Interhemispheric sleep EEG asymmetry in the rat is enhanced by sleep deprivation

Vigilance state-related topographic variations of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity have been reported in humans and animals. To investigate their possible functional significance, the cortical EEG of the rat was recorded from frontal and parietal derivations in both hemispheres. Records were obtained for a 24-h baseline day, 6-h sleep deprivation (SD), and subsequent 18-h recovery. During the baseline 12-h light period, the main sleep period of the rat, low-frequency (<7.0 Hz) power in the non-rapid eye-movement (NREM) sleep EEG declined progressively. Left-hemispheric predominance of low-frequency power at the parietal derivations was observed at the beginning of the light period when sleep pressure is high due to preceding spontaneous waking. The left-hemispheric dominance changed to a right-hemispheric dominance in the course of the 12-h rest-phase when sleep pressure dissipated. During recovery from SD, both low-frequency power and parietal left-hemispheric predominance were enhanced. The increase in low-frequency power in NREM sleep observed after SD at the frontal site was larger than at the parietal site. However, frontally no interhemispheric differences were present. In REM sleep, power in the theta band (5.25-8.0 Hz) exhibited a right-hemispheric predominance. In contrast to NREM sleep, the hemispheric asymmetry showed no trend during baseline and was not affected by SD. Use-dependent local changes may underlie the regional differences in the low-frequency NREM sleep EEG within and between hemispheres. The different interhemispheric asymmetries in NREM and REM sleep suggest that the two sleep states may subserve different functions in the brain.     

Muscarinic modulation of acetylcholine release from slices of guinea pig nucleus basalis magnocellularis

Spontaneous and electrically evoked endogenous acetylcholine release and [³H]-choline efflux from slices of guinea pig nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbM) were studied. Tetrodotoxin reduced the spontaneous endogenous release by 55%, while the Ca²⁺-free medium reduced it by about 30%. Evoked [³H]-choline efflux was Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ dependent and frequency related. Physostigmine, 30 μM, nearly halved the stimulation-evoked efflux; atropine, 0.15 μM, not only antagonized, but even reversed this effect into facilitation. Pirenzepine, 1 μM, and AFDX 116, 1 μM, were less effective than atropine, and reversed the inhibitory effect of physostigmine only when applied together. 4-DAMP, 0.01 μM, was ineffective. These findings indicate that acetylcholine release in guinea pig nbM slices is inhibited by the cooperation of muscarinic autoreceptors, possibly belonging to the M₁ and M₂ subclasses.     

The t(II; 22)(pI5.5; qII.23) in a retroperitoneal rhabdoid tumor also includes a regional deletion distal to CRYBB2 on 22q

Translocations and deletions involving chromosomal band 22q 11 are common genetic aberrations in malignant rhabdoid tumors. Previous molecular analyses of a t(11; 22) in the malignant rhabdoid tumor cell line TM87-16 localized the breakpoint distal to BCR on 22q 11. In the present report, we have further refined the map position of this breakpoint between CRYBB2 and D22S258. Moreover, the D22S258, CRYBA4, D22S300, D22SI, and D22S310 loci, which lie between CRYBB2 and D22S42, were found to be deleted, presumably as a result of the translocation event. The identification of this deletion of at least 2 Mb on the long arm of chromosome 22 should be helpful for mapping the gene(s) in the region involved in the development of malignant rhabdoid tumors as well as providing insights into the mechanisms of chromosomal translocation in human solid tumors.     

Fourteen novel OPA1 mutations in autosomal dominant optic atrophy including two de novo mutations in sporadic optic atrophy

The OPA1 gene, encoding a dynamin-related GTPase that plays a role in mitochondrial biogenesis, is implicated in most cases of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). Sixty-nine pathogenic OPA1 mutations have been reported so far. Most of these are truncating mutations located in the GTPase domain coding region (exons 8-16) and at the 3'-end (exons 27-28). We screened 44 patients with typical ADOA using PCR-sequencing. We also tested 20 sporadic cases of bilateral optic atrophy compatible with ADOA. Of the 18 OPA1 mutations found, 14 have never been previously reported. The novel mutations include one nonsense mutation, 3 missense mutations, 6 deletions, one insertion and 3 exon-skipping mutations. Two of these are de novo mutations, which were found in 2 patients with sporadic optic atrophy. The recurrent c.2708_2711delTTAG mutation was found in 2 patients with a severe congenital presentation of the disease. These results suggest that screening for OPA1 gene mutations may be useful for patients with optic atrophy who have no affected relatives, or when the presentation of the disease is atypical as in the case of early onset optic atrophy.     

Produktion von 2-Tridecanon durch verschiedene Kultur- und Wildtomatenpflanzen (Lycopersicon spp.)

8 cultivars of the commercial tomato ( LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM) and 4 species of wild tomato plants ( L. HIRSUTUM, L. PIMPINELLIFOLIUM, L. GLANDULOSUM, L, PERUVIANUM) were investigated with regard to their production of 2-tridecanone in leaflets, petioles and stems during different stages of development and under different conditions of cultivation. The significance of 2-tridecanone as defence substance against fungal pathogens and pests of LYCOPERSICON spp. is discussed.     

Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Implementation of the NAMWEZA Intervention in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Prevention Science - The NAMWEZA intervention was implemented, using a ten-session group format, to build skills targeting psychosocial vulnerabilities and enhancing HIV prevention among people...     

Hospital-at-Home Expands Hospital Capacity During COVID-19 Pandemic

A Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)–specific Hospital-at-Home was implemented in a 400-bed tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Senior or immune-compromised physicians oversaw patient care. The alternative to inpatient care more than doubled beds available for hospitalization and decreased the risk of transmission among patients and health care professionals. Mild cases from either the emergency department or after hospital discharge were deemed suitable for admission to the Hospital-at-Home. More than half of all patients had pneumonia. Standardized protocols and management criteria were provided. Only 6% of cases required referral for inpatient hospitalization. These results are promising and may provide valuable insight for centers undertaking Hospital-at-Home initiatives or in the case of new COVID-19 outbreaks.