Search results for "Medical Informatics"

PyCellBase, an efficient python package for easy retrieval of biological data from heterogeneous sources.

2019

Background Biological databases and repositories are incrementing in diversity and complexity over the years. This rapid expansion of current and new sources of biological knowledge raises serious problems of data accessibility and integration. To handle the growing necessity of unification, CellBase was created as an integrative solution. CellBase provides a centralized NoSQL database containing biological information from different and heterogeneous sources. Access to this information is done through a RESTful web service API, which provides an efficient interface to the data. Results In this work we present PyCellBase, a Python package that provides programmatic access to the rich RESTfu…

A knowledge-based decision support system in bioinformatics: An application to protein complex extraction

2013

Abstract Background We introduce a Knowledge-based Decision Support System (KDSS) in order to face the Protein Complex Extraction issue. Using a Knowledge Base (KB) coding the expertise about the proposed scenario, our KDSS is able to suggest both strategies and tools, according to the features of input dataset. Our system provides a navigable workflow for the current experiment and furthermore it offers support in the configuration and running of every processing component of that workflow. This last feature makes our system a crossover between classical DSS and Workflow Management Systems. Results We briefly present the KDSS' architecture and basic concepts used in the design of the knowl…

A Decision-support Algorithm for Self-management of Anticoagulation Therapy Used in a Smartphone Application

2019

Warfarin for anticoagulation therapy is used by patients with specific cardiovascular diseases to control the ability of blood clotting. Traditional ways for self-management of the therapy are based on paper forms and procedures. This paper presents an algorithm developed for the smartphone application “Warfarin Guide”, which is a computer-assisted decision-support system used to help patients with self-management of their anticoagulation therapy related to International Normalized Ratio (INR) values. The algorithm was based on clinical guidelines for Warfarin therapy and it was adapted for the software application to address challenges with regular INR checks and adjustments for temporary …

User-Centred Design with a Remote Approach: Experiences from the Chronic Pain Project

2020

User-centred design involves end-users or user groups during all the parts of the development process. The research project Chronic Pain aims to develop a shared decision making application for patients and physicians, addressing individually adapted pain treatment. The project employs a user-centred design process, and in middle of it, Covid-19 pandemic social distancing restrictions were imposed. This paper presents how the user-centred design process together with a patient organisation was transformed to a digital approach and the experiences from performing a remote co-creation user workshop. The digital approximation had a satisfactory result and the main contribution lies in the shar…

Computer-assisted clinical diagnosis in the official European union languages

2016

eHealth services integrate Web Information Retrieval and Intelligent Medical Decision Support for health care professionals based on the range of possible symptoms which a patient reports. However, many symptoms like high temperature, fever, or headache, are ambiguous in terms of suggesting wide variety of possible patient's conditions to the GP, while other symptoms are mutually dependant, which again can be misleading to make an accurate diagnosis. On the other hand, doctor's up-to-date knowledge on the medicaments, drugs, active medical substances included, anticipated range of diseases relating to the symptoms reported, and the most reliable pharmaceutical manufacturers, are of the grea…

2020

Background Evidence suggests that mobile health app use is beneficial for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its associated complications; however, population-based research on specific determinants of health app use in people with and without T2D is scarce. Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to provide population-based evidence on rates and determinants of health app use among adults with and without T2D, thereby covering a prevention perspective and a diabetes management perspective, respectively. Methods The study population included 2327 adults without a known diabetes diagnosis and 1149 adults with known T2D from a nationwide telephone survey in Germany…

Factors Affecting Mobile Diabetes Monitoring Adoption Among Physicians: Questionnaire Study and Path Model

2012

BackgroundPatients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes often find it difficult to control their blood glucose level on a daily basis because of distance or physical incapacity. With the increase in Internet-enabled smartphone use, this problem can be resolved by adopting a mobile diabetes monitoring system. Most existing studies have focused on patients’ usability perceptions, whereas little attention has been paid to physicians’ intentions to adopt this technology. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions and user acceptance of mobile diabetes monitoring among Japanese physicians. MethodsA questionnaire survey of physicians was conducted in Japan. The structured questionna…

ideal: an R/Bioconductor package for interactive differential expression analysis

2020

AbstractBackgroundRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is an ever increasingly popular tool for transcriptome profiling. A key point to make the best use of the available data is to provide software tools that are easy to use but still provide flexibility and transparency in the adopted methods. Despite the availability of many packages focused on detecting differential expression, a method to streamline this type of bioinformatics analysis in a comprehensive, accessible, and reproducible way is lacking.ResultsWe developed the ideal software package, which serves as a web application for interactive and reproducible RNA-seq analysis, while producing a wealth of visualizations to facilitate data interpr…

The Social Nature of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases and How to Tackle Them Through Communication Technology, Training, and Outreach

2011

As world leaders prepare for the United Nations High Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases, to take place in September 2011, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and economic and business fora have created new alliances and initiatives to accelerate research, advocacy, and political commitment. This article argues that the time is propitious to reflect on the social nature of the most common behavioral noncommunicable disease determinants, including tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. Evidence is presented related to the fact that these diseases are profoundly rooted in social and community ties and points to the need for a modern com…

A multi-sensor multi-rate algorithm for motor rehabilitation with Augmented Reality devices

2016

Using Augmented Reality (AR) could offer stimuli to rehabilitation from neuro-motor disorders, since the patient can be aided in a better known reality than Virtual Reality (VR). The main goal for an AR system is to achieve a good quality of tracking the real object to align with virtual contents. Often a single sensor could not provide enough information to that end due to a low updating rate; therefore joining an other high updating rate sensor could be indispensable, but how to combine data from different sensors especially when they work all at different rates? In this paper an approach based on recursive parameter estimation, focusing on multi-rate tracking in AR devices is suggested. …