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.
This study aimed to measure the accounting conservatism and the lemited factors which affected on it in the annual financial reports of insurance companies which listed on the Amman Stock Exchange during the period from 2005 to 2016, these factors were represented by firm age, firm debt and firm size.
Using the market value model (MV) To book value ( BV) Beaver and Ryan (2000) The level of the accounting conservatism was measured. The study found that the insurance companies which are listed on the ASE exercise the accounting conservatism when they were preparing financial reports. And when conducting a process of the test of the affected of the factors (The age of the
... Show MoreThe present study aims to detect CTX-M-type ESBL from Escherichia coli clinical isolates and to analyze their antibotic susceptibility patterns. One hundred of E. coli isolates were collected from different clinical samples from a tertiary hospital. ESBL positivity was determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR used for amplification of CTX-M-type ESBL produced by E. coli. Out of 100 E. coli isolates, twenty-four isolates (24%) were ESBL-producers. E. coli isolated from pus was the most frequent clinical specimen that produced ESBL (41.66%) followed by urine (34.21%), respiratory (22.23%), and blood (19.05%). After PCR amplification of these 24 isolates, 10 (41.66%) isolates were found to possess CTX-M genes. The CTX-M type ESBL
... Show MoreBackground: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a general term that describe a wide variety of conditions that include myogenic pain, internalderangement, arthritic problem, ankylosis of the joint and growth disorders. The aims of study was to evaluate the value of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of articular disc position and configuration in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and to evaluate the correlations of these MRI findings with the clinical signs and symptoms. Materials and methods: A total forty six (30 study and 16 control) participants aged between18 and 49 years, were examined according to Helkimo anamnestic index (questionnaire for anamnesis) and clinical dysfunction index scoring criteria
... Show MoreVariation orders are an on-going phenomenon in construction and industry projects worldwide, particularly in the province of Sulaimani, where the project's damage from cost and schedule overrun because of variation orders. However, the effect on project costs and time overrun of variation order has yet to be identified. This study evaluates the impact of variation orders on the cost and time off in the Sulaimani governorate. Two hundred twenty-eight projects from various construction sectors built between 2007-2012 were adopted to calculate the contract cost and schedule overruns due to variation orders. Data analysis was applied in the study were descriptive statistics. One-way ANOVA was also applied to determine w
... Show MoreThe last decade has seen a variety of modifications of glass-ionomer cements (GICs), such as inclusion of bioactive glass particles and dispensing systems. Hence, the aim was to systematically evaluate effect of mixing modes and presence of reactive glass additives on the physical properties of several GICs.
The physical properties of eight commercial restorative GICs; Fuji IX GP Extra (C&H), KetacTM Fill Plus Applicap (C&H), Fuji II LC (C&H), Glass Carbomer Ce
We report on using a CO2 (10.6 µm) laser to debond the lithium disilicate veneers. Sixty-four sound human premolar teeth and 64 veneer specimens were used in the study. The zigzag movement via CO2 laser handpiece along with an air-cooled jet to prevent temperature elevation above the necrosis temperature limit (5.5 C°) was applied. The optimal deboning irradiation time was super-fast, at about 5 seconds at 3 Watt CO2 laser power. It is 20 times less than any previously published work for veneers debonding. The enamel beneath the debonded veneers has been assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and shear stress technique as criteria for the easiness of debonding. The
... Show MoreThe paper discusses the structural and optical properties of In 2 O 3 and In 2 O 3-SnO 2 gas sensor thin films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates and grown by irradiation of assistant microwave on seeded layer nucleated using spin coating technique. The X-ray diffraction revealed a polycrystalline nature of the cubic structure. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) used for morphology analysis that shown the grain size of the prepared thin film is less than 100 nm, surface roughness and root mean square for In 2 O 3 where increased after loading SnO 2 , this addition is a challenge in gas sensing application. Sensitivity of In 2 O 3 thin film against NO 2 toxic gas is 35% at 300 o C. Sensing properties were improved after adding Tin Oxi
... Show MoreRecurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA) is the most painful experience for couples expecting a child. This study aimed to determine the relevance of IL-2 and IL-6 in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Serum samples were collected from 90 women attend Al Kadhmiya teaching hospital in Baghdad. 60 women (first group) had recurrent abortion the women were negative for rubella virus, herpes simplex virus and toxplasma gondii. And they were negative from bacterial infection eg. Niesseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. The histopathological tests for fetus abnormalities were negative in this group, and 30 women (second group) with successful pregnancy (normal delivery). All samples we
... Show MoreBackground: The ideal maxillofacial prosthesis should have fine and thin boundaries that bindwith the surrounding facial structures and possess high tear strength.This study aims to determinethe best percentages of nanofiller (TiO2) and intrinsic pigment (silicone functional intrinsic) thatcould be mixed in as additives to improve the tear strength of Cosmesil M511 andVST50F siliconeelastomers with the least effect on their hardness.Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, a total of 80 samples, 40 for eachelastomer, were fabricated. Each elastomer sample was split into two equal groups to test for tearstrength and Shore A hardness. Each group consisted of 20 samples, including 10 control sampleswithout additives and 10 e
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