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.
The influence of the reaction gas composition during the DC magnetron sputtering process on the structural, chemical and optical properties of Ce-oxide thin films was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed that all thin films exhibited a polycrystalline character with cubic fluorite structure for cerium dioxide. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that cerium is present in two oxidation states, namely as CeO2 and Ce2O3, at the surface of the films prepared at oxygen/argon flow ratios between 0% and 7%, whereas the films are completely oxidized into CeO2 as the aforementioned ratio increases beyond 14%. Various optical parameters for the thin films (including an optical band gap in the range of 2.25–3.
... Show MoreA polycrystalline PbxS1-x alloys with various Pb content ( 0.54 and 0.55) has been prepared successfully. The structure and composition of alloys are determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) respectively. The X-ray diffraction results shows that the structure is polycrystalline with cubic structure, and there are strong peaks at the direction (200) and (111), the grain size varies between 20 and 82 nm. From AAS and XRF result, the concentrations of Pb content for these alloys were determined. The results show high accuracy and very close to the theoretical values. A photoconductive detector as a bulk has been fabricated by taking pieces of prepared alloys and polished chemic
... Show MoreAbstract This study investigated the treatment of textile wastewater contaminated with Acid Black 210 dye (AB210) using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) through adsorption and photocatalytic techniques. ZnO NPs were synthesized using a green synthesis process involving eucalyptus leaves as reducing and capping agents. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, EDAX, XRD, BET, Zeta potential, and FTIR techniques. The BET analysis revealed a specific surface area and total pore volume of 26.318 m2/g. SEM images confirmed the crystalline and spherical nature of the particles, with a particle size of 73.4 nm. A photoreactor was designed to facilitate the photo-degradation process. The study investigated the inf
... Show MoreBackground: This study evaluated the influence of different fiber formulations incorporation in resin composite on cuspal deflection (CD) of endodontically-treated teeth with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two freshly extracted maxillary premolar teeth received MOD cavity preparation followed by endodontic treatment using single cone obturation technique, and divided into: Group I: direct composite resin only using a centripetal technique, Group II: direct composite resin with short fiber-reinforced composite (everX Flow), Group III: direct composite resin with leno wave ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (LWUHMWPE) fibers placed on the cavity floor, and Group IV: direct composite resin with LWUHMWP
... Show MoreThe new bidentate Schiff base ligand namely [(E)-N1-(4-methoxy benzylidene) benzene-1, 2-diamine] was prepared from condensation of 4-Methoxy benzaldehyde with O-Phenylene diamine at 1:1 molar ratio in ethanol as a solvent in presence of drops of 48% HBr. The structure of ligand (L) was characterized by, FT-IR, U.V-Vis., 1H-, 13C- NMR spectrophotometer, melting point and elemental microanalysis C.H.N. Metal complexes of the ligand (L) in general molecular formula [M(L)3], where M= Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II),Cu(II) and Hg(II); L=(C14H14N2O) in ratio (1:3)(Metal:Ligand) were synthesized and characterized by Atomic absorption, FT- IR, U.V-Vis. spectra, molar conductivity, chloride content, melting point and magnetic susceptibility from the above d
... Show MoreIn this study a new ligand ,(potassium 2-carbomethoxy amino-5-trithiocarbonate 1,3,4-thiadiazole) (L) has been prepared from 2-carbomethoxy amino-5-mercapto 1,3,4-thiadiazole with CS2 in alkali media . The product has been isolated and characterized by appropriate physical measurements, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy. The ligand was used to prepare a number of complexes with some metal ions Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II). These complexes have been characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis spectra, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, melting points and atomic absorption measurements. The nickel and copper complexes have an octahedral geometry while cobalt complex has a tetrahedral geometry. The nature of bonding between the metal ion
... Show More2,2'-(1-(3,4-bis(carboxydichloromethoxy)-5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(oxy)bis(2,2-dichloroacetic acid) a derivative of L-ascorbic acid was prepared by reaction of L-ascorbic acid with trichloroacetic acid (1:4) ratio, in the presence of potassium hydroxide. A series of new metal complexes of this ligand were prepared by a reaction with the chlorides of Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). The new ligand and its complexes were identified by C.H.N., IR, UV-visible spectra, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as well as 1H, 13C-NMR and Mass spectra for ligand L. The complexes were also identified by molar conductance, atomic absorption, magnetic susceptibility and X-ray diffraction for Cu (II) complex. FT-IR spectra
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