Effect of multiple ligations of the external carotid artery and its branches on blood flow in the internal maxillary artery in dogs

PURPOSE

The effect of occlusion of the external carotid system on blood flow of the internal maxillary artery was investigated in 16 dogs.

METHODS

The external carotid system was occluded by ligation or clamping at different levels separately or simultaneously and the blood flow of the internal maxillary artery was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter before and after each occlusion.

RESULTS

The ligation of the external carotid artery below (low ligation) and above (high ligation) the origin of the occipital, lingual, and facial arteries reduced the blood flow by 61.1% and 71.5%, respectively. Low ligation together with ligation of the lingual artery reduced the blood flow by 73.5%. Multiple ligations (high and low ligations combined with ligations of the occipital, lingual, and facial arteries) reduced the blood flow by 81.8%. The internal maxillary artery was sectioned after the multiple ligations, and retrograde flow from the distal segment was studied. The flow was only a trace and could not be measured with the flowmeter. Total blood loss from both ends almost equaled the blood flow of the proximal segment, 18.2% of normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple occlusion appears to be the most effective treatment for hemorrhage from the initial part of the internal maxillary artery.

Electromagnetic scanning to predict lamb carcass composition

The electromagnetic scanner generates a constant, low-level electromagnetic field (2.5 MHz) within a large plexiglass tube. The amount of electromagnetic (EM) energy transferred (to the carcass) is highly related to lean tissue. A plot of the absorption units over distance can be used to assess the total mass of lean tissue and of the respective primal cuts. The difference in curve height between two points (D), peak phase absorption, and linear carcass measurements (pre-rigor, HCWT or post-rigor, CWT carcass weight, and carcass length, LENG) were used to predict total dissected lean (TOTLEAN), dissected leg lean (LEGLEAN), and percentage of dissected carcass lean (PERLEAN). Twenty-one pre-rigor and 22 post-rigor (24 h chill) lamb carcasses, average weight 26.8 (+/- 4.2 kg) and 26.4 (+/- 4.1 kg) kg, respectively, were evaluated from measurements of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC). Two geometric orientations were tested for statistical accuracy in this study: A) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, on its left lateral side, neck facing the right side of the tunnel; and B) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, breast down, and neck up. Orientation A proved more statistically efficient for pre-rigor carcasses, and orientation B was more desirable for post-rigor carcasses. Multiple-regression models involving HCWT, LENG, and a single D measure accounted for 98.0 and 95.0%, respectively, of the total variation in pre-rigor carcass TOTLEAN and LEGLEAN in A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tuning and matching networks for MR imaging and spectroscopy

The authors briefly discuss four tuning and matching networks and their application range in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopy. Analytic expressions for the network elements needed to tune and match an MR imaging or spectroscopy probe for a given coil impedance are given, and the connection to the "standard" two-element capacitive matching networks is shown. The power loss factor and the phase shift between the input current and the load current are explicitly calculated for each of the four networks. The merits of the different matching networks are then discussed in the context of a general-purpose license plate coil commonly used in MR imaging.

Motor evoked potentials of the human diaphragm elicited through magnetic transcranial brain stimulation

Magnetic transcranial brain stimulation has been used for several years now to study the function and integrity of the corticospinal tracts. In this study magnetic transcranial motor cortex stimulation of the diaphragm was carried out in order to describe the characteristics of the recorded motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of this muscle in humans. The motor cortex was stimulated transcranially in 10 healthy subjects, followed by stimulation of the cervical roots so that central motor conduction time (CMCT) could be calculated. Diaphragm MEPs were recorded at deep inspriration. Normal values were found to be 16.21 +/- 0.33 msec for the MEP latency time, 3.52 +/- 2.40 mV for the MEP amplitude, and 8.39 +/- 0.41 msec. for the CMCT. This study confirms the direct projection from the motor cortex to the human diaphragm and the ability of cortical magnetic stimuli to evoke more descending volleys along the corticospinal pathways. This technique can offer useful additional information about the function and integrity of central motor conduction properties of respiratory muscles in humans with various neurological and respiratory disorders.

Auditory brainstem and cortical responses following extensive transcranial magnetic stimulation

The long term effects of transcranial electromagnetic stimulation (TEMS) on auditory brainstem and cortical evoked responses and on neuroanatomical structures in the auditory tract were investigated over a 12 month period in rabbits exposed to 1000 stimuli at 100% maximum stimulation level (2.0 tesla instrument output) with a clinical magnetic coil positioned over the cranium. (1) The tone and click audiograms of the pre and post TEMS-exposed plugged ears were normal and did not differ significantly, suggesting that the protected cochlea is unaffected by TEMS. (2) The mean absolute and interwave latencies of auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR) and the peak amplitudes of the vertex positive waves P1, P3, and P4 in the exposed rabbits were within normal limits, and comparable those of the normal, pre-exposed animals. Wave P5 in the exposed animals was more variable and significantly different from the normal data in mean latency and amplitude. (3) The mean latencies and amplitudes of the post exposed cortical (late) auditory evoked responses (CAER) were not significantly different from the non-exposed ears. Light microscopic examination of sections of the cochlear nucleus and inferior colliculus, possible sources of waves P2 and P5, respectively, of the ABR, showed no EMS-related changes in cellular organization or histological damage. In conclusion, no deleterious effects of TEMS were observed on the protected ear or the peripheral and central auditory system of rabbits after extensive exposure to long term, high intensity, low frequency time-varying magnetic field stimulation with a clinical instrument.

Ferroelectric active models of ion channels in biomembranes

Ferroactive models of ion channels in the theory of biological membranes are presented. The main equations are derived and their possible solutions are shown. The estimates of some experimentally measured parameters are given. Possible physical consequences of the suggested models are listed and the possibility of their experimental finding is discussed. The functioning of the biomembrane's ion channel is qualitatively described on the basis of the suggested ferroactive models. The main directions and prospects for development of the ferroactive approach to the theory of biological membranes and their structures are indicated.

Studies on bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity using in vivo MR microscopy with surgically implanted RF coils

Using surgically implanted RF coils at 300 MHz, three-dimensional microscopic MR images of rat liver were obtained in vivo to follow the development of pathology induced by bromobenzene exposure. Formalin fixed specimens of liver from these animals were also imaged using in vitro MR microscopy, followed by conventional optical microscopy. All MR images were acquired using a spin-warp pulse sequence with TR = 950 ms and TE = 23 ms. The in vivo images were reconstructed as 256(2) x 32 arrays with a voxel size of (50 microns)2 x 219 microns, while the in vitro images were reconstructed as 256(2) x 128 arrays, giving an isotropic resolution at (39 microns)3. Based on results from six animals, we have found in all animals exposed to bromobenzene, image intensity decreased in specific hepatic tissue regions. These regions were well correlated to low signal intensity areas observed in in vitro MR images at higher resolution. Conventional optical microscopy indicated that the low signal intensity regions corresponded to areas of necrosis. The decrease in signal intensity is consistent with increased local diffusion coefficients as a result of necrosis. This study demonstrates that MR microscopy with implanted RF coils can be successfully used to follow tissue pathological changes in living tissues.

In vivo validation of a transit-time ultrasonic volume flow meter

The objective of this investigation was to validate a transit-time ultrasound blood flow metering system in vivo. Implanted chronically and acutely on the ascending aorta of the dog, the transit-time flow probe determined varying flow rates simultaneously with measurements made by the electromagnetic flow metering method. The transit-time technique was also compared to two methods in which blood was collected volumetrically by either graduated cylinder (ascending aorta/dog) or pump withdrawal (abdominal aorta/cat). Statistical analysis of the results provided evidence that the transit-time ultrasound method measured in vivo blood flow rate no differently than the electromagnetic or pump withdrawal techniques, however, transit-time determinations of blood volume were 10% below that indicated by graduated cylinder collection. With transit time represented on the y-axis, three linear regressions of all paired blood flow measurements were calculated yielding the following slopes (delta y/delta x) and regression coefficients (r), respectively: electromagnetic (1.00, 0.98), graduated cylinder (0.85, 0.93), and pump withdrawal (0.93, 1.00). The results validate the transit-time ultrasound system used in the present investigation as an accurate method capable of measuring blood flow in both acutely and chronically instrumented animal preparations.

Clastogenic effects of radiofrequency radiations on chromosomes of Tradescantia

The clastogenicity of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has so far been studied only under laboratory conditions. We used the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassay in an in situ experiment to find out whether short-wave electromagnetic fields used for broadcasting (10-21 MHz) may show genotoxic effects. Plant cuttings bearing young flower buds were exposed (30 h) on both sides of a slewable curtain antenna (300/500 kW, 40-170 V/m) and 15 m (90 V/m) and 30 m (70 V/m) distant from a vertical cage antenna (100 kW) as well as at the neighbors living near the broadcasting station (200 m, 1-3 V/m). The exposure at both sides of the slewable curtain antenna was performed simultaneously within cages, one of the Faraday type shielding the field and one non-shielding mesh cage. Laboratory controls were maintained for comparison. Higher MCN frequencies than in laboratory controls were found for all exposure sites in the immediate vicinity of the antennae, where the exposure standards of the electric field strength of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) were exceeded. The results at all exposure sites except one were statistically significant. Since the parallel exposure in a non-shielding and a shielding cage also revealed significant differences in MCN frequencies (the latter showing no significant differences from laboratory controls), the clastogenic effects are clearly attributable to the short-wave radiation from the antennae.

Zero-shift tuning in geonium by variation of trapped charge

Measuring the g factor, or gyromagnetic ratio of an individual electron or positron permanently confined in ultrahigh vacuum at liquid helium temperature, provides one of the few avenues for testing the currently accepted standard model that views these elementary particles, on the same level as the quarks, as point-like objects without internal structure. Our results, even though their error limits are the smallest ever attained, would still benefit by possibly two orders of magnitude if a shift, estimated at 4 parts in 10(12), caused by interaction of the cyclotron motion with standing electromagnetic waves in the trap cavity confining the electron could be eliminated. Reexamination of experimental data obtained in another connection suggests that it is practical to identify certain critical cyclotron frequency values for that the shift disappears by testing if the cyclotron frequency measured on a cloud of electrons does not vary with the number of electrons it contains. Clouds here must be kept very much smaller than the wavelength of the above standing waves.

Induction of a recall deficit by rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation

We used rapid-rate, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the noninvasive study of verbal recall. Five right-handed normal subjects were studied. Recall followed immediately after presentation of a 12-word list. Focal rTMS was applied with a figure eight coil in trains of 500 ms duration to F7, F8, T5, T6, P3, P4, or O1, O2 at latencies of 0, 250, 500, or 1000 ms during word list presentation. Recall was consistently significantly diminished only after left mid-temporal and bilateral dorsofrontal rTMS at both 0 and 250 ms latencies. We conclude that rTMS may be useful as a non-invasive tool for the study of verbal memory processes.

Ultrashort electromagnetic signals: biophysical questions, safety issues, and medical opportunities

Ultrashort electromagnetic pulses are being increasingly produced by modern high power microwave and laser devices. These ultrashort pulses can produce electromagnetic transients in tissue that prompt safety questions concerning the possible exposure of living beings to ultrashort electromagnetic pulses. The existence of electromagnetic transients may permit meaningful advances in medical therapy and imaging. Electromagnetic transients, potential medical applications, and anticipated research avenues relevant to occupational health and safety issues are discussed.

The effect of extracorporeal electromagnetic shock waves on renal proximal tubular function

In order to investigate the effect of electromagnetic shock waves on proximal tubular renal function, we measured the urine levels of the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) prior to, 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 week after extracorporeal electromagnetic lithotripsy (ESWL) in 50 patients with urinary stone disease. Mean NAG level which was 5.18 + 0.09 U/l prior to ESWL increased to 5.29 + 0.09 U/l in the first hour and to 10.7 + 0.19 U/l on the first day after ESWL (p < 0.001). The level returned to pre-ESWL values one week after ESWL (5.27 + 0.09 U/l). These findings show that extracorporeal electromagnetic shock waves cause significant damage to the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidney; however, these changes return to normal in the first week.

The ultimate biosensor

The U.S. Air Force is concerned with the health and safety of personnel working with emitters of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, an understanding of basic mechanisms of interaction of this radiation with biosystems is essential. A nonresonance, nonclassical mechanism exists for interactions with biosystems under low energy (isothermal) field conditions. This mechanism is slow, or delayed, luminescence. Such a mechanism can form the basis for very sensitive biosensors naturally or artificially connected to metabolic and synthetic cellular processes.

Design of an inductive plethysmograph for ventilation measurement

We have designed an inductive plethysmograph to obtain a non-invasive measure of ventilation. Two elastic bands containing insulated wires encircle the chest and abdomen--the inductance of each band depends on the enclosed cross sectional area. Each inductive band forms an element in a tank circuit, which determines the resonant frequency of a Colpitts oscillatory. By measuring the oscillatory frequency, we indirectly measure the changes in cross sectional area that occur during breathing. Independent measures of chest and abdominal cross sectional area provide a way to detect both normal breathing and airway obstruction. Magnetic coupling due to the mutual inductance between chest and abdominal bands modulates the desired oscillation frequencies. When modulation is excessive, frequency locking occurs and we cannot make independent measures of chest and abdominal area. We have performed simulations that show that, as the chest and abdominal band oscillator frequencies are sufficiently separated, we decrease modulation and avoid frequency locking. We have compared simulataneous recordings of ventilation using our inductive plethysmography and a commercial impedance pneumograph and spirometer. Recordings of normal ventilation by all methods appear similar; however, our inductive device is less prone than the impedance pneumography to artifacts caused by applied pressure and body movements. In addition, during simulated airway obstruction, signals from the chest and abdominal bands are out of phase--suggesting that the inductive technique may be useful for detecting airway obstruction.

Constraints of thermal noise on the effects of weak 60-Hz magnetic fields acting on biological magnetite

Previous calculations of limits imposed by thermal noise on the effects of weak 60-Hz magnetic fields on biological magnetite are generalized and extended to consider multiple signals, the possibility of anomalously large magnetosome structures, and the possibility of anomalously small cytoplasm viscosities. The results indicate that the energies transmitted to the magnetite elements by fields less than 5 microT, characteristic of the electric power distribution system, will be much less than thermal noise energies. Hence, the effects of such weak fields will be masked by that noise and cannot be expected to affect biology or, therefore, the health of populations.

An electromagnetic imaging approach using a multi-illumination technique

An approach to microwave imaging using a multi-illumination technique is proposed. The numerical solution is reached by a multi-illumination-angle multiview approach based on the moment method. The aim is to extend the application range of the Born approximation by utilizing a-priori information about a scatterer. The basic idea of the approach is outlined, and preliminary results are reported.

The effect of electromagnetic pulsing on posterior lumbar spinal fusions in dogs

This study evaluated the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on the healing of lumbar spinal fusions. Bilateral posterior facet fusions were performed at L1-2 and L4-5 in 24 adult mongrel dogs. After surgery, eight animals were stimulated with a pulse burst type signal (PEMF) for 30 minutes a day, and eight animals were stimulated with the same PEMF for 60 minutes a day. The remaining eight animals received no active PEMF stimulation and served as controls. Four animals from each group were euthanatized at 6 and 12 weeks, and the facet fusions were evaluated using high resolution radiographs and routine histology. No statistical difference in the radiographic or histologic appearance of the fusion mass could be detected between the stimulated and control groups at either 6 or 12 weeks. The results of this study suggest that PEMF stimulation had no effect on the healing of the primary posterior spinal fusions in this controlled experimental canine model.

Development and test of an extendable endoprosthesis for bone reconstruction in the leg

A malignant bone tumour may develop in the femur of a child. In the majority of cases it will be necessary to resect the bone involved, growth plate and adjacent tissues. A modular endoprosthetic system has been developed which can be extended non-invasively to bridge the defect resulting from such a resection. Elongation is achieved by using an external magnetic field. In vitro tests with a prototype showed that the lengthening element met all requirements. Six animal experiments showed that the lengthening element also functioned in vivo.

Pulsed microamperage stimulation: a controlled study of healing of surgically induced wounds in Yucatan pigs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Microamperage direct current and microamperage electromagnetic stimulation are used to accelerate healing in bone. Although many clinicians are using microamperage stimulation to relieve pain and facilitate wound healing, there is significant question regarding whether this low-intensity direct current significantly accelerates soft tissue wound repair. The purpose of this study was to determine whether low-voltage pulsed microamperage current (100 microA, 60 V, 0.1 Hz) enhances the healing of superficial, full-thickness, or incisional wounds created to simulate acute abrasions, ulcers, and lacerations.

SUBJECTS

Ten adult Yucatan mini pigs served as the subjects for this study.

METHODS

Variables associated with healing were measured in 60 matched pairs of surgically induced partial-thickness, full-thickness, and incisional wounds after either sham or anodal (positive-polarity) stimulation with pulsed microamperage current (100 microA) was administered for 1 hour per day for 5 days. Sterile, disposable electrodes (2 x 4 cm) were placed over each wound, which was kept wrapped and protected throughout the study.

RESULTS

At 7 days postinjury, all wounds were healing well with no signs of infection. There were no differences in tensile strength, collagen density, maturity, or deposition (hydroxyproline), wound size, or visual appearance between the sham treatment and treatment lesions. No changes in local subcutaneous oxygen or temperature were found in the swine during or after microamperage stimulation.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

This study did not provide any evidence to support the use of microamperage stimulation to accelerate wound healing. No negative effects, however, were found. Further research is needed to determine whether there is a critical interaction between the size of the electrode relative to the wound, the density of the current, the duration of the treatment, the polarity of the treatment electrode, and the acuity or chronicity of wounding and the effectiveness of microcurrent stimulation for wound healing.

Auditory effects on the motor responses after magnetic cortical stimulation and on the H-reflexes in patients with Parkinson's disease

The effects of sound on the responses in teh abductor pollicis brevis muscle after magnetic cortical stimulation and on the H-reflexes in the wrist and finger flexor muscles were examined. Magnetic cortical stimulation and electrical stimulation eliciting H-reflexes were conditioned by sound stimulation. This sound stimulation did not produce the electromyographic response by itself. In the control subjects, sound stimulation produced an increase of the motor responses after cortical stimulation at intervals of 100, 150, 200 and 250 ms. The increase was greater in the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In the control subjects, sound stimulation produced an increase of the H-reflexes at intervals of 50, 100, 150 and 200 ms. This H-reflex increase in the PD patients was less than in the normal subjects. The reticular system might play a role in the abnormal motor control system in PD patients.

Magnetic stimulation of ferret papillary muscle

1. Ferret papillary muscles were magnetically stimulated by the discharge of a capacitor through an inductance. 2. An induced current density of 39 mA cm-2 averaged over 280 microseconds (= 11 microC cm-2) corresponded to threshold. 3. A short galvanic current pulse was found to have a comparable charge threshold. 4. The time-varying magnetic field or the magnetically induced electrical field did not result in excitation unless current was allowed to flow. 5. Threshold conditions could be reached by adding subthreshold magnetically induced current to subthreshold galvanic current. A suprathreshold galvanic current could be prevented from exciting by simultaneously applying induced current of opposite direction. 6. It is concluded that outward current through the membrane capacity is the stimulus, independent of the origin of the current.