AI-Driven Thoracic X-ray Diagnostics: Transformative Transfer Learning for Clinical Validation in Pulmonary Radiography.

Our research evaluates advanced artificial (AI) methodologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy in pulmonary radiography. Utilizing DenseNet121 and ResNet50, we analyzed 108,948 chest X-ray images from 32,717 patients and DenseNet121 achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 94% in identifying the conditions of pneumothorax and oedema. The model's performance surpassed that of expert radiologists, though further improvements are necessary for diagnosing complex conditions such as emphysema, effusion, and hernia.

Integration of respiratory physiology and clinical reasoning in the early years of a medical curriculum: engaging with students in a large classroom setting.

Medical graduates are expected to apply scientific principles and explain the processes underlying common and important diseases. Evidence shows that integrated medical curricula, which deliver biomedical science within the context of clinical cases, facilitate student learning in preparation for practice. However, research has also shown that the student's perception of their knowledge can be lower in integrated compared to traditional courses.

The presentation and outcomes of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome in obstetrics and gynecological settings: A systematic review.

Background: Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder with clinical manifestations of bleeding diathesis, multi-organ disease and variable oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). In women, it can cause life-threatening obstetric and gynecological (OB/GYN) bleeding.

Objective: To summarize OB/GYN presentations, outcomes, and management strategies in women with HPS.

Clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospitalized pregnant women: A systematic review.

Background: Pregnant women represent a potentially high-risk population in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To summarize clinical characteristics and outcomes among pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19.

Search Strategy: Relevant databases were searched up until May 29, 2020.

Evaluation of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies among the Grade-1 children of Iqaluit.

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and allergies among Canadian Inuit children, especially those living in the arctic and subarctic areas.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among Grade 1 students attending schools in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, was conducted during the 2015/2016 school year. We used the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Children questionnaire with added questions relevant to the population.

Enhancing nuclear translocation: perspectives in inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In contrast to their use in mild-to-moderate asthma, they are less efficacious in improving lung function and controlling the underlying inflammation in COPD. In most clinical trials, corticosteroids have shown little benefit in COPD, but have shown a greater clinical effect in combination with long-acting bronchodilators.

Inhaled long-acting β2 agonists enhance glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation and efficacy in sputum macrophages in COPD.

Background: Combination inhaled therapy with long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs) and corticosteroids is beneficial in treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: In asthma, LABAs enhance glucocorticoid receptor (GR) nuclear translocation in the presence of corticosteroids. Whether this biological mechanism occurs in COPD, a relatively corticosteroid-resistant disease, is uncertain.

Importin-7 mediates glucocorticoid receptor nuclear import and is impaired by oxidative stress, leading to glucocorticoid insensitivity.

Some patients with severe inflammatory disease fail to respond to glucocorticoids, and oxidative stress contributes to this insensitivity. Importin receptors are associated with nuclear translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is essential for glucocorticoid function. We hypothesized that importin-7 is central to GR nuclear translocation and glucocorticoid sensitivity.

Restoration of corticosteroid sensitivity by p38 mitogen activated protein kinase inhibition in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from severe asthma.

Background: Severe asthma accounts for a small number of asthmatics but represents a disproportionate cost to health care systems. The underlying mechanism in severe asthma remains unknown but several mechanisms are likely to be involved because of a very heterogeneous profile. We investigated the effects of a p38MAPK inhibitor in corticosteroid sensitivity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from severe asthmatics and the profile of its responders.

Corticosteroid resistance and novel anti-inflammatory therapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current evidence and future direction.

Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, in contrast to their use in mild-to-moderate asthma, they are much less effective in enhancing lung function and have little or no effect on controlling the underlying chronic inflammation. In most clinical trials in COPD patients, corticosteroids have shown little benefit as monotherapy, but have shown a greater clinical effect in combination with long-acting bronchodilators.