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.
The present work aimed to study effect of (N749 & N3) dyes on TiO2 optical and electrical properties for optoelectronic application. The TiO2 paste prepared by using a doctor blade method. The samples were UV-VIS specterophometricall analyzes of TiO2 before and after immersed in dyes (N749 & N3). The results showed absorption spectra shift toward the visible region due to the adsorption of dye molecules on the surface of oxide nanoparticles. It is seen that the Eg determined to give a value of 3.3eV for TiO2 before immersing in dyes, and immersing in dyes (N749 & N3) are (1.4 &1.6 eV) respectively. The structural properties (XRD), (FTIR) and (SEM) for the sample prepared were investigated and (J-V) characteristics was stu
... Show MoreWireless communications are characterized by their fastest growth in history, as they used ever-evolving and renewed technologies, which have allowed them to spread widely. Every day, communication technology introduces a new invention with features that differ from its predecessor. Bell Laboratories first suggested mobile wireless communication services to the general population in the late 1940s. Still, it wasn't easy at that time to use on a large scale due to its high costs. This paper aims to describe the state of cellular mobile networks; by comparing the sources of electromagnetic pollution caused by these networks, measure the level of power density in some residential areas, and compare them with international standards adopted in
... Show MoreObjective: To evaluate the functional outcomes after extended curettage and reconstruction using a combination of bone graft and bone cement (sandwich). Methodology: In this prospective case series 16 skeletally mature patients with primary giant cell tumor around the knee were included. Patients with previous surgically treated, malignant transformation, degenerative knee changes and those presenting with pathological fracture were excluded. The tumor was excised with bone graft filling space beneath the articular cartilage and a block of gel foam was placed over the cortical surface of picked bone graft. Remaining cavity was filled with polymethylmethacrylate cement (sandwich) with or without internal fixation. The func tional evaluation
... Show MoreSilver Indium Aluminum Selenium AgIn1xAlxSe2 AIAS for x=01 thin films was deposited by thermal evaporation at RT and different︣︢︡ ︠︣1thickness 100 150 and 200 nm on the glass Substrate and p2Si wafer to produce AIAS/p3Si heterojunctionsolarcell4 Structural optical electrical and photovoltaicproperties6 are investigated for the samples XRD analysis reveals that all the deposited AIAS films show polycrystalline structure without any change due to increase of thickness Average diameter and roughness calculated from AFM images shows an increase in its value with increasing thickness The optical absorbance and transmittance for samples are measured using a spectrometer type UV Visible 1800 spectra1photometer to study the energy6gap The
... Show MoreThe structural, optical and photoelectrical properties of fabricated diffusion heterojunction (HJ) solar cell, from n-type c-Si wafer of [400] direction with Boron, has been studied. AgAl alloys was used because of its properties that affect as a good connection materials. TiO2 has been used as a reflecting layer to increase the absorption radiation. The HJ has direct allowed energy gap equal to 3.1 eV. The c-Si/B HJ solar cell yielded has an active area conversion efficiency of 16.4% with an open circuit voltage of (Voc) 0.592V, short circuit current (Isc) of 2.042mA, fill factor (F.F) of 0.682 and % =10.54.
Inhibition of T cell derived cytokine production could help suppress osteoclast differentiation in inflammatory skeletal disorders. Bisphosphonates are typically prescribed to prevent inflammatory bone loss but are not tolerated by all patients and are associated with an increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. In light of this other anti-resorptives such as phytoestrogens are being considered. However the effect of phytoestrogens on T cell-induced osteoclast formation is unclear. The effect of genistein and coumestrol on activated T cell-induced osteoclastogenesis and cytokine production was therefore examined. Concentrations of genistein and coumestrol (10−7 M) previously shown to directly inhibit osteoclast formation also suppressed
... Show MoreBlastocystosis is symptomatic infection caused by the protozoal parasite Blastocystis , which resides in the intestinal tract of its hosts and it is one of the most common parasites reported in humans. It’s prevalence ranges between (30 - 50%) of the population in developing countries. This genus has a worldwide distribution and often the most commonly reported human intestinal protozoan in children and adults, even infect infants
Giardia lamblia is the worldwide most common intestinal protozoan parasite. It was indicated that Giardia is the most important agent that causes acute and chronic diarrhea in infants, young children and travelers. The aim was to detect the influence of host HLA alleles on the susceptibility to infection with G. lamblia in a sample of Iraqi patients. A total of (40) patients with giardiasis aged (14-39) years were registered. All of them were symptomatic and (40) healthy individuals matched age and sexes were included as controls. All patients were prepared to stool examination to detect G. lamblia and eliminated other pathogens, as well as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles (DRB1) typing. The most common detected alleles in pat
... Show MoreThis study was conducted to test the effectiveness of Agaricus bisporus inoculums (spawn) in the ratio of (0.25, 0.5 and 1%) v/v to control Pythium aphanidermatum fungus the causal agent of damping- off disease of cucumber plant. results showed the ability of A. bisporus fungus to protect the seedlings from incidence by P. aphanidermatum . all treatments of edible fungus inoculums were significantly different from pathogen treatment after 15 day of planting and there was no significant difference found from control treatment (without pathogen) . the successful of A. bisporus was continued to protect the seedlings after 30 and 45 day after planting. The numbers of seedlings were (8, 7.25 & 7.25) respectively compared to 5.5 seedlings in con
... Show Moreيعتقد البعض ان مفهوم العلم يعني الآلات والاجهزة العلمية (تقنيات التعليم) وهي لا تختلف عن مفهوم تكنولوجيا المعلومات , ويعد هذا الاعتقاد خاطئ , لان العلم هو بناء المعرفة العلمية المنظمة والتي يتم التوصل اليها عن طريق البحث العلمي , اما تكنولوجيا المعلومات فهي "التطبيقات العملية للمعرفة العلمية في مختلف المجالات ذات الفائدة المباشرة بحياة الانسان, او هي النواحي التطبيقية للعلم وما يرتبط بها من آلات واجهزة".