Technology and Health Care最新文献

Background: Deep learning has demonstrated superior performance over traditional methods for the estimation of heart rates in controlled contexts. However, in less controlled scenarios this performance seems to vary based on the training dataset and the architecture of the deep learning models.

Objectives: In this paper, we develop a deep learning-based model leveraging the power of 3D convolutional neural networks (3DCNN) to extract temporal and spatial features that lead to an accurate heart rates estimation from RGB no pre-defined region of interest (ROI) videos.

Methods: We propose a 3D DenseNet with a 3D temporal transition layer for the estimation of heart rates from a large-scale dataset of videos that appear more hospital-like and real-life than other existing facial video-based datasets.

Results: Experimentally, our model was trained and tested on this less controlled dataset and showed heart rate estimation performance with root mean square error (RMSE) of 8.68 BPM and mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.34 BPM.

Conclusion: Moreover, we show that such a model can also achieve better results than the state-of-the-art models when tested on the VIPL-HR public dataset.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a significant global health concern. Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS) has emerged as a rapid and comprehensive diagnostic tool for tuberculosis, offering advantages over traditional methods and serving as an effective alternative for drug susceptibility testing and the detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. After explore the application value of targeted next-generation sequencing technology in this patient population, providing valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 65 patients with laboratory-confirmed tuberculosis admitted to Tianjin Baodi Hospital from November 14, 2020, to February 1, 2023. Patients underwent bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) testing, including acid-fast staining, culture, and tNGS. Biopsies and histopathological examinations were performed on some patients, along with comprehensive radiological assessments for all.

Results: Among the 65 pulmonary tuberculosis patients, targeted next-generation sequencing detected pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with a positivity rate of 93.8%, significantly higher than traditional methods such as acid-fast staining, culture, and pathology. Compared to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smear, targeted next-generation sequencing demonstrated significantly higher diagnostic sensitivity (98.46% vs. 26.15%) and accuracy (98.46% vs. 26.15%).

Conclusion: Targeted next-generation sequencing, with its high sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional methods, provides unique advantages in detecting pathogens among these patients, highlighting its importance in disease management.

Background: Current treatments do not support direct exposure of fracture fragments, resulting in the inability to directly observe the articular surface during surgery for accurate reduction and firm fixation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the treatment effect of digital virtual reduction combined with individualized guide plate of lateral tibial condyle osteotomy on tibial plateau fracture involving the lateral posterior condyle collapse.

Methods: 41 patients with tibial plateau fracture involving the lateral posterior condyle collapse were recruited in the trial. All patients underwent Computed Tomography (CT) scanning before operation. After operation, fracture reduction was evaluated using Rasmussen score and function of knee joint was assessed using hospital for special surgery (HSS) score.

Results: 41 patients were followed-up 6-26 months (mean, 15.2 months). Fracture reduction was good after operation, with an average of 13.3 weeks of fracture healing without serious complications. The excellent and good rate was 97.6%. The joint movement degree was -5∘∼0∘∼135∘ with an average of 125.5∘.

Conclusions: Digital virtual reduction combined with individualized guide plate of lateral tibial condyle osteotomy was effectively for treating tibial plateau fracture involving the lateral posterior condyle collapse.

Background: Thanks to modern methods of assisted reproduction (ART), parenthood has become an attainable goal for couples in which the male partner has experienced spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the success of the treatment of infertile patients with SCI with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of cryopreserved sperm obtained by the testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) procedure.

Methods: In this retrospective study 156 infertile couples were included, in which the male partner is primarily infertile due to azoospermia. Infertile couples were divided into two groups. The first group (n= 82) includes men with SCI, and the second (n= 74) men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) as the cause of infertility. All infertile men were examined and processed in the diagnostic procedure, and based on the urological findings, surgical extraction of sperm from the testicles was indicated. Exclusion criteria were the age of women over 40 and men over 45.

Results: We found that the quality of sperm was worse in the group with SCI, compared to the group with OA, but without statistical significance. Zenica and Johnsen score (p= 0.001; p= 0.000) showed worse semen characteristics in the group with SCI.     There were no significant differences in the average number of embryos (p= 0.698), pregnancy rates per cycle (p= 0.979) and pregnancy rates per embrio transfer (ET), clinical pregnancy rates per ET (p= 0.987) and delivery rates per ET (p= 0.804) in couples with SCI, compared to couples with OA.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, the TESA and ICSI procedures can be recommended as a successful method in the treatment of male infertility caused by azoospermia due to SCI.

Background: Brain variations are responsible for developmental impairments, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). EEG signals efficiently detect neurological conditions by revealing crucial information about brain function abnormalities.

Objective: This study aims to utilize EEG data collected from both autistic and typically developing children to investigate the potential of a Graph Convolutional Neural Network (GCNN) in predicting ASD based on neurological abnormalities revealed through EEG signals.

Methods: In this study, EEG data were gathered from eight autistic children and eight typically developing children diagnosed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale at the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. EEG recording was done using a HydroCel GSN with 257 channels, and 71 channels with 10-10 international equivalents were utilized. Electrodes were divided into 12 brain regions. A GCNN was introduced for ASD prediction, preceded by autoregressive and spectral feature extraction.

Results: The anterior-frontal brain region, crucial for cognitive functions like emotion, memory, and social interaction, proved most predictive of ASD, achieving 87.07% accuracy. This underscores the suitability of the GCNN method for EEG-based ASD detection.

Conclusion: The detailed dataset collected enhances understanding of the neurological basis of ASD, benefiting healthcare practitioners involved in ASD diagnosis.

Background: The etiology of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) remains unclear.

Objective: To explore the differences in the therapeutic efficacy of pain improvement between medication therapy and laser therapy in patients with BMS.

Methods: 45 BMS patients were randomly divided into three groups: The Combination therapy group (Group A, n= 15), The Medication therapy group (Group B, n= 15), and the Laser therapy group (Group C, n= 15). The pain condition of the patients was evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the improvement in pain before and after treatment was compared among the three groups.

Results: All three groups (A, B, and C) showed a significant reduction in NRS scores after treatment, with statistically significant differences observed among the different groups. Group A exhibited the most significant improvement, with a statistically significant difference before and after treatment.

Conclusion: Laser and medication therapy are effective methods for reducing oral burning pain * symptoms, and their combined use yields more significant therapeutic effects.

Background: The etiology of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) remains unclear.

Objective: To explore the differences in the therapeutic efficacy of pain improvement between medication therapy and laser therapy in patients with BMS.

Methods: 45 BMS patients were randomly divided into three groups: The Combination therapy group (Group A, n= 15), The Medication therapy group (Group B, n= 15), and the Laser therapy group (Group C, n= 15). The pain condition of the patients was evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the improvement in pain before and after treatment was compared among the three groups.

Results: All three groups (A, B, and C) showed a significant reduction in NRS scores after treatment, with statistically significant differences observed among the different groups. Group A exhibited the most significant improvement, with a statistically significant difference before and after treatment.

Conclusion: Laser and medication therapy are effective methods for reducing oral burning pain * symptoms, and their combined use yields more significant therapeutic effects.

Background: The Selfit system was developed to improve the mobility and gait-related functions of stroke patients by providing digital exercises and augmented reality training system.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a digital exercise and augmented reality training system on mobility, gait-related functions and self-efficacy outcomes in stroke patients.

Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted on 25 men and women diagnosed with an early sub-acute stroke. Patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (N= 11) or the control groups (N= 14). Patients in the intervention group received a digital exercise and augmented reality training using the Selfit system in addition to the standard physical therapy treatment. Patients in the control group were treated with a conventional physical therapy program. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, 10-meter walk test, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and the Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale were completed before and after the intervention. Feasibility and satisfaction among patients and therapists were also assessed after the completion of the study.

Results: The intervention group practiced proportionally more time per session than the control group with a mean change of 19.7% following 6 sessions (p= 0.002). The intervention group showed better improvement in post-TUG score compared to the control group (p= 0.04). ABC, DGI, and the 10-meter walk test scores were not significantly different between the groups. Both therapists and participants demonstrated high satisfaction with the Selfit system.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Selfit holds promise as an effective intervention for improving mobility and gait-related functions among patients with an early sub-acute stroke as compared to conventional physical therapy treatments.

Background: White spot lesions (WSLs) appear as white, opaque areas on the teeth and are caused by a demineralization of the enamel.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has beneficial effects on WSLs and provides remineralizing benefits that are superior to those of placebo or no treatment.

Methods: Following a thorough analysis of the literature across major online sources, 103 papers - 54 of which underwent in-depth evaluation - were found. We used inclusion and exclusion criteria to choose research articles that were appropriate for our review.

Results: 10 papers met this review's requirements and were subsequently included. As compared to the controls, CPP-ACP demonstrated increased efficacy in treatment of WSLs in terms of remineralisation and other parameters which included microhardness tests and enamel surface roughness. The forest plots present the results of meta-analyses comparing the effect of CPP-ACP versus control/other agents on white spot lesions (WSLs). In terms of odds ratios (OR), CPP-ACP showed a small increase in the odds of WSLs compared to control/other agents. In-vitro studies showed no significant difference in relative risk (RR) between CPP-ACP and control/other agents. Randomized control trials indicated a small increase in the risk of WSLs with CPP-ACP treatment, but the overall effect was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: There was evidence to support the use of CPP-ACP over other agents for WSL prevention or treatment, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.