Prediction equations for spirometry in four- to six-year-old children.

Objective: To generate prediction equations for spirometry in 4- to 6-year-old children.

Methods: Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 0.5s, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of the forced vital capacity were assessed in 195 healthy children residing in the town of Sete Lagoas, state of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil.

Mucociliary clearance, airway inflammation and nasal symptoms in urban motorcyclists.

Objectives: There is evidence that outdoor workers exposed to high levels of air pollution exhibit airway inflammation and increased airway symptoms. We hypothesized that these workers would experience increased airway symptoms and decreased nasal mucociliary clearance associated with their exposure to air pollution.

Methods: In total, 25 non-smoking commercial motorcyclists, aged 18-44 years, were included in this study.

Feasibility and reproducibility of spirometry and inductance plethysmography in healthy Brazilian preschoolers.

Rationale: Preschoolers show peculiarities that reinforce the importance of assessing their pulmonary function. However, there are few data on the success rate and between-occasions reproducibility of pulmonary function tests in preschoolers, particularly in the Brazilian population.

Objective: To assess the success rate and between-occasions reproducibility of the variables obtained by spirometry and respiratory inductive plethysmography in healthy children aged 4-6 years.

Effect of slow expiration with glottis opened in lateral posture (ELTGOL) on mucus clearance in stable patients with chronic bronchitis.

Background: Slow expiration with glottis opened in lateral posture (ELTGOL, l'expiration lente totale glotte ouverte en infralatéral) has been used in clinical practice to improve mucus clearance from peripheral airways. The purpose of this crossover study was to evaluate the effect of ELTGOL on mucus clearance of right and left lungs, especially of peripheral lung areas, in stable patients with chronic bronchitis.

Methods: Twelve 45-75-year-old patients with chronic bronchitis were studied (10 of whom had mild to moderate COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines).

Reliability and accuracy of cirtometry in healthy adults.

Objective: To determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of cirtometry (measurements of the circumference of the chest and abdomen taken during respiratory movements) as well as its correlation with pulmonary volumes measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography.

Methods: A total of 40 healthy individuals were evaluated. The mean age was 28 years.