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Category: biotech/medical – Page 860

Ephedrine effective for correction of hypotension during GA, even in elderly patients

Hypotension is a common complication during general anesthesia associated with increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. Every episode of intraoperative hypotension, regardless of duration, is linked to the risk of acute kidney injury and cardiovascular events. The vulnerability to hemodynamic disturbances increases with age, underscoring the need for prompt interventions for elderly patients who experience hypotension during anaesthesia.

Using ephedrine resulted in a notable rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO). Still, no meaningful correlation with age was detected in patients aged 45 years or older. These results imply that ephedrine is reliable for managing low blood pressure during general anaesthesia, even in elderly patients, says Yuta Uemura in a recent study published in BMC Anesthesiology.

Ephedrine is a mixed α- and β-agonist vasopressor for correcting hypotension during general anaesthesia. β-responsiveness decreases with age; therefore, this study aimed to determine whether ageing would reduce the pressor effect of ephedrine on hypotension during general anaesthesia.

Human Cells Have “Memory” Wiped In Major Regenerative Medicine Breakthrough

Scientists have found a way to reprogram human cells so that they mimic the highly plastic embryonic stem cells that have so much promise for use in regenerative medicine. By essentially wiping the cell’s “memory”, the team have created so-called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which could be used to regenerate or repair diseased tissue and organs.

IPS cells are a type of pluripotent cell that can be obtained by reprogramming mature human adult cells (“somatic” cells) into an embryonic stem cell-like state. This means that they have the capacity to differentiate into any cell of the body. They were first demonstrated in 2006, and have myriad potential biomedical and therapeutic uses, including disease modeling, drug screening, and cell-based therapies.

Despite this promise, researchers have continually hit a stumbling block that has prevented iPS cells from realizing their potential. “A persistent problem with the conventional reprograming process is that iPS cells can retain an epigenetic memory of their original somatic state, as well as other epigenetic abnormalities,” Professor Ryan Lister, lead author of a paper presenting the latest breakthrough, said in a statement.

Could We Transform America Into a Science-Industrial Complex?

I’m excited to share my new opinion article for Newsweek. It advocates for transforming America from a military-industrial complex into a science-industrial complex! Give it a read!

America spends 45 percent of its discretionary federal spending on defense and wars, while around us, the world burns in ways that have nothing to do with fighting or the military. Global warming has escalated into an enormous crisis. A fifth of everyone we know will die from heart disease. And an opioid crisis is reducing the average lifespans of Americans for the first time in decades. There’s plenty of tragedy, fear, and hardship all around us, but it has nothing to do with the need to make more bombs. It does, however, have to do with science.

It seems obvious America should do something different than spend so much of its tax dollars on defense. We should consider halving that money, and directing it to science, transforming America from a military-industrial complex into a science-industrial complex. Despite science and technological progress being broadly responsible for raising the standard of living around the world over the last 50 years, America spends only 3 percent of its GDP ($205 billion) on science and medical research across the federal government. Notably, this is dramatically less than the $877 billion the U.S. will spend on defense this year.

The famous designation of the term military-industrial complex comes from former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address, where he warned America and its economy could descend into being a conflict-driven nation. Over 60 years after his speech, we have become just that. A Brown University study found that since 2001, the U.S. has spent $5.9 trillion on wars in the Middle East and Asia. For contrast, the 2023 budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a paltry $49 billion.

America and its military-industrial complex—including the Pentagon, CIA, foreign military services, Homeland Security, nuclear program, and many other U.S. Defense tentacles—promises to spread democracy and keep the world safe. However, a far more common enemy than a national security incident is getting cancer from the sun, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and dying in a car accident. Given enough money and time for research and experimentation, science stands a good chance at fixing nearly anything, including all of the issues above.

A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick (Gary Telles)

A Scanner Darkly.
by Philip K. Dick.
Read by Gary Telles.
Originally issued by NLS on cassette in 1994
I guess I’ll come back on Thursday.
This is a pretty good alternative to Paul Giamatti’s narration.
“In a near-future, drug-ridden America, narcotics agent Bob Arctor goes undercover to catch a drug dealer. In the junkie culture in which he operates (even his girlfriend is a dealer), he takes large doses of a drug that splits his brain into two separate personalities. The agent has no knowledge of his other self, who, as it turns out, is the drug dealer he is after.“
00:00:00 — (i) Book info.
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Like these books? Want to help?
These books come from the National Library Services.
I encourage you to donate:
https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/donate/

How Powerful Will AI Be In 2030?

🔒 Keep Your Digital Life Private and Stay Safe Online: https://nordvpn.com/safetyfirst.
Welcome to our channel! In this exciting video, we delve into the fascinating realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore the question that has intrigued tech enthusiasts and experts alike: “How powerful will AI be in 2030?” Join us as we embark on a captivating journey into the future of AI, examining the possibilities, advancements, and potential impact that await us.

In the next decade, AI is poised to revolutionize numerous industries and transform the way we live and work. As we peer into the crystal ball of technological progress, we aim to shed light on the potential power and capabilities that AI could possess by 2030. Brace yourself for mind-blowing insights and expert analysis that will leave you in awe.

We begin by exploring the current state of AI and its rapid advancements. From machine learning algorithms to neural networks and deep learning models, AI has already demonstrated exceptional prowess in various fields, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and more. By building upon these achievements, AI is set to evolve exponentially, opening doors to a future where intelligent machines collaborate seamlessly with humans.

Throughout this video, we delve into key areas where AI is expected to make significant strides by 2030. We discuss advancements in natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and autonomous systems. Witness the potential of AI-powered virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, and even the integration of AI in our daily lives.

To provide a comprehensive perspective, we draw insights from leading AI researchers, industry pioneers, and thought leaders who offer their expert opinions on the future trajectory of AI. Their invaluable insights help us paint a vivid picture of the exciting possibilities that await us in the next decade.

Join us on this thought-provoking journey into the future, as we ponder the ethical implications, challenges, and potential risks that arise with the growing power of AI. By understanding the trajectory of AI development, we can prepare ourselves for a future where humans and intelligent machines coexist harmoniously.

Continue reading “How Powerful Will AI Be In 2030?” | >

Management of Heart Failure: ESC Updates Guidelines

Canada: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has taken a significant stride in the field of heart failure management with a focused update to their heart failure guidelines. This update incorporates crucial data from nearly a dozen new clinical trials that have been published since 2021. The trials include notable studies such as EMPEROR-Preserved, DELIVER, STRONG-HF, IRONMAN, and more. The updated guidelines, which were unveiled on the opening day of the ESC Congress 2023, offer novel recommendations related to the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure and updates on comorbidity management.

New Recommendations: