Although traditional tooth preparation techniques (e.g., depth-groove-guided and index-guided techniques) are designed to improve preparation precision, the results are unsatisfactory because of the lack of proper estimating tools. This study proposed a novel technique, in which relevant details for preparation of drilling holes are provided and corresponding depth is estimated using a quantitive bur under a microscope. This technique offers a viable option for precise tooth preparation.
Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Tooth Preparation ; methods

Rubi fructus mainly contains contents of flavonoids,coumarins,phenolic acids,polysaccharides,alkaloids and trace elements.Meanwhile,it has activity effects of anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,anti-aging and anti-inflammation,and is widely used in medicine,food,health food and other fields.Research progress on chemical constituents,pharmacological action and clinical application of Rubi fructus were summarized in this paper,in order to provide the theoretical guidance for the rational use of Rubi fructus and the sustainable development of the resources.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease burden of prostate cancer (PC) and assess key influencing factors associated with the disease expenditures of PC in the United States. METHODS: The total deaths, incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years of PC were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to estimate healthcare expenditures and productivity loss and to investigate patterns of payment and use of healthcare resources in the United States. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify key factors influencing expenditures. RESULTS: For patients aged 50 and older, the burden for all age groups showed a modest increase over the 6-year period. Annual medical expenditures were estimated to range from US$24.8 billion to US$39.2 billion from 2014 to 2019. The annual loss in productivity for patients was approximately US$1,200. The top 3 major components of medical costs were hospital inpatient stays, prescription medicines, and office-based visits. Medicare was the largest source of payments for survivors. In terms of drug consumption, genitourinary tract agents (57.0%) and antineoplastics (18.6%) were the main therapeutic drugs. High medical expenditures were positively associated with age (p=0.005), having private health insurance (p=0.016), more comorbidities, not currently smoking (p=0.001), and patient self-perception of fair/poor health status (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS From 2014 to 2019, the national real-world data of PC revealed that the disease burden in the United States continued to increase, which was partly related to patient characteristics.

Objective:To construct a core competency indicator system for oncology advanced practice nurses.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional study. A preliminary draft of the core competency indicator system for oncology advanced practice nurses was developed through literature review and expert group coordination from June to November 2022. The core competency indicator system for oncology advanced practice nurses was established using the Delphi method for expert consultation and the analytic hierarchy process.Results:A total of 54 experts from 11 hospitals and four medical schools in 10 provinces and municipalities directly under the central government across the country were included in two rounds of expert consultation. The effective response rates of the questionnaire were all 100%, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.90, Kendall coordination coefficients of 0.089 to 0.179 and 0.101 to 0.176 ( P<0.01). The final established core competency indicator system for oncology advanced practice nurses included seven primary indicators and 69 secondary indicators. Conclusions:The core competency indicator system for oncology advanced practice nurses is comprehensive and has the characteristics of specialized oncology nursing, and the construction process is scientific and reliable, laying the foundation for future training of oncology advanced practice nurses.