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: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of the carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, resulting in increased blood glucose levels. Various complications of diabetes have been described with periodontitis being added as the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) has been identified as major tissue-destructive enzyme in periodontal disease. MMP-8 is released from neutrophils in a latent, inactive pro form and becomes activated during periodontal inflammation by independent and/or combined actions of host-derived inflammatory mediators .C-reactive protein is a systemic marker released during the acute phase of an inflammatory response. Subjects, materials and methods: Total samples
... Show MoreBackground: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare centering ability and canal transportation of simulated S-shaped canals instrumented with four different types of rotary nickel-titanium systems. Materials and Methods: Forty simulated S-shaped canals in resin blocks were divided into four groups of ten each and were instrumented to an apical size 25 by different instrumentation technique using ProTaper Universal files (group A), ProTaperNext (group B), Reciproc (group C) and WaveOne (group D).Centering ability and canal transportation was measured at (11) measuring points from D0 to D10 bysuperimposion of the pre- and post-operative images obtained by using digital camera in standardized manner. An assessment of the canals
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implants provide a unique treatment modality for the replacement of lost dentition .This is accomplished by the insertion of relatively inert material (a biomaterial) into the soft and hard tissue of the jaws, there by providing support and retention for dental prostheses. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective tool used to prompt bone repair and modeling post surgery; this has referred to the biostimulation effect of LLLT. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immmunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor -beta (TGF-β) in experimental and control groups with mechanical test. Materials and Methods: Thirty two adult New Zealand white rabbits use
... Show MoreThis study aimed to test the effect of using different concentrations of three different plants extracts to inhibit the growth of gram negative and gram positive bacteria by two technics. Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark, Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizomes and Morus nigra leaves ethanolic extract at (0,20,30,40 and 50 mg/ml) were used. The antimicrobial activity and the biofilm inhibition assay used with these extracts showed positive effect in inhibiting the growth of bacteria. E.amaldulensis extract showed the higher effect than G. glabra and M.nigra extracts in antimicrobial activity assay, while the effect of E. camaldulensis extract in biofilm inhibition assay was higher than G. glabra that was higher than M. nigra extracts for both gram nega
... Show MoreStable new derivative of L-ascorbic acid, 5,6-O-iso propylidene 2,3-O,O acetic acid-Lascorbic acid (L) was synthesized in good yield by the reaction of 5,6-O-isopropylidene-Lascorbic acid with chloroacetic acid in presence of potassium hydroxide. The new product (L) was characterized by 1H, 13C–NMR, mass spectrum and fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The reaction of the ligand (L) with metal bivalent ion., M+2 = (Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, Mg, Ca, Pb) synthesized and characterized by FTIR, UV-Visible, Molar conductance, Atomic absorption and the molar ratio (Ni+2, Cd+2) complexes. Spectroscopic evidence showed that the binding of the M(II) ions with (L) are through the (C–I=O) Lacton and O-2-CH2COO– as a bidentate manar re
... Show MoreIn the present work the performance of semifluidized bed adsorber was evaluated for removal of phenolic compound from wastewater using commercial activated carbon as adsorbent. P-chlorophenol (4-Chlorophenol) and o-cresol (2-methylphenol) was selected as a phenolic compound for that purpose. The phenols percent removal, in term of breakthrough curves were studied as affected by hydrodynamics limitations which include minimum and maximum semifluidization velocities and packed bed formation in the column by varying various parameters such as inlet liquid superficial velocity (from Uminsf to 8Uminsf m/s), and retaining grid (sometimes referred to as adsorbent loading) to initial static bed height ratio (from 3-4.5). In
... Show MoreThe present study investigates deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as potential media for enzymatic hydrolysis. A series of ternary ammonium and phosphonium-based DESs were prepared at different molar ratios by mixing with aqueous glycerol (85%). The physicochemical properties including surface tension, conductivity, density, and viscosity were measured at a temperature range of 298.15 K – 363.15 K. The eutectic points were highly influenced by the variation of temperature. The eutectic point of the choline chloride: glycerol: water (ratio of 1: 2.55: 2.28) and methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide:glycerol:water (ratio of 1: 4.25: 3.75) is 213.4 K and 255.8 K, respectively. The stability of the lipase enzyme isolated from porcine pancreas (PPL) a
... Show MoreIn this research PbS and PbS:Cu films were prepered with thicknesses (0.85±0.05)?m and (0.55±0.5)?m deposit on glass and silicon substrate respectively using chemical spray pyrolysis technique with a substrate temperature 573K, from lead nitrate salt, thiourea and copper chloride. Using XRD we study the structure properties for the undoped and doped films with copper .The analysis reveals that the structure of films were cubic polycrystalline FCC with a preferred orientation along (200) plane for the undoped films and 1% doping with copper but the orientation of (111) plane is preferred with 5% doping with the rest new peaks of films and appeared because of doping. Surface topography using optical microscope were be checked, it was found
... Show MoreMishrif Formation regards one of the most important reservoirs in Iraq. Well logging represents one of the most important tool in the formation evaluation. According to the Petrophysical properties that have been gotten from well logging, Mishrif Formation in terms of reservoirs units, consist of several reservoirs units. Major reservoirs units divided into three reservoir units,MA,MB&MC. Each of these major units divided into minor reservoirs units (MB11,MB12,MC2&MC3).MB major reservoir units represent the best reservoir unit. These reservoirs units separated by cap rocks(mainly tight limestone)(CR1,CR2,CR3,CR4,CR5,CR6,and CR7).CPI were demonstrated for all wells.Hydrocarbon saturation vs.
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