BACKGROUND: HLA-B27 can effect clinical presentation and course of ankylosing spondylitis. Different detection techniques of HLA-B27 are available with variable sensitivities and specificities. OBJECTIVE: To compare serologic and molecular diagnostic techniques of detecting HLA-B27 status and to correlate it with some clinical variables among ankylosing spondylitis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 Iraqi patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were reported. HLA-B27 status was determined in all patients by real-time PCR using HLA-B27 RealFast™ kit; ELISA method was used as well to detect soluble serum HLA-B27 antigens using Human Leukocyte Antigen® kit. RESULTS:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorder affecting females. The pathology of PCOS is complicated and associated to chronic low-grade inflammation, this includes a disruption in pro-inflammatory factor production, leukocytosis, and endothelial cell dysfunction, also associated with high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and leukocyte count. In addition, PCOS is characterized by hormonal and immunological dysfunction. Inflammation of the ovary affects ovulation and induces or aggravates systemic inflammation. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), a pro-inflammatory chemokine, is crucial in the recruitment of inflammatory and immunological cells to the place of inflammation

The effect of high energy radiation on the energy gap of compound semiconductor Silicon Carbide (SiC) are viewed. Emphasis is placed on those effects which can be interpreted in terms of energy levels. The goal is to develop semiconductors operating at high temperature with low energy gaps by induced permanent damage in SiC irradiated by gamma source. TEACO2 laser used for producing SiC thin films. Spectrophotometer lambda - UV, Visible instrument is used to determine energy gap (Eg). Co-60, Cs-137, and Sr-90 are used to irradiate SiC samples for different time of irradiation. Possible interpretation of the changing in Eg values as the time of irradiation change is discussed

Eighteen new cyclic imides (maleimides) conncted to benzothiazole moiety through sulfonamide group were synthesized via multistep synthesis.The first step involved preparation of two maleamic acids N-phenylmaleamic acid and N-benzylmaleamic acid via reaction of maleic anhydride with aniline or benzyl amine.Dehydration of the prepared amic acids by treatment with acetic anhydride and anhydrous sodium acetate in the second step afforded N-phenylmaleimide and N- benzyl maleimide which in turn were treated with chlorosulfonic acid in the third step to afford 4-(N-maleimidyl) phenyl sulfonyl chloride and 4-(N-maleimidyl) benzyl sulfonyl chloride respectively.In the Fourth step of this work each one of the two prepared maleimidyl sulfonyl chlorid

In this study, a three-dimensional finite element analysis using ANSYS 12.1 program had been employed to simulate simply supported reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams with multiple web circular openings subjected to an impact loading. Three design parameters were considered, including size, location and number of the web openings. Twelve models of simply supported RC T-beams were subjected to one point of transient (impact) loading at mid span. Beams were simulated and analysis results were obtained in terms of mid span deflection-time histories and compared with the results of the solid reference one. The maximum mid span deflection is an important index for evaluating damage levels of the RC beams subjected to impact loading. Three experi

In this paper the experimentally obtained conditions for the fusion splicing with photonic crystal fibers (PCF) having large mode areas were reported. The physical mechanism of the splice loss and the microhole collapse property of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) were studied. By controlling the arc-power and the arc-time of a conventional electric arc fusion splicer (FSM-60S), the minimum loss of splicing for fusion two conventional single mode fibers (SMF-28) was (0.00dB), which has similar mode field diameter. For splicing PCF (LMA-10) with a conventional single mode fiber (SMF-28), the loss was increased due to the mode field mismatch.

Purpose This study investigated periodontal ligament (PDL) restoration in osseointegrated implants using stem cells. Methods Commercial pure titanium and zirconium oxide (zirconia) were coated with beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) using a long-pulse Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm). Isolated bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) from rabbit tibia and femur, isolated PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) from the lower right incisor, and co-cultured BMMSCs and PDLSCs were tested for periostin markers using an immunofluorescent assay. Implants with 3D-engineered tissue were implanted into the lower right central incisors after extraction from rabbits. Forty implants (Ti or zirconia) were subdivided according to the duration of implantation (healing period: 45 o

Forty five wound specimens were collected from patients suffering from wound infections and taken from various hospitals in Ibb city, Yemen. The study was to determine synergic antibacterial activity of between mountain honey and Argemone mexicana plant. Isolation, identification of bacterial isolates and antibiotic sensitivity test were done. Agar-disc and agar-well diffusion method were carried to determine antibacterial activity of honey, Argemone mexicana plant and a mixture of them against bacterial isolates. Out of 45 specimens, 29 (64.4%) gave positive cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant bacterial pathogens with percentage (72.4%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.2%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (10.4%).