The role of prostaglandins in the realization of respiratory effects of TNF-α in case of hypoxia

At the present time very little is known about interactions between systemic inflammation and control of respiration. The aim of this study was to compare the respiratory effects of the main inflammatory cytokine TNF - α before and after pretreatment with diclofenac, a nonspecific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. In experiments on anesthetized, tracheostomized rats, pneumotachometry method was used to measure peak airflow and respiratory rate. The ventilatory response to hypoxia was investigated by the rebreathing method. It is shown that an increase in the systemic level of TNF – α causes a significant increase in the minute volume of respiration, tidal volume, the average speed of the inspiratory flow. In contrast the slope of the hypoxic ventilatory response decreased after administration of TNF-α. Diclofenac pretreatment eliminated these respiratory effects of TNF - α. The data indicate that the ability of TNF - α to enhance basal ventilation and to reduce the ventilatory hypoxic response is mediated by the cyclooxygenase pathway. Key words: tumor necrosis factor – α, hypoxia, prostaglandins, peripheral chemoreception, respiration.

Intracellular nanoscale architecture as a master regulator of calcium carbonate crystallization in marine microalgae

Unicellular marine microalgae are responsible for one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth. This is in part due to intracellular formation of calcium carbonate scales termed coccoliths. Traditionally, the influence of changing environmental conditions on this process has been estimated using poorly constrained analogies to crystallization mechanisms in bulk solution, yielding ambiguous predictions. Here, we elucidated the intracellular nanoscale environment of coccolith formation in the model species Pleurochrysis carterae using cryoelectron tomography. By visualizing cells at various stages of the crystallization process, we reconstructed a timeline of coccolith development. The three-dimensional data portray the native-state structural details of coccolith formation, uncovering the crystallization mechanism, and how it is spatially and temporally controlled. Most strikingly, the developing crystals are only tens of nanometers away from delimiting membranes, resulting in a highly confined volume for crystal growth. We calculate that the number of soluble ions that can be found in such a minute volume at any given time point is less than the number needed to allow the growth of a single atomic layer of the crystal and that the uptake of single protons can markedly affect nominal pH values. In such extreme confinement, the crystallization process is expected to depend primarily on the regulation of ion fluxes by the living cell, and nominal ion concentrations, such as pH, become the result, rather than a driver, of the crystallization process. These findings call for a new perspective on coccolith formation that does not rely exclusively on solution chemistry.

Respiratory mechanics behavior after heart surgery: an experimental study

Changes in ventilatory mechanics and their consequent pulmonary complications are common after surgical procedures, particularly in cardiac surgery (CS), and may be associated with both preoperative history and surgical circumstances. This study aims to compare ventilatory mechanics in the moments before and after cardiac surgery (CS), describing how pulmonary complications occurred. An experimental, uncontrolled study was conducted, of the before-and-after type, and with a descriptive and analytical character. It was carried out in a private hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and involved 30 adult patients subjected to CS. In addition to clinical and epidemiological variables, minute volume (VE), respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also recorded. Data were collected in the following moments: preoperative (PRE-OP) period, immediate postoperative (IPO) period, and 1st postoperative day (1st POD). The sample was aged 48.1 ± 11.8 years old and had a body mass index of 25.5 ± 4.9 kg m-2; 60% of the patients remained on mechanical ventilation for less than 24 hours (17.5 [8.7-22.9] hours). There was a significant reduction in VT, FVC, MIP and PEF when PRE-OP versus IPO, and PRE-OP versus 1st POD were compared (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes between IPO and the 1st POD. The highest incidence of pulmonary complications involved pleural effusion (50% of the patients). This study showed that patients subjected to CS present significant damage to ventilatory parameters after the surgery, especially in the IPO period and on the 1st POD. It is possible that the extension of this ventilatory impairment has led to the onset of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Combined Cardiopulmonary Assessments Using Impedance and Digital Implants in Conscious Freely Moving Cynomolgus Monkeys, Beagle Dogs, and Göttingen Minipigs: Pharmacological Characterization and Social Housing Effects

Respiratory monitoring, using impedance with implanted telemetry in socially housed animals, was not possible until the recent development of digital signal transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate digital telemetry monitoring of cardiopulmonary parameters (respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, electrocardiography (DII), systemic arterial blood pressure, physical activity, and body temperature) in conscious, single-housed, non-rodent species commonly used in toxicology studies following administration of positive/negative controls (saline, dexmedetomidine, morphine, amphetamine, and doxapram), and also, the effects of various social housing arrangements in untreated female and/or male cynomolgus monkeys, Beagle dogs, and Göttingen minipigs (n = 4 per species). Aggressions were observed in socially housed male minipigs, however, which prevented pair-housed assessments in this species. All tested pharmacological agents significantly altered more than one organ system, highlighting important inter-organ dependencies when analyzing functional endpoints. Stress-related physiological changes were observed with single-housing or pair-housing with a new cage mate in cynomolgus monkeys and Beagle dogs, suggesting that stable social structures are preferable to limit variability, especially around dosing. Concomitant monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory parameters from the same animals may help reduce the number of animals (3 Rs) needed to fulfill the S7A guidelines and allows for identification of organ system functional correlations. Globally, the data support the use of social housing in non-rodents for safety pharmacology multi-organ system (heart and lungs) monitoring investigations.

SARS-CoV2 infection: functional and morphological cardiopulmonary changes in elite handball players

Background There is increasing evidence of cardiac involvement in SARS-COV-2 infections. This may not only apply to symptomatic infections but may also affect asymptomatic athletes. This study aimed to characterize the possible acute cardiac involvement of SARS-COV-2 infection in athletes both morphologically and functionally. Methods and results Eight elite handball players (27±3.5 y) with past SARS-COV-2 infection were retrospectively analyzed and compared with four uninfected team-mates (22±2.6 y). Athletes were examined 19±7 d after positive PCR-test. Echocardiographic assessment of the global longitudinal strain under resting conditions was not significantly changed after SARS-CoV2 infection (−17.7% vs. −18.1%) but magnetic resonance imaging showed minor signs of acute inflammation/edema in all patients (T2-mapping: +4.1ms) without reaching the Lake-Louis criteria. Spiroergometric analysis showed a significant reduction in VO2max (−292 ml/min, −7.0%), oxygen-pulse (−2.4 ml/beat, −10.4%), and respiratory minute volume (VE) (−18.9 l/min, −13.8%) in athletes with a history of SARS-CoV2 infection (p&lt;0.05, respectively). The parameters were unchanged in the control group. Conclusion SARS-CoV2 infection caused functional impairment of cardiopulmonary performance primarily under stress in elite athletes. It seems reasonable to screen athletes after SARS-CoV2 infection at least with spiroergometry to mark performance limitations and to ensure an optimal return to competition. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

PENGEMBANGAN PLATFORM ONLINE SIMULASI VIRTUAL PENGUJIAN DAN KALIBRASI VENTILATOR BERBASIS BROWSER

Ventilator merupakan alat kesehatan yang paling dibutuhkan di masa pandemi ini. Berbagai institusi telah berusaha mengembangkan ventilator, akan tetapi banyak yang terkendala dengan hasil pengujian dan kalibrasinya yang tidak sesuai. Hal ini dikarenakan ketidaktahuan terhadap metode pengujian dan kalibrasi ventilator yang sesuai standar. Oleh karena itu, dikembangkanlah platform Platform Online Simulasi Virtual Pengujian dan Kalibrasi Ventilator Berbasis Browser. Platform ini kedepannya akan digunakan oleh institusi pengembang ventilator untuk melakukan pembelajaran dan meningkatkan kompetensi melalui pelatihan terkait pengujian dan kalibrasi ventilator. Penelitian ini dibatasi dengan menggunakan beberapa ruang lingkup pengujian yaitu tidal volume, minute volume, breath rate, I:E ratio, PEEP, inspiration time, dan Expiration time. Tahapan metode penelitian yang akan dilakukan mulai dari studi literatur, produk, library, algoritma, pengumpulan data ventilator dan gas flow analyzer, dilanjutkan dengan desain sistem, antarmuka pengguna, dan elemen visual, kemudian dilakukan pengembangan sistem dan antarmuka pengguna, lalu dilakukan pengujian fungsi, dan pengalaman pengguna. Hasil pengujian menunjukan seluruh fungsi 100% terlaksana dengan baik dan pengalaman pengguna 38% menunjukkan setuju dengan kriteria pengalaman pengguna yang terdiri dari Daya Tarik, Efisiensi, Perspicuity, Ketergantungan, Stimulasi, Novelty, Kepercayaan, Estetika, Adaptabilitas, Kegunaan, Penggunaan Intuitif, Nilai, Konten yang Dapat Dipercaya, Kualitas Isi, Haptics, dan Akustik

DIAGNOSIS OF PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STRESS IN PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT

Introduction. Professional selection of workers in extreme occupations associated with increased danger and responsibility is an important task of labor physiology. The study of psychomotor skills under conditions of acute stress, the assessment of the physiological reactions of the cardiovascular system will determine the professional suitability of candidates for various specialties (technical or intellectual-analytical). Purpose of work. The study of diagnostic methodological approaches to assessing the professional suitability of persons in hazardous professions in psychophysiological professional selection. Materials and methods. Psychophysiological studies included the study of psychomotor skills, psychological testing according to the MMIL and 16 FLO tests, physiological studies of hemodynamic features in candidates with different resistance to stress (calculation of stroke blood volume - SV, MC blood minute volume and peripheral resistance of PS), professional analysis of the labor activity of workers to identify the requirements that hazardous professions place on the body of workers, Research results. In candidates for engineering and technical specialties, the tension of the circulatory system reflected high values of the average dynamic pressure (105.73 ± 1.45 mm Hg), changes in the optimal hyperkinetic type of blood circulation to hypokinetic: 66.7% of those examined with low resistance to stress. In candidates for communicative specialties, a sufficient level of physical activity contributed to the stability of the indicators of the cardiovascular system. Conclusions. Informative indicators have been established for assessing the professional suitability of candidates to perform official tasks in extreme conditions: changes in handwriting signs, peculiarities of psychological status (anxiety, conformism), hemodynamic characteristics

SARS-CoV2 infection: functional and morphological cardiopulmonary changes in elite handball players

There is increasing evidence of cardiac involvement post-SARS-CoV-2 infections in symptomatic as well as in oligo- and asymptomatic athletes. This study aimed to characterize the possible early effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on myocardial morphology and cardiopulmonary function in athletes. Eight male elite handball players (27 ± 3.5 y) with past SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with four uninfected teammates (22 ± 2.6 y). Infected athletes were examined 19 ± 7 days after the first positive PCR test. Echocardiographic assessment of the global longitudinal strain under resting conditions was not significantly changed (− 17.7% vs. − 18.1%). However, magnetic resonance imaging showed minor signs of acute inflammation/oedema in all infected athletes (T2-mapping: + 4.1 ms, p = 0.034) without reaching the Lake-Louis criteria. Spiroergometric analysis showed a significant reduction in VO2max (− 292 ml/min, − 7.0%), oxygen pulse (− 2.4 ml/beat, − 10.4%), and respiratory minute volume (VE) (− 18.9 l/min, − 13.8%) in athletes with a history of SARS-CoV2 infection (p < 0.05, respectively). The parameters were unchanged in the uninfected teammates. SARS-CoV2 infection caused impairment of cardiopulmonary performance during physical effort in elite athletes. It seems reasonable to screen athletes after SARS-CoV2 infection with spiroergometry to identify performance limitations and to guide the return to competition.

Comparative studies of the functioning of the respiratory system in children in conditions of health institutions

Summer health camp is a seasonal preventive institution for recreation, preservation and strengthening of the health of children and adolescents, which allows you to cover a large contingent of the child population with health-improving activities. The article presents the dynamics of the functional indicators of the respiratory system in children and adolescents who were in a summer health camp. On the basis of the children’s health camp «Young railroad worker» and the camp on the basis of a secondary educational school, research was carried out, in which children aged 7–10 years took part. Respiratory function was measured using a spirometer. The data obtained were analyzed using generally accepted methods of mathematical statistics. To identify the level of significance of differences, we used Student’s t-test.In children with round-the-clock stay in the camp, there is a statistically significant increase in Lung Capacity by 101.97 ml and a daytime stay — by 80.55 ml. At the end of the shift, summer health-improving recreation led to an increase in the indicators of the Respiratory Minute Volume (at the time of arrival, the Respiratory Minute Volume indicator in children 7–10 years old was 3,71 ± 1,03 l/min, and at the end 4,31 ± 1,88 l/min with round-the-clock stay; 3,65 ± 1,04 l/min and 4,1 ± 1,54 l/min with a daytime stay) due to an increase in Tidal Volume, which indicates a favorable respiratory response.The results of the functional study revealed an increase in the reserve capacity of the respiratory organs, which indicates the positive effect of the camp on the child’s body.The results obtained in the study of the functional state of respiration will make it possible to determine the directions and forms of organization of medical care in order to prevent deviations in the state of health. These results can serve as a basis for further in-depth research in summer camps of various types and the development of control measures and means of strengthening and maintaining the health of children. Thus, summer health camps are an effective measure of recreation and preservation, strengthening the health of the child population.