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.
Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was studied using CdS and ZnS as catalyst. The photocatalytic activity of the specimen was studied by exposing to UV-radiation. The result shows that the degradation efficiency of the dye for CdS micro-particles was 92% after 7 hours and for ZnS micro-particles was 88.29% for the same time interval.
Abstract
Stainless steel (AISI 304) has good electrical and thermal conductivities, good corrosion resistance at ambient temperature, apart from these it is cheap and abundantly available; but has good mechanical properties such as hardness. To improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of stainless steel its surface can be modified by developing nanocomposite coatings applied on its surface. The main objective of this paper is to study effect of electroco-deposition method on microhardness and corrosion resistance of stainless steel, and to analyze effect of nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZrO2 , and SiC) on properties of composite coatings. I
... Show MoreObjective: To investigate occur the histomatrical alternations in placental terminal villi and their vessels of Iraqi diabetes (gestational diabetes and overt diabetes) and normal pregnancies were born male and female neonates. Methods: The hitometrical study of male and female terminal villi of 68 placentae in maternal diabetes mellitus (34 gestational diabetes, 34 overt diabetes (17 DM type 1 and 17 DM type 2) and 34 normal placentae. These placentae obtained from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in three hospitals in Baghdad city. Results: The study showed that there is a statistically significant with higher diameter in central and peripheral sections of the terminal villi and their vessels in m
... Show MoreThe Silver1Indium1Selenide (AgInSe2) (AIS) thin1films of (3001±20) nm thickness have been1prepared2from the compound alloys2using thermal evaporation2 technique onto the glass2substrate at room temperature, with a deposition rate2(3±0.1) nm2sec-1.
The2structural, optical and electrical3properties have been studied3at different annealing3temperatures (Ta=450, 550 and 650) K.
The amount3or (concentration) of the elements3(Ag, In, Se) in the prepared alloy3was verified using an
... Show Moreأستهدفت الدراسة اختبار أثر التوجه السوقي والتزام العاملين على أداء المنظمة المسوقة لخدمات النقل الجوي. حيث تم اختيار شركة الخطوط الجوية الملكية الأردنية كمجال تطبيقي.وقد اعتمدت الدراسة في قياس المتغيرات على مقاييس مختبرة وقد تأكد صحتها وثباتها لقياس المتغيرات في البيئة الحالية. وقد بينت نتائج التحليل الإحصائي الذي استخدمت فيه أساليب إحصائية مختلفة بالاستعانة ببرنامج SPSS))
A series of benzohydrazide derivatives attached to coumarin moiety at position 6 and 7 have been synthesized. The reaction of coumarin derivatives (coumarin I and II) with p-nitrophenyl hydrazine yield Schiff bases (compound1a and IIa).These Schiff bases were refluxed with benzoyl chloride to give benzohydrazide derivatives of coumarin substituted at its 6 or 7 nucleus position (Ia1 and IIa1).The reaction and the purity of the products were checked by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The structures of the final compounds and their intermediates were confirmed by their melting points, infra red spectroscopy, and elemental microanalysis(CHN).
Compounds (Ia1 and IIa1) were evaluated for&n
... Show MoreWhen employing shorter (sub picosecond) laser pulses, in ablation kinetics the features appear which can no longer be described in the context of the conventional thermal model. Meanwhile, the ablation of materials with the aid of ultra-short (sub picosecond) laser pulses is applied for micromechanical processing. Physical mechanisms and theoretical models of laser ablation are discussed. Typical associated phenomena are qualitatively regarded and methods for studying them quantitatively are considered. Calculated results relevant to ablation kinetics for a number of substances are presented and compared with experimental data. Ultra-short laser ablation with two-temperature model was quantitatively investigated. A two-temperature model
... Show MoreObjective: To assess the nurses-midwives' knowledge and practices regarding the management of second stage
of labor and to find out the association between their knowledge and practices and socio-demographic
characteristics and working years and experience.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out from March 22nd
, 2008 through 30th June, 2008. A purposive
sample of (75) Nurse-Midwives which was selected from (6) hospitals. A questionnaire was comprised of two
parts: (socio-demographic characteristics and the assessment tool for Nurse-Midwives' knowledge and health
practices performed by them). The questionnaire validity was determined by experts and its reliability was
determined through a pilot study. Th
Azadirachtin is a naturally occurring substance that belongs to an organic molecule class which is called tetranortriterpenoids. It is on of the most powerful plant derived insecticides known, its structure is similar to insect hormones called ecdysoncs (Molting Hormone), which control the process of metamorphosis. Azadirachtin has been isolated from fruits of Melia azedarach L. The structure of this compound was determined by spectral studies (IR spectra and GC Mass spectra) and denitrified by then layer chromotochraphy (TLC).