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 goals of endodontic preparation were to shape and clean the space of the root canal and remove microorganisms, affected dentin and pulp, the apical foramen and the canal curve should be protected from being transported during endodontic canal preparation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the curve straightening of curved root canals and apical transportation after preparation with four rotary systems. Forty mesial roots of the lower 1st molars teeth only the mesiobuccal canals were used, these roots were immersed into cold clear acrylic , the teeth roots divided into four groups according to rotary system used for preparation of the canals (ten roots for each group):. group I: ProTaper Next rotary system, group II: IRaCe Plus rotar
... Show MoreThe plant occupied the largest area in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, especially the medicinal plants, and it has shown great potential in biotechnology applications. In this study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Moringa oleifera leaves extract and its antifungal and antitumor activities were investigated. The formation of silver nanoparticles was observed after 1 hour of preparation color changing. The ultraviolet and visible spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize synthesis particles. Ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy showed a silver surface plasmon resonance band at 434
... Show MoreAllopurinol derivative were prepared by reacting the (1-chloroacetyl)-2-Hydropyrazolo{3,4-d}pyrimidine-4-oneiwith 5- methoxy- 2-aminoibenzothiazoleiunder certain conditions to obtain new compound ( N- (2-aminoacetyl (5-methoxy) benzothiazole -2yl) (A4), Reaction of 5-(P-dimethyl amine benzene)-2-amino-1,3,4- oxadiazole in the presence of potassium carbonate anhydrous to yield new compound (N-(2- aminoacetyl-5-(P-dimethyl amine benzene )-1,3,4-oxadiazoles-2-yl)(A30) and Azo compound (N-(5-(Azo-2-hydroxy-5-amino benzene)-1,3-Diazol-2yl)Allopurinol(A46). The structure of prepared compounds were confirmed by (FT-IR)
... Show MoreTo achieve sustainability, use waste materials to make concrete to use alternative components and reduce the production of Portland cement. Lime cement was used instead of Portland cement, and 15% of the cement's weight was replaced with silica fume. Also used were eco-friendly fibers (copper fiber) made from recycled electrical. This work examines the impact of utilizing sustainable copper fiber with different aspect ratios (l/d) on some mechanical properties of high-strength green concrete. A high-strength cement mixture with a compressive strength of 65 MPa in line with ACI 211.4R was required to complete the assignment. Copper fibers of 1% by volume of concrete were employed in mixes with four different aspect ratios
... Show MoreHaruki Murakami (1949-present) is a contemporary Japanese writer whose works have been translated into fifty languages and won him plenty of Japanese and international awards. His short stories are well constructed in a weird realistic manner and are mixed with elements of surrealism. His novels and short stories fall under the genre of magical realism. One of the major revolving themes that Murakami wrote about was the haunting feeling of emptiness and disconnectedness in a world which seems to care much for materialism and self-interests.
The paper explores two of Murakami’s short stories in his book After the Quake (2000) and the relevance of their themes and characters to Iraq after the q
... Show MoreNerium oleander known as oleander has belonged to the poisonous plants its habitat in a tropical andsubtropical region. The chemical analysis with GC-Mass of the alcoholic extract of oleander leaves revealedthat this plant has many chemical compounds more than 80 compounds and high-peaks about 29 compoundswhich are represented by alkaloids, phenol, terpenes, and fatty acid. HPLC analysis showed many essentialoils that have many biological effects.To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the alcoholic extract of N. oleander against locally isolatedPseudomonas aeroginosa the broth micro-dilution method was adapted to different concentrations werestarted from 3.9 to1000 mg/ml. The results revealed that the alcoholic extract has antiba
... Show MoreApium graveolens has been utilized for a multitude of purposes due to its diverse pharmacological characteristics. On the other hand, little is known about how the fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated) terpenes and steroids found in Iraqi Apium graveolens affect the human cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Iraqi Apium graveolens petroleum ether extract on the human prostate cancer cell line (PC3). Subsidiary extraction and phytochemical analysis by GC/MS were performed.The dry and fresh aerial parts (leaves and stem) of Apium graveolens were extracted using a Soxhlet device with 70 % ethanol, then fractionated with petroleum ether. Then Gas Chromatography System was used to identify the bioactive
... Show MoreCoconut milk is considered as a natural drink that enhances the immunity and it is enriched by calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin (C) and it is also safe drink for kids and bacterial anti-oxdant, and it may be used in the natural juices instead of the whole milk (cow milk) which is added to some juices. This study aimed to determine the nutritrnal value and the sensory evaluation properties of the natural orange juice enriched by canned coconut milk &nb
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implant surface technologies have been evolving rapidly to enhance a more rapid bone formation on their surface and improve implant therapy.Implant threads should be designed to increase surface contact areathat induced better stability. In addition, implant surface coating with Flaxseed was used to enhance bone formation at the bone-implant interface. Materials and methods: Ninety-six commercially pure titanium (CpTi) screws were implanted in rabbits' tibiae and divided into three groups as dual-threaded group, flaxseed-coated group and control group. All groups were evaluated mechanically, histologically and radiographically after each healing periods (2, 4, 6 and 8) weeks and the resulting data were statistically analy
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