Sleep Bruxism in Thai Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of sleep bruxism (SB) in Thai obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and to identify demographic characteristics and specific sleep parameters associated with SB. METHODS: A total of 119 medical records, each containing full-night type I polysomnography from Thai patients with OSA, were included. SB was detected using surface electromyography of the masseter muscle. SB was diagnosed when the SB index reached at least two episodes per hour of sleep. The differences in demographic characteristics and sleep parameters between SB and non-SB groups were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated factors for SB. RESULTS: Among Thai patients diagnosed with OSA, 50.4% concurrently experienced SB, predominantly of the tonic type. The study revealed a higher prevalence of SB in males compared to females. The SB group demonstrated significantly higher values in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Arousal Index (AI), and Respiratory Arousal Index (RAI) compared to the non-SB group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a lower body mass index (BMI), higher ESS, and increased severity of AHI were significantly associated with SB. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that half of Thai patients diagnosed with OSA also exhibited SB. Male, AHI, ESS, AI, and RAI appeared to be potential correlates for the presence of SB. Lower BMI, higher ESS, and elevated AHI can be factors associated with SB in Thai OSA patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The prevalence of SB among Thai patients diagnosed with OSA and the factors associated with its occurrence were investigated.

The profiling and analysis of gene expression in human periodontal ligament tissue and fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES: The periodontal ligament (PDL) is an important component of periodontium to support dental structure in the alveolar socket. Regeneration of PDL tissue is an effective treatment option for periodontal disease and the profiling of genes involved in this process will be informative. Therefore, our study aims to accurately delineate the profiling of gene expression for PDL tissue regeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We isolated PDL tissues and PDL fibroblasts (PDLFs) from premolar teeth, which were extracted from healthy periodontal status patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in PDL tissue and PDLFs were analyzed using Cap analysis gene expression, which is a second-generation sequencing technique to create profiling. We also determined the protein expression using Western blot. RESULTS: Collagens (type I, III, and VI), noncollagenous proteins (periostin and osteonectin), and proteoglycans (asporin, lumican, decorin, and osteomodulin) were highly expressed in PDL tissue. Integrin, ß1 was also expressed in PDL tissue. On comparison of gene expression between PDL tissue and PDLFs, four PDL marker genes, osteopontin, asporin, periostin, and osteonectin, were decreased in PDLFs. The genes for gene regulation were also highly expressed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the overall profiling of mRNA expression in PDL tissue and analyzed the important genes which may be useful for providing specific information for the reconstruction of PDL. We also identified the difference in gene expression between PDL tissue and PDLFs which might provide insights towards PDL regeneration.