Comprehensive analysis of NMR data using advanced line shape fitting

NMR spectroscopy is uniquely suited for atomic resolution studies of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites, since detailed information on structure and dynamics are encoded in positions and line shapes of peaks in NMR spectra. Unfortunately, accurate determination of these parameters is often complicated and time consuming, in part due to the need for different software at the various analysis steps and for validating the results. Here, we present an integrated, cross-platform and open-source software that is significantly more versatile than the typical line shape fitting application. The software is a completely redesigned version of PINT ( https://pint-nmr.github.io/PINT/ ). It features a graphical user interface and includes functionality for peak picking, editing of peak lists and line shape fitting. In addition, the obtained peak intensities can be used directly to extract, for instance, relaxation rates, heteronuclear NOE values and exchange parameters. In contrast to most available software the entire process from spectral visualization to preparation of publication-ready figures is done solely using PINT and often within minutes, thereby, increasing productivity for users of all experience levels. Unique to the software are also the outstanding tools for evaluating the quality of the fitting results and extensive, but easy-to-use, customization of the fitting protocol and graphical output. In this communication, we describe the features of the new version of PINT and benchmark its performance.

Biophysical characterization of the calmodulin-like domain of Plasmodium falciparum calcium dependent protein kinase 3

Calcium dependent protein kinases are unique to plants and certain parasites and comprise an N-terminal segment and a kinase domain that is regulated by a C-terminal calcium binding domain. Since the proteins are not found in man they are potential drug targets. We have characterized the calcium binding lobes of the regulatory domain of calcium dependent protein kinase 3 from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Despite being structurally similar, the two lobes differ in several other regards. While the monomeric N-terminal lobe changes its structure in response to calcium binding and shows global dynamics on the sub-millisecond time-scale both in its apo and calcium bound states, the C-terminal lobe could not be prepared calcium-free and forms dimers in solution. If our results can be generalized to the full-length protein, they suggest that the C-terminal lobe is calcium bound even at basal levels and that activation is caused by the structural reorganization associated with binding of a single calcium ion to the N-terminal lobe.

Robust and convenient analysis of protein thermal and chemical stability

We present the software CDpal that is used to analyze thermal and chemical denaturation data to obtain information on protein stability. The software uses standard assumptions and equations applied to two-state and various types of three-state denaturation models in order to determine thermodynamic parameters. It can analyze denaturation monitored by both circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy and is extremely flexible in terms of input format. Furthermore, it is intuitive and easy to use because of the graphical user interface and extensive documentation. As illustrated by the examples herein, CDpal should be a valuable tool for analysis of protein stability.

Fast and accurate resonance assignment of small-to-large proteins by combining automated and manual approaches

The process of resonance assignment is fundamental to most NMR studies of protein structure and dynamics. Unfortunately, the manual assignment of residues is tedious and time-consuming, and can represent a significant bottleneck for further characterization. Furthermore, while automated approaches have been developed, they are often limited in their accuracy, particularly for larger proteins. Here, we address this by introducing the software COMPASS, which, by combining automated resonance assignment with manual intervention, is able to achieve accuracy approaching that from manual assignments at greatly accelerated speeds. Moreover, by including the option to compensate for isotope shift effects in deuterated proteins, COMPASS is far more accurate for larger proteins than existing automated methods. COMPASS is an open-source project licensed under GNU General Public License and is available for download from http://www.liu.se/forskning/foass/tidigare-foass/patrik-lundstrom/software?l=en. Source code and binaries for Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows are available.

Maintenance of clonal diversity in Dipsa bifurcata (Fallén, 1810) (Diptera: Lonchopteridae). I. Fluctuating seasonal selection moulds long-term coexistence

The deterministic maintenance of clonal diversity in thelytokous taxa can be seen as a model for understanding how environmental heterogeneity both can stabilize genetic diversity and can allow coexistence of competing species. We here analyze the temporal fluctuations in clonal diversity in the thelytokous Lonchopterid fly, Dipsa bifurcata (Fallén, 1810), at four localities in Sweden over an 8-year period. Estimated fitness values for clones are cyclical, synchronous among populations and correlated with seasonal changes in the environment. Differential winter viability and emergence from overwintering along with differential reproductive rate during the summer appear to be the selective mechanisms by which long-term clonal diversity is maintained. In a companion paper (Tomiuk et al, 2004), we present a model for the maintenance of clonal diversity through the mechanism of differential diapause among clones, utilizing fitness values estimated from the data presented here. In general, our results imply that fluctuating seasonal fitnesses can maintain stable genetic polymorphism within populations, as well as coexistence between closely related competitors, when coupled with differences in diapause phenology.

Maintenance of clonal diversity in Dipsa bifurcata (Fallén, 1810) (Diptera: Lonchopteridae). II. Diapause stabilizes clonal coexistence

We analyze a selection model analogous to a one-locus, two-allele haploid system that can explain recurrent seasonal changes in diversity for communities with diapausing species or populations with diapausing clones. The model demonstrates the potential influence of differential diapause on the stability of species and clonal coexistence and, by extension, on the maintenance of genetic polymorphism in general. Using estimates of clonal fitness values from populations of the parthenogenetic spear-winged fly Dipsa bifurcata (Fallén, 1810) (Diptera: Lonchopteridae), the model explains the long-term stable oscillation of clonal frequencies exhibited by these populations. In general, clones or species that share the same spatial habitat can persist in stable coexistence if there are differences not only in their temporarily fluctuating fitness values but also in their dormancy patterns.

Insulin insensitivity and delayed transcapillary delivery of insulin in oophorectomized rats treated with testosterone

The importance of transcapillary insulin delivery as a regulated step was explored in an insulin resistant rat model. Oophorectomized female rats were exposed to testosterone (OVX + T) for 8 weeks and examined with insulin clamps, muscle microdialysis, and analyses of insulin distribution kinetics. The results were compared with those obtained in sham-operated control rats. After OVX + T, onset of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle was significantly (P < 0.001-0.05) delayed compared with controls as measured by the glucose infusion rate (GIR) during a euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp (5 mU kg-1 min-1). The increase in interstitial insulin concentrations was also significantly (P < 0.05) delayed (15-20% lower) in OVX + T treated rats compared with control rats, but to such a small magnitude that this alone could not explain the late onset of the insulin effect. Skeletal muscle capillary density, examined histochemically, was diminished (P < 0.01-0.001) by 20-25% after treatment with OVX + T compared with control animals, as was the peripheral blood flow (P < 0.05) by 40-45%, measured with the microsphere technique. Insulin binding was reduced in proportion to the reduced (P < 0.01) vascular surface area by OVX + T treatment. Transcapillary transport rate of insulin, measured by comparisons of the kinetics of inulin and insulin spaces in muscle with time, tended (ns) to be lower after OVX + T compared with control rats (30-40%) as a reflection of the lower capillary surface area. The data suggest that the delayed onset of insulin action after OVX + T results from combined defects in the muscle cell at a postreceptor level and, to a lesser extent, from retarded transcapillary delivery of insulin.

Muscle glucose uptake is effectively activated by ischemia in type 2 diabetic subjects

It has previously been shown that Wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, inhibits glucose transport activated by insulin but not by ischemia, suggesting the importance of an activating mechanism that bypasses the insulin signal. To evaluate the relevance of this insulin-independent pathway in insulin-resistant subjects, the ability of ischemia to stimulate glucose uptake was investigated in 9 patients with type 2 diabetes and in 9 healthy control subjects (fasting glucose level 9.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.1 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P < 0.001, in type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects, respectively; fasting insulin level insulin 8.1 +/- 2.6 vs. 4.5 +/-0.7 mU/l, P < 0.05, respectively) matched for sex, age, and BMI. Arterial plasma and interstitial concentrations of glucose and lactate (measured by subcutaneous and muscle microdialysis) were recorded in the forearm before, during, and after ischemia induced locally for 20 min. During ischemia, the muscle interstitial glucose concentration decreased significantly from 7.7 +/- 0.6 to 5.4 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (P < 0.01) and from 4.4 +/- 0.3 to 3.6 +/- 0.3 mmol/l (P < 0.05) in type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects, respectively. The arterial-interstitial (A-I) glucose concentration difference was 1.7 +/- 0.6 and 0.7 +/- 0.3 mmol/ at basal, and it increased significantly to 3.5 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.01) and 1.4 +/-0.3 mmol/l (P < 0.05) during ischemia in each group, respectively. Interstitial lactate increased significantly during ischemia from 0.8 +/- 0.1 to 1.1 +/- 0.1 mmol/l (P < 0.05) and from 0.5 +/- 0.1 to 0.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/l (P < 0.05), respectively. The A-I glucose concentration difference was abolished immediately postischemia and regained after approximately 15 min, whereas high interstitial lactate levels remained elevated throughout the study. Subcutaneous interstitial glucose concentrations remained unchanged during ischemia and postischemia in both groups, whereas the interstitial lactate concentration in adipose tissue increased during ischemia from 1.4 +/- 0.2 to 2.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/l (P < 0.05) and from 1.1 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l (P < 0.05) in type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects, respectively. Plasma glucose and lactate levels were unchanged in both groups during the study period. The results show that in muscle, but not in adipose tissue, glucose uptake is efficiently activated by ischemia in insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic subjects, suggesting the activation of a putative alternative pathway to the insulin signal in muscle cells.

Effects of exercise on insulin distribution and action in testosterone-treated oophorectomized female rats

Administration of testosterone (T) to oophorectomized (Ovx) female rats is followed by severe insulin resistance, localized to postreceptor cellular events in the muscle. In this study, intervention by exercise was introduced to examine whether circulatory adaptations are involved in insulin resistance. Two groups of Ovx rats were studied: one group was given T (Ovx+T); another group had free access to running wheels (Ovx+T+Ex). In addition, one control group (sham operated) was studied. Insulin sensitivity was measured with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique (submaximal) for 150 min. Muscle interstitial glucose and insulin concentrations were measured by microdialysis. The measurements showed that, in Ovx+T rats, the onset of insulin action was significantly (P < 0.05) slower during the first 95 min of the clamp compared with that in Ovx+T+Ex and controls. Muscle interstitial concentrations of insulin but not glucose were lower in both Ovx+T and Ovx+T+Ex rats than in controls throughout the clamp. It was concluded that physical exercise prevented the slow onset of insulin action in Ovx+T rats without changing the distribution time of muscle interstitial insulin. The results indicate that hyperandrogenicity is characterized by delayed muscle insulin action. Physical exercise reverses these defects without any beneficial effect on muscle interstitial insulin concentrations.

Modulation of vestibular function by nociceptin/orphanin FQ: an in vivo and in vitro study

The effects of nociceptin (orphanin FQ) on medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons in vitro, and on vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function in vivo, were investigated in order to determine the role of 'opioid-like orphan' (ORL1) receptors in modulating vestibular reflex function in the rat. Nociceptin (100 nM-1 microM) potently inhibited the spontaneous discharge of the majority (86%) of MVN neurons tested in the rat dorsal brainstem slice preparation in vitro. This inhibition was dose-dependent and persisted after blockade of synaptic transmission in low Ca2+/Co2+ medium. The inhibitory effects were insensitive to the opioid antagonist naloxone, but were effectively antagonised by the selective ORL1 receptor antagonist, [Phe1Psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]Nociceptin(1-13)NH2. The majority of MVN neurons ( approximately 70%) were inhibited by both nociceptin and the delta-opioid receptor agonist, [D-ala2, D-leu5]-enkephalin (DADLE), while a minority of cells (approximately 30%) were selectively responsive either to DADLE or to nociceptin, but not both. Co-application of nociceptin and DADLE to neurons that were responsive to both agonists, resulted in an inhibitory response that was the same as or less than the inhibition evoked by either agonist alone. Intracellular whole-cell patch clamp recordings from identified Type A and Type B MVN cells showed that both these cell types are responsive to nociceptin, which induced membrane hyperpolarisation and decrease in input resistance consistent with its known effects on membrane K currents in other cell types. In alert rats, i.c.v. injection of nociceptin caused a significant decrease in the gain of the hVOR and resulted in a prolongation of post-rotatory nystagmus in darkness. The decrease in VOR gain and the increase in the VOR time-constant was significant even at low doses of nociceptin which did not cause other observable behavioural effects. These findings demonstrate that endogenously released nociceptin may have a hitherto unexplored role in the functional modulation of the neural pathways that mediate vestibular reflexes in vivo.

Induction of insulin resistance by glucosamine reduces blood flow but not interstitial levels of either glucose or insulin

To study the effects of a glucosamine infusion on skeletal muscle metabolism, microdialysis was performed in the medial femoral muscle in Sprague-Dawley rats during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (insulin infusion 18 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)). During steady-state clamping conditions (70 min), an infusion of glucosamine (30 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) or saline was given for 240 min. Blood flow was measured by the microsphere technique at the end of the clamp. An approximately 36% (P < 0.001) reduction in the glucose infusion rate was seen after 170 min in the glucosamine-treated rats compared with control rats. There were no significant differences in interstitial or plasma levels of either insulin or glucose between the two groups. Both interstitial (2.31 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.71 +/- 0.24 mmol/l, P < 0.05) and arterial plasma lactate concentrations (1.29 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.79 +/- 0.09 mmol/l, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in control rats compared with glucosamine-treated rats. Blood flow was significantly reduced in hind limb femoral muscles in the glucosamine-treated rats compared with control rats. The most pronounced reduction in blood flow was seen in the Soleus muscle (27.6 +/- 3.4 vs. 14.7 +/- 2.0 ml x 100 g(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that induction of insulin resistance by glucosamine results in a reduction of the blood flow rate as well as the uptake of glucose and the production of lactate in skeletal muscle. As a result of the inhibited glucose metabolism, the interstitial glucose concentration was unchanged despite the reduced blood flow after glucosamine administration. The data suggest the importance of regulation of blood flow by nonoxidative metabolism of glucose in resting muscle.

Induction of rat muscle insulin resistance by epinephrine is accompanied by increased interstitial glucose and lactate concentrations

Muscle glucose uptake and lactate release during beta-adrenergic stimulation by epinephrine (epi) and beta-adrenergic blockade by propranolol (prop) were investigated during an euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic (30 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) with or without added somatostatin (0.1 microg/min; pancreatic) clamp in female rats. To assess the interstitial insulin, glucose and lactate concentrations, microdialysis was done in the medial femoral muscle in both legs. The influence of muscle skeletal blood flow on interstitial insulin, glucose and lactate was examined with the microsphere technique, using 57Co-microspheres. Epinephrine decreased glucose infusion rate by about 75% (p < 0.0001) and increased concentrations of interstitial glucose by about 35% (p < 0.001) and lactate by about 65% (p < 0.01). Plasma insulin concentration increased during beta-adrenergic stimulation by about 25% (p < 0.05) whereas the interstitial insulin concentration was unchanged. Muscle blood flow in the hindlimb was considerably enhanced by about 130%, (p < 0.001) by epinephrine. Infusion of propranolol totally abolished all the above effects induced by epinephrine. The data show that insulin resistance and vasodilation induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation with epinephrine is accompanied by increased interstitial glucose as well as lactate concentrations in muscle. The increased interstitial glucose concentration is the result of a decreased cellular uptake of glucose together with an increased capillary delivery of glucose by vasodilation. It is concluded that the severe cellular resistance to insulin induced by epinephrine could not be overcome either by the increased insulin secretion or by vasodilation.

Audiological disturbances caused by long-term exposure to industrial solvents. Relation to the diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy

Sixty workers, consecutively admitted due to suspicion of solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE), were investigated with pure-tone audiometry, determination of speech recognition of monosyllabic words and distorted speech and cortical response audiometry (CRA). Eighteen workers not exposed to occupational solvents and noise were also investigated. The scores in the distorted speech test were significantly lower and the CRA latencies were significantly longer in the solvent group than in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in the pure-tone and monosyllabic speech recognition tests. In the solvent group, 19 subjects had one or several pathological audiological test results (values exceeding the mean result of the control group by 2 SD). Independently of the audiological examination all the workers in the solvent group underwent the traditional clinical assessment of CTE, which is based on symptoms, history of exposure, clinical neurological examination and a neuropsychological investigation. They were classified in three groups--CTE, incipient CTE and non-CTE. There was no correlation between these groups and the audiological test results. A previous report on vestibular pathology in the same group of subjects and the present investigation on hearing deficits suggest that long-term exposure to solvents causes disturbances of the central pathways in the otovestibular system. Hitherto, no attention has been paid to these disturbances in the definition of the CTE syndrome.

Imprinting of female offspring with testosterone results in insulin resistance and changes in body fat distribution at adult age in rats

In women, a relative hyperandrogenicity is statistically associated with insulin resistance and centralization of body fat, which are predictors for the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of androgenization of newborn female rats on insulin sensitivity at adult age. To mimic the neonatal androgen peak normally observed in male rats, female pups were administered one high dose of testosterone (T) subcutaneously within 3 h after birth. They were then given back to their mothers and followed to adult age. At the end of the week 9, tail samples were taken, showing no differences in fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, insulin, or free fatty acids between T-treated rats and controls. Plasma concentrations of T and progesterone were significantly lower in the T-treated rats, whereas no differences were found in the levels of corticosterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I, or ACTH. After 10 wk, insulin sensitivity was studied with hyperglycemic and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (5 mU insulin/kg/min) clamp techniques. The T-treated rats showed insulin resistance with both techniques, which was overcome with time and increasing insulin concentrations during the clamp measurements. The T-treated rats were also heavier and had increased relative weights of skeletal muscles and the spleen. Parametrial, retroperitoneal, and inguinal adipose tissues decreased in weight while mesenteric adipose tissue tended to increase, resulting in an approximately 30-50% larger mesenteric than other adipose tissues. It is concluded that neonatal T imprinting of female rats is followed by insulin resistance, changes in adipose tissue distribution, and an enlarged lean mass, without elevation of circulating T. Similar changes are seen in adult female rats or women receiving T.

Are deficits in the equilibrium system relevant to the clinical investigation of solvent-induced neurotoxicity?

OBJECTIVES

The diagnosis of solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy is commonly based on case histories of exposure to solvents, symptoms, and deficits on psychometric tests. It has previously been demonstrated that long-term solvent-exposed workers have disturbances of the equilibrium system. The correlation between these disturbances and the diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy has been analyzed in the present study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty men, consecutively admitted due to the suspicion of this syndrome, were investigated and classified into 3 groups--solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy, incipient chronic toxic encephalopathy and nonchronic toxic encephalopathy. They were all examined using an otoneurological test battery, including analysis of saccades, smooth pursuit, visual suppression of the vestibular ocular reflex, and dynamic posturography.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy referents several of the subjects, even in the nonchronic toxic encephalopathy group, showed a reduced visual suppression ability, a prolonged latency of saccades, and pathological posturographic results. Some otoneurological tests correlated with the duration of exposure and the results of psychometric tests representing memory and perceptual skills. Nevertheless, there was no significant group correlation between the otoneurological findings and the diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy.

CONCLUSION

Disturbances revealed by an otoneurological investigation have so far not been considered in the diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy. Our results indicate that an otoneurological test battery adds worthwhile information about lesions within the brainstem-cerebellar complex not revealed by a psychometric investigation.

Are the effects of toluene on the vestibulo and opto-ocular motor system inhibited by the action of GABAB antagonist CGP 35348?

The acute effects of toluene and a selective GABAB-antagonist, CGP 35348, on the vestibulo and opto-ocular motor (VOOM) system in rats were investigated by recording of compensatory eye-movements during vestibular and optokinetic stimulations. It has previously been demonstrated that toluene enhances the performance of the basic vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR) and depresses the effects of the visual input to this reflex. It has been proposed that these effects are caused by alterations of the GABA-transmission system in the cerebellum. It has now been demonstrated that the exaggerating effects of toluene on the VOR, tested by angular horizontal acceleration/deceleration of the animals in darkness, are inhibited by CGP 35348 in a dose related way. On the contrary, the depressing effects on the visual input, tested by optokinetic stimulation, by angular acceleration/deceleration with a simultaneous conflicting visual stimulation and by eliciting saccades, could not be prevented by CGP 35348. The results support the hypothesis that toluene causes some of the effects on the VOOM system by influence on the GABA-transmission. The findings are in agreement with a recent report of increased levels of extracellular GABA in the cerebellar cortex during exposure to toluene.

Macrovascular causes underlying otoneurological disturbances

In the diagnostic procedure for patients with symptoms and signs indicating VIIIth nerve or brain stem disturbances, the possible presence of tumors, infarcts, bleedings or microvascular loops are taken into account. Ten patients with vertigo, balance disorders, tinnitus or unilateral hearing loss proved to have a similar cause underlying the disturbances. They ranged in age from 51 to 80 years and had a duration of their symptoms of 1-10 years. In the test battery audiology, electronystagmography, broad-frequency rotatory testing and dynamic posturography were used. No uniform pattern was present. The results showed VIIIth nerve as well as CNS signs. Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm were observed. CT, NMR or angiography were performed. The common finding for these patients were ectatic vertebral and/or basilar arteries. The size and position of the vessels indicated that compression of the VIIIth nerve or brainstem was the cause underlying their disturbances. To exclude that macrovessels appear in patients without neurotological symptoms and signs 300 consecutive NMR investigations in patients referred for other than neurotogic indications were scrutinized. In these patients no macrovessels were found. The findings indicate that ectatic vessels may cause disturbances mimicking a pontine angle tumor, Meniere's disease and other peripheral or central conditions with inner ear symptoms, vertigo and balance disorders. Arterial loops in the pontine angle may give indications for microvascular surgery, but the big ectatic vertebral and basilar arteries may offer surgical decompression possibilities, though with large risks.

Effects of GABAB activation and inhibition on vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic responses in the pigmented rat

The effects of the GABAB agonist baclofen and the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348, given separately or simultaneously, on the central vestibular system of pigmented rats have been evaluated. Drugs were administered either intramuscularly or intracerebroventricularly. Eye movements were recorded during vestibular, optokinetic and combined visual-vestibular stimulation. Activation of the GABAB receptors by baclofen caused a dose related disturbance of the system, manifested by (1) a decrease of the optokinetic gain, (2) a reduced ability to suppress nystagmus during conflicting vestibular and visual input, and (3) a disability to maintain the eccentric eye position upon a spontaneous saccade. All these effects could be inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by CGP 35348, suggesting that the findings are specifically related to the GABAB receptor. Given separately, the antagonist did not affect the mentioned parameters. During horizontal acceleratory/deceleratory stimulation in darkness baclofen caused a biphasic pattern in the dose-response curves. Small amounts of baclofen caused an increase of the gain and of the duration of poststimulatory nystagmus, while high doses had a depressive action on the same parameters. The stimulating effect of baclofen could be inhibited or even reversed by CGP 35348, which has a depressive effect per se, similar to the effects of baclofen given in the upper range of doses.

Effects of toluene, styrene, trichloroethylene, and trichloroethane on the vestibulo-and opto-oculo motor system in rats

The acute effects of inhalation of four solvents on the central vestibular system of rats were analyzed by recording eye movements upon different stimuli. The dose-response relationship was investigated. Optokinetic stimulation was obtained by placing the animals in front of a surrounding visual pattern, moving at different velocities. The slow-phase eye velocity (SPV) of nystagmus was calculated and divided by the stimulus velocity, giving the gain. All the solvents caused a decrease of the gain. Vestibular stimulation was performed on a turntable by an angular acceleration/deceleration in darkness. The SPV and the duration of the post-stimulatory nystagmus were calculated. The shape of the SPV dose-response curves differed among the four solvents. Toluene, styrene, and trichloroethylene prolonged the duration of nystagmus while trichloroethane did not. A conflicting vestibular and optokinetic stimulation was performed by an angular acceleration/deceleration with a surrounding visual pattern moving with the turntable. All solvents decreased the ability to cancel nystagmus, elicited by vestibular stimulation in conflict with a visual input. Quick movements of the eyes, saccades, were elicited by tactile stimulation. Toluene, styrene, and trichloroethylene changed the generation of the saccades while trichloroethane did not. Most of the findings indicate a common site of action in the central vestibular system, viz, the cerebellar-vestibular circuit. However, within this domain, there are evident differences in the effects among the solvents. This findings, together with previous results obtained in other experimental models of the central nervous system (CNS), suggest that different solvents should be considered as individual compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Influence of Visual and Somatosensory Input on the Vestibulo-Oculomotor Reflex of Pigmented Rats

Eye movements were recorded in the pigmented rat during vestibular, optokinetic and combined visual-vestibular stimulation. The dominant time constant in pigmented rats, tested during angular vestibular stimulation in darkness, is about two times longer than the cupular time constant. The gain and the duration of nystagmus, achieved by angular vestibular stimulation, can be enhanced by visual impulses. This is most evident during an optokinetic temporonasal stimulation, but is also seen with a nasotemporal stimulation. A mere optokinetic monocular stimulation without a synchronous vestibular excitation causes nystagmus only when the stimuli has a temporonasal direction. The duration of nystagmus, achieved by angular vestibular stimulation, is prolonged by disturbances of the neck proprioceptive system. This is more evident during a simultaneous visual input than in darkness. The ability to cancel nystagmus during conflicting vestibular and optokinetic impulses is well developed in the pigmented rat.

The effect of toluene on the vestibulo- and opto-oculomotor system in rats, pretreated with GABAergic drugs

Toluene, an aromatic solvent, prolongs the duration of nystagmus induced by a rotatory acceleration or by an optokinetic stimulation in the pigmented rat. Baclofen, an agonist of GABAB receptors, and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]-pyridin-3-ol (THIP), an agonist of GABAA receptors are able to block this toluene effect on the vestibular system. On the contrary diazepam, which by itself causes an evident reduction of the duration of acceleratory nystagmus, is not able to block the toluene effect. The results indicate that the toluene effect is related to GABA transmission and that the solvent interacts by a rather receptor specific mechanism of action.

Vestibular disturbances after neck muscle sectioning in rat

The nystagmus response to rotatory acceleration was investigated in rats. The stimulus was exerted by a turntable accelerated 13.3%/sec2 for 9 seconds and after 1-2 minutes decelerated accordingly. Eye movements were recorded using the search coil technique. The duration of postrotatory nystagmus and speed of slow component velocity gain were recorded. After unilateral neck muscle sectioning no change appeared. After bilateral sectioning the nystagmus response was increased with a remaining high gain and prolonged response duration. The experiments show the influence by the muscles on the velocity storage mechanism.

Activity in the corpora lutea resulting from sterile matings in Clethrionomys glareolus: a histochemical study

The capacity for steroid production in the corpora lutea (CL) of bank voles was examined by enzyme histochemistry for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The results revealed similar activity in the CL resulting from sterile matings and the CL of pregnancy 2 days after mating. Six days after mating, the CL of pregnancy showed a strong reaction, while there was almost no reaction in the CL from sterile matings, which were clearly regressed at this time. It is suggested that the CL from sterile matings produce progesterone before regression and that this progesterone may prime the luteotrophic complex, increasing fertility of subsequent matings.