Serologic Analysis of Returned Travelers with Fever, Sweden

We studied 1,432 febrile travelers from Sweden who had returned from malaria-endemic areas during March 2005–March 2008. In 383 patients, paired serum samples were blindly analyzed for influenza and 7 other agents. For 21% of 115 patients with fever of unknown origin, serologic analysis showed that influenza was the major cause

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Digital product catalogues : an evaluation of presentation and visualization techniques

This licentiate thesis concerns advanced digital product catalogues, with the main focus on product presentation. A computer based digital product catalogue opens new possibilities for advanced product presentation and integration into the existing compute environment. Several new possibilities for product presentation become available. By use of photorealistic rendering techniques, images showing every different product design or combination can be displayed. The mechanical behavior of a product or an assembling instruction can be viewed as an animated sequence for achieving an even higher degree of understanding. The digital catalogue can interface with CAD systems for direct transfer of graphic- and alphanumeric product information. The main aim of this work is to evaluate ideas concerning product presentation for the next generation of digital product catalogues. Attention is also paid to program interaction and techniques for easier creation of computer-generated renderings. The ideas are exemplified through the development of two prototype systems. The functionality and interface layout of the developed prototype systems are studied by interviews and practical tests with presumptive users. The first system exemplifies an advanced digital product catalogue managing building components. It is capable of displaying photorealistic renderings showing all available products and product combinations as well as animated sequences. The second system demonstrates a digital product catalogue handling furniture. The digital catalogue makes it possible to display synthetic images of all available frame-fabric combinations. The persons interviewed have a positive attitude to the current digital product catalogues. The study performed shows some important matters for future development of digital product catalogues. A standardized and general format for managing product information would simplify the digital product catalogue issue. Furthermore, it is of great interest that an advanced digital product catalogue be capable of displaying images of all different products and product designs. If the product catalogue-managing program includes a photorealistic-rendering engine it is only necessary to distribute the geometry and surface definitions of the products included. This reduces the storage space needed significantly. The trend towards faster and less expensive computers is advantageous to this kind of systems