimana, Thomas E. Dorner, Tracy L. Kolbe-Alexander, Tran Thanh Huong, Vanphanom Sychareun, Vera Jarevska-Simovska, Viliami Kulikefu Puloka, Vincent Onywera, Wanda Wendel-Vos, Yannis Dionyssiotis, Michael Pratt Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2023 Background: Physical activity (PA) surveillance, policy, and research efforts need to be periodically appraised to gain insight into national and global capacities for PA promotion. The aim of this paper was to assess the status and trends in PA surveillance, policy, and research in 164 countries. Methods: We used data from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) 2015 and 2020 surveys. Comprehensive searches were performed for each country to determine the level of development of their PA surveillance, policy, and research, and the findings were verified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. Trends were analyzed based on the data available for both survey years. Results: The global 5-year progress in all 3 indicators was modest, with most countries either improving or staying at the same level. PA surveillance, policy, and research improved or remained at a high level in 48.1%, 40.6%, and 42.1% of the countries, respectively. PA surveillance, policy, and research scores decreased or remained at a low level in 8.3%, 15.8%, and 28.6% of the countries, respectively. The highest capacity for PA promotion was found in Europe, the lowest in Africa and low- and lower-middle-income countries. Although a large percentage of the world’s population benefit from at least some PA policy, surveillance, and research efforts in their countries, 49.6 million people are without PA surveillance, 629.4 million people are without PA policy, and 108.7 million live in countries without any PA research output. A total of 6.3 billion people or 88.2% of the world’s population live in countries where PA promotion capacity should be significantly improved. Conclusion: Despite PA is essential for health, there are large inequalities between countries and world regions in their capacity to promote PA. Coordinated efforts are needed to reduce the inequalities and improve the global capacity for PA promotion.
Clinico-Angiographic Profiles and In-Hospital Outcomes of non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Kurdistan Region of Iraq Ameen M Mohammad, Haval A Issa, Saad Y Saeed Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 2022 Objectives: This work aimed to study the clinical, angiographic profiles and in-hospital outcomes of NSTEMI cases in Duhok, Iraq.
 Methods: This prospective study involved 283 patients with NSTEMI who were admitted to Azadi teaching hospital/Azadi heart center in Duhok, Kurdistan region of Iraq, between 2021 and 2022. The patient's demographic variables, major cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and family history of coronary artery disease), clinical presentation, past history of myocardial infarction/ previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and drug history were collected. The GRACE risk score was calculated for each patient. Patients were followed up regarding the management strategies (whether conservative or invasive approach), and in-hospital complications and outcomes.
 Results: The mean GRACE score was 142±26. 70% of cases underwent coronary angiography/ angioplasty, with a mean time to the coronary intervention of 8 days. 17% of the sample had developed different cardiovascular complications, with heart failure being the most common. The mortality rate was 7.4%.
 Conclusion: The study demonstrated higher complications and mortality rates, especially among patients with higher GRACE scores, compared to rates found in most available studies, particularly in western countries. This finding could be secondary to a suboptimal coronary intervention for NSTEMI in terms of time to intervention and the proportion of patients who underwent it.
Outcomes of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Kurdistan Region of Iraq Ameen M Mohammad, Schivan U Mohammed, Saad Y Saeed Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 2022 Objective: This registry aims to clarify the characteristics and 6-weeks outcomes of patients with STEMI after PPCI in the region.
 Methods: Data from a total of 151 STEMI patients undergoing PPCI at Duhok heart center, Iraq from 2020 to 2021 was collected. Patient’s demographic, clinical and PPCI profiles were recorded. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF%) outcomes for 6 weeks period was registered. 
 Results: Of the 151 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI, 46 (30.4%) were <50 years old. Majority of patients were males and have clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors. 64% of cases attained Cath lab within first hour of initial chest pain. Almost 90% of STEMI cases were treated with stenting with TIMI3 in (94%). 80% of PPCI cases discharged home within 24 hours uneventfully. 6-weeks LVEF was preserved within normal range in 55% of cases. 36% had MACEs including impaired LVEF. All cause-mortality happened in 5%. 4% were Censored from follow up. The predictors of 6-weeks outcomes were depend on type/location of myocardial infarction, the culprit artery, TIMI flow post PCI and length of hospital stay.
 Conclusions: This registry has shown feasibility in doing PPCI with reasonable outcomes in the Region. Networking of capable centers of PPCI in the country is essential for augmenting the cardiac services and sharing the knowledge among cardiologists and people for better STEMI outcomes.
Estimation of apolipoprotein A in early onset ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction Ameen Mosa Mohammad, Ahmed Hasan Yousif, Bayar Ahmed Qasim, Joma Aziz Joma, Saad Younis Saeed Cardiovascular Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2019 Aims The role of apolipoprotein A in early onset ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is not clear. This study sought to assess the apolipoprotein A in cohort of patients diagnosed with early onset acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and to corelate it with major traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Methods A total of 50 such patients and 40 age and sex-matched healthy controls, both aged less than 50 years with their baseline demographic, clinical characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were studied. Apolipoprotein A was estimated for all enrollees. Results The mean age of cases was 43.37 ± 5.85 years. The levels of apolipoprotein A among cases were not significantly lower compared to controls (P = 0.52). They were lower among the male, current smokers and the dyslipidemia (P’s < 0.05). Considering the apolipoprotein A as the dependent factor, the early onset ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was associated significantly with the male and the dyslipidemia in linear regression (P < 0.001 and 0.030), respectively. Conclusion Lower levels of apolipoprotein A are significantly related to conventional risk factors in early onset ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This apolipoprotein A that particularly develops in young patients with clustering of traditional cardiovascular risk factors should be targeted. Further studies are warranted to determine the diagnostic and prognostic indicators of this apolipoprotein in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Dental infections: Clinical and microbiological evaluation of responsiveness to twice daily amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (amoxiclave) Jordan Medical Journal, 2010
Level of physical activity among teaching and support staff in the education sector in Dohuk, Iraq S.Y. Agha, S.A. Al-Dabbagh Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2010 Sedentary lifestyle is a major underlying cause of death, disease, and disability worldwide. This survey in 2006 aimed to estimate the current level of physical activity among 293 school and university teaching staff and 246 support staff working in the education sector in Dohuk city, Iraq. The short form of the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate physical activity. Using the higher IPAQ cutoff point (i.e. high, not moderate, level of activity) the prevalence of physical activity beneficial to health among all participants was 39.5%. Small but nonsignificant differences in physical activity were found among sex, age and BMI categories. Teachers reported significantly higher physical activity levels than support staff, and individuals with longer average sitting times per day reported significantly lower levels of physical activity.
Family planning and unmet need among Iraqi Kurds S.Y. Agha, B.O. Rasheed Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2007 This study in Dohuk district of Kurdistan region, northern Iraq, in 2003 estimated the prevalence of contraceptive use and unmet need, and investigated associated knowledge, attitudes and practices. With multi-stage sampling, 800 married women aged 15-49 years were interviewed. Current prevalence of contraceptive use (any method) among 668 non-pregnant women was 60.6%: use of modern methods was 26.5% and traditional methods was 34.1%. Among all respondents, current unmet need for any contraception was 29.3% (most commonly among women of low socioeconomic status) and that for modern (effective) contraception was 28.5% (most commonly among women of high socioeconomic status). A comprehensive and decentralized family planning programme needs to be implemented in the region.
