PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K J Bloom

Publications and source records attributed to K J Bloom.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Human performance studies of the video microscopy component of a dynamic telepathology system.

Human performance studies were performed to evaluate the video microscopy component of a proposed dynamic telepathology system. Frozen sections from breast biopsies of 115 patients were evaluated by both conventional light microscopy and video microscopy by 6 pathologists. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve studies showed nearly identical levels of discrimination between benign and malignant breast lesions for both viewing modalities. Viewing times were significantly greater (p < 0.001) for video microscopy but within a time frame that rendered the technology of potential value for pathology diagnostic applications. Large degrees of interobserver viewing time variability were found for light and video microscopy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1989

Telepathology. Long-distance diagnosis.

Telepathology is defined as the practice of pathology at a distance, by visualizing an image on a video monitor rather than viewing a specimen directly through a microscope. Components of a telepathology system include the following: (1) a workstation equipped with a high-resolution video camera attached to a remote-controlled light microscope; (2) a pathologist workstation incorporating controls for manipulating the robotic microscope as well as a high-resolution video monitor; and (3) a telecommunications link. Progress has been made in designing and constructing telepathology workstations and fully motorized, computer-controlled light microscopes suitable for telepathology. In addition, components such as video signal digital encoders and decoders that produce remarkably stable, high-color fidelity, and high-resolution images have been incorporated into the workstations. Resolution requirements for the video microscopy component of telepathology have been formally examined in receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Test-of-concept demonstrations have been completed with the use of geostationary satellites as the broadband communication linkages for 750-line resolution video. Potential benefits of telepathology include providing a means of conveniently delivering pathology services in real-time to remote sites or underserviced areas, time-sharing of pathologists' services by multiple institutions, and increasing accessibility to specialty pathologists.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1988

An algorithm for hematuria.

Two algorithms are presented to help clarify the diagnostic evaluation of hematuria. Utilizing an anatomic framework for adults and an etiologic framework for children, this complex clinical problem can be approached in a logical manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Telepathology and the networking of pathology diagnostic services.

Telepathology is the practice of pathology over a long distance. Components of a telepathology system include the following: a remote-controlled light microscope attached to a high-resolution video camera; a pathologist workstation incorporating controls for manipulating the microscope and a high-resolution video monitor; and a telecommunications linkage. An immediate challenge is to establish the specifications for a telepathology system. Breast tissue has served as a model. Receiver operator characteristic curve studies show that the pathologist's ability to discriminate benign from malignant breast tumors is similar using either a conventional light microscope or a video monitor with approximately 1000 lines of resolution. The percentage of cases for which pathologists render an "equivocal" diagnosis is the same for the two modalities. Telepathology may be an effective way to provide on-line consultations in difficult cases and to provide hospitals in remote areas with immediate access to anatomic pathology services.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1985

Cell-to-cell fusion of lens fiber cells in situ: correlative light, scanning electron microscopic, and freeze-fracture studies.

We have discovered cell-to-cell fusion between fiber cells of adult frog lenses in situ. Stereo scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed fusion between neighboring fiber cells in radial cell columns (RCCs) and in the same growth ring, respectively. Cell-to-cell fusion of fiber cells in the lens produced fusion zones that in cross-section were larger and of different polygonal shapes than unfused fiber cells. The shape and sizes of fiber cells surrounding fusion zones and the alignment of RCCs were also altered. Serial sectioning through fusion zones confirmed that they were areas of cell-to-cell continuity established by the union of neighboring fiber cells as seen by SEM. Fusion zones represent a previously unrecognized intercellular pathway in the adult frog lens. Although numerous fusion zones were seen throughout the lens cortex and nucleus, cell-to-cell fusion was rarely observed to have occurred between elongating fiber cells. Interestingly, communicating junctions with an unusual ultrastructure that closely resembles the appearance of membranes in the process of fusion demonstrated in other systems were frequently seen in the region of the superficial cortex where fusion zones were most numerous. The fact that such unusual communicating junctions were not found in any other region of the lens leads us to speculate that structural changes in fiber cell communicating junctions may herald the formation of fusion zones and that the initial site of cell-to-cell fusion between fiber cells may be within communicating junctional plaques.

Animals↗