ABSTRACT
A new apparatus, which uses a fuel cell for measuring O2 concentration and calculates O2 consumption (VO2), has been developed for use on the Servo Ventilator. Together with an IR CO2 Analyzer, this equipment also provides CO2 production, end-tidal CO2 concentration, and the respiratory quotient.l The accuracy of this equipment was evaluated by comparison with results from two standard methods: the Scholander technique in combination with a dry gas meter, and mass spectrometry combined with a wet gas meter. The results show that the differences between the VO2 calculated from this equipment and two other standard methods are less than 5%. Thus, the accuracy of the new equipment seems reliable enough to make it a valuable tool in clinical use.
Subject(s)
Respiration, Artificial/instrumentation , Adult , Carbon Dioxide/analysis , Critical Care , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Spectrometry , Oxygen/analysis , Oxygen ConsumptionABSTRACT
A new simplified technique recording readaptation time after photo stress, RAT, is described. The psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and retest reliability were tested, and the effect on RAT after intake of melperon at two different dose levels was investigated and correlated to blood plasma levels. The results show that there was a satisfactory consistency of RAT at each occasion but stability over a 1 month period could not be demonstrated. Significantly dose-dependent changes were recorded after intake of melperon but the prolongation of RAT was not significantly correlated to blood plasma levels.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Ocular/drug effects , Butyrophenones/pharmacology , Oxazepam/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Adult , Eye Movements/drug effects , Female , Humans , Light , Male , Ophthalmology/instrumentation , Ophthalmology/methods , Oxazepam/administration & dosageABSTRACT
The readaptation time (RAT) is the interval during which a person exposed to a bright intense light flash cannot perceive a given target. In this study the target used was an optokinetic pattern and the elicited nystagmus (OKN) was registered with electrooculography (EOG), thus giving an objective registration of RAT. Oxazepam in therapeutic doses was given to five healthy subjects and the RAT and serum concentrations of the drug were registered simultaneously at different time intervals. An almost parallel increase of RAT and serum concentration of oxazepam was recorded. This suggests that RAT reflects the depressant effect on the CNS of this drug and it may be used as an objective method of following the clinical effect of a depressant drug as a function of time after intake.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Ocular/drug effects , Oxazepam/pharmacology , Adult , Eye Movements/drug effects , Humans , Male , Oxazepam/blood , Photic StimulationABSTRACT
The effect of alcohol intake on readaptation time (RAT) after photo stress is studied. Ten healthy subjects were given 0.72 g alcohol per kg body weight to be consumed within 20 min. The tests were made during a total period of 11-12 h. The findings demonstrate that moderate blood alcohol concentrations induce definite changes in RAT. An average RAT-prolongation of 60-70% was seen during the acute phase of intoxication. RAT-prolongation ended before the blood alcohol concentration had reached zero, but did not have the same downward slope. Following a period of reduction, a new prolongation of RAT was observed. The lack of congruence between the RAT-curve and the blood alcohol curve in the acute phase of intoxication and the post-alcohol increase are discussed. It is concluded that the alcohol-induced RAT-changes probably are CNS-effects and that the equipment used constitutes a sensitive method of estimating these effects.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Ocular/drug effects , Alcoholic Intoxication/physiopathology , Ethanol/pharmacology , Photic Stimulation , Adult , Alcoholic Intoxication/blood , Ethanol/blood , Humans , Male , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is used to study the eye's ReAdaptation Time (RAT) after a brief exposure to a light flash. The effects on RAT of breathing different concentrations of O2 are examined. Significant changes in RAT have been registered, showing that inhalation of 100% O2 as compared with room air, results in a shortened RAT (i.e. improvement), while inhalation of 9% O2 leads to an increased RAT (i.e. impairment). The physiology of RAT and the possible mechanisms behind the changes caused by different O2 concentrations are discussed. The findings of this group are compared with those of other studies.
