Effect of electrical stimulation of leg muscles on physiological responses during arm-cranking exercise in healthy men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that changes in physiological responses during arm-cranking exercise using electrical stimulation of the leg muscles (ACE-ES) compared to arm-cranking exercise alone (ACE) in able-bodied subjects (ABS) are based on an increase in active muscle mass rather than the enhancing effect of the leg muscle pump. In ABS the sympathetic nervous system induced vasoconstriction and activity of the leg muscle pump are intact, therefore, a normal redistribution of blood takes place during exercise. Consequently, ES should have no additional effect on the redistribution of blood in these ABS during exercise and, thus, changes in physiological responses will be based on an increase in active muscle mass. A group of 11 ABS performed three maximal arm-cranking tests. In the first test peak power output (PO _peak) was determined. The other tests were both submaximal and maximal ACE, once with ACE-ES and once with ACE. The PO _peak was not significantly different between ACE-ES and ACE. Oxygen uptake (O₂) increased significantly during ACE-ES compared to ACE. Cardiac output (), stroke volume (SV), heart rate and ventilation were not significantly different during ACE-ES compared to ACE. Respiratory exchange ratios were significantly lower during ACE-ES compared to ACE at 60% PO _peak and at maximal exercise. In conclusion, ACE-ES caused significant increases in O₂ with a lack of elevation in and SV during submaximal and maximal exercise in ABS. The results of this study suggest that changes in physiological responses during ACE-ES are based on an increase in the active muscle mass rather than stimulation of the leg muscle pump. Accepted: 6 August 1996     

Competitive RT-PCR for studying gene expression in micro biopsies

Characterization of cathepsin B from buffalo kidney and goat spleen showed the presence of isozymes in case of the goat spleen (GSCB-I and GSCB-II) whereas cathepsin B from buffalo kidney exhibited only one form (BKCB). The molecular weights determined by SDS-PAGE for GSCB-I, GSCB-II, and BKCB were 25.7, 26.6 and 25.5 kDa respectively. The kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) of GSCB-I showed close similarities with BKCB against -N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide whereas GSCB-II was closer to the buffalo enzyme with regards to its activity against Z-Arg-Arg-MCA and Z-Phe-Arg-MCA. All the three enzymes had similar sensitivities towards urea, antipain and leupeptin. However, clear differences were observed in the inhibition patterns of the enzyme with iodoacetic acid and iodoacetamide. Differences in the kinetic, immunogenic and some catalytic properties of GSCB-I and II, which had similarities with regard to most of their physico-chemical properties, were considered to be due to the existenceof two isozyme forms in goat spleen cathepsin B preparations. Absence of such a multiplicity in forms of the enzyme from buffalo kidney was accordingly attributed to the absence of cathepsin B isozymes in this species. These observations taken together therefore, indicate a probable species/tissue dependence of cathepsin B.     

Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Increases the Biosynthesis of the Choline Glycerophospholipids from [14C]CDPcholine in Rat Liver and Kidney But Not in Brain

The effect of feeding rats for 30 days with diets containing high levels of linoleic acid (sunflower oil, SO) or -linolenic acid (perilla oil, PO) was studied in the liver, kidney and brain. The PO group showed a higher labeling of choline glycerophospholipids (CGP) in liver and kidney but no difference with the SO group in ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EGP) labeling. The brain displayed the lowest incorporation of both precursors and no difference between the two diets. Analyses of brain CGP and EGP fatty acid compositions showed that in the PO group the ratio n-6/n-3 was lower than in the SO group, mainly as a consequence of lower levels of n-6 fatty acids. The mole % of docosahexaenoate (DHA) in these lipids was the same for both groups and only triacylglycerols (TAG) displayed a higher DHA. Therefore, at least in the brain, the magnitude of fatty acid changes observed in CGP and EGP for the PO group does not affect the uptake/incorporation of the precursors into phospholipids.     

超氧化物歧化酶对内皮细胞缺氧复氧损伤的防护作用

体外培养扔兔胸主动脉内皮细胞缺氧３０ｍｉｎ后复氧１０ｍｉｎ,可以发现缺氧后复氧可引起细胞乳酸脱氢酶释放量,细胞悬液丙二醛含量增加,谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性降低,细胞合成释放一氧化氮减少,细胞内钙离子浓度明显升高;ＥＣ的这些损伤在缺氧期间即有表现,复氧后更为加剧。而在缺氧前预先加入终浓度为２００Ｕ／ｍｌ的超氧化物歧化酶可改善细胞的抗氧化能力,减轻缺氧复氧对ＥＣ的损伤。     

Alterations in Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) mRNA Levels in the Hamster Facial Motor Nucleus: Effects of Axotomy and Testosterone

Testosterone propionate (TP) administered at the time of facial nerve injury in the hamster accelerates the rate of regeneration. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the mechanism by which TP augments peripheral nerve regeneration involves regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA in the facial motor nucleus. Castrated male hamsters were subjected to right facial nerve transection, with half the animals implanted subcutaneously with Silastic capsules containing exogenous TP and the remainder sham implanted. Postoperative survival times were 0.25, 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 d. Qualitative/quantitative analyses of both film and emulsion autoradiograms were accomplished. Axotomy, with or without TP, resulted in a dramatic increase in GFAP mRNA levels by 1 d postoperative on the axotomized side, relative to controls. GFAP mRNA levels remained elevated throughout all postoperative times in both the nonhormone- and TP-treated animals. Qualitative examination of the film autoradiograms indicated a generalized decrease in the amount of GFAP mRNA in the control and axotomized nuclei of TP-treated animals when compared to the control and axotomized nuclei, respectively, of nonhormone-treated animals. Statistical comparison of the values obtained for both the film and emulsion autoradiograms confirmed this impression. Thus, while the injury-induced increases in GFAP mRNA expression were not blocked by TP, the overall extent of the increase was significantly tempered by steroid treatment. These data suggest that hormonal modulation of the astrocytic response to peripheral nerve injury may be a contributing factor in the ability of steroids to enhance the regenerative capacities of injured motor neurons.     

Heat treatment to decrease chilling injury in tomato fruit. Effects on lipids, pericarp lesions and fungal growth

Tomato fruits are sensitive to low temperature and develop chilling injury, while at nonchilling temperatures they ripen rapidly. Previously, a hot-air treatment was found to reduce the sensitivity of the fruit to low temperatures. In the present study hot air was compared to hot water and their effects on reducing chilling injury and fungal decay were investigated. Tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Daniella) at the breaker stage were subjected to hot air, 48 h at 38°C, or various hot water dips, 30 min at 40°C or 2 min at 46, 48 or 50°C, before holding at 2°C. The unheated tomatoes developed chilling injury and fungal infections at 2°C, but not at 12°C. All the heat treatments reduced chilling injury and decay in tomatoes held for 3 weeks at 2°C. The outer pericarp tissue of heated tomatoes had higher phospholipid and lower sterol contents than unheated tomatoes. Heated tomatoes also had less saturated fatty acids than unheated tomatoes held at 2°C, but not at 12°C. Scanning electron micrograph observations showed that all the fruits had microcracks in their surface, but the unheated chilled tomatoes had also fungal growth in the cracks, while those of the heated tomato fruit did not. In the areas of chilling injury collapsed cells were present under the peel and could also support pathogen development. It is suggested that the heat treatment institutes a response to high temperature stress in the fruit tissue that leads to strengthened membranes. This prevents the loss of function and cell collapse which was found in the chilling-injured areas of affected fruit.     

The Occurrence of Biogenic Calcian Struvite, (Mg, Ca)NH4PO4.6H2O, as Intracellular Crystals in Paramecium

ABSTRACT. Intracellular crystals are conspicuous refractile "inclusion bodies" commonly found in many protozoans, but very few have been identified mineralogically. We have isolated crystals from axenically grown mass cultures of Paramecium tetraurelia , and purified them using differential centrifugation. The crystals' structure and chemistry were analyzed using x-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive electron microprobe techniques. The morphology was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The crystals were identified as the orthorhombic mineral, calcian struvite, (Mg, Ca)NH₄PO₄.6H₂O. Struvite from P. tetraurelia exhibited a variety of crystal habits, including hemimorphic forms, epitactic overgrowths and several types of twins. A linear correlation between computed hydration number and Mg content suggests that the crystal composition may reflect the range of conditions under which struvite nucleation and growth occur. The mineral struvite also occurs in association with guano and other rich organic products, and can be biologically induced to precipitate extracellularly. Extracellular struvite has been well characterized in pathogenic calculi (kidney stones) of humans and cats, where precipitation is enhanced by bacterial urease activity that produces ammonia in the urinary tract. This is the first study demonstrating that struvite is also biologically controlled to form as an intracellular mineral. These crystals may have formed within lipid-rich, membrane-bound vesicles in Paramecium .     

颈髓损伤后线粒体系列酶活性变化与线粒体功能的关系

为了探讨颈髓损伤后颈髓线粒体系列酶活性变化与线粒体功能的关系,采用Ａｌｅｎ法造成猫颈髓损伤,观察颈髓损伤后线粒体Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶、超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性及线粒体呼吸功能的变化。结果显示：颈髓损伤后２ｈ至７２ｈ,Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性、ＳＯＤ活性明显降低,而线粒体呼吸控制率（ＲＣＲ）、磷氧比值（Ｐ／Ｏ）、氧化磷酸化效率（ＯＰＲ）也明显下降。表明颈髓损伤后Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶、Ｎａ＋,Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶、ＳＯＤ活性与线粒体功能密切相关,提示颈髓线粒体的病理生理改变在颈髓损伤后继发性损害过程中起重要作用。     

睫状神经营养因子对听觉损伤的保护作用

本研究以耳廓反射、听觉脑干诱发电位、耳蜗生物电和耳蜗铺片组织学检测为指标,观察重组人睫状神经营养因子对豚鼠庆大霉素耳毒性的防治作用。实验结果表明,睫状神经营养因子能减轻庆大霉素对耳蜗及听神经的损害,具有保护听觉功能的作用。     

放射损伤、烧伤与放烧复合伤血清成份对心肌细胞钙离子通道活动的影响

本实验研究了放射损伤、烧伤与放烧复合伤后血清成份对培养心肌细胞Ｌ－型钙离子通道活动的影响,结果表明：伤后血清对上述通道均有激活作用,从而改变细胞内钙离子水平,此可能为伤后心脏功能抑制的一个重要机理。在作用强度上,复合伤血清重于单一伤、烧伤重于放射损伤,这是导致不同伤后血清对心功能抑制程度不一的重要因素。对伤后血清成分作用的进一步研究表明：伤后血清大分子的作用不明显,主要是血清低分子与血清脂质起作用。其中,放烧复合伤血清低分子不仅使通道开放增加,还使膜片噪声增加,提示其作用包括改变其Ｌ－型钙离子通道活动与改变膜的物理特性二个方面,它们共同导致细胞的功能变化;血清脂质对钙通道的作用可被ＳＯＤ所抑制,表明其作用与氧自由基反应有关。至于伤后血清低分子与血清脂质中的具体毒性成分以及它们对Ｌ－型钙离子通道影响的调控机制,有待于进一步研究