Multi-organ segmentation for 3D visualisation of abdominal structure to enhance learning experience in medical education and pre-surgical planning of abdominal abnormalities

Background Medical image segmentation plays an important role in assisting clinical diagnosis, as well as medical education to enhance learning anatomy and pathology. A 3D anatomical model which can be either visualised as 3D reconstruction or virtual reality views or 3D printed models adds valuable information to standard 2D visualisations for assessing the depth of the abdominal region structures and abnormalities and enhancing the learning experience. Aim. This study aims to explore the methodology and efficiency for 3D segmentation of abdominal organs comparing the abdominal region of the normal human anatomy intestinal using an open source software 3D Slicer. Methods Two CT scans of anonymised images with normal and intestinal enteritis were selected to be segmented, analysed, and converted into 3D virtual anatomical models. The models were used in comparison to assess limited areas that could not be assessed via 2D visualisation and depict differences from the soft tissue organs. Results The majority of the organs were able to be image processed and converted into 3D visualisation. Evidently, the gastrointestinal system poses varying challenges due to irregular pathway and difficulties to distinguished density value towards adjacent organs. Despite the challenge, 3D segmentation of the small and large intestines were visualised and differentiated. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilising 3D slicer for multi-organ segmentations, although it still poses many challenges and limits to soft tissue components. Further development of automatic segmentation is necessary to make the image processing and segmentation approach more practical for routine applications

The use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding: A population-based survey in Western Australia

Background: Main concerns for lactating women about medications include the safety of their breastfed infants and the potential effects of medication on quantity and quality of breast milk. While medicine treatments include conventional and complementary medicines, most studies to date have focused on evaluating the safety aspect of conventional medicines. Despite increasing popularity of herbal medicines, there are currently limited data available on the pattern of use and safety of these medicines during breastfeeding. This study aimed to identify the pattern of use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding in Perth, Western Australia, and to identify aspects which require further clinical research. Methods: This study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire validated through two pilot studies. Participants were 18 years or older, breastfeeding or had breastfed in the past 12 months. Participants were recruited from various community and health centres, and through advertising in newspapers. Simple descriptive statistics were used to summarise the demographic profile and attitudes of respondents, using the SPSS statistical software. Results: A total of 304 questionnaires from eligible participants were returned (27.2% response rate) and analysed. Amongst the respondents, 59.9% took at least one herb for medicinal purposes during breastfeeding, whilst 24.3% reported the use of at least one herb to increase breast milk supply. Most commonly used herbs were fenugreek (18.4%), ginger (11.8%), dong quai (7.9%), chamomile (7.2%), garlic (6.6%) and blessed thistle (5.9%). The majority of participants (70.1%) believed that there was a lack of information resources, whilst 43.4% perceived herbal medicines to be safer than conventional medicines. Only 28.6% of users notified their doctor of their decision to use herbal medicine (s) during breastfeeding; 71.6% had previously refused or avoided conventional medicine treatments due to concerns regarding safety of their breastfed infants. Conclusions: The use of herbal medicines is common amongst breastfeeding women, while information supporting their safety and efficacy is lacking. This study has demonstrated the need for further research into commonly used herbal medicines. Evidence-based information should be available to breastfeeding women who wish to consider use of all medicines, including complementary medicines, to avoid unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding or compromising of pharmacotherapy

Making Curriculum Visible Through a Multi-Dimensional, Interactive Curriculum Map, MyCourseMap

Universities often find it challenging to provide students with an effective and holistic view of their program and its disciplinary outcomes. To provide a transparent visualisation of the curriculum, a multi-dimensional and interactive curriculum map tool, MyCourseMap, was developed. This study utilises mixed methods to explore how prepared Australian universities are in providing explicit information on the curriculum to staff and students. Staff and students reported a lack of awareness of course learning outcomes and graduate attributes adding to the issue of students not fully comprehending how their degree is aligned with employment expectations. MyCourseMap served to help resolve these coherence and visualisation issues.Il est souvent difficile pour les universités de fournir aux étudiants une vision efficace et holistique de leur programme et de ses résultats disciplinaires. Pour donner une visualisation transparente du programme, un outil multidimensionnel et interactif de la cartographie du curriculum, MyCourseMap, a été développé. Cette étude utilise des méthodes mixtes pour explorer l'état de préparation des universités australiennes pour ce qui est de donner des informations implicites sur le programme au personnel et aux étudiants. Les étudiants et le personnel ont signalé une méconnaissance des résultats d'apprentissage des cours et des attributs des diplômés, ce qui augmente les difficultés des étudiants qui ne comprennent pas pleinement en quoi leur diplôme correspond aux attentes en matière d'emploi. L'outil MyCourseMap peut améliorer ces problèmes de cohérence et de visualisation