Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis management in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) patients is unknown. METHODS: Participating centres completed a structured web-based survey regarding changes to TB patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also included data from participating centres on patients aged ≥18 diagnosed with TB in 2 periods: March 15 to June 30, 2020 and March 15 to June 30, 2019. Clinical variables and information about patient household contacts were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: A total of 7 (70%) TB units reported changes in their usual TB team operations. Across both periods of study, 169 patients were diagnosed with active TB (90 in 2019, 79 in 2020). Patients diagnosed in 2020 showed more frequent bilateral lesions in chest X-ray than patients diagnosed in 2019 (P = 0.004). There was a higher percentage of latent TB infection and active TB among children in households of patients diagnosed in 2020, compared with 2019 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial changes in TB care. TB patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed more extended pulmonary forms. The increase in latent TB infection and active TB in children of patient households could reflect increased household transmission due to anti-COVID-19 measures.

An investigation into the development of right displaced abomasum by rolling 268 dairy cows with left displaced abomasum.

Right displaced abomasum (RDA) and abomasal volvulus (AV) are common diseases in cattle. However, presently there is no consensus regarding the pathogenesis and nomenclature of the different positions that the abomasum can adopt in the right side of the cow. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the etiopathogenesis of the right displaced abomasum according to the description of the features observed in 268 cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA), which were rolled to induce the movement of the abomasum from the left side to the right (in fact, inducing an RDA in 44% of cases), to facilitate the surgical approach, and immediately surgically treated (abomasal omentopexy from the right side). The observed RDA positions matched previously published descriptions and names, and the authors propose a holistic and simpler nomenclature and a clear hypothesis on RDA etiopathogenesis. In 54.1% of the cases, the abomasum moved to a normal position after rolling. The most common RDA position observed was caudal displacement of the RDA (CdRDA; 70 out of 119 RDA cases; 26.1% of the total number of cows), followed by lateral displacement (LRDA; 32 of 119; 11.9% of all cases), cranial displacement (CrRDA; 8 of 119; 3% of the total), medial displacement (MRDA; 4 of 119; 1.5% of the total), and finally, displacement lateral to the omasum (LORDA; 3 of 119; 1.1% of the total). Adverse events directly due to the rolling procedure were mesenteric root volvulus (3 of 268), cecocolic volvulus (2 of 268) and torsion (1 of 268), and uterus torsion (2 of 10 pregnant cows); 1 abortion (1 of 10 pregnant cows) was also observed. We suggest that CdRDA is the first stage of an RDA that can become an LRDA with increasing pressure. An LRDA can become an AV if rotating counterclockwise, viewed from above. An LDA, CdRDA, or LRDA could be initial forms of LORDA and CrRDA, and occur when forestomachs are empty or when the animal stands up on its front legs first. The LORDA and CrRDA forms can lead to an omasum-abomasum volvulus (OAV) or to a reticulum-omasum-abomasum volvulus (ROAV) when pressure increases. With this study we establish, for the first time, the sequence and incidence of each RDA form and its complications, increasing knowledge of this syndrome and its pathogenesis. This understanding critically aids the surgeon's ability to accurately assess and correct this disease and to predict prognosis.

Efficiency and demographics of a high-yield dairy ewe farm with two managing systems involving five or 10 lambings per year.

This study assessed milk productivity, demographic characteristics and workload distribution on a single high-yield dairy ewe farm in Spain (Avila, Spain; continental climate, latitude of 40.90 N, altitude of 900 m) over a 7-year period considering a transition from a herd management system involving five lambings per year (5LY) to a system involving 10 lambings per year (10LY). The 5LY system was practiced on the farm from 2010 to 2012 and the 10LY system from 2014 to 2015, with 2009 and 2013 being considered transition years. During this period, 27 415 lactations were recorded from an average of 3746 Lacaune sheep/year. Several productivity parameters were higher in 2014 to 2015 than in 2010 to 2012: milk yield/lactation (370±156 v. 349±185 l), lactation length (218±75 v. 192±75 days) and dry period length (53.5±38.3 v. 69.1±34.8 days) (all P<0.0001). During 2014 to 2015, investment in new lambing facilities was possible, workload was distributed more uniformly throughout the year, workload per worker was smaller, rate of ewe culling was lower (35.39±0.53% v. 42.51±7.51%), ewe longevity was greater and higher-order lactations were more numerous (P<0.0001). On the other hand, during 2010 to 2012, daily production was higher (1.73±1.66 v. 1.70±0.62 l/day; P=0.038), the interlambing period was shorter (283±50 v. 302±44 days; P<0.0001) and lambings/ewe per year were greater (1.42±0.01 v. 1.30±0.01; P<0.05). These results suggest that a 10LY herd management system can be compatible with profitability, productivity and good animal and worker's welfare on a high-yield dairy farm, and may even be associated with better outcomes than a 5LY system.

Interleukin-2 as a marker for detecting asymptomatic individuals in areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic.

No field method exists for identifying asymptomatic individuals in areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic. This work reports that, 24 h after stimulating whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA), plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) become significantly elevated in samples from asymptomatic individuals (n=47) compared with those from negative controls (n=50), all of them recruited from a blood bank. When compared with the reference test SLA-lymphoproliferative assay, IL-2 appears as a new, 100% sensitive and specific marker for asymptomatic individuals with a positive cellular response (compared with 100% and 84.78%, respectively, for IFN-γ). Further studies in other transmission areas and in other cohorts of exposed people need to be performed to confirm these results. Once validated, IFN-γ and IL-2 levels in SLA-stimulated whole blood could be reliably used in the field to estimate the prevalence of those asymptomatic individuals with Leishmania-specific cellular immune responses.

Atypical presentation in adults in the largest community outbreak of leishmaniasis in Europe (Fuenlabrada, Spain).

Since 2009, the largest reported outbreak of leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum in Europe was reported in Fuenlabrada, Spain. In our hospital, 90 adults with localized leishmanial lymphadenopathy (LLL) or visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were treated during this outbreak; 72% were men, and the mean age was 46.2 years (range 15-95 years). A total of 17 cases (19%) were LLL, an atypical form with isolated lymphadenopathies without other symptoms. All LLL cases occurred in immunocompetent subjects, and only one subject (6%) was a native of sub-Saharan Africa. Diagnosis was performed by fine needle aspiration cytology of the lymphadenopathy. Serology was negative in 38%. LLL outcomes at 6 months were benign, even with doses of liposomal amphotericin B that were often lower (10 mg/kg) than those recommended for VL in Mediterranean areas. A total of 73 subjects (81%) presented with typical VL; 66% of this group were immunocompetent, and 50% of those who were immunocompetent were descendants of natives of sub-Saharan Africa. The rK39 test and polymerase chain reaction were the most useful tests for confirmation of the diagnosis. An initial response to treatment was observed in 99% of cases, and relapses occurred in 14% of cases. Leishmaniasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of isolated lymphadenopathies in endemic areas. LLL could be considered a more benign entity, one different than VL, and less aggressive management should be studied in future investigations.

Ultra minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release: an external pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Authors have reported better outcomes, by reducing surgical dissection for carpal tunnel syndromes requiring surgery. Recently, a new sonographically guided technique for ultra minimally invasive (Ultra-MIS) carpal tunnel release (CTR) through 1mm incision has been described. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that a clinical trial for comparing Ultra-MIS versus Mini-open Carpal Tunnel Release (Mini-OCTR) was feasible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test our hypothesis, we conducted a pilot study for studying Ultra-MIS versus Mini-OCTR respectively performed through a 1mm or a 2 cm incision. We defined success if primary feasibility objectives (safety and efficacy) as well as secondary feasibility objectives (recruitment rates, compliance, completion, treatment blinding, personnel resources and sample size calculation for the clinical trial) could be matched. Score for Quick-DASH questionnaire at final follow-up was studied as the primary variable for the clinical trial. Turnover times were studied for assessing learning curve stability. RESULTS: Forty patients were allotted. Primary and secondary feasibility objectives were matched with the following occurrences: 70.2% of eligible patients finally recruited; 4.2% of randomization refusals; 26.6 patients/month recruited; 100% patients receiving a blinded treatment; 97.5% compliance and 100% completion. A sample size of 91 patients was calculated for clinical trial validation. At final follow-up, preliminary results for Quick-Dash substantially favored Ultra-MIS over Mini-OCTR (average 14.54 versus 7.39) and complication rates were lower for Ultra-MIS (5% versus 20%). A stable learning curve was observed for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical trial is feasible. There is currently no evidence to contraindicate nor withhold the use of Ultra-MIS for CTR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Treatment of naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease in juvenile calves with a single administration of a florfenicol plus flunixin meglumine formulation.

The efficacy and safety of a florfenicol plus flunixin meglumine formulation in the treatment of respiratory disease was evaluated in calves less than six weeks of age, compared with a positive control group treated with a well-established florfenicol formulation. A total of 210 calves, selected from nine sites in Belgium, France and Spain, showing severe signs of respiratory disease, were randomly assigned to treatment with either florfenicol plus flunixin meglumine (Resflor; MSD Animal Health) or florfenicol (Nuflor; MSD Animal Health), both administered subcutaneously once. Animals were clinically observed daily for 10 days following treatment initiation. The predominant respiratory pathogens were Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma bovis, Mannheimia haemolytica and Histophilus somni. All isolates were subject to in vitro sensitivity testing and found susceptible to florfenicol. In both groups, rectal temperature dropped and clinical index (depression and respiratory signs) significantly improved after treatment. Specifically, for the change in rectal temperature from pretreatment to six hours post-treatment, the florfenicol-flunixin formulation was found significantly superior to florfenicol. Moreover, the florfenicol-flunixin formulation alleviated the clinical signs of disease more rapidly, and was demonstrated to be non-inferior to florfenicol on days 4 and 10. The use of the product combining florfenicol and flunixin in calves is safe and efficacious in the treatment of outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease.

In vitro assessment of thyroidal and estrogenic activities in poultry and broiler manure.

Among the many chemicals found in avian manure, endocrine disruptors (EDs), of natural or anthropogenic origin, are of special environmental concern. Nowadays, an increasing amount of estrogens is being released into the environment via the use of manure to fertilize agricultural land. While most research in this field has focused on estrogenic phenomena, little is known about alterations related to other endocrine systems, such as the thyroidal one. Here we simultaneously assessed the potential estrogenic and thyroidal activity of poultry and broiler litter manure using in vitro approaches based on estrogen receptor (Er) and thyroid receptor (Tr) transactivation assays. In addition, leaching experiments were performed to assess whether the EDs present in the manure pass through a soil column and potentially reach the groundwater. Manure from four broiler and four poultry farms was collected in two sampling campaigns carried out in two seasons (fall and spring). Extracts from broiler and poultry manure exhibited strong thyroidal activity. Only poultry manure showed estrogenic activity, which is consistent with the low levels of estrogens expected in hatchlings. Leakage experiments were performed in columns with two kinds of arable soils: sandy and loamy. No estrogenicity or thyroidal activity was detectable in soils treated with the manure or in the corresponding leachates. These results indicate that substances with estrogenic or thyroidal activity were degraded in the soil under our experimental conditions. However, the long-term effects associated with the constant and intensive application of manure to agricultural land in some regions require further research.

Ecotoxicity bioassays on leachates from poultry manure.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of different poultry manure landfill leachates, using a well-known toxicity test system (MS3). The bioassay was made using a battery of toxicity tests including acute toxicity with crustacean (Daphnia magna), algae (Chlorella vulgaris) and the in vitro toxicity test with the fish cell line RTG-2. On D. magna was high mortality for zero time and almost 100 % and 70 %-80 % mortality for sawdust and straw poultry manure respectively. No effects on C. vulgaris, was observed after the leachate exposure. None of the parameters considered: protein, EROD activity, ß-gal activity and neutral red, showed differences between control test and the leachate collected from exposure to poultry manure.

Accurate mathematical models to describe the lactation curve of Lacaune dairy sheep under intensive management.

Although the intensive production system of Lacaune dairy sheep is the only profitable method for producers outside of the French Roquefort area, little is known about this type of systems. This study evaluated yield records of 3677 Lacaune sheep under intensive management between 2005 and 2010 in order to describe the lactation curve of this breed and to investigate the suitability of different mathematical functions for modeling this curve. A total of 7873 complete lactations during a 40-week lactation period corresponding to 201 281 pieces of weekly yield data were used. First, five mathematical functions were evaluated on the basis of the residual mean square, determination coefficient, Durbin Watson and Runs Test values. The two better models were found to be Pollott Additive and fractional polynomial (FP). In the second part of the study, the milk yield, peak of milk yield, day of peak and persistency of the lactations were calculated with Pollot Additive and FP models and compared with the real data. The results indicate that both models gave an extremely accurate fit to Lacaune lactation curves in order to predict milk yields (P = 0.871), with the FP model being the best choice to provide a good fit to an extensive amount of real data and applicable on farm without specific statistical software. On the other hand, the interpretation of the parameters of the Pollott Additive function helps to understand the biology of the udder of the Lacaune sheep. The characteristics of the Lacaune lactation curve and milk yield are affected by lactation number and length. The lactation curves obtained in the present study allow the early identification of ewes with low milk yield potential, which will help to optimize farm profitability.

Environmental assay on the effect of poultry manure application on soil organisms in agroecosystems.

This paper reports the effects produced on the organisms of the soil (plants, invertebrates and microorganisms), after the application of two types of poultry manure (sawdust and straw bed) on an agricultural land. The test was made using a terrestrial microcosm, Multi-Species Soil System (MS3) developed in INIA. There was no difference in the germination for any of the three species of plants considered in the study. The biomass was increased in the wheat (Triticum aestivum) coming from ground treated with both kinds of poultry manure. Oilseed rape (Brasica rapa) was not affected and regarding vetch (Vicia sativa) only straw poultry manure showed significant difference. For length only Vicia sativa was affected showing a reduction when straw was exposed to poultry manure. When the effect on invertebrates was studied, we observed a reduction in the number of worms during the test, especially from the ground control (13.7%), higher than in the ground with sawdust poultry manure (6.7%), whereas in the ground with straw poultry manure, there was no reduction. The biomass was affected and at the end of the test it was observed that while the reduction of worms in the ground control was about 48%, the number of those that were in the ground with sawdust poultry manure or straw poultry manure decreased by 41% and 22% respectively. Finally, the effects on microorganisms showed that the enzymatic activities: dehydrogenase (DH) and phosphatase and basal respiration rate increased at the beginning of the test, and the differences were statistically significant compared with the values of the control group. During the test, all these parameters decreased (except DH activities) but they were always higher than in the ground control. This is why it is possible to deduce that the contribution of poultry manure caused an improvement in the conditions of fertilization and also for the soil.

New surgical technique to correct urovagina improves the fertility of dairy cows.

Several surgical techniques have been proposed for the treatment of urovagina as a major cause of infertility in cows. However, so far no technique seems to be successful in all cases. Given that an incompetent or damaged constrictor vestibuli muscle is a feature of cows with urovagina, we hypothesized that surgical correction of urovagina by cerclage of the vestibulovaginal junction under the vaginal wall cranial to the urethral opening would prevent cranial flow of urine and improve fertility. Our study was performed on 39 non-pregnant lactating Holstein-Friesian cows suffering urovagina, with a vaginal content of urine exceeding 100mL and with evident incompetence of the constrictor vestibuli muscle. Cows were randomly assigned to a Control (untreated cows, n=20) or Experimental (n=19) group. An encircling polydioxanone suture was placed in the vaginal wall at the vestibulovaginal junction to create a vestibulovaginal cerclage in the Experimental cows. Surgery was observed to resolve urovagina in 17 (89.5%) of the 19 treated cows. Pregnancy was recorded in 7/20 (35%) and 14/19 (74%) cows in the Control and Experimental groups, respectively. Using logistic regression procedures and based on the odds ratio, we determined that cows undergoing surgical correction of urovagina were 5.2 times more likely to become pregnant than untreated cows (P=0.015). Our results suggest that vestibulovaginal junction cerclage prevents the cranial flow of urine and improves the function of the constrictor vestibuli muscle in cows suffering urovagina. They also indicate that, under these conditions, urovagina correction may dramatically increase fertility.

In vitro thyroid hormone rapidly modulates protein phosphorylation in cerebrocortical synaptosomes from adult rat brain.

Thyroid hormones induced rapid changes in phosphorylation in a membrane-containing lysate of synaptosomes purified from adult rat cerebral cortex. The in vitro addition of 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine or L-thyroxine strongly influenced incorporation of label from [gamma-32P]-ATP into proteins in a cerebrocortical synaptosomal lysate. Incubation with 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine or L-thyroxine had strong biphasic dose-dependent effects on the phosphorylation of 38+/-1, 53+/-1, 62+/-1, and 113+/-1 kDa proteins (which we termed alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, respectively) and several others. Although we observed differing levels of phosphorylation among the four proteins, doses of 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine or L-thyroxine ranging from 1 to 30 nM caused significant dose-dependent stimulation of the phosphorylation of all of them, an effect which occurred within three minutes. In each case, the enhancement of phosphorylation diminished with higher concentrations (100 nM-1 microM) of 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine. In contrast, incubations with similar doses of 3,3',5'-L-triiodothyronine (reverse L-triiodothyronine) were without significant effect, indicating a specificity for 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine and L-thyroxine. Western blots of synaptosomal lysates incubated with 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (1 nM-1 microM) demonstrated phosphorylation at the serine residues of a 112 kDa protein (matching delta) and phosphorylation at tyrosyl residues of a distinct 95 kDa protein. These data support the contention that thyroid hormones have a variety of rapid nongenomic pathways for regulation of protein phosphorylation in mature mammalian brain.

[Comparative study of prognostic and risk factors for mortality in polymicrobial bacteremia-fungemia in a university hospital: development over 10 years]. / Estudio comparativo de los factores de riesgo y pronósticos de mortalidad en las bacteriemias-fungemias polimicrobianas de un hospital universitario: evolución en 10 años.

OBJECTIVE: Eighty-two episodes of polymicrobial bacteremia in two time periods, 1986-87 and 1996-97, were compared to assess differences in risk factors and outcome to mortality. METHODS: A prospective, concurrent, anterograde study with univariate analysis of all episodes of polymicrobial bacteremia was performed in Hospital de la Princesa. Logistic regression analysis was applied to all significant variables (p < 0.05) in the univariate analysis in either of the two time periods. RESULTS: Variables showing statistically significant differences in incidence between the two time periods included the following: hospital acquired bacteremia; previous use of antibiotics; genitourinary, respiratory and cardiovascular manipulations; septic metastases; and absence of leukocytosis. These factors were more frequently present during 1986-87 than during 1996-97. The overall RR of outcome to mortality was five-fold greater during the first period than the second: RR 5.6 (CI 1.76-17.56) p < 0.001. The clinical characteristics at the onset of bacteremia associated with mortality in the first period were: underlying disease - < RR 2.20 (CI 1.18-4.08), steroid treatment - < RR 4.24 (CI 0.68-26.59), hypotension - < RR 2.05 (CI 1.0-4.17), and disseminated intravascular coagulation - < RR 2.31 (CI 1.69-3.35). Clinical characteristics at the onset of bacteremia associated with mortality in the second period were: hypotension - < RR 1.44 (CI 1.01-2.08), underlying disease - < RR 1.16 (CI 1.02-1.34), and disseminated intravascular coagulation - < RR 6.40 (CI 1.15-35.69). The variables independently associated with mortality in polymicrobial bacteremia were: period - < RR 2.05 (CI 1.50-2.10), underlying disease - < RR 7.05 (CI 2.68-7.50), hypotension - < RR 7.06 (CI 3.80-7.29), and (probably) vascular manipulations - < RR 3.41 (CI 0.85-4.53). CONCLUSION: Polymicrobial bacteremia-associated mortality was five-fold greater in 1986-87 than in 1996-97. The variables independently associated with mortality risk were underlying disease, hypotension, the period studied (which would include a number of variables not analyzed in this work) and, probably, vascular manipulations.

Estudio comparativo de los factores de riesgo y pronósticos de mortalidad en las bacteriemias-fungemias polimicrobianas de un hospital universitario: evolución en 10 años / Prognostic factors and mortality outcome of polymicrobial bacteremia in a university hospital: evolution after a 10-year interval

OBJETIVO. Se han estudiado 82 episodios de bacteriemias-fungemias polimicrobianas (BFP) en dos diferentes períodos (1986-1987 y 1996-1997) para valorar las diferencias en los factores pronósticos con evolución a muerte. MÉTODO. Estudio prospectivo, concurrente y anterógrado con análisis univariado de todos los episodios de BFP en el Hospital de La Princesa. Posteriormente se realizó regresión logística de todas las variables que presentaron significación estadística en el análisis univariado en al menos alguno de los dos períodos. RESULTADOS. Las variables con diferencias en la incidencia entre los períodos de estudio estadísticamente significativas fueron adquisición intrahospitalaria, uso previo de antibióticos, manipulaciones genitourinarias, respiratorias y cardiovasculares, metástasis sépticas y ausencia de leucocitosis, que fueron más frecuentes durante 1986-1987 que durante 1996-1997. Globalmente el riesgo relativo (RR) de evolución a muerte fue 5 veces mayor durante el primer período que en el segundo (RR, 5,6 [IC, 1,76-17,56]) p < 0,001. Las variables que se asociaron a incremento de la mortalidad durante el primer período fueron: presencia de enfermedad de base (RR, 2,20 [IC, 1,18-4,08]), tratamiento esteroideo (RR, 4,24 [IC, 0,68-26,59]), hipotensión (RR, 2,05 [IC, 1,0-4,17]), y presencia de coagulación intravascular diseminada (CID) (RR, 2,31 [IC, 1,69-3,35]). Las variables asociadas a muerte en el segundo período fueron: hipotensión (RR, 1,44 [IC, 1,01-2,08]), la presencia de enfermedad de base (RR, 1,16 [IC, 1,02-1,34]), y la existencia de CID (RR, 6,40 [IC, 1,15-35,69]). Las variables que de forma independiente incrementan la mortalidad en las bacteriemias polimicrobianas son: período (RR, 2,05 [IC, 1,50-2,10]), presencia de enfermedad de base (RR, 7,05 [IC, 2,68-7,50]), y la existencia de hipotensión (RR, 7,06 [IC, 3,80-7,29]). CONCLUSIÓN. En el período entre 1986-1987 la mortalidad asociada a BFP fue 5 veces mayor que entre 1996-1997. Las variables que de forma independiente se asocian a este incremento de la mortalidad son la existencia de enfermedad de base, la presencia de hipotensión y el propio período (que incluiría toda una serie de variables que no se han analizado en este trabajo) (AU)

Application of a convenient extraction procedure to analyze gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in fatalities involving gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, gamma-butyrolactone, and 1,4-butanediol.

The most common chemicals that can be ingested and lead to greater than endogenous levels of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in decedents are salts of GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (BD). Results for three deaths involving the ingestion of one or another of these three chemicals, which led to findings of GHB in the decedents, are presented. An extraction procedure that facilitates the quantitation of GHB was developed. If present in the same specimen, both GHB and GBL can be quantitated. To determine the GBL concentration, the specimen is first analyzed for existing GHB, the GBL is then converted to GHB, and the analysis is repeated. The difference between the results in molarity units can yield the GBL concentration. A separate procedure was utilized for estimating concentrations of BD. Specimens analyzed included urine, blood, ocular fluid, brain, and solutions consumed by the decedents prior to death. The procedures were found to be convenient in as much as they are relatively rapid, precise, and economical.

Basal forebrain microinjections of L-3,3',5-triiodothyronine modify sleep in hypothyroid rats.

Male rats were injected bilaterally with various doses of L-3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) into basal forebrain areas. The electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG) and brain temperature (Tbr) were then measured in 8-h studies. In the medial preoptic area (MPA), a 4 microg dose of T3 caused significant elevations in REM sleep as compared to control injections. In the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), both 2 and 4 microg doses of T3 significantly inhibited non-REM sleep. Injections to the diagonal band of Broca did not alter EEG-defined sleep. Influences on Tbr were not significant for any of the treatments. Since these effects of T3 were demonstrated after acute injections, the data are consistent with possible non-genomic actions of thyroid hormones in adult brain.