It was aimed to understand the interleukin-4 (IL-4) role in etio-pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two approaches were adopted. In the first one, a quantitative expression of IL4 gene was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and such findings were correlated with some demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, which included gender, duration of disease, disease activity score (DAS-28), rheumatoid factors (RFs), C-reactive protein (CRP) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) antibodies. In the second approach, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL4 gene (rs2243250) was inspected by DNA sequencing using specific primers. Fifty-one Iraqi RA patients (22 males and 29 females) were enrolled in the study. They were under therapy, which was a single weekly subcutaneous dose of 25 mg of etanercept (Enbrel) for a period of 3-5 years. The results of gene expression (2-??Ct) revealed an increased expression of IL4 mRNA (Mean ± SEM: 8.247 ± 2.442), especially female patients compared to male patients (11.545 ± 3.928 vs. 3.537 ± 1.530; p = 0.03). The expression was also subjected to variations that were related to clinical and laboratory findings. With respect to IL4 gene SNP, allele and genotype frequencies showed no significant differences between RA patients and controls. In addition, the SNP genotypes had no effect on IL4 gene expression. In conclusion, an up-regulation of IL4 gene expression was observed in RA patients, and it was more pronounced in female than male patients by approximately four folds, while no association between the IL4 SNP alleles or genotypes and RA was observed.
Abstract
The research aims to identify the level of effectiveness of the teaching practices of science and mathematics teachers in light of the national framework for future skills in Omani schools. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers used the descriptive approach, as he designed a note card consisting of (30) phrases distributed on three axes: basic skills, practical skills, and technical skills. After verifying the validity and reliability of the tools, they were applied to a sample of (116) teachers. The results of the research revealed that the level of effectiveness of the teaching practices of mathematics teachers has recorded a medium degree with a mean (3.05). The results a
... Show MoreThe paper aims at investigating the content of particles and minerals of soft clay soil in the Mekong Delta coastal provinces, southern Vietnam, as well as improving soil stability using inorganic adhesives, i.e.lime and cement-based stabilization. To study the composition of soft clay soil, a series of different laboratory methods were carried out and revealed various characteristics related to mineral composition, pH value, soluble salt content, and grain particle composition of soft clay soils. The results demonstrated five soil subtypes, namely high – saline soil (S2), low-saline soil (S1), acid sulfate soil (A), acid sulfate - saline soil (S-A), soil without salt and
acid sulfate content (S0- A0). The soft clay soil (C) in
Objective(s): Biocompatibility, non-toxicity, minimal allergenicity, and biodegradability are all characteristics of chitosan. Other biological properties of chitosan have been reported, including antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. This research aim is the synthesis of drug compounds by preparation and characterization of polymer chitosan Schiff base and chitosan Schiff base / Poly vinyl alcohol / poly vinyl pyrrolidone Nanocomposite and study applications (anticancer cell line, antimicrobial agents). Methods: Chitosan Schiff base was prepared from the reaction of chitosan with carbonyl group of 4-nitro benzaldehyde. Polymer blend have been prepared by solution casting method. Chitosan Schiff base mixing with PVA and PVP
... Show MoreThis study was achieved to calculate the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) in units of (mSv.y-1), and the average radiation dose rate (ADR) in units of (μSv.h-1) which were measured by portable devices. The study was carried out on the workers of the destroyed radiochemistry laboratory located at Al-Twuitha nuclear site (south of Baghdad). Radiation background was determined for comparison with the radioactive dose of soil samples measured with HPGe detector and portable devices type LUDLUM. The radioactivity levels of the area around the radiochemistry laboratory building were within the limits of radiation background. The result showed a significant increase of the annua
... Show MoreThis research shows the importance of Baghdad in the field of urban heritage and was demonstrated in the Ibn al-Fiqh al-Hamdani's book Baghdad the City of Peace in which he focused on many urban aspects and reviewing its historical importance by connecting them with modern events and the role they play in cultural and civilized construction which included: mosques, schools and markets etc. and the service providing institutions and other pillars of the Islamic cities through showing the development back then and its importance as an integral part of the urban and cultural heritage of the Islamic cities in general and Baghdad city in particular.
In his book Baghdad the City of Peace, Ibn al-Faqih Hamadhaani
... Show MoreThe agricultural lands that depend on supplementary irrigation methods for winter wheat cultivating in wide areas of the Nineveh province are most vulnerable to climate change concerns. Due to frequent rainfall shortages and the temperature increase recently noticed and predicted by the climate scenarios. Hence important to assess the climate effect on the crop response in terms of water consumption during the periods (2021-2040) and (2041-2060) by using high-resolution data extracted from 6 global climate data GCMs under SSP5-8.5 fossil fuel emission scenarios in changing and fixed CO2 concentration. And validate the Aqua-Crop model to estimate the yield and water productivity. And gives the RRSME of 7.1- 4.1
... Show MoreThis study focuses on the biodegradation of oxymatrine insecticide by some soil fungi isolated from four agriculture stations. The results showed that the highest degradation rate 94.66% was recorded by Ulocladium sp. at 10 days and A. niger recorded the lowest degradation rate 45.86%, while at 20 days Ulocladium sp. also showed the highest degradation rate 94.98% and the lowest degradation rate reached to 82.49% with A.niger. The mix (Exerohilum sp.+Ulocladium sp.) recorded the highest degradation rate of oxymatrine insecticide 90.22%, 88.51%, 85.34% at 4, 8 and 12 ppm.The use of mixed isolates enhanced the biodegradation process. There is no study of oxymatrine biodegradation
... Show More