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[Technical aspect of clinical spectroscopic imaging and its recent development--hardware and software].

Today's technical status as well as future developments of clinical spectroscopic imaging were overviewed in terms of hardware and software aspects. For the hardware development, discussion was focused on superconducting magnet with high static fields, new probe designs and fast acquisition of spectroscopic imaging. Some of the technical limitation was also included. In software, pulse shape design for B1 insensitive excitation, selective signal detection utilizing homo- and hetero-nuclear coherence transfer, and post processing of acquired data were briefly discussed. Especially the processed data is important to extract chemical information for the metabolite which can be utilize in the clinical application. Some of the proposed methods were summarized for this.

Computers↗

Practitioner-patient communication software: an aid in the prescription of dental prostheses.

A questionnaire designed for psychometric evaluation was used to develop communication software that helps us understand patients' expectations of their prostheses. This enables the practitioner to select and suggest the type of prosthesis that best responds to the hopes, as well as the needs, of patients. At the end of the treatment process, the practitioner is able to ascertain whether the patient's expectations have indeed been met. With this software, we can also compare various types of prostheses based on evaluation by patients as well as conduct multi-center studies.

Communication↗

Clinical validation of PD Adequest software: modeling error assessment.

OBJECTIVE: PD ADEQUEST software (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, U.S.A.) is used in peritoneal dialysis for calculating the indices of dialysis efficiency and for the mathematical simulation of the results of various dialysis regimens. The aim of our study was to quantify the modeling errors and find the methods which give best results. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, repeated measurement, clinical validation study. PATIENTS: The study included 78 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD), daytime ambulatory PD, and automated PD. MEASUREMENTS: We used 207 collections of dialysate and urine associated with peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs) performed with different glucose concentrations (1.36%, 2.27%, 3.86%). The measured urea Kt/V, creatinine clearance (CRCL) and ultrafiltration (UF) were compared with the same data simulated mathematically using the PD ADEQUEST software version 1.4. RESULTS: The Kt/V, CRCL, and UF measured values were significantly correlated and in agreement with modeled data [concordance correlation (rc) was 0.849, 0.839, 0.625 respectively]. The errors (modeled - measured) were: Kt/V = -0.04 +/- 0.27 (p = ns), CRCL = 2.1 +/- 7.7 L (p < 0.001), UF = -121 +/- 711 mL (p = 0.016). Applying ANOVA to both the peritoneal transport data calculated by PD ADEQUEST (mass transfer area coefficient of the solutes, fluid reabsorption, and hydraulic permeability) and the modeling errors, significant differences were found in relation to the PET glucose concentrations. CONCLUSION: PD ADEQUEST proves to be a useful instrument in peritoneal dialysis, although there is undoubtedly still room for improvement in its prediction efficacy, which is influenced by the glucose concentration used in the PET.

Computer Simulation↗

Functional MRI statistical software packages: a comparative analysis.

Currently, there are many choices of software packages for the analysis of fMRI data, each offering many options. Since no one package can meet the needs of all fMRI laboratories, it is helpful to know what each package offers. Several software programs were evaluated for comparison of their documentation, ease of learning and use, referencing, data input steps required, types of statistical methods offered, and output choices. The functionality of each package was detailed and discussed. AFNI 2.01, SPM96, Stimulate 5.0, MEDIMAX 2.01, and FIT were tested. FIASCO, Yale, and MEDx 2.0 were described but not tested. A description of each package is provided.

Algorithms↗

Software for hierarchical modeling of epidemiologic data.

Hierarchical models can provide more reasonable and stable parameter estimates than conventional analytical approaches. This technique also deals with problems of multiple comparisons and allows one to model multilevel data within a hierarchical framework. Hence, one would anticipate a surge in applying hierarchical models to epidemiologic data. Difficulties in fitting hierarchical models, however, seem to have limited their use. To help address this problem, we describe the existing software packages that one can use to fit hierarchical models. Since these packages have limited familiarity and applicability in epidemiology, we also present SAS code for analyzing epidemiologic data with hierarchical models. These results allow epidemiologists to fit hierarchical models with readily available software.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Evaluation of FNS control systems: software development and sensor characterization.

Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation (FNS) systems activate paralyzed limbs by electrically stimulating motor neurons. These systems have been used to restore functions such as standing and stepping in people with thoracic level spinal cord injury. Research in our laboratory is directed at the design and evaluation of the control algorithms for generating posture and movement. This paper describes software developed for implementing FNS control systems and the characterization of a sensor system used to implement and evaluate controllers in the laboratory. In order to assess FNS control algorithms, we have developed a versatile software package using Lab VIEW (National Instruments, Corp). This package provides the ability to interface with sensor systems via serial port or A/D board, implement data processing and real-time control algorithms, and interface with neuromuscular stimulation devices. In our laboratory, we use the Flock of Birds (Ascension Technology Corp.) motion tracking sensor system to monitor limb segment position and orientation (6 degrees of freedom). Errors in the sensor system have been characterized and nonlinear polynomial models have been developed to account for these errors. With this compensation, the error in the distance measurement is reduced by 90 % so that the maximum error is less than 1 cm.

Computer Systems↗

Large DNA fragment sizing using native acrylamide gels on an automated DNA sequencer and GENESCAN software.

We have investigated the potential of the PE Applied Biosystems Model 373 Automated DNA Sequencer and GENESCAN software to size minisatellite alleles ranging in size from 230 bp to 2.5 kbp. We report on the use of a native (non-denaturing) acrylamide gel system and fluorescent dUTP labeling of PCR products. The observed variability in size calling ranged from +/- 0.4-bp standard deviation (SD) at the lower end of the size range to +/- 37.5-bp SD for the largest allele. Both within-gel and between-gel variability in sizing increased with larger alleles, in particular when sizes exceeded 2 kbp. Size-calling differences were observed dependent on the method used to fluorescently label the PCR products and with the fluorescent dye type and concentration used in incorporation. The benefits and limitations of the current GENESCAN software in sizing large DNA fragments are also discussed.

Alleles↗

[IS&C image viewing and conversion software for Macintosh computer].

Although standardized data-transmission protocols such as DICOM are very beneficial, on-line transmission on images is often difficult to establish because of cost or security concerns. On the other hand, media-based data exchange is simple and adequate for the private use of medical images. We developed a viewing software program for medical images stored in magneto-optical disks with IS&C standard format. It displays images with gray-scale tone and stores them in Macintosh PICT format. The software is available for personal use from the first author.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

STESYS software for computer-assisted stereology.

A software system STESYS for interactive and flexible generation of stereological test systems is described. STESYS enables to implement many of the recent unbiased stereological methods applied to biomedical research and clinical diagnosis by using a simple personal computer. Advantages of the STESYS software are illustrated by several examples of stereological measurements for estimating the number, total and mean cross-sectional area, volume and surface area.

Axons↗

[Evaluation of estimated blood concentration of propofol on wake-up using "ConGrase", a software to control the syringe pump for propofol infusion].

We developed a software to control a Graseby 3500 syringe pump for propofol infusion through the serial port of Apple Macintosh/Power-Macintosh computer. This software, "ConGrase", was developed with Metrowerks CodeWarrior Professional (CWP 1) and PowerPlant framework using C++. ConGrase communicates with the syringe pump at least every three seconds, and calculates the estimated blood concentration (EBC) of propofol based on the amount of propofol actually infused by applying either the Euler or Runge-Kutta method using the three-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The parameter sets reported by Gepts et al. are used. ConGrase was released at the 44 th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Anesthesiology, and is distributed freely. The mean and S.D. of the emergence EBC calculated by ConGrase were 1.22 micrograms.ml-1 and 0.16 microgram.ml-1, respectively. These values are almost the same as values already reported outside Japan. The necessary wake-up time can be calculated with this estimated concentration. With this system, anesthetists can control the EBC at the required level and avoid long delays before the patients wake up after anesthesia.

Adolescent↗

Using web technology and Java mobile software agents to manage outside referrals.

A prototype, web-based referral application was created with the objective of providing outside primary care providers (PCP's) the means to refer patients to the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. The application was designed to achieve the two primary objectives of providing the consultant with enough data to make decisions even at the initial visit, and providing the PCP with a prompt response from the consultant. The system uses a web browser/server to initiate the referral and Java mobile software agents to support the workflow of the referral. This combination provides a light client implementation that can run on a wide variety of hardware and software platforms found in the office of the PCP. The implementation can guarantee a high degree of security for the computer of the PCP. Agents can be adapted to support the wide variety of data types that may be used in referral transactions, including reports with complex presentation needs and scanned (faxed) images Agents can be delivered to the PCP as running applications that can perform ongoing queries and alerts at the office of the PCP. Finally, the agent architecture is designed to scale in a natural and seamless manner for unforeseen future needs.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Large scale database scrubbing using object oriented software components.

Now that case managers, quality improvement teams, and researchers use medical databases extensively, the ability to share and disseminate such databases while maintaining patient confidentiality is paramount. A process called scrubbing addresses this problem by removing personally identifying information while keeping the integrity of the medical information intact. Scrubbing entire databases, containing multiple tables, requires that the implicit relationships between data elements in different tables of the database be maintained. To address this issue we developed DBScrub, a Java program that interfaces with any JDBC compliant database and scrubs the database while maintaining the implicit relationships within it. DBScrub uses a small number of highly configurable object-oriented software components to carry out the scrubbing. We describe the structure of these software components and how they maintain the implicit relationships within the database.

Confidentiality↗

Levitation and movement of human tumor cells using a printed circuit board device based on software-controlled dielectrophoresis.

In this study we describe an original, efficient, and innovative printed circuit board (PCB) device able to generate dielectrophoresis-based, software-controlled cages that can be moved to any place inside a microchamber. Depending on their dielectrophoretic properties, eukaryotic cells can be "entrapped" in cages and moved under software control. The main conclusion gathered from the experimental data reported is that the PCB device based on dielectrophoresis permits levitation and movement of different tumor cells at different dielectrophoresis conditions. The results presented herein are therefore the basis for experiments aimed at forced interactions or separation of eukaryotic cells using "lab-on-a-chip." In fact, because many cages can be controlled at the same time, and two or more cages can be forced to share the same or a different location, it is possible, in principle, either to bring in contact cells of a differing histotype or to separate them.

Animals↗

Computerised volumetric analysis of lesions in multiple sclerosis using new semi-automatic segmentation software.

The paper describes the application of new semi-automatic segmentation software to the task of detection of anatomical structures and lesion and their three-dimensional (3D) visualisation in 23 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose is to study the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters (volumes of plaques and cerebrospinal fluid spaces) and clinical deficits (neurological deficits in the form of EDSS and RFSS scores, and neuropsychological deficits). The software operates in PC/Windows and PC/NeXTstep environments and utilises graphical user interfaces. Quantitative accuracy is measured by performing segmentation of fluid-filled syringes (relative error of 1.5%), and reproducibility is measured by intra- and inter-observer studies (3% and 7% variability, respectively). The mean volumes of MS plaques show significant correlations with the total RFSS scores (p = 0.04). Relative intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space volumes show statistically significant correlation with EDSS scores (p = 0.01). The mean volume of MS plaques shows a significant correlation with the overall neuropsychological deficits (p = 0.03). 3D visualisation helps to understand the relationship of lesions to the surrounding brain structures. The use of semiautomatic segmentation techniques is recommended in the clinical diagnosis of MS patients.

Brain↗

Overview of QTL mapping software and introduction to map manager QT.

At least ten software packages are available for marker-based detection and localization of loci contributing to quantitative traits in experimental animals and plants. Many of these have unique strengths or situations in which they are particularly useful. Six were developed by or in collaboration with plant geneticists and may not be well known to mammalian geneticists. These software packages are reviewed here and compared with a previously undescribed program, Map Manager QT, a Mac OS microcomputer program for mapping quantitative trait loci in populations derived from backcrosses, intercrosses, and recombinant inbred lines. Map Manager QT is an enhanced version of Map Manager Classic (Map Manager v2.6.5, Manly 1993), designed for mapping Mendelian loci. This review describes the methods Map Manager QT uses for mapping quantitative trait loci and describes other features that differ from those in Map Manager Classic. A complete description of both Map Manager Classic and Map Manager QT is available in the user manual, the on-line version of which can be found at http://mcbio.med.buffalo.edu/MMM/MMM.ht ml.

Animals↗

Report on the computer software contest at 38th Congress of the Japan Society of Anesthesiology.

We held a computer software contest at 38th Congress of the JSA, held in March, 1991. The aim is to encourage the members of the Society to write softwares and to help distribute them, especially as Freewares. We received 25 entries for the contest; two-thirds of these are for computers of NEC PC9801 series and a third are for Macintosh. We received donations 3 million yen worth of instruments and goods for prizes plus some cash, which as prizes were distributed to those who made entries for the contest. Most of these programs have been registered as freewares at various computer networks, including our Ether-Net, one of the common computer network SIGBBS's among Japanese anesthesiologists.

Journal Article↗

A simple method for hardware and software evaluation.

Subjective data are often the only data available for making decisions and choices in both hardware and software development. These data are therefore both important and valuable. Their importance is such that it is necessary to elicit subjective data from a variety of sources and in a manner that is relatively unbiased. A method which requires participants to compare all criteria and all proposed concepts by pairs provides a non-statistical mechanism for collecting data from a broad base of expertise, for giving appropriate weight to all input, and for reducing personal bias. These characteristics make a comparison of all pairs a useful tool for hardware and software evaluation when decisions and choices must be made. The efficacy of the method was recently demonstrated in the selection of a restraint-attachment device for Space Station Freedom.

Journal Article↗

A software system to record and analyze digitized cell images.

This paper describes basic software for digitization and processing of microscopic cell images used at the Department of Clinical Cytology at Uppsala University Hospital. A family of programs running on a PDP-8 minicomputer which is connected to a Leitz Orthoplan microscope with two image scanners, one diode-array scanner and a moving-stage photometer, is used for data collection. The digitized image data is converted by converted by conversion program to IBM compatible format. The data structures for image processing and statistical evaluation on the IBM system are also described. Finally, some experiences from the use of the software in cytology automation are discussed.

Cell Biology↗