Summary Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common syndrome, which is associated with a number of medical problems that impact morbidity and mortality. Although the precise mechanisms that underlie these associations are not fully understood, previous studies have suggested that patients with OSA show elevations of several biomarkers that are associated with cardiovascular risk. This study was undertaken to identify serum proteins associated with OSA by using a proteomics technique and to examine changes in identified protein levels after continuous positive airway pressure treatment. The study participants consisted of 40 male patients (aged 40–49 years) with severe OSA and 34 male control subjects matched for age and body mass index. All subjects underwent polysomnography. Using a proteomics approach, we identified nine proteins that were differentially expressed in patients with severe OSA and controls. Three of these nine proteins, haptoglobin, paraoxonase‐1 and apolipoprotein M, were quantified by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, kinetic assays and by using Western blotting. Multiple regression analysis showed that haptoglobin and apolipoprotein M levels are independently related to apnoea–hypopnoea index (P < 0.01). A further study is required to determine the nature of associations between these identified proteins and OSA in a large population.

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Background and aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the lungs of a mummified individual. We attempted to use minimally invasive tools for examining the mummy, given the desire for the preservation of the mummy. Methods: We studied the “General Hak‐Bong” mummy, dated from the early ‘Chosun’ dynasty era, a dynasty that flourished in the beginning of the 15th century (1392–1910). Bronchoscopic biopsy and washing were performed, and chest multidetector CT (MDCT) was also done. The bronchial washing fluid and biopsy specimens were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Pollen grains were found in the bronchial washing fluid. This pollen proved to be Typha angustifolia or Typha orientalis by scanning electron microscopic analysis, and this was used as a hemostatics in ancient oriental medicine. MDCT showed the loss of volume and suspicious cystic lesions in the left lung. Conclusions: We successfully investigated the lungs of the mummy by using bronchoscopy, MDCT and microscopic analysis. The pollen grains found in the bronchi of the mummy, which was previously used as an hemostatics in ancient oriental medicine, could guide us in determining more about General Hak‐Bong's death.