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.
Aim of the Study: The paper aims at identifying the extent of the role of strategic leadership represented by its four dimensions (administrative, transformational, political, moral) in fulfilling the requirements of university governance (Context, message and Goal, Management orientation, Independence, Issue, Sharing)
Methodology: A survey is applied to (107) members of the teaching staff at the college of Administration and Economics/ University of Mosul. To achieve the goals of the study, the researcher makes use of a number of tools such as: questionnaire, statistical tools and methods (repetitions, perce
... Show MoreA mathematical eco-epidemiological model consisting of harvested prey–predator system involving fear and disease in the prey population is formulated and studied. The prey population is supposed to be separated into two groups: susceptible and infected. The susceptible prey grows logistically, whereas the infected prey cannot reproduce and instead competes for the environment’s carrying capacity. Furthermore, the disease is transferred through contact from infected to susceptible individuals, and there is no inherited transmission. The existence, positivity, and boundedness of the model’s solution are discussed. The local stability analysis is carried out. The persistence requirements are established. The global behavior of th
... Show MoreIn this paper, we will study non parametric model when the response variable have missing data (non response) in observations it under missing mechanisms MCAR, then we suggest Kernel-Based Non-Parametric Single-Imputation instead of missing value and compare it with Nearest Neighbor Imputation by using the simulation about some difference models and with difference cases as the sample size, variance and rate of missing data.
The air flow pattern in a co-current pilot plant spray dryer fitted with a rotary disk atomizer was determined experimentally and modelled numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) (ANSYS Fluent ) software. The CFD simulation used a three dimensions system, Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes equations (RANS), closed via the RNG k −ε turbulence model. Measurements were carried out at a rotation of the atomizer (3000 rpm) and when there is no rotation using a drying air at 25 oC and air velocity at the inlet of 5 m/s without swirl. The air flow pattern was predicted experimentally using cotton tufts and digital anemometer. The CFD simulation predicted a downward central flowing air core surrounded by a slow
... Show MoreNathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) has been widely known for his special interest in the female characters. In many of his novels, he narrates the conditions, values, and the institutions that surround and control the life of women, leading them to be victims. In “Rappaccini’s Daughter” (1844), the heroine, Beatrice is created to be victimized by her loved ones (her father and lover). This paper focuses on the term “victim,” it shows its aspects through the development of Beatrice’s character. The paper also studies a female character in the male-dominated society, to show the cruelty done to her, and how she is considered to be a second rate person, who is unable to live normally, or at least to save herself from dea
... Show MoreBackground: Understanding Middle Eastern Culture in literature is essential for engaging readers worldwide. A society's culture can be reflected through literature. To this end, this study aims to identify the stylistic patterns that reflect Middle Eastern culture in the selected data and to examine how the multilevel approach of this study helps to locate these patterns. Ibtisam Barakat’s Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood (2007) memoir is selected as the data of the study. Methodology: the cognitive corpus stylistic approach is applied to identify language patterns and stylistic features in the selected data. The multilevel method targets the language patterns that reflect the culture of the Middle East in th
... Show MoreUnderstanding how abiotic influences affect organisms and their interactions within ecological communities has long been of interest to ecologists. The significance of this comprehension has increased given rapid human-induced climate change. Wind speed variation is one of the less researched effects of climate change, as wind speeds worldwide are generally falling. Although wind is a fairly universal component of the environment, relatively little work has been conducted to integrate our knowledge of how wind affects interactions between different species. In this study, the influence of wind on bottom-up trophic interactions in the plant–ungulate–wolf food chain has been investigated through mathematical modeling. Positivity and bound
... Show MoreThe research aims present to highlight the importance of creating construction Organizational appropriate to achieve strategic success and reduce many of the negative effects experienced by organizations has been developing his questionnaire especially so was distributed to a sample of workers in the Asia-cellular as sample included (60) responsive 0 and can embody intellectual dilemma following questions (What are the dimensions of the organizational infrastructure, and what are the justifications for carrying out the reform and development cleared the organizational structure to make it more flexible) to contribute to the achievement of the strategic requirements for success of the organization surveyed.
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Bio-diesel is an attractive fuel fordiesel engines. The feedstock for bio-diesel production is usually vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, or animal fats. This work provides an overview concerning bio-diesel production. Also, this work focuses on the commercial production of biodiesel. The objective is to study the influence of these parameters on the yield of produced. The biodiesel production affecting by many parameters such s alcohol ratio (5%, 10%,15 %, 20%,25%,30%35% vol.), catalyst loading (5,10,15,20,25) g,temperature (45,50,55,60,65,70,75)°C,reaction time (0-6) h, mixing rate (400-1000) rpm. the maximum bio-diesel production yield (95%) was obtained using 20% methanol ratio and 15g biocatalyst at 60°C.