Ocular biomarkers: useful incidental findings by deep learning algorithms in fundus photographs.

Background/objectives: Artificial intelligence can assist with ocular image analysis for screening and diagnosis, but it is not yet capable of autonomous full-spectrum screening. Hypothetically, false-positive results may have unrealized screening potential arising from signals persisting despite training and/or ambiguous signals such as from biomarker overlap or high comorbidity. The study aimed to explore the potential to detect clinically useful incidental ocular biomarkers by screening fundus photographs of hypertensive adults using diabetic deep learning algorithms.

Locally derived traffic-related air pollution and fetal growth restriction: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Fetal growth restriction has been inconsistently associated with maternal exposure to elevated levels of traffic-related air pollution.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between an individualised measure of fetal growth and maternal exposure to a specific marker for traffic-related air pollution.

Methods: We estimated maternal residential exposure to a marker for traffic-related air pollution (nitrogen dioxide, NO2) during pregnancy for 23,452 births using temporally adjusted land-use regression.

Use of a total traffic count metric to investigate the impact of roadways on asthma severity: a case-control study.

Background: This study had two principal objectives: (i) to investigate the relationship between asthma severity and proximity to major roadways in Perth, Western Australia; (ii) to demonstrate a more accurate method of exposure assessment for traffic pollutants using an innovative GIS-based measure that fully integrates all traffic densities around subject residences.

Methods: We conducted a spatial case-control study, in which 'cases' were defined as individuals aged under 19 years of age with more severe asthma (defined here as two or more emergency department contacts with asthma in a defined 5-year period) versus age- and gender-matched 'controls' with less severe asthma (defined here as one emergency department contact for asthma). Traffic exposures were measured using a GIS-based approach to determine the lengths of the roads falling within a buffer area, and then multiplying them by their respective traffic counts.

Associations between Helicobacter pylori infection, co-morbid infections, gastrointestinal symptoms, and circulating cytokines in African children.

Background: Refugee children have complex medical needs and often have multiple infections. The relationship between infection, gastrointestinal symptoms, and systemic inflammation is poorly understood. We investigated these parameters in refugee children with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, helminth, and malaria infection.

An insight into the relationships between hepcidin, anemia, infections and inflammatory cytokines in pediatric refugees: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron homeostasis, is increased in response to inflammation and some infections, but the in vivo role of hepcidin, particularly in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is unclear. We investigated the relationships between hepcidin, cytokines and iron status in a pediatric population with a high prevalence of both anemia and co-morbid infections.

Methodology/principal Findings: African refugee children <16 years were consecutively recruited at the initial post-resettlement health check with 181 children meeting inclusion criteria.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in a high-prevalence pediatric population: a comparison of 2 fecal antigen testing methods and serology.

Objectives: Accurate methods for diagnosing active Helicobacter pylori infection in children have been limited to invasive or time-consuming techniques. Recently, fecal antigen testing has been used successfully for the diagnosis of H pylori infection in the pediatric population. We compared 2 monoclonal fecal antigen diagnostic methods in a population of children with a suspected high prevalence of H pylori infection.