Control and diagnosis in the biotechnical systems of artificial clearance

Controlling and diagnostic processes in the bioengineering artificial clearance systems despite of the procedures applied, their functional use and design seem to occur in the artificial organs, each of them consists of controlling and actuating processors ensuring their homogeneous (material, energy-producing, informational) or combined interaction with the patient's body. Centralized control over artificial clearance is proposed by using universal controlling processes which are informationally connected with the operator, the central computer and other controlling processes of the bioengineering system.     

Elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients on steroid treatment tolerate physical training without an increase in disease activity

The effects of physical training on elderly, fragile patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are on low-dose steroids were investigated. The controlled study included 24 patients who had been treated with low-dose steroids for 2 years. Each patient was assigned either to a treatment group receiving training or to an untrained control group. The training took place over a 3-month period and was based on a protocol using progressive interval training consisting of bicycle exercises, heel lifts, and step-climbing. The exercises were performed twice weekly for 45 minutes. Comparison of the two groups showed that disease activity did not increase in the trained group and that fewer, but not significantly fewer, swollen joints were observed in this group (p = 0.06). No significant changes were noticed in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, tender joints, or morning stiffness. The work capacity of the trained patients were doubled and the numbers of repetitions increased 76%. Individually adapted exercise programs can therefore be recommended for elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients on steroid treatment.     

Model of a miniature pig catheterized for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of anti-infective agents

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of sleep problems in the etiology of nursing caries. Two-hundred mothers of children (104 with nursing caries and 96 caries free) from ages 2 to 4.5 years were surveyed to determine whether difficulty with child sleep and ensuing sleep-associated feeding might be related to the presence of nursing caries. Differences were noted between these two groups regarding: average number of nights the child slept through the night (P < 0.001); total hours of sleep per night (P < 0.05); frequency of night waking episodes (P < 0.01); feeding on demand upon waking (P < 0.01); using a bottle to assist with falling asleep at night (P < 0.001); and feeding in association with nap time (P < 0.001). Differences also were noted in regard to average age of weaning (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that sleep problems among young children are a behavioral risk factor for night-time bottle use and early childhood caries.     

Management of E. coli dependent factorial diseases in weaning piglets

The most important postweaning factorial diseases are at least partly caused by E. coli. The term postweaning coli complex can be subcategorized into the following manifestations: postweaning diarrhoea, edema disease, postweaning wasting and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. In the presented study the effect of prophylactic zootechnique alone and zoo- and biotechnique in combination was evaluated during the first weeks postweaning. The results showed that combined zoo- and biotechnique is superior to simple zootechnique regarding food conversion (1.41 kg versus 1.73 kg), average daily weight gain (390 g versus 325 g) and postweaning piglet mortality (3.1% versus 4.9%). It is the opinion of the authors that combined postweaning zoo- and biotechnique should be performed in such pig production units where ETEC and/or SLTEC are present.     

Hepatic vein thrombosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

Budd Chiari syndrome (liver vein thrombosis) may be a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. On the basis of four different cases we review the major diagnostic and therapeutic principles involved. Imaging techniques are necessary in order to establish the diagnosis. Ultrasound examination with Duplex doppler is usually sufficient, but MR angiography is also useful. Treatment options are thrombolysis, surgery or liver transplantation. What treatment is selected will depend on the clinical situation and the prognosis.     

Pediatric craniocerebral trauma. Special characteristics, therapy and prognosis

The mortality rate after traumatic brain injury in children ranges between 2.5% and 21%. Standardized diagnostic procedures and therapeutic strategies for the management of traumatic brain damage are presented in this article. Children with traumatic cerebral lesions have a better clinical outcome than head-injured adults. Optimized medical management and intensive rehabilitation may help to reduce the frequency of mental retardation and physical disability following such injuries in children.     

Inhibiting effects of serotonin and serotonin antagonists on the migration of mononuclear leucocytes

The effect of serotonin and the serotonin antagonists ketanserin, methiotepine and ICS-205-930 on the migration of leucocytes was studied by using the sealed capillary migration technique. The migration of mononuclear leucocytes was inhibited by serotonin at 10(-4) and 10(-6)-10(-10)mol/l. An inhibition of the mononuclear leucocyte migration was also caused by ICS-205-930 at 10(-4)mol/l, ketanserin at 10(-4) and 10(-8)-10(-10)mol/l and methiotepine at 10(-4) and 10(-6)-10(-8)mol/l. No inhibiting effects of serotonin or the serotonin antagonists were found on the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Thus, both serotonin and serotonin antagonists may inhibit mononuclear leucocyte migration.