Networking clinical systems

Laboratory information management systems (LIMS) — data transfer from clinical systems to networked data management applications... 

The equivalence of inhaled glucocorticoids based on equipotent (cortisol suppression) effects has been studied by the Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN). Six different inhaled glucocorticoids and matched placebos (beclomethasone chlorofluorocarbon, budesonide dry powder inhaler, fluticasone dry powder inhaler, fluticasone chlorofluorocarbon metered-dose inhaler, flunisolide chlorofluorocarbon, and triamcinolone chlorofluorocarbon) were compared by measuring their systemic effects (18). 

This definition is close to an IT-based view. But for holism we can still modify it just slightly systems healthcare is the science and practice of integrating genetic, genomic, biochemical, cellular, physiological, clinical, and socioeconomic data to create a system network that can be used to predictively model and take best action on medical events. ... 

Videoconferencing can be a key component that facilitates the communications processes between the clinical trial entities, and it can be integrated as a part of a network system [15],... 

Handling such interwoven networks and complex feedback loops is beyond the capability of common laboratory methods, not to mention that just the complexity of scientific literature itself is already beyond measure. Help from computers and bioinformatics has become a must in today s biomedical research. In fact, bioinformatics methods have become indispensable for each step in biomedical research, from high-throughput data collection to clinical decision support. This chapter focuses on the application of bioinformatics methods in the study of pharmacogenomics, drug discovery, and systems biology. 

General anesthetic drugs have the ability to reduce the level of consciousness in a dose dependent fashion. The study of the neurobiological mechanisms of action of these drugs may provide insight into the systems that are necessary for the existence of consciousness. It clearly cannot be assumed however, that the systems that underlie the action of these substances are in themselves sufficient for consciousness. Indeed, within a complex neural network, any number of small alterations can disturb the whole. This chapter focuses on what is known about the molecular mechanism of action of drugs that are used clinically for general anesthesia. 

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