New and historical records of the ocean sunfish Mola mola in Icelandic waters.

The ocean sunfish Mola mola is considered to be globally distributed in both temperate and tropical waters, but there are many gaps in the knowledge of this species' distribution. A total of 31 records of M. mola from Icelandic waters, dating from 1845 to 2014, are presented and georeferenced. An increase in the number of records at the beginning of this century and particularly in 2012, is suggested to be a consequence of both an increase in ocean temperature on the Icelandic shelf and changes in large scale temperature variations in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Validation and clinical feasibility of nitrogen washin/washout functional residual capacity measurements in children.

BACKGROUND: The functional residual capacity (FRC) is an important parameter in pediatric respiratory monitoring but it is difficult to assess in the clinical setting. We have introduced a modified N(2) washout method utilizing a change of F(I)O(2) of 0.1 for FRC measurement in adult respiratory monitoring. This study validated the algorithm in a pediatric lung model and investigated the stability and feasibility in a pediatric peri-operative and intensive care setting. METHODS: The lung model was ventilated in combinations of ventilatory modes, CO(2) production, model FRC and respiratory rates. Sixteen children from 10 days to 5 years were studied peri-operatively with controlled ventilation using a Mapleson D system and in the intensive care unit using a Servo-i ventilator in a supported spontaneous mode. FRC was measured during stable metabolic, respiratory and circulatory periods at positive end expiratory pressure of 3-4 and 7-8 cmH(2)O. RESULTS: In the model and in the clinical setting, we found an excellent agreement between washout and washin measurements of FRC as well as acceptable coefficients of repeatability. CONCLUSION: FRC was satisfactorily measured by a modified N(2) algorithm and may be included as a monitoring variable in pediatric respiratory care. Pediatric FRC monitoring demands strictly stable conditions as measurements are performed close to the limits of the monitor's specifications.

Effects of dopamine, dopexamine and dobutamine on renal excretory function during experimental sepsis in conscious rats.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure is a frequent complication in human sepsis. Various inotropic drugs are often used to improve central haemodynamics and renal function. The differential preservative role of the most commonly used inotropic drugs on renal function, in this condition, has previously not been extensively studied. The aim of this experimental animal study was therefore to compare the preserving effects of dopamine, dopexamine, dobutamine and saline on renal excretory function, after induction of sepsis in conscious rats. METHOD: The effects of dopamine (DA) (2.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1; n = 11), dopexamine (DX) (1 microgram.kg-1.min-1; n = 10), dobutamine (DB) (5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1; n = 10) and saline (n = 13) on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow (UF), sodium excretion (SE) and fractional urinary excretion of sodium (FUENa) were studied and compared in conscious rats subjected to a 1-h infusion of live E. coli bacteria (10(9)/h). RESULTS: In the saline-treated control group, bacteria infusion decreased GFR, UF, SE and FUENa by 31%, 53%, 51% and 36% respectively, associated with a 16% decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP), and a 10% increase in heart rate (HR). In the post-E. coli treatment period, the fall in MAP was less pronounced with DX compared to both DB and control, while there was no difference between DX and DA. The increase in HR was most pronounced with DB. GFR decreased to a lesser extent with DX compared to DA, DB and control. UF and SE were better maintained with DX compared to DB and control, while there was no difference in FUENa between the groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dopexamine, to a greater extent than dopamine and dobutamine, improves renal excretory function in experimental septic shock.

Changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity during experimental septic and endotoxin shock in conscious rats.

Changes in postganglionic renal sympathetic nerve activity, arterial pressure, and heart rate were measured in conscious rats during intravenous infusion of live E. coli bacteria (10(9)/h) or bolus injection of E. coli endotoxin (20 mg/kg). Bacteria infusion was associated with a marked and parallel increase in heart rate and sympathetic activity with only minor changes in mean arterial pressure. The early response to bolus injection of endotoxin was a short-lasting decrease in mean arterial pressure combined with a marked increase in sympathetic activity and heart rate, probably due to baroreceptor unloading. However, when mean arterial pressure returned to pre-endotoxin levels, sympathetic activity and heart rate remained markedly elevated, indicating a partly nonreflexogenic increase in central sympathetic outflow. This study using direct nerve recordings of sympathetic activity in conscious animals confirms earlier clinical observations of an increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system in septic shock.

Changes in central hemodynamics during experimental septic shock in conscious rats.

This study describes the hemodynamic, metabolic, and respiratory effects of a 4-h continuous intravenous infusion of live Escherichia coli bacteria (10(9)/h) in conscious, unrestrained rats. The early response to bacterial infusion was moderate hypotension and a marked and sustained increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. During later stages of bacteria infusion a marked decrease in stroke volume and cardiac output was observed, while total peripheral resistance increased. Arterial blood gas measurements showed an early primary respiratory alkalosis, while later stages of bacteria infusion were accompanied by progressive development of metabolic acidosis. This small-sized animal shock model may be useful for further studies, particularly since conscious rats were used to avoid the influence of anesthesia upon the development of septic shock.

A rare electrophoretic enzyme variant of serum alkaline phosphatase in a group of Icelanders.

An electrophoretic isoenzyme variant of serum alkaline phosphatase was found in 10 out of 343 subjects belonging to an Icelandic population in Husavik and the Husavik region. 9 of the variant-positive subjects were women. The enzyme variant differs from normal isoenzymes in electrophoretic mobility, substrate specificity, and response to inhibitors. It could be demonstrated that nine of the subjects with the enzyme variant were related with each other.