Qualitative study on cancer diagnosis and primary caregiver coping experience based on infra-red thermography: Impact of protein metabolism and immune function

Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) thermography technology uses a handheld camera that measures skin infrared emissivity, captures photographs, and can be analyzed through specialized software. Forward-looking infrared images can be used to analyze and correlate burn wound temperature with burn depth, burn progression, and the number of days needed for healing. FLIR ONE is a miniature, smartphone-compatible thermal imaging camera that has been used to assess inflammation in diabetic foot ulcers, as well as locating perforators in flap surgery. However, FLIR ONE's reliability in burn wound assessment has not been evaluated. This case series investigates the accuracy of FLIR ONE in comparison with the widely used indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in assessing burn wounds. Five acute third-degree burn wounds were assessed using ICG angiography and FLIR ONE imaging (infrared thermography) to determine burn extent before surgical intervention. Patients were taken to the operating room within 48 hours of presentation; FLIR ONE images were captured approximately 35 to 45 cm above the wound surface. Margins of unsalvageable tissue as determined by ICG and FLIR ONE were marked and compared. The area of unsalvageable tissue as determined by FLIR ONE closely corresponded to the area determined by ICG. FLIR ONE overestimated unsalvageable tissue margins by approximately 1 to 2 cm. The area estimated by ICG consistently overlapped with more than 90% of the area estimated by FLIR ONE. There is a strong correlation between FLIR ONE and ICG when assessing salvageable tissue in third-degree burn wounds. FLIR ONE maximizes the convenience and cost-effectiveness of infrared thermography technology but may overestimate unsalvageable tissue area. FLIR ONE is promising as an adjunct to current imaging modalities such as ICG but requires further study for comparison.

Concrete, known for its high strength, durability, and flexibility, is a core material in construction. However, defects such as voids and honeycombing often occur due to improper pouring or vibration, weakening the concrete's strength and affecting its long-term performance. These defects typically require costly repairs. Therefore, timely identification and repair of such early defects is crucial for improving construction quality. This paper proposes a method for non-destructive detection of honeycomb defects in concrete using infrared thermography (IR) during the hydration stage. By analyzing the temperature differences between defect and non-defect areas based on the temperature distribution generated during hydration, defects can be detected. Furthermore, the study uses the COMSOL finite element model to explore the relationship between defect size, ambient temperature, formwork thickness, and thermal contrast. The results show that IR technology can effectively and reliably detect honeycomb defects, especially during the hydration phase. As a convenient and feasible non-destructive testing method, IR technology has significant potential for application and development in concrete defect detection.

Illegal hunting (poaching) is a global threat to wildlife. Anti-poaching initiatives are making increasing use of technology, such as infrared thermography (IRT), to support traditional foot and vehicle patrols. To date, the effectiveness of IRT for poacher location has not been tested under field conditions, where thermal signatures are often complex. Here, we test the hypothesis that IRT will increase the distance over which a poacher hiding in African scrub bushveldt can be detected relative to a conventional flashlight. We also test whether any increase in effectiveness is related to the cost and complexity of the equipment by comparing comparatively expensive (22000 USD) and relatively inexpensive (2000 USD) IRT devices. To test these hypotheses we employ a controlled, fully randomised, double-blind procedure to find a poacher in nocturnal field conditions in African bushveldt. Each of our 27 volunteer observers walked three times along a pathway using one detection technology on each pass in randomised order. They searched a prescribed search area of bushveldt within which the target was hiding. Hiding locations were pre-determined, randomised, and changed with each pass. Distances of first detection and positive detection were noted. All technologies could be used to detect the target. Average first detection distance for flashlight was 37.3m, improving by 19.8m to 57.1m using LIRT and by a further 11.2m to 68.3m using HIRT. Although detection distances were significantly greater for both IRTs compared to flashlight, there was no significant difference between LIRT and HIRT. False detection rates were low and there was no significant association between technology and accuracy of detection. Although IRT technology should ideally be tested in the specific environment intended before significant investment is made, we conclude that IRT technology is promising for anti-poaching patrols and that for this purpose low cost IRT units are as effective as units ten times more expensive.

Application of infrared thermography and machine learning techniques in cattle health assessments: A review

Informal caregivers are an essential health resource in the care of persons with severe mental disorders, particularly in South Africa where access to mental healthcare services is limited. The study aimed to explore and describe the coping strategies used by informal caregivers and the specific health impacts they face in the context of severe mental disorders in South Africa. The study was conducted in Bushbuckridge municipality situated in the northeastern parts of Mpumalanga province, South Africa. A descriptive qualitative methodology was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 12 purposefully selected participants. Audio-recorded interviews were translated, transcribed and analysed inductively on NVivo12 using reflexive thematic analysis. The themes identified were caregivers' experience of consequences of caregiving and caregivers' experience of coping with their caregiving role. Participants experienced negative consequences on their emotional, mental and physical health. The participants use internal and external resources to cope with the challenges they face, and many highlighted using emotion-focused coping strategies. The findings revealed an urgent need to develop support strategies to strengthen informal caregivers' coping and promote good health particularly in rural South Africa where informal caregivers play a crucial role in the management of severe mental disorders. The finding demands that policymakers and healthcare providers prioritise the health and well-being of the informal caregivers. There should be policies targeted specifically at developing and implementing caregiver-orientated healthcare services.

This paper presents a testing set-up that helps to observe and quantify the effects of different weather conditions on the thermal profiles related to the surface crack on concrete infrastructures. The temperature data for this research are generated using infrared thermography (IRT). IRT is prominently used to monitor surface and close-to-surface defects on pavements. However, the method is more prone to adverse effects of weather conditions compared to other types of nondestructive tests. This is because IRT relies on the temperature profile of the surface of the target. In this research, a full laboratory study is conducted to experimentally quantify the effects of weather conditions and surface coating on the ability of IRT to assess surface cracks on concrete pavements. The goal is to determine the significance of these effects on IRT under each weather condition. IRT technology can be affected by critical environmental conditions, such as sunlight, ambient temperature variation, wind speed and humidity. Many research studies have mentioned the importance of the effect of weather conditions, but no research is dedicated to experimentally quantifying the effect. Around 90 different tests have been conducted from which 1050 unique data points have been extracted. Eventually, around 1,260,000 temperature data have been gathered which gives a huge dataset will give us the opportunity to do several statistical analyses. It is found that wind has a higher effect on the temperature of the crack on concrete pavements compared to humidity in the air. Even though both wind and humidity can affect the temperature of the crack, the different wind speeds and humidity levels have roughly the same amount of effect on the temperature.

The authors examined caregivers' characteristics and experiences. Previously suggested principles for identifying the primary caregiver in 22 multiple-caregiver families were assessed, but none reliably distinguished the primary caregiver. The authors then compared primary (n = 22), nonprimary (n = 22), and lone caregivers' (n = 43) appraisals of caregiving and psychological distress. Lone and primary caregivers' experiences were similar, but nonprimary caregivers' experiences were less adverse. Despite these findings, greater psychological distress in primary caregivers indicated greater psychological distress in nonprimary caregivers.

ObjectivesA timely diagnosis is imperative for curing cancer. However, in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) or paraneoplastic syndromes, misleading symptoms frequently delay cancer diagnosis. As metabolic remodelling characterises both...

Cancer is a formidable threat to human life, a cure for which in advanced stages remains challenging. Early detection and treatment of cancer are paramount, yet a substantial number of cancer patients receive diagnoses at an advanced stage, resulting in a lower 5-year survival rate. Early-stage cancers, however, frequently elude detection. Conventional tumor screening techniques, such as tumor biopsy, serve as essential means for an early cancer diagnosis. However, these procedures are invasive and may inadvertently facilitate cancer metastasis. A current research focal point involves liquid biopsy technologies, offering a potential solution to mitigate the above-mentioned issues, but often exhibiting low sensitivity. A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has recently pioneered an innovative approach to enhance the sensitivity of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnosis. By administering a pre-treatment agent 1–2 h prior to sampling, a greater than 10-fold increase in collected ctDNA was obtained. Subsequent tumor analysis using ctDNA not only demonstrated heightened sensitivity in detecting small tumors (>75%) but also presented a promising avenue for early clinical cancer detection and diagnosis. This discovery holds significant potential for advancing the prospects of early cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Background Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is an ongoing choice to forego food and hydration to hasten death. VSED does not require clinician involvement, but caregiving is necessary as patients become weak and lose concentration as a result of dehydration. This study is the first to explore the experiences of VSED caregivers. Aim The aim of this thesis is to explore the experiences of informal caregivers (family or friends) who supported a patient through VSED, with supporting objectives to evaluate VSED caregiving against theoretical models of end-of-life caregiving and to compare VSED caregivers’ experiences with caregivers who have aided patients at the end of life, including other forms of hastened death. Methods The study included interviews with 24 caregivers of 20 individuals who attempted VSED. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis were used to analyse the experiences of VSED caregivers. These experiences are compared with results of two systematic reviews of studies on end-of-life and hastened death caregiving. Findings Caregivers believe that VSED is the best death available to the patient. Caregivers act as advocates and worry that the patient’s goals will be challenged by healthcare or legal authorities. Obtaining support from hospice helps legitimise VSED. Through the VSED process, caregivers carry the responsibility for the patient’s success as the patient becomes weaker. Finally, caregivers note that there is no social script to guide someone aiding a person who is slowly, deliberately trying to die: caregivers choose what roles to play, such as focusing on physical care or being emotionally present as the patient’s spouse or child. Conclusion Caregivers take responsibility for VSED patients’ success. Caregivers’ interaction with clinicians, community, and legal structures exceeds the scope of available caregiving theories. A socio-ecological model and the theory of bio-power can help illustrate how each layer of society affects VSED caregivers’ experience.

Preliminary attempt of infrared thermography for the screening of male myocardial ischemia

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a popular technology used for the detection of thermal changes given its non-invasive nature and lack of direct contact with the individual. Accordingly, the maximal eye temperature (MaxET) measured with IRT has been extensively applied in equine research. However, there is little information available about the potential limitations of the MaxET in field studies. Thus, the aims of this study were to 1) quantify the individual variation of MaxET in field conditions and the effects of individual, breed, body size (height at withers), eye side, sex and age, 2) determine the effects of environment and operator, and 3) explore the relationship between MaxET and rectal temperature (RT) at rest. To accomplish these aims, 791 MaxET measures from 32 horses were collected in Sweden in five different months and five farms over a period of 12 months. There was an effect of individual on IRT (P < .05) and individual MaxET varied from 29.4 to 37.6 °C. IRT was also affected (P < .05) by breed and sex (maximal difference 1.1 °C and 0.3 °C, respectively) but not by eye side, age and height at withers. There were significant effects of month and farm (maximal differences; 2.4 and 2.3 °C, respectively), between outdoor and indoor measurements (0.8 °C) and also between operators (0.2 °C). There were no correlations between MaxET and RT. These results demonstrate that in horses observed at rest in their home environment, MaxET is affected by endogenous (sex and breed) and environmental factors (farm, location and month of the year) and shows no relationship to RT. We strongly suggest that IRT technology should be used with great caution in field studies and only under conditions where these factors can be accurately accounted for.

The diagnostic pathway for oral suspicious lesions usually starts with the clinical examination based on inspection and palpation of the oral mucosa. Such a phase is strongly related to the experience of the operator. Moreover, oral epithelial dysplasia and early oral carcinomas may already be present within areas of macroscopically intact oral mucosa. A great interest for techniques potentially improving the diagnostic accuracy has developed in several fields of surgical oncology in order to increase the specificity and sensitivity of the conventional diagnostic pathway. The development of noninvasive methods for real-time screening of neoplastic changes in oral cavity may be associated with the improvement of patients’ quality of life and survival rate. The analysis of tissue autofluorescence (AF) for improving sensitivity and specificity in cancer diagnosis has been proposed for different organs, including colon, lung, cervix, and esophagus. Particularly, there are several evidences supporting the effectiveness of this technique in head and neck cancer diagnosis. Autofluorescence shows high specificity and sensitivity for oral cancer and precancerous lesions: 72.4% and 63.79%, respectively. It can also provide valuable information for diagnosis, for planning of margin resection in surgical excision, and for monitoring the therapeutic response during follow-up. Direct visual fluorescence examination (DVFE) is based on the action of irradiation of specific wavelengths, between 375 and 440 nm, which excites some natural fluorochromes which show fluorescence in the range of the green color. The analysis of the lesions with AF tools must be performed in a dark environment to avoid the interference of white light wavelengths and to improve the quality of recorded images. Healthy oral mucosa emits fluorescence, detectable as green light. Cell and tissues within dysplastic and malignant lesions display modifications of the amount, distribution, and chemical–physical properties of the endogenous fluorophores. This results in an autofluorescence pattern variation that can be potentially used at diagnostic level. Loss of autofluorescence (LAF) seems to increase in correspondence to the progression of dysplasia, and altered tissue appears dark (brown to black). LAF in dysplasia and carcinoma seems to be connected to different mechanisms, such as altered metabolic activity of dysplastic keratinocytes, altered structure of subepithelial collagen, and absorbance of light by increased blood circulation due to inflammatory phenomena in dysplastic tissue and cancer. AF can be used for guiding incisional biopsy and in the excision to identify the resection margins.

Aimed at bridging imaging technology development with cancer diagnosis, this paper first presents the prevailing challenges of lung cancer detection and diagnosis, with an emphasis on imaging techniques. It then elaborates on the working principle of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, along with a description of pathologic applications to show the effectiveness and potential of this novel technology for lung cancer diagnosis. As a nonlinear optical technique probing intrinsic molecular vibrations, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy offers an unparalleled, label-free strategy for clinical cancer diagnosis and allows differential diagnosis of fresh specimens based on cell morphology information and patterns, without any histology staining. This powerful feature promises a higher biopsy yield for early cancer detection by incorporating a real-time imaging feed with a biopsy needle. In addition, molecularly targeted therapies would also benefit from early access to surgical specimen with high accuracy but minimum tissue consumption, therefore potentially saving specimens for follow-up diagnostic tests. Finally, we also introduce the potential of a coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering-based endoscopy system to support intraoperative applications at the cellular level.

This study aimed to qualitatively examine the psychosocial burden experienced by caregivers of schizophrenic patients. This study used an interpretative phenomenological analytical design. The sample comprised 15 individuals responsible for the care of patients with schizophrenia in Türkiye. A homogeneous sampling method, a form of purposeful sampling, was used to select the participants. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, and the analysis was performed using MAXQDA 22 software. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed under four themes: ‘Challenges in the Caregiving Experience’, ‘Healing Process in Cultural Context’ and ’Coping Experiences’. This study elucidated the complex challenges encountered by caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Consistent with these findings, it is imperative to implement comprehensive policies that incorporate cultural sensitivity and gender equality to mitigate the difficulties experienced by caregivers of schizophrenic patients.