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Abstract:

This study investigates the awareness and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) among Hispanic healthcare-related professionals, focusing on integrating AI in healthcare. The study participants were recruited from an asynchronous course offered twice within a year at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applied to Health Disparities Research”, which aimed to bridge the gaps in AI knowledge among participants. The participants were divided into Experimental (n = 32; data-illiterate) and Control (n= 18; data-literate) groups, and pre-test and post-test surveys were administered to assess knowledge and attitudes toward AI. Descriptive statistics, power analysis, and the Mann–Whitney U test were employed to determine the influence of the course on participants’ comprehension and perspectives regarding AI. Results indicate significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes among participants, emphasizing the effectiveness of the course in enhancing understanding and fostering positive attitudes toward AI. Findings also reveal limited practical exposure to AI applications, highlighting the need for improved integration into education. This research highlights the significance of educating healthcare professionals about AI to enable its advantageous incorporation into healthcare procedures. The study provides valuable perspectives from a broad spectrum of healthcare workers, serving as a basis for future investigations and educational endeavors aimed at AI implementation in healthcare. 

Keywords: AI; medical school; Hispanics; healthcare

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Abstract:

With the expansion of human microbiome studies in the last 15 years, we have realized the immense implications of microbes in human health. The human holobiont is now accepted, given the commensal relationships with bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and human cells The cervicovaginal microbiota is a specific case within the human microbiome where diversity is lower to maintain a chemical barrier of protection against infections. This narrative review focuses on the vaginal microbiome. It summarizes key findings on how native bacteria protect women from disease or predispose them to damaging inflammatory processes with an emphasis on the role of HPV infections in Latin America, one of the world's regions with the highest cervical cancer prevalence. Tosado-Rodriguez, E.; Alvarado-Vélez I.; Romaguera, J.; Godoy-Vitorino, F. Vaginal Microbiota and HPV in Latin America: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 619. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030619

Dr. Eduardo Tosado is one of the recipients of the 2024 Peggy Cotter Awards for Early Career Branch Members. The Peggy Cotter Awards for Early Career Branch Members, fully funded by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), are named for ASM Past President Dr. Peggy Cotter. Dr. Cotter is deeply committed to mentoring early career scientists and providing them opportunities to further their career development. Attending ASM Microbe 2024 will allow early career scientists to explore their scientific interests and specialties, take advantage of cutting-edge scientific programming, and connect with experts in the microbial sciences. This award will support Dr. Tosado's attendance at the ASM Microbe 2024 Annual Meeting on June 13-17,2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.

The RCMI Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities is pleased to share that a recent publication by Dr. Abiel Roche-Lima and collaborators was highlighted during a presentation on the initiative AIM-AHEAD to the NIH Council of Councils. This Council comprises 27 members, selected from NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) Advisory Councils, representatives nominated by the Office of the Director program offices, and broad lay representation. The virtual meeting was held on April 5th, 2024.

During the Inaugural Plenary Session of the UPR-MSC Annual Research and Education Forum, Dr. Paul Harris, Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Engineering at Vanderbilt University and Keynote Speaker, highlighted the contributions of Ms. Brenda Nieves as a REDCap resource at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. He praised Ms. Nieves for her experience and valuable contributions to the inception and dissemination of the REDCap platform in clinical and basic research. Ms. Nieves serves as Systems Programmer of the Integrated Informatics Services unit of the RCMI Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities.

The RCMI Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities (RCMI-CCRHD) congratulates Dr. Abiel Roche-Lima on his promotion to Associate Professor in the Deanship of Academic Affairs. Dr. Roche-Lima joined the UPR Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC) in 2015 when he was recruited by the RCMI-CCRHD to serve in the Research Capacity Core. This promotion recognizes his excellent contributions to teaching, research, and services, as well as his services in integrating new advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, into ongoing research activities at the UPR-MSC.

Congratulations to Dr. Eduardo Tosado, who recently completed Qiagen's Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) Course Certificate. This analysis allows users to comprehensively analyze gene expression data and infer the underlying causes of the observed fold changes, predict downstream effects and discover new targets or candidate biomarkers. Dr. Tosado is a member of the Integrated Information Services facility at the RCMI Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities.

On January 31st, the Integrated Informatics Services facility held a mini-symposium titled:"Artificial Intelligence Applied to Health Disparities". 

The event focused on various aspects of artificial intelligence in the context of healthcare, emphasizing disparities in health outcomes, workforce diversity in Al/ML, validation of Al tools in pathology, and ethical guidelines for Al in high-stakes decisions. The event incorporated discussions, presentations, and collaborative activities aimed at advancing the application of Al in healthcare with an emphasis on ethical considerations and equity.

Guest speakers included Drs. Jamboor K. Vishwanatha and Lavanya Vishwanatha from North Texas University, Mr. Mariano de Socarrez, CorePlus, Corp, and Dr. Kenneth W. Goodman, University of Miami. An active discussion followed each of the presentations.

On October 25th, the Community Engagement Core (CEC) of the RCMI-Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities (RCMI-CCRHD) presented a seminar on their role and strategies to reach the communities we served. The seminar adafessed essential definitions, concepts and strategies for engaging our communities in health disparities research, a center's main goal. Participants included BioCOM graduate student volunteers and RCMI-CCRHD personnel associated with the Research Capacity Core. The activity strengthened collaborations between the two cores and prepared student volunteers to interact effectively in community settings. BioCom students and RCC personnel praised the role of the CEC in engaging and promoting the involvement of our communities in achieving the Program's goals.

AIM-AHEAD Activity in Atlanta

Dr. Eduardo Tosado, a member of the RCMI-CCRHD Integrated Informatics team, actively engaged in the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM/AHEAD). The event was hosted by Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Tosado presented his research project recently funded by AlM-AHEAD and actively participated in various sessions and training activities, seizing the opportunity to expand his professional network.