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.
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and practices of nursing staff at the orthopedic wards relative to
nursing care presented to patients with femur fractures.
MethodologyThe sample consisted of (50) staff nurses was selected out of orthopedic wards of five
teaching hospital in Baghdad city for duration 15th Nivember 2001-15th of January 2002.
For the purpose of data collection, two instruments were constructed. First, observational
checklist for the practices measurements and second, knowledge test for the evaluation of the nurse
knowledge. Such construction was employed through literature review and validity expert’s responses.
Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive data analysis (frequency, p
Schiff bases of Ceftizoxime sodium were synthesized in an attempt to improve the antimicrobial spectrum of Ceftizoxime. Aminothiazole ring of Ceftizoxime is linked directly through an imino group to different aromatic aldehydes reacted by nucleophilic addition using trimethylamine (TEA), as a catalyst and refluxed in methanol. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated for such Schiff bases using disc diffusion method. Molecular docking was conducted on certain penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and carboxypeptidases using 1- click docking software. Schiff bases of Ceftizoxime were prepared with reasonable yields and their chemical structures were confirmed by spectral analysis (FTIR, 1H-NMR) and elemental microanalysis (CHNS). The antibacter
... Show MoreCiprofloxacin is a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone, effective in the treatment of a wide range of infections, including genitourinary tract infections.In this study, bioadhesive vaginal tablets of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared by direct compression method using a combination of bioadhesivepolymers carbopol 934P(Cp), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and sodium alginate (SA) in different ratios.The prepared tablet formulations were characterized by measuring their swelling capacity, surface pH, bioadhesive properties, and in-vitro drug dissolution. It was found that the bioadhesive force was directly proportional to carbopol 934P content in different formulae and was further enhanced by the inclusion of carboxymethylcellulose.
... Show MoreIsatin (1H-indole-2, 3-dione) and its analogs are an important class of heterocyclic compounds. N-benzyl isatins and Schiff bases of isatin analogs have been reported to demonstrate a variety of biological activities. This work illustrates the synthesis of new N-benzylisatin Schiff bases and studies their biological activity. Firstly, Isatin and its analogs; 5-methoxyisatin, 5-fluoroisatin reacted with benzyl iodide to obtain N-benzylated derivatives of isatins 2 (ac). Secondly, these compounds were reacted with different amines (sulphanilamide and 4-methyl sulphonyl aniline) separately, to obtain Schiff bases compounds 3 (ac) and 4 (ac), respectively. The synthesized compounds were characterized by using FT-IR and 1HNMR spectroscopy. The s
... Show MoreDairy wastewater generally contains fats, lactose, whey proteins, and nutrients. Casein precipitation causes the effluent to decompose into a dark, strong-smelling sludge. Fluid waste contains soluble organic matter, suspended solids, and gaseous organic matter, which cause undesirable taste and smell, grant tone and turbidity, and advance eutrophication, which plays an essential role in increasing biological oxygen demand (BOD) in water. It also contains detergents and disinfecting agents from the rinses and washing processes, which increase the need for chemical oxygen (COD). One of the characteristics of dairy effluents is their relatively high temperature, high organic contents, and wide pH range, so the discharge of wastewater into
... Show MoreThe present study dealt with the removal of methylene blue from wastewater by using peanut hulls (PNH) as adsorbent. Two modes of operation were used in the present work, batch mode and inverse fluidized bed mode. In batch experiment, the effect of peanut hulls doses 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 g, with constant initial pH =5.6, concentration 20 mg/L and particle size 2-3.35 mm were studied. The results showed that the percent removal of methylene blue increased with the increase of peanut hulls dose. Batch kinetics experiments showed that equilibrium time was about 3 hours, isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich) were used to correlate these results. The results showed that the (Freundlich) model gave the best fitting for adsorption capacity. D
... Show MoreCoagulation - flocculation are basic chemical engineering method in the treatment of metal-bearing industrial wastewater because it removes colloidal particles, some soluble compounds and very fine solid suspensions initially present in the wastewater by destabilization and formation of flocs. This research was conducted to study the feasibility of using natural coagulant such as okra and mallow and chemical coagulant such as alum for removing Cu and increase the removal efficiency and reduce the turbidity of treated water. Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) was carried out for okra and mallow before and after coagulant to determine their type of functional groups. Carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups on the surface of
... Show MoreRoller Compacted Concrete is a type of concrete that is environmentally friendly and more economical than traditional concrete. Roller Compacted Concrete is typically used for heavy-duty and specialist constructions, such as hydraulic structures and pavements, because of its coarse surface. The main difference between RCC and conventional concrete mixtures is that RCC has a more significant proportion of fine aggregates that allow compaction and tight packing. In recent years, it has been estimated that several million tons of waste demolished material (WDM) produced each year are directed to landfills worldwide without being recycled for disposal. This review aimed to study the literature about creating a Roller-Comp
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