Changes in the P100 latency of the visual evoked potential and the saccadic reaction time during isometric contraction of the shoulder girdle elevators

We investigated changes in the P100 latency of the visual evoked potential (VEP) and the saccadic reaction time (SRT) in relation to the degree of activity of the shoulder girdle elevators. Muscle force was set in 10% increments from 0% to 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The VEP was derived from a midline occipital electrode with reference electrodes on the ears when the right retina was stimulated through the eyelid by light emitting diodes while the eyes were closed. The P100 latency of the VEP was defined as the time from the stimulus onset to the main positive peak. The SRT was defined as the latency until the beginning of eye movement toward the lateral target, which was moved at random time-intervals. P100 latency was shortened until 30% of the MVC, and which it lengthened. The SRT changed in a pattern similar to that observed for the P100 latency. The ratio of the shortening in P100 latency relative to that of the SRT was approximately 20%. All data is presented as the mean value, plus the standard deviation. We believe that the information processing time in the neural pathway from the retina to the visual cortex was shortened up to a certain muscle force of the shoulder girdle elevators, and then this processing time lengthened. These findings indicate that shortening of information processing time in the neural pathway beyond the visual cortex is included in the shortening of the SRT.     

Changes in the surface electromyogram during increasing isometric shoulder forward flexions

Summary When using electromyographic techniques in the evaluation of muscular load it is necessary to determine the mathematical relationship between the torque and the amplitude of the electromyographic signal. Isometric gradually increasing contractions up to 100% MVC can then be used. Often more than linear increases for the amplitude (RMS) — force regression have been reported. The present study was designed to test whether changes in power spectral density function take place during a gradually increasing isometric contraction (duration 10 s). Twenty-two clinically healthy females performed an increasing isometric shoulder forward flexion for 10 s using an isokinetic dynamometer. Electromyographic activity was measured in trapezius, deltoid, infraspinatus and biceps brachii using surface electrodes. Mean torque values were determined together with mean power frequency (MPF) and root mean square values (RMS) from the EMG signals for each 256 ms period. The RMS-torque regressions showed higher regression coefficients during the 6th to 9th sec than during the first 5 s. No significant correlation existed between MPF for the four muscles and the torque. A gradual decrease in MPF was generally found from the 6th s. It is concluded that this decrease in power spectral density function might have contributed to the significantly higher regression coefficient for the RMS torque regression at the high output part of the gradually increasing isometric contraction.     

What does TnCDANZ fluorescence reveal about the thin filament state?

Fluorescence of skinned psoas fibres reconstituted with the troponin C subunit labelled with the fluorescent probe dansylaziridine (TnC_DANZ) increases upon activation with Ca²⁺. This fluorescence enhancement is due to Ca²⁺ binding to the Ca²⁺-specific binding sites of TnC_DANZ and attachment of cross-bridges to the actin filament. We found that approximately 20% of the enhanced fluorescence signal derived from Ca²⁺ binding to TnC_DANZ and 80% from cross-bridge attachment during maximal activation. Furthermore we studied the effects of different cross-bridge states on TnC_DANZ fluorescence. Weakly bound, non-force-generating cross-bridge states (pCa 8, low ionic strength) and rigor cross-bridges revealed similar effects on the TnC_DANZ fluorescence. Strongly attached, force-generating states, however, increased fluorescence to the greatest extent. These results suggests a complex system of reciprocal couplings between TnC and different attached cross-bridge states. Cooling or increase of inorganic phosphate decreased isometric force but hardly decreased fluorescence, suggesting the accumulation of attached cross-bridge states with low tension output.     

The reproducibility of test contractions for calibration of electromyographic measurements

Summary The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of electromyographic (EMG) measurements and specifically to test a calibration procedure with submaximal test contractions. Bipolar surface electrodes (20 mm fixed distance) were repositioned by a tracing sheet on both trapezius muscles, halfway between acromion and processus prominens. Submaximal test contractions were performed by keeping both arms straight abducted 90° and forward flexed 10° for 15-s periods. The arm position could be precisely reproduced in the frontal plane, but deviated forwards by 4° in the horizontal plane, where the sensitivity of the EMG response to arm position was lowest. The electrodes were repositioned within a radius of 3 mm with a probability of 90%. Large deviations in the EMG response were found within this radius and a significant depression of the EMG response was recorded over the middle part of the muscle (the innervation zone?). This change in sensitivity of the EMG response with electrode position occurred in parallel for the test and maximal contractions. The total coefficient of variation was estimated to be 23% for recurrent EMG measurements using the calibration procedure described.     

高雌激素血症对雌性心肌梗塞大鼠心肌舒缩性能的影响

本文研究了高雌激素血症对雌性心肌梗塞(MI)大鼠心肌舒缩性能的影响。结果:(1)MI组血浆雌二醇(E_2)先略升高而后降低,雌二醇处理MI组(MIE_2)血浆雌二醇明显升高。(2)MIE_2组心肌纤维直径比对照假手术组(CS)及MI组显著增大(10.65±0.59 VS 7.65±0.40及10.15±0.54gm,P<0.001,<0.02)。(3)两MI组的LVSP、±dp/dt max均显著降低,T-值明显延长,尤以MIE_2组更为显著(10.5±4.1 VS 6.2±4.6ms,P<0.02)。(4)两MI组动脉压显著降低,HR减慢,LVET延长;在9天观测点,MIE_2组的HR仍较MI组显著减慢、LVET明显延长。提示高雌激素血症可使雌性心肌梗塞大鼠心肌舒缩性能降低。     

Differences in the activation of m. biceps brachii in the control of slow isotonic movements and isometric contractions

Summary We have compared muscle activation in the control of slow isotonic movements and isometric contractions. Specific attention has been given to the contribution of the two force-grading mechanisms, the recruitment of motor units and the modulation of firing frequency in motor units that have already been recruited. The recruitment order of the m. biceps motor units under study was the same during isometric contractions and slow isotonic movements. However, the recruitment thresholds of the m. biceps units were considerably lower for both isotonic flexion and extension movements, even at velocities as low as 2 deg/s, than for isometric contractions. Furthermore, firing frequency at recruitment was found to depend on the motor task: at recruitment the motoneurone starts firing with a higher firing frequency during isotonic flexion movements and a lower firing frequency during isotonic extension movements than during isometric contractions. Two main conclusions can be drawn from these results. First of all, the concept of one single activation parameter (total synaptic drive?) cannot account for the motor-unit behaviour observed during our experiments: the relative contribution of the two forcegrading mechanisms is different for different tasks. Secondly, the distribution of activity among flexor motoneurone pools is different for isometric contractions and isotonic movements.     

Maximal isometric force and neural activity during bilateral and unilateral elbow flexion in humans

We investigated maximal isometric force and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the biceps brachii muscle during rapid bilateral (BL) and unilateral (UL) elbow flexion in 11 right-handed subjects. The BL exhibited a deficit in force for both arms and more so for the right than the left arm during the rising phase of force generation. The EMG of the left biceps brachii muscle was similar during UL and BL, but for the right arm EMG was lower during BL than during UL for the rising phase of force generation. The BL to UL ratio of mean power frequency of the EMG was lower for the right than for the left arm. The data would suggest that the relatively small BL strength was associated with a equally small EMG and a shift to a lower mean power frequency especially for the fast motor units of the dominant muscle.     

L-Glutamine Supplementation Enhances Strength and Power of Knee Muscles and Improves Glycemia Control and Plasma Redox Balance in Exercising Elderly Women

We investigated the effects of oral L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation, associated or not with physical exercises, in control of glycemia, oxidative stress, and strength/power of knee muscles in elderly women. Physically active (n = 21) and sedentary (n = 23) elderly women aged 60 to 80 years were enrolled in the study. Plasma levels of D-fructosamine, insulin, reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, iron, uric acid, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) (lipoperoxidation product), as well as knee extensor/flexor muscle torque peak and average power (isokinetic test), were assessed pre- and post-supplementation with Gln or placebo (30 days). Higher plasma D-fructosamine, insulin, and iron levels, and lower strength/power of knee muscles were found pre-supplementation in the NPE group than in the PE group. Post-supplementation, Gln subgroups showed higher levels of GSH, GSSG, and torque peak, besides lower D-fructosamine than pre-supplementation values. Higher muscle average power and plasma uric acid levels were reported in the PE + Gln group, whereas lower insulin levels were found in the NPE + Gln than pre-supplementation values. TBARs levels were diminished post-supplementation in all groups. Gln supplementation, mainly when associated with physical exercises, improves strength and power of knee muscles and glycemia control, besides boosting plasma antioxidant capacity of elderly women.     

旋后肩法处置肩难产对产妇分娩后盆底肌功能改善的临床研究

目的探讨旋后肩法用于肩难产产妇,对其产后盆底肌功能的改善作用。 方法选择2018年7月至2020年1月,在宁波市妇女儿童医院采用旋后肩法完成肩难产助产的28例产妇为研究对象,并纳入研究组。选取同期在本院分娩,采用耻骨联合上加压法完成肩难产助产的25例产妇纳入对照组。采用表面肌电图(sEMG),获取2组产妇分娩8周后盆底肌收缩运动肌电值。采用成组t检验,对2组产妇一般临床资料、盆底sEMG检测结果进行统计学分析。采用χ²检验,对2组产妇分娩巨大儿所占比例等进行统计学分析。本研究遵循的程序符合病例收集医院伦理委员会制定的伦理学标准,得到该委员会批准[审批文号：[2018]伦审字(28)号]。与所有受试者签署临床研究知情同意书。 结果①2组产妇身高、体重,分娩时人体质量指数(BMI)、孕龄、年龄等一般临床资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②2组产妇分娩新生儿的出生体重和巨大儿所占比例分别比较,差异亦均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③研究组产妇前基线值、快肌收缩最大值、混合肌收缩最大值、混合肌收缩平均值、耐力肌收缩平均值、后基线值分别为(1.4±0.3) μV、(23.8±5.5) μV、(19.9±3.4) μV、(17.2±2.9) μV、(13.7±3.0) μV、(1.3±0.3) μV,均超过对照组的(1.3± 0.3) μV、(20.6±4.4) μV、(17.7±3.3) μV、(14.2±4.1) μV、(11.8±3.4) μV、(1.1±0.3) μV,并且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而2组产妇耐力肌收缩最大值比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论旋后肩法用于肩难产产妇助产,较传统耻骨联合上加压法,可改善产妇产后短期内的盆底肌功能。