Objectives: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is WNT/b-catenin pathway antagonist which plays a detrimental role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This research aimed to assess serum DKK-1 levels in diabetic patients who have and have not developed DR and, compare them with the control subjects finding out whether we can use it as an indicator for DR early diagnosis and to find out which one of the widely used two groups of antidiabetic treatments had the greater effect on this biomarker and hence on the progression of DR. Methods: The study participants were divided into two subgroups: First, 70 patients (36 male, 34 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, among them 35 patients diagnosed with DR and 35 with no evidence of DR, and secondly, non-diabetic controls (11 male, 9 female) were selected from the patients attending Ibn AL-Haitham hospital for ophthalmology and a specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes. Venous blood samples of all participants were drawn after an overnight fast, and serum samples were stored at -20ºC until DKK-1 assay. Results: Serum DKK-1 showed significantly lower levels in diabetic patients with (6.1 ± 2 ng/mL) or without DR (14 ± 6.2 ng/mL) when compared to those of controls (34 ± 12.25 ng/mL) (p 0.05). Furthermore, serum DKK-1 levels were lower in the late stage of DR compared to the early stage 5.6 ± 1.7 and 7 ± 1.9 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, DPP-4 inhibitors cause a better increment in DKK-1 levels when compared to SU in the NDR group. Conclusions: Reduced serum levels of DKK-1 are related to the existence and worsening of DR and have the prospect to serve as an indicator for this condition.
As an important resource, entanglement light source has been used in developing quantum information technologies, such as quantum key distribution(QKD). There are few experiments implementing entanglement-based deterministic QKD protocols since the security of existing protocols may be compromised in lossy channels. In this work, we report on a loss-tolerant deterministic QKD experiment which follows a modified “Ping-Pong”(PP) protocol. The experiment results demonstrate for the first time that a secure deterministic QKD session can be fulfilled in a channel with an optical loss of 9 dB, based on a telecom-band entangled photon source. This exhibits a conceivable prospect of ultilizing entanglement light source in real-life fiber-based
... Show MoreThe unconventional techniques called “the quick look techniques”, have been developed to present well log data calculations, so that they may be scanned easily to identify the zones that warrant a more detailed analysis, these techniques have been generated by service companies at the well site which are among the useful, they provide the elements of information needed for making decisions quickly when time is of essence. The techniques used in this paper are:
- Apparent resistivity Rwa
- Rxo /Rt
The above two methods had been used to evaluate Nasiriyah oil field formations (well-NS-3) to discover the hydrocarbon bearing formations. A compu
... Show MorePseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous environmental organism, is a difficult-to-treat opportunistic pathogen due to its broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance and its ability to form biofilms. In this study, we investigate the link between resistance to a clinically important antibiotic, imipenem, and biofilm formation. First, we observed that the laboratory strain P. aeruginosa PAO1 carrying a mutation in the oprD gene, which confers resistance to imipenem, showed a modest reduction in biofilm formation.We also observed an inverse relationship between imipenem resistance and biofilm formation for imipenem-resistant strains selected in vitro, as well as for clinical isolates.We identified two clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from the sputum
... Show MoreThe study aims to identify the relationship between forgiveness and social intelligence among elementary school students. The study employed a descriptive analytical approach, whereby a total of (500) elementary school student were selected randomly regarding the variable of gender and economical status. Two scales were prepared: one to measure the forgiveness depending on Albort’s theory that consist of (20) item, and the other to measure the social intelligence according to Tony’s theory which composed of (20) item as well. The result revealed that 6th grade students have interested level of the forgiveness and social intelligence, the girl showed significant differences according to the forgiveness variable, the sample
... Show MoreThe current research seeks to identify the most important humanitarian issues of a sacred and very important group in all the heavenly religions and human societies, namely the elderly, to identify their significant problems and health problems, and What are the effects of these problems on their mental health and which is the ultimate goal of human resources in All parts of the world? The study relied on what is available from the sources in the literature starting from the messages of heaven and the Islamic religion followed with humanitarian, social, legal and psychological postulates. The research included four systematic chapters included the definition research and identification of the problem, importance, objectives and terminolo
... Show MoreThis investigation was conducted to recognize the structure for (RHETI version 2.5 1999) by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Sample of (620) student of Al-Mustansrya University were administered the (RHETI).
The data of their responses was analyzed by using (PAF) and oblique rotating .
The findings explored (9) factors as one factor for each type and (184) items were loaded by the factors: (60) item for feeling center, (61) items for instinctive center and (63) items for thinking center.
Results of confirmatory factorial analysis supported a model designed by the researcher depended upon a theoretical views of Riso and Hudson
... Show MoreLeading edge serration is now a well-established and effective passive control device for the reduction of turbulence–leading edge interaction noise, and for the suppression of boundary layer separation at high angle of attack. It is envisaged that leading edge blowing could produce the same mechanisms as those produced by a serrated leading edge to enhance the aeroacoustics and aerodynamic performances of aerofoil. Aeroacoustically, injection of mass airflow from the leading edge (against the incoming turbulent flow) can be an effective mechanism to decrease the turbulence intensity, and/or alter the stagnation point. According to classical theory on the aerofoil leading edge noise, there is a potential for the leading edge blowi
... Show MoreThe process of selection assure the objective of receiving for chosen ones to high levels more than other ways , and the problem of this research came by these inquires (what is the variables of limits we must considered when first preliminaries selections for mini basket ? and what is the proper test that suits this category ? and is there any standards references it can be depend on it ?) also the aims of this research that knowing the limits variables to basketball mini and their tests as a indicators for preliminaries for mini basketball category in ages (9-12) years and specifies standards (modified standards degrees in following method) to tests results to some limits variables for research sample. Also the researchers depends on (16)
... Show MoreAbstract :
The aim of the study is to diagnose the level and nature of the relationship between cognitive interactions, cognitive ignorance and the achievement of strategic excellence). The aim of this is to explore theoretical philosophy and intellectual implications of these variables, and, then test the correlation and impact relationships and their feasibility in the application environment, which was formed from the seven directorates in the Ministry of Education. The sample of the study was determined by the directors, their assistants, and the department directors. The sample number is (130). The importance of the study is to come out with a philosophical basis for the nature of the variables, based on an app
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