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.
Wastewater recycling for non-potable uses has gained significant attention to mitigate the high pressure on freshwater resources. This requires using a sustainable technique to treat natural municipal wastewater as an alternative to conventional methods, especially in arid and semi-arid rural areas. One of the promising techniques applied to satisfy the objective of wastewater reuse is the constructed wetlands (CWs) which have been used extensively in most countries worldwide through the last decades. The present study introduces a significant review of the definition, classification, and components of CWs, identifying the mechanisms controlling the removal process within such units. Vertical, horizontal, and hybrid CWs
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Orbital varices are vein dilations in the orbit presenting various symptoms. This scoping review synthesizes existing evidence on their epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment efficacy.
Literature was reviewed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed and Scopus were searched until April 31, 2024, for articles on clinically diagnosed ocular varices detailing diagnostic methods, treatments, and outcomes. Exclusions were reviews, animal studies, and incomplete case reports. Data on study characteristics, diagnosis, management, and o
Enamel White Spot Lesions (EWSLs) are a common dental condition characterized by being opaque or chalky white in appearance. In this review, an overview of the etiology, prevention, and treatment techniques for EWSLs is presented. Enamel demineralization caused by bacteria in dental plaque which releases acids upon the consumption of fermentable carbohydrates causing mineral loss is thought to be the main cause of those lesions, which could be predisposed through orthodontic treatment, poor diet, inadequate oral hygiene and certain medical conditions. So, sustaining an adequate carbohydrate consumption, proper fluoride exposure and good oral hygiene are some of the practices which aid in these lesions’ prevention. Although the suc
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Ibn al-Haytham is the pioneer of optics, which is a science that had described optics circumstances. Optics or landscape science as it was known by the Arab and Muslim scientists at the time when is a science known as the conditions of sighters in their quantity and quality as the proximity and distance from the beholder , the different forms , conditions and what mediate between the beholder and the microscopes , to explain useful knowledge of what obscures the sight of the conditions of sighters and is used to measure the space Distant criminality and mirrors.
Ibn al-Haitham wrote his famous book The Book of Mirrors and studied mistakes adopted the m
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Concurrently with the technological development that the world is witnessing the crime of money laundering to evolve faster and with multiple methods and its economic, political and social impacts raised increasingly. And for phenomenon dangerous the international community in recent years is keen to be considered combating money laundering as a general indication whereby verification of the international response the stats and its banks and financial institutions with international requirements mandated in this aspect, so the increasing interest the governments of countries in the laws and procedures that contribute to the reduction of the phenomenon of money laundering and avoid legislation economy and the banking and financial sectors
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The effect of three ionic liquids viz., 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (ILE), 1-hexyl-3-metylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (ILF) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (ILG) when used as surfactants on the performance of dissolved air floatation (DAF) was investigated.
Experiments were conducted at a temperature of 30-35 ºC, 10ppm ferric chloride as coagulant, 50% recycle ratio, pH 8, and 10 minutes treatment time to find oil and grease (OG) and turbidity removal efficiencies at saturation pressure (2-6) bar.
ILs were used at concentration of 50 µl/liter of treated water in two positions in DAF system; the saturation vessel and the treatment tank. The performance using ILs
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