Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M K Alexander.
A study of the platelet counts of 868 blood donors aged 18-65 showed a higher mean count in women than in men, the difference in the premenopausal age groups being highly significant (P less than 0.001) and of the order of 40-70 x 10(9)/1. The mean counts of women taking a contraceptive pill did not differ significantly from those who were not.
In 1970 the Birmingham Histopathology Data Pool was established to collect information on biopsies of surgical specimens from three hospitals. The scheme has gradually expanded and 10 hospitals now participate. The pathologist gives each specimen a numerical code based on the Systematised Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP). The information is processed by computer and stored on cumulative magnetic tape file. At regular intervals (at three, six, and nine months) 'printouts' listing all the information recorded within the interval are produced and a cumulative print-out is issued when the information for a whole year is complete. The data pool system has provided accurate alphabetical and SNOP diagnostic files and has simplified retrieval of data for both follow-up and research purposes. The pathologist may use the computer to retrieve and analyse information from the data pool for this own use or on behalf of clinicians, but he may use information from laboratories other than his own for research purposes and publication only with the permission of the pathologists who submitted the data.
A system is described for the maintenance of cumulative haematology records for selected patients using a laboratory minicomputer with limited storage capacity. Records are indexed by the patient's name and location since, as in the majority of hospital laboratories, there is no unique numbering scheme which covers all patients. The computer system imitates the procedures of manual filing, listing uncertain record matches for human decision. Applications include the production of a regularly updated printing of of cumulative files, the preparation of graphs from cumulative blood count records, and the provision of a summary and follow-up service for general practitioners.
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A system for the automatic capture and retrieval of information contained in routine bacteriology reports is described. The system depends on the preparation of reports on an electric typewriter producing punched paper tape as a byproduct. Periodically the information contained on the tape is analysed by computer. The potential value of the system for the analysis of the results of antibiotic sensitivity testing and for the study of the epidemiology of hospital infections is briefly discussed.
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In a study of a group of 325 blood donors between the ages of 18 and 65 years, the total leucocyte and polymorph counts of the females aged 50 to 65 years were found to be significantly lower than those of the corresponding group of male donors. In the whole series of female donors, there were significantly lower total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts with increasing age and a less significant (P [unk] 0.1) fall in the polymorph count. No age variation in the male counts was found. Analysis of large numbers of leucocyte counts performed on hospital patients has confirmed the sex difference in the total leucocyte count found in the blood donors. The factors responsible for the differences are discussed.
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