Aim of this study was to evaluate the possible use of infrared thermography as a supplementary method to the ankle-brachial index used in assessing the treatment effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The study included 21 patients, mean age was 60.22 years. Healthy control group included 20 persons, mean age was 55.60 years. Patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (Fontaine stages I-III) were admitted for endovascular treatment by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Thermal images and ankle-brachial index values were obtained before and after treatment by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Median temperature change in the treated limb was 0.4℃, for non-treated limb was -0.5℃. The median value of ankle-brachial index in the treated limb increased by 0.17 from 0.81 after the procedure. The median value of ankle-brachial index in the non-treated limb decreased by 0.03 from the value of 1.01. Significant difference between treated limb and non-treated limb in change of ankle-brachial index was found with p value = .0035. The surface temperature obtained by the infrared thermography correlates with ankle-brachial index. We present data showing that the increase of ankle-brachial index is associated with increase of skin temperature in the case of limbs treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Our results also suggest potential of the use of infrared thermography for monitoring foot temperature as a means of early detection of onset of foot ischemic disorders.

• MeSH
• balónková angioplastika * MeSH
• dolní končetina krevní zásobení   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• infračervené záření * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• onemocnění periferních arterií diagnóza   patofyziologie   terapie   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průchodnost cév MeSH
• regionální krevní průtok MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• teplota kůže * MeSH
• termografie metody   MeSH
• termoregulace MeSH
• tlakový index kotník-paže MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Cíl: Endovaskulární techniky uzávěru safény představují miniinvazivní alternativu standardní radikální operace varixů. Cílem této práce je shrnutí našich dosavadních klinických zkušeností s endovenózním laserem. Materiál a metodika: V období 6 let byly provedeny celkem 723 operace kmenových varixů dolních končetin pomocí endovenózního laseru u 630 pacientů. Všichni nemocní byli předoperačně vyšetřeni jednak klinicky a dále pomocí barevného duplexního ultrazvukového přístroje. Pro primární varixy byly provedeny 664 výkony, v 59 případech se jednalo o reoperaci pro recidivu po dříve provedené krosektomii s verifikovaným refluxem v ponechaném kmeni safény. Další pooperační kontroly (klinické vyšetření a duplexní ultrazvuk) byly prováděny za 5 dnů a 1 měsíc po operaci, za dalších 6 měsíců a dále jednou ročně. Hodnocení výsledků bylo provedeno porovnáním klinického skóre CEAP klasifikace a kvality života před a po výkonu a zjištěním výskytu rekanalizací procentuelním zastoupením a také metodou podle Kaplana-Meiera. Výsledky: V pooperačním období nebyla diagnostikována žádná flebotrombóza ani plicní embolizace; z celkového počtu 723 laserem operovaných safén byly pooperační údaje v různých časových intervalech k dispozici v 718 případech (99,3 %). Uzávěr safény byl za 1 měsíc po operaci zjištěn v 97,3 %, zatímco žíla nebyla uzavřena v 2,7 %. Celkově bylo za celé sledované období (1–72 měsíců, průměr 15 měsíců ) v souboru nalezeno 44 neuzavřených žil, což znamená celkový výsledek uzávěrů 93,9 %. Při podstatně přísnějším hodnocení podle Kaplana-Meiera jsme dosáhli 88,9 % úspěšnosti uzávěru safény v době sledování 6 let. Coxova regresní analýza faktorů ovlivňujících neuzavření nebo rekanalizaci safény vybrala z faktorů, které byly sledovány, dva ukazatele ovlivňující neuzavření nebo časnou či pozdní rekanalizaci safény statisticky významně: energii aplikovanou na 1 cm délky žíly (p = 0,04) a výkon laseru (p = 0,04). Kumulativní podíl uzávěrů safény při užití laserové energie větší než 50 J/cm je v horizontu 72 měsíců výrazně vyšší (94 %), než u nemocných ozářených méně než 50 J/cm (87 %), log-rank test 0,039. Při porovnávání vlivu výkonu laserového generátoru na kvalitu uzávěru safény byla na základě hodnot mediánů ve skupinách uzavřených a neuzavřených žil arbitrárně stanovena kritická hranice 13 W a Kaplanovou-Meierovou metodou přežívání byly analyzovány výsledky léčby o výkonu menším než 13 W a větším než 13 W. Při užití hodnot menších než 13 W bylo dosaženo výsledků statisticky významně lepších (p = 0,031) než při hodnotách výkonu větších nebo rovných 13 W. Zaznamenali jsme výrazné zlepšení klinické CEAP klasifikace (před operací průměr 2,22, za 1 měsíc po výkonu 0,24 a při poslední kontrole 0,48 ) a také kvalita života pacientů za 1 měsíc po výkonu byla v porovnání s tradiční operací lepší (p < 0,001). Délka pracovní neschopnosti byla v laserové skupině kratší (medián 0 dnů) oproti klasické léčbě ( medián 40 dnů), p < 0,001. Závěr: Výsledky endovenózní laserové léčby varixů jsou závislé především na přesném předoperačním vyšetření ultrazvukem a na dodržení správných technických parametrů léčby. Tato studie potvrzuje koncept „pomalého” zahřívání žíly s cílem dosažení aplikace dostatečné laserové energie na jednotku délky a optimálního klinického výsledku.

Aims: Endovascular techniques of saphenous ablation are the miniinvasive alternatives of the radical surgical treatment. This study summarizes our own clinical experience with endovenous laser. Material and Methods: During 6 year period we performed in total 723 endovenous laser procedures of trunk varicose veins of lower extremities in 630 patients. Every patient was preoperatively examined clinically and with color duplex machine. Primary varicose veins were operated on in 664 cases, in 59 cases the procedure was performed in recurrent varicose veins with reflux in the residual saphenous trunk. Post-operative follow-up (clinical and duplex ultrasound) was performed after 5 days and 1 month, 6 months and yearly thereafter. The results were evaluated by comparison of CEAP clinical class and quality of life (QoL) pre- and post-operatively, by the percentage of recanalizations and also using Kaplan-Meier life-table method. Results: No thrombosis, nor pulmonary embolism were diagnosed in the post-operative period; from the whole cohort of 723 laser procedures, the postoperative data were available during different time periods in 718 cases (99.3%). Saphenous occlusion was verified in 97.3% after 1 month, non-occlusion or early reopening was seen in 2.7 %. In total, 44 non-occluded trunk veins were found during the whole follow-up period (1–72 months, mean 15 months) which represents the final occlusion result of 93.9%. With stronger Kaplan-Meier analysis, we reached 88.9% occlusion rate during the follow-up period of 6 years. Cox regression analysis of factors influencing non-occlusion and early or late recanalisation of saphenous vein found 2 factors with statistical importance: energy per centimeter of vein length (p = 0.04) and laser power (p = 0.04). Cumulative rate of occlusions in 72 months horizon is significantly higher (94%) in patients treated with more than 50 J/cm compared to less than 50 J/cm (87%), log-rank test 0.039. When comparing the influence of laser power on the quality of saphenous occlusion, the treshold of 13W was set arbitrary based on median values in occluded and non-occluded cohorts and using the Kaplan-Meier survival method, the results of the treatment with power less than 13W and more than 13W were analysed. Using the power values less than 13W, the results were significantly better (p = 0.031) compared to power values of 13 W or more. Mean clinical CEAP classification improved from 2.22 (before operation) to 0.24 (1 month after) and 0.48 ( last visit) and also QoL was significantly better in laser group compared to traditional surgery group (p<0.001). The sick leave was also significantly shorter in the laser group ( median 0 days) compared to traditional group ( median 40 days), p<0.01. Conclusions: The results of endovenous laser ablation of varicose veins depend mainly on meticulous pre-operative ultrasound examination and sufficient technical parameters of the therapy. The present study supports the concept of „slow heating“ during the endovenous laser treatment of varicose veins to achieve sufficient energy per centimetre of the vein and the optimal clinical outcome.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• laserová terapie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• varixy chirurgie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH

Intoxication by staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) is among the most common causes of food-poisoning outbreaks resulting from the consumption of raw milk or products made thereof. The aim of our study was to analyze the thermal stability of SE and evaluate the inactivation of SE types A, B, and C (SEA, SEB, SEC) by autoclaving at 100°C, 110°C, and 121°C. Milk samples were inoculated with 38 Staphylococcus aureus strains that possessed the ability to produce SEA, SEB, or SEC and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. This incubation was followed by heat treatment at 100°C, 110°C, or 121°C for 3 min. Samples were analyzed by Staph. aureus plate count method on Baird-Parker agar and specifically for the presence of SE. An enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assay (ELFA) on a MiniVIDAS analyzer (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Étoile, France) was used to detect SE, which were determined semi-quantitatively based on test values. The obtained results were analyzed by means of nonparametric statistical methods. All samples (100%; 38/38) were SE-positive before heat treatment, and the positivity rates decreased after heat treatment at 100°C, 110°C, and 121°C to 36.8% (14/38), 34.2% (13/38), and 31.6% (12/38), respectively. The rates of positive samples differed between SEA, SEB, and SEC producers: SEA was detected in the highest amounts both before and after heat treatment. The amount of SE (expressed as test values) decreased significantly after heat treatment. Comparing amounts of SE in positive and negative samples before and after heat treatment, we can conclude that the success of SE inactivation depends on the amount present before heat treatment. The highest amount of SE and the highest rate of SE-positive samples after all heat treatments were found in samples with strains producing SEA. For SEB and SEC, lower amounts of enterotoxin were present and were inactivated at 100°C. Although temperatures of 100°C, 110°C, and 121°C may inactivate SE in milk, the key measures in prevention of staphylococcal enterotoxicosis are avoiding initial contamination of milk by Staph. aureus, promoting consumption of heat-treated milk, and preventing disruption of the cold chain during milk production and processing.

• MeSH
• chlazení MeSH
• enterotoxiny analýza   chemie   MeSH
• mastitida skotu mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mléko chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• potravinářská mikrobiologie metody   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• stabilita léku MeSH
• stafylokokové infekce veterinární   MeSH
• Staphylococcus aureus metabolismus   MeSH
• vysoká teplota * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: The consumption of venison from deer species has increased in recent years owing to presumably positive health effects. Therefore a comparison was made of the physical characteristics, chemical composition and sensory attributes of meat obtained from red deer, fallow deer and Aberdeen Angus and Holstein cattle raised under conditions typical for commercial farming practice and slaughtered at similar ages. RESULTS: Venison had one-quarter the crude fat content, lower total collagen and a higher proportion of heat-soluble collagen. It was darker and less yellow than beef. Deer species provided meat with higher polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and lower atherogenic index. In addition, the venison of red deer contained five times as much n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as the beef. Steaks prepared from venison were scored higher than beef for flavour and aroma intensity; they were also tenderer and more easily chewable. CONCLUSION: Compared with beef, venison from two widely farmed deer species was superior in nutrient composition, thus offering potential benefits for human consumption, and it received higher scores for most of the sensory attributes examined.

• MeSH
• ateroskleróza MeSH
• barva MeSH
• chuť * MeSH
• kolagen analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• maso analýza   normy   MeSH
• mechanický stres MeSH
• nutriční hodnota * MeSH
• odoranty * MeSH
• omega-3 mastné kyseliny analýza   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• tuky analýza   MeSH
• vysoká zvěř * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Úvod: Evokované potenciály vyvolané kontaktním teplem (contact heat evoked potentials; CHEPs) představují novou metodiku testování funkce tenkých nervových vláken a spinotalamických drah. Cílem práce bylo ověřit platnost publikovaných normativních dat v české populaci a vliv parametrů testování a fyziologických proměnných na parametry CHEPs. Soubor a metody: Vyšetření proběhlo v souborech 97 zdravých dobrovolníků (53 žen, věk 20-82 let) a 37 pacientů s diabetickou distální symetrickou senzomotorickou polyneuropatií (DSPN) (14 žen, věk 29-77 let). Testování CHEPs bylo provedeno na dorzu ruky a distálně na bérci pomocí základního a intenzivního teplotního algoritmu. Výsledky: Testování CHEPs bylo většinou dobře tolerováno. Naprostá většina hodnot amplitud i latencí v souboru zdravých kontrol odpovídala normálním rozmezím hodnot těchto parametrů v publikovaných souborech zdravých dobrovolníků. Latence odpovědí byly významně ovlivněny použitým teplotním algoritmem a testovanou lokalizací (p < 0,001) a byly signifikantně kratší u žen (p < 0,05). Amplitudy CHEPs byly u žen naopak vyšší (p < 0,05). Pokles amplitud byl patrný u jedinců vyššího věku (p < 0,05). Pacienti s DSPN vykazovali delší latence (p < 0,05) a nižší amplitudy (p < 0,05) oproti kontrolnímu souboru. Závěry: Publikovaná normativní data CHEPS jsou využitelná pro českou populaci. Při interpretaci výsledků je nutné zohlednit fyziologické proměnné (pohlaví, věk) a parametry testování (testovaná lokalizace, teplotní algoritmus). Na skupinové úrovni je vyšetření využitelné k pomocné diagnostice postižení tenkých nervových vláken v rámci DSPN.

Introduction: Contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) represent a new neurophysiological method of functional testing of small nerve fibers and the spinothalamic tracts. The study aimed to confirm the validity of published normal values for this method in the Czech population and to evaluate the influence of physiological and test-related variables on the CHEPs response. Patients and methods: Two groups were included in the study - a healthy control group (97 healthy volunteers; 53 women; age range 20–82 years) and a group of patients with diabetic distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN group, 37 patients; 14 women; age range 29-77 years). In all of the participants, CHEPs were examined in the dorsum of the hand and above the ankle using basic and intensive temperature algorithm. Results: The CHEPs testing was mostly well-tolerated. The vast majority of the latencies and amplitudes of the CHEPs responses obtained in the healthy control group fell within the reference range according to the published normal values. Test-related variables showed also a highly significant impact on CHEPs values - the latencies were shorter in hands (compared to the calf) and whenever the intensive temperature algorithm was used (p < 0.001 in both cases). Women had significantly higher amplitudes and shorter latencies (p < 0.05). Older volunteers had significantly lower amplitudes (p < 0.05) than the younger ones. The DSPN group had longer latencies (p < 0.05) and lower amplitudes (p < 0.05) in comparison with control group. Conclusion: The study confirmed validity of published normal values for the Czech population. For precise evaluation of the results, physiological (gender, age) and test-related parameters (tested area, temperature algorithm) should be taken into account. On a group level, CHEPs proved to be a useful tool for small-nerve fiber dysfunction assessment in DSPN.

• Klíčová slova
• spinotalamická dráha, normativní data,
• MeSH
• diabetické neuropatie diagnóza   MeSH
• diagnostické techniky neurologické MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• klinická studie jako téma MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuralgie * diagnóza   patofyziologie   MeSH
• neuropatie tenkých vláken * diagnóza   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• somatosenzorické evokované potenciály MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients represent a natural model of relationship between changed hormonal level and pain perception due to lower level of sex hormones and consistently described increased pain threshold. As the adrenal stress steroid hormones (cortisol and DHEA) are known to be also changed in AN (and share a common precursor), our study was aimed to analyze the association between these hormones and pain perception in AN patients and control healthy women. METHODS: The pain threshold latencies to radiant heat stimuli were measured in 20 DSM-IV diagnosed patients with AN and in 21 healthy women. Blood samples were collected in the morning hours and analyses of the plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its conjugated sulfate ester (DHEA-S) and cortisol were implemented. RESULTS: Thermal pain threshold was higher in AN than in healthy women and correlated negatively with the level of DHEA and positively with cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio. No significant correlation between thermal pain and hormones was found in healthy women. If both groups were pooled together, the rest pain threshold correlated negatively with DHEA-S (r=-0.42, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: We showed for the first time that sensitivity to thermal pain in women is dependent on DHEA-S and on cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio in patients with AN.

• MeSH
• analýza párové shody MeSH
• dehydroepiandrosteron krev   MeSH
• dehydroepiandrosteronsulfát krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hydrokortison krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mentální anorexie krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• neparametrická statistika MeSH
• nocicepce fyziologie   MeSH
• práh bolesti fyziologie   MeSH
• referenční hodnoty MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• vysoká teplota MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Characterizing Black Carbon (BC) at regional background areas is important for better understanding its impact on climate forcing and health effects. The variability and sources of Equivalent Black Carbon (EBC) in PM10 (atmospheric particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm) have been investigated during a 5-year measurement period at the National Atmospheric Observatory Košetice (NAOK), Czech Republic. Ground based measurements were performed from September 2012 to December 2017 with a 7-wavelength aethalometer (AE31, Magee Scientific). The contributions of fossil fuel (EBCff) and biomass burning (EBCbb) were estimated using the aethalometer model. Seasonal, diurnal and weekly variations of EBC were observed that can be related to the sources fluctuations and transport characteristic of pollutants predominantly associated with regional air masses recirculating over the Czech Republic and neighboring countries. The absorption Ångström exponent (α-value) estimated in summer (1.1 ± 0.2) was consistent with reported value for traffic, while the mean highest value (1.5 ± 0.2) was observed in winter due to increased EBCbb accounting for about 50% of the total EBC. This result is in agreement with the strong correlation between EBCbb and biomass burning tracers (levoglucosan and mannosan) in winter. During this season, the concentrations of EBCbb and Delta-C (proxy for biomass burning) reached a maximum in the evening when increasing emissions of wood burning in domestic heating devices (woodstoves/heating system) is expected, especially during the weekend. The diurnal profile of EBCff displays a typical morning peak during the morning traffic rush hour and shows a decreasing concentration during weekends due to lower the traffic emission.

• MeSH
• aerosoly MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice chemie   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• uhlík * chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the city of Ostrava. Thus, in 2018, a project entitled "Validation of the relationships between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations, and morbidity and mortality, in the heavily polluted region in the Czech Republic," was launched. The relationship between hospital admissions and mortality in the said region is based primarily on short-term PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and indicative PM1 measurement. The analysis of spatiotemporal variations and the relationship between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 data from 3 measurement sites within the city of Ostrava is presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis was based on the daily average PM concentrations for 5 and 6 months at 2 sites, and on the annual average values (2018-2019) at the baseline station. The correlations of and variability between PM fractions, seasonal differences and explanation of the differences found were the objectives of a detailed analysis. Especially, the potential PM1 variability and its causes were analyzed with respect to the location of the site. RESULTS: The study findings confirmed good correlations between the PM fractions. Compared to PM10, PM2.5 concentrations were more predictive for PM1 concentrations. The annual means of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 reached 37.5, 29.9 and 27.1 μg/m3 in 2018, respectively, and 25.8, 19.9 and 17.9 μg/m3 in 2019, respectively. The concentration levels in the non-heating season were significantly lower than in the heating season in the 2 years under consideration. The levels of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were significantly correlated (the correlation coefficient, r > 0.96). The levels of PM2.5 represented about 0.82-0.86 of PM10, and the levels of PM1 about 0.92-0.93 of PM2.5. These ratios were found to differ in the heating and non-heating seasons, with the PM2.5-PM10 ratio ranging 0.61-0.63 in the non-heating seasons. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations found will be used for indicative PM1 measurements in other areas of the region. Seasonal variability should be taken into account as well. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):249-58.

• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• nemocnice MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This aim of this study is to determine the elastoplastic properties of Ni-free Al3FeSi2 intermetallic coatings grown on medical stainless steel under different experimental conditions. Elastoplastic properties are defined by the plasticity index (PI), which correlates the hardness and the Young's modulus. Special emphasis is devoted to correlate the PI with the wear resistance under sliding contact, determined by scratch testing, and fracture toughness, determined by using a novel method based on successive impacts with small loads. With regard to the substrate, the developed coatings are harder and exhibit a lower Young's reduced modulus, irrespective of the experimental conditions. It has been shown that preheating of the samples prior to hot dipping and immersion influences the type and volume fraction of precipitates, which in turn also affect the nanomechanical properties. The higher the preheating temperature is, the greater the Young's reduced modulus is. For a given preheating condition, an increase of the immersion time yields a decrease in hardness. Although apparent friction coefficients of coated specimens are smaller than those obtained on AISI 316 LVM, they increase when using preheating or higher immersion times during processing, which correlates with the PI. The presence of precipitates produces an increase in fracture toughness, with values greater than those presented by samples processed on melted AlSi alloys with lower Si content (12 wt%). Therefore, these intermetallic coatings could be considered "hard but tough", suitable to enhance the wear resistance, especially when using short periods of immersion.

• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály chemie   MeSH
• hliník chemie   MeSH
• křemík chemie   MeSH
• mechanické jevy * MeSH
• modul pružnosti MeSH
• nanotechnologie * MeSH
• nerezavějící ocel chemie   MeSH
• slitiny * MeSH
• tvrdost MeSH
• vysoká teplota * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

1. An experimental peripheral neuropathy (EPN) was induced in three monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) by ligation of spinal nerve L7. Behavioral responses to innocuous mechanical stimuli were tested before and after the surgery. Two weeks after the nerve ligation, the activity of spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons was recorded on both sides of the spinal cord with the animal under general anesthesia. Responses of the STT neurons to the following stimuli applied to the skin were recorded: graded mechanical stimuli (brush, press, pinch and squeeze), von Frey filaments of different bending forces (0.077-19.05 g), 5-s heat stimuli ranging from 39 to 53 degrees C, and 15 s cold stimuli (32-8 degrees C). 2. Innocuous mechanical stimulation of the foot did not evoke hindlimb withdrawal in the animals before surgery. Within 24-48 h after nerve ligation, the animals showed hindlimb withdrawal to the same innocuous stimuli. This behavior was more pronounced on the side of the ligation than on the sham-operated side and more frequent during the second week after the surgery. 3. Responses of 51 STT neurons recorded on the side of the ligation (EPN all group) were compared with responses of 33 STT cells recorded on the sham-operated side (control group) and with records from STT neurons in unoperated animals obtained earlier (reference group). Neurons from the EPN all group were divided into two sets according to their rostrocaudal location (EPN R, rostral to L6/7 border, n = 40; EPN C, caudal to L6/7 border, n = 11). 4. Neurons from the EPN all and EPN R groups had significantly higher background frequencies than those from the control and reference groups. Innocuous brush stimuli evoked mean discharge frequencies of approximately 35 Hz in EPN R neurons and only approximately 15 Hz in both control and reference groups. Increased responsiveness of EPN R neurons to innocuous stimuli was also demonstrated by lower thresholds and higher discharge frequencies to von Frey filament stimulation and by discriminative analysis of the responses evoked by graded mechanical stimuli. 5. The responses of the EPN R neurons to heat stimulation of the skin showed decreased thresholds and increased responses to suprathreshold stimuli, resulting in a significant leftward shift of the stimulus-response curve compared with both reference and control groups. The neurons from the control group showed responses comparable to reference group values. 6. Neurons from the reference group tested with the cooling stimuli showed no evoked response above background.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

• MeSH
• elektrofyziologie MeSH
• fyzikální stimulace MeSH
• Macaca fascicularis MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• nemoci periferního nervového systému * patofyziologie   MeSH
• nervové dráhy fyziologie   MeSH
• nervus ischiadicus fyziologie   MeSH
• nízká teplota MeSH
• tractus spinothalamicus cytologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• vysoká teplota MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. MeSH