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.
Bleeding disorders in pediatrics is an important issue and can be lifethreatening if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. We aimed to evaluate Iraqi pediatric practice (as an example of resource-limited settings) about the use of Recombinant Activated Factor VII (RFVIIa) in bleeding disorders, with emphasis on its effectiveness and safety, in comparison with adjuvant therapy. Budget restrictions may affect the availability of even lifesaving drugs such as (RFVIIa). Therefore, we tried to investigate the local experience of pediatric bleeding, with the evaluation of the potential ability of adjuvant therapy of blood products and vitamin K to substitute RFVIIa in case of non-availability. During a complete one year‘s period, 35 patients
... Show MoreIn the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily. The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.
Media theories and studies have provided many diligences on the concept of social media and the circle of influence, including the theory of social marketing which deals with how to promote ideas espoused by the elite in a society to become a recognized social value. The emergence of social networks provided a revolutionary breakthrough, taking the media to unprecedented horizons; and giving its users great opportunities to influence and move across borders without restrictions and censorship, except in a relatively limited manner. So, the emergence of social media has created channels of live broadcasting from its audience in a method of development that changes the essence of the known communication theories; and stops the monopoly of th
... Show MoreIn the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily. The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.
We investigate the interaction of proton with a solid target, describing the wake effects by taking fitted parameters with experimental values of energy loss function ELF for copper using the dielectric function of random phase approximation (RPA). The results exhibited a damped oscillatory behavior in the longitudinal direction behind the projectile. In addition, the wake potential becomes asymmetric around the z-axis with proton velocity values higher than Fermi velocity, as well as it depends on the position of projectile in cylindrical coordinates.
This study is concentrated to investigate the effects of aeration and stirring speed on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa). A dynamic technique was used in estimating KLa values in order to achieve the aim of this study.
This study was done in 10L bioreactor by using two medias:-
- Dionized water
- Xanthan solution (1 g /L)
Moreover, the research covered a comparison between the obtained values of KLa.
The Xanthan solution was used because of its higher viscosity in comparison with water. It behaves similarly to the cultivation medium when organisms are cultivated in a bioreactor. Growth of organisms in the reactor l
... Show MoreObjective: The study deafs with nursing performance in the surgical wards in general hospital at
Baghdad city.
Methodology : A descriptive evaluation design using, observational method was carried out. Non
probability (purposive) sample of (151) nurses was selected for the study and comprised all nurses who
worked in general surgical wards in the four health sectors( Rusaffa , Al-Karkh, Al-Yarmok, Medical
city health sector) at time of collecting the data. A check list questionnaire was constructed by the
researcher for the purpose of the study; it is composed of (2) major parts, part (I) is concerned with
socio-demographic data and the second part is composed of two minor parts thev concerned with
availability of
The present study aimed to evaluate sera TGF- ?1 concentration in patients with urinary bladder carcinoma (UBC). All malignant of them was transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) type , patients with urinary bladder disorders (UBD ) and healthy control , and to study the correlation between sera TGF-?1 levels and tumor stages and grades in UBC patients . A direct ELISA test was used to quantify the seraTGF-?1 concentrations in sera of 58 patients with urinary bladder carcinoma UBC of different grades (G) and stages (T) all malignant of them was transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) type , 15 from patients with UBD and 15 healthy subjects . Sera levels of TGF-?1 were elevated in patients with UBC and UBD compared to healthy (P ? 0
... Show More