Activation of various areas of the ventral horn of lumbar segments during stimulation of the motor cortex

Focal potentials (FP) in segments L₆–L₇ of the ventral horn, evoked by stimulation of the motor cortex with series of stimuli of threshold magnitude for the flexor nerve response, were studied in acute experiments on cats. Appreciable differences were found to exist between the FP arising in the medial zone (layer VIII of Rexed) and those in the inner and outer parts of the lateral zone (layer IX). The FP of the medial zone appear earlier than in other zones (with a latency of 5–12 msec); they are multiphasic, negative components predominating over the positive ones. The FP from the inner part of layer IX possess the largest amplitude (up to 500 µV), a latency of 7–13 msec, a large first negative phase, and marked late positivity. Positive — negative FP (latency 9–15 msec) of small amplitude are recorded from the outermost portion of the ventral horn. The FP of the three zones mentioned above differ also with respect to other functional criteria. The FP of the medial zone are assumed to reflect the realization at the segmental level of the extrapyramidal component of descending cortical activity, the FP of both lateral zones reflecting reciprocal interrelations between postsynaptic processes in the motoneurons of flexor and extensor nuclei during implementation of a cortical motor reaction.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 175–184, March–April, 1971.     

The effects of acclimation to alternating environmental temperature on metabolic and endocrine responses in guinea pigs,during acute heat and cold exposure

Male Guinea pigs (n=80) were divided into four groups and maintained in a climatic chamber for three weeks in one of the following environmental conditions: (1) T_a20°C and 55% RH; (2) T_a35°C and 30–35% RH from 08:00 to 20:00 h and 5°C; 60–65% RH, from 20:00 h to 08:00 h; (3) T_a5°C and 60–65% RH; (4) T_a35°C and 30–35% RH. At the end of this period the animals were exposed to either –5°C, 60–65% RH or 45°C, 30–35% RH, for a period of 20 min, following which T_re, plasma 11-OHCS, thyroxin, glucose, and FFA, and body and organ weights were determined. The cold-warm adapted animals seemed to develop a more efficient adaptability to acute heat and cold exposure. It is suggested that on acute exposure to severe environmental conditions the endocrine and the nervous system play a dominant role in maintaining optimal body temperature, while on chronic exposure the metabolic rate of the various organs becomes relatively more important.     

Effect of IUDs, Prostaglandins and Indomethacin on Decidual Cell Reaction in the Rat

The presence of an intrauterine device in the pseudopregnant (PSP) rat suppressed decidual cell reaction (DCR). Treatment with PGF_2α or PGE₂ also suppressed DCR, but had no effect on IUD horn. Treatment with PGF_2α from days 1–4 before trauma in ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol and progesterone did not have a significant effect on DCR. However, when PGF_2α was given for 4 days after trauma there was significant inhibition of DCR indicating a direct endometrial effect of PGF_2α. Inhibition of DCR was also recorded when indomethacin was administered to intact PSP or to ovariectomized rats maintained on estradiol and progesterone. This indicated that prostaglandins probably are necessary for normal DCR.     

Effect of serotonin on neuronal background activity in a hemisegment isolated from the infant rat spinal cord

Neuronal background activity was investigated in a hemisegment of the lumbar section of the spinal cord before and after addition of serotonin (5-HT — 1 × 10^–8–10^–4 M) in 14- to 22-day-old rats. Reversible changes in background firing rate were recorded in 50% and 70.6% of dorsal and ventral horn interneurons respectively. Excitatory response predominated; in the dorsal horn, 62.4% of all cells responding to 5-HT showed an excitatory response, 8.4% an inhibitory reaction, and 29.2% a two-stage response. In the ventral horn, an excitatory and two-stage response were recorded in 91.6% and 8.4% of cells respectively. Application of 5-HT induced an increase in firing rate and depolarization in the ventral horn. Findings from this study would point to a primarily excitatory effect of 5-HT on background in segmental neurons.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 335–343, May–June, 1989.     

Inhibitory effects of GABA on synaptic excitation in isolated rat hippocampal slices

In research on -aminobutyric acid (GABA) used at different concentrations on the amplitude of EPSP within populations (PEPSP), as recorded from dentrites in isolated hippocampal slices, GABA induced a dose-dependent reversible reduction in PEPSP amplitude with no noticeable signs of desensitization. Highest sensitivity to GABA was shown by PEPSP in hippocampal zone CA1 (threshold concentration: 3×10^–5–2×10^–4 M; (concentration at which the effect equal to 1/2 of maximum occurs) IC₅₀: 5×10^–4–1×10^–3 M). The effects of GABA on PEPSP were not blocked by bicuculline, picrotoxin, or penicillin. Action of GABA on dendritic antidromic population spike (DAPS — postynaptic effects) were slightly diminished by these blockers. Baclofen inhibited PEPSP more powerfully than GABA (threshold concentration: 1×10^–6 M: IC₅₀: 3×10^–6 M), although it only produced a minor reduction in DAPS amplitude even at high concentrations. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of GABA on PEPSP in hippocampal zone CA1 may be put down mainly to its presynaptic action mediated by GABA_B receptors on axonal terminals of Schaffer collaterals.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 5, pp. 627–633, September–October, 1990.     

Enhancement of lactic acid production with ram horn peptone by Lactobacillus casei

Ram horns are a waste material from the meat industry. The use of ram horn peptone (RHP) as a supplement for lactic acid production was investigated using Lactobacillus casei. For this purpose, first, RHP was produced. Ram horns were hydrolysed by treating with acids (3 M H₂SO₄ and 6 M HCl) and neutralizing the solutions to yield ram horn hydrolysate (RHH). The RHH was evaporated to yield RHP. The amounts of protein, nitrogen, ash, some minerals, total sugars, total lipids and amino acids of the RHP were determined and compared with a bacto-tryptone from casein. When the concentrations (1–6% w/v) of the RHP were used in bacterial growth medium as a supplement, 2% RHP (ram horn peptone medium) had a maximum influence on the production of lactic acid by L. casei. The content of lactic acid in the culture broth containing 2% RHP (43 g l^–1) grown for 24 h was 30% higher than that of the control culture broth (33 g l^–1) and 10% higher than that of 2% bacto-tryptone (39 g l^–1). RHP was demonstrated to be a suitable supplement for production of lactic acid. This RHP may prove to be a valuable supplement in fermentation technology.     

Effects of quinine on calcium current in mollusk neurons

The effects of quinine on the peak amplitude and the decay of calcium currents (I_Ca) were investigated in nonidentified neurons isolated fromHelix pomatia. A concentration of 1×10^–5–5×10^–4 M quinine was found to produce a reversible dose-dependent deceleration in the decline of I_Ca ("lead" effect) and a reversible, slowly evolving dose-dependent reduction in I_Ca amplitude ("lag" effect). A reduction in amplitude down to half control level is observed at a quinine concentration of 6 ×10^–5 M, while the current-voltage relationship of I_Ca shifts by 5–10 mV towards negative potentials. Results show that quinine successfully blocks calcium channels inHelix pomatia neurons.Institute of Brain Research, All-Union Mental Health Research Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 413–417, May–June, 1987.     

Effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on evoked dorsal horn cell activity in an isolated segment of spinal cord

During experiments on an isolated segment of the spinal cord of 2- to 3-week-old rats, a study was made of the effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on the activity of dorsal horn cells produced by stimulating the afferent root. Both field and action potentials were recorded in single cells. It was established that vasopressin and oxytocin produced reversible inhibition of the postsynaptic component of field potentials. The amplitude of potentials was reduced by 33–39% by vasopressin and by 12–34% using oxytocin. The effect of the test substances depended on the concentration used and the duration of their action on the brain. Both vasopressin and oxytocin reversibly depressed discharges of single dorsal horn cells evoked by stimulating the dorsal root. These two neuropeptides prolonged latency, and reduced the number of evoked potentials or completely suppressed response. A facilitatory effect was recorded in a small number of cells. We deduced from our findings that their hypothalamospinal neurohormonal system inhibits transmission of afferent impulses at the level of interneurons of the dorsal horn.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 634–640, September–October, 1985.     

Effects of noradrenaline on neuronal response induced in the motor cortex by conditioned stimuli

In chronic experiments on cats, the effects were investigated of iontophoretic application of the adrenomimetic ephedrine and the -blocker obsidan (propranolol) on neuronal response induced in the motor cortex by conditioned stimulus presentation during performances of instrumental lever-pressing response. Inhibition of background firing activity and response in most neurons induced by conditioned stimuli was produced by ephedrine, whereas obsidan application enhanced this activity. It was concluded that steady, tonic inhibitory action of the noradrenergic system on background and induced firing activity in cortical neurons takes place during free-ranging behavior. Temporary reinforcement of noradrenergic influences could be an important element in mechanisms of external inhibition during stressful situations, aversive effects, and distractive stimuli.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 5, pp. 680–688, September–October, 1990.     

Carbon Dioxide and Methane Production in Small Reservoirs Flooding Upland Boreal Forest

The FLooded Uplands Dynamics EXperiment (FLUDEX) was designed to assess the impact of reservoir creation on carbon cycling in boreal forests by (a) determining whether production of the greenhouse gases (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) in reservoirs is related to the amount of organic carbon (OC) stored in the flooded landscape, (b) examining temporal trends in GHG production during initial stages of flooding, and (c) considering the net difference between GHG fluxes before and after flooding to estimate the true effect of reservoir creation on atmospheric GHG levels. Three forested sites that varied in the amount of OC stored in soils and vegetation (30,870–45,860 kg C ha^–1) were experimentally flooded from June to September in 1999–2001. Throughout the study, net CO₂ and CH₄ production in all three reservoirs was not related to overall site OC storage. During the 1st flooding season, net CO₂ production in the three reservoirs was 703–797 kg C ha^–1, but it decreased during the 2nd and 3rd flooding seasons to between 408 and 479 kg C ha^–1. However, CH₄ production increased in all reservoirs with each flooding season, from about 3.2–4.6 kg C ha^–1 in 1999 to 12.8–24.9 kg C ha^–1 in 2000 and 29.7–35.2 kg C ha^–1 in 2001. Over the long term, effects of boreal reservoir creation on atmospheric GHG levels may be largely due to net changes in CH₄ cycling between the undisturbed and flooded ecosystems.     

Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Prevents Remifentanil-Induced Hyperalgesia via Regulating the Expression and Function of Spinal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors In Vivo and Vitro

A large number of experimental and clinical studies have confirmed that brief remifentanil exposure can enhance pain sensitivity presenting as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have been reported to inhibit morphine analgesic tolerance in many studies. Recently, we found that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) modulated NMDA receptor trafficking in a rat model of remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia. In the current study, it was demonstrated that GSK-3β inhibition prevented remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia via regulating the expression and function of spinal NMDA receptors in vivo and in vitro. We firstly investigated the effects of TDZD-8, a selective GSK-3β inhibitor, on thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia using a rat model of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia. GSK-3β activity as well as NMDA receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A and NR2B) expression and trafficking in spinal cord L₄-L₅ segments were measured by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effects of GSK-3β inhibition on NMDA-induced current amplitude and frequency were studied in spinal cord slices by whole-cell patch-clamp recording. We found that remifentanil infusion at 1 μg·kg^-1·min^-1 and 2 μg·kg^-1·min^-1 caused mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, up-regulated NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B expression in both membrane fraction and total lysate of the spinal cord dorsal horn and increased GSK-3β activity in spinal cord dorsal horn. GSK-3β inhibitor TDZD-8 significantly attenuated remifentanil-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia from 2 h to 48 h after infusion, and this was associated with reversal of up-regulated NR1 and NR2B subunits in both membrane fraction and total lysate. Furthermore, remifentanil incubation increased amplitude and frequency of NMDA receptor-induced current in dorsal horn neurons, which was prevented with the application of TDZD-8. These results suggest that inhibition of GSK-3β can significantly ameliorate remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia via modulating the expression and function of NMDA receptors, which present useful insights into the mechanistic action of GSK-3β inhibitor as potential anti-hyperalgesic agents for treating OIH.     

Dependence of sodium-calcium exchange current through the membrane of salivary gland cells ofChironomus on pH of the extracellular solution

The dependence of sodium-calcium exchange current (I _Na(Ca)) through the membrane of isolated secretory cells ofChironomus larva on pH of the extracellular solution was studied with the voltage-clamp technique with intracellular perfusion.I _Na(Ca) evoked by hyperpolarization of the membrane from –20 to –60 mV was recorded within physiological values of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ gradients. It was established that acidification of extracellular solution from pH 7.2 to 4.0 gradually decreased the amplitude ofI _Na(Ca) with pK' — 3.72. In all cases at pH 3.0 an outward current of considerable amplitude emerged in response to membrane hyperpolarization. The reversal of the current occurred at pH around 3.25. A decrease inI _Na(Ca) was due to protonation of acid ionogenic groups (quite possibly, of the residues of aspartic or glutamic amino acids), which had been involved in binding of cations. Alkalization of extracellular solution from pH 7.2 to 10.0 produced a gradual increase in theI _Na(Ca) amplitude; pK' was in the pH range between 9 and 10. The increase inI _Na(Ca) in alkaline medium was probably due to the appearance of negatively charged cations at binding sites, which could be carried by deprotonated thiosulfate groups of cysteine residues. This was indicated by the possibility of initial decrease inI _Na(Ca) under the action of Hg²⁺ ions.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 28, No. 4/5, pp. 193–196, July–October, 1996.     

The influence of tactile stimulation of nipples on the milk ejection reflex in the rat

Summary Changes of positive pressure exerted by pups on nipples during sucking were investigated using anesthetized, lactating dams. It was found that, every 50–60 s, individual pups performed bouts of pressure oscillations (3/s) of high amplitude which lasted about 10–12 s and coincided with periods of increased motor activity. During the intervals, when pups were quiet, series of low-amplitude oscillations (3/s) were also observed. Using a strain measuring method to record the activity of sucking pups, synchronization of activity of two or more pups was found to occur periodically every 25–30 s and, most frequently, 10–30 s before the reflex increase of milk pressure. In further experiments, artificial tactile stimulation was applied to the dam's nipples using the joint action of suction and positive pressure. Following a short-term (10–20 s) increase in frequency and amplitude of artificial nipple stimulation, 60%–80% of all reflexive peaks of milk pressure were elicited with a latency of 19 ± 5 s. This suggests that there are specific conditions under which the stimulation of nipples by pups may trigger the formation of the milk ejection reflex in the rat.Abbreviation MER milk ejection reflex     

Tolbutamide enhances potential-dependent inactivation of calcium channels in snail neurons

A two-microelectrode voltage-clamp method was used to measure a high-threshold calcium current (I_Ca) on isolated snail neurons. Tolbutamide (1–5 mmole/liter) and H-8 (1–30 µmole/liter), inhibitors of kinase A, caused a decrease in the peak amplitude and accelerated I_Ca decay during a depolarizing stimulus. The half-life of the "slow" time constant of I_Ca decay decreased in the presence of tolbutamide, and was two to three times stronger than the half-life of the "fast" time constant. I_Ca inactivation curves plotted in a double-stimulus experiment have shown that after tolbutamide application, I_Ca inactivation elicited by the application of high-amplitude depolarizing pre-stimuli preferentially rises (V_c=+30 to +70 mV). The results suggest that dephosphorylation of Ca²⁺ channels enhances a potential-dependent component of the inactivation process.Scientific-Research Institute of the Brain, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 515–519, September–October, 1991.     

Restoration of voltage-dependent antibrain antibody-inhibited calcium current by cyclic adenosine monophosphate

A dual-microelectrode voltage clamp technique was used for recording voltage-dependent calcium current (I_ca) in unidentified neurons isolated fromHelix pomatia. Neither intracellular injection of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP; 10 nA, 5 min) nor intracellular application of dibutyril-cAMP (dcAMP; 1 mM, 10–20 min) induced a change in normal I_ca or produce a reversible 10–20% reduction in amplitude. Adding S-100 protein fraction antibodies to the external medium led to the onset of calcium-dependent inactivation of I_ca, bringing amplitude of I_ca down to 15±12% of its initial level. Either cAMP or dcAMP then restored inhibited I_ca to 50±11% of its original level. It was found that the effects of cAMP on I_ca of intact neurons depend on level of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺.Institute for Brain Research, All-Union Center for Mental Health Research, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 247–252, March–April, 1989.     

Presynaptic inhibition of segmental interneurons

In experiments on spinal cats changes in the second negative postsynaptic component (N₂) of the dorsal surface potential (DSP) of the spinal cord recorded in the region of segment L7 was used as the index of inhibition of segmental dorsal horn interneurons. Conditioning and testing stimuli were applied at increasing time intervals to the popliteal and superficial peroneal nerves respectively. Changes in the N₂ component were compared with changes in the N₁ component of the DSP, reflecting mainly activity of nonsegmental ascending dorsal horn interneurons. After an initial short facilitation a conditioning volley of pulses evokes prolonged (over 500 msec) inhibition of the N₂ component, characterized by the presence of two maxima (on the average at the 16th and 80th milliseconds) which indicate that two systems with different latent periods play a role in this inhibition. In its shape and temporal characteristics the curve of inhibition of the N₂ component corresponds to the two-component dorsal root potential (DRP) recorded in spinal animals in response to stimulation of flexor afferents (FRA) [8, 19]. Together with other features, this similarity is evidence of the presynaptic nature of this inhibition. Intravenous injection of hexobarbital has a stronger action on inhibition of the N₂ component, leading to a marked increase in its depth and duration. Suggestions are made regarding the functional organization of systems responsible for presynaptic inhibition of segmental dorsal horn interneurons.Deceased.Dnepropetrovsk State University. Translated from Neirofiziolgiya, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 75–82, January–February, 1972.     

Effects of dopamine on spontaneous activity generated by isolated spinal cord in 16- to 20-day-old chick embryos

The effects were investigated of applying L-DOPA, dopamine (DA), and noradrenaline (NA) on spontaneous activity (cyclic fluctuations in electrotonic dorsal and ventral root (DR and VR) potentials generated by a section of spinal cord isolated from 16 to 20-day-old chick embryos. A low concentration of L-DOPA (30–150 µm) intensified operation of the spinal generator, giving rise to above-threshold rhythm (i.e., spike activity in the DR and the VR). At a high concentration, L-DOPA produced inhibition of generator operation, although spontaneous activity did intensify during subsequent washout of the substance, with the onset of above-threshold rhythm. Both DA and NA failed to affect spontaneous activity in the VR and the DR at a concentration to 50 µM but a concentration of 100 µM produced inhibition. Application of 20 µM 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid blocked the reinforced spontaneous activity produced by low L-DOPA concentrations. Activity generated by the neuronal network of the isolated dorsal horn rose under the effects of low L-DOPA concentrations; rhythmic activity was observed neither before nor after applying this substance in isolated ventral horn. Findings obtained would point to the occurrence of a direct (i.e., non-catecholamine dependent) excitatory influence of L-DOPA on the neuronal network of the chick embryo dorsal horn.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 338–343, May–June, 1991.     

Effect of photosystem II reaction center closure on nanosecond fluorescence relaxation kinetics

The fluorescence decay of chlorophyll in spinach thylakoids was measured as a function of the degree of closure of Photosystem II reaction centers, which was set for the flowed sample by varying either the preillumination by actinic light or the exposure of the sample to the exciting pulsed laser light. Three exponential kinetic components originating in Photosystem II were fitted to the decays; a fourth component arising from Photosystem I was determined to be negligible at the emission wavelength of 685 nm at which the fluorescence decays were measured. Both the lifetimes and the amplitudes of the components vary with reaction center closure. A fast (170–330 ps) component reflects the trapping kinetics of open Photosystem II reaction centers capable of reducing the plastoquinone pool; its amplitude decreases gradually with trap closure, which is incompatible with the concept of photosynthetic unit connectivity where excitation energy which encounters a closed trap can find a different, possibly open one. For a connected system, the amplitude of the fast fluorescence component is expected to remain constant. The slow component (1.7–3.0 ns) is virtually absent when the reaction centers are open, and its growth is attributable to the appearance of closed centers. The middle component (0.4–1.7 ns) with approximately constant amplitude may originate from centers that are not functionally linked to the plastoquinone pool. To explain the continuous increase in the lifetimes of all three components upon reaction center closure, we propose that the transmembrane electric field generated by photosynthetic turnover modulates the trapping kinetics in Photosystem II and thereby affects the excited state lifetime in the antenna in the trap-limited case.Abbreviations DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - HEPES 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethane sulfonic acid - PQ plastoquinone - PSI and PSII Photosystem I and II - Q_A and Q_B primary and secondary quinone acceptor of PSII     

Fos Protein Expression in Sacral Spinal Cord in Relation to Early Phase of Cauda Equina Syndrome in Dogs

1. The aim of the present study is to map the incipient phase of Fos expression in the sacral spinal cord neuronal pools of multiple cauda equina constrictions canine model.2. Fos-positive neurons were found bilaterally in the lateral portion of superficial dorsal horn layers (Laminae I–III) and along the lateral edge of the dorsal horn accompanied by the lateral collateral pathway, fibers of Lissauer's tract, terminating at the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. Similarly, high Fos expression was detected in the ventral portion of the dorsal sacral commissure and in the dorsomedial portion of the anterior horns at S₁–S₃ segment level. Finally, a clearly expressed Fos-positivity was disclosed bilaterally in the neuropil of the nucleus Y in the anterior horn.3. Data from the present study show that continuous stimulation of the central fibers of sacral dorsal root ganglia neurons, i.e., fibers of sacral primary afferents, unlike those using various stimulations of the peripheral fibres offers an unusual pattern of Fos-like immunoreactivity.     

Evoked activity of spinal neurons in the early period after sciatic nerve division

The character of dorsal horn motoneurons and interneurons evoked by stimulation of the dorsal root, and activity of Renshaw cells in response to stimulation of the ventral root were studied in albino rats in the lower lumbar segments of the spinal cord 5 days after sciatic nerve division. A significant increase in the mean amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials of motoneurons was observed on the side of division of the nerve. No significant change in membrane potential and in the threshold of appearance of the action potential of these motoneurons took place. The mean number of action potentials and the duration of discharge of the Renshaw cells and dorsal horn interneurons likewise were not significantly changed.Dnepropetrovsk Medical Institute, Ukrainian Ministry of Health. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 306–314, May–June, 1992.