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Effect of target luminance on microfluctuations of accommodation.

It is feasible that small temporal variations in steady-state accommodation may provide feedback to the accommodation control system through changes in retinal image contrast and that this feedback may be used to maintain an optimal accommodation response. The complex waveform of microfluctuations is dominated by two distinct regions of activity; a low frequency component (LFC < 0.6 Hz) and a high frequency component (1.0 < or = HFC < or = 2.3 Hz). Whereas the HFCs appear to be correlated with some intraocular manifestation of arterial pulse the contribution of the LFCs to the control of steady-state accommodation is unclear. The present study investigates the effect of target luminance on the waveform of accommodative microfluctuations. Three young emmetropic observers viewed monocularly a high contrast (90%) Maltese cross target placed at a vergence equal to their dark-focus level of accommodation in a Badal stimulus system. The luminance of the target was varied from 0.002 to 11.63 cd m-2 in nine equal logarithmic steps. Five continuous accommodation signals were collected for each viewing condition at a sampling rate of 102.4 Hz, and average power spectra subsequently calculated with a frequency resolution of 0.1 Hz. One-way ANOVA revealed a significant variation in the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of the microfluctuations (F = 19.795, d.f. 124, P = 0.0001) which could be attributed mainly to increases in the r.m.s. value for the two lowest luminances (0.002 and 0.004 cd m-2). Power spectrum analysis revealed that these changes in the microfluctuations could be attributed to increases of power in the LFC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Refractive group differences in accommodation microfluctuations with changing accommodation stimulus.

PURPOSE: Microfluctuations of accommodation are known to increase in magnitude with increasing accommodation stimulus. Reduced sensitivity to blur in myopic subjects could also lead to increases in the magnitude of the microfluctuations. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of variations in accommodation stimulus upon the microfluctuations in different refractive groups. METHODS: Thirty-six subjects were divided into three groups depending upon their refractive error and age of onset of their myopia; 12 emmetropes (EMMs), 12 early onset myopes (EOMs) and 12 late-onset myopes (LOMs). Steady-state accommodation responses were recorded continuously for 2 min using the Shin-Nippon SRW-5000 autorefractor at a sampling rate of 52 Hz while viewing targets at accommodation stimuli levels of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 D in a Badal (+5 D) optical system. RESULTS: The EMMs and EOMs showed systematic increases in the root mean square (r.m.s.) value of the microfluctuations with increasing accommodation stimulus. In contrast, no systematic variation with accommodation stimulus was found for the LOMs. Power spectrum analysis demonstrated that increases in the size of the microfluctuations were mediated by increases in the power of the low frequency components of the accommodation response. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of the microfluctuations in the EMMs and EOMs may be influenced primarily by accommodation response-induced zonular relaxation effects or to changes in the physical properties of the accommodation plant with increasing accommodation response. The LOMs may have an increased baseline neural blur threshold, which appears to modulate the magnitude of the accommodative microfluctuations for low accommodation levels. At higher accommodation demands, the changes in the physical properties of the accommodation plant or the zonular relaxation effects appear to exceed the blur threshold, and the known association between microfluctuations and accommodation stimulus level is restored.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

The contribution of accommodation and the ocular surface to the microfluctuations of wavefront aberrations of the eye.

We have used videokeratoscopy and wavefront sensing to investigate the contribution of the ocular surface and the effect of stimulus vergence on the microfluctuations of the wavefront aberrations of the eye. The fluctuations of the wavefront aberrations were quantified by their variations around the mean and by using power spectrum analysis. Integrated power was determined in two regions: 0.1-0.7 Hz (low frequencies) and 0.8-1.8 Hz (high frequencies). Changes in the ocular surface topography were measured using high-speed videokeratoscopy and variations in the ocular wavefront aberrations were measured with a wavefront sensor. The microfluctuations of wavefront aberrations of the ocular surface were found to be considerably smaller than the microfluctuations of the wavefront aberrations of the total eye. The fluctuations in defocus while viewing a closer target at 2 or 4 D were found to be significantly greater than fluctuations in defocus when viewing a far target. This increase in defocus fluctuations (p < or = 0.001) occurred in both the low- and high-frequency regions of the power spectra.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Prediction of spike-wave bursts in absence epilepsy by EEG power-spectrum signals.

The EEGs of subjects with absence seizures were examined to determine if changes occurred prior to spike-wave bursts that could be used to predict bursts. A number of 20-s epochs of EEG prior to spike-wave bursts (preburst epochs) and during periods remote from bursts (control epochs) were examined in 5 subjects. Power-spectrum analysis was carried out on each epoch and frequency bands from 0 to 50 c/s were combined into 2-c/s bandwidths. Logarithmically transformed power values in each frequency band were entered into a discriminant analysis algorithm for each subject separately. Results were expressed in terms of a test for significant differences between preburst and control epochs (F statistic) and a "success ratio" of discriminant analysis classification, defined as the proportion of correct classifications in both groups, as obtained using a cross-validation procedure. A significant preburst EEG pattern was found in 4 of the 5 subjects, and success ratios ranged from 0.64. to 0.83. Each subject's preburst EEG seemed to be characterized by a unique pattern of changes, and thus no common prodromal signal was found. The EEG changes did not appear to be caused by overt behaviors, such as eye closure or drowsiness. The findings suggest that the preburst EEG pattern represents a functional alteration in brain activity which could arise from the burst-producing mechanism directly.

Adolescent↗

Vapor phase exposure to acetaldehyde generated from ethanol inhibits bovine bronchial epithelial cell ciliary motility.

Acetaldehyde is a toxic product of the oxidation of ethanol and is known to induce slowing of ciliary motility in airway epithelium. Alcohol ingestion results in high exhaled breath concentrations of ethanol where lung microsomes and upper airway bacterial flora are capable of metabolizing it to acetaldehyde. Because acetaldehyde is very volatile, we hypothesized that the production and release of acetaldehyde vapor into the airway may result in ciliary slowing or ciliastasis. To test this hypothesis, ciliated bovine bronchial airway epithelial cells were maintained on collagen-coated dishes for 48 hr before coincubation with a separate dish containing control or test mixtures. In this arrangement, the ciliated cells were exposed only to the volatile components of the separate dish. The separate dish contained ethanol, acetaldehyde, or an acetaldehyde-generating system (AGS) that consisted of ethanol + glucose + glucose oxidase + catalase. This mixture was placed next to the ciliated cells within in a transparent sealed chamber. Ciliary motility was recorded at room temperature by video microscopy, and ciliary beat frequency was determined using computerized frequency spectrum analysis. Exposure to the AGS resulted in time- and concentration-dependent ciliary slowing with complete ciliastasis, with as low as 20 mM ethanol in the AGS. Direct vapor phase exposure to acetaldehyde alone served as a positive control and also resulted in time-dependent ciliary slowing with complete ciliastasis reached by 4 hr. The AGS-induced ciliastasis was reached 2 hr later than with acetaldehyde alone. When cells were pretreated with cyanamide, which is known to block acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, the time to ciliastasis was decreased by 10-30 min compared with untreated cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetaldehyde↗

Variation of spectral power immediately prior to spontaneous onset of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients.

INTRODUCTION: Short-term heart rate variability (HRV) may change immediately before onset of a ventricular arrhythmia (ONSET). METHODS AND RESULTS: Power spectrum analysis was performed on instantaneous heart rate (IHR; including all beats) and normal heart rate (NHR; excluding ectopics) curves obtained at equally spaced 0.5-second intervals using a cubic spline. The database consisted of 135 sets of 1,024 RR intervals leading to ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and controls from 78 patients. Total periodogram and time course of spectral power were obtained. Ten spectral bands of 0.1-Hz bandwidth (0 to 1 Hz) were analyzed. A simple threshold technique was retrospectively used to predict the onset of a VA. RR intervals that led to VA ONSET had significantly higher total spectral power than controls (P < 0.001 for both NHR and IHR for every band). Spectral power remained constant until 100 seconds before ONSET and then increased significantly in the time window immediately preceding ONSET (P < 0.02 compared with others). Using a simple threshold method, a predictive accuracy of 68%+/-1.4% was obtained with different window sizes. Using specific spectral bands, the predictive accuracy of VA ONSET could be improved to 76% for IHR and 71% for NHR (0.8- to 0.9-Hz band). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a sustained higher power increase in NHR and IHR occurs during the course of 12.11+/-.57 minutes, followed by a sudden elevation in spectral power within 100 seconds of ONSET, and may be a precursor to ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation episodes.

Algorithms↗

Screening for high-grade carotid stenosis using a portable ultrasonography instrument.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We investigated the diagnostic performance of a brief Power Doppler Imaging (PDI) screening examination for carotid artery stenoses using a newly developed portable instrument. METHODS: A highly experienced sonographer screened in total 152 carotid arteries by either continuous wave (cw) Doppler (n= 50) or a lightweight (2.4 kg) portable duplex device (n= 102) in a prospective study of 76 high-risk patients. The screening protocols included either spectrum analysis and frequency shift measurement in both internal carotid arteries with cw-Doppler or determination of area and diameter ratios in transverse and longitudinal views of both carotid arteries in B-mode and with PDI, but without velocity measurement. Both protocols were evaluated against a complete routine duplex ultrasonography examination. RESULTS: According to the complete examination, stenoses were <50% in 73 of 102 (71.6%), 50-75% in 19 of 102 (18.6%), 75-95% in 7 of 102 (6.9%), and occluded in 3 of 102 (2.9%) arteries (PDI cohort), and <50% in 39 of 50 (78%), 50-75% in 8 of 50 (16%), 75-95% in 2 of 50 (4%), and occluded in 1 of 50 (2%) artery (cw-Doppler cohort). Mean screening time was 8.8 +/- 2.5 minute (PDI) and 9.4 +/- 2.6 minute (cw-Doppler). For stenoses >75%, A(z) values (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve) were 0.897 for area ratios, 0.843 for diameter ratios (PDI protocol) and 1.0 for the cw-Doppler protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performance of the cw-Doppler protocol was superior to the PDI protocol. Nevertheless, both protocols appear suitable as inexpensive screening strategies to identify subjects with >75% stenosis measured by carotid Doppler ultrasound. However, these preliminary data need further verification.

Aged↗

Secondary structure of Streptococcus downei GTF-1 glucansucrase.

Multiple sequence alignment and structure prediction of glucansucrases produced by oral streptococci and Leuconostoc mesenteroides showed that all have common structural features, with three major domains. There is no conservation of primary sequence or structure in the N-terminal variable region. Sequence-based structure prediction combined with circular dichroism spectrum analysis of purified truncated forms of Streptococcus downei GTF-I revealed that the core catalytic region has a defined structure consistent with the proposed (alpha/beta)8-barrel structure. The C-terminal domain is a mixed structure with significant amounts of beta-sheet and random-coil. This information contributes to the development of our understanding of structure-function relationships in glucansucrases.

Circular Dichroism↗

Biochemical and functional characterization of triosephosphate isomerase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), one of the key enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, is an attractive drug target against Mycobacterium tuberculosis as glycolysis provides the majority of the organism's energy requirements inside macrophages. To carry out biochemical and biophysical characterization, purified recombinant M. tuberculosis TPI produced in Escherichia coli was used. Mass spectrum analysis showed M. tuberculosis rTPI to be of 28 213 Da. The biologically active enzyme is a homodimer as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The M. tuberculosis TPI had a pH optimum in the range of 6-8 and a temperature optimum around 37 degrees C. Circular dichroism spectra analysis revealed that loss of secondary structure of rTPI occurs around 60 degrees C. Metal cations were not required for M. tuberculosis TPI activity. The k(cat) was 4.1 x 10(6) min(-1). Importantly, the apparent K(m) value of M. tuberculosis rTPI for the substrate glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is 84 microM which is sevenfold higher than the value reported for human TPI. The difference in K(m) is indicative of the difference in the active site of the human and M. tuberculosis TPI, which can be exploited for drug designing specifically targeting M. tuberculosis TPI.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Noninvasive assessment of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: An impairment of baroreceptor sensitivity has been found in liver cirrhosis. Noninvasive and spontaneous estimates of baroreflex sensitivity are obtained from beat-to-beat blood pressure and heart rate recordings by means of cross-spectrum analysis and calculation of alpha-index (as a measure of baroreflex gain). The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity related to clinical Child score in liver cirrhosis. METHODS: The alpha-index was evaluated in 40 cirrhotic patients (18 with and 22 without ascites) and 17 healthy subjects by analysing finger arterial pressure recorded noninvasively with the Portapres device. RESULTS: Baroreflex sensitivity was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites compared with healthy subjects (p<0.01). Furthermore, in patients with ascites the baroreflex gain was significantly related to plasma sodium (p<0.01). A significant inverse relationship was present between baroreflex gain and grade of Child score and the severity of ascites (p<0.01). There were no significant relationships between hormonal parameters (catecholamines, renin, aldosterone, arginine-vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide and nitric oxide) and baroreflex gain. No significant differences were found between healthy subjects and cirrhotic patients with respect to systolic and diastolic blood pressure total variability in a supine position, whilst it was lower in cirrhotic patients with ascites in a tilted position (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that baroreflex sensitivity was significantly impaired in cirrhotic patients when compared with healthy subjects. In addition, there was a significant trend toward lower baroreflex sensitivity values with the grade score of Child class (p<0.01). Spectral analysis of the alpha-index provides viable alternatives to the pharmacological approach for estimation of baroreflex sensitivity and may represent a prognostic tool to identify cirrhotic patients at increased risk of adverse events.

Aldosterone↗

Heart rate variability during high-intensity field exercise in female distance runners.

The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the transition of heart rate variability (HRV) during trials in the field and to examine the relationship between peak frequency of high-frequency band (HF) and stride frequency. Ten healthy long-distance college female runners (age 19-21 years) performed a 3000 m realistic time trial. The time-series power spectrum analysis by maximum entropy method was used to evaluate cardiac autonomic nervous activity during the race. Cross-correlation coefficients were calculated to estimate the degree of linear co-ordination between the central peak frequency of HF and stride frequency. Just after starting, the decrease in HF (0.15-1.00 Hz) and a transient increase of low-frequency band (LF)/HF were found. After that, the HF remained at a low level and LF/HF decreased sharply. These findings suggested that the parasympathetic activity was suppressed and sympathetic activity increased just after starting, and the sympathetic activity reached the saturated level according to continuation of high-intensity exercise. In spite of the significant decrease of HRV during trials, peak frequency of HF could be differentiated clearly. The cross-correlation coefficient of peak frequency of HF and stride frequency was from 0.703 to 0.868. This finding indicated that exercise rhythm reflected HRV during high-intensity running in the field.

Adolescent↗

Signal characteristics of EMG at different levels of muscle tension.

Electromyographic activity of m. rectus femoris at submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions was quantified by conventional integration technique and also be a more "qualitative" procedure of automated motor unit averaging and frequency spectrum analysis. By relating the EMG parameters to produced muscle tension it was observed that the integrated EMG increased in a slightly nonlinear fashion with the increase in muscle force. The other EMG variables also showed clear changes as a function of muscle tension. The averaged motor unit potential (AMUP) and its specific parameters (number of spikes, amplitude, rise time and amplitude-rise time ratio) showed such changes with muscle tension that they may be useful in estimation of the recruitment pattern of the different types of motor units.

Adolescent↗

Functional development of the visual system in normal and protein deprived rats. II. Morphometric and biochemical studies on adult optic nerve.

The optic nerve of normal (C) and protein deprived (PD) adult rats was examined by morphometry and biochemistry. The mean cross-sectional area of the optic nerve was reduced by 15% and the number of axons per unit area increased by 17% in the PD rats. Calibre spectrum analysis of axons revealed a reduction in median diameter from 0.49 micron in controls to 0.45 micron in PD rats. The number of axons with a diameter larger than 1 micron was reduced by 35% in PD rats. These reductions were probably due to a general reduction in size, since the calculated total number of axons in the optic nerve was almost identical in C and PD rats (126 X 10(3) and 124 X 10(3), respectively). The increased packing density of axons in the nerve was not only due to thinner axons. The biochemical measurements showed a marked reduction in myelin basic protein in the optic nerves of PD rats, without an alteration in the composition of the total protein. This confirms the persistent hypomyelination which has been reported previously in other malnutrition models. The possible relations between the structural and biochemical changes affecting optic nerve fibres and physiological findings on cortical visual evoked response and on optic nerve in vitro in PD rats are discussed.

Animals↗

Our experience in the diagnosis of intraocular tumours by a B-scan computerized system and angiodynography (Doppler). Preliminary results.

The authors compare the ultrasound diagnostic results of intraocular tumours by A/B-scans (Sonomed B 3000, Sonocare, Sonovision STT-100) with images obtained using computerized B-scan (Sonocare, Sonovision STT-100, Acoustic Tissue Typing ATT) and angiodynopgraphy systems (Quantum Philips). The Sonovision uses a computerized ultrasound spectrum analysis to assess the probability that a given lesion is a certain tumour, rather than another. The ATT system provides diagnostic probability for type B and type E melanoma, for haemangioma and metastatic carcinoma. The Quantum ultrasound equipment was developed for studying the heart and the major blood vessels. It is a colour Doppler that simplifies the Doppler technique, allowing it to study small anatomical parts such as tumour-like lesions of the eye. The Doppler technique ascertains the presence and the velocity of blood flow in the tumours. In presenting the preliminary results with the new techniques the authors are aware that the ATT system is not designed for some of the lesions under study (melanomas after conservative radiotherapy).

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Nicotine-induced perturbations on heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity daily rhythms in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of nicotine on the daily rhythms of heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity in unrestrained rats by use of implanted radiotelemetry transmitters. The study was divided into three seven-day periods: a control period, a treatment period and a recovery period. The control period was used for baseline measurement of heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity. During the treatment period three rats received nicotine (1 mg kg(-1), s.c.) at 0900 h. Three rats received saline under the same experimental conditions. Heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity were continuously monitored and plotted every 10 min. During the three periods a power spectrum analysis was used to determine the dominant period of rhythmicity. If daily rhythms of heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity were detected, the characteristics of these rhythms, i.e. the mesors, amplitudes and acrophases, were determined by cosinor analysis, expressed as means +/- s.e.m. and compared by analysis of variance. Nicotine did not suppress daily rhythmicity but induced decreases of amplitudes and phase-advances of acrophases for heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity. These perturbations might result from the effects of nicotine on the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the hypothalamic clock that co-ordinates biological rhythms.

Animals↗

Correlation of growth hormone secretion to sleep in the immature rat.

The correlation between growth hormone (GH) secretion and the sleep-wakefulness cycle in the 29-31 day-old male rat was studied by serial blood sampling through an intracardiac cannula at 10 min intervals from 12.00 to 18.00 h. E.e.g.s recorded continuously during the blood sampling period were scored into wakefulness and sleep, and the amount of sleep for every 10 min was plotted against the GH value as assessed by radioimmunoassay. The power spectrum analysis and the least-squares method applied to the time series of GH concentrations in the control rat, revealed that the mean periodicity was 3.12 +/- 0.09 h (mean +/- S.E. of the mean) in fourteen rats examined. For the animals in which the e.e.g. was recorded simultaneously with blood samplings, the cross-correlation analysis performed between the time series of the amount of sleep and the GH value revealed a significant positive correlation between the GH level and the amount of sleep during the preceding 10 min. The time series of the sleep amount and the GH value had mean periodicities of 3.09 +/- 0.17 and 3.05 +/- 0.13 h (mean +/- S.E. of the mean), respectively, in twenty-seven rats examined. 5. Sleep deprivation performed between 13.00 and 15.00 h was effective in preventing GH secretory bursts which otherwise should appear during this time period of the day. 6. Corticosterone measurement by protein-binding assay revealed that the procedure of sleep deprivation did not act as the 'stress' which has been known to inhibit GH secretion in the rat. These findings indicate that GH secretion in the rat is sleep-related, as has been proved in the human.

Animals↗

Ultradian rhythm of growth hormone secretion and sleep in the adult male rat.

The correlation between growth hormone (GH) secretion and the sleep-wakefulness cycle in the adult male rat was studied by serial blood sampling at 10 min intervals. Electroencephalograms (e.e.g.s) recorded continuously during the blood sampling were scored into wakefulness and sleep, and the amount of sleep for every 10 min was plotted against the GH value as assessed by radioimmunoassay. The power spectrum analysis and the least-squares method applied to the time series of GH concentrations in the control rat revealed that the mean (+/- S.E. of the mean) periodicity was 2.93 +/- 0.10 h for the period from 00.00 to 12.00 h in five rats and 2.85 +/- 0.06 h for the period from 12.00 to 24.00 h in eight rats. For the animals in which the e.e.g. was recorded simultaneously with blood samplings from 12.00 to 24.00 h, the cross-correlation analysis performed between the time series of the amount of sleep and the GH value revealed a significant positive correlation at time lags of 0-10 min in six and at time lags of 20-50 min in four out of fourteen rats. The number of animals having a positive correlation at short time lags seemed relatively less, but in most animals, there was observed a definite relationship that each GH peak occurred with a consistent time lag ranging from 40 to 70 min following the onset of sleep cycle. Sleep deprivation performed from 13.00 to 16.00 h during the sampling period from 11.00 to 19.00 h was effective in preventing high-level GH pulses which otherwise should appear during this time of the day. Concurrent measurements of corticosterone concentrations in the sleep-deprivation experiment revealed that peak values of corticosterone secretory episodes were not influenced by sleep deprivation. These findings indicate that the GH secretion in the adult rat is also correlated with the sleep-wakefulness cycle, although somewhat differently from the immature rat.

Animals↗

Simulation study of cerebral blood flow measurements in xenon-CT: evaluation of washin/washout procedures.

Simulation programs have been created that allow one to vary image pixel noise, the number and the distribution of scans with time, cerebral tissue parameters, and the type of xenon CT inhalation procedure in order to investigate CBF measurements with respect to accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In particular, standard washin studies were compared to washin/washout studies. Based on the results of these simulations, a new protocol is suggested; it consists of only 3 min of xenon inhalation (washin phase) and 3 min of washout, monitored by one reference and six enhancement scans taken at 1-min intervals. Compared with a standard 8-min washin study of equal total dose, flow standard deviation (s.d.) for an unconstrained least-squares algorithm is reduced by factors of 2.2 and 1.2 for gray and white matter, respectively; for flow distributed uniformly from 20 to 80 ml/min/100 g, an average s.d. reduction factor of 1.7 is achieved. This was confirmed experimentally in a volunteer study using noise power spectrum analysis. In addition, effects of tissue heterogeneity have been investigated; both the bias and s.d. of flow estimates due to varying proportions of white and gray matter in a given volume element are reduced in washin/washout protocols. When compared to a short washin-only study of 4.5 min, the 3-min washin/3-min washout study provides an improvement of flow s.d. by a factor of 1.6 and 1.9 for gray and white matter, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗