Respiratory chemosensitivity during wake and sleep in harbour seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardsii)

In this study, we examined the cardiorespiratory patterns of harbour seal pups under normoxic/normocarbic (air), hypoxic/normocarbic (15%, 12%, and 9% O2 in air), and normoxic/hypercarbic (2%, 4%, and 6% CO2 in air) conditions while awake and sleeping on land. Animals were chronically instrumented to record electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG), and electrocardiogram (EKG) signals, which, along with respiration (whole-body plethysmography) and oxygen consumption (VO2), were recorded from animals breathing each gas mixture for 2-4 h on separate days. Our results show that for animals breathing air, VO2 was not significantly lower during slow-wave sleep (SWS; 7.71 +/- 0.39 mL O2 min(-1) kg(-1); all measurements are mean +/- SEM) than during wakefulness (WAKE; 8.80 +/- 0.25 mL O2 min(-1) kg(-1)) and was unaffected by changes in respiratory drive. Although there was no significant fall in VO2 associated with a decrease in arousal state, breathing frequency (f(R)) did decrease (from 18.80 +/- 1.50 breaths min(-1) in WAKE to 10.40 +/- 0.49 breaths min(-1) in SWS), while the incidence of long apneas (>20 s) increased (12.76 +/- 4.06 apneas h(-1) in WAKE and 31.95 +/- 2.37 apneas h(-1) in SWS). Breathing was rarely seen during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Tachypnea was present at all levels of increased respiratory drive; however, hypoxia induced a dramatic bradycardia regardless of arousal state, while hypercarbia produced a tachycardia in SWS only. The hypoxic and hypercarbic chemosensitivities of harbour seal pups were similar to those of terrestrial mammals; however, unlike terrestrial mammals, where hypoxic and hypercarbic sensitivities are often reduced during SWS, the sensitivity of harbour seal pups to hypoxia and hypercarbia remained unchanged during the decrease in arousal state from WAKE to SWS.     

Growth and virulence of Candida albicans after oral inoculation in the chick with a monoflora of either Escherichia coli or Streptococcus faecalis

Balish, Edward (Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.), and A. W. Phillips. Growth and virulence of Candida albicans after oral inoculation in the chick with a monoflora of either Escherichia coli or Streptococcus faecalis. J. Bacteriol. 91:1744-1749. 1966.-Bacterial protection against intestinal infection by Candida albicans was investigated in chicks with a monoflora of either Escherichia coli or Streptococcus faecalis. These animals were obtained by orally inoculating germ-free chicks (3 days old) with pure cultures of bacteria. Each bacterial species was established in large numbers in the gut of separate groups of animals within 24 hr of inoculation; these numbers were similar in chicks examined 34 days later, at which time all animals were killed. The numbers of bacteria from contents of the crop, small intestine, and ceca were similar in chicks with the E. coli monoflora. Comparable results were obtained in chicks with the S. faecalis monoflora, except for decreased numbers in the duodenum and jejunum. Some of the monoflora chicks (7 days old) were transferred into separate isolators, orally inoculated with C. albicans, and observed for 34 days. All chicks grew well and appeared healthy. However, examinations at autopsy revealed severe crop infections in chicks with a diflora containing S. faecalis. Preferential growth of hyphae (C. albicans) occurred in the lesions and throughout the gut. The numbers of S. faecalis in the gut were comparable to those found in unchallenged animals. Agglutinins against C. albicans were not detected in our test or control chicks. Chicks with a diflora containing E. coli and C. albicans had a few microscopic crop lesions containing small numbers of hyphae. C. albicans was well established in the gut of these animals, largely as the yeast form. The numbers of E. coli in the gut were similar to those in control chicks. Thus, it was concluded that E. coli provided protection against crop infection by C. albicans. In crop contents from unchallenged animals, chicks with S. faecalis monoflora were about pH 5, whereas birds with E. coli monoflora were about pH 7. The challenge did not greatly change the former value, and the latter was slightly decreased. In the crop of unchallenged birds, negative E(h) values were found in chicks with S. faecalis and positive E(h) values in those with E. coli. Challenge did not greatly change these values. These data on pH and E(h) were related to conditions for morphogenesis of C. albicans and virulence. No major difference in the concentrations of serum proteins was seen in chicks with E. coli or S. faecalis after challenge with C. albicans. Possible mechanisms of the protective effect of E. coli are discussed.     

Intrauterine bacterial inoculation induces labor in the mouse by mechanisms other than progesterone withdrawal

We tested the hypothesis that progesterone (P(4)) withdrawal is the primary mechanism by which intrauterine bacteria induce preterm labor in mice. CD-1 mice on Day 14.5 of a 19- to 20-day gestation were subjected to one of four treatments: 1) intrauterine injection of sterile medium, 2) intrauterine injection of 10(6) heat-killed Escherichia coli bacteria, 3) intrauterine injection of 10(9) heat-killed E. coli, or 4) ovariectomy. Mice were then killed at four time points from 0.75 to 11 h after surgery for serum collection. Separately, animals were pretreated either with s.c. P(4) or with vehicle 2 h before ovariectomy or high-dose bacterial inoculation. Ovariectomy led to a rapid fall in serum P(4) levels of 60% by 1 h and 81% by 8 h compared with levels in controls (P < 0.001). In contrast, intrauterine inoculation with 10(9) bacteria led to a more modest decline in P(4) of only 28% by 8 h (P = 0.24, which was no different from that of 10(6) bacteria, an inoculum below the threshold for preterm delivery). Despite significantly lower levels of P(4) in the ovariectomy group, time to delivery was significantly shorter with 10(9) bacteria intrauterine (24 +/- 5.6 h vs. 19 +/- 3.6 h, P = 0.03). Pretreatment with 1.5 mg P(4) per mouse prolonged the interval to delivery following both ovariectomy and high-dose bacteria, in association with pharmacologically elevated serum P(4) levels. In contrast, physiologic P(4) supplementation (0.375 mg/mouse) prolonged gestation only in the ovariectomy group. We conclude that withdrawal of endogenous P(4) is not the primary cause of labor following intrauterine bacterial inoculation in mice.     

Effects of dihydroergotoxine methane sulphonate (Redergine) on sleep in cats deprived of paradoxical sleep

Dihydroergotoxine methane sulphonate (DHET 1.0 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to cats deprived of paradoxical sleep (PS) for 72 h and 23 h of recovery sleep were recorded. During the first 12 h of recovery sleep slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly increased. There were no significant changes in the amounts of wakefulness (W), PS and several sleep indices. Analysis of the entire 23 h of recording period revealed no significant changes in any of the parameters studied. The results suggest that DHET has SWS enhancing property in the condition where "pressure" for PS was increased.     

Optimum conditions for initiation of filamentation in Candida albicans.

A medium that initially produced filaments from almost all of its Candida albicans blastospore inoculum contained 1% mycological peptone and 0.2% glucose, final pH 7.4-7.5. The medium was inoculated to 10-6 cells/ml and incubated at 40 degrees C. Reversion to secondary blastospores began at a mean of 2.4 h after inoculation. The patterns of utilization of growth nutrients during optimal mycelial growth showed no correlation with the events of filamentation.     

Differential Associations of Early- and Late-Night Sleep with Functional Brain States Promoting Insight to Abstract Task Regularity

Background

Solving a task with insight has been associated with occipital and right-hemisphere activations. The present study tested the hypothesis if sleep-related alterations in functional activation states modulate the probability of insight into a hidden abstract regularity of a task.

Methodology

State-dependent functional activation was measured by beta and alpha electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and spatial synchronization. Task-dependent functional activation was assessed by slow cortical potentials (SPs). EEG parameters during the performance of the Number Reduction Task (NRT) were compared between before sleep and after sleep sessions. In two different groups, the relevant sleep occurred either in the first or in the second half of the night, dominated by slow wave sleep (SWS) or by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Principal Findings

Changes in EEG parameters only occurred in the early-night group, not in the late-night group and indicated occipital and right-hemisphere functional alterations. These changes were associated with off-line consolidation of implicit task representations and with the amount of SWS but they did not predict subsequent insight. The gain of insight was, however, independently associated with changes of spectral beta and alpha measures only in those subjects from the two sleep groups who would subsequently comprehend the hidden regularity of the task. Insight-related enhancement of right frontal asymmetry after sleep did not depend on sleep stages.

Significance

It is concluded that off-line restructuring of implicit information during sleep is accompanied by alterations of functional activation states after sleep. This mechanism is promoted by SWS but not by REM sleep and may contribute to attaining insight after sleep. Original neurophysiologic evidence is provided for alterations of the functional activation brain states after sleep. These alterations are associated with a decrease in controlled processing within the visual system and with an increase in the functional connectivity of the right hemisphere, and are supported by SWS in the first half of the night.     

Upper airway muscle responsiveness to rising PCO(2) during NREM sleep.

Although pharyngeal muscles respond robustly to increasing PCO(2) during wakefulness, the effect of hypercapnia on upper airway muscle activation during sleep has not been carefully assessed. This may be important, because it has been hypothesized that CO(2)-driven muscle activation may importantly stabilize the upper airway during stages 3 and 4 sleep. To test this hypothesis, we measured ventilation, airway resistance, genioglossus (GG) and tensor palatini (TP) electromyogram (EMG), plus end-tidal PCO(2) (PET(CO(2))) in 18 subjects during wakefulness, stage 2, and slow-wave sleep (SWS). Responses of ventilation and muscle EMG to administered CO(2) (PET(CO(2)) = 6 Torr above the eupneic level) were also assessed during SWS (n = 9) or stage 2 sleep (n = 7). PET(CO(2)) increased spontaneously by 0.8 +/- 0.1 Torr from stage 2 to SWS (from 43.3 +/- 0.6 to 44.1 +/- 0.5 Torr, P < 0.05), with no significant change in GG or TP EMG. Despite a significant increase in minute ventilation with induced hypercapnia (from 8.3 +/- 0.1 to 11.9 +/- 0.3 l/min in stage 2 and 8.6 +/- 0.4 to 12.7 +/- 0.4 l/min in SWS, P < 0.05 for both), there was no significant change in the GG or TP EMG. These data indicate that supraphysiological levels of PET(CO(2)) (50.4 +/- 1.6 Torr in stage 2, and 50.4 +/- 0.9 Torr in SWS) are not a major independent stimulus to pharyngeal dilator muscle activation during either SWS or stage 2 sleep. Thus hypercapnia-induced pharyngeal dilator muscle activation alone is unlikely to explain the paucity of sleep-disordered breathing events during SWS.     

Relationship between sleep stages and short‐term changes in rectal temperature in humans

Abstract

Sixteen volunteers have been studied during 3–4 control nights and eight of these subjects again during four successive sleeps on 30‐h “days”;. The experiments took place in a comfortable environment provided by an isolation chamber. Rectal temperature and the sleep EEG were measured throughout. The relationship between sleep stages, particularly SWS and REM sleep, and short‐term changes in rectal temperature has been investigated during both protocols. Care was taken to correct for or remove those temperature changes that could be attributed to circadian rhythmicity or the effects of loss of masking due to being awake. Results showed that there was a small but significant effect of sleep stages, with SWS producing a fall and REM sleep a rise in rectal temperature after a delay of about 30–48 minutes. It is concluded that such spontaneous changes in sleeping subjects accord with the results of other studies which indicate that thermoregulatory reflexes to hot or cold stimuli alter in different sleep stages.     

Covert Reorganization of Implicit Task Representations by Slow Wave Sleep

Background

There is evidence that slow wave sleep (SWS) promotes the consolidation of memories that are subserved by mediotemporal- and hippocampo-cortical neural networks. In contrast to implicit memories, explicit memories are accompanied by conscious (attentive and controlled) processing. Awareness at pre-sleep encoding has been recognized as critical for the off-line memory consolidation. The present study elucidated the role of task-dependent cortical activation guided by attentional control at pre-sleep encoding for the consolidation of hippocampus-dependent memories during sleep.

Methodology

A task with a hidden regularity was used (Number Reduction Task, NRT), in which the responses that can be implicitly predicted by the hidden regularity activate hippocampo-cortical networks more strongly than responses that cannot be predicted. Task performance was evaluated before and after early-night sleep, rich in SWS, and late-night sleep, rich in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In implicit conditions, slow cortical potentials (SPs) were analyzed to reflect the amount of controlled processing and the localization of activated neural task representations.

Principal Findings

During implicit learning before sleep, the amount of controlled processing did not differ between unpredictable and predictable responses, nor between early- and late-night sleep groups. A topographic re-distribution of SPs indicating a spatial reorganization occurred only after early, not after late sleep, and only for predictable responses. These SP changes correlated with the amount of SWS and were covert because off-line RT decrease did not differentiate response types or sleep groups.

Conclusions

It is concluded that SWS promotes the neural reorganization of task representations that rely on the hippocampal system despite absence of conscious access to these representations.

Significance

Original neurophysiologic evidence is provided for the role of SWS in the consolidation of memories encoded with hippocampo-cortical interaction before sleep. It is demonstrated that this SWS-mediated mechanism does not depend critically on explicitness at learning nor on the amount of controlled executive processing during pre-sleep encoding.     

Apoptosis of phagocytic cells induced by Candida albicans and production of IL-10

Macrophages co-incubated with Candida albicans strain CR1 in vitro showed early signs of apoptosis, but evolved to necrosis after 2 h. In this study, we investigated whether strain CR1 caused apoptosis or necrosis of macrophages after its inoculation into mice peritoneal cavity, and whether this correlated with the secretion of IL-10. Peritoneal macrophages from mice that received an inoculum of C. albicans CR1 showed signs of apoptosis and necrosis from 30 min to 2 h afterwards, whereas heat-killed C. albicans did not cause those effects. IL-10 production was low during the first 6 h post-infection, when macrophages predominated in the peritoneal exudate, whereas its higher production after 24 h correlated with an increase of neutrophils in the exudate. Treatment of CR1 with pepstatin (an inhibitor of proteinases) prevented the process of apoptosis and significantly reduced IL-10 production, suggesting that the increased production of IL-10 was caused by processes occurring during the initial phase of infection, such as apoptosis, necrosis and uptake of death cells.     

Ventilatory long-term facilitation in mice can be observed during both sleep and wake periods and depends on orexin.

Respiratory long-term facilitation (LTF) is a long-lasting (>1 h) augmentation of respiratory motor output that occurs even after cessation of hypoxic stimuli, is serotonin-dependent, and is thought to prevent sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea. Raphe nuclei, which modulate several physiological functions through serotonin, receive dense projections from orexin-containing neurons in the hypothalamus. We examined possible contributions of orexin to ventilatory LTF by measuring respiration in freely moving prepro-orexin knockout mice (ORX-KO) and wild-type (WT) littermates before, during, and after exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH; 5 x 5 min at 10% O2), sustained hypoxia (SH; 25 min at 10% O2), or sham stimulation. Respiratory data during quiet wakefulness (QW), slow wave sleep (SWS), and rapid-eye-movement sleep were separately calculated. Baseline ventilation before hypoxic stimulation and acute responses during stimulation did not differ between the ORX-KO and WT mice, although ventilation depended on vigilance state. Whereas the WT showed augmented minute ventilation (by 20.0 +/- 4.5% during QW and 26.5 +/- 5.3% during SWS; n = 8) for 2 h following IH, ORX-KO showed no significant increase (by -3.1 +/- 4.6% during QW and 0.3 +/- 5.2% during SWS; n = 8). Both genotypes showed no LTF after SH or sham stimulation. Sleep apnea indexes did not change following IH, even when LTF appeared in the WT mice. We conclude that LTF occurs during both sleep and wake periods, that orexin is necessary for eliciting LTF, and that LTF cannot prevent sleep apnea, at least in mice.     

Effect of selected bacteria on mycelial transformation of cells of Candida albicans

Influence of selected bacteria representing typical physiological flora of mucous membranes of man on transformation of Candida albicans from yeast phase to mycelial phase was evaluated, E. coli, S. viridans and S. faecalis inhibited to different degree mycelial transformation of fungal cells. A degree of inhibition in the case of E. coli was proportional to the period of preliminary culture of strains in medium containing serum while streptococci inhibited mycelial transformation mainly after 4 and 24 hr of preliminary culture. Production of factor(s) inhibiting mycelial transformation of C. albicans by E. coli was induced by direct contact with fungal cells and by low molecular weight substances produced by C. albicans. Streptococci produced inhibiting factors even when fungal cells or their metabolites were absent in the medium.     

Upper airway dilating forces during wakefulness and sleep in dogs

We measured the pressure within an isolated segment of the upper airway in three dogs during wakefulness (W), slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Measurements were taken from a segment of the upper airway between the nares and midtrachea while the dog breathed through a tracheostoma. These pressure changes represented the sum of respiratory-related forces generated by all muscles of the upper airway. The mean base-line level of upper airway pressure (Pua) was -0.5 +/- 0.03 cmH2O during W, increased by a mean of 2.1 +/- 0.2 cmH2O during SWS, and was variable during REM sleep. The mean inspiratory-related phasic change in Pua was -1.2 +/- 0.1 cmH2O during wakefulness. During SWS, this phasic change in Pua decreased significantly to a mean of -0.9 +/- 0.1 cmH2O (P less than 0.05). During REM sleep, the phasic activity was extremely variable with periods in which there were no fluctuations in Pua and others with high swings in Pua. These data indicate that in dogs the sum of forces which dilate the upper airway during W decreases during SWS and REM sleep. The consistent coupling between inspiratory drive and upper airway dilatation during wakefulness persists in SWS, but is frequently uncoupled during REM sleep.     

Sleep after mobile phone exposure in subjects with mobile phone‐related symptoms

Several studies show increases in activity for certain frequency bands (10–14 Hz) and visually scored parameters during sleep after exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. A shortened REM latency has also been reported. We investigated the effects of a double‐blind radiofrequency exposure (884 MHz, GSM signaling standard including non‐DTX and DTX mode, time‐averaged 10 g psSAR of 1.4 W/kg) on self‐evaluated sleepiness and objective EEG measures during sleep. Forty‐eight subjects (mean age 28 years) underwent 3 h of controlled exposure (7:30–10:30 PM; active or sham) prior to sleep, followed by a full‐night polysomnographic recording in a sleep laboratory. The results demonstrated that following exposure, time in Stages 3 and 4 sleep (SWS, slow‐wave sleep) decreased by 9.5 min (12%) out of a total of 78.6 min, and time in Stage 2 sleep increased by 8.3 min (4%) out of a total of 196.3 min compared to sham. The latency to Stage 3 sleep was also prolonged by 4.8 min after exposure. Power density analysis indicated an enhanced activation in the frequency ranges 0.5–1.5 and 5.75–10.5 Hz during the first 30 min of Stage 2 sleep, with 7.5–11.75 Hz being elevated within the first hour of Stage 2 sleep, and bands 4.75–8.25 Hz elevated during the second hour of Stage 2 sleep. No pronounced power changes were observed in SWS or for the third hour of scored Stage 2 sleep. No differences were found between controls and subjects with prior complaints of mobile phone‐related symptoms. The results confirm previous findings that RF exposure increased the EEG alpha range in the sleep EEG, and indicated moderate impairment of SWS. Furthermore, reported differences in sensitivity to mobile phone use were not reflected in sleep parameters. Bioelectromagnetics 32:4–14, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of electroacupuncture at ‘Anmian (Extra)’ acupoints on sleep activities in rats: The implication of the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius

Electroacupuncture (EAc) possesses a broad therapeutic effect, including improvement of sleep disturbances. The mechanism of sleep improvement with EAc, however, is still unclear. The present study investigated the effects of EAc stimulation of Anmian (extra) acupoints on sleep organization and the implication of an active structure, the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). Rats were implanted with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording electrodes, and 32-gauge acupuncture needles were bilaterally inserted into Anmian (extra) acupoints in the rats, followed by electrical stimulation for 20 min. Twenty-three-hour continuous EEGs were then recorded. Results showed that rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) was enhanced during the dark period when a single EAc stimulation was given 25 min prior to the onset of the dark period. REMS and slow-wave sleep (SWS) increased during the dark period after administration of EAc stimuli on 2 consecutive days. Electrical stimulation of non-acupoints produced no change in the sleep pattern. Pharmacological blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by systemic administration of scopolamine dose-dependently attenuated EAc-induced changes in REMS and SWS. Furthermore, electrical lesions in the bilateral caudal NTS produced significant blockade of EAc-induced sleep enhancement. However, in rats without EAc, scopolamine increased SWS during the dark period, but caudal NTS lesions did not alter sleep. In addition, neither EAc nor scopolamine with EAc manipulation produced any change in the slow-wave activity (SWA) during SWS; however, the SWA during SWS was significantly reduced after caudal NTS lesion with EAc. These results suggest that the caudal NTS may be involved in the regulation of EAc-induced sleep alterations.     

Sleep,activity, temperature and arousal responses of mice deficient for muscarinic receptor M2 or M4

AimsThe type 2 muscarinic receptor (M2R) differs from the other G-protein-coupled muscarinic receptor (type 4, or M4R) in tissue distribution and physiologic effects. We studied the impact of these receptors on sleep and arousal by using M2R and M4R knock-out (KO) mice.Main methodsM2R and M4R KO and genetically intact mice were compared in terms of normal patterns of sleep, responses to sleep loss, infectious challenge and acoustic startle, and acoustic prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI).Key findingsUnder basal conditions, M2R and M4R KO mice do not differ from the background strain or each other in the amount or diurnal pattern of sleep, locomotor activity, and body temperature. After enforced sleep loss, M2R KO mice, in contrast to the other two strains, show no rebound in slow-wave sleep (SWS) time, although their SWS is consolidated, and they show a greater rebound in time spent in REMS (rapid-eye-movement sleep) and REMS consolidation. During influenza infection, M2R KO mice, as compared with the other strains, show marked hypothermia and a less robust increase in SWS. During Candida albicans infection, M2R KO mice show a greater increase in SWS and a greater inflammatory response than do the other strains. M2R KO mice also show greater acoustic startle amplitude than does the background strain, although PPI was not different across the 3 strains over a range of stimulus intensities.SignificanceTaken together, these findings support different roles for M2R and M4R in the modulation of sleep and arousal during homeostatic challenge.     

Sleep apnea and effect of chemostimulation on breathing instability in mice.

Sleep apnea occurs in humans and experimental animals. We examined whether it also arises in adult mice. Ventilation in male adult 129/Sv mice was recorded concomitantly by electroencephalograms and electromyograms for 6 h by use of body plethysmography. Apnea was defined as cessation of plethysmographic signals for longer than two respiratory cycles. While mice breathed room air, 32.3 +/- 6.9 (mean +/- SE, n = 5) apneas were observed during sleep but not in quiet awake periods. Sleep apneas were further classified into two types. Postsigh apneas occurred exclusively during slow-wave sleep (SWS), whereas spontaneous apneas arose during both SWS and rapid eye movement sleep. Compared with room air (9.1 +/- 1.4/h of SWS), postsigh apneas were more frequent in hypoxia (13.7 +/- 2.1) and less frequent in hyperoxia (3.6 +/- 1.7) and hypercapnia (2.8 +/- 2.1). Our data indicated that significant sleep apnea occurs in normal adult mice and suggested that the mouse could be a promising experimental model with which to study the genetic and molecular basis of respiratory regulation during sleep.     

Duration of sleep inertia after napping during simulated night work and in extended operations

Due to the mixed findings of previous studies, it is still difficult to provide guidance on how to best manage sleep inertia after waking from naps in operational settings. One of the few factors that can be manipulated is the duration of the nap opportunity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the magnitude and time course of sleep inertia after waking from short (20-, 40- or 60-min) naps during simulated night work and extended operations. In addition, the effect of sleep stage on awakening and duration of slow wave sleep (SWS) on sleep inertia was assessed. Two within-subject protocols were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. Twenty-four healthy young men (Protocol 1: n = 12, mean age = 25.1 yrs; Protocol 2: n = 12, mean age = 23.2 yrs) were provided with nap opportunities of 20-, 40-, and 60-min (and a control condition of no nap) ending at 02:00 h after ～20 h of wakefulness (Protocol 1 [P1]: simulated night work) or ending at 12:00 h after ～30 h of wakefulness (Protocol 2 [P2]: simulated extended operations). A 6-min test battery, including the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and the 4-min 2-Back Working Memory Task (WMT), was repeated every 15 min the first hour after waking. Nap sleep was recorded polysomnographically, and in all nap opportunities sleep onset latency was short and sleep efficiency high. Mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures were calculated and included the factors time (time post-nap), nap opportunity (duration of nap provided), order (order in which the four protocols were completed), and the interaction of these terms. Results showed no test x nap opportunity effect (i.e., no effect of sleep inertia) on KSS. However, WMT performance was impaired (slower reaction time, fewer correct responses, and increased omissions) on the first test post-nap, primarily after a 40- or 60-min nap. In P2 only, performance improvement was evident 45 min post-awakening for naps of 40 min or more. In ANOVAs where sleep stage on awakening was included, the test x nap opportunity interaction was significant, but differences were between wake and non-REM Stage 1/Stage 2 or wake and SWS. A further series of ANOVAs showed no effect of the duration of SWS on sleep inertia. The results of this study demonstrate that no more than 15 min is required for performance decrements due to sleep inertia to dissipate after nap opportunities of 60 min or less, but subjective sleepiness is not a reliable indicator of this effect. Under conditions where sleep is short, these findings also suggest that SWS, per se, does not contribute to more severe sleep inertia. When wakefulness is extended and napping occurs at midday (i.e., P2), nap opportunities of 40- and 60-min have the advantage over shorter duration sleep periods, as they result in performance benefits ～45 min after waking.     

Fungicidal activity of Candida albicans-induced murine lymphokine-activated killer cells against C. albicans hyphae in vitro.

Multiple intraperitoneal injections of inactivated Candida albicans cells resulted in the generation of cytotoxic peritoneal cells with phenotypical and functional properties similar to in vitro-generated lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Using an in vitro [3H]glucose uptake assay, C. albicans-induced LAK-like (CA-LAK) cells exhibited high levels of anti-hyphal activity, the effects being effector to target cell (E:T) ratio- and time-dependent. Maximal levels of anti-C. albicans activity (approximately 60%) were observed after 4 h and at E:T greater than or equal to 300:1. Similar patterns of anti-C. albicans activity were exerted by in vivo-activated natural killer (NK) cells, in vitro interleukin-2- (IL-2) generated LAK cells and polymorphonuclear cells. The anti-hyphal activity of CA-LAK cells was enriched by separation on a Percoll gradient, F2 and F3 fractions retaining most of the activity. Experiments using immunodepressed animals demonstrated that the in vivo lethality of the C. albicans hyphal form is significantly affected by in vitro pre-exposure to CA-LAK cells. While control mice receiving C. albicans alone had a median survival time of 2 d, mice receiving C. albicans pre-exposed to CA-LAK cells (E:T = 300:1) had a median survival time of 15 d. Overall, the susceptibility of the C. albicans hyphal form to CA-LAK cells suggests that C. albicans-induced effectors might play a significant role as a second-line defence mechanism against the C. albicans hyphal form.     

Potentiometric monitoring of the redox state of brain structures of freely-moving rats in sleep-wake cycles

Variations of brain tissue redox state potential (E) of freely-moving white rats (300-350 g) in cycles of wakefulness (W), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and paradoxical sleep (PS) were measured by platinum electrodes symmetrically implanted into the frontal and occipital cortices and hippocampus. In addition, EMG of neck muscles and general motor activity of animals were recorded. The common reference electrode was implanted in the nasal bone. It was shown that in some brain sites (called active), episodes of W and PS were accompanied by a rise of E, and during transitions from W and PS to SWS, E dropped. The value of E varied in the range of 100 mV. It is suggested that transitions from W and PS to SWS are accompanied by shifts in the balance between the main energy sources. Oxidative phosphorylation prevails in W and PS, whereas aerobic glycolysis is the main source of energy during SWS. We think that this suggestion is supported both by a decrease in E in SWS and its oscillations typical of glucolytic processes [Aon et al., 1992]. Recent literature data [Bitter et al., 1996] suggest that astroglia is the main compartment for aerobic glycolysis.