Convective flow dominates aerosol delivery to the lung segments

Most previous computational studies on aerosol transport in models of the central airways of the human lung have focused on deposition, rather than transport of particles through these airways to the subtended lung regions. Using a model of the bronchial tree extending from the trachea to the segmental bronchi (J Appl Physiol 98: 970–980, 2005), we predicted aerosol delivery to the lung segments. Transport of 0.5- to 10-μm-diameter particles was computed at various gravity levels (0–1.6 G) during steady inspiration (100–500 ml/s). For each condition, the normalized aerosol distribution among the lung segments was compared with the normalized flow distribution by calculating the ratio (Ri) of the number of particles exiting each segmental bronchus i to the flow. When Ri = 1, particle transport was directly proportional to segmental flow. Flow and particle characteristics were represented by the Stokes number (Stk) in the trachea. For Stk < 0.01, Ri values were close to 1 and were unaffected by gravity. For Stk > 0.01, Ri varied greatly among the different outlets (Ri = 0.30–1.93 in normal gravity for 10-μm particles at 500 ml/s) and was affected by gravity and inertia. These data suggest that, for Stk < 0.01, ventilation defines the delivery of aerosol to lung segments and that the use of aerosol tracers is a valid technique to visualize ventilation in different parts of the lung. At higher Stokes numbers, inertia, but not gravitational sedimentation, is the second major factor affecting the transport of large particles in the lung

Relationship between level of satisfaction and type of room among patients in the internal medicine department of Las Pinas Doctors Hospital

This study employed a cross-sectional research design. A total of 72 patients consisting of 36 patients from the private ward and 36 patients from the charity ward in the Internal Medicine Department of Las Pinas Doctor\u27s Hospital who were admitted on the same day the data collection process were selected using stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was the instrument utilized and data was analysed using mean, median, SD, range, Mann Whitney, t-test and chi-square. Patients were aged 18 years old and above, admitted at least 2 days, and must not be in any form of distress. Those with mental disorder or in emergency cases were excluded in the study. Based on the results, 89% of private ward patients and 97% of charity ward patients were highly satisfied. Furthermore, results showed that there was no significant difference between the type of ward and the level of satisfaction in terms of quality of room, quality of services, human relations, and the overall patient satisfaction. The study concluded that there was not enough evidence to support that there was a significant difference between the level of satisfaction and type of room among patients in the internal medicine department of Las Pinas Doctors\u27 Hospital

Bone and the Innate Immune System

The immune system and bone are intimately linked with significant physical and functionally related interactions. The innate immune system functions as an immediate response system to initiate protections against local challenges such as pathogens and cellular damage. Bone is a very specific microenvironment in which infectious attack is less common but repair and regeneration are ongoing and important functions. Thus in the bone the primary goal of innate immune and bone interactions is to maintain tissue integrity. Innate immune signals are critical for removal of damaged and apoptotic cells and to stimulate normal tissue repair and regeneration. In this review we focus on these innate immune mechanisms that function to regulate bone homeostasis