In vitro evaluation of the color stability and surface roughness of a new composite flow

The aim of this study was to evaluate the color stability and the surface roughness of a bulk-fill composite flow (SDR® Plus) by comparison to an ORMOCER-based composite (Ceram.x® Universal SphereTEC?) in order to confirm the validity of using SDR® Plus

The First 500 Registrations to the Research Registry®: Advancing Registration of Under-Registered Study Types

Introduction: The Declaration of Helsinki 2013 encourages the registration of all research studies involving human participants. However, emphasis has been placed on prospective clinical trials, and it is estimated that only 10% of observational studies are registered. In response, Research Registry®1 was launched in February 2015; a retrospectively curated registry that is free and easy to use. Research Registry® enables prospective or retrospective registration of studies, including those study types that cannot be registered on existing registries. In this study, we describe the first 500 registrations on Research Registry®. Methods: Since the launch of Research Registry® in February 2015, data of registrations have been collected, including type of studies registered, country of origin, and data curation activity. Inappropriate registrations, such as duplicates, were identified by the data curation process. These were removed from the database or modified as required. A quality score was assigned for each registration, based on Sir Austin Bradford Hill’s criteria on what research studies should convey. Changes in quality scores over time were assessed. Results: A total of 500 studies were registered on Research Registry® from February 2015 to October 2015, with a total of 1.7 million patients enrolled. The most common study types were retrospective cohort studies (37.2%), case series (14.8%), and first-in-man case reports (10.4%). Registrations were received from 57 different countries; the most submissions were received from Turkey, followed by China and the United Kingdom. Retrospective data curation identified 80 studies that were initially registered as the incorrect study type, and were subsequently correct. The Kruskal–Wallis test identified a significant improvement in quality scores for registrations from February 2015 to October 2015 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Since its conception in February 2015, Research Registry® has established itself as a new registry that is free, easy to use, and enables the registration of various study types, including observational studies and first-in-man case reports. Going forward, our plan is to continue developing Research Registry® in line with user feedback and usability studies. We plan to further promote Research Registry® to advance the cause of registration of research, to increase compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki 2013

How does artificial intelligence impact digital healthcare initiatives? A review of AI applications in dental healthcare

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in dentistry provides information that aids clinical decision-making by interpreting big data quickly. This study aims to systematically review the current role of AI in dentistry where it has a significant impact on clinical dentistry. Document collection was done from 1990 to 2022 based on the main themes of AI-assisted dentistry. This document extraction was done by utilizing PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar libraries with different Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). This search result revealed different numbers of publications under the search terms AI in dentistry (N=1289), AI role in the diagnosis of dental caries (N=4), AI in dental diagnostic and treatment planning (N=68), AI and dental caries (N=76), the future of dentistry with AI (N=5), and Machine learning in dentistry (N=668). A fast-emerging technology like AI can certainly replace manual dexterity in dentistry. To reduce errors and oversight, these technologies must also be used with caution and under human supervision. The fastest and most accurate diagnosis of oral diseases leads to better outcomes for patients

The promise of telemedicine in Pakistan: A systematic review

Background: Telemedicine offers the possibility of provision of medical assistance to remote patients, and it has great potential in developing countries like Pakistan. Telemedicine solves logistical barriers, gives support to weak health systems, and helps to establish worldwide networks of healthcare professionals. Because of the high implementation costs, it is not possible yet to adopt telehealth systems for low- and middle-income nations. Objective: To present a revision of region-based telemedical services in Pakistan. Methods: Libraries such as PubMed (Medline), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus (EMBASE), and Google Scholar were used for document search. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adopted to conduct study quality. Many of the studies (n-8) included in the review were of high quality as assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Selected study characteristics were further analyzed based on different parameters such as publication year, sample size, study design, methods, motivation, and outcomes. Results: Search produced 955 articles and 11 items were ultimately selected to conduct the review. These studies were further characterized as region-based telemedicine implementation. Out of 11, eight studies were conducted in the urban region and three studies were conducted in the rural areas of Pakistan. Many studies produced evidence on telehealth interventions by smartphone services such as SMS, apps, and web-based telemedicine. Conclusions: Telehealth interventions such as mHealth, eHealth, telemedicine, and telepharmacy in Pakistan were introduced starting from the last two decades. For obtaining the full benefits of these technologies, it is necessary that they but certainly need to become an integral part of Pakistan\u27s current health infrastructure

Systematic review on the current state of disaster preparation Simulation Exercises (SimEx)

Abstract Introduction The simulation exercise (SimEx) simulates an emergency in which an elaboration or description of the response is applied. The purpose of these exercises is to validate and improve plans, procedures, and systems for responding to all hazards. The purpose of this study was to review disaster preparation exercises conducted by various national, non-government, and academic institutions. Methodology Several databases, including PubMed (Medline), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), BioMed Central, and Google Scholar, were used to review the literature. Information was retrieved using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and documents were selected according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). To assess the quality of the selected articles, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) technique was utilized. Results A total of 29 papers were selected for final review based on PRISMA guidelines and the NOS quality assessment. Studies have shown that many forms of SimEx commonly used in disaster management including tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and full-scale exercises have their benefits and limitations. There is no doubt that SimEx is an excellent tool for improving disaster planning and response. It is still necessary to give SimEx programs a more rigorous evaluation and to standardize the processes more thoroughly. Conclusions Drills and training can be improved for disaster management, which will enable medical professionals to face the challenges of disaster management in the 21st century