This comprehensive review examines the efficacy and safety of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors in treating various autoimmune diseases, and focuses on their application in Iraqi patients. Elevated TNF-α levels are linked to autoimmune disorders, leading to the development of anti-TNF-α therapies such as infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab, which have gained FDA approval for conditions like psoriasis, in¬flammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. While these therapies demonstrate sig¬nificant therapeutic benefits, including improved quality of life and disease management, they also carry risks, such as increased susceptibility to infections and potential malignancies. The review highlights the variable patient re¬sponses to TNF-α inhibitors, influenced by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors as well as genetic varia¬tions. The rise of anti-drug antibodies and inadequate drug concentrations are common challenges observed, empha¬sizing the need for therapeutic drug monitoring. Safety profiles of TNF-α inhibitors are generally favorable, but adverse effects (including infections and infusion reactions) have been reported. Genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in the TNF-α gene, may also play a role in the treatment responsiveness and adverse effects, suggesting the potential for personalized medicine approaches. While TNF-α inhibitors effectively manage autoimmune diseases in Iraqi pa¬tients, further research is warranted in order to optimize treatment strategies, assess long-term safety, and explore genetic influences on therapy outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of individualized treatment plans so as to enhance the efficacy and minimize the risks associated with these biologic therapies.
Aceclofenac (AC) is an orally active phenyl acetic acid derivative, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with exceptional anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. It has low aqueous solubility, leading to slow dissolution, low permeability and inadequate bioavailability. The aim of the current study was to prepare and characterize AC-NS-based gel to enhance the dissolution rate and then percutaneous permeability. NS.s were prepared using solvent/antisovent precipitation method at different drug to polymer ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) using different polymers such as poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP-K25), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-E5) and poloxamer® (388) as stabilizer
... Show MoreThe study focused on explaining urban expansion and sustainable development of urban land and explaining the role of population expansion in Al Hillah city, Al Hillah city in the center of Babylion Governorate located. The study relied on analyzing the population data of the city of Al Hillah for a period of time (22 years) for the period (2000-2022). This data was analyzed and its role in planning and designing residential areas and neighborhoods in the Al Hillah city was analyzed based on the standards of urban planning and sustainable growth of cities. Landsat 5TM was used in the investigation, Landsat 8OLI satellite data to retrieve the NDVI, NDBI, and NDWI. The findings showed th
Abstract
The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience of off-label prescribing practice among physicians in Baghdad city hospitals. This cross-sectional study was performed through the period from November 1st 2018 to March 2019 at 17 hospitals, a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data from the physicians, and the targeted hospitals were randomly selected at different regions in Baghdad City area. Out of the 400 distributed questionnaires to the physicians, 383 of them were returned completed, 57.2% indicated that they were reasonably familiar with the term “off label drug”, 57.7% mentioned that the most common medical reasons for the prescribing o
... Show MoreAlthough many technological improvements are occurring in power production worldwide, power plants in third world countries are still using old technologies that are causing thermal pollution to the water bodies. Power facilities that dump hot water into water bodies are damaging aquatic life. In the study, the impact of the Al Dora thermal power plant on a nearby stretch of Tigris River in Baghdad city was assessed by measuring the temperature of the disposed of hot water in various cross-sections of the selected stretch of Tigris River, including measuring the thermal mixing length. The measurements were conducted in winter, spring, and summer. For field measurements, it was found that the impact of recovery distances
... Show MoreBackground: Occupational exposure to hazardous drugs occurs in all aspects of anticancer drug handling. Proper recommendations and guidelines should be applied to control and reduce exposure. Objective: To assess pharmacists' knowledge and practice regarding the safe handling of anticancer drugs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at seven major hospitals in Baghdad City, Iraq, from December 2023 to February 2024. A pre-designed questionnaire was given to pharmacists who handled anticancer drugs in chemotherapy units. The questionnaire comprises sociodemographic data, knowledge of the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs and thoughts about exposure and risk, practices for safely handling cytotoxic drugs, and challenges for s
... Show MoreFolktales are increasingly recognized as potent enablers in evoking the ’genius loci’ of cities and sustaining their cultural identity. ’The Thousand and One Nights’ represents the most remarkable and memorable cross-cultural folktales, related to the Middle Eastern region in general, and the city of Baghdad in particular. Very limited research has been conducted on its impact on architecture and urban development. The current article aims to develop a conceptual framework for the notion of ’imageability’, by which to explore the spatial characteristics and the physical and spiritual attributes of the depicted architecture and urban spaces of selected tales. Based on a conducted narrative-analysis approach, the article introduce
... Show MoreThis study investigates the levels of gaseous and particulate pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, CO, and CO₂) emitted during charcoal-grilling activities in five selected restaurants in the Al-Karkh district of Baghdad, with a focus on their environmental and health implications. Developing countries, including Iraq, face severe pollution-related challenges exacerbated by inefficient combustion processes inherent to traditional cooking practices. Restaurants that rely on charcoal grilling are a significant source of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, posing acute and chronic health risks to workers and patrons. This research documented measured amounts of pollutants released from burning coal using two types of particulate matter (PM2.5; PM10)
... Show MoreThe research tagged (Perceived Organizational Support in High Performance) deals with identifying the extent of the impact of perceived organizational support as an explanatory variable on high performance as a response variable for the purpose of reaching appropriate mechanisms that enable colleges of the University of Baghdad to exploit the perceived organizational support in achieving the required high performance and pursuit of its goals. The researcher relied on the descriptive and analytical approach in carrying out the research. An intentional sample was selected and reached (70) persons from the higher leadership of the colleges represented by (deans, assistants deans, heads of departments) that r
... Show MoreDeep learning has recently received a lot of attention as a feasible solution to a variety of artificial intelligence difficulties. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) outperform other deep learning architectures in the application of object identification and recognition when compared to other machine learning methods. Speech recognition, pattern analysis, and image identification, all benefit from deep neural networks. When performing image operations on noisy images, such as fog removal or low light enhancement, image processing methods such as filtering or image enhancement are required. The study shows the effect of using Multi-scale deep learning Context Aggregation Network CAN on Bilateral Filtering Approximation (BFA) for d
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