This comprehensive review examines the efficacy and safety of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors in treating various autoimmune diseases, and focuses on their application in Iraqi patients. Elevated TNF-α levels are linked to autoimmune disorders, leading to the development of anti-TNF-α therapies such as infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab, which have gained FDA approval for conditions like psoriasis, in¬flammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. While these therapies demonstrate sig¬nificant therapeutic benefits, including improved quality of life and disease management, they also carry risks, such as increased susceptibility to infections and potential malignancies. The review highlights the variable patient re¬sponses to TNF-α inhibitors, influenced by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors as well as genetic varia¬tions. The rise of anti-drug antibodies and inadequate drug concentrations are common challenges observed, empha¬sizing the need for therapeutic drug monitoring. Safety profiles of TNF-α inhibitors are generally favorable, but adverse effects (including infections and infusion reactions) have been reported. Genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in the TNF-α gene, may also play a role in the treatment responsiveness and adverse effects, suggesting the potential for personalized medicine approaches. While TNF-α inhibitors effectively manage autoimmune diseases in Iraqi pa¬tients, further research is warranted in order to optimize treatment strategies, assess long-term safety, and explore genetic influences on therapy outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of individualized treatment plans so as to enhance the efficacy and minimize the risks associated with these biologic therapies.
Background The traditional management of appendicular mass is an initial conservative treatment followed by interval appendectomy. Recently interval appendicectomy has been questioned.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the need and the role of interval appendicectomy after successful initial conservative treatment.
Method: This is a prospective study conducted in a major hospital in Basra from April 2006 to Septemper2010, included 65 patients with appendicular mass which subsequently proved postinflammmatory (phlegmonous) changes of the appendix were treated conservatively.
Results: Routine interval appendicectomy was not performed and needed after successful treatment in the majority of the patients (84.6%). F
The main objective of this paper is to study the behavior of Non-Prismatic Reinforced Concrete (NPRC) beams with and without rectangular openings either when exposed to fire or not. The experimental program involves casting and testing 9 NPRC beams divided into 3 main groups. These groups were categorized according to heating temperature (ambient temperature, 400°C, and 700°C), with each group containing 3 NPRC beams (solid beams and beams with 6 and 8 trapezoidal openings). For beams with similar geometry, increasing the burning temperature results in their deterioration as reflected in their increasing mid-span deflection throughout the fire exposure period and their residual deflection after cooling. Meanwhile, the existing ope
... Show MoreBacterial water pollution is a genuine general wellbeing concern since it causes various maladies. Antimicrobial nanofibers can be integrated by incorporating nanobiocides, for example, silver nanoparticles into nanofibers. Nylon 6 was dissolved in formic acid at a concentration of (25 wt. %) and tough antibacterial (AgNO3/Nylon) nanofibers were produced utilizing electrospinning system. Polymer solution was tested before accomplishing electrospinning process to acquire its surface tension, electric conductivity and viscosity, where every one of those parameters increased relatively with increasing concentration of (AgNO3) additions. SEM and EDX spectra were utilized to focus on the morphology, surface elemental mem
... Show MoreThe optimum design is characterized by structural concrete components that can sustain loads well beyond the yielding stage. This is often accomplished by a fulfilled ductility index, which is greatly influenced by the arrangement of the shear reinforcement. The current study investigates the impact of the shear reinforcement arrangement on the structural response of the deep beams using a variety of parameters, including the type of shear reinforcement, the number of lacing bars, and the lacing arrangement pattern. It was found that lacing reinforcement, as opposed to vertical stirrups, enhanced the overall structural response of deep beams, as evidenced by test results showing increases in ultimate loads, yielding, and cracking of
... Show MoreRadiotherapy is medical use of ionizing radiation, and commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control cell growth. The amount of radiation used in photon radiation therapy called dose (measured in grey unit), which depend on the type and stage of cancer being treated. In our work, we studied the dose distribution given to the tumor at different depths (zero-20 cm) treated with different field size (4×4- 23×23 cm). Results show that the deeper treated area has less dose rate at the same beam quality and quantity. Also it has been noted increasing in the field increasing in the depth dose at the same depth even if the radiation energy is constant. Increasing in radiation dose attributed to the scattere
... Show MoreThe present study aims at examining quantitatively the morphometric characteristics of Iziana Valley basin that is located in the northern part of Iraq; particularly in south of Erbil Governorate. This basin is considered one of the small sub-basins where its valleys run on formations of the Triple and Quadrant Ages, which are represented by the Bay Hassan formations, and the sediments and mixed sediments of the cliffs, respectively. The area of the Iziana basin amounts to (36.39 km2) whereas the percentage of its rotation reaches (0.17); a low percentage, which indicates that the basin diverges from the circular to the rectangular shape. The value of the elongation ratio of the basin reaches (0.38) while the terrain rat
... Show MoreCongenital adrenal hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive disorders. The most frequent one is 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Analyzing