Background: Masseter muscle is one of the most obvious muscles of mastication and considered as one indicator of jaw muscle activity. It has a major influence on the transverse growth of the midface and the vertical growth of the mandible. This study undertaken to determine the role of cephalometric analysis for discrimination between Cl I and Cl III skeletal relationships, determine the role of ultrasonography in determination of masseter muscle thickness, compare masseter muscle thickness between Cl I and Cl III skeletal relationships, and determine the effect of gender on masseter muscle thickness. Material and Method: The sample of the current study consisted of 70 Iraqi subjects 40 males and 30 females with age ranging 18-25 years. They were divided into 2 groups depending on ANB angle: class I skeletal relationship 20 males and 15 females and class III skeletal relationship 20 males and 15 females. The collected sample included patients attended for different diagnostic purposes to the Dental Radiology Department at College of Dentistry/Babylon University, standardized lateral cephalogram was taken to determine facial morphology, six angular and eight linear measurements were assessed. Masseter muscle thickness measured ultrasonography in Al-Hilla General Teaching Hospital/Ultrasonorgaphic Department, in relaxation and contraction conditions for both sides. Results: Various parameters measured for males and females in each class and the comparison shown statistically significant differences between them (P<0.05). No difference in muscle thickness between right and left sides in the same class (P>0.05). Gender variation showed significant difference in masseter muscle thickness during rest and occlusion conditions (P<0.001). Conclusion: Cephalometric analysis served to demonstrate the skeletal morphologies and provide a base for discrimination between class I and class III skeletal relationships. Ultrasonographic scanning is an important imaging procedure. It is reproducible and simple method for accurately measuring masseter muscle thickness. The ultrasonorgaphic study has revealed variations in masseter muscle thickness among individuals with different skeletal morphologies in each gender on one hand and between males and females in each skeletal class on the other hand. Key words: Masseter muscle thickness, skeletal morphology, cephalometric analysis, ultrasonorgaphic scanning.
Fresh water production from saline or waste water utilizing solar stills is the secured future approach in water industry with low cost and no environmental pollution accompanied with low productivity. In this work, the effect of inserting different available materials in a passive Single Slope Solar SSS stills on their productivity is accomplished. Side by side tests are performed on a conventional still, and three SSS stills inserted with carbon filter media, Copper wire mesh, and Cellulose sheets. All these stills are symmetrical in dimensions with 0.5 m2 base area tested for 20mm water level. The stills have been manufactured, instrumented, and tested in July 2021 under DhiQar-Iraq climate conditions (latitude 31.2° N, longitude 46.34
... Show MoreTwelve N-(6-sustirured benzothanol-2-y1) succinamic acids and 3-(6-substitted benzonathol-2-y1)-carbamoyl propionyl chloride were synthesized in good yields from reaction of benzonathol2-yl)
Football is one of the most important team sports, practiced by men and women, young and old, across various age groups. The physical development in this sport can be attributed to athletic training and modern technology, which have contributed significantly to advancing the sports field in general. Outstanding performance in football requires precise and quick physical abilities, closely tied to the competitive nature of the game. Speed is fundamental in football, making the use of technologies such as GPS tracking devices and heart rate monitors essential in both training and matches. This study aims to develop the speed of Al-Talaba SC players in Baghdad using a scientifically-based approach to improve their performance. The impo
... Show MoreIntegrating Renewable Energy (RE) into Distribution Power Networks (DPNs) is a choice for efficient and sustainable electricity. Controlling the power factor of these sources is one of the techniques employed to manage the power loss of the grid. Capacitor banks have been employed to control phantom power, improving voltage and reducing power losses for several decades. The voltage sag and the significant power losses in the Iraqi DPN make it good evidence to be a case study proving the efficiency enhancement by adjusting the RE power factor. Therefore, this paper studies a part of the Iraqi network in a windy and sunny region, the Badra-Zurbatya-11 kV feeder, in the Wasit governorate. A substation of hybrid RE sources is connected to this
... Show MorePsoriasis is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by skin inflammation with keratinocyte proliferation, and 85% of cases present as plaque-type psoriasis. Biologics such as ustekinumab (UST) are highly successful therapies for psoriasis. To achieve maximum clinical efficacy while minimizing undesirable effects, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for biologics has emerged. This study aims to measure the UST trough level (TL) and anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) and to evaluate clinical response in Iraqi patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in order to make appropriate recommendations for modifying therapy. This cross-sectional study enrolled 75 patients, divided into two groups: Group 1, patients who achieved the UST target TL (≥0.6
... Show MoreBackground: Chronic cough is often the key
symptom not only of chronic pulmonary diseases
but for other important extrapulmonary
pathologies, in particular upper airway and
gastrointestinal diseases.
Objective: This study was designed to
determine the etiology of chronic cough and the
usefulness of the available diagnostic tests in
reaching its causes.
Methods: One hundred patients presenting with
chronic cough at Baghdad Teaching Hospital
Outpatient Clinic were enrolled in this study. The
patients underwent a full clinical interview,
physical examination with indicated diagnostic
test(s) (such as chest x ray, bronchoscope, PFT,
GIT study, sinus X ray or CT).
Results: An etiology of chronic
Osteoporosis is a prevalent systemic metabolic disorder characterized by a reduction in bone mass and bone density, damage in microstructure of bone tissue, and raised bone fragility causing of fracture susceptibility. This study included 189 Iraqi adults aged 45–75 years, evaluating serum levels TGF-β3 and WNT5A across three groups: healthy individuals (n = 31) as control, those with primary osteoporosis/osteopenia (n = 61), and with comorbidity-related osteoporosis (linked to β-thalassemia, parathyroid disorders or diabetes; n = 97). Among those, β-thalassemia-associated osteoporosis patients showed the most distinct decrease in bone mineral density (0.57 ± 0.078 g/cm², p < 0.0001) along with marked increases in WNT5A (0.89 ± 0.68
... Show MoreVolunteerism is an element included in many human cultures. It represents a positive cooperative act between individuals and groups. It expresses the social value systems. As a social phenomenon, it develops in societies according to innumerous circumstances and conditions. This study uses a functional approach that assumes that volunteering performs six functions for volunteers. Namely, we assume that volunteering (1) creates a sense of protection (2) meets significant cultural values (3) improves professional status of volunteers, (4) strengthens their social relationships, (5) helps them achieve a better understanding of life, and finally, (6) enhances their outlook and self-esteem. The central aim of the study is to discuss these fun
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