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PubMed1987

Application of a small microcomputer to cell image analysis.

Solutions to three problems in using small microcomputers for interactive cell image analysis are discussed. (1) To allow interactive processing of up to 62 X 88 pixels on inexpensive screens, data can be displayed in gray levels with an approximate logarithmic grading. Each pixel is composed of 32 screen coordinates, applying the dither matrix method to avoid artificial structures. (2) To mark special regions of interest in the image, a graphic cursor, handled from the keyboard, was implemented. (3) To evaluate parts of the image, as outlined by the cursor, the program must distinguish whether a particular pixel is outside, inside or on the border of the region. The developed algorithms permit practical interactive evaluation of cell images on a small microcomputer, with no image analysis implementation. However, it is necessary that the assembly language of the microprocessor be available for some sophisticated programming and that the operating system support graphic facilities with an appropriate resolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Using microcomputers to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and accessibility of clinical data.

This article presents a microcomputer system as a solution to achieve timely, accurate and accessible clinical data. The article describes the components of the clinical data system as well as its functionality. The advantages of automated encoders for coding, editing and grouping of clinical data are outlined, as well as the advantages of relational database software for clinical data management. Clinical data support a myriad of activities within the health care facility. The microcomputer system provides the departmental user with flexibility and customization to meet and manage the ever-changing clinical data requirements. Client hospital experience demonstrate, not only an increase in the accuracy and availability of data, but also an increase in the productivity of the data collection process itself.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1989

The role of microcomputers in electronic health claims processing.

This article explores the state-of-the-art in electronic health claims processing. Beginning with an examination of the step-by-step manual process, it moves on to explore the current use of microcomputers to both speed up the processing, and to improve the accuracy and completeness of claim submission. The article also examines some of the benefits cited by microcomputer claims systems users, and it concludes with a look at what features could be incorporated in the future to create a fully electronic claims processing environment.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1989

[A clinical trial of microcomputer software for calculation of aminophylline dosages].

I made microcomputer software for the pharmacokinetic calculation of appropriate administration doses of aminophylline for the treatment of status asthmaticus. It consists of three programs for determination of initial doses, four for determination of maintenance doses, and four for calculation of the pharmacokinetics parameters (Vd, Ke, CL, T1/2). The parameters were estimated 376 times during 151 attacks in 84 patients with bronchial asthma. Vd, Ke, and CL were calculated as below, and the wide variation in the values suggests that individual programs for theophylline therapy should be made for each patient. I concluded that these microcomputer programs were useful in creating an individual administration program. Distribution volume (Vd): 385 +/- 106 ml/kg (n = 115) Elimination rate constant (Ke): 0.155 +/- 0.0878/h (n = 176) Clearance (CL): 61.8 +/- 14.3 ml/kg.h (n = 85)

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1989

Distinction of microcytic disorders: comparison of expert, numerical-discriminant, and microcomputer analysis.

Presumptive distinction between iron deficiency and heterozygous thalassemia by analysis of the automated blood count and differential continues to be a challenge. We compared two proposed numerical discriminants (MCV2 x MCH, and MCV2 x RDW/100 x Hb) with an analytic microcomputer program (BCDE2 Lea & Febiger). In 7114 subjects, the numerical discriminants and the BCDE2 program correctly identified greater than 90% of thalassemia. In subjects with iron deficiency, the BCDE program was greater than 90% sensitive and specific for positive identification, while the numerical discriminants were less than 75% sensitive and specific at inferential identification. The numerical discriminants, BCDE2, and 17 experts in blood counting were asked to interpret the blood-count data in 7 fully-defined actual cases. The mean experts' score was 5.65 cases correct out of 7. The BCDE program was correct in all cases. The numerical discriminants could not analyze all cases, and both were incorrect in at least one case. We conclude that for the task of analyzing blood counts for microcytic disorders, microcomputer analysis by BCDE outperforms both numerical discriminant functions and analysis by expert hematologists.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1988

Food item inventory instructional simulation using microcomputers.

The purpose of this study was to teach the management concepts of perpetual and periodic inventory systems to university students through a food item inventory instructional simulation using microcomputers. The objective of the study was to determine the simulation's effectiveness in enhancing students' understanding of inventory systems management. The participants were senior and graduate students enrolled in a foodservice procurement and inventory systems course at Oregon State University, Corvallis. The population consisted of 68 students, with 34 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group. All the participants completed a pretest to measure existing knowledge of inventory management concepts. This was followed by two classroom lectures, each 50 minutes long, on inventory systems management in foodservice facilities. Members of the experimental group participated in using the food item inventory simulation and study guide after attending both classroom lectures. All the participants of the experimental and control groups completed a post-test 3 weeks after the pretest. The difference in post-test adjusted mean scores between the experimental and control groups was significant (p less than or equal to .05) as determined by analysis of covariance. Therefore, the food item inventory instructional simulation using microcomputers was effective in enhancing students' understanding of the management of perpetual and periodic inventory systems.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Microcomputer-based image analysis systems for two-dimensional electrophoresis gels.

The intent of this overview is to provide the readers, especially those who are currently conducting two-dimentional electrophoresis, a basic understanding in the construction and use of microcomputer-based systems for the analysis of protein profiles generated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In addition, a microcomputer-based system, employing fixed-point operations and effective algorithms, has been evaluated. The validity of this system has been demonstrated by using the two-dimensional silver-stained gels and fluorograms derived from the rat prostate. It is concluded that the present system can be used to aid the analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels. An overall consideration of hardware and software components of a computer-based system is briefly discussed.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1987

Better health data with a portable microcomputer at the periphery: an anthropometric survey in Cape Verde.

A portable microcomputer was programmed to record anthropometric nutritional data from children aged under 7 years in either a clinic or a population survey situation. An alarm sounds when the anthropometric measurements of a child are below a predetermined value; an immediate check thus avoids the need for subsequent data cleaning and discarding of doubtful information. Data cut-off points in the computer can be adjusted to suit the survey or service needs of the situation. A print-out at the end of the clinic session provides immediate feedback for the staff and a record of the nutritional status of the group.In Cape Verde, 14 670 children attending clinics were surveyed; 26% were identified as stunted, 3% as wasted, and 1% as stunted and wasted. While a portable microcomputer can improve precision, speed and motivation, nutrition surveys still depend on accurate scales, careful measurements and competent staff.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1987

Analysis of medical images with microcomputers.

A microcomputer-based digital data acquisition and image processing system with associated software was evaluated with respect to its suitability for use in imaging applications. Digital image files were obtained from a number of different radiographic modalities including plain films, an analog videofluoroscopic unit, and a digital subtraction angiography unit in our department. Considerations involved in configuring such a system and operating it in the clinical setting are discussed, and solutions to several practical problems are suggested. Overall, the results suggest that microcomputer-based image analysis units can provide an economical approach to digital image processing, analysis, and storage while utilizing the existing equipment base.

Computers↗
PubMed1986

The acute abdomen: management with microcomputer aid.

This paper describes the management consequences of the use of a microcomputer as a special investigation in patients with an acute abdomen. Results in 812 patients seen by 42 junior doctors are compared six monthly and with baseline data from 295 cases from the preceding 2 years. Improvement in diagnostic ability from 48.5% to 71.8% (X2 = 25.8, P less than 0.001) resulted in a fall in negative appendicectomy from 37.5% to 9.71% (X2 = 16.2, P = less than 0.001). Bad management errors were also reduced from 22% to 10% (P = less than 0.01). The number of emergency investigation fell from 4 to 2 and inpatient stay of patients with non-surgical abdominal pain was reduced from 3 to 2 days. These results demonstrate that the use of microcomputers as investigative tools improves the surgical management of patients with acute abdominal pain.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1987

A comparative study of two microcomputer nutrient data bases with the USDA Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference.

The results of this investigation show that when direct comparisons are made between the USDA NDB and microcomputer data bases (avoiding the confounding factors of coding judgment and the differences between older and newer USDA nutrient data), differences still can exist. N3 and FP chose to seek out alternate data when the USDA NDB provided no data for a certain nutrient. FP chose to use a large number of additional sources to supplement USDA Handbook No. 8. Although the USDA NDB was very complete for all nutrients listed except for vitamin E/total and copper, gaps are likely to continue to exist because the USDA NDB is and will be in continual revision as an increasing number of nutrients are reported for an ever-growing food supply. Therefore, in accordance with established local needs, the dietitian has the responsibility both for knowing the sources used in the microcomputer nutrient data base and for making sure that reported results are reasonable.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A system for assessing clerkship experience using a logbook and microcomputers.

Family Medicine clerkships emphasizing ambulatory care often require multiple teaching sites. Continuous assessment of actual student clinical experiences may not occur because the task of collecting and analyzing the necessary data may be expensive and time-consuming. However, the decreasing price of microcomputers and available software has provided teaching programs with inexpensive and effective tools to perform this task. The Department of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia recently developed and implemented a microcomputer based information management system for use in assessing program and student clinical experiences in a required family medicine clerkship. This system, which uses logbooks as an information source, is able to monitor and provide information which is used to insure that the student's actual clinical experiences are consistent with the goals and objectives of the clerkship.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The microcomputer: an alternative for data analysis.

Programs for data analysis available on microcomputers now rival those programs available for mainframes in terms of ease of use, accuracy, accessibility, and cost. Researchers should seriously consider the possibilities that exist for data analysis on both the microcomputer and the mainframe. An informed decision will allow best use of available resources.

Computers↗
PubMed1986

Screening for antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms in general practice using a microcomputer-delivered questionnaire.

One-hundred and eight women participated in a study which screened for depressive symptoms in the antenatal period. Of these women, 92 completed at least two further screenings during the postnatal year. The screening tool was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, adapted for self-rating, and administered by a microcomputer. It was found that mean scores and the prevalence of depressive symptoms rose throughout pregnancy, with a sharp peak in the third trimester. Following delivery there was an abrupt fall in the prevalence of depressive symptoms, followed by another rise, with a postnatal peak at six months.There were significant associations, at all levels of severity, between raised scores antenatally, and those developing postnatally in women completing the study. These were more marked in multiparae than primiparae. There was also a significant association between a past history of treated depression and the development of raised postnatal scores for depression.The routine use of a microcomputer to administer questionnaires to patients has proved feasible within general practice.

Depression↗
PubMed1986

A microcomputer-based relational database for an academic department of human genetics.

Recent advances in microcomputer technology have made it possible for academic departments to establish their own discrete databases. This is in keeping with the modern tendency towards distributed processing on smaller systems as opposed to depending on large shared remote centralized mainframes. A database that had been implemented on a mainframe for the Department of Human Genetics of the University of Cape Town has been successfully transferred to a microcomputer system, resulting in a redesigned relational system with several significant advantages. These include faster data capture, enhanced consistency, greater computer awareness, improved economy and increased confidentiality.

Computers↗
PubMed1986

A microcomputer system for video image analysis and diagnostic microdensitometry.

A system for microdensitometry based on a microcomputer, video digitizer and solid-state camera has been developed. Image analysis and densitometry are achieved with convenient control over image editing and calibration. The linear photometric properties of the imaging device enable measurements of high accuracy. The system has proven to give rapid and repeatable performance for determining DNA content distribution from measurements of Feulgen-stained cell nuclei. The results show that a practical image analysis microdensitometer can be designed using a readily available microcomputer. The low cost and simple operation are of benefit for diagnostic applications in which flow cytometry is not possible, the time required for microscope photometry is too great or an automated image analyzer and support staff are not available.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The Medical Gopher--a microcomputer system to help find, organize and decide about patient data.

We have developed a microcomputer-based medical workstation that does some of physicians' "gopher" work of fetching, organizing, reviewing and recording. For two years physicians have used the first version of this system to order all diagnostic tests in a general medicine clinic. They are about to use a newer version to write prescriptions and office visit notes and to find general medical and patient-specific information. Users can enter data into this system by "pointing" with a "mouse" to menu items displayed on a video terminal. In the course of a computer activity, a physician can obtain information about drugs, tests and different diagnoses, as well as about the patient. The microcomputer workstations are linked to each other and to a central hospital information system through a high-speed network link. Our physicians have accepted the initial order-entry system, and early experience suggests they prefer this faster and more sophisticated system.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1986

Studying the stability of clear vision using microcomputer "Pravets-82".

The method of Ferree and Rand assesses the efficiency of the eye and is very sensitive to fatigue in the visual system. A modification of the method is developed using microcomputer "Pravetz-82". The proposed algorithm is realised in Extended Basic. The features of the modified method include: display of the stimulus on the monitor of the microcomputer, option for interactive change of the parameters of the stimulus from test to test, storage of the data on a diskette, measuring of the time intervals by a programme clock, statistical evaluation of the results with graphic display. The modification makes the method more versatile, precise, and easy to perform.

Computers↗