Effect of menthol on human temperature sensitivity

Application of 1% methol, which, along with cold, activates specific thermosensitive ionic channels, changes the number of functioning cold receptors on the skin of the forearm similarly to the cold exposure test; however, it does not affect the number of heat receptors and does not significantly change the threshold of cold sensation. Group variants of responses to menthol that indicate individual differences in the sensitivity of skin receptors to the effects of methol and cold have been found. The results obtained give grounds to suggest that, from the variant of response to menthol (a decrease, increase, or absence of changes in the number of functioning cold receptors 5 min after menthol application), it is possible to predict specific features of response to cold.     

Comparative analysis of respiratory activity in the wild type strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neurospora crassa</Emphasis> and its photoreceptor complex mutants

Cell respiratory activity of protoplasts obtained from the wild type of Neurospora crassa and photoreceptor complex WCC—white collar 1 (wc-1) and white collar 2 (wc-2)—mutants of Neurospora crassa strains was investigated. Respiration inhibition by KCN in the presence of 25 mM succinate was similar in all strains and did not exceed 83–85% against control. The significant induction of KCN-resistant respiratory pathway occurred under 1% glucose oxidation in wc-1 and wc-2 mutants if compared with the wild type strains. The inhibitors of the main (cytochrome) pathway of electron transfer in mitochondria—1 mM KCN and antimycin A (4 μg/ml)—blocked the respiration rate of the protoplasts from N. crassa wild type by 75%, while the cell respiration of wc-1 and wc-2 strains was suppressed by approximately 50%. The specific inhibitor of alternative oxidase—10 mM salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)—in combination with the blockers of mitochondrial electron transfer chain caused the total suppression of respiratory activity of protoplasts in all studied strains. It is supposed that an increase of KCN-resistance in WCC mutants under glucose oxidation is connected with alternative oxidase activation as the result of failure in reception and signal transduction of active oxygen species.     

Addition of Cryoprotectant Significantly Alters the Epididymal Sperm Proteome

Although cryopreservation has been developed and optimized over the past decades, it causes various stresses, including cold shock, osmotic stress, and ice crystal formation, thereby reducing fertility. During cryopreservation, addition of cryoprotective agent (CPA) is crucial for protecting spermatozoa from freezing damage. However, the intrinsic toxicity and osmotic stress induced by CPA cause damage to spermatozoa. To identify the effects of CPA addition during cryopreservation, we assessed the motility (%), motion kinematics, capacitation status, and viability of epididymal spermatozoa using computer-assisted sperm analysis and Hoechst 33258/chlortetracycline fluorescence staining. Moreover, the effects of CPA addition were also demonstrated at the proteome level using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Our results demonstrated that CPA addition significantly reduced sperm motility (%), curvilinear velocity, viability (%), and non-capacitated spermatozoa, whereas straightness and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa increased significantly (p < 0.05). Ten proteins were differentially expressed (two decreased and eight increased) (>3 fold, p < 0.05) after CPA, whereas NADH dehydrogenase flavoprotein 2, f-actin-capping protein subunit beta, superoxide dismutase 2, and outer dense fiber protein 2 were associated with several important signaling pathways (p < 0.05). The present study provides a mechanistic basis for specific cryostresses and potential markers of CPA-induced stress. Therefore, these might provide information about the development of safe biomaterials for cryopreservation and basic ground for sperm cryopreservation.     

Biopolymer of alginate nature with a predominance of L-guluronic acid

Highly viscous polysaccharide (250–350 kDa) of an alginate nature with a predominance of α-L-guluronic acid (M/G = 0.22) was obtained from Azotobacter vinelandi. The yield of polysaccharide was 20.5 ± 0.5 g/l when cultured in a medium containing molasses at a viscosity of the cultural liquid of over 30000 cSt. The biopolymer is stable at pH 4.0–9.0 in a wide temperature range and well soluble in highly mineralized water; it retains a high viscosity level and can be used in the petroleum industry for enhanced oil recovery.     

Spinal control of afferent temperature information in the cat

The effect of picrotoxin (at sub-convulsant doses, i.v.) on the background and invoked spike activity of cat dorsal horn internerons was investigated while thermal and mechanical influences were at work on the skin receptor areas. It was found that information on skin temperature is modulated at the presynaptic level and largely mediated by competitive interaction between large and small diameter fibers.Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, Alma Ata. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 773–779, November–December, 1986.     

Pattern of tonic activity in different groups of rabbit superior cervical ganglion neurons

Tonic activity in rabbit superior cervical ganglion neurons was investigated using intracellular recording techniques as well as changes produced when the animal breathed a gaseous mix with a raised CO₂ level. The test neurons were divided into three groups depending on the pattern of their tonic activity and reflex change. Action potentials were produced by the activity of dominant and accessory preganglionic inputs in the firing pattern of all neuronal groups, implying the existence of other types of inputs into the neurons innervating different organs. Having analyzed changes in action potential rate and EPSP in the tonic activity of neurons from different groups, it was presumed that preganglionic fibers with a similar activity pattern converge on the majority of neurons in each group.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 665–672, September–October, 1987.     

Effect of capsulectomy on the hemodynamics and viability of random-pattern skin flaps raised on expanded skin in the pig

Skin flaps constructed on expanded skin usually include the underlying capsular tissue. It has been hypothesized that capsulectomy may jeopardize the viability of the expanded skin flap. The experiments reported herein were designed to test this hypothesis. Specifically, we studied the hemodynamics and viability of random-pattern skin flaps (8 X 20 cm) raised on delayed bipedicle flaps (group A) and on expanded skin pockets with capsulectomy at the time of flap elevation (group B) or with intact underlying capsular tissue (group C). Each group was randomly assigned to each flank in 16 pigs. Skin pockets were expanded by inflation of subcutaneous silicone tissue expanders with sterile saline (299 +/- 7 ml; X +/- SEM) over a period of 3 weeks. At the end of this period, the bipedicle flaps were constructed. Eight days later, random-pattern skin flaps were raised on bipedicle flaps and skin pockets. The length and area of skin flap viability, judged by the fluorescein dye test performed 1 day postoperatively, were not significantly different (p greater than 0.05) among groups A, B, and C (n = 31 to 32). There also were no significant differences (p greater than 0.05) in total skin capillary blood flow measured 1 day postoperatively (A = 2.6 +/- 0.4, B = 2.4 +/- 0.4, and C = 2.7 +/- 0.6 ml/min per flap; n = 15 to 16) and in skin viability assessed 7 days postoperatively (A = 74 +/- 2, B = 75 +/- 2, and C = 76 +/- 2 percent; n = 16) among delayed skin flaps and skin flaps raised on expanded skin pockets with or without capsulectomy. The results of this flap viability study were confirmed in 5 minipigs in a separate experiment. We conclude that capsulectomy did not have a detrimental effect on the hemodynamics and viability of random-pattern skin flaps raised on expanded skin. Furthermore, we hypothesize that skin flaps raised on expanded skin are similar to delayed skin flaps in that the skin blood flow is optimally augmented; therefore, the capsular tissue does not add significant blood supply to the overlying skin.     

Blocking action of Nephila clavata spider toxin on ionic currents activated by glutamate and its agonists in isolated hippocampal neurons

The blocking action ofNephila clavata spider neurotoxin, or JSTX, on ionic currents activated by L-glutamate and its agonists when applied to the membrane of neurons isolated from the rat hippocampus was investigated using a concentration clamp technique. Crude JSTX venom was found to block L-glutamate-, quisqualate, and kainate-activated ionic currents induced by activating non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) membrane receptors. Following the effects of JSTX, ionic currents activated by L-glutamate and its agonists declined to 34–36% of their initial value with no recovery during JSTX washout. An active fraction of JSTX at concentrations of 10^–4–10^–5 produced almost total but partially reversible blockade of ionic currents. The action of JSTX became less effective during depolarization. The concentration dependence of JSTX-induced blockade of kainate-activated ionic currents was investigated and the velocity constants of interaction between the toxin and glutamate receptors obtained. It is postulated that JSTX interacts with chemically-operated non-NMDA ionic channels, blocking their transition into a number of their possible open states.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 152–160, March–April, 1989.