CC BY
0OVERSEAS PROGRESS OF MEDICINE AND CLINICAL
PSYCHOLOGY
Gulshoda Abdusalamovna Khakimova
Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizami, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Special Pedagogy and Inclusive Education https://doi org/10.5281/z.enodo. 10695131
Abstract. This article reviews developments in medicine and clinical psychology research conducted overseas over the past decade. A literature search was conducted focusing on major advances originating outside of the United States in the areas of cancer research, genetics, neuroscience, mental health treatment models, and use of technology for improved patient care and outcomes. Highlights discussed include the discovery in China of cancer stem cells leading to new immunotherapies, identification of risk genes for Alzheimer's disease progression, development of online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs in Australia, and implementation of artificial intelligence for mental health screening and diagnosis in Japan. Analysis suggests overseas research has greatly contributed to biomedical knowledge, clinical practice guidelines, and access to evidence-based care globally, leading to improved patient health internationally. However, challenges remain in dissemination and equitable delivery of new medical technologies across different countries.
Keywords: medicine, clinical psychology, overseas research, cancer stem cells, genetics, neuroscience, CBT, artificial intelligence.
INTRODUCTION
Medicine and clinical care fields continue to rapidly accelerate with new discoveries that have profound impacts for patients worldwide. Cutting-edge overseas biomedical research along with innovative psychological treatment models developed abroad have pushed boundaries of knowledge and changed standard practices internationally over the past decade. Examining major findings that have originated outside the dominant Western hubs of America or Western Europe provides insights into landmarks in disease understanding, global propagation of evidence-based methodologies, and remaining gaps in equitable delivery of the latest advancements across all countries.
This paper will review salient overseas developments in medicine and clinical psychology published between 2010-2020 with a focus on cancer and genetics research in China, neural risk markers for dementia in Latin America cohort studies, online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) originations in Australia, and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for mental health screening and diagnosis in Japan. Analysis will determine overseas contributions in these domains to the overall international biomedical literature, trace impacts on establishing updated clinical recommendations or guidelines, and investigate health systems challenges that may hinder global populations from accessing the newest therapies.
METHODS AND LITERATURE REVIEW
A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar platforms to identify major biomedical and clinical psychology studies published between 2010-2020 with non-United States or Western European country origins. Priority topics included cancer/genetics, neurocognitive disorders, psychotherapy models, and AI technology with mental health
applications based on globally pressing public health concerns and growth areas. Search terms consisted of key words for the medical specialty combined with name of world region or nation. snowball technique was additionally utilized to retrieve relevant articles from reference lists when key papers were found through the database searches.
Inclusion criteria specified papers on clinical trials, cohort studies, pilot experiments, or data science investigations that established novel disease markers, risk genes, presented original treatment methodologies, or otherwise advanced fundamental understanding. Conference abstracts, opinion commentaries, letters to editors or editorial material were excluded although literature reviews or meta-analyses were incorporated if containing substantive analysis on key overseas works. All biomedical and psychology subfield searches were concluded when literary saturation was reached on the state of external contributions for that domain.
Ultimately 124 relevant articles from 2010-2020 were analyzed on cancer and genetic developments in China (n=32), dementia biomarkers from Brazil and Colombia neuroimaging studies (n=14), internet-delivered CBT interventions designed in Australia (n=26), and Japanese intelligent diagnostic systems using machine learning (n=52). Automated data science techniques have additionally been applied by China's technology sector to medical challenges although ethical issues remain under debate [1].
RESULTS
Cancer and Genetics - China
Over the past decade, China has made rapid advancements in oncology and genetics through government funded laboratory infrastructure supporting dedicated biotech sectors [2]. One major breakthrough was identification of liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) providing key targets for immunotherapies [3]. Chinese investigator249 also pinpointed TROP2 as novel liver CSC marker for additional drug development [4] while another group proposed new reprogramming factor SOX9 for potential CSC-directed treatments [5]. Genomic sequencing of esophageal tumors led by Zhang, Li and colleagues revealed mutational signatures linked to environmental carcinogens that can guide public health prevention initiatives [6].
Multiple Chinese genetics studies discovered new hereditary risk genes associated with progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which accounts for majority of dementia cases. Rare variants in TREM2 [7], ZCWPW1 [8] and AKAP9 [9] genes were shown to substantially increase incidence of AD likely through impacts on neuroinflammation, amyloid beta accumulation or vascular damage pathways. Population cohorts additionally connected ABCA7 variants to faster cognitive decline in AD patients [10]. Findings provide overseas contributions to defining genetic risk architecture and biological underpinnings of neurocognitive disorders.
Neurocognitive Disorders - Latin America
Long running cohort studies across Latin America collecting neuroimaging, cognitive testing and clinical data have proven invaluable for understanding pre-symptomatic brain changes during dementia evolution. Increased atmospheric pollution in growing mega-cities such as Mexico City and Bogota may additionally confer early Alzheimer's vulnerability as supported by Colombian and Brazilian air quality investigations [11]. One study on Mexico elders with verbal memory impairment identified functional and structural neural markers that could indicate heightened risk for future dementia up to decade before symptom onset [12].
Separate work from the innovative 10/66 Dementia Research Group active across Latin America and India helped shift dialogue on normal aging vs disease categories. Analyses indicated
cognitive difficulties and functional disability at advanced ages may often occur without underlying neurodegeneration contrary to outdated notions [13]. Findings argue against presuming all elderly memory complaints as abnormal. Overall, Latin America has supplied practical imaging indicators for early dementia transitions applicable worldwide and contributed philosophical perspectives valuable for clinical interpretation.
Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Australia
With higher rates of anxiety and mood disorders compared to other Western regions [14], Australia has taken the lead in pioneering therapist-supported internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) programs with demonstrated effectiveness for distressed patients across urban and rural areas. Randomized trials first established iCBT relieves depressive [15] and obsessive-compulsive symptoms [16] on par with face-to-face modalities but in more rapid, affordable scalable formats. Patients additionally showed long term maintenance of gains at one-year follow-ups [17].
Subsequent meta-analyses solidified iCBT for anxiety and depression among best evidence-based practices which led Australian government health bodies officially recommending the modality [18]. Growing software options also provide age appropriate iCBT modules for youth [19] and older adults [20]. Open access platforms further increase reach particularly for patients reluctant to seek in-person psychotherapy due to stigma. Australia's academic-technological partnership models driving successful iCBT translation underscore power of designing clinically validated digital tools expressly to expand care access.
AI Mental Health Screening and Diagnosis - Japan
While debate continues in Western medicine on appropriateness of applying artificial intelligence (AI) for complex health conditions, Japanese scientists have vigorously developed automated machine learning systems for mental health classification tasks. Natural language processing programs analyze linguistic patterns in clinical records and patient speech for detecting psychiatric symptoms and risk [21, 22]. AI chatbot interfaces allow individuals to self-screen for common problems like anxiety, PTSD and addiction [23].
Deep neural networks integrating datasets of medical images, genomic tests and electronic health records can also predict onset of disorders like psychosis years in advance with increasing accuracy as algorithms refine from larger training data [24]. Critics argue reliance on computers for judgments about human conditions raises ethical issues and threatens doctor-patient relationships [25]. However, proponents maintain AI has substantial utility for reliably flagging at risk cases early. Japan's research productivity and testing of clinical AI utilities may accelerate other countries investigation in similar directions.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The reviewed studies demonstrate China's rapid expansion of cancer and genetics investigation with breakthroughs in targeted stem cell treatments and discovery of Alzheimer's disease risk genes that contribute key knowledge internationally. Long term Latin America aging cohorts' chart early brain markers and philosophical frameworks to understand neurocognitive changes. Australia pioneered online CBT acceptance supporting specialized psychotherapy infrastructures across dispersed populations. Japanese groups intensively explore clinical applications of artificial intelligence which holds promise but requires ongoing ethical oversight. Clear patterns emerge on specific biomedical and clinical niches gaining prominence from overseas work including immunotherapy approaches for Asia-relevant cancers, early intervention for globally rising dementia rates, digital therapeutics answering access barriers in high income
nations, and machine learning handling high complexity classification challenges like mental health diagnoses. External regions make substantial contributions based on urgent local health needs coupled with supportive national funding priorities and resources.
However, dissemination and implementation hurdles persist that prevent equal global distribution of cutting-edge medical discoveries [26]. Gaps are prominent across Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) estimated to hold nearly 85% of world's population but receive only 15% of new trials testing state-of-art therapies [27]. Relevant infrastructural, economic and cultural limitations need addressing through integrated policies and partnerships so latest treatment options appropriately reach underserved communities worldwide as intended by sustainable development goals [28,29].
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, this review demonstrates overseas medicine and clinical psychology together greatly accelerate progress across borders over the past decade on pressing disease challenges through concentrated research programs, sustained government investment, and addressing widespread population needs. Cancer immunotherapy directions, early dementia risk tools, digital psychotherapy platforms and artificial intelligence screening each have origins outside traditional American or Western European powerhouses. Global cooperative efforts and improved equity initiatives remain necessary however to fully deliver advanced solutions across all nations especially lower resourced regions. With thoughtful dissemination policies minding gaps, overseas findings should profoundly transform patient outcomes through the next decade and beyond.
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