Beneficial or detrimental? How nickel application alters the ionome of soybean plants.

The use of nickel (Ni) in agriculture may represent one of the most significant cases of plant hormesis ever reported, as plants exhibit both positive and negative responses depending on the level of exposure to this element. For a more comprehensive understanding of this effect, the next step is to conduct studies on the dynamics of pre-existing chemical elements in the system (ionomic profile), especially when introducing Ni as a novel nutrient for the plants. This micronutrient is of particular interest to the fertilization of leguminous plants, such as the soybean, due to its additional effects on the biological nitrogen fixation process. This study thus evaluated the influence of five doses of Ni (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 9.0 mg of Ni kg-1) on the ionomic profile of soybean genotypes using modern quantification techniques. The results revealed that the addition of Ni reduced the concentration of cationic micronutrients manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), while it increased the concentration of macronutrients nitrogen (N) and magnesium (Mg). The application of Ni also resulted in a reduction of the potentially toxic element aluminum (Al). Correlations were also observed for these elements, indicating that Ni could be a controlling agent in elemental absorption and translocation. The ionome of the leaf tissues exhibited the most significant alterations, followed by the grains, nodules, and roots. Exogenous agronomic doses of Ni proved beneficial for the growth and production of soybean plants, although a genotypic effect was observed. The treatment with 9.0 mg of Ni kg-1, resulted in a new ionomic profile related to toxicity, demonstrating suboptimal plant development. Thus, the application of Ni in appropriate doses had a significant impact on the ionomic profile of soybeans, improving plant development and implying resistance to potentially toxic elements such as Al.

Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium of Sesame Fatty Acid (Ethyl and Methyl) Ester + Glycerol + Ethanol/Methanol Mixtures at Different Temperatures.

This study aimed to investigate the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) behavior of sesame fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) and methyl ester (FAME) in combination with glycerol and the co-solvents ethanol and methanol. FAEE and FAME were produced through the transesterification of mechanically extracted and purified sesame oil, using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a homogeneous base catalyst. The reactions were conducted in ethanol and methanol to produce FAEE and FAME, respectively. Post-reaction, the products were separated and purified, followed by an analysis of the LLE behavior at 313.15 K and 323.15 K under atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa). The experimental process for the miscibility analysis utilized a jacketed glass cell adapted for this study. Miscibility limits or binodal curves were determined using the turbidity-point method. Tie lines were constructed by preparing mixtures of known concentrations within the two-phase region, which allowed the phases to separate after agitation. Samples from both phases were analyzed to determine their composition. This study revealed that higher temperatures promoted greater phase separation and enhanced the biodiesel purification process. The NRTL model effectively correlated the activity coefficients with the experimental data, showing good agreement, with a root-mean-square deviation of 3.5%. Additionally, the data quality was validated using Marcilla's method, which yielded an R2 value close to 1. Attraction factors and distribution coefficients were also calculated to evaluate the efficiency of the co-solvents as extraction agents. The findings indicated higher selectivity for methanol than for ethanol, with varying degrees of distribution among the co-solvents. These results offer significant insights into enhancing biodiesel production processes by considering the effects of co-solvents on the LLE properties of mixtures, ultimately contributing to more efficient and cost-effective biodiesel production.

Bonding of Composite Cements Containing 10-MDP to Zirconia Ceramics Without Dedicated Ceramic Primer.

PURPOSE: To measure zirconia-to-zirconia microtensile bond strength (µTBS) using composite cements with and without primer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two Initial Zirconia UHT (GC) sticks (1.8x1.8x5.0 mm) were bonded using four cements with and without their respective manufacturer's primer/adhesive (G-CEM ONE [GOne] and G-Multi Primer, GC; Panavia V5 [Pv5]), and Panavia SA Cement Universal [PSAu], and Clearfil Ceramic Plus, Kuraray Noritake; RelyX Universal (RXu) and Scotchbond Universal Plus [SBUp], 3M Oral Care). Specimens were trimmed to an hour-glass shaped specimen whose isthmus is circular in cross-section. After 1-week water storage, the specimens were either tested immediately (1-week µTBS) or first subjected to 50,000 thermocycles (50kTC-aged µTBS). The fracture mode was categorized as either adhesive interfacial failure, cohesive failure in composite cement, or mixed failure, followed by SEM fracture analysis of selected specimens. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects statistics (α = 0.05; variables: composite cement, primer/adhesive application, aging). RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences with aging (p = 0.3662). No significant difference in µTBS with/without primer and aging was recorded for GOne and PSAu. A significantly higher µTBS was recorded for Pv5 and RXu when applied with their respective primer/adhesive. Comparing the four composite cements when they were applied in the manner that resulted in their best performance, a significant difference in 50kTC-aged µTBS was found for PSAu compared to Pv5 and RXu. A significant decrease in µTBS upon 50kTC aging was only recorded for RXu in combination with SBUp. CONCLUSION: Adequate bonding to zirconia requires the functional monomer 10-MDP either contained in the composite cement, in which case a separate 10-MDP primer is no longer needed, or in the separately applied primer/adhesive.

Semidirect Resin Composite Veneers in a Patient with Bruxism.

This case report details the esthetic rehabilitation of a 32-year-old male patient suffering from sleep bruxism, primarily manifesting as a fracture and significant loss of tooth structure in the anterior maxillary central incisors. To address these concerns, the patient underwent a restorative treatment involving the application of semidirect resin composite veneers on the maxillary incisors and direct resin composite restoration on the incisal regions of the maxillary canines. This approach not only restored the functional integrity of the teeth but also significantly enhanced the patient's esthetic appearance.

The Importance of Estimating Excess Deaths Regionally During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

National or statewide estimates of excess deaths have limited value to understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic regionally. We assessed excess deaths in a 9-county geographically defined population that had low rates of COVID-19 and widescale availability of testing early in the pandemic, well-annotated clinical data, and coverage by 2 medical examiner's offices. We compared mortality rates (MRs) per 100,000 person-years in 2020 and 2021 with those in the 2019 reference period and MR ratios (MRRs). In 2020 and 2021, 177 and 219 deaths, respectively, were attributed to COVID-19 (MR = 52 and 66 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). COVID-19 MRs were highest in males, older persons, those living in rural areas, and those with 7 or more chronic conditions. Compared with 2019, we observed a 10% excess death rate in 2020 (MRR = 1.10 [95% CI, 1.04 to 1.15]), with excess deaths in females, older adults, and those with 7 or more chronic conditions. In contrast, we did not observe excess deaths overall in 2021 compared with 2019 (MRR = 1.04 [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.10]). However, those aged 18 to 39 years (MRR = 1.36 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.80) and those with 0 or 1 chronic condition (MRR = 1.28 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.56]) or 7 or more chronic conditions (MRR = 1.09 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.15]) had increased mortality compared with 2019. This work highlights the value of leveraging regional populations that experienced a similar pandemic wave timeline, mitigation strategies, testing availability, and data quality.

A Comparative Study of Shade-Matching Reproducibility Using an Intraoral Scanner and a Spectrophotometer.

BACKGROUND: We compared the repeatability of the shade determination of resin composite restorations and acrylic teeth in light and darker shades at baseline and after an aging process through two digital tooth color-matching methods: using a Trios 3Shape intraoral scanner and using a Vita Easyshade Compact spectrophotometer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty upper central incisor acrylic teeth in the shade A1 (n = 10) and A3 (n = 10) were randomly assigned to be restored with Filtek Bulk Fill in the shade A1 (n = 10) or A3 (n = 10). Subsequently, 20 Class V cavities were prepared in a standardized manner (mesio-distal = 3.0 mm, cervical-occlusal = 2.0 mm, depth = 1.5 mm). Cavities were restored using an universal adhesive system and resin composite in two increments and were light-cured. The shade difference between the resin composite Class V restorations in acrylic teeth of the A1 and A3 shades was evaluated at baseline and after aging. Aging was simulated using ultraviolet light for 120 h. An Easyshade device and an intraoral scanner were used under D65 illumination. Measurements were taken five times, on top of the restoration and on the acrylic teeth, in a randomized manner. RESULTS: Data analysis was on the calculation of the arithmetic mean for the percentage of repeatability conducted by the Trios scanner and the Easyshade device. There was no statistically significant comparison between the shade measurement devices (p > 0.05). At baseline, the repeatability for both the Trios intraoral scanner and the Vita Easyshade Compact device for artificial teeth in the shades A1 and A3 was 100%. After aging, the trueness recorded by the intraoral scanner and the Easyshade device for artificial teeth in the shade A1 was 80%. For Class V restoration with shade A1, the intraoral scanner recorded 80% trueness and the Easyshade device recorded 60% trueness at baseline. For shade A3, the intraoral scanner recorded 60% trueness and the Easyshade device recorded 60% trueness. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoral scanner and Easyshade device are reliable for baseline shade selection, but their accuracy decreases after aging, particularly for darker shades.

Interesting case from Argentina: Kidney transplant recipient with skin lesions-A Latin American perspective.

This is a case of a kidney transplant recipient who presented with skin lesions, low-grade fevers, and pancytopenia 2 months after his transplant.

Caffeine intake during pregnancy and adverse outcomes: An integrative review.

Caffeine intake during pregnancy is common. Caffeine crosses the placenta, raising concerns about its possible deleterious effects on the developing embryo/fetus. Studies on this subject show conflicting results, and still there is no consensus on the recommended dose of caffeine during pregnancy. We performed an integrative review with studies from six databases, using broad MESH terms to allow the identification of publications that addressed the outcomes of caffeine use during pregnancy, with no date limit for publications, in English and Portuguese language. The research returned 16,192 articles. After removing duplicates, screening by title, abstract and full-text, we evaluated 257 and included 59 articles. We found association between caffeine intake and pregnancy loss, low birth weight, cardiac and genital anomalies, higher body mass, and neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes. The effects were often dose dependent. No association with prematurity has been demonstrated, but one study showed a small reduction in gestational age with increasing doses of caffeine intake. Defining a safe dose for caffeine intake during pregnancy is a challenging task due to the heterogeneity in study designs and results, as well as the difficulty of reliably assessing the amount of caffeine consumed. In some studies, exposures below the recommended level of caffeine intake during pregnancy (200 mg/day), as suggested by the guidelines, were associated with pregnancy loss, low birth weight, cardiac and genital anomalies, higher body mass, and neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes. Well-designed studies with reliable quantification of caffeine intake are needed to assess the safety of low doses during pregnancy.

Naproxen administration affects murine late folliculogenesis, reduces granulosa cell proliferation and the number of ovulated oocytes.

Naproxen reduces the production of prostaglandins via inhibition of the cyclooxygenase. Studies have shown that its administration in women can be related to failed ovulation. Therefore, preclinical investigations must be performed in order to investigate its effects in experimental models. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of naproxen on murine folliculogenesis, ovulation, and female fertility. Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 128 - 6 weeks old) were divided into Control, low (10 mg/kg), and high naproxen (50 mg/kg) groups, who were treated for 8 days and directed to morphofunctional analyses. Follicular quantification showed a reduced percentage of antral follicles in naproxen-treated animals. These treated animals also showed smaller oocytes included in secondary and antral follicles, and the diameter of secondary and antral follicles was also reduced. A reduction in the percentage of Ki67-positive granulosa cells was observed in treated animals that also showed down-regulation of Igf1r compared to control. After an ovarian stimulation protocol, naproxen-treated animals showed a reduction in the percentage of secondary and antral follicles, a reduced number of ovulated oocytes and, corpora lutea, and an increased number of failed ovulations. Finally, naproxen-treated animals also showed a reduction in mating index and pregnancy rate. Our findings suggested that, in mice, naproxen administration (eight days treatment) negatively affects molecular and morphological aspects related to late folliculogenesis, ovulation, and fertility.

KI Increases Tomato Fruit Quality and Water Deficit Tolerance by Improving Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Amino Acid Accumulation: A Priming Effect or Relief during Stress?

A water deficit can negatively impact fruit yield and quality, affecting critical physiological processes. Strategies to mitigate water deficits are crucial to global food security. Iodine (I) may increase the efficiency of the antioxidant system of plants, but its role against water deficits is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of I in attenuating water deficits and improving fruit quality, investigating whether metabolic responses are derived from a "priming effect" or stress relief during water deficits. Tomato plants were exposed to different concentrations of potassium iodide (KI) via a nutrient solution and subjected to a water deficit. A water deficit in tomatoes without KI reduced their yield by 98%. However, a concentration of 100 µM of KI increased the yield under a water deficit by 28%. This condition is correlated with increased antioxidant activity, photosynthetic efficiency improvement, and malondialdehyde reduction. In addition, the concentration of 100 µM of KI promoted better fruit quality through antioxidant capacity and a decline in the maturation index. Therefore, KI can be an alternative for attenuating water deficits in tomatoes, inducing positive responses during the water deficit period while at the same time improving fruit quality.