Machine learning derived retinal pigment score from ophthalmic imaging shows ethnicity is not biology.

Few metrics exist to describe phenotypic diversity within ophthalmic imaging datasets, with researchers often using ethnicity as a surrogate marker for biological variability. We derived a continuous, measured metric, the retinal pigment score (RPS), that quantifies the degree of pigmentation from a colour fundus photograph of the eye. RPS was validated using two large epidemiological studies with demographic and genetic data (UK Biobank and EPIC-Norfolk Study) and reproduced in a Tanzanian, an Australian, and a Chinese dataset.

Trends and characteristics in ketamine use among US adults with and without depression, 2015-2022.

Background: Ketamine's potential for treating depression has drawn increased clinical interest in recent years. However, despite growing therapeutic use, recreational use among individuals with depression remain underexplored.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2015-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health for adults in the US.

Factors associated with retention in Quitline counseling for smoking cessation among HIV-positive smokers receiving care at HIV outpatient clinics in Vietnam.

Background: Quitline counseling is an effective method for supporting smoking cessation, offering personalized and accessible assistance. Tobacco use is a significant public health issue among people living with HIV. In Vietnam, over 50% of men living with HIV use tobacco.

"I still can feel the sickness": Withdrawal experiences of people on methadone maintenance treatment.

Introduction: Opioid withdrawal is a regular occurrence for many people who use illicit opioids (PWUIO) involving acute physical and psychological pain. Yet, there is very little data on the withdrawal experience of people in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and almost none from the patients' experience. Learning more about patients' withdrawal experiences can help to inform policies and practices that are better suited to address withdrawal and may improve patient satisfaction as well as uptake and retention.

Implementing an artificial intelligence system into a diabetic eye screening programme in Tanzania.

Tanzania has the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. Diabetic retinopathy, a common complication, is a significant cause of vision loss; but with effective screening and treatment this often can be prevented. However, with very few specialist eye care staff in Tanzania this is a major challenge.