Significant Stimulatory Effect Research Articles

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Potential Tool to Reduce Sexual Arousal: A Proof of Concept Study

BackgroundHypersexuality and hyposexuality occur frequently, often in a variety of psychiatric disorders, and are difficult to treat. While there is meta-analytic evidence for the significant effect of non-invasive brain stimulation on drug and food craving, no study has investigated the potential of this technique to modulate sexual behavior. AimHere, we tested the hypothesis that a single session of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) would reduce sexual arousal. MethodsWe employed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study design. 19 healthy male participants received high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC, high-frequency rTMS over the right DLPFC, and sham rTMS (each 10 Hz; 110% resting motor threshold; 60 trains with 50 pulses) in randomized and counterbalanced order with a 1-week interval between stimulation sessions to avoid carryover effects. Participants were exposed to neutral and sexual cues before and after each intervention and rated their sexual arousal after each block of cue presentation. Main Outcome MeasureEfficacy of the respective intervention was operationalized by the change of subjective sexual arousal according to a rating scale. ResultsrTMS of the right DLPFC significantly reduced subjective sexual arousal (t18 = 2.282, P = .035). In contrast, neither sham rTMS nor rTMS of the left DLPFC affected sexual arousal (P > .389). Greater rTMS-induced reduction of subjective sexual arousal was observed in participants with higher trait-based dyadic sexual desire within the last 12 months (r = −0.417, P = .038). Clinical ImplicationNon-invasive brain stimulation might hold potential for influencing hypersexual behavior. Strength & LimitationThis was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study with subjective but no physiological measures of sexual arousal. ConclusionThe results indicate that 1 session of high-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) of the right DLPFC could significantly reduce subjective sexual arousal induced by visual stimuli in healthy subjects. On this basis, future studies with larger sample sizes and more stimulation sessions are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of rTMS in hypersexual behavior.Schecklmann M, Sakreida K, Oblinger B, et al. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Potential Tool to Reduce Sexual Arousal: A Roof of Concept Study. J Sex Med 2020;17:1553–1559.

Towards machine to brain interfaces: sensory stimulation enhances sensorimotor dynamic functional connectivity in upper limb amputees

Objective. Recent development of sensory stimulation techniques demonstrates the ability to elicit touch-like phantom sensations in upper limb amputees. The cortical processing of this phantom sensation and the corresponding influences on sensorimotor functional connectivity have not been studied. We hypothesize that sensory stimulation has a profound impact on the sensorimotor cortical functional interactions, which will be uncovered by dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) analysis of amputees’ electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Approach. We investigated dFC between cortical areas associated with somatosensory, motor, visual, and multisensory processing functions using EEG signals. We applied dFC to the EEG of two amputees performing hand movements with and without sensory stimulation and compared the results with those from three able-bodied subjects. We quantified the changes due to sensory stimulation using dFC metrics, namely temporal distance, number of connection paths, temporal global and local efficiencies, and clustering coefficient. Main results. We show a significant effect of sensory stimulation on functional connectivity in the amputee brains, with notable facilitation on multisensory processing among the cortical systems involved in sensorimotor processing. The dFC metrics reveal that sensory stimulation enhances the speed of information transfer (shown by decreases in temporal distance) and the number of connection paths between the brain systems involved in sensorimotor processing, including primary somatosensory and motor, and higher order processing regions. Significance. This is the first work to reveal dynamic communication between somatosensory, motor, and higher order processing regions in the cortex of amputees in response to sensory stimulation. We believe that our work provides crucial insights into the cortical impact of sensory stimulation in amputees, which may lead to the design of personalized brain-informed sensory feedback paradigms. This in turn may lead to building novel Machine to Brain Interfaces involving sensory feedback and the resultant enhanced motor performance.

A Mechanical Stimulation Glove to Induce Hebbian Plasticity at the Fingertip

Repetitive sensory stimulation of the fingertip induces Hebbian plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex that benefits the tactile and motor behavior of the hand in healthy younger adults, older adults, and patients. To use this method outside the laboratory, robust and portable stimulation systems are needed that allow prolonged stimulation phases over several hours without compromising on signal intensity or personal mobility. Here, we introduce two stimulation gloves that apply finger- and frequency-specific mechanical stimulation to individual fingertips over prolonged periods. The stimulators are built into commercially available cotton gloves and apply stimulation either via loudspeaker membranes or via linear resonant actuators (LRAs). We tested the efficiency of both gloves to induce Hebbian plasticity in younger adults by using two established measures of tactile performance, the grating orientation task (GOT), and the two-point discrimination task (2PDT). Both tests were performed before and after 3 h of sensory finger stimulation using one of either glove system. As a control condition, a non-stimulated finger was tested in both tasks before and after stimulation. The results show no significant effect of sensory stimulation on GOT thresholds, but a significant decrease in the 2PDT thresholds after compared to before the training at the stimulated finger only. The loudspeaker membrane improved performance in the 2PDT in 10/16 participants, whereas the LRA improved performance in the 2PDT in 13/16 participants. Stimulation gloves with built-in modules may be used in future larger-scale cohort studies on sensorimotor plasticity, rehabilitation, and learning.

The effects of brief high intensity light on ocular growth in chicks developing myopia vary with time of day

Evidence suggests that the relevant variable in the anti-myopigenic effect of increased time spent outdoors is the increase in light intensity. Because light is the strongest Zeitgeber, it is plausible that the effects of bright light exposure depend on time of day, and may impact circadian rhythms. In these studies, we asked whether the effects on eye growth rates and ocular rhythms of brief daily exposures to bright light differed depending on time of day in eyes developing myopia in response to form deprivation (FD) or negative lens-induced hyperopic defocus (LENS). We also studied the effects of concurrent exposures to brief hyperopic defocus and bright light. Exp. 1: Starting at 12d, chicks wearing monocular diffusers or −10 D lenses were exposed to 3 daily hours (h) of bright light (30K lux) in the morning (FD: n = 12; LENS: n = 7) or evening (FD: n = 21; LENS: n = 7) for a total of 6 exposures. Controls wore diffusers or lenses but weren't exposed to bright light ("not bright" FD: n = 14; LENS: n = 9). Exp. 2: Untreated chicks were exposed to 3 h bright light in the morning (n = 12) or evening (n = 14) for a total of 6 exposures. Controls were not exposed to bright light (n = 11). Exp. 3: Chicks were exposed to 2 h simultaneous monocular hyperopic defocus and bright light in the morning (n = 11), mid-day (n = 7) or evening (n = 8) for 5 exposures. “Not bright” lens-wearing controls were data from published work (Nickla et al., 2017). High frequency A-scan ultrasonography was done at the start and end to measure growth rates. The FD group in Exp. 1 and the morning and evening groups in Exp. 3 were measured at 6-h intervals over the final 24 h to determine parameters for the rhythms in axial length and choroidal thickness. 1. Brief bright light in the evening inhibited eye growth in eyes wearing diffusers or lenses relative to "not bright" controls(interocular differences: FD: 316 vs 468 μm, p = 0.026; LENS: 233 vs 438 μm, p = 0.03); morning bright light had no effect. There was no differential effect of time of day of exposure on the rhythm in axial length; for choroid thickness, “time” accounted for the variance between groups (2-way ANOVA interaction p = 0.027). 2. In binocularly untreated chicks, bright light in the morning had a small but significant growth stimulatory effect relative to evening exposures (803 vs 679 μm/7d; post-hoc p = 0.048). 3. Eyes exposed to simultaneous hyperopic defocus and bright light were significantly more inhibited relative to “not bright” controls for morning exposures (interocular differences: −207 vs 69 μm; p < 0.01). In conclusion, the effects of brief periods of bright light on the growth controller depended on the time of day of exposure and on the contemporaneous state ofocular growth .

Peach PpSnRK1 Participates in Sucrose-Mediated Root Growth Through Auxin Signaling.

Sugar signals play a key role in root growth and development. SnRK1, as one of the energy centers, can respond to energy changes in plants and affect the growth and development of plants. However, studies on sugar signals and SnRK1 regulating root growth in fruit trees have not been reported. In this study, we found that 5% exogenous sucrose could increase the total volume and total surface area of the peach root system, enhance the number and growth of lateral roots, and promote the activity of SnRK1. When exogenous trehalose was applied, the growth of roots was poor. Sucrose treatment reversed the inhibitory effects of trehalose on SnRK1 enzyme activity and root growth. We also found that the lateral root number of PpSnRK1a-overexpressing plants (4-1, 4-2, and 4-3) increased significantly. Therefore, we believe that peach SnRK1 is involved in sucrose-mediated root growth and development. To further clarify this mechanism, we used qRT-PCR analysis to show that exogenous sucrose could promote the expression of auxin-related genes in roots, thereby leading to the accumulation of auxin in the root system. In addition, the genes related to auxin synthesis and auxin transport in the root systems of PpSnRK1a-overexpressing lines were also significantly up-regulated. Using peach PpSnRK1a as the bait, we obtained two positive clones, PpIAA12 and PpPIN-LIKES6, which play key roles in auxin signaling. The interactions between peach PpSnRK1a and PpIAA12/PpPIN-LIKES6 were verified by yeast two-hybrid assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments, and the complexes were localized in the nucleus. After exogenous trehalose treatment, the expression of these two genes in peach root system was inhibited, whereas sucrose had a significant stimulatory effect and could alleviate the inhibition of these two genes by trehalose, which was consistent with the trend of sucrose’s regulation of SnRK1 activity. In conclusion, peach SnRK1 can respond to sucrose and regulate root growth through the auxin signal pathway. This experiment increases our understanding of the function of fruit tree SnRK1 and provides a new insight to further study sugar hormone crosstalk in the future.

The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on determination of immunoreactive plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations in horses.

BackgroundDetermination of plasma adrenocotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration (endogenous or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone [TRH] stimulation test) is the most commonly used diagnostic test for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Because ACTH is unstable, samples often are frozen to be shipped to laboratories or to allow for batch analysis of research samples. However, the effect of multiple freeze‐thaw cycles on equine ACTH is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine the effects of multiple freeze‐thaw cycles on immunoreactive ACTH concentration.AnimalsTwenty‐eight horses ranging from 10 to 27 years of age were used.MethodsProspective study. Horses were divided into 4 groups: group 1, PPID‐negative, without TRH stimulation; group 2, PPID‐negative, with TRH stimulation; group 3, PPID‐positive, without TRH stimulation; and group 4, PPID‐positive, with TRH stimulation. Whole blood was collected from each horse at baseline or 30 minutes after TRH stimulation. Immunoreactive plasma ACTH concentration was determined using a chemiluminescence assay. Plasma samples then were frozen at −80°C >24 hours, thawed at 4°C and reanalyzed for 5 freeze‐thaw cycles. Changes in plasma ACTH concentration were analyzed using a linear mixed‐effect model.ResultsSignificant effects of freeze‐thaw cycles (P = .001) and PPID status (P = .04) on plasma ACTH concentration were observed, but no significant effect of TRH stimulation was identified.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe plasma ACTH concentration is altered by freeze‐thaw cycles, and the effect is observed sooner in horses with PPID. To diagnose PPID, multiple freeze‐thaw cycles should be avoided when measuring plasma ACTH concentration.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Does Not Improve Neuropathic Pain in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation on neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury. A meta-analysis on pain intensity, depression, and anxiety levels was conducted to evaluate the effect of noninvasive brain stimulation on neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury. The authors searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (OvidSP), PsycINFO (OvidSP), and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Randomized controlled trials comparing noninvasive brain stimulation with sham stimulation were included. Eleven studies were selected. The pooled analysis demonstrated no significant effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, or cranial electrotherapy stimulation on neuropathic pain reduction after spinal cord injury. In addition, noninvasive brain stimulation showed no beneficial effect over sham stimulation on the improvement of depression, while it yielded a significant reduction of anxiety levels immediately after treatment. Subgroup analysis showed that only cranial electrotherapy stimulation had a significant effect on the reduction of anxiety levels among the three types of noninvasive brain stimulation. In individuals with spinal cord injury, no significant effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on neuropathic pain and depression were observed. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation may be beneficial for the management of anxiety. These findings do not support the routine use of noninvasive brain stimulation for neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Benefits from hazards, benefits from nothing, and benefits from benefits: the combined effects of five quaternary ammonium compounds to Vibrio qinghaiensis Q67

BackgroundCo-exposure of multiple quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) is widely present in the aquatic environment. The knowledge about their toxicities to microorganism at low concentration is lacking. This study aims to test the toxic response of Vibrio qinghaiensis Q67 (12-h exposure) to individual and mixtures of QACs by the long-term microplate toxicity analysis method (L-MTA).ResultsHormetic effects were observed for five individual QACs at 12-h exposure of Vibrio qinghaiensis Q67. The maximum stimulation effect of − 339.66% was present in the 0.00561 mol/L tetraethylammonium bromide solution. A stimulation effect (− 23.55%) was detected when each of QACs in the five-component mixture was present at 50% effect concentration (“benefits from hazards”). In addition, significant stimulation effects (− 96.28%) were observed for five QACs combined at the zero-effect point concentration (“benefits from nothing”). Further, a significant stimulation effect (− 406.16%) was observed when each of QACs was co-exposed at its maximum stimulation effect concentration. This phenomenon was termed “benefits from benefits”.ConclusionsThe results suggest that both single and mixture of QACs presented hormetic effects. Benefits from hazards, benefits from nothing, and benefits from benefits were observed for the QACs mixtures.

Identification of photodegraded derivatives of usnic acid with improved toxicity profile and UVA/UVB protection in normal human L02 hepatocytes and epidermal melanocytes

This study focused on the investigation of photodegradation of usnic acid (UA) which is a natural UV absorbing agent in lichens. Despite years of historical use in food supplement, traditional medicine or cosmetic products in many countries, liver toxicity has been found to be one of the severe and life threatening adverse effects in early 2000's. Such severe side effect has limited UA or its synthesized derivatives for further use clinically or commercially. In this study, extracted UA from Usnea longissima in methanol was exposed to natural sunlight for 21 days. Five photodegraded derivatives (1 to 5) with two new and three previously explored compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography and preparative liquid chromatography. The structures of these derivatives were identified based on the data of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, mass spectrum, optical rotation, infrared spectrum, X-ray crystallography and/or electronic circulation dichroism. The cytotoxicity of (+)-UA and 2 to 5 in liver L02 cells and melanocytes were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Experimental results indicated that IC50 of (+)-UA in liver L02 cells and melanocytes were 24.4 and 6.9 μM respectively, while compound 2 to 5 have lower cytotoxicity with IC50 of 326.7, 1085.0, 62.7 and 152.4 μM in L02 cells and 87.7, 297.7, 60.2 and 85.0 μM in melanocytes respectively. Besides, (+)-UA and these derivatives were exposed to fix dosed of UVA or UVB. The anti-UVA/UVB activity was determined via Hoechst33342/propidium iodide double staining method, and quantified by computer linked fluorescence microscope equipped with CellsSense Dimension system. Based on analysis, Compound 2 to 5 captured prominent UVA/UVB protection capacity in both hepatocytes and melanocytes (p < .001). In addition, the effects of chemicals on tyrosinase were evaluated via Western Blot analysis. In terms of tyrosinase expression, only 2 showed significant stimulating effect (p < .05). However, the safe use of these derivatives cutaneously should be further studied. In conclusion, the photodegraded derivatives (2 to 5) of extracted UA have lower hepatotoxicity than (+)-UA and captured significant UV protection activities.

Strategy Orientation, Innovation Capacity Endowment, and International R&amp;D Intensity of Listed Companies in China

Based on the endogenous factors which can affect the strategy of international R&amp;D of China’s enterprises, an analysis is carried out on the relationship between market- and technology-orientation of the strategy and the intensity of international R&amp;D. In addition, the mediation effects of innovation capacity endowment are discussed. On this basis, 254 listed enterprises with overseas R&amp;D institutions approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China were taken as the sample for survey administration. The poisson regression method was adopted to test the hypotheses. Additionally, we utilized the Bootstrap method to confirm the robustness of the regression models. Results show that for Chinese enterprises with significant international R&amp;D strategy intentions, market orientation has a significant inhibitory effect on their international R&amp;D intensity, while the technology orientation has a significant stimulating effect on international R&amp;D. In addition, innovation capacity has a significant positive impact on the intensity of international R&amp;D, and plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between technology orientation and international R&amp;D. Therefore, to promote international R&amp;D strategies in the era of high-quality economic development, Chinese enterprises are suggested to establish an innovation-oriented strategy orientation to promote innovation cultural heritage, and to strengthen the accumulation of innovative resources and capabilities.

Variability and relationships among rooting characteristics for white poplar hardwood cuttings

White poplar is a key species in wood production and afforestation, but also very important for biodiversity preservation and habitat improvement. Vegetative propagation from hardwood cuttings is the most desirable method of white poplar breeding. The present research analyzed the effect of various technological treatments on four white poplar clones. Selected treatments were powder formulations of indole butyric acid (IBA) and foliar treatment with urea. The variability of 14 morphometric characteristics on the rooting of cuttings was analyzed, as well as relationships between them. Differences in analyzed morphometric characteristics depended on genotype, while the effect of the examined technological treatments was detected only by Fisher?s least significant difference (LSD) test. Significant variability between genotypes was found for traits describing rooting at the basal cut (R0 and R0p), the number of leaves (LN), the total number of roots (TRN), and cutting survival in the first part of the growing season (SURV07). Application of IBA had significant stimulating effects on rooting at the lower part of cuttings (R05) compared to controls. Variability between genotypes after foliar treatment with urea was not detected. The examined parameters were grouped into 5 groups by principal component analysis, where shoot traits and traits that describe rooting at the basal cut were in the same group with total number of roots, and cutting survival (SURV07) was in a separate group. These results suggest a need for further testing of the characteristics of hardwood cuttings in white poplars. More efficient clone technology is needed, using auxins and/or nitrogen fertilization designed to suit the specific requirements of particular clones.

Biological technology for the production of pear seedlings

The research was carried out during the 2017-2019 period on leached chernozem according to the “Program and methodology for studying varieties of fruit, berry and nut crops” (Orel, 1999). The grafting was done by budding fifty plants of the regionalized variety of pears Muratovskaya on the seedlings of common pear tree in three replicates. The plants were placed in one row at a distance of 20-25 cm, with a distance of 90 cm between the rows. In the experimental variants, watering and loosening of the soil was done as needed. The seedlings were treated with a knapsack sprayer 4 times during the growing season with an interval of two weeks, starting from the third decade of May. In the experiment there were 4 variants: 1 control without treatments; 2 - Emistim - 1 ml / m3H2O; 3 Emistim - 1 ml / m3H2O + Gumi-30 super-universal 15 ml / 10l H2O; 4 Emistim - 1 ml / m3H2O + Siliplant 25 ml / 10l H2O. It was revealed that the biological product Emistim has a significant stimulating effect on the growth processes in comparison to the control variant. The combined use of the biological product Emistim and complex fertilizers Gumi-30 and Siliplant helps to increase the foliage of the seedlings, leaf area, the number of roots and their total length, and, ultimately, increase the yield of standard planting material. There was no significant difference between the variants with Emistim and complex fertilizers such as Gumi-30 and Siliplant according to the studied traits. In total, in these variants, the standard seedlings of the 1st and 2nd grade were obtained, respectively, 93.2 and 95.6%.

Complexity-based decoding of brain-skin relation in response to olfactory stimuli

Background and ObjectiveHuman body is covered with skin in different parts. In fact, skin reacts to different changes around human. For instance, when the surrounding temperature changes, human skin will react differently. It is known that the activity of skin is regulated by human brain. In this research, for the first time we investigate the relation between the activities of human skin and brain by mathematical analysis of Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. MethodFor this purpose, we employ fractal theory and analyze the variations of fractal dimension of GSR and EEG signals when subjects are exposed to different olfactory stimuli in the form of pleasant odors. ResultsBased on the obtained results, the complexity of GSR signal changes with the complexity of EEG signal in case of different stimuli, where by increasing the molecular complexity of olfactory stimuli, the complexity of EEG and GSR signals increases. The results of statistical analysis showed the significant effect of stimulation on variations of complexity of GSR signal. In addition, based on effect size analysis, fourth odor with greatest molecular complexity had the greatest effect on variations of complexity of EEG and GSR signals. ConclusionTherefore, it can be said that human skin reaction changes with the variations in the activity of human brain. The result of analysis in this research can be further used to make a model between the activities of human skin and brain that will enable us to predict skin reaction to different stimuli.

A Newly Discovered Phenylethanoid Glycoside from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Affects Insulin Secretion in Rat INS-1 Islet β Cells.

The tea-like beverage Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Stevia) is popular in China because it reduces blood glucose and has a sweet taste. In this work, a comprehensive quality assessment of Stevia led to the discovery of five phenylethanoid glycosides, namely steviophethanoside (1), cuchiloside (2), salidroside (3), icariside D (4), and tyrosol (5). Of them, compound 1 is a novel compound. Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy were employed to confirm the absolute configuration. A hydrolytic step with 4 N TFA at 95 °C for 4 h was used to confirm the monosaccharides. In addition, Discovery Studio 4.0 was used to predict the ADME and toxicity activity of compound 1. The results suggested that compound 1 was biocompatible and had poor toxicity, which was verified by rat INS-1 islet β cells through an MTT assay. Meanwhile, a significant stimulatory effect on INS-1 cells was observed, which indicated a hypoglycemic effect of compound 1. This is the first report that describes a natural, novel, and hypoglycemic phenylethanoid glycoside in Stevia.

Effect of Theta Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Phase-Locked Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation on Learning and Cognitive Control.

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is emerging as a robust treatment alternative for major depressive disorder, with a potential for achieving higher remission rates by providing targeted stimulation to underlying brain networks, such as the salience network (SN). Growing evidence suggests that these therapeutic effects are dependent on the frequency and phase synchrony between SN oscillations and stimulation as well as the task-specific state of the SN during stimulation. However, the development of phase-synchronized non-invasive stimulation has proved challenging until recently. Here, we use a phase-locked pulsed brain stimulation approach to study the effects of two NIBS methods: transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) versus phase-locked transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS), on the SN during an SN activating task. 20 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Each volunteer partook in four sessions, receiving one stimulation type at random (theta-tACS, peak tPCS, trough tPCS or sham) while undergoing a learning game, followed by an unstimulated test based on learned material. Each session lasted approximately 1.5 h, with an interval of at least 2 days to allow for washout and to avoid cross-over effects. Our results showed no statistically significant effect of stimulation on the event related potential (ERP) recordings, resting electroencephalogram (EEG), and the performance of the volunteers. While stimulation effects were not apparent in this study, the nominal performance of the phase-locking algorithm offers a technical foundation for further research in determining effective stimulation paradigms and conditions. Specifically, future work should investigate stronger stimulation and true task-specific stimulation of SN nodes responsible for the task as well as their recording. If refined, NIBS could offer an effective, homebased treatment option.

Effect of electric stimulation on histological traits and color of carcasses in old duck and chicken

The effect of electric stimulation on some quantitative character of old duck and chicken carcasses were the main aim of the present study. The device for measuring meat tenderness was designed at department of Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, and University of Basrah. A total of 36 old duck and same number of spent layer chickens aged78.21 week’s birds were slaughtered with knife manually. They de-feathered, and all internal organs were removed. Carcasses were divided into three groups, the control group (no electric stimulation), the second treatment group (electric conductivity 3.67 V/cm) with low voltage [110 volt]) and 1% saline solution, the third treatment group (7.33 V/cm) with 220 V voltage and 1% saline solution. Traits were measured at 25 min, 6 hrs and 24 hrs after electric stimulation. The carcasses were stored for 30 and 60 days. The following histological parameters were determined; sarcomere length, muscle fiber length, muscle fibres breaking index and color. The results indicated that length of sarcomere and muscle fibre breaking index were significantly(P≤0.05) affected by electric stimulation, because there was an increase in sarcomere length and muscle fiber breaking index of third treatment in chicken with an increasing interval of time. There was a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in muscle fiber diameter in electric stimulation treatment three (duck and chicken) with the time progress. Duck differed significantly when compared to chicken. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of electric stimulation on color lightness (L). Duck appeared to be darker in color than chicken. Treatment group three revealed blue coloration at 25min, 60 days in both duck and chicken. Whereas other treatment groups showed yellowness (b) color. Similarly, stimulation affected color redness (a) where all groups showed greenish except 30 and 60 day intervals, their color was reddish and value of (a) of duck was less than of chicken. Electric stimulation (especially 220 V voltage) improve meat tenderness of both chicken and duck.

Influence of the natural solar radiation in the mountains and artificial light on the circadian rhythms of motor activity

Light is the important zeitgeber in the entrainment of circadian rhythms. The aim of this researchis study the influence of the natural solar radiation with an increased proportion of short-wave light(short-term stay in the mountains) and the usual artificial light in urban conditions on circadian rhythmsof motor activity. The research involved healthy volunteers (N=12), aged 45 to 55 years, women, whoclimbed the ski resort “Shymbulak” during the experiment, as well as Alma-Arasan gorge and Big Almatylake as part of the usual tourist groups. For registration of motor activity used portable instruments registration of motor activity to configure a micro motion Logger (AMI), registered every minute ZCM, HPIM,PIM, light level. Package processing the primary data of programs Action 4 also includes a modifiedalgorithm for assessment of sleep-wakefulness. Circadian rhythms were evaluated on the basis of cosinoranalysis. Ecofitness have a significant stimulating effect on all chronostructural parameters of circadianrhythm of motor activity of both trained and untrained persons. In addition, Hiking in the mountains alsoaffects the duration of sleep, which should be taken into account in further studies of the influence ofmountains on the physiological state of the body of tourists and athletes.Key words: middle altitude, actigraphy, motor activity, sleep, light, chronostructure, tourist.

FTY720P Upregulates the Na+/K+ ATPase in HepG2 Cells by Activating S1PR3 and Inducing PGE2 Release.

Liver regeneration is induced by S1P and accompanied with an increase in hepatic Na+/K+ ATPase activity, suggesting a potential modulatory role of the sphingolipid on the ATPase activity. The ability of S1P to alter the ATPase activity was confirmed in a previous work which showed a time dependent effect, with an inhibition appearing at 15min and a stimulation at two hours. The aim of this work was to investigate if FTY720-P, an analogue of S1P used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, exerts a similar effect at 2 hours. HepG2 cells were treated with FTY720-P for two hours and the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase was assayed by measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate liberated in presence and absence of ouabain. The involvement of NF-κB in the pathway was investigated by determining changes in the protein expression of IκB. FTY720-P induced a 2.5-fold increase in the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase which was maintained in the presence of JTE-013, a specific blocker of S1PR2, but disappeared completely in presence of CAY 10444, a specific S1PR3 antagonist. The involvement of S1PR3 was supported by the stimulation observed with Cym5541, a S1PR3 agonist. FTY720-P increased the expression of COX2, and reduced that of IκB. Its effect was not manifested in presence of indomethacin, a COX inhibitor, or in presence of an NF-κB inhibitor. Exogenous PGE2 induced a significant stimulatory effect. Inhibiting PKC and ERK with respectively calphostin C and PD98059 abolished the effect of FTY720-P on the ATPase and on IκB, but not that of exogenous PGE2 indicating that the two kinases are upstream of NF-κB and PGE2. The PKC activator PMA increased the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase as well as the expression of phopho-ERK, inferring that PKC is upstream of ERK. It was concluded that FTY720-P stimulates the Na+/K+ ATPase via PGE2 by activating sequentially S1PR3, PKC, ERK, NF-κB. The latter enhances COX-2 expression leading to PGE2 release.

Labdane-Type Diterpenoids from Leonurus japonicus and Their Plant-Growth Regulatory Activity.

Thirteen new labdane-type diterpenoids 1-6, 9-11, 13, 14, 18, and 19 and seven known ones were isolated from the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus. Compounds 1-5 represent rare examples of labdane-type diterpenoids, of which compounds 1-4 carry an N-chain linked at C-7 in their B-ring and compound 5 featured an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactam moiety. The structures and absolute configurations of these new diterpenoids were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic techniques, X-ray crystallography, electronic circular dichroism, and calculated specific rotations. The plant-growth regulatory activity of these compounds on the growth of the roots and shoots of Lactuca sativa and Lolium perenne seedlings were evaluated. Compound 3 showed a broad-spectrum inhibitory activity with the inhibition rates ranging from 60 to 83.5% at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, which were as active as those of glyphosate. Compound 8 had a selective inhibitory activity against the growth of the roots of L. perenne seedlings with an inhibition rate of 81.7%. However, compounds 11 and 16 exhibited significant stimulation effects on the roots of L. sativa with stimulation rates of 59.8 and 65.3%, respectively. In addition, compounds 3 and 8 exhibited inhibitory effects on the germination of L. perenne seeds.

Stimulation of Seed Germination by Humic Substances: On the Nature of the Phenomenon.

The wheat seed germination and seedling growth, as well as the effect of humic substances on seed development, were compared using soils and sand as substrates. Russian Plain soils were found to considerably inhibit seed germination. Pre-sowing treatment with humic preparations resulted in a significant stimulation effect on seeds sowed into sod-podzolic soil, but not into sand. Considering a well-known phenomenon of soil allelelotoxicity, we have suggested that stimulation of seed development by humic substances is a result of seed protection by them against the allelotoxin inhibitory effect.