The increasing rate of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) reinforces the need for additional resources to assist clinical staff with an individual's care and recovery. Pronation therapy involves physically rotating an individual from the posterior position to the prone position. Pronation therapy has successfully been used for individuals diagnosed with ARDS in Intensive Care Units for decades. However, manual pronation maneuvers by staff members poses risks for those who are critically ill and risk of physical injury to caregivers. Mechanical pronation beds have revolutionized the art of pronation therapy, minimizing risks, and decreasing possibility of kinking or pulling out life supporting lines. The methodology for this thesis included searching electronic database of research and clinical peer reviewed journals. Search terms included the keywords: Rotopron* OR "Rotoprone therapy" OR "rotation* bed" AND ARDS or "acute respiratory distress syndrome" OR "acute respiratory failure". Inclusion criteria included articles published in English between 2005– present. A table of evidence was being developed to summarize key points from each reviewed article. The articles were individually critiqued. Synthesis of the findings were discussed to identify consistent and inconsistent findings, along with gaps in the literature. Preliminary literature analysis suggests research is needed regarding standardization of mechanical pronation procedures along with staff education

<I>Moraxella catarrhalis</I> is a gram-negative diplococcus which until recently was thought to be a harmless commensal. Increasing awareness has established the pathogenic nature of this organism and it is now recognised as a major cause of otitis media in children, exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in elderly patients and an occasional cause of invasive disease. <I>M. catarrhalis</I> is spread nosocomially especially in respiratory wards containing elderly patients. This study evaluated four methods for typing nosocomially spread isolates:- immunoblotting with normal human serum (NHS), and three DNA fingerprinting methods. The most discriminatory method found was restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) using <I>Taq</I> I, although immunoblotting with NHS and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using <I>Sma</I> I sub-divided isolates grouped together by the other methods. PFGE using <I>Not</I> I only confirmed groupings made by other methods. A study of <I>M. catarrhalis</I> and phenotypically similar organisms was performed using comparisons of partial 16S rDNA sequence. 16S rDNA of <I>M. catarrhalis</I> strains from disparate geographical locations was found to be extremely conserved <I>M. catarrhalis</I> 16S rDNA was very similar to that of other <I>Moraxella</I> species whilst <I>Moraxella</I> species were found to be generally distinct from the <I>Neisseria</I> and <I>Kingella</I> species studied. These results confirm <I>M. catarrhalis</I> as a genuine member of the <I>Moraxellae</I>.

Thesis equivalent (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Thesis equivalent (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Respiratory conditions causing poor performance in horses are usually as result of upper respiratory tract diseases or are of pulmonary origin. The tracheal is rarely a cause of primary respiratory problems in the horse, but tracheal dimensions, particularly height, may be useful in evaluating upper repiratory tract conditions cranial to the trachea and lung pathology, due to resultant change in differential pressures between these areas. The normal radiological equine tracheal height along its length has as yet not been reported. Standing lateral radiographs of the cervical and thoracic trachea of 15 clinically normal sedated Thoroughbred horses, 3-6 years old, were made at peak inspiration and end expiration. Maximum height of the larynx, and trachea at the level of the third and fifth cervical vertebra, at the level of the first thoracic vertebra, carina and the left and right primary bronchi were measured. Ratios of laryngeal height relative to the third cervical vertebral body length and tracheal heights relative to the vertebral body lengths of adjacent third and fifth cervical vertebrae and first thoracic vertebra, and carina heights relative to a mid-thoracic vertebra, respectively were made, as well as tracheal height at the fist thoracic vertebra ratio with the thoracic inlet height. Known size metallic markers were used to determine magnification corrected tracheal heights in the sagittal plane and effect of body mass and height at the withers on tracheal height was determined. The magnification corrected radiological airway heights at end expiration and peak inspiration were measured and respectively the mean values were found to be: laryngeal height: 5.89 cm and 5.86 cm, tracheal height at the third cervical vertebra: 4.17 cm and 4.04 cm, tracheal height at the fifth cervical vertebra: 3.62 cm and 3.59 cm, tracheal height at the first thoracic vertebra: 3.4 cm and 3.23 cm and carina height: 3.85 cm and 4.12 cm. The ratios of these measurements to nearby vertebral body lengths were respectively: laryngeal height at the third cervical vertebra: 0.56 and 0.56, tracheal height at the third cervical vertebra: 0.4 and 0.39, tracheal height at the fifth cervical vertebra: 0.37 and 0.37, tracheal height at the first thoracic vertebra: 0.59 and 0.59, and carina height: 0.91 and 0.94. The ratio tracheal height at the first thoracic vertebra to the thoracic inlet respectively 0.15 and 0.15. Although there was no statistical difference in the data, there was a trend towards a higher tracheal height at expiration. No correlation was found between tracheal height and body mass or tracheal height and height at the withers, and measured tracheal height was generally lower than predicted tracheal height, possibly as result of sedation used. The small range of body mass and height in this study as well as the relatively small number of horses evaluated may account for the lack of correlation to predicted tracheal height. This study in normal horses may serve as a reference when radiologically evaluating cases of upper respiratory tract and lung pathology, where the tracheal dimensions may differ significantly due to differences in airway resistance and biomechanics. Radiographs to evaluate tracheal height can be made independent of respiratory phase in sedated horses, and it is recommended that ratios of tracheal height to an adjacent vertebral body length are more reliable values to compare within and between horses. It is recommended to take tracheal height measured at the fifth cervical vertebra since this measurement showed a slightly smaller standard deviation than at other sites measured as well as a medium amount of clinical effect. If only thoracic radiographs are made, measurements of tracheal height at the thoracic inlet is the alternative (the standard cranioventral view), but it is recommended to include the distal aspect of the first rib if the thoracic inlet is to be measured. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy / Background Silicosis rates in gold miners in South Africa are very high but there have been no analyses of long term trends. While much research has been conducted on occupational respiratory disease in gold, asbestos and coal miners, little is known about the respiratory health of miners of other commodities, such as diamonds and platinum, two of the most important minerals in South Africa. The ore bodies from which minerals are mined often contain other „incidental‟ minerals and compounds that may cause disease. Aims The aims of this thesis were to conduct the first ever analysis of silicosis trends in black and white gold miners over a 33-year period; to discuss the role of oscillating migration in the high rates of silicosis; and to explore the potential for workers in the diamond and platinum mining sectors to develop occupational respiratory diseases. Methods Gold, diamond and platinum mine workers were identified from the PATHAUT autopsy database at the National Institute for Occupational Health. Trends in silicosis from 1975 to 2007 were calculated separately for black and white gold miners because of differences in exposure, patterns of employment and autopsy referral patterns. The role of oscillating migration in the silicosis epidemic was explored. Diamond mine workers with asbestos-related diseases at autopsy and platinum mine workers with silicosis and/or fibrotic nodules in the lymph nodes were identified. Supplementary data from other sources were reviewed to viii exclude all those who might have been exposed to asbestos or silica, respectively, outside of the mining sector in which they worked. Asbestos lung burdens were calculated for the case series of diamond miners and mine tailings and soil samples were examined for asbestos fibres, using scanning electron microscopy. Findings The proportion of white miners with silicosis increased by 17% (from 18% to 22%) over the 33-year study period. That of black miners increased 10-fold (from 3% to 32%), primarily due to the aging workforce and increasing periods of employment. Adjusted odds ratios for silicosis increased with year of autopsy for black miners. Oscillating migration has also played a major role in the silicosis epidemic. Evidence indicates that diamond mine workers are at risk for developing asbestosrelated diseases and that platinum mine workers are at risk for developing silicosis. Conclusion The gold mines have failed to control silica dust levels adequately and prevent disease in mine workers. The sparsity of available dust measurements and poorly documented work histories are major obstacles to conducting occupational health research in South Africa; attention and legislation needs to be focused urgently on these areas. The PATHAUT database is the only occupational respiratory disease database in South Africa that can be used for disease surveillance, trend analyses and research in all mining sectors.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1989.

published_or_final_version / Microbiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Background: Cotton workers are highly exposed to organic dust. Inhalation of cotton based particulate has been associated with various respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This study investigates the respiratory health profile of textile mill workers in Nepal in relation to dust and endotoxin exposure. Methods: This study was conducted in four sectors (garment, carpet, weaving and recycling) of the textile industry in Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 938 individuals completed a health questionnaire and performed spirometry. A subset of 384 workers performed cross-shift spirometry. Personal exposure to inhalable dust and airborne endotoxin was measured during a full-shift for a 114 workers. Results: Geometric mean concentrations of personal exposure to cotton dust and endotoxin were 0.81 mg/m3 and 2160 EU/m3 respectively. Overall prevalence of persistent cough, persistent phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness and chest tightness were 8.5%, 12.5%, 3.2%, 6.5%and 3.6% respectively. Symptoms were most common among the recyclers and less in the garment sector. Exposure to inhalable dust significantly predicted the symptoms of persistent cough and chest tightness. Significant cross-shift reduction in FEV1, FVC, and FEF25_75 were measured in the textile workers (p<0.001 for all); reductions being greater in the recyclers (-143 ml) and smallest in the garment workers (-38 ml) (p=0.012). Cross-shift reduction in FEV1 was significantly predicated by exposure to inhalable dust. Exposure to endotoxin did not correlate with any of the respiratory symptoms nor to lung function. Conclusion: The measured association between exposure to inhalable dust and reporting of respiratory symptoms and lung function suggests that despite high levels of endotoxin exposures, inhalable dust is the driver for these effects and attention should turn to what might be the toxic component in this dust other than endotoxin.