Chitinase-3-like 1 protein (YKL-40) is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the arthritic joint and plays a crucial role in inflammatory processes. The aim of the study is to establish the role of YKL-40 as a biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to proinflammatory biomarkers and disease activity. The study included 58 patients and 18 control. Diseases activity score (DAS-28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were measured. Serum level of YKL-40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1B (IL-1β), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) were assessed. The results showed that the median serum YKL-40 level which was 5.42 ng/ml, the TNF-a level which was 123.6 ng/ml, and the IL-1B level which was 204.365 pg/dl were significantly higher in patients compared to control 3.28 (1.58–4.99) ng/ml, 56.47 (9.38–77.01) ng/ml and 67.887 (15.493–122.689)pg/dl respectively. There was no correlation between serum YKL-40 and disease activity, while there were significant associations observed with TNF-α (r=0.5,p =0.0001) and IL-1β (r=0.41, p=0.001). YKL-40 indicating good levels of RA prediction at 2.47 ng/ml, sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 58.6%, accuracy 78.1%, PPV 80.9%, and NPV 70.8%. In conclusion, a higher level of serum YKL-40 is found in RA patients. The findings from our study suggest a strong association between YKL-40 and the proinflammatory biomarkers. As a result, these biomarkers together might play a role in RA pathogenesis, and YKL-40 may be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker for RA.
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in 2019 infected many people, primarily affecting the respiratory system. Both COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes have been associated with numerous risks that have become life-threatening. The study studied the link between galectin levels and some clinical characteristics in Iraqis with type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 against those without diabetes. The study included 120 patients and healthy men. Three groups were formed for this study depending on the initial mutant cell line: 80 samples of individuals with type 2 diabetes, aged 40–60 years, with and without COVID-19, were included in each of the first and second groups. The control group consisted of 40 research participants who were matched for ag
... Show MoreObjectives: to assess the normal range of different lip parameters with gender difference and its role in esthetic procedures for Iraqi people. Methods: direct lip measurements were performed with closed lip position using a digital vernier caliper in 132 young Iraqi subjects (89 female and 43 male). Results: Lip measurements showed sexual dimorphism with higher value in men than women in six parameters. Cutaneous height of the upper lip was higher in both sexes. The mustache area in males was longer in males compared to females. Also, it was noticed that upper lip vertical thickness had a higher value, especially in subjects with cosmetic procedures. In addition to that, vertical upper lip thickness showed a higher rise in values
... Show MoreObjective : The present study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of short wave diathermy and
ultrasound therapy for the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis
Methodology : all patients who referred to the Medical Rehabilitation Unit in Baghdad Teaching
Hospital and Sadr A!-Qanat Center. The period of the study was from October 2004 to April 2005, total
number of patients was 24 (9 male and 15 female). Age range of patients was 42-70 years. Complete
clinical and radiological examinations were achieved on all patients and referred to the Medical
Rehabilitation Unit for physiotherapy. Short wave diathermy and ultrasound therapy were applied on
all patients.
Results : Demographic distribution revealed th
In this work, thiadiazole derivatives were prepared by taking advantage of active sites in (2-amino-5-mercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole) as a starting material base. The main heterocyclic compounds (1, 3, 4-thiadiazole, oxazole) etc, 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole compound (1) was prepared by cyclic closure of thiosemicarbazide compound with anhydrous sodium carbonate and carbon disulfide. Oxidation of (1) via hydrogen peroxide, to have (2) which was treated with chloro acetyl chloride to get (3). Preparation of thiazole ring (4) was from reacting of (3) with thiourea. Synthesis of diazonium salts (5) from compound (4) using sodium nitrite and HCl. Compound (5) reacted with different ester compounds to prepare a new azo compounds (6–8).C
... Show MoreAdherence to cardiac medications makes a significant contribution to avoidance of morbidity and premature mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. This quantitative study used cross‐sectional survey design to evaluate medication adherence and contributing factors among patients with cardiovascular disease, comparing patients who were admitted to a cardiac ward (
Background: lip lengthening procedure is one of the surgical options for the correction of gummy smile in patients with short upper lip. Methods: A comparative clinical study was conducted on 15 patients requiring lip lengthening procedure for the esthetic correction of excessive gingival exposure with gummy smile. Scalpel was used in seven patients and diode laser in the remaining eight patients. Under infiltration anesthesia, about one cm strip of mucosa was excised at the vestibular depth and the mucosa of the lip was sutured to the alveolar mucosa. Results: The diode laser group demonstrated less postoperative pain and swelling. Regarding postoperative ecchymosis, three patients in the scalpel group developed ecchymosis and no cases
... Show MorePemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease of the skin and mucous membrane. Renal transplantation is a common procedure in
To study the frequency of skin tumors and infections in patients with pemphigus vulgaris compared with renal transplant recipients and normal controls.
One hundred kidney transplant recipients, their ages ranged from 14 to 70 (46.65 ± 4.74) years
This study aimed to identify the role of school administration in achieving educational and learning goals from the point of view of educational supervisors in the stage of basic education. The descriptive method was adopted. As for the sample size, it has reached (59) educational supervisors. A questionnaire consisting of 29 paragraphs divided into four areas was used. The data were statistically analyzed on the Chi-square test, the percentage, and the mono-variance analysis. The result showed that the school administration contributes to achieving educational goals. It also works to solve problems in democratic ways, and in modern methods, there are differences in the criteria for choosing the headmaster. The study recommended that sch
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