On the dynamics of dying |
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Authors: | Joseph Engelberg |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 40536-0084 Lexington, KY |
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Abstract: | This study is concerned with dynamic processes that underly the rapid, degenerative changes associated with the “dying” stage
of the multicellular organism's life cycle. The interaction between negative and positive feedback cycles is discussed: negative
feedback cycles underly the superstability characteristic of health and illness. When negative feedback cycles fade in the
dying phase of life, positive feedback cycles, previously held in check by the negative feedback cycles to which they had
been coupled, rise explosively, driving physiologic variables from their normal values towards extremes. This results in the
rapid downturn that we associate with dying—an accelerating disintegration terminating in death. A medical case history is
analyzed. |
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Keywords: | health illness dying death feedback |
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