The detection of the sleep apnea syndrome in a population of professional drivers

The aim of this study was to reduce the risk of traffic accidents related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by means its detection and treatment in a group of 100 commercial drivers from Seville. Besides, to analyze which clinical findings could suggest OSAS. By means a questionnaire we selected subjects without (questionnaire score < 10 points) and with (questionnaire score > or = 10) clinical history of OSAS. In cases with score > or = 10, an overnight home polygraphy was carried out (Apnoescreen II, Jaeger), with measurement of oronasal airflow, chest and abdominal movements, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, body position and actimetry. We performed a manual analysis of recordings, and polygraphy was considered to be positive for OSAS if both AHI (respiratory events Index) or DI (desaturation Index) were > or = 10. In these positive cases, overnight conventional polysomnography was carried out (SleepLab, Jaeger), with therapeutic tests with CPAP if OSAS was diagnosed (AHI > or = 10). Average age and BMI (Body Mass Index) were 41.5 +/- 0.9 years and 28.2 +/- 0.4 kg/m2. Questionnaire was positive in 59 subjects, in 35 of whom home polysomnography was done. We did not find differences in age, BMI, neck circumference or symptomatology among these 35 drivers and the 24 remaining subjects in whom home polygraphy was not performed. Home polygraphy was positive in 10 subjects and negative In 25. Drivers in first group were older, heavier and complaint more frequently about snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness. We did not find differences in neck circumference, waist/hip ratio nor alcohol consumption between both groups. From the group with positive polygraphy, we performed conventional polysomnography in 8 cases and OSAS was diagnosed in 5 (in all cases, treatment with CPAP was started). This study does not provide data about prevalence, but it seems that the percentage of our drivers with OSAS could be lightly higher than the prevalence in general population. These subjects seem to be older, heavier and complaint more frequently about snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness.     

深部运输使用电动卡车的技术问题探讨

在新城金矿－３８０ｍ以下矿体的深部开拓中，将使用电动卡车运输矿岩，文中就有关的几个技术问题作初步探讨。     

电动卡车在矿山井下的应用

介绍了电动卡车及卡车运输系统的构成及其工作原理，分析其先进的技术、优越的性能及良好的效率以及在矿山井下的应用情况，并对其运行管理及发展方向进行了探讨。     

露天矿电铲-汽车开采工艺中的铲、车匹配

本文着重阐述了露天矿设计中电铲一汽车开采工艺中影响铲、车匹配的因素,并总结了斗容比和铲、车比的计算公式及经验选值。     

The multiple sleep latency test: comparison of sleep onset criteria

Bifunctional agent adipic dihydrate was used to form hydrazon bond between polyglutamic acid (PGA) and pharmorubicin (PAR). Under controlled condition, a relatively high rate of conjugation was obtained with no self-condensation. The value of PGA/PAR was in positive portion with the molecular weight (MW) of PGA: per 8-11 glutamic acid monomer linking one pharmorubicin. When PGA of MW 14,300 was used as carrier, the ratio of PGA/PAR was 1:11. After conjugating with anti-hepatoma monoclonal antiboty (McAb), an immunoconjugate of McAb:PGA:PAR being 1:2:22 was obtained. The immunoconjugate retained the binding activity to targeted cell compared with the purified and the oxidized antibody. Pharmacological studies in vitro showed lower cytotoxicity of the immunoconjugate than the free drug, but selective cytotoxicity directed by antibody was observed. Consequently, the immunoconjugate McAb-PGA-PAR with high ratio of drug/McAb as well as moderate targeting cytotoxity in vitro was successfully prepared. That makes it possible for the preparation of cell-targeted drug which is expected to be benificial to tumor treatment.     

The adaptive function of sleep: The differential effects of sleep and dreaming on recall.

Tested the hypothesis that REM sleep serves an adaptive function by examining the effects of sleep and dreaming vs. dream deprivation on the recall of ego-threatening or nonthreatening material. Ss were 40 undergraduates with high ego strength, as measured by the Rorschach Concept Evaluation Technique and the Psychological Insight Test. Ss were given an interrupted task paradigm under conditions which would lead to a threat to self-esteem for failed items, and were tested for recall after REM-deprivation, NREM awakening, or 2 or 10 hr. of daytime activity. Scores on the Repression-Sensitization scale were also examined in relation to ego strength and recall on the interrupted task. Results show that Ss who slept recalled neutral material better than Ss who did not sleep, and Ss who had REM sleep recalled threatening material better than those who had no opportunity to dream. It is concluded that NREM sleep facilitates retention of nonemotional material, while REM sleep deals with material containing affective components. (39 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Taskforce 2000 survey on medical education in sleep and sleep disorders

A 71-year-old woman underwent radical resection in May 1994 for a mediastinal mass invading the anterior chest wall. Histopathological examination revealed adenosquamous cell carcinoma. She was treated with postoperative chemotherapy including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 4'-D-tetrahydropyrayl-doxorubicin (THP), based on in vitro chemosensitivity testing (CST), by MTT assay, using a surgical specimen. In December 1994, a recurrent tumor was detected on the left anterior chest wall and the patient received two courses of 5-FU, THP and methotrexate (MTX). The size of the chest-wall tumor decreased 25%. In July 1995, the patient had involvement of the left axillary lymph node and brain metastases in addition to the mass on the chest wall. Therefore, cisplatin, 5-FU and MTX were selected as treatment agents, based on CST using a metastatic axillary lymph node. After two courses of these agents, chest computed tomography showed a 91% reduction in the size of the chest wall tumor. Radiation was administered for the brain metastasis. In March 1997, the patient died of thymic carcinoma.     

The effect of sleep on conscious sedation

This study evaluated the effect of preoperative sleep on the success of conscious sedation. Thirty healthy children between the ages of 18 and 61 months of age were utilized in this study. The children all received chloral hydrate (50-60 mg/kg) and hydroxyzine (15-25 mg) and nitrous oxide (30-50%). Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire which asked several questions about their child's activity the previous day, their diet, and questions that related to their bedtime. The operator ranked the sedations on a scale from 1 to 4 with 1 being good and 4 being poor. The results were then statistically evaluated using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Walls tests. The children that received a normal amount of sleep or greater amount of sleep preoperatively had a borderline (P = .06) higher degree of successful sedation. There was no correlation between the child's bedtime (early, normal, late) and the success of sedation. The parent's perception of their child's tiredness could not be correlated with the success of the sedation. The children greater than 36 months of age had a significantly (P = .02) higher degree of successful sedations. The results suggest that a well rested child may experience a more pleasant dental sedation while under chloral hydrate and hydroxyzine conscious sedation and that the child's age at the time of the sedation may affect the outcome of the sedation.     

The applications of sleep studies in psychiatry

Introduced in 1979, isotretinoin remains a major advance in acne therapy. Both hospital- and community-based dermatologists have experience with this valuable drug, which, owing to its causal principle of action, offers a large proportion of patients the prospect of a cure. Isotretinoin is now in use in more than 80 countries and has been prescribed for some six million patients. Based on accumulated clinical findings with the drug, more comprehensive recommendations can now be made with respect to indications, dosing and duration of treatment than was possible when the drug was launched. Experience with the drug also provides a basis for reevaluating its safety profile. Finally, at a time when healthcare resources are limited, it is important to examine the cost-benefit ratio of this acne treatment versus other options. This paper is accordingly intended to provide a critical status report as well as a detailed and balanced set of recommendations for clinical practice.     

铰接式自卸车操纵稳定性

运用多刚体动力学罗伯森-维登堡法,建立了六自由度铰接式自卸车操纵稳定性模型.用MATLAB计算出XAD250型铰接式自卸车满载与空载时的横摆角速度增益曲线,得出空载时具有较大的不足转向特性.使用该模型进一步计算了轮胎侧偏刚度、后节质心布置以及悬架系统参数等,以便研究它们对铰接式自卸车操纵稳定性的影响.     

The diurnal distribution of sleep propensity: experimental data about the interaction of the propensities for slow-wave sleep and REM sleep

The aim of the present study was to assess the diurnal variation of sleep propensity by evaluating the temporal distribution of sleep onset latency (SOL) and REM- and slow-wave sleep (SWS) parameters in systematically scheduled daytime naps for 12 young males. To reduce the effect of prior SWS on subsequent REM sleep, a double-nap technique was used, i.e. two adjacent naps A and B, which were separated by a 10-min break. Nap duration was adjusted in such a way that nap A allowed 30 min of sleep and nap B one complete NREM-REM cycle. EEG slow wave activity (SWA, power density from 0.5-4 Hz) was estimated from nap A and REM sleep parameters from nap B. The time span between 08.00 hours and 24.00 hours was covered by nine double-naps at 2 h intervals. The order of the nap sessions was systematically varied within and across subjects. For each subject, the time between successive double-nap recordings was at least three days. SOL was shortest in the time interval 12.00 hours to 16.00 hours and significantly longer between 20.00 hours and 24.00 hours. REM sleep duration and the percentage of sleep onset REM episodes decreased continuously from 08.00 hours to the interval 18.00-20.00 hours and increased thereafter, with a time course inversely related to the one of body temperature, which was also measured continuously. SWA showed a steady, threefold increase from 08.00 hours to 24.00 hours. The study offers new data on the diurnal variation of sleep propensity which seems to be a composite function of the drives for SWS and REM sleep.     

Deaths due to forklift truck accidents

Forklift truck accidents are a common cause of occupational injury and death. The authors review deaths resulting from forklift accidents cases in the years 1984-1992 in Cook County, Illinois (which contains the large city of Chicago). The fatal injuries, the characteristics of the victims, and the circumstances of the deaths are examined. A forklift striking a pedestrian or crushing the operator when tipping over or falling off a dock or truck were the most common causes of death in this study. The authors compare their findings with those found in the literature on the characteristics and prevention of forklift accidents. Also, they comment on the role of the medical examiner's or coroner's office in the investigation of these work-related deaths.