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.
With the exception of Antarctica, all continents are home to Echinococcus species. These parasite infections are thought to be quite dangerous, causing high rates of morbidity and mortality as well as large financial losses for the cattle sector from a human and veterinary standpoint, the two primary species to consider are Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) and Echinococcus multilocularis, which cause cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. The present state-of-the-art knowledge on these two parasites is compiled in this study in four major areas that are pertinent to both human and veterinary professionals: diagnosis, treatment and prevention, clinical symptoms and pathogenesis, and transm
... Show MoreThis paper presents the application of nonlinear finite element models in the analysis of dapped-ends pre-stressed reinforced concrete girders under static loading by using ANSYS software. The girder dimensions are (4.90 m span, 0.40 m depth, 0.20 m width, 0.20 m nib depth, and 0.10 m nib length) and the parameters considered in this research are the pre-stress effect, and strand profile (straight and draped).
The numerical results are compared with the experimental results of the same girders. The comparisons are carried out in terms of initial prestress effect, load- deflection curve, and failure load. Good agreement was obtained between the analytical and experimental results. Even that, the
... Show MoreThis study aims to investigate the behavior and strength of self-compacted ferrocement slabs under punching shear load. Experimental results of thirteen square ferrocement slabs of 500×500 mm simply supported on all edges are presented. The main parameters investigated include the volume fraction of reinforcement, slab thickness and size of load-bearing plate. The load deflection and cracking characteristics of the tested slabs are studied and compared. The test results showed that the volume fraction of wire mesh has significant effect on both ultimate load and displacement. The increase of slab thickness leads to decrease in deflection values and increase in stiffness of slabs. Both ductility and stiffness increase as the
... Show MoreAbstract: To study the effect of nickel chloride on bone composition of mice, a number of biophysical and biochemical parameters have been made use. The animals were divided into control and experimental and further subdivided into three groups I, II and III according to the dose of nickel chloride (NiCl2) administered to them i.e. 5.8, 12.8 and 28.2 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Femur bones were obtained by sacrificing the animals three weeks after weaning them once a week. The percentage loss between the wet weight and dry weight of femur in control animals was found to be 32.5+1.5 .In the three experimental groups I,II and III, the percentage loss was 30.4+1.4, 35.3+2.3 and 38.9+2.2 respectively. The percentage loss between the wet we
... Show MoreA range of batch experiments were carried out for the estimation of the key process parameters in adsorption of Furfural from aqueous solution onto activated carbon in fixed-bed adsorber. A batch absorber model has been used to determine the external mass transfer coefficient (kf) which equal to 6.24*10-5 m/s and diffusion coefficient (Dp) which equal to 9.875*10-10 m2/s for the Furfural system. The Langmuir model gave the best fit for the data at constant temperature (30oC). The pore diffusion mathematical model using nonlinear isotherm provides a good description of the adsorption of Furfural onto activated carbon.
In the present study, new five polymers of acryloyl chloride have been synthesized by reaction 4-aminoantipyrine with many substituted acid chloride (A-E). Then condensation of polyacryloyl chloride with the product in one step (A-E), in a suitable solvent in the presence amount of (Et3N) to obtain new polyimides(A1-E5). The prepared compounds were characterized by UV. FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and measuring of other physical properties such as softening point, melting point and solublities.
Nosocomial infection is acquired contamination of hospitals and health care units caused by multidrug resistant bacteria. Currently, bacterial resistance to antimicrobial medication represents a complicated public health problem. Recent studies on the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) attracted researchers worldwide to focus on the safe synthesis of AgNPs as antimicrobial agents against multidrug resistant bacteria. The antimicrobial efficacy of AgNPs on pathogenic bacteria isolated from clinical cases of acquired hospital infection was targeted in this project. Fifty specimens of stool were collected through private laboratories in Baghdad from patients who suffered diarrheal symptoms. Bacterial isolation, identific
... Show MoreTo explore the potential for in vitro rapid regeneration of Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'), different concentrations of 6-Benzyladenine (BA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and combinations of both were evaluated for callus induction initiated on leaf and bud (terminal and axillary buds) explants using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Callus response induction percentage, fresh weight, color and texture of the callus were assessed after 1.5 and 6.0 months in culture. The appropriate medium for callus initiation on leaf explants was MS medium supplemented with 6.0 mg/L NAA. A combination of 0.2 mg/L BA and 1.5 mg/L NAA also exhibited a remarkable callus induction on bud explants. Effect of thidiazuron (TDZ) addition to the cultu
... Show MoreInvesting in the economic rights of soccer players (or what is known as third-party ownership of the rights of soccer-economic players) plays an important role in financing sports clubs whether they want to compete for the championships and the requirements that this brings to professional players to play in (and what operations require Recruitment is from fictional fees (or retaining its players) who are paid high or even very high wages), or those that are only satisfied with continuing their sporting activities (away from competition), especially after traditional sources of funding have been unable (such as the loans they provide Banks or not These are credit institutions, advertising wages, selling tickets, and televising for matches)
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