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.
Introduction: Candida spp. has become increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs, with elevated MIC levels causing a negative medical impact and increasing the number of patients at risk of candidiasis. According to the CDC, about 7% of Candida blood samples show reduced susceptibility to fluconazole. Monitoring the antifungal resistance profile of Candida spp. is vital, as non-Albicans species may limit treatment options. Objective: Evaluate the antifungal effectiveness against clinical Candida spp. isolates of six antifungals: amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, caspofungin, and 5-fluorocytosine. Methods: 100 samples were collected from various clinical samples at the National Centre of Teaching Laboratories
... Show MoreAbstract. Shatt Al-Arab River was the most important tide river in Iraq, it suffered from neglect and lack of maintenance in the past decades. The river embankment is constantly exposed to erosion processes due to several factors, one of the most important of these factors is the movement of water currents due to the tidal energy coming from the Arabian Gulf. In this study, one dimension unsteady-state model was implemented to study river flood capacity simulation by using HEC-RAS (5.0.7) software in Shatt Al Arab River and its tributaries. The data included flow rate, water level records were collected daily from 2018 to 2020 at different stations along the mentioned river and its feeders, additionally, the considered flood discharge data
... Show MoreThe cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of Crude extracts of Solanum melongena , Curcuma longa and Daucus carota on mice mammary adenocarcinoma cell line was studied . The concentrations used were 62.5 125 , 250, 500 Microgram/militer for 24,48 and 72 hour . These exracts were prepared by using alcoholic and hot water methods . The preliminary chemical tests revealed acidic pH of all extracts. The results showed a clear toxic effect of all extracts in a time and dose –dependent manner . The Curcuma longa had the highest effect on adenocarcinoma 94.61% , followed by Solanum melonga( 93.20%) and the lowest effect was by Da
... Show MoreThe applications of herbal medicine have recently acquired growing interest in range of the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases. Olibanum has been used since ancient eras and several reports studied the pharmacological characteristics of boswellic acid, particularly their effect on the inflammatory response, analgesic properties, and anti-arthritic activity mostly in cell lines, but new approaches include animal models to assess these natural derivatives effects taking into consideration of being safer than synthetic preparations. The impact of olibanum oil on several parameters was studied in rats during this study. These included white blood cell (WBC) count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C reactive protein (CRP), as well a
... Show MoreIn this paper, three types of epoxy-based coatings (Polyamide, pure Polyamine, and Polyamine reinforced by glass-flake) used as a lining for potable water tanks were studied using experimental and finite element methods. Tensile, impact, and fatigue tests were conducted on uncoated and coated AISI 316 stainless steel. The test results show that the applied epoxy based coating improves the mechanical properties, increases of fatigue crack resistance, and enhance the dynamic fracture toughness. The fatigue crack propagation is influenced by the compositions of epoxy coating, and the glass-flake improves the coating resistance to fatigue crack propagation compared to other types.
Background: Numerous methods have been described for achievement of Intermaxillary fixation in the treatment of fractures of facial skeleton. Conventional methods like Erich arch bars and eyelet wires are currently the most common methods for achieving intermaxillary fixation (IMF), however, they have their own disadvantages. Since 1989, IMF using intraoral self-tapping IMF screws has been introduced for treatment of mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, advantages, disadvantages and potential complications associated with using of self-tapping IMF screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with favorable mandibular fractures, attended to Oral and Maxillofacial
... Show MoreSafe drinking water is essential for the present and future generations' health. This study aims to assess drinking water quality in Baghdad's Al-Rusafa neighborhood. Water samples were taken from 32 neighborhoods on this side. The quality of the examined potable water samples differed depending on the water source. This investigation's pH, chlorine, EC, TDS, TSS, Cd, and Pb levels were below acceptable ranges. TDS levels in Al-Mada'in are more significant than acceptable (>600ppm) water levels. Bacteria have polluted six communities (Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella). Bacterial quality of drinking water and gram-negative bacteria resistant to chlorine in Baghdad's municipal water supply. Regarding pH, the w
... Show MoreEvaluate the acute and chronic toxicity of Ruta Chalepensis aerial part aqueous extract used in folk medicine in Iraq in Albino Wistar male and female rats. The study of chronic toxicity at the doses 100, 300 and 600mg/kg body weight in male and female rats for 90 days, recorded no mortality. Treated animals showed a normal weight change compared with control. The parameters of male fertility showed a significant decrease in the weight of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle as well as a reduction in the number and the motility of spermatozoids at treated groups by the doses 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight compared to control group.
Background: A carefully planned clinical medical education is critical for the provision of supportive clinical educational environment. The latter will ensure effective teaching, active learning and good attitudes and performance at the bedside. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical learning environment at AL-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A descripitive cross-sectional study involved resident doctors from Internal Medicine and Surgery departments who had six months or more residency training in the respective departments. Data were collected using the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure. Data where analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0 and presented us
... Show MoreThe study aimed to reach the best rating for the views and variables in the totals characterized by qualities and characteristics common within each group and distinguish them from aggregates other for the purpose of distinguishing between Iraqi provinces which suffer from deprivation, for the purpose of identifying the status of those provinces in the early allowing interested parties and regulators to intervene to take appropriate corrective action in a timely manner. Style has been used cluster analysis Cluster analysis to reach the best rating to those totals from the provinces that suffer from problems, where the provinces were classified, based on the variables (Edu
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