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.
Determination and evaluation of principal minerals in Negella sativa by atomic absorption technical methods were showed, using wet ashing method. This work was done on Negella sativa because of wide using of this plant in many formulations ( in food or medicine ).two types of atomic absorptions were used : first, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, for minerals of high concentrations such as, Na, Mg, K, Fe, Ca, Li, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu. Second, flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy, for minerals of low concentrations such as, Al, Si, V, B, Pb, Co, Cd, Cr ,Si, Hg, Sn .The results showed the existence of many minerals in Negella sativa useful to human sanity with acceptable dietary allowance. On other side, the presence of harmful m
... Show MoreAdenosine deaminase (ADA) and lipid profile may be associated with some diseases. Parasitic diseases have also been reported to be associated with ADA and lipid profiles. This study aimed to evaluate ADA, lipid profile, and total protein among children infected with E.vermicularis. This research was carried out in Baghdad province from October 2021 to the end of March 2022. One hundred samples were collected from both sexes, ranging in age from (3-16) years. They all underwent examination for ADA, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total protein levels. Results showed no significant differences between E.vermicularis positive group and E.vermicularis negative group regarding ADA, LDL, and trig
... Show MoreField experiment was conducted to test the effect of saline water 2 and7 dSm-1 potassium fertilizer rate 150,300 and 450 kg/donum on nitrogen fixation in Pisum sativum L. nodules. The experiment included anatomy study .Results water salinity ( 2,7 dSm-1) as a main plot and fertilizer rates as a sub plot. Results indicated that irrigation with saline water 7 dSm-¹ caused a significant decrease in N contents especially in the lower parts of the plants. The percentage of the N decreased in lower leaves to (0.01%) under 7dSm-¹ and 300 kg/donum fertilizer; however the percentage increased in the upper leaves to (2.80%) under with 2dSm-¹of irrigation water and 300 kg/ donum fertilizer rate. Fresh weight decreased to 6.26g under 7 dSm
... Show MoreThe researchers aim of this research to analyze the reality of educational services in the city of Ramadi in order to reveal the efficiency of the spatial distribution of schools at the level of residential neighborhoods and the requirements of the population, based on the standards and indicators for this service.
The research problem related to the educational function of the city of Ramadi was formulated by asking about the efficiency of the spatial distribution of educational services and whether there is a balance in the distribution of schools to residential neighborhoods in a way that meets the requirements of the population, and in order to answer the research problem, the research hypothesis was formulated that there is
... Show MoreIn an intensive study of the various species of the Euglenophyceae under different environmental conditions, the algal samples were collected monthly in twelve springs and six related streams from September 2019 to August 2020 within Shaglawa district-Erbil Province in virgin areas for phycolimnological study. Twenty species of Euglenophyceaen are identified as a new record for the algal flora. These taxa consist of Colacium vesiculosum, Lepocinclis salina and L.wangi, Eutreptia viridis, Euglena chlamydophora, E. clavata,
... Show MoreBackground: The scarce literature regarding oral hygiene attitude and periodontal awareness in Iraqi adults warranted the conduction of this study in order to provide a public profile and a baseline data for further researches. Aims of the study: assessing the oral hygiene attitude and periodontal awareness in a sample of Iraqi adults. Materials and Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 500 adults. Results: Out of the 500 questionnaires distributed, 482 were included in the study.92% of the sample practiced tooth brushing, 69% out of them reported a daily brushing pattern with variable frequency,69% of the sample did not receive oral hygiene education from any source ,more than half of the sample 60 % used the hori
... Show MoreBackground: Stroke is an acute neurologic injury and represents the 2nd leading cause of mortality worldwide, and also the most leading cause of acquired disability and morbidity in adults.
Objective: Effect and association between stroke and risk factors.
Type of the study: A retrospective study.
Methods: The study conducted on 312 patients in 2016, all data were collected from patients’ files from the emergency unit, which included basic demographic and disease characteristic, co morbid diseases, risk factors, final diagnosis.
Results: both previous stroke, ischemic heart disease was strong predictor of new
... Show MoreThe purpose of this article is to identify and evaluate the importance of birds of the genus Merops (European Bee-eater -Merops apiaster and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater -Merops persicus) in Uzbekistan, as well as to develop recommendations aimed at solving some problems associated with its conservation. As a result of the study, in the aspect of biocenotic relations, the natural significance of these species was revealed. The economic value is determined and analyzed in beekeeping farms. From the study of the remains of food contained in the stomachs, throats and nests of M.apiaster, a preliminary list of the main species of the food spectrum has been compiled. Based on the bioacoustic repellent "Korshun-8"
... Show MoreBackground: Diabetes mellitus is a well known risk factor for acute coronary syndrome but the hypothesis that patients with acute phase hyperglycemia, regardless the previous diagnosis of diabetes, have worse prognosis than those with normal glucose values is controversial. This paper aims to estimate the prevalence of admission hyperglycemia, its effect on in-hospital prognosis of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome, and to compare it with 2nd day fasting plasma glucose as a prognostic marker.
Methods: One hundred patients, (59) diabetic and (41) non-diabetic, with documented acute coronary syndrome enrolled in this study over the period of June/ 2009-Jan./2010 from coronary c
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition associated with chronic anovulation, and androgen excess. Clinically, PCOS women usually presents with menstrual irregularities, infertility, and hirsutism. Women with this syndrome are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MS).
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted during the period from March 2013 until the end of September 2013. A total of 50 PCOS women were studied (25 PCOS women with MS and 25 PCOS women without MS) with an age ranged from (35-45) years. Women with PCOS were referred to Medical City Hospital in Baghdad and compared with 25 healthy women as control group. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle