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Reproducibility of cerebral glucose utilization measured by PET and the [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose method in resting, healthy human subjects.

The stability of cerebral glucose utilization was examined in nine right-handed, healthy men (age, 24.88 +/- 2.93 years) using positron emission tomography (PET) and the [18F]-fluorodeoxglucose (FDG) method. Each study was run twice at intervals of 1-12 weeks with the subject at rest. The average cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRGlu) was 5.40 +/- 0.71 mg/100 g per min (coefficient of variance, 13.08). The average intraindividual variation of CMRGlu was 7.91% +/- 15.46% (P = 0.13). Metabolic indices (MI: regional/mean cortical CMRGlu) were used to determine the regional cerebral metabolic distribution. The interindividual (coefficient of variance, 7.13) and intraindividual variabilities (average variation, -0.12% +/- 8.76%) of MI were smaller than those of metabolic rates. No reproducible significant asymmetry was observed. The FDG method used with subjects at rest thus yields low intraindividual variability of both cerebral glucose consumption and regional metabolic distribution, even at an interval of several weeks. Cerebral glucose utilization measured under such conditions may act as a reliable reference for determination of the influences of physiological (activation), pharmacological or pathological processes on cerebral glucose metabolism.

Adult↗

Melatonin reduces noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction in the uterine artery of pregnant hooded seals (Cystophora cristata).

In pregnant seals the dive-associated constriction of the uterine artery is inhibited for unknown reasons. The seal fetus has an extremely large and active pineal gland, not found in any other mammals. We have investigated if the pineal hormone melatonin affects fetal blood supply during diving. Using isolated ring segments of the uterine artery from pregnant hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), we measured the change in isometric tension caused by noradrenaline (NA) with and without physiological concentrations of melatonin. Melatonin alone had no effects while NA increased the tension in a dose-dependent manner. The NA-induced tension was about 70% reduced by melatonin, but was completely recovered after washout of melatonin. These results indicate that the large and active pineal gland of the fetal seal may be involved in upholding maternal uterine blood flow during diving.

Animals↗

Somatosensory evoked potentials in acute neurological decompression illness.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded on posterior tibial nerve stimulation during compression in 21 episodes of acute neurological decompression illness (DCI) involving 20 patients. A further two cases were monitored immediately after treatment only. The results were compared with previously published normal data from this laboratory and with recordings obtained during the compression of four normal volunteers. Compression had no effect on SSEPs in normal subjects: SSEP latency abnormalities were found in 17 of the episodes of DCI. An SSEP improvement at final recording was noted in 7 of the 11 episodes which were monitored during treatment and classified initially as neurophysiologically abnormal. SSEPs may assist in the diagnosis of DCI.

Adult↗

Diving bradycardia is not correlated to the oculocardiac reflex.

Both facial immersion in cold water and pressure on the eyeball cause reflex bradycardia. These reflexes are called diving reflex and oculocardiac reflex, respectively. The latter is sometimes used in diving medicine to estimate the risk of severe diving bradycardia. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of both reflexes on heart rate in 15 subjects. All subjects performed four tests: (1) breath-holding (2) breath-holding and facial immersion in water of 10 degrees, 15 degrees, and 20 degrees C; (3) facial immersion in water and snorkeling; (4) application of pressure of 30, 50, and 70 mmHg on the eyeball. In seven subjects an additional test was done: (5) eyeball pressures during breath-holding. It was shown that the intensity of the oculocardiac reflex is not a good indication of the bradycardia that can be expected during diving. It is proposed that breath-holding with facial immersion in water of 20 degrees C or colder during at least 10 s is a more appropriate test to assess the possibility of severe diving bradycardia and cardiac arrhythmias.

Adult↗

Developmental changes in cardiorespiratory patterns associated with terrestrial apnoeas in harbour seal pups.

During the nursing period seals undergo several physiological and behavioural changes. A key component of development is increased cardiorespiratory control, fundamental for breath-holding and thus diving. This study focused on the ontogenetic changes in cardiac responses to respiration in quietly resting, pre-weaned harbour seal pups (Phoca vitulina). During periods of quiet rest, breathing became episodic, eupnoea interspersed with periods of apnoea. Little change was observed in respiration (approximately 35 breaths min(-1)) and eupnoeic heart rate (approximately 160 beats min(-1)) throughout the nursing period. However, apnoea duration increased (from approximately 20 to 40 s), while apnoeic heart rate decreased with age (from approximately 150 to 90 beats min(-1)). The observed decline in apnoeic heart rate resulted from an increase in cardiorespiratory control as pups approached weaning, evident by the ability to maintain a lower heart rate more consistently. Similar changes in cardiorespiratory patterns have been reported for elephant and Weddell seals. Due to the early onset of independent foraging, however, the rate of cardiorespiratory control development was more rapid in harbour seals. Our findings suggest that by 1 month of age, harbour seal pups possess the cardiorespiratory control necessary to sustain long-duration apnoeas, fundamental for proficient diving and successful foraging upon weaning.

Age Factors↗

Oxygen uptake during post dive recovery in a diving bird Aythya fuligula: implications for optimal foraging models.

The rate of oxygen uptake at the surface between dives was measured for four tufted ducks, Aythya fuligula, during bouts of foraging dives to a depth of 1.8 m. The ducks surfaced into a respirometer box after each dive so that the rate of oxygen uptake ((O(2))) could be measured. (O(2)) decreased over time at the surface and there was a particularly rapid phase of oxygen uptake for approximately the first 3s. The specific shape of the oxygen uptake curve is dependent upon the duration of the preceding dive. The uptake curve after longer dives was significantly steeper during the first 3s at the surface than after shorter dives, although (O(2)) after the first 3s was not significantly different between these two dive duration bins. Thus, the mean total oxygen uptake (V(O(2))) was higher after surface periods following longer dives. Due to the high (O(2)) during the initial part of the surface period, the curve associated with longer dives was statistically biphasic, with the point of inflection at 3.3s. The curve for shorter dives was not statistically biphasic. The birds may increase their respiratory frequency during the first 3s after longer dives, producing the increased (O(2)), which would enable the birds to resaturate their oxygen stores more rapidly in response to the increased oxygen depletion of the longer submergence time.

Animals↗

The influence of moderate hyperbaric environment on the sensory-neuro-motor processes in man.

Thirteen healthy male divers were repeatedly studied during the exposure to a moderate hyperbaric environment of 4--6, 7 and 9 ATA, in a hyperbaric chamber. The maximal duration of the exposure was 35 min, and that of decompression 90 min. As compared to the dynamics of the changes found in 14 controls, under hyperbaric conditions a significant increase in the number of static tremor, an impairment of the sensory-motor performance in O'Connor's and in the rotation test were found and also of the muscular strength and resistance to fatigue (this latter only at 9 ATA).

Adult↗