Methods of analyzing dynamic responses of temperature-sensitive neurones.

Methods are described for analyzing the dynamic responses of temperature-sensitive neurones or receptors using a computer facility. The methods allow correlation of impulse frequency with temperature changes or with the rate of temperature changes independent of the time course of the temperature change. Different types of dynamics responses and different thermal sensitivities could be distinguished.     

Extracellular proteins as enterobacterial thermometers

Biological thermometers are cellular components or structures which sense increasing temperatures, interaction of the thermometer and the thermal stress bringing about the switching-on of inducible responses, with gradually enhanced levels of response induction following gradually increasing temperatures. In enterobacteria, for studies of such thermometers, generally induction of heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis has been examined, with experimental studies aiming to establish (often indirectly) how the temperature changes which initiate HSP synthesis are sensed; numerous other processes and responses show graded induction as temperature is increased, and how the temperature changes which induce these are sensed is also of interest. Several classes of intracellular component and structure have been proposed as enterobacterial thermometers, with the ribosome and the DnaK chaperone being the most favoured, although for many of the proposed intracellular thermometers, most of the evidence for their functioning in this way is indirect. In contrast to the above, the studies reviewed here firmly establish that for four distinct stress responses, which are switched-on gradually as temperature increases, temperature changes are sensed by extracellular components (extracellular sensing components, ESCs) i.e. there is firm and direct evidence for the occurrence of extracellular thermometers. All four thermometers described here are proteins, which appear to be distinct and different from each other, and on sensing thermal stress are activated by it to four distinct extracellular induction components (EICs), which interact with receptors on the surface of organisms to induce the appropriate responses. It is predicted that many other temperature-induced processes, including the synthesis of HSPs, will be switched-on following the activation of similar extracellular thermometers by thermal stimuli.     

Haloperidol produces hypothermic effects in rats

Intraperitoneal administration of either haloperidol or chlorpromazine produced hypothermia both in the cold (8 degrees C) and at room temperature (22 degrees C). The hypothermia was brought about both by a decrease in metabolic heat production and an increase in the cutaneous temperature of tail and foot skin. However, at a higher temperature (29 degrees C), there were no changes in rectal temperature and other thermoregulatory responses.     

Microbial thermosensors

Temperature is among the most important of the parameters that free-living microbes monitor. Microbial physiology needs to be readjusted in response to sudden temperature changes. When the ambient temperature rises or drops to potentially harmful levels, cells mount protective stress responses—so-called heat or cold shock responses, respectively. Pathogenic microorganisms often respond to a temperature of around 37°C by inducing virulence gene expression. There are two main ways in which temperature can be measured. Often, the consequences of a sudden temperature shift are detected. Such indirect signals are known to be the accumulation of denatured proteins (heat shock) or stalled ribosomes (cold shock). However, this article focuses solely on direct thermosensors. Since the conformation of virtually every biomolecule is susceptible to temperature changes, primary sensors include DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids.     

升高CO2浓度和温度对针叶林的影响以及在川西亚高山针叶林研究中的展望

以CO2浓度和温度升高为主要特征的全球气候变化受到了世界各国科学家们的普遍关注。目前已经有大量关于森林生态系统对全球变化响应的研究报道和综述性文章,涉及分子、生理生态、种群和群落生态以及区域和全球尺度等微观和宏观领域的研究内容,因而要想对森林生态系统对全球变化的响应研究进行全面的综述是相当困难的。因此,本文只简要评述了森林生态系统对升高CO2浓度和温度响应研究中的诸如CO2浓度和温度升高对森林生长和生产力的影响、森林生态系统物种组成和多样性对升高CO2浓度和温度的响应、植被变化与全球碳循环的互动以及气候变化与森林生态系统生物地球化学循环的关系等几个热点问题。川西亚高山针叶林区为我国的第二大林区,地处高山峡谷地带,是全球变化的敏感地带。相对简单的植物群落结构、较低的物种丰富度和多样性、巨大的冷冻土壤碳库、不同演替阶段和功能的植物群落组合以及分布于林线附近的邻接效应等为研究针叶林系统对升高CO2浓度和温度的响应提供了良好的天然实验室。针叶林生产力、植物群落物种组成和多样性以及土壤碳氮过程等对升高CO2浓度和温度的响应对于预测未来气候变化下针叶林系统的生态过程具有重要意义。     

Haloperidol produces hypothermic effects in rats

Summary Intraperitoneal administration of either haloperidol or chlorpromazine produced hypothermia both in the cold (8° C) and at room temperature (22°C). The hypothermia was brought about both by a decrease in metabolic heat production and an increase in the cutaneous temperature of tail and foot skin. However, at a higher temperature (29°C), there were no changes in rectal temperature and other thermoregulatory responses.The work reported here was supported by grants from the National Science Council of Republic of China and J. Aron Charitable Foundation (New York, N.Y.). The authors are grateful to Dr C.Y. Chai for his advice during the experimentation. The generous support of Dr C.J. Shih was much appreciated by the authors. Also, we thank Dr C.D. Bloomer (Smith, Kline and French Co.) for the supply of chlorpromazine.     

Pupation-temperature range in 12 Drosophila species from different ecological backgrounds

A comparison of pupation-temperature range was made in the laboratory on a temperature gradient (3-38 degrees C) using 12 species of Drosophila representing four species groups and four different ecological backgrounds (temperate-montane forest: virilis group; desert: repleta group; cosmopolitan: melanogaster group; tropical forest: willistoni group). Within groups, differences are found which usually reflect species' distributions. Comparisons of species' mating-, oviposition- and pupation-temperature ranges reveal that pupation most often occurs at temperatures beyond those for mating and oviposition. Each species reflects a different combination of temperature effects. Individual species have different temperature-limits for mating, oviposition and pupation. Temperatures permissive for one response are not predictive of limits on other responses. Among species, temperature can affect a particular response differently. Within groups, species differences can be at high and/or low temperatures for any response, and temperature effects among closely related species can manifest themselves in one, or any combination of responses. One cannot predict which responses will be most and least limited, or at which end of the temperature scale a response will be most limited. Among groups, common, but not absolute temperature ranges generally correspond to the geographic distributions and ecological backgrounds of the species triads. The evaluation of temperature effects on species, based on a single activity, may not be adequate for predicting adaptive strategies.     

Dynamic insulin secretion from perifused rat pancreatic islets

Insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets of 8- to 12-day-old rats was investigated in a dynamic in vitro (perifusion) system. The aims of the study were (i) to describe a carefully controlled in vitro method to study the mechanism of insulin secretion and to analyse the effects and dynamic interactions of bioactive compounds on isolated rat pancreatic islets, (ii) to validate the method by comparing fundamental data on the functions of the islets obtained with this method to those collected with other techniques; and (iii) to find novel features of the control of insulin secretion. The method was carefully designed to maintain the functional capacity of the explanted cells. A functional standardization system was elaborated consisting of (i) analysis of the changes in the basal hormone secretion of the cells; (ii) evaluating responses to a standard, specific stimuli (50 mM glucose for 3 min); (iii) determining the alteration of the momentary size of the hormone pool with responses to KCl; and (iv) direct determination of the total intracellular hormone content from the extract of the column. The technique provides accurate quantitative data on the dynamic responses to biologically active compounds that act directly on the pancreatic islets. The islets maintained their full responsiveness for up to 7 days, and responses as close as in 1-min intervals could be distinguished. A linear dose-response relationship was found on the glucose-induced insulin release in case of 3-min stimulation with 4 and 500 mM of glucose (lin-log graph). Utilizing this method, we showed that no desensitization to glucose-induced insulin release can be observed if the responsiveness of the cells is properly maintained and the parameters of the stimulation are carefully designed. Exposure of the explanted islets to 10 μM acetylcholine or 30 mM arginine (Arg) induced a transitory elevation of insulin release similar in shape to that experienced after glucose stimulation. Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and somatostatin (SS) did not induce any detectable alteration on the basal insulin secretion of the islets. However, 100 nM SS given together with 50 mM glucose, 30 mM Arg or 10 μM acetylcholine significantly reduced the insulin-releasing effect of these substances (by 75.5, 71.5 and 72.5%, respectively). At the same time, SS did not alter the insulin response of the islets to 100 mM elevation of K⁺ concentration. SS also inhibited glucose-induced insulin release in a dose-dependent way (ED₅₀ = 22 nM). A similar dose-dependent inhibitory effect on glucose-induced insulin release was found with NE (ED₅₀ = 89 nM) and DA (ED₅₀ = 2.2 μM). γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) did not influence insulin release under similar circumstances. Received 16 January 1998; received after revision 6 May 1998; accepted 8 May 1998     

Nowcasting and predicting data revisions using panel survey data

The qualitative responses that firms give to business survey questions regarding changes in their own output provide a real‐time signal of official output changes. The most commonly used method to produce an aggregate quantitative indicator from business survey responses—the net balance or diffusion index—has changed little in 40 years. This paper investigates whether an improved real‐time signal of official output data changes can be derived from a recently advanced method on the aggregation of survey data from panel responses. We find, in a New Zealand application, that exploiting the panel dimension to qualitative survey data gives a better in‐sample signal about official data than traditional methods. Out‐of‐sample, it is less clear that it matters how survey data are quantified, with simpler and more parsimonious methods hard to improve. It is clear, nevertheless, that survey data, exploited in some form, help to explain revisions to official data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于MATLAB的空调房间温控系统的仿真研究

针对空调房间温度的非线性变化纯滞后惯性大等突出问题，建立了一个空调室温控制模型。根据这一模型提出了一种模糊Smith—PID最优控制策略，使用MATLAB对空调房间温度的模型失配时鲁棒特性、抗干扰特性、动态特性等进行仿真研究。结果表明：模糊Smith—PID控制效果均优于常规PID和传统Smith-PID控制，响应快、抗干扰性强、鲁棒性好，并能使房间温度控制在给定温度±0．1℃附近，超调几乎为零，是一种实用而简便的控制方法。     

Modification by levo-propranolol of tremors induced by harmine in mice

Summary It has been recently reported that the levo isomer of propranolol possesses anti-serotonin properties in animals. Since harmine-induced behavioural changes in mice are reported to be mediated through central serotonergic receptors, an attempt was made to test whether 1-propranolol would also modify harmine-induced responses by virtue of its antiserotonergic or anti-adrenergic property. The results indicated that 1- and dl-propranolol inhibited central serotonin receptor mediated responses to harmine in mice, a finding that is analogous to other recent observations.     

Modification by levo-propranolol of tremors induced by harmine in mice

It has been recently reported that the levo isomer of propranolol possesses anti-serotonin properties in animals. Since harmine-induced behavioural changes in mice are reported to be mediated through central serotonergic receptors, an attempt was made to test whether 1-propranolol would also modify harmine-induced responses by virtue of its anti-serotonergic or anti-adrenergic property. The results indicated that l- and dl-propranolol inhibited central serotonin receptor mediated responses to harmine in mice, a finding that is analogous to other recent observations.     

Dantrolene and the effect of temperature on the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction

The characteristic effect of temperature on m.e.p.p. frequency at the amphibian neuromuscular junction is unaltered by the presence of Dantrolene (an agent that is believed to reduce the efflux of Ca2+ from intracellular stores) or by changes in [Ca2+)o. It is concluded that temperature affects the release system directly, with a transition temperature at about 16 degrees C.     

Pupation-temperature range in 12Drosophila species from different ecological backgrounds

Summary A comparison of pupation-temperature range was made in the laboratory on a temperature gradient (3–38°C) using 12 species ofDrosophila representing four species groups and four different ecological backgrounds (temperate-montane forest:virilis group; desert;repleta group; cosmopolitan:melanogaster group; tropical forest:willistoni group). Within groups, differences are found which usually reflect species' distributions. Comparisons of species' mating-, oviposition- and pupation-temperature ranges reveal that pupation most-often occurs at temperatures beyond those for mating and oviposition. Each species reflects a different combination of temperature effects. Individual species have different temperature-limits for mating, oviposition and pupation. Temperatures permissive for one response are not predictive of limits on other responses. Among species, temperature can affect a particular response differently. Within groups, species differences can be at high and/or low temperatures for any response, and temperature effects among closely related species can manifest themselves in one, or any combination of responses. One cannot predict which responses will be most and least limited, or at which end of the temperature scale a response will be most limited. Among groups,common, but notabsolute temperature ranges generally correspond to the geographic distributions and ecological backgrounds of the species triads. The evaluation of temperature effects on species, based on a single activity, may not be adequate for predicting adaptive strategies.     

Selection of biting sites on man by two malaria mosquito species

While searching for blood, female mosquitoes pass through a behavioural process involving responses to visual, physical and chemical properties of the host. Temperature and humidity are thought to dominate mosquito orientation near the host. We observed that biting of two malaria mosquito species, i.e.Anopheles atroparvus (van Thiel) andAnopheles gambiae s.s. (Giles) preferentially occurs on different body regions of a naked motionless human host. Their preference for the head and foot regions respectively correlated with particular combinations of skin temperature and eccrine sweat gland density. Subsequent modification of the host's odour profile by removing exhaled breath and washing feet results in significant changes of these preferences.     

高速铁路钢轨焊接区不平顺的动力效应及其安全限值研究

应用车辆–轨道耦合动力学理论及其仿真分析软件TTISIM,研究了钢轨焊接区低塌不平顺对轮轨动力响应的影响特征,分析了高速行车条件下典型焊接区低塌不平顺波长和幅值对轮轨动力响应的影响规律,在此基础上,提出了高速铁路钢轨焊接区不平顺幅值的安全限值.分析结果表明:钢轨焊接区不平顺会导致明显的轮轨冲击效应,且该冲击作用由短波不平顺所控制;高速行车条件下,轮轨动力响应随着焊接区不平顺波长的增大而减小,随行车速度和不平顺幅值的增大而增大,其中,轮重减载率指标受不平顺波长和幅值的影响更为显著,为钢轨焊接区不平顺作用下行车安全性的首要控制指标;高速行车条件下,钢轨焊接区不平顺幅值的安全限值随行车速度的增大而减小,随不平顺波长的增大而增大,叠合形不平顺幅值的安全限值受短波不平顺(波长小于0.2 m)波长和幅值的影响较大;在200~250 km/h行车速度等级,1 m直尺测量矢度条件下,余弦形低塌不平顺幅值的安全限值为0.82 mm,叠合形低塌不平顺在1 m长波幅值为其作业验收限值0.3 mm时,其短波不平顺幅值的最大安全限值为0.2 mm,叠合形不平顺幅值总的安全限值最大为0.5 mm;在250~350 km/h行车速度等级,1 m直尺测量矢度条件下,余弦形低塌不平顺幅值的安全限值为0.62 mm,叠合形低塌不平顺在1 m长波幅值为其作业验收限值0.2 mm时,其短波不平顺幅值的最大安全限值为0.14 mm,钢轨焊接区叠合形低塌不平顺幅值总的安全限值最大为0.34 mm.研究结果可为高速铁路钢轨顶面焊接区不平顺的养护维修管理提供理论参考.     

Altered hyperemic response of the coronary arterial bed in alloxan-diabetes

Reactive hyperemic responses of the coronary arterial bed, provoked by asphyxia or clamping of the coronary artery, were compared in alloxan-diabetic and metabolically healthy dogs. In alloxan-diabetic dogs the response of the coronary arterial bed lasted longer, and its reactivity to hypoxia was lower. Treatment with adenosine caused less vasodilation in diabetic animals than in controls. These changes may be due to the altered reactivity of diabetic vascular smooth muscle.     

Altered hyperemic response of the coronary arterial bed in alloxan-diabetes

Summary Reactive hyperemic responses of the coronary arterial bed, provoked by asphyxia or clamping of the coronary artery, were compared in alloxan-diabetic and metabolically healthy dogs. In alloxan-diabetic dogs the response of the coronary arterial bed lasted longer, and its reactivity to hypoxia was lower. Treatment with adenosine caused less vasodilation in diabetic animals than in controls. These changes may be due to the altered reactivity of diabetic vascular smooth muscle.     

Dantrolene and the effect of temperature on the spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction

Summary The characteristic effect of temperature on m.e.p.p. frequency at the amphibian neuromuscular junction is unaltered by the presence of Dantrolene (an agent that is believed to reduce the efflux of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores) or by changes in [Ca²⁺]_o. It is concluded that temperature affects the release system directly, with a transition temperature at about 16°C.     

Heterogeneous responses of canine basilar and middle cerebral arteries to serotonin at normal and high CO2 tension.

The responses of basilar arteries (BAs) to serotonin were attenuated by high PCO2 (86 +/- 1 mm Hg) and the pH matched acidotic solution (PCO2 37 +/- 1 mm Hg), whereas the responses of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were not. High PCO2 decreased the basal tone of both arteries, and the changes in basal tone due to high PCO2 were not influenced by 3 x 10(-7) M imipramine, 10(-5) M pargyline or 10(-4) M aspirin. The responses of BAs to serotonin were attenuated by high PCO2 in the presence of imipramine, pargyline and aspirin. The responses of MCAs to serotonin were not influenced by high PCO2 in the presence of pargyline and aspirin, but attenuated by high PCO2 in the presence of imipramine.