Making a Visual Impression (or Not): Current Design Practices of Nutritional Websites

Understanding the influence of visual design, as the access point for online health communication, is key as Americans are increasingly sickened by an obesity epidemic. Nutritional websites that deliver critical health information should be considered as a potential strategy to fight against the grave consequences of obesity, as research indicates that consumers are consistently turning to the Internet as a resource for health information. Focusing on nutritional websites, this study analyzes the use of visual design principles that are known to greatly influence first impressions and appeal of the information from the user’s perspective. The results suggest there are opportunities for improvement to the online communication of nutritional information to increase the likelihood of users’ favorable first impressions, the critical first steps for nutritional information delivery goals.     

Free smoking cessation mobile apps available in Australia: a quality review and content analysis

Objectives : This review aimed to identify free, high‐quality, smoking cessation mobile applications (apps) that adhere to Australian smoking cessation treatment guidelines. Methods : A systematic search of smoking cessation apps was conducted using Google. The technical quality of relevant apps was rated using the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The content of apps identified as high quality was assessed for adherence to smoking cessation treatment guidelines. Results : 112 relevant apps were identified. The majority were of poor technical quality and only six ‘high‐quality’ apps were identified. These apps adhered to Australian treatment guidelines in part. The efficacy of two apps had been previously evaluated. Conclusions : In lieu of more substantial research in this area, it is suggested that the high‐quality apps identified in this review may be more likely than other available apps to encourage smoking cessation. Implications for public health : Smoking cessation apps have the potential to address many barriers that prevent smoking cessation support being provided; however few high‐quality smoking cessation apps are currently available in Australia, very few have been evaluated and the app market is extremely volatile. More research to evaluate smoking cessation apps, and sustained funding for evidence‐based apps, is needed.     

A multi-resolution textural approach to diagnostic neuropathology reporting

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - We present a computer aided diagnostic workflow focusing on two diagnostic branch points in neuropathology (intraoperative consultation and p53 status in tumor biopsy...     

Pediatric transplantation: results in solid tumors

Solid tumors are one of the leading causes of disease-related mortality in children today. Although overall survival of children with solid tumors has improved over time, certain high-risk patients continue to respond poorly to conventional therapy. Recent studies have investigated using dose-intensified myeloablative therapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (AHPCT) in hopes of eradicating disease and improving the long-term survival of these patients. Results of high-dose therapy with AHPCT have been encouraging in treatment of metastatic neuroblastoma and recurrent Wilms' tumor, but little benefit has been demonstrated with Ewing's sarcoma. In this article, we examine the role of autologous transplant with each solid tumor and discuss some of the recent transplant-related controversies still under debate.