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Biomedical subjects

J Stocks

Publications and source records attributed to J Stocks.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

A new microtransducer catheter for measuring esophageal pressure in infants.

Measurement of esophageal pressure, as a reflection of pleural pressure, is essential for assessment of dynamic lung mechanics in neonates and infants. Conventionally, an esophageal balloon or a fluid-filled catheter is used, but considerable skill is required to obtain accurate results. Both devices have problems, and failure to achieve valid occlusion tests have been reported, particularly in small infants with lung disease. Recently, a flexible #3 French gauge (FG) microtransducer catheter (MTC, Dräger Netherlands) has become available for medical monitoring. We have assessed the accuracy and feasibility of using this device for measuring lung mechanics in 51 spontaneously breathing infants and small children aged 1 day to 24 months (weight 1.35 to 12.0 kg), 9 of whom were healthy neonates, the remainder suffering from a variety of cardio-respiratory diseases, and in 18 sick ventilated infants (weight 0.6 to 4.0 kg). Positioning of the catheter was well tolerated by all infants. The ratio of esophageal to airway opening pressure changes (delta Pes:delta Pao) ranged from 0.94 to 1.09 [mean (SD) 1.013 (0.03)] for the spontaneously breathing infants and from 0.98 to 1.06 [mean (SD) 1.003 (0.02)] In the ventilated infants with no significant difference in this ratio between the two groups (p = 0.16). This new generation of catheter tip pressure transducers may provide a simpler and more reliable tool for assessing transpulmonary pressure changes in infants than has previously been available.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1996

Delayed maturation of Hering-Breuer inflation reflex activity in preterm infants.

We have previously shown that the strength of the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex (HBIR) diminishes between 2 and 12 mo of age in full-term babies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the onset of this decline had commenced by 3 to 4 mo of age in healthy full-term infants and whether preterm delivery influences the pattern of maturation. Serial measurements of HBIR activity using the end-inspiratory occlusion technique were made in 25 preterm and 27 full-term infants at matched postnatal and postconceptional ages during the first 6 mo of life. Although similar levels of reflex activity were observed at birth (mean +/- SD of 101.2% +/- 42.4% in preterm, and 101.0% +/- 33.9% in full-term infants), by 40 wk postconceptional age (PCA) (i.e., term equivalent) HBIR activity (mean +/- SD) had increased to 121.7% +/- 51.2% in preterm infants, which was significantly greater than that in full-term infants of similar PCA (95% CI of difference: 0.2; 41.2%). By 15 wk postnatal age (PNA), HBIR activity had decreased to 68.8% +/- 26.6% in full-term infants, but remained significantly higher in those delivered prematurely (87.8% +/- 32.7%). However, when measurements were repeated at approximately 4 mo after the expected rather than actual date of delivery, these differences were no longer evident (95% CI difference preterm-full-term: -21.2; 3.8%). This study suggests that important transitions in respiratory control mechanisms occur between 8 and 15 wk PNA in full-term infants and that these changes are delayed in preterm infants.

Aging↗
PubMed1995

In vitro assessment of infant pulmonary function equipment.

Commercially available automated pulmonary monitors are used increasingly in neonatal intensive care units. However, detailed information regarding the static and dynamic accuracy of these monitors is rarely available. Collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and manufacturers is essential to establish improved technical standards and protocols for testing of equipment and for the development of more reliable neonatal pulmonary monitors. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for the in vitro assessment of commercial infant pulmonary function equipment which could be applied within the laboratory to provide rapid feedback to the manufacturer. A recently released neonatal pulmonary monitor, the Bicore CP100 (software version 3.3), was selected for the development of this protocol. The deadspace and resistance of the measuring device were determined. The flow and airway pressure measuring systems were evaluated alone and connected to a tracheal tube for both static accuracy and frequency response. The pressure-volume relationship of the esophageal balloon was determined and its static accuracy and frequency response were assessed. The algorithms for on-line calculations were checked and their correct application confirmed by examination of an ASCII data print out. Finally, the pulmonary monitor was tested during intermittent positive pressure ventilation of a neonatal lung model of known compliance and resistance.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

The single breath test in neonates: does pressurization of the pneumotachograph make a difference?

The single breath test for the measurement of respiratory system resistance and compliance in newborns consists of an end inspiratory occlusion which is subsequently released, allowing expiration to proceed through a pneumotachograph (PNT). The measured flow is then integrated to give volume. The simplicity of the test is one of the major reasons for its popularity. However, some investigators have cautioned against the use of an occlusion distal to the PNT because pressurization of the PNT may introduce artifacts in the flow measurement. Despite this caution, many commercial systems use a pressurized PNT. This study investigated the errors that would result from pressurization of the PNT by providing a step function of flow to two infant PNTs, a Fleisch #0 and a Hans Rudolph 4500, in the unpressurized and pressurized state. In each case there was an initial rapid rise of the flow signal, followed by some overshoot and oscillations that rapidly died out. The overshoot and oscillations for the Hans Rudolph PNT were greater when pressurized whereas pressurization had little effect on the Fleisch PNT. Unpressurized, the two were similar. In either case, the artifact introduced by pressurization of the PNT died out so quickly that it would have little effect on any measurement in an infant.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1995

A critical assessment of uncalibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (Respitrace) for the measurement of tidal breathing parameters in newborns and infants.

We have compared results obtained with an uncalibrated respiratory inductance plethysmograph (RIP) with those of a face mask and pneumotachograph (PNT) for the computerized measurement of the time to reach peak tidal expiratory flow as a ratio of total expiratory time (tPTEF:tE). Simultaneous measurements were made in 32 healthy neonates aged 0-3 weeks, 35 healthy infants aged 5-82 weeks, and 28 infants aged 15-94 weeks with physician diagnosed recurrent wheeze. The group mean (+/- SD) values of tPTEF:TE determined using a PNT were 0.455 (+/- 0.129), 0.263 (+/- 0.077), and 0.232 (+/- 0.089) for the neonates, healthy infants and infants with recurrent wheeze respectively. RIP gave mean (+/- SD) values that were 0.055 (+/- 0.044) and 0.025 (+/- 0.104) lower than the PNT in healthy neonates and infants with recurrent wheeze respectively; RIP values were 0.002 (+/- 0.073) higher in the healthy infants over 4 weeks of age than measurements by PNT. Although the difference between the two measurements was not related to the thoracoabdominal phase angle, as measured from Lissajous figures, examination of the RIP ribcage and abdominal signals revealed that many healthy subjects, while appearing clinically in phase, had ribcage and abdominal signals that differed markedly from each other in terms of convexity/concavity during early expiration. This may explain the lack of agreement between the two methods. We conclude that uncalibrated RIP should be used with caution for the determination of tPTEF:tE, even in subjects whose ribcage and abdomen appear to move synchronously. The measurement of tPTEF:tE did not differentiate between the healthy infants and infants with recurrent wheezing.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1995

Effect of neck rotation on the timing and pattern of infant tidal breathing.

While neck flexion and extension are known to influence the patency of the upper airway, far less information is available regarding the effects of neck rotation. The effect of neck rotation on respiratory rate (RR), expiratory time (tE), and phase angle (phi) was assessed in 17 healthy infants aged between 1 and 4 months. An inclinometer was used to measure neck rotation and uncalibrated Respiratory inductive Plethysmography to measure the dependent variables while the infants were in natural, quiet sleep. Baseline measurements were made with the head positioned centrally (0 degree rotation); further measurement positions included 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees rotation, and repeat measurement at 0 degree (0r degree) in randomized order. Mean RR, tE, and phi were determined for each infant in each position. Using the paired t-test, RR at 0 degree rotation was significantly higher than that at 0r degree rotation (mean difference, 5 bpm; 95% CI, 2.1, 8.1; P = 0.0023); mean tE at 0 degree rotation was significantly shorter than at 0r degree rotation (mean difference, -0.18s; 95% CI, -0.27, -0.07; P = 0.002); whereas phi remained similar (mean difference, 10 degrees; 95% CI, -2.2, 22.3; P = 0.10. These changes probably reflect the slowing of metabolism that occurs after the onset of quiet sleep, and they emphasize the importance of randomization. Measurements at 0r degree were randomized and hence were most likely to reflect the true basal condition of the infant with the head in a neutral position. Consequently, these data, rather than those collected at 0 degree at the onset of quiet sleep, were used for comparisons with all subsequent positional changes. When comparing the positions whose order was randomized, neck rotation did not significantly affect RR (P = 0.445), tE (P = 0.272), or phi (P = 0.169). However, two infants demonstrated marked changes in respiratory pattern with decreases in RR and increases in tE at 90 degrees rotation, suggesting that some infants may be susceptible to obstruction in this position.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Oxygen saturation in children in the postoperative period.

Some adult patients have periods of significant oxygen desaturation after surgery but, other than for immediately after surgery in the recovery room, few data are available in children. We monitored overnight paired preoperative and postoperative oxygen saturations in 19 children, and overnight postoperative saturations in 50 additional children to determine whether children have periods of desaturation in the postoperative period. The children underwent surgery usually associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain, and were treated with epidural, intravenous, or intramuscular opioids. In the group of 19 children mean (SD) preoperative oxygen saturation was 96.6% +/- 1.3%, and the mean postoperative saturation was 95.7% +/- 1.2%. The average change was 0.88% +/- 1.52%. The 95% confidence interval of the paired difference was 0.13% to 1.6%. There was no significant difference in the percent of monitored time that the patients spent with an oxygen saturation less than 95%, 90%, 85%, or 80%. In the 50 children monitored only in the postoperative period, mean (SD) saturation was 97.8% +/- 1.9%. The data show that, in contrast to some reports in adults, this group of children did not have multiple episodes of clinically significant oxygen desaturation in the postoperative period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of single-breath and plethysmographic measurements of resistance in infancy.

Single-breath technique (SBT) measurements of total respiratory resistance (Rrs) were compared with plethysmographic measurements of airway resistance (Raw) in healthy infants < or = 13 wk of age (Group 1; n = 49) and > 13 wk of age (Group 2; n = 37) and in infants > 13 wk of age with prior wheeze (Group 3; n = 49). A significantly higher percentage of Rrs (19%) than of Raw (2%) measurements were technically unsatisfactory, alinearity of the flow-volume curve accounting for 54% of Rrs failures. Although both Rrs and Raw were significantly higher in Group 3 infants, between-subject variability was wide in all groups. Rrs was significantly higher than initial expiratory (IE) Raw in all groups. Mean difference Rrs-IE Raw (95% CI) values were 1.98 (1.51, 2.48), 1.29 (0.96, 1.62), and 1.97 (1.56, 2.38) kPa.L-1.s for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Significant but smaller differences were seen for end-expiratory (EE) Raw in Groups 1 and 2 but not in Group 3. Mean difference Rrs-EE Raw (95% CI) values were 0.68 (0.11, 1.26), 0.55 (0.19, 0.92), and 0.31 (-0.06, 0.69) kPa.L-1.s for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Despite wide between-subject variability in Rrs and a relatively high failure rate, the SBT is simple to use, and it may be applicable to epidemiologic studies. However, clinical applications in individual infants may be limited by failure to detect the dynamic changes in resistance throughout the breath evident from plethysmographic studies.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1994

The relationship between tPTEF:tE and specific airway conductance in infancy.

This study examines the association between the time taken to achieve peak tidal expiratory flow as a proportion of total expiratory time (tPTEF:tE) and specific airways conductance (SGaw) in healthy infants and those with prior physician diagnosed, associated, lower respiratory illness with wheezing (prior LRI) during the first year of life. We compared tPTEF:tE and SGaw, the latter estimated during both initial inspiration (ll) and end-expiration (EE), in 168 infants (94 males), measured on 220 occasions. Mean (range) tPTEF:tE was 0.321 (0.150-0.522) in 73 healthy infants aged less than 3 months (mean, 7.8 weeks), in whom mean (range) EE SGaw and plethysmographic thoracic gas volume at functional residual capacity (FRCpleth) were 2.47 s-1 kPa-1 (0.6-5.8) and 141 mL (87-204), respectively. Both tPTEF:tE and EE SGaw were significantly lower in older infants with prior LRI (n = 79; mean age, 50.0 weeks) compared to a similarly aged group of healthy infants (n = 68; mean age, 48.5 weeks), the mean difference [95% confidence intervals (CI)] being -0.039 (-0.013, -0.064) and -0.48 s-1 kPa-1 (-0.24, -0.72), respectively. A significant but weak association between tPTEF:tE and EE SGaw was found among infants above 3 months of age, irrespective of prior wheezing status. However, this relationship was not significant in healthy younger infants, in whom a significant but weak association with FRCpleth was found. Further work is needed to elucidate the factors influencing tidal expiratory flow patterns in infancy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Hering-Breuer reflex and respiratory system compliance in the first year of life: a longitudinal study.

The airway occlusion technique for measuring passive respiratory mechanics in infants relies on an ability to evoke the Hering-Breuer lung inflation reflex (HBR). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the persistence of the HBR beyond the early newborn period. This study was designed to assess maturational changes in HBR activity and passive total respiratory system compliance (Crs) in healthy infants during the 1st yr of life. The strength of the HBR was assessed from the relative change in expiratory time (TE) after brief end-inspiratory airway occlusions compared with resting TE during spontaneous breathing. Crs was measured using the multiple-occlusion technique. Paired measurements of HBR activity and Crs were obtained during sedated sleep in 30 infants at 4-8 wk and at 1 yr of age. Significant HBR activity during tidal breathing persisted throughout the 1st yr of life, with TE increasing during occlusion by at least 26% in every infant. However, the relative strength of the reflex response decreased from a mean of 88.3% (range, 34-160%) at approximately 6 wk to 50.3% (range, 26-125%) by 1 yr of age (P < 0.001). All infants showed an increase in Crs with age, with mean Crs increasing from 60.1 +/- 8.9 (SD) to 149.0 +/- 20.6 ml/kPa between 6 wk and 1 yr. However, there was no apparent relationship between the magnitude of decline in HBR response and the age-related changes in Crs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1994

DNA variants at the LPL gene locus associate with angiographically defined severity of atherosclerosis and serum lipoprotein levels in a Welsh population.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (n = 235), comprising minimal (CAD-, n = 124) and severe (CAD+, n = 111) CAD, were recruited on the basis of their angiographic scores. Male control subjects (n = 123) were selected randomly from the Caerphilly Heart Study cohort. Subjects were genotyped for the Ser447-Ter mutation and HindIII/Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the lipoprotein lipase gene and investigated for associations with severity and development of CAD and lipid and lipoprotein levels. The Ser447-Ter mutation showed no significant associations with CAD or dyslipidemia but was related to favorable lipid and lipoprotein profiles. The H2H2 genotype (P < .05) and H2 allele (P = .05) were significantly more frequent in CAD+ versus CAD- and control subjects versus CAD-. H2H2 subjects, among the entire male cohort, had significantly higher levels of apolipoprotein B (P = .0002), total cholesterol (P < .004), and triglycerides (P < .04) than alternative genotypes. P2P2 associated with significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < .01). The H2 allele had most significant associations with raised apolipoprotein B levels compared with other biochemical parameters. Our data suggest that the H2 allele may be a linkage marker for an etiologic mutation for dyslipidemia and the severity and development of atherosclerosis; this is not the Ser447-Ter mutation.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of tidal breathing parameters in infancy: how variable is TPTEF:TE?

During recent years there has been increasing interest in the measurement of tidal breathing parameters, such as the time to reach peak tidal expiratory flow as a proportion of total expiratory time (TPTEF:TE), and their application to population-based studies of the determinants of early respiratory morbidity. However, little is known about factors influencing the within and between-subject variability of these parameters. This study examines the influence of sedation on TPTEF:TE, estimates the optimal number of breaths and breath epochs required to measure TPTEF:TE, and assesses short-term repeatability of this parameter during the first year of life, taking account of age-related differences. Measurements were made in 266 healthy infants and young children (1 d to 19 mo old). Mean (SD) TPTEF:TE fell from 0.49 (0.11) in the first 2 wk of life to 0.34 (0.09) by 5 to 8 wk, remaining similar thereafter. Sedation with triclofos sodium (75 mg/kg) had no significant effect on TPTEF:TE, which was 0.33 (0.10) in 23 unsedated 6-wk-old infants and 0.32 (0.08) in 49 sedated infants of similar age and weight (95% CI for the difference: -0.05, 0.04). At least 10 breaths in each of two separate epochs from each infant were required to provide a representative estimate of TPTEF:TE. The mean (SD) difference between repeat measurements made 5 to 108 min apart was 0.02 (0.08) in 34 infants younger than 6 wk of age (95% limits of agreement: -0.15, 0.18) and -0.01 (0.04) (95% limits of agreement -0.09, 0.08) in 30 infants 6 wk and older.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of respiratory function in Afro-Caribbean and Caucasian infants.

Race is recognized as an important determinant of lung function in children and adults, but limited data exist for infants. Accurate interpretation of lung function tests during the neonatal period may depend on appropriate values for predicting normality. The aim of this study was to compare tidal breathing parameters, Hering-Breuer reflex (HBR) activity, and total respiratory compliance (Crs) in healthy newborn caucasian (white) and Afro-Caribbean (black) infants, to determine whether separate reference values were required for these two ethnic groups. Respiratory function was measured in 33 healthy black infants, 18 of whom were premature, and 33 healthy white infants matched for sex, gestational age, weight, postnatal age, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. There were no significant paired differences between black and white infants with respect to minute ventilation, respiratory frequency, the ratio of time to reach peak expiratory flow to total expiratory time, or HBR activity. Values of Crs were similar in black and white full-term infants (37.5 (SD 9.0) versus 35.0 (6.3) ml.kPa-1, respectively) suggesting that, in the immediate newborn period, separate reference values are not necessary for these parameters. However, Crs was somewhat lower in black than white preterm infants (26.0(5.2) versus 29.5(7.2) ml.kPa-1, this difference reaching statistical significance if results were expressed in relation to body weight (95% confidence interval of within-pair differences -4.0 to -0.02 ml.kPa-1 x kg-1; p < 0.05). We conclude that no separate reference values for tidal breathing, Hering-Breuer reflex activity or total respiratory compliance are required for white and black babies in the immediate newborn period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Black People↗
PubMed1994

Effect of continuous negative extrathoracic pressure on respiratory mechanics and timing in infants recovering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Changes in respiratory mechanics and timing produced by continuous negative extrathoracic pressure (CNEP) of -0.6 kPa were assessed in 18 infants recovering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The median gestational age was 28 wk (range 24-36 wk). All infants were recruited before discharge from neonatal intensive care and were measured at a median postnatal age of 58 d (range 10-127 d) and a median weight of 2.67 kg (range 1.99-3.77 kg). All had been treated for respiratory distress syndrome; 11 were diagnosed as having chronic lung disease. At the time of the study, all infants were stable breathing room air. There was a significant decrease of the respiratory rate in all but one infant from 63.6 +/- 10.0 to 49.3 +/- 9.1 breaths per min (mean +/- SD) during CNEP. This was predominantly due to a marked prolongation of the expiratory time. Passive respiratory mechanics were assessed using airway occlusion techniques. Whereas respiratory system compliance (Crs) did not change in the infants with a normal baseline measurement, there was a significant improvement of Crs in the 11 infants with low Crs values in atmosphere: In the latter, all of whom were very-low-birth-weight infants, Crs assessed by the multiple occlusion technique (mean +/- SD) corrected for body weight increased from 7.9 +/- 1.5 to 9.4 +/- 1.9 mL.kPa-1.kg-1 in CNEP (p = 0.012). There was no consistent change in respiratory system resistance in this population of 18 infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗