Roadmap on deep learning for microscopy

Journal of Physics Photonics · 2025-10-06 · 2 citations

Through digital imaging, microscopy has evolved from primarily being a means for visual observation of life at the micro- and nano-scale, to a quantitative tool with ever-increasing resolution and throughput. Artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, and machine learning are all niche terms describing computational methods that have gained a pivotal role in microscopy-based research over the past decade. This Roadmap is written collectively by prominent researchers and encompasses selected aspects of how machine learning is applied to microscopy image data, with the aim of gaining scientific knowledge by improved image quality, automated detection, segmentation, classification and tracking of objects, and efficient merging of information from multiple imaging modalities. We aim to give the reader an overview of the key developments and an understanding of possibilities and limitations of machine learning for microscopy. It will be of interest to a wide cross-disciplinary audience in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Development of Common Data Elements for Organ Transplantation

JAMA Network Open · 2025-04-28 · 2 citations

This cohort study examines the validity of an electronic health record data model for organ transplantation.

Assessment of Process Variation in Liver, Kidney, and Pancreas Transplantation Using the Consortium for the Holistic Assessment of Risk in Transplant (CHART)

American Journal of Transplantation · 2025-08-01

Management of hepatic artery thrombosis and stenosis after pediatric liver transplantation: Variability and agreement in management practices

Liver Transplantation · 2025-06-30 · 1 citations

Guidelines for managing hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and stenosis (HAS) after pediatric liver transplantation (pLT) are lacking, with heterogeneous local practices. This study aims to evaluate management practices for HAT and HAS after pLT. An online and paper-based survey was sent to 36 international pLT centers. The survey included 36 questions covering center experience, screening protocols, diagnostic criteria, preventive management, post-procedural care, and follow-up. Treatment strategies were explored through hypothetical case scenarios categorized by early (≤14 d after pLT) and late onset complications (>14 d after pLT). Responses from 36 centers showed that 60% applied interrupted sutures and 76% used a surgical loupe during transplantation. In addition, 89% followed a specific anticoagulation protocol after uncomplicated pLT. All centers initiated Doppler ultrasound (DUS) within 24 hours after pLT, with 60% conducting it daily during the first week. Immediate re-transplantation was preferred for early HAT with pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) (61% vs. 11% for non-PALF, p <0.001), and surgical revascularization was more frequently chosen for non-PALF cases (51% vs. 24% for PALF, p <0.001). Endovascular therapy was selected in 35% of cases for both late HAT and HAS, with conservative management chosen in 51% for late HAT and 61% for late HAS (all p <0.001, compared to early cases). Internationally, there is agreement on the importance of early DUS screening in current management practices. Immediate re-transplantation was preferred for early HAT with PALF, while surgical revascularization was favored for non-PALF cases. Conservative management and endovascular therapy emerged as potential strategies for late-onset cases. This worldwide survey on real-world practice provides a basis for developing and implementing guidelines.

Racial and ethnic disparities in liver transplant access vary within and across transplant referral regions

Liver Transplantation · 2025-01-13 · 7 citations

Prior studies have demonstrated racial disparities in access to liver transplantation, but the determinants of these disparities remain poorly understood. We used geographic catchment areas for transplant centers (transplant referral regions, TRRs) to characterize transplant environment contributors to racial and ethnic disparities in liver transplant access. Data were obtained from the Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients and the National Center for Health Statistics from 2015 to 2021. The primary outcome was the difference in the listing-to-end-stage liver disease death ratio between Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White patients for each TRR. We accounted for demographics, socioeconomic status, health care access, organ availability, and transplant center competition using multivariable linear regression. We examined intra-TRR differences in waitlist composition using Levene's test of variance. Across the 66 included TRRs, Black patients had lower listing-to-end-stage liver disease death ratios than White patients in 80% of TRRs, while Hispanic patients had equal or higher listing-to-end-stage liver disease death ratios compared to White patients in 56% of TRRs. The majority of variation in racial disparities across TRRs remained unexplained by multivariable models. Disparities were attenuated after excluding patients with HCC-associated mortality. Among the 27 TRRs that contained more than one transplant center, variance across TRRs was statistically significant for Black and Hispanic waitlist composition. We observed substantial geographic variation in the magnitude of racial disparities in liver transplant access across the United States. Findings highlight the need for targeted health equity interventions in regions with high disparities and the development of disparity-sensitive access metrics for transplant centers.

Validation of Existing Comorbidity Models and Development of a New Transplant-Specific Index

American Journal of Transplantation · 2025-08-01

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Health Literacy Instrument for Hispanic and Latino/a/e Communities

HLRP Health Literacy Research and Practice · 2025-07-01

Hispanic and Latino/a/e individuals are more likely to have lower levels of health literacy compared to other ethnic and racial groups. Additionally, 32% of this population also has limited English proficiency. There is a need to develop culturally valid instruments in Spanish to assess health literacy in this population. The Health Literacy Skills Instrument Short Form (HLSI-SF) was developed and validated in English by RTI International, but not in Spanish. Our aim was to culturally adapt the HLSI-SF to be used for Hispanic and Latino/a/e individuals living in the United States. We followed the Patient-Reported Outcome Consortium guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of measures for content and linguistic validity. This included two forward-translations, reconciliation, two back-translations, revision and harmonization, cognitive interviews (total of six), revision, external expert review, and final version. We involved an expert panel of health professionals and community representatives throughout the process. The panel ( n = 4) all self-identified as Hispanic or Latino/a/e and were fluent in English and Spanish. To evaluate the adapted HLSI-SF measure, we conducted cognitive interviews through six online focus groups involving 22 Hispanic and Latino/a/e community members, followed by a psychometric assessment using a sample of 726 Hispanic and Latino/a/e individuals with Spanish as their primary language. Focus group-based cognitive interviews revealed that while most items on the adapted HLSI-SF measure performed well, some participants had difficulties with a few items, which may suggest limited health knowledge. Psychometric analyses revealed that all but the Nutrition Label and Calories items performed well. Further validation of the HLSI-SF is needed to produce a valid and reliable instrument to measure health literacy in Hispanic and Latino/a/e populations in the U.S. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2025;9(3):e83–e92. ]

Process Variation in Liver, Kidney, and Pancreas Transplantation: A Multicenter Evaluation From the Consortium for the Holistic Assessment of Risk in Transplant

Transplantation Direct · 2025-08-08

Background: Transplant center processes for determining candidacy are complex, poorly documented, ambiguous, and variable across centers. Opaque and nonstandardized transplant processes can compromise data collection and lead to inconsistent outcomes. Methods: To understand process variation and data quality in transplantation, we surveyed 8 abdominal transplant centers in an existing research consortium about their processes of care for liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants. We used the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model to identify variation related to people, tasks, tools, environment, and processes. Results: Centers varied in their processes across phases of transplant care, including screening referral, waitlist maintenance, and posttransplant follow-up. Regarding referrals, transplant centers chose their locations for outreach to and education for referring providers based on historical density or by request (63%). Additionally, screening of referred patients for transplant evaluation varied across centers related to screening method, screening timing/attempts, and who determines eligibility. For patients declined for listing, only 25% of centers had a formal appeal process (liver only), and most centers had either an informal appeal process (liver: 50%, kidney and pancreas: 87.5%) or none (liver: 25%, kidney and pancreas: 12.5%). Conclusions: In light of increased national attention to improving data collection, processes of care, and workforce efficiency, our findings provide insight into processes that may inform effective transplant practices and identify targets for future interventions.

Liver Transplant Using the RAPID Technique in a Patient with Colorectal Liver Metastases

American Journal of Transplantation · 2025-08-01

Incidence, management and outcomes in hepatic artery complications after paediatric liver transplantation: protocol of the retrospective, international, multicentre HEPATIC Registry

BMJ Open · 2024-06-01 · 5 citations

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic artery complications (HACs), such as a thrombosis or stenosis, are serious causes of morbidity and mortality after paediatric liver transplantation (LT). This study will investigate the incidence, current management practices and outcomes in paediatric patients with HAC after LT, including early and late complications. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HEPatic Artery stenosis and Thrombosis after liver transplantation In Children (HEPATIC) Registry is an international, retrospective, multicentre, observational study. Any paediatric patient diagnosed with HAC and treated for HAC (at age <18 years) after paediatric LT within a 20-year time period will be included. The primary outcomes are graft and patient survivals. The secondary outcomes are technical success of the intervention, primary and secondary patency after HAC intervention, intraprocedural and postprocedural complications, description of current management practices, and incidence of HAC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All participating sites will obtain local ethical approval and (waiver of) informed consent following the regulations on the conduct of observational clinical studies. The results will be disseminated through scientific presentations at conferences and through publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The HEPATIC registry is registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov website; Registry Identifier: NCT05818644.