[The ankle-arm index and whole blood viscosity in patients with type II diabetes mellitus with ischemia of the lower extremities]. / Wskaznik kostkowo-ramieniowy a lepkosc krwi u chorych na cukrzyce typu II z choroba niedokrwienna konczyn dolnych.

The relationship was studied between the ankle-arm index (K/R) and whole blood and plasma viscosity in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus type II with ischemia of lower extremities. The measurements were carried out in 96 patients (80 males and 16 females), of whom 72 were in stage II of Fontaine progression. Immediately after determination of the K/R index blood was taken from vena mediana cubiti adding Na2EDTA for rheological test. Whole blood viscosity was measured with a Low-Shear 100 Contraves viscometer immediately after sampling, and plasma viscosity was measured with a capillary viscometer of Ubbvelohd within 2 hours after sampling. By the method of regression analysis and linear correlation it was found that increased whole blood and plasma viscosity significantly correlated with reduced K/R value in the patients. The obtained results are analysed in biophysical and clinical aspects.

XECT--a least squares curve fitting program for generalized radiotracer clearance model.

The program uses the joint Monte Carlo-Simplex algorithm for fitting the generalized, non-monoexponential model of externally detected decay of radiotracer activity in the tissue. The optimal values of the model parameters (together with the rate of the blood flow) are calculated. A table and plot of the experimental points and the fitted curve are generated. The program was written in Borland's Turbo Pascal 5.5 for the IBM PC XT/AT and compatible microcomputers.

[Blood and plasma viscosity versus claudication distance in patients with obliterative atherosclerosis of the lower limbs]. / Lepkosc krwi i osocza a dystans chromania przestankowego u chorych na zarostowa miazdzyce tetnic konczyn dolnych.

The aim of the investigations was to show the influence of increased blood and plasma viscosity on the claudication distance in patients with obliterative atherosclerosis of lower limbs. The investigations were carried out in 53 patients: 41 men and 12 women (group I, age 45-67 years). The control group consisted of 100 healthy persons (group II) with similar range of age. The rheological studies of blood were carried out by low-shear 100 Contraves viscometer, the plasma viscosity--by means of capillary viscometer. Moreover, the total lipids, alpha, pre-beta, beta-lipoproteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, fibrinogen and hematocrit of the blood were determined. The blood for above mentioned estimations was collected before testing of the claudication distance. A significant increase of blood and plasma has been shown as well as an increase of total lipids, fibrinogen, triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids. The alpha lipoproteins were significant decreased in patients with intermittent claudication compared to the controls. The claudication distance ranged 10-500 m (the mean: 143 +/- 119 m). The correlation between claudication distance and blood and plasma viscosity was significantly negative (r = -0.42, p less than 0.001 and r = -0.32, p less than 0.05 respectively). The obtained results indicated that an increase of blood and plasma viscosity in patients with obliterative atherosclerosis of lower limbs was correlated to the decrease of claudication distance.

[Blood and plasma viscosity and the distance of intermittent claudication in patients with type II diabetes and thrombophlebitis]. / Lepkosc krwi i osocza a dystans chromania przestankowego u chorych na cukrzyce typu II z choroba niedokrwienna konczyn dolnych.

In 49 patients with insulin-resistant diabetes, with ischaemia of the lower extremities blood viscosity was measured at low coagulation rates and plasma viscosity was determined also. Moreover plasma measurements were done of total lipids, alpha-, pre-beta-, and beta lipoproteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, and, besides that, the hematocrit was measured. Immediately after blood sampling for rheological and biochemical investigations the distance of intermittent claudication was measured. A rather considerable increase of blood and plasma viscosity was noted in the patients in comparison with controls, other findings included disturbances of lipid metabolism, increased fibrinogen level, and a negative correlation between the distance of intermittent claudication and blood and plasma viscosity.

Increasing psychiatric inpatients' community adjustment through therapeutic passes.

Using several self-generated instruments, the authors monitored patient care records and interviewed psychiatric patients, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurses to identify the role of passes in discharge planning and community adjustment and to assess passes' utility in the inpatient treatment program. Findings indicate that while therapeutic passes are considered an integral component of discharge planning and community adjustment, the purposes and use of passes are ambiguous. The authors offer suggestions to maximize the benefits of passes in promoting patients' transition from the hospital to home settings.

The generalized equation for the radiotracer clearance method of measurement of regional microcirculation.

The intratissual diffusion of a tracer and the geometry of the detection system are considered and a generalization of Kety's equation for the measurement of regional microcirculation is derived. Non-monoexponential shapes of time-activity curves are examined and explained.