We studied somatosensory evoked fields elicited by mechanical vs. electrical stimuli to index finger of healthy subjects. Mechanical stimulation was index pulp compression and decompression by using non-magnetic mechanical stimulator. Electrical stimulation was three times of sensory threshold and delivered to index pulp by using ball-shaped electrodes. Mechanical/electrical-stimuli evoked cont...

A subgroup of the large efferent octopaminergic dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurones of the third thoracic ganglion, the DUM3,4,5 neurones, directly innervates the tendons of certain proprioceptors of the locust hindleg, the so-called strand receptors. The terminals of the DUM neurones occur in regions of the strands that also contain the dendrites of the mechanoreceptive sensory cells. Both s...

Introduction: Barrel cortex of rodents is responsible for sensory information processing from muzzle whiskers. Locus coeruleus (LC) as the main source of norepinephrine (NE) in the cortex, is effective on the sensory information processing. Methods: Rats were divided to 2 groups. One group underwent sensory deprivation (P4) and the other group served as control and did not undergo sensory d...

Modulatory influences on spinal mechanical transmission from the rostral medial medulla (RMM) were studied. Noxious stimulation, produced by von Frey-like monofilaments, and non-noxious stimulation, produced by a soft brush, was applied to the glabrous skin of the hind foot. At 28 sites in RMM, electrical stimulation facilitated responses to noxious mechanical stimulation at low intensities (5-...

The postsynaptic potentials elicited in peroneal motoneurons by either mechanical stimulation of cutaneous areas innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve (SP) or repetitive electrical stimulation of SP were compared in anesthetized cats. After denervation of the foot sparing only the territory of SP terminal branches, reproducible mechanical stimulations were applied by pressure on the plan...

It is commonly accepted that bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) have to be expanded in vitro, but a prolonged time in culture decreases their multilineage potential. Mechanical and biological stimuli have been used to improve their osteogenic potential. While long-term stimulation has been shown to improve osteogenic differentiation, it remains to be seen whether short-term stimulation is a...

In a previous report, we compared the properties of lamina V neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn in wild-type mice and in mice with a deletion of the preprotachykinin-A (PPT-A) gene, which encodes substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA). The mutant mice had pronounced deficits in the response to thermal stimulation, both before and after mustard oil induced sensitization. Here, we extended o...

Chondrocyte function is regulated partly by mechanical stimulation. Optimal mechanical stimulation maintains articular cartilage integrity, whereas abnormal mechanical stimulation results in development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The responses of signal transduction pathways in human articular chondrocytes (HAC) to mechanical stimuli remain unclear. Previous work has shown the invo...

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence supporting a role for TRPA1 receptors in the neurotransmission of peripheral mechanical stimulation. In order to enhance understanding of TRPA1 contributions to mechanotransmission, we examined the effects a selective TRPA1 receptor antagonist, A-967079, on spinal neuronal activity following peripheral mechanical stimulation in uninjured, CFA-inflamed, and o...

OBJECTIVES To describe the number and type of stimulation events and the relationship of stimulation to sedation level in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS A 4-hour direct observation was conducted in 103 patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Stimulation events and sedation level before and after the stimulation were documented. Eight categories of stimulation events wer...