Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune diseasecharacterized by chronic inflammationthat affects joints and cartilage. Bone complications such asRA-relatedosteoporosis are one of the most extra-articular manifestations. Many inflammatory mediators are released during RA disease pathophysiology; these mediators stimulate osteoclast genesis of bone by direct effects on RANKL and OPG. The study aimedto measure RANKL, OPG in RA patients treated with Etanercept only and other groups treated with Methotrexate onlyat baseline and after three months to evaluate bone state. An observational case-control prospective study was done on 30 RA patients who received MTX, 30 RA patients who received ETN, and 30 healthy,age-matched control groups. The level of RANKL and OPG was measured at baseline and after three months of therapy by immunoenzymatically assay (ELISA). The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed usingthe statistical package for social science. The result demonstrated that RANKL level had a positive correlation with age and disease duration in contrast to OPG level showed a negative correlation with age and duration of disease. In the patients group treated with MTX at baseline, the RANKL level was significantly higher (181.336±65.583) than post-therapy (166.097±69.229), while the OPG level at baseline significantly lower (594.398±133.238) than post therapy (614.499±150.879). In ETN treated patients, the level of RANKL in baseline was significantly higher than (231.247±73.134) RANKL level post-therapy (200.363±76.807), while OPG level in baseline waslower (463.263±96.392) than post therapy (503.608±107.692). The study demonstrated in baseline RANKL/OPG ratio significant higher (0.4340±0.234) than post therapy (0.3690±0.222). All RA patients had or were at high risk for osteoporosis.Both Etanarcept and methotrexate produce insignificant differences on OPG and RANKL levels, in the same time this biomarkers are not good indicators for bone state.
Background:No previous Iraqi study was done on the estimation of post mortem interval (PMI) from the medico-legal point of view; depending on the biochemical changes of vitreous humor.Objectives:To find out the relationship between some biochemical changes in vitreous humor and post mortem interval.To find out a new formula for estimation of PMI from some biochemical changes in vitreous humor.Method:The study was conducted on one hundred twenty two cases referred to the medico-legal institute in Sulaimani province during the period between 1st of February and 30th of July 2012.Complete classical autopsy was performed for each case and vitreous humor was collected at autopsy from the posterior chamber of the eye and the samples after coll
... Show MoreA mercury porosimeter has been used to measure the intrusion volume of the three types mercury positive lead acid-battery plates. The intrusion volumes were used to calculate the pore diameter, pore volume, pore area, and pore size distribution. The variation of the pore area in positive lead acid-battery plates as well as of the pore volume has the following sequence. Paste positive > Uncured positive > Cured positive
In this study, thirty-two adult male mice were divided into four groups control and experimental treatment groups received crocin at 4, 20, and 100 mg/kg daily for six weeks. In results, testosterone level was increased significantly from 18.5 ng/dl in the control to 49.3 ng/dl in group received crocin at 20 mg/kg. The regular features of seminiferous tubules with increased Sertoli cells have been observed in the 20mg/kg crocin group. In the group received crocin at 100 mg/kg, many of the seminiferous tubules were atrophic, spermatogenic cells were discontinuous in the same areas while the space among them has been increased, and fewer interstitial tissue between seminiferous tubules were observed. The changes were markedly
... Show MoreWe have investigated the impact of laser pulse wavelength on the quantity of ablated materials. Specifically, this study investigated the structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles (NPs) that were synthesized using the technique of pulsed-laser ablation of a tungsten plate. A DD drop of water was used as the ablation environment at a fixed fluence at 76.43 J/cm2 and pulse number was 400 pulses of the laser. The first and second harmonic generation ablations were carried out, corresponding to wavelengths of 1064 and 532 nm, respectively. The Q-switched Nd: YAG laser operates at a repetition rate of 1 Hz and has a pulse width of roughly 15 ns. These parameters are applicable to both wavelen
... Show MoreIn medical practice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen is a well-known NSAID, analgesic, and antipyretic medication. This chemical is an active ingredient of several oral medications that are offered in tablet, gel pellet, and syrup forms and has higher efficacy, tolerance, and side effect rates than other compounds, including pyrazolone derivatives. We present a unique plasma-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (PADI-MS) approach for improving pharmaceutically important solids using an ibuprofen tablet as a model solid sample. The goal of the study is to create an innovative mass spectrometric method that could be used for quick and accur
... Show MoreBackground: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material due to its superior biomechanical strength. However, due to its hydrophobic nature and lack of cellular adhesion properties, it has poor integration with bone tissue. Methods: A fractional CO2 laser was used with various parameters for surface texturing of PEEK substrate to enhance its surface properties. An optical microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were used to examine the surface morphology of untextured and laser-textured samples. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was performed to determine the effect of the laser on the microstructure of PEEK. Surface microroughness, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and wettability were invest
... Show MoreIn this research project, a tip-tilting angle of a photovoltaic solar cell was developed to increase generated electrical power output. An active, accurate, and simple dual-axis tracking system was designed by using an Arduino Uno microprocessor. The system consisted of two sections: software and apparatus (hardware). It was modified by using a group of light-dependent resistor sensors, and two DC servo motors were utilized to rotate the solar panel to a location with maximum sunlight. These components were arranged in a mechanical configuration with the gearbox. The three locations of the solar cell were chosen according to the tilt angle values, at zero angles, which included an optimal 33-degree angle for the Baghdad location and
... Show MoreThis research aims at calculating the optimum cutting condition for various types of machining methods, assisted by computers, (the computer program in this research is designed to solve linear programs; the program is written in v. basic language). The program obtains the results automatically, this occur through entering the preliminary information about the work piece and the operating condition, the program makes the calculation actually by solving a group of experimental relations, depending on the type of machining method (turning, milling, drilling). The program was transferred to package and group of windows to facilitate the use; it will automatically print the initial input and optimal solution, and thus reduce the effort and t
... Show MoreAbstract:Porous Silicon (PSi) has been produced in this work by using Photochemical (PC) etching process by using a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The irradiation has been achieved using quartz- tungsten halogen lamp. The influence of various irradiation times on the properties of PSi اmaterial such as layer thickness, etching rate and porosity was investigated in this work too. The XRD has been studied to determine the crystal structure and the crystalline size of PSi material