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.
This study was conducted at the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad. The aim of this study was to isolate and diagnose fungi from fish feedstuff samples, and also detection of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in fish muscles and feedstuffs. Randomly, the samples were collected from some fish farms from Baghdad, Babil, Wasit, Anbar, and Salah al-Din provinces. This study included the collection of 35 feedstuff samples and 70 fish muscle samples, and each of the two fish samples fed on one sample of the feedstuff. The results showed the presence of several genera of different fungi including Aspergillus spp, Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Yeast spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizopus spp., Scopiolariopsis spp., Ep
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According to the importance of the subject of research, and the importance of the surveyed organization as a dynamic sector of the country in general , The research attempts to suggest to service organizations in general reconsidering the currently adopted mechanisms in the redesign of its functions , and in the services provided industry . The data was collected from (98) Director Mangers , head of department and head of division . The research tool is the questionnaire , which included (50) items . The results show Significant Effect & Correlation relationship between the two variables due to their dimensions . These lead to he application of job enrichment technology will increase the organization's ability to possess efficient hu
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Abstract
This study aims to find the relationships between social capital (social network, social trust, shared goals) and knowledge sharing (knowledge Donating, knowledge collecting) as independent variables and their impact on improving the quality of educational services (academic staffs quality, Quality of teaching methods and study curriculums). This research is an important, because it attempts to identify the relationship between social capital and the knowledge sharing and their effect on improving the quality of educational service for universities. The study problem was determined in several questions related to the nature of the correlation relationship - the impact between the different independent variables (
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This review article concentrates the light about aetiology and treatment of the periimplantitis.
The poultry industry is developing continuously and rapidly, this development takes several trends in the poultry industry, such as searching for new alternatives feed additives. The research focused on finding new alternatives feed additives, among these alternatives is Synoptic, which used to maximize the benefit of the two important compounds (probiotics and prebiotics) as these two compounds are considered one of the most alternatives feed additives, which have been used a lot in poultry feeding to maximize the value of these compounds, they were combined into one compound called synbiotic. Several studies confirm that the synbiotic effect on the intestine morphology, which, the ratio villus height and villus: crypt ratio in the
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The change in the optical band gap and optical activation energy have been investigated for pure Poly (vinyl alcohol)and Poly (vinyl alcohol) doped with Aluminum sulphate to proper films from their optical absorption spectra. The absorption spectra were measured in the wave range from (200-700) nm at temperature range (25-140) 0C. The optical band gap (Eg) for allowed direct transition decrease with increase the concentration of Aluminum sulphate. The optical activation energy for allowed direct transition band gap was evaluated using Urbach- edges method. It was found that ?E increases with increasing the concentration of Al2 (SO4)3 and decreases when temperature increases.
In this work, the synergistic effect of chlorinated rubber (additive I),with zeolite 3A (additive II), zeolite 4A (additive III), and zeolite 5A (additive IV) in (1:1) weight percentage, on the flammability for unsaturated polyester resin was studied in the weight ratios for (3,7,10,13&15%) by preparing films of (130×130×3) mm in diameters. Three standard test methods used to measure were the flame retardation which are; ASTM: D-2863, ASTM: D- 635& ASTM: D-3014. Results obtained from these tests indicated that all of the additives were effective additive IV has the highest efficiency as a flame retardant.
Media is one of the main and effective factors; and it is a tool of crisis management equipment. Media is one of the most dangerous, effective and decisive weapons in modern conflicts; a tool for making events and influencing their events and trends as a means of reporting as the enormous capabilities of media which help media to move very quickly, and cross borders; and overcome obstacles, through many means of audio, reading and visual. As its ability, moreover, to influence the psychological and intellectual control of communities, and behaviors.
Intelligent media is, then, used in crises management and coverage. Crises have been existed with the presence of man on Earth. Thei
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