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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity in skates and the in vitro effect of bombesin on coronary vessels from the longnose skate, Raja rhina.

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity is present in nerve fibers projecting to the cardiovascular system, including the coronary arteries, and to the gastrointestinal canal, and in endocrine cells of the gut of skates belonging to the family Rajidae. Synthetic bombesin contracted isolated coronary rings from the longnose skate, Raja rhina, in a cumulative fashion. The contractile response was 84% of that of 60 mM potassium chloride. The pD2-value for bombesin was 8.83 (S.E.M. = 0.33; n = 15). Phentolamine, atropine and two substance P-antagonists increased the sensitivity to bombesin, while atenolol, sotalol, nifedipine, tetrodotoxin and two bombesin antagonists were devoid of significant effects. We conclude from this study that a bombesin-like peptide is present in nerves innervating the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal canal of skates of the family Rajidae, and that bombesin contracts coronary vessels in vitro via a direct mechanism and/or via mechanisms involving alpha-adrenergic and muscarinergic receptors.

Animals

Comparison of the temperature sensitivity of protein synthesis by cell-free systems from liver of rat and skate (Raja ocellata).

Studies were undertaken to determine the component(s) responsible for the temperature optimum characteristic of the protein-synthesizing system from skate and rat. 1. The macromolecular constituents of rat and skate liver ribosomes are compared. The number of ribosomal proteins is similar in the two species, although most proteins display different electrophoretic mobilities on polyacrylamide gels. The RNAs from the small subunit of skate and rat have similar sedimentation coefficients; however, the RNA from the large subunit of skate ribosomes appeared to be slight smaller than the comparable RNA from the rat. 2. Ribosomes from either rat or skate were capable of supporting poly(U)dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis with soluble factors from either species. 3. Maximal leucine incorporation directed by endogenous mRNA occurred at 35--40 degrees C with post-mitochondrial supernatant from the rat liver and at 20--30 degrees C with that from skate liver. 4. The characteristic temperature sensitivity of protein synthesis was dependent upon the source of cell sap and independent of the source of ribosomes. 5. Elongation factor 1 from both the rat and skate exhibited maximum activity at approx. 30 degrees C. 6. Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from skate liver showed maximum activity at 30 degrees C while that from rat was maximally active at 37 degrees C. The rat enzyme, however, was active at 0--10 degrees C, at which temperature protein synthesis in the reconstructed rat system is virtually absent. 7. The protein-synthesizing capacity of the reconstituted system at various temperatures was closely correlated with the activity of Elongation factor 2 (translocase). Elongation factor 2 from rat liver displayed an optimum at 30 degrees C and lost all activity below 10 degrees C, while this same factor from skate liver showed an optimum at 20 degrees C and significant activity below 10 degrees C. At this low temperature the reconstituted skate liver system continued to exhibit the ability to synthesize protein. These studies suggest that Elongation factor 2 is the component responsible for determining the temperature at which the protein-synthesizing system displays its characteristic maximum activity.

Animals

In-line skating: physiological responses and comparison with roller skiing.

The use of in-line skates has become popular in recent years for recreational and conditioning purposes. This investigation evaluated the physiological responses of ten subjects during in-line skating on a flat track with three different in-line skating techniques. The double pole technique demonstrated the greatest economy with oxygen uptake requirements that were approximately 12% lower (p less than 0.05) than conventional skating (without poles) or the V1 skate technique. Across the investigated velocity spectrum of 14.6 to 18.0 km.h-1, individuals with an average fitness level of 40 ml.kg-1.min-1 will achieve exercise intensities of 68-90% of maximum oxygen uptake using the conventional skating and V1 skate techniques on flat terrain. These exercise intensities are appropriate for cardiorespiratory training. However, high fit individuals who are attempting to elicit a cardiorespiratory training effect using in-line skates with rolling resistances similar to those tested may need to perform uphill interval work or skate at higher velocities which may be technically difficult and may be unsafe in some training environments. Comparison of the present data with previously published data on roller skiing demonstrates that differences in physiological responses for the two modes of exercise are the result of differences in rolling resistances between the devices. Measurements of rolling resistance and comparison of the oxygen uptake requirements for double polling on both devices allow for the mechanical efficiency to be estimated at approximately 18% for this mode of locomotion.

Analysis of Variance

Free amino acids in tissues of the skate Raja erinacea and the stingray Dasyatis sabina: effects of environmental dilution.

Concentrations of individual free amino acids were determined in various tissues of the skate (Raja erinacea) and the stingray (Dasyatis sabina), and the relationship of cellular free amino acid concentrations to intracellular osmoregulation was investigated by adapting these elasmobranchs to half-strength seawater. Each tissue characteristically had high levels of certain specific amino acids. Skate sing muscle contained high concentrations of sarcosine and beta-alanine, skate heart had high concentrations of taurine, and skate erythrocytes had high levels of taurine and beta-alanine. Amino acid levels in skate plasma were very low. High concentrations of aturine and glutamate were found in stingray brain. Adaptation of skates and stingrays to half-strength seawater was accompanied by significant decreases in concentrations of the major free amino acids in skate wing muscle and erythrocytes and in stingray brain, but not in skate heart. The data suggest that in these elasmobranchs certain specific free amino acids are selectively involved in intracellular osmoregulatory mechanisms.

Adaptation, Physiological

Anterior compartment pressures in cross-country skiers. A comparison of classic and skating skis.

This paper compares the pressure changes in the anterior compartment of the leg when cross-country skiing using the skating method on either skating skis or classic skis. Intracompartmental pressures of the right leg were recorded from the tibialis anterior muscle of 10 subjects at rest and 15 seconds after 10 to 12 minutes of cross-country skiing on a designated course. All subjects completed two trials on different days. In one trial, subjects used skating skis and for the other trial, classic skis were used for the skating technique. Although the average pressure increase was higher for the classic ski trials than for the skating ski trials, the difference was not significant. This finding indicates that cross-country skiers who skate on a classic ski as opposed to a shorter skating ski do not experience a significantly greater increase in their anterior compartment pressure. Thus, it appears that the type of ski used is not the most significant factor contributing to chronic compartment syndrome.

Adult

Developmental analysis of the cone photoreceptor-less little skate retina reveals distinct Onecut1 isoforms.

The retinal development of elasmobranchs, the subclass comprising sharks, skates, and rays, remains poorly understood. This group is diverse in retinal phenotype, with many sharks and rays possessing rods together with one or more cone types. In contrast, the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) has only a single rod photoreceptor type, which has been reported to exhibit some physiological and anatomical properties associated with cones. To investigate how this unusual photoreceptor system develops, we first identified an embryonic stage of early photoreceptor formation based on otx2 expression. We then developed a retinal electroporation approach to test whether a onecut1-dependent cone-associated reporter could be activated in the embryonic skate retina. Activation of this reporter was not detected, indicating that the corresponding enhancer is not robustly active under the conditions tested. To assess developmental changes in gene expression, we generated bulk RNA-seq datasets from embryonic, hatchling, and adult retinas. These analyses showed strong embryonic expression of onecut1, increasing expression of rod-associated genes through development, and pseudogenization or loss of multiple cone-enriched genes. We further identified a developmentally regulated onecut1 splice isoform containing an additional 48 amino acid sequence between the CUT and homeodomain DNA-binding domains. This spacer-containing isoform, termed LSOC1X2, was most abundant in the embryonic retina. To test whether LSOC1X2 retained regulatory activity, we assayed it in a mouse retinal reporter system. Both skate Onecut1 isoforms activated the ThrbCRM1 reporter in this heterologous context. Together, these findings identify a novel, developmentally regulated retinal onecut1 isoform in the little skate and establish it as a candidate regulator for future studies of photoreceptor development in this species and its elasmobranch relatives.

Animals

Ice friction during speed skating.

During speed skating, the external power output delivered by the athlete is predominantly used to overcome the air and ice frictional forces. Special skates were developed and used to measure the ice frictional forces during actual speed skating. The mean coefficients of friction for the straights and curves were, respectively, 0.0046 and 0.0059. The minimum value of the coefficient of ice friction was measured at an ice surface temperature of about -7 degrees C. It was found that the coefficient of friction increases with increasing speed. In the literature, it is suggested that the relatively low friction in skating results from a thin film of liquid water on the ice surface. Theories about the presence of water between the rubbing surfaces are focused on the formation of water by pressure-melting, melting due to frictional heating and on the 'liquid-like' properties of the ice surface. From our measurements and calculations, it is concluded that the liquid-like surface properties of ice seem to be a reasonable explanation for the low friction during speed skating.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Bilirubin metabolism in the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, and the small skate, Raja erinacea.

1. The main bilirubin conjugate in bile of spiny dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) and small skate (Raja Erinacea) is bilirubin monoglucuronide. 2. Microsomal preparations from dogfish and small skate liver have similar bilirubin UDPglucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activity and catalyze the conjugation of bilirubin with glucose from UDPglucose. 3. The activity of bilirubin glucosidation (UDPGT) was 0.5 times UDPG1T activity in dogfish and 0.15 times in skate liver microsomes. 4. Sodium cholate increased UDPGT and UDPG1T activities in dogfish and skate liver microsomal preparations only minimally, but the detergent markedly increased thermolability of UDPGT in skate liver microsomes.

Animals

Identification of vitellogenin in the little skate (Raja erinacea).

1. Vitellogenin was isolated from mature female skates by selective precipitation with MgCl2/EDTA followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose columns. 2. A single monomer of approximately 205 kDa was identified on 6.0% SDS-PAGE gels. 3. In addition, isolation of yolk proteins with ammonium sulfate yielded proteins of 94 and 38 kDa (putative phosvitins) and putative lipovitellins of ca 105, 91 and 67 kDa. 4. In vivo phosphate incorporation in female and male skates implanted with estradiol indicated that vitellogenin was phosphorylated. 5. Total protein phosphate incorporation was significantly higher in females than male skates. 6. In male skates treated with estradiol, phosphate incorporation increased from 2 days after implantation to a maximum at approximately 11 days after implantation. 7. Determination of the rate of disappearance of 32P-labeled protein suggests a half-life of ca 200 hr in normal female skate plasma.

Animals

Receptive field properties of rod-driven horizontal cells in the skate retina.

The large receptive fields of retinal horizontal cells result primarily from extensive intercellular coupling via gap (electrical) junctions; thus, the extent of the receptive field provides an index of the degree to which the cells are electrically coupled. For rod-driven horizontal cells in the dark-adapted skate retina, a space constant of 1.18 +/- 0.15 mm (SD) was obtained from measurements with a moving slit stimulus, and a comparable value (1.43 +/- 0.55 mm) was obtained with variation in spot diameter. These values, and the extensive spread of a fluorescent dye (Lucifer Yellow) from the site of injection to neighboring cells, indicate that the horizontal cells of the all-rod retina of skate are well coupled electrically. Neither the receptive field properties nor the gap-junctional features of skate horizontal cells were influenced by the adaptive state of the retina: (a) the receptive field organization was unaffected by light adaptation, (b) similar dye coupling was seen in both dark- and light-adapted retinae, and (c) no significant differences were found in the gap-junctional particle densities measured in dark- and light-adapted retinas, i.e., 3,184 +/- 286/microns 2 (n = 8) and 3,073 +/- 494/microns 2 (n = 11), respectively. Moreover, the receptive fields of skate horizontal cells were not altered by either dopamine, glycine, GABA, or the GABAA receptor antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin. We conclude that the rod-driven horizontal cells of the skate retina are tightly coupled to one another, and that the coupling is not affected by photic and pharmacological conditions that are known to modulate intercellular coupling between cone-driven horizontal cells in other species.

Animals

Conditioning program for competitive figure skating.

To test the feasibility that traditional interval training methods could be adapted to the needs of competitive figure skaters, an interval skating program was conducted during a 3-month period for a group of skaters at diverse levels of proficiency. The program required only a small portion of the total ice time utilized by the skaters on a daily basis, i.e., 1/2 hr, three times a week. On alternate days, the skaters used the same amount of time in a strength training program. A flexibility-stretching facet was to be done by the skaters on a daily basis. Progress was evaluated by treadmill oxygen consumption determinations and ability to perform a 1/2-mile skate effort. Over the course of the 3-month period, the skaters in the program showed an average increase in oxygen consumption of 9% from 44.73 cc per kg per min to 55.51 cc per kg per min. This was accompanied by an average 10-sec reduction in the timed effort at the 1/2-mile skate. Subjectively, the skaters were less fatigued during their freestyle skating programs and were able to improve consistency at skilled maneuvers in the last minute of their performances. This initial effort to evaluate the efficacy of this type of a training program for competitive figure skating seems to have proven to be beneficial to the skaters. Currently, we are continuing our efforts to expand the program.

Adolescent

Taurine transport in skate hepatocytes. I. Uptake and efflux.

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid maintained at relatively high concentrations in skate (Raja erinacea) hepatocytes (65 mmol/l intracellular water). To identify the transport mechanisms involved in intracellular taurine accumulation, uptake and efflux of [14C]taurine was measured in freshly isolated skate hepatocytes. Uptake of 50 microM taurine at 15 degrees C was essentially linear over 3 h when measured in normal elasmobranch Ringer, was diminished by replacement of extracellular Cl- with NO3-, and was almost completely abolished by replacement of Na+ with choline+ or K+. Kinetic studies suggested the presence of two saturable Na(+)-dependent taurine uptake systems [apparent taurine Michaelis constant = 0.089 +/- 0.028 and 4.47 +/- 0.49 mM and maximal velocity (Vmax) = 0.19 +/- 0.07 and 1.65 +/- 0.42 (SE) nmol.microliter-1.15 min-1 for high- and low-affinity components, respectively; n = 4], as well as a small contribution from an Na(+)-independent uptake system. Uptake was inhibited by other beta-amino acids but not by alpha-amino acids, taurocholate, or 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (0.5 mM). In contrast to uptake, efflux of [14C]taurine was relatively slow (approximately 10% in 2 h) and was unaffected by isosmotic replacement of extracellular Na+ with choline+ or K+ or by replacing Cl- with NO3-. These findings suggest distinct mechanisms for taurine uptake and efflux in skate hepatocytes; uptake is largely Na+ dependent and requires Cl- for maximal activity, whereas the efflux pathway is independent of transmembrane Na+, K+, or Cl- gradients. Maintenance of high intracellular taurine levels in skate hepatocytes is achieved by active Na(+)-dependent uptake processes and a relatively slow efflux.

Amino Acids

Taurine transport in skate hepatocytes. II. Volume activation, energy, and sulfhydryl dependence.

Isolated skate (Raja erinacea) hepatocytes swollen in hypotonic media exhibited a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) that was associated with only a small increase in K+ or 86Rb+ efflux but a substantial increase in the release of taurine, an amino acid found in high concentrations in skate hepatocytes. Taurine efflux was stimulated in media made hypotonic by addition of H2O or removal of NaCl, as well as in cells swollen in isotonic media containing rapidly penetrating solutes (202 mM ethylene glycol or 202 mM additional urea substituted for 101 mM NaCl), suggesting that cell swelling rather than hyposmolarity is the stimulus for the activation of taurine release. In contrast, release of glutathione, L-[14C]alanine and other alpha-amino acids (e.g., threonine, serine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, or valine) was unaffected by dilution with 40% H2O. Taurine efflux was not altered by replacement of extracellular Na+ with choline+ or K+ and was only slightly diminished by replacing Cl- with NO3-. Addition of 50 mM taurine or hypotaurine to the incubation media also had no effect on volume-stimulated [14C]taurine efflux, suggesting that the taurine concentration gradient across the plasma membrane is not the driving force. Volume-stimulated taurine transport was temperature sensitive, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid inhibitable (0.5 mM), and nearly completely blocked by metabolic inhibitors (2,4-dinitrophenol, KCN, sodium azide, oligomycin, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, and antimycin A), suggesting an active energy-dependent process. Sulfhydryl-reactive reagents (N-ethylmaleimide, diamide, iodoacetate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and mercury) also blocked volume-stimulated taurine efflux, whereas efflux was unaffected by Ca2+ ionophore, phorbol ester, dibutyryl-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, vasopressin, or pretreatment with ouabain or furosemide. N-ethylmaleimide, diamide, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and iodoacetate plus KCN also inhibited the RVD. These findings suggest that, in contrast to hepatocytes from most vertebrate species, RVD in skate hepatocytes is associated with the release of only a small fraction of intracellular K+ but a substantial fraction of intracellular taurine and perhaps other organic osmolytes. This volume-activated taurine transport mechanism is energy and sulfhydryl group dependent and is not related to the taurine concentration gradient across the skate hepatocyte plasma membrane.

Amino Acids

Glycogen depletion patterns during continuous and intermittent ice skating.

The glycogen depletion patterns in the vastus lateralis muscle were studied during ice skating using eight hockey players. For each subject, exercise consisted of either repeated bouts (10) of high intensity work (120% Vo2 max) or continuous work (60 min) of low intensity (55% Vo2 max). During continuous skating, glycogen showed a 29% decline (p less than 0.05) over the 60 min. In the intermittent condition, there was a two fold greater depletion (p less than 0.05) with the most rapid loss occurring during the first five, one min work bouts. Histochemical analysis by fiber type indicated that the most pronounced glycogen loss was from the Type I fibers during continuous skating whereas during the intermittent condition, a preferential loss occurred in the Type II fibers, most notably the Type IIB fibers. Measurements of muscle metabolites during continuous skating indicated no change for ATP from the rest condition at 30 or 60 min, a reduction (p less than 0.05) in CP (4.1 mmoles.kg-1) at 60 min and an elevation (p less than 0.05) in lactate (0.85 mmoles.kg-1) at 60 min. In the intermittent condition, reductions (p less than 0.05) in ATP (0.47 mmoles.kg-1) and CP (8.7 mmoles.kg-1) and elevations (p less than 0.05) in lactate (21.7 mmoles.kg-1) were found following 5 work bouts. Thereafter, no significant changes were observed. It is concluded that the glycogen depletion patterns and alteration in muscle metabolites are similar to those seen during cycling at similar percentages of Vo2 max.

Adenosine Triphosphate

A power equation for the sprint in speed skating.

An analysis of the start of the 500 m speed skating races during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games showed a remarkably high correlation between the acceleration of the skater in the first second of the sprint and the final time (r = -0.75). In this study a power equation is used to explain this high coefficient of correlation. The performance in speed skating is determined by the capability of external power production by the speed skater. This power is necessary to overcome the air and ice friction and to increase the kinetic energy of the skater. Numerical values of the power dissipated to air and ice friction, both dependent on speed, are obtained from ice friction and wind tunnel experiments. Using aerobic and anaerobic power production as measured during supra maximal bicycle tests of international-level speed skaters, a model of the kinetics of power production is obtained. Simulation of power production and power dissipation yields values of speed and acceleration and, finally, the performance time of the sprint during speed skating. The mean split time at 100 m and the final time at 500 m in these races, derived from simulation, were 10.57 s (+/- 0.31) and 37.82 s (+/- 0.96), respectively. The coefficient of correlation between the simulated 500 m times and the actual 500 m times was 0.90. From the results of this study it can be concluded that the distribution of the available anaerobic energy is an important factor in the short lasting events. For the same amount of anaerobic energy the better sprinters appear to be able to liberate considerably more energy at the onset of the race than skaters of lower performance level.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Immunoreactivity of skate electrocytes towards monoclonal antibodies against human dystrophin and dystrophin-related (DMDL) protein.

Monoclonal antibodies against human dystrophin have been used to demonstrate the existence of a dystrophin-like protein in the electrocytes of skate electric organ. This protein is also present in skate muscle and resembles that found in Torpedo electric organ. Monoclonal antibodies against a human autosomal homologue of dystrophin (DMDL protein) did not detect a similar protein in skate or Torpedo. Immunocytochemical staining of the innervated and non-innervated faces of the electrocyte membrane was obtained using the anti-dystrophin antibodies only.

Animals

Fatigue in ice skating: biomechanical considerations.

This paper attempts to describe how the mechanical patterns in ice skating are affected by muscular fatigue. It reviews several investigations dealing with the effects of muscular fatigue on standing broad jump performance and running. It concludes that fatigue studies dealing with ice skating can be expected to show that the mechanical patterns in ice skating deteriorate as a result of muscular fatigue.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Histological changes associated with trichodinid infections in thorny skates, Raja radiata Donovan.

Histological changes in the wall of the copulatory sac of normal adult female thorny skates, Raja radiata, were compared with those naturally infected with Trichodina oviducti. The parasites were associated with extensive defoliation of the copulatory epithelium and in some instances had penetrated the submucosa resulting in petechiae. An excessive exudated that appeared at the vent was made up of mucus, sloughed cells and parasites. It is speculated that shedding of the copulatory epithelium may be due to a hyaluronidase-like enzyme. Furthermore, the restriction of T. oviducti to adult skates may be dependent on the presence of certain mucopolysaccharides that are very low or absent in immature skates.

Animals