Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with various clinical types. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is significantly elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients compared with that of healthy controls. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum levels of GFAP in relation to disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS patients and to compare them with those of healthy controls. Method: This study involved 58 MS patients of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) type, 22 in an active stage of the disease and 36 in remission, and 50 healthy individuals as age- and sex-matched controls. Blood samples were taken from the patients at the MS Clinic of the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, and the serum levels of GFAP were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Mean GFAP serum levels in 22 patients presenting in the active state of the disease (6.47±3.39 ng/ml) and 36 cases in remission were (5.33±2.82 ng/ml) (p=0.074) were determined as indicated. When RRMS patients (n=58) were compared with the healthy controls (n=50, 1.89±1.21), the difference in serum levels of GFAP was statistically significant (p<0.001). The area under the curve of the serum measures of GFAP obtained through the receiver operating characteristics was 0.903, which was also statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: GFAP biomarker is an indicator of disease activity in RRMS patients, and its serum level may correlate with the state of remission or exacerbation.
Hypothyroidism is the decrease in thyroid hormones production and thyroid gland function. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism with production of autoantibodies directed toward autoantigens thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO). This study was carried out to determine and compare serum and salivary levels of thyroid antibodies (TPO-Ab and Tg- Ab) in hypothyroid patients (with and without periodontitis) and healthy control; as well as to estimate the possibility to evaluate and measured these antibodies in the saliva as measured in the serum. Serum and saliva samples were collected from sixty hypothyroid patients with age ranged (20-64) years (30 of patients were with periodontitis and 30 without per
... Show MoreBackground: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early-onset CAD, also known as PCAD, is a severe form of CAD associated with high mortality and a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is crucial to reducing complications. While hsCRP is an established biomarker for CAD, kalirin is a potential novel biomarker due to its role in promoting smooth muscle proliferation and endothelial dysfunction. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum kalirin and hsCRP levels with the presence and severity of PCAD and to compare the diagnostic value of both biomarkers. Method: The study recruited 92 participants into two groups: the PCAD group (46) included patients with confirmed CAD by an
... Show MoreNearly, in the middle of 1970s the split-brain theory became the only theory that explains human creativity used in all fine art and art education schools. In fact, this theory- which appeared for first time in the middle of 1940s – faced many radical changes including its concepts and structures, and these changes affected both teaching art and art criticism. To update people awareness within art field of study, this paper reviews the split-brain theory and its relationship with teaching art from its appearance to its decay in 2013 and after.
Biological Activity of Complexes of Some Amino Acid
The present study was Conducted to evaluate the effect of amixture of three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( Glomus etunicatum , G. leptotichum and Rhizophagus intraradices ) in Influence on the percentage of the components of NPK and protein of tomato leaves and roots infected with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici wich cause Fusarial wilt disease , planted for 8 weeks in the presence of the organic matter ( peatmose) , using pot cultures in aplastic green house , Results indicated significant increase in the percentage of the elements of NK and protein of tomato leaves and roots In the control treatment (C), While the percentage of the element P was after infection with the pathogen 4 weaks after mycorrhizal colonization in al
... Show MoreAbstract The present study was Conducted to evaluate the effect of amixture of three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( Glomus etunicatum , G. leptotichum and Rhizophagus intraradices ) in Influence on the percentage of the components of NPK and protein of tomato leaves and roots infected with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici wich cause Fusarial wilt disease , planted for 8 weeks in the presence of the organic matter ( peatmose) , using pot cultures in aplastic green house , Results indicated significant increase in the percentage of the elements of NK and protein of tomato leaves and roots In the control treatment (C), While the percentage of the element P was after infection with the pathogen 4 weaks after mycorrhiza
... Show MoreInfluence of metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms upon soil-borne microscopic fungus Aspergillus terreus K-8 was studied. It was established that the metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms affect the enzymatic activity of the studied culture. Silver nanoparticles lead to a decrease in cellulase activity and completely suppress the amylase activity of the fungus, while copper nanoparticles completely inhibit the activity of both the cellulase complex and amylase. The obtained results imply that the large-scale use of silver and copper nanoparticles may disrupt biological processes in the soil and cause change in the physiological and biochemical state of soil-borne microorganisms as well.
Bovine milk is one of the richest nutrients that contain minerals and vitamins that enhance immunity, especially in children, but because many children do not want to drink the raw milk, therefore this study aimed to enhance the sensory characteristics of raw milk by using hibiscus plant extract, which is characterized by red color and distinctive flavor as well as studying the effect of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, by using three concentrations of the aqueous extract (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%), where the statistical results showed a significant difference (P≤0.05) between the concentrations in color, texture and general acceptance, and the best results appeared when using
... Show MoreNutrient agar medium with various concentrations of cefotaxime was used for isolation spontaneous mutants from wild type strain of P.aeruginosa PHA-1. Eighty-two mutants were successfully isolated with the viable count 52×107 , these mutants were confirmed as spontaneous not physiological adaption mutants by reculture on the same medium. Then, wild type PHA-1 and mutants were examined for production pyocyanin; a blue greenish pigment was clearly noticed on King A medium. Remarkably the mutant strain named S300-8 was distinguished in productivity in comparison with wild type strain PHA-1; the amount of pigment was 56.0667mg/l and 74.53mg/l respectively. In addition, pyocyanin produced by mutant strain S300-8 revealed a potent efficacy again
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