Weizhong Jin

Continuous intra-arterial blood pH monitoring in rabbits with acid–base disorders

The acid-base balance of arterial blood is important for the clinical management of seriously ill patients, especially patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. We developed a novel fluorosensor for continuous blood pH monitoring and evaluated its performance both in vitro and in vivo in rabbits with acid-base disorders. The pH sensor is made of N-allyl-4-piperazinyl-1, 8-napthalimide and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, which were bonded at the distal end of the optical fiber. The fluorescence intensity increased as the pH decreased with good reproducibility, selectivity and linearity in the pH range of 6-8. The pH measurement precision was 0.03 ± 0.03 pH units with a bias of -0.02 ± 0.04 (n = 105) and -0.00 ± 0.05 pH units (n=189) in rabbits with metabolic and respiratory acid-base orders, respectively. The optical pH sensor can accurately measure pH fluctuations with a fast response and is a promising candidate for continuous in-line measurements of blood pH in critical care patients.

Real-time monitoring of blood carbon dioxide tension by fluorosensor

A new intravascular fluorosensor was developed and validated for inline P(CO)₂monitoring. The P(CO)₂sensor was based on the fluorescent indicator 1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate. The P(CO)₂sensor was then immersed in various solutions in vitro and carotid artery bypass of rabbits in vivo for testing. Changes of P(CO)₂in solutions and blood were created by bubbling CO2/N2 and hyperventilation/hypoventilation, respectively. The changes of fluorescent intensity over P(CO)₂ range of 14-150 mmHg was linear. The resolution of the whole sensor system was 1 mmHg, with a bias ± SD of -0.1 ± 2.9 mmHg and precision ± SD of 2.1 ± 1.9 mmHg. The sensor signal has been stable during measurement for at least 25h and was insensitive to fluctuations of ions concentration and osmosis at pathophysiological limits. The performance of the sensor is in agreement with blood gas analyzer in a wide range of P(CO)₂and it is qualified for continuous intravascular measurement of blood P(CO)₂at various conditions.

Novel role for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in alveolar fluid clearance in lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury in mice

Alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) is important for the resolution of acute lung injury (ALI). The role of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in AFC has not been entirely elucidated in animal models of ALI. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CFTR and its mechanisms in AFC in normal and ALI mice.