[Isolation and Identification of two Escherichia albertii strains in Shanxi Province, China]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Escherchia albertii in Shanxi province. Methods: The chicken intestines were enriched in EC broth. The eae gene was detected by PCR, and the eae-positive EC enrichments were inoculated in MacConkey agar plate. The eae-positive lactose non-fermenting isolates were presumed as Escherchia albertii, and then analyzed by triplex-PCR, 16S rDNA sequencing and MLST. Results: Two suspected Escherchia albertii were isolated from 250 samples of chicken intestines. It was identified as Escherchia albertii by phenotypic, specific genes,16S rDNA sequencing, and MLST analyses. The cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) showed positive by PCR,and they were clusted to Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴ group by sequencing. Conclusion: This study showed that the Escherchia albertii was existed in Shanxi province, China.

Decreased +gz tolerance following lower body positive pressure: simulated push-pull effect

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to attempt to simulate the push-pull maneuver on a single-axis human centrifuge using lower body positive pressure (LBPP), and to observe the effect of the push-pull maneuver on +Gz tolerance.

METHODS

Six volunteers participated in the experiment. They were subjected to LBPP of up to 300 mm Hg for 1 min. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored before, during and after LBPP. Immediately after LBPP, +Gz tolerance was measured on a human centrifuge.

RESULTS

During LBPP, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) increased significantly, mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased but not significantly, and HR decreased significantly. After LBPP, SBP and MAP decreased significantly, while DBP and HR decreased but not significantly. In all subjects, +Gz tolerance decreased after LBPP. The decreased value was 0.70 +/- 0.06 G, maximum 1.0 G and minimum 0.5 G.

CONCLUSION

The push-pull maneuver can be simulated on a single-axis human centrifuge using LBPP. The physiologic effects of LBPP were similar to those of -Gz. We observed that +Gz tolerance decreased after LBPP, which confirmed the push-pull effect from the experiment.

[Hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog]

AIM

To investigate the character of hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog.

METHODS

Nine anesthesia dogs were exposed to 5, 7 and 9 + Gz stress, 90 s at peak G. Each animal was instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, thoracic aorta pressure, iliac arterial pressure,common carotid artery flow (CCAF) and ECG.

RESULTS

(1) Heart rate, CCAF and blood pressure at any place increased. They were greater than those before + Gz stress (P < 0.05). (2) There were much more arrhythmias following high + Gz stress. Most of arrhythmias were junctional premature beats, ventricular premature beats. 80% arrhythmias occurred within 3 min following + Gz stress. (3) Blood pressure appeared the highest in the second min following + Gz stress.

CONCLUSION

Great hemodynamic disturbance happened following high + Gz stress. There might were reperfusion arrhythmias. Protective measures should been noted following high + Gz stress.

Effects of repeated +Gz exposures on lipid peroxidation of various organs in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the change of lipid peroxidation in various organs of rats after repeated +10 Gz stress.

METHOD

Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (+1 Gz) group and +10 Gz group (n = 10 for each group ). The two groups were exposed to +1 Gz or +10 Gz on an animal centrifuge respectively. The onset rate of +Gz was 0.5 G/s; the sustained time at peak +Gz was 30 s each time, with 5 times/d, 1 min intervals, 3 d/wk, 3 wk in total. The rats were decapitated in ice bath on the next day after the last +Gz exposure. The lung, heart, liver and kidney of rats were collected for the following determinations. These organs were made into homogenates and the mitochondria of heart and kidney were isolated from their homogenates. Then malondialdehyde (MDA) content , superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathion (GSH) concentration in these homogenates and mitochondria were determined individually.

RESULT

Compared with the control, MDA concentration in myocardial mitochondria increased significantly (P < 0.01) after repeated +10 Gz exposures, and the SOD activity in liver homogenate and renal mitochondria decreased remarkably (P < 0. 01). But there was no significant difference between GSH concentrations of the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Repeated +10 Gz stress induced lipid peroxidation injury of myocardial mitochondria and had some influences on the oxygen radical metabolism of liver and kidney in rats.

[Comparison of effects of 5 and 20 Hz magnetic field on cerebral ischemia in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of 5 Hz and 20 Hz magnetic field on cerebral ischemia in rats.

METHOD

After cerebral ischemia was produced by ligation of the left general carotid artery, rats were stimulated by magnetic fields of 5 Hz and 20 Hz respectively and pathological changes in neurocytes were observed.

RESULT

(1) Different pathological changes were observed in different cells; (2) The extent of damage of pyramidal cells was milder in 5 Hz magnetic field groups than those in the control group, and the effect was not remarkable in the 20 Hz group; (3) The effect on astroglia was worse in 5 Hz group than that in control and 20 Hz group.

CONCLUSION

Magnetic field stimulation influences cerebral ischemic reaction with frequency-dependency.

[Data analysis of 492 times centrifuge examination]

Objective. To sum up the experiences and to find the regularity of centrifuge examinations. Method. The data of nine years of centrifuge examination (from 1988 to 1996) of pilots who suffered from black out or LOC frequently were analyzed. Result. There were totally 492 times centrifuge examinations. First centrifuge examination included 229 pilots, 49 qualified, 180 unqualified. Second centrifuge examination included 263 pilots, 50 qualified, 213 unqualified. The pilots were all male. The average age of first centrifuge examination was 29.27 +/- 4.87 years. Average flying time was 1015.24 +/- 131.89 h. 68.7% of their plane was JJ-6 or above. Conclusion. Most pilots undergoing centrifuge examination these nine years were 26-35 year old, and had flown for 601-1200 h. The planes they flew are mostly high-performance fighter aircraft. Close attention must be paid to pilots under similar condition by the flight surgeon. It is recommended that the special equipment of G-tolerance training should be added to the fighter aircraft units.

Unsymmetrical response features of left and right brain to signals from left and right visual fields at different cognitive levels

OBJECTIVE

To study the response characteristics of left and right brain to signals from left (LVF) and right (RVF) visual fields during cognitive activity.

METHOD

ERPs at 9 locations to LVF and RVF signals were compared in 23 normal subjects in 3 task conditions: looking forward only (VC); making switch response to target signals (T) only (SR); making switch response to T differentially (DR).

RESULT

(1) Significant difference in ERPs was found between that induced by LVF and RVF signals on left brain especially at frontal location (F5), which appeared as slow negative deflection induced by T and NT from RVF in SR and DR; (2) Condition-dependent unsymmetrical features between left and right brain were found: the slow potential at F5 was significantly more negative in T and contralateral spatial relation (i. e., left brain for RVF) but more positive in NT and ipsilateral relation than that at F6.

CONCLUSION

Signals with psychological meaning in RVF might cause more psychological load as suggested by the results obtained in this study.

The protection against +Gz afforded by pressure breathing with different pressure schedules

OBJECTIVE

System of pressure breathing for +Gz (PBG) has been incorporated into service in the high performance fighter aircraft, but there were significant differences among PBG pressure schedules used in different countries. The purpose of this study was to define an optimal pressure schedule in PBG system.

METHOD

Five male subjects wearing GZ-2 anti-G suit and medium-sized bladder vest, plus PBG with 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 kPa/G pressure schedules, respectively, were exposed to rapid onset (3.0 G/s) centrifuge +Gz runs. +Gz protection of PBG with each of the three pressure schedules were measured and the subjective ratings were collected.

RESULT

The +Gz protection afforded by PBG with 1.60, 2.40, and 3.20 kPa/G pressure schedules were 2.00 +/- 0.31, 2.54 +/- 0.32, and 2.44 +/- 0.31 G, respectively. Subjective ratings showed that the PBG with 2.40 kPa/G pressure schedule was better than the other two.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that a PBG pressure schedule of 2.4 kPa/G in PBG system is optimal. It not only assures the anti-G performance of PBG, but also reduces its side effects.

Cerebral blood flow velocity by transcranial Doppler during a vertical-rotating table simulation of the push-pull effect

BACKGROUND

The push-pull effect (PPE) has been suspected of causing many aircraft accidents. The perfusion and then withdrawal of cerebral blood during the PPE may change the state of the cerebral blood vessel.

HYPOTHESIS

During head-down tilt (HDT) cerebral vasoconstriction occurs in response to the elevated perfusion pressure to maintain cerebral blood flow, and during subsequent head-up tilt (HUT) the increased resistance of the cerebral blood vessel recovers slowly.

METHODS

Ten healthy male non-pilots were exposed to the following protocol using a rotating-table to simulate the push-pull maneuver: HUT (+1 Gz) for 1 min followed by transition to HDT (-1 Gz) 10 s followed by transition to HUT (+1 Gz) 1 min. Cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility indices in the left middle cerebral artery were continually measured with a transcranial Doppler (TCD) instrument.

RESULTS

Mean blood flow velocity (Vm) increased significantly by 10%, during the first 5 s of HDT, recovered to baseline during HDT 5 10 s, and remained unchanged during subsequent HUT. Systolic blood flow velocity (Vs) increased by 9% during HDT 5-10 s and 11% during HUT 0-5 s. Diastolic blood flow velocity (Vd) decreased by -9% during HDT 5-10 s, and -22% during HUT 0-5 s. Vs-Vd increased by 26% during HDT 5 10 s, and 41%, during HUT 0-5 s. Pulsatile indices (PI) and resistance index (RI) increased by 26%) and 15% during HDT 5-10 s, and by 40% and 27% during HUT 0-5 s, respectively. Vs, Vs-Vd, PI, and RI remained at the higher level, and Vd remained at the lower level to HDT 15-20 s.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that cerebral vasoconstriction occurred to prevent brain over-perfusion during HDT. During HUT, the elevated resistance of the cerebral vessel remained at the higher level for about 20 s, and may have worsened the cerebral perfusion from exposure to +Gz. This may be one of the mechanisms of PPE.

[EEG synchronization index spectrum: definition, calculation and the changes related to visual selective response]

OBJECTIVE

EEG synchronization is usually estimated in terms of coherence amplitude, but the estimation is with apparent uncertainty because of the poor resolution both in time and frequency. The purpose of this work is to surmount this problem.

METHOD

A new definition of EEG synchronization index spectrum [SynI(f)] was developed basing on the distribution characteristics of EEG coherence phase which was calculated by a tested algorithm with 1 s and 1 Hz resolution. The basic feature and its changes during visual selective responses were calculated in 25 normal subjects. EEG signals were recorded from 9 locations in two conditions: looking at the central LED only(VC) and making switch response to the target LED flash signals (T) differentially (DR): switch to left or right for Ts from left (LVF) or right (RVF) visual field, repectively but making no response to the non-target ones (NT).

RESULT

(1) The frequency dependency of SynI varied with brain location, e.g., SynI was higher in alpha range than others at frontal locations but the situation reversed at posterior locations. (2) The SynIs between midline and right brain locations were higher than that between mid line and left ones. (3) As compared with VC, SynI was increased in DR condition at central and posterior brain locations but not frontal ones, it happened mainly in 7-23 Hz at central locations but in 1-4 Hz at posterior ones. (4) The augmentation of SynI in DR was greater for T than for NT signals.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the SynI(f) was meaningful for studying the frequency-spatial feature of EEG synchronization change among brain locations related to cognitive activities.

[Effects of rotating-table simulated "push-pull maneuver" on cerebral circulation function]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the change and regulation of cerebral circulation during rotating-table simulated push-pull maneuver.

METHOD

A special rotating-table was used to simulate the push-pull maneuver. 10 healthy adults were subjected to a series of "head-up stand (+1Gz) 1 min head-down stand (-1Gz) 10 s and head-up stand (+1Gz) 1 min" changes. Cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility indices in the left middle cerebral artery were constantly measured with a TC2020TCD using Transcranial Doppler [correction of Transcanial Dopplor] instrument.

RESULT

During 10 s head-down stand (-1Gz) systolic velocity (Vs) increased, diastolic velocity (Vd) decreased, and the pulsatility indices (PI and RI) increased significantly in the left middle cerebral artery. During subsequent head-up stand (+1Gz), these changes didn't resume immediately and maintained for at least 20 s.

CONCLUSION

This result implied that the push-pull maneuver increased the resistance of the cerebral vessels, which might be one of the mechanisms of the push-pull effect.

[Integrated protection capability afforded by a new type capstan anti-G equipment and anti-G straining maneuver]

Objective. To investigate the integrated protection capability afforded by a new type capstan anti-G equipment and anti-G straining maneuver, as a result we discussed the feasibility of protection for 8 G 10 s (rapid onset runs at 2 G/s) acceleration using an associated precept with the above both anti-G measures. Method. This study was accomplished using the human centrifuge with rapid onset at 2 G/s. First, we determined the relaxed +Gz tolerance of nine male aviation students, and then determined theirs most + Gz tolerance while thereinto the five aviation students using a new type capstan anti-G suit (NKH) + a new type anti-G valve (NKT) + L-1 anti-G straining maneuver (L-1) and the other four aviation students using a new type capstan counterpressure suit (NDC) + the new type anti-G valve (NKT) + L-1. Result. The most +Gz tolerance of five students was 8.80 +/- 0.27 G while using NKH + NKT + L-1 and was higher than their relaxed +Gz tolerance at 4.60 +/- 0.42 G (P< 0.01) and that the most +Gz tolerance of four students was 8.75 +/- 0.50 G while using NDC + NKT + L-1 and was higher than their relaxed +Gz tolerance at 4.50 +/- 0.46 G (P< 0.01). Conclusion. Pilot will be capable against the 8 G 10 s (rapid onset runs at 2 G/s) effectively using the new type capstan anti +/- G equipment and anti +/- G straining maneuver, and the provided precept has availability.

[Technical consideration of setting up a specification for human centrifuge evaluation of anti-G equipment]

Anti-G equipment needs to be evaluated using human centrifuge before further developed. However, there isn't a general specification for human centrifuge evaluation of anti-G equipment. From related literature and from our over thirty years experience in this area, we sum up to five aspect technical consideration below: human centrifuge, medical specification for using human in +Gz stress experiment, anti-G equipment experimental assembly, principle should be abided by during human centrifuge evaluation of anti-G equipment. We hope that the technical considerations mentioned in the paper should be helpful to the work of setting up a specification for human centrifuge evaluation anti-G equipment. After we have a specification, the research will be conducted orderly and the anti-G [correction of an-G] equipment will be developed sequentially.

[Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on brain response to selective mental arithmetic under simulated weightlessness]

Objective. To study effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELMF) on brain function state during weightlessness. Method. The brain event-related potentials (ERPs) during a selective mental arithmetic task were compared in 40 normal subjects (20-25 yrs) before and after ELMF (5 Hz) stimulation during simulated weightlessness (head down tilt -10 degrees, HDT). Result. The amplitude of slow positive potentials which were supposed to be related to the mental arithmetic activity decreased significantly especially in 100 min after HDT, but it did not decrease significantly after ELMF stimulation. Conclusion. ELMF stimulation may improve the brain function state during simulated weightlessness.

[Two high performance fighter pilots with low +Gz tolerance rectified by centrifuge training]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the effects of training on rectifying two high performance fight aircraft pilots with low +Gz tolerance.

METHODS

Anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM) and pressure breathing for +Gz (PBG) maneuver were trained during centrifuge +Gz stress.

RESULTS

After training, the +Gz tolerances with AGSM, and with PBG and anti-G suit were enhanced by 3.0 ~ 3.25 G and 2.75 ~ 3.0 G, respectively. The combined +Gz tolerance was higher than the relaxed +Gz tolerance by 4.25 ~ 4.5 G. Both two pilots had passed the 8 G 10 s SACM +Gz profile and reached the standard of training.

Effect of simulated weightlessness on the response characteristics of human brain

In order to systematically investigate the effects of simulated weightlessness on the function state of human brain, 15 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) was used to simulate weightlessness, and the response changes of event-related EEG power spectra, medium-frequency synchronous potentials and slow-waves were examined in the present study. It was found that HDT had characteristic effects on the above EEG responses, suggesting that the effects mainly occurred in the brain's regulatory system, therefore, resulting in changes of the brain function state.