BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an evolving technology that has been used recently in a wide spectrum of applications. AIM: The objective is to evaluate the application of 3D printing in various neurosurgical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This pilot study was conducted in the neurosurgical hospital in Baghdad/Iraq between July 2018 and July 2019. An X, Y, and Z printer was used. The working team included neurosurgeons, biomedical engineers, and bio-technicians. The procedure starts with obtaining Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan in particular protocols. The MRI, and CT or angiography images were imported into a 3D programmer for DICOM images called 3D slice where these files converted into a 3D pictures. Next, the neurosurgeon determines the cut section he needs to print. The final required object is exported to the X, Y, Z printing software where the technician starts to print it out. The final prototype delivered to the neurosurgeon. He uses it intraoperatively to have an apparent actual size 3D representation of the actual lesion with nearby healthy tissues to have a good idea about the case they manages. RESULTS: This pilot study was applied in three major projects: brain tumors (ten cases), cerebral aneurysms (nine cases), and spine surgery (14 cases). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional printing has excellent advantages in neurosurgical practice. It can replace many other recent modalities. It enables the neurosurgeon works with more precision, less time-consuming, less cost, and less radiation exposure.
Abstract
Asthma is a complex disease defined by chronic airway inflammation and airflow limitation causing variable respiratory symptoms which include shortness of breath (SOB), wheezing, chest tightness and cough. Asthma guidelines advocate adding a second long acting bronchodilator to medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) rather using high doses of ICS alone to control moderate to severe persistent asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of three medication regimens indicated for Iraqi patients suffering from persistent asthma.
This study was interventional randomized clinical study conducted on a sample of adult Iraqi asthm
... Show MoreA total of 352 freshwater fishes, belonging to three species of the family Cyprinidae were collected from the Greater Zab river in north of Iraq during the period from November 2000 to the end of November 2001. The inspection of their gills revealed the infection of these fishes with three species of monogenetic trematodes belonging to the genus Dogielius. These species included D. mokhayeri from Aspius vorax with a percentage incidence of 37.5%; D. molnari from Cyprinion macrostomum (33.3%) and D. persicus from Barbus luteus (41.2%). The record of this genus and its three above-named species of the present study are considered as the first record on fishes of Iraq.
Distribution of light intensity in the flat photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation as a step design for production of bio-renewable energy was addressed in the current study. Five sizes of bioreactors with specific distances from the main light source were adopted as independent variables in experiential design model. The results showed that the bioreactor’s location according to the light source, determines the nature of light intensity distribution in the reactor body. However, the cross-section area plays an important role in determining the suitable location of reactor to achieve required light homogeneity. This area could change even the expected response of the light passing through the reactor if Beer-Lambert's law is adopted.
... Show MoreThe current research aims to provide a conceptual and applied frame on the subject of multi- level analysis in the research of business administration. The research tries to address some of the problems that befall the preparation of research and studies at the Arab level and local level, where the unity of theory and measurement and analysis, as well as clarify the various types of conceptual constructs and give researchers the ability to distinguish different models related to the level of analysis. On the other hand, this research provides an example of
... Show MoreIf the Industrial Revolution has enabled the replacement of humans with machines, the digital revolution is moving towards replacing our brains with artificial intelligence, so it is necessary to consider how this radical transformation affects the graphic design ecosystem. Hence, the research problem emerged (what are the effects of artificial intelligence on graphic design) and the research aimed to know the capabilities and effects of artificial intelligence applications in graphic design, and the study dealt in its theoretical framework with two main axes, the first is the concept of artificial intelligence, and the second is artificial intelligence applications in graphic design. The descriptive approach adopted a method of content
... Show MoreIn this paper, the discriminant analysis is used to classify the most wide spread heart diseases known as coronary heart diseases into two groups (patient, not patient) based on the changes of discrimination features of ten predictor variables that we believe they cause the disease . A random sample for each group is employed and the stepwise procedures are performed in order to delete those variables that are not important for separating the groups. Tests of significance of discriminant analysis and estimating the misclassification rates are performed
Background: The elimination of the microorganisms from the root canal systems, an important step for the successful root canal treatment. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of the photoactivated disinfection by using the toluidine blue O and a low- energy light emitting diode (LED) lamp . Materials and method: Sixty single rooted extracted teeth were decoronated, instrumented, irrigated, sealed at the apex and contaminated with endodontic anaerobic bacteria for 7 days to form biofilms in prepared root canals. Group I. Twelve teeth were medicated by photosensitizer (toluidine blue O) solution activated by diode lamp (FotoSan; CMS Dental, Copenhagen, Denmark).Group II. Twelve teeth were medicated by the tricr
... Show MoreUropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is problematic and still the leading cause of urinary tract infections worldwide. It is developed resistance against most antibiotics. The investigation, surveillance system, and efficient strategy will facilitate selecting an appropriate treatment that could control the bacterial distribution. The present study aims to investigate the epidemiology and associated risk factors of uropathogenic E. coli and to study their antibiotic resistance patterns. 1585 midstream urine specimens were collected from symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) patients (225 males and 1360 females) admitted to Zakho emergency hospital, Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq from January 2016 until the end of December 2
... Show MoreIn this paper, a design of the broadband thin metamaterial absorber (MMA) is presented. Compared with the previously reported metamaterial absorbers, the proposed structure provides a wide bandwidth with a compatible overall size. The designed absorber consists of a combination of octagon disk and split octagon resonator to provide a wide bandwidth over the Ku and K bands' frequency range. Cheap FR-4 material is chosen to be a substate of the proposed absorber with 1.6 thicknesses and 6.5×6.5 overall unit cell size. CST Studio Suite was used for the simulation of the proposed absorber. The proposed absorber provides a wide absorption bandwidth of 14.4 GHz over a frequency range of 12.8-27.5 GHz with more than %90 absorp
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