bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying user-generated quality criteria to develop an Internet intervention for patients with heart disease
Authors: Kerr Cicely , Murray Elizabeth , Burns Jo , Turner Indra , Westwood Mark A , MacAdam Catherine , Nazareth Irwin , Patterson David 
Published: April 2008

Summary Internet interventions can help people to self-manage chronic disease. However, they are only likely to be used if they meet patients' perceived needs. We have developed an Internet intervention in two stages to meet the needs of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). First, user-generated criteria were applied to an existing US-based intervention called ‘CHESS Living with Heart Disease’ which provides information, emotional and social support, self-assessment and monitoring tools, and behavioural change support. This identifed the development work required. Then we conducted a user evaluation with a panel of five patients with CHD. Overall, users generally made positive comments about the information content. However they were critical of presentation, ease of navigation through the content, understanding what was offered in the different services and finding the information they were after. Applying user-generated quality criteria proved useful in developing an intervention to meet the needs of UK patients with CHD.
More patients with minor injuries could be seen by telemedicine
Authors: Mair Fiona , Ferguson James 
Published: April 2008

Summary The Grampian Minor Injuries Telemedicine Service has been operating since 2001 supporting 15 minor injury units (MIUs) in community hospitals. Currently over 120 new patients are seen each month. We conducted a retrospective review to estimate the number of patients who were sent to the main hospital emergency department (ED) who would have been suitable for telemedicine treatment instead. All attendances at three MIUs and onward referrals to the ED during the months January and July 2006 were identified from a database. A total of 112 patients were referred from the three MIUs during the study period. MIU C, which utilized teleconsultations the most, referred the lowest proportion of its patients (2%). MIU B, which had all X-rays reviewed by a general practitioner, referred the most (85%). At MIU B, 80–85% of patients referred to the ED without having a teleconsultation could have been managed by telemedicine. Telemedicine for MIUs has been repeatedly reported in the medical literature as being successful, but widespread usage of this technique remains to be achieved.
Wireless-accessible sensor populations for monitoring biological variables
Authors: Mazzù Marco , Scalvini Simonetta , Giordano Amerigo , Frumento Enrico , Wells Hannah , Lokhorst Kees , Glisenti Fulvio 
Published: April 2008

Summary The current health-care infrastructure is generally considered to be inadequate to meet the needs of an increasingly older population. We have investigated the feasibility of a passive in-home monitoring system based on wireless accessible sensor populations (WASP). In an EU-funded project we have identified the system architecture and the sensors required to gather data from elderly patients by continuous monitoring. Data from biological variables (heart rate, accelerometers, body temperature and galvanic skin response) and everyday habits (body position, movements) will be transmitted to a central monitoring centre. A Body Sensor Network (worn by the patient and able to communicate with a personal mobile hub) and an Ambient Sensor Network (a number of wireless sensors incorporated into the patient's home) are envisaged. The system will be tested by using it in the telemedicine activities of the Health Telematic Network, which manages home help projects for elderly patients.
Diagnosis of congenital heart disease in neonates by videoconferencing: an eight-year experience
Authors: McCrossan Brian A , Grant Brian , Morgan Gareth J , Sands Andrew J , Craig Brian , Casey Frank A 
Published: April 2008

Summary Over an eight-year period, echocardiograms were transmitted by ISDN at 384 kbit/s for a total of 132 patients suspected of having congenital heart disease (CHD). Five transmitted scans were inadequate. Hands-on echocardiograms were performed subsequently on 116 of the remaining 127 cases (91%). Major CHD was diagnosed in 42 of the 116 infants (36%) and minor CHD in 49 (42%). The telemedicine diagnosis was accurate in 97% of the cases (kappa = 0.90). There were four diagnostic errors. Transfer to the regional unit was avoided in 95 patients (72%). The present study shows that high diagnostic accuracy is possible using a telemedicine link to transmit images obtained with the assistance of real-time guidance by a paediatric cardiologist. The results also demonstrate the importance of an expert interpreting the echocardiographic images, since the accuracy of diagnosis was considerably improved (the kappa coefficient increased from 0.14 to 0.90).
Home support for children with complex congenital heart disease using videoconferencing via broadband: initial results
Authors: McCrossan Brian A , Grant Brian , Morgan Gareth J , Sands Andrew J , Craig Brian , Casey Frank A 
Published: April 2008

Summary We originally developed a home support service for babies with complex congenital heart disease, in which videoconferencing was delivered via three ISDN lines. We have now investigated the feasibility of using broadband (Internet protocol) transmission instead of ISDN lines. Five patients were enrolled (age range 14–58 days) and 78 videoconferences were conducted over a six-month period. In 70 videoconferences (90%), a successful connection was established at the first attempt. In the last 56 videoconferences a connection bandwidth of 256 kbit/s was consistently achieved. The clinician's opinions of the videoconferences were good. Parental opinions on the videoconferences were very high. There was also a significant reduction in parental anxiety following the video consultations: the median reduction in the STAI score was 6 points ( P < 0.05) ( n = 78). Home support for infants or children with complex congenital heart disease can be provided successfully by video consultations utilizing home broadband links.
The delivery of a minor injuries telemedicine service by Emergency Nurse Practitioners
Authors: Miller David R , Alam Khyber , Fraser Susan , Ferguson James 
Published: April 2008

Summary We conducted a retrospective review to assess the potential for Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) to deliver telemedicine advice for minor injuries. Over a one-year study period, 835 patients from 15 minor injury units in community hospitals presented to the minor injuries telemedicine service and were seen via videoconferencing by a doctor at the Aberdeen emergency department. A case review showed that overall, ENPs were considered capable of treating 470 of 788 new presentations (60%). If children under 14 years of age and shoulder injuries were excluded, this figure rose to 84%. Assessment of all minor injuries via a telemedicine network by medical staff is unnecessary. An ENP-led service offers a realistic and attractive alternative.
Characteristics of radio medical advice to fishing vessels in Scottish coastal waters
Authors: Mitchelson Mark A , Ferguson James , Armes Roland , Page J Graham 
Published: April 2008

Summary We examined the emergencies arising on fishing vessels in Scottish Coastal Waters which required ship-to-shore radio medical advice. All calls to the service were identified for the 12-month period from August 2005. A total of 186 calls were received; 38% of calls were from fishing vessels. During the study period 53% of the calls were trauma-related, while 47% were medical emergencies. Our data suggest that there are many fishermen working offshore with chronic medical conditions. Overall, 85% of calls from fishing vessels resulted in evacuation as the outcome. Improved occupational health screening, compliance with health and safety legislation, and an evidence-based approach to remote medical care may improve seafarer self-care and reduce emergency evacuations.
A pilot study of mobile phone-based therapy for obese patients
Authors: Morak Juergen , Schindler Karin , Goerzer Evelin , Kastner Peter , Toplak Hermann , Ludvik Bernhard , Schreier Guenter 
Published: April 2008

Summary We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a web-based therapy management system with mobile phone access to support obese patients. A total of 25 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was 48 years. The mean body mass index of the patients at recruitment was 35.6 kg/m2. The mean observation period was 70 days. A total of 361 successful data transmissions was performed — the mean number of transmissions per patient was 14. The total number of outgoing reminder messages was 123, corresponding to 4.9 reminder messages per patient. At the end of the study, there were significant reductions of 2.4 cm in abdominal girth ( P < 0.001), 2.4 kg in bodyweight ( P < 0.001) and 0.78 kg/m2 in body mass index ( P < 0.001). In a questionnaire at the end of the study, the majority of the participants gave answers that indicated a positive attitude towards the system. The pilot study showed that mobile phones can be utilized as patient terminals for therapy in patients suffering from obesity.
Using Personal Digital Assistants to improve self-care in oral health
Authors: O'Hara David M , Seagriff-Curtin Patricia , Levitz Mitchell , Davies Daniel , Stock Steven 
Published: April 2008

Summary We conducted a pilot project to evaluate the potential of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) technologies to improve the oral health of people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, chronic health problems and a long-standing history of poor oral health self-care. Oral health video and audio materials were prepared and transferred to PDAs. Patients were trained in the use of the PDAs at a regular dental appointment and the utilization of the PDA and any change in oral health status was tracked over the next six months. More than half of the 36 patients reported problems in keeping the PDAs functioning properly (mainly problems of keeping the batteries charged) for the duration of the project and 11 patients dropped out of the study. Ten of the remainder (40%) achieved improvement in at least three areas of oral health. The pilot project potentially brings a range of health promotion activities within the reach of people with limited health literacy which may produce better self-management of chronic health conditions.
Clinical validation of a wearable system for emotional recognition based on biosignals
Authors: Pastor-Sanz Laura , Vera-Munoz Cecilia , Fico Giuseppe , Arredondo María Teresa 
Published: April 2008

Summary The AUBADE system can be trained to classify a subject's feelings into six different emotional classes, derived from three of the basic emotions (happiness, disgust and fear). The performance of different classifiers was examined. Biosignals were recorded from 24 healthy subjects who viewed pictures designed to invoke different emotional responses. A psychologist evaluated the emotional status of the subjects by looking at their faces. During the training stage, information from 15 subjects was used to teach the system how to discriminate the emotional status of the subject based on the biosignals provided as input. A subset of the data was used for comparing the performance of four different classifiers. They were evaluated using three different metrics: sensitivity, positive predictive accuracy and accuracy. Using the SVM classifier, the AUBADE system provided sensitivities in the range 63–81%. The positive predictive accuracy was in the range 71–95%. The accuracy was in the range 63–83%, depending on the emotional class considered. The work paves the way for remote telemonitoring of patients suffering from neurological diseases.
A systematic review of networked technologies supporting carers of people with dementia
Authors: Powell John , Chiu Teresa , Eysenbach Gunther 
Published: April 2008

Summary We conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of networked ICT interventions in supporting carers of people with dementia. Five bibliographic databases were searched and a total of 1456 abstracts were identified as potentially relevant. From these we identified 15 papers describing five interventions: ComputerLink, AlzOnline, Caring for Others and two studies from the REACH project (TLC and CTIS). The interventions reviewed were multifaceted with elements of networked peer support. Outcomes were inconsistent but suggested that the interventions had moderate effects on improving carer stress and depression. Treatment effects were found to vary with caregiver characteristics such as ethnic groups, formal support and baseline burden. Further evaluation is needed in robust trials with good follow-up.
Provision of telehealth to the Scottish Police College
Authors: Webster Karyn , Fraser Susan , Mair Fiona , Ferguson James 
Published: April 2008

Summary A telemedicine service was established for the Scottish Police College with medical advice provided from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Use of the service from November 2004 to February 2006 was audited. A total of 192 patients presented to the service during the 16-month study period. There were 97 teleconsultations. The remaining 95 patients (49%) were not seen by telemedicine due to technical problems. The complaints dealt with were 68% injuries and 32% minor illness ( n = 97). The outcome of the teleconsultation was: advice alone 76%; referral to a general practitioner 10%; and A&E referral 14% ( n = 97). The treatment advised was: over-the-counter medicine 85%; prescription 5%; and nil 10% ( n = 97). Even with a 24% connection rate, the service overall was perceived as beneficial and the Police College wished to continue to use the service, if the technology difficulties could be resolved.
A low-cost decision support network for electrocardiograph transmission from oil rigs in the North Sea
Authors: Webster Karyn , Fraser Susan , Mair Fiona , Ferguson James 
Published: April 2008

Summary A telemedicine service consisting of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation and advice on the management of chest pain offshore was offered to oil rig installations in the North Sea. A total of 14 subscribing oil rigs were supplied with thrombolytic drugs and rig paramedics were trained in their delivery. Electrocardiographs could be recorded using a standard ECG machine and then digitized using a scanner for transmission as an email attachment. Several oil companies invested in ECG equipment which allowed direct recording of the patient's ECG in electronic form for transmission by email. Uptake of the telemedicine service was very rapid. The majority of rig medics found the system very easy to use. During a 36-month study period from August 2004, 47 cases of chest pain were dealt with by telemedicine. Of these 47 cases, only six patients (13%) were airlifted to shore. The 41 remaining ECGs did not to have acute changes requiring immediate evacuation. The use of email for ECG transmission proved to be highly effective in managing chest pain offshore.
Implementation of a large-scale hospital information infrastructure for multi-unit health-care services
Authors: Yoo Sun K , Kim Dong Keun , Kim Jung C , Park Youn Jung , Chang Byung Chul 
Published: April 2008

Summary With the increase in demand for high quality medical services, the need for an innovative hospital information system has become essential. An improved system has been implemented in all hospital units of the Yonsei University Health System. Interoperability between multi-units required appropriate hardware infrastructure and software architecture. This large-scale hospital information system encompassed PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications Systems), EMR (Electronic Medical Records) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). It involved two tertiary hospitals and 50 community hospitals. The monthly data production rate by the integrated hospital information system is about 1.8 TByte and the total quantity of data produced so far is about 60 TByte. Large scale information exchange and sharing will be particularly useful for telemedicine applications.
Ferrocene‐bridging dinuclear cyclen copper(II) complexes as high efficient artificial nucleases: design, synthesis and interaction with DNA
Authors: Li Kun , Zhang Ji , Zhang Jing‐Jing , Zhang Zhong‐Wei , Zhuang Zhen‐Jing , Xiao Dan , Lin Hong‐Hui , Yu Xiao‐Qi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTwo novel cyclen copper(II) complexes bridged by ferrocene were designed and synthesized. Both of these complexes exhibited excellent cleavage ability towards plasmid DNA via an oxidative pathway without the presence of any additives. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemistry characters of the interaction between the complexes and DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out to study the DNA restriction ability of these complexes, and the results indicated that the complexes showed higher cleavage efficiency via an oxidative pathway without the presence of any additives. The mechanism of DNA cleavage catalyzed by these complexes was examined by the addition of various scavengers, and the results showed that singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical might be responsible for the cleavage process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selectivity studies in the reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene: Sonogashira coupling vs hydroarylation
Authors: Barros José C. , de Souza Andréa Luzia F. , de Lima Paulo G. , da Silva Joaquim F. M. , Antunes O. A. C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe selectivity of the coupling reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene was evaluated. Several palladium catalysts, ligands and reaction conditions were tested, showing that supported catalysts, room temperature or ionic liquids (NHC precursors) favor Sonogashira coupling, while the non‐supported ones, higher temperature and PPh3 as ligand, favor hydroarylation. Neither excess of iodobenzene nor phenylboronic acids are required; and it is possible to avoid the use of PPh3, although this lowers selectivity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrorheology and characterization of acrylic rubber and lead titanate composite materials
Authors: Tangboriboon N. , Sirivat A. , Wongkasemjit S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOxide one‐pot synthesis was used to synthesize a polymer precursor to lead titanate, PbTiO3. Perovskite lead titanate, PbTiO3, was synthesized via the sol–gel process. The dielectric constant, electrical conductivity and loss tangent of our acrylic rubber (AR71)–lead titanate (PT) composite material (AR/PT_8) were 14.15, 2.62 × 10−7/Ω m, and 0.093, respectively, measured at 27 °C and 1000 Hz. SEM micrographs of composites between the AR71 elastomer and PbTiO3 showed that the particles were reinforced within the matrix. The electrorheological properties of the AR71/PT composites were investigated as functions of electric field strength from 0 to 2 kV/mm and PbTiO3 particle volume fraction. The storage modulus increased linearly with particle volume fraction, with or without an electric field. Without an electric field, the particles merely acted as a filler to absorb or store additional stress. With the electric field on, particle‐induced dipole moments were generated, leading to interparticle interactions, and thus a substantial increase in storage modulus. With PbTiO3 particle volume fractions as small as 10−4 embedded in the elastomer matrix, the modulus increased by nearly a factor of 2 as the electric field strength varied from 0 to 2 kV/mm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular effects of lithium exposure during mouse and chick gastrulation and subsequent valve dysmorphogenesis
Authors: Chen Jizhen , Han Mingda , Manisastry Shyam M. , Trotta Patrizia , Serrano Maria C. , Huhta James C. , Linask Kersti K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Lithium (Li) has been associated with cardiac teratogenicity in the developing fetus. We took advantage of the association of therapeutic administration of Li with an increase in heart defects to gain insight into both normal and pathological heart and valve development with GSK‐3 inhibition. The objective of this study was to define whether Li mimicry of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling induces cardiac valve defects. METHODS: Li was administered by a single intraperitoneal injection to the pregnant mouse on embryonic day E6.75, much earlier than heretofore analyzed. On E15.5 developing heart defects were defined by Doppler ultrasound. The embryonic hearts were analyzed for changes in patterning of active canonical Wnt expression and nuclear factor of the activated T cells‐c1 (NFATc1), both key regulators of valve development. Li‐exposed chick embryos were used to define the early cell populations during gastrulation that are susceptible to GSK‐3 inhibition and may relate to valve formation. RESULTS: Li exposure during gastrulation decreased the number of prechordal plate (PP) cells that reached the anterior intestinal portal, a region associated with valve development. Li decreased expression of Hex, an endoderm cardiac inducing molecule, normally also expressed by the PP cells, and of Sox 4 at the anterior intestinal portal and NFAT, critical factors in valvulogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Cells existing already during gastrulation are associated with valve formation days later. The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in PP cells is normally repressed by Wnt antagonists and Hex is up‐regulated. The antagonism occurring at the receptor level is bypassed by Li exposure by its intracellular inactivation of GSK‐3 directly to augment Wnt signaling. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis in patients resected for presumed malignant bile duct strictures
Authors: Erdogan D , Kloek J J , ten Kate F J W , Rauws E A J , Busch O R C , Gouma D J , van Gulik T M 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundImmunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis has been described in the context of autoimmune pancreatitis mimicking distal cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of this entity in benign bile duct strictures in patients resected for presumed hilar cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsOf 185 patients who had undergone resection of proximal bile ducts on suspicion of hilar cholangiocarcinoma between January 1984 and June 2005, 32 (17·3 per cent) had a benign bile duct stricture on histopathological examination. After re-evaluation, further immunohistochemical analysis was performed on specimens from patients with features of autoimmune-like disease.ResultsThe periductal stroma in 15 patients showed features of autoimmune-like disease (diffuse, moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with marked fibrosis). Abundant IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration around the bile duct lesions was seen in two of these. Although not significant, patients with features of autoimmune-like disease on histological changes showed a higher incidence of recurrent biliary complications than those without (P = 0·250).ConclusionFeatures of autoimmune-like bile duct disease were seen in almost half (15 of 32) of patients with benign hilar strictures resected for presumed hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Frank IgG4-related sclerosing disease was found in only two of the 15 patients with autoimmune-like bile duct disease.