Pediatrician-Authored Opinion/Editorial Articles Published in Newspapers Before and After the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Pediatricians publish opinion/editorials in newspapers as a form of advocacy. No research has characterized these publications to determine the scope of this communication. OBJECTIVE: We examined the characteristics of pediatrician-authored op-eds, comparing articles published in a seasonally matched six-month period before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We reviewed 249 pediatrician-authored op-eds (109 before COVID-19; 140 during COVID-19 pandemic) over two six-month periods accessed through America's Newspapers database in June 2021. Each article was coded for topics covered, presumed motivations for the publication, and communication techniques used. RESULTS: Total number of articles published by pediatricians was higher after the start of COVID-19 compared with a period before the pandemic. Authors commonly asked for legislative action before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, but within the COVID-19 pandemic authors more often asked for behavioral changes in the readers themselves. Personal stories were a common technique used in both time periods; shaming of government became more common during COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide context for additional studies examining the usefulness of op-eds in pediatrician advocacy.

Evaluation of different materials used for sealing of implant abutment access channel and the peri-implant sulcus microbiota: A 6-month, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Peri-implantitis has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including microleakage at the abutment-implant interface. Implant abutment access channel sealing materials (IACSM) are readily used in implant dentistry, with little evidence on their effect on microleakage. This study aims to evaluate the effect of IACSM on the microbial composition in the implant access channel and the peri-implant sulcus. METHODS: A total of n = 8 patients (64 implants) were included in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, whereas four different materials (cotton, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], synthetic foam, or polyvinyl siloxane [PVS]) were randomly placed as an IACSM. Following 6 months, microbial analysis was completed on the IACSM and samples from the peri-implant sulci via PCR and high-throughput sequencing. Bacterial samples on the IACSM and in the peri-implant sulci were classified according to Socransky's microbial complexes. RESULTS: There was a preponderance of early colonizing bacteria within the IACSM, while the peri-implant sulci were dominated by Orange complex bacteria. The proportion of Red and Orange complex members on the IACSM was significantly less than in the peri-implant sulci. The proportion of Green, Yellow, and Blue complex members found on the IACSM was significantly greater than in the peri-implant sulci. Atopobium, a diverse species not included in the microbial complexes, was frequently detected in the peri-implant sulcus samples. CONCLUSIONS: No detectable effects of IACSM on the microbial community in the peri-implant sulcus or on the IACSM were identified. Variation of bacterial species was most dependent on the individual patient. No significant differences were found in the periodontal parameters between the different treatment groups.

Erectile Dysfunction: A Primer for in Office Management.

Introduction: Optimizing erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a clinically significant endeavor as insufficient outcomes from oral, injectable and even surgical approaches to treatment remain less than ideal. In this report, we integrate evolving knowledge and provide an algorithmic approach for the clinician to fine-tune management. Methods: We performed a PubMed and Medline search of Erectile Dysfunction treatment optimization, enhanced patient efficacy for ED, and why men fail ED treatment. All relevant papers for the past two decades were reviewed. Results: Establishing the goals and objectives of the patient and partner while providing detailed instructions for treatment can minimize failures and create an environment that allows treatment optimization. A thorough work-up may identify reversible or contributing causes. We identified several areas where treatment of ED could be optimized. These include; management of associated medical conditions, lifestyle improvements, PDE5 inhibitor prescription strategies, management of hypogonadism and the initiation of intracavernosal injection therapy (ICI). Conclusions: In our view, once a man presents for help to the clinician, use of the simple strategies identified in this review to optimize the tolerability, safety and effectiveness of the selected treatment should result in enhanced patient and partner satisfaction, with improved outcomes.