Biomedical subjects

J H Puls

Publications and source records attributed to J H Puls.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1987

An interactive microcomputer-based system for the quantitative analysis of stratified tissue sections.

This paper describes a microcomputer-based system that allows diagnostically relevant properties of stratified tissue sections to be objectively measured. The results of detailed nuclear image analyses are examined in the broader context of the position of nuclei within the tissue section and relative to histologic structures and each other. Quantitative measures are obtained for important morphometric and densitometric properties of individual nuclei and mitotic figures and especially for their distribution and orientation within the tissue section relative to the stratum germinativum and each other. Recorded karyometric and histometric parameters include measures of nuclear DNA content (based on optical density measurements), size, roundness, texture, shape, distance to the basal layer, angle with the stratum germinativum, epithelial height and proximate nuclear distance. Statistics generated describe normalized mitotic density as a function of depth in the epithelium, and a composite mitotic index is produced based upon weighting of these densities relative to their distance from the stratum germinativum. These properties and derived statistics may be examined as a function of epithelial depth and nuclear type and may be plotted as a function of other diagnostic features in addition to the observed stratum. The system is one part of microTICAS-STRATEX, an expert diagnostic system for the clinical evaluation of stratified tissue sections, now under development as an outgrowth of the microTICAS system. Results of measurements made with this system will be compared with site-specific and diagnosis-specific reference profiles and used in conjunction with clinical data derived from a data base at the University of Chicago of over 1.5 million patients to generate diagnostic and prognostic evaluations.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1987

Rapid cytophotometry and its application to diagnostic pathology.

Computer processing of microscopic imagery of cervical lesions can provide novel quantitative diagnostic information. Interpretation of this information, from the level of the image itself to that of diagnostic truth, calls for the use of appropriate data structures. The resolution of the problems of diagnostic consensus and truth may be furthered by the use of these techniques in conjunction with diagnostic expert systems. The impact of our expanded ability to differentiate and to extract diagnostic and prognostic information will lead to changes in the way we practice clinical pathology. Technologic advances have now made it possible to perform quantitative measurements in a very rapid fashion as a practical part of routine clinical pathology activity.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1986

Correlation between automated DNA ploidy measurements of Hürthle-cell tumors and their histopathologic and clinical features.

The treatment of Hürthle-cell tumors of the thyroid is controversial because of their rarity and the inconsistent histopathologic criteria for their diagnosis. In order to obtain more objective criteria for the management of Hürthle-cell tumors, the nuclear DNA content of cells from 20 cases was measured with the MicroTICAS system and the correlation between the DNA distribution patterns and the clinical and histopathologic findings was evaluated. Three main DNA patterns were found: euploid, polyploid and aneuploid. The euploid or polyploid Hürthle-cell tumors came from patients who did not develop distant metastases or recurrence whereas the aneuploid variants came from patients who died of their disease and/or developed distant metastases and recurrence. Various correlation analyses were performed between DNA ploidy and age, sex, size of tumor, growth pattern, pleomorphism, invasion and metastases. Our data suggests that an aneuploid DNA pattern or one with a large percentage of aneuploid nuclei with DNA content exceeding 5N may predict eventual metastases or recurrence from Hürthle-cell tumor.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1986

Software design for an inexpensive, practical, microcomputer-based DNA cytometry system.

Recent advances in digital electronics have made it possible to put together videophotometry systems capable of practical DNA ploidy measurements at a relatively modest cost. Such a system, based upon the IBM PC microcomputer and other "off-the-shelf" components, is now operational in our laboratory. This paper discusses the design considerations that went into the development of the software for this system. It examines the choices, constraints and tradeoffs involved in such a software engineering project and considers the practical implementation of image processing algorithms and a user-friendly interface. An overview is given of the modular, menu-driven software through which the system is controlled, along with a description of normal operational flow.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1986

MicroTICAS. The design of an inexpensive video-based microphotometer/computer system for DNA ploidy studies.

A description is presented of the microTICAS video-based microphotometer/computer system, which has been designed and implemented to provide an inexpensive means for the rapid assessment of DNA ploidy patterns. The design goal was to provide a low-cost, easily serviced unit capable of providing useful clinical results and that would be easy and convenient to use. The resulting system achieves those ends as well as providing a flexible research tool that can be extended with appropriate programming to perform a wide range of tasks. The major parts of the microTICAS system are the microscope/optical system, the video camera with its control unit, the video data digitizer, the frame buffer and display monitor and the small host computer. Commercially available components were chosen for these system components and have been assembled into a system with only a minimum of modifications. The resulting system can be configured to be compatible with both North American and European standards.

Computers↗

PubMed1983

High-resolution color video cytophotometry.

Comparison was made between cytophotometric measurements obtained using two data acquisition systems, one a microphotometer and the other a rapid video camera system, to ascertain whether the degradation of data with the faster video acquisition system still results in recorded images of sufficient quality to permit computer discrimination between cells of very similar appearance. Normal-appearing intermediate cells from cases with normal cytology and those from patients with dysplasia or malignant disease, as well as the subvisual markers within these cells that have rendered them capable of cytophotometric discrimination, were used for the study. Comparison of the data recorded by the two systems indicates that the diagnostic information is preserved in the change-over to a full-field, video-rate scanning system, with differences in the data caused primarily by differences in the spectral response of the two systems. This was reflected in the substantial differences observed in the color-related features and the lesser differences seen in the textural features, while the morphometric features (outline and shape) were virtually unaffected. The differences were primarily expressed on a cell-to-cell basis; in sets of about 300 cells, which would be used in patient-to-patient comparisons, the feature values showed remarkable consistency between the two systems.

Color↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The TICAS-RTCIP real time cell identification processor.

A preliminary model of a real time processing system, the TICAS-RTCIP (for Taxonomic Intra-Cellular Analytic System--Real Time Cell Identification Processor) has been disigned and is being tested under operational conditions, proving the substantial advantages of employing a network of microprocessors operating in parallel. The system is designed only to demonstrate the feasibility, while more extensive development and biologic testing will be required to assess general applicability to automated uterine cytology.

Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical applications for an inexpensive, microcomputer-based DNA-cytometry system.

Some of the clinical capabilities of an inexpensive, microcomputer-based DNA-cytometry system are described. A variety of applications is illustrated: ploidy assessment, which provides significant information for the management of patients with tumors from almost any organ site; quality control of cytologic and histologic diagnoses; determination of tumor heterogeneity; monitoring of cell profile changes during therapy; and quantitation of immunocytochemical staining.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An automated device for the production of cell preparations suitable for automatic assessment.

A set of preparatory steps has been developed for the processing of clinical samples from the female genital tract onto microscopic slides suitable both for machine assessment and for regular microscopic evaluation. These steps involve the depositing of the cell sample in a collection fluid, the semi-automatic adjustment of cell concentration to about 30,000 cells per milliliter through a combination of transmittance and light scatter measurements, the dispersion of the sample by syringing, and the deposition of the cellular content onto microscope slides by centrifugation. These steps were designed so as not to allow loss of cells--except the lysis of erythrocytes--with the understanding that this condition entails the presence of 4--10 per cent cell aggregates in the final preparation.

Autoanalysis↗