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Biomedical subjects

C L Christman

Publications and source records attributed to C L Christman.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Computer-assisted assessment of cochlear nerve fibers.

Quantitative assessment of cochlear nerve fibers, with statistical analysis of histologic specimens, is facilitated by the application of computer image processing techniques. Three algorithms, developed for the evaluation of cochlear sections, are presented, MANUAL, AIDED, and AUTO, in order of increasing degree of automation and decreasing requirement for operator intervention. All three algorithms demonstrate high accuracy and consistency in identifying cochlear nerve fibers and quickly provide statistics regarding the target nerve fiber population. These algorithms have potential utility in the study of cochlear nerve pathologic alterations, as for example, with intracochlear electrical stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Morphologic and electrophysiologic effects of cochlear implantation and electrical stimulation.

The nondeafened guinea pig model was utilized in this study to assess the functional and morphologic effects of cochlear implantation and electrical stimulation. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded prior to and following intrascalar implantation of a 3M-House cochlear electrode (n = 41 ears), as well as after electrical stimulation (n = 23 ears). The experimental population was divided into the following groups according to implantation and stimulation parameters: 200 microA for 3 hours (group I); 200 microA for 24 hours (group II); 400 microA for 3 hours (group III); implanted, but not stimulated (group IV); and nonimplanted, not stimulated ears (group V). Of those cochleae that sustained the trauma of implantation, 32 percent had no detectable ABR to 110 dB SPL clicks, while only 7 percent additionally failed to respond to 130 dB SPL clicks. No significant difference (one-way ANOVA with repeated measures at the 95 percent confidence limit) could be detected when comparing those ears that retained ABRs according to experimental grouping. Morphologic analysis was performed on 29 cochleae. Spiral ganglion "packing densities" were not found to be significantly different among the groups (ANOVA). The status of the organ of Corti was significantly better in groups II and V in comparison to the other groups (Kruskal-Wallis test with pairwise comparisons, p less than 0.05); there was no discernible dose-response relationship. Morphologic and electrophysiologic changes correlated with insertion trauma and infection rather than with electrical stimulation at the levels tested in this study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1987

Evidence for free radicals produced in aqueous solutions by diagnostic ultrasound.

Recent theoretical calculations have shown that small gas nuclei in water exposed to microsecond ultrasonic pulses above an intensity threshold may grow into transient cavities that collapse violently, leading to the formation of .OH radicals and .H atoms. We have detected these free radicals in aqueous solutions exposed to microsecond pulsed ultrasound using spin trapping and electron spin resonance (ESR). The public health implications of our results are discussed.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1986

Sonochemical free radical formation in aqueous solutions.

The phenomena of stable and transient acoustic cavitation in liquids exposed to ultrasound are briefly explained. The role of micronuclei, resonant bubble size, and rectified diffusion in the initiation of transient cavitation is reviewed. In aqueous solutions transient cavitation initially generates hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals that may recombine to form hydrogen and H2O2 or may react with solutes in the gas phase, at the gas-liquid boundary, or in the bulk of the solution. The analogies and differences between sonochemistry and ionizing radiation chemistry are explored. The use of spin trapping and electron spin resonance to conclusively identify hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals and to detect cavitation produced by continuous wave and by pulsed ultrasound is described in detail.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1986

In vivo microbubble detection in decompression sickness using a second harmonic resonant bubble detector.

A resonant bubble detection method based on a second harmonic technique has been used to monitor the femoral vascular system of dogs subjected to rapid decompression. For this study, the detector consisted of two acoustic transducers mounted at right angles to each other that were packaged in a perivascular cuff configuration. This detector responds selectively only to bubbles near resonant size (4.2 mum in diameter); solid particles and large bubbles produce no response. The detector was used to monitor a total of 15 dogs. Eleven dogs were subjected to a series of simulated underwater dives until acute symptoms of decompression sickness occurred; 4 dogs served as controls. In the dived group, either the femoral vein or the femoral artery was monitored. Resonant bubbles were observed in the femoral veins of all 6 dogs monitored at this location. During arterial monitoring, most dogs showed no response, but an occasional weak response was observed in 2 of the dogs. No resonant bubbles were detected in the femoral artery or the femoral vein in any of the controls. The data suggest that this bubble detection method is feasible for in vivo use. Furthermore, 4 mum diameter bubbles are much more prevalent in the veins of dogs suffering from decompression sickness than they are in dog arteries, presumably because they are filtered out effectively by the pulmonary circulation. Modifications of this method are discussed to enhance its accuracy and applicability for quantifying bubble size, location, and number.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Free radical generation by ultrasound in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions.

The physical principles underlying the oscillatory behavior of minute gas bubbles in liquids exposed to ultrasound are reviewed. Results from mathematical analyses suggest that these oscillations sometimes become unstable leading to transient cavitation in which a bubble violently collapses during a single acoustic half-cycle producing high temperatures and pressures. The role that micronuclei, resonant bubble size, and rectified diffusion play in the initiation of transient cavitation is explained. Evidence to support these theoretical predictions is presented with particular emphasis on sonoluminescence which provides some non-chemical evidence for the formation of free radicals. Acoustic methods for conducting sonochemical investigations are discussed. In aqueous solutions transient cavitation initially generates hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals which may recombine to form hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide or may react with solutes in the gas phase, at the gas-liquid boundary or in the bulk of the solution. The analogies and differences between sonochemistry and ionizing radiation chemistry are explored. The use of spin trapping and electron spin resonance to identify hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals conclusively and to detect transient cavitation produced by continuous wave and by pulsed ultrasound is described in detail. The study of the chemical effects of cavitation in organic liquids is a relatively unexplored area which has recently become the subject of renewed interest. Examples of the decomposition of solvent and solute, of ultrasonically initiated free-radical polymerization and polymer degradation are presented. Spin trapping has been used to identify radicals in organic liquids, in polymer degradation and in the decomposition of organometallic compounds.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1977

Effects of ultrasound on nucleic acid bases.

To understand the effects of ultrasound in biological systems at the molecular level, sonolysis of nucleic acid bases at sonic intensities less than or equal to 5 W/cm2 was studied. These sonoreactions were followed by UV-spectral decrease and by sonoproduct analysis. The order of reactivity was found to be thymine greater than uracil greater than cytosine greater than guanine greater than adenine. The extent of sonoreactions depends on the exposure time and the rate of the intensity. Aeration was necessary for maintenance of a reasonable reaction rate. "Threshold" intensities for uracil and thymine were observed at approximately 0.5 W/cm2. The effectiveness of the dissolved gases in producing sonoreactions was Ar greater than 02 greater than air greater than N2 greater than He greater than N2O, suggestive of free radicals mediating these reactions since N2O is an effective radical scavenger. Studies of the effects of substituents have shown that electronic rather than steric effects may have a greater influence. Preliminary identification indicates that cis- and trans-uracil glycols are the major products of uracil. Thus, a stepwise mechanism of pyrimidine sonolysis is proposed. Sonolysis of a dilute aqueous solution of uracil yielded pseudo-first-order kinetics in terms of [Ura] with a rate constant of 3.9 X 10(-2) min-1, implying that the rate-limiting step is the reaction of HO- with the base.

Adenine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biological effects of ultrasound.

In summary, there are many deficiencies and gaps in the current data base for ultrasound-induced bioeffects. More information is needed on the effects of low intensity ultrasound, the effects of pulsed ultrasound, the relationship between peak intensities and average intensities of pulsed ultrasound, the possibility of cumulative effects, and the possibility of long-term effects. Also, very little of the data, either positive or negative, has been verified by other laboratories. Although there is presently no evidence to indicate that diagnostic ultrasound involves a significant risk, the evidence is insufficient to justify an unqualified acceptance of safety. The potential for acute adverse effects has not been systematically explored, and the potential for delayed effects has been virtually ignored. Because of the difficulties involved in searching for and defining potential risks from exposure to low levels of chemicals, radiation, or other forms of energy, it is unreasonable to expect that in the near future, the degree of risk, if any, will be clearly defined for diagnostic ultrasound. As in other areas (e.g., the effects of ionizing radiation) no single study, epidemiological or experimental, can accomplish this goal. In the meantime, a prudent public health policy calls for judicious use of diagnostic ultrasound, using it only when diagnostic benefits to patients are indicated, and keeping any exposure to diagnostic ultrasound as low as practicable, consistent with its intended purpose.

Animals↗