Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon

Purpose. Evaluate infection control knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanese private dental clinics. Materials and Methods. A survey including 46 questions related to routine safety procedures was sent to 1150 Lebanese dentists between July 1st and 2nd, 2015. The study sample was selected from the database of registered dentists based on a proportional random sampling ensuring equitable representation of the 5 geographic regions of Lebanon. A subset of 29 questions was used to generate an overall score of compliance (excellent, good, fair, and poor). Comparisons according to gender, type, region, and years of practice were performed. Results. 417 dentists returned the completed questionnaires. 96% expressed concern about infection transmission, 90.6% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and 61.8% asked routinely about patients medical history. Only 43% used protective eyewear. Although most dentists (65%) used autoclaves, dry heat was still used. Significant correlations were found between gender and use of personal protective equipment. Less compliance was shown by clinicians with fewer years of experience. In the overall compliance questionnaire, the mean percentage of correct answers was roughly 54% with <5% of the practitioners scoring “excellent.” Conclusions. The study found inadequacy of compliance in private Lebanese dental clinics necessitating improved educational training and sustained monitoring by regulatory bodies

The Future of Cybercrime: AI and Emerging Technologies Are Creating a Cybercrime Tsunami

This paper reviews the impact of AI and emerging technologies on the future of cybercrime and the necessary strategies to combat it effectively. Society faces a pressing challenge as cybercrime proliferates through AI and emerging technologies. At the same time, law enforcement and regulators struggle to keep it up. Our primary challenge is raising awareness as cybercrime operates within a distinct criminal ecosystem. We explore the hijacking of emerging technologies by criminals (CrimeTech) and their use in illicit activities, along with the tools and processes (InfoSec) to protect against future cybercrime. We also explore the role of AI and emerging technologies (DeepTech) in supporting law enforcement, regulation, and legal services (LawTech)

Prx1 Expressing Cells Are Required for Periodontal Regeneration of the Mouse Incisor

Previous studies have shown that post-natal skeletal stem cells expressing Paired-related homeobox 1 (PRX1 or PRRX1) are present in the periosteum of long bones where they contribute to post-natal bone development and regeneration. Our group also identified post-natal PRX1 expressing cells (pnPRX1+ cells) in mouse calvarial synarthroses (sutures) and showed that these cells are required for calvarial bone regeneration. Since calvarial synarthroses are similar to dentoalveolar gomphosis (periodontium) and since there is no information available on the presence or function of pnPRX1+ cells in the periodontium, the present study aimed at identifying and characterizing pnPRX1+ cells within the mouse periodontium and assess their contribution to periodontal development and regeneration. Here we demonstrated that pnPRX1+ cells are present within the periodontal ligament (PDL) of the mouse molars and of the continuously regenerating mouse incisor. By means of diphtheria toxin (DTA)-mediated conditional ablation of pnPRX1+ cells, we show that pnPRX1+ cells contribute to post-natal periodontal development of the molars and the incisor, as ablation of pnPRX1+ cells in 3-days old mice resulted in a significant enlargement of the PDL space after 18 days. The contribution of pnPRX1+ cells to periodontal regeneration was assessed by developing a novel non-critical size periodontal defect model. Outcomes showed that DTA-mediated post-natal ablation of pnPRX1+ cells results in lack of regeneration in periodontal non-critical size defects in the regeneration competent mouse incisors. Importantly, gene expression analysis of these cells shows a profile typical of quiescent cells, while gene expression analysis of human samples of periodontal stem cells (PDLSC) confirmed that Prx1 is highly expressed in human periodontium. In conclusion, pnPRX1+ cells are present within the continuously regenerating PDL of the mouse incisor, and at such location they contribute to post-natal periodontal development and regeneration. Since this study further reports the presence of PRX1 expressing cells within human periodontal ligament, we suggest that studying the mouse periodontal pnPRX1+ cells may provide significant information for the development of novel and more effective periodontal regenerative therapies in humans

Aquaporin 5 Interacts with Fluoride and Possibly Protects Against Caries

Aquaporins (AQP) are water channel proteins and the genes coding for AQP2, AQP5, and AQP6 are clustered in 12q13. Since AQP5 is expressed in serous acinar cells of salivary glands, we investigated its involvement in caries. DNA samples from 1,383 individuals from six groups were studied. Genotypes of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms covering the aquaporin locus were tested for association with caries experience. Interaction with genes involved in enamel formation was tested. The association between enamel microhardness at baseline, after creation of artificial caries lesion, and after exposure to fluoride and the genetic markers in AQP5 was tested. Finally, AQP5 expression in human whole saliva, after exposure to fluoride in a mammary gland cell line, which is known to express AQP5, and in Wistar rats was also verified. Nominal associations were found between caries experience and markers in the AQP5 locus. Since these associations suggested that AQP5 may be inhibited by levels of fluoride in the drinking water that cause fluorosis, we showed that fluoride levels above optimal levels change AQP5 expression in humans, cell lines, and rats. We have shown that AQP5 is involved in the pathogenesis of caries and likely interact with fluoride.Fil: Anjomshoaa, Ida. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Briseño Ruiz, Jessica. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Deeley, Kathleen. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Poletta, Fernando Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Mereb, Juan C.. Provincia de Río Negro. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital de Área El Bolsón ; ArgentinaFil: Leite, Aline L.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Barreta, Priscila A. T.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Silva, Thelma L.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Dizak, Piper. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Ruff, Timothy. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Patir, Asli. İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Koruyucu, Mine. İstanbul Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Abbasoğlu, Zerrin. Yeditepe Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Casado, Priscila L.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Brown, Andrew. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Zaky, Samer H.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Bayram, Merve. İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Küchler, Erika C.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Cooper, Margaret E.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Liu, Kai. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Marazita, Mary L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Tanboğa, İlknur. Marmara Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Granjeiro, José M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; Brasil. Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia; BrasilFil: Seymen, Figen. İstanbul Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Castilla, Eduardo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; Argentina. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Orioli, Iêda M.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Sfeir, Charles. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Owyang, Hongjiao. Marmara Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Rabelo Buzalaf, Marilia Afonso. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vieira, Alexandre R.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unido

Molecular helices as electron acceptors in high-performance bulk heterojunction solar cells

Despite numerous organic semiconducting materials synthesized for organic photovoltaics in the past decade, fullerenes are widely used as electron acceptors in highly efficient bulk-heterojunction solar cells. None of the non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells have achieved efficiencies as high as fullerene-based solar cells. Design principles for fullerene-free acceptors remain unclear in the field. Here we report examples of helical molecular semiconductors as electron acceptors that are on par with fullerene derivatives in efficient solar cells. We achieved an 8.3% power conversion efficiency in a solar cell, which is a record high for non-fullerene bulk heterojunctions. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed both electron and hole transfer processes at the donor−acceptor interfaces. Atomic force microscopy reveals a mesh-like network of acceptors with pores that are tens of nanometres in diameter for efficient exciton separation and charge transport. This study describes a new motif for designing highly efficient acceptors for organic solar cells

CCL22'S IMMUNOMODULATORY ROLE IN THE PREVENTION OF PERI-IMPLANTITIS IN A MURINE MODEL

Peri-implantitis(PI) is defined as a pathological condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the peri‐implant connective tissue and progressive loss of supporting bone(Schwarz et al.) Peri‐implantitis could start early after implant placement and shows a non‐linear and accelerating pattern of progression. Peri-Implantitis (PI) is one of the main reasons for complications and subsequent implant loss (Kang et al.; Olmedo-Gaya et al.; Sakka et al.). Approximately 22% (weighted mean prevalence) of the population that has received dental implants has suffered from peri-implantitis(Derks and Tomasi). The treatment protocol includes non-surgical mechanical treatment alone or with adjunctive therapy (i.e., local antibiotics, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy—aPDT) or alternative measures (e.g., air abrasive devices, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet—Er:YAG laser monotherapy). These have limited efficacy in obtaining disease resolution. Hence, patients diagnosed with peri-implantitis are often subjected to surgical therapy which includes various surface decontamination approaches, resective measures (e.g., apical flap, osteoplasty, implantoplasty), reconstructive surgeries (e.g., bone graft/ autografts, guided bone regeneration), or a combined therapy(Ramanauskaite et al.). Currently, no one approach is considered the most effective in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Recent evidence has demonstrated that immunomodulation in the oral cavity can be beneficial in peri-apical lesions and periodontitis.(Francisconi et al.; Glowacki et al.; He et al.) By modulating the host’s immune response, we propose to develop a novel therapeutic method to prevent peri-implantitis. This investigation evaluated the effects of the C-C motif chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) on host immunomodulation in a murine ligature-induced peri-implantitis model. PLGA microspheres (MPs) encapsulating CCL22 (CCL22 MPs) will be fabricated to provide sustained release. We will test the therapeutic effects of CCL22 by injecting CCL22 MPs into soft tissues around the dental implant using a ligature-induced mouse peri-implantitis model. The goal of this study is to test the feasibility of local delivery of CCL22 MPs as a potential therapy for inflammatory bone loss in peri-implantitis

sj-pdf-2-sir-10.1177_00084298241228485 – Supplemental material for L’expérience spirituelle des seniors pendant la pandémie du COVID-19 : Revue intégrative et analyse thématique de données qualitatives

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-sir-10.1177_00084298241228485 for L’expérience spirituelle des seniors pendant la pandémie du COVID-19 : Revue intégrative et analyse thématique de données qualitatives by Hanaa Sfeir, Marie-Noëlle Bélanger-Lévesque and Jean-Charles Pasquier in Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses</p

sj-pdf-1-sir-10.1177_00084298241228485 – Supplemental material for L’expérience spirituelle des seniors pendant la pandémie du COVID-19 : Revue intégrative et analyse thématique de données qualitatives

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-sir-10.1177_00084298241228485 for L’expérience spirituelle des seniors pendant la pandémie du COVID-19 : Revue intégrative et analyse thématique de données qualitatives by Hanaa Sfeir, Marie-Noëlle Bélanger-Lévesque and Jean-Charles Pasquier in Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses</p

Cell Derived Hierarchical Assembly of a Novel Phosphophoryn-Based Biomaterial

Phosphophoryn (PP) is an acidic phosphoprotein belonging to the small integrin-bindingligand N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) protein family. PP is highly phosphorylated with approximately 200 phosphates per molecule and has a high affinity for calcium. The aim of this manuscript is to demonstrate that PP has the ability to self-assemble when it is overexpressed in a mammalian cell in the presence of calcium. Our data show that when PP is overexpressed using an adenovirus, the self-assembly occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) which contains high calcium concentration. We hypothesize that the physicochemical properties of the highly phosphorylated state and acidic nature of PP are playing an important role in its assembly in the ER. It appears that when a critical concentration of PP is reached, the assembly is then favored and facilitated. This self-assembly could be due to several factors. (1) The ER provides an ideal environment for this phenomenon to occur, since the ER environment usually promotes aggregation [Stevens and Argon: Semin Cell Dev Biol 1999;10:443–454]. (2) In addition to PP's physicochemical properties, the unfolded protein response could also be playing a role in this self-assembly [Schroder and Kaufman: Mutat Res 2005;569:29–63]. Unfolded protein response could be activated by a broad spectrum of insults that result in protein misfolding and ultimately blocking of the protein synthesis progression to the Golgi apparatus resulting in an accumulation of the protein in the ER. In summary, our data show that PP has the ability to self-assemble in a hierarchical manner

Quantifying Bulk and Surface Recombination Processes in Nanostructured Water Splitting Photocatalysts via In Situ Ultrafast Spectroscopy

A quantitative description of recombination processes in nanostructured semiconductor photocatalystsone that distinguishes between bulk (charge transport) and surface (chemical reaction) lossesis critical for advancing solar-to-fuel technologies. Here we present an in situ experimental framework that determines the bias-dependent quantum yield for ultrafast carrier transport to the reactive interface. This is achieved by simultaneously measuring the electrical characteristics and the subpicosecond charge dynamics of a heterostructured photoanode in a working photoelectrochemical cell. Together with direct measurements of the overall incident-photon-to-current efficiency, we illustrate how subtle structural modifications that are not perceivable by conventional X-ray diffraction can drastically affect the overall photocatalytic quantum yield. We reveal how charge carrier recombination losses occurring on ultrafast time scales can limit the overall efficiency even in nanostructures with dimensions smaller than the minority carrier diffusion length. This is particularly true for materials with high carrier concentration, where losses as high as 37% are observed. Our methodology provides a means of evaluating the efficacy of multifunctional designs where high overall efficiency is achieved by maximizing surface transport yield to near unity and utilizing surface layers with enhanced activity