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.
The antimicrobial potency of the crude ethanolic extracts from different Iraqi plants were evaluated . Further more, total sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic compounds were isolated and their antimicrobial activity attempted. The results indicated that crude extracts have no activity except that of Callistemon lanceolatus. Also, the sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic compounds isolated from Callistemon lanceolatus were the most significant antimicrobial active constituents of the studied plants.
Collapse of the vapor bubble condensing in an immiscible is investigated for n-pentane and n-hexane vapors condensing in cold water and n-pentane in two different compositions of glycerin- water mixture. The rise velocity and the drag coefficient of the two-phase bubble are measured.
Soil suction is one of the most important parameters describing the moisture condition of unsaturated soils. The measurement of soil suction is crucial for applying the theories of the engineering behavior of unsaturated soils.
The filter paper method is one of the soil suction measurement techniques In this paper, five soil samples were collected from five sites within Baghdad city – al-Rasafa region. These soils have different properties and they were prepared at different degrees of saturation. For each sample, the total and matric suction were measured by the filter paper method at different degrees of saturation. Then correlations were made between the soil properties and the total and matric suction. It was concluded that the
Objective: To assess mothers' knowledge and practices concerning cholera and their relationship with some
sociodemographic characteristics of those mothers.
Methodology: A sample of (100) mother was selected through a convenience sample for the period of July First
through August 31 2007 '؛
. Data were collected through interview of mothers were visiting PHC centers by using
of constructed questionnaire developed by the researcher that contains (31) item. Reliability and Validity of the
tool were determined through pilot study. A descriptive and inferential statistical approaches were used for data
analysis.
Results: The study indicated that mothers’ knowledge and practices concerning cholera were unacceptable
Pesticide poisoning is a serious global public health issue and is responsible for a sizable number of annual fatalities. This study was designed to examine the potentially harmful effects of adult rats being exposed to imidacloprid (IMD) as a nanoparticle by determining the chronic effect of inhalation of (5,10 and 20) mg/kg/b.w. of nano-imidacloprid for a duration of 60 days. The most important biochemical parameters of the serum liver function parameters were aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase ALP, kidney function [blood urea, creatinine, and urea], and oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, and CAT) in all treated groups when
Groundwater quality deterioration due to anthropogenic natural activities and its immense utilization in various sectors is considered a great concern. The aim of this study is to determine the groundwater quality parameters at various sources in and around Dhaka city and compare them with Bangladesh drinking water standards. In this study, six groundwater quality parameters (pH, DO, COD, TS, TDS, and arsenic) and ten groundwater samples are analyzed to determine the water quality. The collected samples have maximum and minimum pH values of 6.9 and 6.4, respectively. Maximum and minimum DO values are 0.3 and 0.1 mg/L, respectively. The arsenic concentration is 0 mg/L for all collected groundwater samples. The maximum and minimum COD
... Show More— To identify the effect of deep learning strategy on mathematics achievement and practical intelligence among secondary school students during the 2022/2023 academic year. In the research, the experimental research method with two groups (experimental and control) with a post-test were adopted. The research community is represented by the female students of the fifth scientific grade from the first Karkh Education Directorate. (61) female students were intentionally chosen, and they were divided into two groups: an experimental group (30) students who were taught according to the proposed strategy, and a control group (31) students who were taught according to the usual method. For the purpose of collecting data for the experimen
... Show MoreThis study aimed to identify the employment of the social networking platform «Twitter» in the 2016 presidential campaign led by the Republican candidate, Donald Trump; and analyse his tweets through his personal account on «Twitter» for the period from: 10/ 8/2016 to: 11/ 8/2016 which represents the last month of the election campaign.
The study belongs to the type of descriptive studies using the analytical method through an analysis index that includes sub-categories and other secondary categories. The research has adopted the ordinary unit of information material (tweet) as an analysis unit for this purpose.
... Show MoreAIM: To determine the value of the combination of thin-section 3 mm coronal and standard axial DWI and their impact in facilitating the diagnosis of acute brainstem infarction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted from the 1st of April 2017 to the end of February 2018 on 100 consecutive patients (66% were male, and 34% were female) with isolated acute ischemic infarction in the brainstem. The abnormal MRI findings concerning the ischemic lesions were interpreted on standard axial 5 mm and thin-section coronal 3mm DWI. RESULTS: The mean age of the studied group was 69.2 ± 4.3 for male and 72.3 ± 2.5 years. The standard axial DWI can diagnose 20%, 6.7% and 6.7% of the infarctions in midbrain, pons an
... Show MoreObjective: Evaluate the effects of different storage periods on flexural strength (FS) and degree of conversion (DC) of Bis-Acryl composite and Urethane dimethacrylate provisional restorative materials. Material and Methods: A total of 60 specimens were prepared from four temporary crown materials commercially available and assigned to four tested groups (n = 15 for each group): Prevision Temp, B&E CROWN, Primma Art, and Charm Temp groups. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva, and the FS was tested after 24 h, 7 d, and 14 d. A standard three-point bending test was conducted using a universal testing machine. Additionally, the DC was determined using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) device. The data were analyzed st
... Show More