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.
Background: Automobile spray painting is considered an occupation with a high risk of respiratory impairment and asthma. Exposure to organic solvents used for spraying might be of high risk for development of dysfunction in other organs.
Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary and hepatic toxicity due to exposure of automobile painters to organic solvents in work places within the Baghdad governorate area.
Methods: Thirty cross sectional selected male workers employed in automobile body paint shops in two industrial areas within Baghdad city (Al-Sheikh Omar and Al-Rasheed camp regions) were recruited to the study during the period from March to May 2012. Thirty non-exposed students and employees in the college o
Background:-Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and the leading source of physical disability in elderly people. The Prevalence of OA is increasing and will continue to do so as the population gets older. The OA is predominantly managed in primary care centers by primary health care physicians and much can be done to alleviate symptoms from osteoarthritis by combinations of therapeutic options including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
Objectives of study :- To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of Iraqi PHCC physicians in Baghdad, AL-Rusafa, regarding the management of osteoarthritis patient, and it's association with sociodemogra
... Show MoreChoosing an appropriate impression material is a challenge for many dentists, yet an essential component to provide an excellent clinical outcome and improve productivity and profit. The purpose of present study was to compare wettability, tear strength and dimensional accuracy of three elastomeric impression materials, with the same consistencies (light-body). Three commercially available light body consistency and regular set 3M ESPE Express polyvinylsiloxane (PVS), 3M ESPE Permadyne polyether (PE), and Identium (ID), impression materials were comparedTear strength test, contact angle test and linear dimensional accuracy were evaluated for three elastic impression material. Among the three experimental groups PE impression materia
... Show MoreBackground: Herbal medicine can be called one of the branches of medicine in various forms. Turmericcurcumin has proved its efficiencies a coloring, flavoring agent and has been traditionally used in medicine, exhibiting remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The varied biological properties of curcumin and lack of toxicity even when administered at higher doses makes it attractive to explore its use in various disorders like diseases of skin. It is good potential agent for wound healing. Materials and methods: Sixty four new Zealand rabbits were used in this study ,they were divided into four groups,each group was subdivided as follows:Experimental groups(8 rabbits) right facial side of animals for essential oil applicati
... Show MoreVitrifications process one of the important methods to immobilize nuclear waste. In this research nuclear waste (Strontium Oxides) with molecular weight (5%) was immobilized by vitrification methods in two types of borosilicate glass (c-type) which are glass and glass-ceramics. To investigate the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of glass and glass-ceramic after immobilize nuclear waste these samples irradiated by gamma ray radiation. Co-60 was used as gamma a irradiation with dose rate 0.38 kGy/hr for different period of time. It’s found that gamma radiation affected the glass and glass-ceramic properties. From phase analysis by the x-ray diffraction for glass-ceramic samples proved that at doses 343kGy change the cry
... Show MoreThe process of transporting waste from urban areas to sanitary landfill sites requires large amounts of money due to the length and distance. To address this problem, temporary transfer stations were established by the Municipality of Baghdad to reduce the cost of transportation, and for the purpose of preserving the environment in a sustainable manner, standards were set for the establishment of these stations. The two stations of Al-Karrada Municipality and Al-Shula Municipality were chosen as a case study to measure the extent of adopting and applying the standards for establishing substations locally, regionally and internationally, and the most important results were reached Which is that the transforming (regular) stations of the t
... Show MoreThe present work involves studying the effect of electrolyte composition [@1= 0.5 wt.% NH4F / 5% H2O / 5% Glycerol (GLY)/ 90% Ethylene Glycol (EG)] and [ @2= 0.5 wt. % NH4F / 5% H2O / 95% Ethylene Glycol (EG)] on the structural and photoelectrochemical properties of titania nanotubes arrays (TNTAs). TNTAs substrates were successfully carried out via anodization technique and were carried out in 40 V for one hour in different electrolytes (@1, and @2). The properties of physicochemical of TNTAs were distinguished via an X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance. The photoelectrochemical response of TNTAs was evaluated
... Show MoreThe design of fabrics and fashion is manifested by aesthetic advantages betting with the movement of society in its quest to develop as an independent art in itself that is linked to the values and aesthetic concepts of other arts and what appears in them of intellectual systems calling for renewal and modernity. Which brought about a wide change in public taste, as well as a desire for innovation . Which made fashion an interesting aesthetic phenomenon and taste is always subject to change constantly to comply with the social variables that occur in human life, as the fashion that appears in a certain era of time and takes a great distance from spreading as something new and out of the ordinary is in fact the fruit of the development of
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