Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an autoimmune, and inflammatory disease that is closely related to the destruction of cartilage and bone. DC-SIGN are important types of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), expressed on dendritic cells and macrophages, and have a central role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity, function as pattern recognition receptors, and as cell adhesion molecules. Recent evidence has demonstrated that DC-SIGN is involved in the pathophysiological of chronic inflammation, so DC-SIGN has been linked to several autoimmune and may play an essential indicator in the pathogenesis and progression of RA. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the serum level of DC-SIGN in RA patients, as well as the level of DC-SIGN based on demographic characteristics. Fifty Iraqi RA patients were enrolled in the study, and a control sample of 38 healthy individuals (ascertain by laboratory and clinical tests) were included and matched by gender, age, and ethnicity with the patients. The DC-SIGN concentration was calculated in the patients’ serum and compared to control using the ELISA assay and the results revealed significantly increased serum level of DC-SIGN (12.047 ± 1.114 vs. 6.863 ± 0.806 ng/ml) was recorded in RA patients compared to controls. When correlating results, it was shown that the concentration of DC-SIGN in the serum did not record a significant difference between gender and age, as well as the blood groups. To determine the impact of the therapeutic status in RA patients on the DC-SIGN level, it was found that the concentration of DC-SIGN level was higher in untreated patients compared to treated patients. Regarding viral infection, when an investigation was conducted in RA patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, the serum level of DC-SIGN in RA patients with COVID-19 showed no change in concentrations compared to uninfected RA patients.
Background: Saliva plays an important role in oral health. Several salivary proteins are involved in the antimicrobial defence mechanism and are able to eliminate or inhibit bacterial growth in the oral cavity. Secretory IgA (SIgA) is one of the principal antibodies present in saliva, could help oral immunity by preventing microbial adherence, neutralizing enzymes and toxins. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between salivary Streptococcus Mutans (SM) count and S IgA in stimulated whole saliva in children with primary dentition compared to those with permanent teeth in relation to some oral hygiene parameters. Material and methods: Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 50 children (25 with primary dentation and
... Show MoreSince its invention by the Ancient Romans and later developed during the mid-18th century, the concrete structure and finish, has been considered as the most powerful, practical, economic and constructional material that meets the building’s architectural and aesthetical requirements. By creating unique architectural forms, the pioneer architects used concrete widely to shape up their innovative designs and buildings.
The pre-mixed ultra-high performance concrete which manufactured by Lafarge.
The transparent concrete and cement that allow the light beams to pass through them, introduces remarkable well-lit architectural spaces within the same structural criteria. This product is a recyclable, sustainab
... Show MoreNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, which characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The aim of this designed study is to evaluate the ability of guggulsterone to prevent high fat diet induced steatohepatitis in mice. Five groups of male mice were selected and treated as the following: group I, mice had free access to standard commercial diet and considered as control group, group II, mice were fed a specially formulated high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce non-alcoholic liver disease, while groups III, IV and V the mice were administered high fat diet containing guggulsterone at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm concentration respectively for 12 weeks. Maintaini
... Show MoreThe problem of the research lies in special motor abilities training programs like the balance that positively affect coordination between the nervous system and muscles. These training programs did not get enough attention from athletes especially young athletes; their training was restricted to physical abilities like strength, speed, and endurance instead. The research aimed at designing an apparatus for developing athletes’ balance in national centers for gifted/ ministry of youth and sport so as to provide a measurement for coached in this field. The results showed that the designed apparatus have a positive effect on developing the subjects’ balance in boxing and basketball athletes.
This study investigates the role of identity as a critical factor in mediating the relationship between local and regional politics within the broader context of international relations (IR). While identity is frequently acknowledged as a catalyst for political instability and conflict, its function in fostering interdependence across political levels remains underexplored, particularly through empirical research. To address this gap, the study adopts a quantitative methodology, drawing on theories of identity politics and interdependence. A structured survey was administered to assess public perceptions of identity's influence on international engagement and its bridging role between domestic and regional political dynamics. The fi
... Show MoreAbstract Objective: Comparison of femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction (FS-SMILE) versus Femtosecond laser Insitu keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) regarding dry eye disease (DED) and corneal sensitivity (CS) after those refractive surgeries. Methods: A comparative prospective study conducted for a period of 2 years; from March 2017 until February, 2019. Enrolled patients were diagnosed with myopia. Fifty patients (100 eyes) were scheduled for bilateral FS-SMILE and the other 50 patients (100 eyes) had been scheduled for bilateral FS-LASIK. Both groups were followed for six months after surgery. The age, gender, and preoperative refraction for both groups were matched. Complete evaluation of dry eye disease had been
... Show MoreA field experiment was carried out during winter season of 2019 at Al-Muradiya research state, Babylon government, Iraq, to study the role of the sprayed types of potassium fertilizer in improving of flag leaf contribution in grain yield of wheat. The layout of the experiment was randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement at three replicates. The experiment included spraying common and nano potassium fertilizer at booting stage, in addition to control treatment (spraying of distilled water) as a first factor, and removal treatments (removal of flag leaf at 10% anthesis stage and nonremoval) as a second factor. The results showed that the spraying of nano potassium fertilizer was significantly superior in the dry matter transp
... Show MoreThe aim of this investigation is to study the rote of alkaline phosphatase in mammogenesis and lactogenesis. A total of fortyfemalealbino rats were used and divided according to their physiological states into four groups [ten rats each]. From each deeply ether anesthetized rat, the mammary gland was removed, fixed, quenched in liquid nitrogen and sectioned using SLEE cryostat. The sections were employed for routine haematoxylin and eosin stain and alkaline phosphatase demonstration using the calcium–cobalt method. The obvious finding in the mammary glands of pregnant rat was the presence of thick black rings indicating strong alkaline phosphatase activityaround the basal part of the secretory epithelium of the alveoli. In lactating mamma
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