Greenhouse gas emissions, carbon stocks and wheat productivity following biochar, compost and vermicompost amendments: comparison of non-saline and salt-affected soils.

Understanding the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon stock is crucial for effective climate change assessment and agroecosystem management. However, little is known about the effects of organic amendments on GHG emissions and dynamic changes in carbon stocks in salt-affected soils. We conducted a pot experiment with four treatments including control (only fertilizers addition), biochar, vermicompost, and compost on non-saline and salt-affected soils, with the application on a carbon equivalent basis under wheat crop production. Our results revealed that the addition of vermicompost significantly increased soil organic carbon content by 18% in non-saline soil and 52% in salt-affected soil compared to the control leading to improvements in crop productivity i.e., plant dry biomass production by 57% in non-saline soil with vermicompost, while 56% with the same treatment in salt-affected soil. The grain yield was also noted 44 and 50% more with vermicompost treatment in non-saline and salt-affected soil, respectively. Chlorophyll contents were observed maximum with vermicompost in non-saline (24%), and salt-affected soils (22%) with same treatments. Photosynthetic rate (47% and 53%), stomatal conductance (60% and 12%), and relative water contents (38% and 27%) were also noted maximum with the same treatment in non-saline and salt-affected soils, respectively. However, the highest carbon dioxide emissions were observed in vermicompost- and compost-treated soils, leading to an increase in emissions of 46% in non-saline soil and 74% in salt-affected soil compared to the control. The compost treatment resulted in the highest nitrous oxide emissions, with an increase of 57% in non-saline soil and 62% in salt-affected soil compared to the control. In saline and non-saline soils treated with vermicompost, the global warming potential was recorded as 267% and 81% more than the control, respectively. All treatments, except biochar in non-saline soil, showed increased net GHG emissions due to organic amendment application. However, biochar reduced net emissions by 12% in non-saline soil. The application of organic amendments increased soil organic carbon content and crop yield in both non-saline and salt-affected soils. In conclusion, biochar is most effective among all tested organic amendments at increasing soil organic carbon content in both non-saline and salt-affected soils, which could have potential benefits for soil health and crop production.

Bone grafting techniques and materials for implant dentistry.

Bone quality, volume, height and width all play a pivotal role in dental implant stability, success and survival. A lack of adequate bone can be overcome with various bone grafting procedures. Dependent on many factors, including the amount of bone required, the site of implant placement, patient preferences and clinician factors; the type of bone grafting material and procedure undertaken can vary. Supplemental bone can be sourced from a variety of sources, including autogenous, allogenous and xenograft bone. Dependent on the source of the bone, it will have different properties in aiding bone formation, as well as being presented in different formulations, such as bone particles or bone blocks.The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of bone grafting indications, materials and types of bone grafting techniques that can be utilised to aid dental implant provision. It also discusses the properties needed to ensure optimal success of guided bone regeneration techniques.

The single cone obturation technique with a modified warm filler.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a new method of obturation by warm sealer in conjunction to single cone gutta-percha and evaluate the suitability of this technique to obturate complex root canal systems. METHODOLOGY: Three root canal sealers namely, AH Plus, BioRoot RCS, GuttaFlow and a prototype sealer composed of tricalcium silicate and 30% zirconium oxide mixed with water and water-soluble polymer were investigated. The sealers were tested for flow, film thickness, setting time and radiopacity following ISO 6876 (2012) recommendations at room temperature and following heat application at 100°C to change the sealer properties. All the test sealers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The volume of voids when used with a single cone obturation technique both unmodified and modified by heat was evaluated using microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: Although the prototype sealer was designed to be similar to the BioRoot, its physical properties were found to be different. All sealers tested were affected by the heat and exhibited a change in the physical properties mainly the setting time, flow, film thickness and void volume. CONCLUSIONS: The application of heat affected the sealer properties and void volume. The single cone obturation technique may not be suitable for complex canal anatomy and furthermore, AH Plus should not be subjected to high temperatures as its properties deteriorate and void volume increases.

Effect of body mass index on early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of body mass index on early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This retrospective comparative study was conducted at Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology, Multan, Pakistan, and comprised data of patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from December 2007 to December 2015. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used for analysis of groups formed on the basis of body mass index. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 2,366 patients, 830(35.1%) had normal body mass index, 1,024(43.3%) were overweight, 402(16.9%)were obese and 110(4.6%) were morbidly obese. The overall mean age was 55.82±9.58 years. The mean age of morbidly obese patients was significantly lower (p=0.02). Additive euro score was high in patients with normal body mass index (p=0.006). Post-op creatine kinase muscle and brain MB levels and incidence of peri-operative myocardial infarction was significantly high in obese and morbidly obese groups (p=0.002 and p=0.01, respectively). Hospital stay time was significantly longer in obese and morbidly obese patients (p=0.01). The incidence of post-operative complications was the same in all groups (p>0.05). Operative mortality was also the same between the groups (p=0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Higher body mass index was associated with increased risk of short-term morbidity in terms of myocardial infarction after surgery and increased length of hospital stay. Our study did not support the concept of obesity paradox.