Background Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin conditions; its prevalence ranges from 1 to 3%. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine that enhances inflammation, is overexpressed in synovium and skin plaques in psoriasis. TNF-α plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. IL-10 is the most crucial cytokine for reducing excessive immune responses and decreasing pro-inflammatory reactions in all autoimmune disorders. Objective To evaluate the effect of Apremilast on ILـ10, TNFـα, and BMI in obese psoriatic patients. Methods Thirty patients included in this investigative study to measure the concentrations of TNFـα, ILـ10 and BMI, before and after receiving Apremilast. TNFـα and ILـ10 were examined by ELISA technique. Results The present work found that the concentration of TNF-α before receiving Apremilast was 286.80 pg/ml, and after six months from baseline, it was reduced to 131.08 pg/ml (P<0.01). Also, IL-10 before using Apremilast was 69.28 pg/ml, and after six months of treatment it increased to 112.57 ±7.89, which was statistically significant (P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in BMI (P>0.05). Conclusion Apremilast significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, leading to improvement in psoriasis lesions. It also reduced Body Mass Index in obese psoriatic patients.
Objective: To assess knowledge of pregnant women concerning prenatal care who attend primary health care
center in Baghdad city.
Methodology: A descriptive analytic study carried on (100) pregnant women who attend primary health care
centers in Baghdad city (50) of them from Al- Sheik Omer primary health care center \Resafa sector .and 50 from
Belat Al-Shuhadaa/ Al Karch sector, during the period from April to November 2011. The data were collected
through interview and use questionnaire format. Validity and Reliability of the questionnaire were determined
through panel of experts and pilot study, data were analysed through the application of descriptive statistical
analysis and inferential statistical analysis.
R
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a widespread, yet often overlooked, parasitic disease caused by the Leishmania protozoan, which is prevalent in numerous countries, including Iraq. This condition is marked by the appearance of skin lesions on various exposed areas of the body. In most old-world regions, sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is the classical widely used drug to treat CL. The progression of skin ulceration is controlled by different inflammatory modulators including cytokines and enzymes. In this study, the possible role of the enzyme Matrix metalloproteinase9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor Metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) as immunological markers was evaluated in CL patients suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis before and aft
... Show MoreFeed Forward Back Propagation artificial neural network (ANN) model utilizing the MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox is designed for the prediction of surface roughness of Duplex Stainless Steel during orthogonal turning with uncoated carbide insert tool. Turning experiments were performed at various process conditions (feed rate, cutting speed, and cutting depth). Utilizing the Taguchi experimental design method, an optimum ANN architecture with the Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm was obtained. Parametric research was performed with the optimized ANN architecture to report the impact of every turning parameter on the roughness of the surface. The results suggested that machining at a cutting speed of 355 rpm with a feed rate of 0.07 m
... Show MoreThe aim of this research sought to assess the background radiati on levels of medicinal plant samples in Iraq.The D, AED, and ELCRThe D values are 0.164 ± 0.006 µSv/h.The radiation dose outputs from the afore mentioned research were juxtaposed with the safety threshold of 0.247 µSv/h set by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 2008 and the National Council on Radiation Pr otection and Measurements (NCRP) in 2009.The radiation exposure for all samples in this investigation is within the permissible limits.Additionally, t he AED values obtained from microsieverts per hour are (1.31 ±0.0326 mS v/y), indicating variability, with a maximum permissible limit of 2.4 mSv/y ear, as per t
... Show MoreThe present study aimed to assess the potential impact of serum concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (the active form of osteocalcin) and fibroblast growth factor-23 on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetics with carotid artery calcification and the possible association with metabolic changes in relation to glucose and minerals homeostasis.
This study included 52 men with carotid artery calcification type 2 diabetes mellitus. These patients were categorized; as follows: group A includes 30 patients who had cardiovascular disease and group B includes 22 patients who had no cardiovascular disease. These groups were compared with 25 apparently healthy control (Group C).
It has been shown
... Show MoreBackground: Glass ionomers have good biocompatibility and the ability to adhere to both enamel and dentin. However, they have certain demerits, mainly low tensile and compressive strengths. Therefore, this study was done to assess consistency and compressive strength of glass ionomer reinforced by different amount of hydroxyapatite. Materials and Methods: In this study hydroxyapatite materials were added to glass ionomer cement at different ratios, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% (by weight). The standard consistency test described in America dental association (ADA) specification No. 8 was used, so that all new base materials could be conveniently mixed and the results would be of comparable value and the compressive strength test described by
... Show MoreThis study aimed to show the extent of compliance with the income taxpayer to provide tax returns and increase the speed of collection of these taxes in addition to increasing confidence in Income Tax department and reduce the number of cases transferred to the courts and promote taxpayer awareness in charge of the importance of self-assessment system, and study sought to investigate the effect of the existence of records documents, technical audit, and computational audit and documentary audit on income tax collections in Jordan, from the point of viewof Jordanian income tax auditors ,results shows there's a strong relation between these variables and Income Tax collections.
The success of any institution must be based on means to protect its resources and assets from the waste, loss, misuse and the availability of accurate and reliable data by accounting reports to increase its operational efficiency, namely, that the internal control system is considered as a safety valve for top management in any economic unit. The problem is represented by the need for an efficient system, so to ensure its success, there must exist external parties which monitor and evaluate the performance because of its importance by following clear criteria. So, the research problem came to address performance evaluation indicators which are set by the Federal Board of Supreme Audit (FBSA) and identify the extent of its contribution t
... Show MoreIntroduction & Aim: Long-term diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to have a deleterious impact on bone health, resulting in change in bone mineral density, bone turnover, and bone quality, all of which increase the risk of fractures. The aim of. this study was to link immunological and pro-inflammatory cytokine (I.L-6, I.L-1, and TNF-alpha) markers in patients.with type 1 diabetes to Their connection to bones formation (sPINP) and bone resorption parameters (sCTX). Materials & Methods: This study included 80 patients suffering from T1DM in the age range of 20-45 years. The patients were assayed for their biochemical (Vitamin D and HbA1c), Immunological (IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-alpha) parameters, as well as bone formation and resor
... Show More