bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical outcome measurements via the Internet: Reliability at two Internet speeds
Authors: Russell Trevor G , Wootton Richard , Jull Gwendolen A 
Published: February 2003

summary We have developed a software application to enable interactive rehabilitation via the Internet. The reliability of the telemedicine application was examined by comparing it with face-to-face assessment. The physical outcome measures assessed were knee range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength, limb girth and an assessment of gait. One therapist performed both in-person and Internet-based measurements of all outcome measures on 20 normal subjects. There was good agreement between the two techniques (the 95% limits of agreement included zero for all the variables studied). Internet assessments were conducted at two bandwidths: ISDN at 128 kbit/s and the telephone network at 17 kbit/s. Bandwidth had no significant influence on any of the measures. This study suggests that Internet-based physiotherapy interventions delivered to the home are suitable for further development.
The clinical achievements of a geriatric telehealth project in its first year
Authors: Saligari J , Flicker L , Loh P K , Maher Sean , Ramesh P , Goldswain P 
Published: February 2003

summary We performed a feasibility study to test the validity of conducting two standard cognitive assessments via videoconferencing. There was a high correlation between the scores from a face-to-face assessment and those from a videoconference. A second trial was conducted with patients living in a rural community, examined both face to face and via videoconferencing. Again, the validity and reliability of the assessment tools were demonstrated for videoconferencing. The acceptability of the technology to patients and clinicians was also shown. As a result of the trials and at the request of rural participants, geriatric telehealth services are now being provided to a rural aged care assessment team (ACAT) on a fee-for-service basis. The success of this project is reflected in its senior clinical and academic ‘champions’, the establishment of a dedicated telehealth resource and the development of protocols.
Telehealth policy: Looking for global complementarity
Authors: Scott Richard E , Chowdhury M Faruq U , Varghese Sunil 
Published: February 2003

summary Telehealth is gaining acceptance as a tool for bridging the local and global health-care divides. However, integrating telehealth into existing health infrastructures presents a daunting challenge for governments, policy makers, telehealth advocates and health-care workers. The development of specific inter-jurisdictional telehealth policies will significantly improve the ability to meet this challenge. In the policy context, one ‘success’ is the increasing number of jurisdictions addressing policy issues. However, policy decisions have largely been taken in isolation, within individual health institutions, regions, provinces/states or countries. This represents a failure of the current approach. Telehealth, by its very nature, has the ability to transgress existing geo-political boundaries. As a consequence, policy in any single jurisdiction may hamper or even cripple the ability of telehealth to fulfil its potential. Commonality-or at least complementarity-of approach to telehealth policy must be encouraged. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the current or anticipated regulatory constraints that may affect telehealth. We have begun a preliminary study of country-specific policy issues.
Low-cost telemedicine in the developing world
Authors: Swinfen R , Swinfen P 
Published: February 2003

summary The Swinfen Charitable Trust uses digital cameras and email to provide specialist advice to doctors in developing countries. The first telemedicine link was set up in July 1999. By the end of a year there were three links to hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal and the Solomon Islands. Initially the consultants, all of whom give their advice free of charge, were from the UK, but now are worldwide. At present there are 12 links in operation, including one on Tristan da Cunha, and two links approved and awaiting equipment. The advice given by the consultants has been found to be helpful to the referring doctors and to benefit their patients. Failures have been due to the use of obsolescent equipment, computer viruses, lack of communication with the referring hospital before setting up a link, and referring doctors not chasing up their own referrals. Problems yet to be solved include the unreliability of the Internet, certain medicolegal issues and assessing the quality of medical consultants. In future there will be the problem of managing a rapidly growing telemedicine network.
Problem-based learning: A case study in providing e-health education using the Internet
Authors: Tichon Jennifer G 
Published: February 2003

summary The current trend among many universities is to increase the number of courses available online. However, there are fundamental problems in transferring traditional education courses to virtual formats. Delivering current curricula in an online format does not assist in overcoming the negative effects on student motivation which are inherent in providing information passively. Using problem-based learning (PBL) online is a method by which computers can become a tool to encourage active learning among students. The delivery of curricula via goal-based scenarios allows students to learn at different rates and can successfully shift online learning from memorization to discovery. This paper reports on a Web-based e-health course that has been delivered via PBL for the past 12 months. Thirty distance-learning students undertook postgraduate courses in e-health delivered via the Internet (asynchronous communication). Data collected via online student surveys indicated that the PBL format was both flexible and interesting. PBL has the potential to increase the quality of the educational experience of students in online environments.
Argentina's national telemedicine programme: Reasons for a premature failure
Authors: Urtubey Xavier , Petrich Marcelo 
Published: February 2003

summary In July 1999, the Argentinean government decided to extend the national telemedicine network from eight to 108 hospitals and medical schools. In April 2000, a telemedicine workstation was donated to every hospital, although there was no training, no guidelines and no overall objectives. We have been leading this project since June 2000 as part of the National Information Society Programme, with an initial US$50,000 budget for the first semester. Since then, we have raised funds, deployed a large cooperative network, and developed training, seminars and content. We have also proposed an overall action plan. Nevertheless, the programme in that time has twice suffered a change of government, the budget has changed five times and the priorities have changed three times. At present, the team finds itself with no contract and no political action plan in a national context which is not favourable to information and communications technology projects.
Success and failure in a Michigan telepsychiatry programme
Authors: Whitten Pamela , Rowe-Adjibogoun Jill 
Published: February 2003

summary Telemedicine programmes are often complex undertakings that result in combinations of success and failure. Michigan State University and LifeWays received a grant for a four-phase telepsychiatry research project in 2000. We employed multiple data-collection techniques, including patient and provider surveys, in-depth interviews, observation, patient chart analyses, and organizational archival data analyses. Of the four phases in the project, two proved to be successful, one failed in its initial goal but succeeded with a redefined goal, and one failed completely. Issues that affected success or failure included human resource conflicts, organizational structure, inter-organizational relationships and allocated resources.
Logistical aspects of large telemedicine networks. 2: Measurement of network activity
Authors: Wootton Richard , Smith Anthony C , Gormley Sinead , Patterson Jessica 
Published: February 2003

summary We carried out a retrospective review of the videoconference activity records in a university-run hospital telemedicine studio. Usage records describing videoconferencing activity in the telemedicine studio were compared with the billing records provided by the telecommunications company. During a seven-month period there were 211 entries in the studio log: 108 calls made from the studio and 103 calls made from a far-end location. We found that 103 calls from a total of 195 calls reported by the telecommunications company were recorded in the usage log. The remaining 92 calls were not recorded, probably for one of several reasons, including: failed calls-a large number of unrecorded calls (57%) lasted for less than 2 min (median 1.6 min); origin of videoconference calls-calls may have been recorded incorrectly in the usage diary (i.e. as being initiated from the far end, when actually initiated from the studio); and human error. Our study showed that manual recording of videoconference activity may not accurately reflect the actual activity taking place. Those responsible for recording and analysing videoconference activity, particularly in large telemedicine networks, should do so with care.
Investigation of Benzoic Acid Adsorption on to ODTMA-Bentonite by Response Surface Optimization
Authors: Kapucu H. , Yildiz N. , Gönülşen R. , Çalimli A. Ç 
Published: February 2003

The adsorption of benzoic acid on to a modified bentonite (ODTMA-bentonite) was studied. ODTMA-bentonite was synthesized by the incorporation of a quaternary ammonium surfactant (octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) on to Ç ankiri sodium bentonite (Ç Na-B) with a cation-exchange capacity of 85 mequiv/100 g clay. A 24 full factorial central composite experimental design followed by multi-stage Monte-Carlo optimization was used in designing the experiments and analyzing the results. This procedure limited the number of actual experiments performed whilst allowing for possible interactions between the four parameters studied. These parameters were temperature (20–40°C), agitation rate (30–170 rpm), the amount of organobentonite used (0.1–1.5 g) and the initial benzoic acid concentration (40–200 mg/l). Of these parameters, the amount of organobentonite and the temperature had significant effects in comparison with the agitation rate and initial benzoic acid concentration. To effect the maximum adsorption of benzoic acid on to ODTMA-bentonite, the optimum values for the tested variables over the selected ranges were as follows: initial concentration of benzoic acid = 200 mg/l, agitation rate = 170 rpm, amount of organobentonite = 1.5 g and temperature = 40°C. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the model employed was 0.99343 with a probability value of 9.44 × 10−14 (p-value < 0.01). This p-value indicates a very high significance for the regression model. The maximum adsorbed concentration of benzoic acid predicted by the equation (169.05 mg/l) agreed well with the value (163 mg/l) obtained from the experimental data measured under optimum conditions.
Change of Structural and Adsorption Properties Due to Isomorphous Substitution in Hydrotalcite-like Materials
Authors: Shafei Gamal M.S. El 
Published: February 2003

Samples of hydrotalcite-like compounds with the general formula [M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2]x+•Ax–•nH2O were prepared via coprecipitation through the addition of NaOH to mixed chloride salt solutions. On maintaining the M2+/M3+ ratio equal to three, it was possible to effect isomorphous substitution. This led to the preparation of different compounds which could be compared to the parent material in which M2+ = Ni and M3+ = Al. Other divalent cations used were Mg2+ and Zn2+ with Cr3+ and Fe3+ being employed as trivalent cations. The ratio between cations of the same charge was unity in all the isomorphously substituted samples and substitution was conducted for one oxidation state only at a time. Hence, all samples contained a maximum of three different cations. The charge compensating anion in the interlayers, A, was identified as mainly CO32– with the co-existence of Cl− anions to different extents. The structural and textural properties developed as a result of the substitutions effected were studied by XRD, IR, DTA, acid–base titration and mercury porosimetry measurements. Various samples were used for the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol to examine the effects on the adsorption properties arising from isomorphous substitution. The major effect having a marked influence on the adsorption properties arose from the nature of the compensating anion in the interlayers. Different tendencies of different cations to be accommodated in the layer structure resulted in different interlayer spaces and variable conformations of the charge compensating anion. In all cases, at low equilibrium concentrations, the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol (pH = 11) occurred at the edges of the layer structure accompanied by Cl−/OH− exchange. The increasing order in the amount of 4-chlorophenol adsorbed was matched by an increasing order in the interlayer space due to substitution. At higher values of the equilibrium concentration, the adsorption of both phenolate and OH− anions decreased. This was because such adsorption into the interlayer space to replace the CO2– anion was diffusion-controlled, making the process improbable at high pH values.
Uptake of Cationic Dyes by Cement Kiln Dust: Sorption Mechanism and Equilibrium Isotherm
Authors: Nassar Mamdouh M. , Daifullah Abd. El Hakim A. , Magdy Yehia H. , Ebrahiem Ebrahiem E. 
Published: February 2003

The mechanistic aspects of the sorption of Basic Blue-3 and Basic Red-22 on to cement kiln dust (CKD) have been investigated. The by-pass kiln dust before and after washing with water was characterized by X-ray diffraction methods, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Two forms of by-pass kiln dust were used in this study without any treatment, i.e. in powder and pelletized form (the latter being achieved using water or sodium silicate). Equilibrium isotherms to assess the maximum capacity of the two basic dyes on the two forms of CKD were evaluated using a computer program. This allowed two-, three- and four-parameter adsorption models to be studied; it was found that the piecewise Freundlich isotherm yielded an excellent overall fit. Washing with water led to the loss of some active sites responsible for the sorptive capacity. The increase in capacity observed after pelletization with water rather than with sodium silicate could be explained by an increase in hydroxy moieties that undergo exchange reactions. In both cases of pelletization, the adsorption capacity was less than for the unwashed powdered form. The uptake order was found to be: unwashed powder > pellets with water > pellets with sodium silicate.
Oligoyric microcephaly in a child with Williams syndrome
Authors: Faravelli Francesca , D'Arrigo Stefano , Bagnasco Irene , Selicorni Angelo , D'Incerti Ludovico , Riva Daria , Pantaleoni Chiara 
Published: February 2003

AbstractWe report a 19‐month‐old boy with microcephaly, growth and developmental delay, facial dysmorphisms, and simplified gyral pattern. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination demonstrated microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern or oligogyric microcephaly. The facial phenotype was interpreted as suggestive of Williams syndrome (WS). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis performed with an elastin probe revealed a deletion in the chromosomal band 7q 11.23, confirming the clinical diagnosis. To our knowledge, this represents the first patient with WS and oligogyric microcephaly. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somatic instability of the androgen receptor CAG repeat in a normal female
Authors: Sharp Andrew , Hurst Jane 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe polyglutamine repeat disorders represent a family of degenerative neurological diseases which are characterized by expansions of tandemly repeated CAG repeats. Investigations have demonstrated that in Huntington disease, dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy, and the spinocerebellar ataxias type 1, 2, and 3, the polyglutamine expansions show both meiotic and mitotic instability. However, previous studies have suggested that the polyglutamine motif within exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR) which expands in cases of spinobulbar muscular atrophy differs in that it is apparently mitotically stable. During linkage analysis in a family with FG syndrome, a rare condition mapped to Xq12‐q22.1, we detected the presence of an unusually small AR allele segregating within the pedigree. Sequencing, cytogenetic analysis, and PCR of flanking markers indicate that this allele arose by a somatic contraction of seven CAG repeats in the proband's mother, representing the first report of mitotic instability of an AR CAG repeat of normal size. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
X‐linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata: Spectrum of arylsulfatase E gene mutations and expanded clinical variability
Authors: Brunetti‐Pierri Nicola , Andreucci Maria Vittoria , Tuzzi Rosaria , Vega Giovanna Roberta , Gray George , McKeown Carol , Ballabio Andrea , Andria Generoso , Meroni Germana , Parenti Giancarlo 
Published: February 2003

AbstractX‐linked chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1), due to mutations of the arylsulfatase E (ARSE) gene, is a congenital disorder characterized by abnormalities in cartilage and bone development. We performed mutational analysis of the ARSE gene in a series of 16 male patients, and we found mutations in 12 subjects. Clinical variability was observed among the patients, including severe presentations with early lethality in one of them, and symptoms such as cataract and respiratory distress. This indicates that the clinical spectrum of CDPX1, commonly considered a relatively mild form of chondrodysplasia punctata, is wider than previously reported. Different types of mutations were found among the patients examined. Three missense mutations (I80N, T481M, P578S) were expressed in Cos7 cells to study the effects on arylsulfatase E catalytic activity. These mutations caused impaired enzymatic activity suggesting that they are responsible for the disease. Two nonsense mutations, W581X in four patients and R540X in one, were found. One patient showed an insertion (T616ins). In three patients we found deletions of the ARSE gene: in one the deletion involved only the 3′ end of the gene, while in two the ARSE gene was completely deleted. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mental deficiency, alterations in performance, and CNS abnormalities in Overgrowth syndromes
Authors: Cohen M. Michael 
Published: January 2003

AbstractMental deficiency, alterations in performance, and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities are discussed in the following overgrowth syndromes: Sotos syndrome, Weaver syndrome, Proteus syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, fragile X syndrome, syndromes with neonatal hypoglycemia, Simpson‐Golabi‐Behmel syndrome, hemihyperplasia, Sturge‐Weber syndrome, Bannayan‐Riley‐Ruvalcaba/Cowden syndrome, macrocephaly‐autism syndrome, PEHO syndrome, chromosomal syndromes, and other miscellaneous syndromes. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic evaluation of developmental delay/mental retardation: An overview
Authors: Battaglia Agatino , Carey John C. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractMental retardation (MR) is one of the few clinically important disorders for which the etiopathogenesis is still poorly understood. It is a condition of great concern for public health and society. MR is currently defined as a significant impairment of cognitive and adaptive functions, with onset before age 18 years. It may become evident during infancy or early childhood as developmental delay (DD), but it is best diagnosed during the school years. MR is estimated to occur in 1–10% of the population, and research on its etiology has always been a challenge in medicine. The etiopathogenesis encompasses so many different entities that the attending physician can sometimes feel a “virtual panic,” starting a wide‐range diagnostic evaluation. The Consensus Conference of the American College of Medical Genetics has recently established guidelines regarding the evaluation of patients with MR [Curry et al.,1997], emphasizing the high diagnostic utility of cytogenetic studies and neuroimaging in certain clinical settings. However, since then there has been substantial progress in molecular cytogenetics and neuroimaging techniques, the use of which has allowed recognition and definition of new disorders, thus increasing the diagnostic yield. This review will focus on the most appropriate investigations shown to be, at present, necessary to define the etiology of DD/MR, in the context of recommendations for the clinical evaluation of the patient with undiagnosed MR. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Advances in molecular cytogenetics for the evaluation of mental retardation
Authors: Xu Jie , Chen Zhong 
Published: January 2003

AbstractRecent years have witnessed rapid advances in molecular cytogenetics and its impact in studying mental retardation (MR). We review new molecular cytogenetic methods, including interphase fluorescence in situ hyrbridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), multicolor karyotyping, telomere FISH, primed in situ labeling (PRINS), genotyping , microdissection, and microarray for the evaluation of MR. These new methods are very useful in two major aspects: further characterization of chromosome abnormalities as detected with routine banding analysis, including additions, duplications, deletions, translocations, markers, or complex aberrations; and screening for “hidden” chromosome aberrations in patients with an apparently normal karyotype. These new methods have great diagnostic potential in prenatal, postnatal, and preimplantational settings. Although powerful, at this point, they are primarily research tools in nature. It is essential that these new methods be used in conjunction with standard methods in order to maximize obtainable information for better management of patients with MR. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroimaging studies in the evaluation of developmental delay/mental retardation
Authors: Battaglia Agatino 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe employement of neuroimaging studies in the evaluation of individuals with developmental delay/mental retardation (DD/MR) is still highly debated. The Consensus Conference of the American College of Medical Genetics has suggested that “neuroimaging appears to have an especially important role in patients with microcephaly or macrocephaly, seizures, loss of psychomotor skills and neurologic signs,” whereas the value of neuroimaging investigations “in the normocephalic patient without focal neurological signs is unclear” [Curry et al.,1997]. However, recent literature reports show how the latest neuroimaging techniques (in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy [H‐MRS]) may prove to be useful in the diagnostic process of those individuals with DD/MR and no neurological signs/symptoms. The use of these techniques can, in addition, help in monitoring treatment in distinct metabolic disorders. This review will focus on the usefulness of neuroimaging studies in some of the newer metabolic disorders. This paper will also cover those recognizable patterns of human malformation where neuroimaging findings seem to be relevant both toward diagnosis and management, and add to our understanding of the related behavior phenotype. The essential role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the progress in the diagnostic recognition of malformations of cerebral cortical development is stressed. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.