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.
Abstract Organic compounds with pyrazole cores have a variety of uses, notably in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. The interest in creating pyrazole compounds, examining their many features, and looking for potential uses is growing. Our work has concert with synthesis of chalcones and pyrazolines, then finally pyrazoline-aniline derivatives and evaluation their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activities
Crabs belong to the crustacean family (Decapods crustacean), and their shells contain natural ingredients from which the bioactive compounds are derived. It has been used as folklore medicine in cancer treatment. We investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects for crab shells and whole crabs. Thirty-six rats (150–200 gm) from both sexes were used, divided into six groups, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity measured using cotton pellet induce granuloma model. Detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), superoxide (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels using ELISA Kits. The data analysis by one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test. Values are significant at (p < 0.05).
... Show MoreBackground: Obesity is considered an important risk factor for periodontal disease. It has been reported that reactive oxygen species linking both diseases, systemic melatonin supplementation as antioxidant therapy, was addressed as an adjuvant to scaling and root surface debridement (SRP) to enhance the treatment of periodontitis. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of systemic melatonin administration in periodontitis-obese patients as an adjuvant to scaling and root surface debridement (SRP). Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at a dental-specialized center. Eighty subjects were included and allocated into group-I: twenty periodontium-healthy, normal-weight people; group-II: 30 obese patients with stage-III tre
... Show MoreThe corona virus epidemic outbreak has urged an extreme worldwide effort for re‐purposing obtainable approved medications for its treatment. In this review, we're focusing on the chemicals properties andpharmacologicaleffectiveness of medicationsofsmallmolecule that are presently being evaluated in clinical trials for the management of corona virus (COVID‐19). The current review sheds light on a number of drugs that have been diagnosed to treat COVID‐19 and their biological effects.
Back ground:-Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of inflammatory polyarthritis, with a prevalence of approximately 0.8% of adults worldwide, Rheumatoid arthritis patients may become disabled within few years if untreated that may lead to permanent disability. Different biomarkers have been assessed for the improved diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis, including a wide range of autoantibodies. However, only rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) have gained wide acceptance.
Aim of the study to investigate the levels of ACCP, Leptin, and Lipoprotein (a) in females with RA to provide information on possible pathophysiologic mechanisms, and to give re
... Show MoreEvaluation of Anti-Helicobacter pylori Antibodies in A group of Iraqi Patients with Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease
Evaluation of Anti-Helicobacter pylori Antibodies in A group of Iraqi Patients with Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease
In this study, ultraviolet (UV), ozone techniques with hydrogen peroxide oxidant were used to treat the wastewater which is produced from South Baghdad Power Station using lab-scale system. From UV-H2O2 experiments, it was shown that the optimum exposure time was 80 min. At this time, the highest removal percentages of oil, COD, and TOC were 84.69 %, 56.33 % and 50 % respectively. Effect of pH on the contaminants removing was studied in the range of (2-12). The best oil, COD, and TOC removal percentages (69.38 %, 70 % and 52 %) using H2O2/UV were at pH=12. H2O2/ozone experiments exhibited better performance compared to
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