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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Semi-automated micronucleus scoring in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes after irradiation.

A semi-automated scoring procedure for the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay based on computerized image analysis was validated by comparing results of the automated analysis with those from manual analysis by those experienced scorers of micronuclei. Each object selected by the computer system was also relocated and visually inspected. The validation was based on slides of blood samples after in vitro irradiation with X-rays in the low-dose range up to 2 Gy. Up to 1 Gy a very satisfactory agreement between manual and semi-automated scoring was obtained. At 2 Gy the micronucleus yields obtained by the semi-automated scoring were systematically below the manual data due to a small percentage of false negatives (3%). Using the appropriate dose-response relationship the validation study indicates that the results obtained by computerized image analysis are comparable to manual scoring with respect to accuracy. The computerized assay is superior regarding reproducibility. At present, semi-automated scoring of micronuclei is practically feasible for a limited number of slides for large-scale applications of the semi-automated micronucleus is assay in the field of radiation protection an increase of the speed of the system is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Respiratory isolation of tuberculosis patients using clinical guidelines and an automated clinical decision support system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a clinical guideline and an automated computer protocol for detection and respiratory isolation of tuberculosis (TB) patients. DESIGN: An automated computer protocol was tested on a retrospective cohort of adult culture-positive TB patients admitted from 1992 to 1993 to Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and evaluated prospectively from July 1995 until July 1996. SETTING: A large teaching hospital in New York City. PATIENTS: 171 adult patients admitted from 1992 to 1993 and 43 patients admitted between July 1995 and July 1996. INTERVENTIONS: The 1990 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for preventing transmission of TB were adapted to formulate clinical guidelines to ensure early isolation of TB patients at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. RESULTS: Implementation of a clinical respiratory isolation protocol resulted in a significant improvement in TB patient isolation rates, from 45 (51%) of 88 in 1992 to 62 (75%) of 83 in 1993 (P<.001). In testing automated protocols, the theoretical improvement would have identified an additional 27 patients not isolated by clinicians, making the overall isolation rate 134 (78%) of 171. For the prospective evaluation, 30 (70%) of 43 TB patients were isolated by clinicians adhering to the clinical protocol. Four additional patients were identified by the automated TB protocol, making the combined isolation rate 34 (79%) of 43. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical policy to isolate TB patients and suspected human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with cough, fever, or radiographic abnormalities improved isolation of culture-documented TB patients from 1992 to 1993. Automated computer protocols were successful in identifying additional potentially infectious patients that clinicians failed to place on respiratory isolation. Clinical and automated protocols combined resulted in better isolation rates than a clinical protocol alone.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Automated immunohistochemical assay for estrogen receptor status in breast cancer using monoclonal antibody CC4-5 on the Ventana ES.

Determination of breast cancer estrogen receptor (ER) status as a predictor of tumor response to adjuvant endocrine therapy remains a mainstay of breast cancer management. Recent second generation anti-ER antibodies and new epitope retrieval methods have produced paraffin-based immunohistochemical results that correlate closely with the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) assay and appear to represent a superior method of ER assay. The authors determined the ER status of 103 invasive breast cancers by paraffin-based, automated immunohistochemistry on the Ventana ES using a new monoclonal antibody, CC4-5, and compared the results to those of parallel DCC biochemical analysis and manual immunohistochemical analysis using anti-ER monoclonal antibody ER1D5. The specificity of the CC4-5 antibody for ER protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Sixty of 103 cases were positive for ER by CC4-5 automated immunohistochemistry. With a ligand binding assay threshold value of 20 fmol/mg protein, there were 50 positive cases by biochemical assay. The biochemical results corresponded to an 88% rate of agreement with automated CC4-5 staining. Analysis of discordant cases revealed that the majority of CC4-5 immunopositive only cases (8 of 11) were strongly positive, stroma rich tumors, suggesting that corresponding biochemical measurements were diluted by non representative stromal tissue. There was only one immunonegative, biochemically positive case (27 fmol/mg protein). Semiquantitation of CC4-5 staining using percent positive tumor cells or weighted average staining intensity (HSCORE) showed moderate to good correlation with quantitative DCC results (r = 0.64 and 0.62, P < .0001). ER1D5 was not suitable for use on the Ventana ES, most likely due to temperature constraints of the instrument. By manual ER1D5 staining, 40 of 79 examined cases were positive corresponding to a 99% rate of agreement with automated CC4-5 staining. Semiquantitation of ER1D5 staining by percent positive tumor cells and weighted average staining intensity (HSCORE) showed excellent correlation with semiquantitation of automated CC4-5 results (r = 0.90 and 0.88, P < .0001). Automated immunohistochemistry using the Ventana ES and monoclonal antibody CC4-5 is a reliable method for determining breast cancer ER status. As with other immunohistochemical methods, direct correlation with morphology precludes errors due to tissue sampling, allowing for accurate analysis of stroma-rich or partially necrotic tumors and small neoplasms that otherwise would yield insufficient tumor tissue for biochemical analysis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1980

Nonequivalence of automated and manual hematocrit and erythrocytic indices.

Manual and automated (Coulter) methods for determining hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were compared using blood specimens in which normal erythrocytes had been serially diluted in their own plasma. Thus, predicted linearity of hematocrit and predicted constancy of the erythrocytic indices were evaluated by these technics. Automated hematocrit was a rectilinear function of the erythrocyte count. Centrifuged hematocrit deviated systematically from the automated hematocrit; its correlation with the erythrocyte count was curvilinear. Automated erythrocytic indices were nearly constant throughout the range of dilutions of erythrocytes. The MCV, calculated from centrifuged hemtocrit and automated erythrocyte count, varied strikingly as a function of the latter. The range of MCV so observed was 62 to 105 fl for normal blood specimens, serially diluted, which, when undiluted, had MCV values in the range of 82 to 90 fl. Results of manual (centrifuged) hematocrit and erythrocytic indices appear to be inherently less reliable than those obtained by automated methods.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed1997

Description and first clinical use of a new system for combined mammography and automated clinical amplitude/velocity reconstructive imaging breast sonography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors tested a new automated system for clinical amplitude/velocity reconstructive imaging (CARI) breast sonography and compared the results with those of a manual laboratory model of this imaging modality, conventional sonography, and mammography. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with breast lesions were examined by mammography, conventional breast sonography, a laboratory version of a mammography-like breast compression device for breast sonography, and an automated system that allows sonography while in compression and reconstructs an image of the whole breast. The automated device allows reconstruction of one image per breast from an automatically acquired sonographic data set and simultaneous performance of mammography. The results of mammography and all modes of sonography were compared with histopathology in 36 surgically treated lesions of which 20 were benign and 16 malignant. In addition, 17 lesions confirmed to be benign by different imaging modalities were examined with the three different sonographic devices. RESULTS: All 16 histopathologically proven malignant lesions were identified correctly by compression sonography (laboratory and automated device) compared with 14 by conventional sonography. Of the 20 benign lesions, 16 were interpreted correctly by conventional sonography, 19 with the laboratory version, and 18 with the automated device, whereas mammography identified 12 benign lesions correctly and missed 1 malignant lesion. Only 16 of 17 lesions diagnosed to be benign by outpatient imaging could be examined with all three modes of study sonography and were found to be benign with all three modes in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the laboratory version, the automated device facilitates acquisition and evaluation of compression breast sonography and is similar in lesion detection and differentiation. It should be tested in a larger number of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of actigraphy and automated telephoned questionnaires to assess hypnotic effects in insomnia.

This study aimed to explore new methodologies in insomnia research, namely whether actigraphy was suitable to show hypnotic effects over weeks in insomnia, and to compare an automated method of questionnaire data collection with traditional methods. Thirty-eight insomniacs took part in a 5-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of 2 weeks of administration of temazepam 20 mg on sleep. Outcome measures were actigraphy and daily St Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaires (SMHSQ). Actigraphy was performed using Actiwatch (CNT) and analysed using both the automated Actiwatch sleep analysis software and non-parametric analysis of rest-activity rhythms. The questionnaires were administered as straightforward pencil-and-paper for half of the time and an automated telephoned system for the other half. The experimental paradigm allowed within-subject comparison of traditional and automated data collection, both on and off drug. Actigraphy showed a high degree of inter-subject variability but, nevertheless, some sleep variables (Fragmentation Index, Actual Sleep Time %) showed significant improvement during drug treatment, and Sleep Efficiency and Actual Sleep Time were significantly worsened during the first post-drug week. Nonparametric circadian rhythm analysis showed no significant effect. Subjective data from the SMHSQ showed significant drug effects and there was no significant difference in scores between the automated and pencil-and-paper methods; automated data collection was slightly more acceptable to patients and minimized data entry and management. Effect sizes using within-subject and between-subject comparisons were calculated for the subjective and objective measures to inform future studies

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Automation of clinical and patient records.

BACKGROUND: With advances in computer technology and mounting pressure to cut health care costs, there is a desire to automate clinical and patient records. METHODS: We reviewed the barriers that hindered automation in the past, changes in the business environment, and the recent developments that could encourage automation, including the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). RESULTS: Although conditions for automation have improved, significant barriers remain, including variation in state laws, lack of comprehensive data to assure return on automation investment, and most importantly, lack of clinical data and record-keeping standards. CONCLUSIONS: Congress needs to enact HIPAA follow-up legislation that addresses the legal and standards issues. To minimize the risks for automation, institutions are advised to take a buy-a-little, test-a-little, and fix-a-little approach.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Ac↗
PubMed2007

Cost-effectiveness of automated external defibrillators in public places: pro.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Placement of automated external defibrillators in public facilities is a cost-effective treatment for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This review describes the literature citing the benefits of early defibrillation, ease of use, and relative cost of automated external defibrillators. RECENT FINDINGS: Placement of automated external defibrillators in public places was recommended by the American Heart Association in the early 1990s. Compared with waiting for traditional emergency medical services, immediate use of automated external defibrillators by laypersons can dramatically increase survival to hospital discharge rates. Placement of automated external defibrillators at locations such as casinos, airports, and airplanes that are frequented by large numbers of at-risk people is cost-effective compared with other economically acceptable health measures. Studies using simulations to predict numbers of quality-adjusted life years that would be gained from implementation of public access defibrillation programs in high-incidence locations find that the cost would be less than the typically acceptable 50,000 dollars per quality-adjusted life year. The cost estimates, however, depend on the incidence of cardiac arrest at the sites, with low-incidence sites being prohibitively expensive. SUMMARY: Automated external defibrillators appear to be cost-effective in locations with high incidences of cardiac arrest.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2025

MetaChrome: An Open-Source, User-Friendly Tool for Automated Metaphase Chromosome Analysis.

DNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) is an essential technique to study chromosome biology and genetics, enabling precise visualization of specific genomic loci to study structural abnormalities, gene mapping, and chromosomal rearrangements. High-Throughput Imaging (HTI) can automate the analysis of DNA-FISH chromosome images, but the accurate and automated segmentation of mitotic chromosomes and simultaneous colocalization of FISH signals remains a challenge. While several commercial automated karyotyping tools partially solve these issues, open-source software that effectively combines robust chromosome segmentation with comprehensive colocalization analysis capabilities remains necessary. To address this unmet need, we developed MetaChrome, an open-source software platform built around a graphical user interface and explicitly designed for automated metaphase chromosome analysis. MetaChrome leverages fine-tuned deep learning models to automate metaphase chromosome segmentation, together with colocalization analysis of chromosome-specific FISH probes and immunofluorescent-labeled proteins. Importantly, MetaChrome achieves enhanced segmentation accuracy compared to traditional image processing methods by adopting a Cellpose segmentation model fine-tuned with manually annotated metaphase chromosome datasets. The fine-tuned model ensures precise assignment of DNA-FISH spots to individual chromosomes in an automated manner. This facilitates rapid identification of chromosomal abnormalities, reduces human error, and advances high-throughput chromosome analysis workflows, addressing a key bottleneck in chromosome biology research.

Chromosome segmentation↗
PubMed1977

Use of an automated image analyser to quantitate cellular hyperplasia in urinary bladder epithelium.

The feasibility of using an automated image analyser to evaluate quantitatively hyperplasia caused by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine in bladder epithelium was studied. The number of cells per unit length of epithelium was counted manually, and compared with automated measurements of: (1) the number of nuclei, (2) the number of positive tangents to the lower edge of nuclei, (3) the nuclear cross-sectional area, and (4) the epithelial cross-sectional area per unit length respectively. Regression of each of the automated measurements on the manual counts all revealed close linear relationships with correlation coefficients in excess of 0-9. Coefficients of variation for repetitive automated measurements were less than or equal to 0-06 in each of the four modes. The automated system resulted in a great saving in time over manual counting. It is concluded that the automated image analyser provides an accurate, precise, and efficient tool for estimating epithelial cell numbers in normal and hyperplastic bladder epithelia.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci other than Staphylococcus epidermidis by automated ribotyping.

As routine identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci is problematic, the performance of automated ribotyping was evaluated for identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci other than Staphylococcus epidermidis. In total, 177 isolates were tested, comprising 149 isolates from blood samples, 15 isolates that were not identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-PCR in a previous study, and 13 reference strains. The identification results were compared with those obtained by the API 20 Staph system, with standard phenotypic and molecular methods as reference. Most (n = 166; 93.8%) isolates were identified correctly by automated ribotyping. For 61 isolates, API 20 Staph and ribotyping were in agreement, but for 105 isolates, ribotyping provided correct identification and API 20 Staph did not. Four isolates not identified by automated ribotyping were recognised correctly by API 20 Staph. The remaining seven isolates could not be identified by either of the two methods. Automated ribotyping was able to distinguish Staphylococcus capitis reliably from Staphylococcus caprae. The results demonstrate the value of automated ribotyping for identification of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) isolates from human sources and may help to clarify the clinical relevance of CoNS species. In addition, automated ribotyping was able to detect polymorphisms that may be useful for epidemiological purposes within S. capitis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus simulans, S. caprae, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus schleiferi, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus pasteuri and Staphylococcus xylosus.

Phenotype↗
PubMed1990

Agreement between visual and automated UniScept API readings.

The UniScept API system was evaluated for agreement of visual versus automated readings of both its identification panels and its antimicrobial susceptibility panels. The biochemical responses of 340 oxidase-negative and oxidase-positive fermentative bacterial cultures were read both visually and automatically in the UniScept API 20E system. Automated and visual readings agreed with 99.3% of the biochemicals. Of the 45 tests that disagreed, the tests for indole and citrate were most often in disagreement. A total of 470 fermentative and nonfermentative cultures were used in the UniScept MIC system to compare visual and automated readings of susceptibility results with 17 antimicrobial agents. Agreement within +/- 1 dilution occurred with 94.1% of the enteric fermenters and with 91.7% of the other cultures. Comparison of visual and automated readings resulted in very major discrepancies in 0.95% of the readings, with the largest percentage of discrepancies associated with glucose nonfermenters (1.8%). It was felt that an automated reading is an acceptable alternative to a visual reading of the biochemicals but that 0.95% was just within the acceptable range of the 1% allowable very major discrepancies in the automated reading of susceptibilities.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of Goldmann and Humphrey automated perimetry in patients with glaucoma.

Humphrey automated threshold perimetry (Program 30-2) was performed on 42 eyes of 25 patients with glaucoma to determine both the sensitivity and specificity of automated perimetry in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects. Automated perimetry sensitivity was 90.38%, while automated perimetry specificity was 91%. Fifty-two patients and a technician took part in a survey to determine their preference for either test. Patients generally preferred having Goldmann perimetry. The technician favoured Humphrey automated perimetry. Program 30-2 on the automated perimeter took 25% longer to perform than Goldmann perimetry.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Automated tuberculosis detection.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the accuracy of automated tuberculosis case detection. SETTING: An inner-city medical center. INTERVENTION: An electronic medical record and a clinical event monitor with a natural language processor were used to detect tuberculosis cases according to Centers for Disease Control criteria. MEASUREMENT: Cases identified by the automated system were compared to the local health department's tuberculosis registry, and positive predictive value and sensitivity were calculated. RESULTS: The best automated rule was based on tuberculosis cultures; it had a sensitivity of .89 (95% CI.75-.96) and a positive predictive value of .96 (.89-.99). All other rules had a positive predictive value less than .20. A rule based on chest radiographs had a sensitivity of .41 (.26-.57) and a positive predictive value of .03 (.02-.05), and rule the represented the overall Centers for Disease Control criteria had a sensitivity of .91 (.78-.97) and a positive predictive value of .15 (.12-.18). The culture-based rule was the most useful rule for automated case reporting to the health department, and the chest radiograph-based rule was the most useful rule for improving tuberculosis respiratory isolation compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Automated tuberculosis case detection is feasible and useful, although the predictive value of most of the clinical rules was low. The usefulness of an individual rule depends on the context in which it is used. The major challenge facing automated detection is the availability and accuracy of electronic clinical data.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed2006

Examination of peripheral blood films using automated microscopy; evaluation of Diffmaster Octavia and Cellavision DM96.

BACKGROUND: Differential counting of peripheral blood cells is an important diagnostic tool. Yet, this technique requires highly trained staff, is labour intensive and has limited statistical reliability. A recent development in this field was the introduction of automated peripheral blood differential counting systems. These computerised systems provide an automated morphological analysis of peripheral blood films, including a preclassification of both red and white cells (RBCs and WBCs, respectively). AIMS: To investigate the ability of two automated microscopy systems to examine peripheral blood smears. METHODS: Two automated microscopy systems, the Cellavision Diffmaster Octavia (Octavia) and Cellavision DM96 (DM96), were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall preclassification accuracy values for the Octavia and the DM96 systems were 87% and 92%, respectively. Evaluation of accuracy (WBC analysis) showed good correlation for both automated systems when compared with manual differentiation. Total analysis time (including post classification) was 5.4 min/slide for the Octavia and 3.2 min/slide for the DM96 (100 WBC/slide) system. The DM96 required even less time than manual differentiation by an experienced biomedical scientist. CONCLUSIONS: The Octavia and the DM96 are automated cell analysis systems capable of morphological classification of RBCs and WBCs in peripheral blood smears. Classification accuracy depends on the type of pathological changes in the blood sample. Both systems operate most effectively in the analysis of non-pathological blood samples.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed2006

Automated hepatic volumetry for living related liver transplantation at multisection CT.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare in vivo hepatic automated volumetry with manual volumetry and measured liver volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board of Kumamoto University (Japan). Patient informed consent was obtained. Preoperative multisection computed tomography (CT) was performed in 35 consecutive patients (21 men, 14 women; mean age, 42.8 years; range, 28-72 years) with hepatic disease awaiting living related liver transplantation. The CT scans covered the entire liver at a section thickness of 2.5 mm. Liver volume was estimated by using both the automated and the manual methods. Actual liver weight was obtained for all patients and was converted to hepatic volume on the basis of a predetermined relationship between actual liver weight and volume. Processing time required for both methods was also recorded. Two-tailed paired t test, correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Mean liver weight was 881.7 g +/- 249.8 (standard deviation), and mean measured liver volume was 956.00 cm(3) +/- 280.10. Volumetry performed with the automated and manual methods provided liver volumes of 982.99 cm(3) +/- 301.98 and 937.10 cm(3) +/- 301.31, respectively. There was good correlation between measured and estimated volumes obtained with the automated method (r = 0.792, P < .01). The manual and automated methods required 32.8 minutes +/- 6.9 and 4.4 minutes +/- 1.9, respectively. CONCLUSION: The automated method reduced the time required for volumetry of the liver and provided acceptable measurements.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Automated impedance cardiography for detecting ischemic left ventricular dysfunction during exercise testing.

UNLABELLED: Automated impedance cardiography (ICG) is an attractive method for noninvasive hemodynamic evaluation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic value automated ICG in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We measured stroke index (SI) and cardiac index (CI) in 65 patients with suspected CAD at rest and during bicycle exercise testing. All patients underwent subsequent cardiac catheterization including coronary angiography (CA). Depending on the results of CA, patients were divided into three groups, patients without significant CAD (group 0), single vessel disease (group 1) or multivessel disease (group 2-3). In a subset of 20 patients, automated ICG was compared to measurements of CI by the thermodilution (TD) method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in SI and CI at baseline between the three groups. At 75- and 100-watt exercise, patients in group 2-3 showed significantly lower mean values of SI and CI as compared to patients of group 0 and group 1 (all p < 0.05), indicating exercise-induced ischaemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Three patients had to be excluded because of inappropriate quality of the ICG signals during exercise. Comparison of automated ICG with TD measurements of CI showed good correlations between both methods at rest (r = 0.73) and during exercise (r = 0.89-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hemodynamic monitoring by automated ICG is both feasible and practical during exercise testing. Automated ICG can provide reliable and valuable additional diagnostic information on LV function during exercise which is helpful for selecting those patients for angiography who are likely to benefit from coronary interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

An automated system for blood pressure determination during exercise.

Automation of blood pressure (BP) measurements during exercise has proved difficult because motion artifact is a major limitation in ultrasound techniques and noise artifact limits the application of sound transduction via microphone pickups. We assessed the value of a new automated system of indirect BP determination by comparing it with manually determined BP in 50 consecutive patients referred for treadmill testing. Automated BP determinations were blinded to the physician or technician who was simultaneously manually auscultating BP. The automated system uses acoustic transduction, but with ECG assist and microprocessing of nonsynchronous noise to overcome the limitations of other systems. The data were statistically analyzed and the correlation coefficient, mean difference and standard deviation of the difference for systolic and diastolic BP for differing levels of heart rate and treadmill stage were determined. The correlation between automated and manually determined BP was 0.964 for systolic BP and 0.848 for diastolic BP. Despite some limitations, this automated system offers significant advantages for exercise BP determination.

Autoanalysis↗