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A Wróbel

Publications and source records attributed to A Wróbel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Identification of principal components in cortical evoked potentials by brief surface cooling.

OBJECTIVES: The evoked potential recorded by a single electrode in rat's barrel cortex after whisker stimulation was shown to be composed of two main principal components shifted in time by about 3 ms. The purpose of this study was to verify the hypothesis that these components represent activity of supra- and infragranular pyramidal cell classes. RESULTS: Our results show that a brief cooling pulse applied to the cortical surface abolishes the shorter latency component, which may therefore be attributed to the response of supragranular pyramidal cells. CONCLUSIONS: The longer latency principal component, which disappears only with strong cooling pulses, is proposed to represent postsynaptic activity of infragranular pyramidal neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The spatial substructure of visual receptive fields in the cat's superior colliculus.

Although the direction selective properties of the superficial layer cells of the cat's superior colliculus have been extensively studied, the mechanisms underlying this property remain controversial. With the aim to understand the mechanism(s) underlying directional selectivity of collicular neurons we examined the substructure of their visual receptive fields. 1. The strength of cell responses and the direction selectivity indices varied in relation to the location of the tested region within the receptive field and the amplitude of stimulus movement. 2. Decrease of the amplitude of motion resulted in a decrease of direction selectivity index both in the group of direction-selective cells and in the group of cells classified as direction nonselective but with a directional bias. 3. The decrease of direction selectivity for small amplitude movement resulted mainly from increase in the magnitude of response in the nonpreferred direction of movement. 4. These results suggest that the receptive fields of most collicular cells are composed of subregions with different response profiles and indicate that inhibitory mechanisms dictate direction selectivity of collicular cells.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Decrease in 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) EPR signal in peroxynitrite-treated erythrocyte membranes.

The treatment of erythrocyte membranes with peroxynitrite (ONOO-), a cytotoxic species formed in vivo by the almost completely diffusion controlled reaction of nitric oxide (NO*) and the superoxide anion (O2*-), led to the loss of the EPR signal of the nitroxide radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO). The decrease in the TEMPO EPR signal was peroxynitrite concentration dependent in the studied peroxynitrite concentration range (100-1000 microM). The absence of such a phenomenon in the control membranes (not treated with peroxynitrite) and in a buffer treated with peroxynitrite indicates that the effect must be caused by nitroxide radicals reacting with the products of peroxynitrite reactions with membrane components. To find out which membrane components are responsible for the decrease in EPR signal, this effect was studied in simple model systems (protein and lipid suspensions). The same phenomenon was observed in both lipid and protein systems treated with peroxynitrite, but in protein solutions the effect was greater and occurred for lower peroxynitrite concentrations. A clear effect of the loss of the EPR signal was observed for both erythrocyte membranes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution for a peroxynitrite concentration of 100 microM, while in the case of linolenic acid suspension, a significant difference between control and peroxynitrite-treated samples was achieved for a peroxynitrite concentration of 1000 microM. A comparison of the results obtained for the lipid and protein systems suggests that the reaction of nitroxide radicals with protein derived species plays the main role in the observed decrease in the TEMPO EPR signal in peroxynitrite treated erythrocyte membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Transport of traffic-related aerosols in urban areas.

This study was undertaken to assess the influence of traffic on particulate air pollution in an urban area, and to characterise the short-range transport of the aerosols generated by traffic. The study was conducted in Kraków, a city located in southern Poland with a population of approximately 800,000. Aerosol samples were collected using automatic sampling equipment at five sites located at different distances from the main road in Kraków, ranging from 5 to 1500 m. The sampling set-up allowed standardisation of the results due to continuous determination of the meteorological parameters (temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, rainfall and humidity). Aerosol particles were separated according to aerodynamic diameter into two size fractions: > 1.9 microm (coarse fraction); and 1.9-72 microm (fine fraction). The concentrations of 27 elements were measured in both size fractions (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, Pb). The multielement analyses were performed by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) spectrometry. Traffic contribution to particulate air pollution was determined on the basis of 13 elements which were present above the detection limit in all samples (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb). It was found that the traffic contribution in the coarse size fraction was approximately 80% up to 150 m from the road; it dropped abruptly by a factor of 2 over a distance of 150-200 m and declined further to 20% at 1500 m from the road. Traffic contribution for the fine particle concentrations of individual elements was 50-70% in the close vicinity of the road (5 m); then there was a decrease, followed by an increase at a greater distance from the road. Possible explanations for this behaviour of the fine particles are given.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2000

Influence of band 3 protein absence and skeletal structures on amphiphile- and Ca(2+)-induced shape alterations in erythrocytes: a study with lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and human erythrocytes.

Amphiphiles which induce either spiculated (echinocytic) or invaginated (stomatocytic) shapes in human erythrocytes, and ionophore A23187 plus Ca(2+), were studied for their capacity to induce shape alterations, vesiculation and hemolysis in the morphologically and structurally different lamprey and trout erythrocytes. Both qualitative and quantitative differences were found. Amphiphiles induced no gross morphological changes in the non-axisymmetric stomatocyte-like lamprey erythrocyte or in the flat ellipsoidal trout erythrocyte, besides a rounding up at higher amphiphile concentrations. No shapes with large broad spicula were seen. Nevertheless, some of the 'echinocytogenic' amphiphiles induced plasma membrane protrusions in lamprey and trout erythrocytes, from where exovesicles were shed. In trout erythrocytes, occurrence of corrugations at the cell rim preceded protrusion formation. Other 'echinocytogenic' amphiphiles induced invaginations in lamprey erythrocytes. The 'stomatocytogenic' amphiphiles induced invaginations in both lamprey and trout erythrocytes. Surprisingly, in trout erythrocytes, some protrusions also occurred. Some of the amphiphiles hemolyzed lamprey, trout and human erythrocytes at a significantly different concentration/membrane area. Ionophore A23187 plus Ca(2+) induced membrane protrusions and sphering in human and trout erythrocytes; however, the lamprey erythrocyte remained unperturbed. The shape alterations in lamprey erythrocytes, we suggest, are characterized by weak membrane skeleton-lipid bilayer interactions, due to band 3 protein and ankyrin deficiency. In trout erythrocyte, the marginal band of microtubules appears to strongly influence cell shape. Furthermore, the presence of intermediate filaments and nuclei, additionally affecting the cell membrane shear elasticity, apparently influences cell shape changes in lamprey and trout erythrocytes. The different types of shape alterations induced by certain amphiphiles in the cell types indicates that their plasma membrane phospholipid composition differs.

Abietanes↗
PubMed2000

Beta activity: a carrier for visual attention.

The alpha (8-13 Hz), beta (15-25 Hz) and gamma (30-60 Hz) bands of the EEG have been long studied clinically because of their putative functional importance. Old experimental results indicate that repetitive stimulation of the visual pathway evokes synchronous responses at the cortical level with a gain that depends on frequency; oscillations within relevant bands are less damped at subsequent processing levels than others. Our current results show in the cat that cortico-geniculate feedback has a build-in potentiation mechanism that operates at around the beta frequency and activates thalamic cells thus lowering the threshold for visual information transmission. We have also shown that enhanced beta activity is propagated along this feedback pathway solely during attentive visual behavior. This activity consists of 300-1,000 ms bursts that correlate in time with gamma oscillatory events. Beta-bursting activity spreads to all investigated visual centers, including the lateral posterior and pulvinar complex and higher cortical areas. Other supporting data are discussed that are concerned with the enhanced beta activity during attentive-like behavior of various species, including humans. Finally, we put forward a general hypothesis which attributes the appearance of oscillations within the alpha, beta and gamma bands to different activation states of the visual system. According to this hypothesis, alpha activity characterizes idle arousal of the system, while beta bursts shift the system to an attention state that consequently allows for gamma synchronization and perception.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Sexual dysfunction during treatment of depression].

Sexual dysfunction in depressed patients is an important clinical problem. Its etiology is complex, however pharmacotherapy is one of the most important factors. It is important for therapists to consider effects of antidepressants on sexual functions in planning treatment strategy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Adverse effects of interactions of antibiotics with other drugs].

Many drugs used in combination with antibiotics may show different interactions of clinical significance (for instance: an increase of toxicity of the drugs used). It is important especially among patients treated concurrently with antibiotics and other drugs in high doses for a long time. The most significant clinically are pharmacokinetic interactions of antibiotics that are inhibitors of microsomal enzymes (makrolide or quinolones antibiotics, metronidazole or imidazole antifungal agents). Clinical caution is indicated when these antibiotics are combined with drugs that have a narrow therapeutic index such as warfarin, theophylline, phenytoin or digitalis glicosides. Moreover toxic reactions may be observed among patients receiving simultaneously antibiotics and the agents blocking neuromuscular transmission, oral hypoglycaemics, loop diuretics or digoxin. Some antibiotics (rifampicin, ampicillin, tetracyclines, griseofulvin) may decrease the efficacy of hormonal oral contraceptives.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Coupling of beta and gamma activity in corticothalamic system of cats attending to visual stimuli.

We have previously shown that local field potentials (LFPs) recorded in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and primary visual cortex (VCx) of the cat contain significantly more beta frequency activity when the animal attends to visual than to auditory stimuli. In the present study we utilised data from the same experiments to calculate the cross-correlation between envelopes of filtered beta (16-24Hz) and gamma (30-45Hz) oscillatory signals recorded at the same sites. Correlation values obtained from visual trials were significantly higher than those calculated for the auditory task. This observation was typical in those LGN and VCx recording sites which corresponded to the central representation of the visual field. The cross-correlation function peaked within a 20 ms time window from the centre of the cross-correlogram. These findings support the hypothesis that beta activity provides an excitatory background for the appearance of oscillations in the gamma band.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1999

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of membrane fluidity in ozone-treated erythrocytes and liposomes.

Doxyl stearate spin probes which differed in the attachment of the nitroxide free radical to the fatty acid have been used to study membrane fluidity in ozone-treated bovine erythrocytes and liposomes. Analysis of EPR spectra of spin labels incorporated into lipid bilayer of the erythrocyte membranes indicates an increase in the mobility and decrease in the order of membrane lipids. In isolated erythrocyte membranes (ghosts) the most significant changes were observed for 16-doxylstearic acid. In intact erythrocytes statistically significant were differences for 5-doxylstearic acid. The effect of ozone on liposomes prepared from a lipid extract of erythrocyte lipids was marked in the membrane microenvironment sampled by all spin probes. Ozone apparently leads to alterations of membrane dynamics and structure but does not cause increased rigidity of the membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Depression in coronary artery disease].

Comorbidity of major depression and cardiac disorders is an important, however undervalued clinical problem. Cardiac mortality in patients with affective disorders is higher in comparison to general population. On the other hand, in people with coronary artery disease coexistence of depressive syndrome significantly worsens mortality rate as well as quality of life. Major depression in cardiological patients is rarely adequately diagnosed and even more seldom treated. It could be suggested that adequate treatment of major depression could improve long-term prognosis in coronary artery disease.

Comorbidity↗
PubMed1998

Spontaneous variability reveals principal components in cortical evoked potentials.

Using principal component analysis, we studied trial to trial, spontaneous variability of evoked potentials (EPs) recorded from rat barrel cortex after whisker stimulation. This method allowed for extraction of two distinct components of EP which overlapped in the time domain. Our results are consonant with the previously described depth distribution of current sources and the extracted components can be therefore attributed to activities of two pyramidal cell classes: supra- and infragranular. Qualitatively similar results were found in both anaesthetized and alert animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Transient changes of electrical activity in the rat barrel cortex during conditioning.

To reveal the dynamics of neurophysiological changes in the rat barrel cortex induced by conditioned stimulation we recorded the local micro-electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and evoked potentials (EPs) in barrel cortex to stimulation of a single vibrissa before and after pairing it with a mild electric shock applied to the rat's tail. Following the introduction of the reinforcing stimulus, the amplitude of the first negative component of evoked potentials in the cortex on the conditioned side grew in relation to the same component of control potentials, evoked by stimulation of the opposite symmetrical vibrissa. This change was accompanied by a latent decrease in spectral power of the EEG within the alpha and beta frequency bands in both hemispheres. The observed changes in both of these electrical manifestations of enhanced neuronal activity reverted after two (EP) or three (EEG) days of conditioning. These results are discussed in relation to the putative activity of neuromodulatory systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Gating of the sensory activity within barrel cortex of the awake rat.

In rat barrel cortex, evoked potentials (EPs) to vibrissa stimulation can be divided into two distinct classes according to the relative contribution of their principal components. Our experiments support the notion that these components can be attributed to activation of two pyramidal cell populations: supra- and infragranular. With well-habituated stimuli EPs are dominated by a component related to the supragranular cells (class 1). However, the first reinforcement of vibrissa stimulation in the classical aversive paradigm favours the appearance of EPs dominated by a component characteristic of infragranular cells which matches with activation in the surround zone of the barrel field (class 2). Similar dynamic changes of the relative occurrence of the two EP classes follow other aversive stimuli, including pressing the animal's ear and restraining a whisker. We hypothesize that neuromodulatory action elicited by contextual stimulation activates all neurons in the principal barrel column, including those providing an output to the surrounding barrels. In the classical conditioning paradigm this mechanism may lead to experience-dependent changes within the intracortical network.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of proteins in ozone-treated erythrocyte membranes.

The sulfhydryl group specific spin labels have been used to study the membrane proteins in the bovine and human erythrocyte membranes treated with ozone. The ratio hw/hs, determined from the respective peak amplitudes of the resulting EPR spectra of 3-maleimido-1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine bound to the ozone treated membranes, was shown to be elevated following an increased ozone concentration. The ratio of the central to high-field peak amplitude h0/h-1, a measure of the rotational correlation time, determined from EPR spectra of ozonized membranes covalently labeled with 4-(iodoacetamido)-1-oxyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethylpyrrolidine was shown to be diminished. The changes in the erythrocyte membranes treated with ozone, observed for both spin labels, indicate a dose dependent increase in the mobility of membrane proteins.

Animals↗