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.
This study was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2021 to May 2022. The goal was to determine the effect of Toxoplasma gondii on liver function by examining the relationship between Toxoplasma infection and hormones. One hundred and twenty male patients with Chronic liver disease (CLD) (age:14-75 years) and 120 control males (age: 24-70 years) participated in this study. Serum samples were taken from all individuals and were then analysed for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Hormonal tests were conducted for all participants which included (Cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, insulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH). Biochemical tests included (Prothrombin time PT, international normalized ratio INR and albumin); liver enzymes
... Show MoreBackground:Â Various fluids in the oral environment can affect the surface roughness of resin composites. This in vitro study was conducted to determine the influence of the mouth rinses on surface roughness of two methacrylate-based resin (nanofilled and packable composite) and siloraine-based resin composites.
Materials and methods: Disc-shaped specimens (12 mm in diameter and 2mm in height) were prepared from three types of composi
... Show MoreThe present researchers are trying to enhance the properties of paper sheet that used widely in many fields such as printing and packaging. The enhancement of paper quality is also possible to preserve paper documents of all kinds, as they are the true record, full of the history, achievements of the human being and the intellectual and cultural of the country. It is possible to improve its physical and mechanical properties and preserve them from damage through the use of some solutions of polymeric adhesives, which act as protective barriers against water and moisture penetration. The paper also has the advantage of porosity, which has been overcome by using three types of polymeric adhesives (Nitro Cellulose, Polyvinyl alcohol acetate, a
... Show MoreAbstract
In this investigation, Al2O3 nano material of 50nm particles size were added to the 6061 Al aluminium alloy by using the stir casting technique to fabricate the nanocomposite of 10wt% Al2O3. The experimental results observed that the addition of 10wt% Al2O3 improved the fatigue life and strength of constant and cumulative fatigue. Comparison between the S-N curves behaviour of metal matrix (AA6061) and the nanocomposite 10wt% Al2O3 has been made. The comparison revealed that 12.8% enhancement in fatigue strength at 107cycles due to 10wt% nano reinforcement. Also cumulative fatigue l
... Show MoreTight oil reservoirs have been a concerned of the oil industry due to their substantial influence on oil production. Due to their poor permeability, numerous problems are encountered while producing from tight reservoirs. Petrophysical and geomechanical rock properties are essential for understanding and assessing the fracability of reservoirs, especially tight reservoirs, to enhance permeability. In this study, Saadi B reservoir in Halfaya Iraqi oil field is considered as the main tight reservoir. Petrophysical and geomechanical properties have been estimated using full-set well logs for a vertical well that penetrates Saadi reservoir and validated with support of diagnostic fracture injection test data employing standard equations
... Show MoreMagnetic Abrasive Finishing (MAF) is an advanced finishing method, which improves the quality of surfaces and performance of the products. The finishing technology for flat surfaces by MAF method is very economical in manufacturing fields an electromagnetic inductor was designed and manufactured for flat surface finishing formed in vertical milling machine. Magnetic abrasive powder was also produced under controlled condition. There are various parameters, such as the coil current, working gap, the volume of powder portion and feed rate, that are known to have a large impact on surface quality. This paper describes how Taguchi design of experiments is applied to find out important parameters influencing the surface quality generated during
... Show MoreEvolution in the modern era Which led to the rapid change in the forms of industrial products For many reasons, So put current research into question the view (What are the design requirements that define the formal change in the Iron clothes)? To reach the aim of In the design cornerstonesUnderlying the formal changethe Iron of the clothes, In the first section shed light on the development stages of systems design lists the historic stages of development and energy operator devices irons and mechanism of action and internal components, while in the second part, which was entitled (The role of technology and the factors influencing the change formality of Iron) touched on the three topics which technology modern industrial and receiver,
... Show MoreObjective: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional intervention
about medical and health knowledge of patients with diabetes mellitus type II.
Methodology: A Quasi- experimental study was carried out in National Center for Diabetes Mellitus/ Almustansria
University, started from 4th January 2012, to 1st April 2012. Non-probability (purposive sample) of (50) diabetes
mellitus type II, who visit National Center for Diabetes Mellitus/ Almustansria University. The study sample is
divided equally into (25) study and (25) control groups. The study group received the instructional intervention.
While the control not exposed to the instructional intervention. The data are coll