The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
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Fourteen consecutive ARDS patients were examined within 24 h from the onset of mechanical ventilation to determine respiratory resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Cstrs), and to assess the influence of "intrinsic" positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) on the measurement of Cstrs. Flow, pressure, and changes in lung volume were measured with the transducers of the Servo 900C Siemens ventilator. Airway occlusion was performed with the end-inspiratory and end-expiratory buttons of the ventilator. ⋯ Maximum and minimum respiratory resistance (Rrsmax and Rrsmin), and frequency-dependence of Rrs were also measured. On average, there was a marked frequency-dependence of resistance, as manifested by the difference between Rrsmax and Rrsmin, with an increase of both Rrsmin (7.7 +/- 4.2 cm H2O.l-1.s) and Rrsmax (14.3 +/- 5.0 cm H2O.l-1.s). The added resistance of the endotracheal tubes and ventilator tubings was flow dependent, and averaged 13.2 +/- 2.9 cm H2O.l-1.s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Levels of serum immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G subclasses were measured in 32 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, 30 asthmatics and 27 controls. When compared with the asthmatic patients and controls, the CF patients had raised levels of all IgG subclasses as well as total IgG, IgM and IgA, but there was not a statistically significant increase in IgE. The levels of immunoglobulins in the CF patients were examined in relation to the clinical features of the disease. ⋯ IgG1 was significantly correlated with IgG2 and IgG4; IgG2 with IgG4; and IgG4 with IgE. Total IgG was the immunoglobulin most closely correlated with poor lung function. Serum IgA was higher in patients with positive immediate skin prick reactions to pollens (p less than 0.005) and death within two years of the study was related to high levels of total IgG (p less than 0.01), IgG3 (p less than 0.001), IgA (p less than 0.001), and IgE (p less than 0.005).