Chitinase-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 MoreBackground:
There are many circulatory changes that occur during exercise in order to supply the tremendous blood flow required by the muscles during the stimulatory effects on circulation
by the mass sympathetic discharge, the increased arterial pressure and cardiac output. The metabolic effects and the oxidative stress as a result of the work load on cardiac and skeletal
muscles could also show changes.
Objective:
This study was designed to investigate the effects of aging process on the vascular response during exercise and also in the oxidative stress according to age.
Subjects and Methods:
Eight healthy Iraqi subjects were enrolled in this study. Divided into three groups according to a
Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by persistent joint inflammation, which is a defining feature of this chronic inflammatory condition. Considerable advancements have been made in the field of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medicines (DMARDs), which effectively mitigate inflammation and forestall further joint deterioration. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) drugs, which are a class of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs), have been efficaciously employed in the treatment of RA in recent times Adalimumab, a TNF inhibitor, has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease symptoms and halting disease progression in patients with RA. However, its use is associated with major side effects and high costs. In addition,
... Show MoreBackground: It's believed that HBD-3 is involved in the tissue remodeling process of articular cartilage. Also, HBD-3 has anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assay human beta-defensine-3 (HBD-3) in serum from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and investigate its correlation with proinflammatory cytokines. Methods: In this case-control study, fifty-eight RA patients were aged 20–65 years, and 29 age-matched healthy subjects (HS) had no inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The disease activity score-28 joint erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) was used to measure RA activity. CRP, ACPA, HBD-3, TNF-α, and IL-1β were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). Res
... Show MoreThe objective of this study is to evaluate plasma levels of total Sialic acid TSA and Lipid –associated Sialic acid LSA as a marker of Rheumatoid Arthritis AR. Plasma Sialic acid is known as a parameter of inflammation. In the present study, in order to explore the potential role of sialic acid in arthritis rheumatoid, plasma sialic acid levels, plasma LSA and total protein in patients with arthritis rheumatoid were measured. A total 40 patients were compared with 40 healthy control subjects. Plasma TSA, LSA and TP level were determined spectrophotometrically in plasma samples. Plasma Sialic acid levels were significantly increased in RA (88.48±14.15 mg/dl, P<0.05) and LSA level were significantly increased in RA (26.3
... Show MoreObjective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have increased morbidity and mortality from premature cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). Framingham risk score (FRS) is a simplified coronary prediction tool developed to enable clinicians to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event and to identify candidate patients for risk factors modifications worldwide. The predictive ability of the FRS varies between populations, ethnic groups, and socio-economic status. The aim of this study is to find if there is any correlation between the Framingham risk score and the inflammatory and biochemical parameters used to measure disease activity and functional ability in Iraqi patients with active RA.
Background: Numerous factors, including metformin doses and treatment adherence, may contribute to significant variations in glycemic control and adiposity markers of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients.
Objectives : This study aims to determine the influence of metformin dose and treatment adherence on glycemic control and adiposity markers in Iraqi patients with T2DM.
Methods: Between October 2021 and March 2022, a case-series study at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center – Baghdad included 153 T2DM patients with a disease duration of more than one year. Clinical and physical examinations were conducted before enrolment. We measured anthropometric variables to calculate th
... Show MoreThe research was performed in order to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria spp in buffalo. Coccidiosis, is a common livestock disease include water buffaloes and nothing is known about the most pathogenic species of Eimeria. Since the highest prevalence of oocyst shedding and incidence of disease occurs in buffalo calves less than one year of age. The omnipresent occurrence and negative effects of the infection on health and buffalo growth output are taken into account. Therefore, both farmers and veterinarians should pay greater attention to infections with Eimeria spp. And there is little analysis of data reported in Iraq and the world regarding Eimeria infection in river buffalo spp.
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation with subsequent cartilage and bone destruction. Cytokines are key mediators of inflammation and can be found in abundance both in the joint and blood of patients. This study was designed to evaluate the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in pathogenesis of RA, as well as study the correlation among these cytokines.
Patients and methods: Forty patients with RA and thirty age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8