Objective This study evaluated the effects of adding titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofillers on the tear strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage, and hardness of room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) VST50F and high-temperature-vulcanized (HTV) Cosmesil M511 maxillofacial silicone elastomers. Methods Two types of maxillofacial elastomers, VST50F RTV and Cosmesil M511 HTV, were used. Nano-TiO2 powder was applied as a nanofiller. A total of 120 specimens were fabricated, 60 each of VST50F and Cosmesil M511. The specimens of each type of elastomer were divided into three equal groups on which tests were conducted for tear strength, tensile strength, and hardness i.e., 20 specimens were used for each test. Each group of 20 specimens was further divided into two equal subgroups: (A) control i.e., silicone without nano-TiO2, and (B) experimental i.e., VST50F and Cosmesil M511 silicone incorporated with 0.25 wt% and 0.2 wt% nano-TiO2, respectively. Each subgroup thus had 10 specimens. The specimens were evaluated, and data were studied using descriptive statistical analysis and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The addition of 0.25 wt% and 0.2 wt% TiO2 nanofiller into VST50F and Cosmesil M511 elastomers, respectively, resulted in a statistically significant increase in the mean values (p < 0.01) of tear strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage, and hardness of the materials. Conclusion The mechanical properties of the VST50F and Cosmesil M511 maxillofacial silicone materials improved with the addition of select concentrations of nano-TiO2.
Unregulated epigenetic modifications, including histone acetylation/deacetylation mediated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), contribute to cancer progression. HDACs, often overexpressed in cancer, downregulate tumor suppressor genes, making them crucial targets for treatment. This work aimed to develop non‐hydroxamate benzoic acid–based HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) with comparable effect to the currently four FDA‐approved HDACi, which are known for their poor solubility, poor distribution, and significant side effects. All compounds were structurally verified using FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and mass spectrometry. In silico ana
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates T cell function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AhR ligands, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), on gut-associated microbiota and T cell responses during delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) in a mouse model. Mice with DTH showed significant changes in gut microbiota including an increased abundance of
Background. Gene polymorphisms affect etanercept’s pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and side effects. This effect is evidenced by the extensive genetic variation in the drug’s targets. Objectives. This study aims to find the association between different genotypes of the promoter region of the TNF-α gene at -308G/A(rs1800629), -857C/T(rs1799724), -863 C/A(rs1800630), -1031 T/C (rs1799964), -806 C/T (rs4248158) and -376 G/A (rs1800750) and the side effects of ETN that occurred to Iraqi RA patients. Method. The trial included patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had been using ETN for at least six months. The participants were from the Baghdad Teaching Hospital Rheumatology Unit. The PCR was sequenced to determine the polymo
... Show MoreBackground: The best material for dental implants is polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). However, this substance is neither osteoinductive nor osteoconductive, preventing direct bone apposition. Modifying the PEKK with bioactive elements like strontium hydroxyapatite is one method to overcome this (Sr-HA). Due to the technique's capacity to provide better control over the coating's properties, RF magnetron sputtering has been found to be a particularly useful technique for deposition. Materials and methods : With specific sputtering conditions, the RF magnetron technique was employed to provide a homogeneous and thin coating on Polyetherketoneketone substrates.. the coatings were characterized by Contact angle, adhesion test, X-ray
... Show MoreAbstract
The aim of this research is to determine how well the Cubing Technique affects the Iraqi EFL students' composition writing, vocabulary, and meta-cognitive awareness of writing strategies. The sample of (64) secondary-school female students in the fifth grade is drawn from two classrooms and split into two equal groups: the experimental group and the control group, each of which consists of (32) students. A quasi-experimental design is applied. The performance test and Meta-cognitive Writing Strategies questionnaire are given as a pre-test for equalizing the two groups after ensuring their validity and reliability. Then, they are administrated as a posttest in both groups. According to the results, the si
... Show MoreAdvancements and modernizations introduced into the educational and pedagogical systems have significantly impacted teaching processes and how subjects are presented and explained to students. The focus has shifted to how learners interact with the material they need to learn, providing sufficient opportunities for learning and granting them freedom and self-confidence to achieve learning objectives. The research problem stems from the researcher's experience as a lecturer in the College of Physical Education and Sports Science, particularly in teaching basketball. She observed that some instructors were deficient in using the most effective teaching methods. The researcher formulated her research question based on these observations: "What
... Show MoreBackground: Most primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Iraq have a referral system records; however, this mechanism does not function well because of the lack of other requirements for an efficient referral system.
Objective: To assess the practice & opinion of doctors in PHCs toward the referral system, and to determine the doctors in PHC's commitment to referral system instructions and guidelines.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study with analytic elements was conducted in nine health directorates in Iraq, from the 1st October 2018 – 30th June 2019.One PHC was selected randomly form each sector in every governorate, A questionnaire was used to collect the required information.
... Show MoreThis paper presents a new Azo dye that was prepared from the reaction of the Benzene-1,2-diamine and 1-(2,4,6-Trihydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone, Azo dye was used to prepare a new series of complexes with general formula: [Co2(H4L) Cl2(H2O)4] and [M2(H4L)Cl4(H2O)2] (M= Cr+3, Fe+3,Rh+3 and Ru+3). The prepared materials were different measurements including to infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and mass spectrometry, as well as thermo gravimetric analysis, differential calorimetry, and elemental analysis. Conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, metal content, and chlorine content of the complexes were also assessed. The complexes prepared from the dye were used to determine their ability to inhibit free radicals by measuring their antioxidant capacity us
... Show MoreWhile conservative access preparations could increase fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth, it may influence the shape of the prepared root canal. The aim of this study was to compare the prepared canal transportation and centering ability after continuous rotation or reciprocation instrumentation in teeth accessed through traditional or conservative endodontic cavities by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Forty extracted intact, matured, and 2-rooted human maxillary first premolars were selected for this