Restricted and disrupted sleep: Effects on autonomic function, neuroendocrine stress systems and stress responsivity

Short sleep duration and daytime outdoor activities effects on adolescents mental health: A stress susceptibility-recovery model analysis

BACKGROUND

Mental health disorders are a growing public health challenge globally. This study aimed to utilize the Stress Susceptibility-Recovery Model to identify the relationship between sleep duration, daytime outdoor activities, and major mental health outcomes among adolescents.

METHODS

Data from the Yunnan Students' Common Disease Survey was analyzed. Multi-factorial logistic regression assessed the impact of each variable on mental health, while subgroup analyses and interaction tests examined the stability of the association between sleep duration, daytime outdoor activity, and mental health. Mendelian Randomization analysis assessed causal effects.

RESULTS

The analysis included 204,158 participants aged 12-18 from 953 surveillance schools. After adjusting for covariates, the prevalence of depressive mood increased from 18.81 % (12-13 years) to 24.89 % (16-18 years); Females had a higher prevalence than males (1:1.36). Senior high school students (26.04 %) had a significantly higher rate than junior high school (21.41 %), and vocational high school students (18.42 %). Students with <2 h of daytime outdoor activity had a higher prevalence of depressive mood (24.40 %) compared to those with 2 or more hours of daytime outdoor activity (19.96 % for 2 h and 19.70 % for 3 or more hours). Short sleep duration mediated the association between reduced daytime outdoor activity and increased depressive mood or affective disorders risk, supporting the Stress Susceptibility-recovery Model.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep duration and daytime outdoor activity were key determinants of emotional well-being, considering aging and gender disparities.

LIMITATIONS

Potential sampling bias due to differences in baseline characteristics between participants with and without missing data.

Mapping Connection and Direction Among Symptoms of Sleep Disturbance and Perceived Stress in Firefighters: Embracing the Network Analysis Perspective

Purpose

There is an intricate relationship between sleep disturbances and perceived stress in firefighters. Network analysis offers novel perspectives for examining the interactions between diseases. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between sleep disturbances and perceived stress in firefighters through network analysis approaches.

Methods

A total of 786 Chinese firefighters were included in this study. Two methodologies, the regularized partial correlation network (RPCN) and the directed acyclic graph (DAG), were employed to perform network analysis.

Results

Within the RPCN, P2 "Unable to control important things" and P7 "Unable to control irritations in life" were identified as central symptoms that simultaneously maintained sleep disturbances and perceived stress among firefighters. S7 "Daytime dysfunction" and P3 "Felt nervous and stressed" were classified as bridge symptoms, connecting sleep disturbances with perceived stress and perpetuating their comorbid nature. From a probabilistic priority perspective, the DAG demonstrated that the bidirectional spiral between sleep disturbances and perceived stress might be attributed to the fact that the upstream symptom S7 "Daytime dysfunction" influenced the perceived self-efficacy dimension of perceived stress, which in turn influenced other sleep disturbance symptoms.

Conclusion

Our findings not only provided innovative insights into further understanding the relationship between sleep disturbances and perceived stress among firefighters, but also identified potential targets for ameliorating these symptoms, such as the central, bridge, and upstream symptoms. Future intervention programs should prioritize these potential targets. Through the implementation of interventions like mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group psychotherapy, tailored to address these targeted symptoms, it is feasible to effectively mitigate both sleep disturbances and perceived stress in firefighters, and ultimately improve the mental health of this particular occupational group.

Intimate partner violence and stress-related disorders: from epigenomics to resilience

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health problem to be addressed with innovative and interconnecting strategies for ensuring the psychophysical health of the surviving woman. According to the World Health Organization, 27% of women worldwide have experienced physical and sexual IPV in their lifetime. Most of the studies on gender-based violence focus on short-term effects, while long-term effects are often marginally included even though they represent the most serious and complex consequences. The molecular mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders in IPV victims are multiple and include dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory response, epigenetic modifications, neurotransmitter imbalances, structural changes in the brain, and oxidative stress. This review aims to explore the long-term health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), emphasizing the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders and resilience. By integrating findings from epigenetics, microbiome research, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based data analysis, we highlight novel strategies for mitigating IPV-related trauma and improving recovery pathways. Genome-wide environment interaction studies, enhanced by AI-assisted data analysis, offer a promising public health approach for identifying factors that contribute to stress-related disorders and those that promote resilience, thus guiding more effective prevention and intervention strategies.

The effects of waxy barley on defecation, sleep, mental health, and quality of life: a randomized double-blind parallel-group comparison study

BACKGROUND

Dietary fiber (DF) is beneficial for preventing constipation, and the metabolites produced by gut microbiota fermentation are suggested to positively influence on depression and sleep. Additionally, constipation has been reported to affect mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to increase DF intake and examined its effects on daily DF and β-G consumption using two types of waxy barley (WB), rich in DF with varying β-glucan (β-G) content. Additionally, this study examined the effects of WB consumption on defecation, sleep, mental health, and HRQoL.

METHODS

A randomized double-blind parallel-group comparison study was conducted on 68 young Japanese women, using Kirarimochi (Group K) as common WB cultivar and Fukumi Fiber (Group F) as high-β-G WB cultivar. Participants consumed WB rice for 4 weeks, targeting 3 g/day of β-G (48 g/day of WB). We estimated the intake of WB and DF including β-G from the daily records. Defecation was evaluated through daily records and Rome IV criteria-based surveys. Sleep, mental health, and HRQoL were evaluated using PSQI-J, J-PHQ-9, and SF-36, respectively.

RESULTS

Both groups consumed about 40 g/day of WB. DF and β-G intakes from barley were 6.3 g/2.5 g in Group K and 10.7 g/4.3 g in Group F. Regarding defecation, both groups showed increases defecation days, defecation frequency and stool amount, with no differences between groups. Regarding sleep, Group F showed a decrease (improvement) in the PSQI global score, with improvements noted between groups. Regarding mental health, both groups showed decreases (improvements) in the PHQ-9 score, with Group F showing improvement between groups. Regarding HRQoL, summary scores showed improvements: physical health in Group K and mental health in Group F.

CONCLUSION

To increase β-G intake, high-β-G WB cultivars are effective; however, WB cultivars overall can potentially serve as excellent sources of DF. Effects on defecation may be expected not only from high-β-G WB but also from common WB with β-G intake below the target of 3 g/day. Although high β-G WB may have more beneficial for sleep and mental health, additional studies are required.

Parallel mediating effects of anxiety and depression on the relationship between sleep quality and fear of progression in individuals recovering from COVID-19

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is one of the most significant public health emergencies of this century. The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 infections has instilled fear in populations. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the risk factors and mechanisms associated with fear of progression (FoP) among individuals recovering from COVID-19. This information is crucial for alleviating the physical and psychological discomfort of individuals after recovery and enhancing their long-term quality of life.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving 861 individuals recovering from COVID-19 was conducted in China from January to February 2023. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and the Fear of Progression Scale were utilized to assess mood status, sleep quality, and fear of progression. Receiver operating characteristic curves, Pearson's correlation analysis, binary logistic regression analysis, and Hayes' PROCESS Macro analysis were employed to test the model.

Results

The results showed that sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and fear of progression were positively correlated, with coefficients ranging from 0.380 to 0.814. After addressing potential bias, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression emerged as risk factors for fear of progression (FoP). In the ROC curve analysis, these three factors predicted the occurrence of FoP (AUC: 0.646, 0.703, and 0.658, respectively). Anxiety and depression played a parallel mediating role between sleep quality and FoP, accounting for 59.9 and 13.8% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusion

The results indicate that anxiety and depression both serve a parallel mediating role in the relationship between sleep quality and fear of pain (FoP). These findings provide potential guidance for the development and implementation of group-based interventions to address the mental health challenges of the post-COVID-19 era.

Caffeine induces age-dependent increases in brain complexity and criticality during sleep

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive stimulant worldwide. Yet important gaps persist in understanding its effects on the brain, especially during sleep. We analyzed sleep electroencephalography (EEG) in 40 subjects, contrasting 200 mg of caffeine against a placebo condition, utilizing inferential statistics and machine learning. We found that caffeine ingestion led to an increase in brain complexity, a widespread flattening of the power spectrum's 1/f-like slope, and a reduction in long-range temporal correlations. Being most prominent during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, these results suggest that caffeine shifts the brain towards a critical regime and more diverse neural dynamics. Interestingly, this was more pronounced in younger adults (20-27 years) compared to middle-aged participants (41-58 years) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, while no significant age effects were observed during NREM. Interpreting these data in the light of modeling and empirical work on EEG-derived measures of excitation-inhibition balance suggests that caffeine promotes a shift in brain dynamics towards increased neural excitation and closer proximity to a critical regime, particularly during NREM sleep.

The developments and emerging trends of Autonomic Nervous System Research in Arrhythmia: a bibliometric study from 2004 to 2024

The role of the autonomic nervous system in cardiovascular diseases has increasingly attracted the attention of researchers. This study aims to review research on the autonomic nervous system in arrhythmias from 2004 to 2024, with a focus on understanding the development trends in this field. Data for this study were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. We constructed and analyzed bibliometric visualizations related to publication trends, countries/regions, institutions, journals, research categories, themes, references, and keywords. Over the past two decades, academic output related to the autonomic nervous system's role in arrhythmias has grown, although global research distribution remains uneven. The United States leads in publication volume and is home to many high-output institutions, providing it with significant academic influence and fostering international collaboration. By summarizing high-citation literature, clustering keywords, and performing a "burst detection" analysis of keywords, we identified that the mechanisms and assessment methods for autonomic nervous system regulation are major research focuses. Recent hotspots include the psychopathology related to the autonomic nervous system and autonomic regulation therapies. As the biomedical field shifts toward precision medicine, future research trends are likely to focus on identifying precise biomarkers for assessing autonomic nervous system function and developing novel strategies to regulate it. These strategies may include correcting immune dysfunction, psychological interventions, and surgical treatments. This study suggests that ganglionated plexi ablation may represent the most transformative intervention strategy for the Autonomic Nervous System currently available, and highlights electrodermal activity as an evaluation index with considerable potential for widespread application.

Echoes in the night: How sleep quality influences auditory health

The intricate relationship between sleep disorders and hearing loss emerges as a burgeoning field of scholarly inquiry. Numerous studies have illuminated a potential correlation between the two, affecting the quality of life and overall health of individuals. Hearing loss, or auditory impairment, serves as a critical indicator of physiological dysfunction, casting a pall over the daily existence and professional endeavors of those affected, potentially leading to irreversible deafness if left untreated. Sleep disorders may cause physical and psychological changes that further affect hearing, while auditory dysfunction may detrimentally impact sleep experienced by individuals. Although certain studies have failed to find a direct link between sleep duration and hearing loss, it is evident that sleep-related issues do increase the risk of hearing loss. Thus, understanding the relationship between sleep disorders and hearing loss, alongside the underlying mechanisms, will help establish interventions aimed at enhancing sleep quality and safeguarding auditory health. This systematic review endeavors to elucidate the correlation between sleep disorders and hearing loss, offering valuable insights and guidance for future basic research and clinical applications.

Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Orexin/Hypocretin System

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are known to cause a myriad of symptoms in patients. One common symptom after injury is sleep disruptions. One neuropeptide system has been studied repeatedly as a potential cause of sleep disruptions after TBI- the orexin/hypocretin system. Orexin promotes wakefulness and arousal while disrupting the orexin system causes increased sleepiness and narcolepsy. Studies of TBI in human and animal subjects have shown that TBI affects the orexin system. This review serves as an overview of how TBI affects the orexin/hypocretin system, including structural and functional changes to the neurons after injury. This review is the first to include studies that examine how TBI affects orexin/hypocretin receptors. This review also examines how sex is accounted for in the studies of the orexin system after TBI.

Interaction effect between sleep duration and dynapenic abdominal obesity for predicting functional disability: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the interaction of dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) and sleep duration on the risk of functional disability among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. A total of 6,343 participants were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Sleep duration was obtained through face-to-face interviews. Dynapenia (D) and abdominal obesity (AO) were defined by handgrip strength and waist circumference, respectively. Functional disability was assessed according to activities of daily living scales. Cox proportional hazard models analyzed the interactions of DAO and sleep duration on functional disability.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 10 years, 3,879 (61.2%) participants reported functional disability. Individuals with short sleep duration and D/AO (appropriate but short: RR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.10-1.82, too short sleep: RR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.16-2.06), long sleep duration and D/AO (appropriate but long: RR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.11-2.33; too long: RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.15-2.32), were more likely to develop functional disability than those with normal sleep duration and ND/NAO in the fully adjusted model. The multiplicative interaction between the short sleep group and D/NAO or ND/AO were both significant. Middle-aged individuals and females were more susceptible to the effects of short sleep and DAO, while elderly individuals and males were more susceptible to the effects of long sleep and DAO.

CONCLUSIONS

Short and long sleep durations combined with DAO increase the risk of functional disability. Managing waist circumference and improving grip strength in middle-aged and older adults with abnormal sleep durations may help prevent functional disability.

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Sleep Quality Factors: A Comprehensive Analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to the unclear etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), a painful and distressing condition with a high prevalence, the researchers have hypothesized a connection between sleep quality and RAS.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study enrolled 10,138 Fasa Cohort Study participants aged 35-70 years. Various sleep quality factors were calculated and categorized based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Among 9030 subjects finally included with RAS prevalence of 20.2%, adjusted logistic regression showed significant odds ratios (ORs) in subjects who sleep < 5 h (OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.25, 1.66), have sleep latencies of more than 60 min (OR = 1.37, 95%CI 1.11, 1.69), have sleep efficiencies of 65%-75% (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.21, 1.98), or regularly go to bed after 11 p.m. (OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.11, 1.37). Subgroup analyses indicated no significant associations between RAS and various sleep factors in individuals who worked night shifts, and stronger associations were observed in men than women.

CONCLUSION

The study found a significant positive association between RAS and sleep quality factors such as shorter duration, lower efficiency, longer latency, later bedtime, and regular sleeping pill use. Establishing early and sufficient sleep and addressing sleep onset disturbances by adhering to sleep hygiene principles should be prioritized in individuals with RAS.

The association between maternal sleep and circadian rhythms during pregnancy and infant sleep and socioemotional outcomes

Studies have established that maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy are associated with poor prenatal and perinatal outcomes for mothers and offspring. However, little work has explored its effects on infant sleep or socioemotional outcomes. The current study examined the relationship between maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy and infant sleep and socioemotional outcomes in a diverse sample of N = 193 mothers and their infants (51% White; 52% Female; Mage = 11.95 months). Maternal sleep and circadian rhythms during pregnancy were assessed using self-reports and actigraphy. Mothers reported on infants' sleep and socioemotional outcomes when infants were one year old. When controlling for infant sex, age, gestational age at birth, family income-to-needs ratios, and maternal depression, mothers who reported more sleep problems during pregnancy had infants with more sleep disturbances when they were one year old. Moreover, mothers who had later sleep timing (i.e., went to bed and woke up later, measured via actigraphy) during pregnancy had infants with more dysregulation (e.g., increased feeding difficulties, sensory sensitivities) and externalizing problems, and mothers with increased intra-daily variability in rest-activity rhythms (as measured via actigraphy) had infants with more externalizing problems. Findings suggest that maternal sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances during pregnancy may be a risk factor for infant sleep problems and socioemotional difficulties.

Long-term sleep irregularity is associated with elevated cumulative blood pressure in older adults: Evidence from a mobile health five-year longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

Sleep irregularity is increasingly recognized as a modifiable factor for cardiovascular health. This study aims to investigate relationships between short- and long-term sleep irregularity with blood pressure (BP) dynamics among older adults.

METHODS

We used data from a prospective cohort involving community-dwelling older adults based on a mobile health (mHealth) app from 2018 to 2022. Short-term exposure was defined as sleep irregularity for one week. Cumulative sleep irregularity, calculated as the area under the curve over 12 months, was regarded as long-term exposure. Outcomes included short-term deviations in BP, longitudinal changes in BP, and cumulative BP over one year. Linear mixed models and generalized additive mixed models were conducted to investigate the associations between sleep irregularity and BP.

RESULTS

A total of 1611 participants with a median age of 73.0 years were included. Short-term and long-term cumulative sleep irregularities were associated with increased SBP, DBP, and global BP Z-score. For instance, each SD increment in cumulative sleep onset timing SD was associated with a 0.42 mmHg increase in SBP (95 % CI, 0.25 to 0.60), a 0.31 mmHg increase in DBP (95 % CI, 0.17 to 0.45), respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations among males and those with normotension. Strong linear dose-response relationships were further observed between cumulative sleep irregularity and cumulative BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep irregularity, in both short-term and long-term exposure, is a risk factor for poor blood pressure control among older adults, highlighting the importance of implementing interventions promoting healthy sleep habits to mitigate cardiovascular risks.

Impact of long-haul airline travel on athletic performance and recovery: A critical review of the literature

Participation in many important sport events (e.g., World championships, Olympics) requires athletes to fly >4 h and to cross several time zones. This transmeridian travel results in a transient desynchronization of the body's circadian rhythms due to a disconnect between the timing of the endogenous circadian oscillator and the external stimuli, manifested as 'jet lag'. While recent reviews highlight the importance of managing jet lag, the time required for resynchronization of the internal clock and dissipation of jet lag symptoms has not yet been summarized. Further, although the literature reports that rapid transmeridian travel is detrimental for athletes' performance, empirical evidence from studies involving athletes is equivocal. Herein, we summarize the evidence that the variability in responses to transmeridian travel can be attributed to differences in (i) travel (real vs. simulated, westbound vs. eastbound, time zones crossed, during normal waking hours vs. normal sleep time), (ii) testing (assessment of performance vs. factors related to performance), and (iii) timing of the testing (destination time vs. 'body time'), and we offer the possibility that differences in (iv) teams, (v) traits, and (vi) tournaments may also be implicated. We focus on (i) aerobic power/endurance, (ii) anaerobic power and capacity, (iii) strength, and (iv) mood state, sleep quantity and quality, and jet lag symptoms in this literature review, which is limited to athletes or physically active participants, travelling west or east crossing four or more time zones.

Findings and Methodological Shortcomings of Investigations Concerning the Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Blood Pressure: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Cardiology and sleep societies recommend 7-9 h sleep/night for adults (7-8 h for seniors) and more for youngsters; nonetheless, short sleep duration (SSD) of <7 h/night is epidemic. We searched PubMed for representative investigations, including those cited by meta-analyses, that reported association between SSD and long sleep duration (LSD) of >9 h/night and blood pressure (BP) levels to assess shortcomings of their methods. Studies indicate both SSD and LSD negatively impact BP despite major deficiencies, such as (i) reliance mainly on cross-sectional rather than longitudinal protocols, (ii) inclusion of participants diagnosed with hypertension (HTN) and/or taking antihypertension medications, (iii) assessment of BP and diagnosis of HTN performed by single wake-time office measurement rather than multiple measurements performed by 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), and (iv) determination of SD by subjective recall, single-night polysomnography, or diary recordings rather than objective wrist actigraphy of sufficient duration. The limited number of ABPM-based studies, despite evidencing major shortcomings, particularly (i) assessment for 24 h rather than preferred ≥48 h and (ii) inclusion of subjects diagnosed with HTN and/or taking antihypertension medications, also report association between abnormal SD and elevated 24 h 'daytime'/wake-time diastolic and systolic (SBP) means plus 'nighttime'/sleep-time SBP mean and dipping-the latter two indices, in combination, the strongest predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Burden of sleep deprivation among healthcare professionals in India: The SNORE study

Background

SNORE (Sleep deprivation among Night shift health staff On Rotation- Evaluation) was a hospital-based observational study conducted to study the effects of sleep deprivation on healthcare professionals working night shifts on rotation.

Aim

This study determines the burden of sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness and also the relation between hours of sleep and Epworth sleepiness scale scores in the study population.

Methodology

A comparative hospital-based observational study was conducted, including healthcare professionals working night shifts on rotation at a tertiary-level healthcare facility, using a semistructured questionnaire. Observations from 293 study participants are reported, selected based on stratified random sampling, after the exclusion of healthcare professionals with other factors which may interfere with sleep deprivation testing.

Results

The mean age in years of the study participants is 27.9 ± 4.3, with female composition being 68.9%. The mean duration of self-reported hours of sleep during the night shift period was 5.43 ± 1.38 hours, and 82.3% of the study participants were found to be sleep-deprived (<7 hours of sleep). The mean Epworth sleepiness scale (EPSS) score is 6.25 ± 3.15 with the burden of sleep deprivation being 30.7% and the burden of excessive daytime sleepiness being 16.4%. EPSS scores were found to decrease with an increase in hours of sleep, with 61% lesser odds of scoring 8-24 on EPSS.

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant burden of sleep deprivation among healthcare providers working rotational night shifts, emphasizing its impact on daytime functioning and wellbeing. The findings point to the need for strategies to improve sleep health in this population to enhance both personal and professional outcomes.

Comparing the Effects of Adequate and Insufficient Sleep on the Mental Health, Behavioral Outcomes, and Daily Lives of South Korean Adolescents

Background/Objectives: Adequate sleep is critical for adolescents' physical and mental health. However, academic demands and lifestyle habits lead to insufficient sleep among many adolescents. This study examined the relationship between sleep patterns and general characteristics, health behaviors, and mental health among South Korean adolescents. Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, involving 21,283 students aged between 13 and 18 years. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized as adequate (8-10 h) or insufficient (less than 8 h on both weekdays and weekends), and 20 independent variables across demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, health-related behavioral, and psychological factors were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of insufficient sleep. Results: Insufficient sleep was more prevalent among female students (odds ratio [OR]: 2.064) and older students (OR: 16.588 for Grade 12 vs. Grade 7) and was associated with higher stress levels (OR: 4.338 for almost always vs. never), suicidal ideation (OR: 1.826), and unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol consumption (OR: 2.009), smoking (OR: 1.998), and smartphone overdependence (OR: 2.313 for severe vs. normal). In contrast, adolescents with adequate sleep reported greater happiness (OR: 4.167 for very much vs. not at all) and better academic performance (OR: 1.377 for very high vs. very low). Conclusions: The findings show that insufficient sleep significantly affects adolescent well-being, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and increased societal awareness. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying gender differences and weekday-weekend sleep disparities to enhance sleep quality in this population.

Causal Effects of Sleep Traits on Angina Pectoris: Mediation by Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Purpose

Angina pectoris (AP) is a major factor in heightened risk of cardiac arrest and has been previously linked to sleep patterns. It remains unclear if sleep traits play a role in the onset of AP. Our study aims to declare the causality of sleep traits on AP by Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Methods

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of sleep traits (sleep duration, insomnia, nap during day, chronotype, getting up in morning, narcolepsy, snoring) were obtained from the UK Biobank. The AP datasets came from an analysis containing samples from the UK biobank, FinnGen, and BioBank Japan. The GWAS data of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)) came from the FinnGen. Two-sample MR analyses were carried out to gain a general map of sleep traits, risk factors and AP, then a multivariable MR was performed and the effect of each factor was calculated.

Results

We discovered a positive association between nap, narcolepsy, insomnia and stable angina pectoris (SAP), while getting up in morning associated with SAP negatively. Adequate sleep duration related to a reduced risk of SAP and unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Hypertension and T2DM acted as complete mediators in the relationship of nap and SAP, with an effect value of 1.267 (95% CI = 1.178-1.363, P < 0.01) and 1.059 (95% CI = 1.000-1.120, P < 0.05), and the mediating proportion was 27.7% (P < 0.05) and 7.70% (P = 0.102).

Conclusion

Our study found that nap, narcolepsy, and insomnia increased the risk of SAP, with hypertension and T2DM mediating the causal relationship between nap and SAP. Getting up in the morning reduced the risk of SAP, while longer sleep duration lowered the risk of SAP and UAP. More evidences are required to clarify the roles of sleep traits and risk factors in AP.

Sleep duration in adolescence buffers the impact of childhood trauma on anxiety and depressive symptoms

BACKGROUND

Childhood trauma is a pervasive issue contributing to adverse mental health outcomes. Obtaining optimal sleep supports healthy development and protects against mood-related disorders. Whether sleep serves as a potential buffer between trauma and adverse mental health outcomes holds promise for informing targeted interventions and prevention for adolescents.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the baseline assessment of a randomised controlled trial of a mental health prevention program. A total sample of 752 adolescents completed an online, self-report survey in 2023. Participants were students (Mage=13.8 years), attending independent schools in Australia and comprised of 37% girls and 60% boys. Australian sleep guidelines were used to dichotomise nightly sleep duration into whether adolescents met, or did not meet, the sleep guidelines for their age. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to examine whether sleep moderated the association between trauma and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mental wellbeing.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (82%) reported exposure to at least one traumatic event. The mean number of traumatic events was 1.8. Trauma was independently associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower mental wellbeing scores. Those reporting exposure to one or more traumatic events were more likely to report difficulties falling asleep and less likely to report meeting nightly sleep duration guidelines. We found a significant interaction between meeting nightly sleep duration guidelines and any trauma exposure on depressive and anxiety scores, such that depression and anxiety symptoms were lower in trauma-exposed adolescents who met sleep duration guidelines compared to those who did not meet sleep guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtaining optimal amounts of sleep each night may help mitigate anxiety and depressive symptoms for non-clinical adolescents exposed to trauma, however, longitudinal research is needed to confirm the directionality of the relationships between trauma, sleep, and mental health symptoms. Future research should examine the effectiveness of public health interventions targeting sleep behaviours in adolescents to promote mental wellbeing.

Association of Novel EEG Biomarkers of Sleep Depth and Cortical Arousability with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To examine the developmental association of the odds ratio product (ORP), an electroencephalographic measure of sleep depth, during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep with 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV), an electrocardiographic measure of cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM), in the transition to adolescence.

METHODS

Leveraging data from the Penn State Child Cohort, we performed longitudinal analyses on 313 children (median [Md] age 9 years) followed-up after Md=7.4y and cross-sectional analyses on 344 adolescents (Md=16y). We extracted ORP during NREM sleep and in the 9 seconds following cortical arousals (ORP-9) from 9-hour, in-lab polysomnography, and frequency- and time-domain HRV indices from 24-h Holter ECG monitoring. Longitudinal and cross-sectional, multivariable-adjusted, regression models examined the association between ORP and ORP-9 with adolescent 24-h HRV indices.

RESULTS

Longitudinally, a greater increase in ORP-9 since childhood was associated with lower daytime Log-LF, SDNN, RMSSD and higher HR in adolescence (p<0.05). A greater increase in ORP since childhood was associated with lower nighttime Log-LF and SDNN (p<0.05). Cross-sectionally, higher ORP and ORP-9 were associated with lower daytime and nighttime Log-LF, SDNN or RMSSD and higher HR within adolescence (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A greater increase in cortical arousability since childhood is a strong developmental predictor of daytime cardiac autonomic imbalance in adolescence. Shallower sleep depth additionally arises as a proximal determinant of both daytime and nighttime cardiac autonomic imbalance within adolescence. These data suggest a coupling between fine-grained spectral measures of the sleeping brain and those of CAM, which may inform sleep-related cardiovascular risk early in life.

The Interplay Between Sleep Apnea and Postpartum Depression

The complicated association between sleep apnea and postpartum depression (PPD), two diseases that can have a major influence on a mother's health and well-being, is examined in this thorough review. An increasing number of people are realizing that sleep apnea, which is defined by repeated bouts of upper airway obstruction during sleep, may be a risk factor for PPD. The literature currently available on the frequency, common risk factors, and possible processes relating these two disorders is summarized in this study. We investigate the potential roles that sleep apnea-related hormone fluctuations, intermittent hypoxia, and fragmented sleep may play in the onset or aggravation of PPD. We also talk about the difficulties in identifying sleep apnea in the postpartum phase and how it can affect childcare and mother-infant attachment. The evaluation assesses the effectiveness of existing screening techniques, available treatments, and how well they manage both illnesses at the same time. Lastly, we identify research gaps and suggest future lines of inquiry to enhance maternal health outcomes.

Sleep deprivation-induced shifts in gut microbiota: Implications for neurological disorders

Sleep deprivation is a prevalent issue in contemporary society, with significant ramifications for both physical and mental well-being. Emerging scientific evidence illuminates its intricate interplay with the gut-brain axis, a vital determinant of neurological function. Disruptions in sleep patterns disturb the delicate equilibrium of the gut microbiota, resulting in dysbiosis characterized by alterations in microbial composition and function. This dysbiosis contributes to the exacerbation of neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline through multifaceted mechanisms, including heightened neuroinflammation, disturbances in neurotransmitter signalling, and compromised integrity of the gut barrier. In response to these challenges, there is a burgeoning interest in therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring gut microbial balance and alleviating neurological symptoms precipitated by sleep deprivation. Probiotics, dietary modifications, and behavioural strategies represent promising avenues for modulating the gut microbiota and mitigating the adverse effects of sleep disturbances on neurological health. Moreover, the advent of personalized interventions guided by advanced omics technologies holds considerable potential for tailoring treatments to individualized needs and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Interdisciplinary collaboration and concerted research efforts are imperative for elucidating the underlying mechanisms linking sleep, gut microbiota, and neurological function. Longitudinal studies, translational research endeavours, and advancements in technology are pivotal for unravelling the complex interplay between these intricate systems.

Associations between subjective and objective measures of stress and load: an insight from 45-week prospective study in 189 elite athletes

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between subjective and objective measures of stress and load in elite male handball players at both the group and individual levels.

Methods

In this 45-week prospective cohort study, 189 elite male handball players weekly reported their perceived stress and load across training, competition, academic, and work domains. Blood samples were collected five times during the 2022/23 season to measure cortisol and the free testosterone to cortisol ratio (FTCR). We derived a "load" variable as the sum of training, competition, academic and work hours and calculated acute, chronic, and acute-to-chronic ratio variables for both load and stress. Associations between subjective and objective measures were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation.

Results

Weak to moderate positive associations were found between load and perceived stress (r = 0.19 to 0.46, p < 0.001), and between perceived stress and cortisol (r = 0.10, p = 0.023). Weak negative associations were found between perceived stress and FTCR (r = -0.18 to -0.20, p < 0.001) and between load and FTCR (r = -0.13, p = 0.003). A total of 86% of athletes had positive associations between stress and load (47% weak, 34% moderate, 5% high); 78% between stress and cortisol (27% weak, 22% moderate, 29% high); and 63% demonstrated negative associations between FTCR and load (18% weak, 32% moderate, 13% high).

Conclusion

This study highlights the complexity between subjective and objective measures of stress and load in athletes. Understanding the link between these measures may help coaches and sports scientists streamline athlete monitoring. In cases where moderate to strong associations exist, subjective measures might serve as a reliable substitute for objective ones, making the monitoring process more time- and cost-efficient.

Heart rate variability and insomnia in depressed patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

Depression is associated with unhealthy autonomic regulation. However, whether patients with breast cancer (BC) with different degrees of depression can be identified from linear and non-linear dynamics in the autonomic nervous system is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the differences in linear and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with BC with different degrees of depression and the relationship between HRV parameters and depression and sleep disorders.

METHODS

A total of 115 patients with BC were enrolled. According to their Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, the patients were divided into a non-depressed group, a mildly depressed group and a moderately to severely depressed group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), HRV, linear index (including time and frequency domains) and non-linear index (including Poincare plot, approximate entropy (ApEn) and short-term fluctuation slope (DFAα1)) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared with patients without depssion, patients with mild depression and moderate-to-severe depression had significant differences in the time domain, frequency domain index, the SD perpendicular to the line-of-identity (SD1) and DFAα1 of non-linear HRV and sleep quality. SDS and PSQI scores were correlated with HRV parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of depression in patients with BC is associated with reduced variability, complexity of cardiac dynamics and sleep disturbance.

Canine separation-related behaviour at six months of age: Dog, owner and early-life risk factors identified using the 'Generation Pup' longitudinal study

Separation-related behaviours (SRBs) in dogs (Canis familiaris) often indicate poor welfare. Understanding SRB risk factors can aid prevention strategies. We investigated whether early-life experiences and dog-owner interactions affect SRB development. Using a longitudinal study, we conducted exploratory analyses of associations between potential risk factors and SRB occurrence in six month old puppies (n = 145). Dogs were less likely to develop SRBs if owners reported that, at ≤ 16 weeks old, puppies were restricted to crates/rooms overnight and had ≥ 9 h of sleep per night. Puppies with poor house-training at ≤ 16 weeks were more likely to show SRBs, as were those trained using dog treats or novel kibble versus other rewards. Puppies whose owners used more punishment/aversive techniques when responding to 'bad' behaviour had increased odds of SRBs at six months versus other puppies. Puppies whose owners reported 'fussing' over their dogs at six months in response to 'bad' behaviour upon their return, versus those whose owners responded in other ways, were six times more likely to display SRBs. Other factors, including dog breed, sex and source, showed no significant association with SRB occurrence. Thus, SRB development might be prevented by enabling sleep for ≥ 9 h in early life, providing enclosed space overnight, refraining from aversive training of puppies generally, and avoiding fussing over puppies in response to unwanted behaviour following separation. These recommendations derive from correlational longitudinal study results, so analysis of interventional data is required for confirmation regarding effective prevention strategies.

Individual-level noise exposure and its association with sleep quality and duration: A cross-sectional study using real-time data

As urban populations grow, the problem of noise pollution becomes more significant. The limited number of epidemiological studies linking individual-level dynamic noise exposure to sleep highlights a gap in our understanding of how individual-level noise exposure impact sleep quality and duration. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong, and portable noise sensors were used to record participants' real-time noise exposure. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess their sleep quality. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of individual-level noise exposure with sleep quality and sleep duration. Among a total of 763 subjects included in the analysis, and a-weighted decibels [dB(A)] 24-h average exposure (L24) was 63.21 (58.85-67.85) dB(A) for workday and 63.52 (59.03-67.86) dB(A) for non-workday. A significant decrease in individual noise level was observed closer to bedtime (P < 0.05). Compared with the lowest noise exposure, exposure to the highest noise level was positively associated with the presence of poor sleep quality for L24, Ld and Ln, with an odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidential interval (CI) of 1.53 (1.04-2.24), 1.65 (1.12-2.43), and 1.51 (1.03-2.21), respectively. Exposure to elevated noise level was associated with increased risk of shorter nocturnal sleep duration (< 7 h), the OR and 95 % CI was 1.87 (1.29-2.73) for L24, 1.58 (1.09-2.30) for Ld, 1.50 (1.03-2.18) for Le, and 1.60 (1.10-2.32) for Ln in the highest noise exposure group. Similar findings were observed both on workdays and non-workdays, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that each 10 dB(A) increment in L24 and Ln was associated with a probable 29 % and 27 % increase in poor sleep quality and a 24 % and 24 % reduction in sleep duration. This study demonstrates that environmental noise exposure was associated with poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration, posing a significant public health issue in Hong Kong.

Examining mental health and autonomic function as putative mediators of the relationship between sleep and trajectories of cognitive function: findings from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing (TILDA)

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the mediating roles of autonomic function and mental health in the association between sleep and cognitive decline in adults aged 50 and above.

METHOD

A total of 2,697 participants with observations on sleep and mediators at baseline and repeated measures of cognitive function (MMSE) were included. Clusters of individuals with similar cognitive trajectories (high-stable, mid-stable and low-declining) were identified. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate the likelihood of membership to each trajectory group based on sleep duration and disturbance. Finally, mediation analysis tested potential mediating effects of autonomic function and mental health underpinning the sleep-cognition relationship.

RESULTS

Short (p = .028), long (p =.019), and disturbed sleep (p =.008) increased the likelihood of a low-declining cognitive trajectory. Mental health measures fully attenuated relationships between cognitive decline and short or disturbed sleep but not long sleep. No autonomic function mediation was observed.

CONCLUSION

Older adults with short or disturbed sleep are at risk of cognitive decline due to poor mental health. Individuals with long sleep are also at risk, however, the acting pathways remain to be identified. These outcomes have clinical implications, potentially identifying intervention strategies targeting mental health and sleep as prophylactic measures against dementia.

Acute sleep disruption reduces fear memories in male and female mice

Sleep problems are a prominent feature of mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite its potential importance, the role of sleep in the development of and/or recovery from trauma-related illnesses is not understood. Interestingly, there are reports that sleep disruption immediately after a traumatic experience can reduce fear memories, an effect that could be utilized therapeutically in humans. While the mechanisms of this effect are not completely understood, one possible explanation for these findings is that immediate sleep disruption interferes with consolidation of fear memories, rendering them weaker and more sensitive to intervention. Here, we allowed fear-conditioned mice to sleep immediately after fear conditioning during a time frame (18 h) that includes and extends beyond periods typically associated with memory consolidation before subjecting them to 6-h of sleep disruption. Mice exposed to this delayed regimen showed dramatic reductions in fear during tests conducted immediately after sleep disruption, as well as 24 h later. This sleep disruption regimen also increased levels of mRNA encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule implicated in neuroplasticity, in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain area implicated in fear and its extinction. These findings raise the possibility that the effects of our delayed sleep disruption regimen are not due to disruption of memory consolidation, but instead are caused by BDNF-mediated neuroadaptations within the BLA that actively suppress expression of fear. Treatments that safely reduce expression of fear memories would have considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of conditions triggered by trauma.

Sleep disturbances and progression of mobility disability: Longitudinal findings from the Nurses' Health Study

Objective

To examine longitudinal associations between self-reported sleep disturbances and mobility disability progression among women, including subgroups with multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Prospective cohort study using data from Nurses' Health Study long-form questionnaires (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016). Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between sleep-related variables at baseline and subsequent increase in mobility disability.

Results

Of 70,303 women (mean age 73), 392 had MS, 7,302 had diabetes, and 24,099 had OA. Between 2008-2016, mobility disability increased by 16.9 % overall, 27.8 % in the MS subgroup, 27.0 % in the diabetes subgroup, and 23.7 % in the OA subgroup. Known/suspected obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with an increase in mobility disability between 2008 and 2016, overall (OR:1.4, 95 %CI:1.2,1.5), and in the diabetes (OR:1.5, 95 %CI:1.2,1.9) and OA subgroups (OR:1.2, 95 %CI:1.0,1.4), but not in the MS subgroup (OR:2.3, 95 %CI:0.6,8.9); however, across 2012-2016, this association was significant for MS (OR:4.0, 95 % CI:1.0,16.1). Suboptimal sleep duration was significantly associated with increased odds of mobility disability progression overall, but not in disease subgroups. Perception of adequate sleep was associated with lower odds of mobility disability progression overall (OR:0.82, 95 %CI:0.78,0.87) and for the OA subgroup (OR:0.83, 95 % CI:0.76,0.91). Excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with mobility disability progression overall (OR:1.2, 95 %CI:1.1,1.4) and for the OA subgroup (OR:1.2, 95 %CI:1.0,1.4).

Conclusions

Prevalent sleep disturbances could increase disability progression among women. Chronic disease populations may be uniquely vulnerable. Informed by these data, future research could offer new insight into sleep-based strategies to ameliorate mobility decline.

Stress mindset and nurses' sleep quality: mediating effects of stress overload and anxiety

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that overall sleep quality among Chinese nurses is relatively low, with a sleep disorder prevalence rate of approximately 66.4%. Against the backdrop of healthcare reforms, China has been striving to improve the mental health and sleep quality of nurses. Stress mindset can influence how individuals respond to stress, but there is limited research on how stress mindset affects nurses' sleep quality. This study aims to explore the impact of stress mindset on sleep quality among nurses, as well as the mediating roles of stress overload and anxiety in this relationship.

METHODS

The study was conducted online using a questionnaire from February 18 to February 22, 2024. It utilized the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM), the Stress Overload Scale-Short (SOS-S), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to survey 441 nurses in three regions of China: Chongqing, Hunan, and Shandong (M = 34.39, SD = 7.82, 95.7% female). A chain mediation model was employed to examine the mediating roles of stress overload and anxiety in the relationship between stress mindset and sleep quality.

RESULTS

The participants' average sleep quality score was 7.18 ± 3.47. Nurses' stress mindset was significantly negatively correlated with both stress overload and anxiety, and significantly positively correlated with sleep quality. Stress overload was significantly positively correlated with anxiety and significantly negatively correlated with sleep quality. Anxiety was also significantly negatively correlated with sleep quality. The direct effect of nurses' stress mindset on sleep quality was significant (effect size = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.01), as were the indirect effects through stress overload (effect size = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01) and anxiety (effect size = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.13 to -0.05), along with their chain mediation effect (effect size = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.14 to -0.06).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that a higher level of nurses' stress mindset is associated with better sleep quality, with stress overload and anxiety mediating this relationship. A positive stress mindset helps nurses cope more effectively with professional challenges and reduces anxiety, leading to improved sleep quality. Healthcare institutions should therefore prioritize fostering positive stress mindsets in nurses, encouraging regular psychological training and workshops to support the development of effective coping strategies.

Neurophysiology and Molecular Basis of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Patients with Insomnia: Implications for Non-Pharmacological Approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a widely used psychological intervention known for its effectiveness in improving insomnia symptoms. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the cognitive-behavioral treatment of insomnia remain unclear. This narrative review aimed to elucidate the neurophysiological and molecular mechanisms of CBT-I, focusing on the fields of psychology, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, immunology, medical microbiology, epigenetics, neuroimaging and brain function. A comprehensive search was conducted using databases including: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science, with customized search strategies tailored to each database that included controlled vocabulary and alternative synonyms. It revealed that CBT-I may have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, boost the immune system, upregulate genes involved in interferon and antibody responses, enhance functional connectivity between the hippocampus and frontoparietal areas and increase cortical gray matter thickness. In conclusion, an integrated model is proposed that elucidates the mechanisms of CBT-I and offers a new direction for investigations into its neurophysiological mechanisms.

Demographic, socioconomic, and health correlates of sleep quality and sleep duration among community-dwelling older adults in India

BACKGROUND

Recent research has revealed that today's older adults report more sleep problems than their predecessors, a trend compounded by expanding social stratification. As such, this study examined the demographic, socioeconomic, and health correlates of sleep quality and sleep duration among community-dwelling older adults in India.

METHODS

The current study sample draws on data from 7118 respondents aged 50 years and over participating in the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO-SAGE) wave-2 dataset. Sleep quality (good, moderate, and poor) and sleep duration (in hours and minutes) were self-reported. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the associations between sleep quality and sleep duration and several demographic, socioeconomic, and health indicators.

RESULTS

A total of 12.84% and 36.1% of older adults reported long (> 8 h) and short (< 7 h) sleep, respectively. Older adults with primary education had lower odds of poor sleep [aOR: 0.85, CI: 0.73-0.99] than peers with no formal education. The odds of poor sleep were lower among those in higher wealth quintiles than those in the poorest quintile. Older adults with higher education had higher odds of short sleep [aOR: 1.36, CI: 1.06-1.74], and those with primary education had lower odds of long sleep [aOR: 0.70, CI: 0.54-0.91] than those without formal education (base category: age-appropriate sleep, i.e., 7-8 h). Older adults who were widowed had lower odds of both short [aOR: 0.82, CI: 0.68-0.98] and long sleep [aOR:0.74, CI: 0.58-0.95] compared to those who were currently married. Older individuals with adequate nutritional intake reported lower odds of short [aOR:0.59, CI: 0.49-0.72] and higher odds of long sleep [aOR:1.52, CI: 1.20-1.93] relative to their counterparts. Older adults who reported chronic conditions and body pain had higher odds of poor sleep and short sleep than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified significant associations between several unmodifiable factors, including age, education, and marital status, and modifiable factors such as dietary intake, body pain, and pre-existing chronic ailments, and sleep quality and sleep duration. Our findings can assist health care providers and practitioners in developing a more holistic and empathic approach to care. Moreover, that several demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors are consequential for older adults' sleep health suggests that early detection through screening programs and community-based interventions is vital to improving sleep among older Indians who are most susceptible to sleep problems.

Acute sleep deprivation (ASD) and cardioprotection: Impact of ASD on oxytocin-mediated sympathetic nervous activation preceding myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

This study explored how acute sleep deprivation (ASD) before myocardial ischemia influences oxytocin release from paraventricular (PVN) neurons and its correlation with sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity post-acute sleep loss, impacting subsequent left ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

The study was conducted in two phases: induction of ASD, inducing MI, blood sampling, euthanizing animals and collecting their heart and brain for histological and gene expression evaluations. The animals in first and second phase were euthanized 24 h and 14 days after MI, respectively.

RESULTS

Pre-MI ASD, accompanied by increased serum epinephrine levels within 24 h of MI, upregulated oxytocin and cFos expression in the PVN. Also, pre-MI ASD resulted in decreased serum PAB levels 14 days post-MI (P < 0.001). While notable echocardiographic changes were seen in MI versus sham groups, ASD demonstrated protective effects. This was evidenced by reduced infarct size, elevated TIMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 in the LV of SD + MI animals versus MI alone (P < 0.05). Additionally, histological analysis showed reduced LV fibrosis in pre-MI ASD subjects (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the notion that activation of oxytocin neurons within the PVN subsequent to ASD interacts with autonomic centers in the central nervous system. This enhanced sympathetic outflow to the heart prior to MI triggers a preconditioning response, thereby mediating cardioprotection through decreased oxidative stress biomarkers and regulated extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover.

The effect of total sleep deprivation on autonomic nervous system and cortisol responses to acute stressors in healthy individuals: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To synthesise the literature examining the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cortisol responses to an acute stressor following total sleep deprivation (TSD) in healthy adult subjects.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review (CRD42022293857) following the latest PRISMA statement. We searched Medline (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), PsycINFO (via Ovid), CINAHL complete and Scopus databases, without year restriction, using search terms related to "sleep deprivation", "stress", "autonomic nervous system" and "cortisol". Two independent team members used pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria to assess eligibility and extract data. We used RoB 2 to assess the risk of bias in randomised controlled trials, and ROBINS-I for non-randomised studies.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies, with 581 participants (mean age = 29 ± 12 years), were eligible for inclusion in the descriptive syntheses. Half of the studies (n = 8) were conducted in the United States of America. The most commonly used study designs were randomised crossover studies (n = 7) and randomised controlled trials (n = 5). Most studies used a single night of TSD (n = 13) which was followed by a psychological (n = 6), physical (n = 5) or psychological and physical (n = 5) acute stressor event. Heart rate (n = 8), cortisol (n = 7) and blood pressure (n =6) were the most reported outcomes, while only a single study used forearm vascular conductance and forearm blood flow. Ten studies found that TSD changed, at least, one marker of ANS or cortisol response. TSD compared with a sleep control condition increased cortisol level (n=1), systolic blood pressure (n=3), diastolic blood pressure (n=2), mean arterial pressure (n=1), and electrodermal activity (n=1) after acute stress. Also, compared with a sleep control, TSD blunted cortisol (n=2), heart rate (n=1) and systolic blood pressure (n=2) responses after acute stress. However, TSD did not change ANS or cortisol responses to acute stressors in 73 % of the total reported outcomes. Furthermore, 10 RCT studies (62.5 %) were assigned as "some concerns" and two RCT studies (12.5 %) were attributed "high" risk of bias. Additionally, one non-randomised trial was classified as "moderate" and three non-randomised trials as "serious" risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

The markers of ANS and cortisol responses to acute stress after TSD in healthy individuals reveal a scarcity of consistent evidence. The included studies present enough evidence that TSD induces either blunted or exaggerated ANS or cortisol responses to laboratory stresses supporting the "bidirectional multi-system reactivity hypothesis.". It appears that a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon still lacks robust evidence, and further research is needed to clarify these relationships.

Extracellular vesicles and sleep deprivation

Sleep is vital in preserving mental and physical well-being by aiding bodily recovery, strengthening the immune system, and regulating hormones. It enhances memory, concentration, and mood regulation, reducing stress and anxiety. Sleep deprivation, a common phenomenon affecting approximately 20% of adults, decreases performance, alertness, and health integrity. Furthermore, it triggers physiological changes, including increased stress hormone levels, leading to various disorders such as hyperglycemia and hypertension. Recent research explores the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in sleep-related conditions. EVs, released by cells, play vital roles in intercellular communication and biomarker potential. Studies indicate that sleep deprivation influences EV release, impacting cancer progression, endothelial inflammation, and thrombosis risk. Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into therapeutic interventions. Thus, multidisciplinary approaches are crucial to unraveling the complex interactions between sleep, EVs, and health, providing direction for effective prevention and treatment approaches for sleep disorders and related conditions.

The risk of insomnia by work schedule instability in Korean firefighters

BACKGROUND

Firefighters are exposed to shift work, as well as unpredictable emergency calls and traumatic events, which can lead to sleep problems. This study aimed to investigate the risk of insomnia by work schedule instability in Korean firefighters.

METHODS

This study used the Insomnia Severity Index to assess the insomnia in firefighters. The work schedule stability was classified with the frequency of the substitute work and the timing of notification for work schedule changes. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the adjusted odds ratio of insomnia by work schedule stability with covariates including sex, age, education, smoking, alcohol, caffeine intake, shift type, job, and underlying conditions.

RESULTS

Of the 8,587 individuals, 751 (8.75%) had moderate to severe insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index ≥ 15). The prevalence of insomnia was statistically significantly higher as the frequency of substitute work increased: <1 time per month (6.8%), 1-2 times (9.5%), 3-5 times (13.4%), and more than 5 times (15.7%) (p < 0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of insomnia was statistically significantly higher when the timing of the schedule change notification was urgent or irregular: no change or several weeks before (5.4%), several days before (7.9%), one day before or on the day (11.2%), irregularly notification (11.6%) (p < 0.001). In comparison to the group with good frequency of the substitute work/good timing of schedule change notification group, the adjusted odds ratios of insomnia were 1.480 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.237-1.771) for Good/Bad group, 1.862 (95% CI: 1.340-2.588) for Bad/Good group, and 1.885 (95% CI: 1.366-2.602) for Bad/Bad group.

CONCLUSIONS

Work schedule instability was important risk factor of insomnia in firefighters. It suggests that improving the stability of work schedules could be a key strategy for reducing sleep problems in this occupational group.

The mediating effect of sleep quality on solid cooking fuel use and psychological distress among rural older adults: evidence from Shandong, China

BACKGROUND

Exposure to indoor air pollution from solid cooking fuel use may increase mental disorders risk through pathways such as oroxidative stress, neuroinflammation, or cerebrovascular damage. However, few studies have explored the underlying mechanism between solid cooking fuel use and psychological distress. The present study aims to investigate the mediating role of sleep quality on the relationship between solid cooking fuel use and psychological distress among older adults in rural Shandong, China.

METHODS

This study used the cross-sectional data from the second follow-up survey of the Shandong Rural Elderly Health Cohort (SREHC). A total of 3,240 rural older adults were included in the analysis. Logistic regression and the Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) mediation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between solid cooking fuel use and psychological distress, as well as the mediating role of sleep quality in this association.

RESULTS

This study found that solid cooking fuel use was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress among older adults in rural Shandong, China (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12,1.70). Mediation analysis revealed that sleep quality mediated the association between solid cooking fuel use and psychological distress among older adults (β = 0.06, P = 0.011). The mediation effect accounted for 16.18% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that solid cooking fuel use was associated with psychological distress among rural older adults, and sleep quality mediated this association. Interventions should focus on addressing cooking fuel types and poor sleep quality to reduce psychological distress. In the future, more aggressive environmental protection policies would be needed to lessen the adverse effects of indoor air pollution on the health of older adults in rural China.

Beyond Crop-Raiding: Unravelling the Broader Impacts of Human-Wildlife Conflict on Rural Communities

This paper examines the impacts of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA), Ghana. The primary focus is on crop-raiding by elephants. Using ethnographic methodologies, the findings shed light on the broader impacts of HWC in rural communities. These include food insecurity characterized by a notable decline in the quality and quantity of food accessible to individuals and families affected by crop-raiding. The study also underscores the negative impacts on mental and physical wellbeing as residents contend with stress, anxiety and fear due to crop-raiding and encounters with elephants. Furthermore, this research uncovers how coping mechanisms employed by locals in response to these challenges may result in problem drinking. Also, efforts taken to mitigate crop-raiding unintentionally result in health consequences for farmers who face risks of contracting diseases such as malaria and suffer from sleep deprivation due to guarding their fields at night. More importantly, this study provides an in-depth examination of the broader vulnerabilities caused by HWC which are often ignored and underscores the importance of looking beyond the direct impacts in HWC hotspots like KCA.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Mental Health Disorders in the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective, Population-based Cohort Study

Rationale: Information is limited about the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and mental health disorders in children. Objectives: In children, 1) to evaluate the association between OSA and new mental healthcare encounters; and 2) to compare mental healthcare encounters 2 years after to 2 years before OSA treatment initiation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study using Ontario health administrative data (Canada). Children (0-18 yr) who underwent diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) 2009-2016 and met criteria for definition of moderate-severe OSA (PSG-OSA) were propensity score weighted by baseline characteristics and compared with children who underwent PSG in the same period but did not meet the OSA definition (PSG-No-OSA). Children were followed until March 2021. Weighted cause-specific Cox proportional hazards and modified Poisson regression models were used to compare time from PSG to first mental healthcare encounter and frequency of new mental healthcare encounters per person time, respectively. Among those who underwent adenotonsillectomy (AT) or were prescribed and claimed positive airway pressure therapy (PAP), we used age-adjusted conditional logistic regression models to compare 2 years post-treatment to pretreatment odds of mental healthcare encounters. Results: Of 32,791 children analyzed, 7,724 (23.6%) children met criteria for moderate-severe OSA. In the PSG-OSA group, 7,080 (91.7%) were treated (AT or PAP). Compared with PSG-No-OSA, the PSG-OSA group had a shorter time from PSG to first mental healthcare encounter (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.12) but less frequent mental healthcare encounters in follow-up (rate ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97). OSA treatment (AT or PAP) was associated with lower odds of mental healthcare encounters 2 years after treatment initiation compared with 2 years before (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.65-0.74). Conclusions: In this large, population-based study of children who underwent PSG for sleep disorder assessment, OSA diagnosis/treatment was associated with an improvement in some mental health indicators, such as fewer new mental healthcare encounters compared with no OSA and lower odds of mental healthcare encounters compared with before OSA treatment.

Association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components with the reduced quality of sleep

Poor sleep quality is a widespread concern. While the influence of particle exposure on sleep disturbances has received considerable attention, research exploring other dimensions of sleep quality and the chemical components of the particles remains limited. We employed a marginal structural model to explore the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components with poor sleep quality. The odds ratio (95 % CI) for poor sleep quality was 1.335 (1.292-1.378), 1.097 (1.080-1.113), 1.137 (1.100-1.174), 1.197 (1.156-1.240), and 1.124 (1.107-1.140) per IQR increase in the concentration of PM2.5, SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, and BC, respectively. The score (and 95 % CI) of sleep latency, use of sleep medication, habitual sleep efficiency, subjective sleep quality, and daytime dysfunction were affected by PM2.5, with an increase of 0.059 (0.050-0.069), 0.054 (0.049-0.059), 0.011 (0.008-0.014), 0.011 (0.005-0.018), and 0.026 (0.018-0.034) per IQR increase in PM2.5 concentrations, respectively. This study supports the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components with poor sleep quality.

Associations between sleep duration trajectories and cognitive decline: A longitudinal cohort study in China

OBJECT

The relationship between sleep duration trajectories and cognitive decline remains uncertain. This study aims to examine the connections between various patterns of sleep duration and cognitive function.

METHODS

Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was employed to identify longitudinal trajectories of sleep duration over four-year follow-up period, while considering age, sex and nap duration as adjustments. Logistic regression was utilized to analyze the association between sleep trajectories and cognition, with odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) reported. Subgroup analyses based on various demographic characteristics were conducted to explore potential differences in sleep trajectories and cognitive decline across different population subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 5061 participants were followed for four years, and three sleep duration trajectories were identified: high increasing (n = 2101, 41.6 %), stable increasing (n = 2087, 40.7 %), and low decreasing (n = 873, 17.7 %). After adjustment for basic demographic information, health status, and baseline cognition, the high increasing trajectory was found to be associated with cognitive decline in terms of global cognition (OR:1.52,95 %CI:1.18-1.96), mental intactness (OR:1.36,95 %CI:1.07-1.73) and episodic memory (OR:1.33, 95 %CI:1.05-1.67), as compared to stable increasing trajectory. These associations were particularly prominent among the non-elderly population (≤65 years) and those without depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that both high increasing and low decreasing sleep duration trajectories are linked to cognitive decline, as compared to the stable increasing trajectory. Long-term attention to changes in sleep duration facilitates early prevention of cognitive decline.

Unveiling the Interplay Between Depressive Symptoms' Alleviation and Quality of Life Improvement in Major Depressive Disorder: A Network Analysis Based on Longitudinal Data

Background

Understanding the dynamic relationship between depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) is essential in improving long-term outcomes for patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). While previous studies often relied on cross-sectional data, there is a pressing need for stronger evidence based on longitudinal data to better inform the development of effective clinical interventions. By focusing on key depressive symptoms, such interventions have the potential to ultimately enhance QOL in individuals with MDD.

Methods

This multi-center prospective study, conducted between 2016 and 2020, enrolled outpatients and inpatients diagnosed with MDD across twelve psychiatric hospitals in China. Longitudinal data on Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) was analyzed using an Extended Bayesian Information Criterion (EBIC) graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (gLASSO) network model to explore the connections between depressive symptom changes and QOL changes. Flow network was applied to investigate relationships between individual symptom changes and overall QOL score change, as well as daily functional independence.

Results

This study included 818 participants with complete data after 8-week antidepressant treatment. Apart from the overlapping items from PHQ-9 and Q-LES-Q-SF, the three edges between "mood" (delta-QLES2) and "anhedonia" (delta-DEP1), between "physical health" (delta-QLES1) and "sleep problems" (delta-DEP3), and between "physical health" (delta-QLES1) and "sad mood" (delta-DEP2) were the most strong bridges between the cluster of depressive symptoms alleviation and the cluster of QOL change. "Anhedonia" (delta-DEP1), "sad mood" (delta-DEP2) and "loss of energy" (delta-DEP4) had the highest bridge strength between the alleviations of depressive symptoms and the total score change of Q-LES-Q-SF. Anhedonia had the greatest connection with participants' satisfaction with function in daily life.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the potential for developing highly effective interventions by targeting on central symptoms, thereby to ultimately improve QOL for patients with MDD.

Periostracum Cicadae Extract and N-Acetyldopamine Regulate the Sleep-Related Neurotransmitters in PCPA-Induced Insomnia Rats

Insomnia is the second most prevalent mental illness worldwide. Periostracum cicadae (PC), as an animal traditional Chinese medicine with rich pharmacological effects, has been documented as a treatment for children's night cries, and later extended to treat insomnia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PC extract and N-acetyldopamine compounds in ameliorating insomnia. The UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis determined that PC extract mainly contained N-acetyldopamine components. Previously, we also isolated some acetyldopamine polymers from PC extract, among which acetyldopamine dimer A (NADA) was present in high content. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations demonstrated that NADA could form stable complexes with 5-HT1A, BDNF, and D2R proteins, respectively. The effects of PC extract and NADA on insomnia were evaluated in the PCPA-induced insomnia model. The results indicated that PC extract and NADA could effectively ameliorate hypothalamic pathology of insomnia rats, increase the levels of 5-HT, GABA, and BDNF, and decrease the levels of DA, DOPAC, and HVA. Meanwhile, the PC extract and NADA also could significantly affect the expression of 5-HT1A, BDNF, and DARPP-32 proteins. This study proved that PC extract and acetyldopamine dimer A could effectively improve PCPA-induced insomnia in rats. It is speculated that the main pharmacological substances of PC were acetyldopamine components.

Establishing causal relationships between insomnia and gestational diabetes mellitus using Mendelian randomization

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common condition observed globally, and previous studies have suggested a link between GDM and insomnia. The objective of this study was to elucidate the causative relationship between insomnia and GDM, and to investigate the influence of factors related to insomnia on GDM.

Methods

We performed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic instruments for exposure and mediators, thereby minimizing bias due to confounding and reverse causation. The Cochran Q test was utilized for heterogeneity analysis, MR-Egger regression for pleiotropy assessment, and the leave-one-out method for evaluating the robustness of the results. Additionally, we determined the causal relationships between GDM and other factors such as coffee consumption, alcohol intake, and household income.

Results

Insomnia was positively associated with GDM, as indicated by 39 SNPs (OR = 1.27, 95 % CI 1.12-1.439, P-value = 0.008). Conversely, the MR analysis did not reveal any causal relationship between GDM and insomnia (OR = 1.032, 95 % CI 0.994-1.071, P-value = 0.99). Additionally, no causal relationship was observed between coffee consumption, alcohol intake, household income, and GDM (all P-values >0.05).

Conclusion

Our study indicates that insomnia elevates the risk of GDM, thereby establishing a causal link with GDM, independent of coffee consumption, alcohol intake, and household income.

Non-contact Assessment of Cardiovascular and Thermoregulatory Function during Exercise after Sleep Deprivation

The number of deaths due to heat stroke has been increasing rapidly in recent years, and it is predicted that by 2050 there will be 2.5 times as many deaths as at present. One of the major causes of heat stroke is loss of autonomic nervous system activity. Autonomic nervous system activity is a function of thermoregulation as well as cardiovascular regulation. However, the only index mainly used to control body condition is the cardiovascular index centering on heart rate. In addition, a noncontact, easy-to-use measurement system is needed for daily physical condition management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate autonomic nervous system activity in terms of both cardiovascular and thermoregulatory functions. We also aimed to construct a system that can measure these functions in a noncontact manner. To observe the effects of autonomic nervous system dysfunction more clearly, the subjects were asked to exercise. We focused on cutaneous blood vessels, which are commonly involved in cardiovascular and thermoregulatory functions. For the measurement of skin blood vessels, we used an index called the G/B ratio, which we have been developing for some time. This system uses differences in light absorbance to extract the contraction and dilation characteristics of facial capillaries. As a validation experiment, an exercise task using a bicycle ergometer was performed. The exercise intensity was set at 40% and calculated using the Karvonen method. Two conditions were used: normal sleep (control) and sleep deprivation for more than 24 hours (SD) to create a state of autonomic inactivity. The following parameters were measured: heart rate, blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance, and cardiac output as cardiovascular indices, and deep body temperature, skin temperature, and facial animation as thermoregulatory indices. The G/B ratio also showed different variations between the control and SD conditions. The G/B ratio also varied differently between the control and SD conditions, suggesting that the G/B ratio alone can measure the state of autonomic nervous system inactivity. Future plans include making the system environmentally robust so that it can be used in daily life, and constructing a physical condition management system after further data collection.

The Influence of Emergency Call Volume on Occupational Workload and Sleep Quality in Urban Firefighters

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the impact of emergency call volume on exertion, autonomic activity, and sleep among urban structural firefighters.

METHODS

Thirty-four firefighters wore a wrist-based monitor to track sleep and autonomic parameters and rated their level of perceived exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion) and subjective sleepiness after a 24-hour shift. Predictive variables included total run time and total run time after 11:59 PM.

RESULTS

Total run time and sleep duration accounted for Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion and subjective sleepiness, while total run time and total run time after 11:59 PM accounted for sleep durations on-duty.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that emergency call volume is associated with indicators of exertion and sleep. As such, call volume tracking is an important consideration for departments to ensure personnel readiness and wellness and provide a method of tracking the occupational demands experienced by firefighters on-duty.

Inverse association between slow-wave sleep and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between both self-reported and objective sleep variables and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) of moderate to severe symptom severity.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we examined twenty-nine children and adolescents diagnosed with MDD and twenty-nine healthy controls (HC). Following a one-week actigraphy assessment, comprehensive sleep evaluations were conducted, including a one-night sleep EEG measurement and self-reported sleep data. Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was employed as a marker to assess low-grade inflammation.

RESULTS

No significant difference in hsCRP levels was observed between participants with MDD and HC. Furthermore, after adjusting for sleep difficulties, hsCRP exhibited no correlation with the severity of depressive symptoms. In HC, levels of hsCRP were not linked to self-reported and objective sleep variables. In contrast, depressed participants showed a significant correlation between hsCRP levels and increased subjective insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index; r = 0.41, p < 0.05), increased time spent in the N2 sleep stage (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), and decreased time spent in slow-wave sleep (r = - 0.61, p < 0.001). Upon additional adjustments for body mass index, tobacco use and depression severity, only the inverse association between hsCRP and time spent in slow-wave sleep retained statistical significance. Moderation analysis indicated that group status (MDD vs. HC) significantly moderates the association between slow-wave sleep and hsCRP.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that alterations in the architecture of slow-wave sleep may have a significant influence on modulating low-grade inflammatory processes in children and adolescents with MDD.

Sleep quality mediates the association between chronotype and mental health in young Indian adults

There is increasing recognition of 'higher preference for eveningness' as a potential independent risk factor for poor mental health. To examine the chronotype-mental health relationship while also quantifying the potential roles of poor sleep quality, relevant personality traits, and childhood trauma, we assessed 282 young adults (18-40 years; 195 females) residing in North India, between January and March 2023 (to control for seasonal variation), using self-report measures of diurnal preference, sleep patterns, mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress), personality traits (extraversion, neuroticism, schizotypy, and impulsivity), and childhood trauma. The results showed a significant association between eveningness and poor mental health but this association was fully mediated by poor sleep quality. Neuroticism, emotional abuse and cognitive disorganisation were correlated with eveningness as well as with poor mental health and sleep quality. Neuroticism and emotional abuse, but not cognitive disorganisation, also had indirect effects on mental health via sleep quality. Our findings highlight the crucial role played by sleep quality in the chronotype-mental health relationship.

The causal relationship between sleep and risk of psychiatric disorders: A two-sample mendelian randomization study

Introduction

Sleep is associated with psychiatric disorders. However, their causality remains unknown.

Methods

The study explored the causal relationship between seven sleep parameters (sleep duration, insomnia, sleep apnea, chronotype, daytime dozing, napping during the day, and snoring) and three psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for sleep parameters were obtained from the United Kingdom biobank, FinnGen biobank, and EBI databases. MR-Egger, weighted median, inverse-variance weighted (IVW), simple mode, weighted mode, maximum likelihood, penalized weighted median, and IVW(fixed effects) were used to perform the MR analysis. The heterogeneity was detected by Cochran's Q statistic. The horizontal pleiotropy was detected by MR Egger. The sensitivity was investigated by the leave-one-out analysis.

Results

Insomnia (OR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.34-3.03, p = 0.001, False-discovery rate (FDR) corrected p-value = 0.011) and napping during the day (OR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.34-2.44, FDR corrected p-value<0.001) were associated with an increased risk of MDD. Longer sleep duration (OR = 2.20, 95%CI = 1.24-3.90, FDR corrected p-value = 0.049) had an association with the increased risk of schizophrenia, while daytime dozing (OR = 4.44, 95%CI = 1.20-16.41, corrected p-value = 0.088)and napping during the day (OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.11-4.02, FDR corrected p-value = 0.088) had a suggestive association with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Longer sleep duration had a suggestive association with a decreased risk of ADHD (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.42-0.93, FDR corrected p-value = 0.088).

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence for a complex relationship between sleep and psychiatric disorders. Our findings highlight the potential benefits of addressing sleep problems in the prevention of psychiatric disorders.

Role of Thymoquinone on sleep restriction and its mitigating effect on leptin-mediated signaling pathway in rat brain

BACKGROUND

Sleep and stress interact bidirectionally by acting on brain circuits that affect metabolism. Sleep and its alterations have impact on blood leptin levels, metabolic hormone that regulates appetite. Brain expresses the receptors for the peptide hormone leptin produced from adipocytes. The hypothalamic orexin neurons are low during sleep and active when awake, influenced by a complex interaction with leptin. Thymoquinone was found to be the major bioactive component of Nigella sativa. The aim of this study was to study the role of thymoquinone on sleep restriction and its mitigating effect on leptin-mediated signaling pathway in rat brain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

30 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups with 6 animals in each group: Control; Thymoquinone (TQ); Corn oil; Chronic Sleep restriction (CSR); and CSR + TQ. After 30 days, behavioral analysis, antioxidant, lipid profile, glucose level, liver and kidney function test, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and mRNA expression in in vivo studies were also assessed and pharmacokinetic and docking were done for thymoquinone. Thymoquinone has also shown good binding affinity to the target proteins. CSR has induced oxidative stress in the discrete brain regions and plasma. Current study has shown many evidences that sleep restriction has altered the neurobehavioral, antioxidant status, lipid profile, neurotransmitters, neuropeptide levels, and feeding behavior which damage the Orexin-leptin system which regulates the sleep and feeding that leads to metabolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

The potentiality of Thymoquinone was revealed in in silico studies, and its action in in vivo studies has proved its effectiveness. The study concludes that Thymoquinone has exhibited its effect by diminishing the metabolic dysfunction by its neuroprotective, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic properties.