Non-neoplastic respiratory fluid cytology including cell differential counts for interstitial lung disease

Bronchioloalveolar lavage (BAL) is a non-invasive and well-tolerated procedure that plays a key role in the diagnosis of a variety of non-neoplastic pulmonary diseases, including acute respiratory failure, infection, diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DLPD), paediatric and occupational lung disease, and in the evaluation of the lung allograft. A variety of analytic techniques are commonly performed on BAL fluid, including cytology, cell differential count, microbiology and virology, as well as a number of additional techniques in specific circumstances.     

Cardiovascular and respiratory functions

Abstract

In 649 patients during complex balneotherapeutic cure treatment and another 1053 patients during hydrotherapeutic cure treatment (according to Kneipp) blood pressure values were controlled. On an average, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were reduced, however, at the same time subnormal initial values increased. The individual regression coefficients were significantly correlated with the initial values of systolic as well as of diastolic blood pressure. The cross‐over points of these correlations coincided with the normal values, proving so‐called normalization based on a process of functional adaptation, and this during both modes of treatment. The temporal distributions of maxima in the course of systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a clear cut circaseptan periodic time structure passing the maxima around days 7, 14, and 21. This result again indicates that circaseptan periodicity represents the dominant characteristic time structure of functional adaptive processes leading to normalization.     

A computerized test battery for the assessment of cardiovascular reactivity

Recent evidence has suggested a possible relationship between the tendency to exhibit excessive cardiovascular reactions during psychological challenge and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Valid techniques for reliably assessing such reactions are, however, minimally available. A test battery for the assessment of cardiovascular reactivity to experimental challenge is currently being developed at the University of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the University of Miami and Duke University. An IBM-AT compatible microcomputer is being used for the concurrent collection of physiological data and presentation of the laboratory stressors. Digitized cardiovascular data being collected include EKG, Impedance Cardiogram (ICG), phonocardiogram, and a peripheral pulse wave measure. Blood pressure readings are also being collected and stored on disk. The computer presents three challenging video games, each designed to elicit cardiovascular reactions. Processing programs are being used and developed for the standardized scoring of the digitized signals. To assist in epidemiological research a mobile testing unit has been assembled for the easy administration of the test battery in varying geographical locations. The test battery being developed will increase the feasibility of epidemiological and clinical assessment of stress-induced cardiovascular responses which may substantiate a link between reactivity and cardiovascular disease.     

A computerized database-management system for curriculum analysis.

This report describes a computerized database-management system designed to allow users to retrieve and report information on the curriculum of an undergraduate pathophysiology course. With the system the user can locate where and in what context a topic is covered in the course and can answer queries and prepare reports concerning, for example, format and duration of sessions, teaching aids used and instructors. The system is a unique tool that can be used to optimize course structure and content. It can easily be expanded to include other undergraduate medical courses, and the techniques can be applied to other disciplines.     

A new interactive computerized data base and retrieval system.

A new computerized data base and retrieval system for a minicomputer has been devised for storing and retrieving clinical data. It features interactive terminal input and output using a pagination scheme as well as a subset mapping scheme for interactive retrieval. The pagination system, file structuring and retrieval system are discussed.     

Erythrocyte and microcirculatory functions during artificial circulation

Erythrocyte morphology, their aggregation ability and microcirculatory pattern in the mesentery of the small intestine have been studied stepwise on 12 dogs under artificial blood circulation. It has been shown that erythrocyte lesions followed by pathological aggregation play an important role in the pathogenesis of microcirculatory failure. Prolonged artificial circulation provokes structural reorganization in erythrocytes, thus affecting both blood rheology and gas exchange.     

A combined sensor suitable for telemetering respiratory functions.

A system for measuring oxygen consumption from momentary respiratory values of free moving person is described. The main part presented here is a sensor consisting of a flowmeter based on the impeller principle, called 'Wirbelrespirometer', joint with a polarographic electrode sensitive to oxygen, and a very fast reacting thermistor. First comparative studies in computation of respiratory volume and oxygen consumption yielded average deviations against comparison methods of less than +/- 1% for computation of volume, and +/- 4% for computation of oxygen consumption.