METHODS: MMG and EMG were used to record the activity of the SCM in 32 untrained singers reciting a monotonous text and a standard folk song. Their voices were recorded and their pitch, or fundamental frequency (FF), and intensity were derived using Praat software. Instants of inhale and exhales were identified during singing from their voice recordings and the corresponding SCM MMG and EMG activities were analysed.
RESULTS: The SCM MMG, and EMG signals during breathing while singing were significantly different than breathing at rest (p < 0.001). On the other hand, MMG was relatively better correlated to voice intensity in both reading and singing than EMG. EMG was better, but not significantly, correlated with FF in both reading and singing as compared to MMG.
CONCLUSIONS: This study established MMG and EMG as the quantitative measurement tool to monitor breathing activities during singing. This is useful for applications related to singing therapy performance measure including potentially pathologically effected population. While the MMG and EMG could not distinguish FF and intensity significantly, it is useful to serve as a proxy of inhalation and exhalation levels throughout a particular singing session. Further studies are required to determine its efficacy in a therapeutic setting.
METHODS: Methadone-maintained therapy (MMT) users from three centers in Malaysia had their exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels recorded via the piCO+ and iCOTM Smokerlyzers®, their nicotine dependence assessed with the Malay version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND-M), and daily tobacco intake measured via the Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) Tobacco Q-score. Pearson partial correlations were used to compare the eCO results of both devices, as well as the corresponding FTND-M scores.
RESULTS: Among the 146 participants (mean age 47.9 years, 92.5% male, and 73.3% Malay ethnic group) most (55.5%) were moderate smokers (6-19 cigarettes/day). Mean eCO categories were significantly correlated between both devices (r=0.861, p<0.001), and the first and second readings were significantly correlated for each device (r=0.94 for the piCO+ Smokerlyzer®, p<0.001; r=0.91 for the iCOTM Smokerlyzer®, p<0.001). Exhaled CO correlated positively with FTND-M scores for both devices. The post hoc analysis revealed a significantly lower iCOTM Smokerlyzer® reading of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.69-0.94, p<0.001) compared to that of the piCO+ Smokerlyzer®, and a significant intercept of -0.34 (95% CI: -0.61 - -0.07, p=0.016) on linear regression analysis, suggesting that there may be a calibration error in one or more of the iCOTM Smokerlyzer® devices.
CONCLUSIONS: The iCOTM Smokerlyzer® readings are highly reproducible compared to those of the piCO+ Smokerlyzer®, but calibration guidelines are required for the mobile-phone-based device. Further research is required to assess interchangeability.
METHODS: Data on health and home were collected by a face-to face interview before measuring FeNO and performing skin prick test against common allergens. Exploratory linear mixed and logistic regression models were employed.
RESULTS: Geometric mean of FeNO was 17.8 ppb (GSD 2.09) and 139 students (36.6%) had elevated FeNO (>20 ppb). In total, 107 students (28.2%) were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) (Der p1 or Der f1), 4 (1.1%) to cat and 3 (0.8%) to mold (Cladosporium or Alternaria). Moreover, 20 students (5.3%) had diagnosed asthma, 38 (10.0%) had current wheeze, and 107 (28.2%) had current rhinitis. HDM sensitization, diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, and current rhinitis were associated with FeNO. In total, 281 students (73.9%) had mold or dampness, 232 (61.1%) had environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and 43 (11.3%) had other odor at home. Indoor mold or dampness and other odor at home were associated with FeNO. ETS was negatively associated with FeNO.
CONCLUSION: HDM sensitization and elevated FeNO can be common among children in this part of Indonesia. The high prevalence of elevated FeNO indicate that undiagnosed childhood asthma is common. Dampness, mold and odor at home can be associated with increased FeNO while ETS can be associated with decreased FeNO.