In-ear-EEG – a portable platform for home monitoring

Abstract

There are many useful medical treatment devices today, which are indispensable in health care. However, in some emergency situations and in prehospital care mobile, easy-to-use devices could further improve the patient-centred care. For example, a mobile, easy-to-use home-monitoring EEG-system would be useful for monitoring diseases like epilepsy and for treating diseases like attention deficit disorder (ADHD) using biofeedback. Such a device should be equipped with the ability to start self-performed by user recordings and provide high signal quality, while having an affordable price. Here, we used in-ear-EEG technology and state of the art electronic components to develop such a system. This paper presents a portable, all-in-one EEG-system, capable to record biosignals on the external ear. An amplifier was developed with ADS1299 and optimised to be coupled with a smartphone. The system has a low price and at the same time provides high signal quality, has very effective common-mode-rejection, performs a fast cold start and shows low power consumptions which ensures a long time of operation. The system is easy to use and could be self-mounted and controlled by unskilled users as well. Results of test measurements are compared to a conventional EEG-System and show comparable records results quality.     

Acute and long-term humoral immunity following active immunization of rabbits with inacctivated spores of various Encephalitozoon species

Microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon are increasingly being reported as a cause of severe, often disseminated infections, mainly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Immunological identification of each of the three recognized species (E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis) requires the availability of specific immune sera. All sera available thus far have been generated by direct inoculation of rabbits with virulent microsporidian spores. This study demonstrates for the first time that subcutaneous immunization with inactivated spores of E. cuniculi, E. hellem, or E. intestinalis is capable of generating highly active rabbit hyperimmune sera to the homologous antigens, with maximal titers being 1:5,120, 1:1,280, and 1:2,560, respectively, as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIF). Broad cross-reactivity of the rabbit antisera with all heterologous Encephalitozoon antigens was determined by IIF and immunogold electron microscopy; however, only the E. hellem immune serum strongly cross-reacted with spores of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. During the 35-month follow-up period the antibody titers to the homologous antigens declined to 1:640, 1:160, and 1:320, respectively. The observed decay curves for antibody titers against E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis were fitted using mathematical modeling, resulting in a predicted duration for specific immune responses of about 7 years on average. Knowledge of the magnitude and duration of specific immune responses is a prerequisite for further evaluation of the concept of using inactivated microsporidian spores in the quest for vaccines against microsporidian infections. Received: 10 April 2000 / Accepted: 18 July 2000     

A human CD4 transgene rescues CD4−CD8+ cells in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice

The specificity of the αβ T cell receptor for class I or class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules determines whether a mature T cell will be of the CD4^?CD8⁺ or CD4⁺CD8^? phenotype, respectively. We show here that a human CD4 transgene can rescue a significant fraction of CD4^?CD8⁺ T cells in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice. Cells with this phenotype could be induced to become potent killers of targets expressing allogeneic MHC antigens, indicating that lineage commitment can precede the rescue of developing cells by the T cell receptor for antigen and the CD4 coreceptor.     

Basic emotions reflected in EEG-coherences.

The differentiation of basic emotions by means of EEG power spectra has been discussed extensively by Machleidt et al. (1989). The present contribution concentrates on the interhemispheric coupling of different EEG-signals as depending on the modulation of these emotions. In the first part the estimation and interpretation of squared coherence spectra is outlined. Results from this technique are presented in the following section. Intention, Aggression and Joy are mainly characterized by an increase of alpha-coherence, whereas a decrease is seen for Anxiety and Sorrow. These effects showed a widespread distribution.     

Hematopoietic progenitor cells and cellular microenvironment: behavioral and molecular changes upon interaction

Cell-cell contact between stem cells and cellular determinants of the microenvironment plays an essential role in controlling cell division. Using human hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+/CD38-) and a stroma cell line (AFT024) as a model, we have studied the initial behavioral and molecular sequel of this interaction. Time-lapse microscopy showed that CD34+/CD38- cells actively migrated toward and sought contact with stroma cells and 30% of them adhered firmly to AFT024 stroma through the uropod. CD44 and CD34 are colocalized at the site of contact. Gene expression profiles of CD34+/CD38- cells upon cultivation with or without stroma for 16, 20, 48, or 72 hours were analyzed using our human genome cDNA microarray. Chk1, egr1, and cxcl2 were among the first genes upregulated within 16 hours. Genes with the highest upregulation throughout the time course included tubulin genes, ezrin, c1qr1, fos, pcna, mcm6, ung, and dnmt1, genes that play an essential role in reorganization of the cytoskeleton system, stabilization of DNA, and methylation patterns. Our results demonstrate directed migration of CD34+/CD38- cells toward AFT024 and adhesion through the uropod and that upon interaction with supportive stroma, reorganization of the cytoskeleton system, regulation of cell division, and maintenance of genetic stability represent the most essential steps.     

Homozygous Ft embryos are affected in floor plate maintenance and ventral neural tube patterning.

Sonic hedgehog (Shh), produced by the notochord and floor plate cells of the neural tube, plays a critical role in organizing dorsal-ventral patterning in the developing neural tube. We have investigated neural tube development in mouse embryos homozygous for the Fused toes (Ft) mutation, a deletion composed of genes of the Iroquois B (IrxB) cluster and of Fts, Ftm, and Fto. In Ft mutants starting from embryonic day 10.5, the floor plate appeared to degenerate and the notochord failed to undergo ventral displacement from the spinal cord. Consistent with the loss of Shh signalling from the floor plate, V3 neuron generation was reduced in Ft/Ft embryos and the domain of motor neuron generation expanded ventrally at the expense of V2 neurons. These data support the idea that Ft genes play an important role in dorsal-ventral patterning of the neural tube acting to define the extent of motor neuron generation; moreover, the data reveal a previously unanticipated function for Ft genes in the maintenance of the floor plate.     

β1-Adrenoceptor gene variations: a role in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

A substantial body of evidence suggests involvement of the human beta1-adrenoceptor (beta1-AR) gene in the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a severe heart disease of significant public health impact. Beta1-AR-mediated signal transduction is dramatically altered due to downregulation, resulting in an impairment of myocardial response. The important role of genetic factors in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) recently recognized, we analyzed this prime candidate gene for genetic variation in carefully selected patients and controls. In this preliminary study, 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed, 17 of which were located in the N-terminal and C-terminal region of the coding exon, resulting in 7 amino acid exchanges: Ser-49-Gly, Ala-59-Ser, Gly-389-Arg, Arg-399-Cys, His-402-Arg, Thr-404-Ala, and Pro-418-Ala. These mutations resulted in 11 different beta1-AR genotypes. Importantly, the genotypes carrying the Ser-49-Gly mutation in the N-terminus of the molecule in a heterozygous or homozygous form were observed significantly more frequently in the group of IDCM patients. The present results may provide a clue on the molecular mechanisms involved in IDCM, and add moreover interesting information on nature, distribution, and evolutionary aspects of sequence variation in human adrenergic receptor genes.