Peer-reviewed Publications Research Articles

Novel Approaches for the Early Detection of Glaucoma Using Artificial Intelligence

Background: If left untreated, glaucoma—the second most common cause of blindness worldwide—causes irreversible visual loss due to a gradual neurodegeneration of the retinal ganglion cells. Conventional techniques for identifying glaucoma, like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field exams, are frequently laborious and dependent on subjective interpretation. Through the fast and accurate analysis of massive amounts of imaging data, artificial intelligence (AI), in particular machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has emerged as a promising method to improve the early detection and management of glaucoma. Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the current uses of AI in the early diagnosis, treatment, and detection of glaucoma while highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of different AI models and algorithms. In addition, it aims to determine how AI technologies might transform glaucoma treatment and suggest future lines of inquiry for this area of study. Methods: A thorough search of databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, was carried out to find pertinent papers released until August 2024. The inclusion criteria were limited to research published in English in peer-reviewed publications that used AI, ML, or DL to diagnose or treat glaucoma in human subjects. Articles were chosen and vetted according to their quality, contribution to the field, and relevancy. Results: Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and other deep learning algorithms are among the AI models included in this paper that have been shown to have excellent sensitivity and specificity in identifying glaucomatous alterations in fundus photos, OCT scans, and visual field tests. By automating standard screening procedures, these models have demonstrated promise in distinguishing between glaucomatous and healthy eyes, forecasting the course of the disease, and possibly lessening the workload of physicians. Nonetheless, several significant obstacles remain, such as the requirement for various training datasets, outside validation, decision-making transparency, and handling moral and legal issues. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for improving the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma by facilitating prompt and precise interpretation of imaging data and assisting in clinical decision making. To guarantee wider accessibility and better patient results, future research should create strong generalizable AI models validated in various populations, address ethical and legal matters, and incorporate AI into clinical practice.

Efficient and reliable corrosion control for subsea assets: challenges in the design and testing of corrosion probes in aggressive marine environments

Abstract This review discusses the challenges in designing and testing corrosion probes for aggressive marine environments. The objectives are to analyze existing literature, identify methodological problems, and highlight research gaps in subsea corrosion control. To achieve these, a comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted, focusing on factors like high salinity, fluctuating temperatures, and the presence of corrosive agents. The methods involved synthesizing information from peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and academic publications to thoroughly analyze current state of knowledge. The findings of this review highlight the need for standardized testing protocols, improved understanding of material compatibility, and consideration of real-world conditions in corrosion probe design and testing. Methodological problems include the lack of standardized testing protocols, limited understanding of material compatibility, and insufficient consideration of real-world conditions. These findings emphasize the challenges researchers and practitioners face in developing efficient and reliable corrosion control strategies for subsea assets. In terms of novelty and improvement, this manuscript contributes to improving corrosion control practices in aggressive marine environments by synthesizing existing literature, identifying methodological problems, and highlighting gaps. By addressing these challenges, future research can focus on developing innovative solutions and methodologies to enhance the durability and effectiveness of corrosion probes in subsea environments.

Evaluating robo-advisors through behavioral finance: a critical review of technology potential, rationality, and investor expectations

The mini review assesses the value propositions of robo-advisors through the lens of behavioral finance. Despite their promise of data-driven, rational investment strategies, robo-advisors may not fully replicate the personalized service of human financial advisors or eliminate human biases in decision-making. A content analysis of 80 peer-reviewed articles and publications was conducted, focusing on the intersection of financial technology and behavioral finance. Literature was retrieved using The Chicago School University Library's OneSearch and the EBSCO host database, with key terms including “robo-advisor,” “investment behavior,” “risk tolerance,” “financial literacy,” and “affective trust.” The review identifies four key limitations of robo-advisors: (1) their inability to replicate the service-relationship of human advisors; (2) the presence of human bias in supposedly rational algorithms; (3) the inability to minimize market risk; and (4) their limited impact on improving users' financial literacy. Instead, robo-advisors temporarily compensate for a lack of financial knowledge through passive investment strategies. The findings suggest that integrating behavioral finance principles could enhance the predictive power of robo-advisors, though this would introduce additional complexities. The review calls for further research and regulatory measures to ensure that these technologies prioritize investor protection and financial literacy as they continue to evolve.

Commercialization of scientific misconduct: the challenge of paper mills

Abstract According to an estimate, there are at least 400,000 papers in the scientific literature originating from paper mills, which are for-profit companies that guarantee the publication of low-quality papers. There is evidence that such papers are accompanied by various forms of scientific misconduct, including plagiarism, image duplication, falsification, and fabrication of data. These papers are cited and included in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which have negative consequences for science and related disciplines. The scientific community has fragmented knowledge on paper mills, and many paper mills go undetected. Current resources of stakeholders are not sufficient to detect and prevent journals from publishing fraudulent papers. The goal of this presentation is to raise awareness of the paper mills problem and to discuss general ‘red flags’ of such papers, as well as possible measures to prevent editors and journals from publishing them. These measures may include open peer review, editor training, research on paper mills, improvement of detection methods, and united actions by stakeholders.

Diagnosing and engineering gut microbiomes.

The microbes, nutrients and toxins that we are exposed to can have a profound effect on the composition and function of the gut microbiome. Thousands of peer-reviewed publications link microbiome composition and function to health from the moment of birth, right through to centenarians, generating a tantalizing glimpse of what might be possible if we could intervene rationally. Nevertheless, there remain relatively few real-world examples where successful microbiome engineering leads to beneficial health effects. Here we aim to provide a framework for the progress needed to turn gut microbiome engineering from a trial-and-error approach to a rational medical intervention. The workflow starts with truly understanding and accurately diagnosing the problems that we are trying to fix, before moving on to developing technologies that can achieve the desired changes.

Co-producing evidence to inform universal health coverage implementation in Ireland: 2019-2024

Abstract Background In 2017, Ireland’s parliamentary health committee published a ten-year health reform plan, entitled Sláintecare, with the aim of delivering universal healthcare. Endorsed by government in 2018, progressing Sláintecare remains government policy in 2024. In 2019, Prof Burke was awarded public funding to co-produce knowledge for the design and implementation of the regions, a key aspect of Sláintecare. In 2020, with the arrival of COVID-19, regional reform was paused and the research pivoted to capture the learning from the COVID-19 health system response to inform Sláintecare. In 2022/3, the research returned to focus on the regions. Methods Foundations’ research resulted in 14 peer-reviewed publications between 2019 and 2023. These were mixed-methods using qualitative and quantitative data and analysis. Coproduction with health system leaders that were devising and implementing the regions and the COVID-19 health system response underpinned the research. Results There are 14 academic publications from the Foundations Research (2019-2023). At the core of co-production is trust and good working relationships. Co-producing research with senior policy makers and implementers has benefits and drawbacks. The benefits include access to resources and data and that the data and knowledge generated are more likely to be adopted. Drawbacks include control over areas researched, denial of access to data and lack of openness to research findings. Producing controversial findings, unpopular with government, minister or health system leaders can also lead to difficulties for the research team. Discussion/conclusions Details of the coproduction process with senior health system and policy leaders will be presented. It will detail specific examples of the research which were initiated by the health system and those that came from the academic research team. It will give examples of how the research influenced the policy making and implementation processes. Key messages • Co-producing research between academics and health system and policy leaders leads to better use of evidence. • Trust and good workign relationships are key to co-producing research that is used in policy making and implementation processes.

A Qualitative Study Exploring the Process of Turning a Mixed Methods Doctoral Dissertation Into a Journal Article: Perspectives From Recent Doctorates in the United States

Despite guidelines on mixed methods writing practices, the process of turning a mixed methods dissertation into a peer-reviewed publication is unknown, which may hinder scientific advancements and the use of mixed methods research across disciplines. This qualitative study explored recent doctorates’ experiences across three dimensions (i.e., critical decisions about the process, challenges, and recommendations for scholars) through nine semi-structured interviews. We identified themes under each dimension, respectively: (a) considerations for authorship decisions, disentangling the publication process, and the role of support systems; (b) challenges preparing a manuscript for submission and challenges with the journal review process; and (c) the value of time for publication process. This study contributes to the field of mixed methods research by offering empirical evidence and insights.

Cost-Effectiveness of Perinatal Depression Screening: A Scoping Review.

Perinatal depression (PND) has emerged as a significant public health concern. There is no consensus among countries or organizations on whether to screen for PND. Despite the growing body of evidence regarding the economic value of PND screening, its cost-effectiveness remains inadequately understood due to the heterogeneity of existing studies. This study aims to synthesize the available global evidence on the cost-effectiveness of PND screening compared to routine or usual care to provide a clearer understanding of its economic value. A detailed search strategy was predetermined to identify peer-reviewed publications that evaluated the cost-effectiveness of PND screening. We designed a scoping literature review protocol and searched electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science, for studies published from inception to 10 December 2023. We included studies that conducted full economic evaluations comparing PND screening with usual care or other comparators and excluded studies that were not in English or lacked full texts. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist was used to evaluate the reporting quality of the studies. Then, the data regarding costs and effectiveness were extracted and summarized narratively. A total of ten eligible studies were included, all of which were evaluated as being of high reporting quality. Nine of these studies compared the economic value of PND screening with usual care without screening, with eight finding that PND screening was generally more cost-effective. The remaining study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of two psychosocial assessment models and indicated that both effectively identified women "at risk". Across studies, PND screening ranged from being dominant (cheaper and more effective than usual care without screening) to costing USD 17,644 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Most included studies used decision trees or Markov models to test if PND screening was cost-effective. Although current economic evaluation studies have mostly suggested PND screening could be more cost-effective than usual care without screening, there is high heterogeneity in terms of participants, screening strategies, screening settings, and perspectives across studies. Despite varied settings and designs, most studies consistently indicate PND screening as cost-effective. Further evidence is also required from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), non-Western countries, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to draw a more robust conclusion.

Mapping Muslim Chaplaincy: An Analytic Review of Publications between 1989 and 2023

Abstract This article analyses the emergent field of Muslim chaplaincy research by reviewing English-language publications in this growing area of professional religious work, especially in Europe and the United States. After presenting the method of our enquiry, we provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literature reviewed. We then focus on three key topics in Muslim Chaplaincy Studies that derive from our quantitative and qualitative research. These are: the training of Muslim chaplains, which is strongly linked to professionalisation, the vocabulary and sources that underpin Muslim chaplaincy and, finally, the significance of the increasing involvement of Muslim women in this area of professional religious work and leadership. Having identified exactly 100 publications related to the development of Muslim chaplaincy, many of them arising from empirical research, serious practitioner reflections located in peer-review publications, and a small number of articles that are explicitly devoted to methodological considerations, we are suggesting in this article that a distinctive sub-field of Muslim Chaplaincy Studies can now be identified.

Diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound in obstetric anesthesia and critical care: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundPoint-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has gained popularity as a bedside diagnostic imaging modality. In obstetrical populations, particularly in acute care settings, POCUS serves as a valuable complement to clinical assessment. Despite its many applications, only a few have been defined and validated in the obstetric population. This scoping review aims to delineate literature on the diagnostic applications of POCUS in obstetric anesthesia and critical care.MethodsThis review will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, as updated by Arksey and O’Malley and in stages elaborated by Levac et al. Relevant literature will be identified using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), keyword, and proximity searches and combined using Boolean operators in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1, 2000, to the present. Two independent reviewers will screen literature against predefined eligibility criteria in abstract and full-text forms. A third reviewer will be consulted if consensus cannot be reached. Data extraction will be systematic, focusing on pre-specified variables aligned with the review’s aims. Descriptive statistical and thematic analysis will follow data extraction, with findings presented in graphical and tabular forms. The reporting will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).ConclusionThis review will present the scope of the current literature on diagnostic POCUS in obstetric anesthesia and critical care, highlighting both strengths and gaps in existing knowledge. The insights gained will support future research, knowledge synthesis, and development of educational programs. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, conferences, and social media platforms.Systematic review registrationNot applicable.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for postoperative axial symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a systematic review

BackgroundAxial symptoms (AS) represent one of the primary complications after cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) surgery. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a complementary and alternative therapy, is widely used in the...

Comorbid ADHD and schizophrenia and the use of psychostimulants: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionSchizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are psychiatric disorders that have a profound impact on patients and healthcare systems globally. There is preliminary evidence suggesting a potential association between...

The pivotal role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing plant biomass and nutrient availability under drought stress conditions: A global meta-analysis

Drought is a serious threat to crop productivity and global food security. About 40 % of the worldwide land is considered arid dryland soil because of a lack of rainfall, high solar radiation, and temperature fluctuations. Though rhizobacteria, particularly mycorrhizal fungi (MF), assist plants in coping with drought stress, an intensive quantitative assessment of their effects on plant growth and nutrient availability is still limited. We systematically carried out a global meta-analysis using 122 peer-reviewed publications comprising 3534 observations to investigate the effects of MF on plant biomass (PB) and nutrient availability (nitrogen: N and phosphorus: P) under drought-stress conditions. The results show that the MF inoculation significantly increased mycorrhizal colonization (MC), N and P uptakes, and plant biomass (PB) at a C:N ratio > 15 by 2171.44 %, 23.74 %, 135.61 %, and 220.91 %, respectively. The MF species Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus significantly influenced the MC, N, and PB concentrations by 2541.68 %, 40.35 %, and 110.85 %, respectively. Moreover, the concentrations of MC, N, and PB were considerably affected by the soil texture categories, with the maximum levels of 4940.04 %, 127.05 %, and 84.04 % found in sandy, clay, and clay loam soils, respectively. In addition, soil pH, crop types, soil textural class, and MF species were identified as vital pedologic factors affecting plant growth and nutrient availability during fungal inoculation. Overall, this meta-analysis addresses gaps in understanding the effects of MF inoculation on plant development and nutrient availability under drought stress.

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.

Evolving trends in oral cancer burden in Europe: a systematic review

IntroductionOral cavity cancer (OCC), primarily oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a growing concern in Europe, particularly among younger populations. Preventable lifestyle factors and social determinants of health contribute significantly to the disease burden. Limited access to healthcare and delayed diagnoses further complicate treatment and reduce survival rates.MethodsThis systematic literature review adhered to PRISMA guidelines to explore trends in OSCC epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and survival across Europe. A comprehensive search strategy using PubMed, GLOBOCAN data, and the EUROCARE-5 study identified relevant articles focusing on human populations in Europe with a primary interest in OSCC epidemiology. Only peer-reviewed publications in English with full-text access were included.ResultsThis study investigated the burden of OSCC across Europe, revealing variations in incidence, mortality, and prognosis. Eastern and Central Europe displayed the highest burden. Males exhibited a significantly higher risk compared to females. Age-related disparities existed in life expectancy and time to achieve favorable outcomes. HPV emerged as a growing risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. Public health strategies should target modifiable risk factors and improve early detection.ConclusionThis review reveals concerning disparities in European OSCC. Region, sex, and age all influence burden and prognosis. Future research should focus on controlling risk factors and personalized medicine to optimize treatment. This will lead to a Europe with reduced OSCC incidence and demonstrably better patient outcomes.

The chronic wound characterisation study and biobank: a study protocol for a prospective observational cohort investigation of bacterial community composition, inflammatory responses and wound-healing trajectories in non-healing wounds

IntroductionChronic wounds affect 1%–2% of the global population, with rising incidence due to ageing and lifestyle-related diseases. Bacterial biofilms, found in 80% of chronic wounds, and scattered single-cell bacteria may...

An expert consensus on the most effective components of integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy for lifestyle behaviour change: protocol for an online modified Delphi study

IntroductionBehaviour change interventions are advocated as a key approach to manage behavioural risk factors such as insufficient physical activity, poor diet and smoking. Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy...

Exploring the application status of qualitative studies in the research area of acupuncture: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionWith the wide development of acupuncture clinical practice, acupuncture research has been conducted worldwide, of which the most common method is quantitative study. However, research questions around acupuncture cannot always...

Impact of dual sensory impairment on the risk of incident dementia: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionStrong evidence supports the importance of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, with sensory loss, particularly visual and hearing impairment, being prominent among them. While single sensory impairment has been...

Developing the ‘Life Threads’ approach to support families after traumatic brain injury in UK community settings: protocol for a qualitative prefeasibility study

IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) brings about inevitable and significant changes for family members. Mental health effects for family members are well documented but there are significant gaps in support options...