Effect of inorganic fluorine compounds on the functional state of the pituitary-testis system

The radioimmunological method was applied to the study of blood testosterone, LH, and FSH content in 41 men suffering from fluorosis, aged from 33 to 45 years. Nineteen men who had no contact with fluorine compounds served as control. In comparison with healthy individuals testosterone content proved to be decreased and FSH content elevated in patients with fluorosis. Blood LH content was increased only in those patients with fluorosis who had long contact with fluorine compounds (over 15 years). The changes in the blood hormone concentration were connected with disturbances of the hormonal, and, possibly, of the germenative function of the testes. The hypophysis proved to suffer less, and the changes of its function were apparently secondary in character.     

Diurnal dynamics of the functional state of the nervous system in students of occupational-technical secondary schools

The effect of the proteins and vitamin "D" deficiency in the diet on the formation of the calcium-binding protein (CaBP), absorption of calcium in the small intestine and on the Ca and P content in blood serum of rats was studied. The resulting data demonstrate that hypovitaminosis "D" leads to a significantly reduced formation of CaBP, diminished absorption of tagged C35 in the small intestine and Ca and P level in the blood serum. The decline of these values is observed in cases of protein deficiency and with rising protein shortage these changes become more marked. A further fall of the CaBP level, of the labelled calcium absorption and of the serumal Ca and P is observed with simultaneous action on the organism of the proteins and vitamin "D" deficiency.     

A single-channel implantable microstimulator for functional neuromuscular stimulation

This paper describes a single-channel implantable microstimulator for functional neuromuscular stimulation. This device measures 2 x 2 x 10 mm3 and can be inserted into paralyzed muscle groups by expulsion from a hypodermic needle. Power and data to the device are supplied from outside by RF telemetry using an amplitude-modulated 2-MHz RF carrier generated using a high-efficiency class-E transmitter. The transmitted signal carries a 5-b address which selects one of the 32 possible microstimulators. The selected device then delivers up to 2 microC of charge store in a tantalum chip capacitor for up to 200 microseconds (10 mA) into loads of < 800 omega through a high-current thin-film iridium-oxide (IrOx) electrode (approximately 0.3 mm2 in area). A bi-CMOS receiver circuitry is used to: generate two regulated voltage supplies (4.5 and 9 V), recover a 2-MHz clock from the carrier, demodulate the address code, and activate the output current delivery circuitry upon the reception of an external command. The overall power dissipation of the receiver circuitry is 45-55 mW. The implant is hermetically packaged using a custom-made glass capsule.     

Response of the functional system of respiration to the cyclic changes of the hormonal state in women

Elderly cataract patients frequently have comorbid multisystem disease. Local or regional anesthesia is provided to reduce complications of retrobulbar infiltration. Performing painless eye blocks without sedation is probably the safest route.     

A dynamic model of the hand with application in functional neuromuscular stimulation

Potential hand function in people with tetraplegia was evaluated using a three-dimensional dynamic mathematical model. The model was used to evaluate hand positioning, grasp force, and the outcome of surgeries such as tendon transfers and joint fusion, in situations typical of those encountered when using functional neuromuscular stimulation to restore function in people with tetraplegia. In the model, the hand is treated as a jointed multibody system. Each joint is subjected to muscle moments, passive joint moment, and moments due to grasp forces. Model simulations showed that function was highly dependent on both muscle strength and joint passive moments. The potential for tendon transfers, such as the Zancolli-lasso and intrinsicplasty, plasty, to improve hand function was demonstrated, but their value is subject-dependent. It was also shown that activation of multiple thumb muscles (adductor pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, and flexor pollicis longus) without interphalangeal joint fusion can provide convenient lateral pinch posture with approximately 70% more grip force than a currently used method, which includes joint fusion but requires only one muscle. Finally, a grasp protocol was introduced and shown successful in palmar grasp and hold of movable cylindrical objects using only extrinsic muscles, provided the fingers could be extended sufficiently to enclose the object.     

Method of assessing the functional state of the human body

The article demonstrates an algorithm to evaluate functional state of operators exposed to ecologic hazards. The evaluation of the functional state includes analysis of the heart rhythm registered for 2 minutes. The functional state is assessed through an Indicator of Regulatory Systems Activity (IRSA), obtained by summation of all the values in modulus. IRSA values define 5 functional states: norm; functional strain moderate, marked and extreme; asthenia of regulatory systems. The algorithm suggested differs from the known ones in some features as follows. The diagnosis of heterotopic arrhythmia serves for more precise code demonstrating the heart automatism; formed on the basis of variation coefficient, the code demonstrating stability of the regulation proves the status of stable or disordered regulation; the code demonstrating activities of subcortical neural centers is formed on the basis of measured relative capacity of primary and secondary respiratory waves.     

Structural state and mechanical properties of the material in the sialon-titanium nitride system after radiant heating

Conclusions Short-term radiant heating of the material of the Sialon-titanium nitride system in the temperature range 1230–2300°C is accompanied by oxidation of the titanium nitride with oxidation of rutile and titanium oxynitride (the lattice spacing of these compounds increases with increasing temperature) and also by the breakdown of '-Si₃N₄ to -Si₃N₄ and '-phase with a higher aluminum and oxygen content. The formation of rutile reduces the hardness of the material whereas formation of the oxynitride increases this parameter. A liquid phase consisting mainly of silicon and titanium disilicate appears on the surface of the specimens at temperatures above 1500°C. The material retains satisfactory strength in air at temperatures of up to 1200°C.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 5(305), pp. 60–66, May, 1988.The authors are grateful to V. V. Kovylyaev and V. V. Traskovskii for help in the experiments.     

Criterion significance of erythrocyte membranes adrenoreceptors functional index for evaluating the functional state of human operator

In 30 human volunteers who performed operator activity for 25 min on the stand trainer there have been determined the pre- and post-operation magnitude of beta-adrenoception of the cellular membranes (beta-APM) by applying the author's method (Russian Federation Patent), hemodynamic indices, osmoresistance of erythrocytes and the content of total bilirubin in the blood. The quality of operator activity was determined from the amount of erroneous actions and from time (T) spent for their clearing. There exists the direct correlation between the magnitudes of beta-APM and T within the mean ranges of their magnitudes (on evidence derived from histograms). The moderately increased magnitudes of beta-APM (10-16 units) which are in the limits of the norm (10-16 units) determined by us are the criterion of high working capacity of an operator. Magnitudes of beta-APM which are higher than 16 units mesh perfectly with the high quality of operator activity, however, on the screening examination remain, to be considered as the risk factor of developing the stressor-induced diseases.     

Prolonged muscle weakness after neuromuscular blockade in the intensive care unit

As noted, quadriparesis with reduced reflexes and difficulty with ventilator weaning may be seen as a result of a number of neuromuscular disorders. The clinical approach relies on exclusion of a central cause first, followed by careful examination of peripheral nerve and muscle function. Persistent neuromuscular blockade should be excluded initially because it is a readily reversible condition. Use of a train of four stimulation with a peripheral twitch monitor can quickly establish integrity of conduction across the neuromuscular junction. If necessary, further electrophysiologic studies allow differentiation among the relevant diagnostic possibilities. CIP is characterized by nerve conduction and EMG findings consistent with axonal degeneration of sensory and motor fibers. GBS is distinguished by evidence of demyelination on nerve conduction studies, in addition to elevated spinal fluid protein. Persistent neuromuscular blockade is identified by a decremental response on repetitive stimulation studies of neuromuscular transmission. The acute myopathy following neuromuscular blockage does not involve sensory responses. Needle EMG examination reflects a myopathic pattern, rather than a neurogenic one as seen in CIP or GBS. In myopathic patients who are unable to move their limbs at all (precluding a full EMG examination), a muscle biopsy identifies muscle as the site of involvement.