Obst ructive sleep apnea and hipoapnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a disorder that affects about 4% of the adult population, and besides the social problems associated to snoring and extreme day time sleepiness, it is preoccupying since it may cause pulmonary hypertension and cardiac failure. Review and discussion -Through a literature review, we discuss the use of oral appliances to treat this condition, in regards of therapy effectiveness and limitations, main clinical symptoms, major occlusal side effects, rate of improvement and patient satisfaction. Conclusions -We concluded that the use of oral appliances should be a first choice treatment for mild to moderate OSAHS, being dental, joint and muscular discomforts, hypersalivation and xerostomia, the most frequent clinical symptoms, with light occlusal side effects that normally do not bother the patients, with a good degree of improvement and high satisfaction index.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) compared with the results obtained with a placebo device in accordance with the following indicators: apnea hypopnea index (AHI) per hour of sleep, apnea index (AI) per hour of sleep, mean oxyhemoglobin saturation, sleep efficiency, and percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.MethodsThis is a controlled, prospective longitudinal study with a follow-up time of 10.5 months. Nineteen patients (8 females and 11 males) with mean age 48.6 years (SD 9.6) were selected for the study. The sample was randomized in terms of device use, and the evaluation design was double blind. A total of 57 polysomnography tests were studied (at baseline, after the use of a MAD, and after the use of placebo). The following variables were assessed: AHI, AI, mean oxyhemoglobin saturation, percentage of REM sleep, and sleep efficiency. Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney tests were used for evaluating data (p < 0.05).ResultsReductions from 16.3 to 11.7 in AHI and from 5.7 to 3.8 in AI were observed after MAD use. During the use of placebo, AHI increased from 16.3 to 19.6, and AI from 5.7 to 7.5. The other indexes showed no statistically significant differences.ConclusionsTreatment with oral appliances, i.e., MADs, can be an effective alternative for mild and medium-to-moderate OSAS, but requires strict monitoring due to differences in individual response to this therapy.

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After a mean time of 6.47 months of use of the mandibular advancement device, there were statistically significant changes in the dental positioning, but they were not clinically relevant. However, it is relevant that this device is commonly in use over long periods of time, making the monitoring of these patients of the utmost importance for the duration of their therapy.

INTRODUÇÃO: a má oclusão de Classe III é caracterizada por uma discrepância esquelética ântero-posterior, podendo ou não estar acompanhada de alterações verticais, mas comumente apresenta alterações transversais associadas. O aspecto facial fica comprometido nesses pacientes, sendo esse um dos fatores que os motivam a procurar o tratamento ortodôntico. Quando o paciente encontra-se na faixa de 8 a 10 anos de idade, uma abordagem precoce é indicada. Quando o paciente é adulto e o crescimento já cessou, o tratamento vai ser decidido entre a camuflagem ortodôntica e os procedimentos ortocirúrgicos clássicos. O problema quanto à decisão terapêutica está no paciente adolescente, com acentuadas Classes III esqueléticas, quando os procedimentos interceptativos não mais surtirão o efeito desejado e as alterações faciais são muito significativas. Ainda haverá crescimento e muitas vezes há comprometimento psicossocial ou funcional. OBJETIVO: propor uma abordagem cirúrgica precoce como alternativa de tratamento para esses pacientes, mesmo que uma segunda cirurgia seja necessária após o término do crescimento. DISCUSSÃO: para se propor essa terapia, vários critérios devem ser observados para que realmente o paciente tenha benefícios com esta intervenção precoce, como pouca discrepância intra-arco e possibilidade de preparo ortodôntico pré-cirúrgico rápido. CONCLUSÃO: deve-se ter ciência que um segundo tratamento ortocirúrgico provavelmente se fará necessário após o término do crescimento e que esse tipo de tratamento não deve ser empregado como rotina.

kinases and PI3-kinase revealed that TCR independent, CD28 mediated Th2 differentiation is critically dependent on IL-4 stimulation and the activation of the MAP kinases p38 and ERK1/2. Whereas CD28 signals directly activated IL-4 and p38 in memory T cells, ERK phosphorylation required indirect stimulation by IL-2. ConclusionThe results indicate that generation of Th2 effectors requires coordinate signalling via the CD28 and IL-2 pathways. The mechanisms regulating Th2 cell differentiation might provide valuable tools for therapeutic modulation of chronic autoimmunity.