Background: The use of electronic apex locators for working length determination eliminates many of the problems associated with the radiographic measurements (interference of anatomical structures, errors in projection such as elongation or shortening, and lack of three-dimensional representation). Its most important advantage over radiography is that it measures the length of the root canal to the apical constriction, not to the radiographic apex. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a new fifth generation apex locator (Joypex 5) in recording the apical constriction and comparing it with a third generation apex locator (Root ZX) in vitro. Materials and method: Twenty four single-rooted sound human premolars, extracted for the purpose of orthodontic treatment and with fully-formed roots, were used in this study. Endodontic access cavity was prepared in each tooth and canal patency up to the apical foramen was checked with a #15 stainless steel K-file. No root canal preparation was performed. Root canal length measurement was done directly and electronically using two apex locators (Joypex 5 and Root ZX). Direct measurement of the root canal length was done by introducing a #15 K-file inside the root canal until its tip was just visible at the apical foramen, then removed from the root canal and its length was measured (in mm) and subtracted by 0.5 mm. For electronic measurement, the teeth were fixed in a sponge soaked in saline and the root canals were also filled with saline. The lip electrode was attached to the sponge and the apex locators were used according to the manufacturers' instructions. The file holder was clipped to the metal shaft of a #15 K-file and the file was then inserted inside the root canal and advanced until the display reading on the LCD of the apex locator was "0.5". The file was then removed from the root canal and its length was measured (in mm). The differences between the readings of each apex locator and the actual length of each canal were computed, and the results were analyzed statistically by paired t-test using SPSS Version 13. Results: The results of this study showed that the Joypex 5 apex locator showed a lower mean difference than the Root ZX apex locator as compared with the actual length, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Concerning the accuracy of the two apex locators, Joypex 5 apex locator recorded the apical constriction exactly in 67%, while the Root ZX apex locator in only 25%. Within ±0.5 mm from the actual length, the accuracy of the Joypex 5 and the Root ZX were 83% and 67%, respectively. Within ±1 mm from the actual length, the accuracy of the Joypex 5 and the Root ZX were 100% and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: The Joypex 5 apex locator which is a fifth generation apex locator was more accurate in recording the apical constriction as compared with the Root ZX apex locator which is a third generation apex locator.
Background: Lateral cephalometric radiography is commonly used as a standard tool in orthodontic assessment and treatment planning. This study aimed to determine the tongue and surrounding space area in a sample of Iraqi adults with class I dental and skeletal pattern. Materials and methods: The study included thirty healthy subjects (15 males and 15 females) with an age ranged between 23-34 years and class I dental and skeletal pattern with no history of any sleep related disorders. The assessed cephalometric measurement included length and height of the tongue and position of hyoid bone from cervical line. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the data. Genders difference was evaluated by independent sample t-test. Results: There wer
... Show MoreBackground: While warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used to manage thromboembolic events, they possess several features that impact adherence. Objective: To assess medication adherence and self-efficacy in patients receiving warfarin or DOAC treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Ibn Al-Bitar Hospital in Baghdad from December 2022 to May 2023 on patients receiving either warfarin or DOACs. The Arabic version of the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) questionnaire and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale (SES6C) questionnaire were used to assess adherence and self-efficacy. Results: 181 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 56.9% received warfarin an
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The Central Marshes are one of southern Iraq's most important wetlands and ecosystems. A study on evaluating soil quality and water quality in terms of chemical properties at certain sites in the southern Iraqi Central Marshes has been conducted to investigate their types and suitability for enhancing the agricultural reality of most field crops. Soil and water samples were collected from 15 sites and transferred to the laboratory. In the lab, the following parameters were determined: electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS), organic materials (OM), pH, gypsum, and total sulfate content (SO3). The tests conducted on the samples indicated that it could be said that the soil of the Central Marshes
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While many educators are highly focused on state test, it is important to consider that
over the course of a year, instructors can build in many opportunities to assess how learners
are learning. Therefore, assessment techniques are considered a good method to get benefit
for both instructors and learners in the process of teaching and learning. The sample consists
of 27 learners who participated in TOEFL training course in the Development and Continuous
Education Centre. Validity and reliability were verified.
To fulfill the aims and verify the hypothesis which reads as follows” It is hypothesized
that the TOEFL learners' scores will not be increased after TOEFL course training.” T-test
for two dependent samp
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Seventy five E. coli isolates were collected from urine of patients with urinary tract infections in AL-Kadhimia and AL-Yarmook teaching hospitals in Baghdad for a period between 22/11/2009 to 15/3/2010, from these samples twenty five isolates were selected according to their pattern of the highest resistance as these showing multi-drug resistances and tested to specify their minimum inhibitory concentration for (meropenem, gentamicin and amikacin), meropenem was found having the lowest MIC comparing with others. This study also includes in vitro effects of various combinations of three types of antimicrobials (meropenem, gentamicin and amikacin) against twenty five E. c
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We aimed to examine the effect of amoxicillin and azithromycin suspensions on the microhardness of sliver-reinforced glass ionomer and nano-resin modified glass ionomer (GI). Method: Thirty discs (2mm height x 4mm diameter) of each type of GI were prepared, which were randomly assigned to amoxicillin, azithromycin, and artificial saliva groups. Microhardness was evaluated by Vickers hardness test before and after three immersion cycles. Results: The overall model (P < 0.001), before/after intervention (P < 0.001), intervention group (type of antibiotic) (P=0.013), and type of glass ionomer (P < 0.001) showed significant differences among study groups (P < 0.001). Post hoc test showed only non-significant before/after difference for Azithrom
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Background: The present study was carried out to compare shear bond strength of sapphire bracket bonded to zirconium surface after using different methods of surface conditioning and assessment of the adhesive remnant index. Materials and methods: The sample composed of 40 zirconium specimens divided into four groups; the first group was the control, the second group was conditioned by sandblast with aluminum oxide particle 50 μm, the third and fourth group was treated by (Nd: YAG) laser (1064nm)(0.888 Watt for 5 seconds) for the 1st laser group and (0.444 Watt for 10 seconds) for the 2nd laser group. All samples were coated by z-prime plus primer. A central incisor sapphire bracket was bonded to all samples with light cure adhesive res
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We report here the observation of 16 µm superradiance laser action generated from optical pumping of CF4 gas molecules (which is cooled to 140 Kº by a boil-off liquid-N2) by a TEA-CO2 laser 9R12 line. Output laser pulses of 7 mJ and 200 ns have been obtained.
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