Antibiotics prescribing practices in oral implantology among jordanian dentists. A cross sectional, observational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In oral implantology, there is no consensus on the most appropriate regimen for antibiotics prescribing, the decision to prescribe antibiotic is usually based on procedure, patient and clinician related factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the rationale of antibiotic prescribing among Jordanian clinicians who practice oral implantology.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The target sample for the study was the 250 Jordan Dental Implant Group members. A five page questionnaire contained 41 questions, both closed and open questions were used to collect data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Windows 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics were generated.</p> <p>The response rate was (70.4%) 176/250. Mean age was 37.2 yrs, 49.4% always prescribe antibiotics mainly oral amoxicillin and amoxicillin with clavulinic acid. Antibiotics prescribing increased with flap raising, multiple implants and sinus or bone augmentation. Patient medical condition, periodontitis and oral hygiene were the most important clinical factors in antibiotic prescribing, non-clinical factors were; reading scientific materials, courses and lectures, knowledge gained during training, and the effectiveness and previous experience with the drug.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Wide variations in antibiotics types, routes, dose and duration of administration were found. Recommendations on antibiotic prescribing are needed to prevent antibiotic overprescribing and misuse.</p

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Bulk Heterojunction Tandem Photoelectric Cell Based on p-Si and Phthalocyanine

An organic-inorganic (p-Si and phthalocyanine) hybrid tandem heterojunction Ag/p-Si/AlPc:H2Pc/ITO photoelectric cell was fabricated by pressing technology using preliminary vapor deposited heterojunction films of mixed aluminum-phthalocyanine (AlPc) and metal free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) on p-Si substrate and on ITO coated plastic substrate. By keeping organic films face to face both substrates were pressed and fixed together by adhesive at elevated temperature. Total thickness of the AlPc and H2Pc films were equal to 300 nm. On the back side of p-Si substrate the Ag film was deposited. The device architecture was the following: Ag/p-Si/AlPc:H2Pc/ITO. The morphology of the organic semiconductors film was investigated by AFM. The optical properties of the AlPc:H2Pc film were studied by UV-visible spectroscope. Current-Voltage characteristics were measured in dark and also illumination conditions. Under illumination of 296 W/m(2) the values of V-oc, I-SC, FF and efficiency were equal to 0.5 V, 4 mA, 0.45 and 0.61 %, respectively. The I-V and P-V characteristics of the solar cell were simulated by using Shockley equation and its Newton Raphson solution, respectively for dark and illumination conditions. The obtained simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental results