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.
In order to investigate the levels of reduced glutathione GSH and α1-antitrypsine in the sera of 20 type 2 diabetic patients and 10 healthy subjects, were enrolled in this study. A significant reduction in GSH level was found in the patient group compared with control. On the other hand a significant elevation in α1-antitrypsine in patient compared with control was observed. Correlation between α1-antitrypsine and reduced glutathion was found to be positive (+Ve) for diabetes mellitus type2 patients and negative (-Ve) for healthy control with r values 0.257 and – 0.339 respectively. In conclusion the depletion of GSH as antioxidant defense insured higher free radical generation in diabetic patients
... Show MoreRadiation treatment has long been the conventional approach for treating nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) tumors due to its anatomic features, biological characteristics, and radiosensitivity. The most common treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is radiotherapy. This study aimed to assess the better quality of radiotherapy treatment techniques using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The VMAT and IMRT are comparative techniques. Forty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and forwarded for radiotherapy were treated with both advanced techniques, IMRT and VMAT, using eclipse software from Varian. The x-ray energy was set at 6 MV. The total prescribed dose was 70 Gy. The results show that the
... Show MoreNowadays, the use of medicinal plants is being practiced at a wide range as a result of antibiotics resistant for the vast majority of microorganisms. Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil and hydrosol were used in this study against planktonic forms and biofilms of some species of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of this plant were detected using the microtiter plate and MIC approaches. The results proposed that the oil and hydrosol preparations have antibacterial activities against planktonic cells in different concentrations depending on the type of isolate. For antibiofilm activity, the results showed that E. camaldulensis oil was highly effective against bacter
... Show MoreThermal properties of soils are important in buried structures contact problems. Although laboratory is distinctly advantageous in measuring the thermal conductivity of soil under ideal condition, given the ability to simulate relatively large-scale in place of soil bed, the field thermal conductivity of soil is not yet commonly used in many types of research. The use of only a laboratory experiment to estimate thermal conductivity may be the key reason for overestimation or underestimation it. In this paper, an intensive site investigation including field thermal conductivity tests for six different subsoil strata were performed using a thermal probe method (TLS-100) to systematically understanding the effects of field dry density, water c
... Show MoreBackground: One of the most common problems that encountered is postburn contracture which has both functional and aesthetic impact on the patients. Various surgical methods had being proposed to treat such problem. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of square flap in management of postburn contracture in several part of the body. Patients and methods: From April 2019 to June 2020 a total number of 20 patients who had postburn contracture in various parts of their body were subjected to scar contracture release using square flap. The follow up period was ranging between 6 months to 12 months. Results: All of our patients had achieved complete release of their band with maximum postoperative motion together with accepted aesthetic outcome. A
... Show MoreIn dental and medical applications, poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been widely accepted due to the excellent biocompatibility and easy fabrication. Yet, some of the physical and mechanical characteristics of this compound are considered inferior. Seven groups of PMMA nano-composite samples were reported to be fabricated at laboratory temperature . These samples could be used in manufacturing the complete or partial maxillary denture base. The aim of this research is to prepare nano-composite materials which consist of PMMA as a matrix material and two different types of powder (prepared nanoparticles of SnO2 and natural egg shell powder (ESP)) as strengthening materials. The selected additives were used in many cases as p
... Show MoreThe optical energy gap and optical constants such as the reflective index, dielectric constant have been evaluated due to The optical transmission and UV-VIS absorption spectra have been recorded in the wavelength (200 - 1100 nm) for PVA/PANI polymer blends and PVA/PANI/ZnO nanocomposites with different concentrations of ZnO (0.02, 0.05, 0.07, 0.1and 0.2) wt %. The results indicate that the materials have allowed direct transition. The reflection index and dielectric constant are increase with wavelength
There is no doubt that optical fiber technology is one of the most important stages of the communications revolution at all and it is of utmost importance in our daily life. In this work, five fibers with core radii 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5–8.5 μm were designed. The properties of all guided modes have been calculated at a wavelength of 1550 nm by using RP Fiber Calculator. A single-mode fiber is obtained when the core radius approaches the wavelength. As the core radius is increased, the fiber becomes a multimode. The percentage power in the core increases with increasing core radius. The modes profiles were illustrated and compared with the modern references.
Gypseous soils are spread in several regions in the world including Iraq, where it covers more than 28.6% [1] of the surface region of the country. This soil, with high gypsum content causes different problems in construction and strategic projects. As a result of water flow through the soil mass, permeability and chemical arrangement of these soils vary over time due to the solubility and leaching of gypsum. In this study the soil of 36% gypsum content, is taken from one location about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Baghdad, where the sample is taken from depth (0.5 - 1) m below the natural ground surface and mixed with (3%, 6%, 9%) of Copolymer and Styrene-butadiene Rubber to improve t