The onset of sleep disturbances and their associations with anxiety after acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m.

Sleep disturbances and psychiatric repercussions pose great challenges at high altitude; however, few studies have investigated sleep disturbance and anxiety profiles and their associations after acute exposure in consecutive patients. Thus, we aimed to study the profiles of sleep disturbances in consecutive patients after high-altitude exposure and the association of such disturbances with anxiety. A total of 668 participants were recruited at sea level and 3700 m.

MicroRNA-210 Promotes Accumulation of Neural Precursor Cells Around Ischemic Foci After Cerebral Ischemia by Regulating the SOCS1-STAT3-VEGF-C Pathway.

Background: Neural precursor cell (NPC) migration toward lesions is key for neurological functional recovery. The neovasculature plays an important role in guiding NPC migration. MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) promotes angiogenesis and neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and hippocampus after cerebral ischemia; however, whether miR-210 regulates NPC migration and the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

A higher baseline somatization score at sea level as an independent predictor of acute mountain sickness.

Objective: The current study aimed to identify the predictive values of psychological factors that are evaluated by the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) for acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods: The subjects (n=285, non-acclimatized young Chinese men), who were recruited in July 2013, completed a case report questionnaire. In addition, their vital signs (heart rate [HR], blood pressure and pulse oxygen saturation) were measured, and their psychological factors were examined using the SCL-90 at sea level.

Physiological and psychological factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache in Chinese men upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m.

Aim We aimed to identify clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache (HAH) after acute exposure at 3700 m. Method In two hours, 163 individuals ascended by plane to 3700 m. Demographic information, physiological and psychological measurements, cognitive function, physical work capacity tests and profile of mood states within one week prior to the departure and within 24 hours after arrival were examined.

Principal Component Analysis and Risk Factors for Acute Mountain Sickness upon Acute Exposure at 3700 m.

Objective: We aimed to describe the heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to identify its primary risk factors.

Methods: The participants (n = 163) received case report form questionnaires, and their heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), echocardiographic and transcranial Doppler variables, ability to perform mental and physical work, mood and psychological factors were assessed within 18 to 22 hours after arriving at 3700 m from sea level (500 m) by plane. First, we examined the differences in all variables between the AMS-positive and the AMS-negative groups.

Hemodynamic characteristics of high-altitude headache following acute high altitude exposure at 3700 m in young Chinese men.

Background: This study aimed to identify the systemic and cerebral hemodynamic characteristics and their roles in high-altitude headache (HAH) among young Chinese men following acute exposure.

Methods: The subjects (n = 385) were recruited in June and July of 2012. They completed case report form questionnaires, as well as heart rate (HR), blood pressure, echocardiogram and transcranial Doppler examinations at 3700 m following a two-hour plane flight.

Age as a risk factor for acute mountain sickness upon rapid ascent to 3,700 m among young adult Chinese men.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between age and acute mountain sickness (AMS) when subjects are exposed suddenly to high altitude.

Methods: A total of 856 young adult men were recruited. Before and after acute altitude exposure, the Athens Insomnia Scale score (AISS) was used to evaluate the subjective sleep quality of subjects.

Sleep quality changes in insomniacs and non-insomniacs after acute altitude exposure and its relationship with acute mountain sickness.

Objective: We aimed to observe the changes in subjective sleep quality among insomniacs and non-insomniacs after acute ascending to 3,700 m and its possible relationship with acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods: A total of 600 adult men were recruited. Subjects' subjective sleep quality was evaluated by the Athens Insomnia Scale.

Cerebral hemodynamic characteristics of acute mountain sickness upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3,700 m in young Chinese men.

Purpose: We aimed at identifying the cerebral hemodynamic characteristics of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography examinations were performed between 18 and 24 h after arrival at 3,700 m via plane from 500 m (n = 454). A subgroup of 151 subjects received TCD examinations at both altitudes.

Polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme and nitric oxide synthase 3 genes as risk factors of high-altitude pulmonary edema: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a non-cardiogenic type of pulmonary edema developing altitudes > 2,500 m. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) play important roles in regulating pulmonary vascular tone. To assess associations between genetic variants in the ACE and NOS3 genes and HAPE risk, 27 HAPE patients and 108 matched controls were genotyped and analyzed.

Anxiety correlates with somatic symptoms and sleep status at high altitudes.

High altitude exposure results in many physical and psychological discomforts, with anxiety and sleep disturbances being the most common ones. This cross-sectional study was performed to explore the relationship between anxiety, somatic symptoms, and sleep status at high altitude. A sample of 426 young males between 18 and 24 years old ascended from low-level land to 3600 m, where they acclimated for 40 days, before ascending to 4400 m.

[Change of Rho kinase activity in brain tissue in high altitude condition and its relationship with high altitude cerebral edema: experiment with rats].

Objective: To observe the change of Rho kinase activity in brain tissue in the high altitude condition and its relationship with blood brain barrier permeability and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and to explore the pathological mechanism of HACE.

Methods: 30 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 equal groups, high altitude (HA) group put in low pressure cabin mimicking high altitude of 7000 m for 24 hr and then gradually exposed to higher pressure until the normal pressure, fasudil group undergoing intraperitoneal injection of fasudil hydrochloride 30 mg/kg, a Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, and then treated as the HA group, and normal control group (HC group). Five rats from each were decapitated with their brains taken out.

[Triplex-forming oligonucleotide inhibits the expression of tissue factor gene in endothelial cells induced by the blood flow shear stress in rats].

Aim: To study the effect of antiparallel phosphorothioate triplex-forming oligonucleotide (apsTFO) matching with the shear stress response element (SSRE) of tissue factor (TF) gene promoter region on the expression of TF in endothelial cells (ECs) of rat common carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: The model of common carotid artery middle segment stenosis was established by silica gel pipe loop ligation in SD rats. The mRNA expression and protein synthesis of TF, early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) were measured by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique.

[The study of the effect of the administration of mannitol on flash visual evoked potentials].

Objective: To study the relationship between the change of N2 wave in flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP) and the intracranial pressure after the administration of mannitol.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with elevated intracranial pressure were chosen and are divided into two groups: the former (n = 32) were treated with mannitol, the latter (n = 20) were treated with mannitol and glycerol and sodium chloride injection. The latency and amplitude of N2 wave of fVEP was measured by NIP-200 noninvasive intracranial pressure apparatus before and after the 1st, 4th, 10th administration of mannitol.