Incorporating AI into the Inner Circle of Emotional Intelligence for Sustainability

This paper delves into the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and emotional intelligence (EQ) by analyzing the frameworks of international sustainability agendas driven by UNESCO, WEF, and UNICEF. It explores the potential of AI integrated with EQ to effectively address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. The integration of EQ into AI use is pivotal in using AI to improve educational outcomes and health services, as emphasized by UNESCO and UNICEF’s significant initiatives. This paper highlights the evolving role of AI in understanding and managing human emotions, particularly in personalizing education and healthcare. It proposes that the ethical use of AI, combined with EQ principles, has the power to transform societal interactions and decision-making processes, leading to a more inclusive, sustainable, and healthier global community. Furthermore, this paper considers the ethical dimensions of AI deployment, guided by UNESCO’s recommendations on AI ethics, which advocate for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI developments. It also examines the World Economic Forum’s insights into AI’s potential to revolutionize learning and healthcare in underserved populations, emphasizing the significance of fair AI advancements. By integrating perspectives from prominent global organizations, this paper offers a strategic approach to combining AI with EQ, enhancing the capacity of AI systems to meaningfully address global challenges. In conclusion, this paper advocates for the establishment of a new Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 18, focused on the ethical integration of AI and EQ across all sectors, ensuring that technology advances the well-being of humanity and global sustainability

Preadolescents and Their Mothers as Oral Health-Promoting Actors : Non-biologic Determinants of Oral Health among Turkish and Finnish Preadolescents

Is oral health becoming a part of the global health culture? Oral health seems to turn out to be part of the global health culture, according to the findings of a thesis-research, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki. The thesis is entitled as “Preadolescents and Their Mothers as Oral Health-Promoting Actors: Non-biologic Determinants of Oral Health among Turkish and Finnish Preadolescents.” The research was supervised by Prof.Murtomaa and led by Dr.A.Basak Cinar. It was conducted as a cross-sectional study of 611 Turkish and 223 Finnish school preadolescents in Istanbul and Helsinki, from the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, aged 10 to 12, based on self-administered and pre-tested health behavior questionnaires for them and their mothers as well as the youth’s oral health records. Clinically assessed dental status (DMFT) and self-reported oral health of Turkish preadolescents was significantly poorer than the Finns`. A similar association occurred for well-being measures (height and weight, self-esteem), but not for school performance. Turkish preadolescents were more dentally anxious and reported lower mean values of toothbrushing self-efficacy and dietary self-efficacy than did Finns. The Turks less frequently reported recommended oral health behaviors (twice daily or more toothbrushing, sweet consumption on 2 days or less/week, decreased between-meal sweet consumption) than did the Finns. Turkish mothers reported less frequently dental health as being above average and recommended oral health behaviors as well as regular dental visits. Their mean values for dental anxiety was higher and self-efficacy on implementation of twice-daily toothbrushing were lower than those of the Finnish. Despite these differences between the Turks and Finns, the associations found in common for all preadolescents, regardless of cultural differences and different oral health care systems, assessed for the first time in a holistic framework, were as follows: There seems to be interrelation between oral health and general-well being (body height-weight measures, school performance, and self-esteem) among preadolescents: • The body height was an explanatory factor for dental health, underlining the possible common life-course factors for dental health and general well-being. • Better school performance, high levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy were interrelated and they contributed to good oral health. • Good school performance was a common predictor for twice-daily toothbrushing. Self-efficacy and maternal modelling have significant role for maintenance and improvement of both oral- and general health- related behaviors. In addition, there is need for integration of self-efficacy based approaches to promote better oral health. • All preadolescents with high levels of self-efficacy were more likely to report more frequent twice-daily toothbrushing and less frequent sweet consumption. • All preadolescents were likely to imitate toothbrushing and sweet consumption behaviors of their mothers. • High levels of self-efficacy contributed to low dental anxiety in various patterns in both groups. As a conclusion: • Many health-detrimental behaviors arise from the school age years and are unlikely to change later. Schools have powerful influences on children’s development and well-being. Therefore, oral health promotion in schools should be integrated into general health promotion, school curricula, and other activities. • Health promotion messages should be reinforced in schools, enabling children and their families to develop lifelong sustainable positive health-related skills (self-esteem, self-efficacy) and behaviors. • Placing more emphasis on behavioral sciences, preventive approaches, and community-based education during undergraduate studies should encourage social responsibility and health-promoting roles among dentists. Attempts to increase general well-being and to reduce oral health inequalities among preadolescents will remain unsuccessful if the individual factors, as well as maternal and societal influences, are not considered by psycho-social holistic approaches.The present study aimed to investigate how non-biologic determinants of oral health (behavior, cognition, and affect, maternal and societal influences) are interrelated with each other and with oral health among preadolescents in two different oral health care and cultural settings, Turkey and Finland. In addition, the association of their general well-being with their oral health was assessed. The cross-sectional study of Turkish (n=611) and Finnish (n=223) school preadolescents in Istanbul and Helsinki, from the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, aged 10 to 12, was based on self-administered and pre-tested health behavior questionnaires for them and their mothers as well as the youth’s oral health records. Both questionnaires assessed self-reported dental health and oral health behaviors along with cognitive-affective factors (self-efficacy and dental anxiety). In addition, health behavior questionnaires for preadolescents (PHBQ) included questions of self-esteem and self-reported gingival health, whereas those for mothers (MHBQ) surveyed societal factors, dietary habits and body-weight of preadolescents. PHBQ were completed in classes, whereas MHBQ were carried to and from home. Dental examinations in Turkey based on World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria (1997) were carried out in the classrooms 2 weeks after the questionnaire survey by two calibrated pediatric dentists. Finns´ oral health data came with permission from records at the Helsinki City Health Department. Among the Turks, response rate for PHBQ was 97% (n=591) and 87% for the MHBQ (n=533). The corresponding Finnish rates were 65% (n=223) and 53% (n=182). Participation in oral health examinations was 95% for the Turkish (n=584) and 65% for the Finnish (n=223). Clinically assessed dental status (DMFT) and self-reported oral health of Turkish preadolescents was significantly poorer than the Finns`. A similar association occurred for well-being measures (height and weight, self-esteem), but not for school performance. Turkish preadolescents were more dentally anxious and reported lower mean values of toothbrushing self-efficacy (TBSE) and dietary self-efficacy (DSE) than did Finns. The Turks less frequently reported recommended oral health behaviors (twice daily or more toothbrushing, sweet consumption on 2 days or less/week, decreased between-meal sweet consumption) than did the Finns. In both groups, those with high TBSE were more likely to practice the recommended toothbrushing. Similarly, all with high DSE were more likely to report recommended toothbrushing and sweet consumption. High levels of TBSE and DSE contributed to low dental anxiety in various patterns in both groups. Turkish mothers less frequently reported dental health as being above average and recommended oral health behaviors as well as regular dental visits (once within 12 months). Their mean values for dental anxiety were higher and self-efficacy on implementation of twice-daily toothbrushing were lower than for the Finnish mothers. All preadolescents were likely to imitate toothbrushing and sweet consumption behaviors of their mothers. In both groups, those who reported high TBSE were more likely to have mothers who practiced recommended toothbrushing. Among Finns, high maternal self-efficacy and low dental anxiety contributed positively to preadolescent’s recommended toothbrushing and high TBSE. Among the Turks, high maternal dental anxiety contributed to that of their children. Among Turks, the mothers of public school preadolescents reported a poorer societal profile and oral health behaviors than did mothers of private school preadolescents. Public school preadolescents were more likely to imitate non-recommended toothbrushing and sweet-consumption behaviors of their mothers, whereas their counterparts in private school followed a similar trend for recommended maternal toothbrushing behavior. Self-esteem and school performance were positively correlated with TBSE and DSE in both groups. Clustering between high self-esteem and low preadolescent- and maternal dental anxiety occurred in various patterns for Turks and Finns. Societal factors contributed to self-esteem among the Turks. Among all preadolescents, good school performance was a common predictor for recommended toothbrushing. Oral health and well-being of preadolescents were interrelated. In both groups, DMFT was negatively correlated with better school performance. Body height and the societal factors were the common explanatory variables accounting for DMFT s. TBSE and school performance contributed positively to self-reported dental health, in common, among all preadolescents. High self-esteem and less frequent maternal sweet consumption among Finns, decreased number of children in the family, and recommended preadolescent toothbrushing among Turks were the other contributors to self-reported good dental health. In the present study, non-biologic determinants of oral health were interrelated and related to well-being measures in various patterns, and these all contributed to the oral health of preadolescents. Based on these findings, a need exists for improvement in Turkish preadolescents’ and their mothers’ oral health behaviors, cognition, and affect. The paired associations separately studied in the literature; self-efficacy─behavior, child─mother health behavior, general well-being─oral health, self-esteem─school performance, were all found in a holistic theoretical framework, regardless of different cultural, socio-economic, and health-care systems in the two countries, Turkey and Finland. This may indicate that the respective associations are turning out to be part of the global health culture, and therefore a need exists for similar further research including the complex interaction pathways between these associations in countries with different developmental, cultural, and health-care characteristics. Clarifying these complex relations by psychosocial holistic approaches in different cultural settings and socio-economic contexts may provide a multidimensional understanding of preadolescents’ oral health behavior that will provide enhancement of their well-being and oral health

Imperforate Hymen Causing Bilateral Hydroureteronephrosis in an Infant with Bicornuate Uterus

A rare case of imperforate hymen associated with bicornuate uterus in an infant is presented as a cause of bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and pelvic mass in infancy. The importance of postoperative radiologic evaluation for diagnosis of accompanying uterine abnormalities is introduced. A 8-month-old girl with restlessness and intermittent fever was brought to the daily outpatient clinic by her parents. Ultrasound exam showed bilateral grade 4 hydroureteronephrosis and a large cystic pelvic mass. Magnetic resonance scan of the pelvis revealed marked hematocolpos. A cruciate incision was made over the hymen under general anesthesia. During a 6-month followup gradual resolution of bilateral hydroureteronephrosis was documented. Although the details of the uterine anomaly were obscured in preoperative imaging, postoperative US and MR demonstrated bicornuate uterus. Postoperative pelvic radiologic examination is highly recommended to verify the resolution of hematocolpos and to screen for any concomitant anomalies that can have long-term clinical significance

Nieinwazyjny pomiar ilości tkanki tłuszczowej trzewnej metodą ultrasonograficzną — potencjalne zastosowanie w ocenie zaawansowania subklinicznej miażdżycy u mężczyzn z niedoczynnością przysadki i niedoborem hormonu wzrostu

Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) deficiency, either isolated or combined with other pituitary hormone deficiencies, is associated with increased mortality and abnormal body composition, particularly visceral adiposity. We aimed to investigate the effects of GH deficiency with or without sex steroid deficiencies on ultrasonographic visceral fat (VF) and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with hypopituitarism on conventional hormone replacement therapy.Material and methods: Forty hypopituitarism patients (24 women, 16 men; mean age 48 ± 16.1 years) with GH deficiency and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were stable on conventional hormone replacement but they were not on GH therapy. Patients who had sex steroid replacement were classified as Group 1 (n = 19), and patients who did not use sex steroids were classified as Group 2 (n = 21). Anthropometric measurements were performed. VF in three regions, subcutaneous fat, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were measured. VF volume was calculated by using a formula.Results: Visceral fat volume and mean CIMT were significantly higher in patients than healthy controls (p = 0.001 and 0.019 respectively). Homocysteine and hs-CRP were higher in patients (p < 0.05). In males, VF volume and VF thickness measured between abdominal muscle and splenic vein were significantly correlated with CIMT (r = 0.54, p = 0.047 and r = 0.66, p = 0.010 respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between VF thickness in pararenal region and homocysteine (r = 0.74, p = 0.001) in males.Conclusions: VF volume evaluated by ultrasound can be accepted as a cause of subclinical atherosclerosis in GH deficient hypopituitary patients, particularly males.Wstęp: Niedobór hormonu wzrostu (GH, growth hormone) może występować jako zaburzenie izolowane lub współistnieć z niedoborami innych hormonów przysadki. Wszyscy pacjenci z niedoborem GH są jednak obarczeni większym ryzykiem zgonu i mają nieprawidłowy skład tkanek ciała, z tendencją do otyłości brzusznej. Celem pracy była ocena zależności pomiędzy niedoborem GH, niezależnie od ewentualnego współistnienia niedoborów hormonów płciowych a grubością tkanki tłuszczowej trzewnej (VF, visceral fat) mierzoną metodą ultrasonograficzną oraz czynnikami ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego u pacjentów z niedoczynnością przysadki, leczonych konwencjonalnymi preparatami hormonalnymi.Materiał i metody: Badanie miało charakter przekrojowy i zakwalifikowano do niego 40 pacjentów z niedoczynnością przysadki i niedoborem GH, w tym 24 kobiety, 16 mężczyzn; średni wiek badanych wynosił 48 ± 16,1 lat. Do badania włączono też 15 osób w grupie kontrolnej, dobranych pod względem płci i wieku do osób z grupy badanej. Pacjenci w grupie badanej leczeni byli konwencjonalnie preparatami hormonalnymi, ale nie otrzymywali hormonu wzrostu. Pacjenci leczeni hormonami płciowymi zostali włączeni do grupy 1 (n = 19), a pacjenci nie otrzymujący takich preparatów do grupy 2 (n = 21). U wszystkich wykonano badania antropometryczne. Wykonywano pomiar grubości VF w trzech miejscach, badano grubość podskórnej tkanki tłuszczowej oraz grubość warstwy wewnętrznej i środkowej ściany tętnicy szyjnej (CIMT, carotid intima-media thickness). Objętość VF wyliczano według wzoru.Wyniki: U pacjentów w grupie badanej stwierdzono znamiennie większą objętość trzewnej tkanki tłuszczowej i średnią wartość CIMT w porównaniu z osobami zdrowymi (odpowiednio p = 0,001 i p = 0,019). Stężenie homocysteiny i hs-CRP były również większe w grupie badanej (p < 0,05). U mężczyzn stwierdzono istotną korelację pomiędzy objętością VF i grubością VF mierzoną pomiędzy mięśniami brzucha a żyłą śledzionową a wartością CIMT (odpowiednio r = 0,54 i p = 0,047 oraz r = 0,66 i p = 0,010). Ponadto, u mężczyzn stwierdzono wyraźną zależność pomiędzy grubością VF w okolicy nerek a stężeniem homocysteiny (r = 0,74 i p = 0,001).Wnioski: Objętość VF mierzona ultrasonograficznie może być wykładnikiem subklinicznie toczącej się miażdżycy u pacjentów z niedoborem hormonu wzrostu na skutek niedoczynności przysadki, w szczególności u mężczyzn