Challenges In Interpretation Research Articles

Cutting Edge Microscopic Intraoperative Tissue Assessment for Guidance in Oncologic Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Role of Optical Coherence Tomography.

There is a demand for intraoperative diagnostic support and image guidance in oncological surgery. Novel techniques can provide images similar to histopathological slides within a few minutes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and full-field OCT (FF-OCT) provide images with resolution greater than a hundred micrometers without the need for exogenous contrast agents or specimen staining. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current clinical applications of OCT and dynamic cell imaging (DCI) in oncologic surgery, examining the translation challenges and proposing perspectives for improving future clinical applications. The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to July 2024. Manuscripts reporting data on OCT and (D)-FF-OCT application in oncologic surgery were included in the qualitative analysis. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were from the fields of dermatologic (25.8%) and breast cancer (29%) surgery, followed by prostate and bladder (9.6%), ovarian (9.6%), head and neck (6.4%), gastrointestinal (6.4%), hepato-biliary (3.2%), and general surgery (9.6%). The majority of articles focused on FF-OCT and DCI (80.6%). Compared with the gold standard of final pathology, the OCT sensitivity ranged between 66.7 and 94%, the specificity between 64 and 100%, and the accuracy between 73 and 96%. The medical use of OCT has expanded from ophtalmology to other fields including gastroenterology and oncology and, with techniques such as FF-OCT and DCI, can enable rapid intraoperative diagnosis beyond classic histopathology.

Navigating uncertainty: a reflexive thematic analysis of rehabilitation staff’s perception of communicative interactions in Disorders of Consciousness and Posttraumatic Amnesia

Purpose This study aims to improve our understanding of how communicative interaction is perceived by experienced rehabilitation staff working with patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) and Posttraumatic Amnesia (PTA). Method This qualitative study involved five workshops guided by modified Nominal Group Technique with 22 professionals from six disciplines. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed for analysis. Results Four main themes were developed: (1) Watching carefully for any reaction, (2) The Challenge of careful interpretation, (3) Framing the interaction, and (4) Valued knowledge for involving and communicating with the patient. Rehabilitation professionals exhibited awareness of minimal communicative behaviors but reported regular focus shifts from natural interactions to testing and validating behaviors as part of their clinical reasoning. The emphasis on reliability reflected insecurity in their interpretations. Although spontaneous interactions were recognized, they were often undervalued in favor of reproducible behaviors. Participants also stressed the importance of sharing communicative strategies to ensure consistent patient care. Conclusion The findings highlight the tension between ethical awareness and clinical reasoning, with staff prioritizing reliability over spontaneous communication. Structured support, training, and interprofessional collaboration are essential to help rehabilitation professionals navigate the complexities of DoC and PTA, ensuring that communicative interactions are effectively supported throughout recovery.

Interpretation of p16 and p53 in the Classification of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva-An Interobserver Agreement Study.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (vSCC) is currently categorized either as human papillomavirus (HPV) associated or independent. Immunohistochemical stains, p16INK4a (p16) and p53 are helpful biomarkers to support the designation of vSCC into 1 of the 3 tumor pathways: (1) HPV-associated, (2) HPV-independent, TP53 mutant, or (3) HPV-independent, TP53 wild type. Recently, a framework of p53 expression patterns in vSCC was proposed. In this international and multi-institutional study, we evaluated the interrater agreement for p53 and p16 and tumor pathway classification in a cohort of 50 invasive vSCC across a variety of practice settings (private practice, academic medicine) and levels of expertise (trainees, gynecologic pathologists, dermatopathologists, private practice pathologists). Our study shows that the overall interrater agreement for the interpretation of p16 in vSCC is strong to near perfect, while the agreement for p53 and tumor pathway assignment is overall moderate. Interrater agreement for p53 and tumor pathway is higher (strong) in the academic practice setting. Pathologists without gynecologic subspecialty expertise benefited the most from a brief educational module, which fostered a better understanding and improved comfort level with the p16/p53 stain interpretation and tumor pathway designation in the diagnosis of vSCC. Some interpretative challenges remain, particularly in regard to select p53 patterns and high-risk HPV-in situ hybridization utilization, warranting additional research.

Clustering explanation based on multi-hyperrectangle

Clustering plays a crucial role in data mining and pattern recognition, but the interpretation of clustering results is often challenging. Existing interpretation methods usually lack an intuitive and accurate description of irregular shapes and high dimensional datas. This paper proposes a novel clustering explanation method based on a Multi-HyperRectangle(MHR), for extracting post hoc explanations of clustering results. MHR first generates initial hyperrectangles to cover each cluster, and then these hyper-rectangles are gradually merged until the optimal shape is obtained to fit the cluster. The advantage of this method is that it recognizes the shape of irregular clusters and finds the optimal number of hyper-rectangles based on the hierarchical tree structure, which discovers structural relationships between rectangles. Furthermore, we propose a refinement method to improve the tightness of the hyperrectangles, resulting in more precise and comprehensible explanations. Experimental results demonstrate that MHR significantly outperforms existing methods in both the tightness and accuracy of cluster interpretation, highlighting its effectiveness and innovation in addressing the challenges of clustering interpretation.

Edge-centric connectome-genetic markers of bridging factor to comorbidity between depression and anxiety

Depression-anxiety comorbidity is commonly attributed to the occurrence of specific symptoms bridging the two disorders. However, the significant heterogeneity of most bridging symptoms presents challenges for psychopathological interpretation and clinical applicability. Here, we conceptually established a common bridging factor (cb factor) to characterize a general structure of these bridging symptoms, analogous to the general psychopathological p factor. We identified a cb factor from 12 bridging symptoms in depression-anxiety comorbidity network. Moreover, this cb factor could be predicted using edge-centric connectomes with robust generalizability, and was characterized by connectome patterns in attention and frontoparietal networks. In an independent twin cohort, we found that these patterns were moderately heritable, and identified their genetic connectome-transcriptional markers that were associated with the neurobiological enrichment of vasculature and cerebellar development, particularly during late-childhood-to-young-adulthood periods. Our findings revealed a general factor of bridging symptoms and its neurobiological architectures, which enriched neurogenetic understanding of depression-anxiety comorbidity.

Optimized dual-tree complex wavelet transform aided multimodal image fusion with adaptive weighted average fusion strategy

Image fusion is generally utilized for retrieving significant data from a set of input images to provide useful informative data. Image fusion enhances the applicability and quality of data. Hence, the analysis of multimodal image fusion is a new to the research topic, which is designed by combining the images of multimodal into single image in order to preserveexact details. On the other hand, the existing approaches face challenges in the precise interpretation of source images, and also it have only captured local information without considering the wide range of information. To consider these weaknesses, a multimodal image fusion model is planned to develop according to the multi-resolution transform along with the optimization strategy. At first, the images are effectively analyzed from standard public datasets and further, the images given into the Optimized Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (ODTCWT) to acquire low frequency and high frequency coefficients. Here, certain parameters in DTCWT get tuned with the hybridized heuristic strategy with the Probability of Fitness-based Honey Badger Squirrel Search Optimization (PF-HBSSO) to enhance the decomposition quality. Then, the fusion of high-frequency coefficients is performed using adaptive weighted average fusion technique, whereas the weights are optimized using PF-HBSSOto achieve the optimal fused results. Similarly, the low-frequency coefficients are combined by average fusion. Finally, the fused images undergo image reconstruction using the inverse ODTCWT. The experimental evaluation of the designed multimodal image fusion illustratessuperioritythat distinguishes this work from others.

Neuropedagogical Guidelines for Translation Studies: Perceiving the Linguistic-Cultural Markers of the Other (Foreign) in Translation

This article highlights the need for a neuropedagogical approach to exploring the “self-other” category in current translation theories and practices, especially concerning sensitive linguo-cultural elements (e.g., non-equivalent vocabulary, cultural gaps, linguo-cultural semes, concepts and connotations). The relevance of the article stems from the growing accessibility of neuroscientific tools that can address translation and educational challenges characterized by high interlingual entropy, ambiguity, limited intercultural and linguistic awareness, and the issues of bilingualism within the context of post-cultural consciousness. Consequently, the article aims to identify the neuropsychological phenomenon of the “other” and its relation to translation, viewed as a discourse transformation along the self-other (foreign) continuum. The primary goal is to observe future translators’ spontaneous reactions to linguistic-cultural units with pronounced “other” semantics and provide neuropedagogical recommendations to manage the educational process and foster future translators’ deontological awareness of otherness. The research combines standard methods, such as analysis, comparison and generalization, with semantic analysis, cultural reflection and the recording of facial and emotional responses, interpreted by students and experts. Educational modelling has been the final method in a quasi-experimental study with 78 future translators. The main outcome of the article is a concise summary of typical, potentially destructive neuro-reactions, their impact on the translation process and practical educational insights and advice. The theoretical contribution of the article involves integrating neuropedagogical perspectives into the philosophical and methodical aspects of translation. The article proves that translators’ neuro-reactivity is a fundamental challenge in establishing professional ethics, particularly within the cultural and identity-related dimensions that comprise individual and collective consciousness.

Exploring the Strategies of Domestication and Foreignization in the Translation of Socio-Cultural Aspects in Mosteghanemi’s Novel Chaos of the Senses

Translating literary text under any genre often presents unique challenges for translators, as literature is rich with socio-cultural aspects. This difficulty arises from the need to communicate not only the literal meaning of words but also the cultural significance inherent in the original text. Culture significantly influences the formation of both the original and translated texts, as language is considered a reflection of society and derived from culture. When dealing with the socio-cultural aspects in Chaos of the Senses, written by the Algerian writer Ahlam Mosteghanemi, with its two translations, the socio-cultural aspects require a careful balancing act between the fidelity to the original text and the accessibility for the new readers. In this context, following L. Venuti's (2008) strategies of domestication and foreignization, the present study aims to explore these strategies in the translation of the socio-cultural aspects in the novel by comparing the original text with its translations. The study also examines whether the translators' background influences their decisions. It aims to create a clear vision of the Arabic and English versions. The findings indicate that, with some variation, both translators employ domestication and foreignization strategies, with a greater focus on foreignization. The translators attempt as much as they can to preserve the cultural nuances in the translation versions.

‘If parody does not prickle it does not work’: Reflections on the Interpretive Challenges of Dark Parody in the Dutch and South African Courts

Focusing on the nexus of humour and the right to free speech, this article introduces the concept of ‘dark parody’ to address parodies that reuse existing material with a dark, humorous twist and explores how courts deal with two of the main interpretive challenges presented by a ‘dark parody’: (1) interpreting the distance between the parody and the copyright/trademark protected work it parodies, and (2) its use of dark humour. Using a metahermeneutic approach, the article analyses how the main features of parody, the legal criteria applied to parody in courts of law, and the role of dark humour influence the judicial interpretation process regarding (dark) parody in the context of copyright and trademark law. Based on this analysis, the article proposes the theoretical framework of ‘parodic distance’ to address the interpretive challenges systematically presented by dark parody via six main categories—content, style, context, message, function and affect—from which the distance between a parody and the original can be interpreted. Applying this framework to two case studies [Mercis c.s. v. Punt.nl, Court of Appeal of Amsterdam; Laugh It Off Promotions v. South African Breweries, Constitutional Court of South Africa], the article provides a comparative analysis of how these courts currently deal with interpretive issues surrounding dark humour in copyright and trademark law and shows how the framework of parodic distance can be a potentially useful conceptual tool that provides a shared vocabulary to complement judicial interpretation and legal discourse at the nexus of dark parody and the law.

Combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus infection using terpene and its derivative.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus represents a major global health issue resulting in a wide range of debilitating infections and fatalities. The slow progression of new antibiotics, limited choices for treatment, and scarcity of new drug approvals create immense obstacles in new drug line development. S. aureus poses a significant public health risk, due to the emergence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant strains (VRSA), necessitating novel antibiotics for effective control management. Current studies are delving into the terpenes' potential as an antimicrobial agent, indicating positive prospects as promising substitutes or complementary to conventional antibiotics. Concurrent reactions of terpenes with conventional antibiotics create synergistic effects that significantly enhance antibiotic efficacy. Accumulated evidence has shown that while efflux pump (e.g., NorA, TetK, and MepA) is revealed as an essential defense of S. aureus against antibiotics, terpene and its derivative act as its potent inhibitor, suggesting the promising potential of terpenes in combating those infectious pathogens. Furthermore, pronounced cell membrane disruptive activity and antibiofilm properties by terpenes have been exerted, signifying their significance as promising prevention against microbial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. This review provides an overview of the potential of terpenes and their derivatives in combating S. aureus infections, highlighting their potential mechanisms of action (MOA), synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, and challenges in clinical translation. The unique properties of terpenes offer an opportunity for their use in developing an exceptional defense strategy against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.

Interpreting mineral deposit genesis classification with decision maps: A case study using pyrite trace elements

Abstract Machine learning improves geochemistry discriminant diagrams in classifying mineral deposit genetic types. However, the increasingly recognized “black box” property of machine learning has been hampering the transparency of complex data analysis, leading to challenges in deep geochemical interpretation. To address the issue, we revisited pyrite trace elements and proposed the use of the “Decision Map,” a cutting-edge visualization technique for machine learning. This technique reveals mineral deposit classifications by visualizing the “decision boundaries” of high-dimensional data, a concept crucial for model interpretation, active learning, and domain adaptation. In the context of geochemical data classification, it enables geologists to understand the relationship between geo-data and decision boundaries, assess prediction certainty, and observe data distribution trends. This bridges the gap between the insightful properties of traditional discriminant diagrams and the high-dimensional efficiency of modern machine learning. Using pyrite trace element data, we construct a decision map for mineral deposit type classification, which maintains the accuracy of machine learning while adding valuable visualization insight. Additionally, we demonstrate two applications of decision maps. First, we show how decision maps can help resolve a dispute concerning the genetic type of a deposit whose data were not used in training the models. Second, we demonstrate how the decision maps can help understand the model, which further helps find indicator elements of pyrite. The recommended indicator elements by decision maps are consistent with geologists’ knowledge. This study confirms the decision map’s effectiveness in interpreting mineral genetic type classification problems. In geochemical classification, decision maps mark a shift from conventional machine learning to a visually insightful approach, thereby enhancing the geological understanding derived from the model. Furthermore, our work implies that decision maps could be applicable to diverse classification challenges in geosciences.

Exploring Bias in GPCR Signaling and its Implication in Drug Development: A One-Sided Affair.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a pivotal role in regulating numerous physiological processes through their interactions with two key effectors: G proteins and β-arrestins (βarrs). This makes them crucial targets for therapeutic drug development. Interestingly, the evolving concept of biased signaling where ligands selectively activate either the G proteins or the βarrs has not only refined our understanding of segregation of physiological responses downstream of GPCRs but has also revolutionized drug discovery, offering the potential for treatments with enhanced efficacy and minimal side effects. This Review explores the mechanisms behind biased agonism, exploring it through various lenses, including ligand, receptor, cellular systems, location, and tissue-specific biases. It also offers structural insights into both orthosteric and allosteric ligand-binding pockets, structural rearrangements associated with the loops, and how ligand-engineering can contribute to biased signaling. Moreover, we also discuss the unique conformational signature in an intrinsically biased GPCR, which currently remains relatively less explored and adds a new dimension in biased signaling. Lastly, we address the translational challenges and practical considerations in characterizing bias, emphasizing its therapeutic potential and the latest advancements in drug development. By designing ligands that target specific signaling pathways, biased signaling presents a transformative approach to creating safer and more effective therapies. This Review focuses on our current understanding of GPCR-biased signaling, discussing potential mechanisms that lead to bias, the effect of bias on GPCR structures at a molecular level, recent advancements, and its profound potential to drive innovation in drug discovery.

Polygenic risk scores in the clinic: a systematic review of stakeholders' perspectives, attitudes, and experiences.

Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) are statistical methods estimating part of an individual's genetic susceptibility to various disease phenotypes. Their potential clinical applications to enhance the prediction, prevention, and risk management of complex conditions motivate current research efforts worldwide. While a growing body of literature has highlighted the scientific and ethical limitations of PRS, the technology's clinical translation will present both opportunities and challenges for the stakeholders involved. Here, a mixed-method systematic review of empirical studies was performed to gather evidence on the perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of healthcare providers, patients, and the public regarding the use of PRS in healthcare settings. The PRISMA reporting protocol was followed and 24 articles were included. Three major themes were identified. First, we reported on participants' familiarity with the test, including their knowledge, understanding, and education on PRS' clinical use. The second theme collects stakeholders' motivations for taking the test and their perspectives on sensitive issues related to the return of results. Participants' normative stances regarding the appropriate use of PRS, their benefits, and harms were presented in the third theme. The findings underscore significant knowledge gaps and challenges in the clinical interpretation of PRS among healthcare providers. On the other hand, the provision of genetic counseling benefitted patients' understanding of PRS results and in most cases, no psychosocial burden was reported. Finally, the review highlights that stakeholders' perspectives on the clinical use of PRS are highly context-dependent, shaped by population characteristics, disease type, and social factors, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches across diverse healthcare settings.

Compositional and Semantic Meaning of Non-Equivalent Vocabulary in a Poetic Text (Original and Translation)

The article addresses the theoretical and practical issues related to the translation of non-equivalent vocabulary (NV) in poetic texts, focusing on its compositional and semantic role in the original and translated versions. Non-equivalent vocabulary often appears in the strong positions (SP) of a text, such as titles, rhyme elements, and key metaphors, which are critical for maintaining the semantic integrity and artistic essence of the work. The presence of NV in these positions creates a unique challenge for translators, as the loss or replacement of such vocabulary can lead to significant semantic distortions, affecting the stylistic unity and cultural flavor of the text. By examining examples from German poetry by Heinrich Heine, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Rainer Maria Rilke, as well as their Ukrainian translations, this paper highlights the diverse strategies used by translators to recreate NV in a target language context. The study also explores the theoretical approaches of renowned scholars shedding light on the impact of NV on the semantic structure and ethno-linguistic worldview conveyed through poetic texts. The aim is to analyze how NV functions as a strong position in poetic discourse, influencing the overall compositional hierarchy and meaning of the text. The research concludes that the transmission of NV in poetic translation requires a careful balance between preserving the original’s national identity and adapting it to the stylistic and cultural norms of the target language. The study underscores that inadequately rendered NV can disrupt the semantic unity of a poem, thereby altering its cultural context and reader reception.

Nanotechnology in medicine: A comprehensive review of its role in modern drug delivery systems

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicine, particularly in the development of modern drug delivery systems. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the role that nanotechnology plays in enhancing drug delivery mechanisms, targeting specific sites and minimizing side effects. Advances in nanoparticle-based drug carriers, including liposomes, dendrimers and polymeric nanoparticles, offer superior bioavailability, sustained release and improved solubility for various therapeutic agents. The review delves into the latest innovations in nanocarriers, their applications in cancer treatment, gene therapy and infectious diseases and discusses the challenges of clinical translation. Furthermore, it addresses the regulatory, ethical and safety concerns surrounding nanomedicine. By highlighting both the promises and limitations of nanotechnology in drug delivery, this article aims to provide a balanced perspective on its transformative potential in modern healthcare.

A CNN-accelerated workflow for stochastic seismic property estimation

As one of the major tools in resolving the non-uniqueness challenge in subsurface interpretation and reservoir characterization, stochastic inversion from post- and pre-stack seismic data remains challenging, which not only requires heavy computational resources but also relies on intensive manual supervision. Inspired by the recent advances in deep learning particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for interdisciplinary data integration, this study proposes a deep learning workflow that enables stochastic property estimation by efficiently integrating seismic images with sparse wells. It starts with sampling a set of property prior models (PPMs) from densely-measured properties at well locations and corrupting local seismic patterns with Gaussian noise. The core idea is to train a structure-guided CNN by mapping the contaminated seismic with the sampled PPMs while enforcing structural consistency to avoid overfitting in the presence of sparse wells. Finally, the baseline and uncertainty of target properties are estimated by running multiple realizations of the trained CNN. As demonstrated by three examples, with minimum efforts of CNN architecture customization according to data availability, the proposed workflow can accommodate various use cases, including rock acoustic/elastic property estimation from 3D post-/angle-stack seismic and soil geotechnical properties from 2D ultra-high-resolution seismic. In all examples, the machine predictions match seismic patterns well and are of high lateral consistency.

Data-Driven Insights Into Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Findings: 2023 Türkiye Earthquake Sequence

Post-earthquake reconnaissance stands as a vital endeavor, encompassing a systematic survey and data collection to gain insights into the aftermath of seismic events. Grappling with a multitude of multidimensional data poses inherent challenges in the proper interpretation and extraction of hidden information. This paper unfolds in two parts. Initially, we delineate the reconnaissance mission following the February 06 Türkiye earthquake sequence, elucidating the challenges, complexities, and nature of the amassed data. Subsequently, a paradigm shift toward automated machine learning (AutoML) is embraced to ascertain the optimal model, categorize observed damages, and unveil underlying patterns within the collected data. The most accurate machine learning model is then coupled with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) to explicate observations, steering away from a black-box model. SHAP values discern and prioritize factors significantly contributing to various damage levels. The results reveal a test set accuracy of 0.75 and 0.95 for multi- and binary-class problems, respectively, employing both raw and composite features. Building-related features exert more control over light damage, while earthquake-related factors dominate severe damage. In critical damage scenarios, duration- and velocity-dependent intensity measures assume significance. Furthermore, findings indicate that if column and wall indices are below 0.07 and 0.08, respectively, they positively contribute to the likelihood of critical structural damage.

Germline Variant Spectrum in Southern Italian High-Risk Hereditary Breast Cancer Patients: Insights from Multi-Gene Panel Testing.

Hereditary breast cancer accounts for 5-10% of all cases, with pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 and other susceptibility genes playing a crucial role. This study elucidates the prevalence and spectrum of germline variants in 13 cancer predisposition genes among high-risk hereditary breast cancer patients from Southern Italy. We employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze 254 individuals selected through genetic counseling. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 13% (34/254) of patients, with 54% of these variants occurring in non-BRCA1/2 genes. Notably, we observed a recurrent BRCA1 c.4964_4982del founder mutation, underscoring the importance of population-specific genetic screening. The spectrum of variants extended beyond BRCA1/2 to include PALB2, ATM, TP53, CHEK2, and RAD51C, highlighting the genetic heterogeneity of breast cancer susceptibility. Variants of uncertain significance were detected in 20% of patients, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of variant interpretation in the era of multi-gene panel testing. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the genetic landscape of breast cancer in Southern Italy but also provide a foundation for developing more targeted, population-specific approaches to genetic testing and counseling, ultimately contributing to the advancement of precision medicine in oncology.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cytology in pregnancy.

Cervical cancer screening during pregnancy presents unique challenges for cytologic interpretation. This review focuses on pregnancy-associated cytomorphological changes and their impact on diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. Pregnancy-induced alterations include navicular cells, hyperplastic endocervical cells, immature metaplastic cells, and occasional decidual cells or trophoblasts. These changes can mimic abnormalities such as koilocytosis, adenocarcinoma in situ, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Careful attention to nuclear features and awareness of pregnancy-related changes are crucial for correct interpretation. The natural history of CIN during pregnancy shows higher regression rates, particularly for CIN 2, with minimal risk of progression. Management of abnormal cytology follows modified risk-based guidelines to avoid invasive procedures, with treatment typically deferred until postpartum. The findings reported in this review emphasize the importance of considering pregnancy status in cytological interpretation, highlight potential problems, and provide guidance on differentiating benign pregnancy-related changes from true abnormalities. Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate diagnosis and proper management of cervical abnormalities in pregnant women.

Mobile App for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases During Home-Based Exercise Care: Usability Study.

Digital health tools have demonstrated promise in the treatment and self-management of chronic diseases while also serving as an important means for reducing the workload of health care professionals (HCPs) and enhancing the quality of care. However, these tools often merely undergo large-scale testing or enter the market without undergoing rigorous user experience analysis in the early stages of their development, leading to frequent instances of low use or failure. This study aims to assess the usability of and satisfaction with a mobile app designed for the clinical monitoring of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation at home. This study used a mixed methods approach involving two key stakeholders-patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and HCPs-across three phases: (1) mobile app mock-up design, (2) usability testing, and (3) satisfaction evaluation. Using convenience sampling, participants were grouped as HCPs (n=12) and patients (n=18). Each received a tablet with mock-ups for usability testing through interviews, with audio recordings transcribed and analyzed anonymously in NVivo12.0, focusing on mock-up features and usability insights. Task difficulty was rated from 1 (very easy) to 5 (very difficult), with noncompletion deemed a critical error. Usability satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The research indicated a notable difference in app usability perceptions: 66% (8/12) of HCPs found tasks "very easy," compared to only 22% (4/18) of patients. Despite this, no participant made critical errors or withdrew, and satisfaction was high. HCPs completed tasks in about 20 minutes, while patients took 30. Older adults faced challenges with touch screens and scroll menus, suggesting the need for intuitive design aids like auditory support and visual health progress indicators, such as graphs. HCPs noted potential data delays affecting service, while non-native-speaking caregivers faced interpretation challenges. A secure pairing system for privacy in teleconsultations proved difficult for older users; a simpler icon-based system is recommended. This study highlights the need to consider stakeholder abilities in medical app design to enhance function implementation. Most HCPs (11/12, 91%) found the app intuitive, though they recommended adding icons to show patient progress to support clinical decisions. In contrast, 62% (11/18) of patients struggled with tablet navigation, especially with connectivity features. To ensure equitable access, the design should accommodate older users with diverse abilities. Despite challenges, both groups reported high satisfaction, with patients expressing a willingness to learn and recommending the app. These positive usability evaluations suggest that, with design improvements, such apps could see increased use in home-based care.