Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material due to its superior biomechanical strength. However, due to its hydrophobic nature and lack of cellular adhesion properties, it has poor integration with bone tissue. Methods: A fractional CO2 laser was used with various parameters for surface texturing of PEEK substrate to enhance its surface properties. An optical microscope and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were used to examine the surface morphology of untextured and laser-textured samples. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was performed to determine the effect of the laser on the microstructure of PEEK. Surface microroughness, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and wettability were investigated. Results: There were significant increases in microroughness, nanoroughness, surface area ratio, and wettability after laser texturing with no change in the elemental composition. The best results were obtained by using 400 µs laser pulse duration with a dot separation distance of 0.2 mm and a 60° staggered dots pattern. Conclusions: Laser surface texturing of PEEK implant material by fractional CO2 laser is an easy and fast method of introducing patterned topographical features with no need for additional devices. With further investigations, this method of PEEK modification might have the potential to be used in the implant field.
Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic research has been employed to find many of the missing connections between genetic risk variations and causal genetic components. Objective: The goal of this study is to look at the genetic variations of TNF-α and interleukins in Iraqi RA patients and see how they relate to disease severity or response to biological therapy. Method: Using specific keywords, the authors conducted a systematic and comprehensive search to identify relevant Iraqi studies examining the genetic variations of TNF-α and interleukins in Iraqi RA patients and how they relate to disease severity or response to biolo
... Show MoreBackground: Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL9) has an important role recruiting the T-lymphocytes and immune response after infection by inducing T-cells accumulation around the areas associated with infections. However, this role is poorly known in relation with Toxoplasma gondii infection and also in association with thyroid hormones, which the present study is focused on. Methods: Eighty-seven women were included in this study for the period between September 2021 and February 2022. Blood samples of uninfected healthy pregnant, in addition to aborted and pregnant women infected with toxoplasmosis, were collected. Sera were then obtained and stored at -10°C. Toxo-latex agglutination test was done, followed by detec
... Show MoreBackground: Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL9) has an important role recruiting the T-lymphocytes and immune response after infection by inducing T-cells accumulation around the areas associated with infections. However, this role is poorly known in relation with Toxoplasma gondii infection and also in association with thyroid hormones, which the present study is focused on.
Methods: Eighty-seven women were included in this study for the period between September 2021 and February 2022. Blood samples of uninfected healthy pregnant, in addition to aborted and pregnant women infected with toxoplasmosis, were collected. Sera were then obtained and stored at -10°C. Toxo-latex a
... Show MoreThe study has tackled three important variables on the strategic and organizational level, that are : (Administrative skill, strategic Entrepreneurship and organizational flexibility). Through the statistical analysis is, the research hers have sought to identify the relation among them. The study has been applied on a sample of (44) private banks in Iraq. A questionnaire, which has been designed according to a number of international standards, has been used. It's made of (29) items that cover the three variables to test their hypotheses. A number of statistical tools have been used A number of conclusion have been reached and recommendations have also been suggested.
The research aims mainly to the role of the statement style costs on the basis of activity based on performance (PFABC) to reduce production cost and improve the competitive advantage of economic units and industrial under the modern business environment dominated by a lot of developments and changes rapidly, which necessitates taking them and criticize them to ensure survival and continuity. The research problem is the inability of traditional cost methods of providing useful information to the departments of units to take many administrative decisions, particularly decisions related to the product and calculating the costs of the quality of the sound and the availability of the need and the ability to replace methods capa
... Show MoreThe climate parameters (rainfall, number of rainy days and temperature) data for about seventy years from 1941 – 2009 for three Iraqi meteorological stations (Diwaniya, Nasiriya, and Kut) were investigated and gave good evidence of climate change. As well as the climatic water balance and the climatic conditions were determined at Karbala meteorological station for the years (1982-2015). The annual precipitation for Karbala station-reflect declination from 105 mm for the period 1982-1990 to about 71 mm for the years 2011- 2015 confirms the effect of global climate change. Analyzing Karbala climate parameters reflects that the total annual rainfall is (89 mm), evaporation is (2984 mm), while the mean monthly relative humi
... Show MoreOur study comes up to clarify the role of television in spreading the culture of violence with a child. This study represents one of the important studies that have tried to highlight the impact of these programmes, particularly cartoons, on the child's behaviors, actions and acquired habits.Violence considers a common phenomenon among the people, as the role of the media, particularly TV has a vital role due to its properties, characteristics and its significant impact on different segments and groups in society and in children particularly through exposure to programmes of films.The results of the study have been affected by the rising proportion of females to males, and that the contribution of real life has a big role in the child ac
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