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.
In this paper, a compartmental differential epidemic model of COVID-19 pandemic transmission is constructed and analyzed that accounts for the effects of media coverage. The model can be categorized into eight distinct divisions: susceptible individuals, exposed individuals, quarantine class, infected individuals, isolated class, infectious material in the environment, media coverage, and recovered individuals. The qualitative analysis of the model indicates that the disease-free equilibrium point is asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number R0 is less than one. Conversely, the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when R0 is bigger than one. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine which
... Show MoreGenerally fossil based fuels are used in internal combustion engines as an energy source.
Excessive use of fossil based fuels diminishes present reserves and increases the air pollution in
urban areas. This enhances the importance of the effective use of present reserves and/or to develop
new alternative fuels, which are environment friendly. Use of alternative fuel is a way of emission
control. The term “Alternative Gaseous Fuels” relates to a wide range of fuels that are in the
gaseous state at ambient conditions, whether when used on their own or as components of mixtures
with other fuels.
In this study, a single cylinder diesel engine was modified to use LPG in dual fuel mode to study
the performance, emis
The present paper investigates the role of fear and predator dependent refuge in the prey-predator system. The system describes the interaction between prey and a stage structure of predator that incorporates Holling II functional response. The predator splits into two compartments immature (juvenile) and mature (adult). The mature predators can hunt and reproduce but this capability is not found in the immature predators, the immature depend on their parents. The growth rate of prey decreases due to the existence of mature predators. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution of the system are investigated. Three equilibrium points of the system are determined. The local stability of the system is studied. The global stabil
... Show MoreIn this review of literature, the light will be concentrated on the role of stem cells as an approach in periodontal regeneration.
Aneurysms of the cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are rare. They usually are secondary to traumatic or infectious etiologies and are rarely idiopathic. The specific characteristics of idiopathic aneurysms in such location are not well defined in the literature. The authors report a rare case of a ruptured giant idiopathic cortical MCA aneurysm with review of the available literature on this clinical entity.
A 24-year-old female presented with headache, disturbed level of consciousness, and right-sided weakness. Imaging studies showed a left frontoparietal intracer
Densities ρ and viscosities η for several concentrations of amino acids (Serine, Cysteine and Threonine) at different temperatures (298.15, 303.15 and 308.15K) have been measured. On the basis of these data, the apparent molal volumes v , partial molal volumes at infinite dilution v , slope Sv , Gibbs free energy of activation for viscous flow of solution ∆G1,2 and Jones – Dole Bcoefficients were calculated the nature of solute-solvent and solute-solute interactions have been discussed in terms of the values of v , v , Sv and B-coefficents
It was rumored in the grammatical circles that the (short) refrigerant is only a copy of (book) Sibweh, except some of the views that violated it, or some of the evidence that increased it; On the (brief) or not, the researcher has chosen the subject (what is going away and not leave) a field of study of the budget, has come on three demands, the first devoted to the study of the term, and the second to explain the methodology of scientists in the presentation of the topic, and the third was limited to the study of the evidence they invoked .
God grants success
Henrik Ibsen is considered one of the greatest writers on society and its problems in the modern era, as his works deal with society in all its forms in a realistic way, in which he presents the motives and consequences of social problems and their impact on society to study these problems through them to and propose solutions through theatre. Most of his writings were very serious about addressing these social issues. The method of collecting information in the study came through reviewing a group of sources related to realistic theater and social theory, then reading the plays covered in a critical and analytical reading. Based on that, the method of writing this study came and used a group of sources that directly relate to the s
... Show MoreThe study was preformed for investigating of Salmonella from meat, and compared Vidas UP Salmonella (SPT) with the traditional methods of isolation for Salmonella , were examined 42 meat samples (Beef and Chicken) from the Local and Imported From local markets in the city of Baghdad from period December 2013 -February 2014 the samples were cultured on enrichment and differential media and examined samples Vidas, and confirmed of isolates by cultivation chromgenic agar, biochemical tests ,Api20 E systeme , In addition serological tests , and the serotypes determinate in the Central Public Health Laboratory / National Institute of Salmonella The results showed the contamination in imported meat was more than in the local meat 11.9% and 2
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