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.
The present work reports the electrochemical synthesis of poly N Terminal tetrahydrophthalamic acid on stainless steel 316 (S.S), which acts as a working electrode, using an electrochemical polymerization technique. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterized the formed polymer film. Corrosion protection tests for coated and uncoated S.S with polymer film were studied in 0.2 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution by using electrochemical polarization technique. Kinetic and thermodynamic activation parameters (Ea, A, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG*) were calculated. The biological activity of the polymeric film was determined against Gram positive (Staphy
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Background: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of methylene blue (MB) and toluidine blue O (TBO) photodynamic therapy (PDT) as adjuncts to root surface debridement (RSD). Methods: This split-mouth, randomized, controlled clinical trial included eighteen patients, and a total of 332 sites (control = 102, MB = 124 and TBO = 106) were examined. Two sessions of PDT were completed at baseline and two weeks after RSD. Clinical parameters of bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured pre- and post-treatment. Results: PPD and BOP reductions in sites treated by RSD with adjunctive photosensitizers (MB and TBO) were significantly higher than in control site
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This study was done to find a correlation between adipokines such as tumor necrosis- alpha (TNF-α) and autoantigens such as anti-tyrosine phosphatase (IA2) with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). For this purpose, one hundred forty adult males were selected. 90 of them were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 50 healthy males). The subjects were divided into four groups. Group 1 had healthy controls with body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-25, group 2 had individuals who suffered from obesity only (BMI above 30), group 3 consisted of diabetes patients and group 4 had individuals who were diagnosed with both obesity and diabetes. The enzyme immunoassay was intended for quantification determination of TNF in serum. The
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) contain free –COOH which thought to be responsible for the GI irritation associated with all traditional NSAIDs. The esterification of this group is one of an approach to ultimate aim for reduce the gastric irritation; so in this study we synthesized and preliminarily evaluated new ester compounds as new analogues with expected selectivity toward COX-2 enzyme. Synthetic procedures have been successfully developed for the generation of the target compounds (III a and b). The synthetic approach involved multi-steps procedures which include: Synthesis of 4-hydroxy benzene sulphonamide ( I b ), synthesis of Naproxen and Ibuprofen acyl chloride and then reacting them with 4-hydroxy benzene sulphon
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The application of ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) processes in the handling of raw produced water have been investigated in the present study. Experiments of both ultrafiltration and nanofiltration processes are performed in a laboratory unit, which is operated in a cross-flow pattern. Various types of hollow fiber membranes were utilized in this study such as poly vinyl chloride (PVC) UF membrane, two different polyether sulfone (PES) NF membranes, and poly phenyl sulfone PPSU NF membrane. It was found that the turbidity of the treated water is higher than 95 % by using UF and NF membranes. The chemical oxygen demand COD (160 mg/l) and Oil content (26.8 mg/l) were found after treatment according to the allowable limits set
... Show MoreBackground: Shunt operations are performed for different reasons mainly hydrocephalus congenital or acquired. It’s associated with certain morbidity and mortality.
Patients and method: A prospective study from Jan 2004 to Jan 2006, 226 patients under went shunt operation in the specialized surgical hospital in Baghdad. The patients were divided into two groups according to the way of applying the upper end catheter. In group A49 patients where posterior parietal approach was used, and group (B) 174 where parietal or temproprietal approach was used.
Results and discussions: different complications were recorded, but the most frequent was upper end obstruction by choroids plexus or by debris. In group
The current research aims to know the relationship between bullying and parental treatment. (200) pupils were selected randomly from the fifth and sixth grades of primary schools.
Two instruments were used. The first was to measure bullying and it included 19 items. To measure parental treatment, the researchers adopted (Aletaby 2001) scale.
Statistical analysis showed that correlation between bullying , wiggle and Firm treatment style was positive Statistically significant .Bulling was correlated negatively with (neglect, careless, and Authoritarian treatment style.
Produced water is accompanied with the production of oil and gas especially at the fields producing by water drive or water injection. The quantity of these waters is expected to be more complicated problem with an increasing in water cut which is expected to be 3-8 barrels water/produced barrel oil.Produced water may contain many constituents based on what is present in the subsurface at a particular location. Produced water contains dissolved solids and hydrocarbons (dissolved and suspended) and oxygen depletion. The most common dissolved solid is salt with concentrations range between a few parts per thousand to hundreds parts per thousand. In addition to salt, many produced waters also contain high levels of heavy metals like zinc, bari
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The study is focused on the modification of the standardized newspaper with natural polymers chitosan and keratin hydrolysate applied on the paper surface from polymer solution. This modification is based particularly on the formation of the complexes between acidic surface groups on cellulose fibers and the natural polymers which improved the mechanical properties of the paper and the positive results which were observed particularly in folding endurance of the newspaper.