A primer of diving physiology for orthopaedic surgeons

So called Caisson's disease of bone is well recognized in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to move away from simply considering the orthopaedic aspects of avascular injury to bones and joints and provide some background physiology and physics to help understand the challenges encountered whilst diving. This is relevant to those working with professional divers. Either commercially or within the military setting, and some guidance will be provided for those involved in the acute care of divers injured or affected by the problems covered within this article. It is recommended that acute units that deal with diving accidents have established protocols to deal with the issues covered, including access to hyperbaric chambers.     

Neurophysiological adaptations to spaceflight and simulated microgravity

Changes in physiological functions after spaceflight and simulated spaceflight involve several mechanisms. Microgravity is one of them and it can be partially reproduced with models, such as head down bed rest (HDBR). Yet, only a few studies have investigated in detail the complexity of neurophysiological systems and their integration to maintain homeostasis. Central nervous system changes have been studied both in their structural and functional component with advanced techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), showing the main involvement of the cerebellum, cortical sensorimotor, and somatosensory areas, as well as vestibular-related pathways. Analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) led to contrasting results, mainly due to the different factors affecting brain activity. The study of corticospinal excitability may enable a deeper understanding of countermeasures' effect, since greater excitability has been shown being correlated with better preservation of functions. Less is known about somatosensory evoked potentials and peripheral nerve function, yet they may be involved in a homeostatic mechanism fundamental to thermoregulation. Extending the knowledge of such alterations during simulated microgravity may be useful not only for space exploration, but for its application in clinical conditions and for life on Earth, as well.     

Paediatric obesity-related asthma: Disease burden and effects on pulmonary physiology

The prevalence of asthma and obesity in children has been steadily increasing globally over the past several decades, with increased concern in low and middle income countries. In this review, we summarize the current literature on these two parallel epidemics and explore the relationship between paediatric obesity and asthma in the paediatric population. Finally, we focus on the current literature as it relates to underlying physiologic alterations and changes in pulmonary function for children with obesity and asthma.     

多聚嘧啶序列结合蛋白相关剪接因子对缺氧诱导人视网膜微血管内皮细胞功能的影响

目的观察多聚嘧啶序列结合蛋白相关剪接因子(PSF)对缺氧诱导的人视网膜微血管内皮细胞(hRMECs)功能的影响。方法采用三质粒系统构建慢病毒颗粒(LV)-PSF。LV-PSF体外感染hRMECs后通过流式细胞计数法测定其感染效率。应用实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测经LV-PSF感染的hRMECs中PSF mRNA表达水平。将实验分为体内和体外两部分。体内实验:7日龄健康C57B/L6小鼠20只,采用随机数字表法分为正常组、氧诱导视网膜病变(OIR)组、OIR+LV-空载体(Vec)组和OIR+LV-PSF组,每组5只。除正常组外,其余3组构建OIR模型。OIR组除缺氧刺激外,不做其余处理。OIR+LV-Vec组和OIR+LV-PSF组小鼠分别玻璃体腔注射LV-Vec或LV-PSF。观察LV-PSF对视网膜新生血管(RNV)形成的影响。体外实验:将hRMECs分为正常组、缺氧组、空载组、PSF高表达组。正常组为正常体外培养的hRMECs;缺氧组为缺氧刺激3 h恢复正常培养条件24 h的hRMECs;空载组、PSF高表达组分别为用LV-Vec、LV-PSF感染48 h,再用缺氧刺激3 h恢复正常培养条件24 h的hRMECs。采用MTT比色法观察PSF对细胞增生能力的影响。采用细胞划痕实验和Transwell迁移实验观察PSF对缺氧刺激下细胞迁移能力的影响。采用RT-PCR观察各组细胞中HIF-1α、VEGF及PSF的mRNA表达。结果成功构建可稳定高表达PSF的LV-PSF,流式细胞仪测定其感染效率为97%,RT-PCR测得经LV-PSF感染的hRMECs中PSF mRNA水平明显上调。体内实验:OIR组、OIR+LV-Vec组小鼠RNV面积较正常组明显增加(t=18.31、43.71),OIR+LV-PSF组小鼠RNV面积较OIR组(t=11.30)、OIR+LV-Vec组(t=15.47)明显减小,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。体外实验:MTT比色法检测结果显示,缺氧组hRMECs增生能力较正常组明显增强(t=2.57),PSF高表达组hRMECs增生能力较正常组、缺氧组、空载组明显降低(t=5.26、5.46、3.73),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。细胞划痕实验结果显示,缺氧刺激3 h恢复正常条件24 h或48 h均可刺激缺氧组与空载组细胞明显迁移(t=8.35、13.84,P<0.05);而与缺氧组与空载组比较,PSF高表达组细胞迁移不明显(t=10.99、18.27、9.75、8.93、26.94、7.01,P<0.05)。Transwell小室实验结果显示,正常组和空载组微孔膜上染色的细胞数较多,而PSF高表达组微孔膜上染色的细胞数明显减少(t=9.33、6.15,P<0.05)。RT-PCR检测结果显示,与正常组比较,缺氧组、空载组hRMECs中HIF-1α、VEGF的mRNA表达明显增加(t=15.23、21.09,P<0.05),PSF mRNA表达无明显变化(t=0.12、2.15,P<0.05);与缺氧组、空载组比较,PSF高表达组hRMECs中HIF-1α、VEGF的mRNA表达明显下降(t=10.18、13.10,P<0.05),PSF mRNA表达明显增加(t=65.00、85.79,P<0.05)。结论PSF可减少OIR模型小鼠RNV面积。PSF可能通过HIF-1α/VEGF信号通路抑制缺氧诱导的hRMECs增生和迁移。