Quantification of the morphological features of a full microvascular network.

Investigations into the changes that occur in microvasculature following the surgical procedure called delay have brought about the need for a computer system capable of quantifying the morphological features of a full microvascular network in terms of average vessel length, diameter, and tortuosity. Both the formulaic conventions that have been developed to measure these quantities as well as their implementation in the form of a HP-9000/UNIX based computer software system that we developed specifically for this purpose are discussed. Reliability studies performed using the final system to measure the microcirculatory network of a mouse latissmus dorsi muscle (LDM) showed 95% confidence intervals within 5% of means and coefficients of variability within 7% of means for all quantities measured in large (150-300 microns), medium (50-150 microns), and small (< 50 microns) diameter vessels. These variations were significantly smaller than the changes that were observed in a preliminary study comparing these microvascular network parameters before and after delay in the hairless mouse LDM, showing the proposed quantification methods to be well suited to the study of the microvascular changes following delay. It is hoped that the formulaic conventions, implementation process and reliability data will provide a useful comparison for other researchers interested in measuring similar features of microcirculatory networks.

Single lung transplantation for alveolar micro-lithiasis: the first clinical report.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (P.A.M.) is a rare pulmonary disorder that pursues usually an asymptomatic course and can culminate in severe respiratory failure. We report a 48 year old Saudi female patient with P.A.M. who deteriorated rather steadily after the initial 18 years of asymptomatic course until a frank type I respiratory failure is established. Single lung transplantation (S.L.T.) was performed successfully and the patient returned to full daily activity and has now survived 12 months post S.L.T. The immunosuppression consisted of Cyclosporine-A 10 mg/kg/day, azathioprine (immuran) 2 mg/kg/day and prednisolone 10 mg daily. The bronchial anastomosis was done by telescoping the recipient and donor main bronchus without omental wrap. A significant bronchial stricture of the anastomotic site occurred 4 months post S.L.T. which was dilated endoscopically with good clinical and bronchoscopic result. No episodes of rejection or infection were encountered so far.

Line Raman, Rayleigh, and laser-induced predissociation fluorescence technique for combustion with a tunable KrF excimer laser.

We have applied a line UV Raman, Rayleigh, and laser-induced predissociation fluorescence technique for measurement of turbulent hydrocarbon flames. The species concentration of CO(2), O(2), CO, N(2), CH(4), H(2)O, OH, and H(2) and the temperature are measured instantaneously and simultaneously along a line of 11.4 mm, from which the gradients with respect to mixture fraction and spatial direction are obtained. The technique has been successfully tested in a laminar premixed stoichiometric methane flame and a laminar hydrogen diffusion flame. In addition the technique has been tested in a highly turbulent rich premixed methane flame. The data show that the technique can be used to provide instantaneous measurements of local profiles that describe the local flame structure in highly turbulent flames.

Two-plane two-dimensional Rayleigh thermometry technique for turbulent combustion.

A two-plane two-dimensional Rayleigh thermometry technique is presented for measurements in turbulent hydrocarbon flames. UV Rayleigh thermometry is used in this technique for what is to the author's knowledge the first time. It shows the advantages of using LJY excimer lasers rather than visible lasers for Rayleigh scattering. The present technique is useful for studying the three-dimensional structure of the reaction zone in turbulent flames.