Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common health problem that has a worldwide distribution. Apart from the direct effect of the virus on the liver, there are many extrahepatic manifestations among which the probable effect on bone turnover associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between treated and untreated chronic HBV infection with BMD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which included a total of 48 patients with chronic HBV (28 patients treated with tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate [TDF] antiviral drug and 20 patients have not yet started treatment). Other age- and sex-matched 30 apparently healthy individuals were recruited to represent the healthy controls. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on the anteroposterior lumbar spine (L1–L4 spine) views, from which T-score was calculated. Liver function tests were also evaluated from serum samples. Results: Treated patients showed a lower T‑score (−0.48 ± 0.72) than either healthy individuals (1.08 ± 0.84) or untreated patients (0.78 ± 0.51), with highly significant differences. In multivariate regression, only disease duration (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 9.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.8–16.68) and TDF treatment (adjusted OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 4.18–97.05) were significantly associated with BMD. Conclusions: Prolonged use of TDF in the treatment of HBV infection can significantly reduce BMD. Moreover, BMD can also be inversely affected in long-standing HBV, regardless of treatment regimen.
The ground-state properties of exotic 18N and 20F nuclei, including the neutron, proton and matter densities and related radii are investigated using the two-body model of within Gaussian (GS) and Woods Saxon (WS) wave functions. The long tail is evident in the computed neutron and matter densities of these nuclei. The plane wave Born approximation (PWBA) is calculate the elastic form factors of these exotic nuclei. The variation in the proton density distributions due to the presence of the extra neutrons in 18N and 20F leads to a major difference between the elastic form factors of these exotic nuclei and their stable isotopes 14N and 19F. The reaction c
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The aim of the research is to identify the impact of the areas of organizational change in strategic marketing planning in cement factories operating within the city of Al-Khums, and this effect was measured using a questionnaire consisting of 28 phrases, and it was relied on the descriptive approach that suits the nature of the subject of the research, while the research community consists of heads And members of the board of directors, authorized managers, unit managers and heads of departments in the factories under study, which numbered 55 respondents, during the month of September of the year 2021, and a sample of the compreh
... Show MoreBackground: One of the most common complications of dentures is its ability to fracture, so the aim of this study was to reinforce the high impact denture base with carbon nanotubes in different concentrations to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the denture base. Materials and methods: Three concentrations of carbon nanotubes was used 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% in a pilot study to see the best values regarding transverse strength, impact, hardness and roughness test, 1 wt% was the best concentration, so new samples for control group and 1wt% carbon nanotubes and the previous tests were of course repeated. Results: There was a significant increase in impact strength and transverse strength when we add carbon nanotubes in 1wt%, compared
... Show MoreThe effect of short range correlations on the inelastic longitudinal Coulomb form
factors for the lowest four excited 2+ states in 18O is analyzed. This effect (which
depends on the correlation parameter β) is inserted into the ground state charge
density distribution through the Jastrow type correlation function. The single particle
harmonic oscillator wave function is used with an oscillator size parameter b. The
parameters β and b are, considered as free parameters, adjusted for each excited state
separately so as to reproduce the experimental root mean square charge radius of
18O. The model space of 18O does not contribute to the transition charge density. As
a result, the inelastic Coulomb form factor of 18
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary ailment that can cause severe pain and suffering to people who are affected. However, with continued investment in research and treatment options, we can make progress towards improving the lives of those with SCD. Over 40% of patients experience painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), so we must work towards finding solutions and providing support for those living with this condition, These episodes, a hallmark of SCD, significantly contribute to morbidity, mortality, and a diminished quality of life, while also incurring substantial healthcare costs. Chronic pain particularly affects older adolescents and adults with SCD, with over half reporting daily discomfort. Opioid-based analgesics, though sti
... Show MoreType-1 diabetes is defined as destruction of pancreatic beta cell, virus and bacteria are some environmental factor for this disease. The study included 25 patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus aged between 8 – 25 years from Baghdad hospital and 20 healthy persons as control group. Anti-rubella IgG and IgM, anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgG and IgM were measured by ELISA technique while anti-CMV antibody were measured by immunofluorescence technique. The aim of current study was to know the trigger factor for type-1 diabetes. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between studied groups according to parameters and the results lead to suggest that Chlamydia pneumonia, CMV and rubella virus may trigger type-1 diabetes mellitus in Iraqi pat
... Show MoreThe a.c conductivity and dielectric properties of the prepared composites NiO:ZnO composites samples with various mixing ratios (100:0,80:20,60:40,40:60,20:80 and 0:100) wt. % were carried out . The structure phase, the crystallite size and purity of the fabricated NiO:ZnO composites were confirmed using x-ray diffraction pattern. The results declared that the diffraction spectrum of composites samples were compatible with cubic and hexagonal structures phases for 100%NiOand ZnO respectively while the spectrum were compatible with both phases for the residual composites samples. The crystallite size of the most pronounced plane (101) for crystal growth was changed from 23 nm to 49 .4 nm by
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