Artificial Intelligence-based methods in head and neck cancer diagnosis : an overview

Background This paper reviews recent literature employing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) methods for diagnostic evaluation of head and neck cancers (HNC) using automated image analysis. Methods Electronic database searches using MEDLINE via OVID, EMBASE and Google Scholar were conducted to retrieve articles using AI/ML for diagnostic evaluation of HNC (2009–2020). No restrictions were placed on the AI/ML method or imaging modality used. Results In total, 32 articles were identified. HNC sites included oral cavity (n = 16), nasopharynx (n = 3), oropharynx (n = 3), larynx (n = 2), salivary glands (n = 2), sinonasal (n = 1) and in five studies multiple sites were studied. Imaging modalities included histological (n = 9), radiological (n = 8), hyperspectral (n = 6), endoscopic/clinical (n = 5), infrared thermal (n = 1) and optical (n = 1). Clinicopathologic/genomic data were used in two studies. Traditional ML methods were employed in 22 studies (69%), deep learning (DL) in eight studies (25%) and a combination of these methods in two studies (6%). Conclusions There is an increasing volume of studies exploring the role of AI/ML to aid HNC detection using a range of imaging modalities. These methods can achieve high degrees of accuracy that can exceed the abilities of human judgement in making data predictions. Large-scale multi-centric prospective studies are required to aid deployment into clinical practice

Abstract P5-01-07: Oxyhemoglobin Flare after the First Day of Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Predicts Overall Response

Abstract Background: Breast cancer patients who do not respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy undergo months of unwarranted side effects. Early, non-invasive markers of response would provide physicians a valuable tool to make evidence-based changes to treatment strategies. Methods: Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging (DOSI) was used to measure hemodynamic and metabolic information from tumors and surrounding normal tissue in 23 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. DOSI uses temporally modulated near-infrared light to determine absolute tissue molar concentrations of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, as well as water and lipid content and requires no exogenous contrast agent. Measurements are made using a simple handheld probe placed on the skin. Each measurement takes less than one minute and multiple measurements are made in a grid pattern over the tumor and surrounding normal areas of the breast. Functional images of the breast tissue are made and compared over sequential time points. Measurements were made before the start of treatment and during the first week after the first infusion. Patients received either doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide (AC) or paclitaxel + carboplatin at their first infusion. Overall response to therapy was determined by the decrease in anatomic tumor size. Results: A flare in tumoral oxyhemoglobin concentration occurred on day 1 after the start of chemotherapy in patients achieving a partial (PR) or pathologic complete response (pCR). Oxyhemoglobin concentration increased 44.5% (± 46.1% SD) in PR patients (n=11) and 41.4% (± 39.1% SD) in pCR patients (n=8) (see figure 1). Nonresponding (NR) patients (n=5) exhibited no oxyhemoglobin flare and an average decrease in concentration of -22.5% (± 5.10% SD) was observed on day 1. This flare was sufficient to perfectly discriminate non-responding patients from responding patients in this study cohort. Additionally, the spatial extend of elevated oxyhemoglobin over the anatomic tumor location increased during the flare. The oxyhemoglobin flare was observed in all responding patients regardless of specific chemotherapy regimen received, receptor status, age, tumor size and tumor grade. Discussion: We have shown, in this patient cohort, that a non-invasive optical measure can discriminate non-responding tumors on the first day after the start of neoadjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. The observed flare in oxyhemoglobin may be due to either decreased cellular metabolism and subsequent decrease in conversion of oxy to deoxyhemoglobin, or to a transient increase in perfusion to the tumor. Increased perfusion may be due to an acute inflammatory response, characterized by vessel dilation and increased vascular permeability, and triggered by tumor cell-damage. Future studies will confirm these initial findings and help to elucidate the biological causes of the observed oxyhemoglobin flare. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-07.</jats:p

Educational use of facebook: A comparison of worldwide examples and Turkish context

In addition to profoundly impacting the way people communicate and interact with each other, Facebook, as the leading social network site, has also radically reshaped how people access information and knowledge. Therefore, numerous studies regarding Facebook effect on various domains of life have been carried out. One such domain is education. Seeing the popularity of Facebook among learners, researchers across the world have sought to understand the effects of Facebook on educational settings. For this reason, this article aims to review the current research studies focusing on the utility of Facebook in educational settings providing a comparison between the global and the Turkish contexts. This research review firstly reports students’ Facebook usage profile such as (a) reasons for using Facebook, (b) the amount of time spent on Facebook, (c) the kind of personal information shared on Facebook and (d) students’ privacy and security awareness on Facebook. Furthermore, this study explores both educational benefits and concerns highlighted by the current literature regarding Facebook use in educational settings focusing on a comparison of the global and the Turkish context

The use of social media in anatomical and health professional education: a systematic review

Social media is used by many students at universities, with sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube being the most popular. Initially these social networking sites were mainly used for recreational purposes, but they have been increasingly used in an educational setting. Educators in the anatomical sciences and health professions have utilised many forms of technology to supplement and enhance a student’s learning. However, the true effectiveness of using social media in anatomical and health professions education has not been fully explored. It has been hypothesised that social media in anatomical sciences and health professional education could enhance learner engagement, raise morale, relieve anxieties and improve communication. However, the evidence is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to undertake a comprehensive literature review to examine the effectiveness, or otherwise, of these tools when implemented. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method for reviewing the literature. By using specific keywords and using Google Scholar, PubMed, ERIC and OVID, we performed an extensive literature search to examine the use of social media in anatomical sciences and health professional education. A total of 155 studies were identified in this systematic review, with 99 studies investigating a variety of social networking sites being included. Overall, the evidence is supportive, with 79.8% of the studies supporting the use social media in education. Furthermore, when the use of social media in the anatomical sciences and health professional was investigated, the majority of studies advocated for its implementation. Despite this, there are some factors that limit the significance of these results, and the amount of evidence was indeed limited. Additional research must be carried out if social media is to influence modern pedagogical practices, with more focus on how the intervention affects academic achievement