scholarly journals Increase in relative deposition of fine particles in the rat lung periphery in the absence of gravity

2014 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 880-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Darquenne ◽  
Maria G. Borja ◽  
Jessica M. Oakes ◽  
Ellen C. Breen ◽  
I. Mark Olfert ◽  
...  

While it is well recognized that pulmonary deposition of inhaled particles is lowered in microgravity (μG) compared with gravity on the ground (1G), the absence of sedimentation causes fine particles to penetrate deeper in the lung in μG. Using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we determined the effect of gravity on peripheral deposition (DEPperipheral) of fine particles. Aerosolized 0.95-μm-diameter ferric oxide particles were delivered to spontaneously breathing rats placed in plethysmographic chambers both in μG aboard the NASA Microgravity Research Aircraft and at 1G. Following exposure, lungs were perfusion fixed, fluid filled, and imaged in a 3T MR scanner. The MR signal decay rate, R2*, was measured in each voxel of the left lung from which particle deposition (DEP) was determined based on a calibration curve. Regional deposition was assessed by comparing DEP between the outer (DEPperipheral) and inner (DEPcentral) areas on each slice, and expressed as the central-to-peripheral ratio. Total lung deposition tended to be lower in μG compared with 1G (1.01 ± 0.52 vs. 1.43 ± 0.52 μg/ml, P = 0.1). In μG, DEPperipheral was larger than DEPcentral ( P < 0.03), while, in 1G, DEPperipheral was not significantly different from DEPcentral. Finally, central-to-peripheral ratio was significantly less in μG than in 1G ( P ≤ 0.05). These data show a larger fraction of fine particles depositing peripherally in μG than in 1G, likely beyond the large- and medium-sized airways. Although not measured, the difference in the spatial distribution of deposited particles between μG and 1G could also affect particle retention rates, with an increase in retention for particles deposited more peripherally.

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1834-1844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong S. Kim ◽  
S. C. Hu

We measured detailed regional deposition patterns of inhaled particles in healthy adult male ( n = 11; 25 ± 4 yr of age) and female ( n = 11; 25 ± 3 yr of age) subjects by means of a serial bolus aerosol delivery technique for monodisperse fine [particle diameter ( D p) = 1 μm] and coarse aerosols ( D p = 3 and 5 μm). The bolus aerosol (40 ml half-width) was delivered to a specific volumetric depth (Vp) of the lung ranging from 100 to 500 ml with a 50-ml increment, and local deposition fraction (LDF) was assessed for each of the 10 local volumetric regions. In all subjects, the deposition distribution pattern was very uneven with respect to Vp, showing characteristic unimodal curves with respect to particle size and flow rate. However, the unevenness was more pronounced in women. LDF tended to be greater in all regions of the lung in women than in men for D p = 1 μm. For D p = 3 and 5 μm, LDF showed a marked enhancement in the shallow region of Vp ≤ 200 ml in women compared with men ( P < 0.05). LDF in women was comparable to or smaller than those of men in deep lung regions of Vp > 200 ml. Total lung deposition was comparable between men and women for fine particles but was consistently greater in women than men for coarse particles regardless of flow rates used: the difference ranged from 9 to 31% and was greater with higher flow rates ( P < 0.05). The results indicate that 1) particle deposition characteristics differ between healthy men and women under controlled breathing conditions and 2) deposition in women is greater than that in men.


1983 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Chamberlain ◽  
W. K. C. Morgan ◽  
S. Vinitski

1. Although ventilation in normal human lungs has been shown to decrease from apex to base, comparable observations are lacking in regard to particle deposition. 2. We compared regional ventilation and particle deposition in normal subjects by using radioactive xenon and a radioactive aerosol while sitting, lying, and while breathing at an increased rate. Both smokers and non-smokers were studied. 3. Particle deposition and ventilation were closely related, and the greater the ventilation the greater the deposition of particles, a situation which prevailed irrespective of position and breathing rate. While supine, the apex to base gradient for both ventilation and particle deposition decreased but did not entirely disappear. At higher respiratory rates, central deposition of particles, especially in smokers, increased. 4. We concluded that there are regional differences in the deposition of particles and that such differences are closely related to regional ventilation.


1985 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Wilson ◽  
F. C. Hiller ◽  
J. D. Wilson ◽  
R. C. Bone

Theoretical models of particle deposition in the respiratory tract predict high fractional deposition for particles of less than 0.1 micron, but there are few confirming experimental data for those predictions. We have measured the deposition fraction of a nonhygroscopic aerosol in the human respiratory tract. The aerosol had a count mean diameter of 0.044 micron SD of 1.93, as measured with an electrical aerosol analyzer, and was produced from a 0.01% solution of bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate using a condensation generator. Subjects inhaled the aerosol using a controlled respiratory pattern of 1 liter tidal volume, 12/min. Deposition was calculated as the difference in concentration between inhaled and exhaled aerosol of five size fractions corrected for system deposition and dead-space constants. Three deposition studies were done on each of five normal male volunteers. Means (+/- SE) for the five size fractions were 0.024 micron, 0.71 +/- 0.06; 0.043 micron, 0.62 +/- 0.06; 0.075 micron, 0.53 +/- 0.05; 0.13 micron, 0.44 +/- 0.04; and 0.24 micron, 0.37 +/- 0.06. These data demonstrate that deposition of inhaled particles in the 0.024- to 0.24-micron size range is high and increases with decreasing size. These observations agree with and validate predictions of mathematical models.


2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Hofemeier ◽  
Josué Sznitman

Due to experimental challenges, computational simulations are often sought to quantify inhaled aerosol transport in the pulmonary acinus. Commonly, these are performed using generic alveolar topologies, including spheres, toroids, and polyhedra, to mimic the complex acinar morphology. Yet, local acinar flows and ensuing particle transport are anticipated to be influenced by the specific morphological structures. We have assessed a range of acinar models under self-similar breathing conditions with respect to alveolar flow patterns, convective flow mixing, and deposition of fine particles (1.3 μm diameter). By tracking passive tracers over cumulative breathing cycles, we find that irreversible flow mixing correlates with the location and strength of the recirculating vortex inside the cavity. Such effects are strongest in proximal acinar generations where the ratio of alveolar to ductal flow rates is low and interalveolar disparities are most apparent. Our results for multi-alveolated acinar ducts highlight that fine 1 μm inhaled particles subject to alveolar flows are sensitive to the alveolar topology, underlining interalveolar disparities in particle deposition patterns. Despite the simplicity of the acinar models investigated, our findings suggest that alveolar topologies influence more significantly local flow patterns and deposition sites of fine particles for upper generations emphasizing the importance of the selected acinar model. In distal acinar generations, however, the alveolar geometry primarily needs to mimic the space-filling alveolar arrangement dictated by lung morphology.


1987 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 1603-1610 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Bennett ◽  
G. C. Smaldone

Intersubject variability in both peripheral air-space dimensions and breathing pattern [tidal volume (VT) and respiratory frequency (f)] may play a role in determining intersubject variation in the fractional deposition of inhaled particles that primarily deposit in the lung periphery (i.e., distal to conducting airways). In healthy subjects breathing spontaneously at rest, we measured the deposition fraction (DF) of a 2.6-microns monodisperse aerosol by Tyndallometry while simultaneous measurement of VT and f were made. Under these conditions particle deposition occurs primarily in the peripheral air spaces of the lung. As an index of peripheral air-space size, we used measurements of aerosol recovery (RC) as a function of breath-hold time (t) (Gebhart et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 51: 465–476, 1981). In each subject, we measured RC (aerosol expired/aerosol inspired) of a 1.0-micron monodisperse aerosol as a function of breath-hold time for inspiratory capacity breaths of aerosol. The half time (t1/2) (the breath-hold time to reach 50% RC with no breath hold) is proportional to a mean diameter (D) of air spaces filled with aerosol. In the 10 subjects studied, we found a variable DF, range 0.04–0.44 [0.25 +/- 0.12 (SD)]. DF correlated most closely with 1/f, or the period of breathing (r = 0.96, P less than 0.01). There was no significant correlation between DF and t1/2 as an index of peripheral air-space size. In fact there was little deviation in t1/2 in these normal subjects [coefficient of variation (CV) = 0.12].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Darquenne ◽  
K. L. Zeman ◽  
R. C. Sá ◽  
T. K. Cooper ◽  
J. M. Fine ◽  
...  

Lung deposition of >0.5-μm particles is strongly influenced by gravitational sedimentation, with deposition being reduced in microgravity (μG) compared with normal gravity (1G). Gravity not only affects total deposition, but may also alter regional deposition. Using gamma scintigraphy, we measured the distribution of regional deposition and retention of radiolabeled particles (99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid, 5-μm diameter) in five healthy volunteers. Particles were inhaled in a controlled fashion (0.5 l/s, 15 breaths/min) during multiple periods of μG aboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Microgravity Research Aircraft and in 1G. In both cases, deposition scans were obtained immediately postinhalation and at 1 h 30 min, 4 h, and 22 h postinhalation. Regional deposition was characterized by the central-to-peripheral ratio and by the skew of the distribution of deposited particles on scans acquired directly postinhalation. Relative distribution of deposition between the airways and the alveolar region was derived from data acquired at the various time points. Compared with inhalation in 1G, subjects show an increase in central-to-peripheral ratio ( P = 0.043), skew ( P = 0.043), and tracheobronchial deposition ( P < 0.001) when particles were inhaled in μG. The absence of gravity caused fewer particles to deposit in the lung periphery than in the central region where deposition occurred mainly in the airways in μG. Furthermore, the increased skew observed in μG likely illustrates the presence of localized areas of deposition, i.e., “hot spots”, resulting from inertial impaction. In conclusion, gravity has a significant effect on deposition patterns of coarse particles, with most of deposition occurring in the alveolar region in 1G but in the large airways in μG.


2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Volkheimer ◽  
Fabio Galbusera ◽  
Christian Liebsch ◽  
Sabine Schlegel ◽  
Friederike Rohlmann ◽  
...  

Background Several in vitro studies investigated how degeneration affects spinal motion. However, no consensus has emerged from these studies. Purpose To investigate how degeneration grading systems influence the kinematic output of spinal specimens. Material and Methods Flexibility testing was performed with ten human T12-S1 specimens. Degeneration was graded using two different classifications, one based on X-ray and the other one on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intersegmental rotation (expressed by range of motion [ROM] and neutral zone [NZ]) was determined in all principal motion directions. Further, shear translation was measured during flexion/extension motion. Results The X-ray grading system yielded systematically lesser degeneration. In flexion/extension, only small differences in ROM and NZ were found between moderately degenerated motion segments, with only NZ for the MRI grading reaching statistical significance. In axial rotation, a significant increase in NZ for moderately degenerated segments was found for both grading systems, whereas the difference in ROM was significant only for the MRI scheme. Generally, the relative increases were more pronounced for the MRI classification compared to the X-ray grading scheme. In lateral bending, only relatively small differences between the degeneration groups were found. When evaluating shear translations, a non-significant increase was found for moderately degenerated segments. Motion segment segments tended to regain stability as degeneration progressed without reaching the level of statistical significance. Conclusion We found a fair agreement between the grading schemes which, nonetheless, yielded similar degeneration-related effects on intersegmental kinematics. However, as the trends were more pronounced using the Pfirrmann classification, this grading scheme appears superior for degeneration assessment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1971-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Jørgensen ◽  
S. Nerland ◽  
L. B. Norbom ◽  
N. T. Doan ◽  
R. Nesvåg ◽  
...  

BackgroundSchizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic risk factors and one possible illness mechanism is abnormal myelination. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tissue intensities are sensitive to myelin content. Therefore, the contrast between grey- and white-matter intensities may reflect myelination along the cortical surface.MethodMRI images were obtained from patients with schizophrenia (n = 214), bipolar disorder (n = 185), and healthy controls (n = 278) and processed in FreeSurfer. The grey/white-matter contrast was computed at each vertex as the difference between average grey-matter intensity (sampled 0–60% into the cortical ribbon) and average white-matter intensity (sampled 0–1.5 mm into subcortical white matter), normalized by their average. Group differences were tested using linear models covarying for age and sex.ResultsPatients with schizophrenia had increased contrast compared to controls bilaterally in the post- and precentral gyri, the transverse temporal gyri and posterior insulae, and in parieto-occipital regions. In bipolar disorder, increased contrast was primarily localized in the left precentral gyrus. There were no significant differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Findings of increased contrast remained after adjusting for cortical area, thickness, and gyrification. We found no association with antipsychotic medication dose.ConclusionsIncreased contrast was found in highly myelinated low-level sensory and motor regions in schizophrenia, and to a lesser extent in bipolar disorder. We propose that these findings indicate reduced intracortical myelin. In accordance with the corollary discharge hypothesis, this could cause disinhibition of sensory input, resulting in distorted perceptual processing leading to the characteristic positive symptoms of schizophrenia.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigekiyo Fujita ◽  
Tetsuro Kawaguchi ◽  
Toshiyuki Uehara ◽  
Kazuhito Fukushima

Background: Platelet hyper-aggregability is an important risk factor for leukoaraiosis. In this study we investigated whether aggravation of leukoaraiosis can be controlled by means of long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.Methods:Twenty-one patients with leukoaraiosis and uncorrected platelet hyper-aggregability were compared with 21 controls matched for age, grade of leukoaraiosis and observation period whose platelet hyper-aggregability was corrected. Platelet aggregability was estimated by an optical analytical method with a nine-stage display using two different concentrations each of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen (the double ADP method).Results:The mean observation period between two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for both groups was 4.1 years. In the non-corrected group, moderate to severe aggravation of leukoaraiosis was observed in a large number of patients. In the corrected group, only a small number of patients showed generally mild aggravation of leukoaraiosis. The number of patients showing aggravation of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) was 7 in 21 in the non-corrected group versus 1 in 21 (p=0.022) in the corrected group, and for aggravation of deep white-matter hyperintensity, these values were 9 in 21 versus 4 in 21, respectively. Thus, the difference was more significant if the degree of aggravation was taken into account.Conclusion:The progress of leukoaraiosis is greatly inhibited by long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.


Author(s):  
Makoto Yamamoto ◽  
Masaya Suzuki

Multi-Physics CFD Simulation will be one of key technologies in various engineering fields. There are two strategies to simulate a multi-physics phenomenon. One is “Strong Coupling”, and the other is “Weak Coupling”. Each can be employed, based on time-scales of physics embedded in a problem. That is, when a time-scale of one physics is nearly same as that of the other physics, we have to use Strong Coupling to take into account the interaction between two physics. On the other hand, when one time-scale is quite different from the other one, Weak Coupling can be applied. Considering the present computer performance, Strong Coupling is difficult to be used in engineering design processes now. Therefore, we are focusing on Weak Coupling, and it has been applied to a number of multi-physics CFD simulations in engineering. We have successfully simulated sand erosion, ice accretion, particle deposition, electro-chemical machining and so on, with using Weak Coupling method. In the present study, the difference between strong and weak couplings is briefly described, and two examples of our multi-physics CFD simulations are expressed. The numerical results indicate that Weak Coupling strategy is promising in a lot of multi-physics CFD simulations.


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