Introduction and Aim: The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-39, a member of the IL-12 family plays a key role in the inflammatory response by modulating immune cell activity and inflammation. A literature search shows no study undertaken for the effect of IL-39's on arthritis so far. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IL-39 in rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: This study involved 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis registered at the Rheumatology Clinic at Baghdad teaching hospital. The patients were divided into three groups based on treatments received. Group 1 included patients who were not on any treatment for arthritis, Group 2 with patients on hydroxychloroquine and or prednisone treatment, and Group 3 that received Enbrel® (etanercept) and HUMIRA® (adalimumab) treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. A control group was included in the study. Patients in all groups were assessed for their serum IL-39 concentration, C - reactive protein, Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACCP) and ESR. Results: The patient age and BMI were not significantly different between the groups receiving treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis. A significant increase in the interleukin 39 concentration was observed in treatment groups (G1, G2, G3) as compared to normal healthy controls regardless of whether they were positive or negative for the anti-CCP test. Conclusion: This study showed that the serum interleukin IL-39 levels significantly increased in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis thus suggesting that IL-39 could be considered as a potential inflammatory biomarker of RA.
The aim of this study is to survey and make to revision the genera and species of Chloropidae fauna of Iraq. The investigation showed four species belonging four genera, which belongs to two subfamilies, and one unidentified species belonging to the genus Elachiptera Maquart, The specimens were compared with stored insects at Department of Entomology and invertebrates, Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum.
The research entitled "the Iraqi Topics in International Arab Press" is an analytical study of two newspapers: Al-Arab and Al-Hayat published in London from September 1-30, 2013.
The Arab press is one of the cultural monuments Home stretches for culture and media of Arabs outside the Arab Homeland which made them international press targeting public Arab audience's not civil audiences in a particular country and formulating their contents on this basis taking into account intake affairs and issues that have been national or international.
Because of this international presence of the Arab press, these newspa
... Show MoreIn the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily.
The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.
Fish, like other living organisms, are susceptible to infection with a variety of parasites. Fish is almost not free of parasites, as internal and external parasites. Parasites are organisms of great importance because of their different types and multiple life cycles, they are used as evidence of environmental pollution, and the life of the host . This study dealt with the database of studies of fish parasites in Iraq. Which includes the following classes of parasites: Nematodes as Rhabdochona sp., Anisakis sp., Monogenic as Cichlidogyrus sclerosus , Dactylogyrus anchorayus, Discocotyle sagittata, Dactylogyrus arcuatus, Dactylogyrus extensus, Dactylogyrus simplex, Dactylogyrus Gussevi , Dactylogyrus inexpectatus. Ciliates as Tricho
... Show MoreWaterborne parasites are primary parasites that are ubiquitous and affect humans, pets, and wildlife throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, more than 80 human diseases transmitted by water in developing countries, 60% of the population do not have access to clean drinking water .Waterborne diseases occur worldwide, and outbreaks caused by the contamination of community water systems have the potential to cause disease in large number of consumers. This study dealt with the database of studies of waterborne parasites in Iraq. Which includes the following classes of parasites: Nematodes as Ascaris lumbericoides, Trichuris sp., Strongyloides stericorailis and Enterobius vermicularis. Cestodes as Taenia sp. and Hymeno
... Show MoreExamination of 241 specimens of two bee-eater species, Merops apiaster and Merops
superciliosus persicus reveal recording of Haemoproteus meropis (Zagar, 1945) emend.
Bennett, 1978 and H. manwelli Bennett, 1978 for the first time in Iraq. A new species
Haemoproteus hudaidensis sp. nov. is described. Microfilariae are also infected the two host
species. The results are discussed with the pertinent literature and the necessary comparision
of morphometric measurements of the recorded parasites with that previously reported is
provided along with a taxonomic key including the newly described haemoproteid.
Aims: To assess the success rate and implant stability changes of narrow dental implants (NDIs) during the osseous healing period. Materials and methods: This prospective observational clinical study included 21 patients with narrow alveolar ridge of restricted mesiodistal interdental span who received NDIs. The alveolar ridge width was determined by the ridge mapping technique. Implant stability was measured using Periotest® M immediately after implant insertion then after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively. The outcome variables were success rate and implant stability changes during the healing period. The statistical analysis included one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey\'s multiple comparisons test, values < 0.05 w
... Show MoreObjectives: The study aims to assess the female adolescents’ risk-health behaviors, to identify their
determinants, to determine the association between the risk health behaviors and the stage of
adolescence for these females' demographic variable.
Methodology: A purposive sample of (268) female adolescents is selected from intermediate and
secondary schools in Baghdad City. These adolescents have presented the age of (14-19) year old and
divided into two groups of (14-16) year and (17-19) year. A questionnaire is constructed for the purpose
of the study, it is composed of (10) major parts, and the overall items, which are included in the
questionnaire, are (106) item. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire
Objective: To assess the nurses-midwives' knowledge and practices regarding the management of second stage
of labor and to find out the association between their knowledge and practices and socio-demographic
characteristics and working years and experience.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out from March 22nd
, 2008 through 30th June, 2008. A purposive
sample of (75) Nurse-Midwives which was selected from (6) hospitals. A questionnaire was comprised of two
parts: (socio-demographic characteristics and the assessment tool for Nurse-Midwives' knowledge and health
practices performed by them). The questionnaire validity was determined by experts and its reliability was
determined through a pilot study. Th