Chitinase-3-like 1 protein (YKL-40) is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the arthritic joint and plays a crucial role in inflammatory processes. The aim of the study is to establish the role of YKL-40 as a biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to proinflammatory biomarkers and disease activity. The study included 58 patients and 18 control. Diseases activity score (DAS-28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were measured. Serum level of YKL-40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1B (IL-1β), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) were assessed. The results showed that the median serum YKL-40 level which was 5.42 ng/ml, the TNF-a level which was 123.6 ng/ml, and the IL-1B level which was 204.365 pg/dl were significantly higher in patients compared to control 3.28 (1.58–4.99) ng/ml, 56.47 (9.38–77.01) ng/ml and 67.887 (15.493–122.689)pg/dl respectively. There was no correlation between serum YKL-40 and disease activity, while there were significant associations observed with TNF-α (r=0.5,p =0.0001) and IL-1β (r=0.41, p=0.001). YKL-40 indicating good levels of RA prediction at 2.47 ng/ml, sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 58.6%, accuracy 78.1%, PPV 80.9%, and NPV 70.8%. In conclusion, a higher level of serum YKL-40 is found in RA patients. The findings from our study suggest a strong association between YKL-40 and the proinflammatory biomarkers. As a result, these biomarkers together might play a role in RA pathogenesis, and YKL-40 may be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker for RA.
Examination of the blood and the alimentary canal of moorhens in two sites around
Baghdad area in the middle of Iraq showed that 38% of the examined birds were infected with
one or more of the following parasites, Haemoproteus baghdadensis, H. gallinulae
(Protozoa), Cyclocoelum mutbile (Trematoda), Diorchis inflata, Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda),
Amidostomum fulicae and Porrcaecum sp. (Nematoda) .The stomach analysis revealed that
the bird is omnivorous in feeding including wid range of invertebrate animals with some plant
origin food items.
In this paper, the penetration of the stone column was investigated in order to get the minimum length of the stone column above which the increase in length has little advantage. The effect of using different materials in column are also studied. The material used is granular of different angle of internal friction (). The results of the investigation indicated that the effect of stone column remains constant when the ratio of the thickness of the soft clay layer to the stone column’s diameter is more than 15. The results also indicated that a pronounced effect is obtained when the angle of internal friction of the stone column material is increased.
This research studied the effect of magnetized water in concrete preparation and its effect on the presenting of cement in concrete mixtures also to find the ability of reducing the amount of cement in preparing one cubic meter, this is not exceed than 10% in one mixture , The experiments showed the preparation of standard cubes from the concrete which was used two kind of water magnetized water which was prepared by passing the tap water through the systems of different magnetic strength in terms of (6000,9000) Gauss and the ordinary water . The velocity of water through the magnetic field, which gives us the highest value for the compressive strength, was up to 1m/sec. to determine the best magnetic intensity, we examined The comp
... Show MoreA theoretical analysis of mixing in the secondary combustion chamber of ramjet is presented. Theoretical investigations were initiated to insight into the flow field of the mixing zone of the ramjet combustor and a computer program to calculate axisymmetric, reacting and inert flow was developed. The mathematical model of the mixing zone of ramjet comprises differential equations for: continuity, momentum, stagnation enthalpy, concentration, turbulence energy and its dissipation rate. The simultaneous solution of these equations by means of a finite-difference solution algorithm yields the values of the variable at all internal grid nodes.
The results showed that increasing air mass flow (0.32 to 0.64 kg/s) increases the development o
The paper presents the results of precise of the calculations of the diffusion of slow electrons in ionospheric gases, such as, (Argon – Hydrogen mixture, pure Nitrogen and Argon – Helium – Nitrogen) in the presence of a uniform electric field and temperature 300 Kelvin. Such calculations lead to the value Townsend's energy coefficient (KT) as a function of E/P (electric field strength/gas pressure), electric field (E), electric drift velocity (Vd), momentum transfer collision frequency ( ), energy exchange collision frequency ( ) and characteristic energy (D/?). The following physical quantities are deduced as function s E/P: mean free path of the electrons at unit pressure, mean energy lost by an electron per collision, mean velocit
... Show MoreChest X-rays have long been used to diagnose pneumothorax. In trauma patients, chest ultrasonography combined with chest CT may be a safer, faster, and more accurate approach. This could lead to better and quicker management of traumatic pneumothorax, as well as enhanced patient safety and clinical results.
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and utility of bedside US chest in identifying traumatic pneumothorax and also its capacity to estimate the extent of the lesion in comparison to the gold standard modality chest computed tomography.
Ecosystems provide humans with services that include benefits from food, fresh water, climate regulation, and socio-economic assets. The Mesopotamian marshlands are among the largest wetlands in the Middle East and they provide various benefits. However, ecosystem services of the Marshlands are consistently undervalued in national economic analysis and decision making. This study focusses on the Central Marshes, the first National Park in Iraq, and is the first attempt at valuing a series of ecosystem services from a valuable natural ecosystem in Iraq. We adopted the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-Based Assessment (TESSA) for the determination of biophysical and economic values of services at the site level. Data on key ecosystem se
... Show MoreNowadays, the worldwide issue of the environment occupies the minds not only of ecological experts and politicians but also is addressed in cultural fields and literature in particular. The conceptualization of ecocriticism, whether in the ecological field or cultural studies, has come as a response to the increasing public awareness of numerous environmental crises. Most ecocritics regard John Clare (1793-1864) as a 'proto-ecological' British poet since his poetry incorporates ecological issues which were not then categorized as they are now. The study offers a precise illustration of ecocriticism coupled with a number of the most significant ecological concepts proven in selected poems by John Clare. The ecocritical reading of Clare's po
... Show MorePlay a movie role now is very dangerous on a large scale, in the transfer of data in a language of thought and life -strong common understanding , tools and more permeable and effectiveness in the formation of thought and conscience of recipients. Which is an instrument of culture and knowledge , and a means of effective educational tools that aim to improve the community , also plays a prominent role in shaping society's values , and customs , and the arts , as well as used as a means of guiding , counseling and cultural enlightenment , cinema and TV gives the viewer the ability to move from one place to another by the watch and compare it to what it is , which raises the desire to improve the level , where nearly movie scenes in variou
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