Rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis use analogous effector destructive procedures, in that the inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines that drive chronic bone erosion in RA and chronic periodontal destruction in Periodontitis are alike. Periodontitis (PD) has appeared as a hazard factor in a number of health situations as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine the effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha biological treatment (methotrexate and Enbrel or infliximab) on periodontal status of patients having rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis in comparison to those having periodontitis without rheumatoid arthritis and control healthy subjects and to determine the serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) in these groups. Periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The Blood samples were gathered from 75 patients (25 patients had rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis, 30 patients with periodontitis only and 20 evidently healthy volunteers). The current data revealed that the median value of plaque and gingival indices were higher in the periodontitis group than in rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis group while CAL was slightly higher in rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis group than periodontitis group. The percentage of BOP sites were higher in periodontitis group than rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis. The serum level of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide was found to be higher in the periodontitis group (601.846) followed by rheumatoid arthritis with periodontitis, which had the lowest median (163.99), while the median value of ACCP in control group was (218.617), and the result was statistically non-significant difference between the study groups p> 0.05. There was no correlation between anticyclic citrullinated peptide and clinical periodontal parameters in each group except in gingival index, bleeding on probing of the periodontitis group as there was significant correlation. Patients with RA receiving biological treatment had lower anti_cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and lower periodontal indices when compared with the other patient that not taking biological therapy. Thus, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines might have a beneficial effect in reducing inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis disease and in minimizing the periodontal destruction of chronic periodontitis.
The results of theoretical and experimental investigations carried out to study the effect of load and relative sliding speed on the abrasive wear behavior in drilling bit teeth surfaces of an insert tungsten carbide bit have been presented. Experimentally, an apparatus for abrasive wear tests conducted on the modified ASTM-G65 was modified and fabricated to facilitate loading and measurement of wear rate for the sand/ steel wheel abrasion test, which involves two cases of contact; first is at dry sand and second is under wet condition. These tests have been carried under varied operating parameters of normal load and sliding speed. A theoretical model based upon the Archard equation has been developed for predicting wear simulation by u
... Show MoreThe present work reports on the performance of three types of nanofiltration membranes in the removal of highly polluting and toxic lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) from single and binary salt aqueous solutions simulating real wastewaters. The effect of the operating variables (pH (5.5-6.5), types of NF membrane and initial ions concentration (10-250 ppm)) on the separation process and water flux was investigated. It was observed that the rejection efficiency increased with increasing pH of solution and decreasing the initial metal ions concentrations. While the flux decreased with increasing pH of solution and increasing initial metal ions concentrations. The maximum rejection of lead and cadmium ion
... Show MoreWater is a resource and a crucial aspect of living and surviving. In Iraq, the Tigris River is one of the most critical water sources. The present study aimed to provide an insight analysis of some water quality parameters including the microbial content of drinkable tap water and river water. Ten Water samples (T1- T10) in triplicate were collected from sampling sites -Site I (Tap water) from home water taps, supplied by the Water Filtration Station/ Al Karama Project/ Al-Karkh> 10 from Site II (R1- R10)River water from Tigris River (around or near the Water Filtration Station/ Al Karama Project) every week (from September to half of November 2022), then were immediately placed in sterile bottles and transported to Microbiolo
... Show MoreThis review examines how artificial intelligence (AI) including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming operations across exploration, production, and refining in the Middle Eastern oil and gas sector. Using a systematic literature review approach, the study analyzes AI adoption in upstream, midstream, and downstream activities, with a focus on predictive maintenance, emission monitoring, and digital transformation. It identifies both opportunities and challenges in applying AI to achieve environmental and economic goals. Although adoption levels vary across the region, countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are leading initiatives that align with global sustainability targets.
... Show MoreDNA methylation is one of the main epigenetic mechanisms in cancer development and progression. Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands within promoter regions contributes to the dysregulation of various tumor suppressors and oncogenes; this leads to the appearance of malignant features, including rapid proliferation, metastasis, stemness, and drug resistance. The discovery of two important protein families, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and Ten-eleven translocation (TET) dioxygenases, respectively, which are responsible for deregulated transcription of genes that play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, led to further understanding of DNA methylation-related pathways. But how these enzymes can target specific genes in different malignancies;
... Show MoreA total of sixty raw milk samples were collected from (street vendors and shops) from Baghdad city, Iraq. The samples were inoculated into peptone water and, then, subcultured onto MacConkey agar and Blood agar. Identification of isolates was confirmed by microscopic examination, cultural characteristic, biochemical tests, Vitek (VITEK®2 system), and Biolog GN substrate reactions followed by 16S rRNA and specific genes sequencing. Of 60 raw cow’s milk samples, Providencia spp. were identified only in 4 samples (6.67%) and P. rettgeri was the most common, 2/4 (50%), followed by P. stuartii and P. vermicola, 1/4 (25%). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted against ten antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. All Provid
... Show MoreMineral fillers are a fundamental component of asphalt mastic and play a critical role in governing the mechanical performance and durability of flexible pavements. Variations in filler type and dosage can substantially alter mastic stiffness, deformation resistance, fatigue behavior, and adhesion. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the influence of mineral filler type and filler-to-asphalt (F/A) ratio on the rheological, fatigue, and adhesive performance of asphalt mastics. Three commonly used fillers; limestone dust, Portland cement, and hydrated lime were investigated at four F/A ratios (0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2). A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, including conventional binder characterization, Mult
... Show MoreABSTRACT This study presents an efficient approach for the separation and preconcentration of norepinephrine (NOR) from pharmaceutical formulations, environmental water, and human urine samples using a dispersive micro – solid phase extraction (DμSPE) technique employing magnetic nanoadsorbents. Two adsorbents, Fe3O4@TTAB and Fe3 O4@SiO2@TTAB, were prepared by functionalising iron oxide and silicacoated iron oxide nanoparticles with the cationic surfactant tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB). NOR was first converted into a sensitive diazonium dye via reaction with diazotised sulphamethazine and then extracted using mixed ademicelle – hemimicelle magnetic solid-phase extraction, followed by spectrophotometric quantification. Key
... Show MoreA New Perspective About Masculinity and the Issue of Identity in Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea and Michael Ondaatje's in The Skin of a lion