Background: Treatment of malocclusions using removable orthodontic appliances may prepare new stagnant areas susceptible for colonization and retention of Candida species, therefore; the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of upper removable orthodontic appliances on the mucosal Candidal count in group of apparently healthy orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: Patients enrolled in this study were children aged 8-12 years having upper removable orthodontic appliances. Candidal counts at six mucosal sites were estimated using Imprint Culture method before, 14 and 28 days during orthodontic therapy. Results: Whole mouth and individual mucosal sites for Candidal counts increase significantly during treatment with upper remov

Background: Aggressive global pandemics such as COVID-19 can disrupt societies tragically, imposing a suspension to almost every field throughout the world; the orthodontic treatment and follow-up is no exemption. Objectives: To provide practical recommendations about resuming treatment for orthodontic patients during the “Return-to-Practice” phase and emphasize the validity of certain digital interceptive measures post global pandemics to minify the risk of infection spread. Materials and Methods: Sources of information pertaining to orthodontic/therapeutic implications during the COVID-19 pandemic were searched using electronic databases including COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19 2020), Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, M

Background: Coated archwires have been introduced to improve esthetics during orthodontic treatment. Theaim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the load–deflection characteristics and force levels of six brands of coated nickel titanium orthodontic archwires using palatal and gingival deflection. Materials and methods: Ten round wires (0.016 inch) and ten rectangular wires (0.019x0.025 inch) were obtained from each of six brands (G&H, Opal, Ortho Technology, Dany, Hubit and Astar Companies). The load-deflection properties of these archwires were evaluated by the modified bending test usinga readymade dental arch model in both palatal and gingival directions at 37°C temperature using a universal material testing machi

The hydrodynamics behavior of gas - solid fluidized beds is complex and it should be analyzed  and understood due to its importance in the design and operating of the units. The effect of column inside diameter and static bed height on the minimum fluidization velocity, minimum bubbling velocity, fluidization index, minimum slugging velocity and slug index have been studied experimentally and theoretically for three cylindrical columns of 0.0762, 0.15 and 0.18 m inside diameters  and 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09 m static bed heights .The experimental results showed that the minimum fluidization and bubbling velocities had a direct relation with column diameter and static bed height .The minimum slugging velocity had an

We described herein the synthesized and characterized of new bent and liner core compounds containing thiazolidin-4-one ring[XI-XIII] and [XIV-XVI] respectively. These compounds synthesized by sequence reactions starting from reaction resorcinol or hydroquinone with chloracetyl chloride to yield compounds [I] and [II] ,then the later compounds reactant with 4-hydroxybenzylaldehyde to product dialdehyde compounds [III] and [IV] .The Schiff bases compounds[V-VII] and [VIII-X] synthesized from reaction the compound [III] or [IV] with different aromatic amines, while the bent and liner core mesogens containing thiazolidin-4-one ring [XI-XIII] and [XIV-XVI] synthesized from reaction Schiff bases compounds[V-VII] or [VIII-X] with thioglycolic aci

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease in tropical countries, including Iraq. Several studies have sought to examine chemotherapies for leishmaniasis treatment but most of them are of toxic and/or undesirable side effect, therefore, the need for investigating new fewer toxic therapies is essential. Aim of study: In this study, the cytotoxic effect of Artemisinin (ART), a novel herbal compound, was screened against the two forms, promastigotes and amastigotes, of the Iraqi isolate of Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of Baghdad boil. Material and methods: Different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.6 and 7.8) µM of Artemisinin were screened to investigate the leishmanicidal activity of th

Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasite, this disease considers a major health problem among worldwide. Treatments available are expensive or with cytotoxic side effect. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of an herbal new compound, called artemisinin, derived from a Chinese plant called Artemisia annua. Various concentrations were studied in vitro against L. tropica amastigotes by chamber counting to investigate its effect on the proliferation of promastigotes. Three incubation periods were adopted (24, 48, 72) hours. The results showed a significant decrease in surviving promastigotes, in parallel with the normal parasite count of untreated promastigotes, along the periods studied. This stu