Sleep is a vital phenomenon of life,the disturbance of which could be associated with a wide range of diseases,such as depression,anxiety,memory loss and hypertension. After years of efforts,pharmacological research of sleep in China has been in line with the pace of international sleep study,especially in the mechanisms of sleep. Our research is beginning to involved in several hot spots of study,such as the relationship between sleep disorders and their comorbidities(PTSD, depression,hypertension,diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases). Attention has also been paid to the research and discovery of novel hypnotic drugs. Despite the gap in sleep research between China and other developed countries,sleep study in China will definitely step into a gold period as well as solve sleep problems for more patients as soon as possible with the joint efforts of researchers and with the increasing attention to healthy sleep.

Objective To observe the correlation between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD), extent of angiographic coronary artery lesions and risk factors of CAD in the elderly. Methods Plasma levels of Lp-PLA2, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) were measured in 67 elderly patients with angiographic CAD meanwhile in 23 normal controls without angiographic coronary artery lesions. The extent of coronary artery lesions was evaluated according to the number of vessel lesions (divided into single, double and triple-vessel lesions) and Gensini scoring system. Then the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and CAD was assessed. Results The plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the controls [(352.7 ± 129.0) vs. (204.0 ± 59. 7) μg/L, P < 0. 01]. Lp-PLA2 levels increased with the number of coronary artery lesions and Gensini score, then were positively correlated with age(r= 0. 25, P<0. 05) ,TC(r=0. 33, P<0. 01) ,LDL-C(r=0.27, P< 0. 05),apoB(r=0. 36, P<0. 01). The levels of LP-PLA2 and LP(a) were associated with CAD by using stepwise regression analysis. Conclusions In the eldly, the levels of LP-PLA2 are much higher in angiographic CAD, and these may reflect the severity of CAD. LP-PLA2 is a risk factor for CAD.

BACKGROUND:Silicon plays an essential role in bone development and bioactive silicate glasses pioneered the current era of bioactive materials. Various biomaterials have been developed based on the biological function of silicon. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological function of silicon and research process of silicon in biomaterials. METHODS: A computer-based retrieval of CNKI, PubMed, SpringerLink and Elsevier ScienceDirect databases was performed to search the relevant literatures concerning the biological function of silicon and its application in biomaterials. Al data were primarily screened to exclude repeated and irrelevant articles. Literatures about the application of silicon in biomaterials were included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 68 eligible English articles are enroled. Silicon plays important chemical and biological roles in bone. Silicon in the extracelular matrix interacts with glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans during their synthesis and form ionic substitutions in the crystal lattice structure of hydroxyapatite. In addition, the dissolution products of bioactive glass (mainly silicic acid) expose significant influence on the molecular biology of osteoblasts in vitro, and can regulate the expressions of several genes including osteoblastic markers, cel cycle regulators and extracelular matrix proteins. Silicon has been proved to improve the bioactivity of numerous materials and do no harm to their mechanical properties and without cytotoxicity.

Objective To study the respiratory and circulatory changes in elderly patients, and their relationship with pulmonary complications after thoracotomy. Methods 58 elderly patients either aged over 75 years, with major organ dysfunction or underwent highly invasive procedures (group 1). Respiratory and circulatory status, including arterial blood gas under room air, water balance, urine gravity, and hemodynamics monitoring through pulmonary artery catheter were documented. The results were compared with those from 56 young patient controls receiving thoracotomy in the same period (group 2). Results All 12 patients having pulmonary complications were from group 1 (group 1A). Ten of them presented on the 2nd or 3rd postoperative day with hypoxemia. The other 2 died of type II respiratory failure after severe infection. Preoperative pulmonary co-morbidity (P=0.026, Exp(B)=5.4) and obesity (P=0.043, Exp(B)=4.9) were identified as independent risk factors for pulmonary complications after thoracotomy in elderly patients. During the first 3 postoperative days, PaO_2 of group 1A was significantly lower than group 2 as well as the other elderly patients who did not develop pulmonary complications after surgery (Group 1B). PaCO_2 of group 1A and 1B were significantly lower than group 2. There were also significant differences between the three groups in water balance on the first postoperative day (group 1A +832ml, P=0.006 vs. group 1B +109ml, P=0.004 vs. group 2 -243ml ). Urine gravity in group 1A was also significantly higher than in group 2 in the first 3 postoperative days. Pulmonary artery catheter monitoring revealed increased cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance, showing a hyperdynamic status, in elderly patients after surgery. Pulmonary vascular resistance was elevated in the same time. Conclusion Pulmonary co-morbidities commonly seen in elderly patients are responsible for pulmonary complications, the major cause of surgical mortality after thoracotomy. Hypoxemia in the early postoperative period is mainlycaused by relative volume overloading from trauma induced interstitial edema. Close monitoring of arterial blood gas under room air, water balance, and urine gravity after thoracotomy may identify elderly patients at risk of developing pulmonary complication and prompt timely intervention.

During percutaneous coronary intervention,thrombotic storm which is mediated by hypercoagulable state,mechanical distension induced-plaque rupture,platelet activation and adhesion is still the main cause of cardiovascular adverse events.The mortality rate is extremely high if not treated properly.Thrombotic storm can be diagnosed quickly through coronary artery angiography and myocardial blush grades.Once coronary thrombosis occurs,medicine including platelet Ⅱ b/Ⅲ a receptor antagonist tirofiban or vasodilators can rapidly improve coronary flow and effectively treat it.

[Objective]To compare the fixation effects of cannulated compression screws and dynamic hip screws.[Method]From July 2000 to December 2006,152 old patients with intertrochanteric hip fracture were fixed with cannulated compression screws(n=68) and dynamic hip screws(n=84).They were followed up and their complete clinic data were obtained.A retrospective comparison was made between the two differet fixation devices in terms of operation time,blood loss,intraoperative and postoperative complications,functional recovery one year postoperatively and treatment expenses.[Result]The differences in operation time,blood loss between 2 groups had statistical significance(P0.05) for the Evans types Ⅰ,Ⅱ patients,but had statistical significance(P

Objective To study the curative effectiveness of Itraconazole in the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following bilateral lung transplantation.Methods One patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation was readmitted at 8-month postoperatively due to cough, sputum, and fever. Sputum culture reported positive Aspergillus flavus. Chest X-ray manifested bilateral lung infiltration. Chest CT scan showed multiple small cavities. Itraconazole (Sporanox) therapy was performed.Results Sputum smear and culture reported negative aspergillus at sixth of Itraconazole therapy. Patient’s symptoms after Itraconazole treatment for 10 days were improved obviously. Chest CT scan showed the lung lesion still existed. After treatment by Itraconazole, FK506 dosage was decreased from 3 mg, twice a day to 0.5 mg, once a day.Conclusion Pulmonary aspergillosis is an important complication following lung transplantation. Itraconazole therapy can effectively treat invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following bilateral lung transplantation. Blood drug concentration monitoring indicated the dosage of FK506 was significantly decreased after Itraconazole therapy.

Objective To investigate whether endothelial function was impaired in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DC). Methods Flow mediated dilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin mediated dilation (NMD) were measured using high-resolution ultrasound technique in 40 patients with DC and 42 controls without DC.Results In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, FMD as well as NMD were much reduced compared with controls [(2 32?2 10)% vs(7 87?4 15)%,P

Objective To develop and identify the monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against Region II~+ motif in circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum. Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with 12 peptides within Region Ⅱ~+ in circumsporozoite protein of P. falciparum. Spleen cells isolated from the immunized mice were fused with myeloma cell. After three times screening with ELISA, 3 positive hybridoma cell lines were obtained. Results ELISA test indicated that the McAbs reacted with recombinant circumsporozoite protein fragment containing tandemly repeat region and conserved Region II~+. IFA test showed that the McAbs recognized not only the sporozoites of P. falciparum, but also the sporozoifes of P. yoelii. Conclusion McAbs obtained can probe the Region II~+ motif in circumsporozoite protein of P. falciparum, which might also recognize that of other Plasmodium species.

BACKGROUND: Essential tremor is a kind of dyskinesia disease with a tendency to heredity. β-adnephrin receptor blocker is mainly used for treatment, but the dosage was great, patients could not persist in treatment. Hydrochloric-acid arotinolol, which characterizes by little side effect, is a β-receptor blocking agent combined with blocking effect of α receptor, and is an ideal drug to treat essential tremor in Japan.OBJECTIVE: To observe the reliability and curative effect of hydrochloric-acid arotinolol on essential tremor among Chinese people.DESIGN: Case analysis.SETTING: Neurological Departments of Beijing Hospital of Ministry of Public Health and General Hospital of Beijing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 30 patients with essential tremor, 19 males and 11 females, aged from 21 to 74 years, with course of 1-40 years, average of (15.8±12.6) years, were selected from Neurological Departments of Beijing Hospital of Ministry of Public Health and General Hospital of Beijing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from April 1999 to December 2000.METHODS: Tremor degree of upper limb, caput and lower limb, degree of dysfunction of hand, tremor degree of hand during writing and circling, and chief complaint of pain caused by tremor were scored before medication and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after medication. Scores were determined as 1 point, 2 points and 3 points according to mild, moderate and severe degree respectively. Evaluated criteria: ① Obviously effective: Differences were more than 7 points before and after treatment. ② Effective: Differences were 6.5-3 points before and after treatment. ③ A little effective: Differences were 3-1.5 points before and after treatment. ④ No changes: Differences were from 1 to -1 points before and after treatment. ⑤ Worse: Differences were less than -1.5 points before and after treatment. Meanwhile, blood pressure and heart rate of patients and side effect of drug were observed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Results of effective evaluation; ②Blood pressure and heart rate before and after treatment; ③ Adverse events and side effect.RESULTS: Totally 30 patients entered the final analysis. ① Among 30 patients with essential tremor, 6 had obvious effect, 11 had effect, 5 had a little effect, 7 had no effect, and 1 was worse. ② Average of blood pressure before treatment was (138.5±14.6)/(84.2±6.4) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), and was (130±10)/(79.7±6.3) mm Hg after 1 course. Average heart rate was (77.5±6.4) times/minute before treatment and (75±6.4) times/minute after treatment. The difference was not significant. ③ Among 30 patients, 4 had side effect at various degrees which was accounted for 13.4%; 1 had distress after medication, 1 had agrypnia, 2 had fullness in head and dizziness, and 1 gave up the treatment because of deteriorated tremor.CONCLUSION: Hydrochloric-acid arotinolol can improve tremor symptom of patients obviously and is an effective drug to treat essential tremor with convenient and safe medication.