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.
Background/Aim: Endometrial abnormalities represent a diagnostic challenge due to overlapping imaging features with normal endometrium. Aim of this study was to assess accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of endometrial lesions in comparison with T2 and to assess local staging validity and degree of myometrial invasion in malignancy. Methods: Forty patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding or sonographic thickened endometrial were recruited. MRI examination of pelvis was per-formed using 1.5 T scanner with a pelvic array coil. Conventional T1-and T2, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequences and diffusion-weighted image (DWI) were performed. Results: Mean age of pa
... Show MoreSulfamethoxazole (SMX) is the most significant antibiotic in the sulfonamide family. It was chosen as the representative of this category because of its widespread use. Starting with sulfamethoxazole, a new series of 2-Azetidinone (M1-M6) was synthesized, the structure of these new derivatives was confirmed using spectral methods, starting with the synthesis of Schiff’s bases by reflux of different aromatic benzaldehydes, separately, with Sulfamethoxazole in ethanol with few drops of acetic acid. The final compounds were obtained by ketene-imine synthesis of β-lactam using chloroacetyl chloride. The designed chemicals’ synthesis has been completed successfully. Physical parameters (melting points and Rf values), Fourier transfo
... Show MoreAn attempt was made to evaluate the PV performance of one-axis daily tracking and fixed system for Baghdad, Iraq. Two experimental simulations were conducted on a PV module for that purpose. Measurements included incident solar radiation, load voltage and load current. The first experiment was carried out for six months of winter half of year to simulate the one-axis daily tracking. The azimuth angle was due south while the tilt angle was being set to optimum according to each day of simulation. The second experiment was done at one day to simulate the PV module of fixed angles. It is found that there is a significant power gain of 29.6% for the tracking system in respect to the fixed one. The one-axis daily tracking was much more effect
... Show MoreProstate cancer is an important and potentially fatal disease in humans. Both genetic and environmental risk factors are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among Asian pop
Background: This study evaluated the influence of different fiber formulations incorporation in resin composite on cuspal deflection (CD) of endodontically-treated teeth with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two freshly extracted maxillary premolar teeth received MOD cavity preparation followed by endodontic treatment using single cone obturation technique, and divided into: Group I: direct composite resin only using a centripetal technique, Group II: direct composite resin with short fiber-reinforced composite (everX Flow), Group III: direct composite resin with leno wave ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (LWUHMWPE) fibers placed on the cavity floor, and Group IV: direct composite resin with LWUHMWP
... Show MoreObjective: Benzoxazole derivatives have antifungal, anticancer, antibacterial, and anticonvulsant function. Encouraged by this comment, we agreed to synthesize new Benzoxazole compounds connected to the bases of Schiff's. Methods: 2,4-diaminophenol (1) was prepared by the reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenol and sodium dithionate. Compound (1) reacted with either acetic acid to afford compound (2) or with formic acid to afford compound (3). The Schiff bases were preparation from the reaction condensing reaction of compound (2) or (3) and aromatic aldehydes or ketone; [p-nitrobenzaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-chlorobenzaldehyde, p-bromoacetophenone and terephthaldehyde]. Results: FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy characterized all of the pr
... Show MoreThe purpose of this research is to prepare new vanillic acid derivatives with 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol heterocyclic ring and evaluate their antimicrobial activity in a preliminary assessment. A multistep synthesis was established for the preparation of new vanillic acid-triazole conjugates. The intermediate of 4-(4-amino-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-2-methoxyphenol (4) reacts with different heterocyclic aldehydes (thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde, pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, thiophene-3-carboxaldehyde, and furfural ) in ethanol containing few drops of acetic acid yielded the corresponding 4-(4-(substituted amino)-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-1triazol-3-yl)-2-methoxy phenol derivatives (5-8). These compounds were characterized spectroscopically by
... Show MoreIn this work, corrosion parameters were evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization curves. In order to determine corrosion parameters of potential and current density of the interesting metal, carbon steel, environmental conditions of external corrosion of buried carbon steel pipeline in Iraqi soil were prepared in the laboratory using simulated prepared conditions. Solutions of sodium chloride at different concentrations (300, 1100, 1900, 2700, and 3500 ppm) were used. pH of solution were acidic at pH =5, and alkaline at pH = 9. Laboratory conditions were similar to those of Iraqi soil where the pipelines were buried. Temperature was constant at 20 °C. Potentiodynamic polarization curves, of potential vs. log current density, were ob
... Show MoreThe snthesis and characterization of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of azo ligand 4-[(5-acetyl-2-aminophenyl)- diazenyl]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one derived from 4-aminoantipyrine and 4-aminoacetophenone are reported. The nature of the compounds have been studied followed by mole ratio and methods of continuous contrast, Beer′s law followed during a condensation rate (1 × 10-4 – 3 × 10-4 M). The analytical data showed that all the complexes are in 1:2 metal-ligand ratio. An octahedral geometry have been suggested for all the compounds and biological studies of all the complexes were evaluated against different types of antimicrobial strains.