Efficacy of Fractional 2940-nm Erbium:YAG Laser Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus its Combination with Low-Level Laser Therapy for Scar Revision.

Objective: We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of combining fractional 2940-nm Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus its combination with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for enhancing the outcome of postsurgical and post-traumatic scars.

Methods: Fourty-five individuals with post-surgical or post-traumatic scars were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart along with eight sessions of intradermal PRP injections spaced two weeks apart; Group B received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart along with two sessions of light emitting diode (LED) weekly; and Group C received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using clinical photographs, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), patient satisfaction and histopathology.

A new type of two-dimensional carbon-based monolayers namely irida-graphene as an anode material for magnesium-ion batteries.

The DFT was employed to assess the ion-storage capability of an irida-graphene monolayer (IGM) in Mg-ion batteries (MIBs). The IGM had a mechanically stable structure. The IGM also exhibited great conductance based on the DOS calculations.

The Efficacy of and Herbal Mouthwash on Gingivitis in Pediatric Patients Diagnosed Clinically and with Photometric CIELab Analysis: An Randomized Double-blind Clinical Study.

Background: Children are more prone to develop gingivitis as a result of deficient oral hygiene, morphological variance, and a diet that encourages the growth of pathogenic oral bacteria.

Aim: The purpose of this randomized, double-blind clinical study is to compare the therapeutic effect of an herbal mouthwash made of decoction and ethanolic extract of and to that of chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinse.

Materials And Methods: In this study, 60 patients aged between 8 and 10 years were divided into four groups, each with 15 patients.

Thin-Layer TiO Membrane Fabrication by Condensed Layer Deposition.

A novel approach to the fabrication of thin-film supported metal oxide membranes was investigated. Nanocoatings were obtained by the condensed layer deposition of TiO on tubular microporous supports, applying multiple consecutive layers of TiO/polyaniline. The surface, cross-sectional structure, and morphology of the materials were investigated by electron microscopy.

Liposome Nanocarriers Based on γ Oryzanol: Preparation, Characterization, and Assessment of Toxicity and Antioxidant Activity.

The present study aimed to develop and characterize liposome nanocarriers based on γ oryzanol and evaluate their potential and toxicity and antioxidant effects. The liposomes were physicochemically characterized using various techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) for size and polydispersity index (PDI) measurements and ζ-potential analysis. The toxicity assessments were performed using hemolysis and MTT assays on the HS5 cell line.

The potential of nano graphene oxide and chlorhexidine composite membranes for use as a surface layer in functionally graded membranes for periodontal lesions.

Membranes have been used for treating periodontal defects and play a crucial role in guided bone regeneration applications. Nano graphene oxide have been exploited in tissue engineering due to its biomechanical properties. Its composite formulations with hydroxyapatite and chitosan with controlled degradation could aid in becoming part of a surface layer in a functionally graded membrane.

Twin-screw extrusion of vitamin D3/iron-blend granules in corn and lentil composite flours: Stability, microstructure, and interaction of vitamin D3 with human osteoblast cells.

Vitamin D3 (VD3) and iron-blend granules were blended with corn and lentil composite flour (75/25, w/w) and fed into a pilot-scale twin-screw extruder to produce ready-to-eat snacks. The morphology and microstructure of extruded snacks were examined using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray powder diffraction, and FT-IR. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis measured the melting temperature and thermal stability of the extrudates.

Enhancing vitamin D - iron blends via twin-screw dry granulation: Microstructural properties and cellular uptake analysis of vitamin D.

The aim of this study was to develop vitamin D (VD) and iron (Fe) blended granules using Neusilin® US2 as an excipient. A central composite design of experiments was used for the continuous manufacturing process, considering VD and iron as independent variables and the bulk density, flow index, oil holding capacity, and color difference as response variables. The addition of VD had a significant effect on the powder flow properties.

EVALUATION OF VEST-OVER-PANT TECHNIQUE IN THE TREATMENT OF POST-HYPOSPADIAS URETHROCUTANEOUS FISTULA.

Objective: The aim: In this study, we present and evaluate the vest-over-pants technique as a simple way to correct urethrocutaneous fistulas after hypospadias.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: Between October 2018 and June 2020, twenty male patients aged 5 to 20 years came to us with post hypospadias repair fistula, these patients underwent vest-over-pant repair of their fistula. The size of fistula was ranging between 2.

Dry granulation of vitamin D3 and iron in corn starch matrix: Powder flow and structural properties.

In this work, a twin-screw dry granulation (TSDG) was adopted to produce vitamin D3 (VD3) and iron blended dry granules using corn starch as an excipient. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the effect of the formulation compositions (VD3 and iron) on granule properties [tapped bulk density, oil holding capacity, and volumetric mean particle size (D50)]. Results indicated that the model fitted well, and responses, in particular flow properties, were significantly affected by the composition.

Effect of Toll-Like Receptor 7 Gene Polymorphism and ABO Blood Groups on the Severity of COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The most current threat to global health is the continuous spread of a respiratory disease known as COVID-19 Disease 2019 in recent years. COVID-19 was recognized in December 2019. It was quickly determined that a novel COVID-19 virus, which is structurally linked to the virus that causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome, was to cause (SARS).

study of the effect of resveratrol purified from the skin of Iraqi black grape () on lymphocyte cultures isolated from the blood of patients with lymphoma.

The natural stilbene compound resveratrol (RSV) was extracted and purified locally from the black grape skin () cultivated in Iraq. Cultures of human peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from the blood samples of patients with and without lymphoma to be treated with RSV at different concentrations. Three RSV concentration levels were subjected to isolated lymphocytes from blood samples of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and without lymphoma to estimate the change in TNF-α and IL-10.

Thermal, structural, antimicrobial, and physicochemical characterisation of thyme essential oil encapsulated in β- and γ-cyclodextrin.

The present work aimed to encapsulate the thyme essential oil (TEO) in β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and γ-cyclodextrin (GCD) complexes in two selected cyclodextrin (CD) to TEO ratios (85/15 and 80/20 w/w) and compare the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the encapsulated powders. The inclusion complexes between CD and TEO were prepared by blending aqueous CD and TEO in ethanol followed by freeze-drying. The powder properties were assessed by measuring particle size and microstructure using SEM, FTIR, and XRD.

Enhanced Mechanical and Durability Properties of Cement Mortar by Using Alumina Nanocoating on Carbon Nanofibers.

This study evaluated the effect of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) coated by aluminum oxide AlO as a reinforcement on compressive strength, frost resistance, and drying shrinkage of cement mortars. Three weight ratios of 0.125%, 0.

High-pressure treatment of water-filled co-extruded polylactide films: Effect on microstructure, barrier, thermal, and rheological properties.

The impact of high-pressure treatments (450 and 600 MPa) on the morphological, thermal, structural, and barrier properties of commercial coextruded polylactide (PLA) packaging films has been explored to evaluate their applicability in food processing. Pouches filled with water as a food simulant were subjected to high-pressure treatment for 15 min at ambient temperature. Results indicated no significant changes in the visual appearance, color, integrity, or water barrier properties of the post-process pouches.

Modified snodgrass hypospadias repair using the lembert suturing technique.

Background: Surgical repair of hypospadias deformity is a challenging and complex issue. However, the technique of Snodgrass and its modifications attend promising functional and cosmetic results.

Purpose: To assess the Lembert suturing technique effectiveness as a modification of the Snodgrass technique in lowering an urethrocutanous fistula rate.

Removal of Congo red dyes from aqueous solutions by porous γ-alumina nanoshells.

Porous alumina has been shown to be an excellent adsorbent for Congo Red (CR) dye. In this work, highly porous g-AlO nanoshells were synthesized from alumina coated carbon black (CB) obtained from a new deposition technique and used for removal of CR dye from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments were conducted in a batch mode and a series of parameters were investigated, including contact time, initial dye concentrations, ionic strength and pH of the solutions.

Distribution and diversity of eukaryotic microalgae in Kuwait waters assessed using 18S rRNA gene sequencing.

The microbial communities play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning through interactions among individuals and taxonomic groups in a highly dynamic marine ecosystem. The structure and functioning of the microbial communities are often influenced by the changes in the surrounding environment. Monitoring the microbial diversity of the marine ecosystem helps to understand spatial patterns of microbial community and changes due to season, climate, and various drivers of biological diversity.

Cryo-ePDF: Overcoming Electron Beam Damage to Study the Local Atomic Structure of Amorphous ALD Aluminum Oxide Thin Films within a TEM.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) provides uniform and conformal thin films that are of interest for a range of applications. To better understand the properties of amorphous ALD films, we need an improved understanding of their local atomic structure. Previous work demonstrated measurement of how the local atomic structure of ALD-grown aluminum oxide (AlO ) evolves in operando during growth by employing synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction (HE-XRD).

Rheological, thermal, and structural properties of high-pressure treated Litchi (Litchi chinensis) kernel starch.

Starch isolated from litchi kernel was subjected to high-pressure (HP) treatment at selected pressures (300, 450 and 600 MPa) for 10 min, and evaluated for its rheological, morphological, thermal and structural properties. The amylose content of native litchi kernel starch (LKS) was 17.4%, which increased significantly upon pressurization.

Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Network with an Unequal Clustering Protocol Based on a Balanced Energy Method (EEUCB).

A hot spot problem is a problem where cluster nodes near to the base station (BS) tend to drain their energy much faster than other nodes due to the need to perform more communication. Unequal clustering methods such as unequal clustering routing (UDCH) and energy-efficient fuzzy logic for unequal clustering (EEFUC) have been proposed to address this problem. However, these methods only concentrate on utilizing residual energy and the distance of sensor nodes to the base station, while limited attention is given to enhancing the data transmission process.

Rheological and Dielectric Behavior of 3D-Printable Chitosan/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels.

The effect of concentration, temperature, and the addition of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on the rheological and dielectric behavior of chitosan (CS) solutions, which influences the formation of the blend materials for various applications including 3D printing and packaging, was studied. Among tested acid solutions, the rheological behavior of 1% CS in acetic and lactic acid solutions was found to be similar, whereas the hydrochloric acid solution showed an abnormal drop in the dynamic moduli. Oscillatory rheology confirmed a distinct gel point for the CS solutions at below 10 °C.

The utility of a novel vacuum-assisted foreign body extraction technique from wounds.

Retained soft tissue foreign bodies following injuries are frequently seen in the Emergency and Plastic Surgery practice. The patients with such presentations require a watchful and detailed clinical assessment to overcome the anticipant possibility of missing them. However, the diagnosis based on the clinical evaluation is usually challenging and needs to be supported by imaging modalities that are suboptimal and may fail in identifying some types of foreign bodies.

Effect of inulin on rheological, textural, and structural properties of brown wheat flour dough and in vitro digestibility of developed Arabic bread.

The brown wheat flour (BWF)-based Arabic bread was fortified with chicory-derived inulin. The objective of this work was to assess the influence of the inulin concentration (1.25 to 5%) on the rheological, textural properties, and fermentation efficacy of enriched BWF dough.

Sex differences in prevalence and determinants of hypertension among adults: a cross-sectional survey of one rural village in Bangladesh.

Objective: Prevention of mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) through control of hypertension is a public health priority in Bangladesh. Our objective was to assess sex differences in prevalence and determinants of hypertension among adults in one rural area of Bangladesh.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.