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Snoring is considered one of the hallmarks of sleep-disordered breathing, but its determinants remain obscure in both obstructive sleep apnoea (apnoeic) and non-apnoeic snorers. We aimed to document positional dependency of snoring along with its association with clinical and polysomnographic variables. Seventy-seven apnoeic and 27 non-apnoeic snorers who complained for every-night loud snoring and slept in supine and lateral positions in all sleep stages during overnight polysomnography were included. Snoring (i.e. sound intensity > 40 dB) was quantified by measuring the mean and maximum sound intensity, and snoring frequency. In apnoeic and non-apnoeic snorers, mean snoring intensity and snoring frequency were higher in supine than in lateral positions irrespective of sleep stage, and were also usually higher in N3 in comparison to rapid eye movement and/or N2 sleep stage in any given position. Positional change in snoring intensity as expressed by the ratio of mean intensity in the supine to lateral positions was independently and positively correlated with body mass index, tonsils size and age in the total of patients. Snoring is more prominent in the supine position and in N3 sleep stage in apnoeic and non-apnoeic snorers. Snoring positional dependence is determined by body mass index, tonsils size and age.

Summary Although daytime sleepiness is commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the relationship between OSA severity and subjective sleepiness has been documented elusive. This study aimed to identify clinical and polysomnographic determinants of subjective sleepiness among patients suspected of having OSA. A sleep clinic-based sample of 915 patients was interviewed with a structured questionnaire and underwent diagnostic overnight polysomnography. Subjective sleepiness was quantified by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Excessive daytime sleepiness (defined as ESS score > 10) was present in 38.8% of patients. In multiple linear regression analysis, respiratory disturbance index [RDI; used to define (whenever RDI was >5) and quantify OSA], depression and diabetes were the most important determinants of ESS score accounting for 17%, 11% and 6% of its variability respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, heart disease, alcohol use and body mass index were less important determinants of ESS score explaining 1–3% of its variability. In conclusion, OSA should not be considered the sole potential cause of increased subjective sleepiness in patients suspected of having OSA. Primarily depression and diabetes, but also COPD, stroke, heart disease, alcohol use and increased body mass index may contribute to increased subjective sleepiness.

The assessment of tumor molecular features in combination with the detection of occult malignant cells may provide important clinical information, beyond the standard staging of breast cancer. Using a nested RT-PCR technique, we assessed prospectively the presence of cytokeratin-19 (CK19) mRNA positive cells in the blood of 100 operated patients with breast cancer before the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. Tissue samples were prospectively collected and analyzed for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptor, c-erbB-2 overexpression, mutant-p53 and bcl-2 protein accumulation, proliferation index and microvessel density (MVD). CK-19 mRNA-positive cells were detected in the peripheral blood of 33% of patients. Simultaneous display of high intratumoral MVD and of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells, which characterized highly angiogenic and disseminated in the peripheral blood (HAD) disease was noted in 25% of patients. Detection of CK-19 positive cells was significantly associated with increased MVD (p = 0.002). In univariate analysis (median follow-up 30 months) CK19 mRNA detection and MVD were the most significant factors related to a short relapse-free survival (RFS), (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, CK19 positivity, high MVD and c-erbB-2 overexpression were the only significant and independent variables associated with relapse (p = 0.0005, 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Patients with HAD had an expected relapse rate close to 70% vs.

The potential use of the inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrins with metal halides as novel precursors in MOCVD applications was examined in terms of microstructure, thermal stability and chemical modifications during heating. The investigation was especially focused on the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with cobalt iodide for cobalt oxide thin film deposition. The general composition assigned to the dextrin’s inclusion complex was: (β-CD)2 • CoI7 • 11H2O. It was found that the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with CoI2 may prove a promising alternative to traditional metalorganic or organometallic Coprecursors for precise CVD applications. The sublimation temperature must be preferably in the range 70‐125 ◦ C, and the decomposition temperature (substrate temperature) in the range of 350‐400 ◦ C. Three distinct regions can be recognized by heating: transformation of tightly bound water molecules into easily movable ones, sublimation of iodine ions and Co atoms oscillation and thermal decomposition of the glycositic ring into volatile by-products. Copyright c � 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.