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Biomedical subjects

D Seale

Publications and source records attributed to D Seale.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Ethnic differences in anthropometric characteristics of young children and their parents.

The distribution of body fat, or fat patterning, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, independent of obesity. Furthermore, the incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes varies by ethnicity. We documented ethnic differences in anthropometric characteristics and body fat distribution between Anglo, Black, and Mexican American men (n = 101), women (n = 245), boys (n = 111), and girls (n = 111). We used aggregates of skinfold measures to examine ethnic differences in the deposition of fat in body compartments (body, trunk, leg, and arm) and analyzed trunk-extremity skinfold ratios to determine which best reflected ethnic differences in fat distribution. The results show that Mexican American mothers have larger skinfold ratios and more body fat (as determined by skinfold aggregates) than either Anglo or Black American mothers, whereas Black American mothers have larger ratios than Anglo American mothers. Mexican American fathers also have larger skinfold ratios but not more body fat (skinfold aggregates) than Anglo American fathers. Mexican American fathers have more body fat than Black American fathers, but we found no differences between skinfold ratios. The ethnic differences among children in skinfold ratios and aggregates are similar to those found among fathers, with more differences among girls than boys. Fat patterning differences do exist among the three ethnicities, with greater trunk fat among Mexican and Black Americans. Those ethnicities are known to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Adult↗

Exploitation of the redundancy of the conventional limb lead electrocardiograms for prolongation of the record length.

A method is described for duplicating the usable record length for computer analysis of the conventional limb lead ECGs. The method is based on the use of the extensive redundancy contained in the limb leads when they are recorded by sequencing in groups of two or three leads at a time. The resultant increase in the number of ECG complexes available for computer analysis facilitates noise reduction procedures and improves the precision and repeatability of ECG measurements. A similar scheme is proposed for duplicating or triplicating the useful record length of lead VI or any other chest lead used for rhythm analysis. Finally, it is noted that the present formats of grouping of the conventional ECG leads are all suboptimal and a transition to simultaneous acquisition of all eight independent components of the 12-lead ECG is encouraged.

Computers↗

The effect of modified limb electrode positions on electrocardiographic wave amplitudes.

Mofidied limb electrode positions are often used in studies which require the recording of rest and exercise ECGs, whereby the arm electrodes are placed at the infraclavicular fossae and the left lef electrode on the left lower abdomen. The effect of the modified limb electrode positions on electrocardiographic waveforms was investigated in 68 supine adult male subjects at rest. The modification produced profound amplitude and waveform changes in the frontal plane ECG leads. The QRS axis shifted on the average by 16 degrees towards a more vertical position with considerable individual variation. Concomitant with the QRS axis shift, the R wave amplitude decreased in leads I and a VL and increased in leads II, III, and aVF. The S wave amplitude increased in leads III and aVF and decreased in lead III. The P and T wave amplitude changes were in a direction similar to those observed for the R waves: a reduction of the amplitude in aVL and an increase in II, III and aFV. Of importance to exercise ECG interpretation are the ST segment waveform changes: The ST slope decreased in aVL and increased in leads II, III and aVF. Waveform changes in the chest leads caused by the modification were less important although statistically significant. These systematic changes in recorded ECG waveforms arise from changes directions and strength of the lead vectors of the six frontal plane leads. Large inter-individual variations in the magnitude of the changes produced by modification of the limb electrode positions prevent effective systematic correction of the distortions by means of a universal lead transformation.

Adult↗

Changing electrocardiographic recording technology and diagnostic accuracy of myocardial infarction criteria. Improved standards for evaluation of ECG measurement precision.

An analytical study was performed to estimate the magnitude of the visual Q wave duration bias produced by pressurized ink round stylus electrocardiographic (ECG) recorders. With a paper speed of 25 mm/sec and the ECG tracing width of 0.25 mm, the visually measured Q waves are on the average 8 msec too short. The corresponding error with the older type flat stylus recorder is less than 2 msec. Considerable differences can thus be anticipated in the frequency of observed ECG abnormalities in studies which use different types of electrocardiographs. The effect of the visual Q wave duration measurement bias on the diagnostic ECG classification was investigated in a group of 237 patients with old myocardial infarction and 299 subjects with no clinical evidence of infarction. An 8 msec measurement bias toward too short Q wave duration was observed to result in a potential loss of diagnostic accuracy of about 25% in some ECG coding categories. As a corrective procedure, it is recommended that the baseline width produced by a round recording stylus of uniform thickness irrespective of the vertical deflection velocity should be less.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗

The evolution of a distance education initiative into a major telehealth project.

After a five-year collaboration in distance learning, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston School of Nursing and the Lamar University Department of Nursing in Beaumont, Texas, opened discussions during the mid-1990s about working together to establish a cutting-edge telehealth clinic. Other participants in this dialogue were the UTMB Division of Pediatric Special Services (DPSS) and the East Texas Area Health Education Center (ETAHEC). DPSS hoped to provide telehealth services for children who had to commute routinely to receive comprehensive health care. ETAHEC, which specializes in building community-academic partnerships to improve the health of populations in its service region, had already worked with members of the team, providing support for the distance education collaboration between UTMB and LU. Several meetings between representatives from the two universities and ETAHEC resulted in the decision by LU to establish an infrastructure for distance learning that could also support telehealth activities. UTMB, which offered family nurse practitioner education at LU through the earlier distance learning initiative, had extensive experience in both distance education and telehealth. It provided the expertise to ensure that the two types of technology could be provided on the LU campus. Eventually, a third university came on board, and the program expanded to provide services in six public schools. A single telehealth clinic, in operation for two years with over 112 client visits, has grown into a major telehealth initiative linking an academic health science center, universities, and school districts in Texas.

Child Health Services↗