Because the nose acts as a filter to prevent penetration of toxic particles and gases to the lower respiratory tract, the route of breathing, oral vs. nasal, may be an important determinant of toxicant dose to the lungs. Using respiratory inductance plethysmography and a nasal mask fitted with flowmeter, we measured the nasal contribution to breathing at rest and during exercise (to 60% maximum...

In the previous issue of Critical Care, we read with interest the article by Blankman and colleagues [1], who studied the performance of various electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-derived measures in detecting the ‘best’ positive end-expiratory pressure. The aim of that study is relevant; however, the article contains some methodological inaccuracies that need to be clarified. One of the EIT...

Occupational accidents cause serious consequences. Providing first aid (FA) in the workplace can reverse unpleasant results. Aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge on FA of industry workers through a questionnaire. Our sample constituted of 236 workers, 40 (Group A) were trained on FA by a team of doctors authorised by the Hellenic National Centre of Emergency Help, while 196 had never ...

BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest is an important cause of mortality. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival, however, delivery of effective CPR can be challenging and combining effective chest compressions with ventilation, while avoiding over-ventilation is difficult. We hypothesized that ventilation with a pneumatically powered, automatic ventilator (Oxylator(®)) can provide adequate ...

Ammonia emissions were measured for six months at a modern 250,000-hen high-rise egg laying house using the chemiluminescence method along with multi-point extractive gas sampling. The ammonia analyzer was sequenced through twelve sampling locations including nine exhaust fans every two hours and calibrated at least weekly with certified calibration gases. Fan operation was monitored along with...

Background: According to the guidelines of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) conducted by bystanders, two methods CPR are feasible: standard (sCPR) with mouth-to-mouth ventilations and continuous chest compression-only (CCC) without rescue breathing. The goal herein, was evaluate effect sCPR (30:2) CCC on outcomes in patients out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. Methods: This study...

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) influences survival and neurologic outcomes after delivery room (DR) CPR. High quality chest compressions (CC) improve cerebral and myocardial perfusion. Improved myocardial perfusion increases the likelihood of a faster ROSC. Thus, optimizing CC quality may improve outcomes both by preserving cerebral b...

BACKGROUND Neonatal jaundice is a common cause of sensorneural hearing loss in children. OBJECTIVES We aimed to detect the neurotoxic effects of pathologic hyperbilirubinemia on brain stem and auditory tract by auditory brain stem evoked response (ABR) which could predict early effects of hyperbilirubinemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS This case-control study was performed on newborns with patholo...

The theoretical knowledge and practical performance of 166 lay people attending a short cardiopulmonary resuscitation course were evaluated according to the American Heart Association standards. Before tt course no participant was able to perform even a bad attempt at cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Theoretical knowledge was good at the end of the course and at the refresher course six months la...

Background: The effects of breathing pattern and inspired air conditions on the volume and content of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were investigated. Methods: Total exhaled water (TEW), EBC volume, pH, nitrite and protein concentrations were measured in three groups of 10 healthy subjects breathing into a condenser at different target minute ventilations (Vm), tidal volumes (Vt), and inspire...