Si Groups Research Articles

Effect of Social Isolation on Behavioural Response of Murrah Buffalo Calves Towards Novelty

Background: During the production cycle, dairy animals in intensive production systems are exposed to various challenging events including novel stimuli (e.g., handlers, food and group-mates). The welfare of an individual animal depends on the ability to cope with environmental challenges. Novelty is generally associated with negative emotions however; individual behavioural and physiological responses toward challenging events can be very variable. So, studying behavioural response of calves towards novelty can help us address the welfare needs of the buffalo calves in a holistic manner. Methods: For this study, 24 Murrah buffalo calves were selected at birth and randomly allotted to four groups (six calves each) comprising of SG group (restricted suckling and group housed), SI group (restricted suckling and individually housed), WG group (weaned at birth and group housed) and WI group (weaned at birth and individually housed) for a period of three months. All calves were trained with bottle feeding from day old of age. At 9th week of age, the behavioural response of the calves to novelty was tested in two different novel situations i.e. novel object test and social novelty test using CCTV camera. Result: The results suggest that buffalo calves separated from mother and housed individually showed increased behavioural responses characterized by increased time in decision making, higher standing idle time and more fearful to an unfamiliar calf compared to other groups. It can be concluded that social isolation of the buffalo calves increases fearfulness to novelty hence reducing their welfare in future.

Reduced Intensity Conditioning Prior Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Elderly DLBCL Patients.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is widely used in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. HDCT/ASCT is associated with increased morbidity in elderly/unfit patients. We retrospectively evaluated the use of reduced intensity conditioning in DLBCL patients. Our study included 146 patients aged 60 years and older treated at our institution between 2005 and 2019; 86 patients received standard intensity conditioning (SI group) with BEAM or TEAM (BCNU or thiotepa, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan). Sixty patients received reduced intensity high-dose conditioning (RI group) with BM (BCNU, melphalan, 43.3%), TM (thiotepa, melphalan, 16.7%), BCNU or busulfan thiotepa (38.4%), or bendamustine melphalan (1.7%). Median follow-up was 62.4 months. We observed comparable toxicities in the SI and RI groups. The cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was higher in the RI group (30.8% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.034). There was no difference in nonrelapse mortality (NRM). In univariate analyses, SI vs. RI conditioning resulted in superior progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 1.80 CI 1.11-2.92, p = 0.017) but not in superior overall survival (OS) (HR 1.48 CI 0.86-2.56, p = 0.152). On multivariate analysis, we observed no difference in PFS (HR 0.74 CI 0.40-1.38, p = 0.345) and a trend toward better OS with RI conditioning (HR 0.45 CI 0.22-0.94, p = 0.032). Age 60-69 versus ≥ 70 years and remission prior to ASCT were the only factors predicting better PFS. Factors associated with better OS were RI conditioning, age 60-69 versus ≥ 70 years, ECOG 0 versus ≥ 1 performance status, bulky disease, and prior lines 1 versus ≥ 2. In conclusion, RI conditioning prior to ASCT may be feasible in elderly patients and led to a comparable outcome when corrected for several significant confounders.

Reactivity of a plagioclase concentrate from the South African Bushveld Igneous Complex via extractive acid leaching vs. extractive roasting-leaching processes

This study compared the reactivity of a plagioclase concentrate subjected to two processes: (1) direct acid leaching and (2) thermochemical treatment with ammonium sulfate followed by leaching. The sample was prepared from coarse-grained pyroxenite rock retrieved from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa. It contained 78% plagioclase (labradorite), 9% orthopyroxene (enstatite) and 13% quartz. The elements contained in the concentrate were categorized into three groups based on their susceptibility to direct acid extraction after 6 h of leaching. Group 1 consisted of the highly reactive main elements of plagioclase (Al, Ca and Na, with extraction efficiencies of 95%, 89% and 81%, respectively). Group 2 included elements predominantly present in enstatite (Mg and Fe with extraction efficiencies of 41% and 55%, respectively). Group 3 was composed of slowly extractable Si (25%) from mostly plagioclase. Increasing the duration of direct acid leaching to 24 h had no effect on the extraction of Group 1 elements, whereas the extraction of Mg and Fe (Group 2) increased to >60%, and that of Si (Group 3) increased from 25 to 80%. The latter correlated with the nearly complete disappearance of the plagioclase blueprint in the XRD pattern of the residues generated after 24 h of leaching. In contrast, plagioclase had limited reactivity with ammonium sulfate during thermochemical treatment. Direct acid leaching of plagioclase-rich tailings can therefore generate leachates to be used as precursors for the preparation of value-added products, such as silica nanoparticles via a sol–gel route and calcium aluminate nanoparticles via solution combustion.

Structure and properties of aluminoborosilicate glasses for OLED display substrate

The effects of Al2O3/SiO2 and B2O3/SiO2 substitution on the network structure and properties of high aluminium and low boron alkali-free aluminoborosilicate glasses used as OLED display glass substrate were investigated. A more polymerized network within 3 mol.% substitution for Al2O3/SiO2 was obtained, represented by the decreasing value of NBO/T from 0.14 to 0.08, as well as the opposite result for B2O3/SiO2 substitution. Q3 and Q4 units held the vast majority of Si groups, and the tetrahedral [AlO4] occupied the majority among Al groups, while [AlO5] and [AlO6] was too low or even too tiny to be detected obviously in the investigated glass system. [BO4] concentration decreased from 59.04 % to 52.74 % with the increase of B2O3 content, and [BO3] increased accordingly, which indicated that [BO4] was not the preferential borate group in this glass system even if (RO-Al2O3)/B2O3 > 1. Higher [BO3] at lower (RO-Al2O3)/B2O3 value (>1) indicated the low conversion efficiency from [BO3] to [BO4] in the investigated glasses. The glass network between the bulk sample and glass melt was also investigated, and some differences in Al groups could be concluded from the test of the glass melt. Finally, samples with satisfied properties for OLED display substrate were acquired.

Sivelestat Sodium Alleviates Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Suppressing TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Mice.

We aim to detect the effects of sivelestat on renal ischemia-reperfusion associated with AKI and also explore the underlying mechanism. Mice, aged between 8 and 12weeks, were randomly allocated among four distinct groups, respectively normal saline sham group(C), normal saline surgery group(I), sivelestat (50 mg/kg) sham group(S), sivelestat (50 mg/kg) surgery group(SI) (n=6, each group). In the surgical groups, the renal pedicles of mice were clamped withnon-traumatic micro-aneurysm clamps, resulting in ischemia of the kidneys for 45minutes. This was followed by a period of reperfusion lasting 24hours. Sham group mice underwent the identical surgery produced without clamping renal pedicles. Mice blood was obtained from eyeballs, and Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured. After a 24-hour period of reperfusion, the mice were euthanized, and their kidneys were gathered for various analyses, including Western Blot (WB) analysis, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence (IF), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and Tunel assay. Pretreatments with sivelestat decreased renal Neutrophil elastase (NE), serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels after renal ischemia-reperfusion. Sivelestat also reduced histological damage and cell apoptosis in kidneys following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In addition, thesivelestat administrationdiminished the levels of mRNA expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the kidneys during IRI.The kidney tissues of the SI group had significantly mitigated TLR4, Myd88, and NF-κB p-p65 protein expression levels compared to the I group (all P<0.05). We demonstrated a previously unidentified mechanism that sivelestat effectively attenuates AKI-induced renal dysfunction, possibly through suppressing the TLR4/Myd88/ NF-κB pathway.

Temperature-dependent water corrosion mechanism of silicon carbide: Atomic insights from reactive molecular dynamics simulation

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an ideal material for both aeronautics and space industries, but SiC is highly susceptible to water corrosion at high temperature. A clear understanding of water corrosion mechanism of SiC is still lacking because the complex interaction dynamics are extremely difficult to be investigated experimentally. In this study, the temperature-dependent of water corrosion mechanism of SiC was investigated by reactive molecular dynamics simulation, and three different corrosion regimes were observed with the increase of the ambient temperature. In regime I (below 1000 K), only Si–H and Si–OH terminations were formed on SiC surface and almost no corrosion occurred; in regime II (1000–1500 K), the same number of carbon and silicon atoms were corroded in the form of gaseous molecules, and the relation between the number of atoms lost and temperature was in good agreement with the Arrhenius expectation; lastly, in regime III (above 1500 K), the number of Si–O–Si groups formed exceeded the volatilized number, leading to the obvious retention of the Si–O–Si network structures. These results can guide the design and preparation of SiC materials for aerospace applications by providing an atomic insight into the mechanisms of water corrosion on SiC.

A polyimide separator inlaid by methylsilyl-modified silica aerogels for high thermal safety and low polarization lithium-ion battery

The separator is a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries, playing a vital role in ion transfer and preventing polarization of the battery. To solve the problem of poor thermal safety of separators in lithium-ion batteries, in this work, three types of hydrophobic silica aerogels are compared. A suitable separator is fabricated by adding hydrophobic silica aerogels with monomethylsilyl as a modifier to pure polyimide. The aerogel composite separator displays a highly cross-linked three-dimensional nanoporous network, a low thermal shrinkage rate (<4 % at 200 °C), and high thermal stability (peak temperature of 670 °C) and oxygen index (>45 %). In addition, owing to the introduced hydrophobic functional groups of Si–CH3, the prepared separator decreases the polarization of the lithium-ion batteries and leads to improved power performance and cycle stability (its discharge voltage difference is 0.42 V higher than that of Celgard 2325 at 5 C). This work provides a new method of improving the safety and simultaneously reducing the polarization of lithium-ion batteries, which has promising application potential in power batteries.

Archeometallurgical Investigation of a Fragment from a Medieval Sword Blade

A fragment from a medieval sword blade was investigated by metallography, Vickers microhardness tests and slag inclusions analysis are to extract technological information about its manufacturing process. Optical microscopy observations and microhardness measurements indicated that the sword blade was forged via hammer welding, combining different steel bars for an optimal balance of hardness and toughness. A steeling technique involved wrapping a steel bar around a composite billet, crafted by enclosing a hypoeutectoid steel bar around a near-eutectoid steel core. Moreover, it was found that the hardness of the cutting edges was increased with a quenching heat treatment. After quenching, the blade exhibited martensitic microstructure with Vickers microhardness ranging from 500 to 640 HV0.3. The compositional data of a large set of nonmetallic inclusions were collected by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. Slag inclusion analysis and multivariate statistics confirmed the blade's composite nature and revealed distinct smelting and forging-related SI groups. Liquidus temperatures indicated smelting temperatures of at least 1156°C for the external section and 1031°C for the internal. The forging temperature was estimated at a minimum of 1143°C. These findings provide insight into the blade’s metallurgical history.

Immuno-protective response of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) to inactivated vaccines against Streptococcus iniae and Vibrio harveyi

BackgroundIn this study, the protective immunity and immunogenicity of the monovalent and bivalent Streptococcus iniae and Vibrio harveyi vaccine were evaluated in Asian seabass. To analyze immune responses, 1200 Asian seabass with an average weight of 132.6 ± 25.4 g were divided into eight treatments in triplicates (50 fish per tank) as follows: S. iniae immunized by injection (SI), V. harveyi immunized by injection (VI), bivalent S. iniae and V. harveyi (SVI) immunized by injection, S. iniae immunized by immersion (SIM), V. harveyi (VIM) immunized by immersion, bivalent S. iniae and V. harvei (SVIM) immunized by immersion, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by injection (PBSI) and control group without vaccine administration (CTRL). Blood and serum samples were taken at the end of the 30th and 60th days. Then the vaccinated groups were challenged with two bacteria (S. iniae) and (V. harveyi) separately and mortality was recorded for 14 days.ResultsThis study reveals that there is no significant difference in the hematological parameters on the 30th and 60th days of the experiment in the vaccine-immunized groups compared to the CTRL group (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the amount of serum albumin level, respiratory burst activity, and serum bactericidal activity in the vaccine-immunized groups compared to the CTRL group on the 30th and 60th days of the experiment (P > 0.05). Total protein on the 60th day (in the VI and SVI groups), globulin on the 30th day (in the VI and SVI groups) and the 60th day (in the VI group) compared to the CTRL and PBSI groups had a significant increase (P < 0.05). Complement activity (in the VI and SVI groups) and lysozyme (in the SI and SVI groups) increased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Serum antibody titer against S. iniae had a significant increase in the SI, VI, SVI and SVIM groups compared to the CTRL and PBSI groups (P < 0.05). Serum antibody titer against V. harveyi had a significant increase in the groups immunized with the vaccine compared to the CTRL and PBSI groups (P < 0.05). A significant increase in the relative percentage survival (RPS) following challenge with S. iniae in the SVI (86.6%), SI (83.3%,) and VI (73.3%) groups were observed compared to the CTRL (43.3%) and PBSI (40%) groups (P < 0.05). Also, a significant increase in the RPS after challenge with V. harveyi in the SVI group, VI 86.6%, SVI 83.3%, VIM 80% and SVIM 76.6% were observed compared to the CTRL (46.6%) and PBSI (50%) groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionOverall, the results demonstrated that the bivalent vaccine of S. iniae and V. harveywas able to produce significant immunogenicity and RPS in Asian seabass

Frequent oil baths and skin barrier during infancy in the PreventADALL study.

In the general population randomized controlled trial PreventADALL, frequent emollient bath additives from 2 weeks of age did not prevent atopic dermatitis, while the effect on skin barrier function throughout infancy is not established. The primary aim of this exploratory substudy was to assess the effect of mineral-based oil baths on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and dry skin through infancy, and secondarily to explore if filaggrin (FLG) mutations modified the effect. Overall, 2153 infants were included and randomized to either the 'Skin intervention' (SI) group (n = 995) (oil bath 4 times weekly from 2 weeks through 8 months) or 'No skin intervention' (NSI) group (n = 1158), with TEWL measurements at 3, 6 and/or 12 months of age. Information on FLG mutation status was available for 1683 of these infants. Effects of the skin intervention on TEWL and dry skin through infancy were assessed by mixed-effects regression modelling. Background characteristics and protocol adherence were collected from electronic questionnaires, birth records and weekly diaries. The TEWL (95% confidence interval) was on average 0.42 g m-2 h-1 (0.13-0.70, P = 0.004) higher in the SI group compared with the NSI group through the first year of life, with significantly higher levels at 3 months [8.6 (8.3-9.0) vs. 7.6 (7.3-7.9)], but similar at 6 and 12 months. Dry skin was observed significantly more often in the NSI group compared with the SI group at 3 months (59% vs. 51%) and at 6 months of age (63% vs. 53%), while at 12 months of age, the difference was no longer significant. At 3 months, the TEWL of FLG mutation carriers was similar to the TEWL in the SI group. No interaction between SI and FLG mutation was found in the first year of life. Infants given frequent oil baths from 2 weeks of age had reduced skin barrier function through infancy compared with controls, largely attributed to higher TEWL at 3 months of age, while the skin at 3 and 6 months appeared less dry in infants subjected to the skin intervention.

Silybin Alleviated Hepatic Injury by Regulating Redox Balance, Inflammatory Response, and Mitochondrial Function in Weaned Piglets under Paraquat-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Silybin (Si) is the main element of silymarin isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum L. Gaernt., which has superior antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of Si in maintaining liver health under oxidative stress remains ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of the beneficial effect of dietary Si against hepatic oxidative injury induced by paraquat (PQ) in weaned piglets. A total of 24 piglets were randomly allocated to four treatments with six replicates per treatment and 1 piglet per replicate: the control group; Si group; PQ group; and Si + PQ group. Piglets in the control group and PQ group were given a basal diet, while piglets in the Si and Si + PQ groups were given a Si-supplemented diet. On the 18th day, the pigs in the PQ treatment group received an intraperitoneal injection of PQ, and the others were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline. All piglets were sacrificed on day 21 for plasma and liver sample collection. The results showed that dietary Si supplementation mitigated PQ-induced liver damage, as proven by the reduction in liver pathological changes and plasma activity of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Si also improved superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and total antioxidant capacity, as well as decreased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentration in the liver, which were closely related to the activation of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, Si reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 production and their transcript levels as well as abrogated the overactivation of nuclear factor-κB induced by PQ. Importantly, Si improved mitochondrial function by maintaining mitochondrial energetics and mitochondrial dynamics, which was indicated by the elevated activity of mitochondrial complexes I and V and adenosine triphosphate content, decreased expression of dynamin 1 protein, and increased expression of mitofusin 2 protein. Moreover, Si inhibited excessive hepatic apoptosis by regulating the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated-X-protein signaling pathway. Taken together, these results indicated that Si potentially mitigated PQ-induced hepatic oxidative insults by improving antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function and inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis in weaned piglets.

Comparison of clinical efficacy and prognosis between interventional occlusion and surgical treatment for acute myocardial infarction with ventricular septal perforation.

This retrospective study compared the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in acute myocardial infarction-related patients with inter-ventricular septal perforation (AMI-VSP) who underwent interventional occlu-sion (IO group) or surgical intervention (SI group). Forty-six patients were ana-lyzed based on comprehensive clinical data, laboratory results, and follow-up evaluations. The SI group had higher EuroScore II scores and more patients in Killip class IV. Both treatments showed improved laboratory indices, but the IO group had higher left ventricular ejection fraction and lower levels of specific biomarkers. The postoperative hospital stay and total hospitalization time were shorter in the IO group. Survival rates did not significantly differ between the two groups during the follow-up period. Logistic regression analysis identified a history of coronary heart disease as a significant risk factor affecting progno-sis and survival rates. Both interventional occlusion and surgical intervention proved effective, with IO showing faster recovery and more favorable prognoses, while surgery was preferred for severe cases. Coronary heart disease was a key factor influencing postoperative survival in AMI-VSP patients.

Accelerated Early Childhood Growth Is Associated With the Development of Earlier Adrenarche and Puberty.

Small birth size and increased postnatal growth have been associated with earlier timing of adrenarche and puberty, but it is not well known whether these factors alone or together lead to earlier maturation. This work aimed to search for different growth trajectories using a clustering approach to analyze the effects of birth size and postnatal growth on adrenarchal and pubertal development. Altogether 351 children (48% girls) were examined prospectively at ages 6 to 9 and 9 to 11 years. Birth and early-growth data were collected retrospectively. Main outcome measures included clinical signs of adrenarche and puberty, and serum androgen concentrations (dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone). We detected 4 clusters with different birth sizes and postnatal growth trajectories: 1) children with average birth size and increased postnatal growth (AI), 2) children with small birth size and increased postnatal growth (SI), 3) children with average birth size and postnatal growth (AA), and 4) children with small birth size and average postnatal growth (SA). Thelarche at age 9 to 11 was most common and serum androgens at ages 6 to 9 and 9 to 11 years were highest in girls belonging to the AI and SI groups. Similar patterns in the onset of puberty and in androgen levels were not seen in the SA group. Increased early growth and weight gain predict higher serum androgen concentrations and earlier onset of puberty in girls. Adrenarche and puberty do not appear to be shifted earlier in children with small birth size who do not have catch-up growth.

Decision-making ability limitations and brain neural activity changes in healthcare workers after mild COVID-19

Studies have demonstrated that the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) extensively affects brain function. Although cognitive dysfunction is considered a common manifestation in COVID-19 patients during the recovery period, the potential changes in decision-making ability, are not yet clear. Decision-making functions are essential to the work of healthcare workers. However, there is a lack of a multidimensional assessment of its functioning in COVID-19 cases. Here, we used tests combined with the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) stabilization feature amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) to explore decision-making behavior and brain neural activity changes in healthcare workers after mild COVID-19. Participants were divided into the SARS-CoV-2 infected group (SI, n = 41) and healthy controls (HC, n = 42). All participants underwent a series of neuropsychological tests. They performed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and the Game of Dice Task (GDT), followed by fMRI (n = 20) to assess their decision-making ability under ambiguous and risky conditions and changes in brain neural activity. The SI group performed worse in verbal memory than the HC group. Furthermore, the SI group performed worse in the IGT, whereas no significant difference was observed in the GDT. In addition, rs-fMRI showed enhanced spontaneous neural activity in the postcentral gyrus and inferior parietal lobe in the SI group compared to the HC group.

Association of adolescent postural tachycardia syndrome classifications with anxiety: a cross sectional study

BackgroundPostural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a subset of orthostatic dysregulation, has been reported to be associated with anxiety. POTS can be classified into two forms based on the degree of tachycardia during orthostasis. Reportedly, POTS with decreased orthostatic heart rate increase is associated with suppressed cardiac parasympathetic activity and increased sympathetic activity in the supine position. In this study, the relationship between the two types of POTS and anxiety was evaluated in terms of autonomic function.MethodsFifty-two patients (23 male, age 10–15 years) who were diagnosed with POTS at the Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University from 2019 to 2021, completed a standing test and were accordingly classified into a Su group, with tachycardia from the supine position and a low heart rate increase on standing, a SI group, with a high heart rate increase during standing. They then completed the State-Trait Anxiety Scale for Children (STAIC) questionnaire. Autonomic function was assessed by frequency analysis (MemCalc method) based on heart rate, blood pressure changes, heart rate and blood pressure variability during the orthostatic test.ResultsPatients in the Su group had higher trait anxiety and state anxiety, lower cardiac parasympathetic activity (RR-HF) in the supine position, and greater variability in cardiac parasympathetic activity during orthostasis than were found for patients in the SI group. The Su group had a greater decrease in cardiac index on standing than that of the SI group.ConclusionsThe Su group results may be partly attributed to chronically low venous return. We also found that patients in the Su group had low parasympathetic activity in the supine position, which may interact with the anxiety-prone characteristics of these patients. Therefore, it seems necessary to consider both physical and psychosomatic treatment approaches for patients with POTS.

A Bis(silylene)silole - synthesis, properties and reactivity.

A 1,1-bis(silylene)silole has been synthesised by a double salt-metathesis reaction from potassium silacyclopentadienediide, K2[1], and an amidinato-stabilized silylene chloride in a 1 : 2 ratio. The red colour of the title compound is due to the lp(Si)/π*(silole) transition. This band is bathochromically shifted compared to that of other 1,1-bissilylsiloles suggesting enhanced conjugation between the silole π-system and the newly formed Si(II)-Si(IV)-Si(II) group. The bissilylene is easily oxidised by the elemental chalcogens S, Se, and Te and forms a bissilaimide by reaction with an arylazide.

Effect of Plasma Radiation and Other Surface Preparation Methods on Microtensile Bond Strength of Repaired Aged Resin Composite.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of plasma irradiation and other surface preparation methods on the microtensile bond strength of repaired resin composites. Materials and Methods: Twenty molds of a universal nanohybrid composite were prepared, aged and subjected to thermocycling. The specimens were divided into 5 groups for surface preparations including, C (Control): application of GC G-Premio Bond (GP) only; SB: sandblasting with alumina and GP; SI: application of phosphoric acid etching, silane, and unfilled resin; RB: roughening by diamond bur, phosphoric acid etching and GP; PL: application of argon and atmosphere plasma and then GP. The specimens were repaired with the new resin composite, cut to 1mm2 beam, and then subjected to thermocycling. The microtensile bond strengths were measured using a universal testing machine. The failure modes were assessed with a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. The level of significance was α=0.05. Results: The highest mean bond strength was found for the application of universal bonding GC GP in controls (26.62MPa) and the lowest average bond strength belonged to the SI groups (9.06MPa). The difference in the mean bond strength between the SI group and other groups was significant (P<0.05). The failure mode of specimens in all groups was predominantly adhesive. Conclusion: The application of GP as an intermediate universal adhesive established a proper bond between the old and new resin composite. In addition, the plasma application and other surface preparation methods did not significantly improve the bond strength.

Mycorrhizal fungus Serendipita indica-associated acid phosphatase rescues the phosphate nutrition with reduced arsenic uptake in the host plant under arsenic stress

Symbiotic interactions play a vital role in maintaining the phosphate (Pi) nutrient status of host plants and providing resilience during biotic and abiotic stresses. Serendipita indica, a mycorrhiza-like fungus, supports plant growth by transporting Pi to the plant. Despite the competitive behaviour of arsenate (AsV) with Pi, the association with S. indica promotes plant growth under arsenic (As) stress by reducing As bioavailability through adsorption, accumulation, and precipitation within the fungus. However, the capacity of S. indica to enhance Pi accumulation and utilization under As stress remains unexplored. Axenic studies revealed that As supply significantly reduces intracellular ACPase activity in S. indica, while extracellular ACPase remains unaffected. Further investigations using Native PAGE and gene expression studies confirmed that intracellular ACPase (isoform2) is sensitive to As, whereas extracellular ACPase (isoform1) is As-insensitive. Biochemical analysis showed that ACPase (isoform1) has a Km of 0.5977 µM and Vmax of 0.1945 Unit/min. In hydroponically cultured tomato seedlings, simultaneous inoculation of S. indica with As on the 14thday after seed germination led to hyper-colonization, increased root/shoot length, biomass, and induction of ACPase expression and secretion under As stress. Arsenic-treated S. indica colonized groups (13.33 µM As+Si and 26.67 µM As+Si) exhibited 8.28–19.14 and 1.71–3.45-fold activation of ACPase in both rhizospheric media and root samples, respectively, thereby enhancing Pi availability in the surrounding medium under As stress. Moreover, S. indica (13.33 µM As+Si and 26.67 µM As+Si) significantly improved Pi accumulation in roots by 7.26 and 9.46 times and in shoots by 4.36 and 8.85 times compared to the control. Additionally, S. indica induced the expression of SiPT under As stress, further improving Pi mobilization. Notably, fungal colonization also restricted As mobilization from the hydroponic medium to the shoot, with a higher amount of As (191.01 ppm As in the 26.67 µM As+Si group) accumulating in the plant's roots. The study demonstrates the performance of S. indica under As stress in enhancing Pi mobilization while limiting As uptake in the host plant. These findings provide the first evidence of the As-Pi interaction in the AM-like fungus S. indica, indicating reduced As uptake and regulation of PHO genes (ACPase and SiPT genes) to increase Pi acquisition. These data also lay the foundation for the rational use of S. indica in agricultural practices.

Abstract 18199: Relationship Between Hospital Care Team Segregation Index and Cardiovascular Care for Black and White Patients

Background: High levels of hospital health care team segregation has been associated with worse outcomes for Black patients. We sought to determine whether hospital level segregation index (SI, degree of dissimilarity between composition of teams that care for Black versus White patients) was associated with care by a cardiologist, 30-day readmission, and 1-year survival for Black versus White patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: Using Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database, for commercial and Medicare plans, we examined SI among Black and White patients admitted with primary diagnosis of HF from 2010-2018. Hospitals were stratified into three SI groups based on tertiles from least to most segregated hospital teams. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate each outcome including effects of race, SI, race by SI as well as gender, age-adjusted Charlson Comborbidity Index, and hospital factors. For 30-day readmission and 1-year survival, we included effects of cardiology care, 2 and 3-way interactions of race, SI, and cardiology care. Results: Among 119, 272 patients, Black patients were less likely to be seen by a cardiologist compared to White patients across SI tertiles, particularly medium SI hospitals (OR 0.833, 95% CI 0.770-0.902). There was no significant difference in odds of readmission between races across hospital SI levels and whether seen by a cardiologist. For 1-year survival, the odds were significantly higher for Black patients compared to White patients across all SI levels ( Figure ). Conclusion: Black patients with commercial or Medicare insurance were less likely to be seen by a cardiologist for HF care than White patients across SI levels, particularly medium SI. Hospital SI levels did not demonstrate a consistent relationship between 30-day readmission and 1-year survival. Figure .

Transitioning from Da Vinci Si to Xi: assessing surgical outcomes at a high-volume robotic center.

In the emerging field of robotics, only few studies investigated the transition between different robotic platforms in terms of surgical outcomes. We aimed at assessing surgical outcomes of patients receiving robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) at a high-volume robotic center during the transition from Si to Xi Da Vinci surgical systems. We analyzed data of 1884 patients undergoing RARP (n = 1437, 76%) and RAPN (n = 447, 24%) at OLV hospital (Aalst, Belgium) between 2011 and 2021. For both procedures, we assessed operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and positive surgical margins. For RARP, we investigated length of catheterization and PSA persistence after surgery, whereas warm ischemia time, clampless surgery, and acute kidney injury (AKI) were assessed for RAPN. Multivariable analyses (MVA) investigated the association between robotic platform (Si vs. Xi) and surgical outcomes after adjustment for patient- and tumor-related factors. A total of 975 (68%) and 462 (32%) patients underwent RARP performed with the Si vs. Xi surgical system, respectively. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. On MVA, we did not find evidence of a difference between the groups with respect to operative time (estimate: 1.07) or estimated blood loss (estimate: 32.39; both p > 0.05). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) length of stay was 6 (3, 6) and 4 (3, 5) days in the Si vs. Xi group, respectively (p < 0.0001). On MVA, men treated with the Xi vs. Si robot had lower odds of PSM (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.58; p = 0.014). A total of 184 (41%) and 263 (59%) patients received RAPN with the Si and Xi robotic system, respectively. Baseline characteristics, including demographics, functional data, and tumor-related features did not differ between the groups. On MVA, operative time was longer in the Xi vs. Si group (estimate: 30.54; p = 0.006). Patients treated with the Xi vs. Si system had higher probability of undergoing a clampless procedure (OR: 2.56; p = 0.001), whereas the risk of AKI did not differ between the groups (OR: 1.25; p = 0.4). On MVA, patients operated with the Xi robot had shorter length of stay as compared to the Si group (estimate: -0.86; p = 0.003), whereas we did not find evidence of an association between robotic system and PSM (OR: 1.55; p = 0.3). We found that the Xi robot allowed for improvements in peri-operative outcomes as compared to the Si platform, with lower rate of positive margins for RARP and higher rate of off-clamp procedures for RAPN. Hospital stay was also shorter for patients operated with the Xi vs. Si robot, especially after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Awaiting future investigations-in particular, cost analyses-these results have important implications for patients, surgeons, and healthcare policymakers.