Recommendations for Specialty Palliative APRN Graduate Education.

Background: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are essential to care for the growing number of individuals with advanced illness given the shortage of palliative care clinicians.

Problem: Graduate education for specialty practice palliative APRNs lacks consistency in structure, content, and standardization of specialty palliative APRN education.

Approach: A workgroup of expert palliative APRNs and graduate faculty conducted focused discussions and a literature review to develop consensus recommendations based on national palliative APRN competencies and aligned with the 8 core concepts of the AACN Essentials.

Widespread cultural change in declining populations of Amazon parrots.

Species worldwide are experiencing anthropogenic environmental change, and the long-term impacts on animal cultural traditions such as vocal dialects are often unknown. Our prior studies of the yellow-naped amazon () revealed stable vocal dialects over an 11-year period (1994-2005), with modest shifts in geographic boundaries and acoustic structure of contact calls. Here, we examined whether yellow-naped amazons maintained stable dialects over the subsequent 11-year time span from 2005 to 2016, culminating in 22 years of study.

Adverse effects of sterilization processes on the fundamental topographic properties of modified dental implant surfaces.

The employ of sterilization processes are essential to investigate biomaterials aiming for experimental, preclinical, or clinical applications with biological tissues. However, responsive surface properties of biomaterials may be susceptible to sterilization processes, compromising important physio-chemical characteristics. For that reason, this in vitro study aimed to investigate the effects of three different processes for sterilization (humid heat under pressure, UVC-light exposure, and Gamma irradiation) on the major topographical properties of implant surfaces applied to dental bone-anchored implants and/or implant-abutments.

Implant surface modifications and their impact on osseointegration and peri-implant diseases through epigenetic changes: A scoping review.

Dental implant surfaces and their unique properties can interact with the surrounding oral tissues through epigenetic cues. The present scoping review provides current perspectives on surface modifications of dental implants, their impact on the osseointegration process, and the interaction between implant surface properties and epigenetics, also in peri-implant diseases. Findings of this review demonstrate the impact of innovative surface treatments on the epigenetic mechanisms of cells, showing promising results in the early stages of osseointegration.

Unveiling the consequences of early human saliva contamination on membranes for guided bone regeneration.

Aims: GBR membranes have various surface properties designed to elicit positive responses in regenerative clinical procedures; dental clinicians attempt to employ techniques to prevent the direct interaction of contaminated oral fluids with these biomaterials. However, saliva is uninterruptedly exhibited in oral surgical procedures applying GBR membranes, suggesting a persistent interaction with biomaterials and the surrounding oral tissues. This fundamental study aimed to investigate potential alterations in the physical, chemical, and key biological properties of membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR) caused by isolated early interaction with human saliva.

Cultural Advocacy for Indigenous Individuals With Serious Illness.

Indigenous American (I.A.) individuals with serious illness and their families have unmet needs.

Histological and radiological outcome after horizontal guided bone regeneration with bovine bone mineral alone or in combination with bone in edentulous atrophic maxilla: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the radiological and histological outcome after horizontal guided bone regeneration (GBR) with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) alone or in combination with particulate autogenous bone (PAB).

Materials And Methods: Eighteen edentulous patients with an alveolar ridge of ≤4 mm were included in this split-mouth randomized controlled trial. Horizontal GBR with a graft composition of 100% DBBM (100:0) on one side and 90% DBBM and 10% PAB (90:10) on the other side were conducted in all patients.

Guided bone regeneration in implant dentistry: Basic principle, progress over 35 years, and recent research activities.

Bone augmentation procedures are frequent today in implant patients, since an implant should be circumferentially anchored in bone at completion of bone healing to have a good long-term stability. The best documented surgical technique to achieve this goal is guided bone regeneration (GBR) utilizing barrier membranes in combination with bone fillers. This clinical review paper reflects 35 years of development and progress with GBR.

A randomized, multicenter, double-blinded parallel study to evaluate the safety and performance of zoledronate-coated versus uncoated dental implants in partially edentulous patients.

Objective: To evaluate patient safety, implants survival and implant stability of the bisphosphonate (zoledronate) as a coating on dental implants in patients requiring oral rehabilitation in the posterior maxilla.

Materials And Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled study, 62 patients were randomized to receive either zoledronate-coated or uncoated control implants in the premolar or molar area of the maxilla, using a one stage-protocol. Due to dropouts and exclusion 49 patients completed the study.

Modulation of gene expression and bone formation by expanded and dense polytetrafluoroethylene membranes during guided bone regeneration: An experimental study.

Background: Nonresorbable membranes promote bone formation during guided bone regeneration (GBR), yet the relationships between membrane properties and molecular changes in the surrounding tissue are largely unknown.

Aim: To compare the molecular events in the overlying soft tissue, the membrane, and the underlying bone defect during GBR using dual-layered expanded membranes versus dense polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes.

Materials And Methods: Rat femur defects were treated with either dense PTFE (d-PTFE) or dual-layered expanded PTFE (dual e-PTFE) or left untreated as a sham.

Radiographic outcome after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells seeded on deproteinized bovine bone mineral. A randomized controlled experimental study.

The objective was to test the hypothesis of no difference in radiographic outcome after maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) with allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) seeded on deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) (test) compared with excipient on DBBM (control). Eighteen minipigs were assigned into three groups of six animals and euthanised after one month (T1), two months (T2), and four months (T3), respectively. Each maxillary sinus was randomly allocated to either test or control with an equal volume of graft.

Does saliva contamination interfere or stimulate regenerative processes applying current biomaterials on oral surgical sites?

Innovative dental biomaterials have been developed in order to stimulate higher biocompatibility and faster healing times using responsive surfaces for regenerative procedures. However, saliva is one of the fluids to interact with these biomaterials in the first instance. Studies have revealed significant negative effects on the biomaterials' properties, biocompatibility and bacterial colonisation after saliva contact.

Resourcefulness and stress among hospice and palliative nurses: the role of positive thinking.

Among healthcare professionals, hospice and palliative nurses have a high risk of experiencing work stress. However, little attention has been paid to protective factors that could mitigate the impact of daily stressors on hospice and palliative nurses. This study aimed to determine whether resourcefulness and positive thinking have a negative association with perceived stress among hospice and palliative nurses, and whether positive thinking moderates or mediates the link between resourcefulness and stress among hospice and palliative nurses.

Bench-to-bedside: Feasibility of nano-engineered and drug-delivery biomaterials for bone-anchored implants and periodontal applications.

Nanotechnology and drug-release biomaterials have been thoroughly explored in the last few years aiming to develop specialized clinical treatments. However, it is rare to find biomaterials associated with drug delivery properties in the current dental market for application in oral bone- and periodontal-related procedures. The gap between basic scientific evidence and translation to a commercial product remains wide.

A survey of vocal mimicry in companion parrots.

Parrots are one of the rare animal taxa with life-long vocal learning. Parrot vocal repertoires are difficult to study in the wild, but companion parrots offer a valuable data source. We surveyed the public about mimicry repertoires in companion parrots to determine whether vocal learning varied by (1) species, (2) sex, (3) age, and (4) social interaction with other parrots.

Superhydrophilic Nanotextured Surfaces for Dental Implants: Influence of Early Saliva Contamination and Wet Storage.

Hydrophilic and nanotextured surfaces for dental implants have been reported as relevant properties for early osseointegration. However, these surface characteristics are quite sensitive to oral interactions. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to investigate the superficial alterations caused on hydrophilic nanotubular surfaces after early human saliva interaction.

Effect of peri-implant mucosal thickness on esthetic outcomes and the efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures: Consensus report of group 2 of the SEPA/DGI/OF workshop.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the literature in terms of the effect of peri-implant mucosal thickness on esthetic outcomes and the efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures to increase the mucosal thickness with autogenous grafts or soft tissue substitutes.

Material And Methods: Two systematic reviews (SR) were performed prior to the consensus meeting to assess the following questions. Review 1, focused question: In systemically healthy patients with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis, what is the influence of thin as compared to thick peri-implant mucosa on esthetic outcomes? Review 2, focused question 1: In systemically healthy humans with at least one dental implant (immediate or staged implant), what is the efficacy of connective tissue graft (CTG), as compared to absence of a soft tissue grafting procedure, in terms of gain in peri-implant soft tissue thickness (STT) reported by randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs)? Review 2, focused question 2: In systemically healthy humans with at least one dental implant (immediate or staged implant), what is the efficacy of CTG, as compared to soft tissue substitutes, in terms of gain in peri-implant STT reported by RCTs or CCTs? The outcomes of the two SRs, the consensus statements, the clinical implications, and the research recommendations were discussed and subsequently approved at the consensus meeting during the group and plenary sessions.

Promoting Health Equity: Palliative Nurses on the Frontlines.

In May 2021, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released the Future of Nursing 2020-2030-Charting a Path to Health Equity. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the history and evidence of structural racism, the role of social determinants of health, and the role of nurses improving health equity in times of conventional care, disasters and crises, and public health emergencies. Palliative nurses are integral to impacting health equity for individuals with serious illness.

The Pediatric Palliative APRN: Leading the Future.

Pediatric palliative advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) leaders are essential in advancing the field of pediatric palliative care. With expertise in pediatrics and strong advocacy skills for children, APRNs are well suited to lead interprofessional clinical teams, educational programs, community hospice and palliative organizations, policy changes, and research initiatives. Despite the prominence of their positions, there is a paucity of literature on pediatric palliative APRNs.

Palliative Care: A Survey of Program Benchmarking for Productivity and Compensation.

Palliative Care (PC) encompasses an integrated health care philosophy of care for individuals with serious illnesses and their families. Referrals to palliative care often come from other healthcare clinicians who lack the time and skill required to address the needs of the patient and their caregivers. At its heart, palliative care is individualized to the values, beliefs, and goals of the patient.

The Impact of Early Saliva Interaction on Dental Implants and Biomaterials for Oral Regeneration: An Overview.

The presence of saliva in the oral environment is relevant for several essential health processes. However, the noncontrolled early saliva interaction with biomaterials manufactured for oral rehabilitation may generate alterations in the superficial properties causing negative biological outcomes. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a compilation of all possible physical-chemical-biological changes caused by the early saliva interaction in dental implants and materials for oral regeneration.

Defining Clinical Excellence for Palliative Care Specialists: A Concept Whose Time Has Come.

Experts in the field of palliative care in the United States (U.S.) have defined competence, or "good," mainly for programs, trainees, or providers of primary palliative care.