| breath analysis test | A test of hepatic and intestinal absorptive function; aminopyrine labelled with radioactive carbon is administered orally; expired 14CO2 is a measure of aminopyrine absorption and its metabolism in the liver; a measurement of the amount of 14CO2 exhaled after an oral dose of 14C-O-xylose; a measurement of exhaled hydrogen gas following an oral dose of lactose as a test of lactose deficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| breath-holding test | A rough index of cardiopulmonary reserve measured by the length of time that a subject can voluntarily stop breathing; normal duration is 30 seconds or more; diminished cardiac or pulmonary reserve is indicated by a duration of 20 seconds or less. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| urea breath test | A test for the presence of the bacteria helicobacter pylori that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach. The breath test is based on the ability of h. Pylori to break down urea. Ten minutes after swallowing a capsule containing urea with labelled carbon, a breath sample is collected to detect labelled carbon in the exhaled breath. A positive test indicates active infection. The test turns negative after eradication of the bacteria from the stomach with antibiotics. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breath | 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration, air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc. "Melted as breath into the wind." (Shak) 2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath. 3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. "Thou takest away their breath, they die." (Ps. Civ. 29) 4. Time to breathe; respite; pause. "Give me some breath, some little pause." (Shak) 5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant. "He smiles and he frowns in a breath." (Dryden) 6. That which gives or strengthens life. "The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life." (Byron) 7. A single word; the slightest effort; a triffle. "A breath can make them, as a breath has made." (Goldsmith) 8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion. "Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface." (Addison) 9. Fragrance; exhalation; odour; perfume. "The breath of flowers." (Bacon) 10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. "An after dinner's breath." (Shak) Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty. Under one's breath, in low tones. Origin: OE. Breth, breeth, AS. Br odour, scent, breath; cf. OHG. Bradam steam, vapor, breath, G. Brodem, and possibly E. Brawn, and Breed. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| breath-holding | Voluntary or involuntary cessation of breathing; often seen in young children as a response to frustration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| breath tests | Any tests done on exhaled air. (12 Dec 1998) |
| shortness of breath | Difficulty breathing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| uraemic breath | Characteristic odour of the breath in patients with chronic renal failure, variously described as "fishy," "ammoniacal," and "fetid," which is indicative of the systemic accumulation of volatile metabolites, usually excreted in the urine; dimethylamine and trimethylamine have been identified and correlated with the classic fishy odour. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liver breath | A peculiar odour to the breath in persons with severe liver disease; caused by volatile aromatic substances that accumulate in the blood and urine due to defective hepatic metabolism. Synonym: liver breath. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accumulation analysis | A technique in which an intermediate of a metabolic pathway accumulates due to selective inhibition of a particular step in that pathway or in a mutant that is deficient in a certain step. The intermediate is then isolated, analyzed, and identified. (05 Mar 2000) |
| activation analysis | <radiobiology> Method for identifying and measuring chemical elements in a sample of material. Sample is first made radioactive by bombardment with neutrons, charged particles, or gamma rays. Newly formed radioactive atoms in the sample then give off characteristic radiations (such as gamma rays) that tell what kinds of atoms are present, and how many. (09 Oct 1997) |
| actuarial analysis | The application of probability and statistical methods to calculate the risk of occurrence of any event, such as onset of illness, recurrent disease, hospitalization, disability, or death. It may include calculation of the anticipated money costs of such events and of the premiums necessary to provide for payment of such costs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| amino acid analysis | Determination and identification of amino acid content of a macromolecule, identification of a specific amino acid in macromolecules, often a mutated protein, identification and quantitation of amino acid content in blood plasma or urine; a key diagnostic aid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| analysis | <technique> The separation into component parts or elements, the act of determining the component parts of a substance. Origin: Gr. Lysis = dissolution (18 Nov 1997) |
| analysis of variance | A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| base sequence analysis | <molecular biology> A method, sometimes automated, for determining the base sequence. (09 Oct 1997) |