Modification and application of the computerized automatic audiometer

Recently, medical information processing systems applying computers have achieved marked advances in parallel with the development of highly accurate automatic measuring instruments. The authors already in 1974 developed and reported a computerized automatic audiometer containing a micro-computer which stored a program for audiometric procedures. Subsequently the authors have developed a compact, multi-purpose audiometric instrument which executes the standard air-bone conduction audiometry, with the exclusion of masking, automatically with a built-in micro-computer. An outline of the instrument is as follows: 1. The instrument is composed of a memory, a control unit, programs for data processing and measurement, a character display for instructing subjects and an audiogram display. It can be operated manually in the same way as a conventional audiometer. 2. Test errors and any abnormally large differences between the responses of the two ears can be detected automatically, and the tests can then be re-executed manually after finishing the automatic procedure for correction of the data. 3. The instrument is provided with output terminals for connection to an external computer or other peripheral equipment. It is designed to be compact and light weight.

Development of an audiometry data processing system

The development was reported of an electronic data processing system of computerized automatic audiometry and of Bekesy audiometry. This system using a microcomputer has the following features: (1) The large amount of data obtained through (a) automatic audiometry, (b) Bekesy audiometry (measurement at fixed or continuous frequency plus test practice, and (c) the Temporal Tone-Decay test can be stored on-line in real time, and are processed and displayed off-line at any time. (2) When retrieved, the output format of these audiometric data is of the same pattern as the conventional audiogram. (3) The output pattern on the CRT graphic display can be hard-copied whenever desired. (4) The system can be operated manually in the same way as the conventional method. (5) The SISI and DL tests can be executed manually and the resultant data keyed into computer storage. And (6) The operation from the data input to the retrieval output is performed interpretively through the CRT display, so that anyone even without special computer or audiological training can operate it at any time.

Induction and properties of DNP-specific T cells in mice sensitized to DNP-coupled mycobacterium

Splenic T lymphocytes from mice sensitized to 100 microgram of DNP-coupled mycobacterium (DNP-Tbc) showed in vitro proliferative response against DNP- or TNP-conjugated protein antigens. The increased uptake of 3H-thymidine induced by DNP-HSA was partially inhibited by the addition of 10(-4)M DNP-EACA. DNP-AECM-Ficoll did not induce any significant proliferative responses in DNP-Tbc-primed T cell population. However, priming with DNP-Tbc augmented anti-DNP IgG antibody response induced with DNP-Ficoll. The augmentation of IgG response was not due to the presence of DNP-primed B cells or anti-DNP antibody. The results showed that the priming with DNP-Tbc induced DNP-reactive T helper cells which could be triggered with DNP-Ficoll. The possible role of mycobacterium in the induction of hapten-specific T helper cells is discussed.

Regulation of antibody response in different immunoglobulin classes. I. Selective suppression of anti-DNP IgE antibody response by preadministration of DNP-coupled mycobacterium

Selective suppression of IgE antibody response was demonstrated. Preadministration of DNP-coupled mycobacterium (DNP-Tbc) inhibited the formation of anti-DNP IgE antibody induced by DNP-OA without any suppressive effect on anti-DNP IgG antibody response. Secondary anti-DNP IgE antibody response by DNP-OA was also significantly depressed by the preadministration of DNP-Tbc. Anti-OA IgE antibody response induced by DNP-OA was also depressed by DNP-Tbc, whereas anti-OA IgE antibody response induced by PAB-OA was not affected by the preadministration of DNP-Tbc. Preimmunization with DNP-MGG induced much higher anti-DNP IgG antibody response than DNP-Tbc, but DNP-MGG did not suppress the induction of anti-DNP IgE antibody. The transfer of DNP-Tbc-primed spleen cells into normal mice depressed anti-DNP IgE antibody response. B cell-depleted cell populations also showed a comparable inhibitory effect to that of unfractionated DNP-Tbc primed cells. In the adoptive cell transfer experiment, DNP-Tbc-primed cells depressed anti-DNP IgE antibody response of DNP-OA-primed cells when these cells were stimulated with DNP-OA. These results suggested that DNP-specific T cells induced with DNP-Tbc selectively inhibited IgE antibody response.

A probable involvement of rice allergy in severe type of atopic dermatitis in Japan

1006 patients with typical and atypical lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) were analysed statistically. The clinical severity was closely correlated to serum IgE values and RAST (radio-allergosorbent test) positivity. The frequency of RAST-positive antigens was significantly correlated with serum IgE values (gamma = 0.712; p < 0.01). The analysis of multiple correlation between the clinical severity and each RAST score for mite, egg white and rice antigens suggested a strong contribution of rice allergy to the development of severe AD. 25 patients with severe AD and positive rice-RAST were treated by rice exclusion diet. The results were as follows: 9 cases remarkably responsive, 10 cases moderately responsive and 6 cases unresponsive. The rice-RAST titre decreased most remarkably in the 1st group. The wheat-RAST titre also decreased in the 1st, in spite of taking wheat foods every day, but increased in the 3rd. A probable role of rice allergy in severe AD in Japan is discussed.