bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PICKLES v3: the updated database of pooled in vitro CRISPR knockout library essentiality screens
Authors: Novak Lance C , Chou Juihsuan , Colic Medina , Bristow Christopher A , Hart Traver
Published: November 2022

PICKLES (https://pickles.hart-lab.org) is an updated web interface to a freely available database of genome-scale CRISPR knockout fitness screens in human cell lines. Using a completely rewritten interface, researchers can explore gene knockout fitness phenotypes across cell lines and tissue types and compare fitness profiles with fitness, expression, or mutation profiles of other genes. The database has been updated to include data from three CRISPR libraries (Avana, Score, and TKOv3), and includes information from 1162 whole-genome screens probing the knockout fitness phenotype of 18 959 genes. Source code for the interface and the integrated database are available for download.
EpiFactors 2022: expansion and enhancement of a curated database of human epigenetic factors and complexes
Authors: Marakulina Daria , Vorontsov Ilya E , Kulakovskiy Ivan V , Lennartsson Andreas , Drabløs Finn , Medvedeva Yulia A
Published: November 2022

We present an update of EpiFactors, a manually curated database providing information about epigenetic regulators, their complexes, targets, and products which is openly accessible at http://epifactors.autosome.org. An updated version of the EpiFactors contains information on 902 proteins, including 101 histones and protamines, and, as a main update, a newly curated collection of 124 lncRNAs involved in epigenetic regulation. The amount of publications concerning the role of lncRNA in epigenetics is rapidly growing. Yet, the resource that compiles, integrates, organizes, and presents curated information on lncRNAs in epigenetics is missing. EpiFactors fills this gap and provides data on epigenetic regulators in an accessible and user-friendly form. For 820 of the genes in EpiFactors, we include expression estimates across multiple cell types assessed by CAGE-Seq in the FANTOM5 project. In addition, the updated EpiFactors contains information on 73 protein complexes involved in epigenetic regulation. Our resource is practical for a wide range of users, including biologists, bioinformaticians and molecular/systems biologists.
InterPro in 2022
Authors: Paysan-Lafosse Typhaine , Blum Matthias , Chuguransky Sara , Grego Tiago , Pinto Beatriz Lázaro , Salazar Gustavo A , Bileschi Maxwell L , Bork Peer , Bridge Alan , Colwell Lucy , Gough Julian , Haft Daniel H , Letunić Ivica , Marchler-Bauer Aron , Mi Huaiyu , Natale Darren A , Orengo Christine A , Pandurangan Arun P , Rivoire Catherine , Sigrist Christian J A , Sillitoe Ian , Thanki Narmada , Thomas Paul D , Tosatto Silvio C E , Wu Cathy H , Bateman Alex
Published: November 2022

The InterPro database (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/) provides an integrative classification of protein sequences into families, and identifies functionally important domains and conserved sites. Here, we report recent developments with InterPro (version 90.0) and its associated software, including updates to data content and to the website. These developments extend and enrich the information provided by InterPro, and provide a more user friendly access to the data. Additionally, we have worked on adding Pfam website features to the InterPro website, as the Pfam website will be retired in late 2022. We also show that InterPro's sequence coverage has kept pace with the growth of UniProtKB. Moreover, we report the development of a card game as a method of engaging the non-scientific community. Finally, we discuss the benefits and challenges brought by the use of artificial intelligence for protein structure prediction.
Digital Diasporas and the Religious Reproduction of “Home”
Authors: Woods Orlando
Published: November 2022

The proliferation of the Internet, social media, and smartphones has ushered in a new era of social reproduction that is global in scope and rapid in its effects. This has brought about an epistemological reimagination of how “communities” are formed and maintained, of what it means to “belong,” and of what “home” is and where it might be located. Similarly, constructs like “religion” and “diaspora” have evolved and expanded in response to the mediatory role of the digital throughout people’s everyday lives. This chapter tracks these expansions and seeks to bring the idea of digital diasporas into conversation with the religious reproduction of home. It argues that whilst digital technologies provide displaced people with the tools needed to connect to, to claim and to contest the idea of “home,” religion can provide the motivation to do so. It offers both an overview of existing research that explores the nexus of the digital, the diaspora, and religion, and it identifies promising areas for future research.
Muslims Enacting Identity
Authors: Nisa Eva F.
Published: November 2022

This chapter discusses the intersections between gender issues, religious identity, and cyber-activism. The main discussion focuses on women, particularly due to the pervasive unequal offline and online power dynamics between men and women. It focuses on how Muslim women enact their identities through the Internet and various social media platforms. What does it mean for them to be active in these various forms of advanced communication technology? The chapter argues that although the Internet and social media has enabled Muslim women from varied Islamic currents—liberal, progressive, and ultra-conservative—to self-present themselves and enable them to speak from a position of religious authority, their online presence is not a direct sign of weakened Muslim patriarchy. Despite development in the gender digital divide, alternative and social media, offered through the Internet’s presence and affordability, remain gendered.
Digital Judaism
Authors: Golan Oren
Published: November 2022

The rise of digital media and its rapid integration into everyday life has transformed the Jewish world on communal and individual levels. Despite objections from rabbis and educators in various communities, most notably the ultra-Orthodox, digital media is increasingly supplementing, and occasionally replacing, traditional ways of practice, ritual, and learning. Thus, the question begs: how is digital media negotiated within the Jewish world? Scouring through the myriad uses of the Internet, mobile phones, digital games, and virtual reality programs, the author reviews three key facets of transformation that correspond with the primary properties of Jews’ “lived religion,” namely knowledge dissemination, consumption, and scripturalism; Jewish practice; communal authority; and identity. Exploring the accumulated scholarship on these themes enables a macroscopic perspective on the ways contemporary Jews respond to modernity by adopting or adapting to technologies to fit their rhythm of life. Ultimately, these understandings bear on the ways Jews incrementally enable changes in their religious experience, sources of learning, and manifestations of the rich variants of their Jewish identity.
Ethylene Renders Silver Nanoparticles Stress Tolerance in Rice Seedlings by Regulating Endogenous Nitric Oxide Accumulation
Authors: Tripathi Durgesh Kumar , Kandhol Nidhi , Rai Padmaja , Mishra Vipul , Pandey Sangeeta , Deshmukh Rupesh , Sahi Shivendra , Sharma Shivesh , Singh Vijay Pratap
Published: November 2022

Developments in the field of nanotechnology over the past few years have increased the prevalence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the environment, resulting in increased exposure of plants to AgNPs. Recently, various studies have reported the effect of AgNPs on plant growth at different concentrations. However, identifying the mechanisms and signaling molecules involved in plant responses against AgNPs stress is crucial to find an effective way to deal with the phytotoxic impacts of AgNPs on plant growth and development. Therefore, this study was envisaged to investigate the participation of ethylene in mediating the activation of AgNPs stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through a switch that regulates endogenous nitric oxide (NO) accumulation. Treatment of AgNPs alone hampered the growth of rice seedlings due to severe oxidative stress as a result of decline in sulfur assimilation, glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis and alteration in the redox status of GSH. These results are also accompanied by the higher endogenous NO level. However, addition of ethephon (a donor of ethylene) reversed the AgNP-induced effects. Though the application of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) alone promoted the growth of rice seedlings but, interestingly their application in combination with AgNPs enhanced the AgNP-induced toxicity in the seedlings through the same routes as exhibited in the case of AgNPs alone treatment. Interestingly, addition of ethephon reversed the negative effects of SiNPs under AgNPs stress. These results suggest that ethylene might act as a switch to regulate the level of endogenous NO, which in turn could be associated with AgNPs stress tolerance in rice. Furthermore, the results also indicated that addition of l-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (an inhibitor of endogenous NO synthesis) also reversed the toxic effects of SiNPs together with AgNPs, further suggesting that the low level of endogenous NO was associated with AgNPs stress tolerance. Overall, the results indicate that the low level of endogenous NO triggers AgNPs stress tolerance, while high level leads to AgNPs toxicity by regulating sulfur assimilation, GSH biosynthesis, redox status of GSH and oxidative stress markers. The results revealed that ethylene might act as a switch for regulating AgNPs stress in rice seedlings by controlling endogenous NO accumulation.
Does Globalization Reduce Personal Violence? The Impact of International Trade on Cross-National Homicide Rates
Authors: LaFree Gary , Jiang Bo
Published: November 2022

While interest in globalization has continued to increase, few researchers have linked it to crime rates. However, if globalization has the characteristics suggested by either its supporters or detractors, it likely has a significant effect on cross-national violent crime rates. Supporters of the doux commerce (gentle commerce) thesis argue that increasing international trade decreases all types of violence, including homicide, by providing individuals with a rational interest in engaging peacefully with others, offering opportunities for cross border commerce and travel, and encouraging greater understanding of diverse cultures. By contrast, detractors argue that as globalization increases, inequality and poverty separate the economic well-being of highly industrialized core nations from that of developing peripheral nations and as this gap intensifies, it leads to crime increases. We also consider the possibility that the effects of trade globalization are either too small or too macro-level to significantly affect violent crime rates. Based on these competing arguments we examine whether homicide rates are significantly lower for countries with high levels of globalization, compared to countries with low globalization levels. We assemble a homicide database of 2145 observations over five decades, control for a wide range of alternative explanations, and test for an interaction between globalization and GDP. Consistent with the doux-commerce argument, we find that rising globalization has resulted in lower cross-national homicide rates during the past half century and that these declines are greatest for low GDP-high inequality countries. We consider the implications for theory, future research and policy.
O004 Circadian and behavioural impacts on salivary cortisol during simulated nightshifts
Authors: Grosser L , Yates C , Dorrian J , Centofanti S , Heilbronn L , Wittert G , Kennaway D , Coates A , Gupta C , Stepien J , Matthews R , Catcheside P , Banks S
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Cortisol regulates multiple body systems and displays a distinct circadian rhythm. Nightshift disrupts this rhythm likely disturbing physiological processes regulated by cortisol. The cumulative effect of consecutive nightshifts, and eating during nightshift, on cortisol is unclear. This study aimed to determine the impact of four-consecutive simulated nightshifts with varied eating conditions at night on salivary cortisol.

Methods

N=52 healthy non-shift-working individuals (29-male, 23-female, 24.5±4.8-years; BMI 24.22±2.48 kg/m2) completed four-in-lab consecutive nightshifts (N1-4 2000h-0530h). Participants were randomly assigned to meal-at-night (n=17), snack-at-night (n=16), or no-food-at-night (n=19) conditions. Saliva was collected across 15-time-points between 2000h-0530h per-nightshift. Mixed-effects ANOVAs tested for fixed-effects of night, time, condition, and their interactions on cortisol, and cortisol area under the curve, ground, and increase (AUCg, AUCi), post-meal-snack and the diurnal-cortisol rise (0300h-0530h).

Results

Nightshifts produced significant effects of time and night*time (p<0.001), whereby cortisol levels at 2000h increased and levels at 0530h decreased on each consecutive nightshift. Post-food-intake revealed significant effects of condition and night respectively (AUCg; p<0.001; AUCi; p<0.001) with higher levels in meal and snack conditions vs. the no-meal-condition. There were significant effects of night*time*condition (p=.029) on the diurnal-cortisol rise with greater decreases in the meal and no-meal-conditions with each consecutive nightshift

Discussion

These results support that nightshift and eating during the nightshift significantly alter daily cortisol rhythms. Such changes may exacerbate shift-work-related alterations to physiological systems influenced by cortisol. Further research is needed to better understand the relationships between altered sleep/wake cycles, meal-timing, and cortisol rhythm changes on cortisol-regulated health outcomes in shift-workers.
O010 Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 Infection, Symptom Duration and Population Lockdown Measures on Sleep Quality and Mental Health
Authors: Proctor S , Cheetham N , Toson B , Bowyer V , Banga A , Brito A , Leschziner G , Joseph D , Duncan E , Mukherjee S
Published: November 2022

Background

The effect of COVID-19 (both acute and post-acute infection) and of lockdown on sleep quality and mental health are largely unknown.

Methods

Between 9/2020 and 5/2021, the COVID Symptom Study Biobank recruited UK individuals with confirmed infection (symptom duration: asymptomatic, short [<2 weeks] or long [>4 weeks]); healthy uninfected controls, and uninfected individuals with short or long symptoms. Participants completed online sleep and mental health questionnaires at 9/2020 and 3/2021 (i.e., the equinoxes). Data were compared using one-way ANOVA, Chi-square and T-tests.

Progress to date

3053 participants completed questionnaires. Infected individuals with long symptom duration were younger (p<0.008) and more likely had prior mental illness (p<0.001). Long symptom duration was associated with poorer sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], p<0.001, Sleep Condition Indicator [SCI], p<0.001) and increased sleepiness and fatigue (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], p<0.010, Chalder Fatigue Scale [CFS], p<0.001). In uninfected individuals, long symptom duration was also associated with prior mental illness (p<0.001), worse sleep quality (PSQI [p<0.001], SCI [p<0.001]), and increased sleepiness/fatigue (ESS p=0.010, CFS p<0.001). Independent of symptom duration, infected individuals were sleepier and more fatigued than uninfected individuals (mean±SD ESS 6.6±4.5 vs 6.1±4.1 [p<0.001], CFS 16±6.0 vs 14±4.9 [p<0.001]).

Intended outcome and impact

Individuals with longer symptom duration (irrespective of infection) were more likely to have prior mental illness, with multiple markers of poor sleep and fatigue. Further analysis will determine the progression of sleep and mental health scores over time. Addressing these issues may help symptom management in individuals with long symptom duration.
O023 Predicting Dim Light Melatonin Onset in elite athletes without actigraphy
Authors: Hoffman D , Mascaro L , Stone J , Facer-Childs E
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Elite athletes are exposed to irregular schedules, jetlag and intensive physical activity that is sometimes completed late at night, all of which can misalign circadian rhythms and therefore negatively affect recovery and performance. The aim of this study was to predict circadian phase in athletes without actigraphy.

Methods

A regularised random forest model comprising of 17 questionnaire and sleep diary measures was used to predict dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) times from 128 DLMO times collected from 98 (age = 24.3 ± 3.7 years) Australian Football League and National Rugby League male (n = 72, age = 24.6 ± 3.4 years) and female (n = 26, age = 23.3 ± 4.3 years) athletes.

Results

DLMO time was predicted with an out-of-sample root mean square error of 52 minutes, capturing 75% with ± 1 hour of actual DLMO time. Actual DLMO time (20.65 ± 1.00) was significantly correlated with predicted DLMO time (20.69 ± 0.29; r2 = 0.36, p < 0.001).

Discussion

DLMO time can be predicted without actigraphy in elite athletes. This approach enables the possibility of immediate circadian phase and sleep insights, and the development of interventions necessary for the fast-paced environment of elite sport where optimising athlete recovery and performance is critical.
O026 Effect of oral appliance therapy on OSA endotypes
Authors: Osman A , Naik G , Tong B , Chiang A , Pinczel A , Rawson G , Donegan M , Pitcher G , Kwan B , Mukherjee S , Teare A , Eckert D
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Long term CPAP therapy alters OSA endotypes (e.g., reduces loop gain and the arousal threshold). However, while oral appliance therapy (OAT) is known to improve upper airway collapsibility, its effects on non-anatomical OSA endotypes are unclear.

Methods

To investigate the effects of OAT on polysomnographic estimates of OSA endotypes we studied 102 people with OSA (AHI=34±20 events/h) pre vs. post-treatment (following 4-6 weeks OAT acclimatization). AHI and endotypic traits were compared between the diagnostic and OAT study visits.

Results

OAT reduced the AHI by ~50% (30 [25-39] vs. 15 [12-19], median, 95% confidence interval, p<0.01). Passive pharyngeal collapsibility (94 [92-95] vs. 96 [95-97]% eupnea), active pharyngeal collapsibility (98 [95-100] vs. 102 [101-103]% eupnea) and pharyngeal muscle compensation (3.6 [1.2-5.1] vs 4.9 [3.7-6.5]% eupnea) improved with OAT (all p<0.01). The respiratory arousal threshold (116 [114-122] vs. 109 [106-111]% eupnea, p<0.01) and ventilatory response to arousal (31 [28-35] vs. 23 [20-32]% eupnea, p=0.03) decreased. Loop gain did not systematically change overall (0.43 [0.39-0.47] vs. 0.40 [0.38-0.42], p=0.16). However, loop gain reduced in OAT responders (>50% reduction in AHI) (0.42 [0.39-0.45] vs. 0.38 [0.34-0.4] dimensionless, p<0.01).

Conclusions

Oral appliance therapy improves upper airway collapsibility and pharyngeal muscle compensation and reduces the ventilatory response to arousal and loop gain in responders. Like CPAP, OAT also decreases the arousal threshold. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms of improvement in OSA with oral appliance therapy.
O027 A randomised dose finding study of combination dronabinol and acetazolamide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea: A proof of concept study
Authors: Walsh J , Rankin T , Mehra S , Naughton M , Roebuck T , McDermott E , Pattichis A , Smith R , Germaine J , Walsh R , Bleackley M , Maddison K , O'Brien T
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Current treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are not tolerated or effective in a proportion of patients. Other therapeutic options are needed; pharmaceuticals may provide an alternative. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study examined the effect of combination acetazolamide and dronabinol (IHL-42X) at low, medium and high doses on OSA severity.

Methods

Participants with OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index; AHI≥15events/hr) received 1-week of IHL-42X at each of 3 doses and 1-week of placebo, each separated by 1-week washout. The change from baseline in AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), and mood (profile of mood states) on the final night of each treatment arm relative to placebo were the major endpoints. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout.

Results

Ten of 11 participants completed the final night of at least one treatment arm. All doses of IHL-42X demonstrated a greater reduction in AHI from baseline when compared with placebo (low, -19.7±27.1; medium, -17.5±23.3; high, -16.4±23.8 versus placebo, -2.8±21.0events/hr; all p<0.05). The change from baseline in ODI3% was also greater for the low and medium doses of IHL-42X when compared with placebo (low, -15.2±24.8; medium, -15.4±19.0 versus placebo, -2.8±21.0events/hr; both p<0.05) but not the high dose (-8.3±13.2events/hr). IHL-42X did not significantly change ESS or mood. No serious AEs occurred however 35 mild-moderate possibly, probably or treatment related AEs occurred during IHL-42X dosing and 7 occurred during placebo.

Discussion

One week of nightly IHL-42X at low, medium and high doses was well tolerated, safe and associated with significant reductions in OSA severity.
O032 Virtual Ventilation: an evaluation of non-invasive ventilation polysomnography and utility of ventilator recorded data
Authors: Ridgers A , Reuhland W , Hannan L , Berlowitz D , Howard M
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a treatment for respiratory failure for a wide range of medical conditions. Following technological evolution of ventilator software, ventilator data is available for review remotely. There has been little scientific evaluation of whether this remotely recorded and stored data should be used to optimise ventilator settings. The aim of this study was to compare the agreement of recommended ventilator settings based on three methods: laboratory NIV polysomnography (PSG), ventilator data only and ventilator data with augmented signals.

Methods

Fifty NIV PSG studies were retrospectively selected. Each study was duplicated using three different signal types: laboratory NIV PSG (A), ventilator only signals (B) and ventilator signals with respiratory bands, transcutaneous carbon dioxide and oximetry (C). Two respiratory and sleep physicians were provided deidentified clinical vignettes, asked to review 150 ventilation studies, and prescribe their recommended end-of-night ventilator settings.

Results

Comparative analysis of pressure support using Bland and Altman plots between study type A and B demonstrated mean difference (MD) 0.66 (limits of agreement (LOA) -1.92 to 3.25)cmH2O, study type A and C MD 0.08 (LOA -2.72 to 2.88)cmH2O, study type B and C MD 0.58 (LOA -3.12 to 1.96)cmH2O.

Conclusion

Comparison of full-signal NIV PSG with ventilator only and augmented ventilator signals did not result in a significant difference in mean pressure support prescribed by the physician. However, there were wide limits of agreement, suggesting that in some circumstances, a reliance upon ventilator only signals may result in significantly different pressure support prescription for the patient.
O038 Families’ Experiences of Having a Child/Sibling with Down Syndrome and Sleep Difficulties
Authors: Cooke E
Published: November 2022

Introduction

This qualitative study investigates the experiences of families of children with Down Syndrome (DS), with a focus on siblings’ experiences.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 34 parents (fathers n=4 and mothers n=30), and ten siblings. Data analysis was informed by a sociological interpretivist approach and consisted of reflexive Thematic Analysis (TA) and Creative Analytical Practices. Interviews covered: what it was like to have a child/sibling with DS and sleep difficulties, and implications for their family members’ well-being, functioning, and sleep.

Results

Parents’ and siblings’ accounts had congruences and divergences; however, overall, there was consensus that siblings of children with DS encounter challenges that are often unnoticed.

Parents feel guilty for not paying ‘enough’ attention to these children, and children report being bored during their sibling with DS’s medical appointments. Siblings sometimes deliver care to their sibling with DS during the night and provide emotional support to their parents. Siblings experienced sleep disruption, which they reported affecting their functioning at school, which parents had varying degrees of awareness of. Siblings dislike encountering prejudiced attitudes toward their siblings with DS in the community or at school.

Discussion

This is the first qualitative study to investigate families’ experiences of having a child/sibling with DS and sleep difficulties. Implications include raising health care workers’ awareness of i) the emotional and caring labour that siblings of children with DS engage in, and ii) potential of parents to misreport these children’s experiences, indicating a need for direct consultation with such children.
O039 Access to sleep health services for Indigenous children in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Gentin N , Howarth T , Heraganahally S
Published: November 2022

Paediatric sleep disorders have significant impacts on physical and mental health, growth and development. Indigenous children may be further impacted due to high prevalence of other medical conditions, socioeconomic disparity and reduced access to healthcare. In 2016, a local paediatric sleep service in the Northern Territory (NT) was created.

We assessed demographics and referral patterns of Indigenous and non-Indigenous paediatric patients referred to this service.

Paediatric patients referred for a sleep study between 2016- 2020 were included. Demographics, referral source, time from consult to study and follow up were assessed and compared between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients.

There were 923 children referred for sleep studies. Indigenous patients made up 20%. Indigenous patients were older (median 7 vs. 5 years) and more likely to live remotely (24% vs. 10%). Most Indigenous patients were referred from the public hospital system (62%) and by a paediatrician (56%); while most non-Indigenous patients were referred from the private system (56%) and by an otorhinolaryngologist (55%). Indigenous patients had a median 33 days between referral and initial consult compared with 21 days for non-Indigenous patients (p<0.05). Reviews were scheduled for 81% of Indigenous and 77% of non-Indigenous patients, of which 6% and 2% respectively did not attend.

Indigenous patients showed different demographic and referral patterns to non-Indigenous patients. Despite improvements made to sleep service access for NT Indigenous children; there are still barriers to treatment. Reasons for this and ways to overcome these barriers are important for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people.
O041 Pre-bedtime device use disrupts sleep in early adolescents: differential effects depending on device type and media content
Authors: Lu S , Phillips A , Hand A , Chachos E , Carskadon M , Lockley S , Wiley J , Bei B , Klerman E , Rajaratnam S , Stone J
Published: November 2022

Using light-emitting devices before bed is a modifiable behaviour that may affect adolescent sleep. We investigated the daily associations between device use before bed and sleep-wake timing, duration, and quality in early adolescence. Participants were 168 Year 7 students (M±SD=12.82±0.42 years, 56% females) in Australia. Sleep-wake timing, sleep quality, and device use in the hour before bed (device type and media content) were measured using daily diaries for two weeks during school term. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between device use in the hour before bed and sleep outcomes. Nearly all (99%) participants used devices before bed on at least one night, with 58% using devices before bed every night during the two-week monitoring period. Using devices to access social media predicted later reported sleep onset, longer sleep onset latency, and shorter sleep duration (all p<.05). Similarly, playing games, watching videos, or using a game console all predicted later sleep onset that night (all p<.05), and watching television predicted more wake after sleep onset (p<.01). In contrast, using devices for homework predicted earlier sleep onset (p<.05), while reading on devices predicted better sleep quality (p<.05). Our findings indicate that the type of device, and what they are used for before bed, may have different effects on sleep, potentially due to differences in light exposure levels and/or their impact on arousal systems. These findings may help inform existing guidelines for healthy pre-bedtime device use in adolescents.
O042 Sleep’s relationship with mood and loneliness among working women during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Helles M , Fletcher R , Münch M , Gibson R
Published: November 2022

Background

The COVID-19 lockdown enforced unique limitations on social and working life. Changes to sleep and mood have been reported with mixed results, possibly related to measuring such outcomes between populations and social contexts. This study examined mood's relationship to sleep among a group considered to experience increased stressors during lockdown – working women.

Method

Data from 498 women who were working prior to lockdown was drawn from an online survey launched during New Zealand’s 2020 lockdown. Participants mean age was 44.6 years (SD= 12.6), 63.5% had been working fulltime, mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was 6.6 (SD 3.6) with 54.8% scoring >5.

Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted on the PSQI as well as measures of mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and loneliness (Gierveld loneliness scale). Structural Equation Modelling assessed the relationship between anxiety, depression, and loneliness with sleep status (using a higher order model for PSQI).

Findings

Significant (p<0.001) positive relationships were identified between all predictors with global PSQI: Anxiety (b = .33), Depression (b = .28), Social Loneliness (b = .17) and Emotional Loneliness (b = .11). Psychometric analyses concerning the measures and their underlying constructs will also be presented.

Conclusions

These findings provide deeper insight into measuring and understanding sleep and wellbeing during lockdown. Increased sleep disturbance was significantly associated with indicators of poorer mood and loneliness, highlighting some of the impacts that situations such as lockdown has among female workers.
O047 An online sleep education workshop for trainee psychologists improves sleep knowledge, skills, and confidence to treat insomnia: A waitlist comparison study
Authors: Meaklim H , Junge M , Rehm I , Monfries M , Kennedy G , Bucks R , Meltzer L , Jackson M
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Despite the clear influence of poor sleep on mental health, nearly half of trainee psychologists receive no sleep education. This limits their ability to manage common sleep disorders, such as insomnia, that adversely impact mental health. This study examined the effectiveness of an online sleep education workshop for improving trainee psychologists’ sleep knowledge and their skills and confidence to deliver evidence-based interventions for insomnia.

Methods

Trainee psychologists enrolled in a six-hour online sleep education workshop (n=186, M age=32, 80% female) or waitlist comparison group (n=70, M age=32, 81% female) offered at their university as part of their postgraduate coursework or a voluntary workshop. Sleep education assessments were completed at pre-and post-intervention (2-4 weeks) and long-term follow-up (12 months).

Results

Workshop attendees demonstrated significant improvements in sleep knowledge post-intervention (pre: 55% vs. post: 80% correct) relative to the waitlist comparison group (pre: 52% vs. post: 51% correct; p<.001). Post-intervention, workshop attendees reported increased confidence in treating insomnia using an evidence-based approach compared to the waitlist group (p<.001). At 12 months post-intervention, 92% of trainees reported utilizing the knowledge and skills learned in the sleep education workshop in their clinical practice.

Discussion

Psychologists are front-line mental health service providers, yet sleep education is missing from the psychology curriculum. Online sleep education workshops provide trainee psychologists with the essential sleep knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to manage insomnia in clinical practice. Such online workshops can be scaled to deliver cost-effective training to psychologists nationally and successfully bridge the evidence-practice gap.
O049 Insomnia severity and cognitive performance following two weeks’ nightly supplementation with 150mg Cannabidiol (CBD) for primary insomnia
Authors: Narayan A , Downey L , Hayley A
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Cannabidiol (CBD) may have sleep promoting effects, but clinical dosage and safety recommendations are still lacking. This study was the first to examine whether the approved Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) daily over-the-counter maximum dose of oral CBD oil (150mg) improved the self-rated severity of primary insomnia and explored CBD effects on higher-order cognitive performance tasks.

Methods

Participants (n = 30) with moderate-severe primary insomnia completed a one-week single-blind placebo-run in period followed by a 2-week double blind, parallel, randomised placebo-controlled dosing period with four assessment visits (V0-V4). Intra-group and between-group Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) (V0 and V4) and cognitive performance (ECog Pro) (V1, V2 and V4) outcomes were assessed using paired sample t-test with independent t-tests, and separate linear mixed effect models with Maximum Likelihood Estimation and independent T-tests, respectively.

Results

Preliminary findings showed reduced ISI for treatment (n = 5; baseline mean 16.60 to 9.60 post treatment, mean difference = -7.00, SD = 4.47) and placebo (n = 8; baseline mean 18.13 to 9.25 post treatment, mean difference = -8.88, SD = 3.68) over time (both p < .001). At conclusion, CBD did not outperform a placebo (p = .427). Numeric and spatial working memory accuracy (%) and reaction time (ms) indicated no intra-group or between-group differences at any time point (all p > 0.05).

Discussion

Decreased insomnia severity from moderate to subthreshold levels indicate potential clinical benefits of daily CBD supplementation as a sleep aid for primary insomnia. Preserved higher-order neurocognitive abilities suggest a good safety profile.
O056 The effect of acetazolamide and oxygen (ACZ+O2) combination therapy on loop gain and OSA severity
Authors: Landry S , Collet J , Thomson L , Beatty C , Mann D , Wong A , Turton A , Sands S , Joosten S , Hamilton G , Edwards B
Published: November 2022

Introduction

One third of patients with OSA have high loop gain. Acetazolamide (ACZ) and supplemental oxygen (O2) individually reduce loop gain (via different mechanisms) and the apnoea-hypopnoea-index (AHI). The current study aimed to explore the efficacy of combining both ACZ and O2 to maximally lower loop gain.

Method

Randomised single-blind cross-over trial. Participants took ACZ (500mg orally) or placebo for 7 days. Within each arm, participants completed two polysomnograms (PSGs) during which they slept with supplemental oxygen (3L/min) or sham-air. Sleep and respiratory events were scored by a (blinded) technologist. In addition to standard scoring, respiratory events were scored without SpO2 or arousal information to calculate a ‘flow-based AHI’ (fAHI). PSG data were then imported into Matlab for loop gain analysis.

Results

Nine participants (5 males, Age=52.4±9.1, BMI=32.0±4.9, AHI=39.9±22.0) have so far completed the trial. Loop gain was significantly reduced by ACZ (-22%, -0.15 CI95:-0.03 to -0.26, p=0.011), O2 (-25%, -0.19 CI95:-0.08 to -0.29, p=0.001) and combination ACZ+O2 (-33%, -0.23 CI95:-0.12 to -0.34, p<0.001) relative to placebo-sham-air condition. Similarly, fAHI was significantly reduced by ACZ (-34%, -15.7/hr CI95:-8.6 to -22.7, p<0.001), O2 (-21%, -10.2/hr CI95:-3.1 to -17.3, p<0.001) and ACZ+O2 (-45.2%, -21.3/hr CI95:-14.6 to -28.4, p<0.001). While fAHI was significantly lower on ACZ+O2 compared with O2 (p=0.003), the difference between ACZ+O2 and ACZ was not significant (-5.6/hr, p=0.12). ACZ+O2 induced a >50% reduction in fAHI in 4/9 participants.

Discussion

Our preliminary data demonstrate that ACZ+O2 may be an efficacious combination therapy for some OSA patients.
O059 A study in Physiological Activation Responses to Posture Shifts in Sleep and The Impact of Supine Avoidance Alarms
Authors: Rahimi M , Catcheside P
Published: November 2022

Introduction

This study assessed the frequency and duration of arousal responses associated with posture shifts during sleep and the time taken to resume sleep following posture shifts with versus without a supine-avoidance alarm.

Method

Sleep and posture shift outcomes during a baseline in-home sleep study (Embletta MPR plus an inactive supine-avoidance alarm device) and subsequent sleep study after 6-8 weeks of supine-avoidance treatment were examined in 66 patients with supine-predominant OSA. A technician blinded to supine-treatment data scored each sleep study, including arousal responses (3-15 and ≥15-sec EEG changes). All posture shifts lasting >5 sec were identified from sleep study and supine-alarm device posture recordings. All sustained (≥30 sec) posture shifts commencing from established sleep during baseline and supine-avoidance nights were assessed for arousal responses (within -30 to +3 sec of each posture shift) and the time taken to resume sleep following each posture shift.

Results

The study population was 62.1% males with a mean±SD age 52.8±11.9 years, BMI 31.9.4±7.8 kg/m², AHI 18.0±9.9 /hr (supine AHI=40.2±38.8 /h). From a total of 418 (baseline) vs 283 (supine-avoidance) sustained posture shifts (median [IQR] 6[3-10] vs 6[3-9] per patient), the majority [342/418 vs 244/283; 91[75-100] vs 100[84-100]%) were associated with an arousal, followed by 0.5 [0.0 to 1.0] min before sleep resumed, with no difference with versus without the supine-alarm.

Conclusion

Posture shifts from sleep are mostly associated with brief arousal prior to any supine-avoidance alarm, after which a supine avoidance alarm effectively discourages supine positioning with minimal disturbance to the resumption of sleep.
O064 A Portable Ocular Assessment for Predicting Fitness to Drive under Extended-Wakefulness Conditions – Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Bickley K , Adams R , Anderson C , Cori J , Howard M , Lack L , Lovato N , Stevens D , Vakulin A
Published: November 2022

Introduction

In response to the high incidence of fatigue-based vehicle accidents, roadside assessments of sleepiness are in significant demand. For this purpose, we’ve piloted the existing NeuroFlex® Platform, which takes ocular performance measurements of both prosaccade and antisaccade eye-movements using a portable Virtual Reality (VR) headset. We’ve conducted preliminary comparisons between these measures and simulated driving performance.

Methods

Sixteen young-adults (females= 8; age M= 25.13, SD= 4.30) completed five test batteries starting 1-hour post-wake where repeated testing encapsuled more than 24-hours of extended wakefulness. Each battery consisted of one 60-minute drive on the AusEd driving simulator, in addition to three administrations of 60-second prosaccade and antisaccade assessments using the NeuroFlex® VR platform.

Results

Steering deviations from the median lane position showed a time main effect, F(4,24.49) = 13.38, p <.001, with the most diminished performance occurring at 19 (M=59.50cm, SD=26.61cm) and 25-hours post-wake (M=72.88cm, SD= 40.09cm) (vs. peak performance @13-hours post-wake M=35.09, SD=12.81; M diff.= 24.41 and 37.79 respectively, p <.001). One moderate association between prosaccade latency and steering deviation was found in the final battery following 25-hours of wakefulness (r=.51, p= 0.04). No significant associations were found for antisaccade latency.

Discussion

Despite the lack of significant associations with steering deviations, eye-movement latency did demonstrate durational increases over extended wakefulness. In this preliminary investigation we were limited to the existing output generation of the NeuroFlex® platform. Therefore, with refined data analyses of ocular control, we see promise in the NeuroFlex® platforms capability of detecting road users’ fitness to drive.
O069 The effects of sleep disordered breathing on sleep spindle activity in children and the relationship with neurocognition
Authors: Shetty M , Perera A , Kadar M , Davey M , Nixon G , Walter L , Horne R
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Conventional sleep macro-architecture measures of sleep disruption have not been associated with the adverse neurocognitive sequelae of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Sleep spindles protecting the sleeping brain from external sensory stimuli and can serve as markers of sleep integrity. We investigated the relationship between sleep spindles and sleep fragmentation and neurocognition across the spectrum of SDB in children.

Methods

Children 3-12y referred for clinical assessment of SDB and age matched control children from the community were recruited. Sleep spindles were identified manually during N2 and N3 sleep. Spindle activity was characterised as spindle number, spindle density (number of spindles/ h) and spindle intensity (spindle density x average spindle duration). The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales measured global intellectual ability and the NeuroPSYchological assessment (NEPSY-II) measured language, attention, visuospatial ability and sensorimotor skills.

Results

Children were grouped into control, Primary Snoring, Mild OSA and Moderate/severe OSA, N=10/ group. All measures of spindle activity were lower in the SDB groups compared to the Control children and this reached statistical significance for Mild OSA (p<0.05 for all). Spindle activity was not correlated with any measure of the Stanford-Binet. Overall, all measures of spindle activity were positively correlated with the Design Copy and the Inhibition Naming combined scale score and negatively correlated with Auditory Attention subscales of the NEPSY-II.

Conclusion

The reduced spindle activity observed in the children with SDB, particularly Mild OSA, indicates that sleep micro-architecture is disrupted and that this disruption may underpin the negative effects of SDB on attention, learning and memory.
O070 Longitudinal associations of sleep microarchitecture with future cognitive function in middle-aged and older men from a community-based cohort study
Authors: Parker J , Vakulin A , Melaku Y , Wittert G , Martin S , D'Rozario A , Catcheside P , Lechat B , Teare A , Toson B , Appleton S , Adams R
Published: November 2022

Study objectives

Prospective studies examining associations of sleep microarchitecture with future cognitive function predominantly recruited from small samples with relatively short follow-up. Therefore, this study examined sleep microarchitecture predictors of cognitive function (visual attention, processing speed, and executive function) after 8–10 years in community-dwelling middle-aged and older men.

Methods

Of 433 Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study participants who underwent home-based polysomnography (2010–2011), 157 completed baseline and follow-up cognitive testing. Whole-night F4-M1 sleep EEG recordings were processed following artefact exclusion, and quantitative EEG features obtained using validated algorithms. Trail-making tests A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B) were administered at baseline (2007–2010) and follow-up (2018–2019) examinations. Linear regression models were adjusted for baseline obstructive sleep apnea, demographic, biomedical, and behavioural factors, and cognitive performance.

Results

At baseline, participants were aged mean (SD) 58.9 (8.9) years with normal cognition. In unadjusted models only, lower REM sleep delta and higher alpha power were associated with worse TMT-A performance at follow-up (delta, B= -0.02, 95% CI [-0.04, -0.001], p=0.042; alpha, B=0.08, 95% CI [0.01, 0.15], p=0.024). Lower overall and slow sleep spindle density in N2 and N3 were associated with worse TMT-A performance at follow-up (all p<0.05). The association of higher fast spindle density in N3 with worse TMT-B performance (B =1.06, 95% CI [0.13, 2.00], p=0.026) was not significant after adjustment for baseline cognition.

Conclusions

In this sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older men with normal baseline cognition, sleep microarchitecture parameters were not independently associated with cognitive function after 8–10 years.
O073 Traditional Clinical and Novel Oximetry Measures as Predictors of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: de Chazal P , Sutherland K , Bin Y , Cook K , Cistulli P
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Intermittent hypoxia is a key mechanism linking Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oximetry analysis could enhance understanding of which OSA phenotypes are associated with CVD risk. We investigated if traditional clinical and novel oximetry measures including hypoxic burden (HB) calculated from the polysomnogram SpO2 signal can predict CVD outcomes in all-comers and OSA subsample cohorts from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS).

Methods

CVD mortality outcome and complete covariate information was used. We implemented 31 oximetry measures and assessed the performance of the parameters in predicting CVD outcomes (CVD death or incident CVD) in the all-comers and sleep apnoea subsamples. The performance of each measure was assessed using an adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) analysis.

Results

In the general subsample, HB successfully predicted CVD death (HR>1.8, p<0.05) but did not predict incident CVD. In the sleep apnoea subsample (AHI>5) with no CVD at baseline, none of the SpO2 measures we considered predicted incident CVD.

Discussion

The ability of HB to predict CVD outcomes depends on the cohort and the CVD outcome. Our analysis of the selected SpO2 measures in an OSA subsample did not find strong links between any oximetry measures and incident CVD, and therefore no strong candidates for CVD risk phenotyping in the sleep clinic. Further work is needed to understand the complex relationship between OSA-related intermittent hypoxia patterns and development of CVD to further understanding of OSA phenotypes at risk of CVD consequences.