Ultrathin Fluidic Laminates for Large-Area Façade Integration and Smart Windows.

Buildings represent more than 40% of Europe's energy demands and about one third of its CO emissions. Energy efficient buildings and, in particular, building skins have therefore been among the key priorities of international research agendas. Here, glass-glass fluidic devices are presented for large-area integration with adaptive façades and smart windows.

[Functioning of the anaesthetic conserving device: aspects to consider for use in inhalational sedation].

The new anaesthetic conserving device (ACD) allows the use of isoflurane and sevoflurane without classical anaesthesia workstations. Volatile anaesthetic exhaled by the patient is absorbed by a reflector and released to the patient during the next inspiration. Liquid anaesthetic is delivered via a syringe pump.

Technical performance and reflection capacity of the anaesthetic conserving device--a bench study with isoflurane and sevoflurane.

Objective: The anaesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa), Sedana Medical, Sundbyberg, Sweden) facilitates administration of isoflurane or sevoflurane by liquid infusion. An anaesthetic reflector inside the device conserves exhaled anaesthetic and re-supplies it during inspiration. In this bench study, we examined the influence of infusion rates and ventilatory settings on the resulting anaesthetic concentrations on patient (C(pat)) and ventilator side of the reflector (C(loss)) to describe its technical performance.

[The design of the VISEP trial. Critical appraisal].

The survey transcript of the VISEP interventional trial "Prospective randomized multicenter study on the influence of colloid vs crystalloid volume resuscitation and of intensive vs conventional insulin therapy on outcome in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock" [Clinical trials.gov. identifier: NCT00135473; study start April 2003] comprises, according to the data of the year 2003, methodological shortcomings which challenge a priori the study design and thus the resolution of the purpose of the study, i.

Hospital-wide first-responder automated external defibrillator programme: 1 year experience.

The first year experience with a hospital-wide first-responder automated external defibrillator (AED) programme implemented in a 683-bed University Hospital is reported. Throughout the hospital, 14 "AED access spots" were identified which could be easily reached from all wards and diagnostic rooms within 30s. AEDs were installed (Lifepak 500; Medtronik PhysioControl Corp.

Prehospital therapy with the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes: the Bochum feasibility study.

Study Objectives: To assess the practical application and safety of prehospital antithrombotic therapy with the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or myocardial infarction (MI).

Design: Open-labeled pilot study. Patients with typical chest pain who were seen within 6 h of the onset of symptoms were enrolled in the mobile emergency ambulance.

Desflurane compared with propofol for postoperative sedation in the intensive care unit.

Background: We hypothesized that emergence from sedation in postoperative patients in the intensive care unit would be faster and more predictable after sedation with desflurane than with propofol.

Methods: Sixty patients after major operations were allocated randomly to receive either desflurane or propofol. The target level of sedation was defined by a bispectral index(TM) (BIS(TM)) of 60.

Tissue deposits of hydroxyethyl starch (HES): dose-dependent and time-related.

Tissue deposits occur after administration of plasma substitutes. After hydroxyethyl starch (HES), deposits may last for months, causing pruritus and impairment of function. Because elimination of HES deposits has not been demonstrated in humans, we studied 26 patients, for up to 7 yr after HES administration, to assess HES storage.

Hydroxyethyl starch antibodies in humans: incidence and clinical relevance.

Unlabelled: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a plasma expander used for perioperative i.v. fluid management, as well as for resuscitation from trauma and shock.

[Effect of colloidal plasma substitutes on liberation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human whole blood in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the influence of colloidal plasma substitutes on human cytokine network, especially of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in vitro.

Design: Heparinized whole blood samples from 8 healthy volunteers were divided and set on various concentrations of artificial colloidal plasma substitutes (native = 0 mg/ml; 5 mg/ml; 15 mg/ml). As colloids were used hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.

Wernicke's encephalopathy--causes to consider.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a thiamine deficiency disorder and is characterized clinically by the triad of ocular abnormalities, ataxia and disturbances of consciousness. We report on 3 patients with WE, of whom 2 had insufficient thiamine substitution. In the first patient symptoms disappeared during thiamine substitution.

No evidence for the existence of preformed antibodies against hydroxyethyl starch in man.

Using the highly sensitive ELISA technique for detecting anti-hydroxyethyl starch (HES) antibodies in man sera from 1,056 patients were analyzed. Patients of both sex, who had never had any prior contact with HES, were included in the study. In none of the cases could any titer of HES-reactive antibodies be detected.

[Quality control studies of 3 deep-frozen coagulation-active fresh frozen plasma preparations from various suppliers and a new virus-inactivated lyophilized pooled plasma preparation].

Fresh frozen plasma is the most important therapeutic agent in acquired coagulation disorders. We investigated the quality of three conventional fresh-frozen plasma preparations (groups I, II, IV) and one new virus-inactivated lyophilised pooled plasma preparation (group III). In the new plasma preparation we found a significant reduction in coagulation activity, a significantly higher pH value and a highly significant rise in plasma heparin levels.

Oxalate-induced encephalitis after infusions of sugar surrogates.

The case of a 55-year-old female with oxalate-induced lethal encephalitis following infusions of sugar surrogates is reported. Renal failure and subsequent central coma developed following the use of xylitol, fructose and sorbitol above the recommended dosages. The patient died due to raised intracranial pressure.

[Important laboratory parameters of deep frozen coagulation active fresh plasma and virus inactivated lyophilized pool plasma].

Fresh Frozen Plasma is the most important therapeutic agent in acquired coagulation disorders. We investigated the quality of a new virus-inactivated lyophilisated human pool-plasma (VFL) and conventional fresh frozen plasma (FFP). In VFL we found a significantly reduced coagulation activity, a significantly higher pH-value, a highly significant rise of heparin values and a significantly lower number of thrombocytes.

[Post-aggression metabolism and peridural anesthesia: modification of catabolism by anesthesia procedures?].

Postoperative catabolic state of metabolism represents a danger for patients in regard to protein degradation. As postoperative nutrition seems already quite optimal, we examined if anaesthesia, predominantly peridural anaesthesia, would be able to reduce postaggressive metabolism. 20 patients with gastrectomy or subtotal gastric resection were randomized either for a combined anaesthesia with PDA and intubation or for balanced fentanyl analgesia.

[Cerebral convulsion following peridural anesthesia with bupivacaine in cesarean section].

Maternal convulsions and severe fetal bradycardia resulted from the accidental intravascular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine for epidural anesthesia in preparation for caesarean section. Ventilation with oxygen, application of anticonvulsive drugs, relaxation and intubation was promptly performed followed by immediate caesarean section.