Background: It's believed that HBD-3 is involved in the tissue remodeling process of articular cartilage. Also, HBD-3 has anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assay human beta-defensine-3 (HBD-3) in serum from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and investigate its correlation with proinflammatory cytokines. Methods: In this case-control study, fifty-eight RA patients were aged 20–65 years, and 29 age-matched healthy subjects (HS) had no inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The disease activity score-28 joint erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) was used to measure RA activity. CRP, ACPA, HBD-3, TNF-α, and IL-1β were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). Res

Background: The materials and techniques of orthodontic bonding systems remain a pivotal concern in orthodontic research. This issue is further complicated by orthodontists' preferences. To assess the effect of knowledge and practice on the attitudes of orthodontists towards bonding materials and techniques. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted using Google Forms. The questionnaire comprised 17 multiple-choice questions that targeted orthodontists' awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards bonding materials. It was distributed via email or social networking platforms to specialist Iraqi orthodontists. Results: A total of 176 participants responded with nearly equal representation between the sexes. Th

International relations scholars have increasingly debated the evolving landscape of actors that challenge the traditional state-centric world order. A key element of this transformation is the rise of sub-state actors, which engages in alternative diplomacy parallel to the state, transcending traditional state-centric frameworks. This paper explores the significant shifts in international actorness over the late 20th century, focusing on the emergence and implications of sub-state diplomacy, or "paradiplomacy." First, the study introduces sub-state actors and their role in challenging the dominant state-centric discourse. It then examines the dynamic evolution of paradiplomacy, highlighting how sub-states have expanded their global

This study examines the impact of Digital Transformation (DT) on the Financial Reporting Quality (FRQ), taking into account the moderating role of the Trust Services Framework (TSF), in the context of rapid developments in the digital business environment and the resulting challenges and opportunities for accounting and financial systems. To achieve the study objectives, a descriptive–analytical approach was adopted, and a questionnaire was used as the primary data collection instrument. The study sample comprised 87 professionals working in accounting and financial functions. DT was measured through four dimensions: cloud computing, automation, data analytics, and systems integration. FRQ was assessed using the dimensions of accuracy and

The researcher seeks to know the extent of applying the concept of design by Iraqi electronic press sites to provide media product with the acceptance of their browsers and ensure their repeated visits to such sites in the framework of the guiding rules for laser browsing. The researcher uses analytical study on a sample of six Iraqi electronic newspaper sites to identify the general features of their design and the methods of distribution of the structural elements of the pages. The researcher also conducts a field study on a sample of the surfers of electronic newspaper sites to see the extent of their evaluation to their design and the degree of their satisfaction.

This study investigated the prevalence of quinolones resistance proteins encoding genes (qnr genes) and co-resistance for fluoroquinolones and β-lactams among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae.  Out of 150 clinical samples, 50 isolates of K. pneumoniae were identified according to morphological and biochemical properties. These isolates were collected from different clinical samples, including 15 (30%) urine, 12 (24%) blood, 9 (18%) sputum, 9 (18%) wound, and 5 (10%) burn. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay revealed that 15 (30%) of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (≥4µg/ml), 11 (22%) of isolates were resistant to levofloxacin (≥8 µg/ml), 21 (42%) of isolates were re