Cytokines are signaling molecules between inflammatory cells that play a significant role in the pathogenesis of a disease. Among these cytokines are interleukins (ILs) 17A and 33, and accordingly, the current case-control study sought to investigate the role of each of the two cytokines in the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Sixty-eight relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) Iraqi patients and twenty healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to determine serum levels of IL-17A and IL-33. Results revealed that IL-17A and IL-33 levels were significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (14.1 ± 4.5 vs. 7.5 ± 3.8 pg/mL; p < 0.001 and 65.3 ± 16.3 vs. 49.3 ± 20.0 pg/mL; p < 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that IL-17A was a very good predictor of MS (area under curve [AUC] = 0.869; 95% CI = 0.779 - 0.960; p < 0.001; cut-off value = 10.2 pg/mL; sensitivity = 80.8%; specificity = 75.0%). A similar prediction was presented by IL-33, but the AUC value was lower (AUC = 0.762; 95% CI = 0.63 - 0.89; p < 0.001; cut-off value = 56.4 pg/mL; sensitivity = 70.6%; specificity = 70.0%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis confirmed the significance of IL-17A and IL-33 in MS risk, and under three models of analysis, the estimated odds ratios for IL-17A (1.50, 1.49 and 1.50, respectively) and IL-33 (1.05, 1.05 and 1.06) were above 1.0. Patients stratified by gender (male and female), expanded disability status scale (EDSS: < 3 and ≥ 3) or medication (pre- and post-medication) showed no significant differences in serum levels of IL-17A and IL-33 for each stratum. However, with regard to response to medication, it was found that responding patients showed significantly higher levels of IL-33 than non-responders (70.9 ± 12.2 vs. 57.2 ± 18.2 pg/mL; p = 0.018). This difference was not observed when considering IL-17A. Pearson correlation analysis between IL-17A and IL-33 revealed that both cytokines were not significantly correlated. In conclusion, the study indicated that IL-17A and IL-33 were up-regulated in serum of MS patients, and this up-regulation was not influenced by age, gender, EDSS or medication status, but the elevated level of IL-33 was more pronounced in patients who responded to medication.
Background: The altered status of some essential trace elements observed in diabetes could have deleterious influences on the health of the diabetics. Objectives: To estimate and study the potential role of serum Selenium in type 1, type 2 diabetics and healthy subjects; and its relation with lipid profile and glycemic index. Methods: A case control designed study was carried out at the National Diabetes Center (NDC) / Al-Mustansiria University; on a total of 94 participants formed of 32 type 1 diabetics, 32 type 2 diabetics and 30 healthy control participants. Data collected about age, sex and BMI; also, blood samples examined for FPG, HbA1C, serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, serum triglyceride and sera were
... Show MoreBackground: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the esthetic smile in sample of Iraqi adults and to assess the gender differences. Materials and Methods: 100 persons (50malesand 50 females had class I normal dental and skeletal selected for this study.Clinical examination and digital photograph with posed smile were performed for each individual. Six linear soft tissue parameters in each photograph using AutoCAD program 2011. Five visual and four quantitative evaluations of the smile were studied for eachsubject. The smile arch and index, buccal corridor spaces (BCSs) were studied.Descriptive statistics of the measurements were calculated. Independent student’s ttestswere used to evaluate the gender differences. Statistics: Desc
... Show MoreBackground: Chronic periodontitis defined as “an infectious inflammatory disease within supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment loss and bone loss". Aggressive periodontitis is rare which in most cases manifest themselves clinically during youth. It characterized by rapid rate of disease progression .Pro-inflammatory chemokines organized inflammatory responses. Granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 is involved in neutrophil gathering and movement. The purpose of the study is to detect serum of Granulocyte Chemotactic Protein 2 and correlate to periodontal condition in patients with chronic periodontitis, Aggressive periodontitis and Healthy Control subjects and measurement the count of neutrophils for the studied groups. S
... Show MoreBackground: Methotrexate (MTX) was one of the first drugs synthesized for a specific chemotherapeutic purpose used to inhibit folic acid (FA) for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Its history is closely related to the discovery and characterization of folic acid. It is used clinically in medicine to treat a range of cancerous and noncancerous conditions. MTX is currently used in gynecology to treat disorders arising from trophoblastic tissue, namely, ectopic pregnancy. MTX, the most frequently used diseasemodifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), suppresses disease activity and reduces joint damage. The aim of study: It is designed to demonstrate the effect of MTX (7.5 mg/wk.) on the histogenesis of gonad (testis) of n
... Show MoreThe research aims to demonstrate the role of organizational justice as an independent variable in influencing the achievement of development of the sense of psychological ownership of workers as a dependent variable. The current research variables were distinguished as being effective variables in terms of the field and affecting the achievement of success for organizations. In order to achieve this goal, it was applied on a sample of employees in the Iraqi Ministry of Transport employees, whose number reached (84) individuals, and the data were collected through the questionnaire as a main tool, to come out with a set of conclusions that contribute to raising the levels of the researched company, and based on the importance of the
... Show MoreABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Infantile haemangioma one of the most common tumour of new borns , a safe and effective treatment options are under ongoing research . OBJECTIVE: The authors show the effectiveness and safety of low dose propranolol as a method for infantile haemangioma treatment . METHOD: In this study twenty- four patients with infantile haemangioma in different anatomical locations were treated with oral propranolol and the result were assessed in a retrospective analysis of the results patients were kept on 0.25 mg/kg/day for one month , then on 0.5mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for another one month , in the third month the dose will be increased to 1 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses , then the propranolol were given in a maintenance do
... Show MoreBackground: The treatment of articular cartilage defects is one of the most clinical challeng for orthopedic surgeons. Articular cartilage is a highly organized tissue with complex biomechanical properties and substantial durability. However, it has a poor ability for healing, and damage from trauma or degeneration can result in morbidity and functional impairment. debilitating joint pain, dysfunction, and degenerative arthritis Objectives: The purpose of study is to show effectiveness of micro fracture arthroscopy as a method of treatment for such problem . Type of the study: Cros
... Show MoreBack ground: primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is a socially distressing condition that can be troubling for children & their families. It affects 15-26% of five years olds. Several approaches are used to treat PNE including behavioral modification, alarms & drug therapy. Aim of the study: to determine the efficacy and safety of nasal desmopressin treatment in children with PNEPatients : fifty-four children with primary nocturnal enuresis with a mean age of ( 8.2) years ( range 6-15), underwent a 2 week observation period followed by entrance into a randomized controlled study, comparing desmopressin & placebo, lasting 4 weeks. The efficacy of the drug was measured in reduction of the number of wet nights per week. The enureti
... Show More