19683 research outputs found
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AI in Diagnostic Imaging: Revolutionising Accuracy and Efficiency
No full textIntroduction: This review evaluates the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming diagnostic imaging in healthcare. AI has the potential to enhance accuracy and efficiency of interpreting medical images like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search across databases like PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar was conducted, focusing on articles published in peer-reviewed journals in English language since 2019. Inclusion criteria targeted studies on AI's application in diagnostic imaging, while exclusion criteria filtered out irrelevant or empirically unsupported studies.
Results and discussion: Through 30 included studies, the review identifies four AI domains and eight functions in diagnostic imaging: 1) In the area of Image Analysis and Interpretation, AI capabilities enhanced image analysis, spotting minor discrepancies and anomalies, and by reducing human error, maintaining accuracy and mitigating the impact of fatigue or oversight, 2) The Operational Efficiency is enhanced by AI through efficiency and speed, which accelerates the diagnostic process, and cost-effectiveness, reducing healthcare costs by improving efficiency and accuracy, 3) Predictive and Personalised Healthcare benefit from AI through predictive analytics, leveraging historical data for early diagnosis, and personalised medicine, which employs patient-specific data for tailored diagnostic approaches, 4) Lastly, in Clinical Decision Support, AI assists in complex procedures by providing precise imaging support and integrates with other technologies like electronic health records for enriched health insights, showcasing ai's transformative potential in diagnostic imaging. The review also discusses challenges in AI integration, such as ethical concerns, data privacy, and the need for technology investments and training.
Conclusion: AI is revolutionising diagnostic imaging by improving accuracy, efficiency, and personalised healthcare delivery. Recommendations include continued investment in AI, establishment of ethical guidelines, training for healthcare professionals, and ensuring patient-centred AI development. The review calls for collaborative efforts to integrate AI in clinical practice effectively and address healthcare disparities. </p
Structural changes in cell wall pectic polymers contribute to freezing tolerance induced by cold acclimation in plants
No full textSubzero temperatures are often lethal to plants. Many temperate herbaceous plants have a cold acclimation mechanism that allows them to sense a drop in temperature and prepare for freezing stress through accumulation of soluble sugars and cryoprotective proteins. As ice formation primarily occurs in the apoplast (the cell wall space), cell wall functional properties are important for plant freezing tolerance. Although previous studies have shown that the amounts of constituent sugars of the cell wall, in particular those of pectic polysaccharides, are altered by cold acclimation, the significance of this change during cold acclimation has not been clarified. We found that β-1,4-galactan, which forms neutral side chains of the acidic pectic rhamnogalacturonan-I, accumulates in the cell walls of Arabidopsis and various freezing-tolerant vegetables during cold acclimation. The gals1 gals2 gals3 triple mutant, which has reduced β-1,4-galactan in the cell wall, exhibited impaired freezing tolerance compared with wild-type Arabidopsis during initial stages of cold acclimation. Expression of genes involved in the galactan biosynthesis pathway, such as galactan synthases and UDP-glucose 4-epimerases, was induced during cold acclimation in Arabidopsis, explaining the galactan accumulation. Cold acclimation resulted in a decrease in extensibility and an increase in rigidity of the cell wall in the wild type, whereas these changes were not observed in the gals1 gals2 gals3 triple mutant. These results indicate that the accumulation of pectic β-1,4-galactan contributes to acquired freezing tolerance by cold acclimation, likely via changes in cell wall mechanical properties.</p
The influence of social media on the dietary behaviors of young Australian adults: A mixed methods exploration
No full textThe aims of this study were to (1) determine the impact of social media use on the dietary behaviors of young Australian adults, (2) explore the relationship between social media use and wellbeing, and (3) determine how social media influences dietary behaviors. Young Australian adults (18–25 years) were recruited by social media to complete an anonymous online survey (n = 107) and follow‐up focus groups (n = 5). The cross‐sectional survey collected demographic data, WHO‐5 Wellbeing scores, and information about social media use and its impact on dietary behaviors. Focus groups explored salient findings in more detail. Participants altered their dietary habits due to social media (51%) and were inspired to make healthy choices they saw modeled (71%). However, participants who spent more time on social media had lower WHO‐5 Wellbeing scores and were more likely to report social media had not had a positive impact on their diet (H = 10.38, p = 0.02, df = 3). Focus groups revealed that social media influenced attitudes, not behaviors; young adults trust credible social media creators; and food and nutrition literacy serve as a shield against misinformation. Further studies are needed to explore longitudinal impacts of social media use on wellbeing and dietary behaviors.</p
Psychosocial correlates of drinking transitions: A longitudinal study among adolescents in Sweden
No full textIntroduction: Non-drinkers have been shown in older studies to have poorer mental health and social life compared to their alcohol-using counterparts. Given the profound decline in adolescent drinking observed in most high-income countries, this pattern may have changed. This study explores drinking transitions and examines psychosocial factors among adolescents by longitudinal drinking status. Methods: Data were based on two waves of a prospective longitudinal nationwide study (n = 4018). The first wave (T1) of data was collected in 2017 (age 15/16) and the second wave (T2) was in 2019 (age 17/18). Respondents were asked about their past year drinking status, general health, psychosomatic problems, psychiatric medication, school enjoyment, emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems, prosocial ability, friendships satisfaction and satisfaction with relation to mother/father. Comparisons by mean values were assessed and multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine associations. Results: Abstainers and later drinkers differed significantly from early drinkers on 9/10 factors respectively at T1. Fewer psychosomatic problems, less psychiatric medication, higher school enjoyment, more emotional symptoms, higher parental relationship satisfaction, more peer problems and lower friendships satisfaction at T1 were associated with abstaining and/or later drinking. All factors were more strongly associated with abstaining. School enjoyment predicted abstaining but not later drinking. Discussion and Conclusions: Longitudinal drinking status relates to small to moderate systematic psychosocial differences. Adolescents with better mental health, more content relationships with parents and lower friendships satisfaction are more often abstainers. Those generally worse off are more likely early drinkers but they also have better friendships
Assessing the status of oral health integration in South East Asian Regional Office countries' Universal Health Coverage–A scoping review
No full textBackground: Oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide and there has been a call by the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate oral health into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Objectives: To collate and synthesise information regarding the status of integration of oral health into the health systems covered by UHC across the 11 countries in the South East Asian Regional Office. Methods: Drawing on the framework of the six building blocks of health systems as devised by WHO, we compared the public dental care coverage models, with a focus on outpatient dental care in these countries. We gathered this information from publicly available resources, databases and peer-reviewed publications to populate the template guided by the WHO Health System Building Blocks. Results: We found a poor access to oral health care, lopsided distribution of manpower, rickety health information systems, and private sector domination and inadequate or absent financing mechanisms for outpatient procedures. The private sector was dominant in all countries except Thailand and Srilanka. Financing was absent in most countries and deficient in Thailand and Indonesia. Dental workforce was deficient in most countries except India, Srilanka, and Thailand. Health information systems were weak with no dental items under price control. Better UHC indicators did not guarantee a lower oral disease burden. Conclusions: Our review highlighted the close connection between service quality and human resources, governance, and finance. There is a need to establish standardised dental treatment guidelines that are uniformly adopted across countries, integrate oral health into national health and development programs, push for functional oral health research through collecting robust surveillance, economic, and social impact data and the development of cost-effective strategies tailored to each country's unique needs
Neuropsychological feedback: a survey of Australian clinical practice
No full textObjective: There is increasing evidence for the benefits of providing neuropsychological assessment feedback to patients and caregivers, but the current practices of clinical neuropsychologists are unclear. This survey study aimed to determine the provision of neuropsychological feedback practices by Australian neuropsychologists across a range of settings and patient groups. Method: An online survey was circulated to eligible practising clinicians via an Australian Google Group of clinical neuropsychologists. The survey comprised demographic, education, and practice-related questions, followed by questions relating to the participants’ training, experience and confidence in providing neuropsychological feedback. Participants were also asked about the usefulness and barriers to feedback. Results: Of the 102 clinicians who participated, 60% reported that they routinely provide neuropsychological assessment feedback and a further 16% provide it frequently. Participants reported high confidence in their capacity to provide feedback. However, there was variability across different patient groups, with the highest frequency of routine feedback seen in the paediatric setting and the lowest in the areas of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The duration and aims of feedback were relatively consistent, with most sessions lasting 30–60 minutes and covering similar themes. Conclusions: In summary, Australian neuropsychologists who participated are providing regular neuropsychological feedback services across a range of patient groups and are confident to do so. However, there were substantial differences in the frequency of feedback provided across patient groups. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of neuropsychological feedback across patient groups and the barriers to providing routine feedback, particularly for older adults
Changes in the numbers of hospital-based abortions and outpatient early medical abortions in Victoria, 2012-22: a retrospective cohort study
No full textObjectives: To assess changes in the monthly numbers of hospital-based abortions and outpatient early medical abortions in Victoria during January 2012 – March 2022, with a particular interest in the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Study design: Population-based retrospective cohort study; time series analysis of Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data. Setting, participants: All admitted care episodes in Victoria during 1 January 2012 – 31 March 2022 with medical abortion as the principal diagnosis; all PBS claims for mifepristone–misoprostol (MS-2 Step) during 1 January 2015 (date of listing) – 31 March 2022. Main outcome measures: Changes in monthly numbers (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of admissions for hospital-based and outpatient early medical abortions during the pre-pandemic period (January 2012 – March 2020), the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), and the pandemic period (May 2020 – March 2022). Results: The monthly number of hospital-based abortions declined in Victoria during the pre-pandemic period (slope, –2.92 [95% CI, –3.45 to –2.38] per month); the rate of decline was greater during the pandemic period (slope, –5.74 [95% CI, –10.5 to –0.96] per month). The monthly number of outpatient early medical abortions increased during the pre-pandemic period (slope, 5.94 [95% CI, 5.34–6.34] per month); it declined during the first month of the pandemic (slope, –26.4 [95% CI, –70.1 to –17.3] per month), but did not significantly change thereafter. The total monthly number of abortions during the pandemic period did not deviate markedly from the pre-pandemic median value. The pre-pandemic declines in monthly numbers of abortions in major city hospitals, in private hospitals, or at earlier than 14 weeks’ gestation intensified during the pandemic period. During January 2015 – March 2020, 14 634 of 103 496 abortions were outpatient medical abortions (14%); during the pandemic period, 11 154 of 33 056 abortions were outpatient medical abortions (33%). Conclusions: The use of outpatient early medical abortion has steadily increased in Victoria since the PBS listing of mifepristone–misoprostol, which helped ensure access to abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outpatient medical abortions may eventually outnumber surgical early abortions in Victoria, but they are not always appropriate: hospitals will continue to be essential for comprehensive abortion care
Characterizing Socioecological Markers of Differentiated HIV Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Indonesia
No full textHIV prevention programs typically focus on changing individuals’ risk behaviors, often without considering the socioecological factors that can moderate this risk. We characterized HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Indonesia (n = 1314) using latent class analysis and used multinomial logistic regression to identify latent class relationships with demographics, social/sexual networks, and community-level socioecological indicators of HIV risk. Three HIV risk latent classes were identified—“Sexually Moderate” (n = 333), “Sexual Explorative” (n = 575), and “Navigating Complexities” (n = 406). Using “Sexually Moderate” (lowest risk) as the reference group, MSM in the “Sexual Explorative” class had additional social/sexual network-level risks (meeting partner(s) using both online and offline methods [RR = 3.8; 95%CI 1.7–8.6] or general social media and gay-specific online platforms [RR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.9–3.6] to meet partners, group sex [RR = 10.9; 95%CI 4.5–25.4], transactional sex [RR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.2–2.2]), and community-level risks (experiencing homosexual-related assaults [RR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.1–1.9]). MSM in the “Navigating Complexities” class had additional social/sexual network-level risks (low social support [RR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.1–2.5], less disclosure of their sexuality [RR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.0–1.9]) and community-level risks (higher internalized homonegativity scores [RR = 1.2; 95%CI 1.1–1.4], ever experiencing homosexual-related assaults [RR = 1.4:95%CI 1.1–1.9], less exposure to HIV/STI health promotion [RR = 0.7; 95%CI 0.5–0.9], attending STI-related services in the past 6 months [RR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.4–0.8]). Co-occurring individual and socioecological risk recommend holistic HIV prevention strategies tailored to consider the social and structural conditions of MSM in Indonesia are needed
Systematic review of early warning signs of relapse and behavioural antecedents of symptom worsening in people living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
No full textBackground: Identification of the early warning signs (EWS) of relapse is key to relapse prevention in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, however, limitations to their precision have been reported. Substantial methodological innovations have recently been applied to the prediction of psychotic relapse and to individual psychotic symptoms. However, there has been no systematic review that has integrated findings across these two related outcomes and no systematic review of EWS of relapse for a decade. Method: We conducted a systematic review of EWS of psychotic relapse and the behavioural antecedents of worsening psychotic symptoms. Traditional EWS and ecological momentary assessment/intervention studies were included. We completed meta-analyses of the pooled sensitivity and specificity of EWS in predicting relapse, and for the prediction of relapse from individual symptoms. Results: Seventy two studies were identified including 6903 participants. Sleep, mood, and suspiciousness, emerged as predictors of worsening symptoms. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of EWS in predicting psychotic relapse was 71% and 64% (AUC value = 0.72). There was a large pooled-effect size for the model predicting relapse from individual symptom which did not reach statistical significance (d = 0.81, 95%CIs = −0.01, 1.63). Conclusions: Important methodological advancements in the prediction of psychotic relapse in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are evident with improvements in the precision of prediction. Further efforts are required to translate these advances into effective clinical innovations
ParkinSong Online: Feasibility of Telehealth Delivery and Remote Data Collection for a Therapeutic Group Singing Study in Parkinson's
No full textBackground: Parkinson’s disease can negatively affect vocal functioning and social wellbeing, particularly in the latter stages of disease progression. Face-to-face group singing interventions can improve communication and wellbeing outcomes, yet not all people can access in-person sessions. To help overcome barriers to participation, exploration of the feasibility and utility of online therapeutic singing programs is needed. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week ParkinSong Online intervention on speech and wellbeing for people with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: A total of 28 participants with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease were recruited to a single-arm feasibility study. Weekly 90-minute online sessions were co-facilitated by a music therapist and speech pathologist. Speech and wellbeing assessments were conducted pre and post intervention. Participant and facilitator surveys were administered after each session, with focus group interviews at the end of the program. Results: The recruitment rate was high (90%) with no attrition, adverse events, or safety issues. There was good intervention fidelity, attendance (average 89%), and positive participant experience. Feasibility was good, with technology reported as the main challenge (connecting and navigating Zoom). No improvements were seen in voice measures or wellbeing outcomes in this small trial. The online format used in this study did not provide the same benefits as in-person ParkinSong sessions. Conclusions: ParkinSong Online is feasible for recreational purposes and social engagement provided that people have adequate technological knowledge or support. The optimal online delivery format to achieve communication improvements in Parkinson’s awaits confirmation