Publications

Selected scientific publications on diving medicine and physiology.

2020 Şub 12
Hyperoxia Alters Ultrastructure and Induces Apoptosis in Leukemia Cell Lines
David De Bels, Frauke Tillmans, Francis Corazza, Mariano Bizzarri, Peter Germonpre, Peter Radermacher, Keziban Günce Orman, and Costantino Balestra

Oxygenation conditions are crucial for growth and tumor progression. Recent data suggests a decrease in cancer cell proliferation occurring after exposure to normobaric hyperoxia. Those changes are associated with fractal dimension. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of hyperoxia on apoptosis and morphology of leukemia cell lines. Two hematopoietic lymphoid cancer cell lines (a T-lymphoblastoid line, JURKAT and a B lymphoid line, CCRF-SB) were tested under conditions of normobaric hyperoxia (FiO2 > 60%, ± 18h) and compared to a standard group (FiO2 = 21%). We tested for apoptosis using a caspase-3 assay.

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1998 Oca 1
Intrathoracic pressure changes after Valsalva strain and other maneuvers: implications for divers with patent foramen ovale
Balestra C., Germonpré P., Marroni A.

Scuba divers with patent foramen ovale (PFO) may be at risk for paradoxical nitrogen gas emboli when performing maneuvers that cause a rebound blood loading to the right atrium. We measured the rise and fall in intrathoracic pressure (ITP) during various maneuvers in 15 divers. The tests were standard isometric exercises (control), forceful coughing, knee bend (with and without respiration blocked), and Valsalva maneuver (maximal, gradually increased to reach control ITP, and as performed by divers to equalize middle ear pressure). All the maneuvers, as well as the downward slope of ITP at the release phase, were related to the control value.

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2014 Haz 1
Just say NO to decompression bubbles: is there a real link between nitric oxide and bubble production or reduction in humans?
Balestra C.

Vascular gas emboli (VGE) start forming during the degassing of tissues in the decompression (ascent) phase of the dive when bubble precursors (micronuclei) are triggered to growth. The precise formation mechanism of micronuclei is still debated, with formation sites in facilitating regions with surfactants, hydrophobic surfaces or crevices. Ho wever, significant inter-subject variability to VGE exists for the same diving exposure and VGE may even be reduced with a single pre-dive intervention. The precise link between VGE and endothelial dysfunction observed post dive remains unclear and a nitric oxide (NO) mechanism has been hypothesized.

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2015 Nis 1
Le “Paradoxe de l’Oxygène” un phénomène varié
Balestra C.

L'eau est une matière plurielle et ambivalente. Symboliquement associée à la purification, cause régulière de multiples ravages humains et écologiques, elle est aussi devenue un vaste terrain de jeu, d'expériences corporelles, d'immersions en tous genres. Retenir son souffle pour aller loin, profond, ou simplement rester longtemps immergé, passionne des pratiquants toujours plus nombreux. Il s'agit bien souvent de « se fondre » dans le milieu, repousser ses limites et surtout se reconnecter avec soi-même, explorer son propre corps et se sentir « bien ». L'apprentissage de l'apnée révèle les capacités d'adaptation du corps humain, actualisant des ressources inédites.

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2015 Nis 1
L’apnée au service du patient
Balestra C.

L'eau est une matière plurielle et ambivalente. Symboliquement associée à la purification, cause régulière de multiples ravages humains et écologiques, elle est aussi devenue un vaste terrain de jeu, d'expériences corporelles, d'immersions en tous genres. Retenir son souffle pour aller loin, profond, ou simplement rester longtemps immergé, passionne des pratiquants toujours plus nombreux. Il s'agit bien souvent de « se fondre » dans le milieu, repousser ses limites et surtout se reconnecter avec soi-même, explorer son propre corps et se sentir « bien ». L'apprentissage de l'apnée révèle les capacités d'adaptation du corps humain, actualisant des ressources inédites. Elle favorise l'émersion de sensations nouvelles du corps vivant.

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