Photoacoustic technique: a new method for measuring the rheologic properties of human bronchial mucus

Patients affected by obstructive pulmonary diseases exhibit typical characteristics of airway mucus hypersecretion, including sputum production, in- creased luminal mucus, goblet cell hyperplasia and submucosal gland hypertrophy. The mucociliary system is a sophisticated defense mechanism to maintain the homeostasis of the respiratory tract by means of the bronchial mucus transport, the process in which airway mucus together with substances trapped within are moved out of the lungs. In the end, the mucus together with the substances trapped within are swallowed or coughed up. It is an impor- tant defense mechanism of the human body. [...]

Nebulized hypertonic saline in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a comprehensive review

Bronchiectasis occurs as a result of a vicious circle consisting of an impaired mucociliary transport system, inflammation, and infection and repair of the airways. Damage to the mucociliary system prevents secretion elimination and facilitates bacterial growth and bronchial inflammation. To facilitate mucociliary clearance, current guidelines recommend the use of hypertonic saline (HS) solutions in patients with bronchiectasis not secondary to cystic fibrosis (CF), although the evidence of efficacy in this pathology is sparse. A high percentage of patients with CF and bronchiectasis tolerate HS solutions, but often patients report cough, dyspnoea, throat irritation, or salty taste after inhalation. These adverse effects negatively impact adherence to treatment, which sometimes must be discontinued. Some studies have shown that the addition of hyaluronic acid increases the tolerability of HS solutions, both in patients with CF and in bronchiectasis of other etiologies. We aimed to review the benefits and safety of HS solutions in patients with bronchiectasis. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

MOTION ACTIVITY OF AIRWAY CILIATED EPITHELIUM IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

At asthma in bronchial mucous tunic as a result of chronic inflammatory process the working of mucociliary system is disturbed and there is restructuring of epithelial layer. The number of ciliary cells at the severe form of asthma decreases till 70%. The reason of restructuring of ciliated epithelium is the accumulation of a big number of fatty acids peroxides in the mucous tunic. Under their influence there is a decrease of activity of succinate dehydrogenase and ATP in the basal bodies of ciliary cells. Under the severe form of asthma there is a suppression of activity of mucociliary clearance as a result of destruction of a big number of bronchial mucosa ciliated cells.

A new tuning fork with different vibration frequencies as an aid to bronchopulmonary hygiene physiotherapy

Background: The main function of the mucociliary system is the removal of particles or substances that are potentially harmful to the respiratory tract. The tuning fork therapeutic for the purpose of bronchial hygiene has still not been described in the literature. The optimal vibration frequency to mobilize secretions is widely debated and varies between 3 and 25 Hz. It is expected that a tuning fork is able to generate vibrations in the thorax, facilitating bronchial hygiene. The aim of the present study is to develop tuning forks with different frequencies, for use in bronchopulmonary hygiene therapy. Methods: The first tuning fork was made with a fixed frequency of 25 Hz and it was recorded in the Brazilian institution of patent registration. This device generated a frequency of 25 Hz and had a weight of 521 g, with dimensions of 600 mm in total length. The device is characterized by a bottom end containing a transducer with a diameter of 62 mm and a thickness of 5/16 mm (8''), a rod removable 148 mm, fork length of 362 mm and an extension at the upper end of sinuous shape bilaterally.The tuning forks must be applied at an angle of 90° directly on the chest wall of the patient after pulmonary auscultation for location of secretions. The tuning fork is activated by squeezing the tips of the extensions together and releasing them in a sudden movement. Results: This study shows the result of the development of others three tuning forks of different dimensions to generate different frequencies. Each equipment reaches a fixed frequency preset of 12, 15 and 20 Hz measured by digital oscilloscope. Conclusions: The tuning fork models developed in this study generated different frequencies proposed by the scientific literature as effective in the mobilization of pulmonary secretions.