Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems

Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

Works Count: 71515

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Description

This cluster of papers explores the neural mechanisms underlying respiratory control, including central chemoreception, carotid body function, serotonergic neuron involvement, and the role of hypothalamic regulation in maintaining respiratory homeostasis. It also investigates the relationship between respiratory control and conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the physiological processes of oxygen sensing and thermoregulation.

Keywords

Respiratory Rhythm; Central Chemoreception; Carotid Body; Serotonergic Neurons; Hypothalamic Regulation; Sympathetic Control; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Oxygen Sensing; Neural Circuits; Thermoregulation

Amino acid transmitters in the mammalian central nervous system

1974-01-01

D.R. Curtis , Graham A.R. Johnston

The Respiratory Chain and Oxidative Phosphorylation

1956-01-01

Britton Chance , G. R. Williams

Tonic vasomotor control by the rostral ventrolateral medulla: effect of electrical or chemical stimulation of the area containing C1 adrenaline neurons on arterial pressure, heart rate, and plasma catecholamines and vasopressin

1984-02-01

C A Ross , DA Ruggiero , DH Park +5 more

We have studied the responses to electrical and chemical stimulation of the ventrolateral medulla in the chloralose-anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated rat. Locations of most active pressor responses were compared to … We have studied the responses to electrical and chemical stimulation of the ventrolateral medulla in the chloralose-anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated rat. Locations of most active pressor responses were compared to regions containing neurons labeled immunocytochemically for phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of adrenaline. Elevations of arterial pressure (+81.6 +/- 2.5 mm Hg) and cardioacceleration (+73 +/- 13.6 bpm) were elicited with low current (5 times threshold of 9.5 +/- 1.1 microA) electrical stimulation in a region of rostral ventrolateral medullary reticular formation we have termed the nucleus reticularis rostroventrolateralis (RVL). Electrical stimulation of the RVL increased plasma catecholamines (16.8-fold for adrenaline, 5.3-fold for noradrenaline, and 1.9-fold for dopamine) and vasopressin (1.7-fold before spinal transection, 4.7-fold after). The location of the most active pressor region in the ventrolateral medulla corresponded closely with the location of C1 adrenaline-synthesizing (PNMT-containing) neurons. In addition, the location of the most active pressor region in the dorsomedial medulla corresponded with the location of a bundle of PNMT-containing axons. Unilateral injections into the RVL of the excitatory amino acid monosodium L-glutamate (50 pmol to 10 nmol), but not saline, caused transient dose-dependent and topographically specific elevations (maximum +71.6 +/- 4.9 mm Hg) of arterial blood pressure and tachycardia. Injections of the rigid structural analogue of glutamate, kainic acid, caused large, prolonged (at least 15 min) pressor responses and tachycardia. Unilateral injections of the inhibitory amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) into the RVL caused transient dose-dependent hypotension (maximum -40.8 +/- 6.6 mm Hg) and bradycardia, whereas the specific GABA antagonist bicuculline caused prolonged (10 to 20 min) elevations (+64.2 +/- 6.8 mm Hg) of arterial pressure and tachycardia. By contrast, injections of the glycine antagonist strychnine had no significant effect. Bilateral injections of the neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, dropped arterial pressure to low levels (51.7 +/- 4.7) not changed by subsequent spinal cord transection at the first cervical segment (52.5 +/- 6.2). We propose the following. (1) Neurons within the RVL, most probably C1 adrenaline- synthesizing neurons, exert an excitatory influence on sympathetic vasomotor fibers, the adrenal medulla, and the posterior pituitary. (2) These neurons are tonically active and under tonic inhibitory control, in part via GABAergic mechanisms--perhaps via the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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Urinary bladder hyporeflexia and reduced pain-related behaviour in P2X3-deficient mice

2000-10-01

Debra A. Cockayne , Sara G. Hamilton , Quan‐Ming Zhu +7 more

Different projections of the central amygdaloid nucleus mediate autonomic and behavioral correlates of conditioned fear

1988-07-01

JE LeDoux , Jiro Iwata , P Cicchetti +1 more

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether lesions of areas projected to by the central amygdaloid nucleus (ACE) would disrupt the classical conditioning of autonomic and/or behavioral … The purpose of the present study was to determine whether lesions of areas projected to by the central amygdaloid nucleus (ACE) would disrupt the classical conditioning of autonomic and/or behavioral emotional responses. The areas studied included 3 projection targets of the ACE: the lateral hypothalamic area (LH), midbrain central gray (CG) region, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Lesions were made either electrolytically or by microinjection of ibotenic acid, which destroys local neurons without interrupting fibers of passage. Two weeks later, the animals were classically conditioned by pairing an acoustic stimulus with footshock. The next day, conditioned changes in autonomic activity (increases in arterial pressure) and emotional behavior ("freezing," or the arrest of somatomotor activity) evoked by the acoustic conditioned stimulus (CS) were measured during extinction trials. Electrolytic and ibotenic acid lesions of the LH interfered with the conditioned arterial pressure response, but did not affect conditioned freezing. Electrolytic lesions of the rostral CG disrupted conditioned freezing but not conditioned changes in arterial pressure. Ibotenic acid injected into the rostral CG reduced neither the arterial pressure nor the freezing response. Injection of ibotenic acid in the caudal CG, like electrolytic lesions of the rostral CG, disrupted the freezing, but not the arterial pressure response. Injection of ibotenic acid into the BNST had no effect on either response. These data demonstrate that neurons in the LH are involved in the autonomic, but not the behavioral, conditioned response pathway, whereas neurons in the caudal CG are involved in the behavioral, but not the autonomic, pathway. Different efferent projections of the central amygdala thus appear to mediate the behavioral and autonomic concomitants of conditioned fear.

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Verteilung Von Noradrenalin Und Dopamin (3-Hydroxytyramin) Im Gehirn Des Menschen Und Ihr Verhalten Bei Erkrankungen Des Extrapyramidalen Systems

1960-12-01

H Ehringer , Oleh Hornykiewicz

Neurotransmitter functions of mammalian tachykinins.

1993-04-01

Motoyuki Otsuka , Kazuaki Yoshioka

Brain Stem Control of Swallowing: Neuronal Network and Cellular Mechanisms

2001-04-01

André Jean

Swallowing movements are produced by a central pattern generator located in the medulla oblongata. It has been established on the basis of microelectrode recordings that the swallowing network includes two … Swallowing movements are produced by a central pattern generator located in the medulla oblongata. It has been established on the basis of microelectrode recordings that the swallowing network includes two main groups of neurons. One group is located within the dorsal medulla and contains the generator neurons involved in triggering, shaping, and timing the sequential or rhythmic swallowing pattern. Interestingly, these generator neurons are situated within a primary sensory relay, that is, the nucleus tractus solitarii. The second group is located in the ventrolateral medulla and contains switching neurons, which distribute the swallowing drive to the various pools of motoneurons involved in swallowing. This review focuses on the brain stem mechanisms underlying the generation of sequential and rhythmic swallowing movements. It analyzes the neuronal circuitry, the cellular properties of neurons, and the neurotransmitters possibly involved, as well as the peripheral and central inputs which shape the output of the network appropriately so that the swallowing movements correspond to the bolus to be swallowed. The mechanisms possibly involved in pattern generation and the possible flexibility of the swallowing central pattern generator are discussed.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Unclassified Sudden Infant Deaths: A Definitional and Diagnostic Approach

2004-07-01

Henry F. Krous , J. Bruce Beckwith , Roger W. Byard +7 more

The definition of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) originally appeared in 1969 and was modified 2 decades later. During the following 15 years, an enormous amount of additional information has … The definition of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) originally appeared in 1969 and was modified 2 decades later. During the following 15 years, an enormous amount of additional information has emerged, justifying additional refinement of the definition of SIDS to incorporate epidemiologic features, risk factors, pathologic features, and ancillary test findings. An expert panel of pediatric and forensic pathologists and pediatricians considered these issues and developed a new general definition of SIDS for administrative and vital statistics purposes. The new definition was then stratified to facilitate research into sudden infant death. Another category, defined as unclassified sudden infant deaths, was introduced for cases that do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of SIDS and for which alternative diagnoses of natural or unnatural conditions were equivocal. It is anticipated that these new definitions will be modified in the future to accommodate new understanding of SIDS and sudden infant death.

Ascending projections of the locus coeruleus in the rat. II. Autoradiographic study

1977-05-01

Barbara E. Jones , Robert Y. Moore

Mammalian nitrate biosynthesis: mouse macrophages produce nitrite and nitrate in response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

1985-11-01

Dennis J. Stuehr , Michael A. Marletta

Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrate biosynthesis was studied in LPS-sensitive C3H/He and LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 15 micrograms of LPS led to a temporary 5- to 6-fold increase … Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrate biosynthesis was studied in LPS-sensitive C3H/He and LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 15 micrograms of LPS led to a temporary 5- to 6-fold increase in blood nitrate concentration in the C3H/He strain. Levels of nitrate excreted in the urine were also increased. In contrast, no increase was observed in the C3H/HeJ strain with LPS injections up to 175 micrograms. Furthermore, thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from C3H/He, but not from C3H/HeJ mice, produced nitrite (60%) and nitrate (40%) when cultured with LPS (10 micrograms/ml). T-lymphocyte addition/depletion experiments showed the presence of T cells enhanced this response. However, LPS did not cause nitrite or nitrate production in cultures of spleen lymphocytes from either strain. LPS-induced nitrate synthesis was also observed with nude mice and CBA/N mice, indicating that neither functional T lymphocytes nor LPS-responsive B lymphocytes were required for the response in vivo. This was consistent with the in vitro results showing macrophages alone were competent. Mycobacterium bovis infection of C3H/He and C3H/HeJ mice resulted in a large increase in nitrate production over the course of the infection for both strains, suggesting T-lymphocyte-mediated activation of macrophages as a potent stimulus for nitrate biosynthesis. The synthesis of nitrite is significant in that it can directly participate in the endogenous formation of nitrosamines and may also be involved in some aspect of the chemistry of cytotoxicity.

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Efferent connections of the habenular nuclei in the rat

1979-09-01

Miles Herkenham , Walle J. H. Nauta

Abstract The efferent connections of the medial (MHb) and lateral (LHb) habenular nuclei in the rat were demonstrated autoradiographically following small injections of tritiated amino acids localized within various parts … Abstract The efferent connections of the medial (MHb) and lateral (LHb) habenular nuclei in the rat were demonstrated autoradiographically following small injections of tritiated amino acids localized within various parts of the habenular complex. Comparison of individual cases led to the following conclusions. MHb efferents form the core portion of the fasciculus retroflexus and pass to the interpeduncular nucleus (IP) in which they terminate in a topographic pattern that reflects 90° rotations such that dorsal MHb projects to lateral IP, medial MHb to ventral, and lateral MHb to dorsal IP. Most MHb fibers cross in the interpeduncular nucleus in the “figure 8” pattern described by Cajal, and terminate throughout the width of IP with only moderate preference for the ipsilateral side. However, the most dorsal part of MHb projects almost exclusively to the most lateral IP zone in a cluster pattern that is particularly dense on the ipsilateral side. The MHb appears to have no other significant projections, but very sparse MHb fibers may pass to the supracommissural septum and to the median raphe nucleus. Except for some fibers passing ventrally into the mediodorsal nucleus, all of the LHb efferents enter the fasciculus retroflexus and compose the mantle portion of the bundle. No LHb projections follow the stria medullaris. In the ventral tegmental area LHb efferents become organized into groups that disperse in several directions: (a) Rostrally directed fibers follow the medial forebrain bundle to the lateral, posterior and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, ventromedial thalamic nucleus, lateral preoptic area, substantia innominata and ventrolateral septum. (b) Fibers turning laterally distribute to the substantia nigra, pars compacta (SNC); a small number continue through SNC to adjacent tegmentum. (c) The largest contingent of LHb efferents passes dorsocaudally into paramedian midbrain regions including median and dorsal raphe nuclei, and to adjacent tegmental reticular formation. Sparse additional LHb projections pass to the pretectal area, superior colliculus, nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis, parabrachial nuclei and locus coeruleus. No LHb projections appear to involve the interpeduncular nucleus. All of these connections are in varying degree bilateral, with decussations in the supramammillary region, ventral tegmental area and median raphe nucleus. On the basis of differential afferent and efferent connections, the LHb can be divided into a medial(M‐LHb) and a lateral (L‐LHb) portion. The M‐LHb, receiving most of its afferents from limbic regions and only few from globus pallidus, projects mainly to the raphe nuclei, while L‐LHb, afferented mainly by globus pallidus and in lesser degree by the limbic forebrain, projects predominantly to a large region of reticular formation alongside the median raphe nucleus. Both M‐LHb and L‐LHb, however, project to SNC. The reported data are discussed in correlation with recent histochemical findings.

Polyalanine expansion and frameshift mutations of the paired-like homeobox gene PHOX2B in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome

2003-03-17

Jeanne Amiel , Béatrice Laudier , Tania Attié‐Bitach +7 more

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The central adrenergic system. An immunofluorescence study of the location of cell bodies and their efferent connections in the rat utilizing dopamine‐B‐hydroxylase as a marker

1975-10-15

L. W. Swanson , Boyd K. Hartman

Abstract A sensitive immunofluorescene technique was used to describe systematically the distribution of dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DBH)‐containing cell bodies, non‐terminal fiber pathways, and terminal fields in the brain of the male albino … Abstract A sensitive immunofluorescene technique was used to describe systematically the distribution of dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DBH)‐containing cell bodies, non‐terminal fiber pathways, and terminal fields in the brain of the male albino rat. DBH is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline, and as such is useful as an anatomical marker for noradrenaline and possibly adrenaline neurons. The enzyme is not present in dopamine‐ or indolamine‐containing neurons. Ten micron frozen sections (1‐in‐20 series) were prepared in the frontal, sagittal, and horizontal planes from the olfactory bulb to the upper cervical segments of the spinal cord; adjacent sections in each plane were stained for DBH and for cells (toluidine blue‐azure II). An atlas consisting of 40 projection drawings of selected frontal sections illustrates the results of the investigation. DBH perikarya are confined to three groups in the pons and medulla: the well defined locus coeruleus, a more diffuse but continuous subcoeruleus group that arches through the pons and ventral medulla, and a third dorsal medullary group centered in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. A single principal adrenergic fiber system distributes a great many of the axons from these neuron groups to a majority of nuclear areas in the brain. In the pons and medulla two components of the fiber system may be distinguished. A medullary branch may be followed from the posterior aspect of the subcoeruleus group dorsally and then anteriorly through the lateral tegmental field and ventral aspect of the vestibular complex to a position subjacent to the locus coeruleus, where it is joined by a subcoeruleus branch consisting of a large number of fibers coursing among cells along the length of the subcoeruleus group, and by fibers arising from the locus coeruleus. Anterior to the locus coeruleus the principal adrenergic bundle courses as a single fiber tract immediately ventrolateral to the central gray in the mesencephalon and in the zona incerta and substantia innominata in the diencephalon. At the level of the septal area separate bundles reach the cortex dorsally over the genu of the corpus callosum via the medial septal‐diagonal band nuclei and the lateral septum and ventrally between the olfactory tubercle and caudate‐putamen. In the medulla and pons adrenergic fibers undoubtedly course in both directions. Anterior to the most rostral pontine cell bodies, however, all fibers presumably ascend. Along the course of the bundle distinct branches emerge to innervate circumscribed terminal fields. In addition, certain regions of the brain such as the reticular formation and pontine gray receive diffuse DBH innervation derived from less clearly defined pathways. A small number of areas in the brain contain little or no detectable DBH. These include the caudate‐putamen, nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, olfactory tubercle, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, pretectal area, third, fourth and sixth cranial nerve nuclei, and the trapezoid body nucleus.

Observations on the Pulmonary Arterial Blood Pressure in the Cat

1946-08-01

U. S. von Euler , G. Liljestrand

Summary. The pulmonary arterial blood pressure was recorded in anaesthetized cats by means of a special cannula, according to MELLIN's technique. In most experiments the thorax was closed and the … Summary. The pulmonary arterial blood pressure was recorded in anaesthetized cats by means of a special cannula, according to MELLIN's technique. In most experiments the thorax was closed and the animal was breathing spontaneously. The pulmonary arterial pressure in 9 experiments averaged 23 cm water, or approximately 17 mm Hg, at an average systemic pressure of 132 mm Hg. The average ratio thus was about 1: 8, with the limits 1: 5 and 1: 14. Pressure variations of 1–2 cm blood synchronous with the breathing were regularly recorded. In one case, slow large waves of 1–2 minutes duration and about 5 cm amplitude were observed. Even great variations in the systemic blood pressure, elicited from the pressoregulating reflex mechanisms, were hardly accompanied by variations in the pulmonary arterial pressure. During muscular work a moderate rise in pulmonary blood pressure generally occurred, greater when air was breathed than when oxygen alone was administered. Clamping the pulmonary artery to one lung did not cause any change in systemic pressure (confirming LICHTHEIM and TIGERSTEDT) but caused a moderate rise in pulmonary arterial pressure. Breathing of pure oxygen lowered the pulmonary arterial pressure and oxygen‐lack raised it. Carbon dioxide 6.5–20.5 per cent in oxygen raised the pressure sligthly, but constantly. These effects were not influenced by vagotomy. The effect of injections of adrenaline, nor‐adrenaline, acetylcholine and histamine and of stimulation of pulmonary nerves were studied in some cases. The experiments seem to warrant the conclusion, that the regulation of the pulmonary blood flow is mainly mediated by a local action of the blood and alveolar gases leading to an adequate distribution of the blood through the various parts of the lungs according to the effeciency of aeration.

Brain stem projections of sensory and motor components of the vagus complex in the cat: II. Laryngeal, tracheobronchial, pulmonary, cardiac, and gastrointestinal branches

1980-09-15

Madhu Kalia , M‐Marsel Mesulam

Abstract The central sensory and motor connections of various respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal viscera were analyzed using the transganglionic and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In 42 adult cats, … Abstract The central sensory and motor connections of various respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal viscera were analyzed using the transganglionic and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In 42 adult cats, we examined the brain stem and peripheral ganglia following microinjections of HRP (10 μl) into individual visceral organs—larynx, extrathoracic trachea, intrathoracic trachea, right main bronchus, right lung (upper lobe), heart, and stomach. Comparison of individual cases led to the conclusion that distinct patterns of sensory and motor projections to the medulla exist for each visceral organ studied. The nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS) receives the sensory projections from all the viscera listed above, with two exceptions: (1) a few sensory fibers from the larynx terminate in the ipsilateral spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve (spV), and (2) some sensory fibers from the bronchus, lung, and stomach terminate in the area postrema (ap). Within the nTS, the sensory fibers from each visceral organ terminate in a number of subnuclei. The dnTS, mnTS, and ncom receive sensory projections from all the viscera studied. The remaining five subnuclei (dlnTS, ni, nI, vlnTS, vnTS) of the nTS are not connected to all viscera, and the density of projections to these regions varies for different viscera. However, there does not seem to be any specific region of the medulla which is devoted entirely to receiving the sensory fibers from a particular visceral organ. Rather, the rostrocaudal extent of sensory fibers, from most of the viscera studied, spans the entire length of the medulla. Differences in the central representation of viscera were found to be subtle and to lie within the organization of the nuclear subgroups of the nTS. The central representation of unpaired or midline viscera (e.g., trachea and heart) is bilateral for both sensory and motor innervation. However, for unilateral, paired viscera (e.g., bronchi and lungs), it was consistently found that over one third of the sensory and motor representation is contralateral. Control experiments involving vascular injections of HRP excluded the possibility that this contralateral labeling could have been due to vascular uptake of the enzyme. The localization of sensory perikarya of visceral afferents in the “principal visceral ganglion” of the vagus—the nodose ganglion—was overlapping, and no well‐demarcated regions in the nodose ganglion could be identified that received projections primarily from a given visceral organ. The motor nuclei providing parasympathetic (preganglionic) and somatic motor innervation to the viscera were primarily the dmnX, nA, and nRA. The entire dmnX (extending over 10–15 mm rostrocaudally), contributed fibers to each area injected with HRP, with the exception of the extrathoracic trachea. No region in the dmnX was found where preference was given to a specific viscus. The nA contributed efferents to all the viscera studied, and this contribution came from the entire 6 mm of nA contributing vagal efferents. Visceral containing smooth muscle as well as skeletal muscle were innervated by the nA. The caudal nRA provided motor fibers to the larynx, trachea, and stomach, and again no preferred rostrocaudal representation of motoneurons to a given viscus was found. Postganglionic sympathetic innervation to the viscera studied was found to be localized to the stellate and superior cervical ganglia. Within these sympathetic ganglia, some regional preference for different viscera was detected. In the case of motor innervation, unilateral paired viscera received motor fibers from both ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the medulla via both vagus nerves.

Paraventricular Nucleus:A Site for the Integration of Neuroendocrine and Autonomic Mechanisms

1980-01-01

L. W. Swanson , P.E. Sawchenko

We have summarized here recent evidence that clarifies the cellular organization and connections of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) in the rat. The nucleus consists of a magnocellular … We have summarized here recent evidence that clarifies the cellular organization and connections of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) in the rat. The nucleus consists of a magnocellular division, with three distinct parts, and a parvocellular division with five distinct parts. Most neurons in the magnocellular division contain either oxytocin or vasopressin, and project to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Separate cell populations centered in the parvocellular division give rise to projections to the median eminence, or to the brain stem and spinal cord including the intermediolateral column; some cells project both to the dorsal vagal complex and to the spinal cord. Cells with long descending projections may contain either oxytocin, vasopressin, somatostatin, or dopamine, although the biochemical specificity of most such neurons has not been determined. Noradrenergic fibers are found preferentially within those parts of the magnocellular division that are predominantly vasopressinergic. The parvocellular division is innervated by adrenergic as well as noradrenergic fibers from the brain stem, and by fibers from the dorsal vagal complex and the parabrachial nucleus. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and adjacent parts of the hypothalamus also innervate the PVH. The evidence indicates that subpopulations of neurons in the PVH are directly related to autonomic and neuroendocrine effector mechanisms, and suggest that the nucleus plays an important role in the regulation of visceral responses in the periphery and in the CNS itself.

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: Cytoarchitectonic subdivisions and organization of projections to the pituitary, dorsal vagal complex, and spinal cord as demonstrated by retrograde fluorescence double‐labeling methods

1980-12-01

Larry W. Swanson , H.G.J.M. Kuypers

Abstract Experiments using two retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes (bisbenzimide‐true blue, and Evans blue‐granular blue) were performed in order to determine whether the same or different populations of neurons in the … Abstract Experiments using two retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes (bisbenzimide‐true blue, and Evans blue‐granular blue) were performed in order to determine whether the same or different populations of neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) project to the pituitary gland, dorsal vagal complex, and spinal cord in the rat. The results suggest that cells projecting to the pituitary gland are concentrated in the magnocellular core of the nucleus, while the descending connections arise primarily from the surrounding parvocellular division. The occurrence of neurons double‐labeled with both dyes further indicate that at least 10–15% of the labeled cells in the parvocellular division send divergent axon collaterals to the dorsal vagal complex and to the spinal cord. Cell counts suggest that at least 1,500 cells in the PVH project to the medulla and/or spinal cord. These results, combined with a cytoarchitectonic analysis, show that the PVH consists of eight distinct subdivisions, three magnocellular and five parvocellular. The lateral hypothalamic area and zona incerta also contain a large number of cells projecting to the dorsomedial medulla and spinal cord; approximately 15% of such cells are double‐labeled following injections of separate tracers into these two regions of the same animal.

ALS, SOD and peroxynitrite

1993-08-01

Joseph S. Beckman , Michael A. Carson , Craig D. Smith +1 more

Anatomical evidence of direct projections from the nucleus of the solitary tract to the hypothalamus, amygdala, and other forebrain structures in the rat

1978-09-01

Juarez A. Ricardo , Edward T. Koh

Subnuclear organization of the efferent connections of the parabrachial nucleus in the rat

1984-08-01

Carl Fulwiler , Clifford B. Saper

Astrocytes Control Breathing Through pH-Dependent Release of ATP

2010-07-16

Alexander V. Gourine , Vitaliy Kasymov , Nephtalı́ Marina +7 more

Astrocytes provide structural and metabolic support for neuronal networks, but direct evidence demonstrating their active role in complex behaviors is limited. Central respiratory chemosensitivity is an essential mechanism that, via … Astrocytes provide structural and metabolic support for neuronal networks, but direct evidence demonstrating their active role in complex behaviors is limited. Central respiratory chemosensitivity is an essential mechanism that, via regulation of breathing, maintains constant levels of blood and brain pH and partial pressure of CO2. We found that astrocytes of the brainstem chemoreceptor areas are highly chemosensitive. They responded to physiological decreases in pH with vigorous elevations in intracellular Ca2+ and release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP propagated astrocytic Ca2+ excitation, activated chemoreceptor neurons, and induced adaptive increases in breathing. Mimicking pH-evoked Ca2+ responses by means of optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes expressing channelrhodopsin-2 activated chemoreceptor neurons via an ATP-dependent mechanism and triggered robust respiratory responses in vivo. This demonstrates a potentially crucial role for brain glial cells in mediating a fundamental physiological reflex.

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Brain Lesions, Obesity, and Other Disturbances in Mice Treated with Monosodium Glutamate

1969-05-09

John W. Olney

In newborn mice subcutaneous injectionis of monosodium glutamate induced acute neuronal necrosis in several regions of developing brain including the hypothanamus. As adults, treated animals showed stunted skeletal development, marked … In newborn mice subcutaneous injectionis of monosodium glutamate induced acute neuronal necrosis in several regions of developing brain including the hypothanamus. As adults, treated animals showed stunted skeletal development, marked obesity, and female sterility. Pathological changes were also found in several organs associated with endocrine function. Studies of food consumption failed to demonstrate hyperphagia to explain the obesity. It is postulated that the aduls syndrome represents a multifacted nueroendocrine disturbance arising from the disruption of developing nueral centers concered in the mediation of endocrine function.

Pre-Bötzinger Complex: a Brainstem Region that May Generate Respiratory Rhythm in Mammals

1991-11-01

Jeffrey C. Smith , Howard H. Ellenberger , Klaus Ballanyi +2 more

The location of neurons generating the rhythm of breathing in mammals is unknown. By microsection of the neonatal rat brainstem in vitro, a limited region of the ventral medulla (the … The location of neurons generating the rhythm of breathing in mammals is unknown. By microsection of the neonatal rat brainstem in vitro, a limited region of the ventral medulla (the pre-Bötzinger Complex) that contains neurons essential for rhythmogenesis was identified. Rhythm generation was eliminated by removal of only this region. Medullary slices containing the pre-Bötzinger Complex generated respiratory-related oscillations similar to those generated by the whole brainstem in vitro, and neurons with voltage-dependent pacemaker-like properties were identified in this region. Thus, the respiratory rhythm in the mammalian neonatal nervous system may result from a population of conditional bursting pacemaker neurons in the pre-Bötzinger Complex.

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The Central Autonomic Network: Functional Organization, Dysfunction, and Perspective

1993-10-01

Eduardo E. Benarroch

Functional and chemical anatomy of the afferent vagal system

2000-12-01

Hans‐Rudolf Berthoud , Winfried Neuhuber

Looking for inspiration: new perspectives on respiratory rhythm

2006-02-22

Jack L. Feldman , Christopher A. Del Negro

Neural pathways underlying vocal control

2002-03-01

Uwe Jürgens

The organization of noradrenergic pathways from the brainstem to the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in the rat

1982-11-01

Paul E. Sawchenko , Larry W. Swanson

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and School Performance in Children

1998-09-01

David Gozal

Objective. To assess the impact of sleep-associated gas exchange abnormalities (SAGEA) on school academic performance in children. Design. Prospective study. Setting. Urban public elementary schools. Participants. Two hundred ninety-seven first-grade … Objective. To assess the impact of sleep-associated gas exchange abnormalities (SAGEA) on school academic performance in children. Design. Prospective study. Setting. Urban public elementary schools. Participants. Two hundred ninety-seven first-grade children whose school performance was in the lowest 10th percentile of their class ranking. Methods. Children were screened for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome at home using a detailed parental questionnaire and a single night recording of pulse oximetry and transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide. If SAGEA was diagnosed, parents were encouraged to seek medical intervention for SAGEA. School grades of all participating children for the school year preceding and after the overnight study were obtained. Results. SAGEA was identified in 54 children (18.1%). Of these, 24 underwent surgical tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TR), whereas in the remaining 30 children, parents elected not to seek any therapeutic intervention (NT). Overall mean grades during the second grade increased from 2.43 ± 0.17 (SEM) to 2.87 ± 0.19 in TR, although no significant changes occurred in NT (2.44 ± 0.13 to 2.46 ± 0.15). Similarly, no academic improvements occurred in children without SAGEA. Conclusions. SAGEA is frequently present in poorly performing first-grade students in whom it adversely affects learning performance. The data suggest that a subset of children with behavioral and learning disabilities could have SAGEA and may benefit from prospective medical evaluation and treatment.

An autoradiographic analysis of the differential ascending projections of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei in the rat

1978-06-01

Efrain C. Azmitia , Menahem Segal

Abstract The differential projections from the dorsal raphe and median raphe nuclei of the midbrain were autoradiographically traced in the rat brain after 3 H‐proline micro‐injections. Six ascending fiber tracts … Abstract The differential projections from the dorsal raphe and median raphe nuclei of the midbrain were autoradiographically traced in the rat brain after 3 H‐proline micro‐injections. Six ascending fiber tracts were identified, the dorsal raphe nucleus being the sole source of four tracts and sharing one with the median raphe nucleus. The tracts can be classified as those lying within the medial forebrain bundle (dorsal raphe forebrain tract and the median raphe forebrain tract) and those lying entirely outside (dorsal raphe arcuate tract, dorsal raphe periventricular tract, dorsal raphe cortical tract, and raphe medial tract). The dorsal raphe forebrain tract lies in the ventrolateral aspect of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) and projects mainly to lateral forebrain areas (e.g., basal ganglion, amygdala, and the pyriform cortex). The median raphe forebrain tract lies in the ventromedial aspect of the MFB and projects to medial forebrain areas (e.g., cingulate cortex, medial septum, and hippocampus). The dorsal raphe cortical tract lies ventrolaterally to the medial longitudinal fasciculus and projects to the caudate‐putamen and the parieto‐temporal cortex. The dorsal raphe periventricular tract lies immediately below the midbrain aqueduct and projects rostrally to the periventricular region of the thalamus and hypothalamus. The dorsal raphe arcuate tract curves laterally from the dorsal raphe nucleus to reach the ventrolateral edge of the midbrain and projects to ventrolateral geniculate body nuclei and the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei. Finally, the raphe medial tract receives fibers from both the median and dorsal raphe nuclei and runs ventrally between the fasciculus retroflexus and projects to the interpeduncular nucleus and the midline mammillary body. Further studies were done to test whether the fiber tracts travelling in the MFB contained 5‐HT. Unilateral (left) injections of 5,7‐dihydroxytryptamine (5 μgm/400 nl) 18 days before midbrain raphe microinjections of 3 H‐proline produced a reduction in the grain concentrations in all the ascending fibers within the MFB. Furthermore, pharmacological and behavioural evidence was obtained to show that the 5‐HT system had been unilaterally damaged; these animals displayed preferential ipsilateral turning in a rotameter which was strongly reversed to contralateral turning after 5‐hydroxytryptophan administration. The results show that DR and MR nuclei have numerous ascending projections whose axons contain the transmitter 5‐HT. The results agree with the neuroanatomical distribution of the 5‐HT system previously determined biochemically, histochemically, and neurophysiologically. The midbrain serotonin system seems to be organized by a series of fiber pathways. The fast transport rate in these fibers was found to be about 108 mm/day.

Identification of a Gene That Causes Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

1997-01-31

Edwin M. Stone , John H. Fingert , Wallace L.M. Alward +7 more

Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness and is characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Analyses of sequence tagged site … Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness and is characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Analyses of sequence tagged site (STS) content and haplotype sharing between families affected with chromosome 1q-linked open angle glaucoma ( GLC1A ) were used to prioritize candidate genes for mutation screening. A gene encoding a trabecular meshwork protein ( TIGR ) mapped to the narrowest disease interval by STS content and radiation hybrid mapping. Thirteen glaucoma patients were found to have one of three mutations in this gene (3.9 percent of the population studied). One of these mutations was also found in a control individual (0.2 percent). Identification of these mutations will aid in early diagnosis, which is essential for optimal application of existing therapies.

The cytoarchitectonic organization of the spinal cord in the cat

1952-06-01

Bror Rexed

Central control of breathing in mammals: neuronal circuitry, membrane properties, and neurotransmitters

1995-01-01

A.L. Bianchi , Monique Denavit‐Saubié , Jean Champagnat

Orienting in a defensive world: Mammalian modifications of our evolutionary heritage. A Polyvagal Theory

1995-07-01

Stephen W. Porges

Abstract The vagus, the 10th cranial nerve, contains pathways that contribute to the regulation of the internal viscera, including the heart. Vagal efferent fibers do not originate in a common … Abstract The vagus, the 10th cranial nerve, contains pathways that contribute to the regulation of the internal viscera, including the heart. Vagal efferent fibers do not originate in a common brainstem structure. The Polyvagal Theory is introduced to explain the different functions of the two primary medullary source nuclei of the vagus: the nucleus ambiguus (NA) and the dorsal motor nucleus (DMNX). Although vagal pathways from both nuclei terminate on the sinoatrial node, it is argued that the fibers originating in NA are uniquely responsible for respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Divergent shifts in RSA and heart rate are explained by independent actions of DMNX and NA. The theory emphasizes a phylogenetic perspective and speculates that mammalian, but not reptilian, brainstem organization is characterized by a ventral vagal complex (including NA) related to processes associated with attention, motion, emotion, and communication. Various clinical disorders, such as sudden infant death syndrome and asthma, may be related to the competition between DMNX and NA.

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Gases as biological messengers: nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in the brain

1994-09-01

T. Renee Dawson , SH Snyder

In a remarkably brief period of time, NO and CO have been recognized as putative neurotransmitters. These two novel messenger molecules have greatly expanded the criteria for candidacy of a … In a remarkably brief period of time, NO and CO have been recognized as putative neurotransmitters. These two novel messenger molecules have greatly expanded the criteria for candidacy of a chemical for the status of neurotransmitter and our notions about how synaptic transmission takes place. The involvement of NO and CO in several important aspects of neuronal function suggests that agents affecting the synthesis, transactions, and disposition of these gases are bound to have clinical relevance.

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Increased Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Adults

2013-04-14

P. Peppard , Terry Young , Jodi H. Barnet +3 more

Sleep-disordered breathing is a common disorder with a range of harmful sequelae. Obesity is a strong causal factor for sleep-disordered breathing, and because of the ongoing obesity epidemic, previous estimates … Sleep-disordered breathing is a common disorder with a range of harmful sequelae. Obesity is a strong causal factor for sleep-disordered breathing, and because of the ongoing obesity epidemic, previous estimates of sleep-disordered breathing prevalence require updating. We estimated the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in the United States for the periods of 1988-1994 and 2007-2010 using data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study, an ongoing community-based study that was established in 1988 with participants randomly selected from an employed population of Wisconsin adults. A total of 1,520 participants who were 30-70 years of age had baseline polysomnography studies to assess the presence of sleep-disordered breathing. Participants were invited for repeat studies at 4-year intervals. The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing was modeled as a function of age, sex, and body mass index, and estimates were extrapolated to US body mass index distributions estimated using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The current prevalence estimates of moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing (apnea-hypopnea index, measured as events/hour, ≥15) are 10% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7, 12) among 30-49-year-old men; 17% (95% CI: 15, 21) among 50-70-year-old men; 3% (95% CI: 2, 4) among 30-49-year-old women; and 9% (95% CI: 7, 11) among 50-70 year-old women. These estimated prevalence rates represent substantial increases over the last 2 decades (relative increases of between 14% and 55% depending on the subgroup).

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Amygdaloid projections to subcortical structures within the basal forebrain and brainstem in the rat and cat

1978-03-15

J. E. Krettek , Joseph L. Price

Abstract The efferent fiber connections of the nuclei of the amygdaloid complex with subcortical structures in the basal telencephalon, hypothalamus, midbrain, and pons have been studied in the rat and … Abstract The efferent fiber connections of the nuclei of the amygdaloid complex with subcortical structures in the basal telencephalon, hypothalamus, midbrain, and pons have been studied in the rat and cat, using the autoradiographic method for tracing axonal connections. The cortical and thalamic projections of these nuclei have been described in previous papers (Krettek and Price, ′77b,c). Although the subcortical connections of the amygdaloid nuclei are widespread within the basal forebrain and brain stem, the projections of each nucleus have been found to be well defined, and distinct from those of the other amygdaloid nuclei. The basolateral amygdaloid nucleus projects heavily to the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), to the caudal part of the substantia innominata, and to the ventral part of the corpus striatum (nucleus accumbens and ventral putamen) and the olfactory tubercle; it projects more lightly to the lateral hypothalamus. The central nucleus also projects to the lateral division of the BNST and the lateral hypothalamus, but in addition it sends fibers to the lateral part of the substantia nigra and the marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum. The basomedial nucleus has projections to the ventral striatum and olfactory tubercle which are similar to those of the basolateral nucleus, but it also projects to the core of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and the premammillary nucleus, and to a central zone of the BNST which overlaps the medial and lateral divisions. The medial nucleus also projects to the core of the ventromedial nucleus and the premammillary nucleus, but sends fibers to the medial division of the BNST and does not project to the ventral striatum. The posterior cortical nucleus projects to the premammillary nucleus and to the medial division of the BNST, but a projection from this nucleus to the ventromedial nucleus has not been demonstrated. Projections to the “shell” of the ventromedial nucleus have been found only from the ventral part of the subiculum and from a structure at the junction of the amygdala and the hippocampal formation, which has been termed the amygdalo‐hippocampal area (AHA). The AHA also sends fibers to the medial part of the BNST and the premammillary nucleus. Virtually no subcortical projections outside the amygdala itself have been demonstrated from the lateral nucleus, or from the olfactory cortical areas around the amygdala (the anterior cortical nucleus, the periamygdaloid cortex, and the posterior prepiriform cortex). However, portions of the endopiriform nucleus deep to the prepiriform cortex project to the ventral putamen, and to the lateral hypothalamus.

Central pattern generators and the control of rhythmic movements

2001-11-01

Eve Marder , Dirk Bucher

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Sleep Hygiene and Melatonin Treatment for Children and Adolescents With ADHD and Initial Insomnia

2006-05-01

Margaret D. Weiss , Michael Wasdell , MELISSA M. BOMBEN +2 more

Sympathetic neural mechanisms in obstructive sleep apnea.

1995-10-01

Virend K. Somers , Mark Eric Dyken , M. P. Clary +1 more

Blood pressure, heart rate, sympathetic nerve activity, and polysomnography were recorded during wakefulness and sleep in 10 patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Measurements were also obtained after treatment with continuous … Blood pressure, heart rate, sympathetic nerve activity, and polysomnography were recorded during wakefulness and sleep in 10 patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Measurements were also obtained after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in four patients. Awake sympathetic activity was also measured in 10 age- and sex-matched control subjects and in 5 obese subjects without a history of sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea had high levels of nerve activity even when awake (P < 0.001). Blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity did not fall during any stage of sleep. Mean blood pressure was 92 +/- 4.5 mmHg when awake and reached peak levels of 116 +/- 5 and 127 +/- 7 mmHg during stage II sleep (n = 10) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (n = 5), respectively (P < 0.001). Sympathetic activity increased during sleep (P = 0.01) especially during stage II (133 +/- 9% above wakefulness; P = 0.006) and REM (141 +/- 13%; P = 0.007). Peak sympathetic activity (measured over the last 10 s of each apneic event) increased to 299 +/- 96% during stage II sleep and to 246 +/- 36% during REM sleep (both P < 0.001). CPAP decreased sympathetic activity and blood pressure during sleep (P < 0.03). We conclude that patients with obstructive sleep apnea have high sympathetic activity when awake, with further increases in blood pressure and sympathetic activity during sleep. These increases are attenuated by treatment with CPAP.

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H 2 S Induces a Suspended Animation-Like State in Mice

2005-04-21

Eric Blackstone , Mike Morrison , Mark B. Roth

Mammals normally maintain their core body temperature (CBT) despite changes in environmental temperature. Exceptions to this norm include suspended animation-like states such as hibernation, torpor, and estivation. These states are … Mammals normally maintain their core body temperature (CBT) despite changes in environmental temperature. Exceptions to this norm include suspended animation-like states such as hibernation, torpor, and estivation. These states are all characterized by marked decreases in metabolic rate, followed by a loss of homeothermic control in which the animal's CBT approaches that of the environment. We report that hydrogen sulfide can induce a suspended animation-like state in a nonhibernating species, the house mouse (Mus musculus). This state is readily reversible and does not appear to harm the animal. This suggests the possibility of inducing suspended animation-like states for medical applications.

B<scp>REATHING</scp>: Rhythmicity, Plasticity, Chemosensitivity

2003-02-18

Jack L. Feldman , Gordon S. Mitchell , Eugene Nattie

Breathing is a vital behavior that is particularly amenable to experimental investigation. We review recent progress on three problems of broad interest. (i) Where and how is respiratory rhythm generated? … Breathing is a vital behavior that is particularly amenable to experimental investigation. We review recent progress on three problems of broad interest. (i) Where and how is respiratory rhythm generated? The preBötzinger Complex is a critical site, whereas pacemaker neurons may not be essential. The possibility that coupled oscillators are involved is considered. (ii) What are the mechanisms that underlie the plasticity necessary for adaptive changes in breathing? Serotonin-dependent long-term facilitation following intermittent hypoxia is an important example of such plasticity, and a model that can account for this adaptive behavior is discussed. (iii) Where and how are the regulated variables CO2 and pH sensed? These sensors are essential if breathing is to be appropriate for metabolism. Neurons with appropriate chemosensitivity are spread throughout the brainstem; their individual properties and collective role are just beginning to be understood.

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Carotid body chemoreceptors: from natural stimuli to sensory discharges.

1994-10-01

C. González , L. Almaraz , Ana Obeso +1 more

Infant Mortality Statistics from the 1999 Period: Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set

2002-01-01

T J Mathews , Marian F. MacDorman , Fay Menacker

Objectives-This report presents 2004 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data file by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics.The linked file differs from the mortality file, … Objectives-This report presents 2004 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data file by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics.The linked file differs from the mortality file, which is based entirely on death certificate data.Methods-Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and inter preted.Excluding rates by cause of death, the infant mortality rate is now published with two decimal places.Results-The U.S. infant mortality rate was 6.78 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004 compared with 6.84 in 2003.Infant mortality rates ranged from 4.67 per 1,000 live births for Asian and Pacific 2 percent of infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation.Still, infant mortality rates for late preterm (34-36 weeks of gestation) infants were three times those for term (37-41 week) infants.The three leading causes of infant death-Congenital malformations, low birthweight, and SIDS-taken together accounted for 45 percent all infant deaths.Results from a new analysis of preterm-related causes of death show that 36.5 percent of infant deaths in 2004 were due to preterm-related causes.The preterm-related infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black mothers was 3.5 times higher, and the rate for Puerto Rican mothers was 75 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white mothers.

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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Respiratory Burst Activity in Phagocytes With Hydroethidine and 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescin

1990-05-01

G. Rothe , Günter Valet

Hydroethidine (HE) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) were used for the flow cytometric measurement of reactive oxygen metabolites in leukocytes. Hydroethidine and DCFH were both rapidly oxidized in a cell-free cuvette assay … Hydroethidine (HE) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) were used for the flow cytometric measurement of reactive oxygen metabolites in leukocytes. Hydroethidine and DCFH were both rapidly oxidized in a cell-free cuvette assay to ethidium bromide (EB) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) by H2O2 and peroxidase, but not by H2O2 alone, while only HE was oxidized by KO2, a source of O2-. Quiescent lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils spontaneously oxidized HE to EB, while DCFH was only oxidized to a low degree. Neutrophils increased 6.9-fold in EB red fluorescence and 12.5-fold in DCF green fluorescence during the respiratory burst induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or 6.1-fold and 4.7-fold, respectively, during the respiratory burst induced by Escherichia coli bacteria. The HE or DCFH oxidation during the respiratory burst, unlike the spontaneous HE oxidation, was not inhibitable by 10 mM NaNe indicating a non-mitochondrial source of cellular oxidants during the respiratory burst such as NADPH oxidase, which produces O2-. The oxidation of DCFH, but not of HE, was decreased in stimulated neutrophils, which were simultaneously loaded with HE and DCFH. Intracellular DCFH oxidation induced by incubation of resting neutrophils with extracellular H2O2 was not influenced by the presence of HE. This indicates that HE is oxidized at an earlier step in the reactive oxygen metabolism of neutrophils than DCFH, i.e., by early oxygen metabolites like O2-, while DCFH is oxidized in part by H2O2 and phagosomal peroxidases. The differential oxidation of HE and DCFH during simultaneous cellular staining permits the analysis of up to three functionally different neutrophil populations in septic patients. This is of interest for the determination of disease-related alterations of oxygen metabolism in quiescent and stimulated leukocytes.

Infant mortality statistics from the 2001 period linked birth/infant death data set.

2003-09-15

T J Mathews , Fay Menacker , Marian F. MacDorman

This report presents 2001 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data set (linked file) by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics.Descriptive tabulations of data are presented … This report presents 2001 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data set (linked file) by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics.Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted.Infant mortality rates ranged from 3.2 per 1,000 live births for Chinese mothers to 13.3 for black mothers. Among Hispanics, rates ranged from 4.2 for Cuban mothers to 8.5 for Puerto Rican mothers. Infant mortality rates were higher for those infants whose mothers were born in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, were unmarried, or smoked during pregnancy. Infant mortality was also higher for male infants, multiple births, and infants born preterm or at low birthweight. The three leading causes of infant death--Congenital malformations, low birthweight, and Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)--taken together accounted for 44 percent of all infant deaths. Cause-specific mortality rates varied considerably by race and Hispanic origin. For infants of black mothers, the cause-specific infant mortality rate for low birthweight was nearly four times that for infants of white mothers. Between 1995 and 2001, the overall infant mortality rate declined by 10.5 percent; significant declines ranged from 8.2 percent for infants of non-Hispanic black mothers to 14.3 percent for infants of Hispanic mothers. The SIDS rate declined by 11 percent from 2000 to 2001. For infants of black and American Indian mothers, the SIDS rates were 2.2 and 2.8 times that for non-Hispanic white mothers.

Defining the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids): Deliberations of an Expert Panel Convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

1991-01-01

Marian Willinger , L. Stanley James , Charlotte Catz

(1991). Defining the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids): Deliberations of an Expert Panel Convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Pediatric Pathology: Vol. 11, No. 5, … (1991). Defining the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids): Deliberations of an Expert Panel Convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Pediatric Pathology: Vol. 11, No. 5, pp. 677-684.

Coupled electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and cerebrospinal fluid oscillations in human sleep

2019-10-31

Nina E. Fultz , Giorgio Bonmassar , Kawin Setsompop +4 more

Sleep is essential for both cognition and maintenance of healthy brain function. Slow waves in neural activity contribute to memory consolidation, whereas cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clears metabolic waste products from … Sleep is essential for both cognition and maintenance of healthy brain function. Slow waves in neural activity contribute to memory consolidation, whereas cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clears metabolic waste products from the brain. Whether these two processes are related is not known. We used accelerated neuroimaging to measure physiological and neural dynamics in the human brain. We discovered a coherent pattern of oscillating electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and CSF dynamics that appears during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Neural slow waves are followed by hemodynamic oscillations, which in turn are coupled to CSF flow. These results demonstrate that the sleeping brain exhibits waves of CSF flow on a macroscopic scale, and these CSF dynamics are interlinked with neural and hemodynamic rhythms.

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Mucus clearance as a primary innate defense mechanism for mammalian airways

2002-03-01

Michael R. Knowles , Richard C. Boucher

Innate defenses in the lung Microanatomy of the airway surfaceWith the advent of the capacity to fix airway surface liquid (ASL) in vivo, using the perfluorocarbon/osmium technique pioneered by Sims … Innate defenses in the lung Microanatomy of the airway surfaceWith the advent of the capacity to fix airway surface liquid (ASL) in vivo, using the perfluorocarbon/osmium technique pioneered by Sims et al. ( 12), and the development of well-differentiated (WD) human airway epithelial cultures that exhibit mucus transport in vitro (13), it is now possible to investigate the microanatomy of mucus transport on airway surfaces at high resolution.Representative images depicting the range of morphologic techniques that can be applied to this culture system are shown in Figure 2.Analysis of photomicrographs of this preparation, combined with immunocytochemical studies, have revealed several key features of the microanatomy of the ASL compartment (13,14).The ASL consists of at least two layers, a mucus layer and a periciliary liquid layer (PCL; Figure 2).The mucus layer consists of high-molecular weight, heavily glycosylated macromolecules, products of at least two distinct genes (MUC5AC and MUC5B), that behave as a tangled network of polymers Mucus clearance as a primary innate defense mechanism for mammalian airways

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New Data on Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths by Cause and Race and Ethnicity: 2015–2022

2025-06-26

Carrie K. Shapiro‐Mendoza , Carri Cottengim , Alexa B. Erck Lambert +3 more | PEDIATRICS

Volatility-driven learning in human infants

2025-06-25

Francesco Poli , Tommaso Ghilardi , Jana H. M. Bersee +2 more | Science Advances

Adapting to change is a fundamental feature of human learning, yet its developmental origins remain elusive. We developed an experimental and computational approach to track infants' adaptive learning processes via … Adapting to change is a fundamental feature of human learning, yet its developmental origins remain elusive. We developed an experimental and computational approach to track infants' adaptive learning processes via pupil size, an indicator of tonic and phasic noradrenergic activity. We found that 8-month-old infants' tonic pupil size mirrored trial-by-trial fluctuations in environmental volatility, while phasic pupil responses revealed that infants used this information to dynamically optimize their learning. This adaptive strategy resulted in successful task performance, as evidenced by anticipatory looking toward correct target locations. The ability to estimate volatility varied significantly across infants, and these individual differences were related to infant temperament, indicating early links between cognitive adaptation and emotional responsivity. These findings demonstrate that infants actively adapt to environmental change, and that early differences in this capacity may have profound implications for long-term cognitive and psychosocial development.

Global, regional, and national burden of sudden infant death syndrome, 1990–2021: a comprehensive analysis of GBD 2021 data with insights into the impact during the COVID-19 pandemic

2025-06-24

Yuhan Sun , Haoran Peng , Q H Chen +3 more | Frontiers in Pediatrics

Background Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of infant mortality globally. Although the global burden has generally declined over recent decades, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced … Background Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of infant mortality globally. Although the global burden has generally declined over recent decades, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced these trends. This study investigates whether the global SIDS burden has changed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study were analyzed to estimate SIDS mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, regionally, and nationally. Rates were stratified by sex, age group, socio-demographic index (SDI), and health system level. Projections were made using the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model and the the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Results In 2021, global SIDS deaths totaled 30,608, with a mortality rate of 24.16 per 100,000 infants (95% UI, 14.06–32.44). Global DALYs were 2,746,174, at a rate of 2,167.56 per 100,000 infants (95% UI, 1,261.44–2,909.59). Mortality and DALYs rates decreased by 59% from 1990 to 2021, with marked regional differences. Regions with Low SDI and Minimal health systems, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, had the highest burden, while higher SDI and advanced health system regions reported significant declines. Male infants aged 1–5 months showed higher rates than females. Despite a global decline during the pandemic, temporary increases occurred in countries including China, the Russian Federation, and Monaco. Projections suggest continued declines, predicting a mortality rate of 16.86 per 100,000 infants and DALYs rate of 1,400.41 per 100,000 infants by 2035. Conclusions The global SIDS burden has consistently declined since 1990, including during COVID-19, yet significant regional disparities remain. Enhanced healthcare interventions and targeted public health initiatives are crucial, particularly in regions with Low SDI and Minimal health system resources.

Nerve Conduction Studies of Phrenic Nerve: Normative Data

2025-06-24

José Castro , Mamede de Carvalho | Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology

In neuromuscular diseases, respiratory failure is a major complication. Pulmonary function tests are generally used to assess respiratory function but can be influenced by a number of factors. Nerve conduction … In neuromuscular diseases, respiratory failure is a major complication. Pulmonary function tests are generally used to assess respiratory function but can be influenced by a number of factors. Nerve conduction studies of the phrenic nerve (PN) is a simple, noninvasive, and safe method to assess diaphragm compromise in neuromuscular diseases. A group of 132 (78 males) healthy subjects, aged between 23 and 90 years, was studied, with bilateral stimulation of the PN, with recording of diaphragm motor responses. Anthropometric variables (sex, age, height, and weight) were collected, and their influence on diaphragm motor response was assessed. Side-to-side differences were also analyzed. PN compound muscle action potential (CMAP) had significantly higher amplitude and area on the left side. Men had longer latency, and higher amplitude and area when compared with women, on both sides. Age was a significant factor influencing CMAP latency, with an average increase of 0.25 ms per decade of life. In men, a latency longer than 9.5 ms and a CMAP amplitude lower than 0.62 mV should be considered abnormal, while in women, the values are 8.5 ms and 0.48 mV, respectively. PN conduction studies offer a simple and reliable technique readily applicable in clinical settings. Diaphragm CMAP parameters are significantly influenced by the anthropometric variables of sex and age. Notably, CMAP amplitude and area are greater for the left PN.

Sigh generation in preBötzinger complex

2025-06-24

Yan Cui , Evgeny Bondarenko , Carolina Thörn Pérez +2 more | eLife

We explored neural mechanisms underlying sighing in mice. Photostimulation of parafacial (pF) neuromedin B (NMB) or gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), or preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) NMBR or GRPR neurons elicited ectopic sighs … We explored neural mechanisms underlying sighing in mice. Photostimulation of parafacial (pF) neuromedin B (NMB) or gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), or preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) NMBR or GRPR neurons elicited ectopic sighs with latency inversely related to time from preceding endogenous sigh. Of particular note, ectopic sighs could be produced without involvement of these peptides or their receptors in preBötC. Moreover, chemogenetic or optogenetic activation of preBötC SST neurons induced sighing, even in the presence of NMBR and/or GRPR antagonists. We propose that an increase in the excitability of preBötC NMBR or GRPR neurons not requiring activation of their peptide receptors activates partially overlapping pathways to generate sighs, and that preBötC SST neurons are a downstream element in the sigh generation circuit that converts normal breaths into sighs.

Further Exploration of the Influence of Immune Proteins in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (<scp>SIDS</scp>)

2025-06-23

Linda Ferrante , Siri H. Opdal , Roger W. Byard | Acta Paediatrica

ABSTRACT Aim This study aimed to further explore immune protein patterns in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by describing additional findings from an initial proteomic study to investigate … ABSTRACT Aim This study aimed to further explore immune protein patterns in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by describing additional findings from an initial proteomic study to investigate whether an unbalanced immune response may contribute to the occurrence of SIDS in certain cases. Method The subjects included 46 SIDS cases and 39 controls autopsied at the Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway. The causes of death in the controls were accidents/trauma. The normalised protein expression of 92 proteins were analysed in samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by Proximity Extension Assay (PEA). Results For the purpose of this report, 17 of the immune system‐related proteins in the assay were chosen for a more in‐depth analysis. The major finding was a downregulation in the proteins Retinoic Acid‐Inducible Gene I (DDX58/RIG‐I), Phosphoinositide‐3‐Kinase Adaptor Protein 1(PIK3AP1), Interferon Regulatory Factor 9 (IRF9), Tripartite Motif Containing 5 (TRIM5), TRAF Family Member‐Associated Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐Κb) Activator (TANK) and TNF Receptor Associated Factor 2 (TRAF2), and upregulation of CXADR Ig‐like cell adhesion molecule (CXADR). Conclusions The results are in keeping with the findings of earlier studies, supporting the role of immune system dysregulation as a potential predisposing factor for SIDS.

Diaphragm pacing for central hypoventilation syndrome due to unilateral cerebellomedullary infarction: illustrative case.

2025-06-23

H Kobayashi , Ryuta Yamada , Yuichi Nomura +3 more | PubMed

Central hypoventilation syndrome due to unilateral cerebellomedullary infarction is rare and difficult to manage using conventional treatment. Diaphragm pacing can support ventilation in patients with hypoventilation syndrome, mainly because of … Central hypoventilation syndrome due to unilateral cerebellomedullary infarction is rare and difficult to manage using conventional treatment. Diaphragm pacing can support ventilation in patients with hypoventilation syndrome, mainly because of the high risk of cervical injury. There have been few reports of diaphragm pacing for central hypoventilation syndrome due to unilateral cerebellomedullary infarction. A 77-year-old man presented with dizziness, truncal ataxia, and dysarthria. MRI showed cerebral infarction in the right lateral medulla oblongata and right cerebellar hemisphere. The patient presented with respiratory failure immediately after admission. The patient required mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy support. Spontaneous breathing was insufficient, particularly during sleep. After a 2-month interval, the ventilator-dependent patient underwent diaphragm pacing. He was weaned from the ventilator 13 days after diaphragm pacing. The authors reported successful treatment with diaphragm pacing for central hypoventilation syndrome due to unilateral cerebellomedullary infarction. Diaphragm pacing is a good treatment option for patients with central hypoventilation syndrome. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25172.

The Mosaic of Risk in Neonatal Asphyxia: A Systematic Review of Clinical, Placental, and Systemic Predictors

2025-06-23

Ni Made Suartiningsih , Romy Windiyanto | Bioscientia Medicina Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research

Background: Neonatal asphyxia, a critical failure of gas exchange during the perinatal period, remains a primary cause of neonatal mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental disability worldwide, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Its … Background: Neonatal asphyxia, a critical failure of gas exchange during the perinatal period, remains a primary cause of neonatal mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental disability worldwide, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Its etiology is a complex mosaic of interconnected factors. Understanding this intricate risk profile is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. The aim of this study is to systematically review and synthesize recent evidence (published 2019–2025) on the spectrum of maternal, fetal, intrapartum, placental, and systemic risk factors associated with neonatal asphyxia. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for observational studies published between January 1st, 2019, and April 1st, 2025. Dual reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Due to significant clinical and methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: The search yielded 870 articles, from which 13 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of these studies revealed a consistent and powerful link between neonatal asphyxia and a wide array of predictors. Key factors included maternal comorbidities (hypertensive disorders), prenatal maternal psychological stress, intrapartum complications (prolonged labor, meconium-stained amniotic fluid), placental pathology (maternal vascular malperfusion, meconium-associated changes), fetal characteristics (low birth weight), and crucial systemic factors, such as maternal immigrant status and sociodemographic disparities. Predictive models developed in two of the included studies demonstrated good discriminative performance in identifying high-risk pregnancies, offering potential for clinical application. Conclusion: Neonatal asphyxia arises from a complex interplay of risk factors that span the entire perinatal continuum, from pre-conceptual maternal health and systemic inequities to acute intrapartum events. Effective mitigation requires a multi-pronged approach encompassing comprehensive antenatal care that addresses both physical and mental health, vigilant intrapartum monitoring, and systemic efforts to ensure equitable access to high-quality perinatal care. The integration of validated risk prediction tools into clinical practice holds significant promise for reducing the global burden of this devastating condition.

P2X3 receptors in the paraventricular hypothalamus: a specific target for visceral pain

2025-06-20

Xiu-Min Hu , Yong Tang , Peter Illéš | Purinergic Signalling

Nursing Pillows Linked to Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths

2025-06-20

Samantha Anderer | JAMA

Physiology of nitrogen: A life or death matter

2025-06-20

DM Bailey , Vaughan G. Macefield , David C. Poole | Experimental Physiology

Abstract With each breath, four out of every five molecules we inspire are nitrogen (N 2 ), since this gas constitutes ∼80% of the atmospheric air that surrounds us. Despite … Abstract With each breath, four out of every five molecules we inspire are nitrogen (N 2 ), since this gas constitutes ∼80% of the atmospheric air that surrounds us. Despite its abundance and unlike molecular oxygen, N 2 has traditionally held less appeal among physiologists given its lack of reactivity and corresponding inability to support combustion or life, rendering it metabolically nugatory. The controversial application of N 2 asphyxiation for the inhumane purposes of human execution of convicted criminals and assisted suicide of a terminally ill patient has thrust this important gas into the scientific and public spotlight, sparking widespread condemnation. In the current review, we take an opportunity to explore the molecular bases and clinical consequences linked to the Janus‐faced physiology of N 2 to better explain its life‐and‐death qualities. We highlight the complex history that led to its discovery and the physio‐geochemical evolution of Earth's uniquely N 2 ‐rich atmosphere, including intimate links with oxygen (O 2 ), another life‐and‐death homonuclear diatomic gas that preceded aerobic respiration and the emergence of complex multicellular life. Diving deep into N 2 ’s quantum state, we expose its unique physiochemical properties to better understand why this gas is metabolically inert and physiologically deadly when in excess and especially to the exclusion of O 2 . We apply this integrated physiological knowledge to further inform the controversial public debate and directly challenge the misconceived notion that N 2 gas asphyxiation offers a quick, indolent and dignified death for the inhumane purposes of human execution and assisted suicide.

Targeted neuromodulation of spinal interneurons enhances breathing in chronic spinal cord injury

2025-06-18

Allison N. Brezinski , Nicholas A. Popp , Katherine Konkel +2 more | Neurobiology of Disease

Respiratory dysfunction is a debilitating consequence of cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) with few available treatment options. Restoring function in the chronic phase is challenging due to the limited regenerative … Respiratory dysfunction is a debilitating consequence of cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) with few available treatment options. Restoring function in the chronic phase is challenging due to the limited regenerative capacity of the adult central nervous system. This study investigates the targeted neuromodulation of cervical excitatory interneurons (eINs) to improve functional respiratory recovery in chronic cSCI. Cervical eINs, crucial for acute injury recovery, showed no reduction in numbers at 8- and 12-weeks post injury, highlighting their potential as neuromodulatory targets in the chronic phase. Targeted chemogenetic activation of these cervical eINs significantly improved breathing at 6- and 12-weeks post-cSCI. Repeated stimulation induced dendritic plasticity in respiratory spinal neurons without altering soma size. Notably, stimulation-mediated recovery at 12 weeks was comparable to that observed at 6 weeks underscoring the sustained efficacy of this approach. These findings highlight the potential of targeted neuromodulation of spinal interneurons to improve breathing in the chronic phase of SCI. TEASER: Targeted stimulation of spinal neurons improves breathing long after cervical spinal cord injury, offering new hope for treatments.

Respiratory and Circulatory System

2025-06-17

| CABI eBooks

Maternal Electronic Cigarette Inhalation Exposure During Gestation: Impacts on Prolactin and Xanthine Oxidase

2025-06-17

Julie A. Griffith , Kallie Schafner , Krista L. Garner +7 more | Cardiovascular Toxicology

Innføring av jodberikningsprogram i Norge

2025-06-17

Marianne Hope Abel , Gry Hay , Amandine Lamglait-Solberg +1 more | Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring

Awareness Regarding an Infant’s Sleep Environment and Safe Sleep Practices Among Polish Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2025-06-17

Agata Michalska , Anna Zmyślna , Justyna Pogorzelska +4 more | Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Effective prevention of SIDS/SUID requires a multidimensional approach. It is essential to provide targeted support for marginalized families, improve access to healthcare services, and implement policies aimed at reducing … Background: Effective prevention of SIDS/SUID requires a multidimensional approach. It is essential to provide targeted support for marginalized families, improve access to healthcare services, and implement policies aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities. The parallel effective way to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death is through increased awareness of proper infant care. Despite the guidelines available in many countries, the risk of infant death from non-medical causes is still reported. The aim of the study was to assess awareness regarding an infant's sleep environment and safe sleep practices among Polish caregivers. Methods: The survey was conducted among 451 mothers of infants under 18 months of age. The survey questionnaire was prepared, which consisted of single- and multiple-choice questions with closed and open answers assessing safe sleep practices. Results: Analysis of the survey responses showed that most mothers in the sample (88.9%) were aware that the supine position is the safest. According to the survey, 74.5% of respondents believed that infants should not sleep in the same bed as parents or siblings. In addition, 78.3% of those women stated that infants should sleep separately in their own bed. Despite this knowledge, almost 37.76% of female respondents still put their infants to sleep in their parents' bed. As many as 98.4% of respondents knew that any items should not be placed in an infant's crib. Despite this knowledge, a third of respondents still placed additional items in their baby's crib. In the study 90.7% of women believed that breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth. Conclusions: Knowledge of safe sleep recommendations, including sleep environment, sleep position, and spatial organization, does not always translate into proper caregiving practices. Understanding caregivers' motivations and how they perceive medical information is critical to effective prevention of infant sleep safety.

Acute effects of guanosine or inosine in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock

2025-06-17

André P. Schmidt , Denise Aya Otsuki , Gisele Hansel +6 more | Purinergic Signalling

Gaps in Safe Sleep Knowledge and Practices Among Parents of Infants in an Urban Children’s Hospital Emergency Department

2025-06-17

Thomas Gilmartin , Jessica Hayes , Donald H. Arnold | Pediatric Emergency Care

Objective: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) remains a leading cause of mortality, particularly in the Southeast United States. While previous studies have examined aspects of parental safe sleep knowledge and … Objective: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) remains a leading cause of mortality, particularly in the Southeast United States. While previous studies have examined aspects of parental safe sleep knowledge and practices, the objective of this study was to evaluate (1) knowledge and (2) practice of adherence by caretakers to all American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) A-level recommendations related to placing an infant to sleep. Methods: Investigators administered a survey study in an urban, academic pediatric emergency department in the Southeast United States from 2022 to 2023. A convenience sample of parents of infants (≤12 mo) were surveyed regarding knowledge and practices pertaining to sleep position, safe surfaces, surface sharing, objects in bed, cardiopulmonary monitors, and pacifier use. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare knowledge of each AAP recommendation with practice of the same recommendation. Results: Among 200 surveyed participants, most demonstrated correct knowledge of safe sleep position (183, 91.5%), surfaces (167, 83.5%), location (186, 93.0%), and crib-safe objects (177, 88.5%). Correct practices of AAP recommendations were reported for sleep position (155, 77.5%), sleep surface (155, 77.5%), location (157, 78.5%), objects in the crib (130, 65.0%), and pacifier use (73, 37.5%). For the 5 AAP recommendations, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests indicated statistically significant variance between knowledge and practice: safe sleep position ( P <0.001), surfaces ( P =0.040), location ( P <0.001), crib-safe objects ( P <0.001), and pacifier use ( P =0.002). Conclusions: This research identifies gaps between safe sleep knowledge and practice for 5 of the 6 AAP recommendations related to placing an infant to sleep in a region with high SUID incidence. Addressing these modifiable risk factors during emergency department visits may decrease SUID incidence.

The paraventricular thalamic nucleus is involved in sleep- fragmentation-associated cardiac dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction

2025-06-16

Yakun Bo , Yu-Ting Tseng , Guohai Su +4 more | Sleep Medicine

Influence of Sensory Needs on Sleep and Neurodevelopmental Care in At-Risk Neonates

2025-06-16

Axel Hübler | Children

The development of a normal sleep-wake rhythm in the first weeks of life depends on the physiological sensory needs of the newborn as well as the environment surrounding them. This … The development of a normal sleep-wake rhythm in the first weeks of life depends on the physiological sensory needs of the newborn as well as the environment surrounding them. This includes, for example, avoiding pain, exposure to bright light at night and high noise levels. In high-risk newborns, this process can be influenced by immaturity of the central and peripheral nervous systems, therapeutic strategies and the work organization of an intensive care unit. This study used a narrative review to examine the literature on the interrelationship of sensory modalities on sleep-wake behavior in the context of neonatal intensive care. The current Cochrane reviews on cycled lighting's effect on premature infants' circadian rhythm development and noise or sound management in the neonatal intensive care unit, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) global position paper on kangaroo mother care, were included. An extensive body of literature relates to fetal and neonatal development of the five sensory modalities: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. In contrast, there is a lack of evidence regarding the choice of optimal lighting and suitable measures for noise reduction. Since 2023, the WHO has recommended that, from the moment of birth, every "small and sick" newborn should remain in skin-to-skin contact (SSC) with their mother. Developmental support pursues a multimodal approach with the goal of fostering early parent-child bonding, including the child's needs and environmental conditions. The implementation of early SSC and attention to the sleep-wake cycle require systemic changes in both the obstetric and neonatal settings to ensure seamless perinatal management and subsequent neonatal intensive care. Since there is a lack of evidence on the optimal sensory environment, well-designed, well-conducted and fully reported randomized controlled trials are needed that analyze short-term effects and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Rates and Social Determinants of Health Among Hispanic Infants

2025-06-16

Bianca Quiñones‐Pérez , Christopher Cortina , Anna Sandholm +2 more | JAMA Network Open

Importance Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of postneonatal mortality, with disparities attributed to social determinants of health (SDOH). SUID in the Hispanic population has received limited … Importance Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of postneonatal mortality, with disparities attributed to social determinants of health (SDOH). SUID in the Hispanic population has received limited attention, despite the fact that one-fourth of US children are Hispanic. Objective To compare SUID rates and risk factors among Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants, and associated interactions among SUID, SDOH, and acculturation. Design, Setting, and Participants This US nationwide retrospective cohort study used US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) linked birth and infant death data, and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 1996 to 2017. All live births (NCHS) or participants (PRAMS) with documented maternal ethnicity were included. Data were analyzed from February to October 2024. Exposure Maternal Hispanic ethnicity. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was postneonatal SUID occurring at age 28 to 364 days, as designated by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 798, 799, and 913 (1996-1999), and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes R95, R99, and W75 (2000-2017). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by exposure, and adjusted ORs controlled for risk factors in a multivariable model. Maternal nativity variables associated with race, poverty, local SUID rates, and region of origin were investigated. Subgroup analysis explored the relative association of Hispanic ethnicity with SUID risk factors. Maternally reported risk factors were compared according to Hispanic ethnicity. Results Among 88 067 608 live births (median [IQR] maternal age, 27 [22-32] years; median [IQR] gestational age, 39 [38-40] weeks) and 54 828 SUID deaths, there were 7173 SUID deaths among 19 887 156 Hispanic infants. The SUID rate was lower for Hispanic infants (0.36 deaths per 1000 live births) than for non-Hispanic infants (0.70 deaths per 1000 live births), across essentially all factors analyzed. Overall, Hispanic infants had 33% lower odds of SUID than non-Hispanic infants (adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65-0.69). Infants of non–US-born Hispanic mothers had lower SUID rates, regardless of race, county-level poverty, local SUID rates, or Hispanic region of origin, except Puerto Rican infants. Altered associations with detrimental and protective factors were found, despite a mixed picture of risk. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of SUID in infants born from 1996 to 2017, Hispanic infants had lower SUID rates than non-Hispanic infants, despite adverse SDOH. Risk factors operated differently in Hispanic infants, challenging current conceptualizations of risk. Understanding how risk operates in Hispanic populations can help to better address the mortality burden of SUID.

Potential for flexible lactate shuttling between astrocytes and neurons to mitigate against diving-induced hypoxia

2025-06-13

Chiara Ciccone , Sari Elena Dötterer , Søren Højgaard Jensen +5 more | Frontiers in Neuroanatomy

For most non-diving mammals, lack of O 2 (hypoxia) has detrimental effects on brain function. Seals, however, display a series of systemic, cellular, and molecular adaptations that enable them to … For most non-diving mammals, lack of O 2 (hypoxia) has detrimental effects on brain function. Seals, however, display a series of systemic, cellular, and molecular adaptations that enable them to tolerate repeated episodes of severe hypoxia. One as yet unresolved question is whether seal neurons in part employ anaerobic metabolism during diving: the “reverse astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle” (rANLS) hypothesis postulates that seal neurons, by shuttling lactate to the astrocytes, may be relieved (1) from the lactate burden and (2) from subsequent ROS-production as lactate is oxidized by astrocytes upon re-oxygenation after the dive. Here, we have investigated this possibility, through histological and functional comparisons of the metabolic characteristics of neocortical neurons and astrocytes from the deep-diving hooded seal ( Cystophora cristata ), using mice ( Mus musculus ) as a non-diving control. We found that seal astrocytes have higher mitochondrial density and larger mitochondria than seal neurons, and that seal neurons have an atypical and significantly higher representation of the monocarboxylate lactate exporter MCT4 compared to mouse neurons. Also, measurements of mitochondrial O 2 consumption suggest that the aerobic capacity of primary seal astrocytes is at least equal to that of primary seal neurons. Transcriptomics data from seals vs. mice suggest that specific adaptations to the electron transport system in seals may contribute to enhance hypoxia tolerance. These observations are consistent with the rANLS hypothesis.

Intermittent hypoxia and maxillary growth restriction: evidence from a neonatal rat model

2025-06-13

Kochakorn Lekvijittada , Chidsanu Changsiripun , Jun Hosomichi +1 more | Clinical and Investigative Orthodontics

Daily briefing: Breathing patterns might be as unique as a fingerprint

2025-06-13

Flora Graham | Nature

Projections from Regions of the Cerebellar Nuclei Receiving Jaw Muscle Proprioceptive Signals to Trigeminal Motoneurons and Their Premotoneurons in the Rat Pons and Medulla

2025-06-12

Fumihiko Satô , Yumi Tsutsumi , Ayaka Oka +7 more | The Cerebellum

Impact of PRECEDE-PROCEED model on enhancing neonatal sleep safety practices

2025-06-12

Ying Li , Yu Ma , Xueqin Lü +2 more | Sleep And Breathing

Objective measurement of respiratory loudness in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome before and after corrective surgery

2025-06-12

Abigail Turner , Michelle Robyn Joffe , GS Meyerowitz‐Katz +1 more | Australian Veterinary Journal

Objective To quantify the intensity of sound associated with breathing in brachycephalic dogs and determine detectability on a mobile phone application (app). In addition, analyse differences in sound volume before … Objective To quantify the intensity of sound associated with breathing in brachycephalic dogs and determine detectability on a mobile phone application (app). In addition, analyse differences in sound volume before and after sedation, and 2 weeks post‐surgical treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Study Design Clinical prospective pilot study. Animals 28 brachycephalic dogs. Methods A mobile phone app was used to measure and record the sound of breathing in decibels (dB) in a quiet room before and after sedation, as well as 10–14 days following corrective surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to determine if there was an improvement in breathing volume between each time point. Results Prior to sedation, the mean sound intensity was 30.8 dB. After sedation of 5 minutes, it decreased significantly to 25.8 dB (p = 0.0013). At the post‐operative consultation (10–14 days later), the mean intensity had further declined to 22.9 dB, significantly lower than both pre‐sedation and post‐sedation values ( P < 0.001). Conclusion The intensity of a brachycephalic patient's breathing is detectable by a mobile phone app and significantly reduces following surgical treatment involving palatoplasty, sacculectomy and alarplasty. Clinical Significance With further research, the loudness of breathing may prove to be a useful, readily available, objective measurement tool to add to the current BOAS grading systems, allowing communication between veterinarians regarding the severity of BOAS. Future prospective studies may also involve the correlation of measurements with the risk of complications.

Yogic Bellows, Neural Sparks: Unravelling the Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Kapalbhati —A Systematic Review

2025-06-12

Arjun Ram Roj , Harish Sharma , Megha Pundir +2 more | Annals of Neurosciences

Background Kapalbhati is a dynamic yogic breathing technique characterised by rapid, forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations. Traditionally celebrated for detoxification, enhanced pulmonary function and improved mental clarity, its underlying … Background Kapalbhati is a dynamic yogic breathing technique characterised by rapid, forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations. Traditionally celebrated for detoxification, enhanced pulmonary function and improved mental clarity, its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms remain largely speculative. Summary This systematic review synthesises evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on Kapalbhati’s effects on respiratory and cognitive outcomes, and proposes a hypothetical integrative model to advance our understanding of this ancient practice. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library using keywords such as “ Kapalbhati, ” “skull shining breath” and related synonyms. Only English-language RCTs published between 2014 and 2024 were included. Four RCTs meeting these criteria were critically appraised and their findings synthesised. The reviewed studies consistently indicate that Kapalbhati improves pulmonary function, possibly by mechanically stimulating pulmonary stretch receptors, and enhances cognitive performance by reducing anxiety and boosting attention. These outcomes suggest that the rapid breathing of Kapalbhati may modulate neural circuits in the nucleus tractus solitarius, thereby triggering the release of neuropeptides like oxytocin and norepinephrine, which are essential for emotional regulation and cognitive enhancement. Key Message Integrating traditional yogic insights with contemporary neurophysiological theories, our proposed model offers a fresh perspective on Kapalbhati’s multifaceted benefits. This review not only highlights promising empirical findings but also lays the groundwork for future research aimed at validating these mechanisms and potentially transforming Kapalbhati into an evidence-based therapeutic strategy.

Research Report – AVTRW 2024 Conference Presentation Persistency of the Madigan thoracic squeeze phenomenon in dairy calves 3–6 weeks of age

2025-06-10

Peter Cockcroft , William J Balhatchet | Research in Veterinary Science

Control of the Airway

2025-06-09

| Cambridge University Press eBooks

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Mortality Trends and Socioeconomic Inequalities Worldwide: Evidence from the Global Burden of Disease Study

2025-06-09

Ze Tang , Ziwei Wang , Xinbao Wang | Children

Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains an important global health concern despite its decline in recent decades. This research assesses the global, regional, and national tendencies in SIDS mortality … Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains an important global health concern despite its decline in recent decades. This research assesses the global, regional, and national tendencies in SIDS mortality and DALYs from 1991 to 2021, highlighting the differences across various sociodemographic indexes (SDIs). Methods: Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021, SIDS mortality and DALYs were evaluated across different global regions, SDI categories, and age groups. The trends over the study period were determined by conducting estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) analyses. Results: Between 1991 and 2021, the global SIDS mortality rate reduced greatly from 74,782 deaths (58.72 per 100,000 infants) to 30,608 deaths (24.16 per 100,000 infants), showing an EAPC of −3.01%. Similarly, the global DALYs decreased from 6,710,608 to 2,746,174. The biggest decline (EAPC: −5.25%) occurred in the high-SDI regions, whereas the low-SDI regions displayed a minimal decline (EAPC: −2.74%). Infants who were 1–5 months old uniformly had the highest mortality and DALY rates. Gender differences persisted, with larger rates discovered among males. The regional differences remained prominent, with the low-SDI states experiencing a much higher burden. Conclusions: Although there have been remarkable global advancements, great differences in the SIDS burden persist, mainly boosted by socioeconomic unfairness and healthcare access. Improved targeted interventions mitigating these modifiable risks and enhancing healthcare infrastructure in low-SDI regions are the keys to further reducing the global SIDS burden.

Application of Craniosacral Therapy Versus Blood Levels of Corticoliberin and Oxytocin in Male Firefighters Exposed to Occupational Stress—A Randomised Control Trial

2025-06-06

Małgorzata Wójcik , Idzi Siatkowski | Metabolites

Background: Firefighters’ work exposes them to high levels of stress. Oxytocin (OXT) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) are hormones released in response to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress can have negative … Background: Firefighters’ work exposes them to high levels of stress. Oxytocin (OXT) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) are hormones released in response to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress can have negative effects, such as increased blood pressure and glucose levels, and a weakened immune system. Methods: This study involved 57 fire department cadets, randomly divided into craniosacral therapy (CS) and contralateral therapy (CO) groups. This study aimed to check whether 5-week craniosacral therapy affects CRH and OXT levels, determined from blood. Results: For the CS group, CRH_1 and CRH_2 showed slight increases in median values, 1.73 vs. 2.16, and OXT_1 and OXT_2 showed significant increases in median values, 54.71 vs. 57.77. Spearman’s correlation coefficient for CRH_1 vs. OXT_1 was r = 0.26, p = 0.124; similarly, for CRH_2 vs. OXT_2 was r = −0.02, p = 0.920; for CRH_ 1 vs. CRH_2 was r = 0.25, p = 0.173; and for OXT_1 vs. OXT_2 was r = 0.77, p < 0.00001. The values of the point statistics for CRH were similar in CO_1 and CS_1. After the end of therapy, in the CS_2 group, the values of the point statistics were greater than those for the CO_2 group. The median values for oxytocin in the CO_1 group were greater than those in the CS_1 group. After the end of therapy, in the CO_2 group, the values of the scoring statistics were smaller than those for the CS_2 group. The effect of the intervention in the CS group and the CO group showed a significance of p = 0.0003 and p = 0.023. Conclusions: After the end of therapy, a significant increase in OXT levels was observed, as well as a slight increase in CRH levels.

Electroconvulsive therapy improves distal colonic motility via the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve in depressive-like mice

2025-06-04

Mengyao Dai , Y. Li , Yanghua Tian | Scientific Reports