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PubMed2026

Tele-Oncology in the Post-Pandemic Era: Clinical Integration, Access Disparities and Medico-Legal Accountability.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Tele-health has evolved from a marginal tool confined to rural populations and selected follow-up programs into a structurally integrated component of modern cancer care. Prior to COVID-19, its adoption was constrained by regulatory fragmentation, non-uniform reimbursement, and licensure barriers. This narrative review evaluates the evolutionary integration of tele-health in oncology post-COVID-19, examines digital disparities across patient populations, and addresses the medico-legal implications of this integration, with the objective of providing a comprehensive and clinically actionable framework for the governance of virtual oncology care. RECENT FINDINGS: The pandemic acted as a global catalyst, driving telehealth to over 50% of oncology outpatient encounters in some settings, before stabilising post-pandemic at approximately 10-20% of consultations within hybrid care models. Evidence supports meaningful clinical benefits - improved access to specialist services, reduced travel burden, and sustained continuity of care - with outcomes comparable to in-person care in postoperative follow-up, symptom monitoring, and survivorship. However, persistent disparities in device availability, connectivity, and digital literacy disproportionately affect older, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, raising the risk that geographic inequalities are replaced by technological ones. From a medico-legal standpoint, the remote modality does not modify the applicable standard of care, yet restricted physical examination and reliance on patient-reported data introduce risks of diagnostic delay and incomplete clinical assessment, with direct implications for professional liability, data protection under HIPAA and GDPR, cross-border licensure, and multi-party accountability across physicians, institutions, and technology providers. Tele-oncology has become a permanent structural feature of modern cancer care, offering demonstrable benefits in access, continuity, and patient satisfaction. Yet its integration has been uneven, its governance remains fragmented, and its medico-legal landscape is still evolving. Realising the full potential of virtual oncology care - equitably and safely - requires coherent regulatory frameworks, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, and explicit attention to the populations at greatest risk of being left behind.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comfort and Usability of Digital Versus Conventional Custom-Fit Mouthguards: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The use of mouthguards protects teeth and the supporting tissues against impacts. Digital impressions and 3D-printed models can reduce manufacturing steps and minimize discomfort. This study evaluated the fit, comfort, and usability of custom-made mouthguards, obtained by conventional and digital workflow, in amateur athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amateur athletes were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical study. Each participant received two 4-mm-thick custom-fit mouthguards made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) sheets using two protocols: conventional impression using alginate to produce dental stone cast (CMP) and intraoral digital scanning to produce 3D-printed resin models (DMP). Each mouthguard was worn during all training and matches over 3 months. The order of mouthguard use was randomly assigned. Patient satisfaction with the impression protocol and mouthguard use, model accuracy, and mouthguard fit were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 46 participants completed the study. The DMP protocol required less execution time (p = 0.023), caused less discomfort (p = 0.018), anxiety (p = 0.008), nausea (p = 0.027), difficulty breathing (p < 0.001), and unpleasant taste (p = 0.006) compared to the CMP protocol. The pain (p = 0.971) perceived by the participants was similar in both impression protocols. The CMP-mouthguards were considered to be better fitting by the majority of participants (p = 0.027). Between-group comparisons revealed that DMP-mouthguard caused less discomfort immediately postadaptation (p = 0.034), with no significant differences observed at 30 or 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: The digital workflow demonstrated to be efficient in the fabrication of mouthguards. Digital impression was more comfortable, requiring less execution time, with more accurate printed models and produced mouthguards with reported comfort and fit levels similar to those manufactured conventionally.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of olive leaf or olive pomace supplementation on cardiometabolic and anthropometric health markers.

AIMS: Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality, and dietary bioactives such as polyphenols may modulate key risk factors. Olive by-products, particularly olive leaves (OL) and olive pomace (OP), are rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiometabolic effects demonstrated across in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: This GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis included 30 randomized controlled trials (n = 1726) evaluating OL or OP supplementation on 21 standardized biomarkers, encompassing inflammatory markers, lipid profile, glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, anthropometric measures, and blood pressure. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, with effect sizes calculated as mean differences (or standardized mean differences for oxLDL). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses explored potential sources of variability. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's test and funnel plots where appropriate. OL supplementation significantly improved lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, ApoB, oxLDL) and increased ApoA1, while reducing TNF-α, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, and BMI. No significant effects were observed on glycemic markers. OP supplementation showed no consistent cardiometabolic benefits and was associated with an increase in IL-8. Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to high, with several outcomes downgraded due to imprecision, heterogeneity, or limited study numbers. CONCLUSION: These findings support the targeted use of OL as an adjunctive strategy for cardiometabolic risk management. Evidence for OP supplementation remains limited, underscoring the need for well-powered, high-quality RCTs to clarify its clinical effects.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Role of Polygenic Risk Scores in Predicting Cognitive Functioning after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study.

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 13-15 (historically called mild TBI [mTBI]) commonly experience changes in cognitive functioning, including processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. In a prospective sample (N = 523) of individuals of European descent who had been treated in a U.S. level 1 trauma center for mTBI, we examined the prognostic value of four polygenic risk scores (PRS) for cognitive outcomes at 6-months postinjury. To estimate the impact of mTBI on cognition, primary cognitive outcomes were scaled as z-scores reflecting changes in performance relative to predicted preinjury performance. The PRS examined were previously developed and validated to predict cognition-related outcomes of educational attainment (Education-PRS), intelligence (Intelligence-PRS), and Alzheimer's disease (AD-mild traumatic brain injury (APOE)-PRS and AD + APOE-PRS). Both the Education-PRS and Intelligence-PRS displayed bivariate associations with all four cognitive outcomes (β = 0.19-0.32), whereas neither Alzheimer's disease PRS was significantly associated with any outcome. After controlling for other factors known to predict cognitive outcomes of TBI (e.g., sex, education, mTBI severity defined by a combination of Glasgow Coma Scale scores and the presence/absence of acute intracranial findings on clinical neuroimaging), the Education-PRS and Intelligence-PRS remained independently predictive of verbal episodic memory (β = 0.10-0.16), whereas their associations with processing speed and executive functioning were mostly nonsignificant and were mediated through educational attainment. Looking across primary z-score and secondary raw score outcomes, cognitive outcomes 6 months post-mTBI were good on average, and PRS made small independent contributions to outcome prediction. The mediation model findings may support theories of cognitive reserve, which propose that individuals with stronger preinjury cognitive processing abilities (often estimated by educational history) can better compensate for TBI. Moreover, findings indicate that PRS may contribute modestly to multivariable models predicting cognitive function after TBI.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Crinecerfont: emerging role in the management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare genetic endocrine disorder characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis, excessive adrenal androgen production, and elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations. The current standard of care involves supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids to suppress ACTH and manage androgen excess, often leading to long-term complications. AREAS COVERED: A literature search of PubMed was conducted. This review critically examines the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and potential role of crinecerfont in redefining CAH management. EXPERT OPINION: Crinecerfont, a selective corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1) antagonist, offers a novel therapeutic approach by targeting ACTH secretion at its hypothalamic origin. Recent Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials have demonstrated promising efficacy and safety across adult, adolescent, and pediatric populations. Crinecerfont may represent a promising adjunctive therapy in CAH management, addressing both biochemical control as well as quality of life and potentially long-term outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Exercise-associated epigenetic remodeling and TCR repertoire dynamics in Lynch syndrome carriers.

Lynch syndrome (LS) carriers are at elevated cancer risk. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic preventive strategy, yet the epigenetic and immunological mechanisms underlying its protective effects in this population remain unclear. Here, we perform integrative multi-omics profiling of DNA methylation, gene expression, and the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in LS carriers undergoing a 52-week aerobic cycling intervention. We identify compartment-specific DNA methylation changes, including innate immune activation in cfDNA and oncogenic pathway repression in tissue. Integrative transcriptomic analysis highlights ISL1 as a key exercise-repressed, epigenetically regulated gene, and identifies FLCN as a colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated methylation target. TCR analysis reveals an exercise-associated increase in systemic repertoire diversity and tissue-specific clonal convergence, thus suggesting antigen-driven recruitment. Collectively, these findings uncover epigenetic and immune remodeling as potential mechanisms of exercise-mediated protection in LS.

Lynch syndrome↗

PubMed2026

Lipid-mediated activation of BLT2 promotes membrane repair to prevent cell death.

Various pathogenic microorganisms produce toxins that create pores in cell membranes, causing cell damage and disrupting the host epithelial barrier. Recently, we reported that mice lacking the G protein-coupled receptor leukotriene B4 receptor 2 (BLT2), which is expressed in vascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells, are highly susceptible to pneumolysin (PLY), a pneumococci-generated toxin. Although we clarified the protective roles of BLT2 in vascular endothelial cells, those in alveolar epithelial cells have not been elucidated. Here, we report that lipid mediator 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHT), which is produced by membrane-damaged epithelial cells, prevents cell death by promoting membrane repair through BLT2. BLT2 promoted the release of PLY-bound plasma membranes as extracellular vesicles in a sphingomyelinase-dependent manner. Additionally, BLT2 activated Rac1 and subsequent actin polymerization, leading to resistance to cell death. Furthermore, inhibition of 12-HHT production by aspirin and treatment with a BLT2 antagonist abolished the protective effect of BLT2. These findings provide a new therapeutic strategy for bacterial infection.

Receptors, Leukotriene B4↗

PubMed2026

Emerging techniques of CRISPR/Cas system in antiviral therapy and diagnostics: Applications, limitations, and translational perspectives.

The CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system is a versatile technology for developing antiviral medicines and editing viral genomes in both diagnostics and vaccine synthesis. Emerging insights into class 2 effectors, such as Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, which target viral DNA and RNA, have revolutionized vaccines against viruses such as HIV, HPV, HBV, and EBV. Innovative diagnostic techniques such as SHERLOCK, DETECTR, and FELUDA have demonstrated system's diversity and accuracy in detecting the virus markers, supporting clinical decision-making, indicating adaptability and precision of CRISPR. This review critically evaluates CRISPR's role in RNA editing, emphasizing its importance for functional genomics and development of recombinant vaccines. Translational challenges are critically discussed, including off-target effects, delivery limitations, and ethical issues, for which unique approaches such as high-fidelity Cas variants, non-viral delivery systems, and bioethical frameworks are evaluated to address these limitations. This review also covers other social implications, such as accessibility and biosecurity risks, associated with CRISPR technologies Collectively, these advances underscore the transformative potential of CRISPR technologies in shaping next-generation antiviral diagnostics and therapeutics.

CRISPR-Cas Systems↗

PubMed2026

Association of media use with sleep of children and adolescents: an umbrella review.

Adequate sleep is essential for child and adolescent development, driving extensive research across scientific disciplines. This umbrella review provides a comprehensive overview of existing evidence on media consumption and sleep and thereby lays the foundation for identifying key concepts and gaps. An inclusive systematic search for reviews reporting literature searches was conducted in 02/2021 and updated last in 09/2024. Methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR-2. We included 84 reviews reporting on the association between media use and sleep in individuals aged 0-18 years. The field is dominated by reviews of low methodological quality, mainly including original cross-sectional studies with subjective measures in older children and adolescents. A total of 475 original articles were covered by the reviews; only 10 of them appeared in at least seven and at most nine reviews. Screen time generally had a negative impact on sleep, though evidence varied from very low to strong. Evidence for effects of conventional books on sleep remains inconclusive. High quality systematic reviews are needed to evaluate robust studies using objective measures of sleep and contemporary media use across all age groups up to adolescence and to explore the impact of non-digital media use on sleep, considering age and gender differences.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

From host response to genomic targets: electrochemical biosensing of tuberculosis biomarkers.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of death from a single infectious agent worldwide, with timely diagnosis continuing to be a major challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. Conventional TB diagnostic methods are limited by low sensitivity, long turnaround times, and an inability to reliably differentiate latent from active disease. Biomarker-based diagnostic strategies have therefore gained increasing attention as they offer the potential to improve early detection, disease differentiation, and treatment monitoring. Herein, we examine electrochemical biosensing strategies for TB diagnostics using a biomarker-class-driven framework, covering host-response biomarkers (IFN-γ and TNF-α), pathogen-derived antigens (ESAT6, CFP10, CFP10-ESAT6, MPT64, Ag85, HspX and LpqH), cell-wall signatures and whole-cell markers (LAM and whole cell Mtb), and genomic markers (Mtb DNA and IS6110). Through structured comparison of recognition elements, biointerface designs, signal amplification strategies, electrochemical techniques, matrices, and validation levels, this review identifies the most promising technical approaches for different TB biomarker classes. It further highlights key translational bottlenecks, including limited clinical validation, buffer-based testing, complex multistep amplification, redox-probe dependence, matrix fouling, and insufficient evidence of manufacturability. This review therefore provides practical guidance for developing electrochemical TB biosensors that are analytically sensitive, clinically relevant, and suitable for decentralized diagnostic applications.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2026

Assessing AI literacy and attitudes among medical students: implications for integration into healthcare practice.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess AI literacy and attitudes among medical students and explore their implications for integrating AI into healthcare practice. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A quantitative research design was employed to comprehensively evaluate AI literacy and attitudes among 374 Lusaka Apex Medical University medical students. Data were collected from April 3, 2024, to April 30, 2024, using a closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire covered various aspects of AI literacy, perceived benefits of AI in healthcare, strategies for staying informed about AI, relevant AI applications for future practice, concerns related to AI algorithm training and AI-based chatbots in healthcare. FINDINGS: The study revealed varying levels of AI literacy among medical students with a basic understanding of AI principles. Perceptions regarding AI's role in healthcare varied, with recognition of key benefits such as improved diagnosis accuracy and enhanced treatment planning. Students relied predominantly on online resources to stay informed about AI. Concerns included bias reinforcement, data privacy and over-reliance on technology. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study contributes original insights into medical students' AI literacy and attitudes, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions and ethical considerations in AI integration within medical education and practice.

Students, Medical↗

PubMed2026

Dengue and chikungunya vaccines past, present and future: implications for travelers.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Novel vaccines for dengue and chikungunya viruses offer new prevention options against two globally important arboviral diseases. This review summarizes recent developments in vaccine licensure, implementation, real-world experience and research priorities, with emphasis on implications for both endemic populations and travelers. RECENT FINDINGS: Of the three live-attenuated dengue vaccines licensed to date, TAK-003 is authorized in >40 countries and Butantan-DV in Brazil, while manufacturing of CYD-TDV is discontinued. Long-term and postmarketing data continue to refine understanding of serotype-specific protection, waning immunity, and rare adverse events.For chikungunya, two single-dose vaccines are licensed-a live-attenuated vaccine (VLA1553) and virus-like particle vaccine (PXVX0317). Uptake is guided by emerging safety and effectiveness data, with each platform offering potential advantages in different settings.Further data on long-term protection, safety, effectiveness, use in vulnerable populations and integration into outbreak management and immunization systems is anticipated. SUMMARY: Dengue and chikungunya vaccines are increasingly being used in immunization programs and pretravel consultations. Further real-world data are needed-particularly for seronegative dengue vaccine recipients and older, immunocompromised or medically at-risk adults. Research priorities include developing single-dose, nonlive dengue vaccines suitable for high-risk groups, understanding long-term chikungunya vaccine performance, and exploring broader flaviviral or pan-arboviral platforms.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A status update on the unkept promise of high-frequency spinal cord stimulation for treatment-refractory chronic migraine.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic migraine (CM) refractory to conventional pharmacotherapy (r-CM) remains a debilitating neurological condition with limited therapeutic options. High-frequency spinal cord stimulation at 10 kilohertz (HF-SCS) has recently emerged as a distinct neuromodulatory paradigm for this patient population. Unlike traditional spinal cord stimulation, HF-SCS operates above the frequency range that generates paresthesia, thereby eliminating stimulation-induced sensation while potentially engaging unique analgesic mechanisms. AREAS COVERED: This focused narrative review synthesizes the available clinical evidence, technical considerations, and mechanistic hypotheses specifically pertaining to cervical HF-SCS for refractory chronic migraine (r-CM). The authors further provide their expert perspectives on the future of this technology as a treatment option for refractory chronic migraine. EXPERT OPINION: Current data from prospective open-label studies and retrospective case series suggest that cervical HF-SCS may reduce monthly migraine days, facilitate conversion from chronic to episodic migraine patterns in some implanted patients, and may improve headache-related disability and quality of life over at least 52 weeks of follow-up. The paresthesia-free nature of HF-SCS confers a distinct advantage for both patient tolerability and future trial design, as it permits sham-controlled methodologies that have historically been impossible with conventional neurostimulation. However, these findings remain preliminary and should be considered hypothesis-generating pending confirmation in adequately powered randomized sham-controlled trials.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Hydrodissection-assisted laparoscopic orchiopexy utilizing needle grasper for palpable undescended testes: Clinical efficacy analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic orchiopexy has emerged as a viable alternative for the treatment of palpable undescended testis (UDT). This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of needle-grasper hydrodissection-assisted laparoscopic orchiopexy (NHLO) in comparison to conventional laparoscopic orchiopexy (CLO) for palpable UDT. METHODS: A cohort of 96 patients diagnosed with palpable UDT, admitted between January 2020 and April 2024, was included in this study. Among these, 54 patients underwent NHLO, while 42 patients were treated with CLO. In the NHLO procedure, normal saline was injected into the retroperitoneal space to create a hydrodissection barrier, facilitating the separation and protection of the vas deferens and spermatic cord. The vas deferens and spermatic cord were meticulously dissected following the principles of integrity and minimal tissue trauma. Outcome measures included final testicular position, testicular volume growth, testicular atrophy, success rate, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the NHLO and CLO groups in terms of age, laterality, operative time (NHLO: 38-46 min; CLO: 39-48 min), or complication rates (NHLO: 1.9 %; CLO: 0.0 %). At follow-up, all patients in both groups exhibited palpable testes in satisfactory scrotal positions. Notably, no visible abdominal scarring was observed in the NHLO group, whereas there were two noticeable scars on the abdomen in CLO. CONCLUSION: Needle-grasper hydrodissection-assisted laparoscopic orchiopexy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique that provides optimal protection of the vas deferens and spermatic cord while achieving excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

The molecular mechanism of cuproptosis and research progress in pancreatic diseases.

PURPOSE: Cuproptosis has been proven to be a novel mode of cell death, distinct from other types of cell death such as necrosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis. This study aims to systematically review the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis in recent years and its research progress in pancreatic diseases. METHODS: By searching PubMed and Web of Science databases, 113 key literatures were included for thematic analysis, covering the molecular mechanism of cuproptosis and its role in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, pancreatic cyst, pancreatic injury and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. RESULTS: Cuproptosis refers to the accumulation of copper ions in cells, which leads to instability of ferritin and aggregation of acylated proteins, resulting in oxidative stress-related cell death. Recent studies have shown that cuproptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various pancreatic diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic injuries and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The inducers of cuproptosis, such as disulfiram, chloroquinolones, and perilla phenols, alleviate pancreatic cancer by promoting cell cuproptosis. Copper chelators such as tetraethylenepentamine and tetrathiomolybdate promote the recovery of pancreatic injury by inhibiting cell cuproptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cuproptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases. Further research on the cuproptosis pathway may become a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Frequent readmissions after hospitalization for alcohol withdrawal: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome impose substantial clinical and economic burdens, with repeated hospitalizations being common. We aimed to systematically review readmission rates following inpatient detoxification, assess variation across study designs and hospital settings, and identify key risk and protective factors. METHODS: We performed a literature search in Embase and Pubmed on 10/04/2026 focusing on studies assessing in hospital alcohol detoxification. Exclusion criteria included studies on substance use other than alcohol and outpatient or residential treatment. Main outcome was rehospitalization, and meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled readmission proportions. Secondary outcomes were risk factors and protective factors influencing the rate of rehospitalization. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. The pooled proportion of readmissions following alcohol detoxification was estimated at 17% (95% CI: 14%-21%; 13 studies, n = 287,896) within 1 month, increasing to 44% (95% CI: 36%-52%; 8 studies, n = 2,877) at 1 year. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analyses found no significant differences by hospital setting or time period. Findings for study aim and study design were mixed and based on limited data A small number of studies suggested associations with housing stability, employment, and treatment engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that approximately one in six patients are readmitted within 1 month and nearly half within 1 year after inpatient alcohol detoxification. However, readmission rates varied considerably across settings and populations. Future research should evaluate targeted interventions to reduce readmissions among high-risk patient groups.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Are There Any Effective Behavior Change Strategies for Communicating Genetic Risk in Obesity Prevention and Body Weight Reduction Interventions?

This systematic review examined how differences in intervention components may contribute to inconsistent findings in genetic risk communication studies, addressing obesity-related outcomes (e.g., weight reduction, nutrition behavior, exercise). The review was preregistered (PROSPERO #CRD42024524026) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Searches across eight databases identified 23 randomized controlled trials, covering 18 intervention trials. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. A narrative synthesis was used to cluster studies by the content of intervention and control groups. Genetic risk communication alone (no behavioral counseling, addressing nutrition and exercise) or combined with phenotype-based risk was ineffective and sometimes counterproductive among low-risk individuals. When combined with personalized behavioral counseling, effectiveness improved, but only when compared to waitlist control groups or non-personalized behavioral counseling. Significant effects emerged in high-genetic risk subgroups within personalized behavioral counseling, using behavior change techniques such as problem-solving, feedback on behavior, self-monitoring, and environmental changes. The most promising results emerged from complex interventions integrating genetic risk communication into multiple sessions and combining numerous additional behavioral change techniques, such as social reward, cues/prompts, self-reward. Complex personalized interventions combining multiple behavior change techniques and prompting experiential genetic risk awareness show promise for improving weight, nutrition, and exercise-related outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Artificial intelligence for dental caries detection: An umbrella review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been proposed as a tool to improve dental caries detection across imaging modalities; however, its clinical value remains uncertain. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and critically appraise systematic reviews evaluating AI for caries detection and diagnosis. An umbrella review was conducted following PRIOR guidance (PROSPERO CRD420261340728). Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to 15 March 2026. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and overlap of primary studies was quantified using the corrected covered area (CCA). Seventeen systematic reviews were included, of which five reported diagnostic test accuracy meta-analyses using bivariate or HSROC models. Across these meta-analyses, pooled sensitivity ranged from 0.76 to 0.94 and specificity from 0.85 to 0.91. Most systems were based on deep learning models applied to bitewing radiographs and intraoral photographs. However, substantial heterogeneity was observed in imaging modalities, lesion thresholds, analytical tasks, and evaluation metrics. In addition, a high degree of overlap across reviews and recurrent methodological limitations, including reliance on retrospective datasets, limited external validation, and inconsistent reporting, substantially weaken the reliability of the evidence. Although AI models demonstrate high diagnostic performance under experimental conditions, current evidence does not support their use as stand-alone diagnostic tools. Their clinical applicability remains limited, and implementation should be restricted to decision-support contexts until robust prospective validation demonstrates meaningful impact on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

Dental Caries↗