Association of plasma atherogenic index with the severity and prognosis of Bell's palsy.

BACKGROUND: The plasma atherogenic index (AIP) is used as an indicator of cardiovascular risk. Abnormal lipid levels have been shown to potentially contribute to facial nerve inflammation observed in Bell's palsy. This study sought to investigate the association of AIP with the severity and prognosis of Bell's palsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AIP is calculated using the equation Log (triglyceride [mg/dL]/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [mg/dL]). The study was conducted prospectively on 79 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy. The House-Brackmann (H-B) grade was used to determine the severity of Bell's palsy. RESULTS: In total, 79 patients [45 (57%) male and 34 (43% female] with Bell's palsy were included to the study. The mean (SD) age was 54.1 (16.5). In multivariable analyses prediction of unrecovered patients, the Odds Ratio (OR) and Confidence Intervals for NLR was 1.322 (1.021-1.797), p = .032, for PLR was 1.100(1.068-1.250), p = .043, for total cholesterol was 1.038 (1.001-1.076), p = .039, for AIP was 4.250 (2.239-8.226), p = .005. The highest area under curve (0.74) was observed for AIP to predict unrecovered Bell's palsy with 71.4% sensitivity and 62.7% specificity. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCES: AIP is associated with advanced-stage facial paralysis at the time of Bell's palsy diagnosis and can be used as a poor prognostic indicator.

Investigation of serum endocan and serglycin levels in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Apnea-related hypoxia, hypercapnia, and blood pressure fluctuations cause production of various proinflammatory cytokines and trigger a vicious cycle that results in vascular endothelial damage and systemic inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Endothelial function is frequently impaired in OSA even in the absence of significant cardiac or vascular disorders. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the serum endocan and serglycin levels in OSA patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 78 consecutive patients who admitted to the sleep laboratory of a tertiary referral center with the complaints of daytime sleepiness, witnessed sleep apnea, and/or snoring and who underwent all-night polysomnography (PSG). After PSG, the patients were divided into four groups in relation with their apnea-hypopnea indexes. The groups were compared for endocan and serglycin levels and their correlations with OSA severity. The correlations with demographic data and PSG findings were also investigated. RESULTS: The OSA and the control groups had significantly different endocan and serglycin levels ([Formula: see text], for both). On univariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that serglycin and endocan levels and BMI were predictors of OSA. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that endocan and serglycin levels were independent predictors for OSA ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that elevated endocan and serglycin levels are predictors for OSA. Furthermore, we have showed for the first time in literature that serglycin is correlated with OSA and is an independent predictor for OSA.

Effects of chronic sleep deprivation on upper respiratory tract mucosal histology and mucociliary clearance on rats.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic sleep deprivation on mucociliary clearance, which is the primary defence mechanism of the upper airway tract and nasal mucosal histology. Forty-two Wistar Albino rats (250-300 g), 8 or 12 weeks old, were randomly assigned into three groups as follows. The first sleep-deprivation group consisted of 14 rats (A), another 14 of them were assigned to platform group (B), and the remaining 14 were included to the home cage control group (C). For the two deprivation groups (A and B), the modified multiple platform method (MMPM) was used to induce sleep deprivation for 21 days. Tc-99m MAA rhinoscintigraphy was performed to assess mucociliary clearance and the nasal histopathological changes of the sacrificed rats were also examined. Mucociliary clearance was significantly higher in sleep deprivation (A) and deprivation control (B) groups than the control group (C) (p = .037). The ratio of columnar ciliary was significantly higher in group A and B than in the control group (p = .003). The transitional epithelial ratio in groups A and B was also significantly increased compared with group C (p = .04). The control group's squamous epithelial ratio was increased compared to the sleep-deprived groups (p = .003). There was a significantly increased inflammatory response in the ciliated columnar epithelium in groups A and B compared to group C (p = .02). For the first time in the literature, we demonstrated that chronic sleep deprivation has caused a significant increase in mucociliary clearance speed and in the number of ciliary cells.

[The relationship between platelet count and mean platelet volume with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Trombosit sayisi ve ortalama trombosit hacminin tikayici uyku apne sendromu ile iliskisi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the relationship between platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV) with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 417 OSAS patients (284 males, 133 females; mean age 47.9±10.0; range 23 to 75 years) who were performed polisomnography (PSG) in our clinic between January 2013 and December 2014. Patients were divided into two groups according to apnea-hipopnea index (AHI). Apnea-hipopnea index <5 was assumed as normal, while AHI ≥5 was assumed as OSAS. Platelet count and MPV values of group with normal AHI and group with OSAS were statistically compared. Apnea-hipopnea index, REM AHI, non-REM AHI, minimum oxygen saturation, and duration of oxygen saturation remaining below 90% were statistically compared with platelet count and MPV. RESULTS: The mean of platelet count in non-OSAS and OSAS groups were 262.31±65.78 and 252.77±61.86, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. Mean platelet volume in non-OSAS and OSAS groups were 9.56±1.88 and 9.71±1.57, respectively; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Platelet count increased statistically significantly as AHI, REM AHI, non-REM AHI, and minimum oxygen saturation parameters got impaired. CONCLUSION: As PSG parameters get impaired, platelet count increases in OSAS patients.