1,399 research outputs found

    Splenic nerve bundle stimulation in acute and chronic inflammation

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    Splenic neurovascular bundle stimulation holds potential to treat acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. In the first part of the thesis, the available literature on the interactions between the immune system and nervous system in the intestine is summarized. Then, it is shown that a specialized T-cell, that can produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, resides in the gut an plays a dual role in the development of experimental colitis in mice. Furthermore, electrical splenic neurovascular bundle stimulation ameliorated the outcomes of colitis in mice and reversed transcriptomic changes in the gut that were induced by colitis. The second part of the thesis focused on the translation of splenic neurovascular bundle stimulation to the human situation. It is shown that there are significant changes between murine and human innervation of the spleen. Using computed tomography (CT) images the course and the characteristics of the splenic artery were described. These data were used to develop a cuff electrode that could be used for electrical stimulation of the splenic neurovascular bundle in humans. Finally, it was demonstrated that splenic neurovascular bundle stimulation in humans was safe and feasible in a pilot study with patients that underwent esophagectomy

    Multidisciplinary perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and the law

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    This open access book presents an interdisciplinary, multi-authored, edited collection of chapters on Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) and the Law. AI technology has come to play a central role in the modern data economy. Through a combination of increased computing power, the growing availability of data and the advancement of algorithms, AI has now become an umbrella term for some of the most transformational technological breakthroughs of this age. The importance of AI stems from both the opportunities that it offers and the challenges that it entails. While AI applications hold the promise of economic growth and efficiency gains, they also create significant risks and uncertainty. The potential and perils of AI have thus come to dominate modern discussions of technology and ethics – and although AI was initially allowed to largely develop without guidelines or rules, few would deny that the law is set to play a fundamental role in shaping the future of AI. As the debate over AI is far from over, the need for rigorous analysis has never been greater. This book thus brings together contributors from different fields and backgrounds to explore how the law might provide answers to some of the most pressing questions raised by AI. An outcome of the Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law and its interdisciplinary working group on Law and Artificial Intelligence, it includes contributions by leading scholars in the fields of technology, ethics and the law.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    30th European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2023)

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    This is the abstract book of 30th European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2023

    Performance of four cardiac output monitoring techniques vs. intermittent pulmonary artery thermodilution during a modified passive leg raise maneuver in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs

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    ObjectiveThis study investigated the performance among four cardiac output (CO) monitoring techniques in comparison with the reference method intermittent pulmonary artery thermodilution (iPATD) and their ability to diagnose fluid responsiveness (FR) during a modified passive leg raise (PLRM) maneuver in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs undergoing acute blood volume manipulations. The study also examined the simultaneous effect of performing the PLRM on dynamic variables such as stroke distance variation (SDV), peak velocity variation (PVV), and stroke volume variation (SVV).Study designProspective, nonrandomized, crossover design.Study animalsSix healthy male Beagle dogs.MethodsThe dogs were anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane and mechanically ventilated under neuromuscular blockade. After instrumentation, they underwent a series of sequential, nonrandomized steps: Step 1: baseline data collection; Step 2: removal of 33 mL kg−1 of circulating blood volume; Step 3: blood re-transfusion; and Step 4: infusion of 20 mL kg−1 colloid solution. Following a 10-min stabilization period after each step, CO measurements were recorded using esophageal Doppler (EDCO), transesophageal echocardiography (TEECO), arterial pressure waveform analysis (APWACO), and electrical cardiometry (ECCO). Additionally, SDV, PVV, and SVV were recorded. Intermittent pulmonary artery thermodilution (iPATDCO) measurements were also recorded before, during, and after the PLRM maneuver. A successful FR diagnosis made using a specific test indicated that CO increased by more than 15% during the PLRM maneuver. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures with post hoc Tukey test, linear regression, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (ρc), and Bland–Altman analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsAll techniques detected a reduction in CO (p < 0.001) during hemorrhage and an increase in CO after blood re-transfusion and colloid infusion (p < 0.001) compared with baseline. During hemorrhage, CO increases with the PLRM maneuver were as follows: 33% for iPATD (p < 0.001), 19% for EC (p = 0.03), 7% for APWA (p = 0.97), 39% for TEE (p < 0.001), and 17% for ED (p = 0.02). Concurrently, decreases in SVV, SDV, and PVV values (p < 0.001) were also observed. The percentage error for TEE, ED, and EC was less than 30% but exceeded 55% for APWA. While TEECO and ECCO slightly underestimated iPATDCO values, EDCO and APWACO significantly overestimated iPATDCO values. TEE and EC exhibited good and acceptable agreement with iPATD. However, CO measurements using all four techniques and iPATD did not differ before, during, and after PLRM at baseline, blood re-transfusion, and colloid infusion.Conclusion and clinical relevanceiPATD, EC, TEE, and ED effectively assessed FR in hypovolemic dogs during the PLRM maneuver, while the performance of APWA was unacceptable and not recommended. SVV, SDV, and PVV could be used to monitor CO changes during PLRM and acute blood volume manipulations, suggesting their potential clinical utility

    Northeastern Illinois University, Academic Catalog 2023-2024

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    https://neiudc.neiu.edu/catalogs/1064/thumbnail.jp

    Complexity Science in Human Change

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    This reprint encompasses fourteen contributions that offer avenues towards a better understanding of complex systems in human behavior. The phenomena studied here are generally pattern formation processes that originate in social interaction and psychotherapy. Several accounts are also given of the coordination in body movements and in physiological, neuronal and linguistic processes. A common denominator of such pattern formation is that complexity and entropy of the respective systems become reduced spontaneously, which is the hallmark of self-organization. The various methodological approaches of how to model such processes are presented in some detail. Results from the various methods are systematically compared and discussed. Among these approaches are algorithms for the quantification of synchrony by cross-correlational statistics, surrogate control procedures, recurrence mapping and network models.This volume offers an informative and sophisticated resource for scholars of human change, and as well for students at advanced levels, from graduate to post-doctoral. The reprint is multidisciplinary in nature, binding together the fields of medicine, psychology, physics, and neuroscience

    Stabilization and Resuscitation of Newborns

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    The majority of newborns do not need medical interventions to manage the neonatal transition after birth. However, every year millions of newborns worldwide require respiratory support immediately after birth, and another considerable number of newborns additionally require extensive resuscitation including chest compressions and drug administration. Despite a significant increase in knowledge and development of enhanced therapy strategies over the past few years, morbidity and mortality caused by failures in neonatal transition remain an important health issue. The purpose of this reprint is to support or introduce novel concepts and add information in the area of the “Stabilization and Resuscitation of Newborns”, aiming to improve neonatal care and, as the major objective, to enhance neuro-developmental outcomes

    Emerging Power Electronics Technologies for Sustainable Energy Conversion

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    This Special Issue summarizes, in a single reference, timely emerging topics related to power electronics for sustainable energy conversion. Furthermore, at the same time, it provides the reader with valuable information related to open research opportunity niches
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