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.
Compounds were prepared from In2O3 doped SnO2 with different doping ratio by mixing and sintering at 1000oC. Pulsed Laser Deposition PLD was used to deposit thin films of different doping ratio In2O3: SnO2 (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 % wt.) on glass and p-type wafer Si(111) substrates at ambient temperature under vacuum of 10-3 bar thickness of ~100nm. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were used to examine the structural type, grain size and morphology of the prepared thin films. The results show the structures of thin films was also polycrystalline, and the predominate peaks are identical with standard cards ITO. On the other side the prepared thin films declared a reduction of degree of crystallinity with the increase of doping ra
... Show MorePurpose A diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) of the head and neck has been a dilemma for clinicians, because the clinical and pathologic features tend to mimic different pathologies. Our study aimed to identify the demographic, clinical, and pathologic features of head and neck TB to help healthcare providers in the early detection of the disease. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis using the medical archives at the pathology laboratory. Twenty-one patients with a clinical and pathologic diagnosis of head and neck TB were identified from 2010 to 2019. Results The age distribution was broad, with 28.5% of the patients younger than 15 years old. Seven patients had oral TB, with the most common sites affected the labial ves
... Show MoreObjectives: Two derivatives of cephalexin were synthesized by reaction with isatin-glycine Schiff base and bromoisatin-glycine Schiff base separately. Methods: Cephalexin was linked through the amine group to isatin glycine and bromoisatin glycine Schiff bases by amide bond formation. Results: These derivatives were characterized by FT-IR, H-NMR, elemental CHN analysis and then tested for their antimicrobial activity compared to cephalexin against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans fungi. Conclusion: The two compounds showed better activity against Staphylococcus aureus, compound 3b is more active against Escherichia coli, and compound 3a is more active against Klebsiella pneumonia.
Reflection cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) overlays is a common form of pavement deterioration that occurs when underlying cracks and joints in the pavement structure propagate through an overlay due to thermal and traffic-induced movement, ultimately degrading the pavement’s lifespan and performance. This study aims to determine how alterations in overlay thickness and temperature conditions, the incorporation of chopped fibers, and the use of geotextiles influence the overlay’s capacity to postpone the occurrence of reflection cracking. To achieve the above objective, a total of 36 prism specimens were prepared and tested using an overlay testing machine (OTM). The variables considered in this study were the thickness of the
... Show MoreLipase enzyme has attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of its diverse biotechnological applications. The present study was conducted to screen germinated seeds of four crops, namely sunflower (Helianthus annuus), flaxor linseed (Linum usitatissimum ), peanut (Arachis hypogaea ) and castor bean (Ricinus communis), for the activity of their lipases. to the study also included the extraction and purification of lipase from the seeds of the most promising crop using different solvents. The results indicated that the maximum enzymatic activity (0.669 U/ml) was obtained when 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer extract was used after 3 days of seed germination of all the tested species, as compared to the other test solvents
... Show MoreABSTRACT: Polypyrrole and polypyrrole / silver nanocomposites were fabricated by in-situ polymerization employing Ammonium Persulphate as an oxidizing agent. Nanocomposites were synthesized by combining polypyrrole and silver nanoparticles in various weight percentages (0.1%, 0.5%, 3%, 5% and 7% wt.). Crystallographic data were collected using X-ray diffraction. PPy particles were found to have an orthorhombic symmetry. In contrast, PPy/Ag nanocomposites were reported to have monoclinic structure. The crystallite size was determined by XRD using Scherrer equation and considered to be within 49 nm range. DC conductivity of pelletized samples was evaluated in the temperature range of 323.15k to 453.15k. The conductiv
... Show MoreThree Schiff bases from Benzaldehyde and Salicylaldehyde have been synthesized (A, 1and 2) and two of them (1and 2) have been tested for anti-inflammatory activity. The p-aminobenzene sulfonamide has been synthesized from acetanilide through the addition of excess chlorosulfonic acid then concentrated ammonia solution; Schiff base of this derivative (2) exhibited good level of activity against egg-white induced edema in rat hind paw, while the other tested derivative exhibited no activity.
Key words: Schiff bases, sulfonamide derivatives, salicylaldehyde
Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used for treating schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autism. Risperidone rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior by working on dopamine and serotonin α2receptor antagonism. Risperidone has poor solubility and high permeability through the intestine, so it belongs to Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) class II exhibits poor oral biopharmaceutical properties.
The aim of the present work was to improve solubility and dissolution of Risperidone by preparing nanosuspension using different stabilizers and different solvents in a method known as solvent-antisolvent precipitation method. Twenty-eight formulas were prepared
... Show MoreReflection cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) overlays is a common form of pavement deterioration that occurs when underlying cracks and joints in the pavement structure propagate through an overlay due to thermal and traffic-induced movement, ultimately degrading the pavement’s lifespan and performance. This study aims to determine how alterations in overlay thickness and temperature conditions, the incorporation of chopped fibers, and the use of geotextiles influence the overlay’s capacity to postpone the occurrence of reflection cracking. To achieve the above objective, a total of 36 prism specimens were prepared and tested using an overlay testing machine (OTM). The variables considered in this study were the thickness of the
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