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.
In this study; the genus of Sinoxylon Duftschmid, 1825 (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae) was revised. There were 3 species registered in our investigations: S. anale Lesne, 1897; S. ceratoniae (Linnaeus, 1758) and S. muricatum (Olivier, 1790), the last species was redescribed as being found for the first time for the Iraqi faunal insects. Key to the species were constructed and supported by figures of the main diagnostic characters and some morphological features.
In this article, the lattice Boltzmann method with two relaxation time (TRT) for the D2Q9 model is used to investigate numerical results for 2D flow. The problem is performed to show the dissipation of the kinetic energy rate and its relationship with the enstrophy growth for 2D dipole wall collision. The investigation is carried out for normal collision and oblique incidents at an angle of . We prove the accuracy of moment -based boundary conditions with slip and Navier-Maxwell slip conditions to simulate this flow. These conditions are under the effect of Burnett-order stress conditions that are consistent with the discrete Boltzmann equation. Stable results are found by using this kind of boundary condition where d
... Show MoreThis paper studies the behavior of reinforced Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) two-way slabs under static and repeated load. The experimental program included testing six simply supported RPC two-way slabs of 1000 mm length, 1000 mm width, and 70 mm thickness. All the tested specimens were identical in their material properties, and reinforcement details except their steel fibers content. They were cast in three pairs, each one had a different steel fibers ratio (0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 %) respectively. In each pair, one specimen was tested under static load and the other under five cycles of repeated load (loading-unloading). Static test results revealed that increasing steel fibres volume fraction from 0.5 % to 1 % and from 1% to 1.5%,
... Show MoreMost available methods for unit hydrographs (SUH) derivation involve manual, subjective fitting of
a hydrograph through a few data points. The use of probability distributions for the derivation of synthetic
hydrographs had received much attention because of its similarity with unit hydrograph properties. In this
paper, the use of two flexible probability distributions is presented. For each distribution the unknown
parameters were derived in terms of the time to peak(tp), and the peak discharge(Qp). A simple Matlab
program is prepared for calculating these parameters and their validity was checked using comparison
with field data. Application to field data shows that the gamma and lognormal distributions had fit well.<
The high and low water levels in Tigris River threaten the banks of the river. The study area is located on the main stream of Tigris River at Nu’maniyah City and the length of the considered reach is 5.4 km, especially the region from 400 m upstream Nu’maniyah Bridge and downstream of the bridge up to 1250 mwhich increased the risk ofthe problemthat itheading towardsthe streetand causingdanger tonearbyareas.
The aim of this research is to identify the reason of slope collapse and find proper treatments for erosion problem in the river banks with the least cost. The modeling approach consisted of several steps, the first of which is by using “mini” JET (Jet Erosion Test) d
... Show MoreFor more than a decade, externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites successfully utilized in retrofitting reinforced concrete structural elements. The function of CFRP reinforcement in increasing the ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) beam is essential in such members. Flexural and shear behaviors, ductility, and confinement were the main studied properties that used the CFRP as a strengthening material. However, limited attention has been paid to investigate the energy absorption of torsion strengthening of concrete members, especially two-span concrete beams. Hence, the target of this work is to investigate the effectiveness of CFRP-strengthening technique with regard to energy absorption of two-span RC
... Show Morethe banks are one of the public services that must be available in the city to ensure easy financial dealings between citizens and state departments and between the state departments with each other and between the citizens themselves and to ensure easy access to it, so it is very important to choose the best location for the bank, which can serve the largest number of The population achieves easy access. Due to the difficulty of obtaining accurate information dealing with the exact coordinates and according to the country's specific projection, the researcher will resort to the default work using some of the files available in the arcview program
Food fortification has an important and necessary role in compensating for the shortage of nutritional micronutrients, especially in developing and least developed countries. So, 12 samples of flour available in the local market, whether imported or locally produced flour, were obtained during 2019. The amount of base metal of the necessary iron element in the flour models studied which are available in local markets, measured by spot testing and was compared with the values that should be added according to the specification Iraqi standard. Results revealed the qualitative evaluation of iron in locally produced flour does not conform to the Iraqi standard and is almost free of any reinforcement. While the percentage of imp
... Show MoreSince cancer is becoming a leading cause of death worldwide, efforts should be concentrated on understanding its underlying biological alterations that would be utilized in disease management, especially prevention strategies. Within this context, multiple bodies of evidence have highlighted leptin’s practical and promising role, a peptide hormone extracted from adipose and fatty tissues with other adipokines, in promoting the proliferation, migration, and metastatic invasion of breast carcinoma cells. Excessive blood leptin levels and hyperleptinemia increase body fat content and stimulate appetite. Also, high leptin level is believed to be associated with several conditions, including overeating, emotional stress, inflammation, obesity,
... Show MoreThe study aims to find out the effectiveness of using the Google classroom educational platform in teaching mathematics curricula from the viewpoint of teachers in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah, Sultanate of Oman. The researcher adopted the descriptive-analytical approach. To collect the needed data, a questionnaire of two dimensions was used. It includes (13) items to measure the effectiveness of using the Google classroom in teaching mathematics curricula from the teacher's point of view and includes (10) items to measure the difficulties of using the Google classroom in teaching mathematics curricula from the teachers' point of view. These tools were applied to (32) male and (31) female as the study sample. They represent mathematics
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