Biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) have a role in the pathogenesis of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to explore the differences between serum levels of such biomarkers in severe and non-severe COVID-19 cases and compare them with normal people and to evaluate the sociodemographic variables and chronic diseases effect on the severity of COVID-19. The study included 160 subjects, divided into two groups, a case group of 80 patients, and a control group of 80 normal persons. The case group was divided into two subgroups: 40 severe COVID-19 patients and 40 patients with non-severe disease. Blood IL-6 was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), PCT by an immunoassay, CRP by an immunoturbidimetric assay and NLR from CBC. The levels of IL-6, PCT, CRP, and NLR were significantly higher in the case group than in control group (p= 0.001, for all). However, there was no difference between these biomarkers level in the non-severe COVID-19 subgroup and the control group (p>0.05 for all). The proportion of severe COVID-19 was significantly higher in patients aged >50 years, and in patients with chronic diseases (p=0.046 and p=0.001, respectively). We also found a strong correlation between such biomarkers and old age, and chronic diseases with the disease severity. There was a significant difference in the level of the three biomarkers (IL-6, PCT, CRP, and NLR) between patients’ subgroups and the control group. In conclusion, since the levels of these biomarkers are correlated with the severity of the COVID-19 disease, and there was a difference in the levels between the groups with severe and non-severe symptoms, we suggest a role of these biomarkers in predicting the severity COVID-19 disease and its poor prognosis.
Based on the theoretical review of researches and studies concerned with virtual teams in organizations, it was found that the role of virtual teams varies from case to another, and it may be positive or opposite. The purpose of the current research is to examine the role of virtual teams in the impact of cultural intelligence on the strategic excellence of Zain worldwide Group. An electronic questionnaire was designed through the (Google) and (Microsoft) forms, and distributed then on a sample of (146) participants with a high organizational level of the HRM departments within the group. The results showed that there was a positive moderator role of virtual teams in the relationship of cultural intelligence and strategic excellence
... Show MoreLung cancer is one of the most serious and prevalent diseases, causing many deaths each year. Though CT scan images are mostly used in the diagnosis of cancer, the assessment of scans is an error-prone and time-consuming task. Machine learning and AI-based models can identify and classify types of lung cancer quite accurately, which helps in the early-stage detection of lung cancer that can increase the survival rate. In this paper, Convolutional Neural Network is used to classify Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and normal case CT scan images from the Chest CT Scan Images Dataset using different combinations of hidden layers and parameters in CNN models. The proposed model was trained on 1000 CT Scan Images of cancerous and non-c
... Show MoreThe nigra scale, Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner, 1861) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) recorded as a new insect pest attacking fig trees, Ficus carica (Moraceae) in Iraq. It was observed during April 2014 in residential garden at Al-Hurriyah district in Baghdad.
Background: University dental students perceived a higher level of stress prior to the final exam associated with raised salivary cortisol levels which could be considered as a useful noninvasive biomarker for measuring acute stress. Using a Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring for temporomandibular disorders can give a better insight about the association of this marker and temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluation level of salivary cortisol in stressor students with temporomandibular disorder and the relation between this marker in relation to temporomandibular disorder severity. This might give a better understanding to the role of psychological stress as an etiological factor for developin
... Show MoreThe aim of the present study is to formulate floating effervescent microsponge tablet of the narrow absorption window drug, Baclofen (BFN) for controlling drug release and thereby decrease the side effect of the drug. The microsponges of BFN were prepared by non-aqueous emulsion solvent diffusion method (oil in oil emulsion method). The effects of drug: polymer ratio, stirring time and type of Eudragit polymer on the physical characteristics of microsponges were investigated and characterized for production yield, loading efficiency, particle size, surface morphology, and in vitro drug release from microsponges. The selected microsponge formula was incorporated into the floating effervescent gastro-retentive tablet. The prepared fl
... Show MoreThe preferred route of drug administration is the oral route, but drugs with narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract are still challenging. The ability to extend and monitor the gastric emptying time is a valuable tool for processes remaining in the stomach longer than other traditional dosage forms.
The purpose of this study was to formulate and evaluate gastroretentive superporous hydrogel (SPH) of carvedilol with view to improve its solubility and increase gastric residence time in order to get sustained release formulas via utilization of various kinds and concentrations of hydrophilic polymers then after, incorporate the best prepared formula into capsules.
Sixteenth formulae of SPH h
... Show MoreThe importance of this topic may not be overlooked by many of the specialists, because it is one the sciences of the Arabic language, but it is an important method in the field of influencing the recipient and his aesthetic ability to create influential images as well.
The talking about Semantic (Badi'iyah)is as old as the Arabic age, so it may be talking about it not the new thing because the people who specialized have preceded us and exhausted all the talk .
Lyophilized bromelain enzyme was obtained from the Department of Food Sciences, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad. Some properties of the enzyme were determined, the optimum temperature and pH for activity and stability, as it used a range of graduated temperatures from 25 °C to 85 °C, as well as a range of pH degrees from 4 to 9. The results showed that the best pH for activity was 7, as it reached the enzymatic activity was 42.3 units/ml, and the best pH range for stability was 7-5. The best temperature for the activity was 45°C, as the enzymatic activity reached 59.3 units/ml, and the enzyme retained its full activity after being incubated at a temperature of 25 - 45 °C. The anti-browning en
... Show MoreAbstract:
The tax is one of the elements of the general revenues of the state and contributes to covering its expenses. Taxes are imposed in most countries of the world. The tax proceeds depend on a set of factors that contribute either positively or negatively to the tax share by increasing or decreasing it. Therefore, the research aims to demonstrate the role of the tax examiner's procedures in achieving the validity of the taxable base and its reflection on the tax proceeds, as well as reviewing the tax examiner's procedures related to the tax return process. Examination and tax audit of the financial statements, as well as presenting the financial statements to an independent and i
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