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.
Background: Nanoparticles are clusters of atoms in a size range from (1-100) nm. Nano dentistry creates amazing useful structures from individual atoms or molecules (nanoparticles), which provides a new alternative and a possibly superior strategy in prevention and treatment of dental caries through management of dental plaque biofilms. The aim of the study was to test the sensitivity of Streptococcus mutans to different concentrations of hydroxyapatite and iron oxide nanoparticles suspension solutions, in comparison to chlorhexidine, and de-ionized water, in vitro. Materials and methods: Agar well technique was applied to test the sensitivity of Streptococcus mutans to different concentrations of hydroxyapatite and iron oxide nanoparticle
... Show MoreThis paper deals with studying the effect of hole inclination angle on computing slip velocity and consequently its effect on lifting capacity. The study concentrates on selected vertical wells in Rumaila field, Southern Iraq. Different methods were used to calculate lifting capacity. Lifting capacity is the most important factor for successful drilling and which reflex on preventing hole problems and reduces drilling costs. Many factors affect computing lifting capacity, so hence the effect of hole inclination angle on lifting capacity will be shown in this study. A statistical approach was used to study the lifting capacity values which deal with the effect of hole
... Show MoreHydrocarbon displacement at the pore scale is mainly controlled by the wetness properties of the porous media. Consequently, several techniques including nanofluid flooding were implemented to manipulate the wetting behavior of the pore space in oil reservoirs. This study thus focuses on monitoring the displacement of oil from artificial glass porous media, as a representative for sandstone reservoirs, before and after nanofluid flooding. Experiments were conducted at various temperatures (25 – 50° C), nanoparticles concentrations (0.001 – 0.05 wt% SiO2 NPs), salinity (0.1 – 2 wt% NaCl), and flooding time. Images were taken via a high-resolution microscopic camera and analyzed to investigate the displacement of the oil at dif
... Show MoreA sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of glibenclamide in its tablet formulations has been proposed. The method is based on the dissolving of glibenclamide in absolute ethanol and measuring the native fluorescence at 354 nm after excitation at 302 nm. Beers law is obeyed in the concentration of 1.4 to 10 µg.ml-1 of glibenclamide with a limit of detection (LD) of 0.067 µg.ml-1 and a standard deviation of 0.614. The range percent recoveries (N=3) is 94 - 103.
Background: The aim of this study was to measure the radiopacity (RO) of modified microhybrid composite resins by adding 2 types of nanofillers (Zinc Oxide and Calcium Carbonate) in two concentrations 3% and 5% and comparing them to unmodified microhybrid composite resins and to nanofilled composite resin. Materials and Methods: Two types of composite resin were used (Microhybrid composite MH Quadrent anterior shine and Nanofilled composite resin Filtek Z350 XT), for each tested group five disk-shaped specimens (1-mm-thick and 15 mm diameter) were fabricated. The material samples were radiographed together with the aluminum step wedge. The density of the specimens was determined with a transmission densitometer and was expressed in term of
... Show MoreRemoval of direct blue dye by electrocoagulation method has been investigated using aluminum electrode in a bench-scale electrochemical system. Current density, NaCl concentration, electrocoagulation time, and dye concentration has been studied as effecting parameters in color removal efficiency. Increasing of current density will increase the color removal efficiency and energy consumption as well. While increasing NaCl concentration increase the color removal efficiency but it decrease energy consumption. High dye concentration is needed for extra electrocaogolation time to reach the same efficiency that obtained with low dye concentration .With current applied 0.35 amps. and NaCl concentration of 2 g/l more
... Show MoreBackground: The internally displaced children are vulnerable groups have less access to dental services, worse oral health, and bear a disproportionate burden of oral diseases. Aim of the study: This study was conducted on group of internally displaced children living in Baghdad governorate camps to measure their dental caries prevalence and experience and find out the association between dental caries and the duration of displacement in camps. Subjects and methods: A sample of 1393 children were selected, 567 internally displaced children from camps in Baghdad governorate and 826 school children as control matching in age and gender. The age of children ranged from 5-12 years old. Oral examination was performed using WHO 2013 criteria, to
... Show MoreThe steel industry sector is witnessing an obvious growth in most worldwide nations and gulf countries. We wish that Iraq would be one of these superiors that go on along field to develop the construction industry in Iraq. Hence we need to notify that the government attention should be equivalent to the importance of steel industry and other industries would depend on this one, it should be presented the full support to the general sector, which is represented by ministry of industry and its institutions throughout the suitable legislation and facilities for the private companies are already into that, and they might record progress in this field. this study aims to use scrap steel as raw materials in manufacturing iron steel such war remai
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