Platelet activation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and effects of nasal-continuous positive airway pressure.

Objective: Our study was undertaken to determine whether increased platelet activation occurs in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and whether a therapy with nasal-continuous positive airway pressure (N-CPAP) alters this activation.

Methods: We measured the positive rate of activated platelets using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and flow cytometry in whole blood from 94 patients with OSAS, and from 31 age-matched controls. Thrombotic vascular diseases were surveyed as a background of alternative of platelet activation.

[Evaluation of cardiopulmonary function in Japanese Himalayan climbers to the Himalayas underin a hypobaric hypoxic chamber].

The Tokai University and Tibet University Scientific Friendship Expedition 2001 succeeded in reaching the summit of Kula Kangri (7,538 m) in the Himalrayas without supplementary O2 in May, 2001. Before this expedition, the cardiopulmonary function of all members was evaluated using a hypobaric hypoxic chamber in which the barometric pressure was gradually lowered to a simulated altitude of 6000 m. Whenever a member's PaO2 was lower than 40 torr during the experiment, supplementary O2 was given.