437 research outputs found

    STRIKE-GOLDD 4.0: user-friendly, efficient analysis of structural identifiability and observability

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    Structural identifiability and observability are desirable properties of systems biology models. Many software toolboxes have been developed for their analysis in the last decades. STRIKE-GOLDD is a generally applicable tool that can analyse non-linear, non-rational ODE models with unknown inputs. However, this generality comes at the expense of a lower computational efficiency than other tools. Here we present STRIKE-GOLDD 4.0, which includes a new algorithm, ProbObsTest, specifically designed for the analysis of rational models. ProbObsTest is significantly faster than the FISPO algorithm - which was already available in older versions of the toolbox - when applied to computationally expensive models. An important feature of both algorithms is their ability to analyse models with unknown inputs. Thus, their coexistence in the same toolbox provides a combination of general applicability and computational efficiency. STRIKE-GOLDD 4.0 is implemented as a free and open-source Matlab toolbox with a user-friendly graphical interface. It is available under a GPLv3 license and it can be downloaded from GitHub at https://github.com/afvillaverde/strike-goldd.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur

    Relações norte - sul: o componente econômico

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    Este trabalho apresentará um quadro geral contendo uma visão das relações económicas Norte-Sul, que se espera venha a facilitar a análise científica positiva, e que contribua em direção a prescrições normativas com vistas à tendência desejável nas relações Norte-Sul no futuro

    Septic shock in pediatrics I. Current approach in diagnosis and therapeutics

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    Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.El shock séptico es una de las principales causas de mortalidad infantil a nivel mundial y representa una compleja y progresiva vía inflamatoria secundaria a una enfermedad infecciosa, la cual origina disfunción cardiovascular aguda, no necesariamente hipotensión arterial, condicionando disoxia tisular y eventualmente falla celular y orgánica. Los paquetes de medidas de resucitación propuestos enfatizan el reconocimiento clínico y un tratamiento precoz. Estas intervenciones se basan en la pronta y agresiva resucitación con fluidos intravenosos para una adecuada perfusión tisular, administración de antibióticos, remoción del foco infeccioso y el uso de drogas vasoactivas en caso de ser necesario. La terapia debe evaluarse permanentemente según la normalización de metas clínicas y de laboratorio. En la presente publicación se actualiza el conocimiento de las características epidemiológicas y fisiopatológicas de la sepsis, una puesta al día en definiciones operacionales, campañas internacionales y referentes a las iniciativas propuestas para disminuir su morbimortalidad. Se aborda el enfoque terapéutico inicial en el servicio de urgencia. El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer el estado actual del conocimiento en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del paciente con shock séptico especialmente en su fase inicial previo al ingreso a UCI.Septic shock is a major cause of infant mortality worldwide and represents the progressive underlying inflammatory pathway secondary to an infectious disease, which causes acute cardiovascular dysfunction, not necessarily hypotension, tissue dysoxia and eventually cellular and organ failure. Standard resuscitative measures emphasize clinical recognition and early treatment. These interventions are based on early and aggressive resuscitation with intravenous fluids to optimize tissue perfusion, antibiotics, removal of the source of infection and the use of vasoactive drugs if necessary. Therapy should be permanently evaluated according to the standardized laboratory and clinical targets. This publication is an update on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of sepsis, operational definitions, current international campaigns and initiatives concerning proposals to decrease the morbidity and mortality of this condition. It also addresses initial therapeutic approaches in the emergency room. The aim of this study is to present the current state of knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with septic shock especially in the initial phase before admissions to intensive care units.http://ref.scielo.org/sbjrb

    Septic shock in pediatrics II. Current concepts in diagnosis and treatment

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    Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Aunque los principios básicos para el diagnóstico y los pilares terapéuticos del niño con shock séptico se mantienen en el tiempo, es innegable que en las últimas décadas se han incorporado nuevos y trascendentes conceptos, siendo importante que el médico tratante en el Servicio de Urgencia tenga conocimiento a cabalidad de ellos. En la segunda parte de esta actualización se discuten las similitudes y diferencias entre la población infantil y adulta, la utilidad de las metas de reanimación metabólicas, como también el enfoque terapéutico inicial en el paciente séptico. Los conceptos más importantes revisados se refieren a las diferencias entre el niño y adulto con shock séptico, especialmente en la fisiopatología, clínica y tratamiento. Se recalca la importancia de expansión de la volemia y el uso de drogas vasoactivas si no hay respuesta a fluidos de reanimación. El manejo terapéutico debe estar orientado a la búsqueda de la normalización de metas macrohemodinámicas y de perfusión sistémica. Se deben evitar los errores más frecuentes de observar en el tratamiento inicial del paciente séptico. Esta entidad presenta una elevada incidencia y mortalidad, por lo cual el manejo precoz y agresivo es de máxima importancia en pediatría.Although the basic concepts of diagnosis and therapy of the child with septic shock have remained similar over time, it is undeniable that in recent decades, new and important concepts have been added, and any treating physician either at the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit should be fully aware of them. This second part discusses the similarities and differences between pediatric and adult populations, the utility of metabolic resuscitation goals, as well as the initial therapeutic approach in septic patients. The most important concepts of this work make reference to the differences between children and adults with septic shock, specifically regarding to pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment. Volume expansion and vasoactive drugs are crucial if there is no response to fluid resuscitation. The therapeutic management should focus on finding the normalization of macrohemodynamic and systemic perfusion targets. Common observation mistakes in the initial treatment of septic patients should be avoided. This condition has a high incidence and mortality rate; therefore an early and aggressive treatment is essential.http://ref.scielo.org/cc6t3

    Septic shock in ICU: Advanced therapeutics, immunoparalysis and genomics. State of the art

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    Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.En las últimas décadas, se han incorporado nuevos y trascendentes conceptos para el tratamiento avanzado del paciente en shock séptico. Se debe considerar el uso de terapia inmune en grupos seleccionados de pacientes. Las terapias de sustitución renal de carácter continuo sonbien toleradas y su empleo precoz evita sobrecargas de fluidos. El uso de hemofiltración de alto volumen puede jugar un papel en el paciente séptico hiperdinámico. La plasmaféresis es útil en el paciente con disfunción multiorgánica. El empleo de soporte extracorpóreo se debe considerar en quienes presentan shock séptico refractario. La inmunoparálisis se ha asociado con infecciones nosocomiales y mortalidad tardía. La información obtenida de los marcadores genéticos puede permitir la búsqueda de una medicina basada en la genómica.New and important concepts have emerged for the advanced management of the child with septic shock in the recent decades. Attending physicians in the Pediatric intensive care unit must be fully aware of them to improve patient care in the critical care unit. It should be considered the use of immune therapy only in selected groups of patients. Continuous renal replacement therapies are well tolerated and their early use prevents deleterious fluid overload. Removal of inflammatory mediators by using high volume hemofiltration may play a role in hyperdynamic septic patients. The use of plasmapheresis is recommended in patients with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure. Extracorporeal support use should be considered in those with refractory septic shock despite goals directed therapy. The immunoparalysis has been associated with nosocomial infections and late mortality. The information from genetic markers may allow early intervention and preventive genomics-based medicine.http://ref.scielo.org/g8m9m

    Septic shock in intensive care units. Current focus on treatment

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    Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Los pilares terapéuticos del niño con shock séptico se mantienen en el tiempo, sin embargo, se han incorporado nuevos conceptos, siendo importante que el pediatra y el intensivista tengan conocimiento a cabalidad de ellos. La reanimación con fluidos es una intervención fundamental, no obstante, aún no se ha establecido un tipo de fluido ideal, presentando cada uno limitaciones específicas, no existiendo evidencia sobre la superioridad de un tipo de fluido. Si a pesar de una adecuada resucitación con fluidos persiste el shock, el inicio de inótropos y/o vasopresores está indicado. En caso de refractariedad al uso de vasopresores, nuevos fármacos vasoactivos pueden ser empleados y el uso de hidrocortisona debe considerarse en niños con sospecha de insuficiencia suprarrenal. Existe controversia respecto a la transfusión de glóbulos rojos o el nivel óptimo de glucemia, no existiendo consenso en el valor umbral para el uso de estos hemocomponentes o el inicio de insulina, respectivamente. Asimismo, la utilización de la hemofiltración de alto volumen (HFAV)aún permanece controversial, requiriendo mayores estudios para su recomendación en forma rutinaria en el curso de un shock séptico refractario. El soporte nutricional es primordial, ya que la desnutrición es una grave complicación que debe ser prevenida y tratada adecuadamente. El objetivo de la presente revisión es entregar una actualización en los más recientes avances en tratamiento del shock séptico en la población pediátrica.Essential therapeutic principles in children with septic shock persist over time, although some new concepts have been recently incorporated, and fully awareness of pediatricians and intensivists is essential. Fluid resuscitation is a fundamental intervention, but the kind of ideal fluid has not been established yet, as each of these interventions has specific limitations and there is no evidence supportive of the superiority of one type of fluid. Should septic shock persists despite adequate fluid resuscitation, the use of inotropic medication and/or vasopressors is indicated. New vasoactive drugs can be used in refractory septic shock caused by vasopressors, and the use of hydrocortisone should be considered in children with suspected adrenal insufficiency, as it reduces the need for vasopressors. The indications for red blood cells transfusion or the optimal level of glycemia are still controversial, with no consensus on the threshold value for the use of these blood products or the initiation of insulin administration, respectively. Likewise, the use of high-volume hemofiltration is a controversial issue and further study is needed on the routine recommendation in the course of septic shock. Nutritional support is crucial, as malnutrition is a serious complication that should be properly prevented and treated. The aim of this paper is to provide update on the most recent advances as concerns the treatment of septic shock in the pediatric population.http://ref.scielo.org/79wr6

    Energetic evaluation of swing adsorption processes for CO2 capture in selected MOFs and zeolites: Effect of impurities

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    We present a systematic computational study of Mg-MOF-74, CuBTC and zeolite 13X for CO2 separation from multi-component flue gas mixtures. The impurities' impact was evaluated at the molecular level and process conditions. Adsorption isotherms and isosteric heats of adsorption of pure (CO2, N2, O2, H2O, SO2 and NO2) components, binary and ternary mixtures were obtained from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Working capacities, purities, recoveries and exergetic performances were evaluated for VSA/PSA/TSA processes. Results show that NO2 has a negligible effect in the studied range. For H2O and SO2 the energy requirements are reduced as the impurity content increases and recovery and purity increase, up to an 'optimal' point where a competition for CO2 preferred adsorption sites produces a sharp drop in purity and the energetic index grows exponentially. The minimum energy requirement were obtained for TSA at a desorbing temperature of 443 K in the three materials, with impurities of 1% H2O for CuBTC, 0.5% H2O for Mg-MOF-74 and 0.02% H2O for 13X, obtaining values of 1.13, 0.55 and 0.58 GJ/tCO2, respectively. Hybrid VTSA processes with impurities content in the feed mixture and CCS specifications achieve energy performances of 0.36 GJ/tCO2 and 0.46 GJ/tCO2 with Mg-MOF-74 and 13X, respectively. Mg-MOF-74 stands up as an attractive material for VTSA processes, presenting higher working capacities, purities and second-law efficiencies, with lower energy consumptions, also showing a better 'buffer' behavior than zeolite 13X when trace impurities are present. This work represents the first quantitative assessment of the process performance of MOFs adsorbents in swing adsorption process for CO2 capture considering impurities effects. Results reinforce the validity of molecular simulations for guiding the optimization of these processes
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