Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with polymorphic expression. B cells have an essential contribution in immune system activation via the production of different cytokines and functioning as potent antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, a drug that particularly targets B cells may represent an ideal therapeutic approach for SLE. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody causing transient B-cell depletion, has been used to manage SLE. This study aims to assess Rituximab effects on lupus nephritis (LN) patients when added to conventional immunosuppressants. Twenty four patients, 15-32 years old, with class III/IV/V LN were involved in this study. All were on steroids before lupus nephritis occurrence. They were given rituximab induction therapy and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance therapy. RTX was indicated for refractory and relapsing SLE. Several investigations done before and after RTX treatment and in the last follow up (done one year after starting Rituximab). Those included protein in urine, serum creatinine, double stranded DNA, C3, C4, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Proteinuria decreased significantly after RTX treatment and in the last measurement (P=0.01 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum creatinine significantly decreased only in the last measurement (P=0.02). Double stranded DNA decreased remarkably after treatment (P=0.01) with a further decrease in the last measurement (P=0.006). C3 and C4 increased after treatment but the increase was significant only for C3 (P=0.002) and this increase continues till the last measurement (P=0.0006). Active urine sediments found in fifteen patients and disappeared after RTX treatment. Rituximab can be promising in treating lupus nephritis when used along with traditional immunosuppressants. It can reduce disease activity and improve renal function in such patients.
Objective: To determine the ability of uVDBP to discern SRNS from steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in Iraqi children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled children with SRNS (n=31) and SSNS (n=32) from the pediatric nephrology clinic of Babylon Hospital for Maternity and Pediatrics over three months. Patients' characteristics in terms of demographics, clinical data, and urinary investigations were collected. Quantitative analysis of uVDBP levels was undertaken via a commercially available ELISA kit. Results: The median uVDBP values were significantly higher (p-value<0.001) in the SRNS group (median=10.26, IQR=5.91 μg/mL) than in the SSNS group (median=0.953, IQR=4.12 μg/mL). A negative correlati
... Show MoreThis study focused on a fundamental issue which was represented by ability of Iraqi central bank in facing the difficulty of determining the optimal ratio of liquidity in the Iraqi banks in terms of the balancing between its obligations to the depositors and borrowers, and liquidate their funds on one hand and the risks on the other hand.the search aimed for achieving the goals which represented by identifying the possibility of Iraqi banks to apply the regulations rules and instructions issued by central bank of Iraq in determining ratio of liquidity and its appropriate with Iraqi banks action to implement a reasonable profit to&
... Show MoreExtreme conditions will cause the water level of high fill canal segment to change suddenly, which will affect the velocity and pore pressure of the slope. A 9 km irrigation earth canal in the city of Alsyahy, 15 km away from Al-Hilla city, and branching off from the left side of Shatt Al-Hilla at 57 km, was studied. The aim of this work is to study and analyze the effect of rationing system on the Birmana earthen canal during rapid drawdown case. Finite element modeling with Geo-Studio software was used in the present study to analyze the combined seepage and slope stability for three cycles. The resulting minimum safety factor obtained from the analysis using the saturated and
New metal ions complexes of tridentate ligand (1-((dicyclohexylamino) methyl)-3-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrzol-4-ylimino) indolin-2-one) have been synthesized and characterized by chemical-physical analysis. The ligand acts as a tridentate for the complexation reaction with all metal ions. The new complexes, possessing the general formula [M(L)Cl]Cl where M=[Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II), Cd(II), Pt(IV) and Hg(II) ] ,show tetrahedral geometry. All complexes ,except Pd(II) complex which has a square planar geometry and Pt(IV) which show an octahedral geometry. The geometry of the prepared compounds has been proposed in another method theoretically by using one of the calculation molecular programs (Hype
... 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 MoreThe effect of thermal treatment on optical constants of pure PMMA and with addition (15 and 35) ml of coumarin at different temperatures (100, 110 and 120) C0 for 1 hour were investigated. Cast method used to prepares films of pure PMMA and PMMA with (15 and 35) of coumarin. UV/VIS spectrometer technique used to measure the absorption spectra for these films. The optical constant (absorption spectra and absorption coefficient) don’t changes after applied temperatures in pure PMMA film but the optical constant (absorption spectra and absorption coefficient) in PMMA with (15 and 35) ml of coumarin increased with applied temperatures. The optical energy gap of pure PMMA and PMMA with (15 and 35) ml of coumarin sl
... Show MoreThe research aims to identify the extent to which the theatrical and musical arts contribute to diagnosing and treating psychological problems among the residents of children’s villages in Jordan, and the methodologies adopted by the theatrical and musical arts to achieve this. It moves on to prove the theory that theatrical and musical arts have an impact on improving the psychology of the residents of children’s villages in Jordan by reviewing the theories and opinions that address the subject from a scientific point of view proven by experiences and expertise. The research took place in the period between (2019-2020), and the spatial limits came within the (SOS) children's villages in Jordan. The importance of the research is to
... Show MoreIn this work, The effect of annealing treatment at different temperatures (373, 423 and 473) K and chemical treatment with talwen at different immersion time (40, 60 and 80) min on structural and optical properties of the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blend copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt/poly dioxyethylenethienylene doped with polystyrenesulphonic acid (CuPcTs/PEDOT:PSS) thin films were investigated. The films were fabricated using spin coating technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements displayed only one peak at 2θ =4.5o corresponding to (001) direction which has dhkl larger than for standard CuPcTs. The dhkl increase then decrease with increasing annealing temperature and
the time of chemical treatment w
Biodiesel production from microalgae depends on the biomass and lipid production. Both biomass and lipid accumulation is controlled by several factors. The effect of various culture media (BG11, BBM, and Urea), nutrients stress [nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg) and carbonate (CO3)] and gamma (γ) radiation on the growth and lipid accumulation of Dictyochloropsis splendida were investigated. The highest biomass and lipid yield of D. splendida were achieved on BG11 medium. Cultivation of D. splendida in a medium containing 3000 mg L−1 N, or 160 mg L−1 P, or 113 mg L−1 Mg, or 20 mg L-1 CO3, led to enhanced growth rate. While u
... Show MoreObjective(s): Biocompatibility, non-toxicity, minimal allergenicity, and biodegradability are all characteristics of chitosan. Other biological properties of chitosan have been reported, including antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. This research aim is the synthesis of drug compounds by preparation and characterization of polymer chitosan Schiff base and chitosan Schiff base / Poly vinyl alcohol / poly vinyl pyrrolidone Nanocomposite and study applications (anticancer cell line, antimicrobial agents). Methods: Chitosan Schiff base was prepared from the reaction of chitosan with carbonyl group of 4-nitro benzaldehyde. Polymer blend have been prepared by solution casting method. Chitosan Schiff base mixing with PVA and PVP
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