Al-Kufa University Journal for Biology

Background: The chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, is an effective therapeutic agent used for treating patients with B- cell disorders, however there is a significant variation in therapy response among patients and relapse is common. Furthermore, it is unclear why a class of patients is initially not responding and other responding become refractory and later resistant to further treatment.
Aim: To study the significance of serum anti- rituximab antibodies in the patients initially responding to the treatment and became refractory and resistant to the treatment.
Patients and Methods: Serum samples were obtained from forty two patients with B- cells disorders after getting their consent, the serum samples were tested for the serum anti- rituximab antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). They received rituximab at initial dose of 375 mg/m2 and a maintenance dose of 500 mg/m2. The serum samples were obtained from each patient after subsequent doses of treatment.
Results: The patients’ ages ranged between 20 -80 years. The response rate 50 days after treatment initiation was 40(95%). During the first year of treatment, the complete remission was found in 33(75%) of the patients and 9(21%) of the patients developed the non responsiveness to treatment. The serum level of anti- rituximab antibodies was detected among 15(36%) of the patients, only 2(22%) of them were among the 9 patients who developed the treatment non responsiveness and the other 13(39%) were among the complete remission patients with no significant difference statistically.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these results indicate that there was no significant association between the level of the serum anti rituximab antibodies and the response to rituximab treatment.
Recommendations: We recommend to include a lager sample size of patients receiving retuximab for treating diseases other than B cells disorders rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and multiple sclerosis patients.

Background : Migraine and epilepsy are among the commonest neurological diseases observed in outpatient neurological settings؛although still incompletely clarified, the possible existence of a link between migraine and epilepsy has long been debated .Patinas and methods :This is a clinical study designed to illustrate the relationship between epilepsy and migraine by history and clinical examination .One hundred twenty five patients had epilepsy consulting the outpatient neurology clinic of Tikrit Teaching Hospital in Tikrit city, 24 patients from them suffering from migraine, Were included in this study from November 2011 to August 2012.Results: This study had been carried out from November 2011 to August 2012. Following the criteria of the (HIS), 125 patients Known as epileptic 24 patients have migraine, with female to male ration of 2.4: 1 the peak age at presentation was 35 –54 years old age. Migraine without aura was found in 66.60% , Migraine with aura was found 33.40% .the study show that the phonophobia was highest symptoms (75%), stress (physical activity) were the most common precipitating factors, that represent (79%) , while the proportion of postictal headache was the highest, which represent (83.34%), carbamazepine was the most drug used by patients about 11(45.8%) cases.While the partial epilepsy was most common type which represent (75%).Conclusions: from the results study, it can be concluded that: prevalence of migraine in epilepsy is (19.2%), incidence in females higher than males, the peak incidence was in 4th-6th decade .physical activity is the most triggers factor, while phonophobia was the most associated symptoms. common type of migraine was more than classic type, also headache poetically was more prevalent that preictaly.

This study emphasized on the detection and identification of Artimisinin flavonoid in Artemisia herba alba , the medicinal importment acquired this study it is importment Artimisinin was identified in plant extract of aerial parts by chromatographic methods Gas chromatochraphy and mass spectro (GC/MS) this technique the identified active compunds and High performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) this the technique the proved the presence of Artimisinin concentratin in flavonoid extract by identical retention time .

In this study One hundred honey bee worker were collected from two sites in AL-Diwanyia Governorate include Eastern Hamza and AL-Daghara city during April 2017. to detect antioxidant role of some bacteria isolated from honey bee gut workers against Ochratoxin.
Based on biochemical tests, the results show that out of one hundred samples of honey bee workers were screened, only Seventy isolates were isolated ,and the genera lactic acid bacteria ( Lactobacillus kunkeei ,lactobacillus plantrum and lactococus lactis) were highly abundant in honey bee gut . we examined protective role of Lactobacillus kunkeei in reduce histological effects of Ochratoxin A, the results showed treated animals with L. kunkeei. mixed with OTA showing not found any histopathological changes in liver and kidney.while treated animals with OTA only appear several pathological changes ,in kidney tissue this changes include :vascular congestion , dystrophy and the disappearance of the glomerulus in addition to cell necrosis of glomerulus.and cell necrosis, vascular congestion and loss of normal structure of liver. Lactobacillus kunkeei isolated from honey bee appear good protective role against histological effect of OTA and may safely improve immune responsiveness. This is the first report for detection of protective role of honey bee bacteria against OTA .and this bacteria appear good role in degradation of mycotoxin.therfore we recommended for detection of LD50 and LD90 for this bacteria and use as supplement drugs for mycotoxicosis

This study highlights the effects of iron overload on endocrine glands (Thyroid gland), kidney functions and liver functions in thalassemia patients in Najaf province in Iraq.
One hundred patients suffering from thalassemia were contributed in the current study. Their age range was 3-18 years old. Thirty apparently healthy person were nominated as "control group". Serum iron , liver functions test (AST,ALT,ALP,TSB) and Kidney functions test (Uera& Creatinine) were measured spectrophotometrically while Serum ferritin, was measured using ELISA, Thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) estimation by Using(I-Chroma instrument)
The results indicated significant increase (p<0.05) in iron , ferritin and TSB in patients in comparing with healthy control group while liver functions test (AST,ALT,ALP ) and Kidney functions test (Uera& Creatinin) were no significant. We conclude from this study that Thalassemia patients in Najaf city are exposed to the risk of overload and the risk of oxidation. . thalassmic patients are susceptible to tissue damage produced by "oxidative stress". There is no statistically significant correlation noticed between each serum AST,ALT,TSB, Uera and Creatinin with iron status The reason is that these patients continue treatment(Defroxamin) that reduces iron levels in their bodies.