Body composition studies, when based on two-compartment volumetric estimates, can hardly assess nutritional states. Phase-sensitive impedance analysis can be used to reflect directly the proportions between intra- and extracellular spaces (ECM/BCM), which is one of the most sensitive indexes of malnutrition. Resistance and reactance values actually measured with BIA are referred to as the series RC model; however, due to the morphology of the FFM, which is composed of cells surrounded by interstitial fluids, in reality this should be modeled as a parallel RC circuit. A nomogram developed with series-to-parallel transformations of resistance and reactance measured with commercial BIA on controls and patients shows interesting gender and disease sensitivity and specificity.

We have developed a neural network model, which evaluates 13 processed EEG parameters to produce an index of anaesthesia depth, which correlates very well with the BIS during total i.v. anaesthesia with propofol.

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BackgroundTo evaluate retinal reperfusion, anastomosis, and compensation following radial optic neurotomy for ischemic nonperfused central retinal vein occlusion.MethodsProspective, non-comparative, interventional case series of 13 patients with ischemic, nonperfused central retinal vein occlusion who underwent decompression surgery with a radial optic neurotomy and adjunctive intraocular triamcinolone. Patients were followed for 1 year after surgery, and were analyzed in the preoperative and postoperative stages determining: visual acuity by ETDRS chart (LogMar) and retinal thickness with optical coherence tomography. Fluorescein angiography was performed at regular intervals to evaluate the capillary perfusion grade. Intraocular pressure was measured and fundus was examined.ResultsVisual acuity and retinal thickness improved in 10/13 (77%) patients after surgery at 1-year follow-up. Adequate retinal reperfusion was achieved in ten of the 13 eyes. Acute reperfusion occurred in six eyes within 2 weeks of surgery and a shunt vessel at the optic disk developed in four eyes within 4 months. In the remaining three eyes, retinal reperfusion was not observed by fluorescein angiography. No complications were noted in any of the patients.ConclusionSurgical decompression promoted mechanical reperfusion of the occluded vessel in 10/13 (77%) cases. In 6/13 patients (46%) reperfusion occurred within 2 weeks of surgery, and in 4/13 patients (31%) collateral vessels formed within 4 months.

The paper addresses bifurcations of limit cycles for a class of feedback control systems depending on parameters. A set of simple approximate analytical conditions characterizing all the generic limit cycle bifurcations is determined via a first-order harmonic balance analysis in a suitable frequency band. Based on the results of this analysis, an approach to limit cycle bifurcation control is proposed. In particular, an example concerning a biological delay model is developed, where a flip bifurcation control is designed via a modified Pyragas technique.