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Biomedical subjects

L Ibsen

Publications and source records attributed to L Ibsen.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Computer-assisted learning in critical care: from ENIAC to HAL.

Computers are commonly used to serve many functions in today's modern intensive care unit. One of the most intriguing and perhaps most challenging applications of computers has been to attempt to improve medical education. With the introduction of the first computer, medical educators began looking for ways to incorporate their use into the modern curriculum. Prior limitations of cost and complexity of computers have consistently decreased since their introduction, making it increasingly feasible to incorporate computers into medical education. Simultaneously, the capabilities and capacities of computers have increased. Combining the computer with other modern digital technology has allowed the development of more intricate and realistic educational tools. The purpose of this article is to briefly describe the history and use of computers in medical education with special reference to critical care medicine. In addition, we will examine the role of computers in teaching and learning and discuss the types of interaction between the computer user and the computer.

Computer Simulation↗

In situ localization and osmotic regulation of the Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter in rat brain.

Organic osmolytes accumulate in the mammalian brain when plasma osmolality is elevated chronically. An understanding of organic osmolyte regulation is important for elucidating the pathophysiology of numerous disease states, particularly those in which plasma osmolality is altered or manipulated. To this end, we have previously characterized the mechanisms of osmoregulatory myo-inositol accumulation and loss in rat brain glial cells. The validity of cell culture models of physiological functions, however, requires demonstration of similar behavior in vivo. We therefore examined the effect of serum hypertonicity and its correction on expression of the Na(+)-myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT) in rat brain. Northern analysis revealed that chronic serum hypertonicity increased brain SMIT mRNA levels four- to sevenfold. Rapid reduction of serum osmolality caused a rapid fall in SMIT mRNA levels. In situ hybridization revealed a widespread distribution of cells expressing SMIT with striking regional variability in the number of and intensity of cells labeled. These results confirm and extend our studies of cultured glial cells and indicate that myo-inositol accumulation in vivo is due to increased expression of SMIT. Regional variability in the distribution of SMIT may be a factor in the differential vulnerability of certain brain regions to shifts in plasma osmolality.

Animals↗

Chronic meningococcemia in a child with a deficiency of the sixth component of complement.

Chronic meningococcemia represents an uncommon manifestation of meningococcal disease. Microbial and host factors which may predispose to this form of meningococcal disease are not understood. Although acute meningococcal disease is frequently found in patients with terminal complement deficiencies, the relationship of chronic meningococcemia to complement deficiencies is unclear. We present a case report and a review of the literature describing chronic meningococcemia in association with deficiencies of the complement system. A total of eight cases were identified, all of whom were male. Six of the eight patients were children and two of the eight had a previous history of meningococcal disease. This case report, in conjunction with the previously reported cases, suggests an association between complement deficiencies and chronic meningococcemia.

Bacteremia↗