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Biomedical subjects

A Mira

Publications and source records attributed to A Mira.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Distributed intelligent data analysis in diabetic patient management.

This paper outlines the methodologies that can be used to perform an intelligent analysis of diabetic patients' data, realized in a distributed management context. We present a decision-support system architecture based on two modules, a Patient Unit and a Medical Unit, connected by telecommunication services. We stress the necessity to resort to temporal abstraction techniques, combined with time series analysis, in order to provide useful advice to patients; finally, we outline how data analysis and interpretation can be cooperatively performed by the two modules.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1987

[Simultaneous determination of total and immature neutrophil C-reactive protein in normal, diseased, and infected newborn infants].

C. reactive protein and immature neutrophils/total neutrophils ratio are measured in 146 newborns. Three groups are considered: 37 healthy, 90 pathologic non infected and 19 bacteriologically confirmed infected newborns. Pathologies other than infection do not alter CRP nor I/T. Levels lower than 20 mg/l for CRP and 0.18 for I/T are considered normal. Both tests are considered very useful for neonatal infection diagnosis (p less than 0.001). CRP shows a higher sensitivity than I/T in neonatal infection diagnosis even in its initial period (84% versus 63%).

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Some adaptive monte carlo methods for Bayesian inference.

Monte Carlo methods, in particular Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, have become increasingly important as a tool for practical Bayesian inference in recent years. A wide range of algorithms is available, and choosing an algorithm that will work well on a specific problem is challenging. It is therefore important to explore the possibility of developing adaptive strategies that choose and adjust the algorithm to a particular context based on information obtained during sampling as well as information provided with the problem. This paper outlines some of the issues in developing adaptive methods and presents some preliminary results.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Workflow analysis an international tool: cost reduction while retaining personnel.

Throughout the world, governments and health-care facilities have been under pressure to reduce the costs associated with providing health care. Through the use of workflow analysis, many laboratory administrators have identified cost-saving measures. Consolidating technology (workstations) and reducing personnel have generated significant cost reductions for the laboratory. However, there are parts of the world where it is impossible to displace personnel, for example Spain. This case study, conducted in Catalonia, Spain, demonstrates how laboratory administrators, through the use of workflow analysis, can identify cost-saving measures without reducing laboratory personnel.

Cost Savings↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autoantibodies against P53 protein in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Cellular accumulation and conformational changes of mutant p53 could act as immunogens for auto-antibodies (auto-Abs) generation when altered p53 from tumoral cells reaches the blood stream. Our main objective was to compare the presence and clinical implications of p53-antibodies in serum with the immunohistochemical (IHC) tissue overexpression of protein p53 in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, evaluating their association with bladder cancer parameters and their prognostic value. The study comprised 59 patients with bladder cancer (group 1) and 15 healthy controls (group 2). Serum p53-Abs were measured by ELISA. Mutant p53 protein IHC overexpression was examined from paraffin embedded tissues using monoclonal DO-7 Ab. Serum p53-Abs were detected in 14/59 and IHC P53 was positive in 24/59 patients from group 1. All p53-Abs positive patients had IHC p53 positive tumors, but some patients with IHC positive immunoreactivity showed undetectable p53-Abs. None of the healthy controls had detectable p53-Abs. Titres of p53-Abs were associated with stage and grade. P53 overexpression was dependent on stage, grade, pattern of growth and focality. P53 Abs showed a significant prognostic value for disease free survival (p = 0.0059) and life expectancy (p < 0.0005) and for IHQ p53 for life expectancy (p = 0.0033). Patients with positive P53 Abs showed a higher probability for a shorter survival OR = 6.38 (1.77-22.99) than those who were positive for IHQ p53 OR = 4.00 (1.31-12.8) or those who were negative for p53 Abs and/or IHQ p53. The measurement of p53 Abs in serum appeared to be a simple determination which might reflect the p53 status and might help in the selection of those bladder cancer patients with a worse prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of antibodies to beta-amyloid in carriers of E280A mutation in the presenilin-1 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate some immune component that could contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease associated with the E280A mutation of the presenilin-1 gene (PS-1). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum antibodies against both cardiolipin and beta-amyloid peptides (beta 1-40 and beta 1-42) were quantitated by means of an indirect ELISA technique in carriers of the mutation, either healthy or with Alzheimer's disease, as well as in normal controls without the mutation. RESULTS: Out of 19 patients with Alzheimer's disease only 2 had increased values of antibodies to cardiolipin, namely: one with 14.58 micrograms/ml of IgM and the other with 36.16 micrograms/ml of IgG. The remaining individuals revealed values under 10 micrograms/ml, considered normal, and there was no significant difference between the groups. Significant serum reactivity (p < 0.001) was detected against both beta-amyloid peptides in the mutation carriers, either with or without Alzheimer's disease, as compared to the control group. No correlation was detected between this antibody response and the mental or functional situation of the patients. CONCLUSION: beta-amyloid antibodies, present in the mutation carriers, may simply represent a marker of immune activation induced by beta-amyloid with no in vivo effect; however, despite the results, the possibility can not be ruled out of a pathogenic role of these antibodies in early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-analytical workflow analysis reveals simple changes and can result in improved hospital efficiency.

Workflow analysis is an ongoing process for laboratory managers. Throughout the years, laboratory managers have made many changes such as creating a core laboratory, consolidating technology, and implementing a new laboratory information system, all of which will have an immediate impact on laboratory operations. However, after implementation of any change in the laboratory, one should follow up with a pre- and/or postanalytical workflow assessment. This case study evaluates the pre-analytical impact of analytical changes made more than a year ago.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Parasitism in fishes and human riverside communities of the Huillinco and Natri lakes (Great Island of Chiloé), Chile].

In April and December 1989, 35 fish from Lake Huillinco (42 degrees 48'S, 74 degrees 02'W) and 36 fish from Lake Natri (42 degrees 48'S, 73 degrees 50'W), in the Great Island of Chiloé (Chile) were examined. Coprological samples from 159 persons, 17 dogs, 19 pigs and 4 cats from around both lakes were examined for Diphyllobothrium spp. infection. In the Lake Huillinco the following helminths of fishes were determined: Contracaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. in Salmo trutta, Cauque mauleanum and Eleginops maclovinus; Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) dichelyneformis in S. trutta and E. maclovinus and Scolex pleuronectis in S. trutta. One specimen of Mugil cephalus did not show helminth parasites. Prevalence of infection were greater for Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta (75.0%) and C. mauleanum (76.0%); and Hysterothylacium sp. in E. maclovinus (75.0%). Mean intensity was higher for D. (C.) dichelyneformis in E. maclovinus. Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus kisutch and Galaxias maculatus; Acanthocephalus sp. in S. trutta and G. maculatus, S. pleuronectis in O. mykiss and Cystidicoloides sp. in G. maculatus were determined at Lake Natri. Prevalence and intensity of infection were higher for Contracaecum sp. in S. trutta and O. kisutch. Infection by Diphyllobothrium sp. was determined in one domestic cat. Prevalence of infection by intestinal protozoan and helminths in human population only showed significative differences for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura that were higher in the Lake Huillinco. Importance of natural infection by helminth parasites for fish in cultured condition and possible mechanisms of infections in relation to the diet of fishes are discussed.

Animals↗