Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with polymorphic expression. B cells have an essential contribution in immune system activation via the production of different cytokines and functioning as potent antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, a drug that particularly targets B cells may represent an ideal therapeutic approach for SLE. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody causing transient B-cell depletion, has been used to manage SLE. This study aims to assess Rituximab effects on lupus nephritis (LN) patients when added to conventional immunosuppressants. Twenty four patients, 15-32 years old, with class III/IV/V LN were involved in this study. All were on steroids before lupus nephritis occurrence. They were given rituximab induction therapy and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance therapy. RTX was indicated for refractory and relapsing SLE. Several investigations done before and after RTX treatment and in the last follow up (done one year after starting Rituximab). Those included protein in urine, serum creatinine, double stranded DNA, C3, C4, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Proteinuria decreased significantly after RTX treatment and in the last measurement (P=0.01 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum creatinine significantly decreased only in the last measurement (P=0.02). Double stranded DNA decreased remarkably after treatment (P=0.01) with a further decrease in the last measurement (P=0.006). C3 and C4 increased after treatment but the increase was significant only for C3 (P=0.002) and this increase continues till the last measurement (P=0.0006). Active urine sediments found in fifteen patients and disappeared after RTX treatment. Rituximab can be promising in treating lupus nephritis when used along with traditional immunosuppressants. It can reduce disease activity and improve renal function in such patients.
This research paper studies the use of an environmentally and not expensive method to degrade Orange G dye (OG) from the aqueous solution, where the extract of ficus leaves has been used to fabricate the green bimetallic iron/copper nanoparticles (G-Fe/Cu-NPs). The fabricated G‑Fe/Cu-NPs were characterized utilizing scanning electron microscopy, BET, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential. The rounded and shaped as like spherical nanoparticles were found for G-Fe/Cu‑NPs with the size ranged 32-59 nm and the surface area was 4.452 m2/g. Then the resultant nanoparticles were utilized as a Fenton-like oxidation catalyst. The degradation efficiency of
... Show MoreApple vinegar has many uses that include burn and wound healing and as an antimicrobial agent against different microorganisms, but not as a solvent. Therefore, this study aimed to use commercial apple vinegar as solvent to the plants of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), green tea (Camellia sinensis), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum). The effects of apple-vinegar extracts of these plants were compared with those of aqueous and ethanolic extracts against biofilm formation by Candida genus. Clove vinegar extract demonstrated antibiofilm activity against C. albicans, alone (2.4907± 0.382) or in combination with the antifungal agents fluconazole (1.689±0.33), nystati
... Show MoreFour electrodes were synthesized based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Two MIPs were prepared by using the diclofenac sodium (DFS) as the template, 2-hydroxy ethyl metha acrylate(2-HEMA) and 2-vinyl pyridine(2-VP) as monomers as well as divinyl benzene and benzoyl peroxide as cross linker and initiator respectively. The same composition used for prepared non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) but without the template (diclofenac sodium). To prepared the membranes electrodes used different plasticizers in PVC matrix such as: tris(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphate (TEHP), tri butyl phosphate (TBP), bis(2-ethyl hexyl) adipate (BEHA) and tritolyl phosphate (TTP). The characteristics studied the slop, detection limit, life time and linearity range of DF
... Show MoreBackground: Bone regeneration in dehiscence and fenestration defect can be improved with the use of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) that provides a scaffold for new bone regeneration. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PRF as a graft material and membrane in dehiscence and fenestration defects. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study included patients who received dental implants that demonstrated peri-implant defects which were augmented using Leukocyte- PRF (L-PRF) or Advanced-PRF (A-PRF). Twenty four weeks postoperatively the defect resolution and the density of regenerated bone were assessed by CBCT and re-entry surgery. The assessment also included measurement of primary and secondary implant stability
... Show MoreThe aqueous and methanol extracts of Salvia officinals and Salix acmoplylla traditionally used for the treatment of infections disease were tested for their active against gram positive and gram negative bacteria isolated from wound infection culture using the broth dilution and disc diffusion melhod. Results of this study revealed the prescence of phytochemical which were active against gram positive and negative bacteria. Methanol extracts of both plants showed the highest activity other the aqueous extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the aqueous extracts on the test organism was 25- 100 mg\ml,while that of the methanol extract was ranged betwee
... Show MoreThe relationship between pollution levels in river sediment and fluctuating asymmetry of resident silurid fish species,
This study attempts to address the importance of communicative digitization in the field of various arts for the sake of continuity of shopping and aesthetic, artistic and intellectual appreciation of artistic achievements by the recipient on various places of their residence in light of the COVID 19 crisis, and to highlight the importance of the plastic arts of the Iraqi painter exclusively and how it expresses in a contemporary way the environment or life reality in Iraq in light of this crisis. With all its implications affecting the life reality from various aspects and methods of its negative and positive employment. As for the research procedures, the researcher reviewed the research methodology represented by the descriptive ana
... Show MoreBackground: Numerous epidemiological studies were conducted in Iraq, concerning dental caries and related etiological factors however; most of these studies were concerned with pre-and primary school children and/or those at index ages (12-15years old). At the time studies regarding older ages are very limited. This study was done to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries and treatment need among high schools girls (16-18 years old) in Al-Mussayb city, Babylon Governorate. Thus, it can be considered as a base line data that allows studying dental caries among permanent dentition, also allows the comparison with other studies in other parts of the world. Material and Method: A total number of 900 high school girls were examin
... Show MorePopulation density represents an important indicator for determining the growth of the size of urban areas. Population density has a direct impact on the quality of life, and its excessive rise may lead to the deterioration of basic service facilities. The problem of the research is that the increase in the total population densities of the residential neighborhood may reflect negatively on the nature of the services provided to the residents in these shops, and thus the failure to achieve sustainability in the residential locality. The research assumes that the increase in population densities negatively affects the achievement of sustainability in the residential neighborhood.
... Show More
Background: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the microleakage between Vertise Flow T M composite material and other conventional (Filtek Z250, riva light cure and SDR) composite materials when restoring CII mesial box only cavity at gingival margin through die penetration test Materials and methods: Forty maxillary first premolars were prepared with class II box design only cavities. Samples were divided into four groups of ten teeth according to material used: group I (FiltekZ250 only). Group II (SDR+FiltekZ250). Group III (Vertise Flow +FiltekZ250). Group IV (Riva light cure+ FiltekZ250). After 24 hrs. immersion in 2% in methylene blue, samples were sectioned and micro leakage was estimated. Results: None of the
... Show More