OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of mitochondria stress in locus coeruleus and the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection after long-term sleep deprivation.

METHODSSleep deprivation mice model was set up by employing "novel environments" method. The expression of NAD -dependent deacetylase Sirtuin type 3 (SIRT3), which regulates mitochondrial energy production and oxidative stress, and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), a major biomarker of mitochondrial stress, and the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection from locus coeruleus were analyzed after a 5-day sleep deprivation.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, the expression of SIRT3 in locus coeruleus was significantly decreased in respouse to long-term sleep deprivation, while the expression of HSP60 was significantly increased. In addition, relative to control group, pereentage area of the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection to anterior cingulate cortex was substantial decreased in long-term sleep deprivation group.

CONCLUSIONLong-term sleep deprivation induced the decreased level of SIRT3 expression and the elevation of mitochondrial stress in locus coenileus, which may further lead to the loss of tyrosine hydroxylasic projection in mice.

Animals ; Chaperonin 60 ; metabolism ; Locus Coeruleus ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Sirtuin 3 ; metabolism ; Sleep Deprivation ; Tyrosine ; metabolism

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Philosophy, Medical

OBJECTIVETo improve the method for monitoring sleep state and respiratory rhythm of SD rats, providing a solution for rats' chewing on the wires, signal loss and instability problems in the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe improved monitoring electrodes of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), signal circuit and animal operation.

RESULTSOperation time was shortened and wound exposure time was reduced, which made it easier for postoperative recovery. The ECoG and EMG signals were more stable with sharp image, and signal circuit lines had better conductivity and material durability, achieving continuous monitoring for a long time and high success rate. We could precisely distinguish the sleep wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats according to these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe improved method is more reliable and practical to test the small animal model of SAS, and is more easily to operate and the signals are more stable.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Electromyography ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Respiration ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo devise a new method for testing the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe simultaneously monitoring the respiratory wave through a micro-pressure transducer and the electrical signals of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), for detecting the sleep-wake states and the respiratory rhythm in rats. The recording data are analyzed by the manual-computer work.

RESULTSThe ECoG and EMG signals are stable and easily to distinguish. We can accurately detect the sleep-wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats by these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe method is reliable to test the small animal model of SAS, and is easily to operate.

Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiration ; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena ; Sleep ; physiology

BACKGROUND5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a common neurotransmitter in the brain which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of sleep apnea. Dysfunction of 5-HT and 5-HT(2) receptors may lead to the collapse of the upper airway and the instability of respiratory control, which in turn produce apnea. Genioglossus (GG) is one of the most important oropharyngeal muscles maintaining the upper airway open. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 5-HT and 5-HT(2) receptor on GG activity and the sleep apnea in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSMicroinjection probes were placed within the fourth ventricle of sixteen SD rats. After recovery for a week, the electromyogram (EMG) of GG was recorded in the anesthetized and vagotomized rats. The changes of GG activity before and after the microinjection of 5-HT or 5-HT(2A/2C) agonist -2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI) were observed. Probes were also laid in another eight SD rats. Electroencephalogram (EEG), EMG of neck muscle and respiration were recorded at the same time a week later. The effects of DOI on the occurrence of sleep apnea were explored.

RESULTSBoth 5-HT and DOI significantly enhanced the activity of GG just 3 minutes after the completion of injection. The effect of 5-HT disappeared quickly and the effect of DOI lasted for more than 27 minutes. DOI also significantly decreased the post-sigh apnea index in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and decreased the spontaneous apnea index only in NREM sleep (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION5-HT and 5-HT(2A/2C) system correlated closely with the pathogenesis of the sleep apnea syndrome and 5-HT receptors may become the target of the drug treatment.

Amphetamines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Electroencephalography ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; drug therapy ; Sleep, REM ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common and fatal infections in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients, which is difficult to diagnose by traditional morphologic methods. This study evaluated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA in sputum and bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for diagnosing PCP.

METHODSSputum and BALF specimens from two groups were collected: one group (PCP group) included 20 patients definitely diagnosed of PCP by Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stains of BALF; the other group (non-PCP group) included 40 patients. Each specimen was examined by GMS stains and PCR assays.

RESULTSGMS stains of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), GMS stains of sputum in PCP group were 35% positive (7/20); GMS stains of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), GMS stains of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). PCR assays of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), PCR assays of sputum in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20); PCR assays of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), PCR assays of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). Sensitivity and specificity of PCR assays of sputum and BALF were both 100%; positive and negative predictive values were also both 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic value of PCR assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA on sputum and BALF for pneumocystis pneumonia are both high and equivalent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sputum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic features, differential diagnosis and role of open lung biopsies (OLB) in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP).

METHODThe authors reviewed the pathologic, clinical and radiologic features of five cases of UIP (one autopsy case and four OLB cases), with follow-up information.

RESULTSThe typical histologic features were a non-uniform distribution of alveolar inflammation, fibroblastic foci, interstitial fibrosis and honeycomb change. There also was associated metaplasia of bronchiolar epithelium, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia and accumulation of alveolar macrophages.

CONCLUSIONSCharacteristically, UIP exhibits temporal heterogeneity under low-power light microscopy, which includes changes in both the early and end stages. Open lung biopsy is an important diagnostic adjunct for suitable patients with atypical radiologic features on computerized tomography. Correlation between clinical, radiologic and pathologic findings is also essential for a correct diagnosis.

Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDA prospective 2-night polysomnographic (PSG) study in Chinese snorers was designed to assess the role of the first night effect (FNE) in PSG parameters and the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSSeventy-two snorers from two teaching hospitals underwent overnight PSG on two consecutive nights. The night-to-night variability of PSG parameters were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSSixty-six patients were analyzed. Among all the PSG parameters, only the total time of stage 2 presented a significant difference between two nights: 219.50 (83.50 - 353.50) vs. 215.25 (59.50 - 342.50) (P = 0.000). Subgroup assessment showed a slight night-to-night difference in about 1 - 2 parameters in the group with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 20 events per hour as well as the group with AHI < 20 events per hour, but there was no night-to-night difference in the AHI in each group. And slighter FNE was found among patients ≥ 40 years old. There was no significant difference in diagnosis of OSAHS. In the decision of severity, a slight difference was found between the two nights with a Kappa value = 0.531.

CONCLUSIONSOnly mild FNE can be found on two consecutive nights of PSG in adult Chinese snorers, but it has no effect on the diagnosis of OSAHS. A single polysomnographic night may be adequate for the diagnosis of OSAHS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; Snoring ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the significance of designing with monitoring-flap in massive com- pound bone grafts for repairing massive bone defects in extremities.Methods From January 2001 to De- cember 2004,large bone defects in 19 patients(11 men and 8 women,age:6 to 35 years,mean age:18.6 years)were repaired by vascularized free fibular transplant with a monitoring-flap combining with massive deep frozen bone allografts.Average length of the bone defects was 16.6 cm(range,12 to 25 cm).A 7 days' con- tinuously clinical examination including observing the color,turgor,temperature,capillary refill,and bleeding after a needle sticking of the monitoring-falps were used postoperatively,if any one of these were abnormal,the circulation of the compound bone grafts must be in danger and some measures such as re-operation should be taken immediately.Dynamic image analysis was used for evaluating the bone union.Results One monito- ring-flap was vascular artieulo,and the articulo was relieved after exploration and resection of vein thrombus; another one was marginal part necrosis;the remains were normal.All of monitoring-flaps healed normally after 23.2 months(range,6 to 54 months)follow-up.15 patients had the radiographic evidence of bone unions 3 months after surgery.11 patients had been removed intermal fixation,complete bone unios were found one year postoperatively.Conclusion Designing with monitoring-flap in massive compound bone grafts for repairing massive bone defects,and can clearly understand the circulatory statue of compound bone grafts and early pre- dict the final results of massive bone allografts.