Block the light and sleep well: Evening blue light filtration as a part of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of combining CBT-I with wearing blue-light blocking glasses 90 min prior to bedtime on subjective and objective sleep parameters and daily symptoms (anxiety, depression, hyperarousal). Thirty patients (mean age 48.1 ± 16.13 years, range 21–71, 15 men/15 women) completed a CBT-I group therapy program, with groups randomly assigned to either “active” (blue-light filtering glasses) condition or “placebo” (glasses without filtering properties) condition. Patients were continually monitored by wristwatch actigraphy, kept their sleep diaries and completed a standard questionnaire battery at admission and after the end of the program. Statistical analyses showed a greater reduction of BAI score in “active” (4.33 ± 4.58) versus “placebo” (?0.92 ± 3.68) groups of patients [F = 6.389, p = .019, Cohen’s d = 1.26] and significant prolongation of subjective total sleep time in “active” (?36.88 ± 48.68 min.) versus “placebo” (7.04 ± 47.50 min.) [F = 8.56, p < .01, d = 0.91] group. When pre- and post-treatment results were compared in both groups separately, using paired-samples t-tests, significant differences were observed also in the active group for BDI-II score (t = 3.66, p = .003, Cohen’s d = 0.95) and HAS score (t = 2.90, p = .012, Cohen’s d = 0.75). No significant differences were found in the placebo group. In active group, there was also a significant reduction of subjective sleep latency (t = 2.65, p = .021, d = 0.73) and an increase of subjective total sleep time (t = ?2.73, p = .018, d = ?0.76) without change in objective sleep duration which was significantly shortened in the placebo group. We provide further evidence that blocking short-wavelength light in the evening hours may be beneficial for patients suffering from insomnia.     

The effect of osteoporosis on self-report sleep quality in postmenopausal women

We aimed to show the effect of osteoporosis on sleep quality in 59 postmenopausal women. The participants’ bone-mineral density levels were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). According to their DEXA results, participants were divided into two groups as osteoporotics and controls. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality. Fourteen osteoporotic women (43.8%) and four controls (14.8%) were “poor” sleepers (p < 0.05). Postmeno-pausal women with osteoporosis scored greater on the “sleep latency” and “sleep duration” components of PSQI than controls. According to the findings of our study, osteoporosis is a risk factor for poor sleep quality in postmenopausal women.

     

Individual differences in the sleep/wake cycle of Arctic flexitime workers

Daytime workers tend to have shorter sleep duration and earlier sleep onset during work days than on days off. Large individual differences in sleep onset and sleep duration may be observed on work days, but work usually synchronizes sleep offset to a similar time. The present study describes individual differences in sleep behaviour of 48 daytime workers (25 men, aged 20–58 years) from an iron ore mine in Northern Sweden. The aim of the study was to determine whether differences in sleep patterns during work days were associated with the outcomes of sleepiness and sleep complaints. Cluster analysis was used to group workers into two categories of sleep onset and sleep duration. The “Late Sleep Onset” cluster comprised workers who slept 1.30 h later than the “Early Sleep Onset” cluster (p < 0.0001 for all weekdays). The “Long Sleep Duration” cluster slept 1.10 h longer than the “Short Sleep Duration” cluster (p < 0.0002 for work nights). The “Late Sleep Onset” cluster reported less refreshing sleep (p < 0.01) and had lower sufficient sleep scores (p < 0.01) than the “Early Sleep Onset” cluster. The “Short Sleep Duration” cluster also reported lower scores for sufficient sleep (p < 0.04) than the “Long Sleep Duration” cluster. For combined characteristics (phase and duration), workers with a late phase and short sleep duration reported greater sleep debt and sleepiness than workers with an early phase and short sleep duration (p < 0.02). Work schedule and commuting time modulate both sleep phase and sleep duration independently. Workers, classified as having an intermediate sleep phase preference, can organize their sleep time in order to minimize sleep debt and sleepiness symptoms. Individual differences in sleep phase and duration should be considered when promoting well-being at work even among groups with similar sleep needs. In order to minimize sleep debt and sleepiness symptoms, successful sleep behaviour could be promoted involving extend use of flexitime arrangement (i.e. later starting times) and reduce use of alarm clocks.     

Relationships among sleep timing,sleep duration and glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes in Thailand

There is evidence that the sleep and circadian systems play a role in glucose metabolism. In addition to physiological factors, sleep is also affected by behavioral, environmental, cultural and social factors. In this study, we examined whether morning or evening preference, sleep timing and sleep duration are associated with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes residing in Thailand. Two hundred and ten type 2 diabetes patients who were not shift workers completed an interview and questionnaires to collect information on diabetes history, habitual sleep duration and sleep timing. Chronotype, an individual’s tendency for being a “morning” or “evening” person, was assessed using the Composite Score of Morningness (CSM), which reflects an individual’s subjective preference for activities in the morning or evening, as well as mid-sleep time on weekend nights (MSF), which reflects their actual sleep behavior. Most recent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values were retrieved from medical records. Evening preference (as indicated by lower CSM), later bedtime on weekends, and shorter sleep duration correlated with higher HbA1c (r?=??0.18, p?=?0.01; r?=?0.17, p?=?0.01 and r?=??0.17, p?=?0.01, respectively), while there was no association between MSF or wake up time and glycemic control. In addition, later bedtime on weekends significantly correlated with shorter sleep duration (r?=??0.34, p?<?0.001). Hierarchical regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, insulin use and diabetes duration revealed that later bedtime on weekends was significantly associated with poorer glycemic control (B?=?0.018, p?=?0.02), while CSM was not. Mediation analysis revealed that this association was fully mediated by sleep duration. In summary, later bedtime on weekends was associated with shorter sleep duration and poorer glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is likely that patients with later weekend bedtimes curtail their sleep by waking up earlier. Exploring the potential reasons for this phenomenon (e.g. cultural influences, metropolitan lifestyle, environmental factors, family and social obligations) specific to a Thai population may help identify behavioral modifications (i.e. earlier bedtime and/or sleep duration extension) that could possibly lead to improved glycemic control in this population.     

MODIFICATIONS TO WEEKEND RECOVERY SLEEP DELAY CIRCADIAN PHASE IN OLDER ADOLESCENTS

Adolescents often report shorter time in bed and earlier wake-up times on school days compared to weekend days. Extending sleep on weekend nights may reflect a “recovery” process as youngsters try to compensate for an accumulated school-week sleep debt. The authors examined whether the circadian timing system of adolescents shifted after keeping a common late weekend “recovery” sleep schedule; it was hypothesized that a circadian phase delay shift would follow this later and longer weekend sleep. The second aim of this study was to test whether modifying sleep timing or light exposure on weekends while still providing recovery sleep can stabilize the circadian system. Two experiments addressed these aims. Experiment 1 was a 4-wk, within-subjects counterbalanced design comparing two weekend sleep schedule conditions, “TYPICAL” and “NAP.” Compared to weeknights, participants retired 1.5?h later and woke 3?h later on TYPICAL weekends but 1?h later on NAP weekends, which also included a 2-h afternoon nap. Experiment 2 was a 2-wk, between-subjects design with two groups (“TYPICAL” or “LIGHT”) that differed by weekend morning light exposure. TYPICAL and LIGHT groups followed the TYPICAL weekend schedule of Experiment 1, and the LIGHT group received 1?h of light (454–484?nm) upon weekend wake-up. Weekend time in bed was 1.5?h longer/night than weeknights in both experimental protocols. Participants slept at home during the study. Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) phase was assessed in the laboratory before (Friday) and after (Sunday) each weekend. Participants were ages 15 to 17 yrs. Twelve participants (4 boys) were included in Experiment 1, and 33 (10 boys) were included in Experiment 2. DLMO phase delayed over TYPICAL weekends in Experiment 1 by (mean?±?SD) 45?±?31?min and Experiment 2 by 46?±?34?min. DLMO phase also delayed over NAP weekends (41?±?34?min) and did not differ from the TYPICAL condition of Experiment 1. DLMO phase delayed over LIGHT weekends (38?±?28?min) and did not differ from the TYPICAL group of Experiment 2. In summary, adolescents phase delay after keeping a commonly observed weekend sleep schedule. Waking earlier or exposure to short-wavelength light on weekend mornings, however, did not stabilize circadian timing in this sample of youngsters. These data inform chronotherapy interventions and underscore the need to test circadian phase-shifting responses to light in this age group. (Author correspondence: Stephanie_J_Crowley@rush.edu)     

Perceived psychological stress and serum leptin concentrations in Japanese men

Objective: To examine epidemiologically whether subjects with higher stress perception levels have higher leptin concentrations. Research Methods and Procedures: In this cross‐sectional study, the study population comprised 1062 male workers at local government offices in central Japan. Self‐administered questionnaires were distributed in 1997. Awareness of stress was assessed by the question: “Do you have much stress in your life?” and participants were asked to select from four possible responses: “very much,” “much,” “ordinary,” or “little.” Blood samples were also collected after fasting 12 hours overnight to determine serum leptin concentrations. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age and BMI were 50.2 (6.4) years and 23.3 (2.6) kg/m², respectively. Crude leptin concentrations according to stress categories were 2.86, 3.26, 3.32, and 3.54 ng/mL, respectively, and leptin concentrations adjusted for age, BMI, physical activity, drinking and smoking habits, overtime work, shift work, sleep duration, and availability of confidants were 2.96, 3.24, 3.34, and 3.43 ng/mL for “little,” “ordinary,” “much,” and “very much,” respectively (p = 0.03 by one‐way analysis of covariance; p < 0.01 by test of linear trend). Significant associations were also observed among the level of perceived psychological stress and work‐related stressors, variables related to sleep, and other psychological variables. Discussion: This study showed that subjects who perceived psychological stress had high leptin levels, which provides epidemiological evidence that psychological stress may have the potential effect of increasing blood levels of the pleiotropic peptide, leptin.     

A randomized,double-masked,placebo-controlled crossover trial on the effects of L-ornithine on salivary cortisol and feelings of fatigue of flushers the morning after alcohol consumption

Background

Residual alcohol effects on physiological and psychological symptoms are commonly experienced the morning after alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of L-ornithine on subjective feelings and salivary stress markers the morning after alcohol consumption and to investigate whether L-ornithine acutely accelerates ethanol metabolism.

Methods

This study had a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked crossover design. Subjects were all healthy Japanese adults with the ‘flusher’ phenotype for alcohol tolerance. In experiment 1, 11 subjects drank 0.4 g/kg body weight alcohol 1.5 h before their usual bedtime. Half an hour after drinking, they ingested either a placebo or 400 mg ornithine. The next morning on awakening, subjects completed a questionnaire containing a visual analog scale (VAS), the Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory MA version (OSA-MA), and a profile of mood states (POMS) and collected a saliva sample for measurement of salivary stress markers (cortisol, secretory immunoglobulin A, and α-amylase). In experiment 2, placebo or 400 mg ornithine were administrated to 16 subjects both before and after drinking, and the feeling of drunkenness, breath ethanol concentration and one-leg standing time were repeatedly investigated until 180 min after alcohol consumption.

Results

There were significant decreases in “awareness”, “feeling of fatigue” and “lassitude” VAS scores and in “anger-hostility” and “confusion” POMS scores and a significant increase in “sleep length” in the OSA-MA test. Salivary cortisol concentrations on awakening were reduced after ornithine supplementation. There were no differences between ornithine and placebo in any of the subjective or physiological parameters of acute alcohol metabolism.

Conclusions

Taking 400 mg ornithine after alcohol consumption improved various negative feelings and decreased the salivary stress marker cortisol the next morning. These effects were not caused by an increase in acute alcohol metabolism.

     

AN ACTIGRAPHIC STUDY COMPARING COMMUNITY DWELLING POOR SLEEPERS WITH NON-DEMENTED CARE HOME RESIDENTS

Sleep disturbances are a common problem among institutionalized older people. Studies have shown that this population experiences prolonged sleep latency, increased fragmentation and wake after sleep onset, more disturbed circadian rhythms, and night-day reversal. However, studies have not examined the extent to which this is because of individual factors known to influence sleep (such as age) or because of the institutional environment. This article compares actigraphic data collected for 14 days from 122 non-demented institutional care residents (across ten care facilities) with 52 community dwelling poor sleepers >65 yrs of age. Four dependent variables were analyzed: (i) “interdaily stability” (IS); (ii) “intradaily variability” (IV); (iii) relative amplitude (RA) of the activity rhythm; and (iv) mean 24?h activity level. Data were analyzed using a fixed-effect, single-level model (using MLwiN). This model enables comparisons between community and institutional care groups to be made while conditioning out possible “individual” effects of “age,” “sex,” “level of dependency,” “level of incontinence care,” and “number of regular daily/prescribed medications.” After controlling for the effects of a range of individual level factors, and after controlling for unequal variance across groups (heteroscedascity), there was little difference between community dwelling older adults and institutional care residents in IS score, suggesting that the stability of day-to-day patterns (such as bed get-up, lunch times, etc.) is similar within these two resident groups. However, institutional care residents experienced more fragmented rest/wake patterns (having significantly higher IV scores and significantly lower mean activity values). Our findings strongly suggest that the institutional care environment itself has a negative association with older people's rest/wake patterns; although, longitudinal studies are required to fully understand any causal relationships. (Author correspondence: r.meadows@surrey.ac.uk)     

Stress and sleep in nurses employed in “3 × 8” and “2 × 12” fast rotating shift schedules

We compared two “3?×?8” shift rotas with backward rotation and quick return (morning and night shift in the same day) in a 5- or 6-day shift cycle, and a “2?×?12” shift rota with forward rotation in a 5-d shift cycle. A total of 294 nurses (72.6% women, mean age 33.8) were examined in a survey on work-related stress, including the Standard Shiftwork Index. Ten nurses per each shift roster recorded their activity and rest periods by actigraphy, rated sleepiness and sleep quality, and collected salivary cortisol throughout the whole shift cycle. Nurses engaged in the “2?×?12” rota showed lower levels of sleep disturbances and, according to actigraphy, sleep duration was more balanced and less fragmented than in the “3?×?8” rosters. The counter-clockwise shift rotation and quick return of “3?×?8” schedules reduce possibility of sleep and recovery. The insertion of a morning shift before the day with quick return increases night sleep by about 1?h. Nurses who take a nap during the night shift require 40% less sleep in the morning after. The “2?×?12” clockwise roster, in spite of 50% increased length of shift, allows a better recovery and more satisfying leisure times, thanks to longer intervals between work periods. Sleepiness increased more during the night than day shifts in all rosters, but without significant difference between 8-h and 12-h rosters. However, the significantly higher level at the start of the night shift in the “3?×?8” rotas points out that the fast backward rotation with quick return puts the subjects in less efficient operational conditions. Some personal characteristics, such as morningness, lability to overcome drowsiness, flexibility of sleeping habits and age were significantly associated to sleep disturbances in nurses engaged in the “3?×?8” rotas, but not in the “2?×?12” schedule.     

公众对植物园功能定位和形象认知的初步调查

作为生物多样性保护的专业机构, 植物园可以通过开展公众教育来发挥作用, 而公众对植物园的功能定位和形象认知将会影响其作用的发挥。作者分别选择1个研究型植物园(中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园, 简称版纳植物园)和1个城市植物园(杭州植物园)为研究对象, 同时以版纳植物园同域分布的西双版纳野象谷森林公园(简称野象谷)为对照, 调查公众对上述3个机构的功能定位和形象认知。研究结果表明: (1)在功能定位方面, 参观两个植物园的游客对植物园是“物种收集和保存的机构”、“开展公众教育, 提高环境意识的机构”和“促进生物多样性保护的专业机构”三个方面有显著的认同度; 对版纳植物园是“科学研究的机构”、“培养训练专业人才的机构”和“提供相关专业资讯和咨询的机构”三个方面也有显著的认同度; (2)同域分布的版纳植物园和野象谷相比, 公众对二者的大多数功能定位认知存在显著差异; (3)在形象认知方面, 公众对3个机构“空气新鲜, 环境宜人”、“具有外面看不到的动植物”、“景色优美, 赏心悦目”以及“是回归自然的地方”认可度显著; 对版纳植物园“是增长科学知识的地方”的认可度最高, 而野象谷的公众对此认可度最低。调查结果可为植物园更好地开展生物多样性保护教育、改善形象以及提高公众服务水平提供有益的借鉴。     

Differential Sensitivity of Macrocarpa and Microcarpa Types of Chickpea （Cicer arietinum L.） to Water Stress： Association of Contrasting Stress Response with Oxidative Injury

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is particularly sensitive to water stress at its reproductive phase and, under conditions of water stress, will abort flowers and pods, thus reducing yield potential. There are two types of chickpea: (i) Macrocarpa (“Kabuli”), which has large, rams head‐shaped, light brown seeds; and (ii) Microcarpa (“Desi”), which has small, angular and dark‐brown seeds. Relatively speaking, “Kabuli” has been reported to be more sensitive to water stress than “Desi”. The underlying mechanisms associated with contrasting sensitivity to water stress at the metabolic level are not well understood. We hypothesized that one of the reasons for contrasting water stress sensitivity in the two types of chickpea may be a variation in oxidative injury. In the present study, plants of both types were water stressed at the reproductive stage for 14 d. As a result of the stress, the “Kabuli” type exhibited an 80% reduction in seed yield over control compared with a 64% reduction observed for the “Desi” type. The decrease in leaf water potential (Ψ_w) was faster in the “Kabuli” compared with the “Desi” type. At the end of the water stress period, Ψ_w was reduced to ?2.9 and ?3.1 MPa in the “Desi” and “Kabuli” types, respectively, without any significant difference between them. On the last day of stress, “Kabuli” experienced 20% more membrane injury than “Desi”. The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate were significantly greater in “Desi” compared with “Kabuli”. The malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ content were markedly higher at the end of the water stress in “Kabuli” compared with “Desi”, indicating greater oxidative stress in the former. Levels of anti‐oxidants, such as ascorbic acid and glutathione, were significantly higher in “Desi” than “Kabuli”. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity did not differ significantly between the two types of chickpea, whereas on the 10th day, the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase were higher in “Desi”. These findings indicate that the greater stress tolerance in the “Desi” type may be ascribed to its superior ability to maintain better water status, which results in less oxidative damage. In addition, laboratory studies conducted by subjecting both types of chickpea to similar levels of polyethylene glycol‐induced water stress and to 10 μ.mol/L abscisic acid indicated a greater capacity of the “Desi” type to deal with oxidative stress than the “Kabuli” type. (Managing editor: Ping He)     

The influence of the sleep-wake cycle on primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a non-randomized comparative study

Backround: Enuresis implies severe stress in affected children, and impairs quality of life and sleep. Children with enuresis experience difficulties in their arousal from sleep, possibly associated with disturbances of the circadian rhythm. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sleep–wake cycle and sleep disturbances in children with monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna (MEN). Method: The study comprised 70 children with MEN who were admitted to the pediatrics and urology outpatients department and 94 age-matched healthy controls. Parents completed “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire,” Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Children’s Chronotype Questionnaire scale. Results: Children with enuresis had significantly more sleep and psychological problem. Enuresis group reported higher bedtime resistance, parasomnias, breathing-related problems, and daytime sleepiness in CHSQ (p < 0.05). Although circadian preference did not differ statistically between the groups (p > 0.05), sleep duration on school days and awakening and mid-sleep points, both on scheduled and free days, were found to be significantly different in the enuretic group (p < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, age, sleep period on scheduled days, sleep inertia on scheduled and free days were significant predictor for enuresis. Discussion: Children with enuresis were more likely to experience problematic sleep. This may reflect that enuretic children have impaired sleep–wake cycles, leading to dysregulation of daily functional changes of bladder capacity and related hormones such as ADH. These findings might imply a sleep–wake disturbance in enuresis.     

Short sleep duration and weight gain: a systematic review

Objective: The recent obesity epidemic has been accompanied by a parallel growth in chronic sleep deprivation. Physiologic studies suggest sleep deprivation may influence weight through effects on appetite, physical activity, and/or thermoregulation. This work reviews the literature regarding short sleep duration as an independent risk factor for obesity and weight gain. Methods and Procedures: A literature search was conducted for all articles published between 1966 and January 2007 using the search “sleep” and (“duration” or “hour” or “hours”) and (“obesity” or “weight”) in the MEDLINE database. Additional references were identified by reviewing bibliographies and contacting experts in the field. Studies reporting the association between sleep duration and at least one measure of weight were included. Results: Thirty‐six publications (31 cross‐sectional, 5 prospective, and 0 experimental) were identified. Findings in both cross‐sectional and cohort studies of children suggested short sleep duration is strongly and consistently associated with concurrent and future obesity. Results from adult cross‐sectional analyses were more mixed with 17 of 23 studies supporting an independent association between short sleep duration and increased weight. In contrast, all three longitudinal studies in adults found a positive association between short sleep duration and future weight. This relationship appeared to wane with age. Discussion: Short sleep duration appears independently associated with weight gain, particularly in younger age groups. However, major study design limitations preclude definitive conclusions. Further research with objective measures of sleep duration, repeated assessments of both sleep and weight, and experimental study designs that manipulate sleep are needed to better define the causal relationship of sleep deprivation on obesity.     

SLEEP IMPAIRMENTS IN HEALTHY SENIORS: ROLES OF STRESS,CORTISOL, AND INTERLEUKIN-1 BETA

Study Objectives: Increased stress responsivity and a longer-lasting glucocorticoid increase are common findings in aging studies. Increased cortisol levels at the circadian nadir also accompany aging. We used 24h free urine cortisol to assess these age changes in healthy seniors. We hypothesized that free cortisol levels would explain individual differences in age-related sleep impairments. Design: The study compared sleep, cortisol, and sleep-cortisol correlations under baseline and “stress” conditions in men and women. Setting: Subjects were studied in the General Clinical Research Center under baseline conditions and a mildly stressful procedure (24h indwelling intravenous catheter placement). Participants: Eighty-eight healthy, nonobese subjects (60 women and 28 men) from a large study of successful aging participated in the study. Mean ages were 70.6 (±6.2) and 72.3 (±5.7) years for women and men, respectively. Measurements: The 24h urines were collected for cortisol assay (radioimmunoassay [RIA]); blood was sampled at three diurnal time points for assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) of interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta; sleep architecture and sleep electroencephalograms (EEGs) were analyzed (after an adaptation and screening night) on baseline and stress nights via polysomnography and EEG power spectral analysis. Results: Healthy older women and men with higher levels of free cortisol (24h urine level) under a mild stress condition had impaired sleep (lower sleep efficiency; fewer minutes of stages 2, 3, and 4 sleep; more EEG beta activity during non–rapid eye movement sleep [NREM] sleep). Similar results were obtained when stress reactivity measures were used (cortisol and sleep values adjusted for baseline values), but not when baseline values alone were used. Gender differences were apparent: Men had higher levels of free urine cortisol in both baseline and mild stress conditions. Cortisol and sleep correlated most strongly in men; cortisol stress response levels explained 36% of the variance in NREM sleep stress responses. In women, but not men, higher cortisol was also associated with earlier time of arising and less REM sleep. Higher cortisol response to stress was associated with increased circulating levels of IL-1β, explaining 24% of the variance in a subset of women. Conclusion: These results indicate that free cortisol (as indexed by 24h urine values) can index responses to mild stress in healthy senior adults, revealing functional correlations (impaired sleep, earlier times of arising, more EEG beta activity during sleep, more IL-1β) and gender differences. (Chronobiology International, 17(3), 391–404, 2000)     

蛹虫草金属硫蛋白分离纯化及性质研究

研究探讨锌离子胁迫下蛹虫草Cordyceps militaris金属硫蛋白的产生及性质。蛹虫草菌丝体以15g/L Zn2+在10L发酵罐中诱导培养56h后收集,产率为每升发酵液收集12.021g菌丝体（干重）,细胞破碎取上清液通过两次凝胶柱层析,冷冻干燥得到蛹虫草金属硫蛋白纯品。利用Bradford法进行蛋白质含量测定,用银饱和分析法结合原子吸收光谱（AAS）测定MT含量,发酵终点处金属硫蛋白含量为12.876mg/g菌丝体（湿重）。用电喷雾质谱法测得金属硫蛋白的分子量为7 390Da,用Ellman’s方法和火焰原子吸收法分别测得每分子蛋白质含有14个巯基、结合5个Zn原子。氨基酸组成分析结果显示,每分子蛋白质共含57个氨基酸,其中含有13个半胱氨酸,疏水氨基酸占29.8%,且含有组氨酸。以上表明,研究中的蛹虫草金属硫蛋白与哺乳动物金属硫蛋白结构差异较大,但与酵母菌金属硫蛋白结构组成类似。     

Facteurs de stress psychologique et qualité du sperme dans une population de 450 hommes infertiles slovènes

The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the relationship between psychological stress and male reproductive function. The study population consisted of 450 men attending the infertility outpatient clinic and 45 men participating in an IVF-ICSI programme. Psychological stress was measured in four ways. Firstly, the “WHO (five) Well-Being Index” (1995 version) assessed the risk of depression in the previous two-week period. Secondly, Zung’s Anxiety Scale Inventory was used to assess the features and severity of anxiety. Thirdly, the global reaction to various types of chronic life stress events related to family, partner, sexual behaviour, job strain and stress related to infertility treatment, with a more intense reaction corresponding to a higher score. Fourthly, the participant indicated by no (=1) or yes (=2) whether he had been exposed to the following acute stress situations: unemployment, moving house, personal illness or illness of a close relative, road accident. All questionnaires were completed after collection of the semen sample. The incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms in the two study populations (6.5% and 5.3%, and 20.3% and 30.8%, respectively) was twice as high as that observed in the general population. Anxiety was more pronounced (50%) in ICSI patients than in conventional IVF patients. To assess a relationship between psychological stress factors and male reproductive function, we used multiple regression analysis after adjustment of sperm parameters for age, sexual abstinence, type of infertility (primary or secondary), elevated body temperature, varicocele, and history of cryptorchidism and genital infection. Depression scoring was associated with increased sperm concentration (a 7.3% increase by score unit), an intense reaction to chronic stress was associated with a decreased sperm count (3.1% by score unit), and decreased motility “a”, motility “a+b”, and vitality (0.5, 0.5, and 0.6% by score unit, respectively). Exposure to acute stress was associated with increased motility “a+b” (3.5% when the man was exposed to acute stress). Analysis using dichotomous division of fertile and infertile men did not reveal any significant correlation between any stress factor and infertility. These findings indicate that depression and anxiety are frequent in a population of infertile men attending the outpatient clinic or during IVF-ICSI attempts, while significant changes of sperm characteristics are related to depression (decreased sperm concentration), intense reaction to chronic stress (decreased sperm count, motility “a” and “a+b”, and vitality) and exposure to acute stress (better motility “a+b”). This study confirms that stress factors must be taken into account in the management of infertile couples with particular attention to depression and reaction to stress.     

Evening typology and morning tiredness associates with low leisure time physical activity and high sitting

Circadian typology is a latent trait that is usually assessed with scoring on a series of questions thought to represent the construct. But, in the classification, most people fall into the intermediate type, i.e. neither a definite morning nor an evening type, but still showing stronger preference towards either end of the continuum. Our aim was to operationalize chronotype using latent class analysis (LCA) for a 6-item scale derived from the original Horne–Östberg Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire to compare and understand characteristics of chronotype in a population-based sample of adults in Finland. A total of 4904 men and women aged 25–74 years were included. We also analyzed the associations of chronotypes with physical activity (PA) and sitting. We found five latent chronotype groups including “rested more-evening type” (28%), “rested more-morning type” (24%), “morning type” (23%), “tired more-evening type” (17%) and “evening type” (8%) groups. Operationalization of chronotype by LCA suggests that morning alertness is an important feature differentiating chronotypes. Further, the “evening type” and the “tired, more-evening type” had higher odds for none to very low as well as low PA, as compared to “morning type”. In addition, “evening type” was associated with higher odds for more time spent sitting, as compared to “morning type”. Our findings indicate that it is important to assess sleep schedules and morning tiredness, which then could be targeted as a potential mediating factor for health behaviors, in particular, PA and health status.