Pulmonary ventillation studies among normal Filipino subjects

1) It is the purpose of this report to secure normal standard values among "healthy" Filipino subjects for vital capacity and maximal breathing capacity tests2) Fifty-nine male and sixty-one female subjects with normal cardiopulmonary elevation ranging in age from 15 to 66 years were utilized for the tests3) The mean vtial capacity for males with mean age of 35.2 years, is 3366 +- 575 cc.; for females with mean age of 30.8 years, the mean vital capacity is 2458 +- 322 cc. The mean MBC for males is 129.2 +- 26L/min and for females 89.4 +- 15 L/minute4) Height showed the highest correlation with the vital capcacity in both sexes, followed by age, body surface and weight in that in order for males, and body surface, weight and age andd hieght had significant correlation in males, and only age showed significant negative correlation in females5) Prediction formulas were derived from regression equations. For both sexes all four vairables were included in the formula for vital capacity which, however, would be simplified without sacrificing accuracy of prediction. The prediction formula for the maximal breathing capacity in males contained two variables, age, and height, while in females only age was included on account of the magnitude of the correlation coefficients6) A brief discussion of the value and limitations of the tests with comment on similar reports in the literature was presented7) Validation of prediction formulas and preparation of a table of normal values for both the vital capacity and MBC tests will be presented in the final report. (Summary)

Sputum lactic dehydrogenase activity in bronchopulmonary infections

Sputum LDH determination can differentiate between uninfected and infected bronchial secretions and appears to be a useful objective index of response of bronchopulmonary infections to antibiotic therapy. Its behavior parallels that of the clinical, bacteriologic and radiologic picture in 20 patients in PGH treated for their infection. About one half of the patients had pneumonias secondary to diplococcus pneumonia for which doxycycline was effective. It is disturbing to note the emergence of 8 cases with gram negative infection, 5 of whom failed to respond to dexycycline, gentamycin and other antibiotics. (Author)