UCC Student Medical Journal

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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/16257

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    The use of Artificial Intelligence in clinical diagnostics: Challenges to consider for implementation
    (UCC Medical Research and Technology Society, 04/09/2024) Cronin, Padraig
    Whilst many technological advancements have revolutionised healthcare throughout the 21st century, one of the most significant is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is generally regarded as the capability to imitate intelligent human behaviour using machines, and is based on computer science, statistics, algorithms, machine learning, information retrieval, and data science1. AI has permeated into many domains of healthcare including Clinical Diagnostics. While AI chatbots (such as those used in Babylon and Ada) are being used by patients to identify symptoms and recommend further actions in community and primary care settings, more recent advances in the technology with larger datasets have provided users access to a more extensive array of clinical conditions2. However, as these tools are constantly being developed with an ever-increasing dataset of clinical cases, certain challenges threaten the implementation of an accurate and effective model. In this article, the issue of Data Bias, and Data Handling will be examined within the context of Clinical Diagnostics, and how these factors threaten the development of such AI Healthcare tools.
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    A two-dimensional cellular automaton model of parasystole
    (UCC Medical Research and Technology Society, 04/09/2024) Kodancha, Megha
    Under normal cardiac conditions, the sinoatrial node is the pacemaking region which initiates depolarization in the heart; in parasystole, there also exists an ectopic pacemaker which may initiate depolarization waves. Parasystole is a form of arrhythmia caused by the influence of the secondary pacemaker on cardiac behaviour. Specifically, we consider cases of pure parasystole, where the two pacemakers are protected from each other. Previous theoretical models of pure parasystole consider the interaction of two pacemakers without incorporating physical space. The objective here is to create a simple, theoretical, two-dimensional model of pure parasystole where the distance between the pacemakers may be adjusted. A cellular automaton model was created using Python 3.8.3 and associated packages. The model was used to evaluate how changes in space influenced cell activation cycles and the number of intervening sinus beats (the number of times cells were activated by the sinus node versus being activated by the ectopic pacemaker). The model dynamics were further compared to experiments using optogenetic methods to stimulate a cardiac monolayer from two sites. This model provides insight into the physical dynamics of parasystole in its most basic form so that it may be built upon to eventually be used in a clinical context.
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    UCC Student Medical Journal 4th Edition
    (UCC Medical Research and Technology Society, 04/09/2024) Cronin, Padraig; Mehta, Shobha
    The 4th Edition of the UCC Student Medical Journal 
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    Enter Modius: Neurovalens's innovative new solution to insomnia
    (UCC Medical Research and Technology Society, 04/09/2024) Iskander, Andrew
    Adequate sleep is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle that increasingly seems to evade many. Factors like elevated stress and poor sleep hygiene are some of the primary culprits behind this, and the consequences they can have on patients’ health are hard to overstate. Insufficient sleep has been documented to have adverse long-term effects on patients’ cardiovascular health, immune systems, and mental well-being, among many other facets of health. Given this, patients with insomnia are at significantly elevated risk of developing these negative health outcomes over time. Insomnia is defined as difficulty with sleep onset or maintenance with associated daytime deficiencies, such as poor concentration. In Ireland, it has been estimated that up to 15% of the population struggle with this potentially debilitating disorder, surpassing some other European populations. Further complicating things, the management of this disorder can be quite difficult and inconsistent. The pharmacological options we currently have at our disposal tend to either have limited efficacy, like melatonin receptor agonists, or carry the risk of dependence, such as benzodiazepines. As for non-pharmacological therapies, our options are extremely lacking, with cognitive behavioural therapy being the only such treatment currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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    An exploration of gut hormone therapy to treat infertility caused by Type 2 Diabetes
    (UCC Medical Research and Technology Society, 04/09/2024) Belle Martin, Alison; Duggan, Eileen
    Background: Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a common disease associated with multiple debilitating symptoms, including reduced fertility in women of reproductive age. Gut hormone therapies have shown promise in improving fertility in these patients. Objectives: To identify the relationship between the human gut microbiota and the successful functioning of the female reproductive system. To explore treatments to improve bacteria culture in the gut, and to examine if these improvements affect fertility in female patients with Type II Diabetes. Method: A systematic search was undertaken; studies were collected from PubMed and The Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome Journal. Searches were performed between January, 2023 and March, 2023. Studies focused on female patients suffering simultaneously from Type II Diabetes Mellitus and fertility complications. Ten papers that met criteria were appraised and included. Results: There is evidence to suggest a causative relationship between the gut microbiome and reproductive functioning. Infertile patients had increased abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia and Phascolarctobacterium in the gastrointestinal tract, and decreased amounts of genera Stenotrophomonas, Streptococcus, and Roseburia. These abnormalities were associated with depleted circulating oestrogen concentrations, irregular menstrual cycling, and hyperandrogenism. Evidence authenticates the use of probiotics and hormone therapy in treatment of Type II Diabetes and its associated symptoms. Supplements studied included metformin, GIP agonists, and GLP-1 receptors. Across studies, patients showed significant improvements in Type II Diabetes management following treatment. Conclusion: Alterations to the composition of the gut microbiome are associated with improvements in glycemic control as well as improvements in fertility in female patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.