Forced expiratory volume in one second: A novel predictor of work disability in subjects with suspected obstructive sleep apnea

Whether the association of work disability with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is mainly due to the disease, i.e. the number and frequency of apneas-hypoapneas, or to coexisting factors independent from the disease, is not well-established. In this study, we aim to evaluate work ability in a group of subjects undergoing OSA workup and to identify the major contributors of impaired work ability. In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 146 consecutive subjects who have been working for the last five years and referred to the sleep disorders outpatients’ clinic of the University-Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, with suspected OSA. After completing an interview in which the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires were administered to assess work ability and excessive daytime sleepiness, respectively, subjects underwent overnight polysomnography for OSA diagnosing and spirometry. Of the 146 subjects, 140 (96%) completed the tests and questionnaires and, of these, 66 exhibited work disability (WAI < 37). OSA was diagnosed (apnea-hypopnea index 5) in 45 (68%) of the 66 subjects. After controlling for confounders, a lower level of forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), [odds ratio 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–1.00)], older age [1.09 (95% CI 1.03–1.15)], excessive daytime sleepiness [3.16 (95% CI 1.20–8.34)] and a worse quality of life [0.96 (95% CI 0.94–1.00)], but not OSA [1.04 (95% CI 0.41–2.62)], were associated with work disability. Patients with a higher number of diseases, in which OSA was not included, and a lower quality of life had an increased probability of absenteeism in the previous 12 months. In subjects with suspected OSA, FEV1 can be an important predictor of work disability

Label-free biomechanical nanosensor based on LSPR for biological applications

A label-free localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based biosensor exploiting gold nanorods (ONRs) is proposed and demonstrated. For this aim, 35 +/- 5 nm long and 20 +/- 4 thick GNRs spaced by a few nanometers thick polyelectrolytes (PE) from a gold thin film was analyzed and synthesized. The morphology of the GNRs, the plasmon properties of GNRs, swelling of PE layers and the wettability of the surfaces were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopic reflectivity and contact angle measurements, respectively. Indeed, when immersed in a phosphate buffer saline solution, the GNRs-PE-gold system shows an optical shift of the LSPR wavelength. This shift was found to correspond to a vertical swelling of about 2 nm, demonstrating the extreme sensitivity of the biosensor. Finally, we show that LSPR measurements can be used to detect dynamic resonance changes in response to both thickness and buffer solution, while the hydrophobic behavior of the surface can be exploited for reducing the number of liquid analytes in clinical biosensing application. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreemen

High sensitivity photonic crystal pressure sensor

A two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity coupled with a waveguide is proposed to realise a high sensitive force sensor, designed on a GaAs membrane. A theoretical model is developed to evaluate the change of the refractive index induced by the application of the force onto a sensing surface. A linear calibration curve is obtained relating the resonant drop position to the applied force

Dielectric and plasmonic vivaldi antennas for on-chip wireless communication

In this paper, different technologies enabling wireless on-chip communication are investigated. In particular, plasmonic Vivaldi antennas coupled to silicon waveguides and all-dielectric Vivaldi antennas are proposed. The design criteria and the performances of the two antenna configurations are also discussed

Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis correction using a modified palatal flaps technique in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients

Background: Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis is a rare and heterogeneous pathological condition that has different causes, generally resulting as a complication of a pharyngeal surgery, especially in patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Different approaches have been proposed for the treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis but a unique and standardized management has not yet been presented. The aim of our paper is to evaluate the efficacy of our surgical technique, describing its steps and results with the aim to consider it as a possible solution for the treatment of this condition. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Eight patients (mean age 27.25 years old (yo), range 8–67 yo; Male/Female ratio 4/4; mean body mass index (BMI) 26.1) affected by OSA (mean apnea hypopnea index (AHI) before OSA surgery was 22.1) and acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis as a consequence of different pharyngeal surgeries were treated with our modified approach in the Department of Otolaryngology, Morgagni Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy. Resolution of stenosis and complication rate were the main outcome measures. Results: Complete resolution of the stenosis was achieved in all cases and no complications were recorded at three weeks, six months, and 2 years follow-up. Conclusions: Our technique appears to be a promising method for the management of nasopharyngeal stenosis in OSA patients. However, further studies comparing different techniques and reporting on larger series and longer follow up time are needed to prove the efficacy of the proposed technique

Optical Properties of Ordered Plasmonic Nanostructures in Linear and Nonlinear Regimes

ABSTRACT In this paper we review our recent advances in subwavelength plasmonic structures in linear and nonlinear regimes. We show several examples of subwavelength plasmonic devices in different configurations and schemes. We emphasize how these devices can be exploited for many applications, such as sensing, spectroscopy, photovoltaics and optical communications. Finally we will illustrate some challenges that are still open and need to be fulfilled. Keywords: plasmonics, plasmonic resonance, scattering, field enhancement, thin film, nonlinear harmonic generation. INTRODUCTION The propagation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) has gained great interest in the last decades since it has been demonstrated that their excitation on metal gratings or metal nanostructures can be usefully exploited to solve several problems relative to many applications, such as Raman spectroscopy, sensing, data storage, light emission and amplification as well as absorption enhancement for energy harvesting purpose

Hemangiopericytoma of the neck

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an exceedingly rare tumor of uncertain malignant potential. Approximately 300 cases of HPC have been reported since Stout and Murray described HPCs as "vascular tumors arising from Zimmerman's pericytes" in 1942. After further characterization, the WHO reclassified HPC as a fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumor. Long term follow up is mandatory because the histologic criteria for prediction of biologic behavior are imprecise. There are reports of recurrence and metastasis many years after radical resection. The head and neck incidence is less than 20%, mostly in adults