Chara plasmalemma at high ph: Voltage dependence of the conductance at rest and during excitation

The high pH state of Chara plasmalemma (Bisson, M.A., Walker, N.A. 1980. J. Membrane Biol. 56:1-7) was investigated to obtain detailed current-voltage (I/V) and conductance-voltage (G/V) characteristics in the pH range 7.5 to 12. The resting conductance started to increase at a pH as low as 8.5, doubling at pH 9.5, but the most notable increases occurred between pH 10.5 and 11.5, as observed previously (Bisson, M.A., Walker, N.A. 1980. J. Membrane Biol. 56:1-7; Bisson, M.A., Walker, N.A. 1981. J. Exp. Bot. 32:951-971). The slopes (and shapes) of the I/V curves varied even over minutes, suggesting a shifting population of open channels. Possible contributions of the permeabilities to H+ and OH-, PH and POH, respectively, to the increase in membrane conductance were calculated in the pH range 8.5 to 12. If PH is the main cause for the increase in conductance, it would have to rise by three orders of magnitude between pH 8.5 and 11.5, implying an enormous increase in the open-channel population as pH rises. On the other hand, a comparatively constant POH over that pH range would result in an increase in conductance due to the rise of OH- concentration. This indicates unchanging open-channel population. The transient excitation conductances at pH 7.5 and 11.5 were compared at a range of membrane PD (potential difference) levels. At more positive PD levels (near 0) the transient conductances showed little change as pH was increased. However, near the excitation threshold the conductance at high pH was slower to reach peak and its amplitude was diminished compared to that at neutral pH. This effect was found to be partially due to the pH change itself and partially due to less negative membrane PD at high pH. The changes in excitation transients developed gradually as pH of the medium was increased. These findings are discussed with a recent model of excitation in mind (Shiina, T., Tazawa, M. 1988. J. Membrane Biol. 106:135-139).     

Multicellular discharges in the somatosensory cortex of cats at rest and during spontaneous EEG activation

Multicellular activity and the EEG were recorded from the somatosensory cortex by means of metal microelectrodes 30 µ in diameter in chronic experiments on waking unrestrained cats. Unit activity was separated into three different amplitudes by means of a discriminator. Three types of spontaneous activity were distinguished: with continuous, burst, and grouped discharges. Despite the outwardly identical picture of the spontaneous EEG activation reaction, parallel processes, differing in sign and distribution of unit activity were discovered in the neuron population. Their combinations were very varied. This activity could increase in frequency at all amplitude levels or at only one or two levels, accompanied by inhibition of discharges (or by no change) at other levels. The character of reorganization was shown to depend largely on the degree of the spontaneous EEG activation reaction and on the type of spontaneous unit activity. Computer analysis of the changes in the mean discharge frequency showed that during EEG activation stimulation of unit activity (55%) predominated over depression (21%). In some cell populations the sequence of discharges was altered without any change in mean frequency. The experimental results are discussed from the standpoint of the role of unit activity in spontaneous EEG activation.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 339–348, July–August, 1980.     

Determinants of the variability in respiratory exchange ratio at rest and during exercise in trained athletes

We examined the variability and determinants of the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) at rest and during exercise in 61 trained cyclists. Fasting (10-12 h) RER was measured at rest and during exercise at 25, 50, and 70% of peak power output (W(peak)), during which blood samples were drawn for [lactate] and [free fatty acid] ([FFA]). Before these measurements, training volume, dietary intake and muscle fiber composition, [substrate], and enzyme activities were determined. There was large interindividual variability in resting RER (0.718-0.927) that persisted during exercise of increasing intensity. The major determinants of resting RER included muscle glycogen content, training volume, proportion of type 1 fibers, [FFA] and [lactate], and %dietary fat intake (adjusted r(2) = 0.59, P < 0.001). Except for muscle fiber composition, these variables also predicted RER at 25, 50, and 70% W(peak) to different extents. The key determinant at 25% W(peak) was blood-borne [substrate], at 50% was muscle [substrate] and glycolytic enzyme activities, and at 70% was [lactate]. Resting RER was also a significant determinant of RER at 25 (r = 0.60) and 50% (r = 0.44) W(peak).     

Branchial mechanoreceptor activity during spontaneous ventilation in channel catfish

Extracellular afferent neural activity was recorded in vivo from cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal) from mechanoreceptors in the first gill arch of anesthetized, spontaneously breathing channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Single unit and paucifiber recordings show that both phasic and tonic receptors were active during normal ventilation. Phasic receptors were characterized as having a burst of activity during some phase of the ventilatory cycle. Most of these occurred during peak adduction or peak abduction. Phasic receptors were not active during spontaneous apnic periods. Tonic receptors were always active, even during apneas, firing frequency was modulated by breathing movements with peak activity occurring during adduction. Flow-sensitive mechanoreceptors were identified in anesthetized, paralyzed catfish. These receptors decreased activity when the ventilatory water flow was stopped. Hypercapnia (5% CO(2) in air) stimulated ventilatory rate and amplitude but had no effect on mechanoreceptor activity. The discharge characteristics of branchial mechanoreceptors indicate that they could be involved in the timing and coordination of ventilatory movements and maintenance of the 'gill curtain' to minimize ventilatory dead space. Unlike ventilatory mechanoreceptors in the air breathing organs of gar and lungs of lungfish and tetrapods, branchial mechanoreceptors were insensitive to hypercapnia.     

The impact of aging and habitual physical activity on static respiratory work at rest and during exercise

We investigated the effects of aging on the elastic properties of lung tissue and the chest wall, simultaneously quantifying the contribution of each component to static inspiratory muscle work in resting and exercising adults. We further evaluated the interaction of aging and habitual physical activity on respiratory mechanics. Static lung volumes and elastic properties of the lung and chest wall (pressure-volume relaxation maneuvers) in 29 chronically sedentary and 29 habitually active subjects, grouped by age, were investigated: young (Y, 20-30 years), middle-aged (M, 40-50 years), and older (O, >60 years). Using static pressure-volume data, we computed the elastic work of breathing (joules per liter, J.l(-1)), including inspiratory muscle work, over resting and exercising tidal volume excursions. Elastic work of the lung (Y = 0.79 +/- 0.05; M = 0.47 +/- 0.05; O = 0.43 +/- 0.05 J.l(-1)) and chest wall (Y = -0.49 +/- 0.06; M = -0.12 +/- 0.07; O = 0.04 +/- 0.05 J.l(-1) ) changed significantly with age (P < 0.05). With aging, a parallel displacement of the chest wall pressure-volume curve resulted in a shift from energy being stored primarily during expiration to energy storage during inspiration, and driving expiration, both at rest and during exercise. Although deviating significantly from young adults, this did not significantly elevate static inspiratory muscle work but resulted in a redistribution of the tissues on which this work was performed and the phase of the respiratory cycle in which it occurred. Nevertheless, static inspiratory muscle work remained similar across age groups, at rest and during exercise, and habitual physical activity failed to influence these changes.     

An isolated pool of vesicles recycles at rest and drives spontaneous neurotransmission

Spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion is a common property of all synapses. To trace the origin of spontaneously fused vesicles in hippocampal synapses, we tagged vesicles with fluorescent styryl dyes, antibodies against synaptotagmin-1, or horseradish peroxidase. We could show that synaptic vesicles recycle at rest, and after spontaneous exo-endocytosis, they populate a reluctantly releasable pool of limited size. Interestingly, vesicles in this spontaneously labeled pool were more likely to re-fuse spontaneously compared to vesicles labeled with activity. We found that blocking vesicle refilling at rest selectively depleted neurotransmitter from spontaneously fusing vesicles without significantly altering evoked transmission. Furthermore, in the absence of the vesicle SNARE protein synaptobrevin (VAMP), activity-dependent and spontaneously recycling vesicles could mix, suggesting a role for synaptobrevin in the separation of the two pools. Taken together these results suggest that spontaneously recycling vesicles and activity-dependent recycling vesicles originate from distinct pools with limited cross-talk with each other.     

Non-invasive detection of respiratory muscles activity during assisted ventilation

The instantaneous pressure applied by the respiratory muscles [Pmus(t)] of a patient under ventilatory support may be continuously assessed with the help of a model of the passive respiratory system updated cycle by cycle. Inspiratory activity (IA) is considered present when Pmus goes below a given threshold. In six patients, we compared IA with (i) inspiratory activity (IAref) obtained from esophageal pressure and diaphragmatic EMG and (ii) that (IAvent) detected by the ventilator. In any case, a ventilator support onset coincides with an IA onset but the opposite is not true. IA onset is always later than IAref beginning ((0.21 +/- 0.10 s) and IA end always precedes IAref end (0.46 +/- 0.16 s). These results clearly deteriorate when the model is not updated.     

Effect of obesity on respiratory mechanics during rest and exercise in COPD

The presence of obesity in COPD appears not to be a disadvantage with respect to dyspnea and weight-supported cycle exercise performance. We hypothesized that one explanation for this might be that the volume-reducing effects of obesity convey mechanical and respiratory muscle function advantages. Twelve obese chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OB) [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) = 60%predicted; body mass index (BMI) = 32 ± 1 kg/m(2); mean ± SD] and 12 age-matched, normal-weight COPD (NW) (FEV(1) = 59%predicted; BMI = 23 ± 2 kg/m(2)) subjects were compared at rest and during symptom-limited constant-work-rate exercise at 75% of their maximum. Measurements included pulmonary function tests, operating lung volumes, esophageal pressure, and gastric pressure. OB vs. NW had a reduced total lung capacity (109 vs. 124%predicted; P < 0.05) and resting end-expiratory lung volume (130 vs. 158%predicted; P < 0.05). At rest, there was no difference in respiratory muscle strength but OB had greater (P < 0.05) static recoil and intra-abdominal pressures than NW. Peak ventilation, oxygen consumption, and exercise endurance times were similar in OB and NW. Pulmonary resistance fell (P < 0.05) at the onset of exercise in OB but not in NW. Resting inspiratory capacity, dyspnea/ventilation plots, and the ratio of respiratory muscle effort to tidal volume displacement were similar, as was the dynamic performance of the respiratory muscles including the diaphragm. In conclusion, the lack of increase in dyspnea and exercise intolerance in OB vs. NW could not be attributed to improvement in respiratory muscle function. Potential contributory factors included alterations in the elastic properties of the lungs, raised intra-abdominal pressures, reduced lung hyperinflation, and preserved inspiratory capacity.     

Changes in the sensitivity of the central respiratory mechanism during a 21-h bed rest

The study deals with the mechanisms of the changes in the sensitivity of the respiratory center during a 21-h bed rest with an orthopedic table tilted at an angle of ?15 degrees combined with liquid loss (lasix, 20 mL) and fluid recovery (intravenous injections of infukoll and glucose). The maximal breath-holding times, as well as capillary and venous tensions of O₂ and CO₂, were measured in the background period, during the bed rest, and shortly after the bed rest. Our data showed a statistically significant increase in both inspiratory and expiratory maximal breath-hold times during the initial 10 min of tilting. The comparison of data on breath-holding during different experimental series showed that infusions of neither glucose nor infukoll affected the duration of voluntary expiratory and inspiratory apnea. Since hour 17 of bed rest, there was a significant increase in the partial tension of O₂ in the venous blood, while, in the same samples, there was a significant decrease in the partial tension of CO₂. We assume that a decrease in the sensitivity of the respiratory center is triggered by the redistribution of blood to the upper part of the body and the changes in the pressure on the baroreceptors.     

Thermoregulation at rest and during exercise in prepubertal boys

Thermal balance was studied in 11 boys, aged 10-12 years, with various values for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), during two standardized sweating tests performed in a climatic chamber in randomized order. One of the tests consisted in a 90-min passive heat exposure [dry bulb temperature (Tdb) 45 degrees C] at rest. The second test was represented by a 60-min ergocycle exercise at 60% of individual VO2max (Tdb 20 degrees C). At rest, rectal temperature increased during heat exposure similar to observations made in adults, but the combined heat transfer coefficient reached higher values, reflecting greater radiative and convective heat gains in the children. Children also exhibited a greater increase in mean skin temperature, and a greater heat dissipation through sweating. Conversely, during the exercise sweating-test, although the increase in rectal temperature did not differ from that of adults for similar levels of exercise, evaporative heat loss was much lower in children, suggesting a greater radiative and convective heat loss due to the relatively greater body surface area. Thermophysiological reactions were not related to VO2max in children, in contrast to adults.     

Energy expenditure at rest and during walking in patients with chronic respiratory failure: a prospective two-phase case-control study

Background

Measurements of Energy Expenditure (EE) at rest (REE) and during physical activities are increasing in interest in chronic patients. In this study we aimed at evaluating the validity/reliability of the SenseWear®Armband (SWA) device in terms of REE and EE during assisted walking in Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

Methodology/Principal Findings

In a two-phase prospective protocol we studied 40 severe patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. In phase-1 we determined the validity and repeatability of REE measured by SWA (REEa) in comparison with standard calorimetry (REEc). In phase-2 we then assessed EE and Metabolic Equivalents-METs by SWA during the 6-minute walking test while breathing oxygen in both assisted (Aid) or unassisted (No-Aid) modalities. When compared with REEc, REEa was slightly lower in patients (1351±169 vs 1413±194 kcal/day respectively, p<0.05), and less repeatable than in healthy controls (0.14 and 0.43 coefficient respectively). COPD patients with CRF patients reported a significant gain with Aid as compared with No-Aid modality in terms of meters walked, perceived symptoms and EE.

Conclusions/Significance

SWA provides a feasible and valid method to assess the energy expenditure in CRF patients on LTOT, and it shows that aided walking results in a substantial energy saving in this population.     

Rheological modelling of physiological variables during temperature variations at rest

The evolution with time of cardio-respiratory variables, blood pressure and body temperature has been studied on six males, resting in semi-nude conditions during short (30 min) cold stress exposure (0°C) and during passive recovery (60 min) at 20°C. Passive cold exposure does not induce a change inHR but increasesVO₂,VCO₂Ve and core temperatureT_re, whereas peripheral temperature is significantly lowered. The kinetic evolution of the studied variables was investigated using a Kelvin-Voigt rheological model. The results suggest that the human body, and by extension the measured physiological variables of its functioning, does not react as a perfect viscoelastic system. Cold exposure induces a more rapid adaptation for heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperatures than that observed during the rewarming period (20°C), whereas respiratory adjustments show an opposite evolution. During the cooling period of the experiment the adaptative mechanisms, taking effect to preserve core homeothermy and to obtain a higher oxygen supply, increase the energy loss of the body.