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.
This study tries to clear the correlation and association between asthma, obesity and leptin levels. Also it will work to indicate the main risk factors which play role in the elevation of leptin level within asthmatic patients. This is a case control study conducted on (38) asthmatic patients and (20) healthy control who were closely similar by age, gender and BMI. The main statistical tests used were student t test, linear regression test and correlation test. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Sampling method used for this study was convenience sampling method. The main results of this study show a significant association and positive correlation between age (old age ≥ 40 ye
... Show MoreNew Schiff base and their Mn(II),Co(II),Ni(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) complexes formed by the condensation of O-phathaldehyde and ethylene diamine (2:1) to give ligand (L1) in the first step ,then the ligand (L1) with 2- aminophenol (1:2) to give ligand (L2) were prepared by classic addition through microwave method . These compounds (Ligands and complexes) have been diagnosed electronic spectra, FT-IR,1H-&13C-NMR (only ligand), magnetic susceptibility, elemental microanalysis and molar conductance measurements. Analytical values displayed that all the complexes appeared (metal: ligand) (1:1) ratio with the six chelation. All the compounds appear a high activity versus four types of bacteria such as; (Escherichia coli), (Sta
... Show MoreThe clinical spectrum of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), an intracellular parasitic pathogen, ranges from a single sore healing to chronic crusty lesions with a manifestation of treatment resistance. The complicated interaction between Leishmania bodies and the early immune response, including innate and adaptive mechanisms, determines the evolution of nodules. This study examined the levels of the chemoattractant interleukin 8 (IL-8), pro-inflammatory nitric oxide (NO), and immunoregulatory macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum of subjects recently diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis, in parallel with patients being monitored during consecutive sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) treatment. A total of 161 serum samples of newly di
... Show MoreThe research aims to evaluate Islamic electronic libraries and their service for downloading research and illustrated books, explaining their origins, features and types. The research was limited to the libraries available on the Internet that provide the service for downloading research and illustrated books. The researcher relied on the survey approach to identify the libraries and a sample of them (20 libraries) was selected. For the purpose of evaluating it according to five criteria related to the preparation and publication of Islamic electronic libraries (the responsible party, the goals and objectives, the year, the services it provides, the sections and subject specializations of its contents) and five criteria related to the servi
... Show MoreThis work involves theoretical and experimental studies for seven compounds to calculate the electrons spectrum and NLO properties. The theoretical study is done by employing the Time Depending Density Functional Theory TD-DFT and B3LYP/high basis set 6-311++G (2d,2p), using Gaussian program 09. Experimental study by UV/VIS spectrophotometer device to prove the theoretical study. Theoretical and experimental results were applicable in spectrum and energy gap values, in addition to convergence theoretically the energy gap results from ΔEHOMO-LUMO and UV/VIS. spectrum. Consider the theoretical method very appropriate to compounds that absorb in vacuum UV.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory disease that associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Rosuvastatin is a unique hydroxy methyl glutaryl Co A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitor that has anti inflammatory effects.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin as adjuvant therapy to methotrexate (MTX) on lipid profile and its possible cardioprotective effect in RA patients. A double blinded placebo controlled clinical trial with 8 weeks follow up periods at which 40 patients with active RA using MTX were randomized into 2 groups to receive either rosuvastatin 10mg or placebo as adjuvant therapy to MTX. In addition to twenty healthy subjects as control group.
... Show MoreThe general objective of the research is to better understand changes in land cover and their impact on climatic factors by measuring changes in land cover for the Baghdad city for the period 1999-2021 and evaluating changes in land cover and measuring changes in climatic factors (relative humidity and evaporation). This study from 1999 to 2021 and in two different seasons: the April of the growing season and August the dry season. When using the supervised classification method to determine the differences, the results showed remarkable changes, the study showed the spatial variations in LC from 1999 to 2021 as follows: increase in the vegetation and water bodies during April and decrease this in August while the soil and built up decreas
... Show MoreBreast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer related death in women worldwide. Amplification or over-expression of the ERBB2 (HER/neu) gene occurs in approximately 15-30% of breast cancer cases and it is strongly associated with an increased disease recurrence and a poor prognosis. Determination of HER2/neu status is crucial in the treatment plan as that positive cases will respond to trastuzumab therapy. It has been used to test for HER2/neu by immunohistochemistry as a first step and then to study only the equivocal positive cases (score 2+) by in situ hybridization technique. The aim of our study is to compare between immunohistochemistry and silver in situ hybridization (SISH) in assessment of human epidermal growth factor (HER2/neu)
... Show MorePure nano Ferro fluid was synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The composite of polyaniline with nano sized Ferro fluid was prepared by In-situ–chemical oxidation polymerization method with ammonium per sulphate as an oxidant in aqueous hydrochloric acid under constant stirring at room temperature. The optical properties, absorption, transmission, optical energy gap (Eg) and optical constant refractive index (n) have been investigated. The value of the Eg decreased with increasing Ferro fluid concentration.