Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease with unknown aetiology that may be associated with the defect in proliferation and differentiation of the keratinocytes related to inflammatory cell infiltration. According to published reports, it is universal in occurrence; its prevalence in different populations varies from 0.1% to 11.8%. Receiving Apremilast resulted in a strong reduction in interleukin 17 and interleukin 23, as well as reduced expression of other inflammatory cytokines and improvement of psoriatic lesions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of Apremilast on levels of IL-17, IL-23, and lipids in obese psoriatic patients. Methods: Thirty obese patients with psoriasis were included in this prospective interventional study to measure serum levels of lipid profile, IL-17, and IL-23, before and after receiving Apremilast treatment. A t-test was used to compare between means. Results: The mean age of the participants was 38 years. The most common age group was 30–40 years. The levels of IL-17 before the administration of Apremilast were 225.55 ± 7.70 pg/mL. After six months of treatment with Apremilast, a statistically significant reduction was seen, with the value decreasing to 183.41 ±2.33 pg/ml. IL-22 levels before the administration of Apremilast were measured to be 76.42 ± 4.03 pg/mL. After six months of treatment with Apremilast, these levels exhibited a non-significant decrease to 67.15 ± 5.40 pg/ml. Modest alterations were noted in the lipid profile. Conclusion: The use of Apremilast is effective in decreasing IL-17 levels, which have pro-inflammatory effects; this leads to improvement in psoriatic lesions. Moreover, receiving Apremilast in obese psoriatic individuals led to a reduction in TG levels and an elevation in HDL-C levels. Additionally, a rise in TC levels and LDL-C was seen.
The alterations in glyoxylate reductase and hydroxy-pyruvate reductase concentrations in the sera and the genetic alterations associated with calcium oxalate kidney stones in Iraqi patients were not studied previously so this study aimed to focus on these points. This study included 80 subjects; they were 50 patients with calcium oxalate stones compared to 30 apparently healthy controls. Biochemical investigations for kidney functions (creatinine, urea, and uric acid), were performed on the sera of both groups. Also, complete blood count, random blood sugar, and blood group tests. Furthermore, urine had been collected for General Urine Examination to visualize oxalate crystals in the urine of the patient. Also, the GRHPR
... Show MoreHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious disease of the liver and signifies a major worldwide health concern. HBV Genotyping is vital for further epidemiological study, predicting the disease outcome and response to treatment. The current study aimed to determine hepatitis B virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis B, and to validate possible associations with the baseline characteristics of the disease. A total of 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection were enrolled in this study. Liver function tests, hepatitis B virus markers and DNA viral load were done using routine standardized procedures. HBV genotyping was performed using real time PCR. Genotype D was the most predominant in 64 (71.1%) of samples, while
... Show MoreWorldwide, hundreds of millions of people have been infected with COVID-19 since December 2019; however, about 20% or less developed severe symptoms. The main aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between the severity of Covid-19 and different clinical and laboratory parameters. A total number of 466 Arabs have willingly joined this prospective cohort. Out of the total number, 297 subjects (63.7%) had negative COVID-19 tests, and thus, they were recruited as controls, while 169 subjects (36.3%) who tested positive for COVID-19 were enrolled as cases. Out of the total number of COVID-19 patients, 127 (75.15%) presented with mild symptoms, and 42 (24.85%) had severe symptoms. The age range for the partic
... Show MoreThe birth of Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory has revolutionized traditional education since the twentieth century. Howard Gardner, the pioneer of this theory, believed that each learner has a unique way of acquiring information. This paper investigates how the New Headway Plus for Upper-Intermediate-Third Edition, a standard EFL textbook in Iraqi universities, can cater to the diverse MI profiles of Iraqi EFL learners. It evaluates the success or failure of senior undergraduates in actively engaging with different learning styles and activities in the classroom. The study maps the distribution of nine distinct modes of MI theory across all 12 Units_ Logic/Mathematical, Verbal/Linguistic, Musical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Visual/Spatial, Natura
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In this paper, we will provide a proposed method to estimate missing values for the Explanatory variables for Non-Parametric Multiple Regression Model and compare it with the Imputation Arithmetic mean Method, The basis of the idea of this method was based on how to employ the causal relationship between the variables in finding an efficient estimate of the missing value, we rely on the use of the Kernel estimate by Nadaraya – Watson Estimator , and on Least Squared Cross Validation (LSCV) to estimate the Bandwidth, and we use the simulation study to compare between the two methods.
Strangeness in design generally and in advertisement design specifically is manifested in various images and creative propositions and shapes that depart the traditional and conventional framework to elevate design to virtual intellectual worlds related to the inspirational and imaginative range of the creative designer, which makes the forms of strangeness a means for persuasion and astonishment which achieves the functional and aesthetic objectives of the advertisement. The two researchers identified the research question "what is the concept of strangeness in the commercial advertisements design? The research objective has been determined by identifying the concept of strangeness in the commercial advertisement design. Strangen
... Show MoreFurfural is one of the one of pollutants in refinery industrial wastewaters. In this study advanced oxidation process using UV/H2O2 was investigated for furfural degradation in synthetic wastewater. The results from the experimental work showed that the degradation of furfural decreases as its concentration increases, reaching 100% at 50mg/l furfural concentration and increasing the concentration of H2O2 from 250 to 500 mg/l increased furfural removal from 40 to 60%.The degradation of furfural reached 100% after 90 min exposure time using two UV lamps, where it reached 60% using one lamp after 240 min exposure time. The rate of furfural degradation k increased at the pH and initial concentratio
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