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Simulation of action potential damping produced by anticonvulsant drugs.

Anticonvulsant drugs reduce the ability of central neurones to sustain high-frequency repetitive firing of action potentials. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that this effect is primarily due to a Na+ conductance reduction. We have simulated the electrical behaviour of a neurone, including Ca2+ and various K+ conductances. Although a reduction of Na+ conductance produces a progressive reduction until a complete suppression of the action potential bust, a smaller reduction of this conductance is necessary to produce the same effect when the delayed-rectifier K+ conductance and the Ca2+ conductance are concomitantly reduced . The results indicate that the drugs action on conductances other than Na+ is important for determining their anticonvulsant effect on neurones at therapeutic concentrations.

Action Potentials↗

Pattern generating and reflex-like processes controlling aiming movements in the presence of inertia, damping and gravity. A theoretical note.

A model is proposed, in which goal-directed movements of the forearm are controlled by a central pattern generator (CPG) initiated for exactly one period, and by reflex-analogous processes. Movement width is proportional to the amplitude factor of the CPG's output, and to the square of the CPG's period length. The period duration can be freely selected, thus enabling the CPG to accommodate its time scale to the period of others CPG's. Parameters which influence movement accuracy can be adjusted by means of closed control loop, which are discrete with respect to time: The time unit corresponds to the period of the CPG. For instance, momentum adjustment balances the CPG in such a manner that the velocity of the arm becomes zero on termination of the period, while gain adjustment serves to attain a correct movement length in the presence of an inertial load. Friction, stiffness and gravitational force are neutralized by additional reflex-type processes, interpretable as positive feedback loops with adjustable gain factors, using position and velocity signals.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

[A damping method makes possible a more exact sonographic study of tongue movements].

If the home-made cushioning appliance presented here is placed during ultrasonic examinations between the submental region and the probe head, then the problems caused by probe head movement and pressure on the submental region, as have been encountered in the past, can be solved. The use of such a cushioning appliance makes possible a more accurate B-mode ultrasonic evaluation of tongue function. The prevailing method and the cushioning method presented here were studied on 50 test patients. Comparison of the 2 methods revealed that in fact the use of the cushioning method prevented movement in the ultrasonic probe and also its use hardly impaired the patient's ability to swallow. We therefore recommend that this cushioning method be routinely applied during ultrasonic examinations of tongue function.

Adolescent↗

Phospholipids from some common fungi associated with damp building materials.

Methods for the analysis of fungal biomass in contaminated building materials have been limited to methods that use viable propagules as well as indicators of total biomass such as fungal glucan and ergosterol. Because of large differences in the survival times of spores, and limitations imposed by the use of agar media to assess fungal cells for the former approach, no quantitative information and poor qualitative information is obtained. The use of the biochemical indicators provides reliable quantitative information but no qualitative data. Analysis of phospholipids of various bacteria and, recently, of fungi common in outdoor air has provided both qualitative and quantitative data on their distributions in various substrates including in outdoor air samples. In this report, we provide new data on the signature lipids of some fungi common on moldy building materials. Using the LC/MS/MS analysis described, an estimate can be made of the fresh weight of fungal cells and the relative abundance of the common genera of fungi typically found on moldy materials.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Indoor air quality and health problems associated with damp floor coverings.

OBJECTIVES: To study the relationship between a high incidence of bronchial asthma among employees working in an office building and an indoor air problem related to the degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings in the building. The indoor air measurements and results of renovations are also described. METHODS: Employees' symptoms were surveyed by a questionnaire, and the incidence of asthma was calculated from the medical records for 1997-2000. The quality of indoor air was assessed by microbial sampling and by investigation of the building for possible moisture damage. Indoor air was sampled for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through Tenax adsorbent tubes. In situ volatile emission measurements from the concrete floor were performed via the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) method. RESULTS: In an office with approximately 150 employees, eight new cases of asthma were found in 4 years. In addition, the workers complained of respiratory, conjunctival and nasal symptoms. Emissions indicating the degradation of plastic floor coverings (e.g. 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 1-butanol) were found in the indoor air and floor material samples. The plastic floor coverings, adhesives and the levelling layers were carefully removed from 12 rooms. The VOCs had diffused into the underlying concrete slabs. The concrete was warmed to remove the diffused VOCs from these areas. After the repairs the concentrations of the VOCs indicating the degradation of PVC, decreased, as did the prevalence of the employees' symptoms and several asthma patients' need for medication. CONCLUSIONS: The workers in the office building complained of several respiratory, conjunctival and dermal symptoms. The incidence of adult-onset asthma was approximately nine-times higher than that among Finns employed in similar work. The most probable single cause of the indoor air problem was the degradation of the plastic floor coverings.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗