Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Several standardized trials were conducted to ensure reproducibility.

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Then, tongue fatigability was measured through a submaximal task, as the time (in seconds) able to maintain > 50% of the above measured strength, at each location. Several standardized trials were conducted for each measure and at each location, to ensure reproducibility.

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Then, tongue fatigability was measured through a submaximal task, as the time (in seconds) able to maintain > 50% of the above measured strength, at each location. Several standardized trials were conducted for each measure and at each location, to ensure reproducibility.

Tongue fat content was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back. We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE), developed at University of Wisconsin by our collaborator and used for assessing the tongue (2). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the tongue.

The volume of pharyngeal upper airway surrounding structures was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, as we published (1). We scanned the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back, We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the upper airway structures.

Pharyngeal upper airway fat content was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, as we published (1). We scanned the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back, We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the upper airway structures.

Total of all reporting groups

The subject population also included those with COPD for which the numbers are reported in the next section.

subject population included those with asthma, reported in the previous section

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Several standardized trials were conducted to ensure reproducibility.

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Several standardized trials were conducted to ensure reproducibility.

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Then, tongue fatigability was measured through a submaximal task, as the time (in seconds) able to maintain > 50% of the above measured strength, at each location. Several standardized trials were conducted for each measure and at each location, to ensure reproducibility.

Wakefulness tongue function was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) at anterior and posterior tongue locations, as described in the referenced citation. In brief, this instrument has a small-sized, air-filled plastic balloon, called sensor or bulb, which was inserted between the tongue blade and the roof of the mouth. At each location, the tongue strength was determined as the maximum pressure generated against the IOPI bulb during a forced tongue contraction. Then, tongue fatigability was measured through a submaximal task, as the time (in seconds) able to maintain > 50% of the above measured strength, at each location. Several standardized trials were conducted for each measure and at each location, to ensure reproducibility.

Tongue volume was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back. We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE), developed at University of Wisconsin by our collaborator and used for assessing the tongue (2). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the tongue.

1 subject in High dose and 2 subjects in Low dose inhaled fluticasone groups had contraindications, eg, metal in their bodies (2) or claustrophobia (1) and could not undergo MRI testing, per the set exclusion criteria.

Tongue fat content was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back. We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE), developed at University of Wisconsin by our collaborator and used for assessing the tongue (2). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the tongue.

1 subject in High dose and 2 subjects in Low dose inhaled fluticasone groups had contraindications, eg, metal in their bodies (2) or claustrophobia (1) and could not undergo MRI testing, per the set exclusion criteria.

The volume of pharyngeal upper airway surrounding structures was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, as we published (1). We scanned the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back, We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the upper airway structures.

1 subject in High dose and 2 subjects in Low dose inhaled fluticasone groups had contraindications, eg, metal in their bodies (2) or claustrophobia (1) and could not undergo MRI testing, per the set exclusion criteria.

Pharyngeal upper airway fat content was assessed on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging, as we published (1). We scanned the area extending from the level of the roof of the hard palate to the vocal cords, with the subject awake and lying on their back, We used a specialized technique called Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation Fast Spin-Echo (IDEAL-FSE). In brief, at first, the method provides well co-registered, separate water and fat images, which are free from the artifact that corrupts the usual MR images. Subsequently, these separate images are recombined in new high resolution images which provide: 1) comprehensive anatomical reference to delineate the tongue and measure its volume, and; 2) unambiguous separation of adipose tissue, to allow determination of fat volume and fraction in the upper airway structures.

1 subject in High dose and 2 subjects in Low dose inhaled fluticasone groups had contraindications, eg, metal in their bodies (2) or claustrophobia (1) and could not undergo MRI testing, per the set exclusion criteria.

Low dose inhaled fluticasone (88mcg/day)

Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate: Inhaled corticosteroid

subject with asthma, in the low fluticasone dose group, developed an exacerbation requiring prednisone bursts