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At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Analyzing the structure and content of public health messages.

BACKGROUND: Health messages are crucial to the field of public health in effecting behavior change, but little research is available to assist writers in composing the overall structure of a message. In order to develop software to assist non-expert message writers in constructing effective messages, the structure of existing health messages must be understood, and an appropriate method for analyzing health message structure developed. METHODS: 72 messages from expert sources were used for development of the method, which was then tested for reproducibility using ten randomly selected health messages. Four raters analyzed the messages and inter-coder agreement was calculated. RESULTS: A method for analyzing the structure of the messages was developed using sublanguage analysis and discourse analysis. Overall kappa between four coders was 0.69, demonstrating "substantial agreement." CONCLUSION: A novel framework for characterizing health message structure and a method for analyzing messages appears to be reproducible.

Communication↗

PubMed2005

Linking primary care information systems and public health vertical programs in the Philippines: an open-source experience.

Community-based primary care information systems are one of the building blocks for national health information systems. In the Philippines, after the devolution of health care to local governments, we observed "health information system islands" connected to national vertical programs being implemented in devolved health units. These structures lead to a huge amount of "information work" in the transformation of health information at the community level. This paper describes work done to develop and implement the open-source Community Based Health Information Tracking System (CHITS) Project, which was implemented to address this information management problem and its outcomes. Several lessons learned from the field as well as software development strategies are highlighted in building community level information systems that link to national level health information systems.

Community Networks↗

PubMed1990

Magnetic resonance imaging simulator: a teaching tool for radiology.

The increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a clinical modality has put an enormous burden on medical institutions to cost effectively teach MRI scanning techniques to technologists and physicians. Since MRI scanner time is a scarce resource, it would be ideal if the teaching could be effectively performed off-line. In order to meet this goal, the radiology Department at the University of Pennsylvania has designed and developed a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Simulator. The simulator in its current implementation mimics the General Electric Signa (General Electric Magnetic Resonance Imaging System, Milwaukee, WI) scanner's user interface for image acquisition. The design is general enough to be applied to other MRI scanners. One unique feature of the simulator is its incorporation of an image-synthesis module that permits the user to derive images for any arbitrary combination of pulsing parameters for spin-echo, gradient-echo, and inversion recovery pulse sequences. These images are computed in 5 seconds. The development platform chosen is a standard Apple Macintosh II (Apple Computer, Inc, Cupertino, CA) computer with no specialized hardware peripherals. The user interface is implemented in HyperCard (Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA). All other software development including synthesis and display functions are implemented under the Macintosh Programmer's Workshop 'C' environment. The scan parameters, demographics, and images are tracked using an Oracle (Oracle Corp, Redwood Shores, CA) data base. Images are currently stored on magnetic disk but could be stored on optical media with minimal effort.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1990

Image-guided stereotactic surgery: a 10-year evolutionary experience.

The recent revolution in medical imaging has demanded concurrent development of sophisticated and compatible stereotactic guiding devices in order to diagnose or treat mass lesions on the brain and disorders of cerebral physiology. Between July 1, 1979, and July 1, 1989, 1,006 patients underwent image-guided stereotactic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. During this 10-year interval the first dedicated computed tomography stereotactic operating room and the first North American radiosurgical suite containing a 201 60Co source gamma knife were constructed. Early in our experience, 60.5% of the patients underwent diagnostic (biopsy) stereotactic surgery whereas, by 1988, 77.8% of the patients underwent therapeutic stereotactic surgery. At our institution, stereotactic surgery was performed last year in 257 patients, representing 19.9% of all neurosurgical operations. During the past 10 years, stereotactic surgery has developed an integral and definitive role in contemporary mainstream neurosurgery. Across the world stereotactic technology is now widely available. In the future increasing emphasis will be placed on therapy, image integration, computer software development, and new instrumentation designed to meet the evolving needs of neurological surgeons who demand safe, precise, and effective tools to explore the brain.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1980

A microcomputer-based research system for the optical analysis of agar-cultured micro-organism colonies.

A system which has been developed for the automatic of agar-cultured microorganism colonies is described. A camera of the line-scanning type is used to scan the plates and details of the hardware and software development are explained. Flow diagrams are included which illustrate the operation of the system, but, as yet, no results are available. The prototype machine is undergoing evaluation testing.

Agar↗

PubMed1996

Arcuate transverse keratotomy with a mechanical arcutome based on videokeratography.

Corneal topographic hardware was used to develop software analysis for configuration and localization of relaxing astigmatic arcuate incisions. The software is based on the assessment of the results of corneal topographic measurements, performed by the EyeSys Corneal Analysis System. Data assessment includes: A) plotting the dioptric power curves along the circular zones that may be considered appropriate for the placement of arcuate cuts; B) determination of the astigmatic axes position in each selected arc; and C) finding the position of points with the mean dioptric power value between the neighboring astigmatic axes which determine the proposed placement of the arcuate incisions. The new instrument developed for arcuate astigmatic keratotomy includes the algorithm for incision(s) disposition, the software, and the arcutome.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

Development of a robotic device for facilitating learning by children who have severe disabilities.

This paper presents technical aspects of a robot manipulator developed to facilitate learning by young children who are generally unable to grasp objects or speak. The severity of these physical disabilities also limits assessment of their cognitive and language skills and abilities. The CRS robot manipulator was adapted for use by children who have disabilities. Our emphasis is on the technical control aspects of the development of an interface and communication environment between the child and the robot arm. The system is designed so that each child has user control and control procedures that are individually adapted. Control interfaces include large push buttons, keyboards, laser pointer, and head-controlled switches. Preliminary results have shown that young children who have severe disabilities can use the robotic arm system to complete functional play-related tasks. Developed software allows the child to accomplish a series of multistep tasks by activating one or more single switches. Through a single switch press the child can replay a series of preprogrammed movements that have a development sequence. Children using this system engaged in three-step sequential activities and were highly responsive to the robotic tasks. This was in marked contrast to other interventions using toys and computer games.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of decision making rules for transportable, microcomputer-based expert systems in medicine.

Computerized decision making aids have been developed for use in certain medical specialties over the last decade. These programs are designed to give expert-level advice within their limited domains. Two major components are required in the design of these systems: development of software and development of a knowledge base to handle the specific medical application. The advantage of the knowledge-based approach is that the application can be changed by replacement of the knowledge base, without requiring changes to the software. In this paper, EMERGE, a medical decision making system, originally developed for analysis of chest pain in the emergency room environment, is described. EMERGE uses production rules for representation of its knowledge base. The method by which this system can accommodate new rule bases for other applications is emphasized, as well as the transportability of the system.

Computers↗

PubMed1988

Computers in anatomic pathology. A survey of California hospitals.

The anatomic pathology services of 434 health care institutions in California were surveyed about their use of computers. Of 200 (46%) respondents, 106 (53%) did not use computers at all. Of 94 (47%) respondents who used computers, 77 (82%) used them for administrative purposes; 74 (79%), for any routine processing of surgical specimens; 43 (45%), for processing surgical specimens other than word processing (eg, database); 52 (55%), for processing cytology specimens; and 60 (63%), for processing autopsy specimens (including word processing). Computer use was slightly greater with higher work loads. Among nonusers, on a scale of 1 to 5 the average interest in using computers was 3.5 for surgical pathology data, 3.4 for cytology data, and 2.8 for autopsy data. The interest rate also increased with work load, and was nearly 4 for laboratories with greater than 4000 surgical or cytology cases per year. The average interest in controlling and/or making decisions about computer hardware and software was 3.9 for hardware and 4 for software. Reasons for low computer use in anatomic pathology despite interest in utilization are discussed, including the limited selection of affordable commercial software for anatomic pathology and difficulties of in-house software development.

Autopsy↗

PubMed2006

Preoperative RFA simulation for liver cancer using a CT virtual ultrasound system.

We developed a computed tomography (CT) virtual ultrasound system (CVUS) as an imaging system to support treatment under percutaneous ultrasound (US) guidance. This prototype clinical system, produced in collaboration with Tokyo Medical University, uses display software developed by Toshiba Medical Systems. We examined the utility of this system by scheduling treatment plans preoperatively and simulating puncture and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver cancer. The study enrolled 51 liver cancer patients with 66 nodules 0.8-8cm in diameter in which RFA was performed between June 2004 and December 2004. Virtual US and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images were constructed on the basis of DICOM CT data and puncture and ablation of liver cancer were simulated. The following were evaluated: (1) how to avoid complications and determine an appropriate puncture route by simulating puncture with C-mode MPR images; (2) determination of the three-dimensional location of the tumor for ablation, as well as the adjacent organs and vessels, by MPR rotation 360 degrees around the center of the tumor (center lock); and (3) how to determine the center and volume of ablation and avoid injuries to nearby organs and vessels by simulating ablation procedures. C -mode MPR images were effective for (1) determining and modifying the puncture route in 35 of 51 cases (69.6%) and (2) determining the spatial location of vessels and nearby organs in 50 of 51 cases (98.0%) by the center lock; and (3) simulating the ablation helped determine the center and volume of ablation by avoiding injuries to vessels and nearby organs in 45 or 51 cases (88.2%). Taken together, the CVUS allowed easy simulation of local treatment of liver cancer under US guidance using CT data alone and the preoperative simulation predicted an improvement in the safety of local therapy of liver cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Neural network based automated algorithm to identify joint locations on hand/wrist radiographs for arthritis assessment.

Arthritis is a significant and costly healthcare problem that requires objective and quantifiable methods to evaluate its progression. Here we describe software that can automatically determine the locations of seven joints in the proximal hand and wrist that demonstrate arthritic changes. These are the five carpometacarpal (CMC1, CMC2, CMC3, CMC4, CMC5), radiocarpal (RC), and the scaphocapitate (SC) joints. The algorithm was based on an artificial neural network (ANN) that was trained using independent sets of digitized hand radiographs and manually identified joint locations. The algorithm used landmarks determined automatically by software developed in our previous work as starting points. Other than requiring user input of the location of nonanatomical structures and the orientation of the hand on the film, the procedure was fully automated. The software was tested on two datasets: 50 digitized hand radiographs from patients participating in a large clinical study, and 60 from subjects participating in arthritis research studies and who had mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was evaluated by a comparison to joint locations determined by a trained radiologist using manual tracing. The success rate for determining the CMC, RC, and SC joints was 87%-99%, for normal hands and 81%-99% for RA hands. This is a first step in performing an automated computer-aided assessment of wrist joints for arthritis progression. The software provides landmarks that will be used by subsequent image processing routines to analyze each joint individually for structural changes such as erosions and joint space narrowing.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Reification of abstract concepts to improve comprehension using interactive virtual environments and a knowledge-based design: a renal physiology model.

Several abstract concepts in medical education are difficult to teach and comprehend. In order to address this challenge, we have been applying the approach of reification of abstract concepts using interactive virtual environments and a knowledge-based design. Reification is the process of making abstract concepts and events, beyond the realm of direct human experience, concrete and accessible to teachers and learners. Entering virtual worlds and simulations not otherwise easily accessible provides an opportunity to create, study, and evaluate the emergence of knowledge and comprehension from the direct interaction of learners with otherwise complex abstract ideas and principles by bringing them to life. Using a knowledge-based design process and appropriate subject matter experts, knowledge structure methods are applied in order to prioritize, characterize important relationships, and create a concept map that can be integrated into the reified models that are subsequently developed. Applying these principles, our interdisciplinary team has been developing a reified model of the nephron into which important physiologic functions can be integrated and rendered into a three dimensional virtual environment called Flatland, a virtual environments development software tool, within which a learners can interact using off-the-shelf hardware. The nephron model can be driven dynamically by a rules-based artificial intelligence engine, applying the rules and concepts developed in conjunction with the subject matter experts. In the future, the nephron model can be used to interactively demonstrate a number of physiologic principles or a variety of pathological processes that may be difficult to teach and understand. In addition, this approach to reification can be applied to a host of other physiologic and pathological concepts in other systems. These methods will require further evaluation to determine their impact and role in learning.

Comprehension↗

PubMed1994

Computation of drug concentrations in endocardial vegetations in patients during antibiotic therapy.

The treatment of endocarditis often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy. Individualized drug dosage regimens have made such therapy possible even in patients with impaired renal function. However, the problem of efficacy remains. Especially for aminoglycosides, it would be a useful guide to have at least an approximate idea of the concentration of an antibiotic within an endocardial vegetation. This study was designed to develop software to model the drug concentrations at different layers within spherical vegetations to provide a guide during clinical therapy of patients with endocarditis. A general model describing the diffusion of antibiotics in spheres has now been developed and interfaced with the USC*PACK PC Clinical Programs in order to compute and plot concentrations, within the vegetation, based on the regimen given to the patient and the diffusitivity of the antibiotic into the vegetation. Some preliminary results of this research, which are still in progress, are presented. Diffusion into simulated spherical vegetations has been computed for different treatment regimens for endocarditis: amikacin or netilmicin and vancomycin were given to three elderly patients (3 women, 74, 75 and 92 years old, with initial estimated creatinine clearances of 51, 36, and 31 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Although Amikacin has a low diffusivity, the concentrations, even in the center of the vegetation, appear to be effective. The effects of various regimens, including a 'once-a-day' aminoglycoside regimen, are presented.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Digital diagnostics: Three-dimensional modelling.

Three-dimensional imaging techniques, such as computed tomograms (CT), structured light, and stereophotogrammetry, can be used to capture three-dimensional coordinate data, but comprehensive analysis is required to transform these techniques into powerful diagnostic tools. The object of this review is to highlight analytical functionality using software developed to study three-dimensional digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) based digital data for diagnosis, planning of treatment, and evaluation of craniofacial changes. My specific aim was to apply three-dimensional software routines using geometric morphometrics or conventional measurements. These routines rely on robust algorithms to construct mean objects by manipulating the three-dimensional x, y, and z coordinates of all the objects' vertices. Conventional measurements and statistical tests can then be applied to the changes in the vertices, say, before and after treatment. Using graphical and geometric morphometric techniques such as finite-element analysis and principal components analysis, clinical craniofacial modelling can be used for the localisation and quantification of soft and hard tissue changes; diagnostic modelling can be undertaken for planning of treatment, and data-driven predictive modelling can be undertaken for the planning of many procedures based on the surgeon's own experience, patients, and resources. Three-dimensional modelling of digital data may therefore have added value for clinical diagnosis, and planning and assessment of treatment, including audit.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1995

Chinese character operating system of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology (TCMP).

With the development in research, teaching and literature work in traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology (TCMP) by means of computers, it has been found that the existing Chinese character operative systems cannot meet the need of carrying out information processing and software development in this field, since these systems do not include many of the common and special terms in TCMP. This makes it inconvenient to exchange academic thoughts in information processing in this field with our colleagues at home and abroad and greatly affects the sharing of the literature data in TCMP. It is therefore necessary to develop a Chinese character operating system applicable to the use of computers in the research of TCMP. Recently, we have developed jointly a Chinese character operating system of TCMP. This system is based on the original GB2312-80 Chinese character international code, to which are added 1,150 Chinese characters commonly used in TCMP. The five-stroke code, which make input possible according to word forms, are used for the input of expanded words. Besides, the system also provides the codes of a number of common names of Chinese materia medica, acupoint names, common terms in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM disease names, names of classic TCM works, etc. It also provides a convenient character-creating software. We hope that our work will lead to discussions concerning the difficult problems in computer processing of TCMP literature, i.e. the Chinese character.

Database Management Systems↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The micrograph data processing program.

MDPP is a fully featured general-purpose image processing package primarily written to support research in structural biology using data gathered by electron microscopy. It has focused on the analysis of images using Fourier techniques, particularly periodic plane-layer and helical structures, but has extensive tools for other processing options (e.g., point-counting, image quantitation, DNA sequencing, and display). Three-dimensional reconstruction methods are supported, including iterative deconvolution schemes for light micrographs. The basic program is command line-driven, but the user can choose to write sophisticated command scripts and use a menu-driven full-screen or Motif interface to call them. Color images are supported with both color palette and RGB options. Extensive documentation is accessible from within the program as online HELP and also as HTML. Care has been taken to support interfaces to other image processing packages, e.g., MacIntosh applications via the TIFF image format, and other EM-targeted image processing packages. The paper provides an overview of the program, its design, and implementation and outlines future plans for software development. Some general issues concerning image processing program design are discussed.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2000

Distributed nuclear medicine applications using World Wide Web and Java technology.

At present, medical applications applying World Wide Web (WWW) technology are mainly used to view static images and to retrieve some information. The Java platform is a relative new way of computing, especially designed for network computing and distributed applications which enables interactive connection between user and information via the WWW. The Java 2 Software Development Kit (SDK) including Java2D API, Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) technology, Object Serialization and the Java Advanced Imaging (JAI) extension was used to achieve a robust, platform independent and network centric solution. Medical image processing software based on this technology is presented and adequate performance capability of Java is demonstrated by an iterative reconstruction algorithm for single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT).

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Blue Obelisk-interoperability in chemical informatics.

The Blue Obelisk Movement (http://www.blueobelisk.org/) is the name used by a diverse Internet group promoting reusable chemistry via open source software development, consistent and complimentary chemoinformatics research, open data, and open standards. We outline recent examples of cooperation in the Blue Obelisk group: a shared dictionary of algorithms and implementations in chemoinformatics algorithms drawing from our various software projects; a shared repository of chemoinformatics data including elemental properties, atomic radii, isotopes, atom typing rules, and so forth; and Web services for the platform-independent use of chemoinformatics programs.

Algorithms↗