Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Biotechnology
2
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Effects on the Serum Nod-like Receptor Protein 3 and Nitric Oxide Levels in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Emine Kılıçparlar Cengiz, Yasemin Ekmekyapar Fırat, Meltem Güngör, İhsan Berk, Abdurrahman Neyal, Eyüp İlker Saygılı, Ayşe Münife Neyal Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 2025 Objective Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with recurrent apnea episodes. Positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment prevents repeatedly hypoxia in OSAS. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), that are involved in inflammation and pyroptotic cell death, may be affected hypoxia in OSAS. If so preventing hypoxia-ischemia episodes by PAP treatment may change serum NLRP3 and NO levels in OSAS. We aimed to determine whether serum levels of NLRP3 and NO change after at least 3 months of treatment with PAP. Methods Twenty-five OSAS patients, including 17 men and 8 women, who underwent polysomnography (PSG) and had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 30 or more and had started treatment at PAP. AHI was recorded. Serum levels NO and NLRP3 were analyzed before and at least 3 months after PAP treatment. Results After treatment with the PAP device, serum NO levels were significantly increased, NLRP3 levels were significantly decreased compared to pre-treatment levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.003). No correlation was found between serum NLRP3 and NO levels, AHI, type of the PAP device before or after PAP treatment. Conclusion We revealed that PAP treatment which prevents hypoxia, can alter the serum levels of NO and NLRP3 in OSAS, that is not related to the severity of AHI or type of the PAP device. This is the first study to measure NLRP3 levels before and after treatment with PAP in OSAS patients. Prospective studies with large cohorts and longitudinal follow-up evaluation of complications may provide further insights.
Evaluation of Side Effects After Heterologous Vaccination with BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers Vaccinated with Two Doses of Inactive COVID-19 Vaccine Hadiye Demirbakan, Ipek Kocer, Ihsan Berk, Aysen Bayram Klimik Dergisi, 2022 Objective: Vaccination is the most effective way to control the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between antibody titers and vaccine side effects after the BNT162b2 vaccine was administered as a reminder dose in healthcare workers (HCW) who received two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine name CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China). Methods: A total of 428 HCWs participated in the study. Participants who received the mRNA vaccine as a reminder dose were evaluated with a questionnaire regarding antibody values and vaccine side effects. Three weeks after the first BNT162b2 vaccine, the same questionnaire was applied face-to-face to HCW, and the same questionnaire was applied to those who received a second reminder dose via telephone. Results: Out of 428, 373 (87.1%) HCWs preferred one and 55 (12.9%) two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine as reminder doses after being vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. It was observed that side effects were more frequent in women aged 18-40 after a single dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine (p<0.001). The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, with a rate of 59.6%. Fatigue-weakness was the most common systemic reaction, with a rate of 58.6%. Axillary lymphadenopathy was observed seen in 3 (1.1%) HCWs. The median value of IgG titers in the third week after the reminder dose was found to be higher in HCW with side effects than those without side effects (p<0.001). When the cumulative incidence rate of vaccinated people was evaluated over 389 people, no cases were observed on the 14th and 30th days after the first reminder dose of BNT162b2. However, the first case was observed on the 60th day, and after the second reminder dose, cases were seen on the 14th, 30th, and 60th days. Conclusion: Since the side effects detected after the BNT162b2 reminder dose were mild to moderate and progressed with local symptoms, it was concluded that highly protective mRNA vaccines could be safely preferred for protection from COVID-19.
