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: Manuka honey (MH) is a mono-floral honey derived from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). MH is a highly recognized for its non-peroxide antibacterial activities, which are mostly related to its unique methylglyoxal content (MGO) in MH. The beneficial phytochemicals in MH is directly related to their favorable health effects, which include wound healing, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of MH on pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) in patients with gingivitis and compare it with chlorhexidine (CHX) and distilled water (DW). Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized, double blinded, and parallel clinical trial. Forty-fiv
... Show MoreThe sense of motion generates a sense of the subject of action. The movement of the camera, the movement of actors, the movement of colors and lights, and other elements of the visual discourse, work together to enrich the image with a complete dynamic flow to reach the recipient. The research subject has been identified under the title "Motion Scenes Dramatic Treatment in TV Drama". The research is divided into an introduction and two theoretical sections in the theoretical framework:
The first section: The motion in TV drama in which the researcher dealt with the concept of motion and its types and the expressive and aesthetic role in television drama. The second section dealt with the elements of the visual a
... Show MoreThe research undertaken has provided a comprehensive insight into the practice of cupping therapy, a traditional treatment modality that has seen resurgence in. modern complementary medicine. This exploration, focusing on a spectrum of. Conditions such as migraines, lower back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis, and chronic urticaria, highlights the potential benefits and the necessity for a deeper. Scientific understanding of cupping therapy. Cupping therapy, with its roots deeply embedded in ancient medical practices, offers a unique approach to treatment by promoting healing through increased blood flow and the release of toxins from the body. The application of this therapy in treating migraines has shown promising results, su
... Show MoreThe research undertaken has provided a comprehensive insight into the practice of cupping therapy, a traditional treatment modality that has seen resurgence in. modern complementary medicine. This exploration, focusing on a spectrum of. Conditions such as migraines, lower back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis, and chronic urticaria, highlights the potential benefits and the necessity for a deeper. Scientific understanding of cupping therapy. Cupping therapy, with its roots deeply embedded in ancient medical practices, offers a unique approach to treatment by promoting healing through increased blood flow and the release of toxins from the body. The application of this therapy in treating migraines has shown promising results, su
... Show MoreDora petroleum refinery waste water is the one of the important source of pollution by priority pollutant aromatic compound discharged to Tigris river in Iraq. the station has waste water treatment unit contains many treatment subunits The most important sub units is :skimmer units ,physiochemical unit ,daf unit, biological unit. The aim of research project is to study the ability of unit to remove the priority pollutant aromatic compound and follow up these compounds in river to study ability of river to self removal. A solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by high performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet (HPLC-UV) technique is depicted for the quantitative estimation of benzidines and phenols. Experimental studies were performed to
... Show MoreOrthodontic treatment is an inclusive treatment that includes growth adjustment of the craniofacial area and alveolar bone reconstruction that affects the movement of teeth. Apply orthodontic forces to correct teeth anomaly via alveolar bone remodeling includes a combination of cellular and molecular events in the gum. Orthodontic tooth movement is based on force induced periodontal ligament and alveolar bone remodeling. Mechanical motivation on a tooth causes an inflamed response in the gum tissue. Inflammatory immune markers stimulate the biological processes associated with alveolar bone resorption. The aim of this article is shedding light on the significance role inflammatory immune response in orthodontic treatment.
Acromegaly is a rare disease produce generalize and serious alteration in the patient with active disease. Many of these patients are also diabetic. Many analytes, hormones, markers are change in these disease. The objective of study is to assess the modification in a number of parameters that changed during the acromegaly as a result of excess in GH and IGF1 levels. The study included 36 patients and 38 healthy controls, paired by sex and age and BMI. Serum concentration of GH and the other parameters including (insulin, glucose, lipid profile, uric acid ) were determined by biochemical method .Compared to controls, acromegalic patients had increased levels of GH, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein(VLDL) (p<0.05)
... Show MoreBackground: Oxidative stress may contribute to the etiology of hypertension in humans. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms, causing damage to biological macromolecules and dysregulation of normal metabolism and physiology. Amlodipine as an antihypertensive agent is a long-acting calcium channel blocker that dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative stress in hypertensive patients on Amlodipine treatment through the assessment of salivary Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a marker of oxidative stress.
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