Orexin: a Missing Link Between Sleep Disorders and Heart Failure?

Purpose Of Review: Sleep disorders represent a significant comorbidity in the heart failure population, and there is mounting evidence that treatment of sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea can significantly improve cardiac function. However, the link between these two disorders is still not entirely clear.

Recent Findings: Recently, a novel neurohormonal pathway has been elucidated involving signaling molecules now collectively known as the orexins, which have been implicated in regulating autonomic function during sleep/wake cycles.

An in vivo map of bone morphogenetic protein 2 post-transcriptional repression in the heart.

The Bmp2 3'untranslated region (UTR) sequence bears a sequence conserved between mammals and fishes that can post-transcriptionally activate or repress protein synthesis. We developed a map of embryonic cells in the mouse where this potent Bmp2 regulatory sequence functions by using a lacZ reporter transgene with a 3'UTR bearing two loxP sites flanking the ultra-conserved sequence. Cre-recombinase-mediated deletion of the ultra-conserved sequence caused strong ectopic expression in proepicardium, epicardium and epicardium-derived cells (EPDC) and in tissues with known epicardial contributions (coronary vessels and valves).

X-linked incontinentia pigmenti or Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome: a case report.

Incontinentia pigmenti is a rare X-linked genodermatosis that affects mainly female neonates. Skin manifestations are the most common and occur in four quite distinct phases. A female infant presented vesiculobullous lesions on trunk and limbs, and a verrucous lesion on the right palm.