Introduction and Aim: The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-39, a member of the IL-12 family plays a key role in the inflammatory response by modulating immune cell activity and inflammation. A literature search shows no study undertaken for the effect of IL-39's on arthritis so far. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IL-39 in rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: This study involved 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis registered at the Rheumatology Clinic at Baghdad teaching hospital. The patients were divided into three groups based on treatments received. Group 1 included patients who were not on any treatment for arthritis, Group 2 with patients on hydroxychloroquine and or prednisone treatment, and Group 3 that received Enbrel® (etanercept) and HUMIRA® (adalimumab) treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. A control group was included in the study. Patients in all groups were assessed for their serum IL-39 concentration, C - reactive protein, Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACCP) and ESR. Results: The patient age and BMI were not significantly different between the groups receiving treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis. A significant increase in the interleukin 39 concentration was observed in treatment groups (G1, G2, G3) as compared to normal healthy controls regardless of whether they were positive or negative for the anti-CCP test. Conclusion: This study showed that the serum interleukin IL-39 levels significantly increased in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis thus suggesting that IL-39 could be considered as a potential inflammatory biomarker of RA.
Ecolinguistics is a twofold field in which ecology and language are its two major concerns. That is, this field is concerned with the way through which our thoughts, ideologies and the like influence the environment. The present study aims at analyzing (6) constructive and destructive environmental advertisements to find out how the techniques of erasure and salience operate in these types of advertisements. It studies the linguistic expressions that achieve these techniques in the constructive and destructive advertisements. The qualitative and quantitative methods are exploited in the current study. Analyzing (6) constructive and destructive environmental advertisements in accordance with Stibbe’s (2015) model of salience and erasure
... Show MoreBackground: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disease characterized by bilateral stenosis starting at the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA), with the development of a collateral network of vessels. It is an established cause of stroke in the pediatric age group. Despite its increasing prevalence in various parts of the world, it remains largely underrecognized in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq. This is the first case of MMD in an Iraqi patient undergoing surgery. Case description: A 12-year-old boy presents with a 3-months history of progressive behavioural changes. MRI revealed diffuse infarcts of different ages. MRA and CT angiography revealed extensive asymmetrical steno-occlusive changes of t
... Show MoreExperiments were carried out to investigate natural convection heat transfer in an inclined uniformly heated circular cylinder . The effects of surface heat flux and angle of inclination on the temperature and local Nusselt number variations along the cylinder surface are discussed . The investigation covers heat flux range from 92 W/m² to 487 W/m², and angles of inclination 0° ( horizontal) , 30° , 60° and 90° (vertical) . Results show an increase in the natural convection as heat flux increases and as angle of inclination moves from vertical to horizontal position. An empirical equation of average Nusselt number as a function of Rayliegh number was deduced for each angle of inclination .
Survivin, a member of inhibitor of apoptosis family is increasingly used as a target for cancer therapy design because it has a key role in cell growth and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Also it can be used as a biomarker for targeting cancer because it is found in almost all cancer but not normal cells. Our strategy was to design (computationally) a molecule to be used as survivin inhibitor. This molecule was named lead10 and was used furthermore to find (virtually) existing drugs with a good survivin inhibition activity.
The current research attempts to find a feed additive that enhances fish growth and eliminate toxins generated from fungi and mold, which are found in improperly manufactured and stored feed, while ensuring the safety of these fish meat for the consumer. Therefore, the organic properties of chitosan powder were examined in order to determine its impact on maturation of young
Plentiful of healthcare practice is based on a disease/treatment approach rather than a prevention one. That is, the predominant focus is on treating existing symptoms and conditions that bring the patient to healthcare setting. There is no doubt about the significance of this approach for acute conditions, but there is some question whether this is the most efficient and effective way of distributing healthcare for increasing number of diseases and limited resources.
The evidences from everywhere have showed the profound cost benefit of prevention in healthcare practice. Healthy community, therefore, is the ultimate aim in any health services planning. The priority of care giver is shifted now to promote health and prevent
... Show MoreFrom different hospitals in Baghdad city, 25 clinical isolates of Proteus spp. were collected from different clinical samples, all isolates were identified as Proteus mirabilis by using bacteriological and biochemical assays in addition to Vitek-2 identification system. 15 (60%) isolates were identifying as Proteus mirabilis. The susceptibility of P. mirabilis isolates towards cefotaxime and ceftazidime was (66.6 %), (20%) consecutively; while extended spectrum β-lactamases producing P. mirabilis percentage was (30.7 %). Because blaVEB-1 was documented as an important indicator for increasing risk of extended spectrum beta ßlactamases producing P. mirabilis isolates that began to spread from many geographic area to Far east which inc
... Show MoreBackground: The study was designed for the assessment of the knowledge of medical students regarding pandemics. In the current designed study, the level of awareness was checked and the majority of students were found aware of SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov2 (Covid-19).
Objective: To assess the awareness of SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov2 (Covid-19) among medical students of Pakistan.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in different universities of Pakistan from May to August 2020. A self-constructed questionnaire by Pursuing the clinical and community administration of COVID-19 given by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China was used am
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