Non-interacting coronal mass ejections and solar energetic particles near the quadrature configuration of Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory

We present our results on the correlation of non-interacting coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs). A statistical analysis was conducted on 25 SEP events and the associated CME and flare during the ascending phase of solar cycle 24, i.e., 2009-2013, which marks the quadrature configuration of Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). The complete kinematics of CMEs is well studied near this configuration of STEREO. In addition, we have made comparison studies of STEREO and SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) results. It is well known that the CME speeds and SEP intensities are closely correlated. We further examine this correlation by employing instantaneous speeds (maximum speed and the CME speed and Mach number at SEP peak flux) to check whether they are a better indicator of SEP fluxes than the average speed. Our preliminary results show a better correlation by this approach. In addition, the correlations show that the fluxes of protons in energy channel >10 MeV are accelerated by shock waves generated by fast CMEs, whereas the particles of >50 MeV and >100 MeV energy bands are mostly accelerated by the same shock waves but partly by the associated flares. In contrast, the X-ray flux of solar flares and SEP peak flux show a poor correlation.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Anomalous Expansion of Coronal Mass Ejections during Solar Cycle 24 and its Space Weather Implications

The familiar correlation between the speed and angular width of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is also found in solar cycle 24, but the regression line has a larger slope: for a given CME speed, cycle 24 CMEs are significantly wider than those in cycle 23. The slope change indicates a significant change in the physical state of the heliosphere, due to the weak solar activity. The total pressure in the heliosphere (magnetic + plasma) is reduced by ~40%, which leads to the anomalous expansion of CMEs explaining the increased slope. The excess CME expansion contributes to the diminished effectiveness of CMEs in producing magnetic storms during cycle 24, both because the magnetic content of the CMEs is diluted and also because of the weaker ambient fields. The reduced magnetic field in the heliosphere may contribute to the lack of solar energetic particles accelerated to very high energies during this cycle.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Fabry disease and sleep disorders: a systematic review

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is an X-chromosome-linked disorder characterized by a reduced or complete absence of the enzyme α-galactosidase, resulting in the accumulation of lysosomal globotriaosylceramide. Despite the presence of these deposits in multiple organs, the problem of sleep disorders within this population has very rarely been documented.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the types and prevalence of sleep disorders among patients with FD.MethodsScreening of the following medical databases using key terms was performed on 10 February 2023: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. A total of 136 records were identified. The quality assessment of the studies was conducted by using tools from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).ResultsThe study included nine studies on sleep disorders in patients with FD. The overall quality of the majority of these studies was assessed as either poor or fair. Among 330 patients, there was a slightly higher representation of female patients (56%). Sleep problems manifested 4–5 years after the onset of FD and sometimes even after 10–11 years. Genotypes of disease associated with sleep problems were rarely described. Within the FD population, the most commonly reported conditions were excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) as well as obstructive and central sleep apnea (OSA, CSA). However, EDS occurred more frequently in FD patients, while the prevalence of OSA and CSA was within the ranges observed in the general population. The studies included indicated a lack of association between organ impairment by primary disease and EDS and OSA. The effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in treating sleep disorders was not demonstrated.ConclusionThe findings of this report revealed the presence of many sleep-related disorders within the FD population. However, very few studies on this subject are available, and their limited results make it difficult to truly assess the real extent of the prevalence of sleep disturbances among these individuals. There is a need to conduct further studies on this topic, involving a larger group of patients. It is important to note that there are no guidelines available for the treatment of sleep disorders in patients with FD

Sleep Bruxism and Occurrence of Temporomandibular Disorders-Related Pain: A Polysomnographic Study

Introduction: The diagnosis of sleep bruxism is challenging due to the difficulties involved. Sleep bruxism can lead to clinical consequences, including pain in masticatory muscles, limitation of jaw mobility, headache, and the spectrum of symptoms associated with damage to the teeth and oral mucosa. Currently, only video-polysomnography can definitely diagnose sleep bruxism. Due to the risk of painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in sleep bruxers, early diagnosis of pain in the temporomandibular region using questionnaires is recommended. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between the intensity of sleep bruxism and the occurrence of pain related to TMD.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on the patients of the Clinic of Prosthetic Dentistry operating at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at the Wroclaw Medical University. Based on a positive medical history, a thorough examination for the diagnosis of probable sleep bruxism was carried out in the enrolled patients. Eligible patients were then subjected to a video-polysomnographic study. Each patient was asked to complete the TMD Pain Screener questionnaire to assess the occurrence of pain in jaw and temple area.Results: The results of the study showed that increased bruxism episode index (BEI) was statistically significantly correlated with increase of all types of bruxism episodes—phasic, tonic, and mixed—in all the studied patients; a significant correlation was also found with respect to division of patients into studied and control groups. The study also showed that there was no statistically significant difference between BEI values and scores of TMD Pain Screener. In all the studied patients, a higher BEI was not found to be correlated with the occurrence of TMD-related pain assessed by TMD Pain Screener; similarly, no correlation was found with respect to division of patients into studied and control groups.Conclusions: The occurrence of TMD-related pain is not related to the intensity of sleep bruxism. TMD Pain Screener may be used as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis or risk of occurrence of TMD-related pain, whereas in the case of sleep bruxism, it has only limited diagnostic value.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT0308340

Evaluation of Relationship Between Sleep Bruxism and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) Scores: A Polysomnographic Study

Sleep bruxism (SB) is a masticatory muscle activity during sleep characterized by teeth clenching or grinding and/or bracing or thrusting of the mandible. Morning headache is considered as a common symptom of SB; however, the relationship between SB and headache and its impact on patient's life is not clear. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between SB using polysomnography with video/audio recording and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) scores. SB was evaluated in respondents by single-night diagnostic polysomnography with video/audio recording. The study found that Bruxism Episode Index was similar in the group with significant impact of headache on patient's life (HIT-6 score ≥ 50) and in group with little or no impact (HIT-6 score < 50). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between bruxism associated with arousal and HIT-6 score (r = 0.51, p < 0.05) and between mixed bruxism and HIT-6 score (r = 0.58, p < 0.05) in the subgroup with phasic bruxism. The results indicated the relationship between SB and impact of severity of headache on the patient's life measured by HIT-6 is only modest. It was also found that the impact of severity of headache measured by HIT-6 is altered only in those with phasic bruxism and is associated with arousal. Further research should elucidate the factors influencing the relationship between SB and headache.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT03083405, WMU1/2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0308340

Why am I grinding and clenching? Exploration of personality traits, coping strategies, oral parafunctional behaviors, and severe sleep bruxism in a polysomnographic study

IntroductionCausal relationships between psychopathological symptoms, personality traits, coping mechanisms, and sleep bruxism (SB) were studied in the past, giving inconsistent results mostly based on self-assessment evaluations. This polysomnography-based cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships between severe SB, personality traits (according to the Big Five model), and coping strategies with objective polysomnographic verification.MethodologyThe study included 66 participants divided into severe SB (SSB) (n=32) and no or mild SB (n=34) groups based on video-polysomnography performed in the sleep laboratory. Questionnaire assessment included the use of the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Mini-COPE, International Personality Item Pool Big Five Markers 20-Item version, and Oral Behavior Checklist.ResultsParticipants with SSB presented with fewer self-reported anxiety (p=0.008) and depressive (p=0.01) symptoms than the non- or mild-SB groups. The SSB group scored significantly higher in Big Five personal traits such as extraversion (p=0.007), emotional stability (p=0.013), and intellect (p=0.004), while regarding coping strategies, the SSB group was less likely to use negative strategies: self-distraction (p=0.036), denial (p=0.006), venting (p=0.03), behavioral disengagement (p=0.046), and self-blame (p=0.003), and turning to religion (p=0.041). The intensity of oral parafunctional behaviors was comparable in both groups (p=0.054). Emotional stability was a moderate protective factor (p=0.004), and the self-blame strategy was a strong risk factor (p<0.001) for increased oral parafunctional behavior intensity. Phasic activity negatively correlated with anxiety symptom severity (p=0.005), whereas tonic (p=0.122) and mixed (p=0.053) phenotypes did not. SB intensity was a protective factor against anxiety symptoms (p=0.016).ConclusionIn terms of psychopathology, severe sleep bruxers tend to present less severe anxiety and depressive symptoms, while some of their personality traits (extraversion, emotional stability, and intellect) were more strongly pronounced. SSB is possibly related to the lesser use of the “maladaptive” coping strategies and there were no specific coping strategies preferred by SSB participants, compared to the other group. These observations require further studies, as it should be determined whether SB (especially phasic activity) might be a form of a somatization/functional disorder. Further research should focus on the psychogenic background of oral parafunctional behaviors, which occur more often in less emotionally stable personalities and in people using self-blame coping strategies

A Statistical Analysis of Deflection of Coronal Mass Ejections in the Field of View of LASCO Coronagraphs

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can generate the most severe geomagnetic disturbances. One of the most critical factors affecting a CME’s geoeffectiveness is its trajectory. It is crucial to determine whether and when CME will hit Earth. It is commonly assumed that CMEs experience a deflection of propagation in the corona and in interplanetary space. In this study, we analyze more than 14,000 CMEs listed in the Coordinate Data Analysis Workshop (CDAW) catalog during 1996–2022 to estimate their deflection in the Large and Spectrometric Coronagraph field of view (LFOV). In our statistical analysis, the deflection was determined using the CME height–time measurements listed in the CDAW catalog. We have shown that, in the solar corona, CME deflection is a common phenomenon, heavily influenced by solar activity cycles as well as phases of these cycles. We have demonstrated that during periods of solar activity minima the deflection of CMEs is mostly toward the equator, and during periods of maxima it is mostly toward the poles. This general trend of deflection is further modified by the specific structure of the magnetic field generated during successive cycles of solar activity (e.g., the asymmetry between the hemispheres). A systematic increase in deflection with time was also recognized. We have also found that the deflection increases linearly with the distance from the Sun in the LFOV (the line slope is 0.5)