Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with polymorphic expression. B cells have an essential contribution in immune system activation via the production of different cytokines and functioning as potent antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, a drug that particularly targets B cells may represent an ideal therapeutic approach for SLE. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody causing transient B-cell depletion, has been used to manage SLE. This study aims to assess Rituximab effects on lupus nephritis (LN) patients when added to conventional immunosuppressants. Twenty four patients, 15-32 years old, with class III/IV/V LN were involved in this study. All were on steroids before lupus nephritis occurrence. They were given rituximab induction therapy and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance therapy. RTX was indicated for refractory and relapsing SLE. Several investigations done before and after RTX treatment and in the last follow up (done one year after starting Rituximab). Those included protein in urine, serum creatinine, double stranded DNA, C3, C4, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Proteinuria decreased significantly after RTX treatment and in the last measurement (P=0.01 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum creatinine significantly decreased only in the last measurement (P=0.02). Double stranded DNA decreased remarkably after treatment (P=0.01) with a further decrease in the last measurement (P=0.006). C3 and C4 increased after treatment but the increase was significant only for C3 (P=0.002) and this increase continues till the last measurement (P=0.0006). Active urine sediments found in fifteen patients and disappeared after RTX treatment. Rituximab can be promising in treating lupus nephritis when used along with traditional immunosuppressants. It can reduce disease activity and improve renal function in such patients.
Ultraviolet light radiation is applied to treat Plaque Psoriasis disease by targeted phototherapy. This is available through Narrowband-UVB light radiation devices peaked at wavelength 311 nm. Ten cases were chosen as a study group, 8 males aged 22-40 years old, and 2 females aged 25 and 32 years old who were exposed to ultraviolet light radiation. Their recovery or improvement was followed weekly. Different doses were used according to the severity of the lesion and as a trial for the outcome. The dose was given two times a week, starting with 200mJ/cm2, and subsequently increased by 100 or 200 mJ/cm2 reaching a maximum dose as tolerated by each individual patient. Improvement was observed after 4 – 6 weeks. The
... Show MoreKE Sharquie, SA Al-Mashhadani, AA Noaimi, WB Al-Zoubaidi, Our Dermatology Online/Nasza Dermatologia Online, 2015 - Cited by 10
The present work is concerned with the finding of the optimum conditions for biochemical wastewater treatment for a local tannery. The water samples were taken from outline areas (the wastewater of the chrome and vegetable tannery) in equal volumes and subjected to sedimentation, biological treatment, and chemical and natural sedimentation treatment.
The Box-Wilson method of experimental design was adopted to find useful relationships between three operating variables that affect the treatment processes (temperature, aeration period and phosphate concentration) on the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5).
The experimental data collected by this method were successfully fitted to a second order polynomial mathematical model. The most fa
The present study analyzes the effect of couple stress fluid (CSF) with the activity of connected inclined magnetic field (IMF) of a non-uniform channel (NUC) through a porous medium (PM), taking into account the sliding speed effect on channel walls and the effect of nonlinear particle size, applying long wavelength and low Reynolds count estimates. The mathematical expressions of axial velocity, stream function, mechanical effect and increase in pressure have been analytically determined. The effect of the physical parameter is included in the present model in the computational results. The results of this algorithm have been presented in chart form by applying the mathematical program.
Background: Titanium implant is widely used in dentistry because of its extraordinary biocompatibility and mechanical properties. To increase bone–implant connection and provide early loading after placement, implant is stored in different storage medium and treated with UV light. Both of them are applicable methods to increase the bioactivity of titanium and overcome the biological aging. This study was designed to assess the effect of vacuum storage method and air storage with and without UV light treated of Cp Ti implant mechanically and histologically. Materials and methods: Titanium screws were acid etched and prepared in four different modes using different storage methods (air or vacuum and, with or without UV treatment. The implan
... Show MoreBackground: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has climbed sharply. Still, only a few safe and effective medications are approved as weight-loss drugs. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of community pharmacists in Iraq regarding the use of Liraglutide and Semaglutide as weight-loss medications. Method: A cross-sectional survey was implemented using a validated questionnaire and a convenient sample of Iraqi community pharmacists from different governorates. The questionnaire was created after conducting a literature review of the most important articles about liraglutide and semaglutide. The questionnaire consists of three sections. The first part was used to collect demographic information. The second a
... Show MoreThe Sunnah of the Prophet has a great impact in building human behavior, and the formation of Islamic thought, has worked to spread science in all of Egypt, as it carried to the people of the eternal prophecy of the love of science, it was a source of knowledge and civilization. It is a generous source, a rich source of the Islamic nation, always tender, and renewed benefit, which is not only a source of legislation and language but is a source of guidance for thought and guidance of behavior, and the Hadith The importance is obvious In the integration of Islam, and show aspects of human integration in the personality of Mustafa , and the Muslims are interested in talking - collected and codification -, and made the effort of the cent
... Show MoreAlice Walker (1944) ranks among the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. Through her novels Meridian and the color Purple, Alice outlines many issues concerning the effect of authoritarian thinking upon its often innocent victims, and the possibility of meaningful, productive resistance. Walker's texts aim at giving a voice to those who have no voice especially those poor, rural black women who are robbed of power and the right to make decisions about their own lives by a range of forces standing against them. These texts also aim at clarifying how Walker's female protagonists, Meridian and Celia try to free themselves from oppression, misery , fear and underestimation
... Show MoreBackground: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has climbed sharply. Still, only a few safe and effective medications are approved as weight-loss drugs. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of community pharmacists in Iraq regarding the use of Liraglutide and Semaglutide as weight-loss medications. Method: A cross-sectional survey was implemented using a validated questionnaire and a convenient sample of Iraqi community pharmacists from different governorates. The questionnaire was created after conducting a literature review of the most important articles about liraglutide and semaglutide. The questionnaire consists of three sections. The first part was used to collect demographic information. The
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