The influence of gas exchange on lung gas concentrations during air breathing

A model study is made of the contribution that continuing respiratory gas exchange makes to the alveolar plateau slope for O₂ during air breathing. Calculations in the model of the O₂ concentration appearing at the mouth during expiration, are performed for single breaths of air at constant flow rates 18 litres/min and 120 litres/min. At 18 litres/min the breathing period is 5 sec, the initial lung volume is 2300 ml, and the O₂ uptake rate is 300 ml STPD/min; whereas at 120 litres/min these parameters are 4 sec, 1200 ml, and 1800 ml STPD/min respectively. In each case the initial lung O₂ tension is taken to be 98 mm Hg. It is found that at 18 litres/min, the O₂ concentration difference on the alveolar plateau over the last second of expiration is 0.4 mm Hg when gas exchange is omitted and 1.2 mm Hg when gas exchange is included in the model. At 120 litres/min, this difference is zero and 5.0 mm Hg respectively. The gas exchange component predicted from a corresponding well-mixed compartment model is the same at 18 litres/min (0.8 mm Hg) but is 6.0 mm Hg at 120 litres/min.     

Central and peripheral causes of hyperreflexia in humans breathing 5% trimix at 650 m

To clarify the mechanism of increased stretch reflex responsiveness in deep divers (hyperbaric hyperreflexia), comparative studies of stretch (T) and Hoffmann (H) reflexes were done on three men breathing 5% N2-0.5 bar O2-balance He at pressures up to 650 m of seawater (msw) (Atlantis IV simulated dive, F.G. Hall Laboratory, Duke Medical Center). Electromyography revealed increases at depth of up to 160% in the T reflex recruitment ratio (T reflex/Mmax) compared with surface controls. The H reflex recruitment ratio (Hmax/Mmax) did not change significantly. It is concluded that hyperbaric hyperreflexia is mainly due to increased muscle spindle sensitivity, presumably arising as a central effect on gamma-motoneuron activity. However, a purely peripheral effect of pressure on the spindle end-organ itself is not ruled out. Increases of 100-200% in muscle twitch peak force are reported and provide evidence that pressure can act directly on peripheral physiology. Postreflex clonic potentials (rebounds) during voluntary plantar flexion were significantly increased both in amplitude and number, leading to sustained clonus in one subject. In this respect, 5% N2 was less effective than 10% N2 of Atlantis III in controlling underdamping of the reflex loop. Conversely, the twitch contraction rate and clonic frequency in this study were only half as slowed compared with results from the earlier dive.     

Ventilatory and gas exchange responses under spontaneous and fixed breathing modes during arm exercise

To evaluate the difference of ventilatory and gas exchange response differences between arm and leg exercise, six healthy young men underwent ramp exercise testing at a rate of 15 W.min-1 on a cycle ergometer separately under either spontaneous (SPNT) or fixed (FIX) breathing modes, respectively. Controlled breathing was defined as a breathing frequency (fb; 30 breaths.min-1) which was neither equal to, nor a multiple of, cranking frequency (50 rev.min-1) to prevent coupling of locomotion and respiratory movement, i.e., so-called locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC). Breath-by-breath oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilation (VE), CO2 output (VCO2), tidal volume (VT), fb and end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) were determined using a computerized metabolic cart. Arm exercise engendered a higher level of VO2 at each work rate than leg exercise under both FIX and SPNT conditions. However, FIX did not notably affect the VO2 response during either arm or leg exercise at each work rate compared to SPNT. During SPNT a significantly higher fb and lower PETCO2 during arm exercise was found compared with leg exercise up to a fb of 30 breaths.min-1 while VE and VT were nearly the same. During fixed breathing when fb was fixed at a higher rate than during SPNT, a significantly lower PETCO2 was observed during both exercise modes. These results suggest that: 1) FIX breathing does not affect the VO2 response during either arm or leg exercise even when non-synchronization between limb locomotion movement and breathing rate was adopted; 2) at a fb of 30 breaths.min-1 FIX breathing induced a hyperventilation resulting in a lower PETCO2 which was not associated with the metabolic rate during either arm or leg exercise, showing that VE during only leg exercise under the FIX condition was significantly higher than under the SPNT condition.     

Alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine does not affect the ability of the nose to condition air.

The primary function of the nose is to warm and humidify air. We have previously shown that raising nasal mucosal temperature by immersing feet in warm water increases the amount of water evaporated by the nose as air passes through it (nasal conditioning capacity; Abbott D, Baroody F, Naureckas E, and Naclerio R. Am J Rhinol 15: 41-45, 2001). To investigate further the effect of nasal mucosal temperature on nasal conditioning capacity, we raised the temperature through alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade by intranasally administering phenoxybenzamine. We hypothesized that blocking alpha-adrenoreceptors during inhalation of cold, dry air would lead to an increase in nasal blood flow, surface temperature, and nasal conditioning capacity, as measured by the water gradient. After appropriate pilot studies, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study in nine nonatopic, healthy subjects by studying the effect of treatment with intranasal phenoxybenzamine. Nasal mucosal temperature increased significantly after administration of phenoxybenzamine and was associated with a significantly smaller net decrease in nasal mucosal temperature after exposure to cold, dry air (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in nasal conditioning capacity between treatments (P > 0.05). Phenoxybenzamine decreased the symptom of rhinorrhea after exposure to cold, dry air (P < 0.05), but congestion was not different between individuals given phenoxybenzamine and placebo (P > 0.05). Our data demonstrate that phenoxybenzamine, despite raising mucosal temperature and not affecting nasal volume, did not affect the ability of the nose to warm and humidify air.     

Modulation of redox regulatory molecules and electron transport chain activity in muscle of air breathing fish Heteropneustes fossilis under air exposure stress

Responses of redox regulatory system to long-term survival (>18 h) of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in air are not yet understood. Lipid and protein oxidation level, oxidant (H₂O₂) generation, antioxidative status (levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase, ascorbic acid and non-protein sulfhydryl) and activities of respiratory complexes (I, II, III and IV) in mitochondria were investigated in muscle of H. fossilis under air exposure condition (0, 3, 6, 12 and 18 h at 25 °C). The increased levels of both H₂O₂ and tissue oxidation were observed due to the decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in muscle under water deprivation condition. However, ascorbic acid and non-protein thiol groups were the highest at 18 h air exposure time. A linear increase in complex II activity with air exposure time and an increase up to 12 h followed by a decrease in activity of complex I at 18 h were observed. Negative correlation was observed for complex III and V activity with exposure time. Critical time to modulate the above parameters was found to be 3 h air exposure. Dehydration induced oxidative stress due to modulation of electron transport chain and redox metabolizing enzymes in muscle of H. fossilis was clearly observed. Possible contribution of redox regulatory system in muscle tissue of the fish for long-term survival in air is elucidated. Results of the present study may be useful to understand the redox metabolism in muscle of fishes those are exposed to air in general and air breathing fishes in particular.     

拉恩氏菌W25对缓冲容量的响应及其产酸特性

【目的】进一步了解拉恩氏菌W25的溶磷机理和对土壤缓冲容量的响应。【方法】在液体摇瓶培养过程中,采用调节培养液pH的方法研究模拟土壤的缓冲容量对拉恩氏菌W25溶磷量的影响;通过单因子试验和HPLC相结合的方法,研究不同碳源、磷源条件下W25的溶磷能力及产酸特性。【结果】拉恩氏菌W25在磷酸三钙培养液中培养120 h后有效磷含量达到最大值,培养液有效磷含量与培养液pH变化之间呈极显著负相关性(P<0.01);W25在培养第48?96 h具有较强的缓冲能力,培养液有效磷含量加碱处理与未加碱处理差异不显著(P<0.05),从第120 h开始,缓冲能力开始减弱,在168 h后基本丧失了缓冲能力;W25在不同碳源条件下溶磷能力差异显著(P<0.05),依次为葡萄糖>乳糖>蔗糖>甘露醇>淀粉,不同磷源中培养液有效磷含量差异极显著(P<0.01),依次为磷酸三钙>磷酸铁>磷酸铝>磷矿粉;不同碳源、磷源条件下W25培养液中有机酸的种类和浓度差异较大,W25溶磷能力的大小不仅与产酸的种类有关,而且也与产酸的浓度有关。【结论】研究结果为更深入研究拉恩氏菌溶磷机理提供条件,为拉恩氏菌的应用提供理论基础。     

Beach-spawning fishes, terrestrial eggs, and air breathing

Many fishes have independently evolved beach spawning with oviposition at the water's edge. These include intertidal, subtidal, and estuarine, as well as a few freshwater, species. Their spectacular reproductive behavior at the boundary of water and land has focused attention on adults, but they emerge either briefly or not at all. The need for air breathing is more apparent in the eggs, and the reasons for emergence are more applicable to eggs than to the adults of most beach-spawning fishes. There is little evidence of air breathing in the adults, unless they are regularly emerged at other times as well. Conversely, eggs metabolize in air and show substantial emergence tolerance. We consider beach spawning a form of parental care in fishes. The adults place eggs so they will be emerged into air during part or all of incubation, providing increased temperatures, oxygen availability, and protection. Beach spawning provides habitat segregation at different points in the life history, with air emergence early in the life cycle and a return to water at hatching. The parents take great risks to spawn at the water's edge to give their offspring the most advantageous beginning in life.     

气态烃诱导下油气微生物数量及功能基因变化特征

【目的】烃类渗漏是地球化学循环中的自然垂直运移现象。油气微生物勘探技术就是通过检测油气微生物在烃类渗漏条件下形成的异常特征进而预测下伏油气藏。然而,上浮烃类比重小,使得油气微生物丰度小,缺乏对油气藏地表烃类与油气微生物的深入认识。【方法】本研究在人工模拟环境下,采用培养法和定量PCR对油气微生物数量和油气功能基因的变化特征进行研究。【结果】人工模拟的不同渗漏环境,在一定的驯化培养周期下分别考察甲烷氧化菌和丁烷氧化菌数量变化特征,甲烷氧化菌与丁烷氧化菌在不同烃源中呈现不同的发育情况;同时,在气态烃高浓度阳性对照和微渗漏条件下,油气指示基因pmo A与bom X基因丰度呈现增长现象,然而经过吹脱实验基因丰度仍能指示出曾经发育的油气微生物,在油气微生物勘探检测分析时间尺度上精度高于数量水平的检测。【结论】本研究考察了土壤中油气微生物的数量和功能基因变化特征,为烃类渗漏与油气微生物之间的相关性研究奠定了基础,为油气微生物勘探提供直接实验依据。     

Regenerative ability of gastrocnemius muscle under diabetic condition with special reference to SDH & m-ATPase

The present study analyzes the regeneration of skeletal muscle in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Two weeks later the gastrocnemius muscle from diabetic rats were transplanted into diabetic and normal host to initiate regeneration and the normal gastrocnemius muscle was transplanted in normal and diabetic hosts for comparison. The regenerates were analyzed after 15 and 30 days of transplantation for histochemical (with respect to SDH and m-ATPase) and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after transplantation for biochemical studies (with respect to SDH and m-ATPase). Least enzymatic activity and the poorest regenerative ability in case of normal muscle in diabetic host (NM-DbH) and comparatively higher enzymatic activity and better regenerative ability in diabetic muscle in normal host (DbM-NH) was observed. The result of this study strongly supports that the normal host environment is crucial for the muscle recovery.     

Zn对解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8生物膜形成及拮抗能力的影响

【背景】锌（Zn）是一种微量元素,对细菌细胞的结构和调节系统非常重要。细菌在环境中会受到高浓度锌离子影响,进而影响其自身的功能。【目的】研究Zn对解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8生物膜及拮抗松枯梢病病菌能力的影响,探讨二者之间的联系和可能的作用机制,为生防菌在不同环境条件下的应用提供理论依据。【方法】观察解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8在不同浓度锌离子条件下生物膜的形成情况,采用平板对峙法探究非致死浓度的锌离子对解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8拮抗松枯梢病病菌效果的影响,通过RT-qPCR检测ZnCl₂处理后生物膜相关基因的表达,检测抗菌产物的生成情况。【结果】300 μmol/L ZnCl₂对解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8的生长量无影响,但显著抑制了JK-JS8生物膜形成能力及拮抗病原菌能力。Zn胁迫下,tasA、spo0A和bamD等生物膜相关基因的表达量与对照组相比明显下调,通过液相色谱检测到抑菌产物bacillomycin D的产量在24、48和72 h时分别降低了39.1%、58.8%和61.0%。【结论】环境中的锌离子浓度过高会影响解淀粉芽孢杆菌JK-JS8的生物膜形成,进而降低其拮抗病原菌的能力。     

Effect of breathing dry air on structure and function of airways

We compared the effect of breathing dry air (0.70 mg H2O/l) with that of breathing room air (8.62 mg H2O/l) in guinea pigs anesthetized with urethane. The data showed that breathing dry air caused a reduction of extravascular water (EVW) in the trachea (P less than 0.01) but not the lung. Structural analysis showed that this water loss occurred from the loose connective tissue of the submucosa. Histamine dose response curves performed on the animals showed that breathing dry air caused an increase in the maximum response (delta max RL) (P less than 0.01) without changing either the dose required to produce 50% of the delta max RL or the ratio of delta max RL to this dose. We conclude that breathing dry air produces an acute reduction of EVW of the loose connective tissue of the airways and an increase in the maximum response to histamine.     

Cardiovascular dynamics inCrocodylus porosus breathing air and during voluntary aerobic dives

Summary Pressure records from the heart and out-flow vessels of the heart ofCrocodylus porosus resolve previously conflicting results, showing that left aortic filling via the foramen of Panizza may occur during both cardiac diastole and systole. Filling of the left aorta during diastole, identified by the asynchrony and comparative shape of pressure events in the left and right aortae, is reconciled more easily with the anatomy, which suggests that the foramen would be occluded by opening of the pocket valves at the base of the right aorta during systole. Filling during systole, indicated when pressure traces in the left and right aortae could be superimposed, was associated with lower systemic pressures, which may occur at the end of a voluntary aerobic dive or can be induced by lowering water temperature or during a long forced dive. To explain this flexibility, we propose that the foramen of Panizza is of variable calibre. The presence of a right-left shunt, in which increased right ventricular pressure leads to blood being diverted from the lungs and exiting the right ventricle via the left aorta, was found to be a frequent though not obligate correlate of voluntary aerobic dives. This contrasts with the previous concept of the shunt as a correlate of diving bradycardia. The magnitude of the shunt is difficult to assess but is likely to be relatively small. This information has allowed some new insights into the functional significance of the complex anatomy of the crocodilian heart and major blood vessels.Abbreviations bpm beats per minute - LAo left aorta (aortic) - LV left ventricle (ventricular) - PA pulmonary artery - RAo right aorta (aortic) - RV right ventricle (ventricular) - SC subclavian artery Deceased     

Pulmonary gas mixing during spontaneous breathing and at high-frequency ventilation

This work is intended to estimate the contribution of either laminar or turbulent dispersion during spontaneous breathing on one hand, and at high-frequency pulmonary ventilation on the other. For that purpose, we performed a computer simulation of a mathematical model of gas transport in the human airways governed by a combination of axial convection and longitudinal dispersion. Calculations were carried out by incorporating two dispersion coefficients, proposed by Taylor and Scherer respectively, into the mathematical model. Moreover, computations were performed with five constant flow rates and two inert heavy (SF₆) and light (He) gases to enhance the effect of mixing. It is concluded that Taylor laminar dispersion cannot play a significant role in the human airways; however, it seems that convective gas mixing with disturbed dispersion - corresponding to a regime of quasi-steady state-can account for most gas transport during spontaneous respiration and high-frequency ventilation.     

Ventilation-perfusion lines and gas exchange in liquid breathing: theory

Alveolar exchange of a gas is governed by the ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) and the Ostwald partition coefficient for that species. We altered the Ostwald coefficients for O2 and CO2 by considering an animal breathing water or a fluorocarbon (FC-80) and studied the effects on gas exchange. Among our conclusions are the following. 1) When the ratio of the CO2 to O2 solubility in the inspirate exceeds the ratio of the O2 to the CO2 slope of the blood dissociation curve, as in water breathing, the VA/Q line becomes concave upward, and elements having a low VA/Q differ from each other more in terms of CO2 than of O2. 2) As the ratio of the CO2 to O2 solubility in the inspired medium increases, CO2 elimination becomes more dependent on perfusion. 3) At times, the same R will prevail in areas having different VA/Q values. 4) The alveolar-to-arterial O2 and CO2 differences resulting from a given VA/Q distribution do not depend on the O2 and CO2 solubility coefficients of the inspired medium, but on the inspired and mixed venous concentrations necessary to maintain adequate arterial gas levels in the presence of different inspired media.     

2'-O,4'-C-ethylene bridged nucleic acid modification enhances pyrimidine motif triplex-forming ability under physiological condition

Since pyrimidine motif triplex DNA is unstable at physiological neutral pH, triplex stabilization at physiological neutral pH is important for improvement of its potential to be applied to various methods in vivo, such as repression of gene expression, mapping of genomic DNA and gene-targeted mutagenesis. For this purpose, we studied the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of a chemical modification, 2'-O,4'-C-ethylene bridged nucleic acid (ENA) modification of triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO), on pyrimidine motif triplex formation at physiological neutral pH. Thermodynamic investigations indicated that the modification achieved more than 10-fold increase in the binding constant of the triplex formation. The increased number of the modification in TFO enhanced the increased magnitude of the binding constant. On the basis of the obtained thermodynamic parameters, we suggested that the remarkably increased binding constant by the modification may result from the increased stiffness of TFO in the unbound state. Kinetic studies showed that the considerably decreased dissociation rate constant resulted in the observed increased binding constant by the modification. We conclude that ENA modification of TFO could be a useful chemical modification to promote the triplex formation under physiological neutral condition, and may advance various triplex formation-based methods in vivo.