Significant Increase In Alpha Research Articles

Exploring the efficacy of neurofeedback training in modulating alpha-frequency band and its effects on functional connectivity and band power

Electroencephalogram (EEG) based neurofeedback training (NFT) has shown to be effective in clinical applications, but healthy participants can also benefit from NFT. This research investigates the effect of 20 NFT sessions with frontal alpha Band Power (α-BP) as feedback on healthy participants by analyzing physiological and behavioral changes. The study participants were divided into two groups (n = 25), i.e., the Training Group (TG) and the control group (CG). Participants performed cognitive tasks, (attention network task (ANT), STROOP, and N-Back), and behavioral tests (MMSE, PSS, and SAM) at three stages: pre-NFT, mid-NFT, and post-NFT. Although the changes were not statistically significant, the behavioral tests showed improvement from pre-to-post stages. The TG showed a significant post-NFT decrease in response time (RT) in the ANT, indicating improved attention. However, the N-Back and STROOP task results show a non-significant change. BP analysis revealed a significant increase in alpha (α) and beta (β) BP from pre-NFT to post-NFT. Attention and memory enhancement, cognitive inhibition, and induced relaxation were inferred by an increase in α-BP in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Increased frontal and parietal β-BP show cognitive inhibition and auditory attention. Increased frontal lobe α Functional Connectivity (FC) represents enhanced attention, working memory, and decision-making. Increased temporal β-FC shows auditory perception and memory processing. The results signify the effectiveness of NFT in cognitive development.

Simultaneous MEG and EEG source imaging of electrophysiological activity in response to acute transcranial photobiomodulation.

Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that improves human cognition. The effects of tPBM of the right forehead on neurophysiological activity have been previously investigated using EEG in sensor space. However, the spatial resolution of these studies is limited. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is known to facilitate a higher spatial resolution of brain source images. This study aimed to image post-tPBM effects in brain space based on both MEG and EEG measurements across the entire human brain. MEG and EEG scans were concurrently acquired for 6 min before and after 8-min of tPBM delivered using a 1,064-nm laser on the right forehead of 25 healthy participants. Group-level changes in both the MEG and EEG power spectral density with respect to the baseline (pre-tPBM) were quantified and averaged within each frequency band in the sensor space. Constrained modeling was used to generate MEG and EEG source images of post-tPBM, followed by cluster-based permutation analysis for family wise error correction (p < 0.05). The 8-min tPBM enabled significant increases in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) powers across multiple cortical regions, as confirmed by MEG and EEG source images. Moreover, tPBM-enhanced oscillations in the beta band were located not only near the stimulation site but also in remote cerebral regions, including the frontal, parietal, and occipital regions, particularly on the ipsilateral side. MEG and EEG results shown in this study demonstrated that tPBM modulates neurophysiological activity locally and in distant cortical areas. The EEG topographies reported in this study were consistent with previous observations. This study is the first to present MEG and EEG evidence of the electrophysiological effects of tPBM in the brain space, supporting the potential utility of tPBM in treating neurological diseases through the modulation of brain oscillations.

Exploration the skills of teachers: Implementation technological pedagogical content knowledge

Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) is urgently needed by science teachers in schools in the 21st century. This study aims to describe the effectiveness of teachers in applying the TPACK model. Regarding effectiveness, there is a statistically significant increase in alpha 0.05, which is the average score of teacher skills for classes A and B; the average normalised gain (n-gain) score for minimum teacher skills is in the medium category; there is no statistically significant difference in the alpha 0.05 average score of n-gain skills of teachers of classes A and B; the minimum effect size is in the medium category. The research sample consisted of 70 junior high school natural science teachers, each class with 35 teachers. The collected data were analysed using paired sample t-test, n-gain calculation and effect size. The results showed that the increase in teacher skill scores was significant; the average n-gain score of teachers’ skills was in the medium category; the average score of the average n-gain of teachers’ skills was not different between classes A and B; and the effect size is in the moderate effect category. The conclusion of this study is that teacher professional education programme activities are effective in implementing the TPACK model. The TPACK model can improve the skills of teachers’ higher-order thinking skills in teaching science in schools.&#x0D; Keywords: Science, teacher, technological, pedagogical, content knowledge

EEG-based analysis of various sensory stimulation effects to reduce visually induced motion sickness in virtual reality

The use of virtual reality (VR) is frequently accompanied by motion sickness, and approaches for preventing it are not yet well established. We explored the effects of synchronized presentations of sound and motion on visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) in order to reduce VIMS. A total of 25 participants bicycle riding for 5 min with or without sound and motion synchronization presented on a head-mounted display. As a result, the VIMS scores measured by the fast motion sickness scale and simulator sickness questionnaire were significantly lower in the participants who experienced the riding scene with sound and motion than those who experienced the riding scene with sound only, motion only, or neither. Furthermore, analysis of the EEG signal showed that the higher the VIMS, the significant increase in alpha and theta waves in the parietal and occipital lobes. Therefore, we demonstrate that the simultaneous presentation of sound and motion, closely associated with synchronous and visual flow speed, is effective in reducing VIMS while experiencing simulated bicycle riding in a VR environment.

Quantitative Resting State Electroencephalography in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Treated with Strict Monotherapy Using Atypical Antipsychotics.

ObjectiveThe effect of antipsychotic drugs on quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) has been mainly examined by the administration of a single test dose or among patients using combinations of other psychotropic drugs. We therefore investigated the effects of strict monotherapy with antipsychotic drugs on quantitative EEG among schizophrenia patients.MethodsData from 2,364 medical reports with EEG results from psychiatric patients admitted to the Hokkaido University Hospital were used. We extracted EEG records of patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and who were either undergoing strict antipsychotic monotherapy or were completely free of psychotropic drugs. The spectral power was compared between drug-free patients and patients using antipsychotic drugs. We also performed multiple regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between spectral power and the chlorpromazine equivalent daily dose of antipsychotics in all the patients.ResultsWe included 31 monotherapy and 20 drug-free patients. Compared with drug-free patients, patients receiving antipsychotic drugs demonstrated significant increases in theta, alpha and beta power. When patients taking different types of antipsychotics were compared with drug-free patients, we found no significant change in any spectrum power for the aripiprazole or blonanserin groups. Patients taking risperidone demonstrated significant increases in alpha and beta power. Patients taking clozapine and olanzapine demonstrated significant slow wave increases. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the chlorpromazine equivalent dose was positively associated with theta power.ConclusionUse of any antipsychotic drug by patients was associated with a dose-dependent increase in theta power. However, each type of antipsychotic demonstrated different spectral power changes.

Electrocortical and Biochemical Evaluation of Antidepressant Efficacy of Formulated Nanocurcumin.

The present study aims to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles on rat model of depression induced by reserpine. Rats were divided into control, the rat model of depression induced by daily i.p. injection of reserpine (0.2mg/kg for 21days), and the rat model of depression treated daily with the formulated CNPs (20mg/kg for 7 and 15days). The behavioral evaluation was assessed for all groups of animals by the forced swim test (FST). Monoamine neurotransmitters were measured in the cortex and hippocampus via fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrophysiological evaluation was carried out by recording and analyzing the electrocorticogram (ECoG) in a group of animals that served as self-control. The chronic administration of reserpine resulted in a significant decrease in the duration of the active phase in the FST; a significant decrease in the cortical and hippocampal levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; a significant increase in spectral power of alpha and delta waves; and a significant decrease in spectral power of theta, beta-1, and beta-2 waves with respect to control values. Administration of CNPs for 7days has improved the performance of animals in FST indicated by the increase in the duration of the active phase. Additionally, the levels of serotonin and dopamine have been restored; however, the level of norepinephrine has been not completely recovered in both cortex and hippocampus. A significant increase in alpha and beta-2 waves, an increase in theta and beta-1, and a decrease in delta waves have been recorded after 7days of treatment. Extending treatment with CNPs for 15days has succeeded in restoring the active phase in FST and monoamine level in the cortex and hippocampus to control like values. In addition, ECoG waves have returned to near control like values. It could be concluded that the formulated nanocurcumin has an effective and potent antidepressant activity that was evidenced by electrical, chemical, and behavioral tests.

P126 Spatiotemporal and task dependence of broadband aftereffects observed following parietal 10-Hz tACS: A MEG study

Introduction Rhythmic tACS is known to entrain brain oscillations. Less well characterized are aftereffects of tACS that may result from stimulation-driven entrainment and/or cross-frequency coupling or more generally from broadband responses determined by intrinsic and/or task-dependent local and brain network properties ( Veniero2015 ). Objective To characterize aftereffects of 10-Hz tACS within multiple cortical and subcortical brain regions. Materials & methods 10-Hz active (1 mA, 20 min) and sham (1 mA, 30 s) tACS was applied in separate experimental sessions over bilateral parietal cortex (P3/P4) during performance of a visual global/local attention task. Structural MRI/MEG data were obtained from 8 healthy adult participants. Images presented were “global” letters (H or S) composed of smaller, “local” letters (H or S). A visual cue switched motor responses between global and local features. MEG data were cleaned with Elekta Neuromag MaxFilterTM. Brainstorm was used to remove eyeblink and cardiac artifacts and to extract Morlet time–frequency (TF) waveforms for brain regions in the Desikan-Killany atlas. Power TF plots were averaged across participants and compared (active vs. sham, t-test p 0.05) for a subset of 1612 sham/active global/local trials recorded ∼5 and ∼10 min post stimulation. Results Significant increases in alpha and beta were seen in bilateral inferior parietal cortex, with increased left hemisphere gamma for “local” but not “global” trials. Task-related decreased activation at alpha, beta, ∼30 Hz and gamma was observed in left hippocampus for both “local” and “global” trials. Aftereffects were also observed in bilateral superior parietal, superior frontal and lateral occipital cortex as well as medial orbitofrontal cortex, precuneus and cerebellum. Conclusion We found complex frequency- and task-dependence of oscillatory activity following 10-Hz tACS, supporting the notion that aftereffects are modulated by intrinsic and/or task-dependent local and network properties. Download : Download high-res image (210KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (227KB) Download : Download full-size image

Variability of Frontal Alpha Wave in Response to Mood Induction via Visual Stimulus: A Quantitative Electroencephalographic Study

Background: One of the prime areas in psychiatry is concerned with assessing emotions. Assessment of physiologic responses can be attained by various approaches. One of them is analyzing Electroencephalography (EEG). Objectives: In current study, we aimed to assess Alpha wave in frontal region after inducing specific emotion by showing evocative video clips. Materials and Methods: After a baseline in Eye Open situation recording, we showed 5 video clips that each induced specific emotions from five major ones (Neutral, Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear) to 66 healthy individuals, including 33 males and 33 females between 20 - 40 years old and EEG recording was continued simultaneously. Then, we analyzed their brain waves. Absolute power of Alpha wave Bands (Alpha 1 and Alpha 2) in frontal region (FZ, F4, F3) was analyzed via Wilcoxon test. Results: With respect to eye open situation, all video clips made significant change in Alpha 2 in F3 and F4 (P < 0.001) but not in Fz except for sadness. Sad inductive clip made a significant increase in Alpha 2 in Fz, also Alpha 1 in F3 and F4 (P < 0.001). Fz had no significant variability in all other emotions. Conclusions: The most trenchant impact with respect to Alpha band was sadness, and the most exclusive finding in FZ was Alpha 2. Nonetheless, in two other zones (F3, F4), Alpha 1 was exclusive and Alpha 2 variability was non-exclusive. It appears plausible that sadness activates neuron groups, which are involved in generating Alpha waves.

Duration Dependent Effects of Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) Indexed by Electroencephalography

To explore the duration of tPCS after effects given different durations of stimulation on power and interhemispheric coherence of the EEG frequency bands. Our hypothesis was that longer tPCS duration would induce a differential effect on the EEG analysis and a longer duration of after effects on the EEG frequency bands. We conducted a double blind, sham controlled study in which forty healthy subjects were randomized to receive a single session of either 10, 20, 30 min of active (2 mA, random frequency between 6 and 10 Hz, ear clip montage) or sham tPCS. EEG was recorded before and after the intervention to assess tPCS induced after effects. We found that 10 and 20 min of active tPCS induced a significant increase in alpha (p = 0.004) and theta (p = 0.006) coherence in the frontal region as compared with the sham stimulation. No significant changes were found with 30 min of stimulation (p < 0.05). The Kaplan Meier analysis showed that 10 and 20 min of tPCS induced after effects that lasted 50 min. These results evidence the nonlinear relationship between the stimulation duration and the tPCS after effects, suggesting the presence of homeostatic mechanisms.

EFFECT OF MARBOFLOXACIN ON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF RABBITS UNDER VACCINATION

The effect of intramuscular administration of marbofloxacin at a dose of 2 mg/kg b.wt on humoral immune response was investigated in twenty Newzealand white rabbits of 3-4 months old and weighing about 2-2.5 kg b.wt. Rabbits were vaccinated with the inactivated rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD) vaccine. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers, total serum protein; albumin; and globulin levels, and the percentage of each protein fraction were evaluated. The results showed that the administration of marbofloxacin in vaccinated group induced a significant decrease in the HI antibody titers, total serum protein level, globulin level, and gamma globulin percentage concurrently with a significant increase in alpha and beta globulins percentages only at the 1st week post vaccination and treatment. On the other hand, no significant changes could be detected in the total serum protein; albumin; and globulin levels, alpha, beta and gamma globulin percentages of nonvaccinated treated group. Therefore, it was concluded that administration of marbofloxacin is not recommended to be used in vaccinated rabbits as it possess an immunosuppressive effect but can be used safely in non-vaccinated rabbits.

Tracking EEG changes during the exposure to hyperbaric oxygen

ObjectiveThe aim was to investigate and define possible alterations in cerebral activity during prolonged hyperbaric oxygen exposure and decompression as compared to baseline activity. MethodsThirty-two channel electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded with a Bluetooth EEG system in 11 subjects. A 20-min EEG recording was carried out under three different conditions: breathing air inside a hyperbaric chamber at sea level; breathing oxygen at a simulated depth of 18msw; breathing air at sea level after decompression. Relative EEG power was estimated in frequency ranges. ResultsDuring oxygen breathing, brain activity showed an early fast delta decrease in the posterior regions, with a synchronous and significant increase in alpha in the same regions. After decompression, the delta relative power decrease was uniformly distributed over the cerebral cortex until minute 8, and the alpha relative power was maximal in the posterior regions during the first 2min. ConclusionsThese results may be relevant for establishing a reference point in future studies on oxygen-sensitive subjects who reported problems during oxygen diving. SignificanceSignificant changes in EEG relative power suggest that it may be possible to define and recognize landmarks of oxygen-induced brain activity, which would be useful in the medical treatment of subjects reporting “oxygen-toxicity diving-related problems”.

Yoga for academic performance: A brain wave coherence analysis

Background : Optimal stress brings out a student's best; however, extremes of stress can result in stress-induced disorders and deteriorating performance. Yoga is known to bring positive effect on personality development in students. Can yoga be beneficial in enhancing orderliness of brain functioning leading to increased academic performance in university students? Objective : To assess immediate effect of Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama (NSP), Bhramari Pranayama (BP), Om Meditation (OM), Pranic Energization Technique (PET), and Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) on brain wave coherence (BWC) in university students. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty-four students in the range of 18-30 years of age and 21.63 ± 3.60 (mean ± SD) years of mean age were selected for the present study from a university at Bangalore, India. They were divided in two groups, 117 subjects in each group: yoga group (NSP = 15, BP = 30, OM = 29, PET = 27, and MSRT = 16) and control group (NSP = 15, BP = 30, OM = 29, PET = 27, and MSRT = 16). Brain wave coherence (BWC) data were collected immediately before and after the intervention (pre recorded session of 24 minutes in NSP, BP, OM, PET and MSRT to yoga group and sitting quietly with the eyes closed for the same duration in control group) using Brain Master 2 Channel EEG version 2.0 for clinical from Bio Medical Instruments, Inc., Warren, Michigan, USA. Results: The significant increase in delta was observed in BP, OM, PET, and MSRT. Similarly, significant increase in theta was also observed in BP and PET. Moreover, significant increase in alpha was found in BP and OM whereas significant increase in beta was noted in BP. It was also recorded that there was significant increase in gamma in NSP, BP and MSRT. There was no significant change observed in control group of yogic practices. Conclusion: The immediate effect NSP, BP, OM, PET, and MSRT on BWC compared with controls shows that these yogic practices are related with increased orderliness of brain functioning, which is essential for good academic performance. Additional well-designed studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Dorsal stream activity and connectivity associated with action priming of ambiguous apparent motion

Theories proposing a bidirectional influence between action and perception are well supported by behavioral findings. In contrast to the growing literature investigating the brain mechanisms by which perception influences action, there is a relative dearth of neural evidence documenting how action may influence perception. Here we show that action priming of apparent motion perception is associated with increased functional connectivity between dorsal cortical regions connecting vision with action. Participants manually rotated a joystick in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction while viewing ambiguous apparent rotational motion. Actions influenced perception when the perceived direction of the ambiguous display was the same as manual rotation. For comparison, participants also rotated the joystick while viewing non-ambiguous apparent motion and in the absence of apparent motion. In a final control condition, participants viewed ambiguous apparent motion without manual rotation. Actions influence on perception was accompanied by a significant increase in alpha and beta band event related desynchronization (ERD) in contralateral primary motor cortex, superior parietal lobe and middle occipital gyrus. Increased ERD across these areas was accompanied by an increase in gamma band phase locking between primary motor, parietal, striate and extrastriate regions. Similar patterns were not observed when action was compatible with perception, but did not influence it. These data demonstrate that action influences perception by strengthening the interaction across a broad sensorimotor network for the putative purpose of integrating compatible action outcomes and sensory information into a single coherent percept.

LOW CO LUMINOSITIES IN DWARF GALAXIES

[Abridged] We present maps of CO 2-1 emission covering the entire star-forming disks of 16 nearby dwarf galaxies observed by the IRAM HERACLES survey. The data have 13 arcsec angular resolution, ~250 pc at our average distance of 4 Mpc, and sample the galaxies by 10-1000 resolution elements. We apply stacking techniques to perform the first sensitive search for CO emission in dwarfs outside the Local Group ranging from single lines-of-sight, stacked over IR-bright regions of embedded star formation, and stacked over the entire galaxy. We detect 5 dwarfs in CO with total luminosities of L_CO = 3-28 1e6 Kkmspc2. The other 11 dwarfs remain undetected in CO even in the stacked data and have L_CO < 0.4-8 1e6 Kkmspc2. We combine our sample of dwarfs with a large literature sample of spirals to study scaling relations of L_CO with M_B and metallicity. We find that dwarfs with metallicities of Z ~ 1/2-1/10 Z_sun have L_CO about 1e2-1e4x smaller than spirals and that their L_CO per unit L_B is 10-100x smaller. A comparison with tracers of star formation (FUV and 24 micron) shows that L_CO per unit SFR is 10-100x smaller in dwarfs. One possible interpretation is that dwarfs form stars much more efficiently, however we argue that the low L_CO/SFR ratio is due to significant changes of the CO-to-H2 conversion factor, alpha_CO, in low metallicity environments. Assuming a constant H2 depletion time of 1.8 Gyr (as found for nearby spirals) implies alpha_CO values for dwarfs with Z ~ 1/2-1/10 Z_sun that are more than 10x higher than those found in solar metallicity spirals. This significant increase of alpha_CO at low metallicity is consistent with previous studies, in particular those which model dust emission to constrain H2 masses. Even though it is difficult to parameterize the metallicity dependence of alpha_CO, our results suggest that CO is increasingly difficult to detect at lower metallicities.

Eeg in adolescent anorexia nervosa: Impact of refeeding and weight gain

To examine resting awake EEG in adolescent AN participants before and after refeeding to determine if EEG abnormalities in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are reversible. In 37 adolescent first admission AN patients and 45 healthy controls, EEG was recorded during short duration "eyes open" and "eyes closed" awake resting conditions. Repeat testing occurred in 28 AN participants after refeeding and subsequent weight gain. In "eyes open," underweight AN participants exhibit reduced relative alpha power and increased beta power in frontal brain regions. A significant increase in alpha, and decrease in beta and delta power was observed within participants after refeeding. In "eyes closed", underweight AN participants had elevated theta in parietal-occipital regions which remained after refeeding. EEG abnormalities (reduced alpha/increased beta power) in AN normalizes with refeeding, while increased theta power persists in parietal-occipital regions in an eyes closed context.

P02-335 - A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations

ObjectiveMindfulness meditations (MM) are an important group of meditative practices which have received growing attention. The aim of the present paper is to systematically review current evidence on the neurobiological changes and on the clinical benefits related to MM practice in psychiatric disorders, physical illnesses and in healthy subjects.MethodsA literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, ISI web of knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database and references of retrieved articles. Controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English up to November 2008 were included.ResultsElectroencephalographic studies found a significant increase in alpha and theta activity during meditation. Neuro-imaging studies showed that MM practice activates the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex and that long term meditation practice is associated to an enhancement of cerebral areas related to attention. From a clinical point of view, Mindfulness based Stress Reduction showed efficacy for many psychiatric and physical conditions as well as for healthy subjects, Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy was mainly efficacious in reducing relapses of depression in patients with 3 or more episodes, Zen meditation significantly reduced blood pressure and Vipassana meditation showed efficacy in reducing alcohol and substance abuse in prisoners. However, given the low quality designs of current studies it is difficult to establish whether clinical outcomes are due to specific or non specific effects of MM.ConclusionDespite encouraging findings, several limitations including small sample size, absence of randomization and inappropriate control groups affect the significance of current evidence and further better designed studies are required.

A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations

Mindfulness meditation (MM) practices constitute an important group of meditative practices that have received growing attention. The aim of the present paper was to systematically review current evidence on the neurobiological changes and clinical benefits related to MM practice in psychiatric disorders, in physical illnesses and in healthy subjects. A literature search was undertaken using Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database and references of retrieved articles. Controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English up to November 2008 were included. Electroencephalographic (EEG) studies have revealed a significant increase in alpha and theta activity during meditation. Neuroimaging studies showed that MM practice activates the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and that long-term meditation practice is associated with an enhancement of cerebral areas related to attention. From a clinical viewpoint, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has shown efficacy for many psychiatric and physical conditions and also for healthy subjects, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is mainly efficacious in reducing relapses of depression in patients with three or more episodes, Zen meditation significantly reduces blood pressure and Vipassana meditation shows efficacy in reducing alcohol and substance abuse in prisoners. However, given the low-quality designs of current studies it is difficult to establish whether clinical outcomes are due to specific or non-specific effects of MM. Despite encouraging findings, several limitations affect current studies. Suggestions are given for future research based on better designed methodology and for future directions of investigation.

Long-Range Correlations in Rectal Temperature Fluctuations of Healthy Infants during Maturation

BackgroundControl of breathing, heart rate, and body temperature are interdependent in infants, where instabilities in thermoregulation can contribute to apneas or even life-threatening events. Identifying abnormalities in thermoregulation is particularly important in the first 6 months of life, where autonomic regulation undergoes critical development. Fluctuations in body temperature have been shown to be sensitive to maturational stage as well as system failure in critically ill patients. We thus aimed to investigate the existence of fractal-like long-range correlations, indicative of temperature control, in night time rectal temperature (Trec) patterns in maturing infants.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe measured Trec fluctuations in infants every 4 weeks from 4 to 20 weeks of age and before and after immunization. Long-range correlations in the temperature series were quantified by the correlation exponent, α using detrended fluctuation analysis. The effects of maturation, room temperature, and immunization on the strength of correlation were investigated. We found that Trec fluctuations exhibit fractal long-range correlations with a mean (SD) α of 1.51 (0.11), indicating that Trec is regulated in a highly correlated and hence deterministic manner. A significant increase in α with age from 1.42 (0.07) at 4 weeks to 1.58 (0.04) at 20 weeks reflects a change in long-range correlation behavior with maturation towards a smoother and more deterministic temperature regulation, potentially due to the decrease in surface area to body weight ratio in the maturing infant. α was not associated with mean room temperature or influenced by immunizationConclusionsThis study shows that the quantification of long-range correlations using α derived from detrended fluctuation analysis is an observer-independent tool which can distinguish developmental stages of night time Trec pattern in young infants, reflective of maturation of the autonomic system. Detrended fluctuation analysis may prove useful for characterizing thermoregulation in premature and other infants at risk for life-threatening events.

The involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced gonadotropin α- and FSHβ-subunit genes expression in clonal gonadotroph LβT2 cells☆

Akt/protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), which is activated by phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-kinase), plays an important role in cell survival and cell proliferation. Using the well differentiated, clonal gonadotroph cell line, LbetaT2, we examined (1) whether Akt/PKB was activated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); (2) the contribution of PI3-kinase-Akt/PKB pathway in each of gonadotropin subunit gene expression; (3) crosstalk between extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt/PKB pathways. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was used as Akt/PKBs classic activator. Western blot analyses using antibodies specific for the phosphorylated forms of ERK and Akt/PKB demonstrated that both were rapidly phosphorylated following treatment with GnRH and IGF-1. Akt/PKB activation by GnRH and IGF-1 was completely eliminated in the presence of the PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY 294002, but not in the presence of an Akt/PKB inhibitor. Interestingly, the total amount of Akt/PKB protein was dramatically increased in the presence of LY 294002. Phosphorylation of ERK was significantly increased in the presence of LY 294002 alone, and was further increased when GnRH was used in combination with LY 294002. In experiments using a luciferase reporter construct containing the serum response element (SRE), a known target of the ERK pathway, LY 294002 but not the Akt/PKB inhibitor increased SRE-luciferase activity. GnRH-induced SRE-luciferase activity was significantly increased by LY 294002. GnRH stimulation resulted in gonadotropin LHbeta, FSHbeta, and alpha-subunit promoter activation, while IGF-1 failed to stimulate any of them. GnRH-induced gonadotropin promoter activities were not modulated in the presence of an Akt/PKB inhibitor, but treatment with LY 294002 or Wortmannin resulted in a significant increase in alpha- and FSHbeta-subunit promoter activation, both with and without GnRH. LY 294002, but not the Akt/PKB inhibitor, significantly inhibited cell proliferation. These results suggest that GnRH-induced gonadotropin gene expression is not regulated through the Akt/PKB pathway; however, PI3-kinase may be involved in the negative regulation of alpha- and FSHbeta-subunit gene expression as well as cell proliferation.

Modification of Gene Expression and Increase inα1-Antitrypsin (α1-AT) Secretion After Homologous Recombination inα1-AT-Deficient Monocytes

Small DNA fragments (SDFs) including normal M and alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha(1)-ATD) Z sequences were generated and transfected into peripheral blood monocytes from M subjects and Z alpha(1)-ATD patients. Untreated M and alpha(1)-ATD monocytes secreted 32 +/- 1.1 and 23 +/- 1.4 ng of alpha(1)-AT per 10(6) monocytes over 24 hr. After tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulation, the alpha(1)-AT secretion from M monocytes increased significantly to 50 +/- 2.1 ng/10(6) over 24 hr (p = 0.0004), whereas there was no change in secreted alpha(1)-AT from TNF-alpha-stimulated alpha(1)-ATD monocytes. However, after Z SDF transfection, M monocytes failed to increase alpha (1)-AT secretion in response to TNF-alpha stimulation. Transfecting alpha (1)-ATD monocytes with the M SDF resulted in a significant increase in alpha(1)-AT secretion (p = 0.03) after TNF-alpha stimulation to 55 +/- 2.7 ng/10(6) cells. Monocytes from a further 13 alpha(1)-ATD patients constitutively produced alpha(1)-AT after the first 24 hr. Transfection with either transfection reagent alone or with Z SDF slightly increased alpha (1)-AT secretion over the subsequent 24 hr. However, M SDF transfection significantly increased alpha(1)-AT secretion further, compared with untreated or sham transfection. Untreated, transfection reagent-treated, and Z SDF-transfected alpha(1)-ATD monocytes generated polymerase chain reaction products from Z primers. M SDF-treated alpha(1)-ATD monocytes generated bands with M primers, indicating the generation of a corrected transcript. In conclusion, the defective gene can be corrected in alpha(1)-ATD monocytes with SDFs, and treatment is associated with an increase in alpha(1)-AT secretion. The development of this methodology to repair the gene defect in hepatocytes should have beneficial effects on secretion, thereby protecting both the lung and liver.