Energy expenditure from minute-by-minute heart-rate recording: comparison with indirect calorimetry.

Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and energy expended in activity (EAC) were estimated by the minute-by-minute heart-rate method in 22 (16 men, 6 women) individually calibrated subjects and compared with values obtained by whole-body indirect calorimetry. Subjects followed four activity protocols during the 22 h in the calorimeter; no exercise (n = 6) and 2 (n = 5), 4 (n = 4), and 6 (n = 6) 30-min bouts of exercise on a bicycle ergometer at varying intensities. There were no statistically significant differences between the two methods in TDEE or EAC in any of the sex or protocol groupings. The regression of TDEE by heart rate on TDEE in the calorimeter was y = 0.92x + 1.0 MJ; (r = 0.87, SEE = 0.91 MJ). The heart-rate method also follows the varying activity patterns of individuals and can be used to closely estimate the TDEE and EAC of even small (n = 4-6) groups of subjects. In the present measurements, it gave a maximum error of TDEE for individuals of +20% and -15%.

Electrochemical nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide analyzer for use with inhaled nitric oxide.

The use of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in research and clinical applications requires the monitoring of NO and its autooxidation product nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in inspired gas and in the ambient environment. We describe an inexpensive electrochemical NO and NO2 analyzer that uses a critical orifice constant-flow controller and a microprocessor crossover correction for the measurement of NO and NO2 in the concentration range relevant to the use of inhaled NO. The analyzer proved to have good accuracy and precision for NO and NO2 in the range of concentrations relevant to studies of inhaled NO. In this range, the performance was similar to that of a chemiluminescence analyzer, and the response characteristics were not affected by varying the O2 concentration of the mixtures analyzed.

Nasal airway resistance computer.

An analogue computing system for the measurement of nasal airway resistance (Rn) has been developed. The instrument operates on the principle of measuring the transnasal pressure required to generate a measured nasal airflow rate. The system computes and displays inspiratory or expiratory nasal airway resistance measured at a preselected flow rate. The values are updated on a breath-by-breath basis and presented to a multi-channel recorder and a digital panel meter for visualization. The continuous Rn (at all inspiratory and expiratory flow rates above zero) can also be recorded. Use of the instrument for the evaluation of nasal decongestants has been demonstrated.

A new chromatographic instrument for measuring trace concentrations of breath-hydrogen.

A new instrument has been developed which offers many advantages over instruments presently utilized for the measurement of breath-hydrogen used to evaluate the intestinal absorption of sugars. The gas analyzer has a solid-state sensor which is more specific for hydrogen than most conventional chromatographic detectors. Air can be used as the carrier gas and can be circulated with a small internal pump, thereby eliminating large carrier gas tanks and pressure regulators. The intersample time is approximately 2 min, allowing rapid serial analysis of breath samples. A unique feature allows a short-term memory circuit to recall the signal and present it on a digital panel meter in parts per million. Recorder terminals on the back permit the generation of a permanent record, if desired. The gas analyzer is small, light-weight and simple to operate. Its application to the serial measurement of hydrogen in alveolar air after ingestion of sugars is demonstrated.

Acoustic helium analyzer for closing volume measurement.

An acoustic gas analyzer was developed to measure helium during the closing volume (CV) test. It is based on the principle that altering the composition of a gas mixture will change the velocity at which sound is transmitted through the gas. The change in transit time for an acoustic burst across an in-line (breathe-through) cell is measured as a function of He concentration in the expired air during the CV test. Although CO2 and H2O vapor affect the signal, so it is not specific for He, the system provides good records of CV. A comparison of measurements in 21 normal subjects demonstrated no differences for CV measured in the same breath by the bolus technique using the acoustic gas analyzer and by the resident gas method using a nitrogen analyzer. Differences in closing volumes measured by the He bolus technique and the resident gas method might exist in patients with some kinds of pulmonary disease, and the suggestion is made that CV measurements by the two methods might assist in describing pulmonary alterations in patients with bronchopulmonary disease.

Evaluation of a rapid breath hydrogen analyzer for clinical studies of carbohydrate absorption.

A second-generation gas chromatograph for the analysis of H2 in expired air has been developed. It incorporates a solid-state detector with high sensitivity for H2 and has a small, internal pump which supplies air as the carrier gas, thus eliminating the need for a large tank of compressed gas for the carrier. A reference gas of known H2 concentration is, of course, still required. The entire system weighs 6.0 kg and is completely portable, requiring only 120 V electric current for use. The instrument has a mean intersample interval of less than 2 min, with H2 concentration registered on a digital display. The output has a track-hold feature which permits the output, in parts per million H2, to be retained by the meter so the reading can be verified. The chromatogram can also be recorded on a conventional analog strip-chart recorder. The sensitivity and precision are superior to those of a thermal conductivity H2 gas chromatograph. Moreover, the rapid response time encourages frequent calibration checks with the reference gas. This analyzer offers significant advantages over previous H2-measuring systems for breath-analysis tests used both for diagnostic clinical practice and for field studies of nutritional assessment.