• Effect of decompression-induced bubble formation on highly trained divers microvascular functionPeer reviewedOpen access 

      07 novembre 2013, LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Pontier, Jean-Michel; Mazur, Aleksandra; Pontier, Jean-Michel; Buzzacott, Peter; Morin, Jean; Wang, Qiong; Theron, Michaël; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      We previously showed microvascular alteration of both endothelium-dependent and -independent reactivity after a single SCUBA dive. We aimed to study mechanisms involved in this postdive vascular dysfunction. Ten divers each completed three protocols: (1) a SCUBA dive at 400 kPa for 30 min; (2) a 41-min duration of seawater surface head immersed finning exercise to determine the effect of immersion ...
    • Effect Of Induced Relative Hypoxia On Reticulocyte Count In Oncologycal Abdominal Surgery: A Single-Centre, Controlled, Randomized Pilot Study.Peer reviewedOpen access 

      04 avril 2018, Khalife, Maher; Wiams, Kathleen; Ben Aziz, M; BALESTRA, Costantino; Sosnowski, Maurice, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulating agents are known as alternatives to transfusion. However, they expose patients to thrombosis and are expensive. A phenomenon, “the normobaric oxygen paradox” (NOP), has been described. A transient hyperoxia followed by a prolonged return to normoxia acts as an effective trigger for EPO production. The mechanism depends on free O2 radicals and on reduced gluthatione ...
    • Effect of oxygen-breathing during a decompression-stop on bubble-induced platelet activation after an open-sea air dive: oxygen-stop decompressionPeer reviewedClosed access 

      29 septembre 2013, Pontier, Jean-Michel; LAMBRECHTS, Kate, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Purpose: We highlighted a relationship between decompression-induced bubble formation and platelet micro-particle (PMP) release after a scuba air-dive. It is known that decompression protocol using oxygen-stop accelerates the washout of nitrogen loaded in tissues. The aim was to study the effect of oxygen deco-stop on bubble formation and cell-derived MP release. Methods: Healthy experienced ...
    • The effect of pre-dive ingestion of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a scuba divePeer reviewedClosed access 

      15 mars 2015, THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; BALESTRA, Costantino; BOUTROS, Antoine; De Bels, David; Guerrero, François; GERMONPRÉ, Peter, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Objective: The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving. Methods: Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n=21) and a chocolate group (n=21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33⁰C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g ...
    • Effect of SCUBA Diving on Ophthalmic ParametersPeer reviewedOpen access 

      09 mars 2022, Deleu, Laurent; Catherine, Janet; Postelmans, Laurence; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Background and Objective: Several cases of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in divers have been reported in our medical retina center over the past few years. This study was designed to evaluate possible changes induced by SCUBA diving in ophthalmic parameters and especially subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), since the choroid seems to play a crucial role in physiopathology of CSC. Materials ...
    • Effect of simulated air dive and decompression sickness on the plasma proteome of ratsPeer reviewedClosed access 

      12 avril 2016, Lautridou, Jacky; Pichereau, Vianney; Artigaud, Sébastien; Buzzacott, Peter; Wang, Qiong; Bernay, Benoit; Driad, Sabrina; Mazur, Aleksandra; LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Theron, Michaël; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Purpose: Decompression sickness (DCS) is a poorly understood systemic disease caused by inadequate desaturation following a reduction in ambient pressure. Although recent studies highlight the importance of circulating factors, the available data are still puzzling. In this study, we aimed to identify proteins and biological pathways involved in the development of DCS in rats. Experimental design: ...
    • Effect of splenectomy on platelet activation and decompression sickness outcome in a rat model of decompressionPeer reviewedClosed access 

      01 septembre 2014, LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Pontier, Jean-Michel; Mazur, Aleksandra; Buzzacott, Peter; Goanvec, Christel; Wang, Qiong; Theron, Michaël; Belhomme, Marc; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: Splenic platelets have been recognized to have a greater prothrombotic potential than others platelets. We studied whether platelets released by splenic contraction could influence the severity and outcome of decompression sickness (DCS) and bubble-induced platelet activation. Methods: Sixteen, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a control or a splenectomized ...
    • Effect of tetrahydrobiopterin and exercise training on endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in SHRPeer reviewedClosed access 

      02 juin 2013, Guerrero, François; Sanéo, Thioub; Goanvec, Christelle; THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; Feray, Annie; BALESTRA, Costantino; Mansourati, Jacques, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      We examined whether the improvement of impaired NO-dependent vasorelaxation by exercise training could be mediated through a BH4-dependent mechanism. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, n = 20) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 20) were trained (Tr) for 9 weeks on a treadmill and compared to age-matched sedentary animals (Sed). Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) was assessed with ...
    • Effects of Acute Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure on Cardiovascular Function in Unacclimatized Healthy Subjects: A "Rapid Ascent" Hypobaric Chamber StudyPeer reviewedOpen access 

      28 avril 2022, THEUNISSEN, Sigrid; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bolognési, Sébastien; Borgers, Guy; Vissenaeken, Dirk; Obeid, Georges; Germonpré, Peter; Honoré, Patrick M.; De Bels, David, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Background: This study aimed to observe the effects of a fast acute ascent to simulated high altitudes on cardiovascular function both in the main arteries and in peripheral circulation. Methods: We examined 17 healthy volunteers, between 18 and 50 years old, at sea level, at 3842 m of hypobaric hypoxia and after return to sea level. Cardiac output (CO) was measured with Doppler transthoracic ...
    • Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Evidences from Laboratory and In-Field StudiesPeer reviewedOpen access 

      12 septembre 2023, Gussoni, Maristella; Moretti, Sarah; Vezzoli, Alessandra; Genitoni, Valerio; Giardini, Guido; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bosco, Gerardo; Pratali, Lorenza; Spagnolo, Elisabetta; Montorsi, Michela; Mrakic-Sposta, Simona, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Intense, long exercise can increase oxidative stress, leading to higher levels of inflammatory mediators and muscle damage. At the same time, fatigue has been suggested as one of the factors giving rise to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a specific electrical stimulation (ES) treatment (without elicited muscular contraction) on two ...
    • Effects of oxygen-enriched air on cognitive performance during SCUBA-diving - an open-water studyPeer reviewedClosed access 

      12 avril 2017, Brebeck, Anne-Kathrin; Deussen, Andreas; Schmitz-Pfeiffer, Henning; Range, Ursula; BALESTRA, Costantino; Cleveland, Sinclair; Schipke, Jochen, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Backround: Nitrogen narcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited. AIM: Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an ...
    • Elevations of Extracellular Vesicles and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Closed Circuit SCUBA DiversPeer reviewedOpen access 

      22 mars 2023, Arya, Awadhesh; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bhopale, Veena; Tominen, Laura; Raisanen-Sokolowski, Anne; Dugrenot, Emmanuel; Thom, Stephen, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Blood-borne extracellular vesicles and inflammatory mediators were evaluated in divers using a closed circuit rebreathing apparatus and custom-mixed gases to diminish some diving risks. "Deep" divers (n = 8) dove once to mean (+/-SD) 102.5 +/- 1.2 m of sea water (msw) for 167.3 +/- 11.5 min. "Shallow" divers (n = 6) dove 3 times on day 1, and then repetitively over 7 days to 16.4 +/- 3.7 msw, for ...
    • Endothelial function may be enhanced in the cutaneous microcirculation after a single air divePeer reviewedClosed access 

      30 septembre 2020, Guerrero, François; LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Wang, Qiong; Mazur, Aleksandra; Marroni, Alessandro, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: The effects of scuba diving on the vessel wall have been studied mainly at the level of large conduit arteries. Data regarding the microcirculation are scarce and indicate that these two vascular beds are affected differently by diving. Methods: We assessed the changes in cutaneous microcirculation before an air scuba dive, then 30 min and 24 h after surfacing. Endothelium-dependent ...
    • Evaluation des effets de l’activité physique sur le système lymphatique de patientes avec lymphoedème secondaire à une chirurgie de cancer du seinPeer reviewedOpen access 

      septembre 2017, Barbieux, romain; LEDUC, Olivier; Bourgeois, Pierre; Roman, Mirela; Provyn, Steven; Leduc, albert; De backer, Pauline, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Objectivation par lymphoscintigraphie en trois phases du fonctionnement des vaisseaux lymphatiques de femmes opérées du cancer du sein.
    • Evaluation of Divers' Neuropsychometric Effectiveness and High-Pressure Neurological Syndrome via Computerized Test Battery Package and Questionnaires in Operational SettingPeer reviewedOpen access 

      12 avril 2019, Berenji Ardestani, Simin; BALESTRA, Costantino; Bouzinova, Elena; Loennechen, Oyvind, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: When divers are compressed to water depths deeper than 150 meter sea water (msw), symptoms of high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) might appear due to rapid increase in pressure on the central nervous system during compression. The aim of this study was to first operate a new computerized tool, designed to monitor divers' wellbeing and cognitive function, and to record the results. ...
    • Evaluation of Protection Level, Respiratory Safety, and Practical Aspects of Commercially Available Snorkel Masks as Personal Protection Devices Against Aerosolized Contaminants and SARS-CoV2Peer reviewedOpen access 

      15 juin 2020, GERMONPRÉ, Peter; Van Rompaeye, Dirk; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: The “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV2) pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of personal protection devices (PPD) for medical and paramedical personnel. Adaptation of commercially available snorkel masks to serve as full face masks has been proposed. Even not formally approved as PPD, they are publicized on social media as suitable for this use. Concerns ...
    • Evidence of Heritable Determinants of Decompression Sickness in RatsPeer reviewedClosed access 

      22 juillet 2017, Lautridou, Jacky; Buzzacott, Peter; Belhomme, Marc; Dugrenot, Emmanuel; Lafère, Pierre; BALESTRA, Costantino; Guerrero, François, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      NTRODUCTION: Decompression sickness (DCS) is a complex and poorly understood systemic disease caused by inadequate desaturation following a decrease of ambient pressure. Strong variability between individuals is observed for DCS occurrence. This raises questions concerning factors that may be involved in the inter-individual variability of DCS occurrence. This study aimed to experimentally assess ...
    • Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport PsychologyPeer reviewedOpen access 

      20 décembre 2018, BALESTRA, Costantino; Jacek, Kot; Efrati, Shai; Guerrero, François; Blatteau, Jean-Eric; Besnard, Stéphane, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Editorial: Extreme Environments in Movement Science and Sport Psychology
    • Factors influencing the severity of long-term sequelae in fishermen-divers with neurological decompression sicknessPeer reviewedClosed access 

      31 mars 2020, Blatteau, Jean-Eric; LAMBRECHTS, Kate; Ruffez, Jean, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      Introduction: Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the factors influencing the short-term prognosis for neurological decompression sickness (DCS). However, the long-term sequelae are rarely assessed. The purpose of this study to investigate the factors likely to influence the long-term prognosis. Methods: Twenty-seven Vietnamese fishermen-divers who on average 9 (SD 6) years beforehand ...
    • Feasibility of Detecting Brain Areas Involved in Extreme Breath-Hold DivingPeer reviewedOpen access 

      20 janvier 2021, Jissendi-Tchofo, Patrice; Jdaoudi, Yassin; GERMONPRÉ, Peter; Brizzolari, Andrea; Musimu, Patrick; BALESTRA, Costantino, HE Bruxelles Brabant
      Article scientifique
      We report Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal changes recorded in the brain of an elite breath-hold diver during voluntary dry long breath-hold by means of fMRI. An independent component analysis (ICA) method was applied to extract brain areas that are putatively involved in the apnea process network. We discuss the hypothesis that these BOLD signal variations express the functional adaptive ...