Could non-HDL-cholesterol be a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea?

Background/objectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is accepted as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia and recommended as a target of lipid lowering therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, and relationship between OSA severity and serum LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels in OSA patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated treatment naïve 2361 subjects admitted to the sleep laboratory of a university hospital for polysomnography. All subjects’ lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-cholesterol were measured.ResultsOut of 2361 patients (mean age 49.6 ± 11.9 years; 68.9% male, apnea-hypopnea index 36.6 ± 28.4/h), 185 (7.8%) had no OSA and 2176 (92.2%) had OSA. Atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalence was high (57–66%) in OSA patients, and especially increased in severe OSA compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Though total and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between those with and without OSA, non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.020), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.018) were lower in OSA patients than non-OSA. Non-HDL-cholesterol was significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.001) and hypoxia parameters (p < 0.01), whereas LDL-cholesterol showed no correlation.ConclusionsAtherogenic dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and non-HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly increased, predominantly in severe OSA patients. Non-HDL-cholesterol but not LDL-cholesterol, is significantly correlated with OSA severity and hypoxia parameters. Therefore, it could be better to use non-HDL-cholesterol, which is a guideline recommended target of lipid therapy, as a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in OSA patients.     

婴幼儿密闭吸痰前提高吸氧浓度必要性的探讨

目的 研究机械通气下使用密闭式吸痰的婴幼儿吸痰前不常规提高吸氧浓度对患儿氧合的影响。 方法 通过对64例婴幼儿(192次吸痰操作),吸痰前不进行提高氧浓度的操作进行观察,分别记录患儿吸痰前平静时、吸痰中、吸痰后1min时患儿SpO₂的值和SpO₂恢复至平静时所需的时间。 结果 吸痰前不提高氧浓度,患儿在吸痰时及吸痰后SpO₂相对于吸痰前变化不明显。吸痰后SpO₂恢复至平静时的时间为18.00(5.25-30.00)s。 结论 吸痰前SpO₂稳定,并排除痉咳、心脏分流等原因的患儿,密闭式吸痰前没有必要常规给予提高吸氧浓度的操作。     

The key role of macrophage depolarization in the treatment of COPD with ergosterol both in vitro and in vivo

Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the lung, which play an important role in COPD. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation of ergosterol are well documented. However, the effect of ergosterol on macrophage polarization has not been studied. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of ergosterol on macrophage polarization in CSE-induced RAW264.7 cells and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats COPD model. Our results demonstrate that CSE-induced macrophages tend to the M1 polarization via increasing ROS, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as increasing MMP-9 to destroy the lung construction in both RAW264.7 cells and SD rats. However, treatment of RAW264.7 cells and SD rats with ergosterol inhibited CSE-induced inflammatory by decreasing ROS, IL-6 and TNF-α, and increasing IL-10 and TGF-β, shuffling the dynamic polarization of macrophages from M1 to M2 both in vitro and in vivo. Ergosterol also decreased the expression of M1 marker CD40, while increased that of M2 marker CD163. Moreover, ergosterol improved the lung characters in rats by decreasing MMP-9. Furthermore, ergosterol elevated HDAC3 activation and suppressed P300/CBP and PCAF activation as well as acetyl NF-κB/p65 and IKKβ, demonstrating that HDAC3 deacetylation was involved in the effect of ergosterol on macrophage polarization. These results also provide a proof in immunoregulation of ergosterol for therapeutic effects of cultured C. sinensis on COPD patients.     

Dramatic improvement in innominate artery compression syndrome with only postural changes in a bedridden elderly patient

We present the case of a bedridden elderly patient who demonstrated dramatic improvement in innominate artery compression syndrome with postural changes alone. A 94-year-old woman presented with dyspnea. Physical findings revealed stridor in the right-sided decubitus position. Her symptoms did not improve with conventional asthma treatment. Plain computed tomography revealed tracheal compression by the bent innominate artery. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography with postural changes altered the compression sites of the organs, resolving the tracheal stenosis. The number of similar bedridden elderly patients will increase in an aging society. We report this case to aid physicians in managing such patients.     

Management of Neonatal Hypotension and Shock

The current standard approach to manage circulatory insufficiency is inappropriately simple and clear: respond to low blood pressure to achieve higher values. However, the evidence for this is limited affecting all steps within the process: assessment, decision making, therapeutic options, and treatment effects. We have to overcome the ‘one size fits all’ approach and respect the dynamic physiologic transition from fetal to neonatal life in the context of complex underlying conditions. Caregivers need to individualize their approaches to individual circumstances. This paper will review various clinical scenarios, including managing transitional low blood pressure, to circulatory impairment involving different pathologies such as hypoxia-ischemia and sepsis. We will highlight the current evidence and set potential goals for future development in these areas. We hope to encourage caregivers to question the current standards and to support urgently needed research in this overlooked but crucial field of neonatal intensive care.     

心力衰竭患者甲状腺功能减退与睡眠呼吸障碍的相关性分析

目的探讨心力衰竭患者中甲状腺功能减退者睡眠呼吸障碍的临床特征及两者的相关性。方法连续纳入2019年8~12月就诊于北京阜外医院行甲状腺功能检测及睡眠呼吸监测的182例心力衰竭患者。根据甲状腺功能检测结果分为甲状腺功能减退组45例和非甲状腺功能减退组137例。比较两组患者的睡眠呼吸监测的相关指标,多元logistic回归分析甲状腺功能减退与睡眠呼吸障碍的相关性。结果甲状腺功能减退组女性患者比例、体重指数较非甲状腺功能减退组高(P<0.05)。两组多导睡眠监测的结果,甲状腺功能减退组睡眠平均血氧饱和度较非甲状腺功能减退组低(P=0.027)。甲状腺功能减退组睡眠低通气发生次数较非甲状腺功能减退组显著增多(P=0.01)。但甲状腺功能减退与睡眠呼吸暂停无相关性(P=0.533)。结论在心力衰竭患者中,甲状腺功能减退的患者睡眠平均血氧饱和度更低,并且夜间低通气次数更多。