Effects of long-term noise exposure during sleep on liver circadian clock and lipid metabolism / 环境与职业医学

Background Long-term exposure to noise during sleep may has adverse effects on metabolic system, and liver lipid metabolism is closely related to circadian clock genes. Objective To investigate the effects of long-term noise exposure during sleep on liver circadian clock and lipid metabolism in mice and its related mechanism. Methods Twenty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into two groups: a noise exposure group and a control group with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the noise exposure group were exposed to white noise at 90 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 30 consecutive days, 8 h a day, from 9:00 to 17:00. The mice in the control group were exposed to background noise ≤40 dB SPL. After noise exposure, the animals were neutralized at 14:00 (ZT6) and 2:00 (ZT18), 5 animals at each time spot, and the liver tissues were collected. Total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver were determined by cholesterol oxidase method and glycerol phosphate oxidase method respectively. The expressions of circadian clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Rev-erbα, and Rev-erbβ) and lipid metabolism genes (Srebp1c, Hmgcr, Fasn, Lxrα, Acc1, and Chrebp) in liver were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the content of total cholesterol in liver in the noise exposure group increased by 48% (P<0.05) and the content of liver triglyceride increased by 61% (P<0.05) at ZT18. The mRNA expression levels of circadian clock genes Clock and Bmal1 in the noise exposure group was significantly increased at ZT18 and decreased at ZT6 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of Rev-erbα decreased at both ZT6 and ZT18 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression level of Rev-erbβ had no significant change at ZT6 and ZT18. The mRNA expression levels of liver lipid metabolism related genes Srebp1c, Hmgcr, Chrebp, and Lxrα in the noise exposure group were higher than those in the control group at ZT18 (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of Acc1 and Fasn showed no significant change at ZT6, then an upward trend at ZT18, but no significant difference between the two time spots (P>0.05). Conclusion Long-term noise exposure during sleep can cause circadian clock and lipid metabolism disorders in mice. Among them, suppression of key circadian clock genes may be associated with Rev-erbα-mediated upregulation of the nuclear receptors Srebp1c and Chrebp for lipid synthesis and deposition in the liver, resulting in lipid metabolism disorder.

Cardiovascular rhythmicity in overweight and obese children / Ritmicidade cardiovascular em crianças com sobrepeso e obesidade

Abstract Introduction: Obesity is thought to play a role in the disruption of cardiac rhythmicity in obese children, but this is mostly an unexplored field of investigation. We aimed to evaluate the impact of overweight and obesity on circadian and ultradian cardiovascular rhythmicity of prepubertal children, in comparison with normal weight counterparts. Methods: We performed a cross sectional study of 316 children, followed in the birth cohort Generation XXI (Portugal). Anthropometrics and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure were measured and profiles were examined with Fourier analysis for circadian and ultradian blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) rhythms. Results: Overweight/obese children presented more frequently a non-dipping BP pattern than normal weight counterparts (31.5% vs. 21.6%, p = 0.047). The prevalence of 24-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP) and 8-hour HR rhythmicity was significantly lower in obese children (79.3% vs. 88.0%, p = 0.038 and 33.3% vs. 45.2%, p = 0.031, respectively). The prevalence of the remaining MAP and HR rhythmicity was similar in both groups. No differences were found in the median values of amplitudes and acrophases of MAP and HR rhythms. Discussion: The alterations found in rhythmicity suggest that circadian and ultradian rhythmicity analysis might be sensitive in detecting early cardiovascular dysregulations, but future studies are needed to reinforce our findings and to better understand their long-term implications.

Resumo Introdução: Acredita-se que a obesidade desempenhe um papel na desregulação da ritmicidade cardíaca em crianças obesas, mas esse é um campo de investigação ainda pouco explorado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto do sobrepeso e da obesidade na ritmicidade cardiovascular circadiana e ultradiana de crianças pré-púberes, em comparação com crianças com peso normal. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo transversal com 316 crianças, acompanhadas na coorte de nascimentos Geração XXI (Portugal). Foram medidos dados antropométricos e a pressão arterial ambulatorial de 24 horas, e os perfis foram examinados com uma análise de Fourier para ritmos circadianos e ultradianos de pressão arterial (PA) e frequência cardíaca (FC). Resultados: Crianças com sobrepeso/obesidade apresentaram mais frequentemente um padrão de PA não-dipper em comparação com crianças com peso normal (31,5% vs. 21,6%; p = 0,047). A prevalência da pressão arterial média (PAM) de 24 horas e da ritmicidade da FC de 8 horas foi significativamente menor em crianças obesas (79,3% vs. 88,0%; p = 0,038 e 33,3% vs. 45,2%; p = 0,031, respectivamente). A prevalência das restantes ritmicidades da PAM e da FC foi semelhante em ambos os grupos. Não foram encontradas diferenças nos valores medianos das amplitudes e acrofases dos ritmos de PAM e FC. Discussão: As alterações encontradas na ritmicidade sugerem que a análise da ritmicidade circadiana e ultradiana pode ser sensível na detecção de desregulações cardiovasculares precoces, mas são necessários novos estudos para reforçar nossos achados e entender melhor suas implicações a longo prazo.

population analysis of the CLOCK rs3749474T-rs4864548A haplotype and its relationship with obesity / Análisis poblacional in silico del haplotipo CLOCK rs3749474T-rs4864548A y su relación con obesidad

Se ha sugerido que el haplotipo rs3749474T/rs4864548A del gen CLOCK aumentaría el riesgo de obesidad, pero se desconoce el patrón de variabilidad poblacional de estos alelos y del haplotipo. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el nivel de ligamiento entre los alelos de riesgo rs3749474T y rs4864548A a partir de la base de datos 1000Genomes para confirmar la existencia del haplotipo TA de los polimorfismos rs3749474-rs4864548 del gen CLOCK y su frecuencia cinco macro poblaciones. Se analizó el desequilibrio de ligamiento y las frecuencias haplotípicas para 2504 individuos, de 26 poblaciones, utilizando el estadístico r y la prueba exacta de Fisher. Existe una alta frecuencia del haplotipo TA en Latinoamérica (44,8%), un alto desequilibrio de ligamiento (r= 0,92) a nivel mundial entre esos alelos, una alta diferenciación entre macro poblaciones y una alta homogeneidad al interior de ellas. La evidencia presentada permite sugerir la realización de posteriores estudios de asociación entre este haplotipo y el nivel de riesgo de obesidad y sobrepeso en poblaciones latinoamericanas.

It has been suggested that the rs3749474T/rs4864548A haplotype of the CLOCK gene increases the risk of obesity, but the population variability of these alleles and the haplotype is unknown. This research aims to determine the linkage between the rs3749474T and rs4864548A alleles from the database of 1000Genomes to confirm the existence of the TA haplotype polymorphisms of these alleles and their frequency in five macro populations. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies for 2504 individuals from 26 populations were analyzed using the r statistic and Fisher's exact test. There is a high frequency of the TA haplotype in Latin America (44.8%), a high linkage disequilibrium (r2= 0.92) worldwide between these alleles, a high differentiation between macro populations, and a high homogeneity. The evidence warrants further studies on the association between this haplotype and the risk of obesity and overweight in Latin American populations.

Difference in ketone bodies levels between diurnal and nocturnal fasting in children: observational study

Introduction Children are susceptible to developing preoperative ketonemia, which can be affected by changes in the circadian rhythm and counter-regulatory hormones. It is unclear whether ketonemia depends on the timing of fasting. Objective To assess the effect of preoperative fasting time (diurnal vs. night) on the preoperative concentration of ketone bodies in children. Methods We conducted a prospective-observational clinical study between September 2020 and March 2021, including children under 48 months of age scheduled for elective surgery. Two groups were identified based on fasting time, as follows: diurnal fasting (group A, n = 40) and nocturnal fasting (group B, n = 52). Demographic data, duration of fasting, time of excess fasting, type of food intake, the concentration of ketone bodies and capillary blood glucose, level of anxiety, and dehydration were analyzed in both groups. Results Diurnal fasting was associated with higher incidence of ketonemia compared with nocturnal fasting (Group A: 62.5% (95% CI 48.1-82.0); group B: 38,5% (95% CI 26.5-52.5), P=0.02). Most of the patients exceeded the duration of fasting recommended by preoperative fasting guidelines (95.6%). The type of food eaten before surgery was significantly associated with the presence of ketonemia (P=0.01). Conclusions Preoperative ketonemia is relatively common in patients under 48 months of age, especially among those who undergo diurnal fasting compared to nocturnal fasting.

Introducción Los niños son susceptibles a desarrollar cetonemia preoperatoria que puede verse afectada por cambios en el ritmo circadiano y las hormonas contrarreguladoras. No está claro si la cetonemia depende de la hora del ayuno. Objetivo Evaluar el efecto del momento del ayuno preoperatorio (diurno vs. nocturno) sobre la concentración preoperatoria de los cuerpos cetónicos en niños. Métodos Llevamos a cabo un estudio clínico observacional entre septiembre de 2020 y marzo de 2021, en niños menores de 48 meses, programados para cirugía electiva. Se identificaron dos grupos basados en la hora del ayuno, como sigue: ayuno diurno (grupo A, n = 40) y ayuno nocturno (grupo B, n = 52). En ambos grupos se analizaron los datos demográficos, la duración del ayuno, el tiempo excesivo de ayuno, el tipo de ingesta de alimentos, la concentración de cuerpos cetónicos, la glicemia capilar, el nivel de ansiedad y la deshidratación. Resultados El ayuno diurno se asocio con una mayor incidencia de cenotemia en comparación con el ayuno nocturno (Grupo A: 62,5% (IC 95% 48,1-82,0); grupo B: 38,5% (95% CI 26.5-52.5), P=0.02). La mayoría de los pacientes excedieron el tiempo de ayuno recomendado según las guías de ayuno preoperatorio (95,6%). El tipo de alimentos ingeridos antes de la cirugía se asoció de manera importante con la presencia de cetonemia (P=0,01). Conclusiones La cetonemia preoperatoria es relativamente común en pacientes menores de 48 meses de edad, especialmente entre quienes se someten a ayuno diurno en comparación con ayuno nocturno.

How Plants Adapt to the Photoperiod

Plants are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment, particularly variations in photoperiod or day length. Photoperiodism refers to a plant's capacity to detect variations in day length and make use of this knowledge to control key developmental processes including flowering, growth, and dormancy. Through a process known as photoperiodism, plants can detect and react to variations in the number of daylight hours, or photoperiod. The physiological response of plants to the length of day or night is known as photoperiodism. The plant uses this physiological response to time-critical developmental events like flowering. In this essay, I will cover the current understanding of how plants respond to photoperiod and the molecular mechanisms underpinning this response. Three groups of plants' photoperiodic responses can be distinguished: short-day plants (SDPs), long-day plants (LDPs), and day-neutral plants (DNPs). Whereas LDPs bloom when the length of the day exceeds the crucial threshold, SDPs do so only when it is shorter than the critical threshold. Conversely, DNPs do not have a crucial day duration and can bloom at any day length. Many genes and biochemical processes control how a plant responds to the photoperiod. The creation and movement of the hormone florigen, which starts blooming in response to photoperiodic signals, is a crucial regulating mechanism. On the other hand, a class of photoreceptors known as phytochromes is involved in the biochemical mechanisms driving photoperiodic responses in plants. The perception of light's duration, quality, and amount is caused by phytochromes. The red-light-absorbing Pr form and the far-red-light-absorbing Pfr form are the two interconvertible states in which they can exist. The ratio of Pr to Pfr is altered by the duration of light exposure and is utilizes by plants to assess day length. Exposure to light in SDPs causes the expression of the CONSTANS (CO) gene, and the CO protein causes the expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), a gene that encourages flowering. By exposing LDPs to light, a different gene called GI (GIGANTEA) is induced rather than CO, which is normally expressed. The FT gene's expression is encouraged by GI's interaction with the protein ZEITLUPE (ZTL), which also encourages flowering. In addition to these essential elements, several proteins and signalling pathways are also involved in photoperiodic responses in plants. For instance, to optimise the response to variations in day length, the photoperiodic pathway interacts with the circadian clock, which controls numerous physiological processes in plants. In some species, the hormone gibberellin (GA) also aids in the promotion of flowering. One essential adaptation that enables plants to synchronize their developmental processes with seasonal changes is their capacity to react to variations in day length. Phytochromes play a key role in how plants perceive the day in the complex network of proteins and signalling channels that make up the molecular mechanisms behind photoperiodic responses in plants. There is still much to learn about the diversity and complexity of the photoperiodic response across several plant groupings, even if much is known about it in particular species.

Sleep in the human aging process and circadian sleep rhythm disruptions / Sono no processo de envelhecimento humano e interrupções do ritmo circadiano do sono

The aging process is often related to sleeping difficulties, often due to changes in circadian rhythms. The circadian timing system is centered in the suprachiasmatic nucleus - the master biological clock - which synchronizes the rhythm of oscillators throughout the body, including the sleep-wake cycle. This affects the time, duration and quality of sleep according to the development and aging process, under external and internal influences. This review addresses the human circadian timing system, including endogenous and exogenous influences on circadian rhythms, their age-related particularities, as well as the repercussions of circadian misalignment in neurodegenerative diseases. Circadian rhythms naturally weaken with aging, but there are particularities according to age. Throughout life, sleep and circadian rhythm disorders are strongly bidirectionally related to the pathophysiology of some psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This knowledge could potentially create valuable opportunities to improve the health of the world's population that is under circadian misalignment and aging.

O processo de envelhecimento está frequentemente relacionado a dificuldades de dormir, muitas vezes decorrentes de alterações nos ritmos circadianos. O sistema de ronometragem circadiana está centrada no núcleo supraquiasmático - o relógio biológico mestre - o qual sincroniza o ritmo dos osciladores em todo o corpo, incluindo o ciclo sono-vigília. Isso afeta o tempo, a duração e a qualidade do sono de acordo com o processo de desenvolvimento e envelhecimento, sob influências externas e internas. Esta revisão aborda o sistema de temporização circadiana humana, incluindo as influências endógenas e exógenas nos ritmos circadianos, suas particularidades relacionadas à idade, bem como as repercussões do desalinhamento circadiano nas doenças neurodegenerativas. Os ritmos circadianos enfraquecem naturalmente com o envelhecimento, mas há particularidades de acordo com a idade. Ao longo da vida, os transtornos do sono e do ritmo circadiano estão fortemente relacionados bidirecionalmente à fisiopatologia de algumas doenças psiquiátricas e neurodegenerativas, como as doenças de Alzheimer e Parkinson. Esse conhecimento pode potencialmente criar oportunidades valiosas para melhorar a saúde da população mundial que está sob desalinhamento circadiano e envelhecimento.

Morningness/eveningness in gestational diabetes mellitus: clinical characteristics and maternal-neonatal outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of morning-evening preference in pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 2nd-3rd trimester GDM outpatient care in Fortaleza, Brazil (2018-2020). Eveningness was defined by the Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire (MEQ ≤ 41). Furthermore, we obtained a 7-day actigraphic register. Subjective sleep quality, daytime somnolence, insomnia, fatigue and depressive symptoms were also evaluated. Associations with pregnancy outcomes were investigated. Results: Among 305 patients with GDM, evening preference was found in 21 (6.9%). Patients with evening preference had worse sleep quality (p < 0.01), greater severity of insomnia (p < 0.005), fatigue (p < 0.005) and depressive symptoms (<0.009). Evening chronotype was associated with preeclampsia [p = 0.01; OR = 0.27; CI 0.09-0.79] and a greater need for admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [p = 0.02; OR = 0.23; CI .0.06-0.80]. A lower MEQ score confirmed an association with preeclampsia [p = 0.002; OR = 0.94; CI 0.90-0.97] and this was maintained after controlling for age, arterial hypertension, sleep quality, fatigue and depressive symptoms [p < 005; OR = 0.91; CI 0.87-0.95]. Conclusion: In GDM, patients with evening preference had worse sleep quality, more insomnia, fatigue, and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, eveningness was independently associated with preeclampsia. These results indicate the important role of eveningness in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Research progress on adverse events during morning or afternoon surgery and perioperative period / 中国医师杂志

The occurrence of perioperative adverse events (PAEs) significantly affects postoperative recovery of patients. In recent years, more and more studies have found that the start time of surgery is closely related to the occurrence of PAE, especially in terms of hospital stay and cost, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and postoperative mortality. This review aims to summarize the impact of different types of surgeries on PAE starting in the morning or afternoon, and to elucidate the possible mechanisms by which morning or afternoon surgeries affect PAE occurrence from the perspectives of circadian rhythms, human factors, and infrastructure, in order to provide reference for reducing patient PAE and accelerating patient recovery.

Efficacy of Sishen pill compound combined with mesalazine in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and its effect on the circadian rhythm of symptoms / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Sishen pill compound combined with mesalazine in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and its effect on the circadian rhythm of symptoms. Methods:A total of 136 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis who received treatment in Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2020 were included in this prospective randomized controlled trial. These patients were divided into a treatment group ( n = 68) and a control group ( n = 68). The treatment group was treated with Sishen pill compound combined with mesalazine. The control group was treated with mesalazine alone. All patients were treated for 12 weeks. Clinical efficacy, as well as morning abdominal pain grade, morning diarrhea score, fecal trait score, Mayo score, hemoglobin, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein pre- and post-treatment, were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group [91.18% (62/68) vs. 72.06% (49/68), χ2 = 8.28, P < 0.05]. After treatment, morning diarrhea score, morning abdominal pain score, fecal trait score, Mayo score, hemoglobin, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in the treatment group were (0.47 ± 0.56) points, (0.53 ± 0.56) points, (3.01 ± 0.72) points, (7.13 ± 1.38) points, (108.04 ± 12.21) g/L, (4.00 ± 2.19) mg/L, respectively, and they were (0.84 ± 0.56) points, (1.12 ± 0.56) points, (4.40 ± 0.76) points, (3.25 ± 1.44) points, (102.15 ± 12.61) g/L, and (6.07 ± 3.66) mg/L respectively in the control group. There were significant differences in these indexes between the treatment and control groups ( t = 3.59, 5.95, 10.06, 9.62, 2.78, 3.99, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Sishen pill compound combined with mesalazine can effectively reduce clinical symptoms of active ulcerative colitis, increase hemoglobin level, decrease C-reactive protein level, improve the efficiency of treatment, reduce symptoms and the number of diarrhea rhythms, and improve stool symptoms of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis patients.

Clinical value of circadian clock related biomarkers for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To examine the expression of core clock genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the level of circadian disturbance-related proteins in the serum of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), and explore their potential diagnostic value in clinical practice.Methods:The peripheral blood samples and related clinical data from 68 patients diagnosed with CP in Shanghai General Hospital from Jan 2015 to Jan 2022 were collected. Peripheral blood samples from 30 healthy individuals were used for control. The M-ANNHEIM classification system was used to stratify the clinical stages of patients with CP. The mRNA expression of the core clock genes, including Clock, Bmal1, Per1/2/3 and Cry1/2 in PBMCs was analyzed using realtime qPCR, and the expression of circadian disturbance-related proteins like TrkB, CD 36 and Rbp in serum was measured with ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) and the area under curve (AUC) was used to test the efficiency for diagnozing PEI. Results:The mRNA expression of Per1 in CP patients was significantly decreased (0.76 vs 1, P<0.05), and the AUC for diagnozing PEI was 0.744 (95% CI 0.628-0.860), with a cut-off value of 0.72; and the sensitivity and specificity was 84.8% and 57.1%, respectively. The protein abundance of serum CD 36 was significantly increased in CP patients (33.85±19.74ng/ml vs 24.71±11.53 ng/ml, P<0.05); the AUC for diagnozing PEI was 0.834 (95% CI 0.735-0.932), with a cut-off value of 29.75 pg/ml; and the sensitivity and specificity was 74.3% and 84.8%, respectively. The expression of CD 36 was increased with the increase of CP clinical stage, and there were statistically significant differences between either two stages (all P value <0.05). The mRNA expression of Per1 in patients with CP in Stage Ⅰ was significantly higher than that in patients with CP in Stage Ⅱ or Ⅲ, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05), but no statistical difference was found between Stage Ⅱ and Stage Ⅲ. Conclusions:The decreased expression of Per1 mRNA in PBMCs and increased level of CD 36 in serum are significantly related to the occurrence of PEI in CP, suggesting that they may have potential value for diagnozing PEI and guiding the clinical practice.

Correlation between insomnia and job performance in shift nurses / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

@#Sleep and wakefulness are physiological processes in our lives that are regulated by circadian rhythms. The level of melatonin, the "sleep hormone", increases with the onset of darkness, and its production slows down in the morning. Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts our circadian rhythm and the processes it controls. Shift work is when an individual works from 9 am to 5 pm. But the night shift refers to the time when a group of workers who work at night in factories and enterprises work in the evening or at night, especially from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. according to a regular schedule. One in five people in industrialized countries work night shifts, and studies in America and Europe show that between 15 and 30% of adult workers have some form of shift work. Between 10% and 30% of shift workers meet the diagnosis of shift work disorder (SWD). 5-10% of shift workers experience severe shift insomnia and sleepiness. At least ¾ of shift workers suffer from insomnia. Excessive sleepiness usually occurs during shifts (mainly at night) and is associated with impaired cognitive ability due to the need for sleep and reduced alertness, and decreased alertness reduces performance. Job performance is influenced by many workplace environmental factors, including workload, coworker relationships, stress levels, and extended hours. A nurse specialist provides nursing care by monitoring and evaluating 24 hours a day, and by working night shifts, the circadian system of sleep is disturbed, causing sleep problems and insomnia. When examining how night shift work affects nurses' ability to concentrate, the decline in concentration (33.3%) was twice as high as that of day shift nurses (16.7%). found that shift nurses who worked the night shift had higher rates of insomnia and chronic fatigue compared to nurses who stopped working the night shift. Lack of sleep manifests as a decline in cognitive functions such as attention, decision making, and reaction time. These cognitive and functional declines can negatively affect quality of life and lead to impaired job performance. An Australian study by Winwood et al found that fatigue associated with night shifts increases the risk of human error and injury, and negatively affects the quality of patient care. Lack of sleep significantly affects nurses' alertness, concentration, and job performance. This review article discusses the relation between shift work-related sleep and job performance based on international research findings.

Research progress on the correlation between circadian rhythm and clock genes and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is the most common microvascular complication of patients with diabetes mellitus, and it has become one of the leading causes of visual impairment among working-age people worldwide. The pathogenesis of DR is complicated with multiple mechanisms. Plenty of studies have indicated that circadian rhythm and clock genes are closely related to the pathogenesis of DR. Circadian rhythm is a physiological process regulated by clock genes, which takes 24h as a cycle and is consistent with the changes of light and dark outside. Circadian rhythm regulates various physiological activities of the body. The disturbance of circadian rhythm induces DR by affecting the blood glucose level and the physiological homeostasis of the eye in patients with diabetes mellitus, and clock genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of DR by regulating oxidative stress response, inflammatory response, retinal autophagy rhythm, mitochondrial dysfunction and endothelial progenitor cell function. This paper will introduce the generation and regulation mechanism of circadian rhythm, as well as the internal circadian rhythm of retina, and further discuss the influence of circadian rhythm and clock genes on the occurrence and development of DR, aiming to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of DR.

Biological clock rhythm disorder and hypertension / 国际脑血管病杂志

Biological clock proteins are involved in the regulation of many important physiological processes, including blood pressure. The deletion or mutation of core circadian clock genes may cause elevated blood pressure levels and disrupted blood pressure rhythms, exacerbating vascular function damage, and ultimately leading to the occurrence, development and poor outcome of ischemic stroke. This article reviews the molecular mechanism of biological clock rhythm, the relationship between biological clock gene and blood pressure regulation mechanism, the mechanism of circadian rhythm disorder in the occurrence and development of hypertension, and the relationship between blood pressure rhythm disorder and stroke.

Research progress of circadian rhythm and circadian clock gene regulation in the development of myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

With the development of society, the incidence of myopia and the population of myopia has increased year by year, which has become a major public health problem. Therefore, the research on the pathogenesis and prevention and control measures of myopia is imminent. In recent years, the role of the biological clock in the development of myopia has gradually attracted scholars interest. Now the author starts from the impact of the biological clock on the axial length, retina and choroid in the development of myopia. In order to provide new ideas for the study of prevention and control measures and the pathogenesis of myopia, a brief review is made from the perspective of contemporary society and disrupted body clock.

Research status and prospects of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

A brand-new class of photoreceptors has been identified in the past 20a: intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells(ipRGC). With melanopsin as its photopigment, ipRGCs transmit light signals to non-imaging brain regions like the suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN)and the olivary pretectal nucleus(OPN)to regulate circadian photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex; a small portion of the signals are projected to brain imaging regions like the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus(dLGN)and superior colliculus(SC), to participate in imaging vision. There are six different ipRGC subtypes(M1～M6), each with its own morphological and physiological characteristics. In addition to receiving signaling inputs from the rods and cones, ipRGCs also regulate retinal signals through chemical and electrical synapses and play important roles in visual signaling and visual development. It has been discovered that ipRGCs are implicated in several systemic and ocular illnesses. Overall, various aspects of ipRGC are reviewed including the discovery, general physiological properties, signaling, and the relationship with disease in this work.

The Influence of Biological Clock System on the Circadian Rhythm of Sleep Based on Essence-Qi-Spirit Theory / 中医杂志

The essence-qi-spirit theory is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine， whose steady state is the material and functional basis for the balance of yin and yang in the body， making the essence， qi and spirit integrated， and body and spirit harmonized. Based on this theory， it is proposed that essence and qi depletion， spirit dissipation and qi dispersion， disharmony between yin and yang is the main pathogenesis of sleep disorders. Therefore， the method of regulating and harmonzing yin and yang by essence gathering， qi nourishing and spirit storing can be used to treat sleep disorder. The biological clock system of the circadian rhythm of sleep is regulated by the molecular oscillation that is generated by the transcription of the biological clock gene， and is a clock gradually formed by orga-nisms constantly adapting to the laws of nature. As the material basis， power， and embodiment of sound and peaceful sleep， essence， qi and spirit can perceive and transmit natural signals， whose functions are similar to what is recognized by modern science that oscillation amplifies the rhythm signal， and synchronously regulates the expression signal of the biological clock gene， thereby forming a biological clock system with “input-oscillation-output” as the feedback cycle. It is believed that the regulation method of yin and yang by essence gathering， qi nourishing and spirit storing may comprehensively regulate the physiological activities through brain/ muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 （BMAL1）/circadian locomotor output cycles kaput （CLOCK）-period protein （PER）/ cryptochrome （CRY） transcriptional feedback loop， thereby adapting to the natural environment changes， playing an active role in the treatment of sleep disorders， and provideing a new idea for traditional Chinese medicine to reshape the molecular regulation system of the endogenous biological clock to prevent and treat sleep disorders.

Research progress on the relation and related mechanism of night shift work and cardiovascular disease / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Cardiovascular disease is a class of diseases involving the heart or blood vessels, which accounts for about one-third of all deaths worldwide each year. Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. With the increasing number of night shift workers, the number of patients with cardiovascular disease has increased, and night shift work has gradually become a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. At present, the mechanism of cardiovascular disease caused by night shift work is still unclear. This review summarizes the relationship between night shift work and cardiovascular disease and its related biochemical indicators, and discusses the research on related mechanisms.

Regulation of ischemic stroke by circadian rhythm and intervention by traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Circadian rhythm is an internal regulatory mechanism formed in organisms in response to the circadian periodicity in the environment, which modulates the pathophysiological events, occurrence and development of diseases, and the response to treatment in mammals. It significantly influences the susceptibility, injury, and recovery of ischemic stroke, and the response to therapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that circadian rhythms not only regulate the important physiological factors of ischemic stroke events, such as blood pressure and coagulation-fibrinolysis system, but also participate in the immuno-inflammatory reaction mediated by glial cells and peripheral immune cells after ischemic injury and the regulation of neurovascular unit(NVU). This article aims to link molecular, cellular, and physiological pathways in circadian biology to the clinical consequences of ischemic stroke and to illustrate the impact of circadian rhythms on ischemic stroke pathogenesis, the regulation of NVU, and the immuno-inflammatory responses. The regulation of circadian rhythm by traditional Chinese medicine is reviewed, and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in circadian rhythm is summarized to provide a reasonable and valuable reference for the follow-up traditional Chinese medicine research and molecular mechanism research of circadian rhythm.

Acupuncture for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).@*METHODS@#A total of 84 patients with DSWPD were randomized into an observation group (42 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (42 cases, 3 cases dropped off). On the basis of sleep hygiene education, acupuncture was applied at Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the observation group, while placebo acupuncture was applied at the same acupoints in the control group. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks, once every other day, 3 times a week in the 1st to 4th weeks; once every 3 days, 2 times a week in the 5th to 8th weeks. Before and after treatment, the actigraphy (ACT) indexes of objective sleep (total time of stay in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, the number of awakenings and the wake time after falling asleep) and plasma cortisol (CORT) level were observed; before and after treatment and in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment, the scores of morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), insomnia severity index (ISI), fatigue severity scale (FSS) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the total sleep time was prolonged, the sleep efficiency was improved, the number of awakenings was reduced, and the wake time after falling asleep was shortened after treatment in the observation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those in the observation group after treatment were superior to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MEQ scores after treatment in both groups and in the follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were increased (P<0.01), and the MEQ score of each time point after treatment in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01). The scores of ISI, FSS and ESS after treatment, and the scores of ISI、ESS in follow-up of 1, 3 months after treatment in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and in the observation group, the scores of ISI, FSS and ESS of each time point after treatment were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, the plasma CORT level in the observation group was decreased compared with that before treatment and that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture can improve the sleep and wake phase of patients with DSWPD, improve sleep quality and daytime function, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of plasma CORT level.

Impacto de un curso electivo sobre ritmo circadiano y salud / Impact on an elective course on circadian rhythm and health

Fundamento: el análisis del impacto de la gestión docente es un requerimiento de la responsabilidad social universitaria. Objetivo: analizar el impacto del curso electivo Ritmo Circadiano y Salud, a través de la apreciación de los estudiantes, en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas "Salvador Allende", durante el curso 2022-2023. Métodos: se desarrolló una investigación descriptiva, no experimental, con enfoque cualitativo, aplicando la metodología del estudio de caso. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción, y empíricos: revisión documental y entrevista grupal a estudiantes. Resultados: de manera unánime se manifestó por los estudiantes la adquisición de conocimientos nuevos, de importancia para la práctica profesional, mediante el asesoramiento en el procesamiento de información, para la participación en una actividad virtual no conocida, así como la posibilidad de vivenciar en su entorno una problemática de salud asociada al tema del curso. Conclusiones: la apreciación por los estudiantes participantes del curso electivo Ritmo Circadiano y Salud, indicó un impacto positivo desde los puntos de vista cognitivo, educativo y social.

Background: the analysis of the impact of teaching management is a requirement of university social responsibility. Objective: to analyze the impact of the elective course Circadian Rhythm and Health, through the appreciation of the students, in the "Salvador Allende" Faculty of Medical Sciences, during the 2022-2023 academic year. Method: a descriptive, non-experimental investigation was developed, with a qualitative approach, applying the case study methodology. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction, and empirical ones: documentary review and group interview with students. Results: the students unanimously expressed the acquisition of new important knowledge for professional practice, through advice on information processing, for participation in an unknown virtual activity, as well as the possibility of experiencing in their environment a health problem associated with the topic of the course. Conclusions: the appreciation by the participating students of the elective course Circadian Rhythm and Health, indicated a positive impact from the cognitive, educational and social points of view.