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.
Objective(s): The aim of this study is to assess the impact of social phobia upon self-esteem of nursing
collegians.
Methodology: A Cross-sectional study is carried out at University of Baghdad, Karkuk, Thi-Qar, and Kufa,
colleges of nursing from Feb 8
th
, 2011 to Sep. 25th, 2011. A sample of all first class nursing collegians (N=330)
were selected from a probability sample of nursing colleges by dividing Iraq to three geographical areas (South,
North, and Middle Euphrates) in addition to Baghdad. The data were collected through the use of selfadministered
technique as a mean for data collection, by using a questionnaire that consists of three parts:
First part was the socio-demographic data form; the second o
Background: planter fasciitis is a common condition
seen in adults and sport men, it is characterized by dull
pain in the heel, especially when getting up and
standing on the foot in the morning or after sitting for a
long time.
Recently low level laser therapy is used as a method of
treatment.
Objective: to evaluate the benefit of laser therapy in
treatment of planter fasciitis.
Methods: Out of twenty five patients with planter
fasciitis exposed to laser therapy. Laser used is (diode
type) given in two cessions per week for four weeks,
time for each cession is about (12 minutes).
Results: complete recovery seen in (32%) of patients,
moderate improvement in (16%), mild improvement in
(24%), no
Ecosystems provide humans with services that include benefits from food, fresh water, climate regulation, and socio-economic assets. The Mesopotamian marshlands are among the largest wetlands in the Middle East and they provide various benefits. However, ecosystem services of the Marshlands are consistently undervalued in national economic analysis and decision making. This study focusses on the Central Marshes, the first National Park in Iraq, and is the first attempt at valuing a series of ecosystem services from a valuable natural ecosystem in Iraq. We adopted the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-Based Assessment (TESSA) for the determination of biophysical and economic values of services at the site level. Data on key ecosystem se
... Show MoreThis study aims to model the flank wear prediction equation in metal cutting, depending on the workpiece material properties and almost cutting conditions. A new method of energy transferred solution between the cutting tool and workpiece was introduced through the flow stress of chip formation by using the Johnson-Cook model. To investigate this model, an orthogonal cutting test coupled with finite element analysis was carried out to solve this model and finding a wear coefficient of cutting 6061-T6 aluminum and the given carbide tool.
In a world where tourism has become the leading industry on the market, sustainable tourism has found its place and is becoming a major player in the network of traveling Internet users. Hospitality, solidarity and conviviality are essential are giving meaning to sharing. This “extra soul” has the capacity to enrich moments, places, attractions and heritage. Archaeological heritage sites constitute an important factor for the economic and social life of a large number of countries, the development policy came to emphasize the safeguard and the preservation of landscapes and natural or man-made sites, against the attacks which have impoverished the cultural heritage, this heritage
Background: Plants used in folk medicine for
the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases is a very
promising approach to overcome the limitations of
classical medicines.
Aim: To explore the efficacy of medicinal
plants, namely turmeric, garlic and marshmallow,
in eradication of H. pylori.
Methods: This prospective study was carried out
on 225 of well-known dyspeptic patients who were
divided into four groups; a control group (received
classical medical therapy) and three other groups
that received one of the three medicinal plants,
plus the same therapy used in the control group.
The follow up was done by using a questionnaire
form, endoscopic examination, and determination
of serum levels of anti
1267 Objectives Aim to evaluate 198Au nanoparticles (AuNP) biodistribution and uptake in a human prostate model for treatment. Many phytochemicals are known to have anti-tumor properties but have short half-lives in vivo. We hypothesized that using these phytochemicals to formulate and coat AuNP would inhibit enzyme cleavage and enhance their anti-tumor properties. Initial evaluations were performed in SCID mice bearing PC3 tumors. Methods : 198AuNP were formulated with the following gum Arabic, epigalocatechin gallate (EGCg) pomegranate extract and mangiferin extract. The resultant nanoparticles were evaluated in normal mice and in human prostate bearing SCID mice. The tumor bearing mice were injected intratumorally with 3-5 uCi of 198A
... Show MoreAim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of rabbit serum on skin wound healing with the help of histological examination. Materials and Methods: A total of ten indigenous rabbits were used in this study. The animals were divided into two groups: control and serum- treated. The histological assessment was done with a paraffin embedding technique and the histological sections were stained with H&E stain. Results: Severe infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with severe fibrin deposits were seen in serum treated group at 2 days post-injury; at 7 days post-injury the changes revealed moderate fibroplasia, fibrin deposit and severe infiltration of both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes; at 14 days post-inju
... Show More