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PubMedDate not supplied

An introduction to digital cameras.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People in all walks of life are using digital cameras instead of the traditional film cameras. Reasons include simplicity of use, ease of development, ability to incorporate the pictures into documents, potential to edit the pictures easily, and capability to send them by e-mail. This article will briefly discuss digital cameras, how they work, what they can do, and what you should look for in one. Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles demonstrating and describing information technology. The articles include nontechnical information and are geared toward the computer novice with interest in regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Computer Peripherals↗
PubMed1997

Vitamin D receptor genotypes and changes of bone density in physically active German women with high calcium intake.

Polymorphisms at the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been reported to mediate important differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism. In this longitudinal study we examined the relationships between VDR genotypes and bone metabolism, changes in BMD and changes in ultrasound transmission velocity in a population of healthy unrelated German women. The study population comprised 50 physically active women (aged 43.3 to 62.8 years, 14 premenopausal, 36 postmenopausal) with a daily calcium intake of (mean +/- SD) 1045 +/- 338 mg, who had earlier participated in a longitudinal study on the association of physical activity and bone density and bone turnover. Each participant was genotyped for the BsmI polymorphism at the VDR gene locus. Markers of bone turnover (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide, collagen type I C-terminal telopeptide, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) were measured at baseline. BMD (determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the distal radius) and ultrasound transmission velocity through bone (at calcaneus, patella and thumb) were analysed at baseline and 15 months later. The genotypic groups did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) in any of the parameters determined at baseline. Neither were there any differences between these groups in the changes of BMD or ultrasound transmission velocity during the study period. Thus, we conclude that in physically active German women with a relatively high calcium intake the impact of VDR genotypic polymorphisms on bone density, bone metabolism and changes in bone density may be of limited importance.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Volumetric bone mineral density in patients with childhood craniopharyngioma.

As the overall survival rate is high in patients with craniopharyngioma, the prognosis in survivors depends mainly on late effects. Late effects such as hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, glucocorticoid overreplacement and obesity have a strong impact on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD). We analyzed vBMD and possible risk factors for reduced vBMD in 61 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma (29 f; 32 m) and in 14 weight, age, and sex-matched controls. VBMD was quantified by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Endocrine status, hormonal substitution therapy and calcium phosphate metabolism were evaluated. VBMD was in the lower normal range in 61 craniopharyngioma patients (total radial z-scores: median - 1.5; range - 3.1 to 1.4; trabecular z-scores: median - 0.4; - 2.4 to 2.3). 23 severely obese patients (body mass index [BMI] > 4 SD) had a higher total radial (p < 0.05) and trabecular (p < 0.05) vBMD when compared with 38 non-severely obese patients and 7 weight-matched controls. Although there was no gender difference in terms of obesity, endocrine substitution therapy or calcium phosphate metabolism, male patients had lower total radial (p < 0.01) and trabecular (p < 0.05) vBMD. Only in male patients' vBMD z-scores showed a positive correlation with BMI standard deviation score (SDS) (total radial z-score: Spearman r = 0.38, p = 0.03; trabecular z-score: Spearman r = 0.35, p = 0.04). We conclude that obesity has a major impact on vBMD in patients with craniopharyngioma. Lean male patients are at special risk for a lower vBMD, whereas female gender and severe obesity seem to have a protective effect regarding vBMD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

In vivo antiosteoporotic activity of a fraction of Dioscorea spongiosa and its constituent, 22-O-methylprotodioscin.

The antiosteoporotic activity of the 90 % EtOH fraction of the water extract of rhizomes of Dioscorea spongiosa and methylprotodioscin, its major constituent, were examined in the model of postmenopausal bone loss using ovariectomized (OVX) rats or mice. After 6 weeks treatment, the proximal tibia of rats or mice and the distal femora of mice were scanned by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Both the 90 % EtOH fraction (100 mg/kg/d) and methylprotodioscin (50 mg/kg/d) significantly inhibited bone loss in bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in total, cancellous and cortical bones, and the decrease in bone strength indexes induced by OVX, without side effect on the uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Digital X-ray mammography: comparison of the image quality achievable with a wet laser imager, a dry infrared laser imager and a dry laser imager using direct thermography].

PURPOSE: To compare the image quality of digital X-ray mammographies obtained with wet imagers with that of standard dry imaging technology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Beginning 03/08/2003, 200 X-ray mammographies with a digital fullfield mammography system (Lorad Selenia, Lorad/Hologic) were prospectively and consecutively documented with a wet laser imager (Scopix LR 5200, Agfa), a dry infrared laser imager (DryView 8610, Kodak) and a dry imager using the principle of direct thermography (Drystar 4500M, Agfa, N = 166). One X-ray exposure was systematically chosen from each examination and was presented in an anonymous and randomized form to three radiologists who evaluated the films using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The visualization of normal anatomic structures was considered being good to excellent for all imagers with the mean assessments 1.0 - 2.4 for the Drystar 4500M, 1.0 - 2.1 for the DryView 8610 and 1.1 - 2.0 for the Scopix LR 5200. The mean assessments were 0.1 - 0.6 points lower in dense than in normal parenchyma, thus, the parenchymal density is the predominant factor for image quality. CONCLUSION: In view of the comparable image quality obtained with the different imagers used in the study, individual decisions to purchase a specific imager will be based on economics rather than on diagnostic points of view.

Computer Peripherals↗
PubMed1994

[Acceptance of electronic data processing supported documentation of ultrasound findings in routine clinical practice. A survey].

We carried out a survey to determine the acceptance of the ultrasound documentation software, CUBUS, in clinical practice. Since August 1, 1988, CUBUS, versions V1.01 to V2.02 has been employed in clinical routine. By October 1991 10,850 reports had been stored in version 2.02. The software is installed on a personal computer (Siemens PCD-2, 40MB, 640 KB RAM) to which a laserprinter is connected. The work of operating the system is shared between the nursing and medical staff. In order to investigate the acceptance of the printed reports produced with this system, we carried out a poll among the physicians working at the hospital. Among the 86 physicians who receive 95% of the US reports, 58% (n = 50) responded. On the basis of the categories good, satisfactory, adequate and poor, we requested an assessment of layout, presentation, comprehension, completeness and overall impression. The overall impression was assessed as good or satisfactory in 34% and 42%, respectively. In the case of the individual criteria (see above), the categories good and satisfactory scored 62% and 34%, 58% and 32%, 68% and 18% and 72% and 24%, respectively. The terminology used was accepted by 84%. Addition of, for example, image documentation, and endosonography, will expand the advantages of the input of findings and further improve the good overall impression made by the report printout in our survey, so that the relatively long input time requirement accounting for some 30% of the total examination time, is accordingly justified.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Significance of 2 different bone density measurement methods in the assessment of mineral content of the peripheral and axial skeleton].

Between May 1990 and February 1991 we enrolled 212 patients of 410 referred to our clinic for bone mass evaluation according to different diagnosis or therapeutic procedures. These patients were divided into 7 groups. The question had to be answered, which method of measurement and which skeletal site would give better information about the influence of the diseases of therapeutic procedures. We measured the areal mineral density of the lumbar spine with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and the mineral content of the total and trabecular bone mass of a cross-sectional slice at the distal radius with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). The results were statistically analysed. We calculated the percentage deviation from young normals. Trabecular mineral content showed the greatest difference (18% to 44%), compared to the healthy reference group, corresponding to the known higher turnover of this bone compartment. In contrast, the difference of the areal density of the lumbar spine was found to be lowest (4% to 27%). In order to compare the methods objectively, we additionally calculated a ROC-analysis of two postmenopausal groups (51 healthy, 46 osteoporotic) to demonstrate the diagnostic validity. The validity proved to be substantially better when purely trabecular bone at the distal radius was measured. The ROC-curves showed a sensitivity of 84% for radial trabecular bone on a specificity level of 90%, whereas the lumbar spine values presented with a sensitivity of only 68%.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bone density in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases. Preliminary results of selective measurement of trabecular and cortical bone using peripheral computerized tomography].

UNLABELLED: Selective measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) of trabecular and cortical bone at the ultradistal radius were made in 27 children with rheumatic diseases and in age- and sex-matched healthy controls using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). RESULTS: Mineral density of trabecular bone (-34,5%) and total bone mineral density (-18,9%) differed significantly between patients and controls (p < 0.01). BMD of the cortical bone (-13,6%) did not differ significantly between the groups. There was no difference in BMD in patients with systemic or non-systemic diseases. BMD did not correlate with duration of disease or steroid medication. CONCLUSIONS: Total bone mineral density and trabecular bone density are decreased in children and adolescents with sytemic and non-systemic rheumatic diseases. Age of onset of disease and steroid medication did not correlate with bone mineral density. PQCT has the advantages of low local and no total body radiation, high sensitivity, high reproducibility and selective measurement of different bone compartements. Because selective measurement can be made in metabolically active trabecular bone changes of BMD can be detected at an early stage before the whole bone is affected. With this method therapy for chronic diseases affecting bone density can be initiated and the course of the disease can be followed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Personal digital assistant for "real time" assessment of women's health in the clinical years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess in "real time" the degree to which women's health competencies are addressed in the clinical curriculum by using a personal digital assistant. STUDY DESIGN: Competencies for women's health were developed. Twelve students were supplied with a personal digital assistant, pre-loaded with a patient log system, for use in assessment of the inclusion of these competencies in the clinical arena. The students received instruction on completing the log for each patient for whom they were primarily responsible. RESULTS: There were 2690 total encounters. In clerkships other than obstetrics and gynecology, gender was discussed in 10% to 20% of encounters. Other than obstetrics and gynecology diagnostic categories, no more than 15% of diagnoses included gender discussion. CONCLUSION: Student recording of patient encounters reveals a minimal amount of women's health discussion in the clinical years; however, the personal digital assistant is an effective tool with which to monitor curriculum content in the clinical setting.

Clinical Clerkship↗
PubMed2002

Effect of zinc on rat mandibles during growth.

Zinc is a constituent of enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and is an essential trace element involved in bone formation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low levels of zinc intake on bone density and the area of cortical and trabecular bone in rat mandibles during the growth stage with peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The cartilaginous ossification in the femur was also measured. In the mandible, the low-zinc group showed significantly lower trabecular bone density compared with the control group, whereas the zinc-deficient group showed significantly lower levels of cortical bone density and trabecular bone density in the area. On the other hand, in the femur, both the zinc-deficient group and the low-zinc group showed a significantly lower value in cortical bone density and trabeculae bone density when compared with those of the control group. Moreover, the area of cortical bone and trabecular bone in the zinc-deficient group showed significantly lower values than those of the control group, whereas the low-zinc group only showed a significantly lower area of cortical bone than that of the control group. These results suggested that changes in zinc intake might exert an effect on the osseous tissue of the mandible and femur, and the femur was more sensitive to change of dietary zinc content than mandibles.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Low bone mass in glycogen storage disease type 1 is associated with reduced muscle force and poor metabolic control.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between muscle force, bone mass, and metabolic control in patients with glycogen storage disease type (GSD 1). STUDY DESIGN: Distal radius bone mass and density were evaluated in 19 patients with GSD 1 (15 GSD 1a, 4 GSD 1b) by means of peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Grip force was quantified with a dynamometer. RESULTS: Height, weight, bone mass, and grip force were significantly decreased in the patients with GSD 1a, mainly as the result of low values in the poorly controlled subgroup. Boys had lower bone mass than girls. Patients with GSD 1b had higher values for bone mineral density in the trabecular compartment. In most of the study participants bone mass appeared to be adequately adapted to the mechanical requirements imposed by muscle contraction. However, 3 patients with GSD 1a had evidence for a low bone mass. CONCLUSIONS: In GSD 1, both reduced muscle strength and a direct disease effect can contribute to low bone mass. The quality of treatment is crucial to prevent disturbances in musculoskeletal development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Bone density and geometric properties of the distal radius in displaced and undisplaced Colles' fractures: quantitative CT in 70 women.

We examined cortical and trabecular bone density and geometric properties of the unfractured distal radius in 70 women with recent Colles' fractures, using multilayer peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). We found that cortical volumetric density, cortical area and mean cortical thickness were lower in the displaced than in the undisplaced fractures, suggesting that the cross-sectional volumetric density and geometric properties of cortical bone may be essential in determining the severity of a Colles' fracture. We also compared lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and the occurrence of osteoporosis in the displaced and undisplaced fracture groups and found no significant difference, which suggests that displacement of a Colles' fracture is not associated with general osteoporosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pharmacological treatment of osteopenia induced by gastrectomy or ovariectomy in young female rats.

BACKGROUND: Both gastrectomy (GX) and ovariectomy (OVX) induce osteopenia in man and experimental animals. The present study addresses the question--can alendronate, estrogen or parathyroid hormone (PTH) be used to treat established GX- or OVX -evoked osteopenia? METHODS: Rats were GX-, OVX- or SHAM-operated 8 weeks before starting the treatment with drugs. Each group was then treated for 8 weeks with 50 microg/kg/day alendronate, 10 microg/kg/day estrogen or 75 microg/kg/day PTH(1-84); n = 8 rats/group. Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) was used to measure trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) and various cortical bone parameters. RESULTS: At killing, 16 weeks after surgery, GX and OVX rats had a greatly reduced trabecular BMD in the metaphysis of the distal femur (GX -44% and OVX -55%). Alendronate increased the trabecular BMD by 44% in GX rats and by 64% in OVX rats, while PTH increased it by 51% and 115%, respectively. However, estrogen increased the trabecular BMD in GX rats (35%), but not in OVX rats (15%, not significant). Cortical bone parameters were adversely (but moderately) affected by GX, but not by OVX or by treatment with the three drugs. INTERPRETATION: Alendronate, estrogen and PTH restored the trabecular bone loss in rats with an established GX-evoked osteopenia. In contrast, alendronate and PTH, but not estrogen, restored the trabecular bone loss after OVX. Hence, the mechanism underlying GX-evoked bone loss differs from that underlying OVX-evoked bone loss. The ability of alendronate, estrogen and PTH to reverse the GX-evoked osteopenia in the rat may be of clinical interest when dealing with bone loss in humans after GX.

Alendronate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Workplace use of an adjustable keyboard: adjustment preferences and effect on wrist posture.

This study presents an evaluation of an adjustable keyboard based on subjective preference and wrist joint motion during typing. Thirty-five computer users used the adjustable split design keyboard for 7-14 days during their usual work and were instructed to adjust the keyboard to the opening angle they preferred. At the end of this period, three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to compare the distribution of wrist joint angles while subjects typed on a conventional keyboard and the adjustable keyboard adjusted to the subject's preferred angle. The mean preferred opening angle was 14 degrees +/- 10. The mean ulnar deviation of the subjects who selected the opening angles between 21 and 28 degrees (n = 12) decreased from 18 degrees +/- 5 on the flat to 14 degrees +/- 5 on the adjustable (p < 0.05), while those who selected 0 to 10 degrees (n = 6) and 11 to 20 degrees (n = 17) split angles showed no significant differences in ulnar deviation. Mean wrist extension on the adjustable keyboard was 17 degrees +/- 5 and was significantly less than the 24 degrees +/- 5 observed on the conventional keyboard and most likely due to the presence of palm support. On average, subjects reported that the adjustable keyboard was more comfortable (0.5 +/- 0.5) (worse = -1, same = 0, better, = 1) in comparison with the conventional keyboard.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An evaluation of the ergonomics of three computer keyboards.

The influence of keyboard design on hand position, typing productivity and keyboard preference was evaluated by comparing two segmented alternative designs with the linear standard keyboard. The FIXED alternative keyboard featured a split angle of 12 degrees and a moderate lateral inclination angle of 10 degrees. The adjustable OPEN alternative keyboard was used with a 15 degrees split setting, which resulted in a marked 42 degrees of demiboard lateral inclination. Sixteen typists, who completed 10 h of training on both alternative keyboards, were videotaped while typing set texts on all three keyboards. Forearm and wrist angles based on three-dimensional video analyses were significantly different (p<0.05) among the three designs tested. Both alternative keyboards placed the forearm and wrist closer to neutral positions than did the standard keyboard. While the OPEN keyboard reduced pronation, it simultaneously increased radial deviation. The FIXED keyboard kept the forearm in moderate pronation and the wrist closer to neutral. More time was spent in neutral and moderate ranges of wrist motion when subjects typed on the FIXED compared with the other two designs. With respect to the standard keyboard, typing productivity was reduced by 10% on the FIXED and 20% on the OPEN designs. No significant difference in preference was found between the standard and FIXED keyboards, both of which were preferred over the OPEN. It was concluded that, of the three keyboards evaluated, the FIXED design incorporated moderate changes to the standard keyboard. These changes promoted a more natural hand position while typing thereby reducing the potential for cumulative trauma disorders of the wrist. In addition, the FIXED design preserved a reasonable level of productivity and was well accepted by users.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of precision demands and mental pressure on muscle activation and hand forces in computer mouse tasks.

The objective of the present study was to gain insight into the effects of precision demands and mental pressure on the load of the upper extremity. Two computer mouse tasks were used: an aiming and a tracking task. Upper extremity loading was operationalized as the myo-electric activity of the wrist flexor and extensor and of the trapezius descendens muscles and the applied grip- and click-forces on the computer mouse. Performance measures, reflecting the accuracy in both tasks and the clicking rate in the aiming task, indicated that the levels of the independent variables resulted in distinguishable levels of accuracy and work pace. Precision demands had a small effect on upper extremity loading with a significant increase in the EMG-amplitudes (21%) of the wrist flexors during the aiming tasks. Precision had large effects on performance. Mental pressure had substantial effects on EMG-amplitudes with an increase of 22% in the trapezius when tracking and increases of 41% in the trapezius and 45% and 140% in the wrist extensors and flexors, respectively, when aiming. During aiming, grip- and click-forces increased by 51% and 40% respectively. Mental pressure had small effects on accuracy but large effects on tempo during aiming. Precision demands and mental pressure in aiming and tracking tasks with a computer mouse were found to coincide with increased muscle activity in some upper extremity muscles and increased force exertion on the computer mouse. Mental pressure caused significant effects on these parameters more often than precision demands. Precision and mental pressure were found to have effects on performance, with precision effects being significant for all performance measures studied and mental pressure effects for some of them. The results of this study suggest that precision demands and mental pressure increase upper extremity load, with mental pressure effects being larger than precision effects. The possible role of precision demands as an indirect mental stressor in working conditions is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Development of a monitoring system for keyboard users' performance.

To precisely evaluate the typing performance of a VDT user, a program named KBlog was developed to record the typing activity under the Microsoft Windows operating system. This program is small and simply framed in order to avoid overloading of the operating system. Without interfering with the typing task, this program can record the time of every pressing and releasing movement of each keystroke at the millisecond level. The accuracy and reliability of KBlog was tested by comparing time intervals recorded by KBlog to time intervals of keyboard output electrical signals recorded by an oscilloscope. In the regression analysis on these two indicators, results of high correlation coefficients of almost 1.000 and intercepts within acceptable levels of around 1 ms indicated sufficient accuracy and reliability of this program. Further applications are discussed in this paper concerning both laboratory and field researches.

Computer Peripherals↗