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.
Purpose: Providing practical knowledge of the requirements of a detailed feasibility study for selecting the investment project.
Findings: Directing the private sector towards investing in productive projects - the pre-cast reinforced concrete project - as it achieves a financial return as well as providing Providing foreign currencies by reducing imports and exploiting available natural resources
Practical implications: The importance of a detailed feasibility study to determining whether the project can be implemented or not.
The precast concrete method is one of the best modern c
... Show MoreABSTRACT Background: One of the challenges to use chlorhexidine is its effect on the amount of microleakage after restoration; however, use of the materials with antibacterial properties after tooth preparation and before restoration has been widespread. The objective of this, in-vitro, study was to evaluate the influence of consepsis (chlorhexidine gloconate disinfectant) application on microleakage in class II cavities restored with light cured composite using universal adhesive system; etch and rinse technique –self etch technique. Materials and Methods: Forty class II cavities were prepared on mesial and distal surfaces of 20 non-carious mandibular third molars. The cavities were divided into four groups; (n =10 for each group).
... Show MoreThis research is an initial attempt to explore the reality of education and its concept in Islam, and to describe the presence of educational practices in the Arab-Islamic heritage. The importance of this research lies in addressing a set of important issues related to the contemporary Islamic educational system. The research revealed the extent of the need for authentic educational values that draw their reference from the origins of Islam, and it emphasized the analysis of the reality of education in the Islamic world and the identification of its problems and the finding of solutions through a quick and comprehensive look at the diverse contributions of Muslimthinkers to Islamic educational thought, and their active ro
... Show MoreShmuel Yosef Agnon, a well-known Jewish writer, wrote many literary works, including poetry, story, etc. In the field of story, this writer used two areas: the first: a simple exterior, and the second: an inner full of secrets and mysteries. This area is common when Agnon is affected by his symbolic method of purpose. In his productions, we find the political and historical significance embodied in his characters, where there is almost no story without it.
Agnon and all his productions gave the character a large area, Agnon’s characters often play the center and cornerstone in those productions, where the author dealt deeply and stated the fines details of the external and internal of that ch
... Show MoreDrilling with casing (DWC) can be considered as a modern drilling technique in which both of drilling and casing operations done in the same time by using the casing to transfer the hydraulic and mechanical power to the bit instead of traditional drilling string. To overcome oil well control, minimizing the total cost through enhancing drilling efficiency, drilling with casing was proposed as an enabling technology.
Two surface sections (17 1/2 - and 12 1/4- inch) were drilled successfully in Rumaila oil field with casing strings which reached 655m and 1524m measured depths respectively.
By using DWC technique, the total drill/case phase time was reduced up to 20% comparing to conventional
... Show MoreThe current study has sought to identify the levels of the compound thinking among secondary school students basing and relying on the opinions of Lipman who sees that the compound thinking consists of creative thinking and critical thinking, In accordance with this point of view, researchers have resorted to build scale of the critical thinking in its final form of (28) item additionally to the adoption of Torrance for the creative thinking which was translated by sayed. Khairallah in 1981 after confirming psychometric Properties Of both scales and then collect scores of both scales and be the final score represented the level of the compound thinking that has been shown by the results of secondary school students they have no skill of
... Show MoreThe construction industry in Iraq suffers from many problems, perhaps the most important of which is the delay in time and the increase in costs. Therefore, it was necessary to try to adopt a new methodology that would help in overcoming these problems. It was suggested to combine building information modeling with the agile management approach because this technique and methodology is modern and helps in reducing time and cost and improving quality. This paper aims to know the status of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Agile Project management (APM) in Iraq and to shed light on the merging of this integration, explaining the benefits, difficulties, and workflow practices, finding the most influencing factors on the tim
... Show MoreBackground: The Initial (primary) stability is one of the factors that play an important role in the success of the dental implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial stability of dental implant with horizontal plate by using five analytical tests: insertion torque, removal torque, resonance frequency analysis, push-in test and pull-out test. Materials and methods: Two different lengths of dental implants (5mm and 10mm) were tested in this study; each dental implant was 4mm in diameter with a square threads shape of 1mm pitch and 0.5mm depth. The crestal area was 4.2mm diameter contained a right angle margin circumferential ring while the apical area was tapered with two self-tapping grooves. In this study, the initial s
... Show MoreA liquid-solid chromatography of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) on (diethylaminoethyl-cellulose) DEAE-cellulose adsorbent is worked experimentally, to study the effect of changing the influent concentration of (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml) at constant volumetric flow rate Q=1ml/min. And the effect of changing the volumetric flow rate (1, 3, 5, and 10 ml/min) at constant influent concentration of Co=0.125mg/ml. By using a glass column of (1.5cm) I.D and (50cm) length, packed with adsorbent of DEAE-cellulose of height (7cm). The influent is introduced in to the column using peristaltic pump and the effluent concentration is investigated using UV-spectrophotometer at 30oC and 280nm wavelength. A spread (steeper) break-through curve is gained
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