Microvascular experimental evidence on the relative significance of restoring oxygen carrying capacity vs. blood viscosity in shock resuscitation

The development of volume replacement fluids for resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock comprises oxygen carrying and non carrying fluids. Non oxygen carrying fluids or plasma expanders are used up to the transfusion trigger, and upon reaching this landmark either blood, and possibly in the near future oxygen carrying blood substitutes, are used. An experimental program in hemorrhagic shock using the hamster chamber window model allowed to compare the relative performance of most fluids proposed for shock resuscitation. This model allows investigating simultaneously the microcirculation and systemic reactions, in the awake condition, in a tissue isolated from the environment. Results from this program show that in general plasma expanders such as Ringer's lactate and dextran 70 kDa do not sufficiently restore blood viscosity upon reaching the transfusion trigger, causing microvascular collapse. This is in part restored by a blood transfusion, independently of the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells. These results lead to the proposal that effective blood substitutes must be designed to prevent microvascular collapse, manifested in the decrease of functional capillary density. Achievement of this goal, in combination with the increase of oxygen affinity, significantly postpones the need for a blood transfusion, and lowers the total requirement of restoration of intrinsic oxygen carrying capacity.     

The carrying capacity of ecosystems

We analyse the concept of carrying capacity (CC), from populations to the biosphere, and offer a definition suitable for any level. For communities and ecosystems, the CC evokes density‐dependence assumptions analogous to those of population dynamics. At the biosphere level, human CC is uncertain and dynamic, leading to apprehensive rather than practical conclusions. The term CC is widely used among ecological disciplines but remains vague and elusive. We propose the following definition: the CC is ‘the limit of growth or development of each and all hierarchical levels of biological integration, beginning with the population, and shaped by processes and interdependent relationships between finite resources and the consumers of those resources’. The restrictions of the concept relate to the hierarchical approach. Emergent properties arise at each level, and environmental heterogeneity restrains the measurement and application of the CC. Because the CC entails a myriad of interrelated, ever‐changing biotic and abiotic factors, it must not be assumed constant, if we are to derive more effective and realistic management schemes. At the ecosystem level, stability and resilience are dynamic components of the CC. Historical processes that help shape global biodiversity (e.g. continental drift, glaciations) are likely drivers of large‐scale changes in the earth's CC. Finally, world population growth and consumption of resources by humanity will necessitate modifications to the paradigm of sustainable development, and demand a clear and fundamental understanding of how CC operates across all biological levels.     

The carrying capacity for species richness

The idea that the number of species within an area is limited by a specific capacity of that area to host species is old yet controversial. Here, we show that the concept of carrying capacity for species richness can be as useful as the analogous concept in population biology. Many lines of empirical evidence indicate the existence of limits of species richness, at least at large spatial and phylogenetic scales. However, available evidence does not support the idea of diversity limits based on limited niche space; instead, carrying capacity should be understood as a stable equilibrium of biodiversity dynamics driven by diversity‐dependent processes of extinction, speciation and/or colonization. We argue that such stable equilibria exist even if not all resources are used and if increasing species richness increases the ability of a community to use resources. Evaluating the various theoretical approaches to modelling diversity dynamics, we conclude that a fruitful approach for macroecology and biodiversity science is to develop theory that assumes that the key mechanism leading to stable diversity equilibria is the negative diversity dependence of per‐species extinction rates, driven by the fact that population sizes of species must decrease with an increasing number of species owing to limited energy availability. The recently proposed equilibrium theory of biodiversity dynamics is an example of such a theory, which predicts that equilibrium species richness (i.e., carrying capacity) is determined by the interplay of the total amount of available resources, the ability of communities to use those resources, environmental stability that affects extinction rates, and the factors that affect speciation and colonization rates. We argue that the diversity equilibria resulting from these biodiversity dynamics are first‐order drivers of large‐scale biodiversity patterns, such as the latitudinal diversity gradient.     

Marsh management, reserve creation, hunting periods and carrying capacity for wintering ducks and coots

Many wild species, like waterbirds, are exploited for their economic interests. At present, the annual western Palearctic duck bag is at least 17 million birds. From a sustainable management perspective, wetland users and managers request predictions of spatial distribution and abundance variations of these bird populations. The objective of this study was to analyze local factors potentially influencing the diurnal distribution and population size of wintering ducks and coots, the main game species, in Camargue (southern France). First, we showed that marshland surface area, salinity and hunting disturbance were the principal variables explaining the duck and coot distribution. Secondly, we tested the hypothesis that hunting disturbance would reduce the carrying capacity of the Camargue with two analyses: the effect of creating a protected area and the change of the hunting closing date. This hypothesis was not validated. Our study therefore led us to reconsider the research orientations on the carrying capacity in this wetland. The surface of protected day roosts seems presently sufficient in the Rhone delta. Consequently, to increase the population size with the same level of hunting disturbance at the scale of the Camargue, alternative strategies should be envisaged, such as the creation of nature reserves on nocturnal feeding ground or the creation of large management units with limited disturbance.     

Development of parameters influencing blood oxygen carrying capacity in the welcome swallow and fairy martin

Welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena) and fairy martin (Petrochelidon ariel) nestlings develop relatively slowly. They exceed adult mass early in development, then lose weight and fledge at about adult mass, i.e. have a mass-overshoot-recession (Mor) growth profile. Development of parameters influencing blood oxygen carrying capacity (O2Cap) was documented to determine if O2Cap also reached a plateau substantially before fledging or increased continuously throughout nestling development. Hematocrit (Hct), erythrocyte count (RBC) and whole blood haemoglobin (Hb) increased 1.8- to 2.8-fold, so that O2Cap doubled during development in both species. Increase in Hct, Hb and RBC was not continuous, peak values occurring well before fledging, in contrast to passerines with standard growth profiles in which the increase occurs throughout nestling development and peak values occur at fledging. However, the timing of O2Cap increase differed from that in some other Mor species (e.g. shearwaters). Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) decreased linearly throughout development by 30-41%, but mean erythrocyte haemoglobin content (MCH) remained constant, so that mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased linearly 1.3- to 1.5-fold. Possible reasons for the apparent differences in the timing of O2Cap increase between rapidly and slowly growing altricial species and among MOR species are discussed.     

The respiratory gas carrying capacity of ascidian blood

• 1.1. The respiratory function of ascidian blood as an oxygen carrier is marginal and equal to sea-water.
• 2.2. The main gas flux is by diffusion.

     

Bivalve carrying capacity in coastal ecosystems

The carrying capacity of suspension feeding bivalvesin 11 coastal and estuarine ecosystems is examined. Bivalve carrying capacity is defined in terms of watermass residence time, primary production time andbivalve clearance time. Turnover times for the 11ecosystems are compared both two and threedimensionally. Fast systems, e.g., Sylt and NorthInlet, have turnover times of days or less, while,slow systems, e.g., Delaware Bay, have turnover timesof months and years. Some systems,Marennes-Oléron, South San Francisco Bay and NorthInlet, require a net influx of phytoplankton in orderto support their bivalve populations. Three systems,Carlingford Lough, Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay,have very long bivalve clearance times due to small orreduced bivalve filter feeder populations. Carlingford Lough stands out because it is a naturallyplanktonic system now being converted to bivalveculture with an adherently stronger benthic-pelagiccoupling. Existing models of bivalve carrying capacity arereviewed. The Herman model is utilized as anappropriate ecosystem level model to examine carryingcapacity because it includes the three major turnovertime elements of water mass residence time, primaryproduction time and bivalve filter feeder clearancetime. The graphical analysis suggests that massive andsuccessful bivalve filter feeder populations are foundin systems with relatively short residence times(<40 days) and short primary production times (<4days) in order to sustain a high bivalve biomass withits associated rapid clearance times. Outliersystems are constrained by long water mass residencetimes, extended primary production times, and longclearance times. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

人类承载力研究面临的困境与原因

建立在自然生物种群数量动态基础之上的承载力理论,当其应用于人类生态系统的研究时,遇到了极大的挑战和困惑.总结了人类承载力研究在理论基础、调控机理和估算方法3个方面存在的关键问题与困境,指出在理论基础方面人类承载力的客观性一直是生态学界和经济学界争论的焦点;在调控机理方面,现有的承载力研究尚不能解释人类经济社会增长不符合Logistic增长规律的因素和机理;在估算方法方面,现有的人类承载力估算方法还不能为人类经济社会的实践提供切实可行的决策依据.通过广泛收集和吸纳生态科学、地球科学、物理科学、环境考古学等诸多领域的最新研究成果,指出地球生态系统的复杂性、人类承载力的社会属性和承载力研究思路上存在的偏差是承载力研究困境产生的主要原因,在此基础上提出了解决承载力研究困境的研究思路和未来研究重点.     

Changes in oxygen tension in the cerebral cortex during hemodilution

Wistar rats were subjected to gradual blood replacement with 7% albumin (hemodilution). Hematocrit and mean arterial pressure were measured periodically. Polarographic platinum microelectrodes with a tip 3-8 microns in diameter were used to study variation of oxygen tension (pO2) in the brain cortex during hemodilution. Some areas showed a significant decrease in the brain pO2 after hematocrit dropped to 30%. In animals with an initially low pO2 (13.1 +/- 1.7 mm Hg), this parameter decreased more slowly than in rats with a higher basic pO2 (24.5 +/- 1.7 mm Hg).     

Normovolemic hemodilution improves oxygen extraction capabilities in endotoxic shock.

We studied the effects of normovolemic hemodilution on tissue oxygen extraction capabilities in a canine model of endotoxic shock. Eighteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs underwent normovolemic hemodilution with 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution to reach hematocrit (Hct) levels around 40, 30, or 20% before the administration of 2 mg/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Cardiac tamponade was then induced by repeated injections of normal saline into the pericardial sac to reduce cardiac output and study whole body oxygen extraction capabilities. Whole body critical oxygen delivery was lower in the Hct 20% and 30% groups (8.4 +/- 0.4 and 10.4 +/- 0.7 ml. kg(-1). min(-1), respectively) than in the Hct 40% group (12.8 +/- 0.8 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)) (both P < 0.005). The whole body critical oxygen extraction ratio was higher in the Hct 30% and 20% groups (49.1 +/- 8.2 and 55.2 +/- 4.6%, respectively) than in the Hct 40% group (37.1 +/- 4.4 %) (both P < 0.05). Liver critical oxygen extraction ratio was also higher in the Hct 30% and 20% groups than in the Hct 40% group. The arterial lactate concentrations and the gradient between ileum mucosal PCO(2) and arterial PCO(2) were lower in the Hct 20% and 30% groups than in the Hct 40% group. We conclude that, during an acute reduction in blood flow during endotoxic shock in dogs, normovolemic hemodilution is associated with improved tissue perfusion and increased oxygen extraction capabilities.     

Growth hormone reserve capacity in Turner's syndrome.

In 11 untreated and 6 oestrogen-treated Turner's syndrome patients, the changes in the serum growth hormone level were studied following the induction of hypoglycaemia with insulin. The growth hormone was measured with a radioimmune assay technique. The growth hormone peak value measured in healthy females was 54.32 +/- 17.17, in untreated Turner's syndrome was 14.90 +/- 3.71, and in oestrogen-treated Turner patients was 33.38 +/- 9.22 microU/ml (average +/- standard error). On the basis of the results, a role is attributed to the decreased growth hormone reserve in the low growth of Tuner's syndrome patients.     

生态承载力研究和应用进展

生态承载力研究是解决资源-环境矛盾、实现区域可持续发展的重要基础,也是地理学、生态学和经济学关注的热点与前沿领域.本文在综述国内外相关研究成果的基础上,阐述了生态承载力的概念内涵,即对复合生态系统支持力和压力的表征;评述了常用的研究方法,即净初级生产力估测法、生态足迹法、供需平衡法、综合指标评价法和系统模型法;介绍了目前较为关注的流域、生态脆弱区、城市、农业区和旅游区生态承载力的研究进展;总结了目前生态承载力研究存在的缺乏科学完整的研究体系、阈值的生态学指示意义不明确、动态演化与预测研究不够深入、空间尺度与格局分异涉足较少等问题;并据此提出未来应在作用机理、模型构建和实践应用方面加强研究.     

Estimation of human carrying capacity in rainforest areas

Tropical rainiorest areas are rapidly being settled as a result of continued growth of local populations, spontaneous migration from non-rainiorest areas and planned settlement projects undertaken by governments. National decision makers frequently view rainiorest settlement as a solution to the problems of other regions undergoing population growth, land tenure concentration, environmental degradation, agricultural mechanization and population displacement by development projects. Natural habitats are replaced by settlements that often cannot support the density of population expected of them. Inappropriate assumptions can lead to estimates that are orders of magnitude too high, such as an FAO calculation that Brazil could support over seven billion people if Amazonia were converted to intensive agriculture. Inadequate information on human carrying capacity allows planners to foster unrealistic expectations.     

Student responses to a hands-on kinesthetic lecture activity for learning about the oxygen carrying capacity of blood

This article describes a new hands-on, or "kinesthetic," activity for use in a physiology lecture hall to help students comprehend an important concept in cardiopulmonary physiology known as oxygen carrying capacity. One impetus for designing this activity was to address the needs of students who have a preference for kinesthetic learning and to help increase their understanding and engagement during lecture. This activity uses simple inexpensive materials, provides an effective model for demonstrating related pathophysiology, and helps promote active learning. The activity protocol and its implementation are described here in detail. We also report data obtained from student surveys and assessment tools to determine the effectiveness of the activity on student conceptual learning and perceptions. A brief multiple-choice pretest showed that although students had already been introduced to the relevant concepts in lecture, they had not yet mastered these concepts before performing the activity. Two postactivity assessments showed that student performance was significantly improved on the posttest compared with the pretest and that information was largely retained at the end of the course. Survey data showed that one-half of the students stated kinesthetic learning as among their learning preferences, yet nearly all students enjoyed and were engaged in this hands-on kinesthetic activity regardless of their preferences. Most students would recommend it to their peers and expressed a desire for more kinesthetic learning opportunities in the lecture curriculum.     

Hemodynamic and metabolic responses of the working heart in relation to the oxygen carrying capacity of the perfusion medium

Hemodynamic and metabolic adaptations of isolated working heart perfused alternatively with normal or low oxygen carrying capacity medium were studied in an experimental model. A step change in arterial oxygen content (1.75 to 15.3 ml O2/100 ml) was followed by a decrease in coronary flow, an increase in aortic flow, external work, myocardial oxygen consumption and efficiency, respectively. Metabolic investigations (steady state values) showed the activities of both glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to increase with the oxygen carrying capacity of the perfusion medium. Within the limits of these aerobic conditions, most of the cardiac changes were reversible. The use of reconstituted blood provides physiological conditions of oxygenation, allows a dynamic equilibrium between oxygen supply and oxygen requirements and maintains a near physiological regulation between cardiac dynamic and metabolic functions. These conclusions stress the importance of optimal O2 carrying capacity of perfusion medium in metabolic studies on isolated working heart.     

甘肃省资源环境承载力时空分异

从经济、社会、环境和资源4个子系统中选取24个指标构建区域资源环境承载力评价体系,运用加权TOPSIS模型结合GIS的空间分析功能从时间和空间维度对甘肃省14个市州2004—2013年的综合承载力和4个子系统内部承载力水平进行剖析。研究表明:(1)近10年甘肃省各市州资源环境综合承载力指数呈低水平上的平稳态势,与经济发展水平一致;呈西北高东南低的空间格局和金字塔形的层次结构。嘉峪关市居第1层;金昌市、兰州市、酒泉市居第2层;其他市州居第3层;(2)各子系统对资源环境综合承载力的影响不同。生态环境子系统的承载力对资源环境综合承载力贡献最大,明显高于其他3系统,经济系统贡献很小;(3)各市州各子系统承载力指数存在明显的时空分异。经济支撑力指数呈河西(除武威外)和兰州高,东南和南部低的空间格局,呈现金字塔形的层次结构整体偏低变化较小。社会承载力指数除金昌市有较大的突变外各市区都比较平稳,空间上呈河西(除武威外)和兰州高,东南、南部低的空间格局;嘉峪关市、兰州、酒泉3市较高,其余各地都较低。环境承载力指数变动频繁,波动幅度不大,空间上基本呈两头高中间低的哑铃状空间格局。资源承载力指数偏低,武威、庆阳、定西、甘南、临夏和天水6市州指数曲线平稳,其余8市州波动频繁,波动幅度大,空间上呈河西地区(除武威外)和陇南市高,其余各州市低的集中分布格局。     

国内生态旅游环境承载力研究进展

进行生态旅游环境承载力理论与量化方法的研究,对于指导生态旅游可持续发展,协调旅游活动和环境的关系具有十分重要而迫切的现实意义。本文综述生态旅游环境承载力概念和理论发展过程,指出了生态旅游环境承载力具有的客观性、区域性和时间性、动态性和可调控性、有限性和复杂性等主要特征。在此基础上,对目前国内用于生态旅游环境承载力评价指标和定量的方法进行分析,对生态旅游环境承载力研究的发展趋势进行了讨论。