Background: Nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires have become increasingly popular because of their ability to release constant light forces, which are especially useful during initial alignment and leveling phase. The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the load–deflection characteristics of four commercially available NiTi archwires. Materials and methods: 200 NiTi 0.014, 0.016, 0.018, 0.016x0.022 and 0.019x0.025-inch nickel–titanium archwires from four different manufacturers (3M, Ortho Technology, Jiscop and Astar) were tested. The load-deflection properties of these archwires were evaluated by a full arch bending test in both palatal and gingival directionsat 37°C temperature using a universal material t

Background and Aim: The use of food dyes can cause certain diseases, such as anemia and indigestion, along with other disorders, tumors, and even cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the chemical nature and toxicity of some commercial dyes locally used in processed foods compared with standard food dyes. Materials and Methods: Three types of standard and commercial food color additives (Sunset Yellow, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine) were extensively examined. The chemical structures and functional groups of the dyes were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The melting temperatures of the dyes were also determined by chemical thermal analysis. The acute toxicity test to evaluate the standard and commercial

Background: Polymeric composites have been widely used as dental restorative materials. A fundamental knowledge and understanding of the behavior of these materials in the oral cavity is essential to improve their properties and performance. The goal of this study was to measure water sorption of four composite resins containing different filler and resin matrix contents. Materials and method: Resin composite specimens giomer (Beautifil II) Filtek™ P90, Filtek™ Z350 XT, and Tetric N Ceram were prepared in a cylindrical mould of 3mm thickness and 6mm diameter (n=10) and light cured . All specimens placed in silica-gel desiccators at 37˚C for seven days, a constant weight was obtained. All samples were immersed in deionized distill

 Investigating the heavy metals in soil is important to the life of humans and living organisms. Diyala River Lower Reaches was chosen due to the changes in environmental characteristics that took place in recent years. Twelve sediment samples were collected from four different sites. The physical, and chemical properties and the concentrations of nine heavy metals were indicated. The results showed that the average concentrations of arsenic, copper, chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc are 8.5, 45.7, 538.5, 12.2, 5.07, 991.7, 183.5, 16.07, 136.5 ppm, respectively. They reflect contamination with arsenic, chromium, and nickel, while they are free of lead, and zinc contamination, according to the Environmental P

Confocal microscope imaging has become popular in biotechnology labs. Confocal imaging technology utilizes fluorescence optics, where laser light is focused onto a specific spot at a defined depth in the sample. A considerable number of images are produced regularly during the process of research. These images require methods of unbiased quantification to have meaningful analyses. Increasing efforts to tie reimbursement to outcomes will likely increase the need for objective data in analyzing confocal microscope images in the coming years. Utilizing visual quantification methods to quantify confocal images with naked human eyes is an essential but often underreported outcome measure due to the time required for manual counting and e

Background: Improved glucose level control with insulin injections have allowed for the diabetic population to live longer and healthier lives. Unfortunately diabetes remains a worldwide epidemic disease with multiple health implications. Specifically, its effects upon fracture healing are compromised in diabetics with as high as 87% recovery delay relative to “healthy” counterparts. Current medical treatments for bone injuries have been largely focused on replacing the lost bone with allogenic or autogenous bone grafts, beta-tricalcium phosphate (β -TCP), a ceramic alloplast, has interconnected system of micropores, has been widely used as a biologically safe osteoconductive bone substitute. The aim of this study was histol

This study aimed to identify the changes in total protein in saliva and sera samples of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in comparison to those of healthy controls. These changes were followed using electrophoresis (PAGE). Meanwhile, determinations of albumin, globulin and albumin to globulin ratio were carried out on sera samples only.Two groups were the participants in the present study, 18 patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), and 20 ages and gender matched healthy controls.

we studied the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) using diode laser with wavelength of (790-805) nm in promotion and enhancement of wound healing of episiotomy and to evaluate the analgesic effect of LLLT in reducing the pain sensation caused by the episiotomy wounds. Nineteen women with episiotomy wound were selected and divided into three groups; 1st group (group No.1: control group) given antibiotics without laser therapy, in the 2nd group (group No.2) the wounds were exposed to laser therapy (4 sessions, each session with energy density of 19.90 J /cm2 every other day ) and systemic antibiotics were prescribed for 1 week. In the 3rd group (group No.3) the wounds were exposed to laser therapy (4 sessions, the same as in the 2nd