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PubMed2002

Software-supported image quantification of angiogenesis in an in vitro culture system: application to studies of biocompatibility.

Healing of soft tissue trauma and bone discontinuities following implantation involves acute inflammatory reactions and the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis). During angiogenesis new capillary vessels arise from the existing vasculature. Endothelial cells (EC) are the major cell type involved in angiogenesis. Corrosion of orthopaedic metallic implant materials (e.g. CoCr alloys) can cause locally high concentrations of heavy metal ions in the peri-implant tissues. Some divalent metal ions (Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+) lead to the activation of EC in vitro. Upon exposure to these ions. EC release cytokines and chemokines and increase the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules, which represents the pro-inflammatory phenotype. In this study we have examined whether metal ions influence the other endothelial aspect of wound healing, the angiogenic response. Therefore, we utilized an in vitro model of angiogenesis and examined the effects of divalent cobalt ions on the in vitro vessel formation. The quantification of the cobalt/ion-exerted effects on angiogenesis in vitro was performed using a contrast-rich vital staining and analysed by software-supported image quantification.

Alloys↗

PubMed2000

Topography-driven photorefractive keratectomy: results of corneal interactive programmed topographic ablation software.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy, predictability, stability, and safety of a software program (Corneal Interactive Programmed Topographic Ablation (CIPTA) LIGI, Taranto, Italy) which, by transferring programmed ablation from the corneal topography to a flying-spot excimer laser, provides customized laser ablation. DESIGN: Noncomparative consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two eyes of 34 subjects with a mean age of 33.9 (range, 20-54) had CIPTA at the Cattedra di Ottica Fisiopatologica of Bari (Italy). Twenty-eight eyes were treated for hyperopic astigmatism and 14 for myopic astigmatism. All the subjects had irregular astigmatism. OPERATION: Topography was acquired by a corneal topography mapping system (Orbscan, Orbtek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT). These data were processed to obtain a customized altimetric ablation profile, which was transferred to a flying-spot laser (Laserscan 2000, Lasersight, Orlando, FL). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on uncorrected (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), predictability, and stability of refraction and any complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 13.2 months. At the last postoperative examination, 26 eyes (92.8%) in the hyperopic group and 12 eyes (85.7%) in the myopic group had an UCVA superior to 20/40. Twelve hyperopic eyes (42.8%) and five myopic eyes (35.7%) had a UCVA of 20/20. All patients fell between 1 diopter of attempted correction in the spherical equivalent. Only 1 (2.4%) of the 42 eyes, belonging to the hyperopic group, lost 1 Snellen line of BCVA. We did not observe any decentration and/or haze after photorefractive keratectomy treatment or any irregularity in the flap-stroma interface in the three laser in situ keratomileusis operations performed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of topographic data with computer-controlled flying-spot excimer laser ablation is a suitable solution for correcting irregular astigmatism due to different causes.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Stimulus artifact removal using a software-based two-stage peak detection algorithm.

The analysis of stimulus evoked neuromuscular potentials or m-waves is a useful technique for improved feedback control in functional electrical stimulation systems. Usually, however, these signals are contaminated by stimulus artifact. A novel software technique, which uses a two-stage peak detection algorithm, has been developed to remove the unwanted artifact from the recorded signal. The advantage of the technique is that it can be used on all stimulation artifact-contaminated electroneurophysiologic data provided that the artifact and the biopotential are non-overlapping. The technique does not require any estimation of the stimulus artifact shape or duration. With the developed technique, it is not necessary to record a pure artifact signal for template estimation, a process that can increase the complexity of experimentation. The technique also does not require the recording of any external hardware synchronisation pulses. The method avoids the use of analogue or digital filtering techniques, which endeavour to remove certain high frequency components of the artifact signal, but invariably have difficulty, resulting in the removal of frequencies in the same spectrum as the m-wave. With the new technique the signal is sampled at a high frequency to ensure optimum fidelity. Instrumentation saturation effects due to the artifact can be avoided with careful electrode placement. The technique was fully tested with a wide variety of electrical stimulation parameters (frequency and pulse width) applied to the common peroneal nerve to elicit contraction in the tibialis anterior. The program was also developed to allow batch processing of multiple files, using closed loop feedback correction. The two-stage peak detection artifact removal algorithm is demonstrated as an efficient post-processing technique for acquiring artifact free m-waves.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1999

A versatile software system for controlling various within-subject tasks in behaving monkeys and humans: application to an attention task.

A multi-purpose software system is described for controlling a variety of tasks used in experiments on behaving monkeys and humans. It involved two programs, a real-time unit and a task editor. The former used editable pixel maps flashed on a computer screen as visual stimuli and operated according to a control list of trial parameters specifying the various components of each trial in the behavioural session. It involved an interrupt-driven driver interface for clock control and response analysis, and a main code managing the session process, disk access and stimulus display. The task editor was used to generate the list of trial parameters and edit the pixel-map of signals. It generated a task file used by the real-time unit. Experimental manipulations could be implemented through the organisation of the behavioural session by trial types corresponding to the different behavioural conditions. The system's capabilities are illustrated by behavioural results from an attention task in which monkeys increased their attention as a function of task difficulty.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The use of clustering software for the classification of comparative genomic hybridization data. an analysis of 109 malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is considered the most frequent soft-tissue sarcoma of late adult life. Nevertheless, the validity of this entity has been recurrently questioned by pathologists. Preliminary analyses by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of series of MFH have suggested that this tumor group is heterogeneous at the genomic level, and that at least two main genetic subgroups exist. We report an analysis by CGH of a large series of 109 MFH and on the use of clustering software for an objective classification of these tumors. We confirm our preliminary CGH results and demonstrate that two main clusters of tumors are present in the series analyzed.

Cluster Analysis↗

PubMed1999

Applying neural networks as software sensors for enzyme engineering.

The on-line control of enzyme-production processes is difficult, owing to the uncertainties typical of biological systems and to the lack of suitable on-line sensors for key process variables. For example, intelligent methods to predict the end point of fermentation could be of great economic value. Computer-assisted control based on artificial-neural-network models offers a novel solution in such situations. Well-trained feedforward-backpropagation neural networks can be used as software sensors in enzyme-process control; their performance can be affected by a number of factors.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Peridose, a software program to calculate the dose outside the primary beam in radiation therapy.

A software program, Peridose, is described to allow easy calculation of the peripheral dose (PD), the dose outside the target area. The calculation is based on published data from many authors, distinguishes between orthogonal and tangential beams and accounts for the use of wedges and shielding blocks. The separate contributions of leakage radiation and collimator scatter to the total PD are calculated too.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1986

Treatment planning software for afterloading brachytherapy.

The subject of this short communication is to present the main features of an interactive treatment planning software package for brachytherapy. The program was initially developed in the Institute of Oncology in Warsaw and based on a minicomputer configuration by the Siemens treatment planning system. Since it was first introduced into clinical practice it has been constantly developed to meet the repractice it has been constantly developed to meet the requirements of a variety of brachytherapy techniques.

Brachytherapy↗

PubMed2002

A windows software for simulation of the membrane excitation in nerve and skeletal muscle fiber.

A windows 95/98 software program for simulating membrane excitation in nerve and skeletal muscle fiber has been developed. This program simulates (1) the action potentials of the nerve under two conditions (space clamped conditions and conducting conditions), (2) the membrane currents of the nerve under voltage clamped conditions, and (3) the propagated action potentials of skeletal muscle fiber. Since users can utilize quadruple precision in the simulation of propagated action potentials, such simulation can be done for a long period (60 ms in skeletal muscle at 2 degrees C). In addition, users can change the conditions such as the capacitance of the membrane, the maximum conductance of the channel, etc., arbitrarily without quitting the program. It is also possible to easily modify the time and the voltage dependence of the gate particles in order to confirm the effects of various changes on the action potential or the membrane current. This program also has an analysis mode in which the current-voltage relationship of a channel can be measured automatically.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2002

Software for temporal gait data analysis.

This study presents a computer program, developed to support a low-cost, portable telemetry system that has been designed to assess footfall timing. This software frees the user from data processing and allows concentration on data analysis. The new technique has been applied with accuracy and reliability to the analysis of the gait of orthopedic patients, athletes, mountaineers, etc. The subroutines developed for data acquisition, storage and analysis are explained in detail, and an example is presented.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed2004

POPED, a software for optimal experiment design in population kinetics.

Population kinetic analysis is the methodology used to quantify inter-subject variability in kinetic studies. It entails the collection of (possibly sparse) data from dynamic experiments in a group of subjects and their quantitative interpretation by means of a mathematical model. This methodology is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry (where it is termed "pharmacokinetic population analysis") and recently it is becoming increasingly used in other areas of biomedical research. Unlike traditional kinetic studies, where the number of subjects can be quite small, population kinetic studies require large numbers of subjects. It is, therefore, of great interest to design these studies in the most efficient manner possible, to maximize the information content provided by the data. In this paper we propose an algorithm and a computer program, POPED, for the optimal design of a population kinetic experiment. In particular, the number of samples for each subject and the design of the individual sampling strategies, i.e. the number and location of the time points at which the output variable is sampled, will be considered. Among the various criteria proposed in the literature, D and ED optimality are the ones implemented in our software program, since they are the most widely used. A brief description of the techniques employed to perform design optimization is given, together with some details on their actual implementation. Some examples are then presented to show the program usage and the results provided.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1997

A software for the description of workplaces in the PRS system.

Workplace description is an operation indispensable for the identification of professional risks and, in fulfillment of that objective, can best be accomplished by listing the constituent tasks associated with each job. This article presents a software in Visual-Basic to be run on a portable micro-computer, which facilitates this process according to these aims. The occupational physician and safety engineer can make good use of the exposure database resulting from the application of this program. Job histories are built automatically, while workers with similar exposures are grouped together and job-exposure matrices are elaborated. This information, computerized, sorted and re-assembled, can then be used effectively for studies in the field of occupational epidemiology.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMed2002

[The integrated management software of primary care,a tool for analysing indicators of use].

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the indicators of use in the Gran Canaria Health Area. To characterise over-users so that the primary care team can take corrective measures. To design a computer tool giving appropriate useful information to the management, that can be directly put into practice in primary care. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SATTING: Gran Canaria Health Area. Hierarchical descent in the analysis of data in the base health area and family care unit, in the year 2000. PARTICIPANTS: Users of the Canaries Health Service registered on the individual health card data base. MAIN MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The activity generated by 636 270 users with 2 876 394 appointments was studied. Mean frequency of attendance in the Gran Canaria Health Area was 4.52, with a 67.3% use rate. The user causing 11 or more visits per year was defined as an over-user. 13.4% of users were over-users and caused among them 52.3% of visits. 32.7% of users registered made no visit. CONCLUSIONS: A small section of the population causes over half the consultations. The characteristics of these users need to be analysed so that programmes can be worked out to decrease their frequency of use. The integrated management software for primary care enables this information to be analysed and serves as a support for the primary care teams. Special attention needs to be paid to the population that does not use the health centres.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗

PubMed2001

FORIA: Forest Impact Analysis. An interactive decision support software providing information on the secondary effects of radiological countermeasures applied in forests.

FORIA (Forest Impact Analysis) is a decision support software that provides a synthesis of published information pertaining to the application of radiological countermeasures in forests and the secondary impacts that may result from their application. By linking relevant key parameters describing the forest environment and its social and economic roles, with information on the effects of countermeasures on a range of forest features, the potential secondary impacts of the countermeasures are indicated. User inputs refine this generic system to reveal the potential secondary effects of selected countermeasures for specific forest scenarios. FORIA has an Eastern European focus but is applicable to all forest scenarios.

Decision Support Techniques↗

PubMed1998

Semiautomated ultrasonographic measurement of fetal nuchal translucency using a computer software tool.

Nuchal translucency (NT) thickness measurement has been recently proposed as a part of routine ultrasound scanning during the late first trimester of pregnancy, for the early screening of chromosomal abnormalities. Manual determination of NT is currently performed using electronic calipers placed by the operator in the middle of two echogenic lines displayed on the screen. Therefore, intraobserver and interobserver repeatability can be questioned. This paper presents a software tool that has been developed for achieving this goal in a semiautomatic way, improving the reproducibility of the method.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

PubMed2000

From digital image processing of colour Doppler M-mode maps to noninvasive evaluation of the left ventricular diastolic function: a dedicated software package.

Noninvasive estimation of diastolic pressure gradients has recently been validated using the space-temporal velocity distribution available from colour Doppler M-mode (CDM). However, the methods currently applied for analysing CDM patterns of left ventricular (LV) filling have limitations, such as lack of automation, subjective variability and limited use of digital velocity map. For this reason, we have developed software able to acquire and process the CDM maps; thus, providing an easily interpretable graphical and numerical display. The pressure field is obtained by approximating the derivatives with centred finite differences via the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. After digital filtering of the noise and the removal of the colour black spots, the velocity field is utilised to compute the pressure gradient field and the pressure values by spatial integration. It is concluded that automatic quantification of colour CDM patterns is feasible and will be a strategic tool in the investigation of one of the most intriguing topics in cardiology.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed1992

Morphometrical investigation of medulloblastoma nuclei by S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) software system.

In order to characterize medulloblastomas and to get over the difficulties sometimes encountered in differential diagnosis, a double morphometric procedure has been applied to its nuclei. The first consisted of size measurements (maximum diameter, area and perimeter), the latter is represented by S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) software-system specifically implemented to describe shape of biological structure by analytical parameters. Analytical and dimensional parameters submitted to Hotelling's multivariate discriminant analysis gave the best results when used together in convenient discriminant subsets, thereby allowing a good distinction between medulloblastoma in comparison with neuroblastoma, Ewing's tumor, lymphoblastic and lymphocytic lymphoma. These results underline the usefulness of morphometric characterization also for practical diagnostic purposes.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1997

Initial clinical assessment of CT-MRI image fusion software in localization of the prostate for 3D conformal radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of image fusion software and compare MRI prostate localization with CT localization in patients undergoing 3D conformal radiation therapy of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a phantom study was performed to ensure the accuracy of image fusion procedure, 22 prostate cancer patients had CT and MRI studies before the start of radiotherapy. Immobilization casts used during radiation treatment were also used for both imaging studies. After the clinical target volume (CTV) (prostate or prostate + seminal vesicles) was defined on CT, slices from the MRI study were reconstructed to precisely match the CT slices by identifying three common bony landmarks on each study. The CTV was separately defined on the matched MRI slices. Data related to the size and location of the prostate were compared between CT and MRI. The spatial relationship between the tip of urethrogram cone on CT and prostate apex seen on MRI was also estimated. RESULTS: The phantom study showed the registration discrepancies between CT and MRI smaller than 1.0 mm in any pair in comparison. The patient study showed a mean image registration error of 0.9 (+/- 0.6) mm. The average prostate volume was 63.0 (+/- 25.8) cm3 and 50.9 (+/- 22.9) cm3 determined by CT and MRI, respectively. The difference in prostate location with the two studies usually differed at the base and at the apex of the prostate. On the transverse MRI, the prostate apex was situated 7.1 (+/- 4.5) mm dorsal and 15.1 (+/- 4.0) mm cephalad to the tip of urethrogram cone. CONCLUSIONS: CT-MRI image fusion study made it possible to compare the two modalities directly. MRI localization of the prostate is more accurate than CT, and indicates the distance from cone to apex is 15 mm. CT-MRI image fusion technique provides valuable supplements to CT technology for more precise targeting of the prostate cancer.

Aged↗