Our respiratory physiology laboratory supports research in two areas. The first area is applied respiratory physiology and respiratory mechanics in normal subjects and patients with a variety of lung diseases. Currently, we are exploring the mechanisms of chest wall-lung interaction in patients with emphysema and other patients undergoing lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplantation. We have recently begun an investigation of the role of chest wall restriction in critically all patients with acute lung injury, and have several other studies developing and evaluating tests of pulmonary function. We are also studying the physiology of tracheomalacia in concert with the interventional pulmonary program and techniques for early diagnosis of CHF with members of the Emergency Department. The secondary area is biomechanics and physiology of the pleural space. We are exploring the mechanisms whereby the lung and chest wall can slide against each other during breathing without damage. These studies entail computational fluid mechanics and finite element analysis, biochemical measurements on tissues, and in vitro and histological studies in animal tissues.
Loring SH, Brown RE, Gouldstone A, Butler JP. Lubrication regimes in mesothelial sliding. J Biomech. 2005;38(12):2390-6.
Loring SH, O'Donnell CR, Feller-Kopman DJ, Ernst A. Central airway mechanics and flow-limitation in acquired tracheobronchomalacia. Chest. 2006;(In press).
Loring SH, O'Donnell CR, Butler, JP, Lindholm P, Jacobson J, Ferrigno M. Transpulmonary pressures and lung mechanics with glossopharyngeal insufflation and exsufflation beyond normal lung volumes in competitive breath-hold divers. J Appl Physiol. 2006;(in press).
Washko GR, O'donnell CR, Loring SH. Volume-related and volume-independent effects of posture on esophageal and transpulmonary pressures in healthy subjects. J Appl Physiol. 2006;100(3):753-8.
Talmor D, Sarge T, O'Donnell CR, Ritz R, Malhotra A, Lisbon A, Loring SH. Esophageal and transpulmonary pressures in acute respiratory failure. Crit Care Med. 2006;34(5):1389-94.
External Recognition:
1998-2002 Member, Respiratory and Applied Physiology/Respiratory Physiology Study Section, NIH.
2000-2008 Member, Observational study monitoring board, Sleep Heart Health Study, NHLBI
2005-2006 Respiratory Integrative Biology and Translational Research study section, NIH, Ad-Hoc Member, National Institutes of Health
Major Collaborative Activities:
Collaboration with thoracic surgeons and pulmonary physicians at Brigham and Women's Hospital in NIH funded research on respiratory disease.
Collaboration with physiologists in Milan on animal experiments measuring intereactions between the lung and chest wall.
