Objectives: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is WNT/b-catenin pathway antagonist which plays a detrimental role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This research aimed to assess serum DKK-1 levels in diabetic patients who have and have not developed DR and, compare them with the control subjects finding out whether we can use it as an indicator for DR early diagnosis and to find out which one of the widely used two groups of antidiabetic treatments had the greater effect on this biomarker and hence on the progression of DR. Methods: The study participants were divided into two subgroups: First, 70 patients (36 male, 34 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, among them 35 patients diagnosed with DR and 35 with no evidence of DR, and secondly, non-diabetic controls (11 male, 9 female) were selected from the patients attending Ibn AL-Haitham hospital for ophthalmology and a specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes. Venous blood samples of all participants were drawn after an overnight fast, and serum samples were stored at -20ºC until DKK-1 assay. Results: Serum DKK-1 showed significantly lower levels in diabetic patients with (6.1 ± 2 ng/mL) or without DR (14 ± 6.2 ng/mL) when compared to those of controls (34 ± 12.25 ng/mL) (p 0.05). Furthermore, serum DKK-1 levels were lower in the late stage of DR compared to the early stage 5.6 ± 1.7 and 7 ± 1.9 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, DPP-4 inhibitors cause a better increment in DKK-1 levels when compared to SU in the NDR group. Conclusions: Reduced serum levels of DKK-1 are related to the existence and worsening of DR and have the prospect to serve as an indicator for this condition.
insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) gene has been described in several studies as a candidate gene for growth. The present study attempts to identify associations between body weight traits and polymorphisms at 279 position of 5'UTR flanking region of IGF-1 gene in broiler chickens. Three hundred broiler chickens from two breeds (Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15) were used in this study. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at 279 position of 5'UTR region of the IGF-1 gene was identified in 20.6 and 60.3% of Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15, respectively, using the PCR-RFLP technique. Allele frequencies were 83.87 and 42.80% for the T allele and 16.13 and 57.20% for the C allele in Cobb500 and Hubbard-15 breeds, respectively. Genotype frequencies were
... Show Moreحظيت السمية الخلوية للمستخلصات النباتية باهتمام كبير في السنوات الأخيرة لتقييم نشاطها ضد الأورام. تركز الوقاية الكيميائية من السرطان على السمية الخلوية للمستخلصات النباتية لتكون سامة تجاه خطوط الخلايا السرطانية دون أن تؤثر على الخلايا الطبيعية. الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو تقييم السمية الخلوية لمستخلصي الزنجبيل و أوراق الزيتون ومزيجهما بنسبة 1: 1 تجاه خطوط خلايا RD وتقدير فعالية هذه المسخلصات ضد الاجهاد التا
... Show MoreBackground: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that involves autoantibodies attacking and weakening joints. RA is characterized by leukocyte (Monocyte, Lymphocyte mast cell .etc) infiltrations into the synovial compartment leading to inflammation in the synovial membrane. Synovitis leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, chemokines, complement proteins, and growth factors. Objective: The current study pointed to verify the diagnostic values of interleukin -17 A and interleukin -18 in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the effect of treatment thereon. Study subjects and methods: A total of 88 samples with RA were selected from the health clinics of AL-Yarmouk
... Show MoreDensity functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP level and 6-311G[Formula: see text] basis sets for light atoms like N and O and SDD basis sets for heavy atoms like Sn is used to examine the interaction of tin dioxide nanocrystals with nitrogen dioxide as a function of temperature from 273[Formula: see text]K to 373[Formula: see text]K through a Gaussian 09W software program. Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of activation and reaction are calculated. The situation of transition of SnO2 clusters toward nitrogen dioxide is investigated. According to the findings, the activation energy of SnO2 clusters with nitrogen dioxide increases as the temperature rises (in negative value). Gauss view 0
... Show MoreBackground: The Andrews’ six keys of normal occlusion contribute individually and collectively to the total scheme of occlusion and, therefore, are viewed as essential to successful orthodontic treatment. The present research aims to evaluate the presence of the parameters of the Andrews’ Six Keys of normal occlusion in a sample of 100 Iraqi adults with complete permanent dentition and clinically acceptable normal occlusion (Angle’s Class I) in Baghdad city. Their age range 18-25 years (60 males and 40 females). Materials and methods: Each patient was subjected to clinical examination and then study cast models were made, with their occlusal records. The measuring tools that have been used involved: Three-dimensional goniometer to me
... Show MoreViolence is one of the most serious threats facing societies because it affects their internal structure and threatens the security and stability of society. It is classified as one of the types of security crises that are emerging in Arab and Islamic societies in particular, and in most countries of the world in general.
The threat of this crisis is increasing. Terrorism is considered as one of the most serious aspects of that all the countries of the world, currently, suffer from. The terrorism has begun to penetrate deep into society in one way or another starting from the Second World War, which led to the emergence of leftist movements in Western Europe, Japan, France, Italy and other countries as a result of emerging ideas
... Show MoreThe study aims to identify the effects of dubbed Turkish drama on the public through the application of a sample of the views of women. The study also attempts to monitor the causes and motives due to the act of observation and to identify the various effects of this act. In order to achieve these goals, the researcher relies on the descriptive approach in addition to the questionnaire and interviews to collect data. It ends with a number of results such as: The study aims to identify the effects of dubbed Turkish drama on the public through the application of a sample of the views of women. The study also attempts to monitor the causes and motives due to the act of observation and to identify the various effects of this act. In ord
... Show MoreA series of metal ion complexes of some divalent transition metal ions having the general composition [ML2Cl2]nH2O with 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)-2- (5-chloro-2-hydroxy phenyl) acetonitrile ligand has been prepared from 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine. Existence of cyanide as potassium cyanide in acidic medium was considered, characterized by elemental chemical analysis, conductance of molarity, magnetic susceptibility measurements, FTIR electronic spectral studies and mole ratio method. FTIR indicates the participation of amino and acetonitrile nitrogen which is coordinated with the central metal ion.