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 region of Kirkuk and its surrounding areas, including (Baba, Jambour, Qara Chuq, Qaiyarah, Demir Dagh, Bai Hassan, Taq Taq, Makhul, Gilabat as well as southern Mosul and the cities of Erbil and Sulymania, are known as one of the oldest discovered oil fields in northern Iraq. This area presents a significant opportunity for further organic geochemical analysis to describe maturation zones and estimate economically generated hydrocarbons with particular reference to the Sargelu formation, to enhance hydrocarbons productivity. To assess the potential of these oil fields, it is essential to perform correlation, comparisons, and geochemical analyses of the data collected from exploration wells in the surrounding area. This appro
... Show MoreIn the present work, the nuclear shell model with Hartree–Fock (HF) calculations have been used to investigate the nuclear structure of 24Mg nucleus. Particularly, elastic and inelastic electron scattering form factors and transition probabilities have been calculated for low-lying positive and negative states. The sd and sdpf shell model spaces have been used to calculate the one-body density matrix elements (OBDM) for positive and negative parity states respectively. Skyrme-Hartree-Fock (SHF) with different parameterizations has been tested with shell model calculation as a single particle potential for reproducing the experimental data along with a harmonic oscillator (HO) and Woods-Saxo
... Show MoreStrengthening of composite beams is highly needed to upgrade the capacities of existing beams. The strengthening methods can be classified as active or passive techniques. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to provide detailed FE simulations for strengthened and unstrengthened steel–concrete composite beams at the sagging and hogging moment regions with and without profiled steel sheeting. The developed models were verified against experimental results from the literature. The verified models were used to present comparisons between the effect of using external post-tensioning and CFRP laminates as strengthening techniques. Applying external post-tensioning at the sagging moment regions is more effective because of the e
... Show MoreBackground and objectives: Whether to use a cold scalpel or laser surgery to remove a lesion in the skin of the craniofacial area is the main question the surgeon asks him- or herself to do. The study tried to extend the literature with data that may help the surgeons to choose the right method. Methods: Thirty patients with intra- and extraoral craniofacial skin lesions managed by Carbone dioxide (CO2) laser surgery. Results: The most common type of lesion treated was melanocytic nevi (15 patients; 50%). Conclusion: The main complication of CO2 laser surgery is the remaining permanent hypopigmentation of the treated area; however, the CO2 laser has many advantages (especially at the time of surgery) making it a good choice for the manageme
... Show MoreThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the change in the levels of glucagon, GLP-1 and GPCR in diabetic patient's and diabetic with dyslipidemia as metabolic syndrome. The study included 75 male aged ranged (30-50) years and with BMI (25-29) kg/m2 which divided into three groups as follows: group one (G1): consist of 25 subjects as healthy control group. Group two (G2): consist of 25 patient's with diabetes mellitus and group three (G3): consist of 25 patient's with diabetic and dyslipidemia as metabolic syndrome. Serum was used in determination of FBG, lipid profile, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1 and GPCR. Whole blood was determination of HbA1c. The results revealed significant elevation in FBG and HbA1c in G2 and G3 comparing to G1. While
... Show MoreThe target of this study was to study the natural phytochemical components of the head (capsule) of Cynara scolymus cultivated in Iraq. The head (capsule) of plant was extracted by maceration in70% ethanol for 72 hours, and fractioned by hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening was performed on the ethyl acetate fraction for capsule was revealed the presence of flavonoid and aromatic acids. These were examined by (high -performance liquid chromatography) (HPLC diodarray), (high- performance thin-layer chromatography)(HPTLC).
Flavonoids were isolated by preparative layer chromatography and aromatic acid was isolated by preparative high-
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urgent surgical intervention and appendectomy until now represent standard treatment for uncomplicated cases of appendicitis. Nausea, vomiting and pain after surgery are the most frequent issues facing patients and affecting patient quality of life and responsible for many cases of readmission after surgery. Ketorolac and diclofenac represent the most commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory used in postoperative setting and they cause many side effects as gastrointestinal, kidney and cardiac adverse effect in addition to increased risk of bleeding. Paracetamol is currently among the most frequently prescribed medication worldwide and it can be used safely for all age groups. This study aimed
... Show MoreDesert truffle is considered as a type of Syrian wild fungi that spreads heavily, and it occupies important rank in folk medicine, where its aqueous extract is used for the treatment of some eye and skin illnesses, and people prefer the use of black truffle. This work interested in studying of the most available species; Terfezia claveryi (black) and Tirmania pinoyi (white). The extracts of the two species of truffle were prepared by maceration with water, methanol, and ethanol 70%. Their total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were analyzed using Folin-ciocalteu and Aluminum chloride methods respectively, and their antioxidant activities was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and
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