Hawler Medical University (Kurdish: Zankoy Hewlêrî Pizîşkî / زانكۆی ههولێری پزیشكی) is located in Erbil, capital of the Arbil Governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan .Hawler Medical UniversityHawler Medical University is an Iraqi Kurdistan Region public university located in Erbil. It was established in 2005 by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government's Council of Ministers. The university was founded to house the medical group colleges that were previously part of the Salahaddin University-Erbil. The overall goal of Hawler Medical University's formation was to strengthen medical education in the Kurdistan region, as well as to have better and more effective college management. Hawler Medical University, Iraq's first medical group of a university, offers undergraduate and postgraduate education in a variety of medical and health fields. The university currently encompasses five colleges: College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and College of Health Sciences, in addition to a Center for Medical Researches. It has two main campuses, both of them are in Erbil.1. The University AdministrationThe University Council is the university's highest decision-making body. The university's council meets on a regular basis to debate the university's overall strategy and aims, make decisions on topics under its jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The University Council sessions are led by the president of the university.President: Prof. Dr. Nooraddin Ismail Alla WerdiVice President for Scientific Affairs: Asst. Prof. Dr. Nazar P. ShabilaVice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs: Asst. Prof. Dr. Kamaran Younis M. AminVice President for Students Affairs: Asst. Prof. Dr. Hawri M. Baker2. Colleges of Hawler Medical University2.1 College of MedicineHawler Medical University's College of Medicine is the oldest medical school in Iraq's Kurdistan region. It began as a part of Sulaimaniyah University in 1977, and in 1981, it became one of Salahaddin University's colleges. In 2005, Hawler Medical University took over the administration of the College. The College of Medicine is composed of the following departments:Department of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyDepartment of PsychiatryDepartment of PediatricsDepartment of SurgeryDepartment of Basic SciencesDepartment of Community Medicine2.2 College of DentistryCollege of Dentistry was established in 1995 at Salahaddin University-Erbil. After that, its management changed to Hawler Medical University in 2005. The college has seven departments: Department of Conservative DentistryDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryDepartment of PeriodontologyDepartment of Pedodontics, Orthodontics and PreventiveDentistry (POP)Department of ProsthodonticsDepartment of Basic SciencesDepartment of Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine2.3 College of Pharmacy The College of Pharmacy was the first pharmacy school founded in Iraq's Kurdistan region. The university of Salahaddin-Erbil established the college in 1997. After that, the management is changed to Hawler Medical University. The college has five departments:Department of PharmacognosyDepartment of Pharmaceutical ChemistryDepartment of PharmacologyDepartment of PhrmaceuticsDepartment of Clinical Analysis2.4 College of Nursing This college was established in 2002 and currently it has two departments:Department of NursingDepartment of Midwifery2.5 College of Health Sciences The College of Health Sciences' mission is to educate and develop highly competent and trained medical laboratory technologists for use in the healthcare system. College of Health Sciences, which was formed in 2012. Currently it has three departments and two additional department are planned to be opened for students in 2022-2023. Department of Medical MicrobiologyDepartment of Clinical BiochemistryDepartment of Physiotherapy3. The centers of Hawler Medical University3.1 Medical Research CenterHawler Medical University's Medical Research Center was established in 2008. The Medical Research Center is a non-profit government organization. The center aspires to be a ground-breaking research facility in Erbil and the Kurdistan region.3.2 Career Development CenterThe HMU Career Development Center will work to develop talented and active students as well as engage them with the private sector in order to increase their prospects of finding work in future. 3.3 Women's Health CenterThe Center for Research and Education in Women's Health (CREWH) was founded as a product of a US embassy-funded IREX initiative in partnership with the State University of New York at Albany.3.4 Pedagogy CenterThe goal of this center is to boost faculty research capabilities. Increasing the effectiveness of educational methods. Improving the faculty's information and communication technology (ICT). Develop Current assessment instruments and strategies for their usage. And to create an environment that is conducive to e-learning and blended learning.4. Admission Local high school graduates can apply to Hawler Medical University’s Bachelor degree through Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Online Central Student Board Application System (AKA Zankoline). Zankoline website accept application at the end of each academic year. International students are advised to contact admission office before their application at info@hmu.edu.krd. 5. Libraries There are six libraries that serves books and post graduate thesis and dissertations across Hawler Medical University’s two campuses, those are:Library of the College of MedicineLibrary of the College of DentistryLibrary of the College of PharmacyLibrary of the College of NursingLibrary of the College of Health SciencesLibrary of the Medical Research Center 6. Scientific Journals Hawler Medical University is issues of journals are:Zanco Journal of Medical SciencesErbil Dental JournalErbil Journal of Nursing and MidwiferyReference:https://hmu.edu.edu.krd/.
Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic diseases and promoting well-being, yet data on women’s activity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of physical activity, leisure-time exercise, and sedentary behavior among a sample of women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from November 7, 2022, to February 22, 2023. Participants completed a validated Kurdish translation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity domains and sedentary time. Overall, 31.5
Point-of-care testing demands analytical platforms that are not only sensitive and reliable but also facile, cost-effective, and suitable for decentralized use. In this study, we report the development of a novel ratiometric fluorescent nanosensor based on green-synthesized blue-emissive carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for the quantification of tetracycline (TC) in pharmaceutical formulations. The dual-emission system exhibits a distinct fluorescence response upon interaction with TC, characterized by quenching of the native blue emission and simultaneous enhancement of green-yellow fluorescence. This modulation arises from competitive absorption between TC and CQDs, as well as aggregation-induced emission (AIE), which significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing background interference. The probe’s performance was evaluated using both conventional spectrofluorometry and a smartphone-assisted visual detection platform, enabling portable and user-friendly on-site analysis. The method demonstrated excellent linearity over a concentration range of 18.0–550.0 µM (R2 = 0.9926), with a detection limit as low as 8.0 µM, indicating high sensitivity and reliability. Practical applicability was validated through accurate and precise detection of TC in pharmaceutical formulations such as commercial capsules and ointments. Furthermore, the environmental sustainability and applicability of the proposed method were rigorously assessed using the Analytical GREEnness (AGREE), the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), modified complex GAPI, Click Analytical Chemistry Index (CACI) metrics, blue applicability grade index (BAGI), Carbon footprint reduction index (CaFRI), and the Analytical Eco-Scale, all of which confirmed its strong alignment with green analytical chemistry principles and applicability. Overall, this work introduces a sustainable, dual-emission CQD-based sensing platform integrated with smartphone technology as a promising tool for rapid, accessible, and eco-friendly pharmaceutical analysis.
Colon cancer remains a leading global health challenge driven by substantial molecular heterogeneity, complex carcinogenic pathways, and the persistent emergence of therapeutic resistance. This review provides a comprehensive and integrative synthesis of contemporary treatment strategies spanning conventional chemotherapy, molecularly targeted agents, and immunotherapy while contextualizing them within the biological mechanisms that shape therapeutic response. We dissect the mechanistic underpinnings and clinical performance of foundational regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and CAPOX, and analyze how key driver alterations, including RAS/RAF mutations, HER2 amplification, MSI/MMR status, and VEGF-mediated angiogenesis, influence disease progression and therapeutic selection. In addition, we analyze shared resistance pathways and the mechanistic rationale supporting rational combination strategies, including BRAF/EGFR/MEK blockade, HER2-directed dual targeting, and PD-1/PD-L1-based combinations aimed at overcoming immune exclusion in MSS tumors. Emerging advances such as KRAS G12C inhibitors, multi-kinase angiogenesis modulators, antibody-drug conjugates, ribosome biogenesis inhibitors, AI-guided therapeutic algorithms, and ctDNA-based monitoring are also discussed. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical evidence, this review offers a structured framework to better understand current treatment paradigms and future directions in biomarker-driven precision therapy for colon cancer.
Heavy metal contamination in settled urban dust was investigated across industrial, traffic, and residential areas of Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Twenty-five composite dust samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As, Cu, and Zn using ICP-OES. Industrial areas exhibited the highest metal concentrations, particularly Pb and Cd, followed by traffic and residential zones. Health risk assessment revealed that ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway (> 95%), and children experienced approximately 2.5-fold higher total chronic daily intake (CDI_total) than adults. Noncarcinogenic risk analysis indicated that chromium was the dominant contributor to the hazard quotient (HQ), followed by arsenic and lead, with the highest cumulative hazard index observed for children in industrial areas (HI = 0.670). Carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for children exceeded the acceptable threshold (1 × 10-4) in industrial areas, with total cancer risk reaching 3.96 × 10-4. These findings highlight significant dust-mediated health risks, particularly for children, and underscore the need for targeted emission control and public health interventions in rapidly urbanizing cities.
Wheat flour is a staple food with high consumption rates, making it a potential pathway for dietary exposure to heavy metals. This screening-level study evaluated the concentrations of selected heavy metals in commercially available wheat flour marketed in Erbil, northern Iraq, and assessed associated dietary exposure and noncarcinogenic health risks. Twenty wheat flour samples of domestic and imported origin were analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mean concentrations of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) exceeded Codex guideline values in a substantial proportion of samples, whereas nickel (Ni) exceeded commonly referenced benchmark values reported in international risk assessments. Dietary exposure was assessed using estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) approaches for both adult and child populations. For adults, HQ values for individual metals were below unity, and the cumulative HI (HI = 0.598) indicated no significant noncarcinogenic risk. In contrast, higher EDI and HQ values were observed for children, and the cumulative HI (HI = 1.675) exceeded unity, suggesting a potential health concern for younger populations with higher relative intake. These findings highlight the importance of exposure-based risk assessment for staple foods and underscore the need for continued monitoring of wheat flour to protect vulnerable population groups.
