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: Hypothyroidism is the most prevalent thyroid disorders worldwide. Hypothyroidism manifestations are wide spectrum, affecting various systems in human body including the nervous system. Hypothyroidism can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression and diminishing in attention, memory and executive function. Aim: to investigate the level of anxiety and depression in patients with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine treatment. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted at Baghdad Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy from March to June 2022. The study population included patients of both genders, aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, were receiving levothyroxine treatment and
... Show MoreObjective: 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
Isatin (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 MoreObjective(s): To evaluate students’ communication skills and their academic performance; to compare between the students relative to communication skills and their academic performance in the University of Baghdad and to identify the relationship between students’ communication skills, academic performance and their socio-demographic characteristics of age, gender, grade and socioeconomic status. Methodology: A descriptive design, using the evaluation approach, is carried through the present study to evaluate colleges’ students’ communication skills and their academic performance in the University of Baghdad for the period of January 7th 2019 to August 28th 2019. A non-probability, purposive sample, of (80) university students, i
... Show MoreBackground: Chemotherapeutic medication treatment for cancer is typically used in conjunction with other techniques as part of a routine regimen. It is well established that the capacity of different chemotherapeutic drugs to induce apoptosis is correlated with their anticancer efficacy. Quinazolinone-based drugs have demonstrated excellent responses from several cancer cell types. These substances have a lot of potential for use as building blocks in the creation of apoptosis inducers. Objective: To assess the new quinazolinone derivatives (M1 and M2) that were recently synthesized for their potential to halt wound healing and to use the acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) double stain to assess their capacity to induce apopto
... Show MoreTo synthesize new hydrazone derivatives of naproxen with enhanced anti-inflammatory activity and devoid the ulcerogenic side effects. Hydrazones were synthesized by conjugation of naproxen hydrazide with seven natural and synthetic aldehyde and ketone by using glacial acetic acid as catalyst. The synthesis has been carried out following simple methodology in excellent isolated yields.The structure of the synthesized derivatives has been characterized by elemental microanalysis (CHN), FTIR Spectroscopy, and other physicochemical properties.The anti- inflammatory activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated in vivo using the egg-white induced edema model in rats, and the results of the biological assay was found to be comparable to Nap
... Show More: Clobetasol propionate (CP) is a potent corticosteroid used for skin conditions but often causes side effects due its systemic absorption. To improve its solubility and reduce it side effects (like skin irritation, skin atrophy, hypopigmentation and steroidal acne), Microsponge (Msg) has been employed as a unique three-dimensional particle that can encapsulate hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. This study aims to develop and evaluate CP Msg-loaded hydrogels. Two Clobetasol-loaded ethylcellulose-based Msg formulas were prepared using the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method, then they were incorporated into Carbopol hydrogel. Two ratios of Carbopol 940 (1% and 1.5% w/w) were used. The prepared hydrogel were assessed for appearance, pH, dr
... Show MorePorosity and permeability are the most difficult properties to determine in subsurface reservoir characterization. The difficulty of estimating them arising from the fact that porosity and permeability may vary significantly over the reservoir volume, and can only be sampled at well location. Secondly, the porosity values are commonly evaluated from the well log data, which are usually available from most wells in the reservoir, but permeability values, which are generally determined from core analysis, are not usually available. The aim of this study is: First, to develop correlations between the core and the well log data which can be used to estimate permeability in uncored wells, these correlations enable to estimate reservoir permeabil
... Show MoreThe biggest problem of structural materials for fusion reactor is the damage caused by the fusion product neutrons to the structural material. If this problem is overcomed, an important milestone will be left behind in fusion energy. One of the important problems of the structural material is that nuclei forming the structural material interacting with fusion neutrons are transmuted to stable or radioactive nuclei via (n, x) (x; alpha, proton, gamma etc.) reactions. In particular, the concentration of helium gas in the structural material increases through deuteron- tritium (D-T) and (n, α) reactions, and this increase significantly changes the microstructure and the properties of the structural materials. T
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