Overcoming passivation through improved mass transport in dense ionic fluids.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have recently been shown to be part of a dense ionic fluid continuum between ionic liquids and concentrated aqueous brines. Charge transport was shown to be governed by fluidity, with no discontinuity between molar conductivity and fluidity irrespective of cation, charge density or ionic radius. By adjusting the activity of water and chloride ions, mass transport, speciation and reactivity can be altered.

Anion effect on the redox properties of copper ions in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

It has long been claimed that the anion of the DES or IL is critical for controlling the redox properties of metal ions. In this study we investigate the effect of different salt anions on the copper redox properties and speciation, and compare that with the effect of the different solvent anions, when a single copper salt is used in a range of solvents. It is shown that the effect of the solvent anion is much more significant than that of the salt anion on the redox properties.

The impact of OSA and CPAP treatment on cell adhesion molecules' night-morning variation.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been related to vascular inflammation and production of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). We aimed to determine night-morning variation of CAMs in patients with OSA compared to controls and the effect of one-night continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on them.

Methods: Nonsmoking men went through a full-attended polysomnography (PSG) study.

Sleep questionnaires for the screening of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetic patients.

Background: Several tools have been used to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Evaluation of the predictive performance of different questionnaires is essential in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because the prevalence of OSA in this population is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate different sleep questionnaires to identify T2DM patients with OSA, and to compare the predictive values of these questionnaires with a matched sample of non-diabetic patients.

Sleep apnea syndrome, inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is an established cardiovascular risk factor in the general population related to inflammation and oxidative stress and is very common among hemodialysis patients. Cardiovascular disease and its complications is the main cause of death among hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of SAS in the promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress and thus in the augmentation of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients.

Evaluation of five different questionnaires for assessing sleep apnea syndrome in a sleep clinic.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Different clinical models and questionnaires have been used to evaluate patients with the highest OSAHS probability.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical utility of five different questionnaires--STOP, STOPBang (SB), Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and 4-Variable Screening Tool (4-V) - in a sleep clinic in order to identify patients at risk for OSAHS and to assess the best possible combination of these tools.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients And Methods: We studied 38 hypertensive patients who suffered from severe OSA. Ambulatory BP measurement was performed at baseline and after at least 3 months of uninterrupted CPAP therapy.

Low-grade albuminuria in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

Small urinary protein loss (low-grade albuminuria or microalbuminuria) may reflect altered permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier. In the present study, it was hypothesized that children with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk of microalbuminuria compared with control subjects without sleep-disordered breathing. Albumin-to-creatinine ratio was measured in morning spot urine specimens collected from consecutive children with or without snoring who were referred for polysomnography.

Sexual delusion in a case of vaginal aplasia after surgical operation for neovagina.

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) is a syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by congenital aplasia of the uterus and the upper part (2/3) of the vagina in women showing normal development of secondary sexual characteristics. We report the case of a patient with vaginal aplasia and schizophrenia presenting with sexual delusion. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case to provide evidence of coexistence between MRKH and sexual delusion in a schizophrenic patient.

Total antioxidant status in patients with obstructive sleep apnea without comorbidities: the role of the severity of the disease.

Objective: Several studies suggest that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with oxidative stress. However, there are also contrary observations and the role of antioxidant mechanisms has not been fully explored.

Patients And Methods: The present study evaluated serum total antioxidant status (TAS) in 32 OSAS patients without comorbidities, before and after a diagnostic sleep study and at a second sleep study after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application.

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome promotes reversal albuminuria during sleep.

Introduction: Sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) may induce albuminuria during sleep which could reflect one of the possible pathogenetic mechanisms regarding cardiovascular risk.

Materials And Methods: We studied 224 patients with newly diagnosed OSAS, free of any chronic disease, and any regular drug therapy. The levels of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) before (ACR-bsleep) and immediately after (ACR-asleep) a sleep study were determined.

The screening role of an introductory course in cognitive therapy training.

Objective: This study examines the role of an introductory course in cognitive therapy and the relative importance of trainees' characteristics in the selection process for an advanced course in cognitive therapy.

Method: The authors assessed the files of all trainees who completed one academic year introductory course in cognitive therapy over the last seven consecutive years (N = 203). The authors examined variables such as previous training, overall involvement during the course, performance, and ability to relate to others, as well as the trainer's evaluations of their performance.

Inspiration during the sleep stages without and after preceding exercise, as a factor supporting circulation of blood and the "resting procedure".

Unlabelled: In a previous preliminary work we found a longer inspiration than expiration period during sleep, opposite to what normally happens during wakefulness. These results which derived from quite a few measurements, but only from two male subjects, were not categorized to sleep stages. In the present paper we have studied the heart rate/minute, the respiration rate/minute and also the duration of inspiration and expiration (respiration ratio), in six healthy subjects, four men and two women aged 23-42, in all four stages of sleep, the REM stage and in arousals.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rhinitis in northern Greece.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) constitutes one of the main factors responsible for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Rhinitis has a high prevalence, but its relationship to COPD has not been determined.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of COPD and rhinitis in northern Greece and to examine their correlation.

Oral findings in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the role of dental parameters that may contribute in increasing apneic activity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Method And Materials: A total of 152 subjects (121 males and 31 females ) were examined from October 1999 until September 2001, for sleep disorder symptoms. All patients underwent polysomnography.

The effect of environmental pollution on the respiratory system of lignite miners: a diachronic study.

Background: It is not known whether working in surface lignite mines can cause x-ray lesions or disorders of respiratory function.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the diachronic impact of environmental pollution on the respiratory system of lignite miners at mines in Eordea, Greece.

Methods: Cases of 199 workers (Group A) residing permanently in the Eordea valley and 151 (Group B) living outside the Eordea valley were studied during Phase I and then re-examined after three years (Phase II).

Changes in central serotonergic function as a correlate of duration of illness in paranoid schizophrenia.

There is evidence that the duration of untreated psychosis may affect both the course and outcome of treatment in schizophrenic patients. In the present study, we used neuroendocrine probes to test the hypothesis that untreated psychosis may induce time-dependent changes in central serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Prolactin responses to the administration of clomipramine (i.

GABA-A receptor beta3 and alpha5 subunit gene cluster on chromosome 15q11-q13 and bipolar disorder: a genetic association study.

There is accumulated evidence that the genes coding for the receptor of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, may be involved in the pathogenesis of affective disorders. In a previous study, we have found a genetic association between the GABA-A receptor alpha5 subunit gene locus (GABRA5) on chromosome 15q11-of 13 and bipolar affective disorder. The aim of the present study was to examine the same subjects to see if there exists a genetic association between bipolar affective disorder and the GABA receptor beta3 subunit gene (GABRB3), which is located within 100 kb from GABRA5.

Association between GABA-A receptor alpha 5 subunit gene locus and schizophrenia of a later age of onset.

Heritability is considered to be a major etiologic factor for schizophrenia. Among the genes considered as candidates for the disease, are those related to GABAergic neurotransmission. Our aim was to test for a genetic association between GABA-A receptor alpha 5 subunit gene locus (GABRA(5)) and schizophrenia.