Beta-Adrenergic Modulation of Tremor and Corticomuscular Coherence in Humans

Coherence between the bioelectric activity of sensorimotor cortex and contralateral muscles can be observed around 20 Hz. By contrast, physiological tremor has a dominant frequency around 10 Hz. Although tremor has multiple sources, it is partly central in origin, reflecting a component of motoneuron discharge at this frequency. The motoneuron response to ∼20 Hz descending input could be altered by non-linear interactions with ∼10 Hz motoneuron firing. We investigated this further in eight healthy human subjects by testing the effects of the beta-adrenergic agents propranolol (non-selective β-antagonist) and salbutamol (β₂-agonist), which are known to alter the size of physiological tremor. Corticomuscular coherence was assessed during an auxotonic precision grip task; tremor was quantified using accelerometry during index finger extension. Experiments with propranolol used a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. A single oral dose of propranolol (40 mg) significantly increased beta band (15.3–32.2 Hz) corticomuscular coherence compared with placebo, but reduced tremor in the 6.2–11.9 Hz range. Salbutamol (2.5 mg) was administered by inhalation. Whilst salbutamol significantly increased tremor amplitude as expected, it did not change corticomuscular coherence. The opposite direction of the effects of propranolol on corticomuscular coherence and tremor, and the fact that salbutamol enhances tremor but does not affect coherence, implies that the magnitude of corticomuscular coherence is little influenced by non-linear interactions with 10 Hz oscillations in motoneurons or the periphery. Instead, we suggest that propranolol and salbutamol may affect both tremor and corticomuscular coherence partly via a central site of action.     

Quantitative aspects of growth hormone cell maturation in the normal and little mutant mouse

Growth hormone (GH) cells were analyzed by means of ultrastructural morphometry in the pars distalis of pituitary glands from male adult and immature normal (C57BL) and homozygous little (lit/lit) mutant mice. Thin sections were exposed to anti-GH serum and processed immunocytochemically with the colloidal-gold technique. In the pars distalis of adult lit/lit mice, the mean volume density of GH cells/total tissue was 24% of the normal value, granules/GH cells was 58% of normal, and granules/total tissue was only 12% of normal. Deficits in all of these parameters likewise occurred in immature glands, though to a lesser extent than in the adults. The results indicate that the GH deficiency in this mutant reflects quantitative deficits in both the secretory granule content of GH cells, as well as the GH cell content of the gland, with the latter being the more severely affected.     

Disruption of sexual communication in Laspeyresia pomonella1 (codling moth), Grapholitha molesta1 (Oriental fruit moth) and G. Prunivora1 (lesser appleworm) with hollow fiber attractant sources

Emission of (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate [7% (E) isomer] from hollow fiber dispensers at 0.15 g/ha/day from 1700 points (units of 10 fibers)/ha effects complete disruption of male Grapholitha molesta (Busck) attraction to synthetic lure and virgin females. Attraction of G. prunivora (Walsh) to synthetic lures is also completely disrupted. Emission of (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol at 0.05 g/ha/day from 1700 points/ha effects complete disruption of male Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) attraction to synthetic pheromone, to virgin females and prevents mating with tethered females.

---

Résumé L'émission du composé (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate (7% de l'isomère E 8-12 Ac dans le texte), à la dose de 0,15 g/ha/jour, à partir d'émetteurs formés d'une fibre creuse (type Conrel (R)), répartis en 1700 points/ha, chaque point comportant des unités de 10 fibres, annihile complètement l'attraction du mâle de Grapholitha molesta à l'égard de femelles vierges ou de leures chimiques de synthèse. L'attraction de G. prunivora pour des leures synthétiques est également totalement interrompue.L'émission du composé E8 E10-dodécadien-1-ol (E8 E10-12:OH) à la dose de 0,05 g/ha/jour, à partir de 1700 points/ha, entraîne la destruction totale du comportement attractif de Laspeyresia pomonella pour des hormones de synthèse, ou pour des femelles vierges et empêche l'accouplement avec des femelles non mobiles liées par un système adhésif à un dispositif attractif (pherotrap 1C).

---

---

Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae