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 examines the causes of time delays and cost overruns in a selection of thirty post-disaster reconstruction projects in Iraq. Although delay factors have been studied in many countries and contexts, little data exists from countries under the conditions characterizing Iraq during the last 10-15 years. A case study approach was used, with thirty construction projects of different types and sizes selected from the Baghdad region. Project data was gathered from a survey which was used to build statistical relationships between time and cost delay ratios and delay factors in post disaster projects. The most important delay factors identified were contractor failure, redesigning of designs/plans and change orders, security is
... Show MoreIn this paper, a discrete SIS epidemic model with immigrant and treatment effects is proposed. Stability analysis of the endemic equilibria and disease-free is presented. Numerical simulations are conformed the theoretical results, and it is illustrated how the immigrants, as well as treatment effects, change current model behavior
The current research aims to know the relationship between bullying and parental treatment. (200) pupils were selected randomly from the fifth and sixth grades of primary schools.
Two instruments were used. The first was to measure bullying and it included 19 items. To measure parental treatment, the researchers adopted (Aletaby 2001) scale.
Statistical analysis showed that correlation between bullying , wiggle and Firm treatment style was positive Statistically significant .Bulling was correlated negatively with (neglect, careless, and Authoritarian treatment style.
Produced water is accompanied with the production of oil and gas especially at the fields producing by water drive or water injection. The quantity of these waters is expected to be more complicated problem with an increasing in water cut which is expected to be 3-8 barrels water/produced barrel oil.Produced water may contain many constituents based on what is present in the subsurface at a particular location. Produced water contains dissolved solids and hydrocarbons (dissolved and suspended) and oxygen depletion. The most common dissolved solid is salt with concentrations range between a few parts per thousand to hundreds parts per thousand. In addition to salt, many produced waters also contain high levels of heavy metals like zinc, bari
... Show MoreThe application of ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) processes in the handling of raw produced water have been investigated in the present study. Experiments of both ultrafiltration and nanofiltration processes are performed in a laboratory unit, which is operated in a cross-flow pattern. Various types of hollow fiber membranes were utilized in this study such as poly vinyl chloride (PVC) UF membrane, two different polyether sulfone (PES) NF membranes, and poly phenyl sulfone PPSU NF membrane. It was found that the turbidity of the treated water is higher than 95 % by using UF and NF membranes. The chemical oxygen demand COD (160 mg/l) and Oil content (26.8 mg/l) were found after treatment according to the allowable limits set
... Show MoreA partial temporary immunity SIR epidemic model involv nonlinear treatment rate is proposed and studied. The basic reproduction number is determined. The local and global stability of all equilibria of the model are analyzed. The conditions for occurrence of local bifurcation in the proposed epidemic model are established. Finally, numerical simulation is used to confirm our obtained analytical results and specify the control set of parameters that affect the dynamics of the model.
This systematic review aimed to investigate the relation between orthodontic treatment (OT) and the incidence of the gingival black triangle (GBT) after completing treatment with a fixed orthodontic appliance, as well as the associated risk factors and the level of alveolar bone. Electronic and hand searches were conducted in three electronic databases for relevant articles published up to March 2022. Retrieved articles went through a two-step screening procedure, and the risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The incidence of GBT after OT was set as the primary outcome, while the secondary outcomes were the risk factors associated with GBT and alveolar bone loss following OT. Out of 421 papers, 5
... Show MoreHR Al-Hamamy, AA Noaimi, IA Al-Turfy, AI Rajab, Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, 2015
In a common language based on interpretation and diagnosis in the symbols and signs, the subject of Sufism and artistic semiotics is manifested in the construction and intensity of the reading of the text and the dismantling of its intellectual systems.
The emergence of Sufism in its religious features and the spiritual revelations related to the divine love of life in absolute reality, And images and language in a stream of intellectual and artistic unique and harmonious communicates with the subject of the themes of the Arab literature and its implications, but it is separated by a special entity signals and symbols related to the mysticism and worship.
The unleashing of the imagination and the diagnosis,