Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune vesiculobullous mucocutaneous disease with life-threatening consequences. Rituximab (RTX) has recently emerged as an effective treatment for PV. Objectives: This study aims to determine changes in neutrophil and platelet counts for PV patients treated with RTX or corticosteroids combined with Imuran (azathioprine). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Thirty PV patients received two types of treatment: 15 patients were administered RTX and 15 patients took corticosteroids with Imuran (azathioprine). Neutrophil and platelet counts were detected at the hospital laboratory. Results: The age range of PV patients was 27–67 years, and the mean ±SD was 44.866 ± 10.979 years for the patient group treated with RTX and 44.133 ± 11.519 for the patient group treated with corticosteroids and Imuran. In patients treated with RTX, 26.6% were males and 73.33% were females, with a female-to-male ratio of 2.75:1. In patients treated with corticosteroids with Imuran, 40% were males and 60% were females, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1. The results revealed that among patients treated with RTX, 30% of them had mucocutaneous lesions, 6.66% had oral lesions, and 13.33% had cutaneous lesions. Among the other groups treated with corticosteroids and Imuran, 23.33% had mucocutaneous lesions, 13.33% had oral lesions, and 13.33% had cutaneous lesions. Among the patients treated with RTX, 53.33% had normal range of neutrophil count, while 46.6% had neutrophil count above the NR, while in patients treated with corticosteroids and Imuran, 40% had a normal range and 60% had above the normal range. Conclusion: RTX was a more effective treatment compared to corticosteroids with Imuran because no patient remained in an active state during this study. PV was prevalent in females aged 40 years with mucocutaneous lesions.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) has many environmental benefits and it is considered to be a practical alternative to traditional energy generation. The electrical conversion efficiency of such systems is inherently limited due to the relatively high thermal resistance of the PV components. An approach for intensifying electrical and thermal production of air-type photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems via applying a combination of fins and surface zigzags was proposed in this paper. This research study aims to apply three performance enhancers: case B, including internal fins; case C, back surface zigzags; and case D, combinations of fins and surface zigzags; whereas the baseline smooth duct rep
Anatomical changes in internal tissue of stem and leaf when seed and plant treated with acids to enhance growth and development in maize was studied during the spring seasons of 2019 and 2020. Randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Main plots received foliar nutrition treatments, including ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), and humic acid (HA) at concentrations of 100 mg L−1, alongside HA at 1 ml L−1, with distilled water as the control. Sub-plots underwent corresponding treatments for seed soaking. Results indicated variations in vascular bundle size among treatments, with foliar CA treatment showing superior results in both years, as well as seed soaking in CA and HA. Interaction effects were observed, n
... Show MoreTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are generally used in different types of applications such as the industry of plastics, paper industry, paints, toothpaste, cosmetics, sunscreens, and in various lifestyles, because of the vast range of applications and our daily exposure to these nanoparticles and a lack of information on animal and human health this study was designed to reveal dose and time-dependent effects of TiO2-NPs on the thyroid gland and kidney functions in male rats.
For this study 54, Sprague-Dawley albino adult male rats were classified into three main groups each of 18 rats treated for a particular duration (1,2, and 4) weeks respectively. Each group was subdivided i
... Show MoreChitinase-3-like 1 protein (YKL-40) is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the arthritic joint and plays a crucial role in inflammatory processes. The aim of the study is to establish the role of YKL-40 as a biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to proinflammatory biomarkers and disease activity. The study included 58 patients and 18 control. Diseases activity score (DAS-28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were measured. Serum level of YKL-40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1B (IL-1β), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) were assessed. The results showed that the median serum YKL-40 level which was 5.42
... Show MorePerhaps it is of paramount importance for researchers to present grammatical topics with a uniqueness that distinguishes them from everything else that may overlap with them, and a specificity that distances them from much of what may be thought to be similar to them or similar to them. The subject pronoun is one of these topics that should be considered. Due to the uniqueness of this pronoun among the rest of the family of pronouns, with features and adverbs that deserve research and study, and then analysis and treatment; Because of its scientific value, it goes hand in hand with other pronouns. This topic would not have drawn my attention or received much of it had it not raised some fundamental questions, including, f
... Show MoreThe ligand [Potassium (E)-(4-(((2-((1-(3-aminophenyl) ethylidene) amino)-4-oxo-1, 4-dihydropteridin-6-yl) methyl) amino) benzoyl)-L-glutamate] was prepared from the condensation reaction of folic acid with (3-aminoacetophenone) through Schiff reaction to give a new Schiff base ligand [H2L]. The ligand [H2L] was characterized by elemental analysis CHN, atomic absorption (AA),(FT-IR),(UV-Vis), TLC, ES mass (for spectroscopes), molar conductance, and melting point. The new Schiff base ligand [H2L], reacts with Mn (II), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Cr (III) and Cd (II) metal ions and (2-aminophenol),(metal: derivative ligand: 2-aminophenol) to give a series of new mixed complexes in the general formula:-K3 [M2 (HL)(HA) 2],(where M= Mn (II) and Cd
... Show MoreThe purpose of this article is to improve and minimize noise from the signal by studying wavelet transforms and showing how to use the most effective ones for processing and analysis. As both the Discrete Wavelet Transformation method was used, we will outline some transformation techniques along with the methodology for applying them to remove noise from the signal. Proceeds based on the threshold value and the threshold functions Lifting Transformation, Wavelet Transformation, and Packet Discrete Wavelet Transformation. Using AMSE, A comparison was made between them , and the best was selected. When the aforementioned techniques were applied to actual data that was represented by each of the prices, it became evident that the lift
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