Human slow wave sleep: A review and appraisal of recent findings,with implications for sleep functions,and psychiatric illness

Recent findings concerning human slow wave sleep (hSWS-stages 3+4; delta EEG activity) are critically reviewed. Areas covered include the significance of the first hSWS cycle; hSWS in extended sleep; relationship between hSWS, prior wakefulness and sleep loss; hSWS influence on sleep length; problems with hSWS deprivation; influence of the circadian rhythm; individual differences in hSWS, especially, age, gender and constitutional variables such as physical fitness and body composition. Transient increases in hSWS can be produced by increasing both the quality and quantity of prior wakefulness, with an underlying mechanism perhaps relating to the waking level of brain metabolism. Whilst there may also be thermoregulatory influences on hSWS, hypotheses that energy conservation and brain cooling are major roles for hSWS are debatable. hSWS seems to offer some form of cerebral recovery, with the prefrontal cortex being particularly implicated. The hSWS characteristics of certain forms of major psychiatric disorders may well endorse this prefrontal link.     

重组人脑钠素在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化与鉴定

人脑钠素(hBNP,humanbrainnatriureticpeptide)是心室分泌的由32个氨基酸组成的多肽激素.临床研究表明,hBNP是治疗充血型心衰竭的一种安全有效的多肽药物.化学合成脑钠素全基因,以pET32a为表达载体,构建了硫氧还蛋白-脑钠素(thioredoxin＿hBNP)融合蛋白表达质粒,并转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导,融合蛋白的表达量占全菌蛋白量的25%以上.融合蛋白经肠激酶裂解、Zn＿Sepharose亲和层析和C4反相高效液相层析,从每升培养液中可获取4mgrhBNP,纯度达到95%.经质谱测定,rhBNP样品的分子量为3464Da.体外活性测定结果表明,rhBNP样品对兔胸主动脉条具有显著的血管舒张效应,其ED50为(2.24±0 58)×10-6mg/mL.     

重组人胸腺肽α1在大肠杆菌中的表达纯化和鉴定

用PCR将化学合成的人胸腺肽α1基因扩增并克隆到pMD18-T载体中,经过KpnI／SacI酶切、连接将胸腺肽基因插入到表达载体pET32b中硫氧还蛋白下游．将重组质粒转化至表达宿主BL21(DE3)中,经IPTG诱导,Zn—Sepharose亲和层析纯化以及复性处理,从每升菌液中可获得35mg硫氧还蛋白-胸腺肽α1融合蛋白．经凝血因子Xa酶切、Zn—Sepharose亲和层析以及反相高效液相色谱纯化获得3．8mg重组人胸腺肽．小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡实验表明,重组人胸腺肽能显地抑制地赛米松诱导的小鼠胸腺细胞的凋亡,且该抑制作用与重组人胸腺肽的浓度呈剂量依赖关系．     

Differential distribution of TASK-1, TASK-2 and TASK-3 immunoreactivities in the rat and human cerebellum

In this work, the distributions of some acid-sensitive two-pore-domain K⁺ channels (TASK-1, TASK-2 and TASK-3) were investigated in the rat and human cerebellum. Astrocytes situated in rat cerebellar tissue sections were positive for TASK-2 channels. Purkinje cells were strongly stained and granule cells and astrocytes were moderately positive for TASK-3. Astrocytes isolated from the hippocampus, cerebellum and cochlear nucleus expressed TASK channels in a primary tissue culture. Our results suggest that TASK channel expression may be significant in the endoplasmic reticulum of the astrocytes. The human cerebellum showed weak TASK-2 immunolabelling. The pia mater, astrocytes, Purkinje and granule cells demonstrated strong TASK-1 and TASK-3 positivities. The TASK-3 labelling was stronger in general, but it was particularly intense in the Purkinje cells and pia mater.Received 25 February 2004; received after revision 19 April 2004; accepted 28 April 2004     

Binding of estradiol to synaptosomal mitochondria: physiological significance

The subsynaptosomal distribution and specific binding of 17beta-estradiol in vitro to mitochondria isolated from presynaptic nerve endings of female rat brain were examined. 17Beta-estradiol is (i) distributed unequally in synaptosomes and mitochondria posses the highest capacity to bind estradiol with respect to the available amount of the hormone. (ii) Estradiol binds specifically to isolated synaptosomal mitochondria. A Michaelis-Menten plot of specific binding was sigmoidal within a concentration range of 0.1-5 nM of added estradiol, with a saturation plateau at 3 nM. Binding of higher estradiol concentrations demonstrated an exponential Michaelis-Menten plot, indicating non-specific binding to mitochondria. Vmax and Km for the sigmoidal-shape range were estimated as 46 +/- 6 fmol of estradiol/mg of mitochondrial proteins and 0.46 +/- 0.07 nM free estradiol respectively. (iii) Estradiol binding is not affected by the removal of ovaries. The results show that inhibition of Na-dependent Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria by estradiol occurs according to an affinity change of the translocator for Na+, at the same estradiol concentrations that show specific binding to mitochondrial membranes. These data imply that physiological concentrations of estradiol, acting on mitochondrial membrane properties, extragenomically modulate the mitochondrial, and consequently the synaptosomal content of Ca2+, and in that way exert a significant change in nerve cell homeostasis.     

Modulation of presynaptic nAChRs on postsynaptic GABA receptor in optic tectum of juvenile<Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus</Emphasis>

Using the blind patch-clamp technique with the whole-cell mode,we have studied the modulation presynaptic receptor on postsynaptic γ-raminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor measuring miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs)in optic tectum of Xenopus during critical peroid.It was demonstrated that compared with mature neurons,mIPSCs recorded from immature neurons had smaller amplitude and longer decay time.mIPSCs are mediated by GABAa receptor.The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists(carbachol,cytisine,nicotine,DMPP and so on) could increase the frequency of mIPSCs.The enhancement of mIPSCs frequency induced by nAChR agonists was calcium-dependent.However,the choline,a product of hydrolyzed acetylcholine,could not increase the frequency of mIPSCs.DH-β-E,a competitive antagonist of nAChR,blocked the increase of mIPSCs frequency induced by carbachol.Mecamyllamine,an α3β4 subtype of nAChR antagonist,also blocked the carbachol-induced enhancement of mIPSCs.On the other hand,MLA,α7 subtype of nAChR antagonist,had no effect on it .Thus,it seems that nAChR could presynaptically modulate the mIPSCs and α3β4 subtype of nAChR might be involved.But α7 nAChR subtype of nAChR would not be involved.The modulation is calcium-dependent.Meanwhile,we found that Ca^2 -free solution could elicit giant PSCs.The frequency of mIPSCs also is related with the level of HP.     

Interleaving distribution of multifractal strength of 16-channel EEG signals

Muitifractai characteristics of 16-channel human electroencephalogram (EEG) signals under eye-closed rest are analyzed for the first time. The result shows that the EEGs from the different sites on the scalp have different muitifractai characteristics and the muitifractai strength value △α exhibits a kind of interleaving and left-right opposite distribution on scalp. This distribution rule is consistent with the localization of function and the iateralization theory in physiology. So △α can become an effective parameter to describe the brain potential character. And such a △α stable distribution rule on sites of the scalp means a classic cerebral cortex active state.     

群体决策争议的支持模式研究

针对群体决策过程存在知识断层和决策争议的问题,讨论了对群体决策中的争议过程进行支持的Toulmin逻辑表达结构,并对将Toulmin逻辑结构应用于设计支持非结构群体过程的“公共大脑”的表达方式进行了探讨。     

Magnetic resonance imaging based volumetry:a primary approach to unravelling the brain

Magnetic resonance(MR)imaging based volumetry is recognized as an important technique for studying the brain.In this review,two principle volumetric methods using high resolution MR images were introduced,namely the Cavalieri method and the voxel based morphometry(VBM).The Cavalieri method represents a manual technique that allows the volume of brain structures to be estimated efficiently with no systematic error or sampling bias,whereby the VBM represents an automated image analysis which involves the use of statistical parametric mapping of the MR imaging data.Both methods have been refined and applied extensively in recent neuro- science research.The present paper aims to describe the development of methodologies and also to update the knowledge of their applica- tions in studying the normal and diseased brain.     

Immunocytochemical localization of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) systems in the brain of a marine teleost fish,the sole

Summary The GnRH system was studied in the brain of the sole by immunocytochemistry (peroxidase-antiperoxidase method) (PAP) using antibodies to synthetic salmon GnRH (s-GnRH). Two centers containing immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the forebrain, one located at the junction between the olfactory bulbs and the telencephalon and the other in the preoptic area. Numerous immunoreactive fibers were found, especially in the telencephalon, hypothalamus, pituitary, optic tectum and retina.