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Artificial Intelligence in Thyroid Imaging: A Review of Deep Learning Techniques and Clinical Applications
No full textThyroid diseases, encompassing both benign nodules and differentiated thyroid cancers, are highly prevalent worldwide and necessitate accurate diagnostic imaging for effective management and treatment. The traditional interpretation of medical images, however, remains subjective and is heavily reliant on the expertise of clinicians, which can lead to variability in diagnostic outcomes and treatment decisions. Recent advancements in deep learning (DL) techniques have shown considerable promise in addressing these limitations. This review aims to summarize the application of DL in thyroid disease diagnosis across multiple imaging modalities, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT). We focus on five recent studies that utilized state-of-the-art DL architectures, such as residual networks (ResNet), Xception-based multi-channel models, and ensemble learning approaches, which have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in image classification and disease characterization. These DL models were evaluated based on diagnostic accuracy, clinical integration, interpretability, and real-world performance, with a direct comparison to radiologists and fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Across all imaging modalities, DL models consistently demonstrated robust performance, frequently matching or exceeding the diagnostic accuracy of experienced clinicians. For instance, diagnostic accuracies up to 98.9% were achieved in ultrasound and CT-based multi-channel models, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) surpassing 0.93 in several studies. Additionally, prospective validation and the incorporation of clinical risk factors, such as patient demographics and prior medical history, further enhanced the reliability and clinical relevance of these models. Deep learning has demonstrated significant promise in enhancing thyroid imaging diagnostics by providing quicker, more standardized, and possibly noninvasive substitutes for conventional diagnostic techniques. Despite challenges related to generalizability and model interpretability, the integration of AI into thyroid imaging holds significant promise for improving diagnostic precision and enhancing the efficiency of endocrine care. As these technologies continue to evolve, they may lead to a paradigm shift in the way thyroid disorders are diagnosed and managed, moving toward a more accurate, reproducible, and patient-centered approach
New Approach in Bioactive Materials for Regeneration Dental Application
No full textRegenerative dentistry is an advancing discipline within the dental profession. Tissue engineering, the cornerstone of regenerative dentistry, primarily emphasizes three essential components: stem cells, bioactive compounds, and scaffolds. Stem cells produced from dental tissue are particularly important owing to their exceptional characteristics. Regenerative treatments have introduced innovative methods to several traditional treatment tactics across dental professions. Bone tissue injuries in oral and dental contexts frequently pose significant challenges, as traditional treatments may fail to restore lost or damaged bone tissue completely. Regenerative endodontic procedures, such as pulp revascularization, offer an alternative to conventional root canal treatment. Furthermore, traditional surgical and nonsurgical periodontal therapies are being supplanted by enhanced methods of directed tissue regeneration facilitated by three-dimensional bioprinting and computer-aided design (CAD), which have transformed oral and maxillofacial tissue engineering
Protective effects of Spirulina platensis and phycocyanin on sperm quality, DNA integrity, and testicular tissue following oxidative stress in rats: An experimental study
No full textBackground: Oxidative stress significantly contributes to male infertility. Spirulina contains phycocyanin (PC), a protein with significant biological effects, including strong antioxidant activity.
Objective: This study investigates the protective effects of Spirulina platensis (Sp) and its active compound, PC, against oxidative damage in sperm and testicular tissue in rats.
Materials and Methods: This research was an experimental study. 36 male Wistar rats (7–8 wk, 180–220 gr) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 6/each): control, PC (500 mg/kg/day), Sp (300 mg/kg/day), hydrogen peroxide (HP; 0.5%), HP+PC, and HP+Sp. Treatments were given orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters (count, motility, viability) were assessed via Neubauer chamber, motility analysis, and eosin Y staining. Oxidative markers and histopathology were evaluated using colorimetric kits and hematoxylin and eosin staining. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured via acridine orange.
Results: HP reduced sperm count (40.2 vs. 55.2 million/mL; p = 0.001), motility (43.4% vs. 87.0%; p = 0.001), and increased DFI (18.5% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.001) versus control. Co-treatment with PC/Sp improved motility (HP-PC: 69.0%, HP-Sp: 61.9%; p = 0.001 vs. HP) and DFI (15.7%; p = 0.001 vs. HP). HP decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase and elevated malondialdehyde (p = 0.001). PC/Sp partially restored superoxide dismutase, reduced malondialdehyde (3.8–3.9 nmol/mL; p = 0.001 vs. HP). PC enhanced total antioxidant capacity (5.6 vs. 3.1 mmol; p = 0.001), while Sp lowered oxidative stress index (0.41 vs. 1.36; p = 0.001) versus HP.
Conclusion: Sp and PC protect against oxidative sperm and testicular damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress. PC demonstrated superior effects on sperm quality, DNA integrity, and testicular histology, indicating its therapeutic potential in male infertility
Incidence and Risk Factors for Intraoperative Complications in Resident-performed Phacoemulsification Surgery
No full textPurpose: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of intraoperative complications during phacoemulsification surgery performed by ophthalmology residents at an academic training center. Methods: This comparative case series included 1121 eyes of 821 patients that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery by ophthalmology residents from March 2020 to March 2021. Patients’ medical records were reviewed for demographics, systemic and ophthalmic comorbidities, biometric data, surgical details, anesthesia type, residents’ training year, and the occurrence of any intraoperative complications. Multivariate models were used to identify potential risk factors for intraoperative complications. Results: Intraoperative complications were observed in 63 eyes (5.6%). From the most to the least frequent, they included posterior capsular rupture with vitreous loss in 29 eyes (2.6%), anterior capsular tear in 21 eyes (1.9%), nucleus drop in 8 eyes (0.7%), zonular dehiscence in 3 eyes (0.3%), and posterior capsular rupture without vitreous loss in 2 eyes (0.2%). On univariate analysis, mature or brunescent cataracts (OR = 3.096, P = 0.031), residents’ training year (OR = 2.238, P = 0.017), and pseudoexfoliation (OR = 2.247, P = 0.049) were associated with vitreous loss. Multivariate data analysis indicated that mature or brunescent cataracts (OR = 4.046, P = 0.009) and residents’ training year (OR = 3.238, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for vitreous loss. Conclusion: We observed a higher rate of intraoperative complications in eyes with mature or brunescent cataracts or in procedures performed by less experienced residents. Proper case selection and direct attending supervision are crucial in preventing intraoperative complications at ophthalmology training centers
The Effect of Anxiety and Depression on the Quality of Life in Patients Before and After Knee Arthroplasty
No full textIntroduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease, affecting 10% of adults. It leads to functional limitations . The aim of this study was to compare patients’ depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on patients with knee OA who were eligible for elective TKA at a Hospital in Sari, Iran, between 2020 and 2022. Patients completed four questionnaires before and 6 months after surgery: the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), the McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the visual analog scale (VAS), and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). The significance level for all statistical tests was set at 0.05.
Results: Fifty-eight patients, including 7 men (12.1%) and 51 women (87.9%), were included in the study. The mean age was 64.91 ± 7.64 years. Postoperative evaluation revealed that the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients was 44.8% and 27.6%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference compared to preoperative levels (P-value > 0.05).
Discussion: A comparison of patients’ QOL before and after surgery showed that patients’ physical limitation, emotional function, and pain decreased significantly, and their physical function and emotional role limitation score increased significantly. Anxiety and depression before surgery, with and without controlling for the variables of age, sex, and other QOL components, had no significant effect on the perception of pain after surgery (after controlling for variables, P-value for depression = 0.16, P-value for anxiety = 0.60).
Conclusion: Performing TKA significantly reduces physical limitations, emotional functioning, and pain. However, anxiety and depression had no effect on pain perception after surgery. This study demonstrates that older age is associated with an increased risk of postoperative failure, while better general health scores may reduce the risk
Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pregnant Women: A Retrospective Analysis
No full textThis study presents the findings from a study investigating the prevalence of specific gastrointestinal (GI) tract pathologies in pregnant women and their association with neonatal outcomes during the early neonatal period. The investigation is motivated by the high frequency of GI comorbidity during gestation and its potential to adversely affect neonatal status. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions, occurring within the context of physiological adaptations to pregnancy, are delineated.
Analysis of the clinical data identified chronic gastritis (36.3%), chronic cholecystitis (23.3%), and hepatobiliary diseases (24.2%) as the most prevalent diagnoses among the studied cohort of pregnant women. Neonatal assessment via the APGAR score revealed that infants born to mothers with hepatobiliary diseases had the lowest mean score at one minute (7.2 ± 0.7), compared to 7.8 ± 0.4 for those born to mothers with chronic gastritis. By the fifth minute of life, APGAR scores improved across all groups, ranging from 8.2 ± 0.6 to 8.7 ± 0.3 points.
The findings indicate that maternal somatic pathology, particularly chronic GI disease, constitutes a significant risk factor for compromised early postnatal adaptation. Consequently, the timely diagnosis of these conditions in pregnancy and the active correction of associated metabolic disturbances are imperative clinical objectives for improving perinatal outcomes
Advanced Monitoring of Groundwater Salinity in the UAE: Integration of Drone-Based Remote Sensing Technologies for Sustainable Water Management
No full textGroundwater salinity monitoring is essential for sustainable water resource management, particularly in arid regions like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where freshwater scarcity poses significant challenges. This study evaluates the viability and efficiency of drone-based remote sensing technology for monitoring groundwater salinity across diverse UAE terrains. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and datasets, we investigate the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with advanced sensors to overcome the limitations of traditional monitoring methods, which often suffer from logistical constraints and limited spatial inconsistency. Our findings reveal increasing groundwater salinity trends, particularly in coastal and agricultural regions, driven by urbanization, industrial activities, and climate change. The integration of drone technology provides notable benefits, including enhanced spatial coverage, cost-effectiveness, and real-time monitoring capabilities. This research provides actionable recommendations for implementing UAV-based monitoring systems within existing water management frameworks, supporting the UAE’s vision for sustainable development and water resource preservation
Optimization of Work Gallery Design with FIFO Approach -- FEFO
No full textArt and design students in the learning process on campus produce works of art and products. These artworks including many kinds of creative expression, in example: painting, sculpture, art installation, graphic design, photography, and others more. The resulting works will be exhibited and archived in the work gallery. However, existing galleries have not been efficient in organizing the presentation and placement of works, resulting in damage, neglect, and disruption of works. This phenomenon occurred at the Faculty of Creative Industries Telkom University, Bandung. Data collection is carried out through visual observation, documentation, interviews, and literature studies. Data were analyzed using FIFO – FEFO approach. In this study, it can be shown that the application of FIFO-FEFO provides practical guidance for designing better gallery layouts, preventing damage to artworks, reducing abandonment of works, and ensuring a balanced rotation of works. Thus, the FIFO-FEFO approach has an important role to play in improving the effectiveness of gallery and exhibition design and providing a better experience for gallery visitors.
Keywords: art gallery, artwork management, FIFO-FEF
At the End of the Covid-19 Pandemic Period, How is the Implementation of the Health Protocol at a Major Mosque in the City of Bandung
No full textThe concept of safety and comfort of worshipers is the main concern when carrying out worship in the mosque. Do mosque managers implement health protocols according to applicable standards and regulations? How is public awareness in implementing health protocols in the mosque environment? Do pilgrims feel safe and comfortable with health protocol regulations and various conditions during the pandemic? The study used a qualitative descriptive method. The integration of health protocols in mosques as a response and prevention of the spread of Covid-19 affects the concept of security and comfort in mosques according to the perception of the congregation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The outcome of the research is the mapping of the existing condition of the integration of health protocols in mosques in the city of Bandung. The results of this mapping were used as data for further research on the analysis of security and comfort in the mosque according to the perception of the congregation during the Covid-19 pandemic so as to produce recommendations.
Keywords: Bandung, Covid-19 pandemic, health protocol, mosqu
Implementation of a Biophilic Design Approach in Office Space Design as an Attempt to Increase Employee Well-being
No full textThis study aims to explain recommendations for office space designs that seek to improve employee wellness during the post-pandemic period. This research is pragmatic research with a research and development (R&D) approach. The keywords used as the direction for the design concept were obtained from the initial research that had been carried out by the author. The results of the study explain that the biophilic design approach was chosen because it is considered capable of making liveable buildings that are suitable for meeting demands and respect, for both people and the environment. The implementation of a biophilic approach to interior design can be implemented in the selection of colors, materials, lighting, ventilation, room layout, and decoration aspects. The information collected is expected to be a recommendation for those who need it so that it can be used as a consideration or reference for design directions in the office space design process.
Keywords: spatial transformation, office space, post-pandemic, employee wellness, innovatio