Incorporation of caffeine into a quantitative model of fatigue and sleep

A recent physiologically based model of human sleep is extended to incorporate the effects of caffeine on sleep-wake timing and fatigue. The model includes the sleep-active neurons of the hypothalamic ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), the wake-active monoaminergic brainstem populations (MA), their interactions with cholinergic/orexinergic (ACh/Orx) input to MA, and circadian and homeostatic drives. We model two effects of caffeine on the brain due to competitive antagonism of adenosine (Ad): (i) a reduction in the homestatic drive and (ii) an increase in cholinergic activity. By comparing the model output to experimental data, constraints are determined on the parameters that describe the action of caffeine on the brain. In accord with experiment, the ranges of these parameters imply significant variability in caffeine sensitivity between individuals, with caffeine's effectiveness in reducing fatigue being highly dependent on an individual's tolerance, and past caffeine and sleep history. Although there are wide individual differences in caffeine sensitivity and thus in parameter values, once the model is calibrated for an individual it can be used to make quantitative predictions for that individual. A number of applications of the model are examined, using exemplar parameter values, including: (i) quantitative estimation of the sleep loss and the delay to sleep onset after taking caffeine for various doses and times; (ii) an analysis of the system's stable states showing that the wake state during sleep deprivation is stabilized after taking caffeine; and (iii) comparing model output successfully to experimental values of subjective fatigue reported in a total sleep deprivation study examining the reduction of fatigue with caffeine. This model provides a framework for quantitatively assessing optimal strategies for using caffeine, on an individual basis, to maintain performance during sleep deprivation.     

终末期肾病透析患者的疲劳与生活质量的相关性研究

目的:评价终末期肾病行透析治疗患者的疲劳,探讨疲劳的影响因素及其与生活质量之间的相关性。方法:采用自行设计的患者一般情况调查问卷、多维疲劳量表MIF-20、健康状况问卷量表SF-36对204例ESRD进行血液透析与腹膜透析治疗的患者进行调查,分析治疗效果差异之间的相关因素。结果:204例透析患者的疲劳总分为60.47+11.75;经多元线性逐步回归分析透析患者疲劳的主要相关因素为年龄、文化程度、经济状况;除疲劳的活动减少与生活质量的躯体疼痛、情感职能无显著相关外,两者总分及各维度之间均呈显著性负相关。结论:终末期肾病透析患者存在重度疲劳;临床上重视患者的疲劳评估,进行有效干预,提高患者生活质量。     

Biomechanical and structural response of healing Achilles tendon to fatigue loading following acute injury

Achilles tendon injuries affect both athletes and the general population, and their incidence is rising. In particular, the Achilles tendon is subject to dynamic loading at or near failure loads during activity, and fatigue induced damage is likely a contributing factor to ultimate tendon failure. Unfortunately, little is known about how injured Achilles tendons respond mechanically and structurally to fatigue loading during healing. Knowledge of these properties remains critical to best evaluate tendon damage induction and the ability of the tendon to maintain mechanical properties with repeated loading. Thus, this study investigated the mechanical and structural changes in healing mouse Achilles tendons during fatigue loading. Twenty four mice received bilateral full thickness, partial width excisional injuries to their Achilles tendons (IACUC approved) and twelve tendons from six uninjured mice were used as controls. Tendons were fatigue loaded to assess mechanical and structural properties simultaneously after 0, 1, 3, and 6 weeks of healing using an integrated polarized light system. Results showed that the number of cycles to failure decreased dramatically (37-fold, p<0.005) due to injury, but increased throughout healing, ultimately recovering after 6 weeks. The tangent stiffness, hysteresis, and dynamic modulus did not improve with healing (p<0.005). Linear regression analysis was used to determine relationships between mechanical and structural properties. Of tendon structural properties, the apparent birefringence was able to best predict dynamic modulus (R²=0.88–0.92) throughout healing and fatigue life. This study reinforces the concept that fatigue loading is a sensitive metric to assess tendon healing and demonstrates potential structural metrics to predict mechanical properties.     

Damage accumulation location under cyclic loading in the lumbar disc shifts from inner annulus lamellae to peripheral annulus with increasing disc degeneration

It is difficult to study the breakdown of lumbar disc tissue over several years of exposure to bending and lifting by experimental methods. In our earlier published study we have shown how a finite element model of a healthy lumbar motion segment was used to predict the damage accumulation location and number of cyclic to failure under different loading conditions. The aim of the current study was to extend the continuum damage mechanics formulation to the degenerated discs and investigate the initiation and progression of mechanical damage. Healthy disc model was modified to represent degenerative discs (Thompson grade III and IV) by incorporating both geometrical and biochemical changes due to degeneration. Analyses predicted decrease in the number of cycles to failure with increasing severity of disc degeneration. The study showed that the damage initiated at the posterior inner annulus adjacent to the endplates and propagated outwards towards its periphery in healthy and grade III degenerated discs. The damage accumulated preferentially in the posterior region of the annulus. However in grade IV degenerated disc damage initiated at the posterior outer periphery of the annulus and propagated circumferentially. The finite element model predictions were consistent with the infrequent occurrence of rim lesions at early age but a much higher incidence in severely degenerated discs.     

常色叶类树木在四川的应用现状与发展对策

常色叶类树木是近年来出现的园林绿化新材料,大力发展常色叶类树木对园林植物景观类型的丰富以及植物景观营造的方式方法的改进和提高具有很重要的意义。通过对四川园林植物中常见的常色叶类树木种类和配置方式的调查和现状分析,对如何更好地发展四川常色叶类树木提出了几点建议。     

疏肝补肾法对疲劳大鼠的学习和记忆力之影响

目的：探讨疏肝补肾法对疲劳大鼠学习和记忆力及对海马CA1区神经颗粒素（Neurogranin,Ng）的mRNA表达变化的影响。方法：成年雄性Spargue-Dawley大鼠36只,随机分为模型组（MG）、对照组（CG）、和疏肝补肾组（LK）。采用复合模型：运动疲劳模型与睡眠剥夺法造疲劳大鼠模型。运用Y迷宫进行学习和记忆力的测试。以Real-timePCR技术分析海马CA1区神经颗粒素的mRNA表达。结果：Y迷宫实验显示用药后大鼠的学习和记忆能力优于模型组,而疏肝补肾组大鼠在正确反应率、错误反应次数、达标所需训练次数和总反应时间皆与模型组有差异（分别为P〈0.01、P〈0.01、P〈0.05和P〈0.05）,其NgmRNA在海马CA1区的表达也显着高于模型组（P〈0.01）。结论：复合模型会造成大鼠学习和记忆能力受损。疏肝补肾法能显着影响疲劳大鼠的学习记忆能力及海马CA1区Ng的mRNA表达。     

静态姿势图在飞行任务负荷所致的疲劳评估中的作用

目的:研究静态姿势图在飞行任务负荷所致疲劳评估中的作用。方法:30名符合条件的男性大学生被要求持续进行4小时的模拟飞行任务负荷,其静态姿势图及任务负荷成绩将在每小时末进行重复测量。根据变化敏感的参数,静态立位平衡指数将通过主成分分析法进行计算。随后,该指数与任务负荷水平的相互关系将通过曲线拟合进行分析。结果:在模拟飞行任务负荷影响下,被试静态姿势控制能力明显下降。静态立位平衡指数随着任务负荷时间的持续而明显增大,并与任务负荷时间存在线性关系(R~2=0.949);多重任务成绩与任务负荷持续时间之间存在二次曲线的关系(R~2=0.968),与静态立位平衡指数也呈现相似的二次方曲线关系(R~2=0.976)。结论:静态姿势图与飞行任务负荷水平具有线性关系,能够反映任务负荷所致疲劳水平的大小。     

福建外来入侵植物初步研究

经野外调查和整理分析文献资料,初步认定福建省外来入侵植物并已归化的种类约73种,分属于29科,其中菊科种类最多,有16种。从来源看,来自美洲的有59种,占80.82%。入侵植物中包括6种2003年国家环保总局公布的首批外来入侵物种。文中还对这些外来入侵植物的危害、入侵途径及其防治对策进行讨论。     

新疆马鹿塔里木亚种的现状与保护

新疆马鹿塔里木亚种高度适应荒漠生境, 自20 世纪50 年代以来, 由于自然和人为因素的影响, 种群数量急剧下降。栖息地退缩和片段化不仅导致种群遗传多样性的丧失, 而且也因遗传漂变和近亲繁殖, 不断地加剧了该亚种的濒危程度。为有效的保护该物种, 特提出可行的保护措施建议。