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Studies the magnetic properties of exchange-coupled alpha-Fe/Nd-Fe-B multilayer thin-film magnets. Reversibility of minor loops of the films in a range of demagnetization fields; Micromagnetic calculation of the magnetization curves.

What is known and Objective: Aripiprazole has a low risk of extrapyramidal symptoms. Switching to aripiprazole has been reported to improve tardive dyskinesia caused by other medications. The authors report a case and review previous reports of dystonia and dyskinesia associated with aripiprazole. Case summary: We present a case of a 22-year-old man with schizophrenia who experienced dyskinesia and dystonia associated with aripiprazole. Switching from olanzapine to aripiprazole resulted in worsening dyskinesia and new onset of dystonia. The patient's dyskinesia and dystonia improved after switching from aripiprazole to quetiapine therapy. What is new and Conclusion: There were several previous case reports on dyskinesia and dystonia associated with aripiprazole medication. The risk factors for tardive dyskinesia include older age and female sex. However, our case was a male patient who was younger compared with the previous cases and so should have been less at risk for dyskinesia in comparison with the previous cases. The effects of aripiprazole can include tardive movement disorders. Dyskinesia, dystonia and psychotic symptoms were improved with relatively small dose of quetiapine in this case. Whether some second-generation antipsychotics are more effective than others in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moderate-intensity exercise at the lactate threshold (LT) is considered to be a safe and effective training regimen for improving metabolic syndrome. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of moderate exercise performed at the LT on skeletal muscle gene expression. 6 healthy men participated in cycle ergometer training at LT, 60 min/d, 5 d/wk for 12 wks. Muscle samples were collected after 5 d of training, and then 2 d after training at wks 6 and 12. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor co-activated 1 α was significantly increased at 1 h after the training session on day 5. Moreover, using serial analysis gene expression, we found that moderate training for 6 and 12 wks simultaneously induced the expression of a number of metabolic genes involved in the TCA cycle, ß-oxidation, and electron transport. Furthermore, several genes encoding anti-oxidant enzymes and contractile apparatus were induced. The expression levels of 233 novel transcripts were also altered in response to moderate exercise. Thus, moderate training at the LT is a sufficient stimulus to induce the expression of numerous genes implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome, transcripts involved in the contractile apparatus, and novel transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONCLUSION: The early diagnosis of deafness and the early fitting of hearing aids in multiply handicapped children are recommended for language development in these children even when their neurological or mental status is poor. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects consisted of 5 hearing-impaired infants with no other problems and 28 hearing-impaired children with multiple handicaps. Behavioral audiometry and auditory brainstem responses were used for evaluating hearing impairment. The 5 hearing-impaired infants with no other problems underwent hearing aid fitting at approximately 1 year of age and the 28 hearing-impaired children with multiple handicaps underwent hearing aid fitting at various times from 1 to 5 years of age. The effects of their hearing aids were compared on the basis of auditory behavioral changes. The developmental scale of auditory behaviors in infancy that we proposed was introduced to evaluate the development of auditory behaviors. RESULTS: The auditory behaviors of the hearing-impaired children with no other problems showed constant changes with age after hearing aid fitting. However, among the 28 hearing-impaired children with multiple handicaps, 17 showed improvement in auditory behaviors, 5 showed no improvement in auditory behaviors because of the associated severe motor and mental retardation, and epilepsy, and 6 were unable to adapt to wearing hearing aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have characterized the global gene expression profile in left vastus lateralis muscles of sprinters and sedentary men. The gene expression profile was analyzed by using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) method. The abundantly expressed transcripts in the sprinter's muscle were mainly involved in contraction and energy metabolism, whereas six transcripts were corresponding to potentially novel transcripts. Thirty-eight transcripts were differentially expressed between the sprinter and sedentary individuals. Moreover, sprinters showed higher expressions of both uncharacterized and potentially novel transcripts. Sprinters also highly expressed seven transcripts, such as glycine-rich protein, myosin heavy polypeptide (MYH) 2, expressed sequence tag similar to (EST) fructose-bisphosphate aldolase 1 isoform A (ALDOA), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and ATP synthase F0 subunit 6. On the other hand, 20 transcripts such as MYH1, tropomyosin 2 and 3, troponin C slow, C2 fast, 1 slow, T1 slow and T3 fast, myoglobin, creatine kinase, ALDOA, glycogen phosphorylase, cytochrome c oxidase II and Ill, and NADH dehydrogenase 1 and 2 showed lower expression levels in the sprinters than the sedentary controls. The current study has characterized the global gene expressions in sprinters and identified a number of transcripts that can be subjected to further mechanistic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extremely poor prognosis of patients with metastatic osteosarcoma indicates the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Ectodysplasin-A2 (EDA-A2) is a recently isolated member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily that binds to X-linked ectodermal dysplasia receptor (XEDAR). In this report, we have analyzed the biological activity of EDA-A2 against osteosarcoma-derived cell lines. We report that XEDAR is expressed in cell lines derived from osteosarcoma and adenoviral-mediated expression of EDA-A2 in these cells results in the induction of apoptosis via caspase activation and cell-cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Treatment with EDA-A2 also upregulates the expression of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of osteogenic differentiation, in a caspase-dependent fashion. Collectively, our results suggest that EDA-A2 may be a promising agent for the gene therapy of osteosarcoma.Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 927–933; doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7701078; published online 10 August 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) has characteristic clinical features with organ-specific autoimmune polyendocrine diseases and candidiasis, caused by the mutations of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Although almost all patients are complicated with mucocutaneous candidiasis, no apparent susceptibility to other infections has yet been reported. We herein report that a patient with APECED suffered from recurrent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection after severe primary herpetic stomatitis, associated with sequential HSV-1 isolates of the same genomic profile, consistent with endogeneous recurrence. Thus, not only candidiasis but also HSV infection should receive more attention in patients with APECED, with treatment being administered accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) has characteristic clinical features with organ-specific autoimmune polyendocrine diseases and candidiasis, caused by the mutations of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Although almost all patients are complicated with mucocutaneous candidiasis, no apparent susceptibility to other infections has yet been reported. We herein report that a patient with APECED suffered from recurrent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection after severe primary herpetic stomatitis, associated with sequential HSV-1 isolates of the same genomic profile, consistent with endogeneous recurrence. Thus, not only candidiasis but also HSV infection should receive more attention in patients with APECED, with treatment being administered accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently reported that the intra-tumoral injection of adrenomedullin (AM) antagonist (AMA; AM (22–52)) peptides significantly reduced the in vivo growth of a pancreatic cancer cell line in severely combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of intra-tumoral and intra-muscular transfers of naked DNA encoding AMA on the in vivo growth of cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that these treatments induce the regression of a pancreatic cancer cell line and a breast cancer cell line inoculated in SCID mice. Furthermore, CD31-positive cells disappear completely from tumor tissues, following treatment, indicating that neo-vascularization is entirely inhibited. These results suggest that the intra-tumoral or intra-muscular transfer of naked DNA encoding AMA might be a promising alternative modality for treating human cancers.Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 39–44. doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7700979; published online 14 July 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: JTP-426467 was identified as a result of screening in search of selective antagonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). We examined whether JTP-426467 functioned as a PPARγ antagonist in vitro and in vivo and investigated physiological effects of JTP-426467. Methods: The effect of JTP-426467 as a PPARγ antagonist was studied in a cell-based reporter assay and an adipocyte differentiation assay. Target mRNA expression levels were determined by branched DNA (bDNA) assay. To examine the effects as a PPARγ antagonist in vivo, a competitive study between JTP-426467 and BRL49653 (rosiglitazone), a PPARγ agonist, was performed using KK-Ay mice. The effects of JTP-426467 alone after administration to KK-Ay mice were also explored. Results: JTP-426467 antagonized PPARγ activity in a reporter assay system, but not PPARα. JTP-426467 inhibited the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) mRNA, an adipocyte-abundant gene, but not PPARγ itself or cyclophilin mRNA (as constitutive mRNA), and also suppressed triglyceride accumulation in differentiated stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs). JTP-426467 antagonized PPARγ agonistic action by BRL49653 in KK-Ay mice on high-fat diet, in terms of plasma glucose, body weight gain and interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) weight. JTP-426467 alone inhibited body weight gain and decreased plasma leptin level in KK-Ay mice. Conclusions: JTP-426467 acted as a pure and potent PPARγ antagonist in vitro. Interestingly, JTP-426467 completely antagonized the effects of PPARγ agonist BRL49653 in an obese diabetic model. JTP-426467 may be a useful tool for the study of PPARγ in biological and physiological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONTEXT:: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in obesity. A new accelerometer has been developed to assess total energy expenditure as well as PA. OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the association of PA with overweight and obesity in Japanese men and women, a large cross-sectional study was performed using a single-axis accelerometer. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:: Population-based cross-sectional study of Japanese 18-84?y of age. Height, body weight and PA were measured in 400 male and 388 female Japanese volunteers from 1999 to 2000. The outcome measurements were overweight and obesity, which are defined as a body mass index=25?kg/m2. PA was measured for 1 to 4 weeks and was then categorized into three activity levels, which were defined as light, moderate and vigorous PA. RESULTS:: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 22.3%. Number of steps and time spent in moderate and vigorous PA per day were lower in overweight and obese individuals. No difference was found in time spent in light PA. Individuals who are in the 4th and 5th quintile of moderate and vigorous PA showed a significantly lower body mass index. When odd ratios (ORs) of overweight and obesity estimated by logistic regression were used as effect measures, overweight and obesity were negatively associated with vigorous PA (ORs=0.91). CONCLUSION:: These results indicate that overweight and obese individuals have a lower step rate and are spending less time for moderate to vigorous PA. Participation in vigorous PA is an important predictor of overweight and obesity.International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 502-508. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802891 Published online 11 January 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insertion (I) allele of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with lower serum and tissue ACE activity, and with greater endurance performance and enhanced mechanical efficiency of trained muscle. We tested the hypothesis that the ACE-I allele may be associated with increased slow-twitch fiber, which is more efficient than fast-twitch fiber in low-velocity contraction, by examining the association between the ACE genotype and skeletal muscle fiber (SMF) types in 41 untrained healthy young volunteer subjects (31 males, 10 females, age 24 ± 3 years). Skeletal muscle samples were taken from the left vastus lateralis using the needle-biopsy method. Slow-twitch type I fibers and fast-twitch type IIa and IIb fibers were classified histochemically based on staining for myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity at different pH values. Amylase-periodic acid-Schiff staining was used to visualize capillaries around fibers. ACE-II subjects had significantly (p < 0.01) higher percentages of type I fibers (50.1 ± 13.9%vs 30.5 ± 13.3%) and lower percentages of type IIb fibers (16.2 ± 6.6%vs 32.9 ± 7.4%) than ACE-DD subjects. The linear trends for decreases in type I fibers and increases in type IIb fibers from ACE-II → ID → DD genotypes were significant as assessed by an analysis of variance. The ratio of type I:II fibers also differed according to the ACE genotype. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the ACE-I allele had significant additive and recessive (codominant) effects on the increased type I fibers and the ratio of type I:II fibers. No specific pattern of capillarization was observed among the three ACE genotypes. In conclusion, the ACE-I allele was associated with increased type I SMF, which may be a mechanism for the association between the ACE genotype and endurance performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the association of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism with the depressor response to exercise therapy in 64 Japanese subjects with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Each subject performed 10 weeks of mild (lactate threshold intensity: approximately 50% maximum oxygen consumption) exercise therapy on a bicycle ergometer. Systolic blood pressure (SPB), diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly decreased by exercise therapy in subjects with the ACE-II and ID genotypes but not in DD subjects. The time-by-genotype interaction effects were significant for DBP and MAP. According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the age- and baseline plasma renin activity-adjusted relative risk (odds ratio) for the lack of a depressor response conferred by the D allele (assuming an additive effect) was 2.72 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–6.91; p = 0.034]; for DD genotypes, as compared with the DI and II genotypes (assuming that the D allele is recessive), it was 11.7 (95% CI, 2.25–60.6; p = 0.003). ACE gene I/D polymorphism is associated with the depressor response of essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy, which suggests that genetic features may underlie, at least in part, the heterogeneity of the depressor response in essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the role of cytochrome P450 3A enzymes in the 2-hydroxylation of 1,4 cineole. Inhibition of CYP3A4 enzyme by ketoconazole; Correlation between CYP3A4 contents and 1,4-cineole 2-hydroxylation activities; Kinetic analysis on 1,4-cineole 2-hydroxylation.

Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was studied by computer analysis in nine patients with lesions on the left unilateral parietal lobe (group A) and in five patients with lesions on the entire left hemisphere (group B), as confirmed by CAT or MRI scans. OKN stimulation and recordings were evaluated based on the optokinetic pattern (OKP). In group A, there was no directional preponderance. However, in group B, the Electronystagmography recordings showed typical asymmetry of OKP. This asymmetry was revealed by a low amplitude and a significantly impaired slow-phase eye velocity of the right OKP. Asymmetry of OKP resulted from the impaired slow-phase eye velocity of the contralateral OKN to the damaged hemisphere because of a slight change in fast-phase eye velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To detect whether mild exercise training improves glucose effectiveness (S(G)), which is the ability of hyperglycemia to promote glucose disposal at basal insulin, in healthy men.Research Design and Methods: Eight healthy men (18-25 years of age) underwent ergometer training at lactate threshold (LT) intensity for 60 min/day for 5 days/week for 6 weeks. An insulin-modified intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed before as well as at 16 h and 1 week after the last training session. S(G) and insulin sensitivity (S(I)) were estimated using a minimal-model approach.Results: After the exercise training, VO(2max) and VO(2) at LT increased by 5 and 34%, respectively (P < 0.05). The mild exercise training improves S(G) measured 16 h after the last training session, from 0.018 +/- 0.002 to 0.024 +/- 0.001 min(-1) (P < 0.05). The elevated S(G) after exercise training tends to be maintained regardless of detraining for 1 week (0.023 +/- 0.002 min(-1), P = 0.09). S(I) measured at 16 h after the last training session significantly increased (pre-exercise training, 13.9 +/- 2.2; 16 h, 18.3 +/- 2.4, x10(-5). min(-1). pmol/l(-1), P < 0.05) and still remained elevated 1 week after stopping the training regimen (18.6 +/- 2.2, x10(-5). min(-1). pmol/l(-1), P < 0.05).Conclusions: Mild exercise training at LT improves S(G) in healthy men with no change in the body composition. Improving not only S(I) but also S(G) through mild exercise training is thus considered to be an effective method for preventing glucose intolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was studied by computer analysis in nine patients with lesions on the left unilateral parietal lobe (group A) and in five patients with lesions on the entire left hemisphere (group B), as confirmed by CAT or MRI scans. OKN stimulation and recordings were evaluated based on the optokinetic pattern (OKP). In group A, there was no directional preponderance. However, in group B, the Electronystagmography recordings showed typical asymmetry of OKP. This asymmetry was revealed by a low amplitude and a significantly impaired slow-phase eye velocity of the right OKP. Asymmetry of OKP resulted from the impaired slow-phase eye velocity of the contralateral OKN to the damaged hemisphere because of a slight change in fast-phase eye velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated changes in the titers of positive and negative strands of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum and liver during and 1 to 3 years after interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C coinfected with HGV/ GBV-C. Eight (6%) of 134 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon were positive for HGV RNA and were examined retrospectively. Titers of positive and negative strands of HGV RNA and HCV RNA were determined by strand-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Before therapy, HGV RNA titers in liver were lower than those in serum (P = 0.0169), while HCV RNA titers in liver were significantly higher than those in serum (P = 0.0074). No negative strands of HGV RNA were detected in serum, liver, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells in any patients. With interferon therapy, 5 of the 8 patients lost HCV RNA from serum and liver, with sustained normal liver biochemical values and significant histological improvement. HGV RNA disappeared transiently from serum and liver at the end of therapy in 5 patients, but reappeared again after therapy in 4 of them. Two of the 8 patients naturally lost HGV RNA after completion of therapy. These findings suggest that: (1) HGV/GBV-C does not appear to replicate in liver, serum, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells, (2) detection of HGV RNA in liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be a mere reflection of serum HGV RNA, and (3) the long-term clinical outcome of chronic HGV/GBV-C infection appeared to be benign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A study was undertaken to determine whether swimming training improved aerobic capacity, exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine in children with asthma.Methods: Eight children with mild or moderate asthma participated in swimming training every day for six weeks. The intensity of training was individually determined and set at 125% of the child's lactate threshold (LT), measured using a swimming ergometer. Another group of eight asthmatic children served as control subjects. Aerobic capacity and the degree of EIB were assessed by both cycle ergometer and swimming ergometer before and after swimming training.Results: The mean (SD) aerobic capacity at LT increased by 0.26 (0.11) kp after training when assessed with the swimming ergometer and by 10.6 (4.5) W when assessed with the cycle ergometer, and these changes were significantly different from the control group. The mean (SD) maximum % fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to an exercise challenge (cycle ergometer) set at 175% of LT decreased from 38.7 (15.4)% before training to 17.9 (17.6)% after training, but with no significant difference from the control group. There was, however, no difference in histamine responsiveness when compared before and after the training period.Conclusion: A six week swimming training programme has a beneficial effect on aerobic capacity but not on histamine responsiveness in children with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. Its occurrence in the head and neck region is uncommon, the majority of reported cases being limited to involvement of the neck, usually from infections of dental or pharyngeal origin. Involvement of the face from NF is rare; only 35 such cases have been reported in the literature since 1960. It is not only associated with a high mortality but can also result in severe disfigurement of the face, posing challenging reconstructive problems. Successful management of facial NF requires early diagnosis, prompt institution of broad spectrum antibiotics, aggressive surgical debridement to control the infection, and reconstruction of the resultant soft tissue defects. This report describes four additional cases of facial necrotizing fasciitis. One of the four patients died as a result of sepsis and multi-organ system failure. Two of the three surviving patients had significant facial disfigurement. A comprehensive review of the facial NF cases reported in the literature is also provided. Based on our experience with facial NF and the results of all previous case reports, the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and management of this disease are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonsense monosyllable audiometric test was administered to 15 patients with eighth nerve or brain stem disorders caused by tumor, hemorrhage, encephalitis, and degenerative disease. Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) were abnormal in all patients. ABR abnormalities were defined by the absence of some or all waves or by prolongation of the wave V-I interval. The discrimination scores of the nonsense monosyllables were significantly lower in patients with completely absent ABR, with partial ABR series involving wave I, or with severely prolonged wave V-I intervals (over 3 SD). However, in patients with wave I only or with only moderately prolonged wave V-I intervals (less than 3 SD), test scores were within normal range. It is concluded that: 1. perception of nonsense monosyllables could be, though need not be, affected in patients with brain stem lesions; 2. eighth nerve lesions severely disrupt auditory comprehension as well as perception of nonsense monosyllables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloride conductance of inner medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD-3 cell line) has been investigated using the whole cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. Seventy-seven percent of cells were chloride selective when measured with a NaCl-rich bathing solution and a TEACl-rich pipette solution. Seventy-five percent of chloride-selective cells (90/144) had whole cell currents which exhibited an outwardly-rectifying (OR) current-voltage (I/V) relationship, while the remaining cells exhibited a linear (L) I/V relationship. The properties of the OR and L chloride currents were distinct. OR currents (mean current densities at +/- 60 mV of 66 +/- 5 pA/pF and 44 +/- 3 pA/pF), were time- and voltage-independent with an anion selectivity (from calculated permeability ratios) of SCN- (2.3), NO3- (1.8), ClO4- (1.7), Br- (1.7), I- (1.6), Cl- (1.0), HCO3- (0.5), gluconate- (0.2). Bath additions of NPPB, flufenamate, glibenclamide (all 100 microM) and DIDS (500 microM) produced varying degrees of block of OR currents with NPPB being the most potent (IC50 of approximately 50 microM) while DIDS was the least effective. Linear chloride currents had similar current densities to the OR chloride currents and were also time- and voltage-independent. The anion selectivity sequence was SCN- (2.5), NO3- (1.9), Br- (1.4), I- (1.1), Cl- (1.0), ClO4- (0.5), HCO3- (0.5), gluconate- (0.3). In contrast to the OR conductance, glibenclamide was the most potent and DIDS the least potent blocker of L currents. An IC50 of > 100 microM was observed for NPPB block. Neither OR of L chloride currents were affected by acutely or chronically increased intracellular cAMP and were not affected when intracellular Ca2+ levels were increased or decreased. The molecular identity and physiological role of OR and linear currents in mIMCD-3 cells are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuronal pathway of the facilitation of quadriceps (Q) motoneurones (MNs) evoked by stimulation of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) has been reinvestigated using both the post-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) method for measurement of the firing probability of individual units and the H reflex technique. It has been found that Ia (and to an unknown extent Ib) afferents from pretibial flexors - but not from peroneal muscles - are responsible for this excitation. The central latency of the CPN-induced excitation of Q MNs was estimated to be 3-3.7 ms longer than that of their monosynaptic Ia excitation. To further investigate the neuronal pathway of the CPN-induced excitation the spatial facilitation technique was used, the effects on the Q H reflex of two conditioning stimuli (applied to the CPN and the femoral nerve - FN) being compared when applied separately and together. When the two conditioning volleys were timed to reach the spinal cord simultaneously the facilitation of the H reflex on combined stimulation was larger than the algebraic sum of the effects by separate stimuli in 40% of the cases. It is argued that this additional facilitation reflects summation at a premotoneuronal level and it is concluded that non-monosynaptic Ia excitation of Q MNs from Q and pretibial flexors is, at least partly, mediated through a common pathway. In those individual units in which stimulation of the FN and/or the CPN evoked a non-monosynaptic Ia excitation, this excitation was reduced on combined stimulation of the two nerves. It is argued that this reflects inhibition of the interneurones mediating the excitation, i.e. consists in a disfacilitation of the MNs. It is suggested that the non-monosynaptic (homonymous and heteronymous) Ia excitation of Q MNs in man (and the inhibition of this excitation) is mediated through a system of neurones similar to the system recently described in the cat by Edgley and Jankowska (1987). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]