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 lack of active 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic treatment creates a challenge for researchers and scientists to find the most appropriate treatment for this disease. Dexamethasone, according to the findings of the RECOVERY clinical trial, declared mid-June 2020 in print media was one of those therapies. Although the results from retrospective studies are not strongly supportive of corticosteroid routine use in COVID-19 despite the signals for some benefits, the dedicated RECOVERY trial found a significant reduction in death with dexamethasone only in severe cases on a ventilator or moderate cases on supplemental oxygen therapy nevertheless, no benefit observed in mild to moderate cases requiring no oxygen. More studi
... 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.
Nanoparticles are defined as an organic or non-organic structure of matter in at least one of its dimensions less than 100 nm. Nanoparticles proved their effectiveness in different fields because of their unique physicochemical properties. Using nanoparticles in the power field contributes to cleaning and decreasing environmental pollution, which means it is an environmentally friendly material. It could be used in many different parts of batteries, including an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. This study reviews different types of nanoparticles used in Lithium-ion batteries by collecting the advanced techniques for applying nanotechnology in batteries. In addition, this review presents an idea about the advantages and d
... 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.
A snake is an energy-minimizing spline guided by external
constraint forces and influenced by image forces that pull it toward features such as lines and edges. Snakes are active contour models: they lock onto nearby edges, localizing them accurately. Snakes provide a unified account of a number of visual problems, including detection of edges, lines, and motion tracking. We have used snakes successfully for segmentation, in which user-imposed constraint forces guide the snake near features of interest (anatomical structures). Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) data set and Ultrasound images are used for our experiments.
... Show MoreThe management of construction projects needs to complete the basics of system management and work. Starting from the idea and how to turn it into a full study and ended at the construction project completion arriving at the purpose prepared for it, so the projects need to control on its operation and integration system in order to succeed.
It is no secret for who concerned in construction projects field that the design stage is a very important stage in construction project because it determines the final features of the project through the requirements provided by the employer for the consultant to formulate it during this phase in the form of plans, drawings, and specifications, then translated on the ground as the shape of co
... 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 aim of the study was comparative between oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus using the measurement of some biophysical and biochemical parameters on two groups of diabetic patients, were conducted in the Al-Yarmuk Teaching Hospital,30 patients insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1 ,their ages ranged between (15-45) and30 patients non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type 2,their ages ranged between (42-65).This study has been compared with 30 healthy subjects. The present study was demonstrated to evaluate the alteration in oxidative stress as measured by plasma and red blood cells Malondialdehyde (MDA) andchanges in antioxidant mechanism as measured by plasma and red blood cells Glutathione (GSH)
... Show MoreBackground: Lung cancer is responsible for the most
cancer deaths in both men and women throughout the
world. Deaths from lung cancer (160,440 in 2004,
according to the National Cancer Institute) exceed the
number of deaths from four other major cancers combined
(breast, colon, pancreatic and prostate).
Objective: To assess the behavior and the approaches of
lung cancer in a sample of Iraqi patients.
Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was
performed using the records of 390 patients proved to have
lung cancer that had attending the Thoracic Surgery
Department of Surgical Specialties Hospital-Medical City
\Baghdad for the period from January, 1st
, 2001 to
December, 31st
,2002.
Res
Flower samples of Calendula officinalis were collected from the gardens of the college of Pharmacy in Baghdad city to examine their antibacterial activity .The effect of ethanol crude extract of petals and reproductive parts of flowers in different concentrations were obtained and bioassayed in vitro for its bioactivity to inhibit the growth of eight types of bacteria .The extracts of petals part were clearly superior for all bacteria especially the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition zone was 25mm in the concentration 100mg/ml) from gram negative bacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone was 14mm in the concentration 50mg/ml) from gram positive bacteria, whi
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