Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial chronic systemic autoimmune disease. It is characterized by a lack of immune tolerance to autoantigens such as nuclear antigens. The aim of the study is to assess the interferon-alpha (IFN-α) serum level in Iraqi patients with SLE and determine its potential relation to different clinical and laboratory parameters and disease activity. 100 SLE patients were all females and with a mean of age 31.3 ± 10 years (16-63years) and disease duration of 5.8 ± 3.7years (1 month to 15 years). The average of SLEDAI score ranged from 2 to 22 with a mean of (8.53 ±3.42). Proteinuria, ESR, creatinine and AST were significantly higher (65% vs. 10% and 0.62±0.11 vs. 0.70±0.14 mg/dl resp

For more than a decade, externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites successfully utilized in retrofitting reinforced concrete structural elements. The function of CFRP reinforcement in increasing the ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) beam is essential in such members. Flexural and shear behaviors, ductility, and confinement were the main studied properties that used the CFRP as a strengthening material. However, limited attention has been paid to investigate the energy absorption of torsion strengthening of concrete members, especially two-span concrete beams. Hence, the target of this work is to investigate the effectiveness of CFRP-strengthening technique with regard to energy absorption of two-span RC

This study is to evaluate plasma levels of several cytokines in preeclamptic pregnancies compared to those of healthy pregnancies. Ninety pregnant women with preeclampsia (37 mild & 53 severe) and thirty healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken and plasma levels of IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-? were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Preeclamptic women and their severe cases but not mild cases had significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of plasma IL-8, and IFN-? as compared with healthy pregnancies. By contrast, plasma levels of IL-10 was significantly (P<0.05) increased in healthy pregnant women as compared to all groups of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance betwe

The present study aims to evaluate levels of calcium regulating hormones and some biochemical parameters in a sample of growth hormone (GH) deficient patients. Seventy five GH deficient patients and twenty healthy subjects used as a control group have been involved in this study during their attendance at the National Diabetic Centerfor Treatment and Research /Al-Mustansiriya University. The studied subjects were in an age range of 3-15 years. Blood samples were collected from the studied subjects to determine levels of basal GH,GH2. and GH3 after 60 mins. and 90mins. of provocation with clonidine. The study also included the measurement of the levels of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1); calcium regulating hormones [parathyroid hormone

Baqubah city has grown extremely rapidly. The rate of growth exceeds the growth of services that must grow side by side with the growth of population. There are natural features that affect the growth of Baqubah city such as Dieyala river, Alssariya river, in addition to agricultural areas .All these natural features affect the growth of Baqubah city in the running form being seen . In this research the remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques are used for monitoring urban expansion and forecasting the probable axes to the growth of the city, and found that the probability of Baqubah growth to east is preferred due to Baqubah growth to the east would never interfere with natural features. Also in this res

Background: Irrigation has a central role in endodontic treatment. Several irrigating solutions have the antimicrobial activity and actively kill bacteria and yeasts when introduced in direct contact with the microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf extracts as possible irrigant solutions, used during endodontic treatments, and both were compared to Sodium hypochlorite, Propolis and Ethyl alcohol. Materials and Method: Forty seven human extracted single rooted teeth were selected. The teeth were decoronated using a diamond disk to have a length of 15 mm ±1 mm and they were instrumented using the hybrid technique. All roots were sterilized

A series of new 1,8-naphthalimides linked to azetidinone, thiazolidinone or tetrazole moieties were synthesized. N-ester-1,8-naphthalimide (1) was obtained by direct imidation of 1,8-naphthalic anhydride with ethylglycinate. Compound (1) was treated with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol to give N-acetohydrazide-1,8-naphthalimide (2). The hydrazine derivative (2) was used to obtain new Schiff bases (3-7). Three routes with different reagents were used for the cyclization of the prepared Schiff bases. Fifteen cyclic Schiff bases (8-22) with four- and five-membered rings were obtained.
The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were identified by their FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectral data and some physical properties. Furtherm

       The gene expression of the most important structural genes ica A and D of biofilm, sarA, and sigB regulatory genes of some methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were examined using the real-time polymerase chain reaction after 24 hours of growth. The results revealed that the isolates with strong biofilm production had the highest gene expression of the structural icaA and D genes. Whereas the isolates that showed moderate and weak biofilm production, recorded the lowest gene expression. The results of the regulatory genes sarA, and sigB fluctuated among all MRSA isolates. Isolate No. 64 recorded the highest gene expression

Background: Simvastatin (SIM) is a lipid-lowering agent to prevent disorders caused by clogged blood vessels. Because of its low solubility, it has low bioavailability. The adsorption technique is effective in improving drug solubility and dissolution rate. Objective: To use magnesium aluminum silicate (MAS) as an adsorbent in combination with Soluplus® as a hydrophilic polymer to formulate SIM as immediate-release tablets (IRTs). Methods: We used the solvent evaporation method to make MAS-loaded SIM in the presence of Soluplus®, making sure that the ratio of SIM to MAS to SOLU was 1:6:3. We then used this mixture to make IRTs. Using the direct compression method, we made all of the SIM-IRT formulas. We used diluents like Avicel