Objectives This study aimed to compare serum levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurofilament light (NfL) chain in normal individuals and patients with mild and moderate‐severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods We enrolled 81 subjects referred to Otorhinolaryngology (Ear‐Nose‐Throat), Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, between 2017 and 2019. Based on the severity of OSAS, patients were divided into three groups: group 1 with mild OSAS (apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] 5‐15; n = 26), group 2 with moderate‐severe OSAS (AHI > 15; n = 32), and group 3 with normal individuals (AHI scores < 5; n = 23). Results Serum NfL and BDNF levels were evaluated together with the clinical data for all subjects. Significant differences were seen in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), apnea index, hypopnea index, sleep efficiency, and NfL levels (P < .05) between the three groups. In the moderate‐severe group, NfL levels showed a significant positive correlation with apnea index (P < .05, r = .389), hypopnea index (P < .05, r = .455), and ODI (P = .04; r = .362). Conclusions Our findings clarify the pathophysiology of OSAS in cases of repetitive hypoxia and chronic neuronal damage. Based on our results, we recommend that in addition to BDNF, NfL should also be evaluated in different and larger patient cohorts.

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Objectives The teaching and assessment of soft skills such as ethical behaviour remains a challenge to dental schools. This paper aims to attempt to help the description and retrospective evaluation of a history of dentistry and medical ethics course in the dentistry curriculum of Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. Methods The study included students (n=78) of the Faculty of Dental Sciences of Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. History of dentistry and medical ethics are taught each for 1 h, total 2 h per week in the curriculum (theoretical/cases). Students’ academic performance was evaluated with mid-term and final exams. Participants were assessed according to their level of success and failure. Results Participants of the study were 51.3% (n=40) male and 48.7% (n=38) female students. The success rate of the midterm exam was 78.34%, while the success rate of the final was 76.32%. Mid-term exam success was not statistically significantly different than final exam (p>0.215). Conclusions The success of our students in the history of dentistry and ethics course are promising clues for us to propose that there is value in taking the time to teach the course in dental curriculum.

Sampling of salivary cortisol and salivary amylase is non-invasive and important for the evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitar-adrenal axis funciton and stress levels. This study aims to compare the values of the cortisol and salivary amylase measured by using three diffeent analytical methods and discuss the comparison of stress levels of samples.Young adults (n =23) saliva samples were collected between 08.00 and 09.00 am, noon at 12.00 (before exam) and 14.00-15.00 (after unaware exam) during the rst 48 hours, no freezing / thawing was done. Salivary cortisol and salivary amylase levels in subjects were measured by three different analytical methods (ELISA, Chemiluminescence and Biosensor).Comparison of method between ELISA and biosensor in determining salivary kortizol levels showed a good correlation y= 2.971+0.748x (R 2 =0.839). Salivary amylase concentrations were found only by ELISA method.The detection/information effectiveness as compared with conventional determination method ELISA, considering the low cost, fast results and speci city characteristics biosensor can be offered as an alternative method. HighlightsSaliva is an easy and non-invasive alternative body uid which will represent health status as blood samples, however method comparisons are necessary to speculate on the accuracy of worked biochemical parameters.Biosensor methods could be a point of care tests, easy and cheap, related with the logic of biosensor methods, strip tests for saliva might be developed.The relevancy to saliva samples increases, besides routine biochemical parameters as we are working on liquid biopsy, cell free DNA sampling for speci c diseases will improve scienti c rationale and explain mechanisms of diseases.Saliva can work as a diagnostic tool.

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