Effective Patient Care Research Articles

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN BURN PATIENTS: A META-ANALYSIS OF DISORDERS AND TREATMENTS

The main subject of this paper is the psychological disorders experienced by burn patients, with a particular emphasis on the necessity of psychological intervention in their treatment. The research seeks to investigate prevalent mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, and assess the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches.The method relied on a comprehensive review of prior literature and a thorough evaluation of the outcomes from relevant studies. The findings indicated that a significant portion of burn victims experience various psychological disorders. This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression impacting, and anxiety affecting. The research also highlighted the significance of providing psychosocial support to enhance treatment results, as well as the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Virtual Reality (VR) techniques in addressing these conditions.To ensure comprehensive and effective patient care, it is recommended to integrate psychological interventions into burn treatment protocols, as stated in the paper's conclusion.

Comparison of a two-step Tempus600 hub solution single-tube vs. container-based, one-step pneumatic transport system.

Efficient and timely transportation of clinical samples is pivotal to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective patient care. During the transportation process, preservation of sample integrity is crucial to avoid pre-analytical aberrations on laboratory results. Here, we present a comparative analysis between a two-step Tempus600 hub solution single-tube and a one-step, container-based pneumatic transport system (PTS) from Airco, for the in-house transportation of blood samples. Ten blood samples from healthy volunteers were split in 10 mL collection tubes filled at full or half capacity for transportation with the two PTS (about 250 m). To compare the impact of transportation, markers of hemolysis such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium (K+), and the hemolysis index (HI), were determined. Additionally, differences in HI in routine samples and repeated transportation was investigated. To assess and compare the mechanistic impact profiles, we recorded the acceleration profiles of the two PTS using a shock data logger. Transportation using the Tempus600 hub solution resulted in 49 and 46 % higher HI with samples filled to total or half capacity, respectively. Routine samples transported with the Tempus600 hub solution showed a higher median HI by 23 and 33 %. Additionally, shock logger analysis showed an elevated amount of shocks (6.5 fold) and shock intensities (1.8 fold). The Tempus600 hub solution caused an increased number of unreportable LDH or K+ results based on the hemolysis index. However, it was only statistically significant for LDH (p<0.01 and p<0.08)- while the comparisons for K+ were not statistically significant (p<0.28 and p<0.56).

Challenges posed by climate hazards to cardiovascular health and cardiac intensive care: implications for mitigation and adaptation.

Global warming, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, has led to unprecedented extreme weather events, contributing to higher morbidity and mortality rates from a variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The disruption of multiple planetary boundaries has increased the probability of connected, cascading, and catastrophic disasters with magnified health impacts on vulnerable populations. While the impact of climate change can be manifold, non-optimal air temperatures (NOTs) pose significant health risks from cardiovascular events. Vulnerable populations, especially those with pre-existing CVD, face increased risks of acute cardiovascular events during NOT. Factors such as age, socio-economic status, minority populations, and environmental conditions (especially air pollution) amplify these risks. With rising global surface temperatures, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and cold spells are expected to increase, emphasizing the need to address their health impacts. The World Health Organization recommends implementing heat-health action plans, which include early warning systems, public education on recognizing heat-related symptoms, and guidelines for adjusting medications during heatwaves. Additionally, intensive care units must be prepared to handle increased patient loads and the specific challenges posed by extreme heat. Comprehensive and proactive adaptation and mitigation strategies with health as a primary consideration and measures to enhance resilience are essential to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the health burden associated with NOTs. The current educational review will explore the impact on cardiovascular events, future health projections, pathophysiology, drug interactions, and intensive care challenges and recommend actions for effective patient care.

Handover of intensive care patients

An effective patient handover is a core element of high-quality patient care. Communication during patient handover in the intensive care unit is particularly challenging due to the clinical complexity and rapid changes in patient trajectories, complex interdisciplinary and interprofessional interfaces, linguistic barriers, situational and structural disruptive factors, personnel stress factors as well as the communication and error culture of the teams. In addition to avoiding disruptive factors and creating optimal communication conditions and human resources, the use of standardized and structured handovers with the help of protocols and checklists, as recommended in the literature, plays a decisive role as part of a bundle of measures for effective and safe patient care.

Acne-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide among adolescents. Beyond its physical manifestations, acne can leave invisible psychological scars. We aimed to examine the protective and risk factors of acne-related quality of life, and its association with mental health outcomes. The analysis included data collected in 2023 from adolescents enrolled in the SEROCoV-KIDS population-based cohort. By combining the Acne Severity and Acne-Quality of Life (Acne-QoL) scales, three groups were established: Acne-LowAQoL (adolescents with acne and low Acne-related Quality of Life), Acne-HighAQoL, and NoAcne-HighAQoL. We used multinomial and logistic regression to assess the association between health behaviours, these groups, and mental health outcomes. Among 335 adolescents (mean age 16.1 years [SD 1.8], 56% female), 65 (19.4%) reported experiencing acne while maintaining a high Acne-QoL, 26 (7.7%) reported having acne and a low Acne-QoL and 244 (72.9%) reported having nearly no acne. Low engagement in physical activity (aOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.12-0.77), addictive use of social media (aOR: 3.78, 95%CI: 1.60-8.96), and prolonged screen time (aOR: 2.99, 95%CI: 1.26-7.08) were independently associated with Acne-LowAQoL. Conversely, those from the group Acne-HighAQoL reported higher social support (aOR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.07-3.54). Adolescents with Acne-LowAQoL showed lower levels of self-esteem, resilience, and increased psychological distress. Among adolescents with acne, physical activity and social support were positively associated with good acne-related quality of life, which translated into better mental health. In contrast, screen time and social media use notably reduced it. Dermatologists should incorporate these considerations into clinical practice to ensure effective patient care.

Paper-and-Pencil vs. Electronic Patient Records: Analyzing Time Efficiency, Personnel Requirements, and Usability Impacts on Healthcare Administration.

Background: This study investigates the impact of transitioning from paper and pencil (P&P) methods to electronic patient records (EPR) on workflow and usability in surgical ward rounds. Methods: Surgical ward rounds were audited by two independent observers to evaluate the effects of transitioning from P&P to EPR. Key observations included the number of medical personnel and five critical workflow aspects before and after EPR implementation. Additionally, usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). Results: A total of 192 P&P and 160 EPR observations were analyzed. Physicians experienced increased administrative workload with EPR, while nurses adapted more easily. Ward teams typically consisted of two physicians and three or four nurses. Usability scores rated the system as "Not Acceptable" across all professional groups. Conclusions: The EPR system introduced usability challenges, particularly for physicians, despite potential benefits like improved data access. Usability flaws hindered system acceptance, highlighting the need for better workflow integration. Addressing these issues could improve efficiency and reduce administrative strain. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into clinical practice, healthcare professionals must critically assess AI-driven tools to ensure safe and effective patient care.

Predicting contrast sensitivity functions with digital twins

We developed and validated digital twins (DTs) for contrast sensitivity function (CSF) across 12 prediction tasks using a data-driven, generative model approach based on a hierarchical Bayesian model (HBM). For each prediction task, we utilized the HBM to compute the joint distribution of CSF hyperparameters and parameters at the population, subject, and test levels. This computation was based on a combination of historical data (N = 56), any new data from additional subjects (N = 56), and “missing data” from unmeasured conditions. The posterior distributions of the parameters in the unmeasured conditions were used as input for the CSF generative model to generate predicted CSFs. In addition to their accuracy and precision, these predictions were evaluated for their potential as informative priors that enable generation of synthetic quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) data or rescore existing qCSF data. The DTs demonstrated high accuracy in group level predictions across all tasks and maintained accuracy at the individual subject level when new data were available, with accuracy comparable to and precision lower than the observed data. DT predictions could reduce the data collection burden by more than 50% in qCSF testing when using 25 trials. Although further research is necessary, this study demonstrates the potential of DTs in vision assessment. Predictions from DTs could improve the accuracy, precision, and efficiency of vision assessment and enable personalized medicine, offering more efficient and effective patient care solutions.

Co-designing an interprofessional digital education resource on delirium: a student-led approach

BackgroundInterprofessional education is crucial for healthcare students to develop collaborative skills and provide effective patient care. However, opportunities for interprofessional learning are often limited in healthcare curricula. The present study aimed to engage students from different health professions in co-designing an educational resource on delirium recognition and management through an interprofessional lens and explore their experiences of this process.MethodsTwo co-design workshops were conducted with students from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and occupational therapy programmes at two universities across the island of Ireland. Focus groups were held following these workshops to explore students’ experiences of the co-design process. The workshops involved a range of activities, including theme generation, scenario development, resource creation (podcasts, simulations), and focus group discussions. Data from focus groups were analysed thematically.ResultsA total of 19 students participated across the two workshops. Three themes were identified: (1) Relationship development, where students identified the benefits of co-creating the resource and valued the flexibility, collaboration, and social aspects of the co-design approach; (2) Interprofessional collaboration, which challenged students’ assumptions about other disciplines, fostered teamwork and communication, and highlighted the need for early and continuous interprofessional learning; (3) Professional growth, with students reporting increased confidence in managing delirium, working with other professions, and engaging in novel experiences like podcasting and simulation.ConclusionsThe co-design process facilitated interprofessional collaboration, peer learning, and personal growth among healthcare students. Students appreciated the opportunity to co-create an educational resource while developing interprofessional skills. The study demonstrates the potential of co-design as a methodology for enhancing interprofessional education and promoting effective teamwork in healthcare.

The Effect of Emotional Labour on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment among Ayurveda Physicians in Sri Lanka

Similar to other medical specialities, Ayurvedic physicians have a distinct set of duties and responsibilities, with patient interaction playing a big role. In interpersonal interactions with patients, Ayurvedic physicians need to control their emotions. Emotional labour (EL) is the term used to describe the extreme patience and emotional control required to provide effective patient care. Previous researchers have not given adequate attention to studying the effect of EL on-job satisfaction (JS) and organizational commitment (OC), of Ayurvedic physicians. This research attempts to explore the effect of EL on JS and thereby OC, particularly among Ayurveda physicians in Sri Lanka. Primary data was gathered using multistage sampling from 331 Ayurvedic physicians in Sri Lanka for a structured questionnaire. The Partial Least Squires Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was utilized to analyse the data, with the support of SmartPLS software. The results revealed that EL has a positive influence on OC while EL positively affects JS. The results further confirmed that JS has a positive effect on OC. Finally, the findings demonstrated that JS plays a partially mediating function in the connection between EL and OC. These findings help the advancement of existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence in the context of Ayurvedic physicians in Sri Lanka. Healthcare administrators and policymakers should pay attention to improving emotional labour, job happiness, and organizational commitment of Ayurvedic physicians to enhance patient care efficiency.

Sentiment analysis in medication adherence: using ruled-based and artificial intelligence-driven algorithms to understand patient medication experiences.

Studies are exploring ways to improve medication adherence, with sentiment analysis (SA) being an underutilized innovation in pharmacy. This technique uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing to assess text for underlying feelings and emotions. This study aimed to evaluate the use of two SA models, Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning (VADER) and Emotion English DistilRoBERTa-base (DistilRoBERTa), for the identification of patients' sentiments and emotions towards their pharmacotherapy. A dataset containing 320,095 anonymized patients' reports of experiences with their medication was used. VADER assessed sentiment polarity on a scale from - 1 (negative) to + 1 (positive). DistilRoBERTa classified emotions into seven categories: anger, disgust, fear, joy, neutral, sadness, and surprise. Performance metrics for the models were obtained using the sklearn.metrics module of scikit-learn in Python. VADER demonstrated an overall accuracy of 0.70. For negative sentiments, it achieved a precision of 0.68, recall of 0.80, and an F1-score of 0.73, while for positive sentiments, it had a precision of 0.73, recall of 0.59, and an F1-score of 0.65. The AUC for the ROC curve was 0.90. DistilRoBERTa analysis showed that higher ratings for medication effectiveness, ease of use, and satisfaction corresponded with more positive emotional responses. These results were consistent with VADER's sentiment analysis, confirming the reliability of both models. VADER and DistilRoBERTa effectively analyzed patients' sentiments towards pharmacotherapy, providing valuable information. These findings encourage studies of SA in clinical pharmacy practice, paving the way for more personalized and effective patient care strategies.

Protein and transcriptional biomarker profiling may inform treatment strategies in lower respiratory tract infections by indicating bacterial-viral differentiation.

Accurate differentiation between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) is vital for effective patient care and resource allocation. This study investigated specific protein signatures and gene expression patterns in plasma and blood samples from LRTI patients that distinguished bacterial and viral infections. The identified signatures can inform the design of point-of-care tests that can aid healthcare providers in making informed decisions about antibiotic prescriptions in order to reduce unnecessary use, thereby contributing to reduced side effects and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the potential for faster and more accurate diagnoses for improved patient management in acute LRTIs is compelling.

OTHR-17 MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES OF SELLAR, SUPRASELLAR, AND PARASELLAR MASSES IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: A SCOPING REVIEW AND PROPORTIONAL META-ANALYSIS OF 6584 MASSES

Abstract OBJECTIVE To aggregate data on treatment modalities, management approaches, and clinical outcomes of sellar, suprasellar, and parasellar masses in LMICs. METHODS We conducted a scoping review as per the Arksey and O’Malley framework. MEDLINE, Embase, Global Index Medicus, and African Journals Online were searched and included articles between 2000 and 2021 screened against predefined eligibility criteria. Pooled statistics were calculated using measures of central tendency and spread. A proportional meta-analysis was conducted to pool the mortality rates. RESULTS Of the 3526 articles generated by the search strategy, 173 articles were included. The mean age was 35.5 ± 15 years, and most were females (56.47%). Sellar masses predominated (85%; 95% CI = 93.16–118.58), and the most commonly used neuroimaging modality to diagnose these masses was an MRI (65.31%). Surgical resection was mostly utilised with endoscopic surgery (78%; 95% CI = 17.29–154.96) predominating over microsurgery (22%; 95% CI = 11.51–47.73). The transsphenoidal approach was mostly used for both endoscopic surgery and microsurgery (92.13% vs 93.21%), and the extent of resection was gross total resection in most cases (n = 3611). Non-surgical management included hormonal therapies (n = 2080), chemotherapy (n = 96 patients), and radiosurgery (n = 357). New onset diabetes insipidus (34.27%), followed by postoperative infection (27.95%), were the most commonly reported postoperative complications. The pooled overall mortality rate was 8.1% (95% CI: 0.031–0.146). CONCLUSION Although MRIs are considered to be the gold standard means of diagnosis for these masses, their use in LMICs is less reported. Despite new minimally invasive treatment options, endoscopic surgery is commonly used in LMICs. These translates to the fact that more effort is required in the effective care of patients with these masses in LMICs.

Intelligent healthcare for cardiac patients utilizing neural networks, k-means clustering, and ad hoc routing

This paper introduced a comprehensive healthcare system designed to address the unique challenges faced by cardiac patients in economically and geographically constrained regions. The system operated in three phases, each contributing to the effective care of patients. In the initial phase, an artificial neural network model identified potential cardiac patients with an impressive accuracy of 90.16%, demonstrating its potential for early detection. The second phase employed k-means clustering to categorize patients into three groups based on the severity of their condition, facilitating precise prognosis and stratification. Finally, the system utilized an innovative ad hoc routing algorithm to securely transmit patient data to remote servers, enabling expert monitoring and consultation. The study's outcomes demonstrate the system's ability to accurately identify at-risk patients, appropriately categorize their condition, and efficiently route critical data. This holistic approach leverages cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to transform healthcare delivery in underserved areas. The novel system presents a promising avenue for enhancing cardiac care in regions with limited access to advanced healthcare services, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing disparities in cardiovascular healthcare.

A-134 Comparative Analysis of ALT and AST Measurements: Impact of P5P Activators on Platform Discrepancies

Abstract Background Vitamin B6 (VB6), notably its active form pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (P5P or PLP), is essential for ALT and AST enzyme activity in amino acid metabolism. Insufficient P5P can yield inaccurately low ALT and AST measurements in individuals with VB6 deficiency. This study assesses VB6 deficiency prevalence and its impact on ALT and AST measurements on Beckman Coulter compared to Roche and Siemens platforms. Methods VB6 levels were analyzed in 996 patients, with &amp;lt; 20 nmol/L considered deficient. ALT and AST levels were compared between Beckman Coulter AU5800 versus Roche cobas c, and Beckman Coulter AU5800 versus Siemens Dimension Vista. Roche and Siemens assays included P5P supplements, while Beckman Coulter did not. 29 ALT specimens (23 VB6 deficient and 6 normal) and 34 AST specimens (28 VB6 deficient and 6 normal) were compared between Beckman Coulter and Roche. Additionally, 16 specimens (4 VB6 deficient and 12 normal) were tested for ALT and AST for the comparison between Beckman Coulter and Siemens. The study then assessed the impact of P5P-containing reagents on test results by comparing the percentage differences in average concentration and their clinical decision implications across different platforms, within the low, normal, and high ranges. Results Out of 996 patients, 356 exhibited VB6 results below 20 nmol/L, indicating a striking 36% prevalence of VB6 deficiency within our patient population. Beckman Coulter and Roche comparison: In VB6 deficient patients, ALT displayed an average concentration difference of 11.5%: Beckman ALT mean 23 (+/-24.6) U/L versus Roche ALT mean 26 (+/-30) U/L. AST demonstrated a 41% difference in average concentration: Beckman AST mean 28.2 (+/-28.9) U/L versus Roche AST 48.9 (+/-49) U/L. In normal patients, ALT displayed an average concentration difference of 2.4%: Beckman ALT mean 21.3 (+/-21.3) U/L versus Roche ALT mean 20.8 (+/-25.7) U/L. AST demonstrated a 23.5% difference in average concentration: Beckman AST mean 25.5. (+/-25.4) U/L versus Roche AST 33.3 (+/-37.5) U/L. Additionally, 13% of ALT and 18% of AST displayed noteworthy effects on clinical decisions, resulting in shifts from low abnormal to normal range or normal range to high abnormal. Beckman Coulter and Siemens comparison: In VB6 deficient patients, ALT displayed an average concentration difference of 36.8%: Beckman ALT mean 18 (+/-15.7) U/L versus Siemens ALT mean 28.5 (+/-20.5) U/L. AST demonstrated a 43.4% difference in average concentration: Beckman AST mean 18.3 (+/-8.1) U/L versus Siemens AST 32.3 (+/-17.2) U/L. In normal patients, ALT displayed an average concentration difference of 32.8%: Beckman ALT mean 22.2 (+/-16.1) U/L versus Siemens ALT mean 33.1 (+/-20.1) U/L. AST demonstrated a 31.3% difference in average concentration: Beckman AST mean 25.4 (+/-12.3) U/L versus Siemens AST 36.1 (+/-19.7) U/L. While 6% of ALT specimens would have altered clinical decisions, the impact was more pronounced for AST, with 50% of results changing to an upper reference point. Conclusions In clinical settings where accurate assessment of enzyme activity is vital for effective patient care, our study emphasizes the crucial necessity for standardizing AST and ALT methodologies to incorporate P5P supplementation.

Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.

This article synthesizes current knowledge on neuropathic pain, with a brief review of mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies to help neurologists provide effective and individualized care for patients with this complex condition. The most promising developments in peripheral neuropathic pain are related to the molecular biology of the peripheral nervous system. Systematic molecular and genetic analyses of peripheral nerve terminals and dorsal root ganglia have advanced our understanding of the genetics of function and disease of peripheral nerves, as well as their physiology and clinical manifestations. Peripheral neuropathic pain, similar to central neuropathic pain, is primarily influenced by the biology and pathophysiology of the underlying structures, peripheral sensory nerves, and their central pathways. The clinical course is widely variable in sensory symptoms and intensities, natural history, and response to treatments.

Towards a New Integrated Model for Taking Into Account the Experiential Knowledge of People With Chronic Diseases, Integrating Mediation, Therapeutic Education and Partnership: The Expanded Chronic Care Patient-Professional Partnership Model.

The Chronic Care Model (CCM), the Expanded Chronic Care Model (ECCM) and the eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model (eCCM) focus on how healthcare teams and eHealth support can offer effective care and relevant solutions for patients facing chronic care conditions. However, they do not consider how patients can help these teams in their work, nor do they promote ways in which patients can help themselves. However, in the last decade, three different models have emerged that can complete our capacity to design and deliver integrated care for people with chronic diseases. In this article, we propose a revised version of the model that integrates the patient perspective and patients' experience-based knowledge. It integrates three different ways of engaging patients that complement the other patient engagement point of view: the experience of care and mediation in healthcare, therapeutic patient education and patient learning pathways, as well as patient-professional partnership. For each of the three models, we conducted a review of the literature using CINAHL, Medline, OVID, EMBASE PsychINFO, Science Direct and government reports on patient engagement and partnership with their healthcare providers, to integrate the different components of these models into the ECCM and eCCM. The goal is to create a model that better takes into account the experiential knowledge of patients and citizens throughout its different dimensions. We identified 129 papers based on their framework, design, sample, measures and fit with patient engagement and chronic illness and added our own research when relevant. Integrating the three models provides an opportunity to amplify the role played by the patient perspective in the management of chronic disease. The Expanded Chronic Care Patient-Professional Partnership Model (E2C3PM) is intended to rebalance power relations between healthcare professionals and patients (and their caregivers). This new model is based on recognizing patients' experiential knowledge and their roles as caregivers and as full members of the care team. Integrating patient empowerment into the E2C3PM underscores the importance of coproduction care with patients at the clinical, organizational and system levels within a supportive environment. Applying this new model should make it possible to better take into account the complexity of chronic diseases, improving the integration not only of care, services and eHealth support but also the various determinants of health and reaching a mutually beneficial settlement among all actors involved. A patient-researcher contributed to the development of the protocol, the data collection and the preparation and writing of this manuscript.

Enhancing physiotherapists' knowledge and perceptions of telerehabilitation: A before-after educational intervention study.

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, telerehabilitation is emerging as a pivotal modality, especially in delivering services to vulnerable populations. With the increasing reliance on digital health solutions, there is a pressing need for physiotherapists to be adequately trained in telerehabilitation. This training is essential for them to adapt to new technologies and methodologies, ensuring effective and efficient patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a telerehabilitation educational intervention on physiotherapists' knowledge and perceptions in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. A group of 27 physiotherapists underwent an educational intervention focused on telerehabilitation. Before- and after-intervention assessments were conducted to gauge their perceptions and knowledge. Participants generally held a positive perception of telerehabilitation both before and after the intervention [Before Median (Md) and interquartile range (IQR): Md=2.5 (IQR=2.1-3); after: Md=2.7 (IQR=2.4-3.1), p=0.256]. A significant increase in their knowledge after-intervention was observed [Before: Md=55.5 (IQR=33.3-66.6)]; after: Md=77.7 (IQR=66.6-88.8), p=<0.001, emphasizing the potential benefits of targeted educational interventions. The educational intervention significantly improved physiotherapists' knowledge of telerehabilitation, underscoring the importance of professional training in this domain. While perceptions remained consistently positive, the notable increase in knowledge suggests that such educational programs are crucial for enhancing the adoption and effective use of telerehabilitation in physiotherapy practice.

Efficient, gigapixel-scale, aberration-free whole slide scanner using angular ptychographic imaging with closed-form solution.

Whole slide imaging provides a wide field-of-view (FOV) across cross-sections of biopsy or surgery samples, significantly facilitating pathological analysis and clinical diagnosis. Such high-quality images that enable detailed visualization of cellular and tissue structures are essential for effective patient care and treatment planning. To obtain such high-quality images for pathology applications, there is a need for scanners with high spatial bandwidth products, free from aberrations, and without the requirement for z-scanning. Here we report a whole slide imaging system based on angular ptychographic imaging with a closed-form solution (WSI-APIC), which offers efficient, tens-of-gigapixels, large-FOV, aberration-free imaging. WSI-APIC utilizes oblique incoherent illumination for initial high-level segmentation, thereby bypassing unnecessary scanning of the background regions and enhancing image acquisition efficiency. A GPU-accelerated APIC algorithm analytically reconstructs phase images with effective digital aberration corrections and improved optical resolutions. Moreover, an auto-stitching technique based on scale-invariant feature transform ensures the seamless concatenation of whole slide phase images. In our experiment, WSI-APIC achieved an optical resolution of 772 nm using a 10×/0.25 NA objective lens and captures 80-gigapixel aberration-free phase images for a standard 76.2 mm × 25.4 mm microscopic slide.

Bridging the gap — Establishing a dental-oncology service in a cancer centre

Dental disease remains the most common non-communicable disease worldwide. It predisposes patients to significant morbidities following bone modifying agents or radiation therapy to the head and neck. Preventative dental regimes effectively reduce the risk of both medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in these patients. Co-ordination of routine dental care as a component of mainstream oncology treatment optimises long term outcomes for oncology patients. This case series offers insights into patient, institutional and social difficulties that challenge the dental-oncology interface. These obstacles and subsequent resolutions experienced whilst establishing a dental-oncology service in a cancer centre highlight the importance of effective multidisciplinary lead care for oncology patients. It reinforces the need for structured, supported dental pathways for these oncology patients.

The use of virtual reality in the treatment of mental disorders such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder

Mental disorders, such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are a serious health problem that significantly impacts people's quality of life. These disorders can significantly impair the quality of life of patients, so studying ways to treat them using modern methods is important and relevant. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of using virtual reality (VR) technology in the treatment of phobias and PTSD. The methods used in the study include analytical, comparative, and systematization methods. The study has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy are the main treatments for these disorders. The use of VR in the treatment of mental disorders, including phobias and PTSD, opens up new opportunities for safe and effective exposure to stressful stimuli. It was found that the benefits of using VR in the treatment of mental disorders include safe exposure, an individualized approach to treatment, and the ability to create realistic simulations of stressful situations. The study confirmed that the use of VR in the treatment of phobias allows patients to gradually get used to phobic stimuli and change their negative perceptions and reactions to them. The use of VR in the treatment of PTSD has significant potential, allowing the application of various techniques, including exposure, gradual desensitization, cognitive behavioural therapy, therapeutic recovery, meditation, and relaxation, to alleviate the symptoms of the disorder and improve the quality of life of patients. The findings of the study can serve as a basis for improving clinical practice in psychotherapy and psychiatry, allowing for more effective and individualized care for patients with disorders.