Analysis of interdependence of temperament,neuroendocrine control and psychophysiological state during dry immersion

Interdependence of temperament, hormonal and psychophysiological states was investigated in eight young volunteers during seven-day dry immersion (DI). The levels of insulin and sex, steroid, and thyroid hormones in the blood and the psychomotor parameters were determined on days 3 and 7 of DI and on day 7 of recovery. Before DI, the volunteers filled in the Cattell’s Personality Factor Questionnaire. During DI, anxious subjects spent less time to compare visual patterns, demonstrating a high and stable speed of reactions with a slight deterioration. Extraverts showed high speed of reactions and stability of psychomotor parameters without increase in the number of errors. Easy-tempered and introvert subjects preserved inherently high insulin concentrations in DI. Support deprivation was accompanied by the drop of triiodothyronine and cortisol levels and the increase in prolactin and thyroxin. The results of multiple correlation analysis lead to the conclusion that DI increased the role of original extra-introversion and decreased that of the original anxiety. Successful activity can be attained by adequate alteration of the levels of steroid and thyroid hormones with effectively balanced vagoinsular-sympathoadrenal neuroendocrine control and monoaminergic CNS activity.     

Analysis of the interdependence of temperament, neuroendocrine control, and psychophysiological state during dry immersion

The interdependence of temperament and the hormonal and psychophysiological states was investigated in eight young volunteers during seven-day dry immersion (DI). The levels of insulin and sex, steroid, and thyroid hormones in the blood and the psychomotor parameters were determined on days 3 and 7 of DI and on day 7 of recovery. Before DI, the volunteers filled in Cattell’s personality questionnaire. During DI, anxious subjects spent less time to compare visual patterns, demonstrating a stably high speed of reactions with a slight quality loss. Extraverts showed a high speed of reactions and stability of psychomotor parameters without an increase in the number of errors. Easy-tempered and introvert subjects retained inherently high insulin concentrations in DI. Support deprivation was accompanied by the drop of the triiodothyronine and cortisol levels and an increase in prolactin and thyroxin. The results of multiple correlation analysis led to the conclusion that DI emphasizes the role of original extra-introversion and dampers the original anxiety. Success can be attained by adequate alteration of the levels of steroid and thyroid hormones with effectively balanced vagoinsulin—sympathoadrenal neuroendocrine control and monoaminergic CNS activity.     

The cardiosynchronous phenomena of the work of the brain: the psychophysiological aspects]

The review is devoted to the heartbeat-related components of EEG and to the heartbeat-related oscillation of performance measures and the cortical evoked potentials. The studies of these phenomena are carried out within the Laceys' hypothesis elaboration as well as in the field of the exploration of visceral self-perception. The data obtained in these studies indicate that there are elements of the time-locking with heart rate, probably unrelated to cardiovascular regulation, in functioning of the highest brain structures. The problems in the interpretation of some of heartbeat-related phenomena of brain functioning and their possible participation in the mechanisms of the psychophysiological interaction are discussed.     

A psychophysiological analysis of the efficiency of instructing schoolchildren]

Examination of 163 schoolboys in higher forms has revealed that strength of the nervous system and functional state of the CNS (functional level of the system, level of functional possibilities, arousal and reaction stability) do not differ in schoolchildren with various progress in learning. The school teaching efficiency correlated with parameters of strength of the nervous system only in excellent and good pupils, the functional state of the nervous system being of importance for their teaching, especially its such parameters as arousal, level of functional possibilities and reaction stability. In pupils with poor progress those correlations were absent.     

Principles and methods of occupational psychophysiological selection of deep-water divers]

A complex of methods is suggested for professional psychophysiological selection of deep divers: the count of signals under time deficit conditions, simple and complex coordination of analyzers function, tepping test, the study of attention concentration using the Ivanov-Smolensky tables and finding of numbers with switching. This complex together with assessment of number range by deviation method allows making correct prediction during selection of specialists with high probability equal to 0.9. The efficiency of professional selection increases due to the reliable correlation between the results of psychophysiological research and predisposition to development of decompressive disease.     

A psychophysiological assessment battery

This research project was the first step in the development of a psychophysiological assessment battery. The battery consisted of eight tasks that have a history of use within the field of psychophysiology. These tasks were examined on a nonpathological, physically healthy sample. This sample was administered the assessment battery three times over the course of 16 weeks. The response systems of HR, SC, RR, TPA, and FPA were examined. Two major research questions were then examined. The first question was whether a subject would display a stable physiological profile on the assessment battery across the three administrations. The second question was whether there would be individual differences in physiological profiles on the assessment battery. These differences were examined in terms of individual response stereotypy (IRS) and stimulus response specificity (SRS). Depending on the task, from 30 to 100% of the subjects displayed stable physiological profiles across administrations. Twenty-five subjects displayed a high degree of SRS. Five subjects displayed a high degree of IRS.     

A psychophysiological assessment battery

This research project was the first step in the development of a psychophysiological assessment battery. The battery consisted of eight tasks that have a history of use within the field of psychophysiology. These tasks were examined on a nonpathological, physically healthy sample. This sample was administered the assessment battery three times over the course of 16 weeks. The response systems of HR, SC, RR, TPA, and FPA were examined. Two major research questions were then examined. The first question was whether a subject would display a stable physiological profile on the assessment battery across the three administrations. The second question was whether there would be individual differences in physiological profiles on the assessment battery. These differences were examined in terms of individual response stereotypy (IRS) and stimulus response specificity (SRS). Depending on the task, from 30 to 100% of the subjects displayed stable physiological profiles across administrations. Twenty-five subjects displayed a high degree of SRS. Five subjects displayed a high degree of IRS.     

Multifunctional testing of PTCA balloon catheters]

New in vitro measuring methods for balloon catheters used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and their verification in a complex test device are presented. This system can mimic all relevant application situations. The central element of the test device is a coronary vessel model matching the physiological situation in terms of geometrical structure and frictional properties. Reactive force sensors are used to measure the application-relevant forces exerted by the catheter on the model vessel walls and accessories, such as guide wire and guiding catheter. To generate a kink-free advancement of the catheter and permit measurement of the active forces, an alternating drive unit has been specially developed. The testing and application of the newly developed methods revealed statistically significant differences between various types of catheter. The test device closes a gap between complex but subjective clinical tests, and individual objective, but application-removed in vitro test setups for PTCA catheters. While the initial prototype had shortcomings with regard to the reproducibility of measurements, successor systems developed for industrial use are now in production. The properties of these measuring systems developed for the benefit of manufacturer and reprocessor of PTCA catheters are discussed.     

Model for immunologic testing of biomaterials]

Corrosion products and electric fields are capable of changing proteins to antigens, thus permitting the immunological system to identify the biomaterial as foreign. The reaction between corrosion products and a macro-molecule also leads to an antigen (carrier antigen), such as conformational changes of a macro-molecule, e.g. a protein, caused by the electric field at the implant surface (modified macro-molecule antigen). While the sensitivity to corrosion and the effectiveness of galvanic elements is measurable by electrochemical methods, suitable methods of determining the field strength in the vicinity of biomaterial surfaces are still unavailable. The influence of the double layer of uncoated and coated titanium surfaces on the conformation of proteins and their conversion to antigens are investigated with polyclonal antibodies capable of identifying the unchanged protein despite adsorption to the surface. 14C-marked Bovine Serum Albumin serves as a model protein. Determination of the total number of protein molecules adsorbed is effected via the detection of the emitted electrons. The quotient of the concentration of natural proteins to the concentration of adsorbed molecules gives the biocompatibility index, which is independent of the surface area, and gives an indication of the expected biocompatibility of the material. The results of the biological tests of titanium and two coating materials on titanium were confirmed in an animal experiment. It is possible that in the future immunological tests may replace experiments in animals.