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Biomedical subjects

P Martens

Publications and source records attributed to P Martens.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Linkages between biodiversity loss and human health: a global indicator analysis.

The association between health and biodiversity loss was explored by means of regression analysis on a global scale, with control for confounding by socio-economic developments. For this we selected indicators of human health (life expectancy, disability adjusted life expectancy, infant mortality rate and percentage low-birthweight babies), biodiversity (percentage threatened species, current forest as a percentage of original forest, percentage of land highly disturbed by man) and socio-economic development (health expenditure as percentage of GNP, percentage one-year olds immunized, illiteracy rate, GNP per capita and development grade) on a country level. After controlling for relevant socio-economic confounders, both current forest as a percentage of original forest and the percentage of land highly disturbed by human activities had no relationship with one of the health indicators. The logarithm of the percentage threatened species, showed a positive association with life expectancy and disability adjusted life expectancy. The present study was not able to provide any empirical proof of a negative association between loss of biodiversity and human health at the global scale. This does not mean, however, that no such relationship exists, because there may be several reasons for our findings, like possible non-linearity of the relationship, lack of suitable indicators, non-randomness in the sample of countries and the limitations of regression analysis in proving causality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Practical considerations for the treatment of acute rhythm disturbances. Report of Belgium Interdisciplinary Working Group on Acute Cardiology].

Acute arrhythmia is a condition covering a wide variety of rhythm disturbances. The aim of the article is to give practical recommendations for the approach and the treatment of the patient presenting with an acute arrhythmia. We discuss bradycardia and tachycardia. Tachycardias are divided into the small QRS complex tachycardias and the wide QRS complex tachycardias. Another important distinction with immediate therapeutic consequences is that between the hemodynamic stable and unstable patient. Flowcharts with diagnostic means and therapeutic schemes are added and a table with practical considerations for electrical cardioversion.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Correlation between injuries sustained in the A17 coach accident and the seating location.

Road traffic accidents where coaches are involved are increasing. Having been confronted with a similar incident giving rise to the deployment of the medical disaster plan of West Flanders, we have been looking for particular mechanisms to explain the passengers' injuries. We identified some technical aspects (e.g. foot bars) to consider when safety precautions have to be taken.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2002

[Recommendations for the management of acute chest pain. Report of the Belgian Interdisciplinary Group on Acute Cardiology].

The Belgium Interdisciplinary Working Group on Acute Cardiology (BIWAC), including cardiologists, intensivists and urgentists was formed to give consensus regarding the management of acute chest pain in the prehospital and the early hospital phases. General recommendations and critical pathways are proposed to improve the treatment of the patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

[Recommendations for management of acute chest pain. Report of the Belgium Interdisciplinary Working Group on Acute Cardiology].

The Belgium Interdisciplinary Working group on Acute Cardiology, including cardiologists, intensivists and urgentists was formed to provide consensus regarding the management of acute chest pain in the prehospital and the early hospital phase. General recommendations and critical pathways are proposed to improve the treatment of the patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Relationship between gamma-hydroxybutyrate plasma concentrations and its electroencephalographic effects in the rat.

In view of the potential interest in an objective parameter for the depth of coma in intoxications with the recreational drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), we have studied the relationship between the plasma concentrations and the electroencephalographic (EEG) changes induced by GHB in the rat. Fifteen rats randomly received either 150 (n = 3), 200 (n = 6) or 300 mg kg(-1) (n = 6) GHB over 5 min, followed by a supramaximal dose of 450 mg kg(-1) over 5 min at the end of the experiment. Plasma concentrations were determined with HPLC. The EEG was continuously recorded and the amplitude in the 15.5-30 Hz frequency band was quantified using aperiodic analysis. The plasma concentration-time profiles were fitted to a two-compartment model with Michaelis-Menten elimination. The pharmacokinetic parameters Vmax, Km and the apparent volume of distribution (Vd) proved to be independent of the dose and the mean pooled values were Vmax 2068 +/- 140 microg min(-1) kg(-1), Km 58 +/- 16 microg mL(-1) and Vd 476 +/- 12 mL kg(-1). The EEG amplitude in the 15.5-30 Hz frequency band displayed a monophasic inhibition and the effect-plasma concentration curve showed hysteresis. This hysteresis between EEG effect and plasma concentrations was minimized by simultaneous calculation of hypothetical effect-site concentrations and fitting the effect vs effect-site concentration curve to a sigmoid inhibitory Emax model. The descriptors of this Emax model (Emax, EC50, k(e,0), gamma and E0) were independent of the dose with an equilibration half-life t1/2k(e,0) of 5.6 +/- 0.3 min (mean value of the pooled results of the 5-min treatment groups). To investigate the origin of this hysteresis, a dose of 600 mg kg(-1) GHB was infused over either 45 or 60 min each in three animals. The hysteresis was much less pronounced with 45 min than with 5 min and was absent with 60-min infusions. This indicated that the hysteresis was due to a distribution delay between the central compartment and the effect site. This study showed that the concentration-effect relationship of GHB could be characterized in individual rats using aperiodic analysis in the 15.5-30 Hz frequency band.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The impact of heat waves and cold spells on mortality rates in the Dutch population.

We conducted the study described in this paper to investigate the impact of ambient temperature on mortality in the Netherlands during 1979-1997, the impact of heat waves and cold spells on mortality in particular, and the possibility of any heat wave- or cold spell-induced forward displacement of mortality. We found a V-like relationship between mortality and temperature, with an optimum temperature value (e.g., average temperature with lowest mortality rate) of 16.5 degrees C for total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and mortality among those [Greater and equal to] 65 year of age. For mortality due to malignant neoplasms and mortality in the youngest age group, the optimum temperatures were 15.5 degrees C and 14.5 degrees C, respectively. For temperatures above the optimum, mortality increased by 0.47, 1.86, 12.82, and 2.72% for malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and total mortality, respectively, for each degree Celsius increase above the optimum in the preceding month. For temperatures below the optimum, mortality increased 0.22, 1.69, 5.15, and 1.37%, respectively, for each degree Celsius decrease below the optimum in the preceding month. Mortality increased significantly during all of the heat waves studied, and the elderly were most effected by extreme heat. The heat waves led to increases in mortality due to all of the selected causes, especially respiratory mortality. Average total excess mortality during the heat waves studied was 12.1%, or 39.8 deaths/day. The average excess mortality during the cold spells was 12.8% or 46.6 deaths/day, which was mostly attributable to the increase in cardiovascular mortality and mortality among the elderly. The results concerning the forward displacement of deaths due to heat waves were not conclusive. We found no cold-induced forward displacement of deaths.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

High dose versus standard dose epinephrine in cardiac arrest - a meta-analysis.

In the management of cardiac arrest there is ongoing controversy concerning the optimal dose of epinephrine. To obtain the best available evidence regarding the current optimal dose, we performed a meta-analysis. We searched the Medline database online and reviewed citations in relevant articles to identify studies that met preset inclusion criteria (prospective, randomized, double-blind). Five trials were identified. The pooled odds ratio for return of spontaneous circulation favours the experimental dose. The pooled odds ratio for hospital discharge failed to demonstrate a statistically significant beneficial effect of high and/or escalating doses of epinephrine in comparison with standard dose of epinephrine. The possibility that patients who have already sustained irreversible neurologic injury will be resuscitated carries potential adverse social and economic implications.

Epinephrine↗
PubMed1999

Inappropriate calls to an emergency medical despatch centre via cellular telephones--no impact of a once-only multimedia coverage.

Due to fusions of emergency despatch centres, implementation of computer-aided localization and medical regulation, the despatcher's workload is increasing. We report about one more phenomenon which is needlessly disorganizing alarm centres. Moreover, the unintentional activation of the '100' ('112') alarm centre continued to increase even after a once-only media campaign.

Advertising↗
PubMed1999

'Primum non nocere'.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗