Restoration Protocols Research Articles

Challenges to Seagrass Restoration in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Seagrasses provide valuable ecosystem services, including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and sediment stabilization. Unfortunately, these critical habitats are declining globally due to a range of anthropogenic impacts. Restoration practitioners have made efforts to mitigate loss through the introduction of seagrass transplants. However, seagrass restoration has low success rates and is plagued by water quality concerns and ecosystem degradation. Studies to improve seagrass restoration efforts have targeted different functional taxa to allow for greater stability and recovery of threatened ecosystems, and excluded macro-grazers to limit losses to newly established and restored seagrasses. We hypothesized greater seagrass (Halodule wrightii) health when restored in conjunction with hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and protected from grazers using herbivore exclusion devices (HEDs) in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. While our study experienced high rates of seagrass mortality, we were able to observe significant differences in seagrass health between IRL sub-lagoons and observed the positive effects of HEDs on seagrass health. The observed high species mortality highlights how restoration in the IRL is hindered by biotic and abiotic stressors, site selection, and a lack of clear restoration protocols. As we see ongoing declines in water quality and loss of foundational species, informed site selection, greater understanding of grazer presence, and multi-species restoration will provide an informed approach for future seagrass restoration projects globally.

Effects of aerial liming on soil chemical and biological properties in metal contaminated and inaccessible lands in Ontario (Canada).

The manual addition of lime to soil, in addition to tree planting and fertilization have been the dominant strategy described in restoration protocols for ecosystems damaged by acid rain and metal contamination. Investigations on aerial-limed soils in inaccessible lands are limited. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of aerial liming on soil pH, organic matter, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities, and aboveground plant population quality in metal-contaminated lands in northern Ontario, Canada. Soil samples were collected from three sites around the City of Greater Sudbury with each pair being composed of a reclaimed (areal-limed) site and an adjacent undisturbed (unlimed) area. Soil physico-chemistry, microbial biomass (assessed by Phospholipid fatty acid analysis) and enzymatic activities were analyzed. Soil pH was higher in limed sites compared to unlimed at recently restored sites (Baby Lake and Wahnapitae) but not at the oldest reclaimed site (HWY 80 N). Organic matter was higher in limed areas compared to the unlimed reference site only at most recently reclaimed site at Baby Lake. Aboveground plant population health was visibly improved in limed sites compared to unlimed areas. Metal concentrations of iron (Fe) and arsenic (As), total microbial biomasses, gram-negative bacterial, fungal, and eukaryotic biomasses were all significantly increased in the limed soils compared to the unlimed samples. The same trend was observed for the activities of three of the enzymes tested, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BG), aryl sulfatase (AS), and glycine aminopeptidase (GAP). Interestingly, strong positive correlations between the levels of soil organic matter, microbial biomasses, and NAGase and ALP activities were observed. Although expensive, aerial liming is effective in restoring inaccessible sites impacted by smelting operations where other methods cannot easily be used.

FROM RAG TO WOOD GOING THROUGH CEREAL: TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION AMONG THE SCHOOL MAPS IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA (SPAIN)

School maps emerged as new type of document as a result of a series of technological and educational advances spanning the 18th to the 20th century. These maps originally played strictly functional and didactic roles. The passage of time has endowed them with an indisputable historical, documentary, scientific and even artistic character. Those currently housed in archives are generally poorly preserved due to issues related to their manufacture and general lack of concern for their safeguard after losing their original function. This study aims to characterise the materials serving to manufacture them by sampling a series housed in the Archives of the University of Granada, a task that is complicated by their multilayered nature (cloth, paper, printing inks and protective varnish). Preliminary identification of the fibrous elements reinforcing the papers and textiles by means of micro-invasive analytical techniques enables to subsequently define appropriate conservation and restoration protocols.

Sustainable Protective Strategies and Biocide Applications in the Restoration of Palazzo Centrale Dell’Università, Catania, Italy

The present work discusses the challenges and approaches involved in conserving cultural heritage (CH), specifically focusing on eco-friendly conservation methods and the management of biodeterioration. It highlights the need for innovative protocols that align with green conservation criteria, aiming to replace traditional, potentially harmful practices with sustainable alternatives. This study is based on the role of nanomaterials like halloysite in developing protective coatings for CH materials. Additionally, the issues of biological colonization on CH assets, the difficulties in controlling environmental factors affecting biodeterioration, and the use of direct methods in outdoor conservation were also evaluated. This work is specifically focused on a case study: the “Palazzo Centrale dell’ Università” in Catania (Italy), where alternative, eco-friendly protectives and biocides have been tested on Hyblean limestones. After a preliminary study of the lithology and the forms of degradation which affect the whole monument, laboratory tests were carried out using the newly developed protective coatings on several types of Hyblean limestone in order to assess their efficacy and their impact on the stone. Furthermore, cleaning operations were also tested on-site by comparing an eco-friendly biocide with commercial counterparts in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the products and establish an efficient restoration protocol for future projects.

Clinical evaluation of posterior restorations over wet and dry dentin using an etch-and-rinse adhesive: A 36-month randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical performance of posterior restorations over wet and dry dentin with an etch-and-rinse adhesive after 36 months of clinical service. MethodsForty-five participants were recruited, each one had at least two posterior teeth that needed restoration. Ninety restorations were placed on Class I or Class II cavities. For the restoration protocol, a simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive (Adper Single Bond 2) was applied over wet (WD) or dry dentin (DD) and later restored with a bulk-fill composite (Filtek Bulk Fill) under rubber dam isolation. Each restoration was evaluated using the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria after 6, 12, and 36 months of clinical service, regarding the following principal restoration characteristics: postoperative sensitivity, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, fracture of material and retention, and recurrence of caries. Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance rank (α = 0.05) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used for statistical analysis. ResultsAfter 36 months of clinical evaluation, no significant difference between groups was observed in each FDI criterion (p > 0.05). Twenty restorations (WD=10, DD=10) showed minor marginal staining, and twenty-two restorations (WD=11, DD=11) presented small marginal adaptation defects (p > 0.05). Four restorations were lost (WD = 2, DD = 2) and the fracture rates (95% confidence interval) were 94.9% for each one, without significant difference between wet and dry dentin (p > 0.05). SignificanceThe degree of dentin moisture does not seem to affect the clinical performance of a simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive in posterior restorations when the adhesive is applied vigorously over the dentine surface.

Evaluating testicular tissue for future autotransplantation: focus on cancer cell contamination and presence of spermatogonia in tissue cryobanked for boys diagnosed with a hematological malignancy.

What is the contamination rate by cancer cells and spermatogonia numbers in immature testicular tissue (ITT) harvested before the start of gonadotoxic therapy in boys with a hematological malignancy? Among our cohort of boys diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphomas, 39% (n = 11/28) had cancer cells identified in their tissues at the time of diagnosis and all patients appeared to have reduced spermatogonia numbers compared to healthy reference cohorts. Young boys affected by a hematological cancer are at risk of contamination of their testes by cancer cells but histological examination is unable to detect the presence of only a few cancer cells, which would preclude autotransplantation of cryobanked ITT for fertility restoration, and more sensitive detection techniques are thus required. Reduced numbers of spermatogonia in ITT in hematological cancer patients have been suggested based on results in a limited number of patients. This retrospective cohort study included 54 pre- and peri-pubertal boys who were diagnosed with a hematological malignancy and who underwent a testicular biopsy for fertility preservation at the time of diagnosis before any gonadotoxic therapy between 2005 and 2021. Among the 54 patients eligible in our database, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) testicular tissue was available for 28 boys diagnosed either with ALL (n = 14) or lymphoma (n = 14) and was used to evaluate malignant cell contamination. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed for each patient to search for cancer cells in the tissue. Markers specific to each patient's disease were identified at the time of diagnosis on the biopsy of the primary tumor or bone marrow aspiration and an immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on the FFPE ITT for each patient to evidence his disease markers. PCR analyses on the FFPE tissue were also conducted when a specific gene rearrangement was available. The mean age at diagnosis and ITT biopsy of the 28 boys was 7.5 years (age range: 19 months-16 years old). Examination of ITT of the 28 boys on H&E stained sections did not detect malignant cells. Using IHC, we found contamination by cancerous cells using markers specific to the patient's disease in 10 of 28 boys, with a higher rate in patients diagnosed with ALL (57%, n = 8/14) compared with lymphoma (14%, n = 2/14) (P-value < 0.05). PCR showed contamination in three of 15 patients who had specific rearrangements identified on their bone marrow at the time of diagnosis; one of these patients had negative results from the IHC. Compared to age-related reference values of the number of spermatogonia per ST (seminiferous tubule) (Spg/ST) throughout prepuberty of healthy patients from a simulated control cohort, mean spermatogonial numbers appeared to be decreased in all age groups (0-4 years: 1.49 ± 0.54, 4-7 years: 1.08 ± 0.43, 7-11 years: 1.56 ± 0.65, 11-14 years: 3.37, 14-16 years: 5.44 ± 3.14). However, using a cohort independent method based on the Z-score, a decrease in spermatogonia numbers was not confirmed. The results obtained from the biopsy fragments that were evaluated for contamination by cancer cells may not be representative of the entire cryostored ITT and tumor foci may still be present outside of the biopsy range. ITT from boys diagnosed with a hematological malignancy could bear the risk for cancer cell reseeding in case of autotransplantation of the tissue. Such a high level of cancer cell contamination opens the debate of harvesting the tissue after one or two rounds of chemotherapy. However, as the safety of germ cells can be compromised by gonadotoxic treatments, this strategy warrants for the development of adapted fertility restoration protocols. Finally, the impact of the hematological cancer on spermatogonia numbers should be further explored. The project was funded by a grant from the FNRS-Télévie (grant n°. 7.4533.20) and Fondation Contre le Cancer/Foundation Against Cancer (2020-121) for the research project on fertility restoration with testicular tissue from hemato-oncological boys. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. N/A.

Native establishment improved and weed competition reduced by topsoil removal in direct‐sown native grasslands

SummaryAustralian temperate grasslands are among its most threatened plant communities. In agricultural landscapes, major barriers to their recovery are high soil nutrient levels that favour the growth of exotic pasture and other non‐native species, high standing weed biomass creating fierce aboveground competition, and rich weed seed and bud banks providing dense emergent seedling competition. Therefore, the return of grasslands to arable landscapes through restoration must rely on overcoming these challenges, ideally by reducing soil nutrients and mitigating the effects of weeds. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of topsoil removal for restoring diverse native grassy communities by direct seeding on sites with a legacy of elevated soil nutrients and competitive exotic vegetation. Conversely, it showed that repeated shallow cultivation (four times over 12 months) to stimulate weed emergence, followed each time by herbicide application, failed to achieve this outcome, at least in the short term (three years). Grassy community restoration is imperative in Australia, but importantly, it must utilise restoration protocols that are as effective as possible so that limited time, money, and resources are not wasted. In this light, the technique of topsoil manipulation may take us one step closer to achieving this goal in agricultural locations, where their loss is most pronounced.

“A Woman Clothed with the Sun”: The Diagnostic Study and Testing of Enzyme-Based Green Products for the Restoration of an Early 17th Century Wall Painting in the Palazzo Gallo in Bagnaia (Italy)

A 17th century wall painting, representing the Virgin between two Saints, in a noble Italian renaissance palace, the Palazzo Gallo in Bagnaia (Viterbo, Italy), was restored in 2021 in the context of a wider restoration campaign involving the main room of the palace built by cardinal Sansoni Riario. Diagnostic analyses performed using traditional characterization techniques (optical microscopy on micro-stratigraphic sections, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) provided the identification of both the original painting and its restoration materials, while imaging investigations using the ultraviolet fluorescence photography, false color images and multispectral mapping provided by the hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging (HMI) technique enabled the evaluation of the state of conservation, the location of restoration interventions and supported the monitoring of the cleaning procedure. An altered protective Paraloid®-based coating dating from the early 2000s had to be removed due to the unpleasant glossy finishing it had given to the painted surface, making the scene barely readable. To pursue a restoration protocol based on environmental sustainability and green chemistry, enzyme-based gels marketed by the Nasier-Brenta© and CTS© companies were tested in different protocols for the cleaning of the mixture (known as beverone) covering the painting. Although some interesting results were observed, the enzymatic cleaning had limited effectiveness, and was more timing-consuming than was reasonable. Traditional chemical solvents such as Dowanol PM (methoxy propanol) and benzyl alcohol were necessary to complete the cleaning of the painting surface.

Multi-scale characterization of Developmental Defects of Enamel and their clinical significance for diagnosis and treatment.

Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) such as Dental Fluorosis (DF) and Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) are a major public health problem. Their clinical aspects are extremely variable, challenging their early and specific diagnosis and hindering progresses in restorative treatments. Here, a combination of macro-, micro- and nano-scale structural and chemical methods, including, among others, Atom Probe Tomography recently applied on tooth enamel, were used to study and compare MIH, DF and healthy teeth from 89 patients. Globally, we show that DF is characterized by an homogenous loss of mineral content and crystallinity mainly disrupting outside layer of enamel, whereas MIH is associated with localized defects in the depth of enamel where crystalline mineral particles are embedded in an organic phase. Only minor differences in elemental composition of the mineral phase could be detected at the nanoscale such as increased F and Fe content in both severe DDE. We demonstrate that an improved digital color measurement of clinical relevance can discriminate between DF and MIH lesions, both in mild and severe forms. Such discriminating ability was discussed in the light of enamel composition and structure, especially its microstructure, organics presence and metal content (Fe, Zn). Our results offer additional insights on DDE characterization and pathogenesis, highlight the potentiality of colorimetric measurements in their clinical diagnosis and provide leads to improve the performance of minimally invasive restorative strategies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) are associated to caries and tooth loose affecting billions of people worldwide. Their precise characterization for adapted minimally invasive care with optimized materials is highly expected. Here In this study, first we propose the use of color parameters measured by a spectrophotometer as a means of differential clinical diagnosis. Second, we have used state-of-the-art techniques to systematically characterize the structure, chemical composition and mechanical optical properties of dental enamel teeth affected by two major DDE, Dental Fluorosis (DF) or Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH). We evidence specific enamel structural and optical features for DF and MIH while chemical modifications of the mineral nanocrystals were mostly correlated with lesion severity. Our results pave the way of the concept of personalized dentistry. In the light of our results, we propose a new means of clinical diagnosis for an adapted and improved restoration protocol for these patients.

Efficient Routing in VANETs Using MRRP Algorithm

Designing a reliable routing protocol for Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET) poses considerable challenges due to certain unique challenges inherently present in Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET) topology. Some of them are needed for vehicles acting as nodes having to abide by traffic rules, uncertain inter-vehicular speed variations that may affect link stability etc. Designing a routing protocol capable of dealing with multiple limiting conditions such as long congestion periods, link failures and handoffs is a challenging task, where most of the existing multipath routing protocol shows poor performance. In this paper, the proposed Multipath Route Restoration Protocol (MRRP)is aimed at providing a robust communication channel in case of link failure between nodes. This is realized by focusing on better route maintenance for the protocol. In a wireless network, a routing protocol determines the particular ways in which routers connect. In a wireless network, as the number of hops in a wireless communication path increases, various signal factors such as interference and path loss degrade the network performance. however, sending data over a longer distance will reduce throughput. Furthermore, link stability is substantially impacted by the unpredictable movement of vehicles. Multipath routing is regarded as a potential solution to improve packet delivery and end-to-end delay in VANETs.

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ESTHETIC RESTORATION OF ANTERIOR TEETH

Purpose: Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of the aesthetic restoration of the anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: The study included 128 adult patients in need of aesthetic restoration of the anterior teeth. Digital information about the patient's teeth surrounding the soft tissues was captured by a digital camera and scanner. Aesthetic analysis and design were performed using 3shape software and demonstrated to patients. Through communication with patients, an optimized treatment plan was provided. After the aesthetic restoration, the design, color of the restoration, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Aesthetic evaluation was performed according to the form of anterior aesthetic evaluation. Patient satisfaction scores were recorded on a questionnaire containing six items of aesthetic index and doctor-patient communication. Patients were interviewed and reviewed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, and the clinical effects of the restorations were assessed. Results: All 128 patients had satisfactory clinical results. Aesthetic defects of patients were effectively eliminated using a minimally invasive approach to the restoration protocol for the restoration of anterior teeth with a composite material using adhesive systems. All procedures met the requirements of preoperative digital design. Conclusions: Results data indicate that the functional and aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth defects can be restored without the removal of healthy tooth tissue Proper choice of indications, accurate design of the restoration, contributes to a satisfactory aesthetic restoration of the anterior teeth. For patients with anterior aesthetic defect, digital design plays an important role in optimizing the treatment plan and guiding the entire treatment process. This design can help clinicians achieve predictable, satisfactory esthetic results.

A pumpless monolayer microfluidic device based on mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium promotes neonatal mouse in vitro spermatogenesis

BackgroundChildhood cancer treatment-induced gonadotoxicity causes permanent infertility/sub-infertility in nearly half of males. The current clinical and experimental approaches are limited to cryopreservation of prepubertal testicular strips and in vitro spermatogenesis which are inadequate to achieve the expanded spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells and spermatogenesis in vitro. Recently, we reported the supportive effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cell co-culture which is inadequate after 14 days of culture in static conditions in prepubertal mouse testis due to lack of microvascular flow and diffusion. Therefore, we generated a novel, pumpless, single polydimethylsiloxane-layered testis-on-chip platform providing a continuous and stabilized microfluidic flow and real-time cellular paracrine contribution of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.MethodsWe aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this new setup in terms of self-renewal of stem/progenitor cells, spermatogenesis and structural and functional maturation of seminiferous tubules in vitro by measuring the number of undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and tubular growth by histochemical, immunohistochemical, flow cytometric and chromatographic techniques.ResultsBone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-based testis-on-chip platform supported the maintenance of SALL4(+) and PLZF(+) spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells, for 42 days. The new setup improved in vitro spermatogenesis in terms of c-Kit(+) differentiating spermatogonia, VASA(+) total germ cells, the meiotic cells including spermatocytes and spermatids and testicular maturation by increasing testosterone concentration and improved tubular growth for 42 days in comparison with hanging drop and non-mesenchymal stem cell control.ConclusionsFuture fertility preservation for male pediatric cancer survivors depends on the protection/expansion of spermatogonial stem/progenitor cell pool and induction of in vitro spermatogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that a novel bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-based microfluidic testis-on-chip device supporting the maintenance of stem cells and spermatogenesis in prepubertal mice in vitro. This new, cell therapy-based microfluidic platform may contribute to a safe, precision-based cell and tissue banking protocols for prepubertal fertility restoration in future.

Immersion Time Determines Performance of Artificial Habitats in Commercial Harbours by Changing Biodiversity of Colonising Invertebrate Assemblages

In highly modified coastal environments, such as commercial harbours, the installation of artificial habitats has garnered support as a means of enhancing local biological recruitment and connectivity. The success of these measures depends largely on the patterns of species colonisation. Using post-installation monitoring data, we compared the composition of assemblages of invertebrates colonising artificial habitats that were immersed for different periods (~6 vs. ~18 months) in three commercial harbours along the French Mediterranean coast. The artificial habitats were colonised by taxonomically diverse invertebrate assemblages of ecological and economic importance, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoids. Composition differed significantly with the immersion time of the artificial habitats, with total abundance, species richness, and evenness being significantly higher after ~18 than after ~6 months of immersion, indicating that long periods are necessary to enrich these new habitats with economically and ecologically important species. These results can inform restoration protocols and emphasise the value of post-installation monitoring programs.

PROTOKOL PEMULASARAAN JENAZAH AKIBAT COVID-19 BERDASARKAN FATWA MUI No. 18 TAHUN 2022

This article aims to provide an explanation of the law regarding the handling of corpses infected with Covid-19 (an analysis study of the MUI Fatwa Number 18 of 2020). The main problem in this research is what is the MUI's view of the law regarding the management of the bodies of Covid-19 victims? What is the analysis of MUI Fatwa Number 18 of 2020 regarding the protocol for treating bodies infected with Covid-19? The type of research used in this research is qualitative research (descriptive qualitative). The data source used is library research. The approach used is a normative approach, namely legal research conducted by examining literature review materials or secondary data as the main material for research by conducting a search of various regulations related to the problem to be studied. The data collection method used is by reviewing manuscripts and studying literature. The data collected mainly comes from books that are primary, then followed by supporting books that are secondary and as a complement, the researcher also uses tertiary data in providing an explanation of primary and secondary data. The data processing method is by reviewing, checking and interpreting the collected data so that the phenomenon being studied can be described. Furthermore, for the data analysis method, the researcher used a descriptive qualitative method, namely analyzing data which was carried out by presenting various data from the results regarding the process of handling the bodies of Covid-19 according to the MUI Fatwa. The results of the research are from the researcher's analysis to answer the problem of how the protocol for treating corpses due to Covid-19 is based on the MUI Fatwa Number 18 of 2020, in accordance with the results of the MUI Fatwa study Number 18 of 2020, in the view of sharia, Muslims who died due to the Covid-19 outbreak are included the category of martyrs in the afterlife and the rights of the corpse must be fulfilled, including washing, shrouding, offering prayers, and burial, where the implementation must maintain the safety of officers by complying with medical protocol provisions. Keywords: Restoration Protocol, Dead Body of Covid-19, MUI Fatwa No. 18 of 2020

Esthetic and clinical outcomes after immediate placement and restoration: Comparison of two implant systems in the anterior maxilla-A cross-sectional study.

To assess the esthetic and clinical performance of a novel self-tapping implant system for single-tooth restorations in the esthetic zone after immediate placement and provisionalization. This cross-sectional study included 52 patients contributing a total of 52 immediately placed and restored implants with ≥12 months after functional loading, comparing two different implant systems: Straumann® BLX (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland; 25 patients) and Ankylos® (Dentsply Sirona, Hanau, Germany; 27 patients). As the primary outcome measure, peri-implant tissue esthetics were assessed by means of pink esthetics score (PES) rated by three independent clinicians. Moreover, as secondary outcome measures, the peri-implant tissue health was assessed by means of bleeding on probing, probing depth, and suppuration. Apart from that, the modified plaque index, keratinized mucosa width, and the presence of mucosal recessions were also assessed. When clinical signs suggested the possibility of peri-implantitis, radiographs were indicated to assess progressive bone loss. The mean PES ratings were 12.10± 1.10 for Ankylos versus 11.2± 1.86 for BLX, both achieving good esthetic results without significant differences (p= 0.143). There were no differences among most clinical parameters (plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, peri-implant mucosal recession), although peri-implant mucositis was present in one-third of the cases. The inter-rater agreement on esthetics was not significant (p < 0.250). Within the limitations of the present study, it was concluded that the use of either BLX or Ankylos implant systems was associated to comparable peri-implant health and good pink esthetic outcomes during immediate implantation and restoration protocols, for at least 12 months.

Effect of cutting flute design features on primary stability of immediate implant placement and restoration: a dynamic experimental analysis.

Self-tapping implants with self-cutting flutes may influence primary stability, especially for the immediate implant placement and restoration protocol in which implants are affixed to the bone in the apical portion. Screw geometry differs between brands, and the effect of apical design on its clinical outcomes remains unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the influence of cutting flute shape (spiral, straight, and without flute) on primary stability by using a dynamic experimental test. Six types of dental implants were designed using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology, consisting of three types of cutting flute shapes along with two types of screw features. A dynamic mechanical test was performed using a cyclic loading scheme. The mechanical behaviors of resistance to lateral load (RLL), maximum force, and energy dissipation were compared between groups. In the dynamic test, implants without cutting flute also exhibited higher values in RLL, maximum force, and energy dissipation. The aggressive thread implant with straight flute displayed higher RLL and had a significantly higher values in RLL (p = 0.033) at the threshold point of bone-implant interface breakdown. The implants without cutting flutes exhibited higher primary stability. Straight flute design would improve RLL for aggressive thread implant.

Clinical aspects of tooth autotransplantation and post-endodontic restoration of autrotransplanted tooth: case-based literature review

Introduction. Tooth autotransplantation allows to maintain a vital status of periodontal ligament, which supports the preservation of the alveolar bone volume, better conservation of the interdental papilla and the possibility of dental movement through orthodontic forces. It has been shown that longevity and prognosis of autotransplanted teeth are comparable with those of dental implants.&#x0D; Objective. To discuss major practically-oriented aspects regarding tooth autotransplantation operation including further post-endodontic restoration based on presented clinical case.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. A bibliographic search was conducted in April 2022 by the using MESH terms equivalent to the keywords “tooth” and “autotransplantation” within the Cochrane Library and PubMed database with the aim to identify publications related with practical aspects of tooth autotransplantation presented in clinical case. Data extraction during content-analysis of selected publications was provided selectively in terms to represent the most practically valuable information regarding tooth autotransplantation operation, principles of tooth autotransplantation surgery and further post-endodontic restoration of autotransplanted tooth taking into account aspects highlighted in present clinical case.&#x0D; Results. Due to the provided literature review it was highlighted that success rate of tooth autotransplantation is highly inţuenced by such factors as the stage of root development, morphology of the tooth, selected surgical procedure, time of extraoral exposure of donor tooth, shape of the recipient socket, vascularity of the recipient site, and the vitality of the periodontal ligament cells, impact of which was considered during presented clinical case.&#x0D; Conclusions. Present clinical case report with accompanied literature review arguments the clinical perspective of tooth autotransplantation procedure as valuable treatment option, and highlights major practically-oriented aspects regarding tooth autotransplantation operation including further post-endodontic restoration of donor tooth. Synergy of tooth autotransplantation and post-endodontic restoration protocols in the hands of an experienced doctor who is ready to carefully follow the scientiŢc evidence-based protocol associated with successful outcome of provided treatment.

Radical thermal therapy against infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1)

Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) is a newly found double-stranded DNA virus that can cause huge losses to the aquaculture industry. The potential of thermal therapy to treat and cure the disease, namely infection with DIV1 (iDIV1), in white leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei, was evaluated in this study with the thermal treatment and temperature restoration (TT/TR) protocol. After being challenged with DIV1 strain SHIV20141215 via intramuscular injection, the shrimp in different groups received a 15-day TT from 28 °C to 38 °C, respectively, and then 15-day TR at 28 °C. All shrimp in groups with TT below 32 °C died rapidly within 5 d post-infection (dpi) with confirmatory iDIV1 by TaqMan qPCR, histopathological H&E staining and ISDL, and cytopathological TEM. The development of iDIV1 was suppressed at 34 °C but revived after TT to 28 °C. Elimination of DIV1 at 36 °C was confirmed with the same survival curve of the unchallenged control group, no replication of DIV1 DNA copies, and negative results of clinical signs, histopathology, ISDL, and TEM during the TT/TR process. The reproducibility validation of TT/TR at 36 °C verified the elimination of DIV1 from the challenged shrimp. This is the first report of radical thermal therapy from the emerging disease iDIV1 using TT at 36 °C, which provides an innovative measure to cure the fatal viral infection, especially for the larvae and broodstock of shrimp varieties with special genetic properties.

(Digital Presentation) Electrochemical Relithiation Protocols for Restoration of Cycle Aged NMC Cathodes

Recycling end-of-life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries is of great significance to provide additional transition metal resources and alleviate environmental pollution from electric vehicle battery wastes. This study provides essential understanding towards developing an electrochemical relithiation process that will restore lithium loss in EoL intercalation cathode materials. This electrochemical relithiation process is one of several relithiation options being considered as a part of a direct recycling process designed to increase the efficiency of battery recycling by maintaining the composition and morphology of EoL cathode materials. A unique benefit of electrochemical relithiation is that it provides a potential alternative to processes that require EoL to be returned to powder form and then recast. Electrochemically aged NMC cathode materials have been prepared and characterized to establish the extent of EoL material structural transformations and lithium loss. A model-informed experimental process is used to identify the optimal electrochemical relithiation protocol to minimize the time taken to relithiate EoL materials and maximize the amount of lithium restored. Protocols were evaluated based on their ability to enable rapid lithium intercalation, maintain or reinstate structural uniformity in the EoL material and fully restore lithium content. An optimal protocol was identified at elevated temperatures utilizing a novel scanning voltage step. This work is part of ReCell which is a collaborative effort to develop efficient and economical recycle and reuse methods for EoL battery cathodes.

A case study in phenomenology of visual experience with retinal prosthesis versus visual-to-auditory sensory substitution

The phenomenology of the blind has provided an age-old, unparalleled means of exploring the enigmatic link between the brain and mind. This paper delves into the unique phenomenological experience of a man who became blind in adulthood. He subsequently underwent both an Argus II retinal prosthesis implant and training, and extensive training on the EyeMusic visual to auditory sensory substitution device (SSD), thereby becoming the first reported case to date of dual proficiency with both devices. He offers a firsthand account into what he considers the great potential of combining sensory substitution devices with visual prostheses as part of a complete visual restoration protocol. While the Argus II retinal prosthesis alone provided him with immediate visual percepts by way of electrically stimulated phosphenes elicited by the device, the EyeMusic SSD requires extensive training from the onset. Yet following the extensive training program with the EyeMusic sensory substitution device, our subject reports that the sensory substitution device allowed him to experience a richer, more complex perceptual experience, that felt more “second nature” to him, while the Argus II prosthesis (which also requires training) did not allow him to achieve the same levels of automaticity and transparency. Following long-term use of the EyeMusic SSD, our subject reported that visual percepts representing mainly, but not limited to, colors portrayed by the EyeMusic SSD are elicited in association with auditory stimuli, indicating the acquisition of a high level of automaticity. Finally, the case study indicates an additive benefit to the combination of both devices on the user's subjective phenomenological visual experience.