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.
This study was conducted in the botanical garden, Department of biology, College of Science/ Mustansiriyah University in from (15 February to 15 March, 2019) under the natural environmental conditions in the greenhouse in order to evaluate the effectiveness of parsley aqueous extract as a promoter for rooting. The study included the use of aqueous extract of a plant Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) extract was used in concentrations (1.25, 2.5 g / l), compare with IBA in concentration (100 mg / L) with dipping time 24 hour for all treatments. The cutting stems were included Rosmarinus officinalis, Nerium oleander, Olea europaea, Plumeria alba, Hibiscus rosa, Pelargonium graveolens, and Myrtus communis. The following measurements were
... Show MoreCultivation of the green seaweed Enteromorpha compressa was performed under natural laboratory spring environmental conditions of temperature, light intensity and photoperiod to study the salinity tolerance of this intertidal green macroalga. Cultivation was carried out under artificial seawater (ASW) of different concentrations (18, 35, 53 and 106 g/l sea salt) compared to the control using natural seawater (NSW). Growth rate and pigment content of the cultivated alga were recorded at regular intervals during the experimental duration. Antioxidant activity of the crude ethanolic extract and its fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and acetone) was performed against DPPH radical scavenging assay and compared to
... Show MoreThe study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity using different concentrations of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of dried lemongrass leaves. Chemical phytochemical tests were performed for aqueous and alcoholic extracts of lemongrass. Antimicrobials activity was tested using agar disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results of the study showed that the aqueous extract of dried lemon leaves was highly effective (P≤0.05) against S. aureus, as the inhibition diameter was 22 mm for 50 dilution, while the inhibition diameter decreased to 15 mm for concentration 100. As for the alcoholic extract only, the diameter of inhibition decreased significantly (P≤0.0
... Show MoreSamples of the green algae were collected from water of Shatt al-Arab in Garmat Ali in Basra. After purification, the green algae identified on Enteromorpha sp. The samples were dried and milled, then sulfated polysaccharides were extracted with hot water at 90°C precipitated with absolute ethanol, dialysed and lyophilized. The chemical composition was total sugars 56.4%, protein 1.3% and sulfur 19.7%. Antioxidation activity of sulfated polysaccharides was studied by four method and included estimation of ability of scavenging hydroxylated radicals, the results showed an increased in ability with increasing concentrations. Ability of scavenging and was 59.86% at the concentration of 2.5 mg/ ml, but BHT was 81.36%. Ability of scavenging
... Show MoreThis study examines the dynamic relationship between stock market and economic activity in the United States to verify the possibility of using financial indicators to monitor the turning points in the expected path of future economic activity. Has been used methodology (Johansen - Juselius) for the Co-integration and causal (Granger) to test the relationship between the (S & P 500 , DJ) index and gross domestic product (GDP) in the United States for the period
(1960-2009). The results of the analysis revealed the existence of a causal relationship duplex (two-way) between the variables mentioned. which means the possibility of the use stock market indicators to pre
The aim of present study to investigate the effect of Coraindrum sativum leaves extract on reproductive activity of male albino mice .Thirty male mice with age of 80-100 day and weight between 25-30 g were divided into three groups: group 1 (untreated), group 2 and 3 were administrated orally for 30 days with aqueous extract of Coraindrum sativum leaves at dose 125 and 250mg/kg.b.w. respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: serum testosterone levels, testes weights, sperm characteristics [motility, viability, spermatozoa, morphology and concentration] and histology changes of the testis. The results showed that the treatment caused highly significant degrease (P<0.01) in testosterone levels and the weight of testes assoc
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