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[CroDiab NET--electronic diabetes registry].
INTRODUCTION AND AIM: National diabetes registry has been an important aim of Croatian diabetology for a long time. Currently, efforts are made to define a national registry based upon Cro Diab NET, a computer software designed as a patient record form and suitable for automatic extraction of data for the registry. METHODS: Diagnostic entities captured are defined by the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th rev. (E10--E14, G63.2, and H36) and ICF (b540, b279, b298, b2108). Central CroDiabNET module is BIS (Basic Informatic Sheet), recognized by the international diabetology community as optimal data collection form for the follow-up and improvement of diabetes care. There are several ways of data collection: secondary and tertiary health centers with diabetes care within their scope of activities send BIS on their patients to the central base by a modem, other secondary and tertiary health centers as well as primary health care will send data on their diabetic patients either via the Internet or by mail (interactive BIS will be available on the registry www page). The preferred method of data collection is the electronic one. The central base automatically links records of uniquely identified patients. Other records are checked separately, compared with the existing records and linked manually. Data confidentiality is ensured by double password protection of excess at the level of both users and registry. Unauthorised access is highly unlikely. RESULTS: So far, most of the secondary and tertiary health centers dealing with diabetology have been active in data collection. Inclusion of primary care (family physicians) is in progress. The last report covered data from 13 centers. Besides data on the number of patients, the reports contained analyses of BIS patient data availability. This is a tool for the analysis of the quality of registry and it can also provide basic data for planned actions aimed at quality of care improvement. Regular data collection from all levels of health care with concomitant connection of the registry to the national death registry started in 2004. With complete implementation of these processes a unique national diabetes database will be defined. CONCLUSION: Results of the use of CroDiabNET so far confirm its potency as a valuable tool for population registry of diabetes as well as for improvement of diabetes health care. Regular periodic reports reveal an increasing number of centers involved. With continuation of this trend the registry will become a national, population-based database.
Croatia↗
[Knockdown of bcl-xL expression with RNA interference induces nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibition of the expression of bcl-xL gene induced by RNA interference in CNE-2Z cell line in addition to the inhibition of its proliferation and apoptotic induction. METHODS: Small interfering RNAs targeting bcl-xL gene were synthesized by using web design software provided by Amnion and the silencer short interfering RNA (siRNA) construction kit; fluorescein-labeled siRNAs were done by FAM-silencer siRNA labeling kit; siRNAs were transfected into CNE-2Z cells by using lipofectamine 2000 reagent; siRNA transfection efficiencies were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy; down-regulation of bcl-xL was detected by RT-PCR; thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay was used to assess the cell growth; apoptosis of CNE-2Z cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Green fluorescence in the cells was seen clearly in FAM-labeled siRNA transfected group under the fluorescent microscope while none in the untransfected group. Different down-regulations of bcl-xL mRNA expression were found in the transfected groups. The expression of bcl-xL mRNA decreased by 10% - 70% in the siRNAs transfected CNE-2Z by RT-PCR scan analysis. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation depended on time and concentrations to some extent. Different cell apoptosis could be induced by different concentrations of siRNA4. CONCLUSIONS: The synthesized siRNAs in vitro were able to down-regulate the expression of bcl-xL There were different capabilities of the specific siRNAs down-regulation. The transient transfected bcl-xL siRNA4 could effectively inhibit the growth of the cancer cells and induce theirs apoptosis. It was suggested that the siRNA technique provide not only an extremely powerful tool for the functional analysis of genome but also a new method for anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma gene therapy.
Apoptosis↗
[Design of a quantitative analysis software system for myocardial contrast echocardiography].
This article reports a quantitative analysis software system for myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). It can measure the signal intensity of grayscale images and power Doppler images, draw the time-intensity curves of variations on the intensity of microbubbles scattering in subendocardial layer and subepicardial layer with the pulsing intervals, and estimate the hemodynamic parameters by nonlinear regression analysis. This system has been applied to a study on 20 healthy volunteers, and the results suggest that the software has the capacity for bringing the quantitative analysis of MCE to success. The MCE software system conforms to the DICOM standard and can be integrated into PACS.
Adult↗
[Design of an artificial sphincter system with bio-feedback function based on MSP430].
In this paper, we advance a new treating method for rectectomy postoperative anus incontinence, which is called "artificial sphincter system with biofeedback-function". The system simulates the function of human's sphincter and has entered into a stage of simulation experiments on animals.
Anal Canal↗
Hematologic values of New Zealand white rabbits determined by automated flow cytometry.
Hematologic values of peripheral blood from normal adult New Zealand White rabbits were determined by five different automated flow cytometers in use in a routine clinical hematology laboratory: Technicon H1, Coulter Counter CC540, Coulter Counter VCS, Sysmex NE8000 and Sysmex R1000. The software designed for human blood analysis was used in all instances without adaptation. The total numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, reticulocytes and platelets were measured with high precision and accuracy. Except for hemoglobin content, concordance was excellent for all measured and calculated values among the different automated flow cytometers. Determining the white blood cell differential count was more complex. Eosinophils and lymphocytes were quantified reliably by all the automated flow cytometers used. However, the results were rejected by Technicon H1 and Sysmex NE8000 in 50% of the cases. Rabbit basophils were recognized with accuracy by Technicon H1 only. The proportion of polymorphonuclear versus mononuclear white cells was identical when measured with Technicon H1 and Coulter Counter VCS. These results show that the new generation of automated flow cytometers designed for human blood can be used with some limitations for animal studies. They allow the standardization of normal values and comparison of results among or between laboratories. They also introduce new parameters, the value of which is as yet undefined.
Animals↗
Candidate mRNAs interacting with fertility protein PUMILIO2 in the human germ line.
Pumilio protein regulates translation of specific mRNAs in morphogenesis and germ-line development of the flies by binding nucleotide motifs GUUGU (A) and AUUGUA (B) in 3'untranslated regions. A human homologue, PUMILIO2 has been recently identified in the germ-line stem cells and the question was raised whether it regulates translation. We designed software to screen the GeneBank for A and B motifs and found that they are not uncommon in the human genome. Moreover, some of the genes containing motifs A and B are germ cell specific, but some others are expressed in a number of other tissues. This may indicate that PUMILIO mediated translational regulation is universally used in developmental processes of the human body.
Base Sequence↗
The development of a computer based learning (CBL) program in diabetes management.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a computer based learning (CBL) program in diabetes management for health care providers and academic staff MATERIAL AND METHOD: A CBL program was developed using "Authorware Professional ver. 6. 0" software. Content validation, computer background survey and investigation of the usability of the program, was conducted as part of the production of this program. The involved participants were university staff hospital care providers (e.g., doctors, nurses and pharmacists) and nursing & pharmacy students. RESULTS: Overall, the results were positive. Some limitations regarding computer background were revealed Few of the participants were familiar with self-learning materials. The usability of the CBL program was generally encouraging however some comments were made regarding program function, such as the duration of the program, and minor problems with the audiovisual effects. All comments were noted and addressed for future implementation. CONCLUSION: The CBL program was found to be a user-friendly, interactive multimedia program for diabetes management.
Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
[Phosphodiesterase type 5 siRNA increases cGMP in the smooth muscle cells of human corpus cavernosum].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the cGMP in the smooth muscle cells of human corpus cavernosum, and to provide an experimental groundwork for the gene therapy of erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: Small interfering RNAs targeting PDE5 gene were synthesized by using web design software provided by Ambion, three siRNAs and a control siRNA were synthesized by Ambion. siRNAs were transfected into the smooth muscle cells of human corpus cavernosum by using siPORT Lipid reagent. cGMP was detected by ELISA at different times (24, 48, 72 and 96 h) after transfection. RESULTS: The cGMP levels of the siRNA1, siRNA2 and siRNA3 groups were significantly higher than those of the siRNA control and blank control groups (P < 0.05), and so was it in the siRNA1 group than the siRNA2 and siRNA3 groups (P < 0.05), with significant difference between the siRNA control and the blank control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The synthesized siRNAs in vitro are capable of increasing the level of cGMP in the smooth muscle cells of human corpus cavernosum, different siRNAs with different capabilities. The siRNA technique could provide not only an extremely powerful tool for the functional analysis of genome but also a new approach to ED gene therapy.
3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
[Optimum separation conditions of catechin compounds by HCI program in reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography].
An efficient optimization method was used to separate catechin compounds by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The binary mobile phase of water and methanol was utilized with the buffer of acetic acid (AA). The elution profiles were calculated by the plate theory based on the linear and quadratic equations of retention factor, In k = ln kw + SF, k = A + B/F, ln k = L + MF + NF2, where F is the volume fraction of methanol in the mobile phase. The retention theory was modified to calculate the elution profile in both isocratic and gradient modes. Based on the retention theory, elution profiles were predicted by introducing the concept of solute migration in the mobile phase with the linear and quadratic dependence of ln k in terms of the organic modifier content. Using the HCI program (a software designed by Inha University), the recommended experimental conditions of mobile phase composition and gradient step were suggested, and the elution profiles calculated by the quadratic relationship of ln k showed better coincidence with the experimental data than the linear correlation did. The calculated results of mobile phase condition for separation of catechin compounds suggested that the mobile phase composition was 0.1% AA in water/0.1% AA in methanol, 75/25 (v/v), then after 15 min, the composition was linearly changed to 50/50 (v/v) in 10 min and held at the isocratic mode to the end. In the experimental conditions, the agreement between the experimental elution profiles and the calculated values of eluted concentration was relatively good.
Algorithms↗
Comparison of bicycle and treadmill radionuclide angiocardiography.
The purpose of this study was to test motion-correction algorithms for initial-transit radionuclide angiocardiograms acquired at rest and during bicycle and treadmill exercise. Treadmill data was spatially reoriented by computer software designed to eliminate motion of a 125I point source simultaneously recorded at a lower energy window. A second algorithm based on left ventricular centroid counts further corrected for motion on all studies. Exercise left ventricular ejection fraction was higher on the treadmill (0.68 +/- 0.07) compared to the bicycle (0.64 +/- 0.08) (p less than 0.0001, r = 0.88). Treadmill exercise also resulted in larger end-diastolic volumes (180 +/- 30 versus 157 +/- 36, p less than 0.0001), stroke volumes (124 +/- 28 versus 101 +/- 29, p less than 0.0001) and cardiac outputs (19.9 +/- 4.6 versus 15.9 +/- 5.0, p less than 0.0001). Similar variances for these hemodynamic measurements suggest that the mean differences observed were physiologic and that error from body motion was effectively corrected by this approach. We conclude that the measurement of left ventricular function during treadmill exercise, when combined with these techniques for correcting motion, is a reasonable alternative to conventional bicycle exercise.
Adult↗
Using a computerized method to measure 99mTc pertechnetate uptake for the assessment of thyroid function: a clinical validation.
This retrospective study evaluated thyroid function by the 99mTc pertechnetate uptake ratio, using computer software designed in our laboratory. We expected that this measurement could be a precise and accurate index. The following studies were performed on 187 patients: (1) 24-hour radioimmunoassay of serum thyroid hormones, including serum thyroxine, free T4, triiodothyronine, thyrotropin concentrations, and T3 resin uptake; (2) 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid imaging and uptake measurement; and (3) 24-hour 131I thyroid uptake. Based on the clinical findings and the results from the predescribed laboratory tests, we found that: (1) the mean value of the 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid uptake ratio in the euthyroid groups was 2.77 +/- 1.77% (mean +/- SD); (2) the correlation coefficient between the 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid uptakes and the 24-hour 131I uptakes of the euthyroid patients was 0.71; and (3) hyperthyroidism could be distinguished from euthyroid condition easily. By setting the upper limit of euthyroid 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid uptake at 6.31%, the diagnostic sensitivity was 92.9%, specificity 96.1%, and accuracy 95.6% in separating hyperthyroid from euthyroid patients. These values were similar to those determined by the 24-hour 131I uptake measurements. Thus, thyroid function can be evaluated simultaneously with a routine 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid scan. Both the patient time and cost can be saved with this method, since the measurement takes only 25 minutes. Decreased radiation exposure is another advantage of this method over the traditional 131I uptake measurement.
Adolescent↗
Automated quantitation of immunocytochemically localized estrogen receptors in human breast cancer.
Frozen sections of breast tumor tissue have been stained using an immunoperoxidase [estrogen receptor (ER)-immunocytochemistry] kit incorporating a monoclonal antiserum [H222] to visualize nuclear human ERs. Quantitation of specific staining has been performed by manual procedures using optical microscopy and by a computer-assisted image analysis system (CAS 100). Initial investigations with a test panel of ER-immunocytochemistry-positive tumors revealed a good qualitative agreement between CAS and manual assessments. Reduced variance was, however, observed between quantified ER-immunocytochemistry results from four experienced investigators using the CAS analysis. An extended study confirmed the relationships between CAS and manual methods of assessment. These findings were evident when studies were scored either by assessment of the percentage of positively stained cells (n = 92; r = 0.919; P less than 0.01) or by H-score calculations (n = 92; r = 0.913; P less than 0.01). A good correlation was also found between CAS quantification and the results of an ER enzyme immunoassay of 48 primary breast cancer specimens (r = 0.715; P less than 0.05). In 49 cases it was possible to relate CAS-defined ER status and levels to the subsequent response of patients to endocrine therapy. ER was assessed on specimens obtained prior to commencement of treatments for recurrent breast cancer. Presuming the presence of ER to be a prerequisite for successful therapy, very good correlations between response and both status and levels of positivity were recorded. None of 16 patients with CAS-ER-negative tumors responded to treatment, while 16 of 33 (48.4%) CAS-ER-positive patients achieved an objective response according to International Union Against Cancer criteria. A relationship between response and the degree of CAS-ER positivity was obtained when the CAS score divisions of 0, 1-100, and greater than 100 (response rates, 0, 41, and 64%, respectively) were used. These data demonstrate that automated image analysis offers a reliable, reproducible procedure for quantifying ER in immunocytochemically stained sections. It has potential advantages over manual procedures, providing less opportunity for subjective influences in scoring sections. Future advances in software design should further reduce elements of subjectivity and increase both the speed and reliability of results. We anticipate image analysis becoming a valuable tool in investigations concerning, for example, the influence of heterogeneity of steroid receptor distribution on the rate of recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy and in the clinical course of the disease.
Breast↗
Converting the representation of medical data: criteria to code the underlying cause of death.
This study deals with a set of coding directives that were conceived for trained coding clerks and rely upon knowledge of their cultural background. These directives were formalized and adapted for computer use and in this form must rely upon a background of explicit medical knowledge. Medical data on death certificates are an invaluable source of information regarding prevention of major causes of death. These causes are coded and tabulated worldwide by means of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The ICD manual issues directives to achieve uniformity of coding throughout the world. The coder is required to trace back the flow of events which caused death and to single out the most significant concept from the statistical point of view. After emphasizing the problems encountered in the formalization, the methodological contribution of this work to the identification of a modular architecture for a system which represents and "reshapes" knowledge from medical documents is presented. Therefore we focus on the features of the two kinds of knowledge that must be supplied to a knowledge-based system, in order to enable it to perform semantic conversions on given medical data, namely: i) generic guidelines; ii) detailed medical knowledge.
Cause of Death↗
Maryland MIRRORS/II: a connectionist model simulator.
Developing and evaluating connectionist models (also called neural models) is a difficult and time-consuming task. To address this issue, we designed a software system called Maryland MIRRORS/II for the construction of connectionist models in biomedicine and other fields. Maryland MIRRORS/II is distinguished from previous and current related systems by its support of a high-level nonprocedural language, a general-purpose event-handling mechanism, and an indexed library of system resources. These features make Maryland MIRRORS/II a convenient software tool for use in biomedicine. This paper describes Maryland MIRRORS/II and provides a simple example in which it uses error back propagation learning to select the appropriate treatment for a given set of manifestations.
Computer Simulation↗
Median frequency of the myoelectric signal in cervical paraspinal muscles.
Objective measurements of the function of cervical paraspinal muscles (CPM) are lacking. Changes in the frequency spectrum of the myoelectric (ME) signal have been used in the limb muscles as an objective measurement of muscle function. Based on our previous investigational work on limb muscles, we attempted to measure parameters related to median frequency (MF) of the ME signal to measure localized muscle fatigue in cervical paraspinal muscles in 14 healthy subjects. The ME signals were recorded bilaterally using surface electrodes placed posteriorly at the C3 to C6 level. Sustained isometric neck extensions were performed at 20%, 50%, 80%, and 100% of maximum voluntary contractions (MVC). Initial median frequency (IMF) and slope of the MF during sustained isometric contraction were obtained by analyzing the ME signal using an IBM-XT computer, a laboratory interface system, and custom-designed software. The results indicated that the MF of the CPM behave somewhat differently from limb muscles, and that the CPM are less fatigable than limb muscles. The test-retest reliability, using our system, was found to be high, and data processing showed a variability of 4 to 8Hz. These results imply that neck muscles appear to behave differently at high and low force levels in response to daily functional demand. The MF measurements appear to be a useful objective technique for evaluating muscle function of cervical musculature.
Adult↗
Quality assurance and precision of dual photon absorptiometry in bone mineral measurement.
Dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) has evolved as a powerful technique in measuring bone mineral density (BMD) to assess osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases in recent years. We introduced the first installation of DPA instrument into this country in Aug. 1987. Since the comparison among longitudinal BMD values influences the diagnosis, monitoring and medical decision-making, high precision of the system performance and strict quality assurance program are prerequisite for judgment of the difference between two successive measurements. However, the automation and black-box software design of the instrument make users gain very little knowledge how the instruments acquire the long-term system reliability. The first part of this study was designed to establish a standardized procedure to evaluate the long-term quality of the DPA instrument. Our instrument was proved to have stable sensitivity, resolution, accuracy and reproducibility in the four months of study. Three subjects with different BMD levels were scanned to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver errors in BMD analysis expected in our laboratory (2.2 and 1.6% at 95% confidence level, respectively). The results indicated that reanalyzing the same scan by either of the two observers would produce a BMD precision error within 2.2% at a 95% confidence level. Serial scans of 7 normal volunteers within five weeks were then conducted to evaluate the overall precision of the BMD measurements. Our findings indicated that two scans would be considered as having a real BMD change if they differ by more than 3.3% at a 95% confidence level. There are at least five sets of DPA instruments that have been installed in Taiwan presently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
A service-oriented information sources database for the biological sciences.
Researchers in the biological sciences require access to a variety of information sources located in various places on different computer networks. In order to satisfy the information needs of a researcher, appropriate information sources must be selected and access to these information sources and the computing services supporting them must be provided in a way that does not distract the researcher from problems of real interest. At the University of Missouri-Columbia a service-oriented information sources database is being developed as a key component of a layered-model design of an intelligent system which will provide a research environment appropriate to the needs of researchers in the biological sciences.
Artificial Intelligence↗