OAR@UM Community:

Artificial intelligence and medicine

2024-01-12T08:39:15Z

Title: Artificial intelligence and medicine Abstract: Currently, a ‘hot’ debate circulating throughout the more serious international media platforms focuses on the downside – or potential downside – of artificial intelligence (AI). The doomsday view warns that AI will become smarter than mankind and, essentially, become uncontrollable and take over the planet! Indeed, one AI expert has suggested that, since AI-driven processes will be far more accessible and will be put to nefarious use with relative ease by erstwhile crooks, it will become more dangerous than nuclear weapons where access and safeguards against their injudicious use is so great. In stark contrast, the use of AI-based methodology to identify Abaucin, a potentially highly effective antibiotic against acinobacter bauinaemii, was recently heralded on BBC radio as a groundbreaking advance in the fight against superbugs. Certainly, by using rapid gene sequencing, AI speeded up the selection process of this antibiotic from amongst hundreds of other potential contenders and curtailed the pre-clinical trial research period that would otherwise have taken several years. Clinical trials have yet to start and will still be required to verify the efficacy of this promising drug. Similar areas where AI-based technology has been applied include vaccine research (e.g. for RSV, Ebola), management and prediction in type 1 diabetes, diagnosing retinal disorders and increasing early detection of sepsis by up to 20%.

Restorative dentistry considerations in the geriatric dentistry : systematic review

2024-01-12T08:27:25Z

Title: Restorative dentistry considerations in the geriatric dentistry : systematic review Authors: Rahbar, Mahdi; Pourtarrah, Mojtaba; Tahmasbi, Elaheh; Bakhtiari, Afsaneh; Yazdanian, Mohsen; Hajmohammadi, Emran Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: As the number of elderly people visiting dental clinics increases, it is essential to have sufficient information on the correct treatment as well as the appropriate treatment plan for these patients. Therefore, the present study aimed at reviewing the most important restorative considerations for the elderly.; METHOD: In this systematic review study, databases such as Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Google scholar, as well as Iranian databases were searched with the keywords of elderly dentistry and restorative considerations. Inclusion criteria were original articles and reviews related to restorative dentistry considerations for the elderly without a time limit and being written in either English or Persian. In order to combine the results of the research, a thematic content analysis method was applied.; RESULTS: The total number of documents recovered was 4208, the number of duplicate documents was 2042, and the number of documents reviewed was 17. The most important considerations related to the elderly included giving due attention to medical and social conditions, medication use, type of restorative teeth, level of restoration involved, use of dentures, age and gender, oral cancer screening, tooth decay education and prevention, and oral hygiene. The most important considerations related to restorative methods and materials were applying minimally invasive methods such as ART, more durable restorative materials, and giving due attention to the aesthetic and non-aesthetic needs of the elderly in choosing restorative materials. The most important considerations related to dentists were the differences in applying restorative methods and materials by experienced dentists in comparison younger dentists and the rate of referral of elderly people to dental centers.; CONCLUSION: The most important dental considerations of the elderly are using minimally invasive methods and restorative materials with easy maintenance which are washable according to their social, economic, medical, gender, and age conditions. It is also necessary to consider the prevention of tooth decay and provide the required training for families and their caregivers in nursing homes. The elderly people are also required to avoid change their dentists frequently to maintain their oral health.

Diagnosis and growth dynamics of adrenal incidentalomas : a 6-month retrospective analysis

2024-01-12T07:33:13Z

Title: Diagnosis and growth dynamics of adrenal incidentalomas : a 6-month retrospective analysis Authors: Giordano Imbroll, Miriam; Bonello, Maria; Mifsud, Simon; Vassallo, Josanne; Gruppetta, Mark Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Adrenal incidentalomas are adrenal masses discovered incidentally on imaging studies originally not performed for suspected adrenal disease.; AIM: To characterise a cohort of adrenal incidentalomas found on CT imaging the adrenal region.; METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis, taking into account all the adrenal incidentalomas discovered on CT between July and December 2014 at Mater Dei Hospital. Only lesion greater than 1cm were included in the study. These were then classified according to their radiological features. Previous CT scans and any CT scans done after the study period were also reviewed to establish any change is size of the lesions.; RESULTS: A total of 9100 CT scans were reviewed and adrenal incidentalomas were identified in 296 patients. 216 incidentalomas could be adequately classified and included in the study; 80.1% were confirmed adenomas, 12.9% metastasis, 5.6% myelolipomas and 1.3% ganglioneuromas. 49.1% of patients with an adenoma were males as opposed to 71.4% in the metastasis group. Bilateral lesions were commoner in the metastasis group (9% in adenoma vs 18% in metastasis group). Longest median radiological diameter was 18mm (IQR 14.0-24.0) in the adenoma group and 26.0mm (IQR 16.0-36.0) in the metastasis group (P<0.001). Median follow up in the adenoma group was longer in the adenoma group 20.9 months (IQR 4.5-39.0) vs 11.2 months (IQR 0-29.3) in the metastasis group (P<0.001). Median change in size was also statistically significant: 0.0mm (IQR -1-0.8) in the adenoma as compared to 22.5mm (IQR 12.5-30) in the metastasis group (P<0.001).; CONCLUSION: This study continues to confirm that adrenal adenomas are the commonest adrenal lesion encountered in clinical practice and the majority, by far remain stable in size over time.

The impact of appointment interruptions due to COVID-19 in patients being treated with phototherapy

2024-01-12T07:26:07Z

Title: The impact of appointment interruptions due to COVID-19 in patients being treated with phototherapy Authors: Darmanin, Nicola; Cachia, Monique; Scerri, Lawrence; Sammut, Josephine; Zammit, Francis Abstract: The phototherapy unit in Malta, previously located at Sir Boffa Hospital in Floriana, had an annual turnover of around 11 thousand visits. Many of these patients suffer from moderate-to-severe psoriasis (plaque, guttate and palmo-plantar), but other indications include eczema, mycosis fungoides, morphea and others. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic this phototherapy unit was closed and treatment of patients receiving light therapy was forced to cease. The aim of this short study was to follow up patients previously receiving phototherapy, to assess the effect of the abrupt halt in treatment on their clinical condition and their quality of life. In summary, closure of the service has led to a general worsening of patients’ clinical condition, with 54.21% of the patients interviewed having felt worse whilst off treatment when compared to being on treatment 3 months prior, and 4 of the 83 individuals (4.8%) having to be placed on systemic immunosuppressant agents.