Community Masks During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Filtration Efficacy and Air Resistance.

Many countries have introduced a compulsory use of community masks for certain public areas during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Different manufacturers offer reusable community masks in large quantities. The efficacy of these masks, however, is unknown.

COMET: a multicomponent home-based disease-management programme routine care in severe COPD.

The COPD Patient Management European Trial (COMET) investigated the efficacy and safety of a home-based COPD disease management intervention for severe COPD patients.The study was an international open-design clinical trial in COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s <50% of predicted value) randomised 1:1 to the disease management intervention or to the usual management practices at the study centre. The disease management intervention included a self-management programme, home telemonitoring, care coordination and medical management.

Randomized controlled trial of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) versus servoventilation in patients with CPAP-induced central sleep apnea (complex sleep apnea).

Study Objectives: To compare the treatment effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) and anticyclic servoventilation in patients with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-induced central sleep apnea (complex sleep apnea).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Sleep center.

Peak inspiratory flow rate after methacholine challenge in asthmatic patients and its impact on the effect of formoterol via different inhalers.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the bronchodilating effects of 6 and 12 microg formoterol delivered by the Turbuhaler, in comparison to salbutamol 200 microg (metered dose inhaler) and to controls without treatment. After inducing acute and severe bronchial obstruction by means of methacholine challenge, peak inspiratory mouth flow (PIMF) was measured through a stenosis, simulating the internal resistance of the Turbuhaler, with the in-check device. In addition the relationship was studied between PIMF and clinical response in the 3 treatment groups.

Influence of immersion in water on muscle function and breathing pattern in patients with severe diaphragm weakness.

Study Objective: Dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with diaphragm weakness or paralysis. In particular, dyspnea may be aggravated by immersion. We hypothesized that immersion to the neck in water would decrease vital capacity and consequently increase the demand/capacity ratio of the respiratory muscles.