Publications

Selected scientific publications on diving medicine and physiology.

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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2021 Oca 7
Nitric oxide andoxidative stress changes at depth in breath-hold diving
Danilo Cialoni, Andrea Brizzolari, Michele Samaja, Gerardo Bosco, Matteo Paganini, Massimo Pieri, Valentina Lancellotti, Alessandro Marroni

Background: Several mechanisms allow humans to resist the extreme conditions encountered during breath-hold diving. Available nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major contributors to such complex adaptations at depth and oxidative stress is one of the major collateral effects of diving. Due to technical difficulties, these biomarkers have not so far been studied in vivo while at depth. The aim of this study is to investigate nitrate and nitrite (NOx) concentration, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) before, during, and after repetitive breath-hold dives in healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Blood plasma, obtained from 14 expert breath-hold divers, was tested for differences in NOx, TAC, and TBARS between pre-dive, bottom, surface, 30 and 60 min post-dive samples.

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2017 May 1
Objective vs. Subjective Evaluation of Cognitive Performance During 0.4-MPa Dives Breathing Air or Nitrox
Germonpré P., Balestra C., Hemelryck W., Buzzacott P., Lafère P.

BACKGROUND: Divers try to limit risks associated with their sport, for instance by breathing enriched air nitrox (EANx) instead of air. This double blinded, randomized trial was designed to see if the use of EANx could effectively improve cognitive performance while diving. METHODS: Eight volunteers performed two no-decompression dry dives breathing air or EANx for 20 min at 0.4 MPa. Cognitive functions were assessed with a computerized test battery, including MathProc and Ptrail. Measurements were taken before the dive, upon arrival and after 15 min at depth, upon surfacing, and at 30 min postdive. After each dive subjects were asked to identify the gas they had just breathed.

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