Many chronic human lung diseases have their origin in early childhood, yet most murine models used to study them utilize adult mice. An important component of the asthma phenotype is exaggerated airway responses, frequently modelled by methacholine (MCh) challenge. The present study was undertaken to characterize MCh responses in mice from 2 to 8 wk of age measuring absolute lung volume and vol...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion during breathing exercises. METHODS Twenty-four patients with class II or III obesity (18 women; 6 men) were studied on the second postoperative day after gastroplasty. The mean age was 37 +/- 11 years, and the mean BMI was 44 +/- 3 kg/m(2). Diaphragmatic breathing, incentive spirometry with a flow-oriented device and incenti...

OBJECTIVE Passive leg raising (PLR) represents a "self-volume challenge" that could predict fluid response and might be useful when the respiratory variation of stroke volume cannot be used for that purpose. We hypothesized that the hemodynamic response to PLR predicts fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Medical intensive care unit of ...

BACKGROUND In children with a history of significant obstructive sleep apnea who undergo adenotonsillectomy, postsurgical administration of opiates has been alleged to be associated with an increased risk for respiratory complications, including respiratory depression. The authors hypothesize that this association is due to an effect of recurrent hypoxemia that accompanies more severe obstructi...

OBJECTIVE The incidence of Transient Tachypnea of Newborn (TTN) is higher in infants born by cesarean section than with  vaginal delivery. Treatment of transient tachypnea of newborn is supportive. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of restricted fluid volume intake on the course of respiratory distress in patients with TTN. METHODS This is a quasi-experimental clinical trial ...

Obesity is known to be a major risk factor of a whole range of cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory disorders. The pattern of regional fat distribution plays an important role in the pre-disposition of obese subjects to respiratory complications. Obesity is responsible for important changes in respiratory function both during spontaneous breathing as well as during general anesthesia and m...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the possible impact of long-term occupational exposure to hydrocarbons on respiratory health. METHODS Respiratory health was assessed by questionnaires, spirometry, and exhaled nitric oxide in 250 male workers from a company handling and distributing refined petroleum products (exposed) and 250 electricians (controls). Exposure to hydrocarbons was assessed by personal...

BACKGROUND Debates about cannabis policy often mention respiratory symptoms as a negative consequence of use. The cannabis vaporizer, a machine that heats the plant to release cannabinoids in a mist without smoke and other respiratory irritants, appears to have the potential to minimize respiratory complaints. METHODS Twenty frequent cannabis users (uninterested in treatment) reporting at lea...

OBJECTIVES To determine the potential utility of the frontal assessment battery (FAB) in assessing cognitive impairments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated the association between the FAB score and regional gray matter volume, and ascertained whether the regional brain alterations related to cognitive impairments occur in relatively mild stage of ALS. MATERIALS AND METHOD...