Peer-reviewed Publications Research Articles

Patterns of Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Ovarian Teratomas: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

Ovarian teratomas are germ cell tumors composed of multiple cell types. Ovarian teratomas may express antigens found in the nervous system or neuroendocrine proteins. These neural antigens and neuroendocrine proteins may lead to an autoimmune response with associated encephalitis. There are a growing number of case reports of autoimmune encephalitis in patients with ovarian teratomas. However, the patterns of neuropsychiatric manifestations of ovarian teratomas associated with encephalitis have not been established. The aim of this article is to conduct a systematic review to determine the patterns of neuropsychiatric manifestations of ovarian teratoma-associated encephalitis, focusing on their frequency and clinical course. Thirty-three case reports were collected and analyzed for a systematic review. The studies were full-text, peer-reviewed journal publications from April 2014 to April 2024. Fifty-eight patients were included in our study. The age group of 22-35 years old was the most reported, with 25 (43.1%) patients. The most commonly reported symptoms were memory impairment in 29 (50%) patients, hallucinations in 25 (43.1%) patients, and aggressive behavior in 23 (39.7%) patients. Neuropsychiatric symptoms had a prodromal phase of flu-like symptoms in 31 (53.4%) patients. The neuropsychiatric symptoms preceded the diagnosis of ovarian teratoma in 57 (98.3%) patients. In 53 (91.4%) patients, patients did not respond to psychiatric medications. Autoimmune antibodies to neural antigens were found in 45 (77.6%) patients, with 25 (43.1%) patients having neural tissue present in the teratoma. Treatment of the underlying teratoma and encephalitis led to full recovery in 37 (63.8%) patients. However, long-term outcomes such as relapse and mortality were discussed in only 11 (19.0%) patients. Findings suggest that neuropsychiatric symptoms correlate with teratoma-associated encephalitis and often precede tumor detection. The treatment of the teratoma led to full recovery of the neuropsychiatric manifestations; however, the long-term outcomes of the patients need to be further studied. Future research is needed on the prognosis of patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations of ovarian teratoma.

A human model of Buruli ulcer: Provisional protocol for a Mycobacterium ulcerans controlled human infection study.

Critical knowledge gaps have impeded progress towards reducing the global burden of disease due to Mycobacterium ulcerans, the cause of the neglected tropical disease Buruli ulcer (BU). Development of a controlled human infection model of BU has been proposed as an experimental platform to explore host-pathogen interactions and evaluate tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. We have previously introduced the use case for a new human model and identified M. ulcerans JKD8049 as a suitable challenge strain. Here, we present a provisional protocol for an initial study, for transparent peer review during the earliest stages of protocol development. Following simultaneous scientific peer review and community/stakeholder consultation of this provisional protocol, we aim to present a refined protocol for institutional review board (IRB) evaluation.

Deceased Donor Uterus Transplantation: A Narrative Review of the First 24 Published Cases.

Uterus transplantation is the surgical treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI), a congenital or acquired condition characterized by the absence of a uterus. More than 80 transplants have been performed worldwide, resulting in more than 30 live births, originating both from living and deceased donors. The collection of published articles on deceased donor uterus transplantations was performed in PubMed and SCOPUS by searching for the terms "Uterus transplantation" AND "deceased donor"; from the 107 articles obtained, only case reports and systematic reviews of deceased donor uterus transplantations and the resulting live births were considered for the present manuscript. The extracted data included the date of surgery (year), country, recipient (age and cause of AUFI) and donor (age and parity) details, outcome of recipient surgery (hysterectomy), and live births (date and gestational age). The search of peer-reviewed publications showed 24 deceased donor uterus transplantations and 12 live births (a birth rate of 66%) with a 25% occurrence of graft loss during follow-up (6 of 24). Among this series, twelve transplants were performed in the USA (seven births), five in the Czech Republic (one birth), three in Italy (one birth), two in Turkey (two births), and two in Brazil (one birth). The median recipient age was 29.8 years (range 21-36), while the median donor age was 36.1 years (range 20-57). Of 24 recipients, 100% were affected by MRKH (Mayer-Rokitanski-Kuster-Hauser) syndrome. Two live births were reported from nulliparous donors. Deceased donor uterus transplantation birth rates are very similar to the living donor rates reported in the literature, but ethical implications could be less important in the first group. It is necessary to register every case in the International Registry for Uterus Transplantation in order to perform a systematic review and comparison with living donor rates.

Barriers to and enablers of the transition from child and adolescent to adult mental health services for autistic young people and/or those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionAutistic young people and/or those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who have co-occurring mental health conditions experience significant challenges when transitioning from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)...

Practice-based research in dentistry: Exploring methodologies, benefits, and challenges.

Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) studies typically assess the effectiveness of clinical interventions in settings that match real-world conditions. Dental PBRNs have the capacity to amass, identify, and analyze vast amounts of data from patient populations that include diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds. These dental studies encompass a broad spectrum of healthcare aspects, including prevention, diagnosis, symptom and disease treatment, quality enhancement, and care coordination. An extensive range of research methodologies can be employed within dental PBRNs to investigate these topics, including randomized controlled trials. Dental PBRNs have evolved from primarily focusing on case observations to leveraging advanced network infrastructure and collaborating across multiple regional and national sites. In addition to producing numerous high-impact peer-reviewed publications, study results have led to improved clinical care. However, PBRNs encounter challenges, such as the sustainability of research capacity (relying heavily on ongoing support from funding agencies), diverse research cultures, and an imperative to design studies that are both feasible and relevant to everyday clinical practice. Recognizing the pivotal role of real-world evidence, it is important to have sustained investment in dental PBRN infrastructure and feasible opportunities for practitioners to participate in network activities nationwide. Practice-Based Research Network studies capitalize on an important research context within which to investigate a range of clinical topics that can employ multiple research methodologies. However, sustaining productive networks requires strategic effort, ongoing financial support, and customized organizational skills.

Harnessing the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Managing Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis continues to be a serious global health concern, impacting millions of people, putting a strain on healthcare systems across the world, and causing significant morbidity and mortality. Traditional diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic procedures to address viral hepatitis are successful but have limits in accuracy, speed, and accessibility. Artificial intelligence (AI) advancement provides substantial opportunities to overcome these challenges. This study investigates the role of AI in revolutionizing viral hepatitis care, from early detection to therapy optimization and epidemiological surveillance. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using predefined keywords in the Nature, PLOS ONE, PubMed, Frontiers, Wiley Online Library, BMC, Taylor & Francis, Springer, ScienceDirect, MDPI, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Google Scholar databases. Peer-reviewed publications written in English between January 2019 and August 2024 were examined. The data of the selected research papers were synthesized and analyzed using thematic and narrative analysis techniques. The use of AI-driven algorithms in viral hepatitis control involves many significant aspects. AI improves diagnostic accuracy by integrating machine learning (ML) models with serological, genomic, and imaging data. It enables tailored treatment plans by assessing patient-specific characteristics and predicting therapy responses. AI-powered technologies aid in epidemiological modeling, and AI-powered systems effectively track treatment adherence, identify medication resistance, and control complications associated with chronic hepatitis infections. It is vital in identifying new antiviral medicines and vaccines, speeding the development pipeline through high-throughput screening and predictive modeling. Despite its transformational promise, using AI in viral hepatitis care presents various challenges, including data privacy concerns, the necessity for extensive and varied datasets, and the possibility of algorithmic biases. Ethical considerations, legal frameworks, and multidisciplinary collaboration are required to resolve these issues and ensure AI technology’s safe and successful use in clinical practice. Exploiting the full AI’s potential for viral hepatitis management provides unparalleled prospects to improve patient outcomes, optimize public health policies, and, eventually, and alleviate the disease’s negative impact worldwide. This study seeks to provide academics, medics, and policymakers with the fundamental knowledge they need to harness AI’s potential in the fight against viral hepatitis.

Online Resources for Teaching Astronomy

The Internet has transformed the teaching of astronomy. In the past, instructors were mostly reliant on printed textbooks, 35-mm slides, and their own lecture notes. Depending on local resources they might also be able to incorporate labs, hands-on activities, and use of small telescopes. Now they can choose from a wide, and occasionally bewildering, array of online resources to augment what they do in the classroom. A challenge is to find tools that are either evaluated in peer-reviewed publications or have proven their efficacy in other ways. A selective list is provided.

Theory Is Essential in Promoting the Distinct Value of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of Adults With Low Vision: A Systematic Review.

Evidence for occupational therapy interventions should be grounded in theory to support practitioners' role in the rehabilitation of adults with low vision. To analyze the content of publications on interventions for adults with low vision to determine theories proposed or used to guide interventions and to categorize their level of evidence. CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase. A quantitative summative content analysis of articles published from 1984 through 2021. Fourteen articles provided a theoretical rationale for occupational therapy interventions for adults with low vision. Nine provided evidence for interventions supported by theory, and 3 suggested theories to support interventions. Eleven were found in peer-reviewed publications; 10 were in occupational therapy publications. Of the 14, 50% were categorized at the lowest level of evidence. Few high-level studies on occupational therapy interventions for adults with low vision exist that provide a rationale for treatment based on theory. Application of theories provides clinical reasoning that distinguishes occupational therapy interventions from those of other professions serving adults with low vision. If interventions are not grounded in theory, the occupational therapy profession risks losing its distinction from other similar professions in low vision rehabilitation. Plain-Language Summary: This is the first content analysis of theories recommended and used to guide occupational therapy interventions for adults with low vision. This systematic review highlights occupational therapy's distinct value over other professions but also points to a dangerous gap in the literature that threatens practitioners' role in the rehabilitation of adults with low vision.

Animations to communicate public health prevention messages: a realist review protocol

IntroductionWith digital and social media advances, animated health communications (health animations) are highly prevalent globally, yet the evidence base underpinning them remains unclear and limited. While individual studies have attempted...

Impact of the Korea Early Childhood Home-visiting Intervention (KECHI) on child health and development and maternal health: a randomised controlled trial protocol

IntroductionRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) of early childhood home-visiting interventions led by nurses have been conducted mainly in Western countries, whereas such trials have been limited in non-Western cultures, including Asia....

Global transcription regulation revealed from dynamical correlations in time-resolved single-cell RNA sequencing

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals significant variations in transcriptional activity across cells. Yet, it remains challenging to identify mechanisms of transcription dynamics from static snapshots. It is thus still unknown what drives global transcription dynamics in single cells. We present a stochastic model of gene expression with cell size- and cell cycle-dependent rates in growing and dividing cells that harnesses temporal dimensions of single-cell RNA sequencing through metabolic labeling protocols and cel lcycle reporters. We develop a parallel and highly scalable approximate Bayesian computation method that corrects for technical variation and accurately quantifies absolute burst frequency, burst size, and degradation rate along the cell cycle at a transcriptome-wide scale. Using Bayesian model selection, we reveal scaling between transcription rates and cell size and unveil waves of gene regulation across the cell cycle-dependent transcriptome. Our study shows that stochastic modeling of dynamical correlations identifies global mechanisms of transcription regulation. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.

New Metaverse Games Based on Artificial Intelligence: A Review

The current review conveys Metaverse integration with AI-based gaming exploring the advancements in Metaverse games and its potential in growing self-learning AI in the latest years for the readers. Using state-of-the-art deep learning techniques, it aimed to pinpoint its advancements, issues, and suggested solutions. For the current review, 18 papers were used that appeared in peer-reviewed publications and were searchable on Google Scholar within the last five years (2020–2024). To analyse the collected data, thematic analysis was employed. The article delves into the various ways the Meta-Metaverse might be used in the gaming industry. It highlights how it can enhance character creation, game design, level design, and visual effects, among other areas. The entertainment industry’s usage of AI in game production encompasses a wide range of methods, such as CVEs, deep learning, and intrinsic curiosity-driven variation autoencoders.). The Metaverse, a dynamic platform, uses ML/DL algorithms for classification, clustering, and regression, while pre-trained AI models can achieve great responses quickly. These technologies streamline the gaming world and create interactive platforms for various applications. Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) is proposed as a dynamic solution to balance the stability of the game world, the intelligence of non-player characters, and the sustainability of the Metaverse environment.

Glycaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion brain injury in patients with ischaemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy (GLIAS-MT): an observational, unicentric, prospective study protocol

IntroductionPoststroke hyperglycaemia is an independent risk factor for poorer outcomes in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and is associated with a lower probability of functional recovery and higher mortality...

Does an expanded allied health student training programme in regional New South Wales (Australia) result in a positive social return on investment? A protocol for a single-university education-based economic evaluation

Introduction20 years ago, health professional student placements in rural areas of Australia were identified as an important rural recruitment strategy and funding priority. Since then, there has been a growing...

Factors influencing older adult community fall prevention exercise implementation: a scoping review.

Exercise that challenges balance is the most effective fall prevention intervention in community-dwelling older adults. Identifying factors influencing implementation of community fall prevention exercise programs is a critical step in developing strategies to support program delivery. To identify implementation facilitators, barriers, and details reported in peer-reviewed publications on community fall prevention exercise for older adults. Scoping review. We searched multiple databases up to July 2023 for English-language publications that reported facilitators and/or barriers to implementing an evidence-based fall prevention exercise program in adults aged 50+ years living independently. At least two reviewers independently identified publications and extracted article, implementation, and exercise program characteristics and coded barriers and facilitators using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We included 22 publications between 2001 and July 2023 that reported factors influencing implementation of 10 exercise programs. 293 factors were reported: 183 facilitators, 91 barriers, 6 described as both a facilitator and barrier, and 13 unspecified factors. Factors represented 33 CFIR constructs across all five CFIR domains: implementation inner setting (n = 95 factors); innovation (exercise program) characteristics (n = 84); individuals involved (n = 54); implementation process (n = 40) and outer setting (n = 20). Eight publications reported implementation strategies used; 6 reported using a conceptual framework; and 13 reported implementation outcomes. The high number of factors reflects the complexity of fall prevention exercise implementation. The low reporting of implementation strategies, frameworks and outcomes highlight the ongoing need for work to implement and sustain community fall prevention exercise programs.

Ivory tower in MD/PhD programmes: sticky floor, broken ladder and glass ceiling

ObjectiveAchieving gender equity in academic medicine is not only a matter of social justice but also necessary in promoting an innovative and productive academic community. The purpose of this study...

Linguistically responsive learning and teaching for non-native speakers in undergraduate nursing education: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionNon-native-speaking nursing students as well as faculty, preceptors and mentors face specific issues related to language in undergraduate nursing education. A better understanding of the language experiences, needs, requirements, assessments...

Efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy started in the emergency room versus conventional oxygen therapy in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory distress: protocol for a French multicentric, prospective, open and randomised superiority study protocol (HIFLOWED)

IntroductionAcute respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition frequently found in the emergency department. High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is increasingly used in emergency departments for patients with hypoxaemic acute respiratory failure....

Using polygenic risk modification to improve breast cancer prevention: study protocol for the PRiMo multicentre randomised controlled trial

IntroductionEstablished personal and familial risk factors contribute collectively to a woman’s risk of breast or ovarian cancer. Existing clinical services offer genetic testing for pathogenic variants in high-risk genes to...

Transition from rehabilitation hospital to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people with brain injury and spinal cord injury: a data linkage protocol

IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are both major contributors to permanent disability globally, with an estimated 27 million new cases of TBI and 0.93 million new...