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Background Controlled mechanical ventilation with randomly variable tidal volume patterns has been shown to improve gas exchange and respiratory system mechanics compared to conventional ventilation in numerous experimental models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon called stochastic resonance. The recruitment of collapsed lung regions has been proposed as the dominant mechanism, but the role of respiratory system recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics during variable ventilation and the influence of periodic instead of random variation has not been elucidated. Objectives The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate the effects of periodic tidal volume patterns during variable ventilation on functional parameters with a special focus on gas exchange, respiratory system mechanics and cardiovascular interactions. Further aims were to elucidate the relationship between recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics and recruitment effects of random variable ventilation as well as the impact of an excessive increase in pattern period during variable ventilation on respiratory system mechanics. Finally, the relationship between recruitment effects during variable ventilation and the recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics as well as the ability of random variable ventilation to prevent de-recruitment are to be clarified. Methods Recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics were investigated based on the analysis of the time course of dynamic respiratory system elastance in a double-hit model of ARDS in pigs, a model of lung inflammation in rats, and in silico. The effects of periodic variable ventilation were studied for a wide range of pattern periods using a non-linear computational model of respiratory system mechanics, and in two experimental studies: Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) was the primary outcome of the longitudinal study during six hours of therapy in a double-hit model of ARDS in pigs. A cross-over study in a hydrochloric acid-induced model of ARDS in rats was performed to investigate the effects of periodic variable ventilation on baroreflex and respiratory sinus arrhythmia in context of the improvement of the primary end-point PaO2. In both studies, tidal volume patterns were chosen to have main periods overlapping with the dynamics of cardiovascular and respiratory sub-systems. Results and Discussion Periodic variable ventilation, but not random variable ventilation, improved PaO2 compared to conventional ventilation in the double hit model of ARDS. In both experimental studies, variable ventilation independent of pattern period improved respiratory system elastance. The study in silico indicated that periodic patterns have no additional positive effect on respiratory system mechanics compared to random patterns, but will attenuate recruitment for an excessive increase in pattern period. Baroreflex and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were affected by periodic tidal volume patterns in the acid-induced ARDS model; however, pattern period was associated with a decrease in PaO2. Recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics in the experimental model were similar to values derived by analysis of dynamic computed tomography according to literature. In the computational study, re-cruitment during random variable ventilation was maximised for specific values of recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics. Recruitment dynamics were lower during random variable ventilation compared to conventional recruitment manoeuvres, however in the range of de-recruitment dynamics of the respective model. Consequently, random variable ventilation with a coefficient of variation of 30 % was sufficient to prevent an increase of respiratory system elastance during ventilation in the study on acute lung inflammation in rats. Conclusion The asymmetry between recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics, which could be quantified by the analysis of the time course of dynamic elastance, was associated with recruitment during random variable ventilation in numerical simulations. Periodic variable ventilation improved arterial oxygenation to a clinically relevant extent without concomitant improvement of lung recruitment compared to random variable ventilation in a double-hit model of ARDS. Cardiovascular-respiratory interactions and asymmetry of recruitment and de-recruitment dynamics were not associated with this improvement. / Hintergrund In zahlreichen experimentellen Modellen des Akuten Atemnotsyndroms (ARDS) konnte gezeigt werden, dass die kontrollierte maschinelle Beatmung mit zufällig variablen Tidalvolumen pro Atemzug den Gasaustausch und die Atemmechanik im Vergleich zur konventionellen maschinellen Beatmung deutlich verbessert. Es wurden mehrere Mechanismen zur Erklärung dieses Phänomens, der Stochastischen Resonanz, vorgeschlagen. Die Wiedereröffnung kollabierter Lungenareale (Rekrutierung) ist dabei als dominanter Mechanismus der variablen Beatmung identifiziert wurden. Die Rolle der Dynamik von Rekrutierung und Derekrutierung sowie der Einfluss von Periodizität an Stelle von Zufälligkeit in der Sequenz der Tidalvolumina während Zufälliger Variabler Maschineller Beatmung (ZVB) wurde bisher lediglich in numerischen Simulationen evaluiert. Fragestellung Hauptziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Auswirkungen der Periodischen Variablen Maschinellen Beatmung (PVB) auf Gasaustausch, Mechanik des Respiratorischen Systems sowie Kardiovaskulärer Wechselwirkungen zu untersuchen. Ferner sollten mögliche Mechanismen der PVB identifiziert werden. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Rekrutierungsdynamik und den Rekrutierungseffekten der ZVB sowie den Auswirkungen einer übermäßigen Erhöhung der Periodendauer während der PVB auf die Mechanik des Respiratorischen System war ebenfalls zu untersuchen. Ferner war der Zusammenhang zwischen den Rekrutierungseffekten bei der ZVB und der Dynamik der Rekrutierung / Derekrutierung des Respiratorischen Systems zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden In einem nichtlinearen numerischen Modell der Atemmechanik wurden die Auswirkungen der PVB für einen breiten Bereich von Periodendauern untersucht. Die Dynamik der Rekrutierung und Derekrutierung der Lunge wurde basierend auf der Analyse des Zeitverlaufs der dynamischen Elastance des Respiratorischen Systems in einem Doppelhit-Modell des ARDS im Schwein, einem Modell der Lungenentzündung in der Ratte sowie in silico untersucht. Die Effekte der PVB auf Gasaustausch und Atemmechanik wurden in zwei experimentelle Studien in verschiedenen Modellen des experimentellen ARDS untersucht: Der Partialdruck von Sauerstoff im arteriellen Blut (PaO2 ) war die primäre Zielgröße in der Längsschnittuntersuchung während der sechsstündigen Therapie des experimentellen ARDS am Hausschwein, welches induziert wurde durch wiederholte Auswaschung von Surfaktant mit anschließender beatmungsinduzierter Lungenschädigung. In einer Cross-over-Studie an einem salzsäureinduzierten Modell des ARDS in Ratten wurden die Auswirkungen der PVB auf Baroreflex- und respiratorische Sinusarrhythmie im Zusammenhang mit dem primären Endpunkt PaO2 untersucht. Ergebnisse und Diskussion PVB jedoch nicht die ZVB, verbesserte den PaO2 im Vergleich zur konventionellen maschinellen Beatmung im Doppelhit-Modell des ARDS während sechstündiger Therapie. In beiden Studien verbesserte die PVB unabhängig von der Periodendauer die Elastance des Respiratorischen Systems. Die Simulationen am Computermodell bestätigten, dass periodische Muster keinen zusätzlichen positiven Effekt auf die Mechanik des Atmungssystems im Vergleich zu zufälligen Mustern haben, aber die Rekrutierung während Variabler Maschineller Beatmung für eine übermäßige Erhöhung der Periodendauer abschwächen können. Baroreflex und Respiratorische Sinusarrhythmie wurden durch periodische Sequenz aufeinander folgender Tidalvolumina im säure-induzierten ARDS-Modell beeinflusst, jedoch war die Musterperiode mit einem Rückgang des PaO2 assoziiert. Die im experimentellen Modell bestimmte Dynamik der Rekrutierung und Derekrutierung bestätigte aus der Literatur bekannte Werte, die durch die Analyse der dynamischen Computertomographie gewonnen wurden. In der numerischen Modell-Studie zeigte sich, dass die Rekrutierung während der ZVB für bestimmte Verhältnisse zwischen Rekrutierungs- und Derekrutierungsdynamik (Asymmetrie) maximiert werden. Die Dynamik der Rekrutierung war bei der ZVB im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Rekrutierungsmanövern geringer, jedoch innerhalb des Wertebereichs der Dynamik der Rekrutierung des jeweiligen Modells. Folglich konnte durch ZVB mit einem Variationskoeffizienten von 30 % die Derekru- tierung der Lunge in einem Modell der akuten Lungenentzündung verhindert werden. Schlussfolgerung Die Asymmetrie zwischen der Dynamik der Rekrutierung und Derekrutierung der Lunge, die durch die Analyse des Zeitverlaufs der dynamischen Elastance quantifiziert werden konnte, war mit der Rekrutierung während der Zufälligen Variablen Beatmung in numerischen Simulationen assoziiert. Die Periodisch Variable Beatmung verbesserte die arterielle Oxygenierung in einem klinisch relevanten Umfang ohne gleichzeitige Verbesserung der Lungenrekrutierung im Vergleich zur Zufälligen Variablen Beatmung in einem Doppelhit-Modell des ARDS am Schwein. Weder Kardiovaskulär-respiratorische Wechselwirkungen noch die Asymmetrien der Rekrutierungs- und Derekruitierungsdynamik standen mit dieser Verbesserung im Zusammenhang.

Sammanfattning Sedan sjukdomen Covid-19s uppdykande i början av 2020 har forskning pågått för att karaktärisera sjukdomen ur alla tänkbara vinklar för att på kortast möjliga tid bereda väg för ett fungerande botemedel. Effektiva läkemedel som kan minska risken för allvarligt sjuka patienter att avlida i sjukdomen behövs; många preparat har föreslagits och testats och i Sverige har hittills två läkemedel godkänts för Covid-19. Ett av dessa är kortikosteroiden dexametason som godkänts för Covid-19-patienter i behov av syrgas eller respirator. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka hur effektiv kortikosteroidbehandling av svårt sjuka Covid-19-patienter var i jämförelse med standardbehandling utan kortikosteroider. En litteratursökning gjordes i PubMed och i covid-nma efter randomiserade kliniska studier av kortikosteroider jämfört med standardbehandling till patienter med Covid-19. Ur resultatet som inkluderade 7 kontrollerade studier med 7784 svårt sjuka patienter från 11 länder och fem kontinenter, gjordes en sammanvägning av den primära utfallsvariabeln mortalitet 28 dagar efter randomisering varpå relativ risk (RR) räknades ut individuellt per studie och sammanvägt för alla studier. Analysen gjordes också med den mest dominanta studien borträknad. Vidare utforskades möjliga samband mellan sjukdomsgrad och effektstorlek, dels genom ett försök till metaregression av studiemortalitet och andningshjälpsnivå mot RR som var inkonklusivt, men också genom att leta efter speciellt sjuka undergrupper i studierna. 3 studier rapporterade mortalitet efter 28 dagar, 1 studie rapporterade mortalitet efter 21 dagar, 2 studier rapporterade död på sjukhus och en studie rapporterade död efter 15 dagar. Testade preparat var dexametason, hydrokortison och metylprednisolon. Av 2885 patienter som randomiserats till någon kortikosteroid, dog 739, medan det av de 4899 som randomiserats till standardbehandling dog 1347 patienter vilket gav en icke signifikant RR på 0,93 (95% CI 0,86–1,01). Vid borträkning av den största studien som bestod av relativt friskare patienter erhölls en starkare och signifikant effekt med RR 0,80 (95% CI 0,70–0,92) baserat på 257 av 781 döda i steroidgrupperna jämfört med 237av 578 döda i någon kontrollgrupp med standardbehandling. Resultatet var även i linje med analysen av olika sjuka undergrupper från största studien som visade bäst effekt hos de med invasiv mekanisk andningshjälp (absolut riskreduktion 12,1%) samt en icke signifikant försämring hos de friskaste patienterna utan syrgasbehov. Sammantaget tyder dessa resultat på att behandling av svårt sjuka Covid-19-patienter med kortikosteroider minskar mortaliteten efter 28 dagar. Dessutom ger studien en stark indikation på att bästa effekten fås om kortikosteroiderna ges till patienter där den systemiska inflammationen i lungorna nått en gasutbyteshämmande nivå / ABSTRACT Since the emergence of the new corona virus disease, Covid-19, much research effort has gone into characterising every possible angle of the disease to pave the way for a possible cure in the shortest possible time. Effective therapies are needed that will reduce the risk of dying for severely to critically ill Covid-19 patients. Many existing therapies have been suggested, tested and repurposed for the treatment of Covid-19 but so far only two drugs have been approved in Sweden for this indication, namely the antiviral drug remdesivir and the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Corticosteroids are both immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory and when they were administered previously for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) and influenza they were found to increase the time to rid the body of virus. The purpose of this study was to investigate evidence found in the research literature of how effective corticosteroids are in reducing the risk of dying as compared to standard treatment with no corticosteroids when administered to hospitalised patients with severe Covid-19. A literature search was made in the PubMed and covid-nma databases for randomized clinical studies of corticosteroids versus standard treatment to patients with Covid-19. The result included 7 studies with 7784 patients from 11 countries and 5 continents which all reported death as an outcome in groups that were receiving corticosteroids compared to groups that were receiving standard care. The studies used one of the following corticosteroids as intervention: dexamethasone, methylprednisolone and hydrocortisone in different doses. In the groups receiving standard care, 1347 patients out of 4899 died while in the corticosteroid groups 739 of 2885 patients died. When doing a statistical calculation these figures indicated that the risk of dying when getting corticosteroids was 93% of the risk when not getting corticosteroids, however the difference was not statistically significant. After omitting the largest study from the material, that contributed the absolute majority of total participants, who were deemed relatively healthy or well taken care of, the results were instead that 257 out of 781 died in the steroid groups and 237 of 578 died in the control groups. This later comparison among supposedly sicker patients, gave a statistically significant 8,1% lower absolute risk of dying in the corticosteroid groups; an effect that could also be expressed as for every 25 patients treated, 2 more lives would be saved. A further control of a more severely sick subgroup of patients from the largest study, in need of invasive mechanical ventilation, revealed an absolute reduction of the risk of dying when given corticosteroids of 12,1%. This group showed the most effectful response to the administered corticosteroids in this study which could also be expressed as 1 more life saved for every 8 patients treated. Another sub group analysis of the patients from the largest study that were not in need of any type of oxygen support, indicated on the other hand a possible harm of corticosteroids. This potentially harmful effect was however not statistically significant. In summary, the results of this study imply that administration of corticosteroids to patients with severe Covid-19 will reduce the risk of dying. The greatest effect is seen in those patients that has reached a level of illness were the gas exchange in the lungs is impaired by the inflammation. Furthermore, caution must be taken not to introduce harm by giving corticosteroids to patients with milder disease in which the immunosuppressive properties of the drug could lead to unintended worsening of the illness.

Obwohl die künstliche bzw. mechanische Beatmung bei der Therapie von ALI / ARDS eine wichtige und bedeutende Rolle spielt, kann sie selbst eine akute Lungen-schädigung auslösen oder bestehende pulmonale Beeinträchtigungen verstärken. Zentraler Schädigungsmechanismus ist die alveoläre Überdehnung durch hohe Ti-dalvolumina. Selbst bei der Anwendung kleiner, protektiver Tidalvolumina in Lungen mit einem nur geringen Anteil belüfteter Alveolen kann es in diesen zu alveolärer Überdehnung kommen. Diese Überdehnung führt einerseits zu mechanisch induzier-te Apoptose sowie Nekrose und andererseits zu einer mechanisch induzierten Ver-änderung der Mediatorenfreisetzung hin zu einem pro-inflammatorischen Muster. Da der Transkriptionsfaktor NF-κB zahlreiche Mediatoren aktiviert bzw. von ihnen beeinf-lusst werden kann, nimmt er in diesem Geschehen eine ganz besondere Schlüssel-position ein. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird der Hypothese nachgegangen, ob die NF-κB-Aktivierung bei der mechanischen Dehnung und dem daraus resultierenden inflam-matorischen Verhalten von pulmonalen Strukturzellen verändert wird und in wie weit ein Zusammenhang zwischen Dehnung, Zellschädigung und NF-κB besteht. Dafür wurden sowohl frisch isolierte alveoläre Ratten-Typ-II Zellen, Zellen der hu-man-alveolaren Epithelzelllinie A549 sowie Lungen- Fibroblasten der Zell-Linie Wi 38 untersucht. Alle drei Zellarten wurden auf einem speziellen elastischen Silikonboden von 6er-Well-Platten inkubiert, wo sie mit Hilfe des Flexercell-Stretch-Gerätes (FX 3000) als Zellmonolayer equibiaxial für 24 Stunden gedehnt wurden. Auch die zeitliche Abhängigkeit der NF-κB-Expression von der mechanischen Deh-nung wurde untersucht. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass ein Zusammenhang zwischen NF-κB-Aktivierung, Zellschädigung und mechanischer Dehnung existiert. Wobei bei unter-schiedlichen Zellarten auch variierende Ergebnisse beobachtet werden konnten. Im Zusammenhang mit anderen aus unserer Forschungsgruppe und in der Literatur stammenden Erkenntnissen konnte so eine Verknüpfung zwischen NF-κB-Aktivierung, Zytokinfreisetzung und inflammatorischer pulmonaler Reaktion nachge-wiesen werden.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 28-31, 1996 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / A system was developed using capabilities from the Range Applications Joint Program Office (RAJPO) GPS tracking system and the ACMI Interface System (ACINTS) to provide tracking data and visual cues to experimenters. The Mobile Advanced Range Data System (ARDS) Control System (MACS) outputs are used to provide research data in support of advanced project studies. Enhanced from a previous system, the MACS expands system capabilities to allow researchers to locate where Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) is available for incorporation into a reference data base. The System Integration Group at Veda Incorporated has been supporting Wright Laboratories in the ground-based tracking and targeting arena since 1989 with the design, development, and integration of four generations of real-time, telemetry-based tracking aids. Commencing in Q3 1995, Veda began developing a mobile, transportable system based on the RAJPO GPS tracking system. The resulting system architecture takes advantage of the front end processor (FEP) used in the three previous generations of interface systems built for Wright Laboratories, thus maximizing hardware and software reuse. The FEP provides a computational interface between the GPS tracking system and the display (operator) system. The end product is a powerful, flexible, fully mobile testbed supporting RDT&E requirements for Wright Laboratories, as well as to other U.S. and foreign research organizations. The system is rapidly reconfigurable to accommodate ground-based tracking systems as well as GPS-based systems, and its capabilities can be extended to include support for mission planning tools, insertion of virtual participants such as DIS entities, and detailed post-mission analysis.

Le Syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA) est une pathologie fréquente et grave. Son traitement fait appel à la ventilation mécanique qui est indispensable pour maintenir une oxygénation suffisante mais elle peut induire des lésions pulmonaires responsables d'une morbidité importante. Le volume pulmonaire est diminué au cours du SDRA ; sa mesure a longtemps été du domaine de la recherche clinique mais une technique de mesure au lit du patient a récemment été proposée : le lavage de l'azote. Ce travail avait pour but de tester la mesure du volume pulmonaire par la technique du lavage de l'azote dans des conditions d'utilisation comparables à celles du SDRA c'est à dire avec des niveaux de pression expiratoire positive (PEP) et de FiO2 élevés. Une fois cette étape préliminaire validée, nous avons utilisé la mesure du volume pulmonaire pour évaluer le recrutement induit par des réglages de PEP différents et lors de changements de position.Nous avons montré dans l'étude n°1 que les mesures étaient suffisamment précises et reproductibles pour une utilisation clinique. La PEP et le niveau d'oxygénation influençaient peu les mesures. Dans l'étude n°2, le recrutement induit par une PEP de type « recrutement maximal » réglée pour obtenir une pression de plateau (Pplat) entre 28 et 32 cmH2O, a été estimé à partir des mesures de volume pulmonaire comparées à l'augmentation minimale prédite du volume pulmonaire. Une bonne corrélation avec le recrutement mesuré par la technique des courbes pression - volume était trouvée sous réserve d'une élimination des mesures incohérentes.Parallèlement, la mesure du volume pulmonaire et l'oxygénation de patients en SDRA et Acute Lung Injury (ALI) ont été analysées lors de changements de position (Position demi-assise puis assise). Cette étude montre que le volume pulmonaire est augmenté lors de la verticalisation et particulièrement chez les patients augmentant leur oxygénation > 20%. Les patients ne répondant pas au positionnement avaient des volumes pulmonaires plus élevés et qui variaient peu.Les différents travaux réalisés ont permis de montrer la simplicité d'utilisation de la technique. Ceci offre des perspectives de recherche au lit du patient plus accessibles qu'avec les techniques de référence (scanner et dilution de l'hélium), et également des perspectives cliniques. Une approche de la déformation pulmonaire induite par la ventilation (strain) et potentiellement des lésions induites par la ventilation mécanique est rendue possible par la mise à disposition en clinique de cette technique. / The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a frequent and severe form of acute respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation is the cornerstone of treatment but it may induce a specific form of lung injury (Ventilator induced Lung Injury) responsible for superimposed morbidity and mortality. Lung volume is dramatically decreased during ARDS. Lung volume measurements remained limited to clinical research until recently when the nitrogen washout/washin technique has been adapted for bedside use and implemented in an intensive care ventilator. The aim of this work was to test the nitrogen washout/washin method in clinical conditions of ARDS treatment with high Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and high oxygen fraction (FiO2). Once this preliminary validation study was realised, we used the technique to assess the amount of lung recruitment induced by PEEP and positioning.We showed in the first study that accuracy and reproducibility of the technique were acceptable. PEEP and FiO2 had a minor influence on measurements. In the second study, the recruitment induced by a “maximal recruitment” PEEP set to obtain a plateau pressure between 28-32 cmH2O has been estimated using end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) measurements. A significant correlation was found between the recruitment measured on Pressure/Volume curves and the recruitment estimated comparing the predicted minimal increase in lung volume and the true increase in EELV.In a third study, we have evaluated the concomitant effects of verticalization on EELV and oxygenation following a change from supine to semi recumbent, seated and back to supine position. In this third study, verticalization (seated position) resulted in a significant concomitant increase in lung volume and oxygenation. Interestingly, patients responding to verticalization had lower EELV at baseline than non-responders. Only the group of patients increasing their PaO2/FiO2>20% during verticalization had a significant increase in their EELV compared to non-responders.These three studies confirmed the feasibility of the technique, easier than the gold standard techniques (helium dilution or CT scan), and offering both research and clinical perspectives. This technique should also allow an easier approach of the strain induced by ventilation and assess the risk of ventilation induced lung injury.

Infecções por Plasmodium sp. podem levar a um quadro respiratório grave, com complicações pulmonares denominadas lesão pulmonar aguda e síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (LPA/SDRA). Inflamação aguda, lesão do endotélio alveolar e do parênquima pulmonar, disfunção e aumento da permeabilidade da barreira alvéolo-capilar e, consequente, formação de edema, caracterizam esta síndrome. O modelo experimental, que utiliza o parasita murino Plasmodium berghei ANKA e camundongos da linhagem DBA/2, é empregado no estudo de mediadores imunológicos e fatores que propiciam o estabelecimento das lesões pulmonares associados à LPA/SDRA. Diversos estímulos podem atuar diretamente no aumento da permeabilidade endotelial por meio da desestabilização dos microtúbulos, rearranjo dos microfilamentos de actina e contração das células endoteliais, via sinalização de Rho-GTPases, causando disfunção da barreira endotelial. Desta forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar as alterações do citoesqueleto em células endoteliais primárias pulmonares de camundongos DBA/2 (CEPP-DBA/2), as vias de sinalização das principais Rho-GTPases e o estresse oxidativo, causados pela presença de eritrócitos parasitados com esquizontes de P. berghei ANKA (EP-PbA). As CEPP-DBA/2 foram estimuladas com TNF, VEGF ou IFNγ, em diferentes tempos de exposição, seguido da incubação com EP-PbA. Assim, foram realizados ensaios de imunofluorescência para análise do rearranjo de microfilamentos de actina e da desestabilização de microtúbulos. As vias de sinalização das Rho-GTPases foram avaliadas por Western blot, para as expressões proteicas de RhoA, Cdc42 e MLC. Além disso, ensaio fluorométrico foi realizado para detectar a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, resultantes do estímulo com eritrócitos parasitados. CEPP-DBA/2 estimuladas por EP-PbA, VEGF, TNF ou IFNγ, em associação ou não, apresentaram alterações morfológicas nos microfilamentos de actina e aumento dos espaços interendoteliais. Imagens de imunofluorescência também mostram desestabilização de microtúbulos e desfosforilação de FAK, causadas por EP-PbA. Os ensaios de permeabilidade validam que os eritrócitos parasitados com formas maduras de P. berghei induziram aumento da permeabilidade microvascular nas CEPP-DBA/2. Além disso, estas células, estimuladas com EP-PbA, demonstraram elevada produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), o que pode estar contribuindo com o desenvolvimento de estresse oxidativo e com a injúria endotelial, assim como, com o aumento da permeabilidade vascular. O mais interessante é que estas alterações endoteliais podem estar relacionadas ao aumento da razão RhoA/Cdc42, da expressão proteica de MLC fosforilada e do sinal de ativação de RhoA. Em conjunto, estes resultados mostram envolvimento dos eritrócitos parasitados com esquizontes de Plasmodium berghei ANKA na desorganização do citoesqueleto e na disfunção da barreira alvéolo-capilar, via RhoA/Rho-kinase, o que pode estar contribuindo com a patogênese da LPA/SDRA associada à malária. / Infections by Plasmodium sp. can lead to a serious respiratory condition with pulmonary complications, named acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Acute inflammation, alveolar endothelium and lung parenchyma injuries, dysfunction and increased permeability of the pulmonary alveolar-capillary barrier and consequent formation of edema characterize this syndrome. Several stimuli can directly increase endothelial permeability through actin microfilaments rearrangement, via Rho- GTPases signaling, leading to endothelial barrier dysfunction. DBA/2 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA develop ALI/ARDS similar to that observed in humans. The purpose of this research was to assess cytoskeletal changes in DBA/2 mice primary microvascular lung endothelial cells (PMLEC), verify the signaling pathways of the Rho- GTPases and analyze the oxidative stress on these cells in the presence of P. berghei ANKA-infected red blood cells (PbA-iRBC). PMLEC were stimulated by TNF, VEGF or IFNγ followed by incubation with PbA-iRBC. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to analyze actin microfilaments rearrangement and microtubules destabilization. Western blot for RhoA, Cdc42 and MLC proteins were conducted to assess alterations in signaling pathways of Rho-GTPases. In addition, a fluorimetric assay was performed to detect the production of reactive oxygen species resulting from PbA-iRBC stimulus. P. berghei ANKA, VEGF, TNF and IFNγ stimuli, in association or not, caused morphological disturbances in actin microfilaments of PMLEC and an increase of intercellular spaces. Moreover, immunofluorescence images showed microtubules destabilization and FAK dephosphorylation in these cells, caused by PbA-iRBC. The permeability assay showed that PbA-iRBC induced an increase of microvascular permeability in PMLEC. In addition, PMLEC stimulated by PbA-iRBC, showed elevated production of ROS, which may be contributing to oxidative stress and increasing the damage of endothelial cells, as well as an increase of vascular permeability. Interestingly, these endothelial changes may be related to the increased RhoA/Cdc42 protein expressions ratio, augmented protein expression of phosphorylated MLC and RhoA activation signal. Taken together, these data demonstrate the involvement of P. berghei ANKA-infected red blood cells in cytoskeleton disorganization and alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, through of RhoA / Rho-kinase signaling pathway, which may contribute to ALI/ARDS pathogenesis.

COMPARISON OF ALBUTEROL DELIVERY BETWEEN HIGH FREQUENCY OSCILLATORY VENTILATION AND CONVENTIONAL MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN A SIMULATED ADULT LUNG MODEL USING DIFFERENT COMPLIANCE LEVELS By Waleed A. Alzahrani, BSRT BACKGROUND: Delivery of aerosol by pMDI has been described with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) but not with high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). The purpose of this study was to compare aerosol delivery to a simulated 75 kg adult with low compliance during both CMV and HFOV. Since actuation of pMDI with inspiration is not feasible with HFOV, we investigated the impact of actuation timing only during CMV. METHOD: CMV (Respironics Esprit) and HFOV (Sensor Medics 3100B) ventilators with passover humidifiers and heated circuits were connected by 8 mm ID ETT and filter (Respirgard II, Vital Signs) to a test lung (TTL) with compliance settings of 20 and 40 ml/cm H2O in order to simulate a non compliant lung. Settings for CMV (VT 6 ml/kg, I:E 1:1, PEEP 20 cm H2O, and RR 25/min), and HFOV (RR 5 Hz, IT 33%, ∆P 80 cm H2O and mPaw 35 cm H2O) were used, with similar mPaw on CMV and HFOV. Parameters were selected based on ARDSnet protective lung strategy (Fessler and Hess, Respiratory Care 2007) Eight actuations of albuterol from pMDI (ProAir HFA, Teva Medical) with double nozzle small volume spacer (Mini Spacer, Thayer Medical) placed between the “Y” adapter and ETT at more than 15 sec intervals for each condition (n=3). During CMV, pMDI actuations were synchronized (SYNC) with the start of inspiration at more than 15 s, and nonsynchronized (NONSYNC) with actuations at 15 s intervals. Drug was eluted from the filter and analyzed by spectrophotometry (276 nm). Repeated measures ANOVA, pairwise comparisons and independent t- tests were performed at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: In all cases, aerosol delivery was greater with HFOV than CMV (p<0.05). Synchronizing pMDI actuations with the beginning of inspiration increased aerosol deposition significantly at compliance levels 20 ml/cm H2O and 40 ml/cm H2O (p=0.011 and p=0.02, respectively). Lung compliance and aerosol delivery are directly related. Increasing lung compliance to 40 ml/cmH2O improved aerosol delivery during CMV and HFOV (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Albuterol deposition with pMDI was more than two fold greater with HFOV than CMV in this in-vitro lung model. Changing lung compliance has almost 2 fold impact on aerosol delivery during both modes of ventilation. Furthermore, synchronizing pMDI actuations during CMV improved aerosol delivery up to 4 fold.

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), seen in critically ill patients, is a disease process that affects the lungs and directly impacts a patient’s oxygenation. Despite treatment, patients often die of ARDS secondary to systemic complications. Prone positioning has been introduced as a treatment to improve the outcomes of ARDS patients. This thesis summarized and critiqued recent literature on the outcomes of prone positioning in ARDS patients. Methodology: An initial literature search was conducted using CINAHL Plus with Text, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Multiple search terms were used. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer reviewed research articles, academic journal articles, and evidence-based research or practices published within the last ten years. All studies included adult subjects and were published in the English language. Studies that did not address patient outcomes such as mortality, length of stay, or hemodynamic oxygenation were excluded from the review. Results: The review of literature contains one meta-analysis and two studies. Data indicated that prone positioning was statistically significant in reducing mortality when performed in sessions of 12 hours or longer (p=0.05). Hemodynamic oxygenation improved significantly after at least 48 hours of implementing prone positioning. There was no trend in the length of stay or duration in mechanical ventilation whether supine or prone positioning was used. Complications such as endotracheal tube dislodgement, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and pressure ulcers were reported in both supine and prone position with an increased risk of pressure ulcers and endotracheal tube obstruction in the prone position groups. Conclusions: Findings support a benefit in patient outcomes in patients placed in prone position with ARDS. Mortality was reduced when prone sessions lasted longer than 12 hours possibly due to the improvement in patient oxygenation 48 hours after initiation of prone positioning intervention. Further research is needed to solidify these findings and establish guidelines and optimal procedural methods to maximize patient outcomes and lower the incidence of patient complications.