OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the olfactory and gustatory functions, and the potential mechanisms affecting olfactory and gustatory functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 120 men between the ages of 41 and 70 (mean age (SD) = 56 ± 7.5) were divided into three groups according to polysomnography results snoring group, mild to moderate OSAS group, and severe OSAS group. Olfactory and gustatory functions were evaluated by the Sniffin' Sticks test and the triple-drop method, respectively. Otorhinolaryngologic examination, as well as sleep and quality of life questionnaires, were completed by all subjects one day before or after polysomnography. RESULTS There was a significant difference in odor thresholds (THR), odor discrimination (OD), odor identification (OI), thresholds-discrimination-identification (TDI) (p  less then  0.001, p  less then  0.001, p = 0.003, p  less then  0.001), and total taste score (p = 0.004, p = 0.021, p = 0.006) in all three groups. Of the subjects in the OSAS group, 43 (54%) exhibited olfactory dysfunction, including 18 subjects (45%) in the mild to moderate group and 25 subjects (63%) in the severe group. Significant negative correlations were found between all olfactory parameters and polysomnography parameters. Furthermore, a negative correlation was present between the total taste scores and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). CONCLUSION Men with OSAS exhibited impairment in olfactory and gustatory functions. Significant correlations were found between AHI and olfactory parameters, as well as between AHI and total taste scores.PURPOSE The impact of periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is controversial. We investigated the relationship between PLMS and EDS in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of men with OSA. PLMS parameters were a PLM index (PLMI) > 15 per hour of sleep and a PLM-arousal index (PLMAI) > 5 per hour of sleep. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Beck Depression Inventory were used. EDS was defined as an ESS score ≥ 11. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustments for several covariates. RESULTS Of 1111 men with OSA, 14.0% (n = 156) had a PLMI > 15/h, and 3.7% (n = 41) had a PLMAI > 5/h. EDS was noted in 39.5% (n = 439) of men. Men with a PLMI > 15/h were less likely to have EDS (odd ratio [OR], 0.598; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.414-0.864; p = 0.006). This association remained significant after controlling for age, body mass index, depressive symptoms, total sleep time, and severity of OSA (OR, 0.675; 95% CI, 0.456-0.999; p = 0.049).  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rg-7112.html  Men with a PLMAI > 5/h were less likely to have EDS, but this result did not reach statistical significance (OR, 0.550; 95% CI, 0.273-1.109; p = 0.095). CONCLUSIONS PLMS defined as PLMI > 15/h are significantly and inversely associated with EDS in men with OSA, even after controlling for several confounding variables.PURPOSE The collapsibility of the upper airway is a key factor in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The exact measurement of this parameter, typically performed by obtaining the critical pressure (Pcrit), has not been introduced into clinical practice. The techniques that are used to measure the upper airway resistance could provide information on its the collapsibility of the airway. The aim of this study was to associate resistance in the upper airway with the presence of OSA. METHODS Using a cross-sectional design with a control group, consecutive cases that were seen in the Chest Diseases Sleep Unit were recruited after undergoing nocturnal polysomnography. The upper airway collapsibility was determined based on the change in its resistance from the standing position to the supine position with a flow interruption (Rint) device by measuring the angle formed between the pressure/flow lines (PF angle) between the two positions. RESULTS The PF angle was greater in the OSA group than in the controls 7.5° (4) vs. 4° (2) (P  less then  .001), with a positive correlation between the width of the angle and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r 0.28, P = .03). Placing the threshold level at 10°, a sensitivity of 25% was obtained, along with a specificity of 96%, for the diagnosis of OSA. CONCLUSION The measurement of resistance in the upper airway using flow interruption (Rint) can predict the presence of moderate and severe OSA with high specificity but low sensitivity.PURPOSE Although parasympathetic effects of cardioneuroablation (CNA) in vagally mediated bradyarrhythmias (VMB) were studied, sympathetic effects have not been elucidated, yet. We aimed to investigate the acute and medium-term outcomes of CNA as well as the impact of CNA on ventricular repolarization by using corrected QT interval (QTc) measurements. METHODS Sixty-five patients (58.5% men; age 39.4 ± 14 years) undergoing CNA were included in the study. Patients who underwent CNA due to VMB were divided into two groups (1) bi-atrial CNA and (2) right-sided CNA. QTc was calculated at 3 time points before the procedure (time point 1); 24 h post-ablation (time point 2); and at the last follow-up visit (time point 3). RESULTS The mean follow-up time was 20.0 ± 20 months. Acute success was achieved in 64 (98.4%) of cases. In the whole cohort, from time point 1 to 2, a significant shortening in QTcFredericia, QTcFramingham, and QTcHodges was observed which remained lower than baseline in time point 3. Although the difference between measurements in time point 1 and 2 was not statistically significant for QTcBazett, a significant shortening was detected between time point 1 and 3. There was significant difference between groups for shortening in QTcFredericia and QTcFramingham (p = 0.01). Event-free survival was detected in 90.7% (59/65) of cases. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate a significant shortening of QTc in addition to high acute and medium-term success rates after CNA. The most likely mechanism is the effect of CNA on the sympathetic system as well as on the parasympathetic system. Bi-atrial ablation was found related to higher QTc shortening effect.