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.
BACKGROUND: Clavicle fractures are common injuries in young active individuals, the mid third of the clavicle is most commonly fractured part(80% of clavicle fracture) OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of operative and non operative management of displaced and or comminuted closed fracture of the mid third of clavicle in young adults PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study of 24 patients of fracture of the mid third of the clavicle was conducted in Alkindy teaching hospital from July 2015 to January 2017 and divided into two groups; one managed by operative treatment with plate and screws and the other by non operative sling immobilization after taking the consent and the patients were seen at 2, 4, 6 weeks,3, 6, and 9 m
... Show MoreThe antidiabetic thiozolidinediones (TZDs) a class of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands has recently been the focus of much interest for their possible role in regulation of inflammatory response. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of pioglitazone in experimental models of inflammation in rats. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti inflammatory effect of TZDs (pioglitazone 3mg/Kg) on acute, sub acute and chronic model of inflammation by using egg-albumin and formalin–induced paw edema in 72 rats, relative to reference drugs Dexamethasone 5mg/Kg and Piroxicam 5mg/Kg. In each inflammation model, 24 rats wer
... Show MoreThree hundred and fifty five patients with hepatitis were investigated in this study all cases gave negative result with HBs Ag , IgM-anti HCV , IgM-anti HEV, IgM-anti HDV and anti-HIV tests . The frequency of IgM-anti HAV was 113 and the percentage was 32 % in all ages but when these patients divided into five groups dependent on ages. The highest percentage of IgM-anti HAV was (45%) in age <10 and the percentage declined with age increase till to 9% in age >41 year.
Purpose: The concept of complete street is one of the modern trends concerned with diversifying means of transportation and reducing the disadvantages of mechanical transportation modes. This paper discusses the role of complete streets can play in developing the urban environment in the Alyarmok District of Baghdad. Method/design/approach: The linear regression method used to analyze the opinions of 100 respondents surveyed in the study area in order to find the relationship between the urban environment and the complete street elements. Theoretical framework: The Modern trends in urban planning aim to find alternatives to the policies of traditional transportation planning that focus on vehicular mobi
... Show MoreDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic and hormonal disorder in which the body does not produce sufficient or respond ordinarily to insulin, leading to an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels. This disordered has many side effects on body health, one of them being oral health. This study aimed to find these effects on several oral immune parameters included (IL6, CRP, and alpha-amylase) and the possible use of these parameters in the prediction of oral health and further risk sequel. A total of 91 specimens including 51 DM patients and 40 apparently healthy individuals were enrolled in this study which was carried out from November/2021 to February/2022. The results revealed that, abnormal increase of both IL6 and CRP in the saliva of
... Show MoreBioaccumulation of heavy metals in the terrestrial invertebrates in Al-Jadriyia district Baghdad- Iraq were investigated. Forth terrestrial invertebrates snails, slug, isopods, and diplopods , were selected for this study. The results showed that all invertebrate groups have the ability in accumulate considerable amounts of heavy metals. Higher levels of zinc and copper were observed in the isopods specimens, it's about ( 60.50±0.58 ) and ( 96.00±0.58 ) ppm respectively , while higher levels of lead were observed in the diplopods specimens ,it's about ( 23.00±1.15 ) ppm ,but the higher levels of both iron and cadmium were observed in snail specimens , it's about ( 590.00±1.15 ) and ( 9.50±1.15 ) ppm respectively .but the
... Show MorePolymethylmethacrylate film (PMMA) of thickness 75 μm was evaluated Spectrophotometrically for using it as a low-doses gamma radiation dosimeter. The doses were examined in the range 0.1 mrad-10 krad. Within an absorption band of 200-400 nm, the irradiated films showed an increase in the absorption intensity with increasing the absorbed doses. Calibration curves for the changes in the absorption differences were obtained at 218, 301, and 343 nm. At 218 nm the response for the absorbed doses is a linear in the range 10 mrad- 10 krad. Hence it is recommended to be adopted as an environmental low doses dosimeter
Presentation of urinary calculus ranges from painful urination to acute retention. Diagnosed by x-ray pelvis and non-contrast CT and removal of stone by various methods is the management. Variety in symptoms, sometimes make clinical diagnosis difficult until radiological investigations confirm it. In this case presentation, initial diagnosis was made of Urethrocutaneous fistula may be due to distal stricture, but on investigating, he was diagnosed as urethral calculus in urethral diverticulum , as the reason for his symptoms
Background: In the past, an association between Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was widely accepted, today the potential public health and clinical importance of this relationship seems to be largely ignored. The national clinical and policy guidance in the UK on the central of TB, for example, does not consider the relationship with DM.Objectives: To determine the risk of association between diabetes mellitus and pulmonary TB.Methods: A retrospective study conducted in Ibn Zuhr hospital for chest diseases from Jan 2008 – sep 2010 , included in the study 402 patients with TB divided into diabetic & non diabetic, 96 (23.8%) were diabetic while other 306 were TB not diabetic.Results: Risk of TB among DM patients were cle
... Show MoreThe Iraqi people were subjected to the most brutal crime in the history of humanity when ISIS violated the rights system and targeted women, children, civilians, minorities, religion, belief and the right to education and committed many crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity and the abandonment of millions of citizens and the recruitment of thousands of children, which constituted a flagrant violation of human rights and international law It emphasizes the gravity of the threat to international peace and security by the organization and its associated individuals, groups, institutions and entities, including foreign terrorist fighters.
That the legal characterization
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