Document Detail


Fractals for physicians.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20416549     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
There is increasing interest in the study of fractals in medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of fractals, of techniques available to describe fractals in physiological data, and we propose some reasons why a physician might benefit from an understanding of fractals and fractal analysis, with an emphasis on paediatric respiratory medicine where possible. Among these reasons are the ubiquity of fractal organisation in nature and in the body, and how changes in this organisation over the lifespan provide insight into development and senescence. Fractal properties have also been shown to be altered in disease and even to predict the risk of worsening of disease. Finally, implications of a fractal organisation include robustness to errors during development, ability to adapt to surroundings, and the restoration of such organisation as targets for intervention and treatment.
Authors:
Cindy Thamrin; Georgette Stern; Urs Frey
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review     Date:  2010-03-04
Journal Detail:
Title:  Paediatric respiratory reviews     Volume:  11     ISSN:  1526-0550     ISO Abbreviation:  Paediatr Respir Rev     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-26     Completed Date:  2010-08-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100898941     Medline TA:  Paediatr Respir Rev     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  123-31     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital and University of Bern, Switzerland. cindy.thamrin@insel.ch
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Fractals*
Humans
Pediatrics*
Respiratory Physiological Phenomena*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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