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Pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception (HC) is supported by a majority of pharmacists and pharmacy students; however, few studies have evaluated perceptions of non-community pharmacists, or differences in geographic areas. The primary objective of this study is to assess differences between community and non-community pharmacists in perceptions of pharmacist-prescribing HC in Georgia, a state that does not currently permit this practice. Secondary objectives include assessment of community pharmacist interest in prescribing HC, and differences in perceptions between pharmacists in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. A survey was emailed in early 2022 to 2592 Georgia pharmacists, with Likert questions assessing interest, perceptions, comfort, and perceived barriers regarding pharmacist-prescribed HC. Chi square testing identified differences between groups. The completed survey response rate was 11.8%. Regardless of practice site, a majority agreed that pharmacists are well trained to prescribe HC (community 61.8% vs. non-community 68.1%, p = 0.25) and provision of HC services is within pharmacists' scope (community 73.6% vs. non-community 74.2%, p = 0.90). Overall, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan community pharmacist perceptions were similar; however, more metropolitan pharmacists believed pharmacists are well trained to prescribe HC (66.7% vs. 48.7%, p = 0.049) and that it is within their scope of practice (78.1% vs. 61.5%, p = 0.045). In summary, the majority of pharmacists, regardless of practice type, believe that pharmacists are prepared to prescribe HC and that it is a part of pharmacists' professional scope of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Effective tooth isolation is a key factor affecting the retention and, in turn, the clinical success of fissure sealants. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical success of fissure sealants, patients’ preferences and gingival damage following cotton roll isolation, rubber dam isolation and Mr. Thirsty isolation system in children. Materials and Methods: In this in vivo, split-mouth randomised clinical trial, participants aged 6-11 years requiring sealants on the first permanent molars were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each participant received sealants on three random first permanent molars using three isolation techniques. The method of choosing which tooth to seal using which isolation system was randomly carried out using a computer allocation system. The time required for sealant placement was recorded for each technique. Following sealant placement, participants were given an interview-based questionnaire to evaluate their preference regarding the isolation techniques. The evaluation of clinical success using USPHS criteria was recorded at baseline and followed up for 3, 6 and 9 months. These data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25 for Windows statistical software. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for intergroup comparison, and for quantitative data between three groups, analyses were done using the Chi-square test with multiple comparison tests. For all statistical analyses, probability levels of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant and P < 0.001 as highly significant. Results: A total of 93 teeth were clinically evaluated at the end of 9 months; of these, significantly higher retention rates were seen in the rubber dam group, where 71% had completely retained sealants and 29% had a partial loss of sealants. The mean chair side times were 1.94 ± 0.31, 3.28 ± 0.32 and 2.44 ± 0.32 for cotton roll, rubber dam and Mr. Thirsty isolation, respectively. Approximately 60% of participants preferred cotton roll isolation over rubber dam and Mr. Thirsty isolation system. (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Cotton roll isolation was the most preferred technique; however, sealant retention was reported to be the best using rubber dam isolation. Mr. Thirsty can be used as a viable alternative in patients where cotton rolls and a rubber dam are contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details a liquid-phase exfoliation method for synthesizing SnSe2 nanosheets and the fabrication of a Photoelectrochemical-type photodetector (PEC-PD) using an electrophoretic technique. The scanning electron microscope was employed to analyze the surface topography of the grown film. The synthesized SnSe2 nanosheets exhibit a hexagonal crystal structure with an A1g vibrational mode. The photoresponse properties of the SnSe2 film-based PEC photodetector were investigated under various colored lights, revealing a peak responsivity of 1359.60 nA/W under 100 mW/cm2 power intensity of white light with self-bias at room temperature. This study represents a significant stride in advancing photoelectrochemical cells and optoelectronics for sustainable energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent diabetes and increase equitable access to health care screenings, Touro University California has created and implemented a community outreach program called the Mobile Diabetes Education Center (MOBEC). This program is a joint effort that also involves Sutter Health, the California Department of Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, the Solano County Department of Public Health, and community-based organizations, focusing on advancing health equity in Solano County's at-risk populations. This article reports on the services and initial successes of MOBEC. With its strong community collaboration, MOBEC has helped to raise awareness of diabetes and ensure access to much-needed health screenings and education. This model can potentially be used as a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide to address the health care needs of medically underserved communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of study. Neuronal pentraxin-2 (NPTX2) is a synaptic protein responsible for modulating plasticity at excitatory synapses. While the role of NPTX2 as a novel synaptic biomarker in cognitive disorders has been elucidated recently, its role in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is not yet understood. Clinical rationale for study. To determine if NPTX2 predicts cognition in patients with iNPH, and whether it could serve as a predictive marker for shunt outcomes. Materials and methods. 354 iNPH patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSF) as part of the tap test or extended lumbar drainage. Demographic and clinical measures including age, Evans Index (EI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) score, and baseline and post-shunt surgery Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores were ascertained. CSF NPTX2 concentrations were measured using an ELISA. CSF ß-amyloid 1-40 (Aß1-40), ß-amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42), and phosphorylated tau-181 (pTau-181) were measured by chemiluminescent assays. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the correlation between CSF NPTX2 concentrations and age, EI, MoCA and FAQ, TUG, Aß1-40/Aß1-42 ratio, and pTau-181 concentrations. Logistic regression was used to determine if CSF NPTX2 values were a predictor of short-term improvement post-CSF drainage or long-term improvement post-shunt surgery. Results. There were 225 males and 129 females with a mean age of 77.7 years (± 7.06). Average CSF NPTX2 level in all iNPH patients was 559.97 pg/mL (± 432.87). CSF NPTX2 level in those selected for shunt surgery was 505.61 pg/mL (± 322.38). NPTX2 showed modest correlations with pTau-181 (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) with a trend for Aß42/Aß40 ratio (r = -0.1, p = 0.053). NPTX2 concentrations did not correlate with age (r = -0.012, p = 0.83) or MoCA score (r = 0.001, p = 0.87), but correlated negatively with FAQ (r = -0.15, p = 0.019). Conclusions. While CSF NPTX2 values correlate with neurodegeneration, they do not correlate with cognitive or functional measures in iNPH. CSF NPTX2 cannot serve as a predictor of either short-term or long-term improvement after CSF drainage. Clinical implications. These results suggest that synaptic degeneration is not a core feature of iNPH pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]