Monovalent cation conductance of the sustained inward current in rabbit sinoatrial node cells

 Under the whole cell clamp, superfusion of the rabbit sinoatrial node cells with a Na⁺-free solution suppressed the sustained inward current (I_st), and the L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca,L) could be recorded on depolarization less negative than –40 mV from the holding potential of –80 mV. On the other hand, replacement of Ca²⁺ with Mg²⁺ in the external solution suppressed inward-going I_Ca,L and isolated I_st. Under this condition, I_st measured as a nicardipine-sensitive current showed an activation threshold between –60 and –70 mV. The conductance sequence of I_st for monovalent ions was determined as Na⁺ > Li⁺ >> K⁺ @ Cs⁺ by replacing the external Na⁺ with these alkali metal ions. The contribution of I_st to the diastolic depolarization is discussed. Received: 12 June 1996 / Received after revision: 31 July 1996 / Accepted: 7 August 1996     

The selective processing of briefly presented affective pictures: an ERP analysis

Recent event-related potential (ERP) studies revealed the selective processing of affective pictures. The present study explored whether the same phenomenon can be observed when pictures are presented only briefly. Toward this end, pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures from the International Affective Pictures Series were presented for 120 ms while event related potentials were measured by dense sensor arrays. As observed for longer picture presentations, brief affective pictures were selectively processed. Specifically, pleasant and unpleasant pictures were associated with an early endogenous negative shift over temporo-occipital sensors compared to neutral images. In addition, affective pictures elicited enlarged late positive potentials over centro-parietal sensor sites relative to neutral images. These data suggest that a quick glimpse of emotionally relevant stimuli appears sufficient to tune the brain for selective perceptual processing.     

Double-opponent-process mechanism underlying RF-structure of directionally specific cells of cat lateral suprasylvian visual area

Summary For the experiments reported in this study, recordings were obtained from 246 single units in the middle lateral suprasylvian visual area (LS) of 13 cats. 49 of these cells were subjected to detailed quantitative analysis. The receptive field (RF) organization was examined for directionally specific cells by presenting moving single spots on large moving random dot backgrounds. A cell's response to an optimal spot (in terms of size, direction, velocity) moving on a stationary background inside the excitatory RF (ERF) was compared to in-phase (same direction, same velocity) and anti-phase (opposite direction, same velocity) movement of spot and background. In-phase movement resulted in inhibition of the cell's response (3–100%) in 94% of the cells, while anti-phase movement led to reduced inhibition in 52% of the cells or to facilitation (0.5–327%) in 39% of the cells. By changing the direction of background motion with respect to that of the spot, the directional tuning of the in-phase inhibition and anti-phase facilitation effects was determined.We were able to manipulate the size of the background effects by masking out the background for various proportions of the ERF, and maximizing them by restricting background stimulation to the large inhibitory RF (IRF) surrounding the ERF. These results could be best accounted for by a double-opponent-process mechanism with both RF center and RF surround being directionally selective, but with opposite polarity. It is suggested that this type of mechanism could be involved in the processing of object motion.Partially supported by an NSERC University Research Fellowship (U 0057) and an ARC equipment grant to M. von Grünau and by an NSERC Grant to B. J. Frost (A 0353)     

Behavior in chimeric mice combining differently behaving strains

A/J and C57BL/6J mice behave differently in tests for alcohol preference, open-field activity, defecation in the open field, cricket attacking, and rope climbing. Chimeric mice, i.e., mice containing both A/J cells and C57BL/6J cells, were constructed and tested for these behaviors. Patterns of behavior among A/JC57BL/6J chimeras are such as to suggest that none of these behavior differences is controlled by a single cell or clone and that the same cell population that gives rise to the strain difference in alcohol preference also gives rise to the differences in open-field activity and defecation, while separate cell populations control cricket killing and rope climbing.This research was supported by Research Grants AA 00388 and HD 03015 to M. N. N. and MH 18996 to K. B. Computing assistance was obtained from the Health Sciences Computing Facility, UCLA, supported by NIH Special Research Resources Grant RR-3.     

Effect of an increased calcium ion concentration on electrical and contractile activity of the smooth muscles of the guinea pig ureter

Smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig ureter were studied by the double sucrose gap method. An increase in the calcium ion concentration in the Ringer-Locke solution to 22 mM led to hyperpolarization and to a slight increase in the resistance of the membrane. The amplitude of the first spike potential and the height of the plateau were lowered but the amplitude of the oscillations was increased. In sodium-free Ringer-Locke solution, when the action potential in the smooth muscle cells of the ureter was converted into a simple spike potential, a marked increase in amplitude of the action potential was observed with an increase in the calcium ion concentration.Department of Neuromuscular Physiology, A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Gorev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 522–526, May, 1977.     

Generation of the eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) from various cell types by melittin

The peptide melittin, the main constituent of bee venom is a potent stimulus for the generation of an eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils, rat mast cells and rat peritoneal cells depleted in mast cells. Optimal EFC induction required a sublytic activation of the cells. With each cell type the kinetics of ECF generation were similar in that after an early rise in activity a steep fall off occurred at later times of incubation suggesting a mechanism of inactivation. The induction of ECF by melittin is increased in the presence of calcium. The polar portion of the melittin molecule (aminoacids 20–26) is responsible for the generation of the chemotactic activity. Other peptides of honey bee venom such as the mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD) or apamine do not initiate ECF release. It appears that melittin leads to ECF induction via the phospholipase A₂-arachidonic acid dependent pathway of cell activation. Our data suggests that the lipid mediator ECF can be obtained from phagocytes and mast cells thus indicating the interdependence of inflammatory reactions.     

基于永磁磁场的电子胶囊定位系统

为了确定可吞服式电子胶囊在人体内的位置,基于矩形永磁体空间磁场解析式,设计了定位系统,提出了相应的定位算法,并进行了实验。系统中两个三轴磁传感器封装在胶囊内,由胶囊和永磁体的空间位姿关系模型,建立了与传感器输出和胶囊位姿变量相关的一组非线性方程。对方程进行了数值求解,并和期望值进行了比较,结果发现该方法是切实可行的。     

帕金森病患者诱发电位研究

目的 :研究帕金森病 (PD)患者脑干听觉诱发电位 (BAEP)和视觉诱发电位 (VEP)的变化及其与临床症状的关系。方法 :检测 70例PD患者BAEP和VEP ,并设正常对照组 6 0例作对照。结果 :PD组BAEP异常 31例 (44 % ) ,正常对照组异常 11例 (18% ) ,P <0 0 1。VEPN75、P10 0、N135的潜伏期分别为 93 2± 15 1ms、12 5 2± 12 .4ms和 15 7 2± 19 5ms ,均较正常对照组 83 1± 14 8ms、10 4 2± 7 3ms和139 4± 14 4ms明显延长 ,P <0 0 1;PD患者VEP的P10 0潜伏期与UPDRS评分呈正相关 ,r =0 6 1,P <0 0 1。结论 :BAEP和VEP可客观地反映PD患者听觉和视觉通路电生理的变化。     

Evaluation of Onchocerca volvulus-specific IgG4 subclass serology as an index of onchocerciasis transmission potential of three Gabonese villages

The major objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of IgG4 ELISA and Western blot analysis, using a crude extract of Onchocerca volvulus adult worms as antigens, for diagnosing onchocerciasis in a Gabonese paediatric population with mixed filarial infections. The subjects had loaisis, streptocercosis or mansonellosis in addition to onchocerciasis. Control sera from loaisis or mansonellosis subjects residing outside the endemic zone were used to provide the cut-off point for positive results. The IgG4 ELISA had a specificity of 96% but a lower sensitivity of 78·7%. It detected 25 onchocerciasis cases out of 65 individuals who were negative on parasitological examination. Furthermore, the ELISA provided a more accurate picture of onchocerciasis transmission in a village with very low skin microfilartal load. A 27·5-kD antigen was identified on Western blots as a marker of onchocerciasis. The paediatric population provided a reliable window for assessing the parasitologic and serologic parameters in the three villages with disparate levels of onchocerciasis transmission.