Parabrachial neuron discharge in the cat is altered during the carbachol-induced REM sleep-like state (DCarb)

Pontine parabrachial neurons have been suggested to play a regulatory role in both respiratory and sleep cycle control. Encouraged by the finding that microinjections of the cholinergic agonist carbachol into the medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF) of the cat produced respiratory changes paralleling those observed during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (Neurosci. Lett., 102 (1989) 211–216), this study tested the hypothesis that cholinergic mechanisms in the mPRF can also cause state-dependent changes in the discharge of parabrachial neurons. This paper describes extracellular recordings of parabrachial neurons during REM sleep and during the carbachol-induced REM sleep-like state (DCarb). Cells which were activated (REM-on) or inactivated (REM-off) during REM maintained these same state-dependent firing patterns during the DCarb state. These results support the hypothesis that cholinergic mechanisms in the mPRF can cause state-dependent changes in the discharge of parabrachial neurons.     

Elevation of plasma viscosity induces sustained NO-mediated dilation in the hamster cremaster microcirculation in vivo

 We studied whether a flow-independent increase of luminal wall shear stress (WSS) could dilate hamster arterioles in vivo and which endothelial mediators are potentially involved. To this end the plasma viscosity was elevated by exchanging blood for dextran-erythrocyte solution thereby augmenting WSS. Diameters of small and large arterioles as well as red blood cell velocities were measured before and after exchange of blood for solutions of identical haematocrit containing either high- (HMWD) or low-molecular weight dextran (LMWD). The potential role of endothelial autacoids was investigated by local application of the NO-synthase inhibitor N ^G-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, indomethacin (3 μM), or the K⁺-channel blocker, tetrabutylammonium (TBA, 0.1 mM) to assess the potential effects of EDHF. HMWD (n = 11 animals) increased plasma viscosity by 64 ± 3% and dilated arterioles of all branching orders (A1–A4) significantly [by 24 ± 3% (A1–A2) and 32 ± 3% (A3–A4)]. This dilation compensated fully for the calculated initial increase of WSS. LMWD (n = 6) did not affect plasma viscosity or arteriolar diameters. Tissue treatment with L-NNA (30–300 μM, n = 12) substantially diminished the HMWD-induced dilation in small arterioles (A3–A4; to 13 ± 3%; P<0.05) and virtually abolished it in large ones (A1–A2). Consequently, the calculated WSS increased significantly in these arterioles (by 31 ± 5%). TBA combined with L-NNA (n = 4) did not reduce further the remaining dilation. Indomethacin (n = 6) had no effect on HMWD-induced dilation. We conclude that an increase of WSS induces a mainly NO-mediated arteriolar dilation. This dilation occurs in all arteriolar branching orders and is of sufficient magnitude to compensate for the initial WSS-increase. Thus, any elevations of WSS fulfil the requirement for a signal to change diameter along the arteriolar tree in a coordinated manner. The fully compensating dilation which we observed indicates that WSS is a controlled variable. It does, however, raise questions as to its role as a continuous endothelial stimulus. Received: 2 August 1996 / Received after revision: 24 February 1997 / Accepted: 14 April 1997     

In vivo vibrational wave propagation in human tibiae at different ages

Summary Vibrational wave propagation was tested in vivo on the tibial bone of both legs of 56 female volunteers. The impact was produced by a hammer with a force strain gauge and the response was monitored by two accelerometers. The peak amplitude of the accelerations, the velocity of the acceleration wave propagation and damping were analysed for comparison among the different age groups. The results showed significant negative correlations between age and the peak amplitude of acceleration, and the velocity of acceleration wave propagation (p<0.01). The damping time of the acceleration wave also had a negative correlation with age. These findings suggested that age differences were related to the differences in the mechanical properties of bone. With reduction of bone mineral density, the velocity of the vibrational wave propagation would decrease, with simultaneous increase in impedance. In addition, wave absorption would be accelerated. It is suggested that this method could be used as an indicator of bone density. The method could also be developed to provide an index to monitor the progress of osteoporosis. Visiting research assistant from the Department of Sport Medicine, Chengdu College of Physical Education, Chengdu, People's Republic of China Visiting research assistant from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea     

流体剪切力在骨生长、重建中的重要作用

骨组织具有最优化结构,是一个典型的结构-功能受生物力学控制的例子。力学因素在骨的生长、重建和成形中起着十分重要的作用,但力学刺激的本质形式至今无法确认。骨组织存在多孔结构,力学负荷引起的变形会促使流体流动对骨细胞产生作用,离体实验也证实骨细胞能对流体产生响应,因此流体剪切力是研究骨组织受力学调控时考虑的一个重要方面。现有的研究主要体现在流体的有效作用形式,细胞的生物学反应,以及流体剪切力在细胞中的力学转导;各个方面的研究都提示,流体剪切力至少部分的参与了骨组织内的力转导。作者就这方面的研究进展作一综述。     

Shear‐Induced Crystallization and Shear‐Induced Dissolution of Poly(ethylene oxide) in Mixtures with Tetrahydronaphthalene and Oligo(dimethyl siloxane‐b‐ethylene oxide)

Cloud point temperatures (T_cp) and crystallization temperatures (T_l/s) were measured at different constant shear rates for the ternary system tetrahydronaphthalene/poly(ethylene oxide)/oligo(dimethyl siloxane‐b‐ethylene oxide) using a rheo‐optical device and in the case of T_l/s additionally a viscometer. This system enables for the first time a joint investigation of both transitions with a given mixture. Shear favors the homogeneous liquid state and the formation of crystals. T_cp (liquid/liquid demixing, UCST) shifts to lower and T_l/s (liquid/solid, segregation of PEO) to higher temperatures by several degrees as the shear rate, , is increased up to 500 s^?1. The normalized shift in T_cp fits well into previous results for high molecular weight blends, oligomer mixtures, polymer solutions in single solvents and low molecular weight mixtures. A phase separated near critical blend was examined 1 K below its T_cp by means of a shear cell (Linkam) in the quiescent state and under shear with respect to its morphology. Upon an increase in one observes a transition from the co‐continuous structures existing in the quiescent state via deformed and oriented particles to string like morphologies. Finally, at sufficiently high shear rates the mixture becomes homogeneous and structures can no longer be seen under the microscope. The morphologies developing after the secession of shear are pointing to pronounced influences of the flow history of the system on the final structure of two phase blends.

Equilibrium phase diagram of the system THN/COP/PEO at the indicated temperatures as obtained from turbidimetric titration. The curve for 42 °C indicates the compositions under which the mixtures segregate the first solid PEO particles upon cooling. The curves for the higher temperatures denote the demixing of the homogeneous system into two liquid phases.     

Trabecular Shear Stresses Predict <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vivo</Emphasis> Linear Microcrack Density but not Diffuse Damage in Human Vertebral Cancellous Bone

Linear microcracks and diffuse damage (staining over a broad region) are two types of microscopic damage known to occur in vivo in human vertebral trabecular bone. These damage types might be associated with vertebral failure. Using microcomputed tomography and finite element analysis for specimens of cancellous bone, we estimated the stresses in the trabeculae of human vertebral tissue for inferosuperior loading. Microdamage was quantified histologically. The density of in vivo linear microcracks was, but the diffuse damage area was not, related to the estimates of von Mises stress distribution in the tissue. In vivo linear microcrack density increased with increasing coefficient of variation of the trabecular von Mises stress and with increasing average trabecular von Mises stress generated per superoinferior apparent axial stress. Nonlinear increase in linear crack density, similar to the increase of the coefficient of variation of trabecular shear stresses, with decreasing bone stiffness and bone volume fraction suggests that damage may accumulate rather rapidly in diseases associated with low bone density due to the dramatic increase of shear stresses in the tissue. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8719Rr, 8719Xx, 8759Ls, 8759Fm, 8710+e     

A Negative Slow Wave Related to Conceptual Load Which Vanishes if the Amount of Load is Increased? A Reply to Ruchkin and Johnson

Ruchkin and Johnson (1991) claim that the mode of responding used by Rösler & Heil (1991) may have camouflaged effects of a negative slow wave that Ruckin et al. (1988) had found to be related to the difficulty of mental calculation problems. This criticism is addressed by three arguments which support the interpretation of Rösler and Heil (1991). According to this view, the negative slow wave in question is more likely related to unspecific processing factors, such as effort and event expectation, than to specific processing demands such as these induced by mental arithmetic.     

便携式长时间胃电记录系统的研制

体表胃电图(electrogastrogram,ECG)具有幅值小,频率低和窄带宽的特点,并且极易受到心电、呼吸以及运动等干扰.我们研究了一种基于单片机的胃电检测方法,可以有效地从体表记录到胃电信号,采用低功耗设计,可长时间进行胃电测量.将MMC卡作为胃电的存储器,通过在MMC卡上创建FAT文件系统,可使记录的胃电数据以标准文件的格式存储在MMC卡上,保证了后续的Windows环境下数据的处理.     

流体切应力作用强度对内皮细胞IL-8生成的影响

血管内皮细胞衬于血管腔的表面，是血流机械应力的主要感受者。切应力可以直接调节内皮细胞生物活性物质的合成和分泌，其中包括诱导内皮细胞生成IL-8，而且IL-8的生成量与切应力作用时间有关。为阐明内皮细胞IL-8的生成除了与切应力的作用时间有关外还与切应力的强度有关，我们用不同强度的流体切应力(2．09、4．61、6．19、8．51、10．50、12．59、14．41、17．22、18．32dyne／cm^2)处理培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞，然后采用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA技术检测内皮细胞IL-8蛋白质的生成。结果显示：未用切应力处理的内皮细胞只有极少量的IL-8蛋白质生成；切应力处理内皮细胞后，低切应力(2．09dyne／cm^2)时IL-8蛋白质生成量明显增加，约为高切应力(18．32dyne／cm^2)时IL-8蛋白质生成量的6(作用5h)或7倍(作用6h)。IL-8蛋白质生成量与内皮细胞所施加的切应力强度呈反变关系；直线回归方程：5h时为y=760．12—36．06x，相关系数7=-O．978；6h时为y=781．87—36．66x，相关系数7=-O．980。式中：y为切应力作用下内皮细胞IL-8的生成量；x为施加于内皮细胞的切应力强度(dyne／cm^2)。不同的切应力作用时间(5h、6h)均表现出相同的IL-8蛋白质生成量随切应力强度的变化规律。提示流体切应力诱导内皮细胞生成IL-8的量，不仅与切应力的作用时间有关，而且IL-8的生成量与切应力强度有关。流体低切应力诱导内皮细胞IL-8的生成量急剧增高，可能在急性炎症和动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展过程中具有重要作用。     

Comparison of electrical field plethysmography with electrical impedance plethysmography

As a means for assessing cardiac function, electrical field plethysmography (EFP) has been shown to have some features quite different from electrical impedance plethysmography (EIP). Here the two techniques are compared by using the two systems simultaneously on a subject and also with independent use in different electrode configurations. The results conform with the view that EIP is related primarily to volumetric changes of the aorta, whereas EFP is affected predominantly by changes in cardiac dimensions and orientation. Because of this difference, the standard time differential formula used for EIP is not applicable for the computation of cardiac output from the EFP waveforms. An alternative method of computation based on the amplitude of the EFP waveform is suggested.