Background: The desire for an attractive appearing fixed orthodontic appliance fueled the use of ceramic brackets and clear accessories. Elastics are one of the most versatile materials available to orthodontists so studying their effect on the esthetic appearance is important. This an in vivo study, conducted to evaluate the effect of exposing stretched clear elastomeric ligatures to the oral environment from four different companies (OrthoTechnology, Morelli, Ortho Organizer, and Ormco). Materials and Methods: A total of 240 elastomeric modules were examined, 60 modules from each brand. Each of the 60 patients enrolled in the study, received 4 elastomeric modules on the 4 lower incisors, one from each brand. The specimens were placed on the teeth for 1, 2 and 4 weeks. After removal each module was kept in a sealed plastic bag and prepared for imaging and color measurement. Color measurements were made before and after use of the specimens. Images were taken by a cellular attachable microscope connected to a mobile phone with special J-cam program and the color change was calculated according to CIE Labcolor spaces system by the Adobe Photoshop program. The resulting data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, LSD and Chi square tests. Results: The results showed that, all the elastomeric ligatures discolored after use. The discoloration increased with an increased incubation period in the mouth reaching the peak at 4 weeks interval and the yellowness index was the mostly effected color component. Elastomeric ligatures from Morelli brand were the most prone to discoloration, while Ortho Organizers and Ormco ligatures were the least prone to discoloration with the presence of large individual variation. Conclusion: It is necessary to alert the patient about the color changes that the clear ligatures experienced and the staining effect of certain foods. The orthodontist should select brands that are more resistant to color changes.
Introduction: A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the vagina and uterine cervix. Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer to be prevented and diagnosed using regular screening tests and follow-up. This study aimed to estimate the cytological changes and the precancerous lesions using Pap smear test and visual inspection of the cervices of Iraqi women, and also to determine the possible relationship of this cancer with patients’ demographic characteristics. Methods: The study included 140 women aged (18-67) years old referred to the National Cancer Research Center (NCRC), Baghdad, Iraq, during the period 2011-2016. Both visual inspections of the uterine cervix and Papanicolaou smear screening were performed
... Show MoreThe concentrations of natural radionuclides in sediment samples from various locations along the stream of the Tigris riverbank in the Medical city in Bab Al- Muadham, Baghdad, had been examined using NaI(Tl) detector. The mean concentrations of specific activity for 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs for sediments of the river was 13.5±4.6, 35.2±3.1, 272.2±21.4 and 1.5±0.35 Bq/kg respectively. The findings revealed that the concentration values of natural radionuclides and cesium were below permitted limits. The radiological hazard was compared with a global average (Radium equivalent, absorbed dose rate, radiation hazard index and annual effective dose equivalent) finding it was less
... Show MoreIn the present work, a set of indoor Radon concentration measurements was carried out in a number of rooms and buildings of Science College in the University of Mustansiriyah for the first time in Iraq using RAD-7 detector which is an active method for short time measuring compared with the passive method in solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD's). The results show that, the Radon concentrations values vary from 9.85±1.7 Bq.m-3 to 94.21±34.7 Bq.m-3 with an average value 53.64±26 Bq.m-3 which is lower than the recommended action level 200-300 Bq/m3 [ICRP, 2009].
The values of the annual effective dose (A.E.D) vary from 0.25 mSv/y to 2.38 mSv/y, with an average value 1.46±0.67 mSv/y which is lower than the recommended the rang
Background: Occupational exposure to hazardous drugs occurs in all aspects of anticancer drug handling. Proper recommendations and guidelines should be applied to control and reduce exposure. Objective: To assess pharmacists' knowledge and practice regarding the safe handling of anticancer drugs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at seven major hospitals in Baghdad City, Iraq, from December 2023 to February 2024. A pre-designed questionnaire was given to pharmacists who handled anticancer drugs in chemotherapy units. The questionnaire comprises sociodemographic data, knowledge of the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs and thoughts about exposure and risk, practices for safely handling cytotoxic drugs, and challenges for s
... Show MoreThis study aims at identifying the reality of alternative assessment for teachers of the first cycle of the basic education in the Sultanate of Oman with respect to the degree of teachers' use of alternative assessment strategies, level of self-efficacy for alternative assessment strategies, and attitude towards alternative assessment, and their relationship with other variables. To achieve the aims of the study, a descriptive research approach was utilized. A 5-point self-rated questionnaire was developed. It consists of three sections: Actual use of alternative assessment strategies (21 items), self-efficacy for alternative assessment strategies (21 items), and attitude towards alternative assessment (27 items). The psychometric proper
... Show MoreThis paper aims to identify how the United Nations works through its website in prioritizing audiences towards international issues، by identifying the digital PR mechanisms used in digital PR contents in prioritizing audiences towards the international issues they deal with. To achieve the objectives of this paper, the researcher used the survey method and content analysis tool with a view to identifying the ranking of international issues on the website of health، peace and security، humanitarian assistance، human rights، women، migrants، refugees and displaced persons، economic development، United Nations affairs، culture and education، environment and climate، sustainable development, and law and crime prevention. One of
... Show MoreThe tremendous benefits of using cellular phones, which began to increase and unprecedented spread worldwide last decade, were accompanied by harmful effects on the environment due to the increase in electromagnetic radiation (EMR) which be emitted from mobile phone towers. This effect on humans, animals, and plants, which is considered a form of environmental pollution, was sensed by developed countries and Environmental protection organizations. These countries have established restrictions and enacted laws to reduce their negative impact on living beings. The field survey included six major hospitals and 38 schools were distributed over the central neighbourhoods in Al-Najaf city. The results showed that power density (PD) measurement
... Show MoreConcentrations 25, 50 and 100 mg of nano-capsules linolenic acid and non-capsulated fatty acid for 1kg of Milk was used for yogurt manufacture. The results showed no significant differences in the ratio of titration acidity and pH values between all processed treatments at the beginning and during of period storage. The treatments was added to it coated omega-3 by nano method were the least exposed to the oxidation process from the non-capsules omega-3, And for shield of The poly lactic acid had a significant role in the protection of alpha-linolenic acid against lipolysis by the formation of a protective layer to protect the acid from the activity of lipases enzymes, and the addition of fatty acid linolenic to milk was determined the gr
... Show MoreA descriptive study was conducted at two Epidemic Hospitals in Baghdad from 1st of August( 2003) to 1st of October (2004) in order to identify the nursing staff working in AIDS word to implementation of universal precautions for patients with AIDS and relation to some variable. The sample is consisted of (50) nurses who are working in AIDS ward in Ibn- Zuheir and Ibn- Al- Kahteeb Hospitals. Instruments consist of (20) items related with demographic characteristics of nurses and universal precautions items . Validity of the instrument was established through a panel of( 4) experts in specific fields . Descrip