Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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This research aims to develop an effective algorithm for diagnosing COVID-19 in chest X-rays using the transfer learning method and support vector machines. ⋯ This study confirms the importance of applying machine learning methods in medical applications and opens new perspectives for early diagnosis of infectious diseases. The practical application of the obtained results can enhance the efficiency of diagnosis and control the spread of COVID-19, as well as contribute to the development of innovative methods in medical practice.
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The clinical data management within biomedical research has gained importance over the last decade producing an increasing need of a web-based software application providing electronic data capture and clinical data management functionalities to ensure high quality data. We chose REDCap system over OpenClinica (free-distribution) to implement the electronic case report form (eCRF) at our HIV Unit. We then evaluated eCRF usability and stakeholder satisfaction in an upcoming Phase 4 clinical trial. ⋯ When adopting a new system, measuring user's perceived usability and satisfaction in a quantitative manner and with validated measures may be useful to identify users' uncovered needs and to improve future interaction user-system that will positively affect the quality of data managed in clinical research.
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Individuals living in rural or medically underserved areas (MUA) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face significant barriers to specialised pulmonary care, including pulmonologists, diagnostic spirometry, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Remote spirometry for diagnostic screening and disease monitoring may mitigate access barriers and contribute to improved COPD management in this population. This study protocol describes the proposed implementation of a Mobile Health (mHealth) intervention using Bluetooth-enabled portable spirometry combined with a mobile disease management platform. ⋯ An mHealth intervention using Bluetooth-enabled remote portable spirometry is a potential solution to expanding healthcare access and improving outcomes in under-resourced populations at risk for increased morbidity and mortality. This study will evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of mHealth and remote monitoring, including symptom reporting among at-risk under-resourced adults with COPD.
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Responses to experimental pain have suggested central and peripheral sensitisation in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent studies have proposed an algometry-derived dynamic measure of pain sensitisation, slowly repeated evoked pain (SREP), which is useful in the discrimination of painful conditions related to central sensitisation. Pain and fatigue are two symptoms that affect the general functioning of patients with SCD most significantly, however, research about experimental dynamic pain measures and their relation to the main symptoms of SCD (pain and fatigue) is still scarce. ⋯ Pain threshold and tolerance did not discriminate between patients and healthy individuals, but were useful for predicting fatigue severity in SCD. The SREP protocol provides a useful dynamic measure of pain for the discrimination and detection of enhanced pain sensitisation in patients with SCD, which could contribute to more personalised pain evaluations and treatment for these patients.
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Premenstrual syndrome is a women's health problem affecting women of reproductive age. Early traumas may have negative effects on women's health. Childhood traumas are thought to be an important risk factor for the emergence of premenstrual syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and childhood traumas in women. ⋯ Childhood traumas were found to be an important factor affecting the occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and exacerbating its symptoms. Early detection of childhood traumas may prevent long-term problems that may occur in individuals.