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.
Computers have been used for numerous applications involving the automatic or semiautomatic recognition of patterns in image. Advanced manufacturing system requires automated inspection and test method to increase production and yield best quality of product. Methods are available today is machine vision. Machine vision systems are widely used today in the manufacturing industry for inspection and sorting application. The objective of this paper is to apply machine vision technology for measuring geometric dimension of an automotive part. Vision system usually requires reprogramming or parameterization of software when it has to be configured for a part or product. A web camera used to capture an image of an automotive part that has been ch
... Show MoreBackground: Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral
cavity (OSCC) is a highly invasive neoplasm. Many
MMPs play role in human cancer invasion and
metastases.
Aim: Estimating The MMp-7 expression level in
HPV-16 positive and HPV-16 negative OSCC
paraffin embedded sections.
Method: Biopsies from thirty three patients with oral
squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were obtained and
investigated for the presence of HPV-16 RNA with
the application of ISH and the MMP-7 expression
level using IHC .
Results: Expression level of MMP-7 found to be high
in OSCC sections 29 (87.8%) cases with no
significant difference in its expression level between
HPV-16 positive and HPV-16 negative OSCC cases
p= 1.00.
Conc
A number of glow discharge experiments has been carried out in a relatively large-volume metallic vacuum chamber containing argon at low pressure and immersed in an inhomogeneous magnetic field generated by a solenoidal coil capable of delivering 2100G. Two Paschen curves demonstrating the dependence of the discharge voltage on sparking parameter Pd and magnetic field strength B were deduced. A graphical correlation showing the behaviour of the voltage difference from the two curves on the ratio B/Pd was constructed. Investigations showed a reduction in the nominal impedance of the discharge device of nearly 20% when B reaches a value of 525G. Plasma confinement regions were found around the internal surface of the chamber at the entranc
... Show MoreBackground: This study aimed to determine the gender of a sample of Iraqi adults utilizing the mesio-distal width of maxillary canines, inter-canine width and standard maxillary canine index, and to determine the percentage of dimorphism as an aid in forensic odontology. Materials and methods: The sample included 200 sets of study models belong to 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) with an age ranged between 17-23 years. The mesio-distal crown dimension was measured manually, from the contact points for the maxillary canines (both sides), in addition to the inter-canine width using digital vernier. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the measurements for both genders; independent samples t-test was performed to evaluate the gende
... Show MoreA simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometirc method for the determination of trace amounts of promethazine hydrochloride in the aqueous solution is described. The method is based on the complexation of promethazine hydrochloride with In (III) in the presence of sodium hydroxide to form an soluble product with maximum absorption at 304nm. Beer’s law is obeyed over the concentration range of (2- 20μg/ml) with molar absorptivity of (1.92× 103 L.mol-1 .cm -1 ). The optimum conditions for all development are described and the proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of promethazine hydrochloride in bulk drug.
This study included a survey and review of the scientific names of the marsh insects (aquatic and surrounding it) for the purpose of unifying and updating the database. The survey reveals 109 species under 77 genera that belong to 32 families and 7 orders as follow: Coleoptera (44 species), Diptera (7 species) Ephemeroptera (2 species), Hemiptera (14 species), Hymenoptera (11 species), Lepidoptera (2 species) and Odonata with 29 species. Information of specimens' collection for each species, synonyms and geographical distribution were provided.
This research examines the factors which influence pedestrian's walking speed in Baghdad. the variations in walking speed of pedestrians are related to pedestrian characteristics such as gender, age group, and clothing traditions. Using the established methodology, the counts of pedestrians were performed using manual and video counting. The case study was performed in two streets located in a highly crowded commercial zone at the city center of Baghdad: Al-Karada Dakhel and Al- Sina’a Street. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 19 software. It has been found that Iraqi pedestrians walk slower than other pedestrians in the developed countries or in the region with minimum walking speed of 29.85 m/min.
... Show MoreThe world is moving towards greening business in general and production systems in particular. At the same time, economic units seek to enhance their productivity and find any variables that can contribute to improving their elements. Economic units should not ignore the green dimension of cost management techniques because of its role in containing the green dimension of the production system and the product. However the few researches dealt with the subject of the green kaizen showed its role in reducing costs and improving the environment. Those researches did not address its contribution to raising the level of productivity. Productivity is an important indicator of economic units that expresses their level of success and progre
... Show MoreResveratrol is polyphenolic compound has many biochemical and biological effects on several organs. Therefore, resveratrol can be used to treat many diseases. The aim was to evaluate resveratrol safety when used in a parenteral single bolus dose. This study was conducted on 60 mice (30 males and 30 females). Each male and female mice divided into 6 groups (five mice per group). All mice groups given 1% DMSO and five different doses of resveratrol (5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.312) gm/kg intraperitonially given to five groups respectively. The mice were continuously monitored during 14 days. The number of deaths, changes in general behavior, changes in physiological activity, and signs of toxicity were reported. On day 15 blood was
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