Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow. In most patients, monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chains or light chains are produced and are associated with organ dysfunction. The growth factor B-cell activating factor (BAFF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma due to its ability to promote B-cell survival, expansion, and differentiation. Objective: to measure the circulatory level of B-cell activating factor in multiple myeloma patients in relapsed and remission states and explore its possible correlations with the clinical staging, β2-microglobulin, and interleukin-6. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 multiple myeloma patients, with 30 in remission and 30 in relapse, as well as 20 healthy individuals serving as a control group. The study was conducted in the Hematology department of Baghdad Teaching Hospital in the Medical City Complex from January to September 2020. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to measure plasma levels of B-cell activating factor, β2-microglobulin, and interleukin-6. Results: The B-cell activating factor levels were significantly higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to the control, and in relapsed patients compared to those in remission. The level of B-cell activating factor increased with advanced disease, in both remission and relapse states. There are positive correlations with β2-microglobulin and interleukin-6 levels in both relapsed and remission states. Conclusion: Increased B-cell activating factor level in relapse more than remission states is a useful biomarker of disease activity in multiple myeloma and has positive correlations with β2-microglobulin and interleukin-6 levels.
:Background: Many studies had stated that there are marked variations in the clinical presentation of depressive states between different cultures.Objectives: The main aim of the study is to identify the symptoms profile of patients with major depressive disorder living in Baghdad.Method: Ninety two patients with major depressive disorder consulting Ibn-Rushd psychiatric teaching hospital were studied thoroughly to identify the frequency of symptoms among them. The fifth edition of the Arabic version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) was used to identify the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – fourth edition (DSM-IV) symptoms. A list of other symptoms, which were found to present variably in depression acco
... Show MoreBackground: Insulin resistance is present in 50% or more of patients with primary hypothyroidism. Metformin can decrease TSH levels in these patients by a complex matter, this can be of great help in clinical practice.
Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of metformin in reducing TSH levels in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
Methods: Hundred patients with primary hypothyroidism, 82 females, 18 males were included in this study, everyone was followed up for two months after adding metformin 850 mg twice daily in addition to thyroxin.
Results: 36 patients (36%) have a normal baseline TSH and no change after 2 months, 64 pa
... Show MoreElastic magnetic M1 electron scattering form factor has been calculated for the ground state J,T=1/2-,1/2 of 13C. The single-particle model is used with harmonic oscillator wave function. The core-polarization effects are calculated in the first-order perturbation theory including excitations up to 5ħω, using the modified surface delta interaction (MSDI) as a residual interaction. No parameters are introduced in this work. The data are reasonably explained up to q~2.5fm-1 .
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in which the myelin sheaths got injured. The prevalence of MS is on grow, as well as, it affects the young ages. Females are most common to have MS compared to males. Oxidative stress is the situation of imbalance between oxidants (free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and antioxidants in a living system, in which either the oxidants are elevated or antioxidants are reduced, or sometimes both. ROS and oxidative stress have been implicated in the progression of many degenerative diseases, which is important in cracking the unrevealed mysteries of MS. In this review article, some of the proposed mechanisms that link oxidative stres
... Show MoreIn general, researchers and statisticians in particular have been usually used non-parametric regression models when the parametric methods failed to fulfillment their aim to analyze the models precisely. In this case the parametic methods are useless so they turn to non-parametric methods for its easiness in programming. Non-parametric methods can also used to assume the parametric regression model for subsequent use. Moreover, as an advantage of using non-parametric methods is to solve the problem of Multi-Colinearity between explanatory variables combined with nonlinear data. This problem can be solved by using kernel ridge regression which depend o
... Show MoreThe research presents a case study of collecting materials and raw materials in a visual space that allows them to form a perception and meanings that inform the recipient by reconstructing them and inserting them into the surface of the artistic work and in such a way that the aesthetic act consists of a variety of media, touches and surfaces. The overlap of races within an environment characterized by unity. That is why the researcher in chapter one presented the problem of research, and the focus was on studying the multiplicity of materials and their aesthetic and functional role in the structure of creative work. The aim of the research is enhanced to identify the aesthetic performance function of the multiplicity of ores in the col
... Show MoreThis article reviews the construction of organic solar cell (OSC) and characterized their optical and electrical properties, where indium tin oxide (ITO) used as a transparent electrode, “Poly (3-hexylthiophene- 2,5-diyl) P3HT / Poly (9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) F8BT” as an active layer and “Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonate)” PEDOT: PSS which is referred to the hole transport layer. Spin coating technique was used to prepared polymers thin film layers under ambient atmosphere to make OSC. The prepared samples were characterized after annealing process at (80 ͦ C) for (30 min) under non-isolated circumference. The results show a value of filling factor (FF) of (2.888), (0.233) and (0.28
... Show MoreThis current study aims to:
1st: The recognizing of Alexithymia level for 6th grade students (Study Specimen) through the next Zero Hypothesis:1. There are no statistically significant differences at (0.05) level between the arithmetic mean of the specimen degrees as a whole and the central assumption for the scale of the lack in emotions expression
2. There are no statistically significant differences at (0.05) level between the arithmetic mean of the male students specimen and the arithmetic meanc of the female students specimen for the scale of Alexithymia.
2nd: ldentification the level of the emotional intelligence among 6th grade students (Study Specimen) through the next Zero Hypothesis:
1) There are no statistically si
This study aims to formulate an alternative solution for Formalin for preserving fish as study specimens for long periods. The main reason for finding a solution instead of formalin is to get rid of the negative effects of this solution on those who work with it, as well as to better preserve the bodies of fish. Hence, three new solutions were proposed to replace formalin. Thus, Formalin, in turn, may enter the composition of a small part of these solutions to give better results and for long periods of keeping specimens. All solutions prepared in this study participated in being acidic as in formalin. Two solutions succeeded in compensating for the use of formalin in preserving fish
Obesity among girls can lead to physical, psychological, or social problems. Enhancing self-esteem and reducing self-stigma toward obesity can play a crucial role in girls’ health. This study aims to assess girls’ self-esteem and its association with self-stigma toward obesity.
A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to meet the study’s objective. A convenience sampling method was used to gather the sample from 24 middle and high schools in five cities across Iraq from (January