Chest
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Comparative Study
Efficacy of an adjustable oral appliance and comparison with continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
We sought to establish the efficacy of an adjustable oral appliance (aOA) in the largest patient population studied to date, to our knowledge, and to provide a comparison with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). ⋯ In comparison with past reports, more patients in our study achieved an AHI < 5 using an aOA. The aOA is comparable to CPAP for patients with mild disease, whereas CPAP is superior for patients with moderate to severe disease. A lower AHI was the only predictor of a successful aOA titration.
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Comparative Study
Patterns of retention of particulate matter in lung tissues of patients with COPD: potential role in disease progression.
Particulate matter (PM) is present in lung tissues of smokers and urban dwellers. This study was designed to quantify the burden of PM in different lung tissues of subjects with COPD and determine its relationship to disease severity. ⋯ We conclude that retained PM is widely distributed in lung tissues of subjects with COPD and that cigarette smoke exposure and airflow obstruction are associated with retention of PM in lung tissues. We attribute the downward trend in PM burden in severe COPD to either less deposition and retention or selective removal of PM containing tissues by emphysematous destruction.
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Editorial Comment
Direct characterization of the vascular endothelium in sleep apnea.