ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to compare spirometric values obtained with different types of spirometers, spirometers of same type, and repeated measurements with the same spirometer in a pulmonary function laboratory setting.Results12 healthy volunteers performed spirometry on four hot-wire (SensorMedics), two ultrasonic (Spirare) and one wedge-bellows (Vitalograph S) spirometers, according to ATS/ERS (American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society) guidelines. Spirometric values were compared using linear mixed models analysis with a random intercept for subjects and a fixed effect for type of spirometer used. Confidence intervals and p values were adjusted for multiple comparisons. Mean ± SD (L) values for hot-wire, ultrasonic and wedge-bellows spirometers for FVC (forced vital capacity) were 4.02 ± 0.66, 3.69 ± 0.61 and 3.93 ± 0.69, and for FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) 3.06 ± 0.44, 2.95 ± 0.44 and 3.10 ± 0.49. Significant differences were found between hot-wire and ultrasonic and between wedge-bellows and ultrasonic spirometers for FVC and FEV1, and between hot-wire and wedge-bellows spirometers for FVC but not for FEV1. There were no significant differences between spirometers of same type, and low mean differences in repeated measurements for all spirometers included. In conclusion, the pilot study shows systematically higher values for FVC and FEV1 for hot-wire and wedge-bellows compared to ultrasonic spirometers.
Male Wistar rats were given ethanol chronically (20-30% of the energy as ethanol) in a nutritionally sufficient regimen. Controls received lipid as isoenergetic substitute for ethanol. Treatment lasted for 2 or 8 weeks. Hepatic protein synthesis was measured in fasted rats during a 32 min. continuous infusion of 'H-valine.After 2 weeks of treatment accumulation of hepatic protein was observed in the ethanol group, but there was no change in hepatic protein synthesis or morphology. After 8 weeks the rate of hepatic protein synthesis was decreased by 35% in the ethanol group, but there was no accumulation of protein and a slight accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. Neither the subcellular distribution of incorporated 'H-valine, nor the activities and distributions of alcohol dehydrogenase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase were changed. Mitochrondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity was decreased in the ethanol group, and cytosolic and microsomal fractions showed higher cytochrome c oxidase activity in this group. Chronic ethanol treatment for 8 weeks had an adverse effect on general protein synthesis as well as on a specific enzyme in the liver in the absence of serious morphologic abnormalities.
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