Faculty Bibliography

Low-carbon hydrogen is anticipated to be a key element of economy-wide decarbonization pathways. Here we employ a multisector energy system model of the contiguous United States to study competition among low-carbon hydrogen production options and the interplay between the electricity and hydrogen sectors in a net-zero energy system. When hydrogen storage is available without constraints and electrolyzers are grid-connected, they account for most hydrogen production, while providing demand-side flexibility to the electricity system. This decreases battery storage deployment to achieve similar shares of variable renewable energy (VRE) in the power system. When electrolyzers are not grid-connected but rely on islanded VRE power to produce "green" H₂, we find that power system flexibility and the share of electrolytic hydrogen are reduced, all else equal. Without hydrogen storage, natural gas-based hydrogen (i.e., "blue" H₂) accounts for most hydrogen production, although increasing flexibility of blue H₂ can enable some electrolytic H₂ production. Finally, we find that hydrogen deployment does not substantially drive energy transmission expansion, although there is a modest increase in CO₂ transmission when blue H₂ is deployed in regions with limited CO₂ storage.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of coconut oil on the oral bacteriome and inflammatory response in patients with periodontitis by integrating next-generation sequencing analyses of pathogenic bacterial shifts and quantification of inflammatory markers, thereby assessing its potential as a natural adjunct to standard nonsurgical periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A triple-blind clinical trial was conducted with 30 participants diagnosed with periodontitis, randomized into 3 groups: (1) coconut oil, (2) chlorhexidine and (3) placebo. Saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected before treatment, one month after treatment, and one month post-non-surgical periodontal therapy. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the V3-V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technologies. Inflammatory biomarkers, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were quantified from GCF samples. RESULTS:Coconut oil treatment significantly reduced pathogenic bacterial families such as Spirochaetaceae and Tannerellaceae while promoting beneficial bacteria such as Streptococcaceae. At the genus and species levels, coconut oil reduced pathogens such as Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola along with increase in beneficial bacteria such as Streptococcus. The subgingival microbial dysbiosis index improved significantly in both coconut oil and chlorhexidine groups. Furthermore, the coconut oil demonstrated a reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α levels, indicating decreased local inflammation. CONCLUSIONS:Coconut oil treatment significantly modulated the oral microbiome and reduced inflammatory markers in patients with periodontitis, suggesting its potential as a natural and effective adjunct in periodontal therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE/CONCLUSIONS:This study highlights coconut oil's potential as a natural adjunct in periodontal therapy, effectively reducing pathogenic bacteria and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α). It offers a safe alternative to chlorhexidine, promoting microbiome balance and improved periodontal health.

BACKGROUND:Addressing sickle cell disease (SCD) is crucial for achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Africa. The region is significantly affected, with 78.7% of patients with SCD residing in sub-Saharan Africa and over 515 000 newborns diagnosed annually. Historically, African health systems have struggled to provide optimal care for patients with SCD, resulting in high under-5 mortality and severe childhood morbidity. Scientific innovations and stakeholder engagement offer hope for improving SCD outcomes. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of high-level partnerships and scientific innovation in advancing SCD care and research in Africa, focusing on the contributions and strategic engagements of the SickleInAfrica, as highlighted at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the US-Africa Leaders' Summit. APPROACH/METHODS:SickleInAfrica, comprising eight countries, leverages a robust infrastructure for SCD research and care. The consortium has established a comprehensive SCD database and a patient registry in each of the consortium sites that includes demographic details, clinical diagnosis, management details and follow-ups/visits. Currently, over 34 000 patients with SCD are enrolled, making it the largest globally. It has also contextually adapted clinical guidelines for managing SCD for all levels of care. The high-level engagements at the 77th UNGA held in September 2022 in New York and the US-Africa Leaders' Summit held in December 2022 in Washington DC promoted SCD awareness and partnerships. The UNGA session emphasised biomedical science, implementation research and partnerships in therapeutic development, while the US-Africa Leaders' Summit session focused on Global Partnerships for SCD: Advancing Science and Technology for Health in Africa. CONCLUSIONS:High-level engagements facilitate cross-border dialogues, underscoring the importance of partnerships from grassroots to global alliances. Key outcomes include increased awareness, policy advocacy and the establishment of SCD Centres of Excellence and genomics capacity-building initiatives. Sustainable efforts require robust partnerships, government involvement, community awareness and equitable access to advanced therapies.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of alveolar bone reconstruction simultaneous to implant removal due to peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS/METHODS:Partial or fully dentulous patients subjected to implant removal due to advanced peri-implantitis (≥ 50% of bone loss) lesions and seeking to have the failed implant replaced for esthetic or functional reasons were consecutively included. Guided bone regeneration was performed by means of a mixture of xenograft and autogenous bone and a ribose cross-linked barrier membrane. Re-entry for implant placement was performed at 4-month follow-up. Overall, six radiographic variables were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) alveolar bone reconstruction at four levels in ridge width (RW) and height (RH). Peri-implant conditions were evaluated at latest follow-up. Simple and multiple binary logistic regression models were calculated using generalized estimation equations to evaluate the effect of baseline upon reconstructive outcomes. RESULTS: = 39) met the inclusion criteria. Alveolar RW and RH were augmented from T0 to T1 at all levels. All implants achieved primary stability. Only ~13% were subjected to ancillary bone regeneration simultaneous to implant placement. After a mean follow-up period after loading of ~2.2 years, ~70% implants demonstrated peri-implant health, while mucositis was diagnosed in the remaining implants. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The performance of alveolar bone reconstruction in residual partially contained defects simultaneous to implant removal due to peri-implantitis lesions demonstrates being safe and effective for implant site development.