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.
The first molecular research on Iraqi centipede fauna is presented in this article. Between October 2022 and May 2023, during various climatic circumstances, centipedes were collected from several locations in four provinces of Iraq. Three families, represented by four genera, underwent molecular identification, and five species were found. From the order Scolopendromorpha family Scolopendridae, two species were recorded, Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758, and S. cingulata Latreille, 1829, Cormocephalus sp.; while from the order Lithobiomorpha, family Lithobiidae, one species was recorded for first time in Iraq; Lithobius crassipes L. Koch, 1862 from the order Geophilomorpha family Himantariidae, one species Bothriogaster Signata
... Show MoreThe research included four topics: the definition of Imam al-Bazzazi, his scientific life, his sheikhs, his students, his writings, his death, and selected issues of his weight in the book of prayer. The Imam al-Bazazi is the son of Muhammad ibnShihabibn Yusuf. He is known as al-Khardizi al-Khawarizmi. The author did not adopt the definitions of language and terminology, and rarely mention the legal evidence adopted by the scholars in their opinions, and only to mention the views only, and the author, may God have mercy on him in his book on the sources of m The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) And fall down the order, the third issue, which is to leave the
... Show MoreSignificant risks to human health are posed by the 2019 coronavirus illness (COVID-19). SARS coronavirus type 2 receptor, also known as the major enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), connects COVID-19 and RAS. This study was conducted with the intention of determining whether or not RAS gene polymorphisms and ACE-2 (G8790A) play a part in the process of predicting susceptibility to infection with COVID-19. In this study 127 participants, 67 of whom were deemed by a physician to be in a severe state of illness, and 60 of whom were categorized as "healthy controls" .The genetic study included an extraction of genomic DNA from blood samples of each covid 19 patients and healthy control
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Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of hot aqueous extract of beetle cocoon Larinus maculatus Faldermann, in a two doses 50 and100mg/Kg/B.wt for 3 and 6 weeks respectively on the levels of serum glucose, weight of body, and lipid profile in male mice Mus musculus. The results revealed that there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum glucose level was dose and period dependent. Weight of body also reduced significantly (p<0.05) with doses and period dependent. The lipid profile level significantly (p<0.05) decreased in dose and period’s manner in each of Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein- (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and Very Low Density Lipoprotei
... Show MoreThe rent is one of the sources of investment that generates returns for the owner of the housing unit, and it is also one of the importance expenditure for the tenant.
The importance of this research comes in addressing the deficiency in the field of analyzing the factors affecting the rental value of residential units, which affects many segments of the population of Baghdad.
The aim of this research is analyze and evaluate related variables on the rent value of residential units in neighbourhood 409 in city of BAGHDAD, which is a hypothesis that: There are a set of variables affecting the rental value, including those related to the internal environment of the dwelling, such as: income level, plot area, building area, n
... Show MoreObjectives: The study aimed to evaluate health behavior, evaluate Health Action Process Approach, determine the effectiveness of the Health Action Process Approach based the application of program on students’ engaging in regular physical exercise.
Methodology: The research design for this study was a quasi-experimental. The study sample included high school male students, the final sample size was(160 ) Non-probability sampling (convenience sample) are chosen, (80) students study group and (80) students control group.
Results: The results show there was no statistically significant difference in the HAPA constructs among family's socioeconomic class groups and less tha
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