Using Hyperspectral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy to Monitor the Effects of Phenylephrine in the Microcirculation

The microcirculation is the site of oxygen exchange in the body, and little work has been done to determine if different microvascular beds respond similarly to a simultaneous vascular challenge. A hybrid microvascular monitoring device was developed that uses hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy to simultaneously monitor the brain and skeletal muscle. Experiments were conducted on Sprague Dawley rats (n=6, 156g±6.4g) to discern the effect that phenylephrine (0.1 mL bolus, 10 mg/kg) has on the mean arterial pressure (MAP), hemoglobin concentration, and blood flow in each microvasculature. Hemoglobin concentration increased by 2.1±0.2 mmol in the brain, and decreased by 2.5±1.0 mmol in skeletal muscle. Cerebral blood flow increased by 20.8±7.2% while muscular blood flow decreased by 7.5±1.5%. The response in the brain was dependent on the initial baseline MAP. This non-invasive method can be used to aid in clinical translation of findings in animal models

The effect of sepsis on cerebral microvascular blood flow

Background: Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection that affects 18 000 000 people worldwide, and over 325 000 000 dollars are spent treating sepsis in Canada every year. One of the symptoms of severe sepsis is an altered mental state, which is accompanied with a measured decrease in oxygen levels in the skeletal muscle microvasculature. It is hypothesized that his altered mental state is due to a lack of oxygenated blood reaching the brain. Hypothesis: After the onset of sepsis, microvascular cerebral blood flow and oxygen levels in the blood will decrease. Onset of decreased blood flow in the brain is expected to occur later than in skeletal muscle. Methods: Data will be collected rom Sprague Dawley rats. Rats will undergo a sepsis inducing procedure, and one of the right leg muscles will be exposed. Data will be collected from this muscle via intravital video microscopy, and from the left leg and the brain via near infrared spectroscopy. Results: Expected results include a decrease in microvascular blood flow in both legs and the brain, with a later onset of decreased flow in the brain compared to the leg. Discussion: It is known that sepsis causes changes in skeletal muscle microvasculature. If we see these same changes in the cerebral microvasculature, it may be an indication that there isn\u27t enough oxygen reaching the brain. This could be a cause of a decreased mental state, and would be worth further exploration

Strategy in European security and defence policy-does it matter?

This chapter explores a number of topical strategic challenges to the evolution of a coherent European Security Strategy (ESS), which have been agreed as strategic priorities by the EU. It discusses EU's comprehensive approach which is based on both civilian and military aspects of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and reflects key threat perceptions as identified in the ESS as well as the Report on the Implementation of the ESS. The ESS gave a basic guideline as to how the EU views security rather than some form of grand strategy as its title might suggest. The EU is facing a number of contemporary security challenges such as the slow and uncertain recovery from the financial crisis, the refugee crisis, tensions with Russia over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. The EU has clear security interests in both the Balkans and the Eastern neighbourhood and the stabilisation of both regions is a challenge that the EU needs to meet

The EU, strategy and security policy: Regional and strategic challenges

This edited collection is a timely and in-depth analysis of the EU's efforts to bring coherency and strategy to its security policy actions. Despite a special European Council summit in December 2013 on defence, it is generally acknowledged that fifteen years since its inception the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) has yet to acquire a clear sense of purpose. This book investigates those areas where the EU has established actorness in the security and defence field and asks whether they might constitute the elements of an emergent more coherent EU strategy on security. Taking a critical view, the contributors map the EU's strategic vision(s) across particular key regions where the EU has been active as a security actor, the strategic challenges that it has pinpointed alongside the opportunities and barriers posed by a multiplicity of actors, interests and priorities identified by both member states and EU actors. By doing this we demonstrate where gaps in strategic thinking lie, where the EU has been unable to achieve its aims, and offer recommendations concerning the EU's future strategic direction. This book will be of much interest to students of European security, EU policy, strategic studies and IR in general

Strategy in European security and defence policy-does it matter?

This chapter explores a number of topical strategic challenges to the evolution of a coherent European Security Strategy (ESS), which have been agreed as strategic priorities by the EU. It discusses EU's comprehensive approach which is based on both civilian and military aspects of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and reflects key threat perceptions as identified in the ESS as well as the Report on the Implementation of the ESS. The ESS gave a basic guideline as to how the EU views security rather than some form of grand strategy as its title might suggest. The EU is facing a number of contemporary security challenges such as the slow and uncertain recovery from the financial crisis, the refugee crisis, tensions with Russia over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. The EU has clear security interests in both the Balkans and the Eastern neighbourhood and the stabilisation of both regions is a challenge that the EU needs to meet