Publications by authors named "Rafat Ahmad"

Background: This study evaluated the effect of sertraline with desvenlafaxine and sertraline with mirtazapine on HAM-D score and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α levels) in major depressive disorder.

Methods: Patients (18-60 years) with MDD diagnosed by DSM-V criteria and HAM-D score 18 or more were included ( = 60). Group A patients ( = 30) received sertraline 50 mg/day and desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day.

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Background: Emerging hypotheses in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate the role of neurotrophic factors and inflammation. This study assessed the association between therapeutic response of bupropion and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with MDD.

Methods: Thirty patients (aged 18 to 60 years) with MDD diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria, with Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D) score ≥ 20 were included in the study.

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Elevated inflammation is a known risk factor in the pathogenesis of PTB. Despite intensive research, the etiology of idiopathic PTB is still unknown. The present study was designed to explore associations of blood concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with inflammatory/antioxidant gene expression, and cytokines and prostaglandin levels in PTB cases.

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Organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in 519 samples; comprising eggs, chicken and meat (lamb and beef), collected from Jordan were determined. All samples were analyzed for their residual contents of aldrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDTs), dieldrin, endosulfan isomers, endrin, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). The samples were Soxhlet extracted for 8h in 250mL petroleum ether.

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The use of aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has been banned in Jordan officially in 1981, and of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in 1995. However, residues of such compounds can still be found in the environment and in foodstuffs. Dairy products are an important exposure route for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) to humans.

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Objectives: Evaluation of immunological alterations in the blood of human lindane poisoning cases.

Design And Methods: Serum IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IL-2, IL-4, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma levels were measured using immunoassay in 20 human cases of lindane poisoning. The presence of lindane in blood was confirmed by HPLC.

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