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.
ABSTRACT Background: Color changes that are detectable to human eye can affect the esthetic appearance of ceramic veneers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of artificial accelerated aging on the color of ceramic veneers cemented with different resin cements. Materials and Methods: Sixty discs were prepared with 0.5 mm thickness, 30 discs made from IPS e.max press (Ivoclar Vivadent) and 30 discs were made from VITA Enamic (VITA Zahnfabrik). The discs were cemented with three resin cements: Variolink Veneer MV 0 shade (Ivoclar Vivadent), Rely X veneer Translucent shade (3M ESPE) and NX3 Nexus Clear shade (Kerr Corporation) with 0.1 mm thickness. The spectrophotometer Easyshade Advance was used to measure the co
... Show MoreTwo new ligands Na2[ H3B (BDIA)].0.05H2O (L1)(BDIA = 1-Boranyl-2,3-
Dihydro-1H-Indol-3-yl)]Acetic Acid and Na3[H2B(BDIA)2].0.3H2O.0.3CH3Ph (L2)
were synthesized by reaction of NaBH4 with indole -3- acetic acid (IAA) . The
coordination properties of ligands were studied with Co(II) , Ni(II) , Cu(II) and
Pt(IV) ions. Characterization and structural aspects of the prepared compounds were
elucidated by 1HNMR, FTIR electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, elemental
and metal analysis, thermal analysis (TG & DTG) and conductivity measurements.
The obtained data for metal complexes suggested square planar geometry for
copper complexes, octahedral geometry for nickel and platinium complexes and
tetrahedral geom
This paper proposes an on-line adaptive digital Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control algorithm based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Model. This research aims to design and implement Neural Network like a digital PID using FPGA in order to generate the best value of the hydrogen partial pressure action (PH2) to control the stack terminal output voltage of the (PEMFC) model during a variable load current applied. The on-line Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is used for finding and tuning the optimal value of the digital PID-NN controller (kp, ki, and kd) parameters that improve the dynamic behavior of the closed-loop digital control fue
... Show MoreMetal complexes of Cu (II), Fe (III) and Mn (II) with Quinaldic acid (L1) and 1, 10-Phenathroline (L2) are synthesized and characterized by standaral physic- chemical procedures (element analysis, metal analysis, FTIR, Uv-Vis, magnetic moment and conductometeric measurements). On the base of these studies, mononuclear and six coordinated octahedral geometry and nonelectrolyte of these complexes have been proposed. The standard heat of formation (?Hºf) and binding energy (?Eb) for the free ligands and their complexes are calculated by using the PM3 method at 273K of Hyperchem.-8 program. The complexes are more stable than their ligands. Moreover, the electrostatic potential of free ligands are measured to investigate the reactive site of th
... Show MoreAs a consequence of a terrorist attack, people may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lack of feeling secure in relationships. This longitudinal study aimed to examine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms over time, the relationship between adult attachment styles and PTSD, as well as their association with degree of exposure, and finally to consider the distribution and the trajectory of attachment styles. The sample consisted of 235 students (M=125, F=110) who were exposed to different levels of trauma intensity in response to a bombing attack. Participants were recruited and assessed approximately 1 month and 5 months after the attack using a battery of questionnaires. Findings revealed, as expected, that 79.5% of the part
... Show MoreThe research deals with the concept of stigma as one of the important phenomena that cast a shadow over the nature of the individual, his being and his personality through the inferior view with which he confronts in society, and (Sartors) indicates in this regard that stigma may lead to negative discrimination that leads to many defects, in terms of obtaining On care, poor health, service, and frequent setbacks that can damage self-esteem. The first roots of this phenomenon go back to the Greek civilization and what the Greeks used to burn and cut off some parts of the body and then announce to the nation that the bearer of this sign is a criminal. In addition to the Arab peoples living from setbacks that contributed to the exacerbation
... Show MoreThe main objective of the audit is The asset is maintained and operated efficiently and is done through to detect fraud and errors in the financial statements and to verify the accuracy and accuracy of the information contained therein and to give a neutral technical opinion on the basis of that, thus the auditor has a professional responsibility in achieving this goal, and that the effects of issuing a wrong opinion works on The loading of the beneficiaries is significant damage, And therefore the presence of any error or bias of the auditor when taking personal judgments in relation to the determination of the relative importance and the selection of audit samples and determine the adequacy and validity of evidence and implemen
... Show MoreThe implementation of the concept of project scheduling in the organizations generally requires a set of procedures and requirements, So, most important of all is the understanding and knowledge of the tools and techniques which are called the methods of scheduling projects. Consequently, the projects of the municipality administration in the holy governorate of Karbala suffer from the problem of delaying their projects and chaos in the ways of implementation. To provide assistance to this directorate and to demonstrate how to schedule projects using one of the advanced scientific methods that proved their ability to schedule any project and its potential to accelerate the time of completion, as well as ease of use and effectiven
... Show MoreCost estimation is considered one of the important tasks in the construction projects management. The precise estimation of the construction cost affect on the success and quality of a construction project. Elemental estimation is considered a very important stage to the project team because it represents one of the key project elements. It helps in formulating the basis to strategies and execution plans for construction and engineering. Elemental estimation, which in the early stage, estimates the construction costs depending on . minimum details of the project so that it gives an indication for the initial design stage of a project. This paper studies the factors that affect the elemental cost estimation as well as the rela
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