笑气滥用致周围神经损害二例

例1男性,26岁,主因渐进性四肢乏力10天,于2022年5月5日入院。患者入院前10天无明显诱因出现四肢乏力,以下肢为著,伴行走不稳、双下肢麻木,上肢无法长时间持物,便秘、小便正常,当地医院考虑周围神经损害,予甲钴胺0.50 mg/d静脉滴注对症治疗3天,症状无缓解,遂至我院就诊,门诊以“周围神经病”收入院。患者自发病以来,精神、睡眠、饮食尚可。患者3个月前开始吸食笑气,每日约10罐(7.50 g/罐);吸烟10年,约20支/d;双下肢阵发性抽搐5年,未予重视;个人史及家族史无特殊。入院后体格检查:体温36.3℃,心率79次/min,呼吸18次/min,血压116/72 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),心、肺、腹部检查无异常。

Endoscopic trans-esophageal submucosal tunneling surgery:A new therapeutic approach for diseases located around the aorta ventralis

AIM To assess the efficiency of endoscopic trans-esophageal submucosal tunneling surgery(EESTS) technique for diseases located around the aorta ventralis.METHODS Nine pigs were assigned to EESTs. The procedures were as follows: First, a long esophageal submucosal tunnel was established. Second, full-thickness myotomy was created. Third, an endoscope was entered into the abdominal cavity through a muscle incision and the endoscope was around the aorta ventralis. Eventually,celiac trunk ganglion neurolysis, partial hepatectomy and splenectomy, partial tissue resection in the area of the posterior peritoneum, and endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) combined with lymph node dissection were performed. The animals were given antibiotics for 5 d and necropsied 7 d after surgery.RESULTS In all surgeries, one pig died from intraperitoneal hemorrhage after doing partial splenectomy, while the other pigs were alive after successfully operating other surgeries. For surgery of celiac trunk ganglion damage, at necropsy, there was no exudation in the abdominal cavity. Regarding surgery of partial hepatectomy, the wound with part healing was observed in the left hepatic lobe, and no bleeding or obvious exudation was seen. In surgery of partial splenectomy, massive hemorrhage was observed on the splenic wound surface, and the metal clips could not stop bleeding. After surgery of retroperitoneal tissue resection, mild tissue adhesion was observed in the abdominal cavity of one animal, and another one suffered from severe infection. For surgery of ESD and lymph node dissection, a moderate tissue adhesion was observed.CONCLUSION EESTS is a feasible and safe technique for diseases located around the aorta ventralis.

Efficacy of prednisone combined with mycophenolate mofetil for immunoglobulin A nephropathy with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN)is a common form of chronic glomer-ulonephritis.Currently,IgAN is one of the main causes of chronic renal failure in China;its prognosis varies greatly between patients,with renal function at the time of diagnosis and prognosis being strongly correlated.Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)is a drug with a good immunomodulatory effect and is commonly used clinically.However,its effects in IgAN have not yet been clearly demonstrated.Therefore,herein,we retrospectively compared the effectiveness and safety of prednisone alone or combined with MMF for the treatment of primary IgAN with moderate-to-severe renal impairment.METHODS Between January 2011 and December 2020,200 patients with moderate-to-severe IgAN were included in this study,all of whom were admitted to Wuxi People's Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University.All patients underwent a renal puncture biopsy,which revealed primary IgAN with a glomerular filtration rate(GFR)of 30–60 mL/min.The patients were divided into a glucocorticoid therapy group(GTG)and an immunosuppressive therapy group(ITG)according to the different treatment regimens,with 100 patients in each group.Based on general treatments,such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers,patients in the GTG were administered prednisone 0.5–0.8 mg/(kg·d^(-1))for 4–8 wk,which was reduced by 5 mg every two weeks until the maintenance(30 mg/d)dose was reached and maintained for 12 mo.In the ITG,MMF was administered at 1.0 g/d for 6–12 mo,followed by a maintenance dosage of 0.5 g/d for 12 mo.Age,sex,blood pressure,24-h urinary egg white measurement,serum creatinine(Scr),blood uric acid,blood albumin,blood potassium(K),hemoglobin,GFR,alanine aminotransferase,total cholesterol(T-CHO),fasting blood glucose,and body mass index were recorded.The 24-h urinary protein,Scr,and GFR levels were recorded 3,6,9,and 12 mo after treatment.Follow-up data were also collected.RESULTS No discernible differences existed between the two groups in terms of age,sex,blood pressure,creatinine,24-h urinary protein level,GFR,or other biochemical indicators at the time of enrollment.Both regimens significantly reduced the 24-h urinary protein quantitation and stabilized renal function.Nine months after treatment,the 24-h urinary protein and Scr of the ITG decreased more significantly than those of the GTG.By the 12th month of treatment,the 24-h urinary protein and Scr in both groups continued to decrease compared to those by the 9th month.In addition,the overall response rate in the ITG was significantly higher than that in the GTG.The occurrence of side effects did not vary significantly between the two regimens;however,endpoint events were significantly more common in the GTG than in the ITG.The follow-up time for the GTG was noticeably lower than that for the ITG.CONCLUSION Prednisone combined with MMF was effective for the treatment of IgAN with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction.

利伐沙班联合重复肝切除术治疗肝硬化并发急性门静脉血栓合并肝细胞癌1例

背景急性门静脉血栓(portal vein thrombosis,PVT)合并肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)是肝硬化的严重并发症,而临床决策是影响其预后的重要因素,处理顺序、治疗方式及病情变化时方案的调整均是重点和难点.病例简介本例患者予低分子肝素(4000 U/12 h)抗凝14 d后序贯口服利伐沙班(10 mg/12 h),先后行2次HCC外科切除术,第1次手术在抗凝1 mo后进行,第2次手术与之相隔4 mo,分别切除原发病灶及术后新发病灶,除围手术期外均持续使用利伐沙班,抗凝8 mo时出现牙龈出血,暂停1 wk后缓解,后减半利伐沙班(10 mg/d)长期治疗.随访2年,血栓保持再通状态,未再见肿瘤复发.结论肝硬化并发急性PVT合并HCC时,若有抗凝及手术指征,建议先抗凝后手术,因抗凝可短时间内改善血栓,不仅可减少手术风险,且对肿瘤治疗时机的影响小;而HCC复发在有条件时需考虑再次手术治疗来改善预后;利伐沙班发生出血时可根据病情调整抗凝策略,必要时停用或出血稳定后减量使用.

Do ESG Scores in Corporations Improve Green Innovation Empirical Evidence from Listed Chinese Companies

The ESG score system is a fundamental component of the green financial system that is essential in promoting corporate environmental progress.In this work we investigate the micro-environmental impact of ESG scores using panel fixed effects models.We examine the processes underlying the influence of ESG scores on the performance of corporate green innovation as well as any potential inequalities in this impact under different moderating factors.To conduct our analysis we use data from Chinese-listed A-shares on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2019.Our study demonstrates a relationship between corporate green innovation and ESG ratings indicating that higher ESG ratings assist businesses in achieving better green innovation results.This beneficial effect is evident both numerically and qualitatively and it continues to hold up even after being put through several demanding tests.Additionally we pinpoint two main ways that ESG encourages corporate green innovation by boosting government-enterprise ties and strengthening corporate investment efficiency.We also note that while business characteristics aligned with sustainability further enhance the favorable influence of ESG on green innovation performance characteristics linked to ecologically detrimental activities impede the contribution of ESG to green innovation.Our study adds to the body of knowledge already available on corporate environmental performance and green finance by offering empirical insights that can help enhance corporate environmental development and improve the ESG rating system.

一种车辆轨迹数据集的差分隐私发布技术

本文试图将差分隐私模型应用于车辆时空轨迹数据集,提出一种分而治之的差分隐私处理方法。用评价平均密度的方法,将原车辆轨迹数据集分为路网与非路网车辆轨迹数据集,并且用时空聚合的方法进行车辆轨迹数据预处理。最后,分别用前缀树模型处理路网车辆轨迹数据集,用K-means 聚类模型处理非路网车辆轨迹数据集。从而,达到发布净化数据集的目的。

重组人生长激素对特发性矮小症患儿血清Ghrelin及胰岛素样生长因子-1水平的影响

目的探究重组人生长激素(rHGH)联合小剂量司坦唑醇对特发性矮小症(SS)患儿血清食欲刺激素(Ghrelin)及胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)水平的影响。方法选取2013年12月-2015年6月接受治疗的特发性SS患儿120例,按照随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组60例。对照组患者使用小剂量司坦唑醇治疗,观察组患者在对照组基础上联合使用rHGH进行治疗。对比两组患者治疗前后生长速度(GV)、骨龄(BA)、预测成年身高(PAH),检测并比较两组Ghrelin、IGF-1水平变化情况。结果观察组治疗6、12及18个月后GV、PAH升高,并高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗后血清Ghrelin、IGF-1水平均改善,其中观察组Ghrelin水平低于对照组(P<0.05),IGF-1水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 rHGH联合常规治疗可更有效地治疗小儿特发性SS,其机制可能与rHGH具有调节Ghrelin、IGF-1水平,从而提高代谢并促进细胞生长有关。

Yangzheng Sanjie decoction regulates proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by enhancing let-7a expression

AIM To explore the let-7a-mediated anti-cancer effect of Yangzheng Sanjie decoction(YZSJD) in gastric cancer(GC) cells.METHODS YZSJD-containing serum(YCS) was prepared using traditional Chinese medicine serum pharmacology methods. After YCS treatment, cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and mi RNA expression profiles were determined using q PCR arrays. Let-7a expression was examined by in situ hybridization in GC tissues and by q PCR in GC cells. c-Myc protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in GC tissues, and by Western blot in cell lines.RESULTS YZSJD significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in AGS and HS-746 T GC cells. After treatment with YCS, the mi RNA expression profiles were altered and the reduced let-7a levels in both cell lines were up-regulated, accompanied by a decrease in c-Myc expression. Moreover, decreased let-7a expression and increased c-Myc expression were observed during the progression of gastric mucosa cancerization.CONCLUSION YZSJD inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of GC cells by restoring the aberrant expression of let-7a and c-Myc.

Role of microRNA-7 in digestive system malignancy

There are several malignancies of the digestive system(including gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, and hepatocellular carcinoma), which are the most common types of cancer and a major cause of death worldwide. MicroRNA(miR)-7 is abundant in the pancreas, playing an important role in pancreatic development and endocrine function. Expression of miR-7 is downregulated in digestive system malignancies compared with normal tissue. Although there are contrasting results for miR-7 expression, almost all research reveals that miR-7 is a tumor suppressor, by targeting various genes in specific pathways. Moreover, miR-7 can target different genes simultaneously in different malignancies of the digestive system. By acting on many cytokines, miR-7 is also involved in many gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases as a significant carcinogenic factor. Consequently, miR-7 might be a biomarker or therapeutic target gene in digestive system malignancies.

Efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for irritable bowel syndrome in adults

BACKGROUND Although nonpharmacological interventions(NPI) for irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) have been applied clinically, their relative efficacy and safety are poorly understood.AIM To compare and rank different NPI in the treatment of IBS.METHODS Five electronic databases were searched from their inception to January 12, 2020. Data of included publications were analyzed using network meta-analysis(NMA). Quality of endpoints were assessed by tools of the Cochrane Handbook and the GRADEpro software. Pooled relative risk or standardized mean difference with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were used for statistical analysis. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA) probability value was conducted to rank the examined interventions. Sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the robustness of results and test the source of heterogeneity.RESULTS Forty randomized controlled trials with 4196 participants were included in this NMA. Compared with routine pharmacotherapies and placebo, acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) had better efficacy in relieving IBS symptoms. Based on the SUCRA values, acupuncture ranked first in improving overall clinical efficacy and avoiding adverse effects. CBT ranked first in lowering the scores of IBS symptom severity scale, self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale.CONCLUSION This study confirmed the efficacy and safety of NPI for improving IBS symptoms, which to some extent recommended several interventions for clinical practice.

Hematological parameters in high altitude residents:Tibetan natives versus Han migrants

Objective Aim of our study was to compare hematological parameters in Tibetan natives with those in Han migrants living on the Tibet plateau in order to determine the potential effects of age,gender,and ethnicity on hematological response to hypoxia.Methods Blood hemoglobin(Hb,g/dl),hematocrit(Hct,%),red blood cells(RBC,10~6/mm^3) were measured in 3 588 healthy Tibetan natives and 3 371 Han migrants ranging in age from 5 to 72 years,living at a mean altitudes of 2 664 m,3 813 m,4 525 m and 5 226 m.Results Hemoglobin(Hb) concentration analysis was made by multiple regression equations relating hemoglobin to altitude and age.For 2 093 Han males,Hb =9.612+ 0.001440xaltitude+ 0.06148 xage.For1 948 Tibetan males,Hb =12.202+ 0.000462xaltitude+ 0.02893 xage.For 1 278 Han females,Hb = 10.858+0.000939xaltitude+ 0.02632 xage.For 1 640 Tibetan females,Hb =11.402+ 0.000626xaltitude+ 0.00412 xage.Each of the four equations was statistically significant(P<0.001),and had variance(r2) of 0.86 or more,indicating that altitude and age accounted for at least 85%of the variation in hemoglobin levels.The coefficients for altitude and for age were higher(P<0.05) in Han males than in Tibetan males and higher(P<0.05)in Han females than in Tibetan females.The Tibetan postmenopausal females had higher Hb values than premenopausal females only presented at altitude above 4 000 m while this phenomenon was beginning at altitude of 2 664 m among Han females.Conclusion We conclude that gender and increasing age in Tibetans are associated with lower hemoglobin values than those in Han at high altitude,and we speculate that genetic factors seems to be important.

Potential aquatic environmental risks of trifloxystrobin:Enhancement of virus susceptibility in zebrafish through initiation of autophagy

Chronic pollution in aquatic ecosystems can lead to many adverse effects,including a greater susceptibility to pathogens among resident biota.Trifloxystrobin(TFS)is a strobilurin fungicide widely used in Asia to control soybean rust.However,it has the potential to enter aquatic ecosystems,where it may impair fish resistance to viral infections.To explore the potential environmental risks of TFS,we characterized the antiviral capacities of fish chronically exposed to TFS and subsequently infected with spring viraemia of carp virus(SVCV).Although TFS exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at the tested environmental concentrations during viral challenge,SVCV replication increased significantly in a time-dependent manner within epithelioma papulosum cyprini(EPC)cells and zebrafish exposed to 25μg/L TFS.Results showed that the highest viral load was more than 100-fold that of the controls.Intracellular biochemical assays indicated that autophagy was induced by TFS,and associated changes included an increase in autophagosomes,conversion of LC3-II,accumulation of Beclin-1,and degradation of P62 in EPC cells and zebrafish.In addition,TFS markedly decreased the expression and phosphorylation of mTOR,indicating that activation of TFS may be associated with the mTORmediated autophagy pathway.This study provides new insights into the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effects of TFS on non-target aquatic hosts and suggests that the existence of TFS in aquatic environments may contribute to outbreaks of viral diseases.

Effect of Kupffer cells depletion on ABC phenomenon induced by Kupffer cells-targeted liposomes

Accelerated blood clearance(ABC) phenomenon is common in many PEGylated nanocarriers, whose mechanism has not been completely elucidated yet. In this study, the correlation between Kupffer cells(KCs) and ABC phenomenon has been studied by KCs-targeted liposomes inducing ABC phenomenon and KCs depletion. In other words, the 4-aminophenyl-α-D-mannopyranoside(APM) lipid derivative DSPE-PEG 2000-APM(DPM), and 4-aminophenyl-β-L-fucopyranoside(APF) lipid derivative DSPE-PEG 2000-APF(DPF) were conjugated and modified on alendronate sodium(AD) liposomes to specifically target and deplete KCs. The dualligand modified PEGylated liposomes(MFPL) showed stronger ability to damage KCs in vitro and in vivo, which also could indirectly illustrate that dual-ligand modification could better target KCs. Besides, the hepatic biodistribution and pharmacokinetics could directly prove that MFPL had a stronger targeting ability to KCs. In addition, in depletion rats, plasma concentration and splenic biodistribution of MFPL and PEGylated liposomes(PL) were significantly elevated and hepatic biodistribution was significantly reduced, which demonstrated that KCs played an important role on elimination of nanoparticles. What’s more, ABC phenomenon of the secondary injection of PL was stronger in KCs depletion rats than that in normal rats, which indicated that depletion of KCs prolonged the circulation of PL in the first injection repeatedly stimulating B-cells in the marginal region of the spleen and causing it to secrete more IgM antibodies. This could also illustrate that anti-PEG IgM takes up a major station compared with KCs. Most important of all, KCs-targeted liposomes could induce a stronger ABC phenomenon than PL in normal rats, which declared that based on the same IgM concentration, the more the KCs were stimulated, the stronger ABC phenomenon was induced. However, in depletion rats, this difference of ABC phenomenon between PL and MFPL could no more exist, further demonstrating that KCs could participate and play a certain role in the ABC phenomenon.

Nonvolatile Resistive Switching and Physical Mechanism in LaCrO3 Thin Films

Polycrystalline LaCrO3（LCO） thin films are deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition and used as the switching material to construct resistive random access memory devices. The unipolar resistive switching（RS） behavior in the Au/LCO/Pt devices exhibits a high resistance ratio of ~104 between the high resistance state（HRS） and low resistance state（LRS） and exhibits excellent endurance/retention characteristics.The conduction mechanism of the HRS in the high voltage range is dominated by the Schottky emission, while the Ohmic conduction dictates the LRS and the low voltage range of HRS. The RS behavior in the Au/LCO/Pt devices can be understood by the formation and rupture of conducting filaments consisting of oxygen vacancies,which is validated by the temperature dependence of resistance and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results.Further analysis shows that the reset current IR and reset power PR in the reset processes exhibit a scaling law with the resistance in LRS（R0）, which indicates that the Joule heating effect plays an essential role in the RS behavior of the Au/LCO/Pt devices.

EVALUATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM LOW DOSE HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON POSTMENOPAUSAL WO-MEN BRAIN HIPPOCAMPUS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANNER

To investigate the effects of long-term low dose hormone replacement therapy （HRT） on postmenopaosal women in homone level, cognition score, hippocampus volume, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy （MRS） parameters. Methods A total of 182 postmenopausal women aged 50-87 years were chosen at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and assigned to HRT group and control group. The volunteers of HRT group had taken low dose hormone [ estradiol （E2 ） 0. 5-1.0 mg and progesterone 0.5-2.0 mg, once a day ] for 4-33 years. The concentrations of E2, progesterone, and testosterone were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The gene types of apolipoprotein E （ApoE） were measured by polymerase chain reaction, and the subjects with susceptible genes （ ApoE ε3/ε4） of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） were screened. Their hippocampus volumes and MRS parameters were obtained through magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, and results in two groups were analyzed by statistical method. Results Compared with control group, the concentrations of E2 at each age stage in HRT group were significantly higher （P 〈0. 05） except the 80-89 years old subgroup; yet, there were no statistical differences in the concentrations of progesterone and testosterone between the two groups. There was no obvious difference in ApoE subtypes distribution between the two groups The results of hippocampus MRI for the subjects with susceptible genes ApoE ε3/ε4 （HRT group 14 cases, control group 11 cases） showed that the ratio of bilateral hippocampus volume to whole brain volume in HRT group （0. 406 ± 0.028） was signiticantlyhigher than control gronp （0.369±0.031, P〈0.05）. Theresults of ^1H MRS for the subjects with susceptible genes ApoE ε3/ε4 （ HRT group 12 cases, control group 11 cases） showed that the N-acetylaspartate/total creatine at the area of hippocampus in HRT group （ 1.54±0. 08 ） were significantly higher than control group （ 1.45±0. 13, P 〈 0. 05）. Conclusions For postmenopausal women, long-term low dose HRT can maintain the physiological concentration of E2 in plasma. Furthermore, the hippocampus MRI performed on those with ApoE ε3/ε3 genes shows that long-term low dose HRT can prevent hippocampus atrophy, which is beneficial to maintain the brain function and prevent AD.

Adult neural stem cells and schizophrenia

Schizophrenia(SCZ)is a devastating and complicated mental disorder accompanied by variable positive and negative symptoms and cognitive deficits.Although many genetic risk factors have been identified,SCZ is also considered as a neurodevelopmental disorder.Elucidation of the pathogenesis and the development of treatment is challenging because complex interactions occur between these genetic risk factors and environment in essential neurodevelopmental processes.Adult neural stem cells share a lot of similarities with embryonic neural stem cells and provide a promising model for studying neuronal development in adulthood.These adult neural stem cells also play an important role in cognitive functions including temporal and spatial memory encoding and context discrimination,which have been shown to be closely linked with many psychiatric disorders,such as SCZ.Here in this review,we focus on the SCZ risk genes and the key components in related signaling pathways in adult hippocampal neural stem cells and summarize their roles in adult neurogenesis and animal behaviors.We hope that this would be helpful for the understanding of the contribution of dysregulated adult neural stem cells in the pathogenesis of SCZ and for the identification of potential therapeutic targets,which could facilitate the development of novel medication and treatment.

Overexpression of Myocardin-related transcription factor-A attenuated middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion-induced apoptosis via the Mcl-1/Cyt C/cleaved caspase 3 pathway

To investigate the effect of Myocardin related transcription factor A(MRTF-A)on apoptosis induced by ischemic/reperfusion(I/R),middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)in rats were applied to mimic I/R.The neurological deficit score,cerebral infarct size,cortical neuron apoptosis and cleaved caspase 3 level were evaluated to determine the effect and the level of apoptosis by TTC straining,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)straining,Western blot and immunofuorescence staining.The myeloid cell leukemia-1(Mcl-1)expression,release of cytochrome C(Cyt C)and its colocalization with apoptotic pro-tease activating factor-1(Apaf-1)were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR),Western blot,and immunofuorescence staining.The results showed that MRTF-A over-expression could decrease the neurological deficit score and reduce cerebral infarct size(P<0.01 versus Sham).In the MRTF-A-I/R group,TUNEL-positive cells and apoptosis ratio(%)(51.61±6.17%)were significantly decreased compared to the Neg-I/R group(76.45±8.77%)at 24 h reperfusion.Meanwhile,the cleaved caspase 3 expression revealed a similar trend while the expression of Mcl-1 was the opposite.Moreover,MRTF-A overexpression significantly enhanced Mcl-1 fAuorescence intensity,which up-regulated the mRNA and protein level(P<0.05or P<0.01 versus Neg-I/R).Furthermore,MRTF-A overexpression markedly inhibited the release of Cyt C,and decreased the colocalization with Apaf-1 in the cytoplasm(P<0.05 or P<0.01.versus Neg-I/R).All the data indicated that MRTF-A overexpression could improve the neu-rological function against cerebral I/R-induced apoptosis since underlying mechanism might be involved in the Mc-1/Cyt C/cleaved caspase 3 signaling pathway.

Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and cardiovascular disorders in adult snorers

Objective：To investigate the relationship between sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome（OSAHS） and some cardiovascular disorders in adult habitual snorers as well as the effectiveness of nasal continuous positive airway pressure（NCPAP） on those with OSAHS. Methods： With the use of polysomnography, 262 adult habitual snorers were examined and divided into the OSAHS group and the Non-OSAHS group （control）. Using ambulatory electrocardiogram and blood pressure measurement, daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure, hypertension, heart rate variability, some arrythmias and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease were monitored and compared between the two groups, before and after 14 days of treatment with NCPAP in the OSAHS group. Results.This study indicated a higher incidence （39.6%） of OSAHS in adult snorers and demonstrated that there was a significantly higher incidence of hypertension, disappearance of the daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure, poor effectiveness of nitrate on angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, decreased heart rate variability during sleep, increased arrythmias and lower SpO2 levels in the OSAHS group than in the Non-OSAHS group. After NCPAP treatment during sleep, snoring control, significantly higher SpO2 and lower apnea hypopnea indices were achieved in the OSAHS group; heart rate variability and daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure returned to normal levels. Conclusion：The results of this research suggested that there was a close relationship between the development of OSAHS and some cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, NCPAP treatment was effective not only on OSAHS but also on coexisting cardiovascular disorders.

Epitaxial Bi_(2)Sr_(2)CuO_(y) thin films as p-type transparent conductors

Development of p-type transparent conducting thin films is tireless due to the trade-off issue between optical transparency and conductivity. The rarely concerned low normal state resistance makes Bi-based superconducting cuprates the potential hole-type transparent conductors, which have been realized in Bi_(2)Sr_(2)CaCu_(2)O_(y) thin films. In this study, epitaxial superconducting Bi_(2)Sr_(2)CuO_(y) and Bi_(2)Sr_(1.8)Nd_(0.2)CuO_(y) thin films with superior normal state conductivity are proposed as ptype transparent conductors. It is found that the Bi_(2)Sr_(1.8)Nd_(0.2)CuO_(y) thin film with thickness 15 nm shows an average visible transmittance of 65% and room-temperature sheet resistance of 650 Ω/sq. The results further demonstrate that Bi-based cuprate superconductors can be regarded as potential p-type transparent conductors for future optoelectronic applications.

Concurrent Structural and Electronic Phase Transitions in V_(2)O_(3)Thin Films with Sharp Resistivity Change

The relationship between structural and electronic phase transitions in V_(2)O_(3)thin films is of critical importance for understanding of the mechanism behind metal–insulator transition(MIT)and related technological applications.Despite being extensively studied,there are currently no clear consensus and picture of the relation between structural and electronic phase transitions so far.Using V_(2)O_(3)thin films grown on r-plane Al2O3 substrates,which exhibit abrupt MIT and structural phase transition,we show that the electronic phase transition occurs concurrently with the structural phase transition as revealed by the electrical transport and Raman spectra measurements.Our result provides experimental evidence for clarifying this issue,which could form the basis of theoretical studies as well as technological applications in V_(2)O_(3).