We investigated the hypothesis, motivated in part by a coordinated computational cough network model, that second-order neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) act as a filter and shape afferent input to the respiratory network during the production of cough. In vivo experiments were conducted on anesthetized spontaneously breathing cats. Cough was elicited by mechanical stimulation of ...

BACKGROUND The sensation of respiratory effort may increase as expiratory muscles become fatigued during expiratory loading. A study was performed to determine whether expiratory muscle training (EMT) affects the sensation of respiratory effort during exercise in healthy subjects. METHODS Six subjects performed EMT for 15 minutes twice daily for four weeks using a pressure threshold device; a...

To test the hypothesis that peak expiratory flow is determined by the wave-speed-limiting mechanism, we studied the time dependency of the trachea and its effects on flow limitation. For this purpose, we assessed the relationship between transmural pressure and cross-sectional area [the tube law (TL)] of six excised human tracheae under controlled conditions of static (no flow) and forced expir...

UNLABELLED The most common symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are breathlessness and exercise limitation. Although both general and inspiratory muscle training have shown clinical benefits, the effects of specific expiratory muscle training remain controversial. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of expiratory training on lung function, exercise tolerance, sym...

BACKGROUND When performing the Valsalva maneuver (VM), adults and preadolescents produce the same expiratory resistance values. OBJECTIVE To analyze heart rate (HR) in preadolescents performing VM, and propose a new method for selecting expiratory resistance. METHOD The maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was measured in 45 sedentary children aged 9-12 years who subsequently performed VM for ...

QUESTION : Can a session of exercise with incorporated expiratory manoeuvres substitute for a session of breathing techniques for airway clearance in children with cystic fibrosis? Are children with cystic fibrosis as co-operative and satisfied with the exercise regimen as with the breathing techniques?. DESIGN Randomised, cross-over trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat anal...

APGAR: Activity Pulse Grimace Appearance Respiration; PImax: Maximal Inspiratory Pressure; PEmax: Maximal Expiratory Pressure; DLCO: Diffusion Capacity; β-HCG: Bbeta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; BMI: Body Mass Index; FVC: Forced Vital Capacity; FEV1: Forced Expiratory Flow at One Second; FEF25-75: Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75; RV: Residual Volume; TLC: Total Lung Capacity; DLCO/VA: Diffusion C...

Background: Different types of corticosteroids with different characteristics, such as hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, have been used in treatment of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but drug of choice unclear. The main goal of present study was to compare the efficacy of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone on clinical symptoms, peak expiratory flow, oxidative stress factors and...