Impaired Human Sexual and Erectile Function Affecting Semen Quality, in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a rising problem, with important implications for public health. Recent evidence has revealed a link between OSA and reduced male fertility. We investigated the association between OSA and sexual and erectile function, as well as semen quality, and the effect of treatment by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Investigation of the health effects on workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica during outdoor and underground construction projects.

Chronic exposure of workers to powder containing crystalline silica (Silicon dioxide; SiO) can lead to chronic lung diseases (lung cancer, silicosis, etc.). Aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of Greek construction workers to SiO and describe their pulmonary function.

The influence of biphasic positive airway pressure vs. sham biphasic positive airway pressure on pulmonary function in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery.

Background: The effect of biphasic positive airway pressure (BPAP) at individualized pressures on the postoperative pulmonary recovery of morbidly obese patients (MOP) undergoing open bariatric surgery (OBS) and possible device-related effects (sham BPAP) were investigated.

Methods: Forty-eight MOP scheduled for OBS were initially enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to: A) the BPAP group in which BPAP, at individualized inspiratory positive airway pressure/expiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP/EPAP), was applied for 3 days postoperatively and B) the sham BPAP group in which sham BPAP was applied for the same time.

Changes in BODE Quartiles After Pulmonary Rehabilitation Do Not Predict 2-Year Survival in Patients With COPD.

Purpose: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has well documented positive effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise) index reflects the multicomponent nature of COPD. We aimed to determine whether changes in BODE quartiles after a PR program might affect 2-year survival and which characteristics drive changes in BODE quartiles after PR intervention.

Subjects hospitalized with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in a respiratory infection unit: clinical factors correlating with ICU admission.

Background: The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was accompanied by high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with documented 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus admitted to a reference chest hospital, the disease outcome, and risk factors associated with ICU admission.

Methods: We assessed 109 subjects admitted to the respiratory infection unit of a hospital for chest disease with signs and symptoms of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus between April 2009 and December 2010.

Heart rate recovery post 6-minute walking test in obstructive sleep apnea: cycle ergometry versus 6-minute walking test in OSA patients.

Purpose: To examine the clinical usefulness of heart rate recovery (HRR) post 6-minute walking test (6MWT) as a simple marker of cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients in comparison to HRR post cycle ergometry, the validated and more sophisticated protocol.

Methods: Seventy-four participants underwent full overnight polysomnography, cycle ergometry and 6MWT. The HRR at 1, 2 and 3 min (HRR-1, HRR-2 and HRR-3) 6MWT was compared to HRR at 1, 2, and 3 min post cycle ergometry in normal subjects and in moderate and severe OSA patients before and after 6-month CPAP treatment.

The Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test in IPF Prognosis.

Background. In IPF, defects in lung mechanics and gas exchange manifest with exercise limitation due to dyspnea, the most prominent and disabling symptom. Aim.

Sleep oxygen desaturation predicts survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Recent studies suggest poor sleep quality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, so far, the impact of IPF-related sleep breathing disorders (SBDs) on survival has not been extensively studied.

Methods: In a cohort of 31 (24 males) treatment-naïve, newly diagnosed consecutive IPF patients, we prospectively investigated the relationship of SBD parameters such as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), maximal difference in oxygen saturation between wakefulness and sleep (maxdiff SpO2), and lowest sleep oxygen saturation (lowest SpO2) with clinical (survival, dyspnea, daytime sleepiness), pulmonary function, submaximal (6-min walk test [6MWT]) and maximal exercise variables (cardiopulmonary exercise test [CPET]), and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP).

Calprotectin: a protein related to cardiovascular risk in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Introduction: Increased levels of inflammatory mediators, such as hs-CRP, have been detected in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and used as cardiovascular risk and disease outcome predictors. Calprotectin is an inflammatory marker regulating atherogenic processes not investigated in adult OSA patients. The aim of the present study as primary objective was to examine the role of calprotectin as an inflammatory molecule, acting through a distinct pathway to the atherogenic process in adult OSA patients and its associations with hs-CRP and the lipidemic profile of the patients.

Asleep home blood pressure monitoring in obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to be related to nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and nondipping hypertension. This pilot study evaluated night-time BP assessed using a home monitor in patients with OSA.

Participants And Methods: Patients referred to a sleep clinic were subjected to polysomnography, clinic BP measurements, and home BP monitoring using a device that allows daytime (3 days, two duplicate readings per day) and automated night-time BP measurement (3 nights, three readings per night).

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on blood pressure in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a 3-year follow-up.

Objective: Several studies have reported a small yet significant decrease in blood pressure (BP) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated the long-term efficiency of CPAP in the management of hypertensive patients with OSA on top of conventional antihypertensive medication.

Methods: We followed 91 nonsleepy patients (aged 54 ± 9 years, 69 men) with essential hypertension and newly diagnosed moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, 38 ± 24 events/h on polysomnography) for a mean period of 3.

Levels of angiopoietins 1 and 2 in induced sputum supernatant in patients with COPD.

Pathological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include lung vascular remodeling and angiogenesis. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), is an essential mediator of angiogenesis by establishing vascular integrity, whereas angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) acts as its natural inhibitor. We determined the levels of angiopoietins in sputum supernatants of patients with COPD and investigated their possible association with mediators and cells involved in the inflammatory and remodeling process.

Associations between BODE index and systemic inflammatory biomarkers in COPD.

Background: COPD is a multicomponent disease and systemic inflammation represents one of the possible mechanisms responsible for its systemic manifestations, including skeletal muscle weakness and cachexia. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) that reflects the skeletal muscle mass, has been shown to be associated with both dyspnoea and exercise capacity. We hypothesized that the multidimensional BODE index, that reflects the multicomponent nature of COPD, might be related to biomarkers of systemic inflammation.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation in non-small cell lung cancer patients: who might be the candidates?

Objectives: Brain metastases (BMs) often advance the course of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We performed an observational study in order to investigate the possible correlation of selected clinical and epidemiological factors with BM appearance in patients suffering from different histological subtypes of NSCLC stage I-IV.

Methods: The study included 161 consecutive patients with NSCLC.

Exhaled breath condensate pH as a biomarker of COPD severity in ex-smokers.

Endogenous airway acidification, as assessed by exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, is present in patients with stable COPD. The aim of this study was to measure EBC pH levels in a large cohort of COPD patients and to evaluate associations with functional parameters according to their smoking status.EBC was collected from 161 patients with stable COPD and 112 controls (current and ex-smokers).

Exhaled nitric oxide and exhaled breath condensate pH as predictors of sputum cell counts in optimally treated asthmatic smokers.

Background And Objective: Smoking is thought to modify the pattern of airway inflammation. Induced sputum provides useful information on cellular phenotype in inflammatory airways disorders; however, it is time-consuming and difficult to implement in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether exhaled NO (FeNO) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH differed in asthmatic smokers compared with asthmatic non-smokers and healthy subjects, and to evaluate the performance of FeNO and EBC pH for predicting the cellular phenotype of induced sputum.

Hemoglobin, erythropoietin and systemic inflammation in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Systemic inflammation may represent a possible cause of anemia. Previous data support that anemic patients with COPD present high erythropoietin (EPO) levels, suggestive of EPO resistance, possibly mediated through inflammatory mechanisms.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether systemic inflammation, which is usually up-regulated during exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) is associated with low hemoglobin levels expressing erythropoietin resistance.

Latest therapeutic novelties and patents in pulmonary hypertension.

Recent advances in technology and novel pharmaceutical research findings have added new grounds in the fields of medical treatment and quality of life of patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Collective assessment of new data is mandatory and useful for specialist medical doctors. This review aims to present the latest therapeutic developments of the last two years (2009-2010) in PAH.

Early experience with totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity is a challenging operation. The application of robotic techniques has been shown to ease the technical difficulties and reduce perioperative morbidity, mainly because it facilitates the construction of the gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJ). Robotic laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP) has been reported either as totally robotic with manual suturing of the GJ or as robotically assisted with the use of the robot only for the construction of the GJ.

The impact of positive airway pressure on cardiac status and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing: a preliminary report.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients with HF exhibit a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). We have investigated the long-term impact of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on heart function and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced HF and concomitant SDB.

Body mass index is associated with leukotriene inflammation in asthmatics.

Background: Obesity and asthma are characterized by the presence of inflammation. Leptin and adiponectin are circulating hormones produced by adipose tissue that regulate several metabolic and inflammatory functions. We aimed to determine whether obesity influences asthmatic inflammation as well as the contribution of leptin or/and adiponectin to a possible linkage between asthmatic and obesity-related inflammation.

Airway inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea: is leptin the missing link?

Background: Local and systemic inflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive sampling method for the lower airways. However, it is important to consider the potential effect of the systemic origin whereas systemic inflammation is significantly elevated.

Comparison of cognitive performance among different age groups in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the cognitive performance of young and middle-aged patients. Patients were divided into two groups, one consisting of 30 patients less than 50 years of age and the other consisting of 28 patients 50 years and over. Normal subjects were similarly divided into two groups, composed of 17 younger and 24 older controls.

Eosinophilic infiltration in the nasal mucosa of rhinitis patients: is it affected by the presence of asthma or the allergic status of the patients?

Background: Asthma and rhinitis often coexist, and there is evidence to suggest that they have similar histopathologic features.

Objective: To examine whether the inflammatory infiltration in the nasal mucosa in rhinitis is affected by the presence of asthma and allergy.

Methods: Nasal mucosa biopsy samples were collected from 44 individuals: 18 with rhinitis and asthma (9 allergic and 9 nonallergic), 16 with rhinitis and no asthma (8 allergic and 8 nonallergic), and 10 nonallergic control subjects.