3,399 research outputs found
Indonesien-Malaysia und Malaysia-Singapur. Konfrontasi revisited?
No full textFreistein K. Indonesien-Malaysia und Malaysia-Singapur. Konfrontasi revisited? In: Dembinski M, Hasenclever A, eds. Die internationale Organisation des Demokratischen Friedens. Studien zur Leistungsfähigkeit regionaler Sicherheitsinstitutionen. Baden-Baden: Nomos; 2010: 87-118
Voltamperometric evaluation of postsurgical edema.
No full textThe authors describe a simple voltamperometric arrangement to evaluate the hydroionic content of dermohypodermic tissues. This measurement exactly expresses the degree of edema in every site of the body and in all clinical conditions. Such an arrangement is particularly helpful with surgical patients, and can be used to judge the effectiveness of the so-called antiedematogenic drug
Introduction
No full textAn excerpt from a book on the logic of a planned economy illustrates how the author, Pawel Dembinski, interestingly formulates the perception of the average man in the street in a centrally planned economy:
There’s no unemployment, and yet nobody works.
Nobody works, and yet the plan gets fulfilled.
The plan gets fulfilled, and yet there’s never anything in the shops.
There’s never anything in the shops, and yet every fridge is full.
Every fridge is full, and yet everyone complains.
Everyone complains, and yet the same people keep getting elected.
[Dembinski, 1991, p. xiii
NORMAL VALUES OF TRANSIENT ELASTOGRAPHY (FIBROSCAN) IN CHILDREN WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF LIVER DISEASE: COMPARISON OF ADULT VERSUS PEDIATRIC PROBE
No full textDemocracy, Regional Security Institutions, and Rivalry Mitigation: Evidence from Europe, South America, and Asia
No full textWeiffen B, Dembinski M, Hasenclever A, Freistein K, Yamauchi M. Democracy, Regional Security Institutions, and Rivalry Mitigation: Evidence from Europe, South America, and Asia. Security Studies. 2011;20(3):378-415.The fact that democracies maintain peaceful relations with each other is regarded as one of the few law-like correlations in international relations, but the causes of this empirical phenomenon remain contested. This paper tries to fill this theoretical gap by attributing the remarkable stability between democracies to inter-democratic institutions. At the same time, it contributes to the debate on the need to differentiate among international organizations in order to assess their peace-building effects. We identify transnational and trans-governmental linkages as crucial features that distinguish inter-democratic from traditional institutions with non-democratic or mixed membership. In order to explain these institutions' peace-building effect, we analyze the impact of international institutions on rivalry mitigation with a view to five pairs of states: France-Germany, Greece-Turkey, Argentina-Brazil, Indonesia-Malaysia, and Japan-South Korea. Those dyads all look back at a history of rivalry, conflict, and mutual threat perceptions, and they are located in highly institutionalized regional settings but vary with regard to their political regime type. The controlled comparison of cases demonstrates that the embeddedness of international institutions in transnational and trans-governmental linkages corresponds to each member's regime type and that these institutional differences are responsible for the varying extent of rivalry mitigation
In vivo microscopy in a porcine model of acute lung injury.
No full textRegional inhomogeneity and alveolar mechanics in a porcine model of acute lung injury (ALI) was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CLSM was performed through thoracic windows of the upper and lower lobes. Image quantification was conducted by use of a volume air index (VAI). Twelve anesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs were randomized to non-injury (control group, n = 6) or ALI induced by surfactant depletion (ALI group, n = 6). CLSM was performed at baseline, after 1 h at 5 mbar and after 2 h at 15 mbar positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Haemodynamics, respiratory mechanics and calculation of pulmonary ventilation-perfusion distribution by MIGET were determined. At baseline, VAI was not different. In the upper lobes, VAI significantly decreased in ALI compared to control group, with no changes after PEEP application. In the lower lobes, VAI significantly decreased in ALI compared to control group. Incremental PEEP significantly increased VAI in ALI, but not in control group. Haemodynamics were significantly compromised in the ALI group. A significant deterioration in oxygenation and ventilation-perfusion distribution could be seen being restored after PEEP adjustment. The VAI may help to assess regional inhomogeneity of the acutely injured lung
Effects of partial ventilatory support modalities on respiratory function in severe hypoxemic lung injury
No full textObjective: The early phase of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by impaired respiratory mechanics, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and severe hypoxemia. Partial ventilatory support can effectively unload the respiratory workload and improve pulmonary gas exchange with less hemodynamic compromise. The partial ventilatory support mode most indicated in early phases of ARDS has not been determined. This study compares the effects of assisted ventilatory techniques on breathing pattern, gas exchange, hemodynamic function, and respiratory effort with those of controlled mechanical ventilation in similarly sedated subjects. Design: Prospectively randomized crossover animal study. Setting: Animal research laboratory. Subjects: Eleven anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs. Interventions: Acute lung injury was induced by lung lavage. Pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), pressure-controlled assisted ventilation (P-ACV), bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP), and pressure support ventilation (PSV) with equal airway pressures and sedation were applied in random order. Measurements and Main Results: Gas exchange, respiratory effort, and hemodynamic function were measured, and ventilation-perfusion distributions were calculated by multiple inert-gas-elimination techniques. The results revealed that partial ventilatory support was superior to PCV in maintaining adequate oxygenation and hemodynamic function with reduced sedation. The effects of P-ACV, BIPAP, and PSV were comparable with respect to gas exchange and hemodynamic function, except for a more pronounced reduction in shunt during BIPAP. P-ACV and PSV were superior to BIPAP to reduce respiratory drive and work of breathing. PSV affected the pattern of breathing and deadspace to a greater degree than did P-ACV. Conclusions: In acute lung injury, P-ACV preserves oxygenation and hemodynamic function with less respiratory effort compared with BIPAP and reduces the need for sedation compared with PCV
Effects of partial ventilatory support modalities on respiratory function in severe hypoxemic lung injury.
No full textOBJECTIVE:
The early phase of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by impaired respiratory mechanics, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and severe hypoxemia. Partial ventilatory support can effectively unload the respiratory workload and improve pulmonary gas exchange with less hemodynamic compromise. The partial ventilatory support mode most indicated in early phases of ARDS has not been determined. This study compares the effects of assisted ventilatory techniques on breathing pattern, gas exchange, hemodynamic function, and respiratory effort with those of controlled mechanical ventilation in similarly sedated subjects.
DESIGN:
Prospectively randomized crossover animal study.
SETTING:
Animal research laboratory.
SUBJECTS:
Eleven anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs.
INTERVENTIONS:
Acute lung injury was induced by lung lavage. Pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), pressure-controlled assisted ventilation (P-ACV), bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP), and pressure support ventilation (PSV) with equal airway pressures and sedation were applied in random order.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Gas exchange, respiratory effort, and hemodynamic function were measured, and ventilation-perfusion distributions were calculated by multiple inert-gas-elimination techniques. The results revealed that partial ventilatory support was superior to PCV in maintaining adequate oxygenation and hemodynamic function with reduced sedation. The effects of P-ACV, BIPAP, and PSV were comparable with respect to gas exchange and hemodynamic function, except for a more pronounced reduction in shunt during BIPAP. P-ACV and PSV were superior to BIPAP to reduce respiratory drive and work of breathing. PSV affected the pattern of breathing and deadspace to a greater degree than did P-ACV.
CONCLUSIONS:
In acute lung injury, P-ACV preserves oxygenation and hemodynamic function with less respiratory effort compared with BIPAP and reduces the need for sedation compared with PCV
Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Resection of Localized Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Preoperative FOLFIRINOX
No full textImportance The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX (combination leucovorin calcium [folinic acid], fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin in full or modified dosing) chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) is unclear because current studies do not account for the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Objective To investigate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX with OS, taking into account the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with 2 to 11 cycles of preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX followed by resection across 48 centers in 20 countries from 2010 to 2018. Patients who died within 3 months after surgery were excluded (landmark). Data were analyzed from February 1 to December 31, 2023. Exposures Preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy followed by resection and eventually followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was OS, calculated from the 3-month landmark. Cox regression analysis, including interaction analyses, was performed to investigate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy with OS. Results Overall, 767 patients were included after resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (median [IQR] age, 62 [55-67] years; 404 [52.7%] male). Adjuvant chemotherapy was independently associated with prolonged OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.87), confirmed by adjusted OS curves. The interaction analysis to assess estimated treatment effect across subgroups was not statistically significant. The forest plot and interaction test suggest that the association of adjuvant chemotherapy was lower among patients receiving 8 or more cycles of preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX, those who had radiological response, and those with ypN0 disease. Compared to no adjuvant chemotherapy, both adjuvant (m)FOLFIRINOX (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.40-0.80) and other multiagent adjuvant regimens (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41-0.92) were associated with prolonged OS, whereas single-agent adjuvant chemotherapy was not (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55-1.03). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, adjuvant (m)FOLFIRINOX and other multiagent chemotherapy regimens were associated with improved OS following resection of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX, whereas single-agent adjuvant chemotherapy was not. The impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on OS may be lower in subgroups such as patients with 8 or more preoperative cycles of (m)FOLFIRINOX, those having radiological response, and those with ypN0
Advancements in Forensic DNA-Based Identification
No full textModern DNA profiling techniques have increased in sensitivity allowing for higher success in producing a DNA profile from limited evidence sources. However, this can lead to the amplification of more DNA profiles that do not get a hit on a suspect or DNA database and more mixture profiles. The work here aims to address or improve these consequences of current DNA profiling techniques. Based on allele-specific PCR and quantitative color measurements, a 24-SNP forensic phenotypic profile (FPP) assay was designed to simultaneously predict eye color, hair color, skin color, and ancestry, with the potential for age marker incorporation. Bayesian Networks (BNs) were built for model predictions based on a U.S sample population of 200 individuals. For discrete pigmentation traits using an ancestry influenced pigmentation prediction model, AUC values were greater than 0.65 for the eye, hair, and skin color categories considered. For ancestry using an all SNPs prediction model, AUC values were greater than 0.88 for the 5 continental ancestry categories considered. Quantitative pigmentation models were also built with prediction output as RGB values; the average amount of error was approximately 7% for eye color, 12% for hair color, and 8% for skin color. A novel sequencing method, methyl-RADseq, was developed to aid in the discovery of candidate age-informative CpG sites to incorporate into the FPP assay. There were 491 candidate CpG sites found that either increased or decreased with age in three forensically relevant fluids with greater than 70% correlation: blood, semen, and saliva. The effects of exogenous microbial DNA on human DNA profiles were analyzed by spiking human DNA with differing amounts of microbial DNA using the Promega PowerPlex ® 16 HS kit. Although there were no significant effects to human DNA quantitation, two microbial species, B. subtilis and M. smegmatis, amplified an allelic artifact that mimics a true allele (‘5’) at the TPOX locus in all samples tested, interfering with the interpretation of the human profile. Lastly, the number of contributors of theoretically generated 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-person mixtures were evaluated via allele counting with the Promega PowerPlex® Fusion 6C system, an amplification kit with the newly expanded core STR loci. Maximum allele count in the number of contributors for 2- and 3-person mixtures was correct in 99.99% of mixtures. It was less accurate in the 4-, 5-, and 6-person mixtures at approximately 90%, 57%, and 8%, respectively. This work provides guidance in addressing some of the limitations of current DNA technologies
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