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.
Abstract
In this manuscript, a simple new method for the green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) utilizing F. carica Fig extract as reducing agent for antimicrobial activities was reported. Simultaneously, the microstructural and morphological features of the synthesized Pt NPs were thoroughly investigated. In particular, the attained Pt NPs exhibited spherical shape with diameter range of 5-30 nm and root mean square of 9.48 nm using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), respectively. Additionally, the final product (Pt NPs) was screened as antifungal and antibacterial agent against Candida and Aspergillus species as well as Gram-positive Staphyllococcus aureus and G
... Show MoreMetal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a relatively new class of materials of unique porous structures and exceptional properties. Currently, more than 110,000 types of MOFs have been reported among the countless possibilities. In this study, we have synthesised a novel MOF using zirconium chloride as the metal source and 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-biquinoline (bicinchoninic acid disodium salt) as the linker, which reacted in N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Three preparation methods were employed to prepare five types of the MOF, and they were compared to optimize the synthesis conditions. The resulting MOFs, named Zr-BADS, were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), microscopy, and
... Show MoreObjective: Synthesis, Characterization of formazan derivatives and studies the antioxidant activity of prepared compounds and molecular docking. Methods: In this study, formazan compounds (III–XIV) were produced by combining Schiff base compounds (I), (II) with diazonium salts resulting from reactions of different aromatic amines with sodium nitrate in the presence of Con.HCl at 0–5°C. When isonicotinic acid hydrazide reacts with (N,N-dimethylbenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) in the presence glacial acetic acid as a solvent Schiff base compounds are created. Results: The prepared compounds were identified by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, then the antioxidant activity of the derivatives and molecular docking were studied. D
... Show MoreBackground: The denture base inaccuracies during processing negatively influence the retention and stability of finished complete denture. The aims of this study were to evaluate teeth movement and palatal adaptation of autoclave cured denture bases and their relationship with palatal depths and investments. Materials and methods: A nightly maxillary complete dentures prepared, processed and organized to be tested as follows: 1. Processing methods: water bath and autoclave with both fast and slow cycles. 2. Palatal depth: shallow, medium and deep. 3. Investing medium: stone and silicone. For every finished denture, two measurements were done: first: teeth movement by attaching metallic reference screws on the right and left centrals, first
... Show MoreThe compounds 3-[4̄-(4˭-methoxybenzoyloxy) benzylideneamino]-2-thioxo-imidazolidine-4-one(3)aand 4-(1-(5-oxo- 2-thioxoimidazolidin-1-ylimino)ethyl)phenyl acetate(3)b were prepared from the reaction of aromatic aldehyde or ketone(1)a,bwith thiosemicarbazide to give aryl thiosemicarbazones(2)a,b ,followed by cyclization with ethylchloroacetate in the presence of fused sodium acetate. Treatment the compounds(3)a,bwith 4- hydroxybenzenediazoniumchloride yielded the correspondings4-((4-((4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)-5-oxo-2- thioxoimidazolidin-1-ylimino)methyl)phenyl 4-methoxybenzoate(4)aand4-(1-(4-((4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)-5-oxo-2- thioxoimidazolidin-1-ylimino)ethyl)phenyl acetate(4)b.The new 2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one with esters (5-7)a,b sy
... Show MoreThe removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater by sorptive flotation using Amberlite IR120 as a resin, and flotation column, was investigated. A combined two-stage process is proposed as an alternative of the heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions. The first stage is the sorption of heavy metals onto Amberlite IR120 followed by dispersed-air flotation. The sorption of metal ions on the resin, depending on contact time, pH, resin dosage, and initial metal concentration was studied in batch method .Various parameters such as pH, air flow rate, and surfactant concentration were investigated in the flotation stage. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB) were used as anionic and cationic surfactant re
... Show MoreAspirin and clopidogrel are considered the most important oral platelets aggregation inhibitors. So it is widely used for treatment and prophylaxis of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases related to platelets aggregation .In this study aspirin and clopidogrel were formulated together as floating bilayer tablet system. Three different formulas of 75 mg aspirin were prepared by wet granulation method as immediate release layer; different disintegrants used to achieve rapid disintegration. Formula with crosscarmellose as disintegrant achieve rapid disintegration was selected for preparation of bilayer tablet.
Different formulas of 75 mg clopidogrel were prepared as sustained release floating layer by wet granulation (effe
... Show More