(1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different forms of sleeping disorders have been reported, such as sleepiness, insomnia, changes in sleeping latency, and others. (2) Methods: A case-control study with 62 patients who were victims of mild or moderate TBI with previous admissions to Iraqi tertiary neurosurgical centers were enrolled as the first group, and 158 patients with no history of trauma were considered as the control. All were 18 years of age or older, and the severity of the trauma and sleep disorders was assessed. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep disorders with average need for sleep per day and average sleep latency were assessed in both groups. Chi-square and t-test calculations were used to compare different variables. (3) Results: 39 patients (24.7%) of the controlled group experienced sleeping disorders compared to TBI group with 45 patients (72.6%), P-value < 0.00001. A total of 42 patients were diagnosed on admission as having a mild degree of TBI (mean GCS 13.22 ± 1.76) and 20 patients were diagnosed with moderate TBI (mean GCS11.05 ± 1.14. 27). A total of 27 (46.28%) patients with mild severity TBI and 18 patients (90%) of moderate severity were considered to experience sleeping disorders, P-value 0.0339. Each of the mild and moderate TBI subgroups show a P-value < 0.00001 compared to the control group. Average sleep hours needed per day for TBI and the control were 8.02 ± 1.04 h and 7.26 ± 0.58 h, respectively, P-value < 0.00001. Average sleep latency for the TBI and the control groups were 13.32 ± 3.16 min and 13.93 ± 3.07 min respectively, P-value 0.065. (4) Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are more common following mild and moderate TBI three months after the injury with more hours needed for sleep per day and no significant difference in sleep latency. Sleep disturbances increase in frequency with the increase in the severity of TBI.
Background: A diverse group of bacteria live in biofilms in the oral cavity. On dental surfaces biofilms form plaque that is potentially involved in caries and periodontal diseases. Periodic studying of plaque microflora and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns strongly affects the clinical practice in plaque-induced oral diseases. Materials and methods: Dental plaque samples were collected from 22 patients having ages ranged between 33 and 49 years with gingivitis that met the study criteria. Plaque, gingival and gingival bleeding indices (PI, GI, GBI) were measured for each patient. Laboratory procedures included microbiological examination of plaque samples followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing using disc diffusion method were
... Show MoreThis paper reports test results and describes a numerical investigation of the effectiveness of using carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabrics for strengthening concrete cylinders that have been undamaged and damaged due to heating under preload. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether there is any difference in the performance of CFRP-wrapped cylinders if the wrapping is done under preload, and those for which neither heating, cooling nor wrapping was done under preload. The cylinders were exposed to 30% of maximum load at ambient temperature during heating and cooling before being wrapped under preload. Of 18 Ø 100 × 200 mm identical cylinders, 6 were left as control samples without heating, 12 were exposed t
... Show MoreSolid dispersion (SD) is one of the most widely used methods to resolve issues accompanied by poorly soluble drugs. The present study was carried out to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of Aceclofenac (ACE), a BCS class II drug with pH-dependent solubility, by the SD method. Effervescent assisted fusion technique (EFSD) using different hydrophilic carriers (mannitol, urea, Soluplus®, poloxamer 188, and poloxamer 407) in the presence of an effervescent base (sodium bicarbonate and citric acid) in different drug: carrier: effervescent base ratio and the conventional fusion technique (FSD) were used to prepare ACE SD. Solubility, dissolution rate, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), PowderX-ray diffraction
... Show MoreCoffee is the most essential drink today, aside from water, the high consumption of coffee and the byproducts of its soluble industries such as spent coffee grounds can have a negative effect on the environment as a source of toxic organic compounds. Therefore, caffeine removal from the spent coffee ground can be applied as a method to limit the effect of its production on the environment. The aim of this study is to determine the kinetics and thermodynamics parameters and develop models for both processes based on the process parameters by using traditional solid-liquid extraction and Ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. The processes were performed at a temperature range of 25 to 55 °C for traditional and ultrasound baths, and
... Show MoreApparent molar volume, V?, and viscosity B-coefficient of nicotinc acid in water and in aqueous NaCl solutions have been determined from density and viscosity measurements at (293.15, 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15) K. The experimental density data were evaluated by Masson equation, and the derived, apparent molar volume at infinite dilution, Vo?, and the slope Sv, were interpreted in term of solute-solvent and solute- solute interactions. Transfer apparent molar volumes at infinite dilution of nicotinic acid from water to NaCl solutions at various temperatures have been calculated.The viscosity data have been analyzed using Jones-Dole equation, and the derived parameters, Jones-Dolecoefficient, B,and Falkenhagen coefficient,A, have been also in
... Show MoreThe research aim at identifying the time of motor response to auditory and visual stimuli as well as identifying the accuracy of blocking and finding the relationship between motor repose time and blocking accuracy. The community was (7) primer soccer league of 2019 – 2020 and the subjects were (24) volleyball players from Al Jaish and Al Shorta clubs ten players from Al Shorta club performed the pilot study. The researchers used the descriptive method and the data was collected and treated using SPSS. The results showed a significant relationship between response time and blocking accuracy. The researchers recommended concentrating on applying scientific principles for developing time of motor response in a manner suitable for bl
... Show MoreBackground: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine illnesses affecting reproductive - age women. L-carnitine has important roles in oxidative stress, energy production and glucose metabolism. It affects insulin resistance as decreased plasma carnitine level has been well reported in type II diabetes mellitus. Hence, it means L-carnitine may reduce insulin resistance which is found in PCO disease. Objective: This study aims to measure the level of L-carnitine and insulin resistance in both obese and non- obese patients with PCOS. Patients and Methods: Sixty women within the reproductive age with PCOS (30 obese and 30 non- obese) were recruited from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic in Baghdad T
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