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Inhibition of esterases in the marine gastropod Littorina littorea exposed to cadmium.

Electrophoretic analysis of Littorina littorea esterases indicated the presence of a cathodal migration isoenzyme (EST-C), which was identified in extracts obtained from the gonad-digestive gland complex. A loss of EST-C enzyme activity was observed in individuals exposed to Cd2+. This loss of activity was complete in 86% of individuals dead by the action of Cd2+ and in 68% of those individuals that survived Cd2+ exposure. This difference was statistically significant. In vitro inhibition of esterases by different concentrations of Cd2+ and Cu2+ was studied in individuals not experimentally exposed to heavy metals, to determine whether EST-C inhibition was caused by direct binding of Cd2+ to the esterase molecule or by Cd2+ displacement of a metal ion from essential Cu2+- or Zn2+-containing proteins, which may then be responsible for the inhibition of esterase. Contrary to what happened when individuals were exposed to Cd2+, in the in vitro experiment with Cd2+, inhibition of anodal but not cathodal systems was observed. At the same time, when Cu2+ was used in the in vitro experiment, both anodal and cathodal systems were inhibited. These results suggest that the inhibition of EST-C activity by Cd2+ takes place in vivo and seems not to be due to the direct action of Cd2+ on the molecule, but rather is a process in which transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and other inhibitory processes may be involved.

Animals↗

What does galvanic vestibular stimulation stimulate?

The technique of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) has been used for a long time. The stimulus produces stereotyped automatic postural and ocular responses. The mechanisms underlying these responses are not understood although they are commonly attributed to altered otolith output. Based on animal studies, it seems reasonable to assume that vestibular afferents from the otoliths and semicircular canals are affected similarly by GVS. With this assumption, and anatomical knowledge of the vestibular apparatus, a model is developed to describe the expected responses of vestibular afferents to percutaneous GVS and the physiological implications of this altered sensory signal. Bilateral bipolar GVS, the most commonly used technique, should produce a canal signal consistent with a strong ear-down roll towards the cathodal side, a smaller nose-to-cathode yaw, but no pitch signal. Bilateral bipolar GVS should also produce an otolith signal consistent with tilt towards the cathodal side or a translational acceleration towards the anodal side. The expected responses for other configurations of GVS are also described. The model appears consistent with published data on the ocular and postural responses to GVS, and suggests other testable hypotheses concerning postural, ocular and perceptual responses to GVS.

Animals↗

Effects of direct current on renal function. An experimental study in pigs.

Electric current from an external source was introduced between electrodes operatively placed into the ureters and positioned in the renal pelves of 13 pigs. Urinary excretion via the cathodic kidney showed a marked increase. The renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate diminished with increasing voltage, but no significant difference was found between the cathodic and the anodic kidney. The fractional sodium excretion by the cathodic kidney was 80% higher, indicating that the electric current mainly affected tubular function. A possible clinical application for electric fields in the kidneys is discussed.

Animals↗

Surface anodal stimulation of human peripheral nerves.

Bipolar surface stimulation of human peripheral nerves with short square pulses elicits action potentials in the A-alpha fibers at the beginning of the stimulus pulse both at the cathode (cathodal stimulation) and simultaneously in a hypopolarized region surrounding the anode (anodal stimulation). When recording with a bipolar surface electrode on the "anodal side" of the stimulating electrode a stimulus of medium strength gives a double peak response of submaximal amplitude. The peak with long latency is generated by the cathode and the peak with short latency by the anode. With a strong stimulus and recording on the "anodal side" only the short latency peak (with a maximal amplitude) is recorded. With a weak stimulus only the long latency peak (with a submaximal or maximal amplitude) is seen. These findings have importance in standard neurography investigations since mistakes concerning the polarity of the stimulating electrode affect the calculation of latencies, nerve conduction velocities, F-responses and SEPs. A nerve action potential with dual peaks may also be mistaken as a sign of anomalous innervation or activation of nerve axon subpopulations.

Action Potentials↗

[Comparative study of immunoelectrophoresis (IEF) and immunoelectroosmophoresis-immunodiffusion (IEOF-ID) used in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis].

Immunoelectroporesis (IEF) and immunoelectroosmophoresis-immunodiffusion (IEOP-ID) (1) were comparatively used in the diagnosis of 16 patients with mycologically proved paracocidioidomycosis. In IEF, 5 different precipitin arcs were found and identified with arabic numbers. Arc. '1', cathodic, present in all the patients, is assimilated to specific arcs previously described by other authors. In IEOP-ID both 'cathodic' and 'anodic' arcs were observed in all the sera. A high number of precipitin arcs were revealed by IEOP-ID technique in comparison to IEF in every case. This should be due to the presence of cathodic arcs 'I' and '2' of the immunoelectrophoregram at both sides of the IEOP-ID preparate.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Modelling motor cortex stimulation for chronic pain control: electrical potential field, activating functions and responses of simple nerve fibre models.

This computer modelling study on motor cortex stimulation (MCS) introduced a motor cortex model, developed to calculate the imposed electrical potential field characteristics and the initial response of simple fibre models to stimulation of the precentral gyrus by an epidural electrode, as applied in the treatment of chronic, intractable pain. The model consisted of two parts: a three-dimensional volume conductor based on tissue conductivities and human anatomical data, in which the stimulation-induced potential field was computed, and myelinated nerve fibre models allowing the calculation of their response to this field. A simple afferent fibre branch and three simple efferent fibres leaving the cortex at different positions in the precentral gyrus were implemented. It was shown that the thickness of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) layer between the dura mater and the cortex below the stimulating electrode substantially affected the distribution of the electrical potential field in the precentral gyrus and thus the threshold stimulus for motor responses and the therapeutic stimulation amplitude. When the CSF thickness was increased from 0 to 2.5 mm, the load impedance decreased by 28%, and the stimulation amplitude increased by 6.6 V for each millimetre of CSF. Owing to the large anode-cathode distance (10 mm centre-to-centre) in MCS, the cathodal fields in mono- and bipolar stimulation were almost identical. Calculation of activating functions and fibre responses showed that only nerve fibres with a directional component parallel to the electrode surface were excitable by a cathode, whereas fibres perpendicular to the electrode surface were excitable under an anode.

Chronic Disease↗

Imbalanced biphasic electrical stimulation: muscle tissue damage.

The effects of imbalanced biphasic stimulation were studied on cat skeletal muscle to determine if greater charge densities can be safely used than with balanced or monophasic stimulation. The results of the study indicate that imbalanced biphasic stimulation can be tolerated safely by tissue at or below a net dc current density of 35 microA/mm2 and not safely tolerated at or above a net dc current of 50 microA/mm2. Monophasic stimulation has been shown to be safe at or below net dc current levels of 10 microA/mm2 and in these studies we found it was not safe at or above net dc current levels of 20 microA/mm2. Stimuli were applied to muscles via coiled wire intramuscular electrodes using a regulated current source. Since the safe average current density was higher for imbalanced biphasic stimulation than for monophasic stimulation, this suggests that: (a) pH change is not the primary reaction causing tissue damage and (b) the damaging electrochemical process that takes place during a cathodic stimulation pulse can be reversed by an anodic pulse having substantially less charge than its companion cathodic pulse. We conclude that greater cathodic charge densities can be safely employed with imbalanced biphasic stimulation than with either monophasic stimulation or balanced charge biphasic stimulation.

Animals↗

Electrophoretic separation of proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice collected with the pouch or catheter method.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice from pigs prepared with the pouch method (PM) were nearly fully active or were fully active. When activation with enterokinase was carried out further inactivation and/or breakdown occurred for chymotrypsin C and cathodal trypsin. In addition, some inactivation and/or breakdown of proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic juice occurred during collection of pancreatic juice from PM pigs. METHODS: Samples of pancreatic juice were collected from growing pigs using either the PM or the catheter method (CM). An isolated pouch was prepared where the pancreatic duct enters the duodenum, and three pigs were fitted with a pancreatic pouch re-entrant cannula. Three different pigs had a catheter surgically inserted into the pancreatic duct. Pooled 8-h samples of pancreatic juice were analyzed before and after activation with enterokinase. Chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase activities were identified in pancreatic juice after separation by electrophoresis in 1% agarose gels at pH 8.6 using N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-beta-naphthyl ester (Ac-Phe-beta ne) as a substrate. RESULTS: This qualitative enzyme assay indicated that a considerable amount of chymotrypsin C, anodal trypsin, chymotrypsins A and B, elastase II, and cathodal trypsin were present in samples of nonactivated pancreatic juice from PM pigs. In contrast, the only active enzymes identified in pancreatic juice from CM pigs were very small amounts of chymotrypsin A and elastase II. The amounts of chymotrypsin C and cathodal trypsin were lower in activated than in nonactivated pancreatic juice from PM pigs. However, there were increases in the amounts of the other enzymes when pancreatic juice from PM pigs was activated. As expected, the activation of pancreatic juice from CM pigs resulted in the measurement of very high amounts of all the proteolytic enzymes. The amounts of anodal trypsin, chymotrypsins A and B, and elastase II were higher in activated pancreatic juice from CM pigs than from PM pigs.

Animals↗

Investigation of the delamination of polymer films from galvanized steel with the Scanning Kelvinprobe.

The applicability of a new experimental technique - the Scanning Kelvinprobe - for the analysis of the delamination of polymer films from galvanized steel is discussed. Defect ions having direct access to the zinc/ polymer interface will diffuse along this interface, a process, which can be monitored by the Kelvinprobe in a very early state with a high local resolution. After incorporation of ions a galvanic element is formed, the local cathode being at the delamination front, where oxygen is reduced, and the local anode at the zinc coated defect. For the model polymer under investigation the interaction between the film and the substrate is weak and the rate determining step for the delamination is the diffusion of cations from the local anode to the local cathode. An exposure to a highly CO(2)-containing atmosphere before the delamination prolongs the incubation time of delamination. If there is no zinc layer at the defect, an anodic delamination mechanism occurs. Zinc is dissolved under the polymer film, while the steel surface is cathodically protected.

Journal Article↗

Visual evoked potentials modulation during direct current cortical polarization.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at low intensity induces changes in cortical excitability that persist after polarization ends. The effects of anodal and cathodal polarization remain controversial. We studied changes in visual evoked potentials (VEPs) during and after anodal and cathodal tDCS by applying, in healthy volunteers, 1 mA polarization through surface electrodes placed over the occipital scalp (polarizing) and over the anterior or posterior neck-base (reference). We compared tDCS applied at two durations, 3 and 10 min and both polarities. We assessed VEP-P100 latencies and amplitudes in response to pattern-reversal checkerboard stimuli before, during, and after polarization. Anodal polarization reduced VEP-P100 amplitude whereas cathodal polarization significantly increased amplitude but both polarities left latency statistically unchanged. These changes persisted for some minutes after polarization ended depending on the duration of tDCS and on the contrast level of visual stimuli. tDCS-induced changes in VEPs seem to depend on the duration of polarization and type of visual stimuli used. The effects induced on visual cortical neurones during polarization are more consistent than the aftereffects. Studying these changes during polarization may therefore improve our understanding of these phenomena.

Adult↗

Convergence pattern of uncrossed excitatory and inhibitory semicircular canal-specific inputs onto second-order vestibular neurons of frogs. Organization of vestibular side loops.

Second-order vestibular neurons of frogs receive converging monosynaptic excitatory and disynaptic excitatory and inhibitory inputs following electrical pulse stimulation of an individual semicircular canal nerve on the ipsilateral side. Here we revealed, in the in vitro frog brain, disynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) by bath application of antagonists specific for glycine or gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA(A)) receptors. Differences in the response parameters between disynaptic IPSPs and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) suggested that disynaptic IPSPs originated from a more homogeneous subpopulation of thicker vestibular nerve afferent fibers than mono- or disynaptic EPSPs. To investigate a possible size-related organization of these canal-specific, parallel pathways, we combined long-lasting anodal currents of variable intensities with strong cathodal test pulses, to block pulse-evoked responses reversibly in a graded manner according to the size-related sensitivity of vestibular nerve afferent fibers. The anodal current intensity required to block a particular response component was about 15 times lower than the strength of the cathodal test pulse that activated this response component. These large threshold differences were exploited for a selective anodal suppression of the responses from thick vestibular nerve afferent fibers. In fact, response components known to originate exclusively from thick-caliber afferent fibers such as the electrically transmitted monosynaptic EPSP component exhibited the lowest thresholds for cathodal test pulses and were the first to disappear in the presence of small anodal polarization steps. Thresholds for the activation/inactivation of responses and current intensities required for response saturation/blockade were used to assess the fiber spectrum that evoked the different response components. Mono- and disynaptic EPSPs appeared to originate from a broad spectrum of thick and thin vestibular nerve afferent fibers. The spectrum of afferent fibers that activated disynaptic IPSPs on the other hand was more homogeneous and consisted of thick and intermediate fibers. Such a canal-specific and fiber type-related organization of converging inputs of second-order vestibular neurons via feedforward projections was shown for the first time by this study in frogs, but might also prevail in mammals. Similar differences in these feedforward pathways have been proposed earlier in a vestibular side-loop model. Our results are consistent with the basic assumptions of this model and relate to the processing and tuning of dynamic vestibular signals.

Animals↗

Effects of voluntary contraction on descending volleys evoked by transcranial electrical stimulation over the motor cortex hand area in conscious humans.

The spinal volleys evoked by electric anodal and cathodal stimulation over the cerebral motor cortex hand area were recorded from a bipolar electrode inserted into the cervical epidural space of two conscious human subjects. We measured the size of volleys elicited by electric stimulation at active motor threshold and at 3% of maximum stimulator output above this value with subjects at rest and during maximum voluntary contraction of the contralateral first dorsal interosseous muscle. Surface EMG activity was recorded at the same time. Electrical anodal stimulation evoked a single negative wave that we termed D-wave in analogy with data in experimental animals. Cathodal stimulation evoked a single negative wave with a latency of 0.2 ms longer than the D-wave recruited by anodal stimulation. At both intensities tested, voluntary contraction did not modify the amplitude of the descending waves. We conclude that changes in cortical excitability induced by voluntary activity do not modify the corticospinal volley evoked by electric stimulation and that the D-waves evoked by both anodal and cathodal electric stimulation are probably initiated several nodes distant to the cell body.

Adult↗

Microbial communities associated with electrodes harvesting electricity from a variety of aquatic sediments.

The microbial communities associated with electrodes from underwater fuel cells harvesting electricity from five different aquatic sediments were investigated. Three fuel cells were constructed with marine, salt-marsh, or freshwater sediments incubated in the laboratory. Fuel cells were also deployed in the field in salt marsh sediments in New Jersey and estuarine sediments in Oregon, USA. All of the sediments produced comparable amounts of power. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences after 3-7 months of incubation demonstrated that all of the energy-harvesting anodes were highly enriched in microorganisms in the delta-Proteobacteria when compared with control electrodes not connected to a cathode. Geobacteraceae accounted for the majority of delta-Proteobacterial sequences or all of the energy-harvesting anodes, except the one deployed at the Oregon estuarine site. Quantitative PCR analysis of 16S rRNA genes and culturing studies indicated that Geobacteraceae were 100-fold more abundant on the marine-deployed anodes versus controls. Sequences most similar to microorganisms in the family Desulfobulbaceae predominated on the anode deployed in the estuarine sediments, and a significant proportion of the sequences recovered from the freshwater anodes were closely related to the Fe(III)-reducing isolate, Geothrix fermentans. There was also a specific enrichment of microorganisms on energy harvesting cathodes, but the enriched populations varied with the sediment/water source. Thus, future studies designed to help optimize the harvesting of electricity from aquatic sediments or waste organic matter should focus on the electrode interactions of these microorganisms which are most competitive in colonizing anodes and cathodes.

Base Sequence↗

The effect of subthreshold prepulses on the recruitment order in a nerve trunk analyzed in a simple and a realistic volume conductor model.

The influence of subthreshold depolarizing prepulses on the threshold current-to-distance and the threshold current-to-diameter relationship of myelinated nerve fibers has been investigated. A nerve fiber model was used in combination with both a simple, homogeneous volume conductor model with a point source and a realistic, inhomogeneous volume conductor model of a monofascicular nerve trunk surrounded by a cuff electrode. The models predict that a subthreshold depolarizing prepulse will desensitize Ranvier nodes of fibers in the vicinity of the cathode and thus cause an increase in the threshold current of a subsequent pulse to activate these fibers. If the increase in threshold current of the excited node is large enough, the excitation will be accompanied by a strong hyperpolarization of adjacent nodes, preventing the propagation of action potentials in these fibers. As fibers close to the electrode are more desensitized by prepulses than more distant ones, it is possible to stimulate distant fibers without stimulating such fibers close to the electrode. Moreover, as larger fibers are more desensitized than smaller ones, smaller fibers have lower threshold currents than larger fibers up to a certain distance from the electrode. The realistic model has provided an additional condition for the application of this method to invert nerve fiber recruitment, i.e., real or virtual anodes should be close to the cathode. When using a cuff electrode for this purpose, in the case of monopolar stimulation the cuff length (determining the position of the virtual anodes) should not exceed twice the internodal length of the fibers to be blocked. Similarly, the distance between cathode and anodes should not exceed the internodal length of these fibers when stimulation is to be applied tripolarly.

Animals↗

Characteristic variation in evoked potential amplitude with changes in pacing stimulus strength.

The evoked potential, the intracardiac signal generated by a pacing stimulus, shows promise as a sensor for rate-responsive pacing and automatic threshold determinations. Thus, it is important to understand factors that may alter the morphology of evoked potentials and affect accurate signal analysis. Using a computer-based pacing system emulator, stimuli at 2.5, 5.0 and 6.9 V were delivered to 12 patients through permanent bipolar pacing leads. At 2.5 V, the evoked potential amplitude measured -12.63 +/- 7.79 mV. When the pacing amplitude was increased to 5.0 and 6.9 V, the signal diminished in size or reversed in polarity, or both, averaging -0.83 +/- 7.82 mV and 0.64 +/- 7.0 mV, respectively (p less than 0.01 vs 2.5 V). Pacing at 2.5 V was performed in an additional 8 patients with temporary quadripolar electrode catheters. With the distal pole of the catheter as the cathode and the proximal 3 poles as a common anode, the evoked potential averaged -9.01 +/- 5.44 mV. With the proximal 2 poles of the catheter disconnected to make the anode equal in size and current density to the cathode, the evoked potential diminished to -0.94 +/- 11.27 mV (p less than 0.05). There is thus a decrease in the evoked potential at high stimulus amplitudes compared to that obtained at the cathodic threshold. This finding can be reproduced by manipulation of the size and current density of the anode, suggesting that anodal stimulation at the ring of permanent pacing leads may be responsible.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗

Which elements are excited in electrical stimulation of mammalian central nervous system: a review.

(1) There are data on the amount of current necessary to stimulate a myelinated fiber or cell body and/or its axon a given distance away from a monopolar electrode over the entire range of practical interest for intracranial stimulation. Data do not exist for other electrode configurations. (2) Currents from a monopolar cathode of more than 8 times threshold may block action potentials in axons. Therefore, only axons lying in a shell around the electrode are stimulated. Elements very close to the electrode may not be stimulated. Close to an electrode small diameter axons may be stimulated and larger ones may not be. (3) Most, and perhaps all, CNS myelinated fibers have chronaxies of 50-100 musec. When gray matter is stimulated, the chronaxie is often 200-700 musec. It is not clear what is being stimulated in this case. Current-duration relations should be determined for many more responses. (4) There are no current-distance or current-duration data for central finely myelinated or unmyelinated fibers. (5) It takes less cathodal current than anodal to stimulate a myelinated fiber passing by a monopolar electrode. When a monopolar electrode is near a cell body, on the opposite side from the axon, often the lowest threshold is anodal, but sometimes cathodal. Stimulation of a neuron near its cell body is not well understood, but in many cases the axon is probably stimulated. (6) Orientation of cell body and axons with respect to current flow is important. For an axon it is the component of the voltage gradient parallel to the fiber that is important. (7) The pia has a significant resistance and capacitance. Gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid have different resistivities, which affect patterns of current flow. (8) More is known about stimulation of mammalian CNS than most workers are aware of. Much of what is unknown seems solvable with current methods.

Animals↗

Characteristics of mitochondrial creatine kinases from normal human heart and liver tissues.

Mitochondrial creatine kinases (CKs, ATP:creatine N-phosphotransferases, EC 2.7.3.2) were isolated from normal human heart and liver, and their characteristics were compared. The electrophoretic patterns of the extracted enzymes exhibited two forms both migrating cathodic to CK-MM. The fast-moving cathodal form is the major form and the slow-moving cathodal form is the minor one. Incubation of the heart mitochondrial CK at 37 degrees C in normal human serum for 7 h and of the liver mitochondrial CK at 26 degrees C for 1 h in 2 mol/l urea, converted the fast-moving form into the slow-moving one, and finally into a third form migrating in the MM position. The relative molecular masses were estimated to be approximately 350,000 for the major form, and 80,000 for the minor and the third forms. The electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight of the third form were identical to those of the CK-MM; however, the third form was distinguished from CK-MM by its different antigenicity. Thus, three forms were ultimately recognized as mitochondrial CKs by electrophoretic mobilities and molecular weights. The liver mitochondrial CK reacted with anti-human heart mitochondrial CK antibody, thus these two isoenzymes could not be discriminated by their antigenicities. The liver mitochondrial CK was more stable to heat and had higher apparent affinity for creatine phosphate than the heart mitochondrial CK.

Antibody Formation↗

Focal stimulation of human peripheral nerve with the magnetic coil: a comparison with electrical stimulation.

The hypothenar compound motor action potential (CMAP) response to ulnar nerve stimulation at the elbow was used as a test system in the human to compare excitations by a round magnetic coil (MC), 92 mm in outer diameter, and by electrical bipolar or tripolar stimulation. Optimal focality of excitation was obtained with the MC at 90 degrees to the extended arm and its plane parallel to the arm, i.e., an orthogonal-longitudinal orientation. Tangential orientation of the MC on the arm, i.e., laying it flat on the arm, powerfully excited additional structures. As expected from classical axonology, orthogonal-transverse orientations were the least effective. With orthogonal-longitudinal orientation and submaximal stimulation, the spread of excitation lateral to the median nerve at the wrist was of the order of 10-15 mm, the thickness of the MC being 12 mm. With the same orientation, the site of origin of the distally propagating impulse was estimated by comparing CMAP latencies to bipolar electrical (with cathode distal) and MC stimulation. Tripolar stimulation (with cathode intermediate) had no advantage over bipolar stimulation. The impulse originated 13-22 mm from the midpoint of the contacting edge. Rotating the MC through 180 degrees and thus reversing the field polarity did not significantly change the CMAP latency, indicating that the effective cathode and anode lay within a few mm of each other. Stimulating with a tilted MC resulted in a maximum CMAP when the orthogonal-longitudinal orientation failed to do so. A simple volume conductor model yielded a potential gradient of the right order of magnitude (35 mV/mm) when the MC stimulator output was 25% of maximum, i.e., a little above threshold for exciting ulnar motor axons.

Arm↗