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.
KE Sharquie, AA Noaimi, Glob Dermatol, 2014 - Cited by 6
Azithromycin is the drug of choice in the treatment of several bacterial infections, most often those causing middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, typhoid and sinusitis. It’s also effective against certain urinary tract infections and venereal diseases. This study was carried out to prepare an acceptable suspension either as dry physical mixture powder or granules to be reconstituted, through studying the effect of various type and concentration of suspending agent (xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), either alone or in combination) on the release profile of the drug. The best prepared suspension formulas (H& III) were selected depending on the dissolution profile of each formulas and then compared with
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Five new ceftazidime derivatives were designed and synthesized in an attempt to improve the acid stability and may increase the spectrum of ceftazidime. The synthesized compounds included; Schiff base of ceftazidime (compound 1), ceftazidime lysine amide Schiff base (compound 2), ceftazidime lysine amide (compound 3), ceftazidime-di-lysine amide Schiff base (compound 4) and ceftazidime-di-lysine amide (compound 5). New ceftazidime derivatives were successfully prepared characterized and identified using spectral and elemental microanalysis (CHNS) analyses and the results comply with the calculated measurements.
Compounds 1 and 2 were subjected to a stability study in phosphate buffer (0.2M, pH 7.4) and in KCl/HCl buffer (0.
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Social risks posed a great challenge to the development path in Iraq, which resulted in widening the development gaps, whether these gaps were between rural and embargoed areas, or between Iraqi governorates, and the gender gap. Besides, the nature of the reciprocal relationship between the social risks and the development process requires the adoption of development trends that are sensitive to the risks that take upon themselves the prompt and correct response to these risks, away from randomness and confusion that Iraq suffered from for decades. However, currently, the situation has differed a great deal. This is because the size and types of such gaps have widened and become more complicated than before; a matter which has led to hav
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The current study presents an experimental investigation of heat transfer and flow characteristic for subcooled flow boiling of deionized water in the microchannel heat sink. The test section consisted of a single microchannel having 300μm wide nominal dimensions and 300μm height (hydraulic diameter of 300μm). The test section formed of oxygen-free copper with 72mm length and 12mm width. Experimental operation conditions spanned the heat flux (78-800) kW/m2, mass flux (1700 and 2100) kg/m2.s at 31˚C subcooled inlet temperature. The boiling heat transfer coefficient is measured and compared with existing correlations. Also, the experimental pressure drop is measured and compared with microscale p
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The research addressed an analytical field investigation of the locality of meander, the factors responsible of the locality of the meander at certain points of the stream other than others, and the role sequence of these factors in the formation process.
The research revealed that the location of forming the meander was associated closely with the scale structural composition of the bank materials from which the first stage of forming the curved stream, for the inhomogeneous or non-identical opposite banks in their scale structural composition saw an activity of differential corrosion, while the homogeneous and identical opposite banks in their scale structural composition saw an identical corrosion activity in its intensity at both
Serum Creatine Kinase (SCK) activity was investigated in hyper
and hypqtbyroidim objects. Estimated Levels were compared with
healty controls.
Optimizat.im of SCK. activity has. been achieved using 0.95 mJ of
the Semtl.l and 25 m mol/L of -the subslratet creatitie phosphate . Reaction mixture was incubated at 37C for 1 0 minutes . Data obtained were r:cflects an elevation in the enzme activity in hyperthyroidism objec. Determination of the physical parameters (Vma-x and Km). were ol-,tained applying lit1eweaver- l3:urk Plot analysis. All detemi
... Show MoreNaber and toning in the modern Arab poetry Mahmoud Darwish, a model
Praise be to God, prayer, and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and his God and his companions. The field of the judiciary to prove or invalidate some cases in the field of proof of descent and attachment to the plaintiff or exile, and other legal and judicial issues, especially in this era where the spread of previously unknown evidence, such as DNA, which was discovered in 1953, and the genetic fingerprint discovered 1984, blood analysis and a Saliva, sweat, poetry, etc. in the field of forensic evidence, in forensic medicine or medical expertise, it can be used to identify the killer, or verify his identity, using all the evidence in the scene, such as a point of blood or sweat, and the like So, as well as to prove the lineage is u
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