Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases which occurs as a result of unknown reasons. This study was conducted at Baghdad Teaching Hospital/City of Medicine, where blood samples were taken from 60 Iraqi patients with RA (49 females and 11 males) and these patients were matched by age and sex with 20 healthy controls (16 females and 4 males). Patients with RA were diagnosed by a consultant rheumatologist according to ACR / EULAR criteria in 2010. In this study the patients were divided into four groups as follows; the first group consisted of 12 patients treated with methotrexate (MTX), the second group consisted of 10 patients treated with etanercept, the third group consisted of 18 patients treated with a combination of MTX, etanercept and prednisolone, the fourth group consisted of 20 patients treated with MTX and etanercept. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect CCL18/PARC antibodies, while a spectrophotometer (Humalyzer2000) was used for the measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum levels of CCL18 / PARC showed a significant increase in RA patients compared with healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001). The levels of CCL18/PARC showed a significant correlation with disease activity (CDAI), except in RA patients treated with etanercept. There was also no significant correlation between CCL18/PARC and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The results showed a significant increase in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was recorded in RA patients (with treatment) as compared to healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001).
The aim: To examine the efficiency of different concentrations of Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol as a cytoprotectants in protection of human sperms during cryopres¬ervation in this technique. Materials and methods: Thirty oligozoospermic semen samples were used in this study. Samples diagnosed according to WHO 2010 criteria. Sheep’s ovarian follicles obtained from local slaughterhouse and prepared by slicing the ovaries and evacuating the follicular fluid and oocyte. Each semen sample divided into six equal parts, and diluted 1:1 with cryosolution contains 5%, 10%, 15% DMSO or glycerol and injected within the emptied follicles. After freezing and thawing, the semen mixture aspired outside the follicles and sperm concentr
... Show MoreThis study was aimed to detect and identify genetic mutations in γ-aminobutyric acid receptor β3 subunit encoding gene (GABRB3) and its association with autism spectrum disorders. Forty autistic patients and 25 non-autistic as control group (5 unaffected sibling and 20 unrelated) with age range from 3 – 10 years were included in this study. Chromosomal DNA was extracted from blood samples followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of two targeted regions which include: (exon2-intron2-exon3) region and (exon 6) region of GABRB3 for subsequent DNA sequencing. Identical bands related to the targeted regions were present in all samples. A sample of PCR products of patients and controls were sequenced. Sequencing results re
... Show MoreThe relationship between chronic hepatitis B virus and Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated to determine, seventy five patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (8-70 years) were investigated. The results were compared with the results of 50 healthy volunteers. Anti-H. pylori antibodies IgA and IgG were measured by Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in sera of patients and healthy groups. The percentage of anti-H.pylori IgA antibodies (26.67%) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than healthy control group. While, no significant difference was found between the percentages of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies (48 %) in patient sera and these kind of antibodies in sera of healthy control group (P > 0.05). The present results indica
... Show MoreThe research aims to study the effect of adding (Li2O) to an alkaline glaze containing (K2O, Na2O). Although all the alkaline oxides have common properties, each oxide has something that distinguishes it. The molecular weight of (Li2O) is two times less than that of (Na2O) and three times that of (K2O). Therefore, it is added in small proportions. In addition, it is a very strong flux, so it is not used alone, but rather replaces a part of other alkaline oxides. It was added to an alkali glass that matured at a temperature of 980CO in proportions (2.0,1.4,1.2,0.8,0.4%) instead of (Na2O), using lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) as an oxide source. The glazes mixtures were applied to a white pottery body, and the samples were fired and cooled acc
... Show MoreThe study aimed to evaluate the benefits of transferrin saturation percentage (TSAT) and serum ferritin in assessing body iron status, which can influence erythropoietin treatment in patients with ESRD. Forty end-stage renal disease patients on regular hemodialysis participated in this study. Clinical data were obtained. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin, albumin, creatinine, and C-reactive protein were investigated. Thirty healthy people were enrolled as a control group. ESRD patients had a mean age of 45.1±13.9 years, with 60% being males. They exhibited significantly lower hematocrit (25.3±6.5%), and higher platelet (285.7±148.1x10^9/L) and WBC (9.4±3.1x10^9/L) counts compared to healthy contro
... Show MoreThis study aims to investigate the relationship between thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) and thyroid function tests (TSH, T3 and T4) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ninety women and men, with ages ranging between 35-65 years and weighing 60-80 kgs, were selected for this study. They were classified into three groups: G1 included 15 healthy control group, G2 had15 patients with T2DM and G3 had 60 patients with T2DM and hypothyroidism. Blood samples were collected from each individual via vein puncture to assess thyroid hormone and TPO-Ab. The results showed highly significant (p < 0.01) increase in TSH level in the diabetic group with hypothyroidism when compared to the other groups. There was no significant
... Show MoreBackground: Arylesterase activity of Paraoxonase-1 (ARE-PON-1) exhibits an antioxidant role which protects lipoprotein from oxidation. It is known that ARE-PON-1 antioxidant activity associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the oxidative damage mediated by low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The present study was aimed to examine the level of serum ARE-PON1 in Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia minor and its relationship with lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and LDL-C) and hematologic changes as a part of antioxidant system action. Methods: In the present study, the ARE-PON-1 activity was investigated in serum of patients with β-thalassemia minor. Resu
... Show MoreTo determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B markers in chronic hepatitis B patients, 75 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus of ages (8-70) years have been investigated and compared with 50 apparently healthy individuals. All the studied groups were carried out to measure (HBsAg), (HBsAb), (HBeAg), (HBeAb), and (Total HBcAb) by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The percentage distribution of HBsAg was (86.67%) and HBsAb was (1.33%) in sera of CHB patients and there were a highly significant differences (P<0.01) when compared between studied groups, while, the percentage distribution of HBeAg was (22.67%) in sera of CHB patients and the significant represent the difference in distribution of HBeAg as infection but no
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