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.
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of disinfectant solutions, namely, the alcoholic extract of Salvadora persica L. (A1 = 10% and A2 = 15%) and chlorhexidine digluconate (A3 = 2%), on the tear strength and hardness of room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) VST50F and heat temperature vulcanizing (HTV) Cosmesil M511 silicone elastomers before and after reinforcement with nanofillers (TiO2) and intrinsic pigment. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 specimens were prepared, with 160 specimens each for RTV and HTV silicone. Forty specimens were evaluated before disinfection and divided into two equal groups, namely, control (without additive) and experimental (with ad
The article examines metaphors as one of the fundamental means used by D. Rubina when writing the novel “Parsley Syndrome” to form images of dolls as equal heroes of the work. The author of the article continues research related to the work of Dina Ilinichna Rubina, a representative of modern Russian prose.
Government-sponsored projects in Iraq significantly improve the economic situation and provide services but face high rates of troubling blocks. This work aims to identify indicative factors of the Troubled Project using periodic health check reports based on a literature review and interviews with Iraqi experts. As a result, a questionnaire was prepared that included four sections. The first is personal information; the second section is information about knowing the level of institutions’ implementation of project management through prepared documents. The third section is about indicative factors for the project's trouble, including 25 workers; the fourth section is about the questions in the periodic reports to che
... Show MoreOcular drug delivery is challenging due to the presence of anatomical and physiological barriers. These barriers can affect drug entry into the eye following multiple routes of administration (e.g., topical, systemic, and injectable). Topical administration in the form of eye drops is preferred for treating anterior segment diseases, as it is convenient and provides local delivery of drugs. Major concerns with topical delivery include poor drug absorption and low bioavailability. To improve the bioavailability of topically administered drugs, novel drug delivery systems are being investigated. Nanocarrier delivery systems demonstrate enhanced drug permeation and prolonged drug release. This review provides an overview of ocular barr
... Show MoreBackground: The disc prolapse is a common condition especially in young adults. Different levels are affected in the lumber region; the L4/L5 disc is more susceptible to longitudinal load and is the most common site of lumbar disc prolapse. The L5/S1 disc is protected from torsion load by strong ilio-lumbar ligaments but it is more susceptible to axial compressive forces. Many factors affect the result and outcome of surgery in these levels.Objective: The aim of this study is to correlate operative data, short-term results, complications, and prognostic factors (age, gender, mobility, hospital stay, and level of pain) for one-level lumber discectomybetween different levels (L4–L5 vs. L5–S1).Methods In this prospective study, 32 patie
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to evaluate in-vitro activity of Cefamandol (Cfm) and Ceftazidime (Cfz), in combination with Clavulanic acid (CA) against ten complicated multiresistant uropathogenic E.coli .One hundred clinical strains were isolated from patients with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), these isolates were identified by the Api identification systems. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests were determined by Kirby-Bauer method, all of them were sensitive to Imipenem (Imp). Ten strains were chosen for the present study, they were resistant to Ampicillin (Amp), Amoxicillin (Amo), Carbenicillin (Cb), Ticarcillin (Tic), Azlocillin (Azl), Amoxicillin\ Potassium Clavulanate {Augmentin(Amc)}, (Amo\CA), Ticarcillin\ Potas
... Show MoreBackground: Failure of resin bases were a major disadvantage recorded in the constructed dentures. Reinforcements of the repair joint with nano fillers represent an attempt to enhance the strength and durability. The purpose of the research was to estimate the influence of nano fillers reinforcement with (ZrO2 and Al2O3) on impact and transverse strength of denture bases repaired with either cold or hot processing acrylic resin. Materials and methods: A hundred and forty (140) samples were processed with hot cured resin and organized in subgroups depending on the repair materials and condition (without repair (control), repair with hot cure, cold cure, hot and cold cure reinforced with either (5% Zr2O or 0.5% Al2O3). The samples in these
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