WISTA: A Wireless Telemedicine System for Disaster Patient Care

In this paper, we introduce a low-cost and easy-to-deploy wireless telemedicine system, denoted WISTA, that can assist on-site patient care during disasters. The proposed system facilitates real-time transfer of multimedia data from video cameras, sensors, medical images and text from multiple disaster sites to the control center of the disaster area. WISTA enables disaster managers to obtain patients’ status information in real-time from the entire disaster site, which can assist the timely diagnosis as well as the treatment of patients. Moreover, the disaster managers in the control center can remotely control the information sent from the individual disaster sites. The proposed system uses a hierarchical architecture which allows scalable implementation. For dense disaster areas, a layered structure is applied to support information dissemination from s large number of patients. We have implemented the system prototype over a wireless channel and successfully demonstrated simultaneous transmission of video, sensor information, medical images and text from multiple sites to the control center. In addition, the scalability of the system is evaluated using OPNET simulation. Both experiments validate our system design.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic phenanthrolines with exotopic binding sites. Probing their complexation behavior with copper(I) and iron(II)

Starting from 4,7-dichlorophenanthroline ( 1 ) a synthetic approach is developed to novel macrocyclic mono- and bisphenanthrolines ( 5a – d , 6a – d ) with exotopic binding sites. As these coordinating compounds are characterized by a flexible spacer unit, their utility as ligand for the construction of oligomeric, dendritic and box-like structures in the presence of copper(I) and iron(II) is evaluated. Spectroscopic data suggest that with copper(I) the [1+1] adduct [Cu₂( 6c )( 7 )]²⁺ is formed.     

Multimedia friendly home wireless LANs

Home wireless local area networks (LANs) will carry diverse multimedia applications such as data, video, voice, and time sensitive control information. To enable quality delivery of such applications, these networks should incorporate an efficient quality of service (QoS) support mechanism. However, existing home wireless LANs do not provide support for multimedia applications. In this paper, we introduce our software based solution that provides QoS support for voice, video and data while using existing wireless home networks. The experimental results we have obtained provide evidence that our solution provides QoS support for multimedia applications.     

How to Heal the Gut’s Brain: Regeneration of the Enteric Nervous System

The neural-crest-derived enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and controls all gut functions, including motility. Lack of ENS neurons causes various ENS disorders such as Hirschsprung Disease. One treatment option for ENS disorders includes the activation of resident stem cells to regenerate ENS neurons. Regeneration in the ENS has mainly been studied in mammalian species using surgical or chemically induced injury methods. These mammalian studies showed a variety of regenerative responses with generally limited regeneration of ENS neurons but (partial) regrowth and functional recovery of nerve fibers. Several aspects might contribute to the variety in regenerative responses, including observation time after injury, species, and gut region targeted. Zebrafish have recently emerged as a promising model system to study ENS regeneration as larvae possess the ability to generate new neurons after ablation. As the next steps in ENS regeneration research, we need a detailed understanding of how regeneration is regulated on a cellular and molecular level in animal models with both high and low regenerative capacity. Understanding the regulatory programs necessary for robust ENS regeneration will pave the way for using neural regeneration as a therapeutic approach to treating ENS disorders.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is frequent but not associated with coronary arteriosclerosis in cardiac transplant recipients

We sought to explore the relation between Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and cardiac transplant-associated arteriosclerosis. Serologic evidence of past Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was investigated in 3 patient groups at the time of cardiac catheterization: cardiac transplant recipients (n=49), patients having coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=39), and a control group free of angiographic coronary artery disease (n=21). High Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin G titers (> or =1:160) were more frequently observed in cardiac transplant recipients (odds ratio[OR] 13.7; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.6 to 117.4, p <0.05) and CABG patients (OR 21.7; 95% CI 1.6 to 287.0, p <0.05) than in controls. However, high Chlamydia pneumoniae titers did not distinguish between cardiac transplant recipients with or without angiographic transplant-associated arteriosclerosis or CABG patients with or without bypass vein graft disease. Furthermore, there was no significant relation between elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae titers and the presence or progression of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis in the subgroup of patients who were also CMV positive. Yet, analysis of the same angiograms demonstrated an association between CMV infection and the recent progression of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis. Thus, patients with cardiac transplantation have evidence of past Chlamydia pneumoniae and CMV infection but Chlamydia pneumoniae does not appear to have an independent role or synergistic relation to CMV in the development of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis.     

Isolation of human intestinal defensins from ileal neobladder urine

Restenosis is a major limitation of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In this study, we assessed the impact of restenosis on PTCA with reference to coronary angioplasty bypass grafting (CABG). In the Coronary Angioplasty versus Bypass Revascularisation Investigation (CABRI) PTCA population, those who had restenosis were defined as those needing a second revascularization at a site revascularized at the initial procedure. The 1-year clinical outcome of the nonrestenotic group (n=437) was compared with those who underwent CABG (n=453). There was no difference in deaths. In the nonrestenotic PTCA group, the incidence of more infarctions was insignificant (relative risk [RR] 1.9, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.96 to 3.75, p=0.064), there was a much greater need for repeat revascularization (RR 8.6, CI 5.14 to 14.41, p <0.0005), and patients had a poorer angina status (RR 1.46, CI 1.01 to 2.13, p=0.046). Using 2 measures of coronary disease, the degree of pre- and postrevascularization disease was compared between groups. There were no differences in prerevascularization disease. However, using either measure, residual postrevascularization disease was more frequent in the nonrestenotic PTCA group. Restenosis only partially accounts for the greater morbidity seen after PTCA, compared with CABG, in multivessel disease. The greater likelihood of residual disease post-PTCA may contribute to this greater morbidity.     

Laying down the law: reducing illegal tobacco sales to minors in central Harlem

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the impact of educational and enforcement interventions on retailers' sale of tobacco to minors in Central Harlem, New York. METHODS: In a randomized trial with repeated measures, 152 stores were randomly divided into control, education, and enforcement groups. RESULTS: Overall tobacco sales to 12- and 13-year-old minors at baseline (98%) were among the highest in the nation. At 6-month and 1-year follow-ups, decreases in rates of tobacco sales to minors were modest among education stores and substantial among enforcement stores. CONCLUSIONS: Effective reduction of tobacco sales to minors may require ongoing enforcement measures, including fines for retailers who violate state and local laws.     

Life after breast cancer: understanding women's health-related quality of life and sexual functioning

PURPOSE: To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQL), partner relationships, sexual functioning, and body image concerns of breast cancer survivors (BCS) in relation to age, menopausal status, and type of cancer treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of BCS in two large metropolitan areas was invited to participate in a survey study that included the following standardized measures: the RAND 36-Item Health Survey; the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D); the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS); the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) Symptom Checklist; the Watts Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (WSFQ); and subscales from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES). RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty-four BCS completed the survey. RAND Health Survey scores were as good or better than those of healthy, age-matched women, and the frequency of depression was similar to general population samples. Marital/partner adjustment was similar to normal healthy samples, and sexual functioning mirrored that of healthy, age-matched postmenopausal women. However, these BCS reported higher rates of physical symptoms (eg, joint pains, headaches, and hot flashes) than healthy women. Sexual dysfunction occurred more frequently in women who had received chemotherapy (all ages), and in younger women who were no longer menstruating. In women > or = 50 years, tamoxifen therapy was unrelated to sexual functioning. CONCLUSION: BCS report more frequent physical and menopausal symptoms than healthy women, yet report HRQL and sexual functioning comparable to that of healthy, age-matched women. Nevertheless, some survivors still experience poorer functioning, and clinicians should inquire about common symptoms to provide symptomatic management or counseling for these women.