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 optical transmission and absorption spectra in UV-VIS were recorded in the wavelength range 350-800 nm for different glass compositions in the system: (CuO)x (PbO)50-x (Bi2O3)50 (x=2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 20.0). Absorption coefficient {α (λ)}, optical energy gap (Eopt), refractive index (n), optical dielectric constant (ε`), Urbach energy (Ee), constant B and ratio of carrier concentration to the effective mass (N/m) have been reported. The effects of compositions of glasses on these parameters have been discussed. It has been indicated that a small compositional modification of the glasses lead to an important change in all the optical properties including non-linear behavior. The optical parameters were found to b
... Show MoreThe present study was undertaken to determine the species of tumbling flower beetles (Coleoptera, Mordellidae) found in Iraq. Specimens have been collected from different localities of Iraq since 1970. Results show that the tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae) are represented with a total of 13 species belonging to four genera of three tribes, two of these species were described by Dr. Horak (1985,1990) as new species for Iraq Mediimorda maceki HoraK and Mordellistena bolognaHorak; two were previously reported Stenalia escherichi Schilsk and Mordellistena pumila (Gyllenhal) and ten are new records for Iraq. Stenalia araxicola Khnzorian, Stenalia brunneipennis Mulsant, Variimorda
... Show MoreThe purpose of this paper is to present an approach to compute accurately the distributions of the frictional heat generated, contact pressure and thermal stresses at any instant during the sliding period (heating phase) of the single-disc friction clutch system works in the dry condition and the complex interaction among them.
Numerical work was achieved using the developed elastic and thermal finite element models (axisymmetric models) to simulate the engagement of the single-disc friction clutch system.
The study of green colour in glass has a special importance on the glass quality, specially the effect of ferrous oxides content of the limestone. Results obtained that there was a reduction in green colour when different ferrous oxide contents in the limestone were added in glass production, limestone sources from two quarries, and the first contains 0.67% ferrous oxide and the second posses less ferrous oxide.
Reduction of green colour showed higher transmittance12% and it could be suggested that reduction of ferrous oxides content in the limestone is of special importance on the optical properties of glass.
Drilling well design optimization reduces total Authorization for Expenditures (AFE) by decreasing well constructing time and expense. Well design is not a constant pattern during the life cycle of the field. It should be optimized by continuous improvements for all aspects of redesigning the well depending on the actual field conditions and problems. The core objective of this study is to deliver a general review of the well design optimization processes and the available studies and applications to employ the well design optimization to solve problems encountered with well design so that cost effectiveness and perfect drilling well performance are achievable. Well design optimization processes include unconventional design(slimhole) co
... Show More
This study sought to determine malformation caused by Ochratoxin-A (OTA) on mouse embryos. Twenty adult female white Swiss mice (mus msculus) were divided into four groups, with five females per group, and with one male placed with two females in a cage. Avaginal plug was observed in the early morning and the day of mating was considered as day of pregnancy followed by the first day of pregnancy. Three sub lethal concentrations of OTA were applied to the respective groups (other than the control), 1mg/kg, 2mg/kg and 4mg/kg. The animals were given 0.1 ml per 10 gm body weight per concentration of OTA once a day during days 7-14 of pregnancy. The control group animals were given distilled water. The pregnant mice were dissected, and the embry
... Show MoreIn this paper a nonlinear adaptive control method is presented for a pH process, which is difficult to control due to the nonlinear and uncertainties. A theoretical and experimental investigation was conducted of the dynamic behavior of neutralization process in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The process control was implemented using different control strategies, velocity form of PI control and nonlinear adaptive control. Through simulation studies it has been shown that the estimated parameters are in good agreement with the actual values and that the proposed adaptive controller has excellent tracking and regulation performance.
Online communication on social networks has become a never-given-up way of expressing and sharing views and opinions within the realm of all topics on earth, and that is that! A basis essential in this is the limits at which "freedom of expression" should not be trespassed so as not to fall into the expression of "hate speech". These two ends make a base in the UN regulations pertaining to human rights: One is free to express, but not to hate by expression. Hereunder, a Critical Discourse Analysis in terms of Fairclough's dialectical-relational approach (2001) is made of Facebook posts (being made by common people, and not of official nature) targeting Islam and Muslims. This is made so as to recognize these instances of "speech" a
... Show More