Electromagnetic field of extremely low frequency has an impact on selected chemical components of the honeybee.

The electromagnetic field (EMF) is an environmental factor affecting living organisms. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on selected chemical components of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR method provides information on the chemical structure of compounds through identification and analysis of functional groups. The honeybees were treated with EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz and magnetic induction of 1.6 mT for 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Analysis of FTIR spectra showed that EMF exposure longer than 2 hours induced changes in the structure of chemical compounds, especially in the IR region corresponding to DNA, RNA, phospholipids and protein vibrations, compared to control samples (bees not EMF treated). The results confirm the effect of EMF on bees depending on the duration of exposure.

Magnetic diagnostics for equilibrium reconstructions with eddy currents on the Lithium Tokamak eXperiment.

The Lithium Tokamak eXperiment is a spherical tokamak with a close-fitting low-recycling wall composed of thin lithium layers evaporated onto a stainless steel-lined copper shell. Long-lived non-axisymmetric eddy currents are induced in the shell and vacuum vessel by transient plasma and coil currents and these eddy currents influence both the plasma and the magnetic diagnostic signals that are used as constraints for equilibrium reconstruction. A newly installed set of re-entrant magnetic diagnostics and internal saddle flux loops, compatible with high-temperatures and lithium environments, is discussed. Details of the axisymmetric (2D) and non-axisymmetric (3D) treatments of the eddy currents and the equilibrium reconstruction are presented.

Tokamak operation with safety factor q95 < 2 via control of MHD stability.

Magnetic feedback control of the resistive-wall mode has enabled the DIII-D tokamak to access stable operation at safety factor q(95) = 1.9 in divertor plasmas for 150 instability growth times. Magnetohydrodynamic stability sets a hard, disruptive limit on the minimum edge safety factor achievable in a tokamak, or on the maximum plasma current at a given toroidal magnetic field. In tokamaks with a divertor, the limit occurs at q(95) = 2, as confirmed in DIII-D. Since the energy confinement time scales linearly with current, this also bounds the performance of a fusion reactor. DIII-D has overcome this limit, opening a whole new high-current regime not accessible before. This result brings significant possible benefits in terms of fusion performance, but it also extends resistive-wall mode physics and its control to conditions never explored before. In present experiments, the q(95) < 2 operation is eventually halted by voltage limits reached in the feedback power supplies, not by intrinsic physics issues. Improvements to power supplies and to control algorithms have the potential to further extend this regime.

In situ "artificial plasma" calibration of tokamak magnetic sensors.

A unique in situ calibration technique has been used to spatially calibrate and characterize the extensive new magnetic diagnostic set and close-fitting conducting wall of the High Beta Tokamak-Extended Pulse (HBT-EP) experiment. A new set of 216 Mirnov coils has recently been installed inside the vacuum chamber of the device for high-resolution measurements of magnetohydrodynamic phenomena including the effects of eddy currents in the nearby conducting wall. The spatial positions of these sensors are calibrated by energizing several large in situ calibration coils in turn, and using measurements of the magnetic fields produced by the various coils to solve for each sensor's position. Since the calibration coils are built near the nominal location of the plasma current centroid, the technique is referred to as an "artificial plasma" calibration. The fitting procedure for the sensor positions is described, and results of the spatial calibration are compared with those based on metrology. The time response of the sensors is compared with the evolution of the artificial plasma current to deduce the eddy current contribution to each signal. This is compared with simulations using the VALEN electromagnetic code, and the modeled copper thickness profiles of the HBT-EP conducting wall are adjusted to better match experimental measurements of the eddy current decay. Finally, the multiple coils of the artificial plasma system are also used to directly calibrate a non-uniformly wound Fourier Rogowski coil on HBT-EP.

Active stabilization of the resistive-wall mode in high-beta, low-rotation plasmas.

The resistive-wall mode is actively stabilized in the National Spherical Torus Experiment in high-beta plasmas rotating significantly below the critical rotation speed for passive stability and in the range predicted for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Variation of feedback stabilization parameters shows mode excitation or suppression. Stabilization of toroidal mode number unity did not lead to instability of toroidal mode number two. The mode can become unstable by deforming poloidally, an important consideration for stabilization system design.

Observation of plasma toroidal-momentum dissipation by neoclassical toroidal viscosity.

Dissipation of plasma toroidal angular momentum is observed in the National Spherical Torus Experiment due to applied nonaxisymmetric magnetic fields and their plasma-induced increase by resonant field amplification and resistive wall mode destabilization. The measured decrease of the plasma toroidal angular momentum profile is compared to calculations of nonresonant drag torque based on the theory of neoclassical toroidal viscosity. Quantitative agreement between experiment and theory is found when the effect of toroidally trapped particles is included.

The dynamics of glomerular filtration in the puerperium.

We evaluated the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during the second postpartum week in 22 healthy women who had completed an uncomplicated pregnancy. We used physiological techniques to measure GFR, renal plasma flow, and oncotic pressure and computed a value for the two-kidney ultrafiltration coefficient (K(f)). We compared these findings with those in pregnant women previously studied on the first postpartum day as well as nongravid women of reproductive age. Healthy female transplant donors of reproductive age permitted the morphometric analysis of glomeruli and computation of the single-nephron K(f). The aforementioned physiological and morphometric measurements were utilized to estimate transcapillary hydraulic pressure (Delta P) from a mathematical model of glomerular ultrafiltration. We conclude that postpartum day 1 is associated with marked glomerular hyperfiltration (+41%). A theoretical analysis of GFR determinants suggests that depression of glomerular capillary oncotic pressure, the force opposing the formation of filtrate, is the predominant determinant of early elevation of postpartum GFR. A reversal of the gestational hypervolemia and hemodilution, still evident on postpartum day 1, eventuates by postpartum week 2. An elevation of oncotic pressure in the plasma that flows axially along the glomerular capillaries to supernormal levels ensues; however, GFR remains modestly elevated (+20%) above nongravid levels. An analysis of filtration dynamics at this time suggests that a significant increase in Delta P by up to 16%, an approximately 50% increase in K(f), or a combination of smaller increments in both must be invoked to account for the persistent hyperfiltration.

Glomerular permselectivity in early stages of overt diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Impairment of glomerular size selectivity has been demonstrated by the dextran-sieving technique in nephropathic diabetics with heavy, but not mild proteinuria. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether such a barrier defect could be demonstrated with mild proteinuria by substituting Ficoll 70, a polysucrose, for dextran as a probe of the filtration barrier. METHODS: Differential solute clearances were performed in 12 individuals with early diabetic nephropathy on two occasions: after 60 days of treatment with losartan 50 mg daily or a placebo. An uncharged preparation of nonreabsorbable Ficoll 70 was infused along with inulin. Fractional clearance (theta) of Ficoll of discrete size was determined after separating molecules in urine and plasma in narrow 2 A fractions over a 20 to 60 A radius interval by size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A hydrodynamic theory of hindered ficoll transport through water-filled pores was used to characterize the pore size distribution of the glomerular barrier. RESULTS: The theta for Ficoll molecules with radii> 50 A was selectively enhanced in placebo-treated diabetic nephropathy versus corresponding theta in healthy control subjects (N = 12). Computations revealed a lower distribution of glomerular pores that was unaltered in nephropathic diabetics. However, an upper distribution of large, shunt-like pores was more prominent, exceeding healthy controls by one order of magnitude in diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.01). A trend to lower theta for Ficoll in the 56 to 60 A radius range during losartan therapy is computed to have lowered the fraction of shunted filtrate by 26 to 44%, depending on whether glomerular pressure declined. The corresponding reduction in theta for endogenous albumin, IgG, and IgG4 was by 19 to 23% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that shunt-like defects, partially reversible by angiotensin II blockade, are present early in the course of diabetic nephropathy. We estimate that such defects can account for immunoglobulinuria in this disorder. Additional impairment of either charge- or shape-selectivity must be invoked to explain the observed level of albuminuria, however.

[Treatment of catatonic syndrome with fluoxetine. Case report]. / Leczenie zespolu katatonicznego fluoksetyna. Opis przypadku.

The case of catatonic syndrome in 34-years old male patient is described. The patient's initial complaints regarded somatic distress. Previously, because of persistence of somatic complaints and depressed mood, the patient was treated with classic antidepressants with no clinical effect. Consequently, before admission to our clinic, the patient received neuroleptic treatment without any improvement. To our clinic he was referred as drug-resistant schizoaffective psychosis. He was completely inactive, had hipochondriac delusions and blunted affect. Further on, severe psychomotor inhibition and negativism prevailed. Initial treatment with fluphenazine did not bring any clinical effect. Because of presence of depressed mood and lack of activity, fluoxetine was administered concomitantly with fluphenazine. After 8 weeks administration of fluoxetine 20 mg daily showed substantial clinical improvement, especially in regard to the patient's mood and activity. The dose of fluoxetine was increased to 40 mg daily, and the patient was discharged from the clinic. The follow-up revealed that the patient reassumed his professional career. He was still on fluoxetine 20 mg daily and showed substantial clinical improvement. His overall tolerance of fluoxetine 20-40 mg daily was very good.

Molecular configuration and glomerular size selectivity in healthy and nephrotic humans.

We studied eight healthy volunteers and eight nephrotic subjects to compare the glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) of dextran, a linear polymer of glucopyranose, with those of Ficoll, a spherical polysucrose. Over a molecular radius (rs) interval of 20-70 A, theta for a given Ficoll was uniformly lower than corresponding theta for a dextran of equivalent rs. For each macromolecular species, the theta of molecules with rs > 50 A was selectively enhanced in nephrotic vs. healthy subjects. Analysis of either dextran or Ficoll sieving curves with pore theory revealed the glomerular barrier to have a bimodal pore size distribution: a lower mode of restrictive pores with a lognormal distribution of radii and an upper mode of large shuntlike pores. Nephrotics differed from controls in that the lower mode was broadened and shifted to pores of smaller mean size, but the prominence of shuntlike pores was enhanced by an order of magnitude. Both the mean radius of restrictive pores and the magnitude of the shunt pathway were substantially smaller when estimated from Ficoll than dextran sieving. We interpret the more realistic values for pore parameters derived from Ficoll than dextran sieving to indicate 1) that the normal glomerular barrier prevents albuminuria by virtue of a combination of both charge- and size-selective properties and 2) that a combined impairment of both barrier charge selectivity and size selectively are required to account for the observed level and composition of proteinuria in our nephrotic subjects.

[Therapeutic effect of zuclopenthixol acetate on positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia]. / Ocena wplywu terapeutycznego octanu zuklopentyksolu na objawy pozytywne i negatywne w schizofrenii.

Fifty schizophrenic in-patients (DSM-IV) were treated in an open study with zuclopenthixol acetate. Mental status, improvement and side-effects were measured before administration of the drug as well as after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd injection. Positive and negative symptoms were evaluated with the use of PANSS. 60% of patients received three injections. Usually the intervals between injections lasted 48 hours. The improvement after the 3rd injection of zuclopenthixol acetate was found in 80% of patients. All positive symptoms improved after the treatment (p < 0.001), among them excitement (54% reduction vs. baseline), hostility (49%) suspiciousness/persecution (45%). The study revealed that parallel to the decrease of positive symptoms, the severity of negative symptoms also decreased, in particular: difficulty in abstract thinking (28%) and stereotyped thinking (27%) (p < 0.001). Passive/apathetic social withdrawal and lack of spontaneity as well as flow of conversation only slightly improved (p < 0.05). 50% of patients experienced side-effects--usually extrapyramidal reactions.

Quinolinic acid: effect on neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Quinolinic acid was administered intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats in a dose of 60 mmol, once daily for 8 days. The neuronal cell bodies in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of quinolinic acid-treated rats exhibited electron microscopic features of increased cellular activity but some damage of neuronal cell bodies was also present. After quinolinic acid treatment, damaged cells predominated within the parvocellular division of the nucleus. The cells varied with respect to the degree of their damage. Besides, the cells exhibiting an increased activity, as well as those looking normally, were also present. In the magnocellular division of the nucleus, the cells exhibiting an increased activity predominated, although some forms of damage could also be distinguished.

Endogenous ANP in postischemic acute renal allograft failure.

Circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels and glomerular binding sites for ANP were examined in 23 subjects undergoing renal transplantation. Subjects were divided into two groups, group 1 (n = 12) with prompt and group 2 (n = 11) with delayed allograft function. Sixty to 180 min after graft reperfusion, renovascular resistance was threefold higher and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) depressed by 79% in group 2 vs. group 1. Corresponding median plasma ANP (114 vs. 140 pg/ml) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels (22 vs. 28 pmol/ml) were similarly elevated in the two groups [P = not significant (NS)]. Autoradiographic analysis of glomeruli in an allograft biopsy revealed the median density of total receptors (24 vs. 28 fmol/mm3), A receptors (15 vs. 19 fmol/mm3), and C receptors (6 vs. 9 fmol/mm3) for ANP to also be similar in group 2 vs. group 1, respectively (P = NS). By postoperative day 3, allograft GFR averaged only 6 +/- 2 in group 2 vs. 59 +/- 4 ml/min in group 1. Median plasma ANP levels doubled in each group to 262 and 251 pg/ml, respectively (P = NS). However, median values for plasma levels (38 vs. 17 pmol/ml) and the fractional clearance of cGMP (1.9 vs. 1.2) were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. We conclude that, despite an adequate density of glomerular ANP receptors and enhanced cGMP generation, neither renal vasoconstriction nor hypofiltration is alleviated by a progressive elevation of plasma ANP levels in renal transplant recipients with sustained postischemic injury. We infer that constricted afferent arterioles are unresponsive to the vasorelaxant action of endogenous ANP in this form of postischemic, acute renal failure.

[Influenza and other viral respiratory infections in recruits during the epidemiologic season of 1991-1992 in Poland]. / Grypa i inne wirusowe zakazenia dróg oddechowych w grupie poborowych w sezonie epidemicznym 1991-1992 w Polsce.

Viral Respiratory Infections in recruits have been presented as appearing in the epidemical season of 1991-1992. Three singular parainfluenza Type 1, Type 3 and RS virus-infections have been found. No influenza viruses were isolated.

Influence of Tolpa Peat Preparation on the phagocytic activity and bactericidal properties of granulocytes in healthy volunteers.

It was found, that Tolpa Peat Preparation (TPP) administered to healthy volunteers in doses of 100-300 mg/day during 14 days evoked the stimulation of the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of the granulocytes. The dose of 600 mg/day causes only a transient and insignificant increase of phagocytic and bactericidal properties of the granulocytes.

Regulation of platelet clearance receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide in diabetic nephropathy.

The findings that circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are elevated in diabetic nephropathy and that the magnitude of the urinary excretion rate of cGMP in response to hypervolemia-induced ANP release is blunted have recently been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these abnormalities are associated with the down-regulation of ANP receptors. Because biologically active (A) ANP receptors in the kidney are inaccessible, we have examined the binding of (125I alpha)ANP to clearance (C) receptors on platelets obtained from patients with diabetic nephropathy. Scatchard analysis revealed a reduction in such binding sites compared with those in healthy controls: 12 +/- 2 versus 19 +/- 2 per platelet, respectively (P less than 0.001). The dissociation constant, Kd, was higher: 66.7 +/- 33.1 versus 38.5 +/- 11 pM, respectively (P less than 0.02). The reduced number of receptors could reflect the down-regulation of ANP C receptors in response to an elevation of plasma levels of ANP, the median value of which was 10.6 versus 7.1 pmol/L in controls (P less than 0.05). Alternatively, the findings could represent a primary adaptation by C receptors to elevate plasma ANP levels and increase the availability of the peptide to biologically active renal receptors. The latter adaptation would serve to mitigate the sodium retention that attends diabetic nephropathy.

[Effect of cefoperazone on the activity of selected parameters of cellular immunity in mice with experimental viral-bacterial infection]. / Wplyw cefaperazonu na aktywnosc wybranych parametrów odpornosci komókowej u myszy w doswiadczalnym zakazeniu wirusowo-bakteryjnym.

We applied mixed, viral-bacterial infections of mice (with influenza virus to the respiratory tract and Staphylococcus aureus) intereperitoneally. We used Sodium Cefoperazone subcutaneously in the dose of 30 mg/kg body weight 24, 48 and 72 hours after the infection. We evaluated phagocytic activity of the granulocytes isolated from animals and bactericidal activity of these cells expressed as their chemiluminescent activity. We studied it on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and the 14th day after the infection. Phagocytic activity of cells taken from infected mice and treated with the preparation expressed as phagocytic index was the following: 0.38, 0.19; 0.88; 0.99 respectively. In the comparative studies, concerning the effect of preincubation of cells with antibiotic (at the concentration produced in blood serum by therapeutic doses) we found the increase in chemiluminescent process by 57% on the average. Analyzing the preliminary data form the experimental studies on the influence of Cefoperazone on mixed, viral-bacterial infections in mice we found the positive effect of the antibiotic evaluated in some immunological test. Intracellular killing of bacteria is stimulated. Preincubation of granulocytes with the antibiotic gives higher chemiluminescent activity of cells. However, chemotactic and phagocytic activity of cells are not changed.

The effect of Corynebacterium parvum in influenza infected mice.

This paper is the continuation of earlier studies on the effect of the killed suspension of Corynebacterium parvum in influenza virus infected mice. Our investigation showed the normalized effect of these drugs on disturbed function of cell mediated immunity during experimental influenza infection especially in phagocytic and bactericidal activity of granulocytes. The present experiments concern the explanation of these infection mechanisms. Intraperitoneal injection of Corynebacterium parvum stimulated spleen index. Foot pad test is higher than in comparatively treated BCG group. The pathomorphological analysis of the spleen, thymus and peritoneal lymph nodes points out to the multiplication of multiple lymph nodes sinus cells. Generally, C. parvum possessed protective effect in experimental influenza infection. We tested the following parameters: phagocytic and bactericidal activity of granulocytes, liberation of leukocytes migration inhibition factor (LIF).

A digital radiology imaging system: description and clinical evaluation.

We have successfully interfaced an advanced microcomputer system to a 47-cm image intensifier for direct digital radiology. Our development effort has included the design and construction of hardware and the implementation of software. The system matrix (spatial resolution) is 1024 X 1024 and contrast resolution is 8 bits deep. A receiver-operator-characteristic analysis comparing conventional and digital laser chest radiographs for the detection of lung nodules demonstrated no statistical difference. Dosimetry measurements identified decreased patient dose. The intensifier-based digital imaging system is being increasingly used for a variety of examinations including IV pyelograms, all kinds of barium studies, and skeletal, trauma, and chest studies. Hard-copy laser-printed digital images with "bones black" are preferred by the radiology staff and have been well accepted by referring clinicians.

Cell phenomena in experimental viral-bacterial infections in mice. I. The release of leukocyte inhibiting factor (LIF) from mouse spleen leukocytes in the presence of specific antigens.

The aim of the presented experiments was to estimate LIF production in the course of experimental infections with influenza viruses (of different degrees of adaptation), with S. aureus 209P and in the course of simultaneous viral-bacterial infections in mice. Spleen cells incubated with specific influenza antigens obtained according to Nath's method were used for the experiments as well as cells incubated with staphylococcal staphylolysine (Boehring Werke). The interdependence between LIF release and the degree of adaptation of viruses to lung tissue was observed. When influenza viruses APR-8 of high degree of adaptation to animal lung tissue were used, inconsiderable LIF production was observed in the early stage of observation. When the animals were infected with viruses A/Scotland/74 of low degree of adaptation, significant LIF production could be noticed since the 1st day of observation. Mixed, viral-bacterial infections influenced insignificantly LIF release. Its production was mainly conditioned by influenza viruses used for the infections.