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.
The effect of heat treatment using different annealing temperatures on optical properties of bulk heterojunction blend (BHJ) Alq3: C60 thin films which are fabricated by the spin coating technique were investigated in this study. The films have been coated on a glass substrate with speed of 2000 rpm for one min and treated with different annealing temperature (373, 423 and 473) K under vacuum. The optical properties and the chemical bonds structure of blends as-deposited and heat treated have been studied by UV-Vis spectroscopic and Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FTIR) measurements respectively. The results of UV visible show that the optical energy gap decreasing with increasing the annealing temperature for the ratio (100:1) while decrea
... Show MoreBackground Type two diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by insufficient insulin production and secretion. Additionally, the body develops insulin resistance which affects 90–95% of diabetics. Complex cytokines, receptors, genetic pathways, and the immune system are involved in T2DM. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is one of the inflammatory cytokines associated with Type 2 diabetes. Environmental and genetic variables, including genetic polymorphisms, can increase T2DM risk and its consequences. Single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) are important risk factors for diabetes that can be used to find the disease early and treat it better. Objective This study aimed to determine the levels of IL-18 in the serum of Iraqi patients with Type 2 diabetes
... Show MoreBackground: The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilliin burn wound infections related to biofilm formation, which lend to challenge in treatment with conventional antibiotics andprompting to search for novel antimicrobial agents to control the infections.Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have wide spectrum biological properties with different mechanisms of action and less toxicity towards human cells.
Objective:The goal of this study was to evaluated the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of AgNPs alone and in combination with aminoglycoside (Amikacin) and β-lactam (Ampicillin) antibiotics against multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacilli (Pseudomonas aeruginos
... Show MoreThe research is dealing with the absorption and fluorescence spectra for the hybrid of an Epoxy Resin doped with organic dye Rhodamine (R6G) of different concentrations (5*10-6, 5*10-5, 1*10-5, 1*10-4, 5*10-4) Mol/ℓ at room temperature. The Quantum efficiency Qfm, the rate of fluorescence emission Kfm (s-1), the non-radiative lifetime τfm (s), fluorescence lifetime τf and the Stokes shift were calculated. Also the energy gap (Eg) for each dye concentration was evaluated. The results showed that the maximum quantum effi
... Show MoreThe work concerned with studying the effect of (SiO2) addition as a
filler on the adhesive properties of (PVA). Samples were prepared as
sheets by using casting method. The mechanical properties showed
that increase in tensile strength from (34MPa) to (68MPa) when
(SiO2) added to (PVA). The adhesive strength showed that joint
properties depend upon specific adhesive characteristic of material
(PVA) and (SiO2\PVA)composites at different concentrations (1.5%,
2.5%, 3.5%, 4.5wt%), the cohesive strength of the adhesive material,
the joint design, and adherent type (Sponge Rubber(SR), Natural
leather (NL), Vulcanized Rubber(VR), and Cartoon). The results
proved the tensile strength increased with (SiO2) ratio, so
This research focuses on the characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol and starch polymer blends doping with Rhodamine-B. The polymer blends were prepared using the solution cast method, which comprises 1:1(wt. /wt.). The polymer blends of PVA and starch with had different ratios of glycerin 0, 25, 30, 35, and 40 % wt. The ratio of 30% wt of glycerin was found to be the most suitable mechanical properties by strength and elasticity. The polymer blend of 1:1 wt ratios of starch/PVA and 30% wt of glycerin were doped with different ratios of Rhoda mine-B dye 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6% wt and the electrical properties of doping biodegradable blends were studied. The ratio of Rhodamine-B 5% wt to the polymer blends showed hi
... Show MoreIn this research study the effect of fish in alternating electrical properties at room temperature copper oxide membranes and fish prepared in a manner different thermal spraying chemical on a thin glass bases and heated
Scleral acrylic resin is widely used to synthesize ocular prosthesis. However, the properties of this material change over time, thus requiring the prosthesis to be refabricated. Many studies were conducted to improve these properties by reinforcing this material with nanoparticles. This study aims to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticle powder on the mechanical properties (transverse flexural strength, impact strength, shear bond strength, surface microhardness, and surface roughness) of scleral acrylic resin used for ocular prostheses. Two concentrations were selected from the pilot study and evaluated for their effects on scleral acrylic resin properties. According to the pilot study, 0.01 and 0.02wt% AgNPs powder improved
... Show MoreSuperconducting thin films of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu2.2Zn0.8O10 system were prepared by depositing the film onto silicon (111) substrate by pulsed laser deposition. Annealing treatment and superconducting properties were investigated by XRD and four probe resistivity measurement. The analysis reveals the evolution of the minor phase of the films 2212 phase to 2223 phase, when the film was annealed at 820 °C. Also the films have superconducting behavior with transition temperature ≥90K.