Resilient polymeric materials such as silicone elastomers are currently used for maxillofacial prostheses construction but the strength of these materials and their clinical performance need to be optimized with the addition of reinforcing fillers. This study investigates the effect of zirconia nanopowder addition on tear strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, Shore A hardness, surface roughness and cytotoxicity of VST-50 maxillofacial silicone. Silicone base was mixed with different amounts (1%, 2% and 3%) of zirconia nanopowder using a vacuum mixer. Silicone without filler was used as control for comparison. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were utilized to assess the efficiency of high-shear vacuum mixing as filler dispersion method and the surface topography, respectively. Both SEM and AFM images showed that the zirconia nanopowder were distributed fairly well within the polymer. Statistically, highly significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness with non-significant decrease in elongation at break and non-significant increase in surface roughness were seen with 1% and 2% groups. Whereas with 3% group, there was significant improvement in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness but there was significant undesirable decrease in elongation and increase in roughness. Cytotoxicity test revealed that the addition of zirconia nanopowder was nontoxic to Rat Embryonic Fibroblast (REF) cells and there was non-significant change in the cell viability of all study groups after 24- and 72-hours incubation periods. In conclusion, the addition of 2% by weight nano zirconia to VST-50 maxillofacial silicone could be beneficial in enhancing its performance.
This research includes synthesis of new heterocyclic derivatives of N-benzyl-5-bromoisatin. New 1, 2, 4-triazole, oxazoline and thiazoline derivatives of [N-benzyl-5-bromo-3-(Ethyliminoacetate)-indole-2-one] (2) have been synthesized. The preparation process started by the reaction of 5-bromoisatin with sodium hydride in dimethylformamide (DMF) at 0°C, gave suspension of sodium salt of 5-bromoisatin and subsequent reaction with benzylchloride to give N-benzyl-5-bromoisatin (1). Compound (1) reacted with ethylglycinate (Schiff base) obtained the intermediate compound (2) which reacted with different reagents in two ways. The first way, compound (2) reacted with (hydrazine hydrate, semicarbazide, phenylsemicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide)
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CD-nanosponges were prepared by crosslinking B-CD with diphenylcarbonate (DPC) using ultrasound assisted technique. 5-FU was incorporated with NS by freeze drying, and the phase solubility study, complexation efficiency (CE) entrapment efficiency were performed. Also, the particle morphology was studied using SEM and AFM. The in-vitro release of 5-FU from the prepared nanosponges was carried out in 0.1N HCl.
5-FU nanosponges particle size was in the nano size. The optimum formula showed a particle size of (405.46±30) nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) (0.328±0.002) and a negative zeta potential (-18.75±1.8). Also the drug entrapment efficiency varied with the CD: DPC molar ratio from 15.6 % to 30%. The SEM an
... Show MoreInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by alternating episodes of clinical relapse and remission (Wallace, 2014), with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the two primary subtypes (Souza, 2016). The present study was achieved in Baghdad teaching hospital from November 2021 to June 2022 to prove if the diagnostic marker of Crohn’s disease (CD) (IL-6, CRP and Calprotectin( are rises in saliva as in sera and if there are significant difference in the levels of those markers between the Crohn’s disease (CD)group and control group.
The recent study was measured the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL6
... Show MoreWhen the number of confirmed coronavirus disease cases rose in Iraq in the middle of February 2021, the Iraqi government performed a closure approach to constrain mobility and factory operations and enforce social distancing. In this research, the concentrations of air components (PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)), which represent herein the degree of air quality index, were recorded, drawn and evaluated over central (Baghdad, the capital), northern (Kirkuk Province) and southern (Basra Province) Iraq before and during the closure. The experimental duration of this research was 6 months (from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021), which
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Laue back reflection patterns for quartz crystal are indexed by using Orient Express- program to simulate orientation of single crystals from assignment of principle zones. An oriented quartz single crystal was used as a substrate to deposit Zn metal by controlled thermal evaporation to achieve single crystal films of Zn that are subsequently evaluated by x-ray powder diffraction.
The aim: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) caused by blood transfusion is a big problem throughout the world. The aim of study is to determine the faster and more accurate methods for detection of hepatitis B infections by serological screening and PCR- amplification. Materials and methods: A total of 140528 donors were tested for HBsAg and total anti-HBc from January to October 2021 in Iraq’s National Blood Transfusion Center; however, only 100 samples with HBsAg (-) and anti-HBc (+) were collected and tested for HBV DNA using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: From 2015 to 2021, the percentage of HBsAg positive donors was 0.33 percent in 2015, 0.32 percent in 2016, 0.30 percent in 2017, 0.28 percent in 2018, 0.23 pe
... Show MoreThe current research focuses on the antioxidant activity, phytochemical, and inorganic content of five common medicinal plants: Asian pigeonwings, lemon balm, lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric. According to the phytochemical screening, flavonoids were present in all plants; tannins were present in lemon balm and lemongrass, saponins were present in all plants except lemongrass, and anthraquinone glycosides were detected only in turmeric. The aqueous extracts from lemon balm, Asian pigeonwings, and the methanolic extract from turmeric had the highest phenolic content, respectively. The inorganic composition of plants was determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Asian pigeonwings, ginger and turmeric are mainly compos
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