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.
The bubble columns are widely used as a two or three phase reactor in industrial chemical process such as absorption, biochemical reactions, coal liquefaction, etc. To design such a column, two main parameters should be taken in consideration, the gas hold-up (), and the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient KLa. The study includes the effect of gas velocity and the addition of alcohols on gas hold-up and mass transfer coefficient in bubble column with draught tube when the length of the column is 1.5m and the ratio of the draught tube diameter to the column diameter equals 0.5 and the air dispersion into the base of the draught tube using a multi hole tuyere is equivalent to a diameter of 0.15 mm and
... Show MoreDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder categorized hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups from ATP to the tyrosine residues of many important proteins resulting in proteins phosphorylation. The aim of current study was to evaluate serum levels of protein tyrosine kinase enzyme and thyroid hormone (T3, T4and TSH) and to find the correlation between them in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy Iraqi patients. Methods: This study was conducted at The National Diabetes Center, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq and included 150 patients divided into three groups the first group included 50
... Show MoreThe ability of four local fungal isolates for extracellular laccase production has been tested with five grams 1:1(w/v) humidified sawdust as substrate in mineral salt medium. After 21 day of incubation at 25±1 ? C and using one mycelial plug (5mm), higher level of laccase activity (0.15U/ml) and specific activity (15U/mg) were observed by Pleurotus ostreatus in comparison with other fungal isolates. The results of optimum conditions for laccase production from selected isolate showed that, the maximum laccase activity (0.55U/ml) and specific activity (55U/mg) were obtained at moisture ratio 1:3 (w/v), using 3 mycelial plugs (5 mm), after 15 days incubation period at 25±1 ? C. The results of phenol degradation by crud laccase revealed th
... Show MoreType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease frequently associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). The study is conducted at the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes-Baghdad at Al-karkh side, during December 2013 up to April 2014. In this study, we investigate the prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody in(80) type1 diabetic patients with (AITD) and (30) healthy controls .Blood samples are taken for investigation of thyroid tests by using Vitek Immunodiagnstic Assay System (VIDAS).Enzeme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is used to detect anti-thyroid antibody(anti-TPO). The results show that age, gender and BMI (body mass index) are similar in both groups, p>0.05. Among 80 type1 diabetic
... Show MoreBackground: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived mitral annular displacement (MAD) utilizes the speckle tracking technique to measure strain vectors, which provides accurate estimates of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Objectives: To validate the accuracy of mitral annular displacement (MAD), assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE), as a surrogate for determination of left ventricular systolic function in comparison to 2-Dimensions Simpson method in patients with different heart diseases.Methods : This cross-sectional study included patients who referred to outpatient department of Ibn Albitar Center for Cardiac Surgery, Baghdad, Iraq, between October 2012 and April 2013. STE continuously tracked annular
... Show MoreRegression Discontinuity (RD) means a study that exposes a definite group to the effect of a treatment. The uniqueness of this design lies in classifying the study population into two groups based on a specific threshold limit or regression point, and this point is determined in advance according to the terms of the study and its requirements. Thus , thinking was focused on finding a solution to the issue of workers retirement and trying to propose a scenario to attract the idea of granting an end-of-service reward to fill the gap ( discontinuity point) if it had not been granted. The regression discontinuity method has been used to study and to estimate the effect of the end -service reward on the cutoff of insured workers as well as t
... Show MoreA taxonomic keys was established of book and bark lice Order Psocoptera to isolated insects in Iraq from different localities of Baghdad and Babylon provinces. Thirteen species belong to eight genera and five families have been studied and described in details, these species were recorded for the first time in Iraq. These species are: Belaphopsocus badonneli New, 1971; Belaphotroctes oculeris Bodonnel, 1973; Embodopsocosis newi Bodonnel, 1973; Epipsocus stigamaticus Mockeord, 1991; Lepinotus huoni Schmidt and New, 2008; Liposcelies decolor Peramane 1925 Liposcelies paeta Pearman 1942 Liposclies bostrychphila Badonnel 1931; Liposclies brunnea Mostchulsky 1852; Liposclies entoophila Enderlein 1907; Neopsocopsis minuscule Li 2002 ;
... Show More