The aim of this study was to access how self-reported sleep latency (SRSL) was affected by sleep habits, mood, and circadian rhythm in postmenopausal women. Subjects (n=384, 67.9+/-7.7 yr) completed sleep and mood questionnaires, sleep log and actigraphic data. The major urinary melatonin metabolite (6-sulphatoxymelatonin, aMT6s) was assayed in fractional urine specimens for two 24-hr intervals. Although SRSL (26.5+/-24.4 min) and actigraphic sleep latency (ASL; 27.8+/-20.0 min) were correlated (rs=0.361, p<0.001), the short SRSLs tended to be underestimated whereas the long SRSLs tended to be overestimated as compared to ASL. SRSL was positively correlated with the scales of insomnia, mood and hot flash, hypertension, use of anti-hypertensive drugs and the acrophase and the offset of aMT6s. SRSL was negatively correlated with the global assessment of functioning scale in DSM-IV (GAF scale), and light exposure and wrist activity. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the best-fit model to predict SRSL was light exposure, GAF scale, and use of anti-hypertensive drugs. SRSL may be determined by psychophysiological factors as well as circadian rhythm function. Therapeutic approaches suggested for trouble falling asleep might include increased daylight exposure, improvements in general health, and modification of anti-hypertensive pharmacotherapy.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Humans ; Melatonin/analogs & derivatives/urine ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause/*physiology ; Sleep/physiology ; Sleep Disorders/*etiology/physiopathology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of amino acid parenteral nutritional (PN) support on serum tryptophan and melatonin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODSSeventy-two patients with inoperable NSCLC were divided into three groups randomly: control group, 250 ml/d amino acids PN therapy group and 500 ml/d amino acids PN therapy group. The same NP (cisplatin + vinorelbine) chemotherapy was carried out in all the three groups. During three sessions of chemotherapy,amino acids PN therapy was given to the amino acids PN therapy groups. Serum tryptophan and melatonin concentration changes were assessed before and after chemotherapy.

RESULTSAfter chemotherapy the concentration of MT and Try were much lower than that before chemotherapy in the three group patients (P < 0.05). But the concentration of MT and Try in the PN group patients was higher than that in control group patients. The concentration of MT and Try in the 500 ml/d amino acid parenteral nutritional support group patients were significantly higher than that in the 250 ml/d group patients, the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAmino acid parenteral nutritional support is beneficial to improve the lower concentration of serum MT and Try in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy, and a more significant effect can be achieved by the 500 ml/d amino acid parenteral nutritional support treatment.

Aged ; Amino Acids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; Neoplasm Staging ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Treatment Outcome ; Tryptophan ; blood ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives