Predicting complete concentric collapse at the palatal level during drug-induced sleep endoscopy: an analysis of 1761 cases.

Purpose: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) helps select patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for surgery by identifying upper airway collapse patterns. This study aimed to predict the probability of complete concentric collapse at the palatal level (CCCp) during DISE based on patient characteristics, specifically body mass index (BMI).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of OSA patients who underwent DISE from January 2018 to July 2023.

Red flags to screen for vertebral fracture in patients presenting with low-back pain.

Editorial Note: See https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.

Na and K transport and maturation stage ameloblast modulation.

Enamel mineralization requires calcium transport into the extracellular matrix for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals. Formation of HA releases protons into the matrix, which are then neutralized when ameloblasts modulate from cells with apical invaginations, the so-called ruffle-ended ameloblasts (RE), to smooth-ended ameloblasts (SE). Ameloblast modulation is associated with the translocation of the calcium exchanger Nckx4 to the apical border of RE, to remove Na from the enamel matrix in exchange for Ca and K.

Psychomotor Vigilance Performance in Participants with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy Compared with SAFTE-FAST Model Predictions.

Introduction: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can impair vigilance/attention. Solriamfetol, a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is approved to treat EDS associated with narcolepsy (75-150 mg/day) or OSA (37.5-150 mg/day).

The association between biomarker angiopoietin-like protein five and obstructive sleep apnea in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in the bariatric population. OSA should be recognized in patients undergoing bariatric surgery preoperatively to prevent peri- and post-operative complications. Lipid metabolism-related biomarkers are associated with OSA.

The Role of Isolated Nasal Surgery in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapy-A Systematic Review.

Nasal obstruction is believed to play a significant role in the pathophysiology and management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, controversy remains about the ability of isolated nasal surgery to improve OSA. The objective of this systematic review is to give an updated overview of the literature on whether isolated nasal surgery can improve OSA subjectively (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)) and/or objectively (polysomnography (PSG)).

Nickel allergy is associated with a broad spectrum cytokine response.

Background: Nickel-induced proliferation or cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be used for in vitro diagnosis of nickel allergy.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to explore the nickel-specific cytokine profile to further elucidate the pathogenesis of nickel allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and to identify potential new biomarkers for nickel ACD.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients and controls were cultured with T-cell skewing cytokine cocktails and/or nickel.

Increased plasma ANGPTL7 levels with increased obstructive sleep apnea severity.

Background: Weight-loss surgery is one of the recommended methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese patients. While weight reduction is critical to relieve symptoms of OSA, the biochemical factors involved in post-surgery improvement are still unknown. We aimed to explore the link between ANGPTL7 and OSA in patients with different OSA severity.

Preoperative Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Bariatric Patients Using Polysomnography or Polygraphy.

Background: Preoperative assessment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery can be performed by in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) or by portable polygraphy (PP) at home. We aimed to evaluate the association between PSG/PP, OSA diagnosis, and implementation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Methods: All patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2015 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Similar effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in 5 disease severity categories.

Study Objectives: Data on adherence and outcome of upper airway stimulation (UAS) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are collected in an international registry (ADHERE). Previous publications report significant improvement in self-reported and objective OSA outcomes, durable effectiveness, and high adherence. Debate remains whether the effectiveness of UAS is influenced by preoperative OSA severity; therefore, we aimed to evaluate this using data from the ADHERE Registry.

Investigating secondary white matter degeneration following ischemic stroke by modelling affected fiber tracts.

Secondary white matter degeneration is a common occurrence after ischemic stroke, as identified by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). However, despite recent advances, the time course of the process is not completely understood. The primary aim of this study was to assess secondary degeneration using an approach whereby we create a patient-specific model of damaged fibers based on the volumetric characteristics of lesions.

No COVID-19 in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL).

Background: Various case reports have described sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in patients with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our aim was to determine the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with SSNHL.

Methods: All consecutive patients with audiometric confirmed SSNHL between November 2020 and March 2021 in a Dutch large inner city teaching hospital were included.

Position-dependent obstructive sleep apnea and its influence on treatment success of mandibular advancement devices.

Purpose: Depending on the severity of pre-treatment obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the criteria used to define treatment success, the efficacy of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) ranges from 30 to 69%. Identifying suitable candidates is the key to increasing the efficacy of a MAD. Positive predictors include a low body mass index, a low apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and low age.

The predictive value of drug-induced sleep endoscopy for treatment success with a mandibular advancement device or positional therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: As drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) can provide additional diagnostic information on collapse patterns of the upper-airway, it is widely used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although more controversial, DISE may also predict the success of treatment with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) and/or positional therapy (PT). In 2018, we proposed a prediction model to investigate the predictive value of passive maneuvers during DISE - such as jaw thrust and changes in body position - on upper-airway patency.

Daytime polysomnography to perform titration for upper airway stimulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: Upper airway stimulation (UAS) is an innovative treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). UAS titrations are performed 3 months after activation of the device to optimize its effectiveness. In general, these titrations are performed during an in-laboratory overnight polysomnography (PSG).

Effects of acute pain and strain of the periodontium due to orthodontic separation on the occlusal tactile acuity of healthy individuals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether pain and strain of the periodontal ligament (PDL), induced by orthodontic separation, alter the somatosensory ability to perceive small thicknesses between occluding teeth (occlusal tactile acuity, OTA).

Methods: The OTA was tested at baseline (T0), using 9 aluminum foils (range 8-72 μm), randomly placed between the molar teeth, and 1 sham test (without foil), asking the participants whether they felt the foil between their teeth. Afterwards, orthodontic separators were placed, and subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups: Group Pain (GP: 18 males; 14 females mean age 25.

Stability of fixation methods in large mandibular advancements after sagittal split ramus osteotomy: an in vitro biomechanical study.

Sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with large mandibular advancements is a common surgical procedure and could be indicated for patients with sleep apnoea. As a large variety of fixation methods is used for the stabilisation of SSRO, a biomechanical test model was used to analyse which fixation technique was most stable. For this in vitro study, 80 polyurethane hemimandibles with a prefabricated SSRO were used as substrates.

Standardized framework to report on the role of sleeping position in sleep apnea patients.

Purpose: Sleep apnea is a multifactorial illness which can be differentiated in various physiological phenotypes as a result of both anatomical and non-anatomical contributors (e.g., low respiratory arousal threshold, high loop gain).

Assessing the Impact of EQ-5D Country-specific Value Sets on Cost-utility Outcomes.

Purpose: To assess the impact of EQ-5D country-specific value sets on cost-utility outcomes.

Methods: Data from 2 randomized controlled trials on low back pain (LBP) and depression were used. 3L value sets were identified from the EuroQol Web site.

Fear of movement is not associated with trunk movement variability during gait in patients with low back pain.

Background: Literature describing differences in motor control between low back pain (LBP) patients and healthy controls is very inconsistent, which may be an indication for the existence of subgroups. Pain-related psychological factors might play a role causing these differences.

Purpose: To examine the relation between fear of movement and variability of kinematics and muscle activation during gait in LBP patients.

C1 Inhibitor Administration Reduces Local Inflammation and Capillary Leakage, Without Affecting Long-term Wound Healing Parameters, in a Pig Burn Wound Model.

Background: Burns induce a boost in local and systemic complement levels as well as immune cell infiltration in the burn wound, which may negatively affect wound healing.

Objective: In this study, the effects of long-term treatment with complement inhibitor C1 esterase inhibitor (C1inh) on post-burn inflammation and wound healing parameters were analyzed in time up to 60 days post-burn.

Methods: Burned pigs were treated either with or without C1inh up to 15 days post-burn.