Publications

Selected scientific publications on diving medicine and physiology.

2020 Ara 20
Investigating critical flicker fusion frequency for monitoring gas narcosis in divers
Vrijdag XC, van Waart H, Sleigh JW, Balestra C, Mitchell SJ

Introduction: Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) has been used in various studies to measure the cognitive effects of gas mixtures at depth, sometimes with conflicting or apparently paradoxical results. This study aimed to evaluate a novel automatic CFFF method and investigate whether CFFF can be used to monitor gas-induced narcosis in divers. Methods: Three hyperbaric chamber experiments were performed: 1) Automated and manual CFFF measurements during air breathing at 608 kPa (n = 16 subjects); 2) Manual CFFF measurements during air and heliox breathing at sea level (101.3 kPa) and 608 kPa (n = 12); 3) Manual CFFF measurements during oxygen breathing at sea level, 142 and 284 kPa (n = 10). All results were compared to breathing air at sea level.

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2020 Tem 23
Physiological characteristics associated with increased resistance to decompression sickness in male and female rats
Lautridou J, Dugrenot E, Amerand A, Guernec A, Pichavant-Rafini K, Goanvec C, Inizan M, Albacete G, Belhomme M, Galinat H, Lafere P, Balestra C, Moisan C, Buzzacott P & Guerrero F.

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a complex and poorly understood systemic disease with wide interindividual resistance variability. We selectively bred rats with a threefold greater resistance to DCS than standard ones. To investigate possible physiological mechanisms underlying the resistance to DCS, including sex-related differences in these mechanisms, 15 males and 15 females resistant to DCS were compared with aged-matched standard Wistar males (n = 15) and females (n = 15). None of these individuals had been previously exposed to hyperbaric treatment. Comparison of the allelic frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed a difference of one SNP located on the X chromosome.

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2020 Haz 20
Venous gas emboli time-series analysis from three controlled pool diving exposures at 24 h intervals
Karimpour K, Denoble P, Tillmans F, Buzzacott P, Pieri M, Cialoni D, Lambrechts K, Dayton PA, Balestra C & Marroni A.

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2020 Ara 1
First impressions: Use of the Azoth Systems O'Dive subclavian bubble monitor on a liveaboard dive vessel
Germonpre P, Van der Eecken P, Van Renterghem E, Germonpre FL & Balestra C.

Introduction: The Azoth Systems O'Dive bubble monitor is marketed at recreational and professional divers as a tool to improve personal diving decompression safety. We report the use of this tool during a 12-day dive trip aboard a liveaboard vessel. Methods: Six divers were consistently monitored according to the user manual of the O'Dive system. Data were synchronised with the Azoth server whenever possible (depending on cell phone data signal).

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2018 Ara 4
Editorial: Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport Psychology
Pierleoni P., Pernini L., Palma L., Belli A., Valenti S., Maurizi L., Sabbatini L. and Marroni A.

As a matter of fact, both dimensions are also well-linked together. Depending on those two parameters, hydration, gas partial pressures, effort, work of breathing, metabolism, gene expression and many other essential “ingredients” of human life and performance can vary widely. Human studies in extreme environments (altitude hypoxia, microgravity, hyperbaric, and terrestrial extreme climatic conditions) over the last decades have expanded knowledge in physiology, highlighting new routes of regulation, breaking previous old concepts, and …

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