BackgroundIndication of oral appliances for the treatment of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) includes both patients with primary snoring and mild OSA, as well as patients with moderate to severe OSA who refuse other treatment or in whom such treatment failed. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of current OSA treatment by objective measurements, and to assess by means of a questionnaire patients’ satisfaction with oral appliances manufactured in our laboratory.Material/MethodsThe study enrolled 58 adult patients (40 men, 18 women) with mean age of 50.5 years; most were overweight or had class I obesity; mean baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) value prior to the beginning of treatment was 31.3, range 0.6–71.ResultsAverage AHI reduction in the entire group was 10.4; 31% of patients experienced AHI reduction by at least 50%. Significant AHI reduction was proven when using the appliance. Appliances affect the reduction of AHI and patients tolerate the appliances well.ConclusionsOral appliances complement positive-pressure treatment and do not interfere with it in any way. Craniometric parameters seem to be applicable as predictors of success or failure of appliance treatment.
In line with the requirements of the circular economy, the European Union’s waste management legislative changes also concern the treatment of sewage sludge. Although sewage sludge production cannot be prevented, its quantities may be reduced by the synergetic effect of energy recovery via choosing a proper technology. Sewage sludge is difficult to apply as fuel alone, because of its high moisture and ash content. However, its energy use will be increased by adding suitable waste materials (different types of plastics, waste tires and paper rejects). Most recently, the thermal utilization of sewage sludge via incineration or pyrolysis has grown in importance. This article describes the fuel parameters of particular waste materials and of their blends with sewage sludge in connection with laboratory-scale thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere, for their potential use in a semi-pilot plant pyrolysis unit. For pyrolytic application, the results of thermogravimetric analysis are needed in order to know the maximal temperature of thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere, maximal mass losses, and weight loss rates. The samples of different thermoplastics mixed with sewage sludge, and low-density polyethylene blends with sewage sludge, had the lowest residual masses (70–74%) and the highest weight loss rates (11–19%/min). On the other hand, the blend of polyester rejects from tire processing, paper rejects and sewage sludge had the second highest residual mass (60%) and the lowest weight loss rate (3%/min).
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