Deep learning improves physician accuracy in the comprehensive detection of abnormalities on chest X-rays.

Chest X-rays are the most commonly performed medical imaging exam, yet they are often misinterpreted by physicians. Here, we present an FDA-cleared, artificial intelligence (AI) system which uses a deep learning algorithm to assist physicians in the comprehensive detection and localization of abnormalities on chest X-rays. We trained and tested the AI system on a large dataset, assessed generalizability on publicly available data, and evaluated radiologist and non-radiologist physician accuracy when unaided and aided by the AI system.

Teledentistry adoption and applications: An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey.

Background: The rise of teleworking technologies has affected various industries, including dentistry. Although some dentists have used it for some time, many are discovering the benefits of incorporating this technology to complement their existing patient care capabilities.

Methods: To assess how clinicians are using teledentistry in their practices, an electronic survey was developed and deployed to the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators (ACE) Panel on February 27, 2023.

IL-17A Enhances Retinal Neovascularization.

Retinal neovascularization occurs in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This type of retinal pathology normally occurs in the later stages of these ocular diseases and is a prevalent cause of vision loss. Previously, we determined that Interleukin (IL)-17A plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in diabetic mice.

Anti-IL17A Halts the Onset of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type I and II Diabetic Mice.

There are ~463 million diabetics worldwide, and more than half have diabetic retinopathy. Yet, treatments are still lacking for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We and others previously provided evidence that Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays a pivotal role in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Inhibition of CD40-TRAF6-dependent inflammatory activity halts the onset of diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

Diabetes initiates inflammation that can impair the retinal vasculature, and lead to diabetic retinopathy; one of the leading causes of blindness. Inflammatory pathways have been examined as potential therapeutic targets for diabetic retinopathy, but there is still a need for early-stage treatments. We hypothesized that the CD40-TNF Receptor Associated Factor 6 (TRAF6) axis plays a pivotal role in the onset of diabetic retinopathy, and that the CD40-TRAF6 axis would be a prime therapeutic target for early-stage non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Physician perceptions of drug utilization management: Results of a national survey.

The use of drug utilization management techniques such as formulary exclusions, prior authorizations, and step edits has risen sharply during the last decade, contributing to the growing burden on physicians and patients. Limited quantitative data exist, however, on physician perceptions of drug utilization management. A national survey was conducted between February 9 and March 30, 2021, targeting office-based physicians working in the United States to assess their perceptions on drug utilization management in their practice.

Out-of-Pocket Costs and Prescription Filling Behavior of Commercially Insured Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This cohort study uses a longitudinal access and adjudication data set to evaluate prescription out-of-pocket costs and filling behaviors of commercially insured individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Physician and Administrator-Reported Cost of Drug Utilization Management to Physician Practices: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: The use of drug utilization management techniques such as formulary exclusions, prior authorizations, and step edits has risen sharply during the last decade, contributing to growing administrative costs for physician practices. However, limited data exist on the extent of these administrative costs, with previous studies relying on data from over a decade ago.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess physician and practice administrator experiences with drug utilization management.

Teledentistry for Patient-centered Screening and Assessment.

Teledentistry is a powerful tool for connecting oral health providers with patients who cannot easily visit a dental office, such as patients with special health care needs. Teledentistry is a skill that must be learned and this article will review key concepts that will allow providers to be better prepared to use it within their practices. These concepts include considerations for data collection and information that is necessary for a successful teledentistry visit.

Dental Anesthesia for Medical Providers: A Novel Interprofessional Course.

Purpose: To limit the use of opioids for nontraumatic dental conditions in emergency settings, the physician assistant (PA) and dental faculty at A.T. Still University designed a course that teaches PA students to administer dental anesthesia.

Advanced Glycation End Products Associated With Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Background: Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continue to be at increased risk of cardiometabolic complications compared to HIV-uninfected individuals. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in the development and progression of cardiometabolic complications in the general population. Their role in HIV remains unclear.

Population-based return on investment of deploying transient elastography.

Objectives: To evaluate the cost savings outcomes, from the payer's perspective, of deploying vibration-controlled transient elastography/controlled attenuation parameter (VCTE/CAP) machines for detecting and monitoring fatty liver disease (FLD).

Study Design: We modeled disease transitions and costs under the current observed pathway and under an alternative pathway in which VCTE/CAP devices are adopted. Marginal savings (or costs) due to implementing the device are derived by comparing the aggregate costs between the 2 pathways.

Retinal Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Impairment Is Ablated in Diabetic Mice Receiving XMD8-92 Treatment.

The global number of diabetics continues to rise annually. As diabetes progresses, almost all of Type I and more than half of Type II diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular disease of the retina, and is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population worldwide.

Quantifying The Economic Burden Of Drug Utilization Management On Payers, Manufacturers, Physicians, And Patients.

The continuing launch of innovative but high-price drugs has intensified efforts by payers to manage use and spending and by pharmaceutical manufacturers to support patient access and sales. Payers are restricting drug formularies, requiring more stringent prior authorizations, and raising patient cost-sharing requirements. Manufacturers are investing in programs that help patients and physician practices navigate administrative controls and help patients meet cost-sharing obligations.

Interprofessional clinical training based in a federally qualified health center: a short report.

A.T. Still University and HealthPoint, a federally qualified health center, worked together to develop novel interprofessional educational clinical experiences for dental and medical students.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist VAF347 Impedes Retinal Pathogenesis in Diabetic Mice.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population worldwide. Although the cause of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial, IL-17A is a prevalent inflammatory cytokine involved in the promotion of diabetes-mediated retinal inflammation and the progression of diabetic retinopathy. The primary source of IL-17A is Th17 cells, which are T helper cells that have been differentiated by dendritic cells in a proinflammatory cytokine environment.

Teledentistry Platforms for Orthodontics.

Technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives. Smartphones enable patients to request, receive, and transmit information irrespective of the time and place. The global pandemic has forced healthcare providers to employ technology to aid in 'flattening the curve.

Implementation of teledentistry for orthodontic practices.

Recent advances in technology, growing patient demand, and the need for social distancing due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 has expedited adoption of teledentistry in orthodontics as a means of consulting and monitoring a patient without an in-office visit. However, a lack of computer literacy and knowledge of software choices, and concerns regarding patient safety and potential infringement of regulations can make venturing into this new technology intimidating. In this article, various types of teledentistry systems for orthodontic practices, implementation guidelines, and important regulatory considerations on the use of teledentistry for orthodontic purposes are discussed.

Reviewing the Evidence on Vitamin D Supplementation in the Management of Testosterone Status and Its Effects on Male Reproductive System (Testis and Prostate): Mechanistically Dazzling but Clinically Disappointing.

Purpose: Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested to increase testosterone levels. The primary purpose of this literature review was to critically assess the physiologic effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum testosterone concentrations in men and the secondary purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of vitamin D status toward urologic health (testis and prostate).

Methods: A structured literature review was performed using the Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases.

RORγt Inhibitor-SR1001 Halts Retinal Inflammation, Capillary Degeneration, and the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-mediated retinal microvascular disease that is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population worldwide. Interleukin (IL)-17A is an inflammatory cytokine that has been previously shown to play a pivotal role in the promotion and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gammaT (RORγt) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that mediates IL-17A production.

Attitudes and behaviors regarding public health of dental school graduates from A. T. Still University.

Purpose: To survey A. T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) graduates and evaluate the impact of completing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree during dental school on a dentist's practice behaviors, volunteerism, and attitudes toward dental education, practice preparedness, and the dental profession.

Dietary Amino Acids and Immunonutrition Supplementation in Cancer-Induced Skeletal Muscle Mass Depletion: A Mini-Review.

Cancer patients display systemic inflammation, which leads to an increase in protein catabolism, thus promoting the release of free amino acids to further support metabolism and remodelling of muscle proteins. Inflammation associated with tumor growth leads to malnutrition, a factor that increases the risk of developing cachexia. With cancer-induced cachexia, nutritional interventions have gained traction as a preventative method to manage this condition.

Toll-like receptor distribution in colonic epithelium and lamina propria is disrupted in HIV viremic, immune success, and failure.

Design: Since intestinal immunity and the microbiome are disrupted in HIV disease, we studied the abundance of innate immune sensors, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in the mucosa of participants with viremia, prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART), immune success (>500 CD4 T cells/μl after 2 years of ART; suppressed viremia), and immune failure (<350 CD4 T cells/μl after 2 years of ART; suppressed viremia). We hypothesized that disruption of intestinal TLR abundance and location provides a mechanism behind persistent inflammation.

Methods: Immunofluorescence for TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 on paraffin embedded biopsies from uninfected, viremic, immune success, and immune failure colons was imaged by deconvolution microscopy and quantified with MetaMorph software.