The Accuracy of Digital Implant Impressions when Using and Varying the Material and Diameter of the Dental Implant Scan Bodies.

The effects of using and varying the material and diameter of implant scan bodies (ISBs) on the level of accuracy of digital implant impressions is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these effects on the level of accuracy of scans made by an extraoral scanner (EOS) and intraoral scanner (IOS). A stone cast with two sets of ISBs was used.

Assessing dentists' knowledge and experience in restoring endodontically treated teeth using post & cores.

Objectives: The restoration of endodontically, heavily filled teeth has been a challenge for the dental profession for decades. The aims of this study were to investigate dentists' experience and knowledge in the use of post & core when restoring endodontically treated teeth.

Method: This was a mixed method study incorporating quantitative and qualitative data collection.

Understanding celiac disease monitoring patterns and outcomes after diagnosis: A multinational, retrospective chart review study.

Background: Long-term outcomes and monitoring patterns in real-world practice are largely unknown among patients with celiac disease.

Aim: To understand patterns of follow-up and management of patients with celiac disease, and to characterize symptoms and villous atrophy after diagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review study was performed using medical chart data of patients diagnosed with celiac disease.

Comparison of Fit Between Zirconia and Metal Copings Fabricated Conventionally or Using Different CAD/CAM Techniques.

This study was designed to assess the fit of cobalt chromium copings fabricated using direct metal laser sintering and to compare with copings fabricated from nickel chromium (traditional casting) and zirconia (milled from partially sintered blanks). For both cobalt chromium and zirconia groups, impressions were generated using direct or indirect digitization. There were 5 experimental groups of 12 copings fabricated for a prepared maxillary right molar.

The Effect of Demineralization and Remineralization Cycles on the Bond Strength of Resin Composite to Enamel.

Unlabelled: Toothwear is a growing concern, particularly in young adults. Prevention strategies remain of utmost importance and may involve the use of remineralising agents. If restorative treatment is indicated, adhesive techniques are recommended.

Cost-effectiveness of apixaban for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Apixaban, an oral anticoagulant for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), was superior to warfarin in prevention of stroke and systemic embolism, bleeding outcomes and mortality (ARISTOTLE trial), and substantially reduced stroke risk, with no significant increase in major or intracranial bleeding risk versus aspirin (AVERROES trial).

Objective: Estimate cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus other anticoagulants for NVAF treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Design: Lifetime Markov model.

Impact of Carbamide Peroxide Whitening Agent on Dentinal Collagen.

Carbamide peroxide (CP) is widely used as a tooth-whitening agent in self-administered tooth-bleaching products. In this study, the effects of 5% and 10% CP on dentinal collagen structure and chemical properties were evaluated in vitro. Thirty-five intact teeth were exposed to 2 whitening protocols (2 or 4 h daily) with either 5% or 10% CP gel for 1 wk.

A survey of Australian prosthodontists: the use of posts in endodontically treated teeth.

Background: This study aimed to gain insight into common practises of Australian prosthodontists when placing a post in an endodontically treated tooth (ETT).

Methods: A 17-question open- and closed-format questionnaire was sent to registered Australian prosthodontists. The response rate was 55% (N = 95).

Longevity of ceramic onlays: A systematic review.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the longevity of ceramic onlays and identify the factors that influence their survival.

Materials And Methods: An electronic search was conducted through PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar and Cochrane Library, up to August 2017. The literature search aimed to retrieve all the clinical studies on the longevity of ceramic onlays.

The cross-pin retained implant supported restoration: a study of gasket placement and leakage.

Background: Advantages of cross-pin retained implant supported restorations (ISRs) include predictable retrieval and predictable retention. Unlike direct to fixture (DTF) or cement retained restorations, the prosthetic design of a cross-pinned restoration retains gaps at the interfaces between the crown, abutment and cross-pin screw. These spaces permit leakage into the suprastructure and gasket placement has been recommended to prevent this leakage.

Strategies for restoration of single implants and use of cross-pin retained restorations by Australian prosthodontists.

Background: Implant supported restorations (ISRs) for the single implant may be cement retained or screw retained. Limited scientific evidence exists to support the superiority of a retention type for either implant or prosthetic success. The aim of this study was to assess preferences of Australian prosthodontists when restoring single implants.

Economic burden of surgically confirmed endometriosis in Canada.

Objective: To estimate the societal economic burden of illness caused by surgically confirmed endometriosis in Canada in 2009, including direct health care costs, lost productivity, and lost leisure time costs.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, direct health care resource use data were obtained from nine family physicians and nine gynaecologists from across Canada, who were experienced in the treatment of women with surgically confirmed endometriosis. Data on alternative treatments and health care providers, as well as work absenteeism, lost leisure time, and caregiver time were obtained from a convenience sample of 27 women with endometriosis treated at two gynaecology clinics in Alberta and Quebec.

The relation between disease severity and cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease in Canada.

Objectives: to characterize the cost of caring for an outpatient in Canada with Alzheimer disease (AD) based on disease severity, and to describe how costs change with increases in disease severity.

Method: community-dwelling patients with mild-to-moderate AD were enrolled in a 3-year, naturalistic, observational study. Assessments included cognition (Mini Mental Status Examination), global ratings (Global Deterioration Scale [GDS]), and daily function (Functional Autonomy Measurement System) as part of the Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia.

The influence of sex on character attribute preferences.

This study investigates the sex-based differences in preferences for character types and game play. It is hypothesized that males will prefer more combat-oriented roles, while females will prefer less violent ones, with an emphasis on nurturing others and supporting the group. We find support for sex-based differences in character type selection.

Spatial behavior analysis at the global level using fractal geometry.

Previous work has suggested that an estimate of fractal dimension can provide a useful metric for quantifying settlement patterns. This study uses fractal methods to investigate settlement patterns at a global scale showing that the scaling behavior of the pattern of the world's largest cities corresponds to that typically observed for coastlines and rivers. This serves to validate the use of fractal dimension as a scale-independent measure of settlement patterns which can be correlated with other physical features.

Characteristics, diagnostic and symptom profile of patients receiving tegaserod in routine clinical practice in Canada.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the diagnostic and symptom profile of patients receiving tegaserod in routine clinical practice, and to identify their demographic characteristics, as well as the association between these characteristics and diagnosis.

Methods: This prospective, observational study collected data from physicians on the symptoms and/or diagnosis, age range and gender for patients to whom they prescribed tegaserod. Details of the physician characteristics included whether they were a family physician or a specialist, and the region of Canada in which their practice was located.

Predictors of driving cessation in mild-to-moderate dementia.

Background: Although physicians in most provinces are mandated to report patients whose driving ability is impaired by illness, little is known about dementia-related factors associated with driving cessation. The purpose of our study was to explore factors that may affect the likelihood of driving cessation in a sample of elderly, community-dwelling patients with dementia.

Methods: A 3-year prospective study, the Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia (COSID) has enrolled 883 patients with mild-to-moderate dementia at 32 centres across Canada.

A novel ex vivo culture system for studying bone repair.

Repair of large bony defects still remains a challenge for surgeons. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is well known for its biocompatibility and osseoconduction properties in the osseous environment. In this study the biofunctionality of a newly developed scaffold comprising of collagen and HA, with variable macropores was examined.

The contribution of neuropsychiatric symptoms to the cost of dementia care.

Objective: To estimate the contribution of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) to the costs of care.

Method: A one-year prospective study of resource utilization recorded monthly by 500 caregivers of community dwelling patients with dementia. The effect of behavior on total, direct and indirect costs of care was examined.

Ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide with midcycle vincristine versus standard chemotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer and good performance status: clinical and quality-of-life results of the British Medical Research Council multicenter randomized LU21 trial.

Purpose: Ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide, and vincristine, alone and in combination, are highly active against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This trial was designed to investigate whether survival could be improved by a regimen of all four drugs (ICE-V) compared with standard chemotherapy in patients with SCLC and good performance status, and to assess the patients' quality of life (QL).

Patients And Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive six cycles of either ICE-V at 4-week intervals without dose reduction or standard chemotherapy administered according to local practice.

The fundamentals of tissue engineering: new scaffolds.

The ability to regenerate new bone for skeletal use is a major clinical need. In this study, two novel porous calcium phosphate materials pure HA and biphasic HA/beta-Tricalcium phosphate (HA/beta -TCP) were evaluated as potential scaffolds for cell-seeded bone substitutes using human osteoblast-like cells (HOS) and primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). A high rate of proliferation was observed on both scaffolds.

Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia: study methods and patient characteristics.

Objective: To describe the methods and patient characteristics of the Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia (COSID).

Methods: COSID is a 3-year prospective study of dementia patients living in the community at the time of study registration. We assessed patients' cognition, behaviour, and functioning every 6 months, using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF), respectively.

A national survey of the chemotherapy regimens used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the United Kingdom.

Many chemotherapy regimens are used for treating SCLC in the United Kingdom, but it is not known, in any detail, which regimens are used, by which specialists, for which types of patient. We conducted a survey among all medical and clinical oncologists, respiratory physicians and general physicians with respiratory interest in the United Kingdom to find out. The questionnaire asked for the number of SCLC patients treated annually; how many were given chemotherapy; the drugs, doses and schedules chosen according to prognostic group (as defined by the clinician); and the reasons for choice of regimen.

Analysis of messy longitudinal data from a randomized clinical trial. MRC Lung Cancer Working Party.

The randomized clinical trial, LU19, conducted by the Medical Research Council Lung Cancer Working Party, was designed to compare ACE (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and etoposide) chemotherapy plus G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) at 2-week intervals versus ACE chemotherapy alone at standard 3-week intervals in patients with small-cell lung cancer. This trial investigated whether more intensive administration of ACE would improve overall survival and affect the quality of life of patients. The report on overall survival and other outcome measures will be published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.