Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with polymorphic expression. B cells have an essential contribution in immune system activation via the production of different cytokines and functioning as potent antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, a drug that particularly targets B cells may represent an ideal therapeutic approach for SLE. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody causing transient B-cell depletion, has been used to manage SLE. This study aims to assess Rituximab effects on lupus nephritis (LN) patients when added to conventional immunosuppressants. Twenty four patients, 15-32 years old, with class III/IV/V LN were involved in this study. All were on steroids before lupus nephritis occurrence. They were given rituximab induction therapy and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance therapy. RTX was indicated for refractory and relapsing SLE. Several investigations done before and after RTX treatment and in the last follow up (done one year after starting Rituximab). Those included protein in urine, serum creatinine, double stranded DNA, C3, C4, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Proteinuria decreased significantly after RTX treatment and in the last measurement (P=0.01 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum creatinine significantly decreased only in the last measurement (P=0.02). Double stranded DNA decreased remarkably after treatment (P=0.01) with a further decrease in the last measurement (P=0.006). C3 and C4 increased after treatment but the increase was significant only for C3 (P=0.002) and this increase continues till the last measurement (P=0.0006). Active urine sediments found in fifteen patients and disappeared after RTX treatment. Rituximab can be promising in treating lupus nephritis when used along with traditional immunosuppressants. It can reduce disease activity and improve renal function in such patients.
الخلفية: التهاب المفاصل الرَثَيَانِي أو الداء الرثياني أو الالتهاب المفصلي الروماتويدي هو مرض مزمن، من الأمراض الانضدادية التي تؤدي بالجهاز المناعي لمهاجمة المفاصل، مسببة التهابات وتدميرًا لها. ومن الممكن أيضًا أن يدمر جهاز المناعة أعضاء أخرى في الجسم مثل الرئتين والجلد. وفي بعض الحالات، يسبب المرض الإعاقة، مؤدية إلى فقدان القدرة على الحركة والإنتاجية. ويتم تشخيص المرض بواسطة تحاليل دم مخبرية مثل تحلي
... Show MoreBackground: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has an unknown and complex etiology. It affects 5–10% of women in the reproductive age. Patients are known to have increased ovarian androgen production that is associated with decreased menses, hirsutism, and acne. Urinary tract stones (UTS) are a multifactorial disorder, with age and sex being known risk factors. Many PCOS patients are obese, and links between nephrolithiasis and obesity have been shown previously. Objectives: To identify the relation between PCOS and UTS considering the patients' body mass index (BMI). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 407 women aged 18-40 who attended the gynecology and obstetrics clinic at Al-Elwiya Maternity Teaching Hospital.
... Show MoreHuman herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) infection has increased recently in Arabic countries. HHV-8 in healthy persons does not necessarily cause life-threatening infection, and however, it causes a more severe infection among immunocompromised patients. The distribution of HHV-8 genotypes varies according to ethnicity and depends on the geographic region prior rapid development of global travel. A cross sectional prospective study included a hundred healthy blood donor samples with a mean age of (36.60±10.381), 81% were positive for molecular detection of HHV-8 DNA. PCR results for HHV-8 were strongly related with risk factors such as the number of sexual relations, previous surgeries, blood transfusion, dental operation, and the number of b
... Show MoreThe irony pushes us to inquire about what is in the text of contradiction, irony, suspense, and other acts of paradox, as well as a departure from what is logical, or familiar, that attracts the attention of the addressee, and this is what drives us to introspect the text and interrogate it in order to get to know the intended product of the text or its real or metaphorical intent. On the other hand, the irony is more in the literary text than in the scientific texts. Therefore, critics add the word literature to it in their definition.
As it is represented by the paradox, we will seek to study the paradox of the title and the problematic that it may pose as the beginning of the text, and i
... Show MoreAfter completion of the artistic production, the artist plays the echo of this production upon the recipient. Whether this recipient is from the public, art connoisseurs, or private artists, critics and academics. In the past, the boundaries of Time and place had a great effect in limiting this echo or its quality, as the views of the recipients were largely influenced by the prevailing thought or the artistic trends that dominate the artistic scene in the surrounding environment in which the artist created. In order for the artist to show works for the widest segment of the recipient, he bears the burden of the costs of transporting the work, a keeper of damage on the move, and the material amounts that may hinder the publication of the
... Show MorePenetrating cardiac injuries caused by nail guns are exceedingly rare but often life-threatening, with reports showing an increasing trend. We described the case of an adolescent male who sustained accidental cardiac penetration by an iron nail while performing carpentry work. Rapid referral to a specialized cardiac center enabled timely surgical intervention, illustrating the pivotal role of early recognition, expedited transfer, and expert management in optimizing outcomes. This case also highlights the grave risks associated with the employment of minors in hazardous occupational settings, where exposure to unsafe environments may lead to catastrophic consequences.
Gingivitis, the initial stage of periodontal disease, is characterised by inflammation driven by dental biofilm and associated with oxidative stress. Matcha tea, a powdered green tea rich in antioxidants, has shown potential health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Matcha tea consumption on clinical periodontal parameters and salivary antioxidant levels in patients with gingivitis.
A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted with 41 participants diagnosed with gingivitis.