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Respiratory heat loss is not the sole stimulus for bronchoconstriction induced by isocapnic hyperpnea with dry air.

It is uncertain if respiratory heat loss or respiratory water loss is the stimulus for bronchoconstriction induced by isocapnic hyperpnea or exercise with dry air in subjects with asthma. We partially separated these 2 stimuli by having 18 subjects with asthma breathe dry air (0 mg/L water content) at increasing ventilations by isocapnic hyperpnea while we measured the increase in specific airway resistance (SRaw). The study was divided into 2 phases. In Phase 1, we used an apparatus with a single respiratory valve and evaluated the subjects' responses at 3 different inspired temperatures (-8.4, 20.5, and 39.4 degrees C). Seven of the subjects had esophageal catheters with 2 thermocouples in place to measure retrocardiac and retrotracheal temperatures. In this phase, we found that there were no significant differences in the ventilation required to cause a 100% increase in SRaw among the 3 different inspired temperatures (48.4 L/min, cold; 47.5 L/min, room temperature; 44.2 L/min, hot), even though the retrotracheal temperature fell more when the subjects breathed cold air at 40 L/min (2.1 degrees C) than when they breathed hot air (1.2 degrees C), suggesting greater airway cooling with the cold air. In Phase 2, in order to accurately measure inspired and exhaled temperatures and exhaled water content, we used 2 separate systems for delivering the inspired air and collecting the exhaled air at 2 different inspired temperatures (-21.4 and 38.9 degrees C). Again, we found that there was no significant difference in the ventilation required to cause a 100% increase in SRaw between the 2 different inspired temperatures (28.3 L/min, cold; 33.6 L/min, hot). When the subjects inhaled cold air, exhaled temperature was warmer than previously reported.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Analysis of expired air for oxidation products.

Chronic inflammation is a critical feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and asthma. This inflammation is associated with the increased production of reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress in the lungs. Oxidative stress may have several adverse effects and may amplify the inflammatory process; however, monitoring oxidative stress is difficult and may not be reflected by changes in blood markers. We have therefore developed several noninvasive markers in the exhaled breath that may indicate oxidative stress in the lungs, and we studied these in relationship to the severity of chronic inflammatory lung diseases. We analyzed the exhaled breath for the content of nitric oxide as a marker of inflammation, carbon monoxide as a marker of oxidative stress, and ethane, which is one of the end products of lipid peroxidation. In addition, we measured the concentration of markers of oxidative stress such as isoprostanes in exhaled breath condensate. Our results confirm that there are increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation in lung disease, as shown by elevated levels of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and ethane, respectively. The finding of lower levels of these gases in patients on steroid treatment and of higher levels in those with more severe lung disease, as assessed by lung function tests and clinical symptoms, reinforces the hypothesis that the noninvasive measurement of exhaled gases maybe useful in monitoring the underlying pathologic pathways of lung disease. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the clinical usefulness of these measurements in the monitoring of chronic inflammatory lung disease.

Asthma↗

No radiation protection reasons for restrictions on 14C urea breath tests in children.

Traditional (14)C urea breath tests are normally not used for younger children because the radiation exposure is unknown. High sensitivity accelerator mass spectrometry and an ultra-low amount (440 Bq) of (14)C urea were therefore used both to diagnose Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in seven children, aged 3-6 years, and to make radiation dose estimates. The activity used was 125 times lower than the amount normally used for older children and 250 times lower than that used for adults. Results were compared with previously reported biokinetic and dosimetric data for adults and older children aged 7-14 years. (14)C activity concentrations in urine and exhaled air per unit administered activity for younger children (3-6 years) correspond well with those for older children (7-14 years). For a child aged 3-6 years who is HP negative, the urinary bladder wall receives the highest absorbed dose, 0.3 mGy MBq(-1). The effective dose is 0.1 mSv MBq(-1) for the 3-year-old child and 0.07 mSv MBq(-1) for the 6-year-old child. For two children, the 10 min and 20 min post-(14)C administration samples of exhaled air showed a significantly higher amount of (14)C activity than for the rest of the children, that is 6% and 19% of administered activity exhaled per hour compared with 0.3-0.9% (mean 0.5%) of administered activity exhaled per hour indicating that these two children that is were HP positive. For a 3-year-old HP positive child, absorbed dose to the urinary bladder wall was 0.3 mGy MBq(-1) and effective dose per unit of administered activity was 0.4 mSv MBq(-1). Using 55 kBq, which is a normal amount for older children when liquid scintillation counters are used for measurement, the effective dose will be approximately 6 micro Sv to a 3-year-old HP negative child and 20 microSv to a HP positive child. Thus there is no reason for restrictions on performing a normal (14)C urea breath test, even on young children.

Adolescent↗

Experimental PVC material challenge in subjects with occupational PVC exposure.

BACKGROUND: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials have been linked to asthma in several epidemiologic studies, but the possible causal factors remain unknown. PARTICIPANTS: We challenged 10 subjects experimentally to degraded PVC products under controlled conditions. All of the subjects had previously experienced respiratory symptoms suspected to be caused by this kind of exposure in their work place. Five subjects had doctor-diagnosed asthma. METHODS: The subjects were exposed to degraded PVC material in an exposure chamber ; a challenge with ceramic tile was used as the control test. We followed exhaled nitric oxide, nasal NO, lung functions, cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) , interleukin-4 (IL-4) , IL-6, and IL-12] and NO in nasal lavage fluid (NAL) during and after the exposures. We also measured 2-ethylhexanol in exhaled breath samples and NAL. RESULTS: On the morning after the PVC exposure, subjects reported respiratory tract symptoms significantly more often than they did after the control test (50% vs. 0%, respectively ; p = 0.029 ; n = 10) . We did not detect any changes in lung functions or levels of exhaled NO, nasal NO, or NO in NAL after PVC challenge compared with the control test. Cytokine levels increased after both exposures, with no statistically significant difference between situations. All of the exhaled breath samples collected during the PVC exposure contained 2-ethylhexanol. CONCLUSIONS: PVC flooring challenge can evoke respiratory tract symptoms in exposed subjects. Our results do not support the hypothesis that PVC materials themselves evoke immediate asthmatic reactions. The chamber test used is well suited to this type of exposure study.

Adult↗

The composition of gas given by mouth-to-mouth ventilation during CPR.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the concentration of a rescuer's exhaled O2 and CO2 during mouth-to-mouth ventilation with or without chest compression. DESIGN: Prospective repeated measures study. Simulated one- and two-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed as recommended by the American Heart Association. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-five healthcare professionals certified in basic and advanced cardiac life support volunteered as rescuers in this study. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Thirty-three volunteers performed one-rescuer CPR, and 22 volunteers performed two-rescuer CPR. Minute ventilation for both groups increased 50% to 130% during CPR (p < 0.05). During the performance of CPR, the concentration of exhaled O2 increased from 16.4 +/- 0.7% to 16.9 +/- 0.5% in the one-rescuer CPR group and from 16.5 +/- 0.9% to 17.8 +/- 0.6% in the two-rescuer CPR group (p < 0.05). The concentration of exhaled CO2 in the one-rescuer CPR group did not change significantly throughout the entire experiment, but decreased in the two-rescuer CPR group from a baseline measurement of 4.0 +/- 0.6% to 3.5 +/- 0.4% (p < 0.05). During CPR, the concentration of exhaled CO2 was 4.0 +/- 0.4% in the one-rescuer CPR group compared with 3.5 +/- 0.4% in the two-rescuer CPR group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The gas given by mouth-to-mouth ventilation is a hypercarbic and hypoxic mixture compared with room air. Mouth-to-mouth ventilation is the only circumstance in which a hypercarbic and hypoxic gas is given as therapy. Further laboratory and clinical studies are necessary to determine the effect of mouth-to-mouth ventilation during CPR.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Role of endogenous nitric oxide in airflow obstruction in smokers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between endogenous nitric oxide (NO) level and airflow obstruction in smokers using single-breath measurement of exhaled NO with the sequential breath-holding method. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: Nine nonsmoking and ten smoking healthy volunteers. MEASUREMENTS: NO in exhaled air was measured using a chemiluminescence analyzer. Pulmonary function tests were performed using an autospirometer. RESULTS: The level of exhaled NO was higher in nonsmokers than in smokers, and the difference became larger as the breath-holding time increased. To evaluate the correlation between endogenous NO level and the degree of airflow obstruction in smokers, we used a new parameter, the NO concentration difference (delta NO). Our findings indicate that reduced level of NO in exhaled air is an indicator of decreased NO synthesis within the respiratory system and is associated with the development of airflow obstruction in smokers (r = 0.678; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: delta NO is a good indicator of the synthesis of endogenous NO within the respiratory system, and it appears likely that the reduced synthesis of NO may be a contributing factor to airflow obstruction in smokers.

Adult↗

Sensitivity of aerosol bolus behavior to methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Airway narrowing causes alterations in the shape of an exhaled aerosol bolus that can serve as indexes of airway changes during bronchoprovocation. We compared the sensitivities of aerosol bolus behavior and specific airway conductance (SGaw) during bronchoprovocation in normal subjects. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen normal, nonsmoking subjects were studied. Doubling methacholine (MCh) concentrations were delivered during tidal breathing. After each dose, SGaw was determined followed by inhalation of narrow pulses of 1-microm particles introduced into 1-L breaths. Inhaled and exhaled particle concentrations were measured with light scattering photometry. Using plots of concentration vs volume, the exhaled bolus was compared with the inhaled bolus for measurements of volumetric change in mode location (modal shift), particle deposition, and dispersion. To determine baseline intrasubject variability, sham studies using buffer solution were performed on five subjects. RESULTS: MCh caused a proximal modal shift, and increased dispersion and deposition of the exhaled bolus. At most doses, a greater percentage of subjects showed significant change (p<0.05) from baseline for modal shift and deposition than for SGaw. Aerosol bolus behavior displayed less intrasubject variability than did SGaw during sham studies. CONCLUSION: Aerosol bolus behavior is at least as sensitive as SGaw in detecting MCh-induced airway constriction in normal subjects and exhibits less intrasubject variability.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Intrabreath diffusing capacity of the lung in healthy individuals at rest and during exercise.

BACKGROUND: Traditional approaches to measuring the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) treat the lung as a single, well-mixed compartment and produce a single value for DLCO to represent an average diffusing capacity of the lung (DL). Because DL distribution in the lung is inhomogeneous, and changes in the DL in diseased lungs may be regional, measuring regional DL, especially during exercise, may be more sensitive in detecting pulmonary vascular diseases. OBJECTIVES: To characterize regional changes in DL in healthy individuals from rest to exercise, and to provide normal references for future studies in pulmonary vascular disorders. METHODS: We reanalyzed DLCO and phase III CH(4) slopes that were obtained during a slow, single exhalation at rest and during exercise in our extended database of 105 healthy individuals. DLCO profiles between 20% and 80% of exhaled vital capacity (VC) (ie, the intrabreath DLCO) were analyzed by calculating the average DLCO measured at midlung volume (ie, 30 to 45% of exhaled VC [DLCOMLV]) and by fitting the whole curve with a third-order polynomial equation. RESULTS: DLCO decreased nonlinearly by approximately 30%, from 20 to 80% of exhaled VC at rest. DLCO during exercise was greater than that at rest, and the increase was similar at all lung volumes. The CH(4) slopes at rest and during exercise were similar. Prediction equations based on regressions on age, sex, and height were computed for resting and exercise DLCOMLV and the phase III CH(4) slope (an index of ventilation distribution). CONCLUSIONS: Capillary recruitment/dilation during exercise in healthy individuals is a uniform process throughout the lungs. Our analyses provide a database for a noninvasive method that can incorporate exercise to evaluate the volume-dependent distribution of DLCO in lung diseases.

Adult↗

Alveolar nitric oxide and effect of deep inspiration during methacholine challenge.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the dual anatomic origin of exhaled nitric oxide (NO), namely alveolar and bronchial, could explain the link between exhaled NO and airway responsiveness, and could participate in the bronchodilatory effect of deep inspiration (DI) that may be evidenced during methacholine challenge. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in a laboratory performing pulmonary function tests of an academic hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent multiple flow analysis of exhaled NO, allowing calculation of total maximum airway NO flux (J'awno) and NO concentration of expansible compartment (CAno), and received a cumulative methacholine dose of 2,000 microg. DI effect was assessed by continuous measurement of the resistance of respiratory system using the forced oscillation technique before and after DI. RESULTS: In a first phase involving 23 patients, a positive correlation between log values of J'awno and CAno was demonstrated with the degree of airway responsiveness (percentage of FEV(1) decrease). In a second phase involving 38 patients, only log CAno was correlated with responsiveness, and no significant relationship was demonstrated between J'awno or CAno and the effect of DI. Patients with smaller airways and/or distal airflow limitation exhibited a constrictive response to DI. CONCLUSION: Airway responsiveness is mainly associated with an increase in distal origin of NO output, and no relationship between exhaled NO and the effect of DI was evidenced.

Adult↗

Quality of life and inflammatory markers in mild asthma.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life and measures of asthma, such as lung function, reversibility to bronchodilation, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), and bronchial responsiveness to direct and indirect stimulus in patients with mild asthma in a primary care setting. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Seventy-seven asthmatic patients not treated with glucocorticosteroids completed the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Spirometry was performed before and after bronchodilation, and bronchial challenges with methacholine and eucapnic dry air hyperventilation were conducted on separate days. NO in exhaled air and serum IgE were also analyzed. RESULTS: We found no correlation between quality of life and any of the other parameters. There was a significant covariation between exhaled NO and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and dry air, and also between FEV(1) (percentage of predicted) and reversibility to a bronchodilator. The levels of exhaled NO were higher in the asthmatic subjects with atopy than in the nonatopic asthmatics. CONCLUSIONS: The measures used in our study do not reflect health-related quality of life in subjects with mild asthma. We conclude that in the clinical situation, quality of life and other measures of asthma provide complementary information.

Adolescent↗

Airflows around oxygen masks: A potential source of infection?

Patients with respiratory infections often require the use of supplemental oxygen via oxygen masks, which, in the hospital, may become sources of aerosolized infectious pathogens. To assess this risk, a human lung model (respiration rate, 12 breaths/min) was designed to test the potential for a simple oxygen mask at a common setting (4 L/min) to disperse potentially infectious exhaled air into the surrounding area. A laser sheet was used to illuminate the exhaled air from the mask, which contained fine tracer smoke particles. An analysis of captured digital images showed that the exhaled air at the peak of simulated exhalation reached a distance of approximately 0.40 m.

Aerosols↗

Nitric oxide in children with persistent asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the difference in exhaled nitric oxide levels in atopic and nonatopic asthmatic patients treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, and to compare exhaled nitric oxide measurement with lung function tests. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 45 consecutively selected patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma, aged between 6 and 17 years, and treated with anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 1 year. The patients were split into two groups: atopic ones (with positive skin tests) and nonatopic ones. The clinical and functional assessments and the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide were carried out concomitantly. RESULTS: There was a male predominance (62.5%), with an age range between 6 and 13 years (mean of 10.4 years) in 85% of the patients. Neither the symptoms associated with asthma (p = 0.07), allergic rhinitis (p = 0.17), food allergy (p = 0.09), necessity of systemic corticosteroids (p = 0.10), antileukotrienes (p = 0.20) and antihistamines (p = 0.70), nor the three parameters used to assess lung function (FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC and FEF(25-75%), p > or = 0.14) were statistically significant. The frequency of eczema (p < 0.005) and exhaled nitric oxide levels (p < 0.001) were higher among atopic patients. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that clinical and functional stability of asthma among atopic patients does not necessarily reflect an efficient control over the inflammatory process and a higher probability for recurrence after discontinuation of anti-inflammatory therapy.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effects of glutathione depletion, chelation and diuresis on iron nitrilotriacetate-induced lipid peroxidation in rats and mice.

1. Rats and mice dosed with iron nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) i.p. (2-12 mg Fe/kg) showed evidence of lipid peroxidation as indicated by increased exhalation of ethane and increased malondialdehyde formation in liver and kidney. 2. Buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) administered i.p. to rats and mice decreased the total glutathione (GSH) content of liver and kidney. When the rodents were pretreated i.p. with BSO prior to injection of FeNTA the increases in ethane exhalation, and in liver and kidney malondialdehyde production, were greater than with FeNTA alone, and the total GSH of liver and kidney were decreased. 3. Diuresis produced by i.p. administration of furosemide to mice substantially decreased the ethane exhalation resulting from FeNTA administration, had a lowering effect on kidney MDA, but had no significant effect on liver MDA production. 4. Similarly, desferrioxamine beta-mesylate administered i.p. to mice markedly decreased the ethane exhalation and kidney MDA production resulting from FeNTA administration.

Animals↗

Metabolic interaction between toluene, trichloroethylene and n-hexane in humans.

OBJECTIVES: This human experimental study describes the mutual metabolic interaction between toluene, trichloroethylene, and n-hexane. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers were exposed to combinations of toluene (1.5 or 4 mg/min), trichloroethylene (1.5 or 4 mg/min), and n-hexane (0.3 or 1.0 mg/min) for 60 min. End exhaled air concentrations were measured before and up to 240 min after the start of exposure. The urinary excretion of hippuric acid, o-cresol, trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid, and 2,5-hexanedione was measured before and up to 270 min after the start of the exposures. RESULTS: When the low dose rates were combined, the end exhaled concentrations were at or below the detection limit, while an increase in the dose rate of toluene increased the area under the end exhaled air concentration curve (AUC) of toluene, trichloroethylene, and n-hexane by factors of 44 (16-117) [geometric mean and 95% confidence interval], 12.8 (4.1-40.0), and 2.2 (1.2-4.1), respectively. Trichloroethylene, in turn, increased the AUC 5.0 (1.9-13.4), 25.8 (8.2-80.8) and 2.9 (1.6-5.4), respectively, whereas the corresponding values for n-hexane were 1.9 (0.7-5.1), 1.5 (0.5-4.6), and 3.2 (1.8-5.9). An 18 (range 2-34)% decrease in hippuric acid was the only interaction measured in the metabolite excretion. No correlation occurred between the individual measures of the end exhaled concentrations or the excretion of metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the threshold for the flow-limited metabolism of the 3 solvents in humans is exceeded at liver dose rates corresponding to inhalation exposure at occupational exposure limits. At these levels there are metabolic interactions between the 3 solvents.

Adult↗

Measurement of lung inflammation in asthmatics. Reason for optimism.

It is recognized that bronchial asthma is an inflammatory disease. However, aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy is not guided by the degree of lung inflammation. This is of particular concern in children in whom over-aggressive therapy with corticosteroid may lead to growth retardation. Analysis of breath exhaled nitric oxide levels may be an indirect measurement of lung inflammation. Since exhaled nitric oxide levels and inflammation decrease after steroid therapy, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide levels may provide a rationale for optimization of steroid therapy and possible reduction of side effects. Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide levels is not available for routine use but may be so in the near future. This will likely herald a new dawn in the management of asthma, a disease with increasing frequency, mortality and morbidity.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Passive smoking and expired carbon monoxide concentrations in healthy and asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) in expired air has been reported to be an indirect measurement for the quantity of passive smoking. Since endogen CO is produced in inflammatory processes and inflammation is the main pathogenetic mechanism of asthma, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between the intensity of passive smoking and CO concentration in expired air of healthy and asthmatic children. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was performed in the outpatient pediatrics clinics and day care centers. Knowledge about indoor smoking habits were obtained from parents. The exhaled CO concentrations were measured by a portable device in 235 healthy (mean age, 4.4 +/- 2.3 years) and 54 asthmatic (mean age, 4.5 +/- 1.7 years) children. Children with no smoking parents had the lowest exhaled CO concentrations. Significant relationships were found between the number of smoking cigarettes in the house and exhaled CO concentrations in both healthy (p = 0.003) and asthmatic (p = 0.01) children. Carbon monoxide concentrations were higher in asthmatic children than healthy ones (mean +/- SD, 1.32 +/- 1.50 ppm and 0.86 +/- 1.35 ppm, respectively, p = 0.028) if their parental smoking habits were not taken into account. Asthmatic children of non-smoking parents had higher CO concentrations than healthy subjects of non-smoking parents (1.05 +/- 1.55 ppm vs 0.37 +/- 0.53 ppm, p = 0.01). On the other hand, asthmatic children who has no smoking parents and did not receive inhaled steroids had significantly higher CO concentrations (1.75 +/- 1.45 ppm) than those who received steroids (0.58 +/- 0.65 ppm, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled CO can be used as an indicator of passive smoking in children. Higher expired CO of asthmatic children may reflect inflammation of the lung in asthma.

Asthma↗

A laboratory evaluation of 2 mechanical ventilators in the presence of helium-oxygen mixtures.

BACKGROUND: Helium-oxygen (heliox) mixtures are being used more frequently with mechanical ventilators. Newer ventilators continue to be developed that have not yet been evaluated for safety and efficacy of heliox delivery. We studied the performance of 2 previously untested ventilators (Servo-i and Inspiration) during heliox administration. METHODS: We measured tidal volume (V(T)) delivery, gas blending, gas analyzing, and pressure stability in the presence of heliox. A heliox (80% helium/20% oxygen) tank was attached to the 50-psi air inlet. We compared the set V(T) (ie, set on the ventilator) and the exhaled V(T) (measured by the ventilator) to the delivered V(T) (measured with a lung model). Pressure measurements were also evaluated. We also compared the ventilator-setting fraction of inspired oxygen (F(IO(2))) to the F(IO(2)) measured by the ventilator and the F(IO(2)) measured with a supplemental oxygen analyzer. RESULTS: Heliox significantly affected both the exhaled V(T) measurement and the actual delivered V(T) (p < 0.001) with both the Servo-i and the Inspiration. Neither peak inspiratory pressure (in the pressure-controlled ventilation mode) nor positive end-expiratory pressure were adversely affected by heliox with either ventilator. Introducing heliox into the gas-blending systems caused only a small error in F(IO2) delivery and monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Both Ventilators cycled consistently with heliox mixtures. In most cases, actual delivered V(T) can be reliably calculated if the F(IO2) and the set V(T) or the measured exhaled V(T) is known. With the Servo-i, at high helium concentrations the exhaled V(T) measurement was unreliable and caused a high-priority alarm condition that couldn't be disabled. A supplemental oxygen analyzer is not necessary with either device for heliox applications.

Administration, Inhalation↗

The examination of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle activity during respiration in human subjects.

Eight healthy human subjects were studied to examine the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle activity during respiration. A hypopharyngeal surface electrode was used for posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle recordings. Mean activation levels were derived from rectified signals (in muV) for quartiles of each respiratory cycle: the first and second halves of the inhalation, and the first and second halves of the exhalation. The mean activation was converted into the % of maximum activity for the same muscle during deep inhalation to normalize the measures of muscle activation across subjects. On a two way ANOVA, respiratory interval effect (P less than 0.0001), subject effect (p less than 0.0001), and interval by subject interaction (p less than 0.0014) were significant. The muscle activation increased in abductory (PCA) muscles during inhalation. However PCA kept active during exhalation in certain degree. Significant difference in PCA activity among subjects was found. Using the sliding window average over 100 msec time constant, PCA activation pattern during respiration was classified into 4 categories: phasic activity during exhalation, phasic activity during inhalation and exhalation, and non phasic activity unrelated to the respiratory cycle. The classification was carried out in 8 subjects. 5 out of 8 subjects revealed phasic inhalation pattern (62.5%) and 3 subjects showed non-specific phasic activity. Big difference among subjects in activation level and activation pattern of the PCA was suggested.

Humans↗