Background. Systemic and airway inflammation has recently been linked to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and is considered to be a probable risk factor for OSAHS-induced cardiovascular damage. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as an inflammatory mediator, may be useful for the prediction of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and assessment of nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy effect in OSAHS patients. Methods. A prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 consecutive adult subjects with suspected sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Results. OSAHS was confirmed in 43 patients (24 normotensive and 19 hypertensive patients) and ruled out in 21 normotensive subjects (controls). The median plasma level of hs-CRP did not differ significantly between OSAHS patients and controls. It showed an unmarked rise with the severity of OSAHS ( p = 0.20 ) and was not correlated with AHI ( p = 0.067 ; r = 0.28 ). After adjusting for cervical perimeter (CP), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and blood sugar level, hs-CRP level of 1 mg/dL or greater was significantly more often observed in OSAHS patients compared with controls ( p = 0.032 ; OR = 5.60 ) and was also significantly associated with AHI ( p = 0.021 ). A significant decrease in the median plasma hs-CRP level was observed in CPAP compliant patients ( p = 0.006 ). Of those, only normotensive patients showed a significant decrease in plasma hs-CRP level. In hypertensive ones, however, the hs-CRP level dropped but not significantly. Using a linear regression model, the change in hs-CRP level (Δhs-CRP) following a 6-month-nCPAP therapy was found to positively correlate with the baseline hs-CRP level for both hypertensive ( p = 0.02 ; r = 0.68 ), and even more normotensive OSAHS patients ( p < 0.0001 ; r = 0.89 ). Conclusion. nCPAP therapy may have a cardiovascular protective effect in OSAHS patients. hs-CRP level would be useful as a valuable predictor of success in OSAHS treatment monitoring.
The effect of ionic strength variation on the ion exchange equilibrium between AMX anion exchange membrane and electrolyte solutions containing the most dominant anions on natural waters (Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−) was studied. All experiments were carried out at a constant temperature of 25 °C. Ion exchange isotherms were established, at different ionic strengths from 0.1 to 0.5 M, for the systems (Cl−/NO3−), (Cl−/SO42−) and (NO3−/SO42−). Obtained results showed that for I = 0.1 M the affinity order is SO42 −>NO3−>Cl−. For I = 0.2 M this order is NO3−>SO42−>Cl−. For 0.3 and 0.5 M the AMX membrane becomes more selective for chloride than for nitrate or sulfate. Selectivity coefficients KNO3−Cl−, K2Cl−SO42− and K2NO3−SO42−, thermodynamic constants, and separation factors were calculated and decreased with the increase of ionic strength.
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