An advanced in silico model of the oral mucosa reveals the impact of extracellular spaces on chemical permeation.

Accurately predicting the permeation of chemicals through human epithelial tissues is crucial for pharmaceutical therapeutic design and toxicology. Current mathematical models of multi-layered stratified squamous epithelium such as those in the oral cavity use simplistic 'bricks and mortar' geometries that do not fully account for the complex cellular architecture that may affect chemical permeation in these tissues. Here we aimed to develop a new, advanced mechanistic mathematical model of the human epithelium that more accurately represents chemical tissue permeation.

Controlled dual drug release from adhesive electrospun patches for prevention and treatment of alveolar osteitis.

Approximately one in five individuals experience alveolar osteitis (AO) following wisdom tooth extraction. AO is characterised by loss of the blood clot from the tooth extraction socket leading to infection and pain, resulting in repeated hospital visits that impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Current treatments are sub-optimal; to address this we developed a novel drug-loaded mucoadhesive patch composed of dual electrospun polyvinyl pyrrolidone/Eudragit RS100 (PVP/RS100) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) fibres protected by a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) backing layer.

Restriction of arginine induces antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for a substantial number of invasive infections globally each year. These infections are problematic because they are frequently recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic tolerance, the ability of bacteria to persist despite normally lethal doses of antibiotics, contributes to antibiotic treatment failure in S.

Understanding and supporting young people exposed to online misinformation about eczema.

The traditional patient-clinician relationship is changing as young people and their families often now turn to the internet and social media for health information, treatment advice and support. Much of that content, however, is unregulated, unverified and inaccurate, which leads to the dissemination of health misinformation. Healthcare professionals working with young people with eczema and their families need to understand why young people turn to social media for health information, identify trends in online misinformation about eczema, and provide alternative, trustworthy sources of information.