Efectos biológicos de la exposición a distintas concentraciones de oxígeno: desde la hipoxia hipobárica al oxígeno hiperbárico / Biological effects due to exposure to different concentrations of oxygen from hypo to hyperoxemia

The systemic effects of oxygen deficiency or excess are not thoroughly described. Knowledge is evolving towards the description of beneficial and detrimental effects of both extremes of partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). The cellular and tissue mediators derived from the modulation of the oxidative tone and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely characterized biochemically, but the pathophysiological characterization is lacking. Preclinical models support the use of hypobaric hypoxia preconditioning, based on its beneficial effects on ventricular function or its reduction in infarct size. A very important use of oxygen today is in commercial diving. However, novel clinical indications for oxygen such as the healing of diabetic foot ulcers and bone injury caused by radiotherapy are increasingly used. On the other hand, the modulation of the hypoxic response associated with exposure to high altitude environments (hypobaric), favors Chile and its highlands as a natural laboratory to determine certain cardiovascular, cerebral and metabolic responses in the resident population. Also, the consequences of the intermittent exposure to high altitudes in workers also deserves attention. This review discusses the physiopathological response to hypo and hyperoxemia, associated with environments with different oxygen concentrations, and brings back the concept of oxygen as a pharmacological mediator in extreme environments such as high altitudes and hyperbaric medicine in divers, decompression sickness, osteonecrosis associated with radiotherapy and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

A case of pulmonary barotrauma complicated with cerebral arterial air embolism in a diver / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Pulmonary barotrauma is a kind of disease caused by the injury of lung tissue or blood vessel when the gas pressure of lung is too high or too lower than the external pressure of the body, which causes the air to enter the blood vessel and adjacent tissue. It could be happened in the escape of the divers with the light diving equipment or the sailors from submarine. Generally, the decompression chamber was used to treating the disease, and the minimum air pressure of 0.5 MPa recompression therapeutic schedule was used to selecting. In November 2019, a patient with pulmonary barotrauma combined with cerebral arterial gas embolism caused by improper underwater escape with light diving equipment was admitted to the General Hospital of Eastern War Zone. He was treated with 0.12 MPa oxygen inhalation recompression scheme in the oxygen chamber pressurized with air. 7 days later, the patient recovered and discharged.

Enfermedad descompresiva grave en buzo aficionado / Severe decompressive illness in amateur diver

RESUMEN Paciente masculino de 23 años de edad, buzo aficionado, que ingresó en el Hospital Militar "Dr. Joaquín Castillo Duany", con historia de haber realizado inmersiones profundas, dos días consecutivos, con escape a superficie sin realizar las paradas de descompresión establecidas, a la salida de la segunda inmersión. Comenzó a presentar de forma brusca calambres, pérdida total de la fuerza muscular en miembros inferiores y disminución de la fuerza muscular en miembros superiores, así como falta de aire, opresión torácica, relajación de esfínter anal y vesical e intranquilidad. Se diagnosticó enfermedad descompresiva grave o tipo II y barotrauma pulmonar. Fue reportado grave e ingresado en sala de terapia intensiva. Se realizó tratamiento recompresivo de urgencia. La evolución clínica resultó favorable sin peligro para la vida; aunque con secuelas neurológicas invalidantes(AU)

ABSTRACT We present a 23-year-old male patient, amateur diver, who came to Dr. Joaquín Castillo Duany Militar Hospital complaining of sudden cramps, total loss of muscle strength in lower limbs, decreased muscle strength in upper limbs, shortness of breath, chest tightness, anal and bladder sphincter relaxation and restlessness. He had done deep-sea dives in two consecutive days, with escape to the surface but not performing required decompression stops at the exit of the second dive. His diagnosis was severe decompression sickness or type II and pulmonary barotrauma. He is reported as severe and admitted to the intensive care unit. Urgent recompression treatment was performed. The clinical evolution was favorable without danger to life although with disabling neurological sequelae(AU)

Compressor Fishing Practices among Fisher-divers of Lampirong (Placuna placenta) and their Associated Health Risks in a Coastal Municipality in Panay, Philippines

@#<p><strong>Background:</strong> Compressor fishing is a strategy adopted by small-scale artisanal fishers of coastal communities in Panay, Western Visayas. The practice persists among subsistence Lampirong fisher-divers whose livelihood depends on seasonal fishing. Placuna placenta known locally as Lampirong, is valued for its shells, which are made into shell craft like the famous capiz window. Related studies which examined traditional diving practices and compressor fishing identified risk factors such as inappropriate dive training and use of unsuitable diving gears.<br /><strong>Objective:</strong> The study aimed to investigate the plight and health risks associated with common malpractices among Lampirong fisher-divers who utilize the compressor fishing strategy.<br /><strong>Methodology:</strong> In this ethnographic study, five (5) Lampirong fisher-divers narrated the health risks and managing practices that they have adapted to survive compressor fishing. Primary data from field observation and interviews with the fisher-divers as well as secondary data from related studies were utilized for comparison and analysis. Considering the health risks that compressor fishing poses to fisher-divers, this study attempted a reflexive position drawing from the principle of ecological public health.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The health risks of compressor fishing are known to fisher-divers, thus, they have developed managing practices which include observance of certain clear-cut rules (the do's and don'ts) to ensure underwater survival. Improvised diving gears are worn but barely protect the Lampirong fisher-divers from decompression illness or sickness. Related studies validated these symptoms such as nose bleed, dull pain in the ears, blood dripping from the ears, headache, and physical fatigue from prolonged dives. They rationalized the practice of Lampirong compressor fishing as a means to bring food to the table for families in fishing communities.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> While the Philippine law prohibits or regulates compressor fishing, there is still a need for a policy or program that will address the health risks caused by compressor fishing.</p>

Representações sociais de pescadores com lesão medular: repercussões e trajetória de vida / Representaciones sociales de pescadores con lesión medular: repercusiones e historia de vida / Social representations of fishermen with spinal cord injury: impacts and life trajectory

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as representações sociais da trajetória de vida dos pescadores artesanais com lesão medular vítimas de acidente por mergulho nas praias do litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Norte. Método: estudo descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, desenvolvido com 31 pescadores entre outubro de 2013 e agosto de 2014, mediante entrevista semiestruturada. Empregou-se a análise lexicográfica e classificação hierárquica descendente dos textos (software ALCESTE), sob a ótica das Representações Sociais. Resultados: as representações sociais dos pescadores com lesão medular apresentaram as experiências com as limitações físicas e expectativas de aposentadoria, estas últimas configurando-se como uma realidade distante das exigências impostas por nossas leis trabalhistas. Conclusão: exigem-se medidas de promoção, prevenção e reabilitação da saúde do pescador vítima de lesão medular, além de condições seguras e dignas de trabalho como compromisso das políticas de saúde.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar las representaciones sociales de la historia de vida de pescadores artesanales con lesión medular víctimas de accidente de buceo en las playas del litoral Norte de Rio Grande do Norte. Método: estudio descriptivo, de naturaleza cuantitativa, desarrollado con 31 pescadores entre octubre de 2013 y agosto de 2014, mediante entrevista semiestructurada. Se empleó análisis lexicográfico y clasificación jerárquica descendiente en los textos (software ALCESTE), en la visión de las Representaciones Sociales. Resultados: las representaciones sociales de los pescadores con lesión medular expresaron las experiencias de las limitaciones físicas y expectativas de jubilación, configurándose éstas como realidad distante de las exigencias impuestas por la legislación laboral vigente. Conclusión: se requieren medidas de promoción, prevención y rehabilitación de la salud del pescador víctima de lesión medular, además de condiciones laborales seguras y dignas, con compromiso de las políticas de salud.

ABSTRACT Objective: analyze social representations in the life trajectory of artisanal fishermen with spinal cord injury caused by diving on the north coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Method: a descriptive, qualitative study was conducted with 31 fishermen between October 2013 and August 2014, using a semi-structured interview. A lexicographic analysis and descending hierarchical classification of texts were performed (with software ALCESTE), in the perspective of the social representations. Results: social representations of fishermen with spinal cord injury presented experiences with physical limitations and expectations regarding retirement, which appeared as a distant reality from the requirements in Brazilian labor laws. Conclusion: measures are required for the promotion, prevention and rehabilitation of the health of fishermen with spinal cord injury, as well as safe and decent fishing conditions, with the commitment of health authorities.

Spinal cord injury due to diving accidents and stress among artisanal fishers / Lesão medular por mergulho e estresse em pescadores artesanais / Lesion medular por buceo y estrés en pescadores artesanales

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the presence and symptoms of stress among artisanal fishers who are victims of spinal cord injury. Method: this descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 44 fishers, victims of spinal cord injury on the beaches of the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Data were collected using an inventory designed for adults addressing the presence and symptoms of stress, and a form addressing the participants' sociodemographic and clinical variables. Descriptive analysis considered the participants' scores. Results: all fishers were male, aged 23.87 ± 20.9 years old on average; time since the accident that caused the injury was 33.3 ± 19.31 years on average; the level of injury most frequently affected was the thoracic spine (41.8%), of which the main sequel was paraplegia (50.0%). The findings reveal stress compatible with the exhaustion phase (25.0%), followed by the resistance phase (13.6%), with the main symptoms including: insomnia, tachycardia, hypertension, and sexual problems, among others. Conclusion: the stress identified among the fishers was in the exhaustion phase and physical symptoms predominated. A spinal cord injury impacts the victim's social, occupational and family context, leading to the emergence of stress.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a presença e os sintomas de estresse em pescadores artesanais vítimas de lesão medular. Método: estudo descritivo, seccional e quantitativo, realizado com amostra não probabilística de 44 pescadores vitimados por lesão medular nas praias do litoral norte do Rio Grande do Norte. Os dados foram coletados por meio de aplicação de inventário sobre presença e sintomas de estresse para adultos, conteplando ainda características sociodemográficas e clínicas dos participantes. A etapa de análise considerou o escore e o somatório das respostas obtidas, utilizando-se a estatística descritiva. Resultados: todos os pescadores eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 23,87 ± 20,9 anos; tempo médio transcorrido após o acidente de mergulho que desencadeou a lesão de 33,3 ±19,31 anos; nível medular mais acometido a coluna torácica (41,8%), tendo como principal sequela a paraplegia (50,0%) e o tempo do acidente por mergulho de 33,3 anos. Os achados remetem ao estresse compatível a fase de exaustão (25,0%), seguida de resistência (13,6%), com destaque para sintomas como insônia, taquicardia, hipertensão, dificuldade sexual, entre outros. Conclusão: constatou-se a presença de estresse entre os pesacadores na fase de exaustão, com predomímio de sintomas físicos. Evidencia-se que a lesão medular por mergulho repercute no contexto social, ocupacional e familiar da vítima, favorecendo o aparecimento de estresse.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la presencia y los síntomas de estrés en pescadores artesanales víctimas de lesión medular. Método: estudio descriptivo, seccional y cuantitativo, realizado con una muestra no probabilístico de 44 pescadores víctimas de lesión medular en las playas del litoral norte de Rio Grande do Norte. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de la aplicación de inventario sobre presencia y síntomas de estrés para adultos, contemplando aún características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los participantes. La etapa de análisis consideró el score y la suma de las respuestas obtenidas, utilizando la estadística descriptiva. Resultados: todos los pescadores eran del sexo masculino, con edad media de 23,87 ± 20,9 años, tiempo medio transcurrido después del accidente de buceo que desencadenó la lesión de 33,3 ±19,31 años; nivel medular más acometido la columna torácica (41,8%), teniendo como principal secuela la paraplejia (50,0%) y el tiempo del accidente por buceo de 33,3 años. Los hallazgos remeten al estrés compatible a la fase de cansancio (25,0%), seguida de resistencia (13,6%), con destaque para síntomas como insomnio, taquicardia, hipertensión, dificultad sexual, entre otras. Conclusión: se constató la presencia de estrés entre los pescadores en la fase de cansancio, con predominio de síntomas físicos. Se evidencia que la lesión medular por buceo repercute en el contexto social, ocupacional y familiar de la víctima, favoreciendo la aparición de estrés.

3.0 T MRI Findings in Cerebral Decompression Sickness: A Case Report

We presented a patient with cerebral decompression sickness, who showed predominant vasogenic edema on a 3.0 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, including diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping. Within minutes of surfacing, he developed paresis of the right lower limb. During transport, he began shivering, followed by severe spasm that eventually progressed to a tonic-clonic seizure. Emergent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was performed with U.S. Navy treatment table 6A after a treatment of seizure activity. Brain MRI was performed after hyperbaric oxygen therapy to detect any cerebral lesions, which showed subcortical hyperintensity signal changes in the left fronto-parietal region on the ADC map. Overlying cortical hyperintensity on DWI sequences and cortical hypointensity on the ADC map were simultaneously observed. Moreover, these findings disappeared in a followup MRI with complete resolution of symptoms. These findings indicate that vasogenic edema can cause cerebral decompression sickness (DCS) and that 3T MRI with DWI and ADC mapping may be useful for diagnosing cerebral DCS. In addition, these findings suggest that DW-MRI may also be useful in predicting the prognosis of cerebral DCS.

Anatomical study of petrous and cavernous parts of internal carotid artery / 대한해부학회지

The petrous and cavernous parts of internal carotid artery (ICA) are obscure and are not readily accessible to observation/imaging. These parts have broad biological and medical interest because of their peculiar shape. Given the their clinical importance and the scarce data available based mostly on imaging, the present study was aimed at studying these parts of ICA by dissection. The study was carried out on 56 ICAs obtained from embalmed adult cadavers and 10 ICAs from five fetuses. The foetal ICAs were studied in situ. The morphometric analysis of the adult ICA was done after its removal from cranial cavity to gain an insight into the geometry of the vessel, i.e., length, various bends, and diameters at various locations. ICAs in fetuses ran a relatively straighter course taking gentle curves at three positions (two intrapetrous, one cavernous). Adult ICAs were more tortuous and exhibited greater variability in length and angulations. The length of respective portions of the ICA correlate negatively with the measure of angles. The angles in the petrous and cavernous parts were positively correlated to each other. The carotid siphon was positively, highly significantly correlated to other angles. Longer vessels are more tortuous with acute bends. An acute carotid siphon is an indication of more tortuous ICA. The findings of the present study have created a reference data of unsuspected adult population and has potential implications for studying cause/effect relationship of vessel geometry and hemodynamic factors.

Indicação de alcoolismo em pescadores vítimas de lesão medular por mergulho / Indicación del alcoholismo en pescadores víctimas de lesion en la médula espinal por submarinismo / Indication of alcoholism in fishermen victims of spinal cord injury by diving

Examine indication of alcoholism in artisanal fisher folk victims of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) by diving through the application of the CAGE questionnaire. Method: Sectional study and analytical, with a quantitative approach, carried out between October 2013 and August 2014. The sample was composed of 44 fishermen who suffered SCI for diving. The data were collected by means of a structured script and the analysis was by descriptive statistics. Results: All were male (100.0%), aged 46 to 60 years (63.3%), 54.5% had until elementary school, lived without a mate (63.6%) and 52.3% reported having some type of occupation. As for the questionnaire question 1 CAGE, had the highest percentage of positive responses (90.9%). According to CAGE, it was found that 93.2% of fishermen had indication of alcoholism. Conclusion: The most of the participants had indication of alcoholism...

Analisar a indicação de alcoolismo em pescadores artesanais vítimas de lesão medular (LM) por mergulho por meio da aplicação do questionário CAGE. Método: Estudo seccional e analítico, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre outubro de 2013 e agosto de 2014. A amostra foi composta por 44 pescadores que sofreram LM por mergulho. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um roteiro estruturado e a análise foi por estatística descritiva. Resultados: Todos eram do sexo masculino (100,0%), na faixa etária de 46 a 60 anos (63,3%), 54,5% tinham até o ensino fundamental, viviam sem companheira (63,6%) e 52,3% relataram ter algum tipo de ocupação. Quanto ao questionário CAGE, a questão 1 teve o maior percentual de respostas positivas (90,9%). De acordo com o CAGE, constatou-se que 93,2% dos pescadores tinham indicação de alcoolismo. Conclusão: A maioria dos participantes possuíam indicação de alcoolismo...

Analizar la indicación del alcoholismo en los pescadores artesanales víctimas de Lesión Medular Espinal (LME) para el submarinismo por medio de la aplicación del cuestionario CAGE. Método: Estudio transversal y analítico, con un enfoque cuantitativo, realizado entre octubre de 2013 y agosto de 2014. La muestra fue constituida por 44 pescadores que sufrieron LME para el submarinismo. Los datos fueron colectados mediante un guion estructurado y el análisis fue por estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Todos eran varones (100,0%), con edad de 46 a 60 años (63,3%), el 54,5% había completado la escuela primaria, vivían sin pareja (63,6%) y 52,3 % reportó tener algún tipo de ocupación. Cuanto al cuestionario CAGE, la cuestión 1 tuvo el mayor porcentaje de respuestas positivas (90,9%). De acuerdo con lo CAGE, se encontró que el 93,2% de los pescadores tenían indicación de alcoholismo. Conclusión: La mayoría de los participantes tenían indicación de alcoholismo...

A Study on Heuristic Transportation Routes of Patients with Acute Dysbarism for the Best Prognosis

PURPOSE: Acute dysbarism is a potentially lethal injury associated with environmental medicine. Therefore, prompt treatment, including transportation of victims, is important for the best prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine transportation routes of patients with acute dysbarism for the best prognosis in Korea. METHODS: Geography of South Korea was analyzed using the geographic information system (GIS). The study examined two scenarios using transportation analysis, which relies on a GIS base and pressure variation during air and ground transportation. Given the practical assumptions, we propose some heuristic transportation routes based on the simulation of altitude, transportation time, and availability of related factors. RESULTS: Currently, transportation by ground to the treatment facilities always passes high altitude areas above 152 feet. Also, available helicopters for air transportation could not approach the treatment facilities due to the limitation of flying distance and insufficiency of medical staff and treatment equipment. Altitude variation and delayed time were identified during the period of transportation by ground from Ganneung or Incheon to Tongyoung. Heuristic algorism through the above facts recommends air transport along coasts as the best method for transportation from Ganneung or Incheon to Tongyoung. CONCLUSION: In Korea, transportation by ground was not expected to result in the best prognosis for patients with acute dysbarism. Transportation by air should be considered first as the method of transportation. Also, for the best treatment of patients with acute dysbarism, additional treatment facilities need to be established in the west coast region.

Successful intubation using a specially bent lighted stylet to fit the upper airway passage of a patient with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint and deep cervical abscesses: A case report

A bent lighted stylet has demonstrated effectiveness for intubating patients with difficult airways. We report a case of successful intubation using a lighted stylet that was bent to configure the upper airway passage in a patient with ankylosis of the temporo-mandibualr joint and a small inter-incisor gap with diffuse submandibular abscesses. We suppose that lighted stylets with different bends can be used in difficult airway cases. The usefulness of a bent lighted stylet to fit the upper airway passage needs further evaluation for additional clinical application.

Osteonecrosis disbárica de cabeza humeral en buzo pesquero tratado con artroplastia de superficie / Dysbaric osteonecrosis of humeral head in a diver treated with resurfacing arthroplasty

Describir osteonecrosis disbárica (ODB) en buzo pesquero y exponer la experiencia inédita de tratamiento con artroplastia de superficie (AS). Introducción ODB, forma de necrosis avascular secundaria a enfermedad por descompresión (EDC), cuyo tratamiento gold standard para estadios avanzados continúa siendo la artroplastia total (AT). Presentación de caso: Paciente de 49 años, buzo pesquero, antecedentes de EDC tratada el 2008 en cámara hiperbárica, con diagnóstico compatible con ODB de cabeza humeral derecha de 6 años de evolución; Constant score=29. Se realiza AS del hombro derecho, y luego de 18 meses de seguimiento se reporta una adecuada evolución clínica con remisión de la sintomatología; Constant score a 18 meses=72. Discusión: El uso de AT en el paciente joven es limitado, por lo que surge la necesidad de implementar nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas en este grupo de pacientes. Conclusión: La AS constituye una alternativa terapéutica en adultos jóvenes y activos con ODB...

Introduce and describe Dysbaric Osteonecrosis (DON) in a fishing diver patient, emphasising clinical features, use of imaging methods, and present a new experience of treatment with Resurfacing Arthroplasty (RA). Introduction: DON, a form of avascular necrosis secondary to Decompression Sickness (DCS). Total Arthroplasty (AT) remains the reference treatment for advanced stages. Case report: Male, 49 years old, fishing diver, with a history of DCS treated in a hyperbaric chamber (2008). Right humeral head DON Compatible with 6 years of onset. Constant Score=29. RA performed on right shoulder. Clinical remission of symptoms was observed after 18 months of follow-up. Constant Score at 18 months=72. Discussion: TA use in young patients is limited, so there is a need to implement new surgical techniques in this group of patients. Conclusion: RA is a therapeutic alternative in young and active subjects with DON...

Clinical characterization and treatment of acute spinal cord decompression sickness after repeated dives / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and summarize the characteristics and treatment of acute spinal cord decompression sickness. To explore the factors that influence the treatment effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>77 cases of acute spinal cord decompression sickness patients should be divided into 4 groups according to the pressurized treatment and drug treatment options. They were group I, group II, group III and group IV. At the same time they were get hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other treatment. The evaluation index, were Frankel function classification and paraplegia index. There were 17 factors that affected the treatment effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of early cure was 57.14% (44/77). The rate of late cure was 74.03% (57/77). Their difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In 3 months and 1 year the cure rate of group IV and group B were the highest. But there was no difference between them(P>0.05). They were higher than group ii and group I (P<0.05). The Frankel function classification in 3months and 1 year in each group was higher than before treatment (P<0.05). The paraplegia index in 3 months and 1 year in each group was lower than before treatment (P<0.05). In 3 months and 1 year the Frankel function classification was increased gradually and the paraplegia index was decreased gradually in group I , group II, group III (P<0.05). In group IV and group III the Frankel function and the paraplegia index had not significant difference (P>0.05). Among the 17 factors that affect the treatment effect there are 9 factors that affect the proportion of the large.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The first choice of treatment method for the patients with acute spinal cord decompression sickness would be group III. Drug therapy was also imporpant. At the same time the hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other treatments were taken. Although the cure rate was not high in this article. But most of the cure is within 3 months. Within 1 year.the cure rate still could be improved. 9 factors that affect the efficacy of acute spinal cord decompression sickness was more noteworthy.</p>

Effect of different pressure oxygen pre-breathe in diving decompression sickness of rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of different pressure oxygen pre-breathing in preventing decompression sickness of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: decompression sickness (DCS) group and three oxygen pre-breathing groups with 1 ATA, 2 ATA and 3 ATA pressure respectively. The rats of DCS group were placed in the hyperbaric chamber and the chamber was compressed evenly within 3 minutes to depths of 7 absolute atmosphere(ATA) and held at the designated depth for 60 min, then decompressed (3 min) at constant speed to the surface pressure. After that, the rats were taken out for further detection. While the rats of oxygen pretreatment groups pre-breathed different pressure oxygen for 20 min before entering into chamber. The mortality and behavioral of rats were observed with 30 min post decompression. The dry/wet ratio of the lung, protein levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) expression were also tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with that of the DCS group, the mortality and morbidity of oxygen pre-breathe groups didn't change obviously. But the total BALF protein level and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha expression of 1 ATA oxygen pre-breathe group were obviously decreased, while the dry/wet ratio of lung as obviously increased instead (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although preoxygenation can' t obviously change the mortality and mobidity of rats, normal pressure oxygen pre-breathing can mitigate the protein infiltration in BALF and the expression of inflammatory cytokine in lung tissue.</p>

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in spinal cord injury of rabbits with decompression sickness / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the pathological changes in rabbits with spinal cord injury induced by decompression sickness (DCS), and to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in spinal cord injury induced by DCS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group, DCS group, and safe decompression group. The rabbit model of DCS was established. Light microscopy, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemical method were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the thoracolumbar spinal cord and the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, respectively. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to observe the apoptosis in the spinal cord.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the DCS group, cavities formed in the white matter of spinal cord and gliosis occurred around necrotic areas. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α was significantly higher in the DCS group than in the normal control group and the safe decompression group (P<0.01). The results of TUNEL showed that the number of positive apoptotic cells was significantly larger in the DCS group than in the normal control group and the safe decompression group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Apoptosis plays an important role in spinal cord injury induced by DCS. In the early stage of DCS, the massive release of TNF-α initiates apoptosis and contributes to the pathological changes in spinal cord injury induced by DCS.</p>

Changes in levels of TNF-α and GFAP in brain and spinal cord of rabbits with decompression disease / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in rabbits with decompression disease (DCS), and to investigate the functioning mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 21 healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, DCS group, and safe relief group, with 7 rabbits in each group. A rabbit DCS model was established by quick decompression. The changes in pathological morphology and mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α and GFAP in the brain and spinal cord of rabbits with DCS were determined by light microscopy, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cavity formation was observed in the white matter of spinal cord in DCS group. The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α and GFAP was significantly higher in the DCS group than in the normal control group and safe relief group (P < 0.01), while no significant differences were observed in the brain (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Spinal cord is the main part of central nervous system injury in DCS. Activation of TNF-α and GFAP genes accompanied by increase in their protein expression can be observed at the early stage of DCS. The astrocytes and TNF-α play important roles in the process of spinal cord injury in DCS.</p>

Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine as a Branch of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Exposure to the underwater environment for occupational or recreational purposes is increasing. As estimated, there are around 7 million divers active worldwide and 300,000 more divers in Korea. The underwater and hyperbaric environment presents a number of risks to the diver. Injuries from these hazards include barotrauma, decompression sickness, toxic effects of hyperbaric gases, drowning, hypothermia, and dangerous marine animals. For these reasons, primary care physicians should understand diving related injuries and assessment of fitness to dive. However, most Korean physicians are unfamiliar with underwater and hyperbaric medicine (UHM) in spite of scientific and practical values. From occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) specialist's perspective, we believe that UHM should be a branch of OEM because OEM is an area of medicine that deals with injuries caused by physical and biological hazards, clinical toxicology, occupational diseases, and assessment of fitness to work. To extend our knowledge about UHM, this article will review and update on UHM including barotrauma, decompression illness, toxicity of diving gases and fitness for diving.

Pulmonary Involvement in Decompression Sickness of a Self Contained Underwater Breath Apparatus Diver / 대한스포츠의학회지

Decompression sickness is a self contained underwater breath apparatus (SCUBA)-related injury with various symptoms and is considered an extreme emergency condition. This is a case of pulmonary involvement in decompression sickness in a 26-year-old SCUBA diver. Although pulmonary involvement in decompression sickness is a potentially severe condition that requires immediate treatment, this condition can be under- or misdiagnosed, and evaluation of this disease by imaging findings is not clearly understood. We experienced a case of pulmonary involvement in decompression sickness and herein present the chest computed tomography and simple radiograph findings associated with this condition.

Informe de evaluación rápida de tecnología sobre seguridad y efectividad de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica / Rapid evaluation report of technology on safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

La oxigenación hiperbárica es una modalidad terapéutica no invasiva en la cual el pacientes respira oxígeno puro en el interior de una cámara de acero herméticamente cerrada, a presión atmosférica mayor a la ambiental (cámara hiperbárica). Existen solo dos efectos básicos que describen el mecanismo de acción de la OHB en el cuerpo humano, los cuales son: a. El efecto volumétrico, producido por la presión aumentada a la cual se somete el organismo. Dicho efecto es de fundamental importancia en la reducción del tamaño de las burbujas de gas que pueden contener los tejidos corporales como consecuencia de un accidente de buceo o iatrogenia médica (embolismo gaseoso en las intervenciones quirúrgicas u otros procedimientos terapéuticos invasivos), o el producido por bacterias anaerobias. b. El segundo efecto es solumétrico, debido al incremento de la presión parcial de oxígeno en los tejidos, siendo este multifacético, ya que a las presiones atmosféricas manejadas en este tratamiento el oxígeno se comporta como un fármaco con indicaciones específicas y posibles efectos adversos. Se recomienda cubrir en las siguientes condiciones: enfermedad por descompresión, embolia gaseosa, gangrena gaseosa, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, fasceitis necrotizante, gangrena de Fournier, lesiones de pie diabético grado IV de Wagner, lesiones de bóveda craneal, parrilla costal, esternón, mandíbula, proctitis y enteritis.(AU)