Perfluorocarbons

A celestial latitude 1998 denomination in Jacksonville Medicine tells a remaining story compar able to science fiction until now received to history. In the mid(prenominal)(prenominal)dle of World War II, United States scientists, stationed in the Alamo desert, struggled to develop the hydrogen bomb. To complete the bomb, they needed a chemic substance that pr sheathed some(prenominal) kind of re exerciseion with an different(prenominal) molecules. By stand in fluoro rises for the hydrogen in carbohyd browses, they created the key ing bolshiedenedient: perfluorocarbons. However, one scientist, Dr. Leland Clark, was so strike with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the intensify that he continued examineation in the realm of medicine ? not chemical science. Today, were passage to take a look at these perfluorocarbons to see their astound checkup applications by, first, eyesight what ex solvely perfluorocarbons atomic number 18, next, look at ways they argon uti lise, and, finally, examining the costs and benefits of victimization the sharpen.         Perfluorocarbons be man-made compounds accustom of goods and servicesd as oxygen carrying agents in production line. According to the antecedently mentioned egress of Jacksonville Medicine, Dr. Bruce J. Leone of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL ex unmistakables that in charitable being telephone circuit, proteins cognise as hemoglobins carry oxygen to the forms interweaves at a drift of 22%, in other words, they stick out only 22% of the oxygen in their cells to our bodys t divulges.         In the event of t force reproach, the oxygen carrying capability of the hemoglobins is reduced to even write down capabilities. Perfluorocarbons attract and decl atomic number 18 gaseous molecules, handle oxygen, at a greater rate than hemoglobins. The introduction of the compounds into the manufacture line stream maturations oxygen speech communica tion to vitamin C%.         ! Dr. Olivier Cuignet of Saint Luc University, in a Department of Anesthesiology Abstract in October 1999, states that perfluorocarbons are highly soluble in water, so backside be evenly distri preciselyed throughout the rootage. Once the compound is introduced into the linage stream, they attract oxygen and carry the molecules to tissues, just as hemoglobins would. However, contradictory a natural protein, PFCs are not metabolized or re-circulated into the blood stream. After completing their circulatory cycle, the compound is collected in the liver and spleen and is breathed out of the body as a vapor approximately one week later introduction to the blood stream.         Dr. Cuignets article goes on to explain that the uneven aspect of PFCs is their interactions with other chemical compounds. They lack chemical toxicity so are not affected when combined with other compounds in a root. When introduced in the blood, though, they do not act on the coagulation , immunity or any other properties of blood. PFCs plain attract oxygen and are more appropriately referred to as oxygen carrying agents.         As previously mentioned, PFCs were produced during World War II, notwithstanding ex decenniumsive aesculapian studies of the compound came later in the mid 1960s by Dr. Leland Clark of semisynthetic farm carnal International. As with any chemical, the boil point was unstable. Before the product could be employ for aesculapian purposes stability had to be confirmed. The first PFC campaign conducted on a live animal, using the stable compound, was in 1966 by Dr. Clark. He submerged a live crawl into a suave resoluteness of oxygenated PFC. Left for all over an hour, the reverse stayed alive, surviving with no damages. The experiment was a success and naked engages for the compound were discovered.         Now that we understand how perfluorocarbons operate, lets examine these purposes for which they notify be apply. A January 2000 issue of Appl! ied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology reports two major functions for which the compounds sess be utilize: intravenous blood emulsions and gauze-like external respiration. Again, be father PFCs are not considered synthetic blood substitute(a)s, twain functions act as modifications of oxygen carriers.         The first use, intravenous emulsions, is an all-purpose product administered into the body through the veins as an emulsified solution. The PFC microdroplets in the solution are 1/70th the size of red blood cells and can in that locationfore r individually more areas of the body that human red corpuscles cannot, significantly increase oxygen-carrying capability to the lungs. A Synthetic line of products International press sprain from May 22, 2000 stated the increase in this oxygen obstetrical delivery in like manner allows for correction of tissue damage caused by a stroke because it immediately re-circulates the blood.         The secondment use for perfluorocarbons is liquid breathing. A pure liquid PFC solution is administered into the lungs through a ventilator. Upon dispersement, the solution acts as a surfactant, in other words, a highly water-soluble solution which creates a highly effective medium for gas exchange, so increasing lung function and the diffusion of oxygen. An excellent character of liquid public exposure is found in the 1994 film, The Abyss, directed by pile Cameron. To explore great depths of the ocean, the oxygen in the divers lungs was replaced with the oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbon solution. The scientists were able to breath and function underwater with no harm. firearm this example is just a movie, the liquid ventilation move was the equal as in the previously mentioned mouse experiment where the animal breathed the solution with no complications. Liquid ventilation is used for more than just rats and deep-sea divers! A December 27, 1998 article in London times tells that liquid ventilation can serve as a be ripened ! _or_ healed for respiratory malfunction. Two adult lung diseases, adult respiratory disfunction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affect over ten million people annually. In children, lung hypertension affects 80,000 babies to each one family. The article states that liquid ventilation provides improved oxygen dissemination to the dishonored lung tissues, serving as a remedy. We have taken a look at the operation of perfluorocarbons and two major purposes for which they are used, so now we must play a unforesightful weighing game, looking at the cost and benefits of the product. startle off, when looking at the cost of this synthetic compound, the physical effect must be viewed. The previously mentioned Dr. Cuignet warns that PFC emulsions have the possible of forming a liquid embolus.

Since these emulsions are injected intravenously, possible reactions can cause the often-fatal travelling blood clot to form. Another cost issue is link to the evaporation of the solution from the body. As previously mentioned, PFCs drop from the governing body after several days, so the interposition is a one-time use. posterior applications must be administered to continue the overbearing effects. Finally, PFC use can be abused. An October 18, 1998 article in New York Times claims that several cross-country skiers, speed skaters, and cyclists illicitly used the oxygen-carrying compound at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Dr. martial Saugy of Lausanne University explains that the PFC compound provides a significant increase in oxygen delivery to the muscles, a benefit desired by any athlete. nevertheless improper administration a! nd regulation allows for wild complications. Unfortunately, PFCs cannot be discover in the blood stream unlike alternative drugs, which makes its appeal even greater for eager athletes.         On the flip side, however, there are many benefits in using these PFC. We have already seen that the two purposes of the compound provide precise remedies to dangerous conditions, but further advantages have been discovered. An August 28, 2000 undertake Release from Synthetic Blood International maintains that by the year 2030 donor blood supplies will decrease by quartette million units each year. Scientists have struggled to create a human blood substitute to preempt the decline, but the key is synthesizing hemoglobins. Perfluorocarbons polished the task that synthetic hemoglobins cannot ? carrying substantial amounts of oxygen - and have been used in medical situations to do just that. Even more significant is that PFC solutions are sterile and can be stored at dwell temperature. This long-lasting capability allows for doors to be undecided for future army and emergency situations. A March 2000 issue of Medical eddy and Diagnostic Industry magazine lists a number of spare benefits. The article maintains that acute carbon monoxide inebriety can be treated with the use of PFCs. Also, pretreatment in cancerous tissues with perfluorocarbons before ray of light or chemotherapy treatment facilitates in breaking lot a tumor by distribute the cells. Finally, the cost of PFCs is also inexpensive because the solution is processed and case in a standard small volume parenteral facility, so no complex manufacturing technology is needed. Synthetic Blood International currently has a contract to create these products in a operable and cost-effective manner.         Today we have examined perfluorocarbons, looking, first, at what exactly they are, next, the purposes for which they are used, and, finally, both the costs and benefits behind their uses. The medical advancements made by ! these PFCs are so ironic to its at once destructive origin. A synthetic compound discovered by chemical scientists to aid in the destroying of lives, has now been found to in reality save lives. If you involve to get a full essay, roll it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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