Annex Publishers

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory sleep disorder characterized by episodes of occlusion of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in intermittent chronic hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. Clinical studies have described an association between OSAS and arterial hypertension (SAH), with CPAP being the treatment of choice. The use of CPAP in the treatment of OSAS makes it possible to avoid blocking the passage of air to the lungs. The primary underlying mechanism of hypertension in individuals with OSAS is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggered by episodes of apnea. Currently, there are no studies that correlate the use of CPAP and the decrease in the use of antihypertensive agents in patients with OSAS.

In this in-vitro study, teeth were imaged using photoacoustic tomography (PAT), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT). The study had the following aims: to identify the best wavelength for imaging teeth when using PAT, to determine the accuracy of the three imaging methods, and to determine whether PAT images of teeth can achieve acceptable reconstruction quality.

Glyoxal (G) and methylglyoxal (MG) have received cautions for their roles in the atmospheric chemistry and formation of secondary organic aerosol. Mostly they come from the photochemical transformation of precursors like isoprene, aromatic compounds, acetylene and acetone etc. Here these two compounds were studied in Wanqingsha, the central sector of Pearl River Delta (PRD), south China, in deep-autumn from 2008-2011.

Hb SC disease is a type of hemoglobinopathy that can be viewed as a hybrid of hemoglobin S and C. In this disorder there is co-inheritance of one Hbs gene and one HbC gene resulting in a milder phenotype than sickle cell anemia (SCA). Whereas SCA clinical features have been extensively studied, very few studies have been dedicated specifically to HbSC disease as most cases are reported to be silent or of mild severity. As the pandemic continues to evolve with the novel Sars-CoV-2 virus we have learned it can lead to thrombotic complications which could be fatal if not detected early. Of those requiring admission to the intensive care unit, most carry multiple comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus etc.) leading to worse clinical outcomes. Here, we present a case of a young adult patient with silent hemoglobin SC disease who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 leading to multiple infarcts, splenic sequestration and respiratory failure. The concurrence of a hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19 should warrant heightened clinical suspicion for unusual outcomes. Hence, providers must remain vigilant while treating any patient with any hemoglobinopathy in the setting of COVID-19.