Deep learning has recently achieved remarkable results in the field of medical imaging. However, as a deep learning network becomes deeper to improve its performance, it becomes more difficult to interpret the processes within. This can especially be a critical problem in medical fields where diagnostic decisions are directly related to a patient's survival. In order to solve this, explainable artificial intelligence techniques are being widely studied, and an attention mechanism was developed as part of this approach. In this paper, attention techniques are divided into two types: post hoc attention, which aims to analyze a network that has already been trained, and trainable attention, which further improves network performance. Detailed comparisons of each method, examples of applications in medical imaging, and future perspectives will be covered.

Deep learning has recently achieved remarkable results in the field of medical imaging. However, as a deep learning network becomes deeper to improve its performance, it becomes more difficult to interpret the processes within. This can especially be a critical problem in medical fields where diagnostic decisions are directly related to a patient's survival. In order to solve this, explainable artificial intelligence techniques are being widely studied, and an attention mechanism was developed as part of this approach. In this paper, attention techniques are divided into two types: post hoc attention, which aims to analyze a network that has already been trained, and trainable attention, which further improves network performance. Detailed comparisons of each method, examples of applications in medical imaging, and future perspectives will be covered.

This review focused on the research published to date on the treatment of phalangeal fractures according to the anatomical location of the finger bones, excluding the thumb. In many finger fracture cases, conservative treatment should be prioritized over surgical treatment. The three determinants of surgical treatment are the presence of an intra-articular fracture, the stability of the fracture itself, and the degree of damage to the surrounding soft tissues. Surgical treatment is recommended when bone fragments of 3 mm or more and distal phalanx subluxation are present in the bony mallet finger, and the main surgical treatment is closed reduction and extension block pin fixation. It is essential to pay attention to rotational deformation asf ractures occur proximally. Since intra-articular fractures can cause stiffness and arthritis in the future, a computed tomography scan is recommended to confirm the fracture pattern. These fractures require anatomical reduction of the bone fragments within the joint, and the instability of the joint itself must be corrected. There are no superior surgical treatment methods. It is therefore advantageous for the surgeon to select a surgical method that he is familiar with and confident of performing, considering the fracture itself and various patient-related clinical factors. Nonunion is rare as a complication of a finger fracture, and finger stiffness is the most common complication. Ensuring rapid joint movement as soon as possible can reduce finger stiffness.

Background: Although poor oral health is a common comorbidity in individuals with airflow limitation (AFL), few studies have comprehensively evaluated this association. Furthermore, the association between oral health and the severity of AFL has not been well elucidated. Methods: Using a population-based nationwide survey, we classified individuals according to the presence or absence of AFL defined as pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity < 0.7. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we evaluated the association between AFL severity and the number of remaining teeth; the presence of periodontitis; the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index; and denture wearing. Results: Among the 31,839 participants, 14% had AFL. Compared with the control group, the AFL group had a higher proportion of periodontitis (88.8% vs. 79.4%), complete denture (6.2% vs. 1.6%), and high DMFT index (37.3% vs. 27.8%) (P < 0.001 for all). In multivariable analyses, denture status: removable partial denture (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04–1.20) and complete denture (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.01– 2.05), high DMFT index (aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02–1.24), and fewer permanent teeth (0–19;aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.12–1.52) were significantly associated with AFL. Furthermore, those with severe to very severe AFL had a significantly higher proportion of complete denture (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.11–3.71) and fewer remaining teeth (0–19; aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.57–3.01). Conclusion Denture wearing, high DMFT index, and fewer permanent teeth are significantly associated with AFL. Furthermore, a reduced number of permanent teeth (0–19) was significantly related to the severity of AFL. Therefore, physicians should pay attention to oral health in managing patients with AFL, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate changes of subjective medication satisfaction and clinical benefit after once-daily paliperidone extended release (ER) in treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: In an open-label, observational, and multicenter study, 374 patients with schizophrenia who switched to paliperidone ER due to any reason were recruited. Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement and visual analogue scale for sleep (VAS) were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment. We also examined the type, frequency, and severity of adverse events newly formed. RESULTS: Among 374 patients, 320 patients (76.5%) were included in the intent-to-treat analysis set. The mean dose of paliperidone ER was 5.33+/-2.31 mg/day at the initiation. At the endpoint, the mean dose of paliperidone ER was 6.68+/-3.13 mg/day. The percentages of patients satisfied with medication were changed from 40.9% at baseline to 67.8% at endpoint (p<0.001). Both CGI-S scores and VAS for daytime drowsiness were significantly decreased after 8 weeks (both p<0.0001) and mean scores of MSQ and VAS for sleep quality were improved after 8 weeks (both p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: After switching to paliperidone ER, 67.8% of patients with schizophrenia who had any reason to switch medication showed subjective satisfaction for medication and clinical improvement without significant adverse events. Regarding that medication satisfaction was associated with changes of clinical states, medication satisfaction can be used for measures for clinical scales in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Humans ; Isoxazoles ; Prospective Studies ; Pyrimidines ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Schizophrenia ; Sleep Stages ; Weights and Measures