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
Leadership has now become a process for applying methods and techniques that make the Organization at the top of its competitive pyramid a greater market share. Leadership has become a focus for all leaders and managers، and leaders and managers are increasingly seeking to develop their skills and leadership skills. The research started with a clear problem of specific questions to ensure that the general objective of the research is to describe the characteristics of the leader and to clarify the dimensions of empowering the workers and to highlight the role of the leader in empowering the workers. The study examines the relation between the role of the leader in
... Show MoreBackground: Glass ionomer restorations are widely employed in the field of pediatric dentistry. There is a constant demand for a durable restoration that remains functional until exfoliation. This study aimed to measure and compare the effect of a novel coating material (EQUIA Forte Coat) on the microleakage of glass hybrid restoration (EQUIA Forte HT) in primary teeth. Material and method: Thirty cavitated (class-II) primary molars were allocated randomly into two groups based on the coat application; uncoated (control) and coated group (experimental). Cavities were prepared by the use of a ceramic bur (CeraBur) and restored with EQUIA Forte HT with or without applying a protective coat (EQUIA Forte Coat). Samples went through the
... Show MoreA seasonal study of periphytic algae attached to the surface of river boats was conducted in Tigris river in Al Aadhamiya site for the period from October 2016 to May 2017. A total of 107 taxa of periphytic algae were identified belonging to the four classes of algae. The periphytic algae community dominated by Bacillariophyceae was (60.7%) followed by Chlorophyceae (20.5%) and Cyanophyceae (17.7%) Chrysophyceae was constituted (0.9%) of the total number. During the whole period of study filamentous taxa such as Oscillatoria amphibian, Phormidium spp., Spirulinagigantean, Cladophoreglomerata and Melosira roeseana remained the dominant colonizer which may be reflect the ability of this species to grow multiplies under different environmental
... Show MoreThis study found that one of the constructive, necessary, beneficial, most effective, and cost-effective ways to meet the great challenge of rising energy prices is to develop and improve energy quality and efficiency. The process of improving the quality of energy and its means has been carried out in many buildings and around the world. It was found that the thermal insulation process in buildings and educational facilities has become the primary tool for improving energy efficiency, enabling us to improve and develop the internal thermal environment quality processes recommended for users (student - teacher). An excellent and essential empirical study has been conducted to calculate the fundamental values of the
... Show MoreThe current research aims to identify the most important green productivity tools GPT and the possibility of applied in industrial companies in general and the companies operating in the province of Nineveh, in particular, as well as the study of some personality characteristics and functional, which is believed to be an impact on the application of these tools in industrial companies. Accordingly, the research community of managers in the company of medicines and medical supplies ready-made clothes _ operating in the province of Nineveh, who are (80) while the manager was subjected to research procedures (49) Director representing (61.25%)
... Show MoreThe number of infections caused by microorganisms is increasing significantly over the last few years. A total of 140 patients admitted to the central teaching hospital of pediatrics from the 1st of Jun 2017 to 31 October 2017. The Clinical samples was processed from culture and sensitivity testing. Antibiotic discs used for gram negative isolates. The most prevalent gram negative isolates included Escherichia coli 63 (45.0 %), Pseudomonas spp. 21 (15.0 %), Klebsiella spp. 19 (13.6 %) predominantly. Escherichia coli were the most prevalent isolates from urine 45 (71.4 %), Klebsiella spp. 11 (57.9 %) and Enterobacter spp. 11 (68.8 %) followed by Escherichia coli 10 (15.9 %) predominant from blood. 68 (48.6 %) of specimens were urine, 47 (33.
... Show MoreThe internet of medical things (IoMT), which is expected the lead to the biggest technology in worldwide distribution. Using 5th generation (5G) transmission, market possibilities and hazards related to IoMT are improved and detected. This framework describes a strategy for proactively addressing worries and offering a forum to promote development, alter attitudes and maintain people's confidence in the broader healthcare system without compromising security. It is combined with a data offloading system to speed up the transmission of medical data and improved the quality of service (QoS). As a result of this development, we suggested the enriched energy efficient fuzzy (EEEF) data offloading technique to enhance the delivery of dat
... Show MoreThe densities and visconsities of solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) molccuar weight (14)kg.mol-1in water up to 0.035%mol.kg-1
The design studies, especially in their contemporary stages, have not been isolated from the subjects that underpin advanced ideas in the field of technical treatments that enrich and improve the social life of users through those technological innovations that have enhanced and changed life styles, Especially in the field of general institutional techniques, including cinemas, as the ideal places for people and visitors to this space, which can contribute to the promotion of cultural, social and technical aspects within this millennium. DONC as reflected on the positive communication and communication between the intellectual and cognitive develop individuals, including cultural and technical side of the individual. The first chapter co
... Show MoreA numerical study of the double-diffusive laminar natural convection in a right triangular solar collector has been investigated in present work. The base (absorber) and glass cover of the collector are isothermal and isoconcentration surfaces, while the vertical wall is considered adiabatic and impermeable. Both aiding and opposing buoyancy forces have been studied. Governing equations in vorticity-stream function form are discretized via finite-difference method and are solved numerically by iterative successive under relaxation (SUR) technique. Computer code for MATLAB software has been developed and written to solve mathematical model. Results in the form of streamlines, isotherms, isoconcentration, average Nusselt, and average Sherw
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