Improved Oxygen Supply Research Articles

Effects of resuscitation with polymerized porcine hemoglobin (pPolyHb) on hemodynamic stability and oxygen delivery in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of polymerized porcine hemoglobin (pPolyHb) on hemodynamic stability and oxygen delivery in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. Rats underwent controlled hemorrhage, resulting in the loss of 65% of their blood volume in 90 minutes. The results showed that pPolyHb was superior to hetastarch and saline, and similar to whole blood, in restoring hemodynamic stability and reversing anaerobic metabolism caused by hemorrhage. Furthermore, pPolyHb improved oxygen supply and increased blood oxygen content. These data suggest that pPolyHb can be effective in improving tissue perfusion under conditions of severe hemorrhagic shock.

Strategies to Combat Hypoxia in Encapsulated Islet Transplantation

Islet transplantation has been shown as a possible treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. However, immediately following transplantation, islets face acute hypoxic stress due to the lack of vascularization of the newly transplanted tissue. It has been observed that up to 60% of newly transplanted islets perish during the first 48 hours post-transplantation as a direct result of hypoxic injury. This period of hypoxia needs to be reduced to maintain transplanted islet efficacy. Optimal function of immunoisolated islets requires adequate supply of oxygen to metabolically active insulin producing β-cells. An improved understanding of the interplay between oxygen diffusion and consumption rate in devices is critical for the design of means to improve oxygen supply to islets. Post-transplant graft failure and islet death have been postulated to result from hypoxia encountered immediately after transplantation, due to poor implant-site vascularization. In order to survive and function adequately, transplanted islets must be able to withstand the transient hypoxic shock until they are adequately vascularized. This review will explore the various mechanisms that result in loss of cell viability and insulin release from islets when they are exposed to hypoxic conditions, and summarize the various strategies that are being employed by researchers across the world to address this important issue to enable rapid translation of results obtained in pre-clinical trials to primate and human trials.

Influence of Whole-Body Electrostimulation on Human Red Blood Cell Deformability

Red blood cell-nitric oxide synthase (RBC-NOS)-dependent NO production is essential for the maintenance of RBC deformability, which is known to improve oxygen supply to the working tissue. Electrostimulation of the whole body (WB-EMS) has been shown to improve maximal strength, springiness, and jumping power of trained and untrained athletes. To examine whether these 2 parameters are associated, this study, for the first time, aimed to investigate the effects of an 18-week dynamic WB-EMS program on RBC deformability in addition to maximal strength performance (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) in elite soccer players. Fifteen test persons were assigned in either WB-EMS group (EG, n = 10) or training group (TG, n = 5). Next to their weekly training sessions, EG performed 3 × 10 squat jumps under the influence of WB-EMS twice per week between weeks 1 and 14 and once per week between weeks 14 and 18. Training group only performed 3 × 10 squat jumps. Performance was assessed by a maximal strength test on the leg press machine (1RM). Subjects were tested at baseline and after weeks 7, 14, and 18 with blood sampling before (Pre), 15-30 minutes after (Post), and 24 hours after (24-hour Post) the training. The results showed that maximal strength was significantly improved in EG (p < 0.01). Maximum RBC deformability (EImax) increased on EMS stimulus in EG while it remained unaffected in the TG. Acute increase in EImax at baseline was explained by an increase in RBC-NOS activation while chronic increase of deformability must be caused by different, yet unknown, mechanisms. EImax decreased between weeks 14 and 18 suggesting that 1 WB-EMS session per week is not sufficient to alter deformability (EImax). In contrast, the deformability at low shear stress (EI 3 Pa), comparable with conditions found in the microcirculation, significantly increased in EG until week 14, whereas in TG deformability only, increased until week 7 due to increasing training volume after the winter break. The results indicate that WB-EMS represents a useful and time-saving addition to conventional training sessions to improve RBC deformability and possibly oxygen supply to the working tissue and thus promoting general force components in high performance sport.

Comparative thorax morphology of death-feigning flightless cryptorhynchine weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) based on 3D reconstructions

The thorax morphology, especially the muscles and the tracheal system of three flightless species of Cryptorhynchinae is examined by digital 3D reconstructions based on synchrotron X-ray microtomography and compared to other Curculionidae. Wings, metanepisternites, and muscles functional in flight are fully reduced in the species examined: Kyklioacalles roboris (Curtis), Trigonopterus scharfi Riedel and Trigonopterus vandekampi Riedel. All three share the same set of thoracic muscles, but differences exist in the shape and size of muscles. Both Trigonopterus species examined have a conspicuous fan-shaped branch of Musculus mesosterni primus contracting pro- and mesothorax, interpreted as an adaption to their thanatosis defense strategy. Trigonopterus vandekampi furthermore shows a marked increase in the size of two metacoxal muscles, which may be functional in this species' thanatosis blocking mechanisms. The metathoracic spiracle of all Trigonopterus species is located at the side of the metaventrite externally and not in the subelytral space as in other beetles. It is hypothesized that this translocation was triggered by the need to improve oxygen supply during thanatosis, when both the mesothoracic spiracle and the subelytral cavity are tightly sealed from the outside.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute coronary syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), includes acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina, is common and may prove fatal. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) will improve oxygen supply to the threatened heart and may reduce the volume of heart muscle that perishes. The addition of HBOT to standard treatment may reduce death rate and other major adverse outcomes.This an update of a review previously published in May 2004 and June 2010. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence for the effects of adjunctive HBOT in the treatment of ACS. We compared treatment regimens including adjunctive HBOT against similar regimens excluding HBOT. Where regimens differed significantly between studies this is clearly stated and the implications discussed. All comparisons were made using an intention to treat analysis where this was possible. Efficacy was estimated from randomised trial comparisons but no attempt was made to evaluate the likely effectiveness that might be achieved in routine clinical practice. Specifically, we addressed:Does the adjunctive administration of HBOT to people with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or infarction) result in a reduction in the risk of death?Does the adjunctive administration of HBOT to people with acute coronary syndrome result in a reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), that is: cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization by operative or percutaneous intervention?Is the administration of HBOT safe in both the short and long term? We updated the search of the following sources in September 2014, but found no additional relevant citations since the previous search in June 2010 (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and DORCTHIM. Relevant journals were handsearched and researchers in the field contacted. We applied no language restrictions. Randomised studies comparing the effect on ACS of regimens that include HBOT with those that exclude HBOT. Three authors independently evaluated the quality of trials using the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook and extracted data from included trials. Binary outcomes were analysed using risk ratios (RR) and continuous outcomes using the mean difference (MD) and both are presented with 95% confidence intervals. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. No new trials were located in our most recent search in September 2014. Six trials with 665 participants contributed to this review. These trials were small and subject to potential bias. Only two reported randomisation procedures in detail and in only one trial was allocation concealed. While only modest numbers of participants were lost to follow-up, in general there is little information on the longer-term outcome for participants. Patients with acute coronary syndrome allocated to HBOT were associated with a reduction in the risk of death by around 42% (RR: 0.58, (95% CI 0.36 to 0.92), 5 trials, 614 participants; low quality evidence).In general, HBOT was well-tolerated. No patients were reported as suffering neurological oxygen toxicity and only a single patient was reported to have significant barotrauma to the tympanic membrane. One trial suggested a significant incidence of claustrophobia in single occupancy chambers of 15% (RR of claustrophobia with HBOT 31.6, 95% CI 1.92 to 521). For people with ACS, there is some evidence from small trials to suggest that HBOT is associated with a reduction in the risk of death, the volume of damaged muscle, the risk of MACE and time to relief from ischaemic pain. In view of the modest number of patients, methodological shortcomings and poor reporting, this result should be interpreted cautiously, and an appropriately powered trial of high methodological rigour is justified to define those patients (if any) who can be expected to derive most benefit from HBOT. The routine application of HBOT to these patients cannot be justified from this review.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds are common and present a health problem with significant effect on quality of life. Various pathologies may cause tissue breakdown, including poor blood supply resulting in inadequate oxygenation of the wound bed. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested to improve oxygen supply to wounds and therefore improve their healing. To assess the benefits and harms of adjunctive HBOT for treating chronic ulcers of the lower limb. For this second update we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (searched 18 February 2015); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2015, Issue 1); Ovid MEDLINE(1946 to 17 February 2015); Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, 17 February 2015); Ovid EMBASE (1974 to 17 February 2015); and EBSCO CINAHL (1982 to 17 February 2015). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect on chronic wound healing of therapeutic regimens which include HBOT with those that exclude HBOT (with or without sham therapy). Three review authors independently evaluated the risk of bias of the relevant trials using the Cochrane methodology and extracted the data from the included trials. We resolved any disagreement by discussion. We included twelve trials (577 participants). Ten trials (531 participants) enrolled people with a diabetic foot ulcer: pooled data of five trials with 205 participants showed an increase in the rate of ulcer healing (risk ratio (RR) 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19 to 4.62; P = 0.01) with HBOT at six weeks but this benefit was not evident at longer-term follow-up at one year. There was no statistically significant difference in major amputation rate (pooled data of five trials with 312 participants, RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.18). One trial (16 participants) considered venous ulcers and reported data at six weeks (wound size reduction) and 18 weeks (wound size reduction and number of ulcers healed) and suggested a significant benefit of HBOT in terms of reduction in ulcer area only at six weeks (mean difference (MD) 33.00%, 95% CI 18.97 to 47.03, P < 0.00001). We identified one trial (30 participants) which enrolled patients with non-healing diabetic ulcers as well as venous ulcers ("mixed ulcers types") and patients were treated for 30 days. For this "mixed ulcers" there was a significant benefit of HBOT in terms of reduction in ulcer area at the end of treatment (30 days) (MD 61.88%, 95% CI 41.91 to 81.85, P < 0.00001). We did not identify any trials that considered arterial and pressure ulcers. In people with foot ulcers due to diabetes, HBOT significantly improved the ulcers healed in the short term but not the long term and the trials had various flaws in design and/or reporting that means we are not confident in the results. More trials are needed to properly evaluate HBOT in people with chronic wounds; these trials must be adequately powered and designed to minimise all kinds of bias.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Improves Exercise Tolerance in Healthy Subjects.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increases peripheral blood flow by attenuation of the muscle metaboreflex, improving oxygen supply to working muscles. We tested the hypothesis that application of TENS at ganglion improves exercise performance. 11 subjects underwent constant-work rate tests (CWR) to the limit of tolerance (Tlim) while receiving TENS or placebo. Oxygen uptake (V.O2), carbon dioxide (V.CO2), minute ventilation (V.E), ventilatory equivalent (V.E/V.CO2), heart rate (HR) and oxygen pulse (V.O2/HR) were analyzed at isotime separated by percentile and Tlim. V.O2 was lower and V.CO2 was higher at 100% of isotime during TENS, while there were no differences in V.E and V.E/V.CO2. HR was lower during exercise with TENS, and V.O2/HR increased at peak exercise (17.96±1.9 vs. 20.38±1 ml/min/bpm, P<0.05). TENS increased mechanical efficiency at isotime and Tlim (4.10±0.50 vs. 3.39±0.52%, P<0.05 and 3.95±0.67 vs. 3.77±0.45%, P<0.05) and exercise tolerance compared to P-TENS (390±41 vs. 321±41 s; P<0.05). Our data shows that the application of TENS can potentially increase exercise tolerance and oxygen supply in healthy subjects.

Effect of occlusal reconstruction on cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen saturation in patients with malocclusion

To investigate the effect of occlusal reconstruction on blood flow velocity and cerebral oxygen saturation in patients with malocclusion. Thirty-three patients with malocclusion treated with occlusal reconstruction in Department of Stomatology, Medical School of Huzhou Normal College from Feb 2011 to Oct 2013 were enrolled in the study. The systolic peak flow velocity (vs), end-diastolic peak flow (vd) , mean peak flow velocity (vm) of middle cerebral artery and the oxygen saturation (rScO2) in the brain were detected at rest or chewing status by using transcranial Doppler color ultrasonography and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. In rest state, vm was significantly increased on 3 months after treatment, while vs and vd were significantly increased on 6 months after treatment and rScO2 were increased on 12 months after treatment (P<0.05). In chewing state, vs, vm, and rScO2 were increased on 3 months after treatment, and vd was increased on 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). Occlusal reconstruction can increase blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery and cerebral oxygen saturation and improve oxygen supply of the brain in patients with malocclusion.

Differential sensitivity of oxidative and glycolytic muscles to hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy.

Hypoxia as a consequence of acute and chronic respiratory disease has been associated with muscle atrophy. This study investigated the sensitivity of oxidative and glycolytic muscles to hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy. Male mice were exposed to 8% normobaric oxygen for up to 21 days. Oxidative soleus and glycolytic extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were isolated, weighed, and assayed for expression profiles of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) signaling. Fiber-type composition and the capillary network were investigated. Hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy was more prominent in the EDL than the soleus muscle. Although increased expression of HIF1α target genes showed that both muscle types sensed hypoxia, their adaptive responses differed. Atrophy consistently involved a hypoxia-specific effect (i.e., not attributable to a hypoxia-mediated reduction of food intake) in the EDL only. Hypoxia-specific activation of the UPS and ALP and increased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (Gr) and its target genes were also mainly observed in the EDL. In the soleus, stimulation of gene expression of those pathways could be mimicked to a large extent by food restriction alone. Hypoxia increased the number of capillary contacts per fiber cross-sectional area in both muscles. In the EDL, this was due to type II fiber atrophy, whereas in the soleus the absolute number of capillary contacts increased. These responses represent two distinct modes to improve oxygen supply to muscle fibers, but may aggravate muscle atrophy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who have a predominance of type II fibers.

Ex vivo dual perfusion of a human placental cotelydon – modifications of access to the intervillous space

Ex vivo dual perfusion of a human placental cotelydon – modifications of access to the intervillous space

Process characterization of a monoamine oxidase

Abstract Redox biocatalysis is currently gaining focus because it offers exquisite selectivity using mild oxidants, such as oxygen (which is environmentally benign). However, it is often challenging to implement oxidative reactions at scale due to the low activity and stability of the biocatalyst under industrial conditions. Consequently, it becomes critical to identify the bottlenecks for specific oxidation reactions as a first step in scale-up. Subsequently, we can identify where research the effort is required when developing a biocatalytic reaction for implementation in an industrial reaction, i.e., on biocatalyst development (e.g. improvement of expression levels), process development (e.g. improved oxygen supply, product removal strategies) or biocatalyst stabilization (e.g. through immobilization or directed evolution). This paper presents a systematic method to identify the bottleneck of a potential biocatalytic process using a monoamine oxidase to synthesize an intermediate in the manufacture of a drug for treating Hepatitis C (Telaprevir).

Intraportal islet oxygenation.

Islet transplantation (IT) is a promising therapy for the treatment of diabetes. The large number of islets required to achieve insulin independence limit its cost-effectiveness and the number of patients who can be treated. It is believed that >50% of islets are lost in the immediate post-IT period. Poor oxygenation in the early post-IT period is recognized as a possible reason for islet loss and dysfunction but has not been extensively studied. Several key variables affect oxygenation in this setting, including (1) local oxygen partial pressure (pO(2)), (2) islet oxygen consumption, (3) islet size (diameter, D), and (4) presence or absence of thrombosis on the islet surface. We discuss implications of oxygen-limiting conditions on intraportal islet viability and function. Of the 4 key variables, the islet size appears to be the most important determinant of the anoxic and nonfunctional islet volume fractions. Similarly, the effect of thrombus formation on the islet surface may be substantial. At the University of Minnesota, average size distribution data from clinical alloislet preparations (n = 10) indicate that >150-µm D islets account for only ~30% of the total islet number, but >85% of the total islet volume. This suggests that improved oxygen supply to the islets may have a profound impact on islet survivability and function since most of the β-cell volume is within large islets which are most susceptible to oxygen-limiting conditions. The assumption that the liver is a suitable islet transplant site from the standpoint of oxygenation should be reconsidered.

Inhalation of the BK(Ca)-opener NS1619 attenuates right ventricular pressure and improves oxygenation in the rat monocrotaline model of pulmonary hypertension.

BackgroundRight heart failure is a fatal consequence of chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH). The development of PH is characterized by increased proliferation of vascular cells, in particular pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary artery endothelial cells. In the course of PH, an escalated right ventricular (RV) afterload occurs, which leads to increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. BKCa channels are ubiquitously expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and their opening induces cell membrane hyperpolarization followed by vasodilation. Moreover, BK activation induces anti-proliferative effects in a multitude of cell types. On this basis, we hypothesized that treatment with the nebulized BK channel opener NS1619 might be a therapy option for pulmonary hypertension and tested this in rats.Methods(1) Rats received monocrotaline injection for PH induction. Twenty-four days later, rats were anesthetized and NS1619 or the solvent was administered by inhalation. Systemic hemodynamic parameters, RV hemodynamic parameters, and blood gas analyses were measured before as well as 30 and 120 minutes after inhalation. (2) Rat PASMCs were stimulated with PDGF-BB in the presence and absence of NS1619. AKT, ERK1 and ERK2 activation were investigated by western blot analyses, and relative cell number was determined 48 hours after stimulation.ResultsInhalation of a 12 µM and 100 µM NS1619 solution significantly reduced RV pressure without affecting systemic arterial pressure. Blood gas analyses demonstrated significantly reduced carbon dioxide and improved oxygenation in NS1619-treated animals pointing towards a considerable pulmonary shunt-reducing effect. In PASMC’s, NS1619 (100 µM) significantly attenuated PASMC proliferation by a pathway independent of AKT and ERK1/2 activation.ConclusionNS1619 inhalation reduces RV pressure and improves oxygen supply and its application inhibits PASMC proliferation in vitro. Hence, BK opening might be a novel option for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Arachidonic acid-rich oil production by Mortierella alpina with different gas distributors

Arachidonic acid (ARA)-rich oil production by Mortierella alpina is a high oxygen demand and shear-sensitive process. In the aerobic fermentation process, oxygen supply is usually a limiting factor owing to the low solubility of oxygen in the fermentation broth. Two kinds of perforated ring gas distributors and a novel microporous ceramic membrane gas distributor were designed and applied to improve oxygen supply. With the decrease of the orifice diameter of perforated ring gas distributors, dry cell weight (DCW), lipids concentration, and ARA content in total fatty acid increased from 17.86 g/L, 7.08 g/L, and 28.08 % to 25.67 g/L, 11.94 g/L, and 36.99 %, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of different dissolved oxygen (DO) on ARA-rich oil production with membrane gas distributor was also studied. The maximum DCW, lipid concentration, and ARA content using membrane gas distributor with DO controlled at 40 % reached 29.67 g/L, 16.74 g/L, and 49.53 %, respectively. The ARA titer increased from 1.99 to 8.29 g/L using the membrane gas distributor to substitute the perforated ring gas distributor. In the further experiment, a novel tubular titanium metal membrane gas distributor was successfully applied in a 7,000 L bioreactor and the results demonstrated that membrane gas distributor was industrially practical.

Increased root zone oxygen by a capillary barrier is beneficial to bell pepper irrigated with brackish water in an arid region

Limitations to growth and biomass production are expected under high (>30°C) soil temperatures due to low soil oxygen levels and insufficient oxygen transport to roots. These limitations will be exacerbated when irrigation with brackish water dictates large amounts of water application for leaching salts. We hypothesized that the introduction of an artificial capillary barrier (CB), in the form of a gravel layer at the lower root-zone boundary, can increase yields of irrigated horticultural crops due to better soil aeration and improved oxygen supply to roots. The specific objectives of the study were (1) to isolate scenarios where insufficient oxygen concentrations may limit pepper plant growth, (2) to measure oxygen concentrations in media under varied scenarios of CB placement below the active root zone and (3) to understand the environmental factors leading to sub-optimum oxygen concentrations in horticultural soils in a desert environment where supra-optimal soil temperatures are prevalent. At high root-zone temperatures oxygen flux to the roots was lower than the potential uptake rate and therefore soil oxygen concentrations were sub-optimal. These conditions led to reduced plant biomass and fruit yield. Fruit yield was found to decrease by 1% for every soil oxygen concentration decrease of 700ppm. In a fine textured Reg soil, allowing roots to penetrate into the capillary barrier gravel layer increased oxygen concentration in the root zone by 5% and improved biomass and fruit yield by 16% and 18%, respectively.

ENRICHMENT OF MEMORY BY USING HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Memory is the ability of an organism to store, retain, and subsequently recall information. Memory enhancers are the compounds which improve or enhance the memory. The compounds, enhance memory are called nootropics. Some physiological conditions such as stress, anxiety affect the memory. Memory loss may be age related and due to some disease condition like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease etc. There are several nootropics marketed such as torental, duxil but these products has side effects like vascular dementia related to lacunae or to multiple infarcts, or leucoaraiosis and drg related amnesia. So mostly people prefer herbal nootropics over synthetic nootropics because they have less side effects than others. Herbal nootrppics mainly act by different ways like by increasing and replenishing neurotransmitter at high concentration in brain, by anti-depression, adaptogenic and mood stabilization, by improved oxygen supply and brain energy, by improved concentration, stamina, and focus, by memory enhancement and learning improvement, by nerve growth stimulation and brain cell protection. Memory is the most imperative characteristic for effectual survival of human beings. It also differentiates humans from animals. Reminiscence is the ability of an personage to record the in sequence and recall it whenever needed. Traditionally herbal drugs have been used to augment cognitive functions. A figure of medicinal plants and medicines derived from these plants have shown memory enhancing properties by virtue of their medicinal constituents. There has been substantial pharmacological exploration into the memory enhancing activity of some compounds. Since allopathic system of medicine is yet to make available a radical cure, the usefulness of traditional medicines needs to be explored. This article reviews the memory enhancing properties of the most commonly employed herbal medicines and their identified active constituents. The herbs acting on the brain are called Nootropic herbs and their isolated constituents are referred to as smart drugs. These herbs enhance the memory as well as increase blood circulation in the brain.

Liquid films on shake flask walls explain increasing maximum oxygen transfer capacities with elevating viscosity

In biotechnological screening and production, oxygen supply is a crucial parameter. Even though oxygen transfer is well documented for viscous cultivations in stirred tanks, little is known about the gas/liquid oxygen transfer in shake flask cultures that become increasingly viscous during cultivation. Especially the oxygen transfer into the liquid film, adhering on the shake flask wall, has not yet been described for such cultivations. In this study, the oxygen transfer of chemical and microbial model experiments was measured and the suitability of the widely applied film theory of Higbie was studied. With numerical simulations of Fick's law of diffusion, it was demonstrated that Higbie's film theory does not apply for cultivations which occur at viscosities up to 10 mPa s. For the first time, it was experimentally shown that the maximum oxygen transfer capacity OTRmax increases in shake flasks when viscosity is increased from 1 to 10 mPa s, leading to an improved oxygen supply for microorganisms. Additionally, the OTRmax does not significantly undermatch the OTRmax at waterlike viscosities, even at elevated viscosities of up to 80 mPa s. In this range, a shake flask is a somehow self-regulating system with respect to oxygen supply. This is in contrary to stirred tanks, where the oxygen supply is steadily reduced to only 5% at 80 mPa s. Since, the liquid film formation at shake flask walls inherently promotes the oxygen supply at moderate and at elevated viscosities, these results have significant implications for scale-up.

Clinical observations on the effect of airway pressure release ventilation on intracranial pressure and hypoxemia of patients with severe traumatic brain injury

The article aims to observe and compare the efficiency of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) and pressure controlled ventilation (PCV) on patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) complicated with hypoxemia. The monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) showed 11 patients with hypoxemia had been significantly improved by 30 minutes of APRV. The ICP in APRV was similar with that in PCV ( P > 0.05). CBF and PaO2 under APRV mode were (528.82 ± 65.27) ml/min and (132.49 ± 20.30) mm Hg respectively, and (430.27 ± 33.44) ml/min and (79.38 ± 10.22) mm Hg respectively under PCV mode. The differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05, for all). Therefore, APRV could be effective in improving oxygen supply and hypoxemia without increasing ICP.

Susceptibility to hypoxia and breathing control changes after short-term cold exposures

BackgroundHypoxia is the reduction of oxygen availability due to external or internal causes. There is large individual variability of response to hypoxia.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to define individual and typological features in susceptibility to hypoxia, its interrelation with hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses (HVR and HCVR, respectively) and their changes after cold acclimation.DesignTwenty-four healthy men were tested. HVR and HCVR were measured by the rebreathing method during hypoxic and hypercapnic tests, respectively. These tests were carried out in thermoneutral conditions before and after cold exposures (nude, at 13°C, 2 h daily, for 10 days). Susceptibility to hypoxia (sSaO2) was determined as haemoglobin saturation slope during hypoxic test.ResultsIt was found that HVR and HCVR significantly increased and susceptibility to hypoxia (sSaO2) tended to decrease after cold acclimation. According to sSaO2 results before cold exposures, the group was divided into 3: Group 1 – with high susceptibility to hypoxia, Group 2 – medium and Group 3 – low susceptibility. Analysis of variances (MANOVA) shows the key role of susceptibility to hypoxia and cold exposures and their interrelation. Posterior analysis (Fisher LSD) showed significant difference in susceptibility to hypoxia between the groups prior to cold acclimation, while HVR and HCVR did not differ between the groups. After cold acclimation, susceptibility to hypoxia was not significantly different between the groups, while HCVR significantly increased in Groups 1 and 3, HVR significantly increased in Group 3 and HCVR, HVR did not change in Group 2.ConclusionsShort-term cold exposures caused an increase in functional reserves and improved oxygen supply of tissues in Group 1. Cold exposure hypoxia has caused energy loss in Group 3. Group 2 showed the most appropriate energy conservation reaction mode to cold exposures. No relation was found between the thermoregulation and the susceptibility to hypoxia.

Responses to flooding of plant water relations and leaf gas exchange in tropical tolerant trees of a black-water wetland.

This review summarizes the research on physiological responses to flooding of trees in the seasonal black-water wetland of the Mapire River in Venezuela. Inter-annual variability was found during 8 years of sampling, in spite of which a general picture emerged of increased stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate (PN) during the flooded period to values as high as or higher than in plants in drained wet soil. Models explaining the initial inhibitory responses and the acclimation to flooding are proposed. In the inhibitory phase of flooding, hypoxia generated by flooding causes a decrease in root water absorption and stomatal closure. An increase with flooding in xylem water potential (ψ) suggests that flooding does not cause water deficit. The PN decreases due to changes in relative stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis; an increase in the latter is due to reduced chlorophyll and total soluble protein content. Total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) accumulate in leaves but their content begins to decrease during the acclimatized phase at full flooding, coinciding with the resumption of high gs and PN. The reversal of the diminution in gs is associated, in some but not all species, to the growth of adventitious roots. The occurrence of morpho-anatomical and biochemical adaptations which improve oxygen supply would cause the acclimation, including increased water absorption by the roots, increased rubisco and chlorophyll contents and ultimately increased PN. Therefore, trees would perform as if flooding did not signify a stress to their physiology.