Automated analysis of sleep in adultC. eleganswith closed-loop assessment of state-dependent neural activity

Abstract

Sleep, a state of quiescence associated with growth and restorative processes, is conserved across species. Invertebrates including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibit sleep-like states during development and periods of satiety and stress.Here we describe two methods to study behavior and associated neural activity during sleep and awake states in adult C. elegans. A large microfluidic device facilitates population-wide assessment of long-term sleep behavior over 12 h, including effects of fluid flow, oxygen, feeding, odors, and genetic perturbations. Smaller devices allow simultaneous recording of sleep behavior and neuronal activity, and a closed-loop sleep detection system delivers chemical stimuli to individual animals to assess sleepdependent changes to neural responses. Sleep increased the arousal threshold to aversive chemical stimulation, yet sensory neuron (ASH) and first-layer interneuron (AIB) responses were unchanged. This localizes adult sleep-dependent neuromodulation within interneurons presynaptic to the AVA premotor interneurons, rather than afferent sensory circuits. Supplementary Information Automated analysis of sleep in adult C. elegans with closed-loop assessment of state-dependent neural activity Lawler, et al.

Investigation of the in vivo and in vitro effects of Essiac® liquid herbal extract on health and cancer

“…Our findings are in line with other studies that have shown the strong antioxidant ability of various Essiac® formulations in combating different forms of ROS [14][15][16]. While we recognize that the results of our work conducted in C. elegans cannot be directly extended to humans, this model's 70% genetic and 87% developmental similarities to humans [32] has justified its extensive use in diverse research endeavors spanning neurological, developmental, and toxicological fields [22,24,25,33,34]. Interestingly, the only reports of any harmful effects related to human consumption of Essiac ® have been mild nausea, bad aftertaste, and diarrhea [10,21].…”