Unveiling the Stability of Encapsulated Pt Catalysts Using Nanocrystals and Atomic Layer Deposition.

Platinum exhibits desirable catalytic properties, but it is scarce and expensive. Optimizing its use in key applications such as emission control catalysis is important to reduce our reliance on such a rare element. Supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) used in emission control systems deactivate over time because of particle growth in sintering processes. In this work, we shed light on the stability against sintering of Pt NPs supported on and encapsulated in Al2O3 using a combination of nanocrystal catalysts and atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques. We find that small amounts of alumina overlayers created by ALD on preformed Pt NPs can stabilize supported Pt catalysts, significantly reducing deactivation caused by sintering, as previously observed by others. Combining theoretical and experimental insights, we correlate this behavior to the decreased propensity of oxidized Pt species to undergo Ostwald ripening phenomena because of the physical barrier imposed by the alumina overlayers. Furthermore, we find that highly stable catalysts can present an abundance of under-coordinated Pt sites after restructuring of both Pt particles and alumina overlayers at a high temperature (800 °C) in C3H6 oxidation conditions. The enhanced stability significantly improves the Pt utilization efficiency after accelerated aging treatments, with encapsulated Pt catalysts reaching reaction rates more than two times greater than those of a control supported Pt catalyst.

Point of care HIV testing in dental settings in high-income countries: A mixed-methods systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Expanding HIV testing beyond specialized services has been a key strategic approach to eliminating the transmission of HIV. In recent years, dental settings have been identified as offering an opportunity for delivering point of care HIV testing (POCT) interventions. Intervention components and implementation strategies have varied across studies and there is uncertainty about the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV in the dental patient population. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the HIV testing outcomes of intervention studies, identify the core components of POCT interventions implemented in dental settings; and understand the barriers and facilitators to intervention implementation. METHODS: A mixed-methods systematic review was undertaken. Two authors reviewed abstracts and full papers for inclusion and appraised the studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A convergent integrated mixed methods study design underpinned the synthesis. Outcomes were presented using descriptive statistics. Intervention components were mapped to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. Barriers and facilitators were described using a narrative thematic analysis. RESULTS: POCT was offered to 22 146 dental patients, 62.5% accepted POCT. Intervention studies that reported higher uptake of testing utilized a dedicated dental or researcher staff member to provide testing, integrated testing and provided results within the routine dental appointment and adopted a provider-initiated universal approach to offering testing. Six themes emerged that were pertinent to the barriers and facilitators to HIV testing in dental setting. CONCLUSIONS: POCT uptake in dental settings was comparable with other non-specialized health settings. Key to the operationalization of the intervention were perceptions about its value and relevance to the dental patient population, attitudes toward the intervention, logistical barriers to its implementation, the risk of HIV testing stigma to the patient-practitioner relationship and maximising the fit of the intervention within the constraints of the dental setting.

Analysis of a Medication Safety Intervention in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Importance: Strategies to reduce medication dosing errors are crucial for improving outcomes. The Medication Education for Dosing Safety (MEDS) intervention, consisting of a simplified handout, dosing syringe, dose demonstration and teach-back, was shown to be effective in the emergency department (ED), but optimal intervention strategies to move it into clinical practice remain to be described. Objective: To describe implementation of MEDS in routine clinical practice and associated outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This mixed-methods interrupted time series study of MEDS was conducted April 2021 to December 2022 in an academic pediatric ED using a hybrid type 1 design. Parents and guardians of children aged 90 days to 11.9 years who were discharged with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or both were eligible for inclusion in the quantitative portion. Clinicians from a diversity of role groups (attending physician, resident, and nurse) were eligible for the qualitative portion. Exposures: The study was conducted in 5 stages (baseline, intervention 1, washout, intervention 2, and sustainability phases). The 2 intervention phases taught clinical staff the MEDS intervention using different implementation strategies. During the intervention 1 phase, in-depth interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached; results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Interviews informed intervention 2 phase interventions. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was any error (defined as dosing or frequency error) at a 48- to 72-hour follow-up phone call. Results: There were 256 participants (median [IQR] child age, 1.7 [3.0-7.0] years; median [IQR] parent and guardian age, 36.0 [31.0-41.0] years; 200 females among parents and guardians [78.1%]) who consented and completed follow-up. At baseline, 44 of 68 participants (64.7%) made an error compared with 34 of 65 participants (52.3%) during intervention 1, 31 of 63 participants (49.X%) during intervention 2, and 34 of 60 participants (57.X%) during sustainability. After adjustment for language and health literacy, the adjusted odds ratio for error during the combined intervention phases was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.28-0.97) compared with baseline. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that both MEDS intervention phases were associated with decreased risk of error and that some improvement was sustained without active intervention. These findings suggest that attempts to develop simplified, brief interventions may be associated with improved medication safety for children after discharge from the ED.

Prognosis of oral epithelial dysplasia in individuals with and without oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of oral lichen planus (OLP) on the long-term prognosis of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). METHODS: Retrospective single-centre cohort study using the 2007-2019 database of the Head and Neck Cancer and Oral Medicine units of University College London Hospital. The exposure of interest was the presence of OLP, and the prognostic outcomes included the development of new primary episodes of OED, progression to malignancy and mortality. Cox proportional hazard and Poisson regression models were performed. RESULTS: A total of 299 patients, of whom 144 had OED arising on the background of OLP (OLP/OED) and 155 had OED without underlying OLP (non-OLP/OED), were included. A pre-existing diagnosis of OLP was significantly associated with a twofold increased risk of subsequent primary OED events (HR = 2.02, p = 0.04), which also developed faster (1.46 vs. 2.96 years, p = 0.04) and with more involvement of non-cancer-prone sites (p = 0.001) than in the non-OLP/OED group. There was no difference between groups in the progression to malignancy or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lichen planus/OED patients are at higher risk of multiple episodes of primary OED, which can develop faster and at non-cancer-prone sites as compared to non-OLP/OED individuals. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of OLP upon progression to OSCC and mortality.

Salivary Electrostimulation in the Treatment of Radiation Therapy-Induced Xerostomia (LEONIDAS-2): A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Sham-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapy-induced xerostomia significantly affects quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors. Neuro-electrostimulation of the salivary glands may safely increase natural salivation and reduce dry mouth symptoms. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This multicenter, double-masked, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial assessed the long-term effects of a commercially available intraoral neuro-electrostimulating device in lessening xerostomia symptoms, increasing salivary flow, and improving quality of life in individuals with radiation therapy-induced xerostomia. Using a computer-generated randomization list, participants were assigned (1:1) to an active intraoral custom-made removable electrostimulating device or a sham device to be used for 12 months. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients reporting a 30% improvement on the xerostomia visual analog scale at 12 months. A number of secondary and exploratory outcomes were also assessed through validated measurements (sialometry and visual analog scale) and quality-of-life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-H&N35, OH-QoL16, and SF-36). RESULTS: As per protocol, 86 participants were recruited. Intention-to-treat analyses showed no statistical evidence of a difference between the study groups with respect to the primary outcome or for any of the secondary clinical or quality-of-life outcomes. Exploratory analyses showed a statistically significant difference in the changes over time of the dry mouth subscale score of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 in favor of the active intervention. CONCLUSIONS: LEONIDAS-2 did not meet the primary and secondary outcomes.

The Effects of Antimicrobial Mouthwashes on Systemic Disease: What Is the Evidence?

The potential association between antimicrobial mouthwash use and systemic health has gained attention in recent years with reports highlighting how some common systemic conditions are influenced by the use of different types of mouthwashes. In this context, links between mouthwash use and cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, oral cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and preeclampsia have been proposed, albeit with limited levels of evidence. Chlorhexidine mouthwash in particular has been the most widely studied agent while available data on other types of over-the-counter mouthwashes are generally scarce. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate use of mouthwashes during pregnancy. This article will present the current evidence on the association between mouthwash use and the aforementioned conditions with emphasis on the mechanisms that may underlie such an association.

TRAPnSeq allows high-throughput profiling of antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells.

Following activation by cognate antigen, B cells undergo fine-tuning of their antigen receptors and may ultimately differentiate into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). While antigen-specific B cells that express surface receptors (B cell receptors [BCRs]) can be readily cloned and sequenced following flow sorting, antigen-specific ASCs that lack surface BCRs cannot be easily profiled. Here, we report an approach, TRAPnSeq (antigen specificity mapping through immunoglobulin [Ig] secretion TRAP and Sequencing), that allows capture of secreted antibodies on the surface of ASCs, which in turn enables high-throughput screening of single ASCs against large antigen panels. This approach incorporates flow cytometry, standard microfluidic platforms, and DNA-barcoding technologies to characterize antigen-specific ASCs through single-cell V(D)J, RNA, and antigen barcode sequencing. We show the utility of TRAPnSeq by profiling antigen-specific IgG and IgE ASCs from both mice and humans and highlight its capacity to accelerate therapeutic antibody discovery from ASCs.

Caregiver Quality of Life During Pediatric Influenza-Like Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study was to quantify the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers with children with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and to identify factors associated with worse QoL. This was a cross-sectional cohort study of caregivers in a pediatric emergency department with previously healthy young children with ILI. The primary outcome was caregiver QoL. Additional measures included health literacy, social support, and caregiver health status. Two hundred and eighty-one caregivers completed the study. And 41% reported overall QoL was worse during their child's illness. The median QoL score was 3.8 [3.1, 4.6] in a 7-point scale. Illness duration was associated with worse overall QoL score (0.128 worse for each additional day of illness). The median emotions domain score was 2.5 [1.5, 4.0], the worst of any domain. Caregivers who perceived worse illness severity had lower emotions domain scores (2.61 vs 6.00, P = .0269). Caregivers with adequate literacy had lower mean QoL scores (3.08 vs 4.44, P < .0001). Childhood illnesses worsen caregiver QoL. Factors associated with worse QoL were perception of illness severity and duration. Addressing caregiver QoL could mitigate the impact of childhood acute illnesses on caregiver wellbeing.

Patient and clinician perspectives of information needs concerning oral epithelial dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Individuals diagnosed with a chronic oral disease that increase the risk of mouth cancer, such as oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), require appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions. The present study aimed to assess whether patient information needs of a group of patients concerning dysplasia were met and to what degree clinicians agree with patients on 'important' topics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This represented secondary analyses of a cross-sectional study to assess the information needs of 86 patients diagnosed with dysplasia compared with those of 77 clinicians using the validated OED Information Needs Questionnaire. Descriptive, concordance and regression analyses were performed for the collected data. RESULTS: The mean and median total scores for all items in the amount of information received subscale were 2.33 and 2.44, indicating overall unmet needs concerning dysplasia. Clinicians were generally able to predict topics of greatest importance to patients, although their scores were mainly lower than those of patients (k = 0.06). There was a higher agreement between patients (k = 0.25) than clinicians (k = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Clinicians are encouraged to assess a patient's information needs to ensure tailored and patient-centred communication concerning OED during all clinical consultations.

The Association of Emergency Severity Index Score and Patient and Family Experience in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

The study aim was to determine the relationship between a patient's Emergency Severity Index (ESI) score and their or their family's response to the key performance indicator (KPI) question on the post-visit patient and family experience (PFE) survey. Retrospective review of patients presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, who completed the KPI question on an associated post-visit survey. We performed univariate analyses on all candidate variables; multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of KPI on the PFE survey. A total of 8136 patients were included in the study. Although ESI score was significantly associated with PFE in univariate analysis, this association was lost in the multivariable model. Independent associations were appreciated with race/ethnicity, time to provider, length of stay, and procedure performance during the visit. Although ESI is not independently associated with PFE in this study, its interaction with factors such as time to provider, length of stay, and procedure performance may be important for emergency department providers creating interventions to impact experience during low acuity visits.

Audiovisual information of oral epithelial dysplasia: Quality, understandability and actionability.

OBJECTIVES: Online information on oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is insufficient and of low quality. While only written information has been previously assessed, this study aims to evaluate the content and quality of audiovisual (AV) online information about OED. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven materials were initially considered using six key words across two search engines (YouTube and Google). Ultimately, 29 materials remained for the final assessment. These materials were then analysed for content, quality (DISCERN instrument, JAMA benchmarks), understandability and actionability. RESULTS: Most contents were scientific (n = 25), while three videos were educational, and one video was a personal experience with OED. On a scale of 1-5, the overall DISCERN score was (mean ± SD = 2.26 ± 0.79), suggesting poor quality of information. Regarding JAMA benchmarks, there was no single material that fulfilled or lacked all four benchmarks. The overall mean understandability score was 82% and the actionability mean score was significantly low at 29%. CONCLUSION: Although the vast majority of AV materials on OED were primarily produced for scientific purposes, these materials could be helpful as resources for patient education. Keeping in mind, however, that the desired quality and essential patient information about OED available online remains largely poor and missing.

Inhibition of Mitochondrial Antioxidant Defense and CDK4/6 in Mesothelioma.

Advanced mesothelioma is considered an incurable disease and new treatment strategies are needed. Previous studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial antioxidant defense proteins and the cell cycle may contribute to mesothelioma growth, and that the inhibition of these pathways may be effective against this cancer. We demonstrated that the antioxidant defense inhibitor auranofin and the cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib could decrease mesothelioma cell proliferation alone or in combination. In addition, we determined the effects of these compounds on colony growth, cell cycle progression, and the expression of key antioxidant defense and cell cycle proteins. Auranofin and palbociclib were effective in decreasing cell growth and inhibiting the above-described activity across all assays. Further study of this drug combination will elucidate the contribution of these pathways to mesothelioma activity and may reveal a new treatment strategy.

Long-term effectiveness of a novel intra-oral electro-stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome: A randomised sham-controlled feasibility study (LEONIDAS-1).

BACKGROUND: Effective treatments for dry mouth of Sjogren's syndrome are limited and hampered by adverse effects. The aim of LEONIDAS-1 was to explore the feasibility of salivary electrostimulation in individuals with primary Sjogren's syndrome, as well as parameters required to inform the design of a future phase III trial. METHODS: Multicentre, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised sham-controlled trial in two UK centres. Participants were randomised (1:1, computer-generated) to active or sham electrostimulation. The feasibility outcomes included screening/eligibility ratio, consent, and recruitment and drop-out rates. Preliminary efficacy outcome included dry mouth visual analogue scale, Xerostomia Inventory, the EULAR Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index-Q1, and unstimulated sialometry. RESULTS: Forty-two individuals were screened, of whom 30 (71.4%) met the eligibility criteria. All eligible individuals consented to recruitment. Out of the 30 randomised participants (active n = 15, sham n = 15), 4 dropped out and 26 (13 vs. 13) completed all study visits as per protocol. Recruitment rate was 2.73 participants/month. At 6-month post-randomisation the difference in mean reduction in visual analogue scale, xerostomia inventory and EULAR Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index-Q1 scores between groups were 0.36 (95% CI: -0.84, 1.56), 3.31 (0.43, 6.18), and 0.23 (-1.17, 1.63), respectively; unstimulated salivary flow increased by a mean of 0.98 mL/15 min, all in favour of the active group. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: LEONIDAS-1 results support progression to a phase III definitive randomised controlled trial of salivary electrostimulation in individuals with Sjogren's syndrome. Xerostomia inventory could be considered the primary patient-centred outcome measure and the corresponding observed treatment effect could inform the sample size of a future trial.

Colonization with Escherichia coli ST131-H30R (H30R) Corresponds with Increased Serum Anti-O25 IgG Levels and Decreased TNFα and IL-10 Responsiveness to H30R.

An exceptional gut-colonizing ability may underlie the dramatic epidemiological success of the multidrug-resistant H30R subclone of Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (O25b:K+:H4). In order to inform the development of colonization-preventing measures, we studied systemic immune correlates of H30R intestinal colonization. Human volunteers' fecal samples were screened for H30R by selective culture and PCR. Subjects were assessed by enzyme immunoassay for serum levels of anti-O25 IgG (representing H30R) and anti-O6 IgG (representing non-H30 E. coli generally), initially and for up to 14 months. Whole blood was tested for the antigen-stimulated release of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 after incubation with E. coli strains JJ1886 (H30R; O25b:K+:H4) or CFT073 (non-H30; O6:K2:H1). Three main findings were obtained. First, H30R-colonized subjects had significantly higher anti-O25 IgG levels than controls, but similar anti-O6 IgG levels, suggesting an IgG response to H30R colonization. Second, anti-O25 and anti-O6 IgG levels were stable over time. Third, H30R-colonized subjects exhibited a lower TNFα and IL-10 release than controls in response to strain JJ1886 (H30R) relative to strain CFT073 (non-H30R), consistent with TNFα hypo-responsiveness to H30R possibly predisposing to H30R colonization. Thus, H30R-colonized hosts exhibit a sustained serum anti-O25 IgG response and an underlying deficit in TNFα responsiveness to H30R that could potentially be addressed for colonization prevention.

Point-of-care Analysis for Non-invasive Diagnosis of Oral cancer (PANDORA): A technology-development proof of concept diagnostic accuracy study of dielectrophoresis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Delays in the identification and referral of oral cancer remain frequent. An accurate and non-invasive diagnostic test to be performed in primary care may help identifying oral cancer at an early stage and reduce mortality. Point-of-care Analysis for Non-invasive Diagnosis of Oral cancer (PANDORA) was a proof-of-concept prospective diagnostic accuracy study aimed at advancing the development of a dielectrophoresis-based diagnostic platform for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and epithelial dysplasia (OED) using a novel automated DEPtech 3DEP analyser. METHODS: The aim of PANDORA was to identify the set-up of the DEPtech 3DEP analyser associated with the highest diagnostic accuracy in identifying OSCC and OED from non-invasive brush biopsy samples, as compared to the gold standard test (histopathology). Measures of accuracy included sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. Brush biopsies were collected from individuals with histologically proven OSCC and OED, histologically proven benign mucosal disease, and healthy mucosa (standard test), and analysed via dielectrophoresis (index test). RESULTS: 40 individuals with OSCC/OED and 79 with benign oral mucosal disease/healthy mucosa were recruited. Sensitivity and specificity of the index test was 86.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.9%-95.6%) and 83.6% (95% CI, 73.0%-91.2%). Analysing OSCC samples separately led to higher diagnostic accuracy, with 92.0% (95% CI, 74.0%-99.0%) sensitivity and 94.5% (95% CI, 86.6%-98.5%) specificity. CONCLUSION: The DEPtech 3DEP analyser has the potential to identify OSCC and OED with notable diagnostic accuracy and warrants further investigation as a potential triage test in the primary care setting for patients who may need to progress along the diagnostic pathway and be offered a surgical biopsy.

Use of person-centered goals to direct interdisciplinary care for military service members and Veterans with chronic mTBI and co-occurring psychological conditions.

Objective: To explore the use of person-centered goals (PCGs) to direct interdisciplinary care to support PCG attainment in military service members and Veterans (SM/Vs) with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and co-occurring psychological conditions. Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed for 146 United States military SM/Vs reporting chronic symptoms following mTBI and co-occurring psychological conditions who received care in the SHARE Military Initiative intensive outpatient program, a donor-funded program administered by a not-for-profit hospital, between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2019. PCGs were used to direct care consisting of individual and group-based interventions and therapies delivered by an interdisciplinary, co-located team including behavioral health, case management, neurology or physiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreation therapy, speech-language pathology, and transition support. The primary outcome measure was PCG attainment measured via goal attainment scaling. Results: Increased PCG attainment was demonstrated at program discharge and throughout the first year following program discharge. Predictors of goal attainment at discharge included longer participation in treatment, greater reduction in depressive symptoms and greater improvement in adjustment at discharge, male gender, and higher cognitive and physical abilities on admission. Conclusions: This sample of military SM/Vs with mTBI and co-occurring psychological conditions who received intensive, interdisciplinary, PCG directed care demonstrated increased PCG attainment at program discharge which further increased with transition support over the year post-discharge. Results suggest PGC goal directed care is a feasible, promising methodology of individualizing treatment in this population. This exploratory study lays a foundation for future prospective, controlled, comparative effectiveness research that will further understanding of the effectiveness of intensive, interdisciplinary, PCG directed care.

My tongue hurts.

This series of articles comprise of short reviews of clinical problems relevant to oral health care in the twenty-first century. The present article uses a composite of presenting case symptoms to hypothetically illustrate differential diagnoses of pain of the tongue and why there may, or may not be, links to aspects of infection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

In vivo evaluation of traumatic and malignant oral ulcers with optical coherence tomography: A comparison between histopathological and ultrastructural findings.

Ulcers in the oral mucosa is a relatively common, although challenging, entity in oral medicine, as it can arise due to a wide range of traumatic, infective, autoimmune, and neoplastic disorders. Although histopathology of lesional and peri­lesional tissues remains the gold standard for persistent oral breaching, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been recently suggested as a potential ally to enhance the early or non-invasive diagnosis of likely causation. The aim of the present study was to provide an in-vivo OCT analysis and description from a sample of 70 patients affected by traumatic or neoplastic-related ulcers, located on the buccal mucosa, tongue or gingiva, and compare the OCT data with those of 20 patients with healthy oral mucosa. OCT dynamic scans revealed clear distinction of epithelial layer (EP), lamina propria (LP) of healthy buccal mucosa, gingiva, and tongue as well as allowing observation of the keratin layer in gingiva, and the subepithelial vascularization of each site. Traumatic lesions had an EP of reduced in thickness, with an irregular, if not disrupted surface. Interestingly, LP seemed to preserve its reflectiveness and vascularization only in the traumatic lesions. Among neoplastic lesions, regardless their site of onset, both EP integrity/homogeneity, and LP reflectiveness/vascularization were lost and unrecognizable when compared to their healthy counterparts. OCT scanning allowed some differentiation between traumatic and malignant ulcers and thus may a useful and non-invasive means of determining the need and/or urgency of histopathological examination of oral lesions.

Faculty clinical articles: a regular update for the oral healthcare team.

The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and British Dental Journal have teamed up to provide a regular series of short articles on different aspects of clinical and academic dentistry. This series will provide concise insight into a diverse range of topics with the aim of providing regular ongoing professional development for all members of the oral healthcare team. We begin here, with a short update on the Faculty and overview of the series' aims.