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.
A novel demountable shear connector for precast steel‐concrete composite bridges is presented. The connector uses high‐strength steel bolts, which are fastened to the top flange of the steel beam with the aid of a special locking nut configuration that prevents slip of bolts within their holes. Moreover, the connector promotes accelerated construction and overcomes typical construction tolerances issues of precast structures. Most importantly, the connector allows bridge disassembly, and therefore, can address different bridge deterioration scenarios with minimum disturbance to traffic flow, i.e. (i) precast deck panels can be rapidly uplifted and replaced; (ii) connectors can be rapidly removed and replaced; and (iii) steel beams can b
... Show MoreBackground: Postoperative morbidity after extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) is inevitable. One of the most common postoperative complication is alveolar osteitis (AO) which is a painful non healed socket. Many researches were attempted to prevent the occurrence of AO by introducing and applying a new materials inside the extraction socket. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a biological complex fibrin matrix where autologous platelets and leucocytes are present, used to enhance tissue healing process and reduce the early adverse effects of the inflammation. Aims: To evaluate the effect of PRF on the incidence of AO. Also to assess PRF effect on pain, swelling, and trismus following the surgical removal of IMTM and compa
... Show MoreIn this article the conventional "solid-state reaction" method was used to synthesize perovskite Li0.4Cd0.6Ba2Ca2Cu3O10+δ. Four main types of compounds were obtained by physically replacing calcium oxide with cadmium in proportions 0, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.09, the pure Li0.4Cd0.6Ba2Ca2Cu3O10+δ phase, and the phases Li0.4Cd0.6Ba2Ca1.97Cd0.03Cu3O10+δ
... Show Moreاهمية البحث هي مرحلة نمو وبناء اجهزة الجسم للاعبين الاشبال واعداد تدريبات بأسلوب التدريب الدائري لبناء التحمل لتطوير بعض القدرات الحركية والمهارية لدى اللاعبين الاشبال بكرة القدم , حيث لاحظت الباحثة ضعف في مستوى الاداء الحركي ارتأت اعداداً بدنيا ومهارياً منذ مرحلة البناء الأولى للاعب الفئات العمرية , واستخدم الباحث المنهج التجريبي بالاختبار القبلي والبعدي للمجموعتين التجريبية والضابطة لملائمته لطبيعة ال
... Show MoreGrowing interest in the subject of corporate governance after the repercussions of financial collapses of some of the leaders of American companies and European, and the consequent crisis of confidence in global financial lists of companies due to weak accounting disclosure and transparency, was quick from many countries and international organizations to adopt the concept in an attempt to improve the situation of companies and promote transparency and prevent further financial crises in the future. Based on this background, the present study aims to shed light on the concept of exercising the powers of governance that has become invitations for adoption in Iraq of great importance, given the increasing role of corporations both restrict
... Show MoreThis research is an attempt to study and evaluate the maintenance function at Factory 7 - The State General Company for Leather Industries, and to design a computerized preventive maintenance system to design and to analyze preventive maintenance. To accomplish the objectives of this research, data were gathered and analyzed according to the reliability engineering criteria for the period 2/1– 30/6/2005, then a preventive maintenance plan was designed for each machine of the sample study using the computerized system designed in this research. A Monte Carlo Simulation methodology was used for the purpose of evaluating the performance of the preventive maintenance plan of each machine for one year. The simulation res
... Show Moreان دراسة الدين العام في اقتصاد ريعي شديد الارتباط بسوق خارجية شديدة التقلب يعد من الدراسات الحساسة كونها تضع امام الباحثين القيود المالية التي سيتكبل بها اقتصاد ضعيف قليل التنوع يعتمد على سوق الطاقة مما يفقد حالة الاستدامة المالية وتفقد الدولة القدرة على الوفاء بالتزاماتها المالية ، ان الحدود الامنة للدين العام يجب ان تكون بنسبة لا تتجاوز 60% من الناتج المحلي الاجمالي حسب اتفاقية ماسترخت الخاصة بمجلس الاتحا
... Show Moreتعد أساليب وطرائق تدريس المواد الدراسية العلمية من المجالات المهمة التي تساعد في تحويل المجرد إلى ثوابت في الذهن وترفع مستوى خبرات كل من المعلم والمتعلم على حد سواء إضافة إلى إنها جزء لا يتجزأ من العملية التربوية ومن الركائز المهمة التي تقوم عليها المناهج الدراسية لأنها تساعد الطلبة على اكتساب مهارات ومعلومات وتكوين اتجاهات وميول تخدم أهداف تدريس المادة وبما أن مادة الكيمياء الكمية هي إحدى المواد الدراسية
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