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.
Four Se70Ge20Sb10 alloy samples were prepared using the melt quenching technique. To improve the energy states of the mobility gap, the samples were exposed to gamma radiation from 60Co source at various doses of 600, 1200, 1500, and 2000 Gy. The electrical characteristics were examined both before and after irradiation. The conductivity analysis revealed that all of our samples were impacted by gamma radiation. The reorganization of the amorphous lattice and the degree of radiation-induced disorder have been involved in the changes that occurred in the electrical characteristics of the irradiated samples. All irradiated and non-irradiated samples feature three conduction mechanisms at low temperatures, where the electrical conducti
... Show MoreThe importance of specifying proper aggregate grading for achieving satisfactory performance in pavement applications has long been recognized. To improve the specifications for superior performance, there is a need to understand how differences in aggregate gradations within the acceptable limits may affect unbound aggregate base behavior. The effects of gradation on strength, modulus, and deformation characteristics of high-quality crushed rock base materials are described here. Two crushed rock types commonly used in constructing heavy-duty granular base layers in the State of Victoria, Australia, with three different gradations each were used in this study. The gradations used represent the lower, medium, and upper gradation li
... Show MoreThe thin films of SnO2,SnO2:TiO2 , SnO2:MoO3 , SnO2:WO3 , SnO2:Cr2O3 , and SnO2: Fe2O3 were prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique using (Nd:YAG) laser of λ=1064 nm average frequency (6) Hz and pulse duration (10 ns) under vacuum of 10 -2 mbar)deposited on glass, n-Si single crystals substrate room temperature with thickness of (100±10) nm. The structures of pure SnO2 and ,SnO2:TiO2 , SnO2:MoO3 , SnO2:WO3 , SnO2:Cr2O3 , SnO2:Co3O4 compounds were studied by X–ray diffraction .the results showed that there was red shift accompanied addition of MoO3 and TiO2 while a blue shift accompanied the addition of WoO3 , Cr2O3 , Fe2O3 to tin oxide . The gas sensing measurements of NO2 gas showed that S
... Show MoreCocrystallization is an emerging approach for improving physico-chemical characteristics of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for instance dissolution rate, solubility, stability in addition to mechanical properties without affecting their therapeutic activity. It is of great importance when other approaches like salt or polymorph formation do not encounter the estimated targets. In this review article, an outline of pharmaceutical cocrystals will be presented, with highlighting on factors affecting cocrystallization which include ∆pKa, donors and acceptors hydrogen bonds, molecular recognition point, synthon forming functional groups flexibility, dicarboxylic acid coformers carbon chain length and solvent effe
... Show MoreCilnidipine is a dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers, it is classified as a BCS class II drug, characterized by a low oral bioavailability of 13%. Consequently, the utilization of nanoparticle preparation is anticipated to enhance its bioavailability. The objective of the research is to integrate cilnidipine nanoparticles into oral films as a means of enhancing patient adherence. The optimal polymers for producing Cilnidipine films were PVA cold and or HPMC E5 at different concentrations using a casting technique with glycerol as a plasticizer. The Nano suspension-based preparation of Cilnidipine's oral film containing the combination of polymers exhibited a significant enhancement in vitro dissolution, with a percentage excee
... Show MoreAbstractThe objective of the present study was measured of several oxidative stresses and liver function parameters in workers occupationally exposed to cement dust in Kufa Cement Factory, in order to test the hypothesis that cement dust exposure may perturb these parameters. Assessment of oxidative stress and liver function parameters were performed in 63 workers occupationally, in different departments of Kufa Cement Factory, exposed to cement dust (range of the exposure time was 5-38 years) and 36 matched unexposed controls. The study results illustrated an increasing in the oxidative stress parameters, moreover; liver function parameters showed abnormal results in the exposed workers compared to the unexposed. An increase in theses para
... Show MoreBackground/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 MoreA group of amino derivatives [4-aminobenzenesulfonamide,4-amino-N¹ methylbenzenesulfonamide, or N¹-(4-aminophenylsulfonyl)acetamide] bound to carboxyl group of mefenamic acid a well known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were designed and synthesized for evaluation as a potential anti-inflammatory agent. In vivo acute anti-inflammatory activity of the final compounds (9, 10 and 11) was evaluated in rat using egg-white induced edema model of inflammation in a dose equivalent to (7.5mg/Kg) of mefenamic acid. All tested compounds produced a significant reduction in paw edema with respect to the effect of propylene glycol 50% v/v (control group). Moreover, the 4-amino-N-methylbenzenesulfonamide derivative (c
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