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.
The research aims to investigate the possibility of joint auditing in improving the market value of Iraqi companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. The sample was represented by 10 Iraqi companies listed in the Iraq market for the period from 2014-2017 (2 years before implementation and 2 years after implementation) and the research was based on the idea that joint auditing enhances investor confidence and raises their level of security as a result of providing quality and reliable reports, and thus This indicates good news in the market that reflects on the performance of stocks and the market value of companies that adopt joint auditing. The results of the analysis indicate an improvement in the market value, but this improv
... Show Morehave suffered from deteriorating residential neighborhoods, poor economic, social and urban living conditions of the population and deteriorating the infrastructural and superior services. These problems were the secretions of these cities' rapid urbanization. Based on the principles of sustainable urban planning and in order to achieve adequate opportunities for the lives of the population and provide them with sustainable livelihoods, policies have emerged to upgrade along the lines of community participation and programmes to reform and develop those neighbourhoods, raise their efficiency and make them livable. Thus, the problem of research was identified "The absence of a comprehensive cognitive perception of the most prominent facto
... Show MoreMany risks have adverse consequences for construction projects’ objectives such as quality, schedule, and cost. As engineering procurement construction (EPC) contracts gradually become one of the most common types used in implementing major large-scale construction projects, identifying common risk types and analyzing their root causes is important for developing measures to decrease and eliminate future risks in these types of contracts. The information about the main causes of risks was collected
In this research, that been focused on the most important economic benefits expected when applying the three standards of sustainability in construction projects (economic, environmental and social). Fuzzy AHP, a multi-decision decision-making technique for evaluating construction projects. Which when used we get the speed and accuracy in the results. Using this technique will reduce uncertainties decisions significantly (fuzzy environment), that found in most projects .The results of the data analysis showed that the economic standards take the greatest relative importance (60%) among the three sustainability standards. Therefore, the implementation of any standards need a cost so the economic benefit of any proje
... Show MoreObjective: The aim of this work was to detect terpenes other than boswellic acid derivatives in olibanum of Boswellia Serrata found in Iraq. Methods: The olibanum of Boswellia Serrata was macerated in methanol for one day, then filtration. Filter at was concentrated till reddish brown syrupy residue was gained, (3%) potassium hydroxide was added till basification. This basic solution was stirred continuously until a uniform emulsion was formed, then extracted with chloroform in a separatory funnel; the chloroform fraction was analyzed by GC /MS spectrometry. Results: GC /MS analysis reveal the presence of terpenes and non-terpenes constituents. Conclusion: Most of the detected terpenes were sesquiterpenes and the least one was di-terpenes.
Amino acids are the basic building block for peptides and proteins. They are raw materials for generating hormones, purines, pyrimidines and vitamins. Amino acids also provide the body with energy through their carbon structures. The study analyzed the amino acid in the kidneys of the albino mice embryo at 17 and 19 gestation days, using a high-performance liquid chromatography device (HPLC). Samples were obtained after removing them from the embryo and placing them in an ice bath to prevent cell lysis and acid loss. The study found 18 amino acids in the kidneys of the albino mice embryo. They are Asparagine (Asn), Glutamine (Glu), Serine (Ser), Glycine (Gly), Threonine (Thr), Histidine (His), Cysteine (Cys), Alanine (Ala), Proline
... Show MoreThis study was conducted to determine the role of Phoenix dactylifera pollen grains suspension in improving reproductive efficiency of white male rats. In thisexperiment 40 adult male rats were divided randomly into five equal groups and by following oral administration:the first group was given Phoenix d. pollen grains suspension with concentration 18 mg/kg body weight daily, the second group was given 54 mg/kg, the third group was given 108 mg/kg and fourth group 216 mg/kg body weight, and the last group which represented a control group administrated distilled water only, the administration continued for 40 consecutive days. The effect of Phoenix d. pollen grains in reproductive efficiency was evaluated depending on some parameters such
... Show MoreA theoretical analysis of mixing in the secondary combustion chamber of ramjet is presented. Theoretical investigations were initiated to insight into the flow field of the mixing zone of the ramjet combustor and a computer program to calculate axisymmetric, reacting and inert flow was developed. The mathematical model of the mixing zone of ramjet comprises differential equations for: continuity, momentum, stagnation enthalpy, concentration, turbulence energy and its dissipation rate. The simultaneous solution of these equations by means of a finite-difference solution algorithm yields the values of the variable at all internal grid nodes.
The results showed that increasing air mass flow (0.32 to 0.64 kg/s) increases the development o
Background: Ejection fraction have been used frequently
for assessment of the left ventricular function, but can be
associated with errors in which myocardial performance
index have been used as another parameter to measure the
left ventricular function.
Objective: selecting another echocardiography parameter
for the assessment of myocardial in function instead of the
ejection fraction.
Methods: 160 patients referred to the echocardiogram unit
from the period december 2007 to august 2008 requesting
assessment of left ventricular function. After clinical
examination, routine blood tests; chest x-ray and
electrocardiographic recording have been completed. All
patients informed to come for this unit af
Firstly, in this study, a brief updated description and applications of different solar collectors used in renewable energy systems for supplying electric and thermal energy was presented. Secondly, an attempt was made to utilize tilting orientation of solar collector for maximizing collector energy with time in respect to horizontal orientation. For energy calculation, global solar radiation was used since they are directly related. For that purpose, field measurements of half-hourly radiation on two flat panels of tilting and horizontal orientations were carried out throughout 8-month period under local climate of Baghdad. Then, energy gain and radiation level averages were calculated based on the field radiation
... Show More