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The mechanical and dynamic properties of developing networks near the gel point are susceptible to the distribution of clusters coexisting with percolating networks. The distribution of cluster numbers follows a broad power law, wrapped by a cutoff function that rapidly decays at a characteristic size. The form of the cutoff function has been speculated based on known results from lattice percolation and, in certain cases, solved. We obtained this cutoff function from simulated dynamic clusters of polymeric precursor chains using a hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm. The results obtained from three different precursor chain lengths are consistent with each other and are consistent with the expectation from lattice percolation.

Background: Many people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS requires additional management beyond that of pulmonary disease and leads to increased utilization of healthcare resources. Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) is a highly effective modulator therapy that has been shown to improve CRS in PwCF. However, the impact of ETI on rhinologic healthcare utilization is understudied. Objective: To compare rates of rhinologic healthcare utilization and procedures among PwCF prior to and after initiating ETI therapy. Methods: A single-center, cohort study investigating adult PwCF was performed in January 2023. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and data related to CF treatment were retrospectively abstracted. Characteristics of the cohort were compared over 2 periods: the 12-months prior to ETI initiation and the 12-months after ETI initiation. Post-ETI data were linearly extrapolated if a subject had not yet completed the full 12 months of ETI. Paired t-testing, Wilcoxon signed rank testing, and regression analysis were performed. Results: Of 126 PwCF, 98 (77.8%) were on ETI therapy and 35 (27.7%) were both on ETI and concurrently followed by the rhinology service (ETI-ENT). Rhinology clinic visits (P =.007) and frequency of obtaining nasal cultures (P =.046) decreased for the ETI-ENT cohort after initiating ETI treatment. There were no significant changes in the number of endoscopic sinus surgeries (P =.452) performed. Beyond ETI use, regression analysis did not identify any factors associated with changes in utilization. Conclusion: Aspects of rhinology healthcare utilization by PwCF decreased after initiation of ETI therapy. Additional studies are needed to determine rhinologic healthcare requirements for PwCF who remain on ETI for the long-term and to evaluate larger cohorts of PwCF on ETI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The success of osseointegrated implants ad modum Branemark for single-tooth restorations is documented. Future developments should aim at improving the benefits to patients by decreasing treatment time, minimizing surgical stages, and maximizing esthetic outcomes. Using knowledge from studies of immediate implant placement, one-stage, immediate loading protocols, the authors developed the immediate provisional. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol to provide an immediate solution for restoring a single missing tooth in the esthetic zone. The protocol should be simple, predictable, cost effective, and allow the use of other techniques to improve esthetic outcome. Materials and Method: This prospective clinical study included 24 patients treated from August 1999 to October 2000. Single-tooth implant replacement was done according to immediate provisional protocol. Thirteen of the 24 patients had immediate implant placement after tooth extraction. All implants were placed in the esthetic zone. During surgery, emphasis was placed on obtaining primary stability by achieving bicortical anchorage and maximum insertion torque of at least 40 Ncm. CeraOne (Nobel Biocare) abutments were used, and provisional crowns were fabricated immediately before wound closure. The occlusion was protected by adjacent teeth. Results: Within the follow-up period of between 1 month and 15 months, all fixtures in the 24 patients were stable. Crestal bone loss greater than one thread-width was not detected. The esthetic result was considered satisfactory by all patients. Conclusions: The implant placement and restoration protocol used in this study showed promising initial results for both the immediate implant and healed extraction site groups. The desirable goals of patient satisfaction, excellent esthetic outcomes, and no increase in treatment cost were achieved in this protocol. Further studies to elucidate the potential of the immediate... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The 22-question SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) assesses chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) severity. We aimed to identify predictors of SNOT-22 score improvement following highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) initiation and to corroborate the SNOT-22 minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF)., Methods: Prospective observational data was pooled from four studies across 10 US centers investigating people with CF (PwCF) and CRS. Three studies evaluated HEMT's impact on CRS. For participants enrolled prior to HEMT initiation, SNOT-22 scores were obtained at baseline and after 3-6 months of HEMT. Multivariate regression identified predictors of improvement. Cronbach's alpha and four distribution-based methods were used to assess internal consistency and calculate the MCID of the SNOT-22., Results: A total of 184 PwCF participated with mean baseline SNOT-22 scores ranging from 18.1 to 56.7. Cronbach's alpha was ≥0.90 across sites. Participants at sites with pre- and post-HEMT data reported improvement in SNOT-22 scores after initiating HEMT (all p < 0.05). Worse baseline SNOT-22 score (odds ratio (OR): 1.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08), F508del homozygosity (OR: 4.30, p = 0.040, 95% CI: 1.14-18.99), and absence of prior modulator therapy (OR: 4.99, p = 0.017, 95% CI: 1.39-20.11) were associated with greater SNOT-22 improvement. The mean MCID calculated via distribution-based methods was 8.5., Conclusion: Worse baseline sinonasal symptoms, F508del homozygosity, and absence of prior modulator therapy predicted greater improvement after HEMT initiation. The mean MCID for SNOT-22 in PwCF is 8.5 points, similar to non-CF individuals with CRS, and provides a threshold specifically for PwCF. The SNOT-22 has strong internal consistency in PwCF., Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:3965-3973, 2024., (© 2024 The Authors. The Laryngoscope published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)