0000000000172952
AUTHOR
A. Rümelin
Two optimizing procedures for the solution of complex systems of equations: a powerful tool for modelling and simulation of metabolism
Introduction Standard calculations for the evaluation of indirect calorimetry (IC) are based on two-dimensional nonlinear systems of equations. For a more sophisticated evaluation metabolic models can be used, which are described by complex systems of equations. Since the solutions are multidimensional, a concrete result must be selected by means of constraints, using optimizing procedures. These multidimensional optimizations are critical concerning processing time and reproducibility of minimum detection. Methods In order to simulate the status of metabolism of ICU patients on the basis of IC data, a complex model of metabolism was developed. The model was described by a system of equatio…
Dissatisfaction with post-operative pain management—A prospective analysis of 1071 patients
Summary A total number of 1071 patients was investigated using a modified questionnaire of the American Pain Society to evaluate the pain profile and satisfaction/dissatisfaction on the second post-operative day after different types of surgery (abdominal, traumatic, orthopaedic, urologic, gynaecologic, ENT). Patients were either treated with non-standardized pain management (no measurement of pain intensities, no regular administration of analgesics) (non-APS; n = 575) under responsibility of surgical specialties or with standardized pain management (regular assessment of pain and dose adaptation with i.v. PCA or epidurals) (APS; n = 496) by an anaesthesiology-based acute pain service. Pat…
Single Preoperative Oral Application of Ascorbic Acid Does Not Affect Postoperative Plasma Levels of Ascorbic Acid
<i>Background and Aims:</i> A decrease in ascorbic acid (AA) plasma concentration is well known during the postoperative period and postulated to be caused by increased radical scavenging activity in response to surgical trauma. This often affects postoperative patients and is associated with multiple organ failure. Therefore, substitution of AA could potentially decrease the risk of postoperative complications. This study examines the effect of preoperative oral administration of 1,000 mg AA on the postoperative AA plasma concentration. <i>Methods:</i> 54 patients were randomly split into two groups; patients in group 1 received no AA preoperatively while group 2 re…
Stability of Ascorbic Acid in Several Blood Collecting Procedures
Purpose: There is good evidence that ascorbic acid (AA) status influences the onset of post-operative complications in intensive care patients. Light and room temperature cause the spontaneous oxidation of AA. Therefore, the stability of AA during modified sample preparation was investigated. Design: Prospective, single centre study. Methods: The AA plasma concentration was analysed in arterial and venous blood with added ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) from 165 subjects. In addition, EDTA or heparin was added as an anticoagulant in venous blood of 79 subjects. Analyses were carried out using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Results: In samples of…
Nahtoderfahrungen
Menschen, die lebensbedrohliche Situationen uberlebt haben, berichten gelegentlich uber optische und akustische Wahrnehmungen, die als Nahtoderlebnis (Near-Death Experience, NDE) bezeichnet werden. In fruheren Jahrhunderten nur in Einzelfallen erwahnt, gewinnt dieses Phanomen mit den Entwicklungen von Reanimatologie, Notfall- und Intensivmedizin zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass die seit etwa 4 Jahrzehnten stattfindende intensive wissenschaftliche Beschaftigung mit diesem Thema zwar eine Systematik in die Phanomenologie von Nahtoderlebnissen bringen konnte, plausible wissenschaftliche Erklarungen jedoch weiterhin ausstehen. Die diskutierten Erklarungsansatze umfasse…