Profile of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Initial Experience in a Tertiary Health Facility.

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder with increasing prevalence worldwide. The disease is, however, underdiagnosed in many resource-limited countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa with unknown prevalence. Study aim The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as measured sleep study parameters of suspected OSA patients. Methods The study was a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and home sleep study reports of patients seen at the respiratory and sleep clinic from January 2020 to June 2022. Descriptive statistics such as means, medians, and percentages were employed to summarize the data using tables and graphs. Spearman correlation coefficient and Fisher's exact test were used to determine associations between the variables. Findings The study participants were predominantly male, and 64.7% were ≥50 years of age. Approximately 76% of the cases had moderate-to-severe OSA based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores with a mean BMI of 38.4kg/m2 and 43.1kg/m2, respectively (p=0.013), and a mean STOP-BANG score of 5.2 and 6.2, respectively (p <0.001). There was a positive correlation between AHI scores and BMI of the patients (r=0.252, p=0.003), as well as with their STOP-BANG scores (r=0.436, p< 0.001). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) parameters of participants also positively correlated with the AHI scores (r=0.872, p<0.001). Conclusion The proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA was high. Obesity was significantly associated with AHI scores, which also positively correlated with the STOP-BANG and ODI scores. These results suggest that the burden of OSA, which is closely linked with obesity, could be underestimated in Ghana and requires epidemiological studies in the very near future to clearly define and anticipate its impact on the health economy of Ghana.

Direct to psychology for sleep disorders: Innovating models of care in the hospital and health service.

A 'Direct to Psychology Insomnia' pathway was developed for implementation within a multidisciplinary sleep disorders service in a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The project was informed by implementation science principles and methodology to re-design the model of care (MoC). A consensus group workshop using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) with 12 multidisciplinary staff was undertaken to develop the new MoC. The workshop explored inclusion and exclusion criteria for a Direct to Psychology pathway including patient flow and enablers. The team endorsed a MoC that was acceptable to stakeholders and addressed service-level imperatives. The findings highlighted that patient inclusion or exclusion should be overseen by the Sleep Physician team and an Advanced Psychologist with behavioural sleep medicine expertise. Continuum of care for patients referred via primary care providers was considered. Barriers and risks to the MoC changes were identified which informed the refinement of the MoC.

Giant Submucosal Fibromatosis of the Base of Tongue Presenting as Paediatric Obstuctive Sleep Apnoea: A Rare Case Report.

A nodular lesion of the tongue encompasses a range of conditions, from reactive to malignant. It can be challenging to diagnose when a solitary and firm submucosal mass appears in the oral cavity. Following an essential investigation protocol is necessary for reaching a definitive diagnosis. Leiomyomas are benign tumors that infrequently occur in the oral cavity and typically affect individuals between their forties and fifties. This case report presents a rare and unique case of a giant submucosal fibromatosis located at the base of the tongue in a 3-year-old child presenting with features of pediatric OSA. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the positivity of tumor cells for beta-catenin and CD 34 aberrant expression, though SMA and STAT 6 were negative. The lesion was removed submucosally in toto and post-surgery the patient showed no symptoms and had no evidence of tumors during the one-year follow-up visit.

Identifying risk of postoperative cardiorespiratory complications in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at increased risk of postoperative cardiorespiratory complications and death. Attempts to stratify this risk have been inadequate, and predictors from large well-characterized cohort studies are needed. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the relationship between OSA severity, defined by various polysomnography-derived metrics, and risk of postoperative cardiorespiratory complications or death, and which metrics best identify such risk? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cohort study of 6770 consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic polysomnography for possible OSA and a procedure involving general anesthesia within a period spanning 2 years before and at least 5 years after polysomnography. Participants were identified by linking polysomnography and health databases. Relationships between OSA severity measures and the composite primary outcome of cardiorespiratory complications or death within 30 days of hospital discharge were investigated using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The primary outcome was observed in 5.3% (n=361) of the cohort. While univariable analysis showed strong dose-response relationships between this outcome and multiple OSA severity measures, multivariable analysis showed its independent predictors were: age >65 years (OR 2.67 [95%CI 2.03-3.52], p<0.0001); age 55.1-65 years (OR 1.47 [1.09-1.98], p=0.0111); time between polysomnography and procedure ≥5 years (OR 1.32 [1.02-1.70], p=0.0331), body mass index ≥35kg/m2 (OR 1.43 [1.13-1.82], p=0.0032); presence of known cardiorespiratory risk factor (OR 1.63 [1.29-2.06], p<0.0001); >4.7% of sleep time at SpO2 less than 90% (T90) (OR 1.91 [1.51-2.42], p<0.0001); and cardiothoracic procedures (OR 7.95 [5.71-11.08], p<0.001). For non-cardiothoracic procedures, age, BMI, presence of known cardiorespiratory risk factor and T90 remained the significant predictors, and a risk score based on their odds ratios was predictive of outcome (area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.7 [95%CI 0.64-0.75]). INTERPRETATION: These findings provide a basis for better identifying high-risk OSA patients and determining appropriate postoperative care.

Ozone induced structural variation in OSA waxy rice starch: Effects on the thermal behavior of starch and its stabilized pickering emulsion.

Waxy rice starch (St) was modified by pre-OSA esterification reaction followed by ozone treatment. The molecular structure of this modified product (OSA-OSt) was characterized, and the thermal behaviors and its stabilized Pickering emulsion were evaluated. 1HNMR and XPS results discovered that ozone initially oxidized the hydroxyl groups in the amorphous region of starch (preferentially C2/C3) along with a degree of crosslinking, enhancing the molecular orderliness. This led to an increase in water-holding capability (29.15%) and swelling power (52.8 g/g), and a decrease in solubility (0.35%). TGA, RVA, and DSC indicated that oxidation-induced crosslinking within a brief treatment period enhanced the starch's thermal stability. The structural change enabled the formation of a weak gel structure during the heating process, which displayed high thermal and freeze-thaw stability. The work proves ozone is an effective way of improving the thermal behavior of OSA-starch and its emulsion for subsequent applications in numerous food products.

The Emergence of Inpatient Sleep Medicine: Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing to Reduce the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease.

Purpose of Review: Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has historically been centered on outpatients given sleep testing is performed on an outpatient basis. Much of this practice originates from insurers only covering sleep testing on an outpatient basis. Over the last decade, there have been innovations made in the portability of sleep monitors which have allowed sleep testing on inpatients to be facilitated. There is also emerging data that inpatient sleep testing may reduce readmissions and healthcare costs in certain cardiovascular conditions. Accordingly, this review aims to provide comprehensive coverage of recent advances in the practice of inpatient sleep medicine and its effect on reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. Recent Findings: Chief cardiovascular diseases that intersect with OSA in inpatients are stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. There is data from the National Inpatient Sample comparing arrhythmia burdens in patients with OSA and HFpEF showing that OSA patients have higher mortality rates, hospital durations, and medical costs. Also, OSA is associated with higher burdens of arrhythmia. It is currently unknown whether treatment of inpatients with PAP therapy lowers the occurrence of arrhythmias. Recent data suggests that costs for heart failure patients with OSA that are readmitted are higher than those for heart failure patients without OSA. A recent analysis of patients with HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) and OSA showed that the PAP adherent patients had fewer healthcare related costs, lower readmission rates, and fewer emergency room visits than those that were nonadherent. In broader terms, rapid initiation of PAP therapy in a large administration database query of 23 million Medicare patients appears to reduce annual healthcare costs and reduce readmissions although further study is required. Summary: OSA is globally underdiagnosed, with an estimated one billion individuals affected. OSA's pathogenesis involves a combination of risk factors, such as obesity, age, and increased neck circumference that contribute to fragmented sleep patterns and in turn, numerous cardiovascular comorbidities, such as stroke, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Recently, inpatient sleep medicine programs have emerged as a promising avenue for improving diagnosis, patient safety, and potentially reducing readmissions. Integrating inpatient sleep medicine into healthcare systems to address the significant health and economic burden associated with undiagnosed OSA. Improved coverage of inpatient sleep testing and services will be a key driver of addressing inpatient gaps in sleep medicine care. The current research findings provide a bedrock from which further investigations may proceed in a prospective and randomized, controlled fashion to further clarify the effects of treatment of OSA on cardiovascular outcomes of inpatients.

The knowledge profile, attitudes, and perioperative management of Chinese anesthesiologists towards patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUNDS: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is increasingly encountered by anesthesiologists in clinical practice. However, research on managing these patients among anesthesiologists in China is scarce. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perioperative management strategies for OSA patients among Chinese anesthesiologists. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, anesthesiologists from various hospitals across China were invited to complete a thirty-eight-item online questionnaire survey between October 1 and November 1, 2022. The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude (OSAKA) scale was utilized to measure their knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS: A total of 470 valid participants were recruited for this research, resulting in a valid response rate of 73.3%. (1) While the majority of participants acknowledged the importance of identifying OSA during perioperative management, only 58.3% felt confident in managing OSA patients; (2) Anesthesiologists with higher professional titles and longer work experience exhibited greater confidence in managing OSA patients; (3) Just under half of the participants were familiar with the STOP-Bang and Berlin questionnaires. Anesthesiologists with over 20 years of work experience were more likely to use the STOP-Bang and Berlin questionnaires compared to those with less than 10 years of work experience (OR = 3.166, P < 0.001); (4) 71.1% of participants expressed approval regarding the preparation of sugammadex for muscle relaxation reversal, while only 32.8% approved the safety of opioid use for postoperative analgesia in OSA patients. CONCLUSION: The study displayed that Chinese anesthesiologists have inadequate knowledge and perioperative management of OSA than expected. However, they have positive attitudes towards the assessment and management of OSA. The study highlights the need for high-quality training to identify and manage OSA among Chinese anesthesiologists.

Lingual Tonsillectomy as Part of a DISE-Directed Multilevel Upper Airway Surgery to Treat Complex Pediatric OSA: A Safe and Appropriate Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of lingual tonsillectomy (LT) as part of multilevel surgery in children with complex obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To evaluate the safety and the outcomes of LT. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Pediatric tertiary care academic center. METHODS: We included all children operated for LT to treat complex OSA, from January 2018 to June 2022. All patients underwent a protocolized drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) followed by a coblation LT, associated with the treatment of all other obstructive sites. Patient demographics, medical history, surgery, and outcomes were reviewed. The efficiency of LT was analyzed exclusively in patients with a preoperative and postoperative sleep study. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were included. Median age was 8 years (interquartile range, IQR [3-12]). Sixty-five (53%) patients had Down syndrome, 22 (18%) had a craniofacial malformation, and 8 (7%) were obese. LT was associated with adenoidectomy (n = 78, 63%), partial tonsillectomy (n = 70, 57%), inferior turbinoplasty/turbinectomy (n = 59, 48%), epiglottoplasty (n = 92, 75%), and/or expansion pharyngoplasty (n = 2, 2%). Eighty-nine patients underwent a sleep study before and after surgery. The median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 18 events/h (IQR [9-36]) before surgery to 3 events/h (IQR [1-5]) after surgery (P < .001) (patients with a postoperative AHI <1.5 events/h, n = 31, 35%, and an AHI <5 events/h, n = 32, 36%). Seventeen out of 30 (57%) patients could be weaned from continuous positive airway pressure after surgery. Two patients had a postoperative hemorrhage and 2 patients required a transient postoperative reintubation. CONCLUSION: In children with complex OSA, LT as part of a DISE-directed multilevel upper airway surgery, was a very efficient and safe procedure.

A novel deep learning model for obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis: hybrid CNN-Transformer approach for radar-based detection of apnea-hypopnea events.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The demand for cost-effective and accessible alternatives to polysomnography (PSG), the conventional diagnostic method for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has surged. In this study, we have developed and validated a deep learning model for detecting apnea-hypopnea events using radar data. METHODS: We conducted a single-center prospective cohort study, dividing participants with suspected sleep-disordered breathing into development and temporally independent test sets. Utilizing a hybrid CNN-Transformer architecture, we performed 5-fold cross-validation on the development set to develop and subsequently validate the model. Evaluation metrics included sensitivity for event detection, mean absolute error (MAE), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) estimation. Linearly weighted kappa statistics (κ) assessed OSA severity. RESULTS: The development set comprised 54 participants (July 2021-May 2022), while the test set included 35 participants (June 2022-June 2023). In the test set, our model achieved an event detection sensitivity of 67.2% (95% CI: 65.8%, 68.5%) and demonstrated a MAE of 7.54 (95% CI: 5.36, 9.72), indicating good agreement (ICC = 0.889 [95% CI: 0.792, 0.942]) and a strong correlation (r = 0.892 [95% CI: 0.795, 0.945]) with the ground truth for AHI estimation. Furthermore, OSA severity estimation showed substantial agreement (κ = 0.780 [95% CI: 0.658, 0.903]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights radar sensors and advanced AI models' potential to improve OSA diagnosis, paving the path for future radar-based diagnostic models in sleep medicine research.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea relieves stuttering priapism in patient with sickle cell disease: a case report.

Background: Stuttering priapism is recurrent, self-limited episodes of sustained penile erection and is common in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Prevention of stuttering priapism is important to avoid progression to episodes of ischemic priapism which can cause erectile dysfunction. Priapism has been shown to be associated with increased nocturnal hypoxemia in patients with SCD. Case Description: A 43-year-old male with nocturnal episodes of stuttering priapism that was refractory to treatment with multiple medications was found to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Following treatment of this condition with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the patient had immediate symptom relief and has had three months without an episode of priapism. Conclusions: OSA should be considered as an underlying cause of nocturnal stuttering priapism in patients with SCD, particularly in patients who present with stuttering priapism later in life or patients who present strictly with nocturnal episodes. Appropriate management of OSA can significantly decrease the incidence of stuttering priapism in patients with SCD.

The Complex Relationship between Neuromodulators, Circadian Rhythms, and Insomnia in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythm and neurotrophin (NFT) signaling. This study explored the link between neuromodulators, chronotype, and insomnia in OSA. The participants (n = 166) underwent polysomnography (PSG) before being categorized into either the control or the OSA group. The following questionnaires were completed: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Chronotype Questionnaire (morningness-eveningness (ME), and subjective amplitude (AM). Blood samples were collected post-PSG for protein level assessment using ELISA kits for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), proBDNF, glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor, NFT3, and NFT4. Gene expression was analyzed utilizing qRT-PCR. No significant differences were found in neuromodulator levels between OSA patients and controls. The controls with insomnia exhibited elevated neuromodulator gene expression (p < 0.05). In the non-insomnia individuals, BDNF and NTF3 expression was increased in the OSA group compared to controls (p = 0.007 for both); there were no significant differences between the insomnia groups. The ISI scores positively correlated with all gene expressions in both groups, except for NTF4 in OSA (R = 0.127, p = 0.172). AM and ME were predicting factors for the ISI score and clinically significant insomnia (p < 0.05 for both groups). Compromised compensatory mechanisms in OSA may exacerbate insomnia. The correlation between chronotype and NFT expression highlights the role of circadian misalignments in sleep disruptions.

Endoscopic duodenal-jejunal bypass liner treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnoea-A pilot study.

We aimed to assess the extent to which people with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, obesity (BMI 30-45 kg/m2) and moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) requiring continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP) were able to discontinue CPAP following EndoBarrier-related weight loss. We assessed sleep and metabolic parameters before, during and after EndoBarrier in 12 participants with moderate OSA requiring CPAP (75% female, 8/12 [66%] type 2 diabetes, 4/12 [34%] prediabetes, mean ± SD age 52.6 ± 9.7 years, BMI 37.4 ± 3.5 kg/m2, median duration of OSA while on CPAP 9.0 [7.0-15.0] months). With EndoBarrier in-situ, mean ± SD Apnoea Hypopnoea Index (AHI) fell by 9.1 ± 5.0 events/h from 18.9 ± 3.8 to 9.7 ± 3.0 events/h (p < .001) with an associated reduction in symptoms of daytime sleepiness (mean Epworth Sleepiness Score) such that all the 12 participants no longer required CPAP according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence criteria. After EndoBarrier removal, 10/12 (83%) patients attended follow-up and at 12 months after removal, AHI remained below 15 in 5/10 (50%) patients but in other five the AHI rose above 15 such that restarting CPAP was recommended as justified by their symptoms. Rather than restart CPAP, two patients lost the regained weight and their AHI dropped below 15 again. Thus, 7/10 (70%) of patients were able to remain off CPAP 12 or more months after EndoBarrier removal. These results demonstrate major benefit of EndoBarrier in moderate OSA, allowing all patients to discontinue CPAP during treatment, and with maintenance of improvement at follow-up in 70%. They confirm previously demonstrated metabolic improvements in diabetes and obesity.

OSA diagnosis goes wearable: are the latest devices ready to shine?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Since 2019, the FDA has cleared nine novel obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-detecting wearables for home sleep apnea testing, with many now commercially available for sleep clinicians to integrate into their clinical practices. To help clinicians comprehend these devices and their functionalities, we meticulously reviewed their operating mechanisms, sensors, algorithms, data output, and related performance evaluation literature. METHODS: We collected information from PubMed, FDA clearance documents, ClinicalTrial.gov, and web sources, with direct industry input whenever feasible. RESULTS: In this "device-centered" review, we broadly categorized these wearables into two main groups: those that primarily harness Photoplethysmography (PPG) data and those that do not. The former include the peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT)-based devices. The latter was further broken down into two key subgroups: acoustic-based and respiratory effort-based devices. We provided a performance evaluation literature review and objectively compared device-derived metrics and specifications pertinent to sleep clinicians. Detailed demographics of study populations, exclusion criteria, and pivotal statistical analyses of the key validation studies are summarized. CONCLUSIONS: In the foreseeable future, these novel OSA-detecting wearables may emerge as primary diagnostic tools for patients at risk for moderate-to-severe OSA without significant comorbidities. While more devices are anticipated to join this category, there remains a critical need for cross-device comparison studies as well as independent performance evaluation and outcome research in diverse populations. Now is the moment for sleep clinicians to immerse themselves in understanding these emerging tools to ensure our patient-centered care is improved through the appropriate implementation and utilization of these novel sleep technologies.

Sleep disorders and Parkinson's disease: is there a right direction?

In the last years, the hypothesis of a close relationship between sleep disorders (SDs) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has significantly strengthened. Whether this association is causal has been also highlighted by recent evidence demonstrating a neurobiological link between SDs and PD. Thus, the question is not whether these two chronic conditions are mutually connected, but rather how and when this relationship is expressed. Supporting this, not all SDs manifest with the same temporal sequence in PD patients. Indeed, SDs can precede or occur concomitantly with the onset of the clinical manifestation of PD. This review discusses the existing literature, putting under a magnifying glass the timing of occurrence of SDs in PD-neurodegeneration. Based on this, here, we propose two possible directions for studying the SDs-PD relationship: the first direction, from SDs to PD, considers SDs as potential biomarker/precursor of future PD-neurodegeneration; the second direction, from PD to SDs, considers SDs as concomitant symptoms in manifest PD, mainly related to primary PD-neuropathology and/or parkinsonian drugs. Furthermore, for each direction, we questioned SDs-PD relationship in terms of risk factors, neuronal circuits/mechanisms, and impact on the clinical phenotype and disease progression. Future research is needed to investigate whether targeting sleep may be the winning strategy to treat PD, in the context of a personalized precision medicine.

An integrated bioinformatics analysis to identify the shared biomarkers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been shown to have a close association in previous studies, but their pathogeneses are unclear. This study explores the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of OSA and NAFLD and identifies key predictive genes. Methods: Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we obtained gene expression profiles GSE38792 for OSA and GSE89632 for NAFLD and related clinical characteristics. Mitochondrial unfolded protein response-related genes (UPRmtRGs) were acquired by collating and collecting UPRmtRGs from the GeneCards database and relevant literature from PubMed. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with OSA and NAFLD were identified using differential expression analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted for signaling pathway enrichment analysis of related disease genes. Based on the STRING database, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed on differentially co-expressed genes (Co-DEGs), and the Cytoscape software (version 3.9.1) was used to visualize the PPI network model. In addition, the GeneMANIA website was used to predict and construct the functional similar genes of the selected Co-DEGs. Key predictor genes were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The intersection of differentially expressed genes shared between OSA and NAFLD-related gene expression profiles with UPRmtRGs yielded four Co-DEGs: ASS1, HDAC2, SIRT3, and VEGFA. GSEA obtained the relevant enrichment signaling pathways for OSA and NAFLD. PPI network results showed that all four Co-DEGs interacted (except for ASS1 and HDAC2). Ultimately, key predictor genes were selected in the ROC curve, including HDAC2 (OSA: AUC = 0.812; NAFLD: AUC = 0.729), SIRT3 (OSA: AUC = 0.775; NAFLD: AUC = 0.750), and VEGFA (OSA: AUC = 0.812; NAFLD: AUC = 0.861) (they have a high degree of accuracy in predicting whether a subject will develop two diseases). Conclusion: In this study, four co-expression differential genes for OSA and NAFLD were obtained, and they can predict the occurrence of both diseases. Transcriptional mechanisms involved in OSA and NAFLD interactions may be better understood by exploring these key genes. Simultaneously, this study provides potential diagnostic and therapeutic markers for patients with OSA and NAFLD.

Citrus oil gland and cuticular wax inspired multifunctional gelatin film of OSA-starch nanoparticles-based nanoemulsions for preserving perishable fruit.

Inspired by the citrus oil gland and cuticular wax, a multifunctional material that stably and continuously released the carvacrol and provided physical defenses was developed to address issues of fresh-cut fruits to microbial infestation and moisture loss. The results confirmed that low molecular weight and loose structure of starch nanoparticles prepared by the ultrasound-assisted Fenton system were preferable for octenyl succinic anhydride modification compared to native starch, achieving a higher degree of substitution (increased by 18.59 %), utilizing in preparing nanoemulsions (NEs) for encapsulating carvacrol (at 5 % level: 81.58 %). Furthermore, the NEs-based gelatin (G) film improved with surface hydrophobic modification by myristic acid (MA) successfully replicated the citrus oil gland and cuticular wax, providing superior antioxidant (enhanced by 3-4 times) and antimicrobial properties (95.99 % and 84.97 % against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively), as well as the exceptional UV shielding (nearly 0 transmittance in the UV region), mechanical (72 % increase in tensile strength), and hydrophobic (WCA 133.63°). Moreover, the 5%NE-G@MA film inhibited foodborne microbial growth (reduced by 50 %) and water loss (controlled below 15 %), extending the shelf life of fresh-cut navel orange and kiwi. Thus, the multifunctional film was a potential shield for preserving perishable fresh-cut products.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Platelet Aggregation, and Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: Although related, the precise mechanisms linking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are unclear. Platelets are mediators of CVD risk and thrombosis and prior studies suggested associations of OSA and platelet activity. The aim of this study is to assess the link between OSA, platelet activity, and CVD-related risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the association of OSA-measures and platelet aggregation in participants dually enrolled in the SHHS (Sleep Heart and Health Study) and FHS (Framingham Heart Study). We applied linear regression models with adjustment for demographic and clinical covariates and explored interactions with OSA and CVD-related factors, including age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, OSA diagnosis (apnea-hypopnea index 4%≥5), and aspirin use. Our final sample was of 482 participants (60 years [14.00], 50.4% female). No associations were observed between apnea-hypopnea index 4% and platelet aggregation in the main sample. Stratified analysis revealed an association in aspirin users (n=65) for our primary exposure (apnea-hypopnea index 4%, ß=0.523; P<0.001; n=65), and secondary exposures: hypoxic burden (ß=0.358; P<0.001), minimum saturation (ß=-0.519; P=0.026), and oxygen desaturation index 3% (ß=74.672; P=0.002). No associations were detected in nonaspirin users (n=417). CONCLUSIONS: No associations were detected between OSA and platelet aggregation in a community sample. Our finding that OSA associates with increased platelet aggregation in the aspirin group, most of whom use it for primary prevention of CVD, suggests that platelet aggregation may mediate the adverse impact of OSA on vascular health in individuals with existing CVD risk, supporting further investigation.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Therapy in a Belgian Cohort of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) has emerged as a widespread and innovative treatment option for selected moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who cannot be treated effectively with traditional treatment modalities. In this observational cohort study, the objective and subjective outcomes of Belgian OSA patients treated with HGNS therapy were analyzed at 6 and 12 months post-implantation. Thirty-nine patients implanted with a respiration-synchronized HGNS device at the Antwerp University Hospital w ere included in this study. Patients underwent baseline in-laboratory polysomnography and a follow-up sleep study 6 and 12 months post-implantation. Questionnaires on patient experience and daytime sleepiness were filled out and data on objective therapy usage were collected. All 39 patients completed the 6-month follow-up and 21 patients (54%) completed the 12-month follow-up. Median AHI decreased from 33.8 [26.1;45.0] to 10.2 [4.8;16.4] at the 6-month follow-up, and to 9.6 [4.1;16.4] at the 12-month follow-up (p < 0.001). The surgical success rate, according to the Sher20 criteria, was 80% and 76% at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. Median ESS improved from 12.0 [7.0;18.0] at baseline to 6.0 [2.5;11.0] at 6 months (p < 0.001) and to 6.5 [2.8;11.5] at 12 months (p = 0.012). Objective therapy usage was 7.4 [6.6;8.0] and 7.0 [5.9:8.2] h/night at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. A high overall clinical effectiveness of HGNS therapy, as shown by a mean disease alleviation of 58%, was demonstrated at 12 months post-implantation. Overall, HGNS therapy using respiration-synchronized neurostimulation of the XII cranial nerve resulted in a significant improvement in both objective and subjective OSA outcomes, with a high level of patient satisfaction and high treatment adherence.

The Potential Effect of Changing Patient Position on Snoring: A Systematic Review.

Approximately 45% of adults snore occasionally, and 25% snore regularly, with a higher prevalence in men and an increase among postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes. Snoring is a health concern linked to vascular disease and decreased quality of life for both snorers and their bed partners. Effective snoring treatment, which aims to reduce or eliminate the sound, is challenging and depends on factors like age, comorbidities, disease severity, and anatomical features. This review aims to provide a systematic overview of the current literature on the effects of positional therapy (PT) on snoring. Various devices facilitate PT, including anti-snoring pillows and vibration alarms. PT devices maintain head and neck alignment to keep airways open, while head of bed elevation (HOBE) solutions reduce upper airway collapses by elevating the head and trunk. Studies show that PT and HOBE reduce snoring by increasing airway cross-sectional area and decreasing closing pressure. Despite their benefits, these non-surgical treatments have limitations, such as discomfort in certain sleeping positions and intolerance to prolonged head elevation. While reducing snoring intensity is critical for health reasons, further comparative studies between the different devices are needed to enhance snoring management.