scientific-2024

Scientific papers 2024

Authors: Marc Roig, & Jacopo Cristini Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, is crucial for managing mood, motivation, learning, and other functions. Changes in dopamine levels are linked to cognitive decline and various mental and neurological disorders, including the cardiorespiratory system. Research, including animal studies, shows that regular cardiovascular exercise, like treadmill running, can boost dopamine levels in the brain, potentially offsetting some of these issues.

Authors: Edward Tom Ashworth, Ryotaro Ogawa, David Robert Vera, Peter Lindholm Using a radioactive nitrogen isotope, this study found that pre-breathing oxygen at normobaric levels increased nitrogen levels in the blood, liver, and muscle. However, hyperbaric exposure showed no differences in tissue nitrogen levels. Both bone and muscle had higher nitrogen levels after hyperbaric exposure than normobaric exposure. The study concludes that pre-breathing oxygen eliminates nitrogen at normobaric levels, and tissues are slower to adjust their nitrogen levels under hyperbaric conditions.

Authors: Antonis Elia, Matthew J. Barlow, Matthew J. Lees, Georgios Petri, Michail E. Keramidas This study investigated the physiological effects of repeated maximal static and dynamic apnea on stress- related biomarkers in eleven healthy men. The results showed significant increases in modified albumin and myoglobin levels after the apnea interventions, particularly after dynamic apnea, indicating muscle damage. However, there were no significant changes in neuron- specific enolase or cardiac troponin, suggesting no myocardial or neuronal damage. The study concludes that dynamic apnea causes more muscle damage than static apnea, but neither causes heart or brain damage.

05 - Breathing patterns and associated cardiovascular changes in intermittently breathing animals: (Partially) correcting a semantic quagmire

Authors: Warren Burggren, Andreas Fahlman, William Milsom Many animals exhibit irregular breathing patterns with long pauses between breaths, even when their hearts are beating. This phenomenon is common among all species, from crustaceans to whales. In humans, this irregular breathing pattern is associated with health issues.Diving animals exhibit cardiovascular phenomena that lack standardized terminology, leading to confusion regarding the underlying mechanisms and pathologies. To avoid confusion and emphasize understanding of biological processes rather than terminology, more precise terms are proposed.

07 - Pulsed Hyperoxia Acts on Plasmatic Advanced Glycation End Products and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products and Modulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: A Pilot Study on the “Normobaric Oxygen Paradox”

Authors: Costantino Balestra, Sara Baldelli, Fabio Virgili, Michele Salvagno, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, & Deborah Fratantonio The "normobaric oxygen paradox" (NOP) refers to the perceived lack of oxygen by tissues following a hyperoxic event. The authors investigate whether this phenomenon results in the production of advanced glycation end products (proteins or lipids glycated by exposure to sugars) and advanced oxidation protein products (modified proteins resulting from oxidative stress) as circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Authors: Taylor Diederich, Allyson M. Briggs, Adrienne Malik, Bryan Beaver This article discusses the case of a 32-year-old individual who developed a mottled rash, joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, vision changes, and weakness due to decompression sickness resulting from working in a pressurized chamber at a factory. The individual underwent two sessions in a hyperbaric chamber, which completely resolved the symptoms. During the hospital stay, a patent foramen ovale was discovered. The patient was advised to avoid any further exposure to similar work environments.

Authors: Elsye Fitriasari, Ni Komang Sri Dewi Untari, Nasywa Annisa Fitra Decompression sickness (DCS) is a serious health problem for divers caused by pressure changes during and after dives. It is important for all medical professionals and divers to understand the risks associated with DCS in order to promote safe diving practices. Symptoms of DCS can be rapid or gradual and may be delayed, making diagnosis difficult, especially if the diver has traveled by air after diving. Factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, anxiety, previous injuries, and diving conditions, including cold water, duration, and depth, increase the risk of DCS.

Authors: Muhamad Nanang Solikhin, Sumaryanti, Sulistiyono, Fauzi, Bonifacius Arbanto This review covers studies on breath-holding exercises and their health benefits, including their impact on freedive training, lung function through diaphragmatic breathing, and breath-hold performance with mental imagery training. Research also shows improvements in cardiorespiratory function for individuals with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer, noting better pulse rates, blood pressure, respiratory function, and quality of life.

Authors: Jean-Pierre Imbert, Lyubisa Matity, Jean-Yves Massimelli, Philip Bryson This is a review of commercial heliox saturation decompression procedures. The scope does not include compression, storage depth or bell excursion dive procedures. The objectives are to: identify the sources of the procedures; trace their evolution; describe the current practice; and detect relevant trends.

Authors: Felix R. M. Beinlich , Antonios Asiminas, Verena Untiet, Zuzanna Bojarowska, Virginia Plá, Björn Sigurdsson, Vincenzo Timmel, Lukas Gehrig, ichael H. Graber, Hajime Hirase, Maiken Nedergaard Consciousness disappears within seconds after blood flow to the brain stops because the brain cannot store oxygen and requires a continuous supply to function. The researchers developed a new tool to monitor oxygen levels in the brain. Using this tool, they discovered spontaneous low-oxygen areas in the brains of awake mice. This research sheds light on how the brain manages oxygen and could help understand various brain conditions and diseases.

Authors: Alessandra Vezzoli, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, Andrea Brizzolari, Costantino Balestra, Enrico Maria Camporesi, and Gerardo Bosco Underwater activities expose divers to conditions that can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and antioxidants. These conditions are influenced by factors such as hypoxic and hyperoxic environments, hyperbaric pressure, cold water, and different breathing gases. Divers experience physiological adaptations known as the "dive response,", which includes cardiovascular stress, increased blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction, altered blood gas levels, and the risk of bubble formation during decompression.

Authors: Sotiris P. Evgenidis, Konstantinos Zacharias, Virginie Papadopoulou, Sigrid Theunissen, Costantino Balestra, Thodoris D. Karapantsios Impedance spectroscopy technology (I-VED),was used for the first time in humans to provide qualitative in vivo electrical impedance measurements that may contribute to the assessment of decompression stress. Compared to ultrasound imaging, the proposed method is less expensive, operator-independent, and compatible with continuous monitoring and the use of multiple probes. This study presents preliminary findings. Further calibration and validation are necessary to determine the sensitivity and specificity of I-VED.

Authors: José A. Bragada, Pedro M. Magalhães, Eric São- Pedro, Raul F. Bartolomeu, and Jorge E. Morais The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of predicting oxygen consumption (O2) during aerobic activities using net heart rate (netHR), sex, and BMI in active adults. NetHR is calculated by subtracting the resting heart rate from the average heart rate during the activity. The study involved 156 participants, aged 18 to 81, including 52 women and 104 men, who had their netHR and net oxygen intake (netVO2) measured.

Authors: Nikolaus C. Netzer, Heidelinde Jaekel, Roland Popp, Johanna M. Gostner, Michael Decker, Frederik Eisendle, Rachel Turner, Petra Netzer, Carsten Patzelt, Christian Steurer, Marco Cavalli, Florian Forstner, and Stephan Pramsohler on behalf of the Hypoxiflight Study Group This study aimed to investigate whether flight conditions in a hypobaric chamber, simulating altitudes of 2500 m and 4500 m with varying oxygen levels, could induce oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Twelve vaccinated participants underwent a 3-hour simulation with oxygen levels adjusted between 35% and 100%. Their arterial blood pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored, and blood samples were analyzed for oxidative stress markers at different stages of the experiment.

Authors: Maya V. Voronina, Anastasia S. Frolova, Ekaterina P. Kolesova, Nikita A. Kuldyushev, Alessandro Parodi, and Andrey A. Zamyatnin Cell survival depends on a balance between the accumulation of damage and repair mechanisms. Oxidants, now recognized as physiological molecules, can damage vital cell components and lead to cell death. Cells counteract this with processes such as autophagy, which recycles damaged parts with the help of lysosomes and enzymes such as cathepsins. These elements help determine whether a cell undergoes apoptosis or autophagy. This review examines the role of ROS and cathepsins in cell death and autophagy, emphasizing their interrelated dynamics.

Authors: Lidia Maeso, Pablo Edmundo Antezana, Ailen Gala Hvozda Arana, Pablo Andrés Evelson, Gorka Orive, and Martín Federico Desimone Skin is important for protection and healing. Chronic wounds are a worldwide problem caused by oxidative stress that damages cells and delays healing. Proper care and antioxidants can help manage chronic wounds. Natural polymers with antioxidants can create regenerative environments for skin wound healing.

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Authors: Harry B. Rossiter, David C. Poole This text acknowledges and corrects a previous mistake in a scholarly work, clarify the correct references, and engage in a professional discussion about the specifics of breath-by-breath gas exchange measurement algorithms. The authors thank Drs. Francescato and Cettolo for their input, correct the misattribution of an algorithm to Grønlund (1984) instead of the intended IND algorithm, and clarify the context of their references. Additionally, they discuss the technical details of the algorithms and seek agreement on a specific point related to the occurrence of expiration between consecutive inspirations.

Authors: Dominik André-Lévigne, Rodrigue Pignel, Sylvain Boet, Vincent Jaquet, Daniel F. Kalbermatten, & Srinivas Madduri This study intends to review and discuss the various roles of oxygen in peripheral nerve regeneration, with a particular focus on the potential therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It highlights the influence of different oxygenation states on nerve repair and regeneration, summarizes current knowledge and data on the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating nerve injuries, and suggests future research directions in this area.

Authors: Anna Taboni, Nazzareno Fagoni, Timothée Fontolliet, Giovanni Vinetti, Guido Ferretti This study investigated the physiological responses during a transition from rest to exercise under hypoxic (H) and normoxic (N) conditions. Specifically, the study aimed to test two hypotheses: (i) that the initial decrease in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) would be slower in hypoxia compared to normoxia, and (ii) that the fast heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) responses would have smaller amplitudes in hypoxia due to lower vagal activity. The text details the study's methods, results, and conclusions, highlighting the differences in physiological responses between the two conditions.

Authors: Marina Vulic, Branislav Milovanovic, Ante Obad, Duška Glavaš, Igor Glavicic, Damir Zubac, Maja Valic, & Zoran Valic This study investigated the effects of SCUBA diving at different depths (10 m and 20 m) on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in healthy individuals to determine if cardiac sympathetic activity adapts proportionally to diving depth and if HRV parameters can track changes in cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) function during and after diving. The results indicate that SCUBA diving affects the cardiac ANS, with specific HRV parameters showing significant changes during dives and returning to baseline after ascent. The authors suggest that these HRV markers could be used to monitor cardiovascular risks and potential benefits associated with underwater activities.

Authors: Benjamin L Turner, Pieter-Jan AM van Ooij, Thijs T Wingelaar, Rob A van Hulst, Edwin L Endert, Paul Clarijs, Rigo Hoencamp This document discusses a study that applied a 'chain of events analysis' (CEA) framework to understand the causes of diving injuries treated by the Diving Medical Centre of the Royal Netherlands Navy to identify the factors leading to these injuries, including predisposing factors, triggers, disabling agents, and disabling conditions, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the CEA framework in analyzing diving injuries.

Author: Simon J Mitchell This document provides a comprehensive overview of decompression illness, specifically focusing on the pathophysiology, manifestations, prevention, and treatment of decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). It aims to educate readers about the causes, mechanisms, and potential health impacts of these conditions, as well as to inform them about how to prevent and manage these diving-related disorders.

Authors: Md-Billal Hossain, Kia Golzari, Youngsun Kong, Bruce J. Derrick, Richard E. Moon, Michael J. Natoli, M. Claire Ellis, Christopher Winstead- Derlega, Sara I. Gonzalez, Christopher M. Allen, Mathew S. Makowski, Brian M. Keuski, John J. Freiberger, Hugo F. Posada-Quintero, Ki H. Chon This study aimed to predict central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT) in SCUBA divers by analyzing electrodermal activity (EDA) using machine learning techniques. It focused on the dynamics of EDA while subjects are exposed to elevated oxygen partial pressures in a hyperbaric environment. The goal was to develop a predictive model to identify the onset of CNS-OT symptoms early enough to allow for countermeasures, thereby improving diver safety.

Authors: Boxiong Guo, Yixuan Sun, Yuehua Wang, Ya Zhang, Yu Zheng, Shixia Xu, Guang Yang, & Wenhua Ren This study investigates the evolutionary adaptations in the respiratory systems of cetaceans and other marine mammals. It focuses on the genetic basis of these adaptations, particularly in relation to pulmonary fibrosis and diving behavior. It highlights the identification of specific genes that have undergone accelerated evolution and positive selection and how these genetic changes contribute to lung morphology that reduces the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) during diving. The research also aims to provide insights relevant to understanding human diving physiology.

25 - Physiology of deep closed circuit rebreather mixed gas diving: vascular gas emboli and biological changes during a week-long liveaboard safari

Authors: Costantino Balestra, Clément Lévêque, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, Alessandra Vezzoli, Pierre Wauthy, Peter Germonpré, Frauke Tillmans, François Guerrero, & Pierre Lafère. This study discusses the relationship between diving decompression and inflammatory processes. It aims to test the hypothesis that inflammatory processes can generate micronuclei, which may increase the risks associated with diving. It outlines the methodology, including using echocardiography to count venous gas emboli (VGE) and collecting saliva and urine samples to measure various markers of inflammation. The results indicate a correlation between inflammation and the presence of VGE, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in the formation of micronuclei during diving.

Authors: Jean-Pierre Imbert, Axel Barbaud, Sian Stevens, Craig Miller, Hilary Peace, Helene Rossin, Alain Letourneur, Phil Bryson, Bo Damsgaard, Costantino Balestra This study on saturation diving stressors and the effectiveness of different saturation procedures was conducted in the North Sea Danish sector and aimed to document the level of diving stress and compare the Boskalis and NORSOK procedures. The results indicated minimal stress and no significant differences between the two procedures at depths of 40-50 msw. The authors suggest further research for deeper dives where more significant stress is anticipated.

Authors: Feiko J. M. de Jong, Thijs A. Lilien, Dominic W. Fenn, Thijs T. Wingelaar , Pieter-Jan A. M. van Ooij, Anke H. Maitland-van der Zee, Markus W. Hollmann, Rob A. van Hulst, & Paul Brinkman This paper describes a pilot study to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT) using an in vitro model of alveolar basal epithelial cells exposed to hyperbaric and hyperoxic conditions. It also evaluates the feasibility of using this in vitro model for POT biomarker research and details the experimental protocol, the analysis of VOCs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the findings, which include significant variations in certain VOCs and increased cellular stress markers in the intervention group.

Authors: Janne Bouten, Louise Declercq, Jan Boone, Franck Brocherie, Jan G. Bourgois This document evaluates the potential of apnoea as a training method to enhance aerobic performance and discusses the effectiveness of different apnoea protocols. It concludes that while apnoea-induced spleen contraction can improve oxygen uptake kinetics, it does not immediately enhance aerobic performance. Additionally, only long and intense apnoea protocols in experienced individuals show significant increases in erythropoietin and reticulocytes. The authors suggest that variations of apnoea training may have potential for improving exercise performance.

34 - Post-exercise hot or cold water immersion does not alter perception of effort or neuroendocrine responses during subsequent moderate-intensity exercise

Authors: Campbell Menzies, Neil D. Clarke, Christopher J. A. Pugh, Charles J. Steward, C. Douglas Thake, Tom Cullen This document presents the findings of a scientific study that investigated the effects of post-exercise hot water immersion (HWI) and cold water immersion (CWI) on recovery and subsequent performance in endurance- trained runners. It determines whether these recovery strategies influence physiological and psychological responses, as well as performance in a second training session performed later the same day. The results suggest that while HWI and CWI affect certain physiological markers, they do not negatively impact perceived effort, recovery, or performance in subsequent moderate- intensity training sessions.

Authors: Haiyi Zong, Wen Yi, Maxwell Fordjour Antwi- Afari, Yantao Yu This paper presents a systematic review of research on fatigue among construction workers. It aims to elucidate the current state of research, identify issues, and propose potential improvements in understanding and managing fatigue in the construction industry, outlining an approach that combines systematic review and bibliometric analysis to examine research themes, methods, and findings related to worker fatigue. It also highlights the causes of fatigue, evaluation methods, interventions, research challenges, and future research directions, with the ultimate goal of enhancing occupational health and safety in the construction industry.

Authors: Dimitra Ioanna Lampropoulou, Dimitrios Papageorgiou, Evangelia Pliakou This document is an analysis of diving medicine's historical development and significance, mainly focusing on the advancements in hyperbaric medicine and its applications. It highlights the challenges faced by divers, the emergence of decompression illness, and the contributions of hyperbaric treatment to modern medical science. In addition, it emphasizes ongoing research and interest in using hyperbaric oxygen for various medical conditions.

20 - The interaction of breath holding and muscle mechanoreflex on cardiovascular responses in breath-hold divers and non-breath- hold divers

Authors: Nakamura Nobuhiro, Peng Heng, Hayashi Naoyuki This study investigates the interaction between breath holding (apnea) and muscle mechanoreflex on cardiovascular responses in breath-hold divers (BHDs) compared to non-breath-hold divers (non-BHDs) to understand how these two opposing responses—bradycardia from apnea and tachycardia from exercise—affect heart rate and cardiac output during diving. The results indicate that BHDs prioritize bradycardia over tachycardia, suggesting that diving training alters cardiovascular control mechanisms.

Authors: Steve Sheppard This Helix presentation provides information about the age profiles for various positions employed by North Sea Contractors, acknowledging the potential for data duplication due to personnel being employed by multiple contractors. However, its author estimated that this duplication was less than 4% of the total dataset.

22 - Physiology of deep closed circuit rebreather mixed gas diving: vascular gas emboli and biological changes during a week-long liveaboard safari

Authors: Costantino Balestra, Clément Lévêque, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, Alessandra Vezzoli, Pierre Wauthy, Peter Germonpré, Frauke Tillmans, François Guerrero, and Pierre Lafère The Paper presents a study on diving decompression theory, specifically examining the role of inflammatory processes in the formation of micronuclei and their potential risks by testing divers to observe changes in inflammatory markers and venous gas emboli (VGE) post- dive. It details the methods, results, and discussion of the findings, highlighting the relationship between inflammation and VGE and suggesting that increased inflammation may lead to the formation of new micronuclei.

35 - Effects of Resistance Exercise with and without Blood Flow Restriction on Acute Hemodynamic Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors: Anderson Geremias Macedo, Danilo Alexandre Massini, Tiago André Freire Almeida, Luciana Maria dos Reis, Giovane Galdino, Adriana Teresa Silva Santos, Osvaldo Tadeu da Silva Júnior, Rubens Venditti Júnior, and Dalton Muller Pessôa Filho This document presents a systematic review and meta- analysis that examines the acute and post-exercise hemodynamic responses to low-load intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) compared to high-load intensity resistance exercise (HI) to determine whether the cardiovascular responses, specifically heart rate, blood systolic and diastolic pressure, and rate pressure product, immediately after and up to 60 minutes post-exercise, are consistent between the two exercise protocols in healthy individuals.

36 - Exploring the effects of post operative hyperoxic intermittent stimuli on reticulocyte levels in cancer patients: a randomized controlled study

Authors: Maher Khalife, Michele Salvagno, Maurice Sosnowski, and Costantino Balestra This study assesses the effectiveness of a normobaric oxygen paradox (NOP) protocol in stimulating erythropoiesis in cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgeries to determine whether NOP can increase reticulocyte counts, indicating enhanced erythropoiesis in this patient population. It details the methodology used, results, and conclusions, highlighting the potential of NOP therapy while acknowledging the need for further research.

Authors: Irina Popova, Evgeniya Dvurekova, Aleksandr Sysoev This study investigates the body composition and microcirculation characteristics of qualified divers using different types of gymnastic equipment to understand how these factors can improve the effectiveness of training for divers. It provides specific results regarding changes in body composition and microcirculatory function among divers, and highlights the importance of these findings for enhancing training effectiveness.

Authors: Thomas Kjeld, Anders Brenøe Isbrand, Henrik Christian Arendrup, Jens Højberg, Jacob Bejder, Thomas O. Krag, John Vissing, Lars Poulsen Tolbod, Johannes Hendrik Harms, Lars Christian Gormsen, Dan Fuglø, and Egon Godthaab Hansen This study investigates the physiological adaptations of elite breath-hold divers (BHD) during apnea, comparing them to diving mammals like Bottlenose Dolphins to explore whether BHD have similar oxygen-conserving mechanisms, focusing on pulmonary blood volume (PBV) and alveolar ventilation to perfusion ratio (V A /Q). It details the methods used, the results obtained, and highlighs the adaptations of BHD in terms of pulmonary function and oxygen delivery.

Authors: Tatjana Baldovin, Francesco Bassan, Chiara Bertoncello, Alessandra Buja, Silvia Cocchio, Marco Fonzo, and Vincenzo Baldo This paper advocates for integrating healthcare simulation into the training of health professionals, particularly in the field of Public Health. It highlights the benefits of simulation in improving clinical performance, reducing costs, and enhancing education standards. Additionally, it proposes a pilot project to train professionals using an interdisciplinary and innovative approach to improve patient quality and safety further.

Authors: Irina Evgenievna Popova, Aleksander Vladimirovich Sysoev, and Viktor Leonidovich Kondakov This paper conveys research findings on the importance of neuromuscular development for achieving high performance in diving. It discusses the correlation between neuromuscular function and the composition of muscle and adipose tissue in divers, emphasizing the need to develop muscle mass and reduce fat to enhance nerve impulse conductivity and muscle synchronization, ultimately improving diving performance.

41 - CO2 Breathing Prior to Simulated Diving Increases Decompression Sickness Risk in a Mouse Model: The Microbiota Trail Is Not Forgotten

Authors: Lucille Daubresse, Aurélie Portas, Alexandrine Bertaud, Marion Marlinge, Sandrine Gaillard, Jean-Jacques Risso, Céline Ramdani, Jean-Claude Rostain, Nabil Adjiriou, Anne-Virginie Desruelle, Jean-Eric Blatteau, Régis Guieu, and Nicolas Vallée This study investigates the effects of CO2 exposure on the occurrence of decompression sickness (DCS) in mice to evaluate whether breathing CO2 prior to a dive increases the risk of DCS and explores the potential role of body temperature and microbiota composition in influencing the outcomes. It details the methodology and results, highlighting the significant increase in DCS incidence following CO2 exposure and suggesting a link between microbiota, thermogenesis, and susceptibility to DCS.

Authors: T. A. Giacon, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, G. Bosco, A. Vezzoli, Cinzia Dellanoce, M. Campisi, M. Narici, M. Paganini, B. Foing, A. Kołodziejczyk, M. Martinelli, S. Pavanello This study investigates the effects of isolation, circadian rhythm disruption, and psychophysical stress on humans in a simulated space environment to understand how these factors impact stress responses, sleep quality, and oxidative stress levels in individuals participating in an analog astronaut mission. The text outlines the methods used, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn from the experiment, highlighting the potential implications for human performance in space missions.

Authors: Władysław Wolanski, Stanisław Pełka, Józef Ramisc This document reports on the findings of a pilot program that incorporated psychological testing into the recruitment process for military and scuba divers, highlighting the importance of psychological assessments in determining the suitability of candidates for diving training and service, suggesting that such testing should be a standard part of the selection process, as is done in other countries.

Authors: Emmanuel Dugrenot, Anthony Guernec, Jérémy Orsat, François Guerrero This study focused on understanding the mechanisms of decompression sickness (DCS) through genetic and molecular analysis. It involves selectively bred rats with increased resistance to DCS and uses analyses to identify pathways related to inflammatory and immune responses, as well as other cellular processes. It shares the research methodology, results, and conclusions, highlighting the discovery of similar pathways in both male and female rats, which could contribute to a better understanding of gene expression and phenotype differences related to DCS.

Authors: Emmanuel Gouin, David PM Monnot, Thierry Michot, François Guerrero, Jean-Eric Blatteau This small presentation introduces the findings of a study conducted on the practices and incidents related to deep diving using helium-mixed-gas, specifically within the technical diving community, to provide an epidemiological overview of diving practices, risk factors, and the occurrence and management of diving-related incidents.

Authors: Rhiannon J. Brenner, Kiran A. Balan, Marie P. L. Andersen, Emmanuel Dugrenot, Xavier C. E. Vrijdag, Hanna Van Waart & Frauke Tillmans This paper provides a narrative review of the nutritional recommendations for recreational scuba divers. It aims to summarize existing guidelines, highlight the physiological challenges divers face, and identify research gaps regarding the relationship between nutritional intake and the health and safety of divers. In addition, it outlines specific dietary recommendations based on workload and diving conditions, emphasizing the importance of macronutrient distribution and protein intake.

47 - Examining Management and Employees’ Perceptions of Occupational Heat Exposure and the Effectiveness of a Heat Stress Prevention Intervention on Safety and Well-Being among Natural Gas Construction Workers: A Qualitative Field-Based Study

Authors: Muinat Abolore Idris, Christine Markham, Kristina D. Mena, and William B. Perkison This presentation describes findings on the factors affecting heat stress among construction workers, specifically in the context of natural gas construction sites. It aims to identify barriers and facilitators to worker safety and evaluate the effectiveness of a heat stress intervention program. In addition, it provides recommendations for improving the safety, health, and well-being of construction workers in hot environments, emphasizing the need for employee involvement, employer management, accessible resources, mandatory rest breaks, and comprehensive heat stress education.

Authors: Luigi Fattorini, Angelo Rodio, Tommaso Di Libero, Cristian Ieno, Giovanna Tranfo, Daniela Pigini, Alessandro Pinto, and Enrico Marchetti This paper describes the findings of a study on the physiological effects of SCUBA diving on heart rate (HR) at different depths that involved recording the HR of 18 healthy subjects while diving in thermal water at a constant temperature to understand how HR changes during various phases of a dive and at varying depths, highlighting the physiological adjustments and cardiac stress associated with diving.

Author: Tom S. Neuman This document explains the physiological problems associated with decompression from elevated atmospheric pressures, mainly focusing on the effects on divers. It discusses two main categories of issues: mechanical injuries due to gas expansion and the formation of gas phases in tissues leading to decompression sickness (DCS). It also delves into specific conditions, such as pulmonary overinflation syndromes and arterial gas embolism (AGE), describing their causes, symptoms, and potential outcomes.

Authors: Robert A van Hulst, & Pieter-Jan AM van Ooij This document is a retrospective study on lung function in military divers, specifically focusing on the incidence of lung abnormalities such as blebs and bullae and the role of computed tomography (CT) scans in assessing fitness to dive. It informs and advises on best practices for evaluating divers' lung health, suggesting the use of Global Lung Initiative reference values and recommending high- resolution CT scans only for those with clinical indications.

Author: Neal W. Pollock This paper aims to inform and advise divers about the importance of thermal protection in coldwater diving environments. It highlights the potential hazards associated with inadequate and excessive thermal protection, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of safety over comfort, discussing the limitations of current dive computers in assessing thermal status, and suggesting that divers are responsible for managing their thermal protection to ensure safety during dives.

Authors: Hadrien Pique, Sigrid Theunissen, Costantino Balestra, Juani Valdivia, Oleg Melikho This study investigates the prevalence of preterm birth among elite freedivers and its potential impact on their performance to determine whether being born prematurely affects freediving results. It concludes that while the proportion of preterm births is higher among elite freedivers compared to the general population, there is no significant difference in performance between preterm and full-term athletes.

Authors: Jan Risberg, Helle Midtgaard This paper reports and analyze an unusual incident of decompression sickness (DCS) that occurred during a commercial diving project. It details the circumstances of the incident, including the number of dives, the depth and duration of the dives, the error in the decompression procedure, and the resulting cases of DCS. It also discusses the implications of the error on DCS incidence rates and provides observations on the effects of omitted decompression time. Additionally, it includes follow-up information on the divers involved, noting that some reported minor symptoms of DCS after the project concluded.

53 - Taravana syndrome and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a microbubble hypothesis for neurological accidents in breath-hold divers

Authors: Arnaud Druelle, Olivier Castagna, Romain Roffi, Pierre Louge, Anthony Faivre, and Jean-Eric Blatteau This paper describes and analyzes an unusual incident of decompression sickness (DCS) that occurred during a commercial diving project. It details the circumstances of the incident, including the number of dives, the depth and duration of the dives, the error in the decompression procedure, and the resulting cases of DCS. It also discusses the implications of the error on DCS incidence rates and provides observations on the effects of omitted decompression time. Additionally, it includes follow-up information on the divers involved, noting that some reported minor symptoms of DCS after the project concluded.

55 - National academies; Future Topical Updates to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Proceedings of a Workshop

This workshop discussed potential updates and revisions to "The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals". The presentation discusses the efforts made by the Standing Committee for the Care and Use of Animals in Research to gather input from various stakeholders through listening sessions and a survey, culminating in a virtual workshop. It highlights the collaborative nature of the workshop, the diversity of participants, and the collection of feedback and suggestions for future updates to the Guide.

56 - Effect of hyperbaric exposure on cognitive performance: an investigation conducting numerical Stroop tasks during a simulated 440 m sea water saturation diving

Authors: Nozomu Kageyama, and Takehito Sawamura This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric exposure on cognitive function in divers during saturation diving at a depth of 45 atmosphere absolute (ATA). The study utilized Stroop tasks to assess cognitive performance and found that reaction times were delayed and correct rates decreased at 45 ATA compared to 1 ATA. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring cognitive function in deep sea saturation diving and suggests the need for further research and training in this area.

Authors: Andreas Fahlman, Warren Burggren, and William K. Milsom The aim of this document is to present research findings and insights on the dive response in air-breathing vertebrates, particularly focusing on the role of cognitive control and conditioning in heart rate regulation during dives to explain how these physiological responses can be anticipatory and vary based on the type and length of the dive, suggesting a cognitive component. It also discusses the implications of these findings for improving diving capacity and preventing diving-related issues, such as decompression sickness, through mechanisms like the selective gas exchange hypothesis..

Authors: Emmanuel Dugrenot, Anthony Guernec, Jérémy Orsat, & François Guerrero This paper presents a study on the effects of hyperbaric conditions on cognitive functioning, explicitly using the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) test. It highlights the importance of considering possible side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on medical staff, such as decompression sickness, and reports findings on how oxygen breathing during decompression affects CFFF results.

Authors: Rita I. Sharma, Natalia D. Mankowska, Anna B. Marcinkowska, Pawel J. Winklewski, Jacek Kot This paper presents a study on the effects of hyperbaric conditions on cognitive functioning, explicitly using the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) test. It highlights the importance of considering possible side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on medical staff, such as decompression sickness, and reports findings on how oxygen breathing during decompression affects CFFF results.

This document is the 2024 update of the Declaration of Helsinki, developed by the World Medical Association (WMA), for conducting safe and respectful medical research involving human participants. It aims to communicate the principles of the organization that should be adhered to by all parties involved in medical research to ensure the protection of research participants.

61 - Influence of exposure duration on human pressure-induced inflammatory responses: Comparison between tunnel workers and underwater divers

Authors: Zuha Imtiyaz, Owen J. O'Neill, Douglas Sward, Phi- Nga Jeannie Le, Awadhesh K. Arya, Veena M. Bhopale, Abid R. Bhat, Stephen R. Thom This text presents a scientific hypothesis and research findings regarding the physiological responses of tunnel construction workers to high-pressure exposures compared to SCUBA divers. The study aims to investigate the inflammatory responses and potential pathophysiology of decompression sickness (DCS) in these two groups, focusing on blood microparticles, interleukin levels, plasma gelsolin, and neutrophil activation. The text concludes with findings that suggest differences in neutrophil activation based on the duration of pressure exposure