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.
Background: Despite the importance of vaccines in preventing COVID-19, the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines is lower among RA patients than in the general population. Objective: To determine the extent of COVID-19 knowledge among RA patients and their attitudes and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: A qualitative study with a phenomenology approach was performed through face-to-face, individual-based, semi-structured interviews in the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, rheumatology unit. A convenient sample of RA patients using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was included until the point of saturation. A thematic content analysis approach was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: Twenty-five RA pa
... Show MoreThe Mannich base ligand was synthesized in an ethanol medium through a condensation reaction of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and ciprofloxacin at room temperature. Subsequently, several metal complexes of this ligand were prepared. To characterize both the base ligand and the metal complexes, various techniques were employed, including elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, molar conductivity measurements, magnetic moment determination, and melting point analysis. The results were shown that the metal complexes formed have the formula [Cr(L)2Cl2] Cl.H2O and [Rh(L)2(H2O)2] Cl3.H2O, where L= mannich base ligand. Based on spectroscopic analytical, coordination with metal ions involves the 'N' donor atom of mannich base
... Show MoreThe problem of the damage caused by terrorist acts has raised many difficulties in many countries, including Iraq, which requires the existence of a law that sets out sufficient rules for compensating the victims of terrorist acts, in order to compensate them for the harm they have not suffered. It may be difficult or impossible for them to identify causing damage, and therefore unable to obtain compensation by applying the traditional rules of liability that require proof of fault and identify the culprit. The security funds come as an appropriate alternative that pays compensation in such cases for victims to reparation for the damage they suffered. Therefore, this problem remains one of the most problems that Iraq suffers from it, which
... Show MoreAs a consequence of a terrorist attack, people may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lack of feeling secure in relationships. This longitudinal study aimed to examine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms over time, the relationship between adult attachment styles and PTSD, as well as their association with degree of exposure, and finally to consider the distribution and the trajectory of attachment styles. The sample consisted of 235 students (M=125, F=110) who were exposed to different levels of trauma intensity in response to a bombing attack. Participants were recruited and assessed approximately 1 month and 5 months after the attack using a battery of questionnaires. Findings revealed, as expected, that 79.5% of the part
... Show MoreIn this study, the new azo dye,5,5-[1,2-phenylenebis(2,1-biazenediyl)] bis[8-quinolino], was used to synthesize complexes with Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ ions. The compounds were characterized using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), diffevential scanning calovimltry (DSC), CHN analysis. Further, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and metal and chlorine content analysis using FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the ligand chelates as a bidentate (OH) phenol group and a bidentate (C=N) ring group. The ligand exhibited tetradentate behavior, forming tetrahedral complexe
... Show MoreThe optical absorption data of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon was analyzed using a Dunstan model of optical absorption in amorphous semiconductors. This model introduces disorder into the band-band absorption through a linear exponential distribution of local energy gaps, and it accounts for both the Urbach and Tauc regions of the optical absorption edge.Compared to other models of similar bases, such as the O’Leary and Guerra models, it is simpler to understand mathematically and has a physical meaning. The optical absorption data of Jackson et al and Maurer et al were successfully interpreted using Dunstan’s model. Useful physical parameters are extracted especially the band to the band energy gap , which is the energy gap in the a
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