Digital Commons Network^™

Metabolic Depression Is Delayed And Mitochondrial Impairment Averted During Prolonged Anoxia In The Ghost Shrimp, Lepidophthalmus Louisianensis (Schmitt, 1935), Jeremy D. Holman, Steven C. Hand

Faculty Publications

Lepidophthalmus louisianensis burrows deeply into oxygen-limited estuarine sediments and is subjected to extended anoxia at low tides. Large specimens (> 2 g) have a lethal time for 50% mortality (LT50) of 64 h under anoxia at 25 °C. Small specimens (< 1 g) have a significantly higher LT50 of 113 h, which is the longest ever reported for a crustacean. Whole body lactate levels rise dramatically under anoxia and exceed 120 μmol g.f.w.- 1 by 72 h. ATP, ADP, and AMP do not change during 48 h of anoxia, but arginine phosphate declines by over 50%. Thus arginine phosphate may help stabilize the ATP pool. Surprisingly, when compared to the aerobic resting rate, ATP production under anoxia declines only moderately during the first 12 h, and drops to only about 30% between 12 and 48 h. Finally, after 48 h of anoxia, a major metabolic depression to less than 5% occurs. Downregulation of metabolism is delayed in L. louisianensis compared to many invertebrates that exhibit facultative anaerobiosis. Bioenergetic constraints as a result of eventual metabolic depression lead to ionic disturbances like calcium overload and compromised membrane potential of mitochondria. Because these phenomena trigger apoptosis in mammalian species, we evaluated the susceptibility of ghost shrimp mitochondria to opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and associated damage. Energized mitochondria isolated from hepatopancreas possess a pronounced capacity for calcium uptake. Exogenous calcium does not stimulate opening of the MPTP, which potentially could reduce cell death during prolonged anoxia. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Link Between Aurora Kinase And Clp1/Cdc14 Regulation Uncovered By The Identification Of A Fission Yeast Borealin-Like Protein, K. Adam Bohnert, Jun Song Chen, Dawn M. Clifford, Craig W. Vander Kooi, Kathleen L. Gould

Faculty Publications

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) regulates various events in cell division. This complex is composed of a catalytic subunit, Aurora B kinase, and three nonenzymatic subunits, INCENP, Survivin, and Borealin. Together, these four subunits interdependently regulate CPC function, and they are highly conserved among eukaryotes. However, a Borealin homologue has never been characterized in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here, we isolate a previously uncharacterized S. pombe protein through association with the Cdc14 phosphatase homologue, Clp1/Flp1, and identify it as a Borealin-like member of the CPC. Nbl1 (novel Borealin-like 1) physically associates with known CPC components, affects the kinase activity …

The Tbx20 Homologs Midline And H15 Specify Ventral Fate In The Drosophila Melanogaster Leg, Pia C. Svendson, Ann Formaz-Preston, Sandra M. Leal, William J. Brook

Faculty Publications

Regional fates in the developing limbs of Drosophila melanogaster are controlled by selector gene transcription factors. Ventral fate in the fly leg is specified by the expression of the ligand Wingless. We present evidence that midline and H15, members of the Tbx20 class of T-box transcription factors, are key mediators of the Wingless signal in the formation of the ventral region of the fly leg. midline and H15 are restricted to identical ventral domains of expression through activation by Wingless and repression by the dorsal signal Decapentaplegic. midline and H15 function redundantly and cell autonomously in the formation of …

Binding Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Apobacterioferritin-Associated Ferredoxin To Bacterioferritin B Promotes Heme Mediation Of Electron Delivery And Mobilization Of Core Mineral Iron, Saroja K. Weeratunga, Casey E. Gee, Scott Lovell, Yuhong Zeng, Carrie L. Woodin, Mario Rivera

Faculty Publications

The bfrB gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The resultant protein (BfrB), which assembles into a 445.3 kDa complex from 24 identical subunits, binds 12 molecules of heme axially coordinated by two Met residues. BfrB, isolated with 5-10 iron atoms per protein molecule, was reconstituted with ferrous ions to prepare samples with a core mineral containing 600 ± 40 ferric ions per BfrB molecule and approximately one phosphate molecule per iron atom. In the presence of sodium dithionite or in the presence of P. aeruginosa ferredoxin NADP reductase (FPR) and NADPH, the heme in BfrB …

Sexual Experience And Couple Formation Attitudes Among Emerging Adults, Brian J. Willoughby, Jason S. Carroll

Faculty Publications

In this study, we explore the relationship between attitudes toward both marriage and cohabitation and sexual experience during emerging adulthood. Results from 990 emerging adults indicated only moderate evidence that marital attitudes are related to sexual experience but strong evidence of a relationship between attitudes toward cohabitation and sexual experience. In particular, sexually active emerging adults were more likely to have positive attitudes toward cohabitation. Furthermore, it was found that both religiosity and dating status moderate the relationship between couple formation attitudes and sexual experience. For highly religious emerging adults, sexual activity was associated with higher endorsement of cohabitation; however, …

Sedentary Behavior And Obesity In A Large Cohort Of Children, Jonathan A. Mitchell, Calum Mattocks, Andy R. Ness, Sam D. Leary, Russell R. Pate, Marsha Dowda, Steven N. Blair, Chris Riddoch

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sedentary behavior and obesity among 12-year-old children, while adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and other potential confounding variables.

Cross-sectional analyses were carried out with data from 5434 children who participated in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Fat mass was derived using dual x-ray emission absorptiometry (DXA), and height and weight measurements were used to calculate body mass index (BMI; kg/m²). The children wore an accelerometer for seven days. The cut points for sedentary behavior and MVPA were ≤199 cpm and ≥3600 cpm, …

Dna Methylation Analysis Of The Mammalian Peg3 Imprinted Domain, Jennifer M. Huang, Joomyeong Kim

Faculty Publications

In this study, we performed the first systematic survey of DNA methylation status of the CpG islands of the PEG3 (Paternally expressed gene 3) imprinted domain in the mouse, cow, and human genomes. Previous studies have shown that the region surrounding the first exon of PEG3 contains a differentially methylated CpG island. In addition, we have discovered two previously unreported differentially methylated regions (DMR): one in the promoter region of mouse Zim3 and another in the promoter region of human USP29. In the cow, the Peg3-CpG island was the only area that showed DMR status. We have also examined the …

Functional Complementation Of The Arabidopsis Thaliana Psbo1 Mutant Phenotype With An N-Terminally His6-Tagged Psbo-1 Protein In Photosystem Ii, Haijun Liu, Laurie K. Frankel, Terry M. Bricker

Faculty Publications

The Arabidopsis thaliana mutant psbo1 has recently been described and characterized. Loss of expression of the PsbO-1 protein leads to a variety of functional perturbations including elevated levels of the PsbO-2 protein and defects on both the oxidizing- and reducing-sides of Photosystem II. In this communication, two plant lines were produced using the psbo1 mutant as transgenic host, which contained an N-terminally histidine6-tagged PsbO-1 protein. This protein was expressed and correctly targeted into the thylakoid lumen. Immunological analysis indicated that different levels of expression of the modified PsbO-1 protein were obtained in different transgenic plant lines and that the level …

Phylogeny And Phylogenetic Classification Of The Antbirds, Ovenbirds, Woodcreepers, And Allies (Aves: Passeriformes: Infraorder Furnariides), Robert G. Moyle, R. Terry Chesser, Robb T. Brumfield, Jose G. Tello, Daniel J. Marchese, Joel Cracraft

Faculty Publications

The infraorder Furnariides is a diverse group of suboscine passerine birds comprising a substantial component of the Neotropical avifauna. The included species encompass a broad array of morphologies and behaviours, making them appealing for evolutionary studies, but the size of the group (ca. 600 species) has limited well-sampled higher-level phylogenetic studies. Using DNA sequence data from the nuclear RAG-1 and RAG-2 exons, we undertook a phylogenetic analysis of the Furnariides sampling 124 (more than 88%) of the genera. Basal relationships among family-level taxa differed depending on phylogenetic method, but all topologies had little nodal support, mirroring the results from earlier …

Application Of Ground Penetrating Radar In Detecting The Hazards And Risks Of Termites And Ants In Soil Levees, Xiuhao Yang, Gregg Henderson, Lixin Mao, Ahmad Evans

Faculty Publications

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique was used to detect Formosan subterranean termite (Coptoterrnesfonnosanus) and red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) hazards and risks (targets) in a soil levee at the London Avenue Canal in New Orleans, LA. To make this assessment, GPR signal scans were examined for features produced by termite or ant activities and potential sources of food and shelter such as nests, tree roots, and voids (tunnels). The total scanned length of the soil levee was 4,125 m. The average velocity and effective depth of the radar penetration was 0.080 m/ns and 0.61 m, respectively. Four hundred …

Sperm Motility Initiation And Duration In A Euryhaline Fish, Medaka (Oryzias Latipes), H. Yang, T. R. Tiersch

Faculty Publications

The medaka, Oryzias latipes, is a well-recognized fish model for biomedical research. An understanding of gamete characteristics is necessary for experimental manipulations such as artificial fertilization and sperm cryopreservation. The goal of this study was to investigate sperm characteristics of motility initiation, duration, and retention in medaka. First, motility was initiated by osmolality values ranging from 25 to 686 mOsm/kg, which included deionized water and hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic Hanks' balanced salt solution. The percentage of motile sperm was >80% when osmolality was /kg and decreased as osmolality increased. This is different from most fish with external fertilization in which …

Morphological Deformities As Biomarkers In Fish From Contaminated Rivers In Taiwan, Peter Lin Sun, William E. Hawkins, Robin M. Overstreet, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson

Faculty Publications

Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) were collected seasonally from four contaminated rivers in southwestern Taiwan for studies of morphological deformities that could be used as biomarkers of contamination. Morphological deformities found in tilapia were separated into 15 categories. Overall, the prevalence of deformities such as split fins, lower lip extension and gill deformities were significantly related to various water quality parameters, including low DO and high ammonium, lead and zinc concentrations. The persistence of tilapia in polluted waters and the development of a suite of morphological deformities suggest that tilapia can be used as sentinels of non-point source pollution in rivers.

Promoting Social And Emotional Learning In Second Grade Students: A Study Of The Strong Start Curriculum, Paul Caldarella, Lynnette Christensen, Thomas J. Kramer, Kalli Kronmiller

Faculty Publications

The promotion of social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools may help prevent emotional and behavioral problems of students. This study evaluated the effects of a SEL curriculum, Strong Start, on the social-emotional competence of 26 second grade students, using a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design. Results revealed statistically significant and meaningful improvements in teacher ratings of students’ internalizing and peer-related prosocial behaviors, particularly for students at greater risk. Conversely, control group students experienced significant worsening of internalizing behaviors and decreased levels of peer-related prosocial behaviors. No changes were reported in externalizing behaviors for either group. Treatment integrity and social …

Odontometric Patterns In The Radiation Of Extant Ground-Dwelling Squirrels Within Marmotini (Sciuridae: Xjrini), H. Thomas Goodwin

Faculty Publications

I document odontometry variation across ground-dwelling squirrels of the Holarctic tribe Marmotini. Dental size, which correlates well with published average body mass values across species, accounts for most odontometric variation across the clade. Dental shape variation primarily reflects relative size of P3 (upper cheek teeth) and relative width of p4-ml + length of m3 (lower cheek teeth). Shape variables and relative tooth crown height covary significantly across species, suggesting a common functional complex or shared genetic control. When dental morphology is mapped on published DNA-based phytogenies, Sciurotamias (Chinese rock squirrels), Ammospermophilus (antelope squirrels), and basal subgenera within Spermophilus (ground squirrels …

Differential Mortality Drives Life-History Evolution And Population Dynamics In The Fish Brachyrhaphis Rhabdophora, Jerald B. Johnson, J. Jaime Zuniga-Vega

Faculty Publications

Life-history theory predicts that populations experiencing different levels of extrinsic mortality will evolve divergent reproductive strategies. Previous work in the live bearing fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora shows that individuals from populations that occur with piscivorous fish mature earlier and at smaller sizes and have more and smaller offspring than fish from populations without predators. However, until now, there have been no data to demonstrate that differences in mortality rates actually exist between predator and predator free sites. Here we present the results of a serial mark-recapture field study designed to estimate mortality rates in natural populations of B. rhabodophora from Costa …

Positional Identification Of Variants Of Adamts16 Linked To Inherited Hypertension, Bina Joe, Yasser Saad, Norman H. Lee, Bryan C. Frank, Ovokeraye H. Achinike, Truong V. Luu, Kathirvel Gopalakrishnan, Edward J. Toland, Phyllis Farms, Shane Yerga-Woolwine, Ezhilarasi Manickavasagam, John P. Rapp, Michael R. Garrett, David Coe, Suneel S. Apte, Tuomo Rankinen, Louis Pérusse, Georg B. Ehret, Santhi K. Ganesh, Richard S. Cooper, Ashley O'Connor, Treva Rice, Alan B. Weder, Aravinda Chakravarti, Dabeeru C. Rao, Claude Bouchard

Faculty Publications

A previously reported blood pressure (BP) quantitative trait locus on rat Chromosome 1 was isolated in a short congenic segment spanning 804.6 kb. The 804.6 kb region contained only two genes, LOC306664 and LOC306665. LOC306664 is predicted to translate into A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-16 (Adamts16). LOC306665 is a novel gene. All predicted exons of both LOC306664 and LOC306665 were sequenced. Non-synonymous variants were identified in only one of these genes, LOC306664. These variants were naturally existing polymorphisms among inbred, outbred and wild rats. The full-length rat transcript of Adamts16 was detected in multiple tissues. Similar to ADAMTS16 …

Yy1'S Role In Dna Methylation Of Peg3 And Xist, Jeong Do Kim, Keunsoo Kang, Joomyeong Kim

Faculty Publications

Unusual clusters of YY1 binding sites are located within several differentially methylated regions (DMRs), including Xist, Nespas and Peg3, which all become methylated during oogenesis. In this study, we performed conditional YY1 knockdown (KD) to investigate YY1's roles in DNA methylation of these DMRs. Reduced levels of YY1 during spermatogenesis did not cause any major change in these DMRs although the same YY1 KD caused hypermethylation in these DMRs among a subset of aged mice. However, YY1 KD during oogenesis resulted in the loss of DNA methylation on Peg3 and Xist, but there were no changes on Nespas and H19. …

Chemical And Isotopic Characterization Of Size-Fractionated Organic Matter From Cryoturbated Tundra Soils, Northern Alaska, Chunhao Xu, Laodong Guo, Chien-Lu Ping, Daniel M. White, Thomas D. Lorenson

Faculty Publications

Recent studies indicate a second layer of organic matter often accumulates in the lower active layer and upper permafrost in arctic tundra soils as a result of cryoturbation. In this study, cryoturbated organic matter was characterized using a combination of physical size fractionation and modern analytical techniques for elemental composition (C and N), stable isotopes (delta(13) C and delta(15)N), radiocarbon content (Delta(14)C), and molecular fingerprinting (pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, Py-GC/MS). The results indicated that cryoturbated organic matter could be highly bioavailable. Soil organic matter (SOM) associated with fine sand particles was considered to be the organic carbon pool most sensitive to …

Soil–Atmosphere Exchange Of Nitrous Oxide, Nitric Oxide, Methane, And Carbon Dioxide In Logged And Undisturbed Forest In The Tapajos National Forest, Brazil, Michael Keller, Ruth K. Varner, Jadson D. Dias, Hudson Silva, Patrick M. Crill, Raimundo Cosme De Oliveira Jr., Gregory P. Asner

Faculty Publications

Selective logging is an extensive land use in the Brazilian Amazon region. The soil–atmosphere fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are studied on two soil types (clay Oxisol and sandy loam Ultisol) over two years (2000–01) in both undisturbed forest and forest recently logged using reduced impact forest management in the Tapajos National Forest, near Santarem, Para, Brazil. In undisturbed forest, annual soil–atmosphere fluxes of N2O (mean ± standard error) were 7.9 ± 0.7 and 7.0 ± 0.6 ng N cm−2 h−1 for the Oxisol and 1.7 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± …

Modulation Of Lung Inflammation By Vessel Dilator In A Mouse Model Of Allergic Asthma, Xiaoqin Wang, Weidong Xu, Xiaoyuan Kong, Dongqing Chen, Gary Hellermann, Terry A. Ahlert, Joseph D. Giaimo, Stephania A. Cormier, Xu Li, Richard F. Lockey, Subhra Mohapatra, Shyam S. Mohapatra

Faculty Publications

Background: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and its receptor, NPRA, have been extensively studied in terms of cardiovascular effects. We have found that the ANP-NPRA signaling pathway is also involved in airway allergic inflammation and asthma. ANP, a C-terminal peptide (amino acid 99-126) of pro-atrial natriuretic factor (proANF) and a recombinant peptide, NP73-102 (amino acid 73-102 of proANF) have been reported to induce bronchoprotective effects in a mouse model of allergic asthma. In this report, we evaluated the effects of vessel dilator (VD), another N-terminal natriuretic peptide covering amino acids 31-67 of proANF, on acute lung inflammation in a mouse model …

Orientation Of Grasshopper Sparrow And Eastern Meadowlark Nests In Relation To Wind Direction, Ashley M. Long, William E. Jensen, Kimberly A. With

Faculty Publications

Orientation of the entrances of bird nests may be especially important in grasslands, where protective cover from solar radiation and wind is minimal. We examined orientation patterns of nest-dome entrances in two grassland bird species, the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) and the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). We noted how these patterns changed over the nesting season and how they related to prevailing wind direction. We found that Grasshopper Sparrow (n = 333) and Eastern Meadowlark (n = 272) nests were oriented nonrandomly, toward the northeast (ā = 33.4° and 52.9°, respectively). Prevailing wind in the study region was approximately from …

An Indole-Containing Dauer Pheromone Component With Unusual Dauer Inhibitory Activity At Higher Concentrations, Rebecca A. Butcher, Justin R. Ragains, Jon Clardy

Faculty Publications

In Caenorhabdltls elegans, the dauer pheromone, which consists of a number of derivatives of the 3,6-dideoxysugar ascarylose, is the primary cue for entry into the stress-resistant, "nonaging" dauer larval stage. Here, using activity-guided fractionation and NMR-based structure elucidation, a structurally novel, indole-3-carboxyl-modified ascaroside is identified that promotes dauer formation at low nanomolar concentrations but inhibits dauer formation at higher concentrations. © 2009 American Chemical Society.

Trauma, Attachment, And Family Therapy With Grandfamilies: A Model For Treatment, Deena D. Strong, Roy A. Bean, Leslie L. Feinauer

Faculty Publications

Population estimates indicate that approximately 1.5 million children are in grandparent-headed households without any parents present. This type of grandfamily is often created when biological parents are unable or unwilling to care for their children. Trauma is often experienced as a precursor to, or a consequence of, the biological parents' inability or unwillingness to care for their children. The well-being of both grandparent and grandchild may be affected in grandfamilies. A treatment model is presented that integrates trauma, attachment, and family systems theories and proposes that healing is facilitated through the emerging attachment between the grandparent and grandchild.

Guatemala's Green Revolution: Synthetic Fertilizer, Public Health, And Economic Autonomy In The Mayan Highland, David Carey

Faculty Publications

Despite extensive literature both supporting and critiquing the Green Revolution, surprisingly little attention has been paid to synthetic fertilizers' health and environmental effects or indigenous farmers' perspectives. The introduction of agrochemicals in the mid-twentieth century was a watershed event for many Mayan farmers in Guatemala. While some Maya hailed synthetic fertilizers' immediate effectiveness as a relief from famines and migrant labor, others lamented the long-term deterioration of their public health, soil quality, and economic autonomy. Since the rising cost of agrochemicals compelled Maya to return to plantation labor in the 1970s, synthetic fertilizers simply shifted, rather than alleviated, Mayan dependency …

Decoupling Development And Energy Flow During Embryonic Diapause In The Cricket, Allonemobius Socius, Julie A. Reynolds, Steven C. Hand

Faculty Publications

Respiration rate increases 6.3-fold during 15days of post-oviposition development in embryos of the Southern ground cricket, Allonemobius socius. This ontogenetic increase in metabolism of non-diapause insects is blocked during diapause, such that metabolic rate is only 36% of the rate measured for 15 days developing embryos. Surprisingly, however, there is not an acute metabolic depression during diapause entry at the point when developmental ceases (4-5days post-oviposition), as measured by blockage of morphological change and DNA proliferation. The results indicate a decoupling of developmental arrest from metabolism. Both non-diapause and diapause embryos have unusually high [AMP]:[ATP] ratios and low [ATP]:[ADP] ratios …

Decomposition In Tropical Forests: A Pan-Tropical Study Of The Effects Of Litter Type, Litter Placement And Mesofaunal Exclusion Across A Precipitation Gradient, Jennifer S. Powers, Rebecca A. Montgomery, E. Carol Adair, Francis Q. Brearley, Saara J. Dewalt, Camila T. Castanho, Jerome Chave, Erika Deinert, Jörg U. Ganzhorn, Matthew E. Gilbert, José Antonio González-Iturbe, Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin, H. Ricardo Grau, Kyle E. Harms, Ankila Hiremath, Silvia Iriarte-Vivar, Eric Manzane, Alexandre A. De Oliveira, Lourens Poorter, Jean Baptiste Ramanamanjato, Carl Salk, Amanda Varela, George D. Weiblen, Manuel T. Lerdau

Faculty Publications

Litter decomposition recycles nutrients and causes large ?uxes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is typically assumed that climate, litter quality and decomposer communities determine litter decay rates, yet few comparative studies have examined their relative contributions in tropical forests. 2. We used a short-term litterbag experiment to quantify the effects of litter quality, placement and mesofaunal exclusion on decomposition in 23 tropical forests in 14 countries. Annual precipitation varied among sites (7605797 mm). At each site, two standard substrates (Raphia farinifera and Laurus nobilis) were decomposed in ?ne- and coarse-mesh litterbags both above and below ground for approximately …

Genome-Wide Mapping Of Boundary Element-Associated Factor (Beaf) Binding Sites In Drosophila Melanogaster Links Beaf To Transcription, Nan Jiang, Eldon Emberly, Olivier Cuvier, Craig M. Hart

Faculty Publications

Insulator elements play a role in gene regulation that is potentially linked to nuclear organization. Boundary element-associated factors (BEAFs) 32A and 32B associate with hundreds of sites on Drosophila polytene chromosomes. We hybridized DNA isolated by chromatin immunoprecipitation to genome tiling microarrays to construct a genome-wide map of BEAF binding locations. A distinct difference in the association of 32A and 32B with chromatin was noted. We identified 1,820 BEAF peaks and found that more than 85% were less than 300 bp from transcription start sites. Half are between head-to-head gene pairs. BEAF-associated genes are transcriptionally active as judged by the …

Embryonic Diapause Highlighted By Differential Expression Of Mrnas For Ecdysteroidogenesis, Transcription And Lipid Sparing In The Cricket Allonemobius Socius, Julie A. Reynolds, Steven C. Hand

Faculty Publications

Embryos of the ground cricket, Allonemobius socius, enter diapause 4-5days post-oviposition and overwinter in this dormant state that is characterized by developmental arrest. Suppressive subtractive hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR reveal eight candidate genes in pre-diapause embryos that show promise as regulators of diapause entry, when compared with embryos not destined for diapause. Identifications are based both on the magnitude/consistency of differential mRNA abundances and the predicted functions of their products when placed in context of the physiological and biochemical events of diapause characterized in our companion paper. The proteins CYP450, AKR and RACK1 (associated with ecdysteroid synthesis and signaling) …

A Curious Thing Happened On The Way To Constructivism, Sherry S. Herron

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Developmental Emergence Of Power-Law Wake Behavior Depends Upon The Functional Integrity Of The Locus Coeruleus, Andrew J. Gall, Badal Joshi, Janet Best, Virginia R. Florang, Jonathan A. Doorn, Mark S. Blumberg

Faculty Publications

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

Daily amounts of sleep and wakefulness are accumulated in discrete bouts that exhibit distinct statistical properties. In adult mammals, sleep bout durations follow an exponential distribution whereas wake bout durations follow a power-law distribution. In infant Norway rats, however, wake bouts initially follow an exponential distribution and only transition to a power-law distribution beginning around postnatal day 15 (P15). Here we test the hypothesis that the locus coeruleus (LC), one of several wake-active nuclei in the brainstem, contributes to this developmental transition.

DESIGN:

At P7, rats were injected subcutaneously with saline or DSP-4, a neurotoxin that targets noradrenergic …