The Role of Lactoferrin and Adenosin De Aminase Enzyme in Thyroiditis (single and multiple nodule goiters) Iraqi Pateints

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional iron-binding protein present in several mucosal secretions as well as in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Anti-lactoferrin antibodies, which belong to anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have been described in several immunomediated diseases. A total of 60 nodular and multi-nodular goiter patients, their age ranged from (22-71) years, attending the Medical City\Surgery department and Dijlah Private Hospital, during the period from August 2010 -April 2011. In addition, twenty healthy (controls), matched patients for age, were also included in the study. The study was conducted for the detection of serum level of anti- lactoferrin antibodies by using immunometric enzyme immunoassay. While (ADA) enzyme activity was measured by the method of (Giusti, 1981), also Protein ratio was measured by the method of (Bradford, 1976). Anti- lactoferrin antibodies were detected in 14 (23.33%) patients, which was significantly higher than that in normal individuals (p value 0.01) and the mean of positive cases was (4.473 ± 0.206) compared to the  negative cases which was (23.676 ± 2.137) (P value 0.001). (ADA) enzyme showed an increasing in mean value (4.56A ± 1.27) in patients, compared to controls (1.18 B ± 0.49). Total protein was detecting with high values and significant difference between patients (21.99B ± 0.33 gm/100ml) and control group (8.37A ± 1.31 gm/100ml). Where the normal value of the total protein is (6.4–8.3) gram per deciliter (g/dL). We conclude that anti-lactoferrin antibodies could be detected in patients with thyroiditis (single and multiple nodule goiters) in addition to elevatet level of  (ADA) enzyme and often total protein in the same patients. Keywords: Thyroiditis, Single and multiple nodule goiters, Lactoferrin, Adenosin De Aminase enzyme, protein

The 43GHz SiO maser in the circumstellar envelope of the AGB star R Cassiopeiae

We present multi-epoch, total intensity, high-resolution images of 43GHz, v=1, J=1-0 SiO maser emission toward the Mira variable R Cas. In total we have 23 epochs of data for R Cas at approximate monthly intervals over an optical pulsation phase range from 0.158 to 1.78. These maps show a ring-like distribution of the maser features in a shell, which is assumed to be centred on the star at a radius of 1.6 to 2.3 times the stellar radii. It is clear from these images that the maser emission is significantly extended around the star. At some epochs a faint outer arc can be seen at 2.2 stellar radii. The intensity of the emission waxes and wanes during the stellar phase. Some maser features are seen infalling as well as outflowing. We have made initial comparisons of our data with models by Gray et. al. (2009).Comment: 12 pages, 14 figure

Autoantibodies Status of Leishmanial Patients in Iraq

A total of 145 leishmaniasis Iraqi patients were collected from suspected cases and 30 healthy control. Based on skin smear examination and serum samples analysis, the patients were distributed into two clinical groups: 30 cutaneous leishmaniasis and 30 visceral leishmaniasis patients. The study was conducted for the detection of 17 types of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) in studied groups, 10 types including (anti-ds-DNA, anti-Nucleosome, anti-SmD1, anti-PCNA, anti-SS-A/Ro60kD, anti-SS-A/Ro52kD, anti-SS-B/La, anti-CENP-B, anti-Mi-2 and anti-Ku antibodies), showed significant differences (P?0.05), (P?0.01) in the two groups, while 7 types which were non-significant included (anti-histones, anti-ribosomal P0, anti-Scl70, anti-U1-snRNP, anti-AMA M2, anti-Jo1 and anti-PM-Scl antibodies). With respect to the Anti-cardiolipin IgG antibodies (aCL), it showed a significant increased level in the serum of VL patients (P?0.01) as compared with control group (8.123 vs. 1.959), also as compared with CL patients (8.123 vs. 2.402). As for CL patients, also there was a significant difference (P?0.01) (2.402 vs. 8.123) when compared with VL patients, but no significant variations (2.402 vs. 1.959) were observed in compare with control group. We conclude that Leishmaniasis in iraqi patients may be considered as a cause autoimmune diseases as in case of inflammatory myopathies (IM), and the pathgenesis of human myositis, especially in VL which contributes in the immunological alterations associated with muscle damage. Keywords: Leishmania species, autoantibodies, antinuclear antibodies, anticardiolipin

The Immunological Effectiveness of Some Common Plants

Three plant species were picked randomly and their alcoholic extracts have been screened to know their effects on the phagocytic capability and intracellular killing of yeast by human peripheral macrophages. Macrophage cultures were incubated with different concentration of each plant extract: for 15 min., 30 min .and 45 min. The phagocytes activity in Iresine herbstii extract was significantly (p?0.05) increased with increasing dose and time of incubation. In Mentha piperita extract, increasing in dose and time of incubation leads to elevate phagocytic capbility, especially in the dose of 20% and 25% of plant extract, perhaps because the antimicrobial and antiviral activities of this plant, as well as strong antioxidant and antitumor actions. While in Elettaria cardamomum, a significant elevation has been observed in phagocytic efficiency when the dose of extract increase to 15%, then decreased in the subsequent doses (20% and 25%), in three periods of time. These findings may suggest that cardamom exert immunomodulatory roles

Hepatitis C Virus among Iraqi Patients on Renal Dialysis, Some Immunological Profiles

Back ground: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common chronic liver disease at present, and HCV infection is found with variable prevalence in dialysis populations in different parts of the world. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of sialic acid and immunoglobulins level in the sera of patients with chronic renal failure whom infected with Hepatitis C virus, and the effect of hemodialysis on them. Patients&Methods: Regarding to this aim, total sialic acid levels (TSA) and immunoglobulins level were studied on the blood samples of 20 patients with chronic renal failure + Hepatitis C virus (positive group) and 20 patients with chronic renal failure (negative group) and 20 healthy volunteers. Serum TSA determinations were carried out by the resorcinol method. Results: In (positive group), the mean of TSA concentration (after hemodialysis treatment) was 68 ± 2.9 mg/dl, and the mean of TSA concentration in (negative group) was 110.7 ±7.5 mg/dl, while the mean TSA level in healthy control group was 58.3 ± 1.7 mg/dl. Also, this study aimed to assess serum concentration of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM and IgA. Serum IgG was increased in patients of (positive group) and (negative group) with respect to control healthy (6.1, 5.5, 5.4 respectively) (p<0.05).There was no significant difference between the third groups in serum IgM concentration (6.6, 6, 6.2 respectively).Also in serum IgA concentration (5.8, 6, 5.5 respectively). Conclusion: We conclude that the TSA levels in the first groups both were found to be significantly elevated as compared to control levels (p<0.05), and Hepatitis C virus are linked to selective increase of serum IgG

Risk Factors with Porcelain Laminate Veneers Experienced during Cementation: A Review

The clinical success of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) depends on many clinical and technical factors, from planning to execution, among which adhesive cementation is of significant importance. This procedure carries many risk factors if not optimally executed. The objective of this study was to document the clinical parameters affecting successful cementation procedures with a focus on the adhesive strength, integrity, and esthetics of the PLVs. A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, complemented by a hand search using predefined keywords. Articles published in English between 1995 and 2023 were selected. According to this review, the success and longevity of PLVs rely in great part on the implementation of a precise cementation technique, starting from field isolation, adequate materials selection for adhesion, proper manipulation of the materials, the seating of the veneers, polymerization, and elimination of the excess cement. Several clinical steps performed before cementation, including treatment planning, preparation, impression, and adequate choice of the restorative material, could affect the quality of cementation. Scientific evidence suggests careful implementation of this process to achieve predictable outcomes with PLVs. The short- and long-term clinical success of adhesively luted PLVs is tributary to a deep understanding of the materials used and the implementation of clinical protocols. It is also contingent upon all the previous steps from case selection, treatment planning, and execution until and after the cementation

Risk Factors with Porcelain Laminate Veneers Experienced during Cementation: A Review.

The clinical success of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) depends on many clinical and technical factors, from planning to execution, among which adhesive cementation is of significant importance. This procedure carries many risk factors if not optimally executed. The objective of this study was to document the clinical parameters affecting successful cementation procedures with a focus on the adhesive strength, integrity, and esthetics of the PLVs. A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, complemented by a hand search using predefined keywords. Articles published in English between 1995 and 2023 were selected. According to this review, the success and longevity of PLVs rely in great part on the implementation of a precise cementation technique, starting from field isolation, adequate materials selection for adhesion, proper manipulation of the materials, the seating of the veneers, polymerization, and elimination of the excess cement. Several clinical steps performed before cementation, including treatment planning, preparation, impression, and adequate choice of the restorative material, could affect the quality of cementation. Scientific evidence suggests careful implementation of this process to achieve predictable outcomes with PLVs. The short- and long-term clinical success of adhesively luted PLVs is tributary to a deep understanding of the materials used and the implementation of clinical protocols. It is also contingent upon all the previous steps from case selection, treatment planning, and execution until and after the cementation

Validation of the Antiproliferative Effects of Organic Extracts from the Green Husk of Juglans regia L. on PC-3 Human Prostate Cancer Cells by Assessment of Apoptosis-Related Genes

With the increased use of plant-based cancer chemotherapy, exploring the antiproliferative effects of phytochemicals for anticancer drug design has gained considerable attention worldwide. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of walnut green husk extracts on cell proliferation and to determine the possible molecular mechanism of extract-induced cell death by quantifying the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspases-3, and Tp53. PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. In this study, we found that green husk extracts suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner by modulating expression of apoptosis-related genes. This involved DNA fragmentation (determined by TUNEL assay) and significant changes in levels of mRNA and the expression of corresponding proteins. An increase in expressions of Bax, caspase-3, and tp53 genes and their corresponding proteins was detected using real-time PCR and western blot analysis in PC-3 cells treated with the green husk organic extracts. In contrast, Bcl2 expression was downregulated after exposure to the extracts. Our data suggest the presence of bioactive compound(s) in walnut green husks that are capable of killing prostate carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis and that the husks are a candidate source of anticancer drugs

Nutrition Situation Analysis in the UAE: A Review Study

This review study aimed to assess the nutrition situation in the UAE using published data from 2010 to 2022. It highlights the gaps and challenges that prevail in addressing the nutrition-related problems in the UAE and the opportunities that have been overlooked. The available literature indicates that the UAE is burdened with more than one form of nutrition-related problems, including being underweight, being overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. It is clear that data on micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related diseases among the UAE population are extremely scarce. The UAE has a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes; however, limited studies have been conducted to document this nutritional phenomenon. Few examples of published data are available assessing the burden of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under five years of age. Despite the importance of protein-energy malnutrition, no recent publications analyze its prevalence within the UAE population. Therefore, future studies must be conducted, focusing on malnutrition. Based on the literature, and bearing in mind the magnitude of the health issues due to the UAE population\u27s nutrition negligence, there is an urgent need to assess the population\u27s nutrient behaviors, to aid policy decision-makers in developing and implementing effective health policies and strategies

On imbalances in oriented multipartite graphs

Abstract. An oriented k-partite graph(multipartite graph) is the result of assigning a direction to each edge of a simple k-partite graph. Let D(V 1 , V 2 , · · · , V k ) be an oriented k-partite graph, and let d as the imbalance of the vertex v ij . In this paper, we characterize the imbalances of oriented k-partite graphs and give a constructive and existence criteria for sequences of integers to be the imbalances of some oriented k-partite graph. Also, we show the existence of an oriented k-partite graph with the given imbalance set