Effect of nifedipine on core cooling in rats during tail cold water immersion

Male rats (450 g, n=11/group) were heated at an ambient temperature of 42°C until a rectal temperature of 42.8°C was attained. Rats, then received either saline (30°C)+tail ice water immersion (F+I) or saline (30°C)+tail ice water immersion+Nifedipine, a peripheral vasodilator, (F+I+N) to determine cooling rate effectiveness and survivability. The time to reach a rectal temperature of 42.8°C averaged 172 min in both groups resulting in similar heating rates (0.029°C/min). The cooling rates in group F+I and F+I+N were not significantly different from each other. We conclude that since Nifedipine did not improve cooling rates when combined with fluid+tail ice water immersion, its use as a cooling adjunct does not seem warranted.     

The effect of dynamic exercise on resting cold thermoregulatory responses measured during water immersion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the subsequent post-exercise thresholds for vasoconstriction and shivering measured during water immersion. On 2 separate days, seven subjects (six males and one female) were immersed in water (37.5 degrees C) that was subsequently cooled at a constant rate of approximately 6.5 degrees C x h(-1) until the thresholds for vasoconstriction and shivering were clearly established. Water temperature was then increased to 37.5 degrees C. Subjects remained immersed for approximately 20 min, after which they exited the water, were towel-dried and sat in room air (22 degrees C) until both esophageal temperature and mean skin temperature (Tsk) returned to near-baseline values. Subjects then either performed 15 min of cycle ergometry (at 65% maximal oxygen consumption) followed by 30 min of recovery (Exercise), or remained seated with no exercise for 45 min (Control). Subjects were then cooled again. The core temperature thresholds for both vasoconstriction and shivering increased significantly by 0.2 degrees C Post-Exercise (P < 0.05). Because the Tsk at the onset of vasoconstriction and shivering was different during Pre- and Post-Exercise Cooling, we compensated mathematically for changes in skin temperatures using the established linear cutaneous contribution of skin to the control of vasoconstriction and shivering (20%). The calculated core temperature threshold (at a designated skin temperature of 32.0 degrees C) for vasoconstriction increased significantly from 37.1 (0.3) degrees C to 37.5 ( 0.3) degrees C post-exercise (P < 0.05). Likewise, the shivering threshold increased from 36.2 (0.3) degrees C to 36.5 (0.3) degrees C post-exercise (P < 0.05). In contrast to the post-exercise increase in cold thermal response thresholds, sequential measurements demonstrated a time-dependent similarity in the Pre- and Post-Control thresholds for vasoconstriction and shivering. These data indicate that exercise has a prolonged effect on the post-exercise thresholds for both cold thermoregulatory responses.     

Temperature dependence of habituation of the initial responses to cold-water immersion

The initial responses to cold-water immersion, evoked by stimulation of peripheral cold receptors, include tachycardia, a reflex inspiratory gasp and uncontrollable hyperventilation. When immersed naked, the maximum responses are initiated in water at 10°C, with smaller responses being observed following immersion in water at 15°C. Habituation of the initial responses can be achieved following repeated immersions, but the specificity of this response with regard to water temperature is not known. Thirteen healthy male volunteers were divided into a control (C) group (n = 5) and a habituation (H) group (n = 8). Each subject undertook two 3-min head-out immersions in water at 10°C wearing swimming trunks. These immersions took place at a corresponding time of day with 4 days separating the two immersions. In the intervening period the C group were not exposed to cold water, while the H group undertook another six, 3-min, head-out immersions in water at 15°C. Respiratory rate (f _R), inspiratory minute volume (V˙ _I) and heart rate (f _H) were measured continuously throughout each immersion. Following repeated immersions in water at 15°C, the f _R, V˙ _I and f _H responses of the H group over the first 30 s of immersion were reduced (P < 0.01) from 33.3 breaths · min⁻¹, 50.5 l · min⁻¹ and 114 beats · min⁻¹ respectively, to 19.8 breaths · min⁻¹, 26.4 l · min⁻¹ and 98 beats · min⁻¹, respectively. In water at 10°C these responses were reduced (P < 0.01) from 47.3 breaths · min⁻¹, 67.6 l · min⁻¹ and 128 beats · min⁻¹ to 24.0 breaths · min⁻¹, 29.5 l · min⁻¹ and 109 beats · min⁻¹, respectively over a corresponding period of immersion. Similar reductions were observed during the last 2.5 min of immersions. The initial responses of the C group were unchanged. It is concluded that habituation of the cold shock response can be achieved by immersion in warmer water than that for which protection is required. This suggests that repeated submaximal stimulation of the cutaneous cold receptors is sufficient to attenuate the responses to more maximal stimulation. Accepted: 6 February 1998     

Habituation of the metabolic and ventilatory responses to cold-water immersion in humans

An experiment was undertaken to answer long-standing questions concerning the nature of metabolic habituation in repeatedly cooled humans. It was hypothesised that repeated skin and deep-body cooling would produce such a habituation that would be specific to the magnitude of the cooling experienced, and that skin cooling alone would dampen the cold-shock but not the metabolic response to cold-water immersion. Twenty-one male participants were divided into three groups, each of which completed two experimental immersions in 12 °C water, lasting until either rectal temperature fell to 35 °C or 90 min had elapsed. Between these two immersions, the control group avoided cold exposures, whilst two experimental groups completed five additional immersions (12 °C). One experimental group repeatedly immersed for 45 min in average, resulting in deep-body (1.18 °C) and skin temperature reductions. The immersions in the second experimental group were designed to result only in skin temperature reductions, and lasted only 5 min. Only the deep-body cooling group displayed a significantly blunted metabolic response during the second experimental immersion until rectal temperature decreased by 1.18 °C, but no habituation was observed when they were cooled further. The skin cooling group showed a significant habituation in the ventilatory response during the initial 5 min of the second experimental immersion, but no alteration in the metabolic response. It is concluded that repeated falls of skin and deep-body temperature can habituate the metabolic response, which shows tissue temperature specificity. However, skin temperature cooling only will lower the cold-shock response, but appears not to elicit an alteration in the metabolic response.     

Cold induced vasodilatation and cardiovascular responses in humans during cold water immersion of various upper limb areas

To study the physiological responses induced by immersing in cold water various areas of the upper limb, 20 subjects immersed either the index finger (T1), hand (T2) or forearm and hand (T3) for 30 min in 5°C water followed by a 15-min recovery period. Skin temperature of the index finger, skin blood flow (Q_sk) measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, as well as heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (ˉBP_a) were all monitored during the test. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as Q_sk / ˉBP_a. Cold induced vasodilatation (CIVD) indices were calculated from index finger skin temperature and CVC time courses. The results showed that no differences in temperature, CVC or cardiovascular changes were observed between T2 and T3. During T1, CIVD appeared earlier compared to T2 and T3 [5.90 (SEM 0.32) min in T1 vs 7.95 (SEM 0.86) min in T2 and 9.26 (SEM 0.78) min in T3, P < 0.01]. The HR was unchanged in T1 whereas it increased significantly at the beginning of T2 and T3 [+13 (SEM 2) beats · min⁻¹ in T2 and +15 (SEM 3) beats · min⁻¹ in T3, P < 0.01] and then decreased at the end of the immersion [−12 (SEM 3) beats · min⁻¹ in T2, and −15 (SEM 3) beats · min⁻¹ in T3, P < 0.01]. Moreover, ˉBP_aincreased at the beginning of T1 but was lower than in T2 and T3 [+9.3 (SEM 2.5) mmHg in T1, P < 0.05;  +20.6 (SEM 2.6) mmHg and 26.5 (SEM 2.8) mmHg in T2 and T3, respectively, P < 0.01]. The rewarming during recovery was faster and higher in T1 compared to T2 and T3. These results showed that general and local physiological responses observed during an upper limb cold water test differed according to the area immersed. Index finger cooling led to earlier and faster CIVD without significant cardiovascular changes, whereas hand or forearm immersion led to a delayed and slower CIVD with a bradycardia at the end of the test. Accepted: 26 November 1996     

The relationship between maximum breath hold time in air and the ventilatory responses to immersion in cold water.

Eight subjects performed maximum breath holds in air and naked head-out immersions of 2 min duration in stirred water at 5, 10 and 15 degrees C. Analysis of the respiratory data collected in air and on immersion revealed a significant (P less than 0.05) inverse relationship between the maximum breath hold time (tbh,max) of subjects in air and their frequency of breathing and inspiratory volumes on immersion. No such relationship was identified between tbh,max in air and tidal volumes on immersion. It is concluded that the tbh,max of individuals in air may provide an indication of the magnitude of some of their respiratory responses to immersion. This information may be of use when personnel are being selected for activities with a high risk of immersion in cold water.     

The effects of temperature,water activity and pH on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila and on its subsequent survival in microcosm water

AIMS: The influence of temperature, water activity and pH on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila, and on its survival after transfer in nutrient-poor water were assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experiments were carried out according to a Box-Behnken matrix at 10-30 degrees C, 0.95-0.99 water activity (aw) and pH 5-9. The effect of each factor on the kinetic parameters of growth (i.e. the maximal specific growth rate, mumax, and the lag time, lambda) and on the decline of the bacteria in microcosm water (time to obtain a reduction of 5 log, T5 log) were studied by applying central composite design. CONCLUSIONS: The major effect of temperature and water activity on the growth of A. hydrophila was highlighted, whereas the effect of pH in these experimental conditions was not significant. Models describing the effect of environmental parameters on the growth of A. hydrophila were proposed. The effect of the growth environment, and particularly the incubation temperature, have an influence on the survival ability of the bacteria in nutrient-poor water. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The Box-Behnken design was well suited to determine the influence of environmental factors on the growth of A. hydrophila and to investigate the effect of previous growth conditions on its survival in microcosm water.     

The effects of two types of clothing on seasonal cold tolerance

This study investigated the effects of two types of clothing, leaving legs covered or uncovered, on seasonal cold tolerance in women. Experiments were carried out to compare cold tolerance at an ambient temperature (T _a) of 10° C in December between two groups of subjects, who wore either knee-length skirts (skirt group) or full-length trousers (trouser group) for 3 months from September to November. The main results are summarized as follows: rectal temperatures continued to fall for 40 min in the trouser group when the subjects were covered by a blanket, while it became stable in 30 min in the skirt group; rectal temperatures showed greater increases in the skirt group when the blanket was removed after 40 min exposure to T _a of 10° C; metabolic heat production was kept significantly lower in the skirt group when uncovered or covered by a blanket at T _a of 10° C; metabolic heat production was negatively correlated with mean skin temperature and was always higher in the trouser group when measured at the same mean skin temperature; in the uncovered condition diastolic blood pressure increased significantly in the trouser group but not in the skirt group. These results would suggest that the subjects who wore skirts for 3 months from September to November had improved their ability to tolerate the cold.     

The effects of two different types of clothing on seasonal cold acclimation of thermophysiological responses

The work described in this paper investigated the effects of two types of clothing, leaving the legs covered or uncovered, on seasonal cold acclimation in women. Experiments were carried out to observe the different thermal physiological responses between two groups of subjects, who dressed themselves in kneelength skirts or trousers during the daytime for 3 months from September to November. It was found that rectal temperatures and heart rates in the subjects wearing skirts were shifted to lower levels when the season gradually became colder. The results suggest that the clothing type worn in daily life may play a potential role in seasonal cold acclimation of thermal physiological responses in man.     

Effect of cooling rates on the cold hardiness and cryoprotectant profiles of locust eggs

To examine the relationship between cooling rate and cold hardiness in eggs of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, the survival rates and cryoprotectant levels of three embryonic developmental stages were measured at different cooling rates (from 0.05 to 0.8 degrees C min(-1)) in acclimated and non-acclimated eggs. Egg survival rate increased with decreasing cooling rate. The concentration of cryoprotectants (myo-inositol, trehalose, mannitol, glycerol, and sorbitol) increased in non-acclimated eggs, but varied significantly in response to different cooling rates in acclimated eggs. The acclimation process (5 degrees C for 3 days) did not increase eggs resistance to quick cooling ("plunge" cooling and 0.8 degrees C min(-1)). Earlier stage embryos were much more sensitive than later stage embryos to the same cooling rates. Time spent at subzero temperatures also had a strong influence on egg survival.     

Effect of hydration on plasma volume and endocrine responses to water immersion

To determine the effect of hydration on the early osmotic and intravascular volume and endocrine responses to water immersion the hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma electrolyte, aldosterone (PA), and vasopressin (PVP) concentrations were measured during immersion following 24-h dehydration; these were compared with corresponding values following rapid rehydration. Six men and one woman (age 23-46 yr) underwent 45 min of standing immersion to the neck preceded by 45-min standing without immersion, first dehydrated, and then 105 min later after rehydration with water. Immersion caused an isotonic expansion of the plasma volume (P less than 0.001), which occurred independently of hydration status. Suppression of PRA (P less than 0.001) and PA (P less than 0.001) during both immersions also occurred independently of hydration status. Suppression of plasma vasopressin was observed during dehydrated immersion (P less than 0.001) but not during rehydrated immersion. It is concluded that plasma tonicity is not a factor influencing PVP suppression during water immersion.     

增温增水对草地生态系统碳循环关键过程的影响

生态系统碳循环是生态系统过程的重要组成部分,对碳循环关键过程机理的研究有助于更好地理解生态系统过程。目前,气候变化（全球变暖、降水时空格局变化）对草地生态系统过程产生了重要的影响。综述了气候变化（温度和降水变化）对草地生态系统碳循环关键过程（植物生产力、植物物候、植物根系周转、生态系统呼吸和生态系统净碳交换）的影响,在此基础上指出了目前气候变化（温度和降水变化）控制试验研究的不足,并进一步提出了今后应该加强研究的方向。     

Effect of vagotomy and thoracic sympathectomy on responses of the monkey to water immersion

Cardiopulmonary stretch receptors have been implicated as part of a reflex mechanism linking changes in blood volume to changes in renal excretion. Experiments were performed to determine whether total denervation of these receptors by combined cervical vagotomy and thoracic sympathectomy affects the renal responses of the monkey to head-out water immersion, a maneuver that translocates blood to the thorax and elicits an increase in renal salt and water excretion. Macaca fascicularis monkeys first underwent chronic bilateral thoracic sympathectomy or sham denervation performed in two stages a week apart. One to two weeks later, they were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, and the sympathectomized animals underwent bilateral cervical vagotomy. Control renal function did not differ between the two groups. Immersion of 90-min duration increased central venous and mean arterial pressures by similar amounts in both groups, but heart rate increased only in the sham-denervated animals. Denervation did not affect the magnitudes or delay the times of onset of the increases in urine flow, absolute and fractional sodium excretion, and osmolar and free water clearances occurring with immersion. These results demonstrate that in the anesthetized monkey cardiopulmonary receptors are not necessary for eliciting the renal responses to immersion.     

The dominance of warming rate over cooling rate in the survival of mouse oocytes subjected to a vitrification procedure

The formation of more than trace amounts of ice in cells is lethal. The two contrasting routes to avoiding it are slow equilibrium freezing and vitrification. The cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes by either method continues to be difficult, but there seems a slowly emerging consensus that vitrification procedures are somewhat better for mouse and human oocytes. The approach in these latter procedures is to load cells with high concentrations of glass-inducing solutes and cool them at rates high enough to induce the glassy state. Several devices have been developed to achieve very high cooling rates. Our study has been concerned with the relative influences of warming rate and cooling rate on the survival of mouse oocytes subjected to a vitrification procedure. Oocytes suspended in an ethylene glycol–acetamide–Ficoll–sucrose solution were cooled to −196 °C at rates ranging from 37 to 1827 °C/min between 20 and −120 °C, and for each cooling rate, warmed at rates ranging from 139 to 2950 °C/min between −70 and −35 °C. The results are unambiguous. If the samples were warmed at the highest rate, survivals were >80% over cooling rates of 187–1827 °C/min. If the samples were warmed at the lowest rate, survivals were near 0% regardless of the cooling rate. We interpret the lethality of slow warming to be a consequence of it allowing time for the growth of small intracellular ice crystals by recrystallization.     

昼夜不对称性与对称性升温对大豆产量和水分利用的影响

全球气候变暖并不是白天和夜间的平均变暖, 而是呈现一定的不对称性。大豆(Glycine max)是世界范围内种植较广泛的豆科作物, 也是中国重要的粮食作物。研究大豆的生长与水分利用对不对称性气候变暖的响应, 可为预测未来气候变暖情景下大豆的适应提供科学的参考依据。该实验在人工气候箱中采用盆栽方式进行, 设立对照(CON, 昼26 ℃夜16 ℃)、对称性升温(ETs, 昼夜均升高3 ℃)和不对称性升温(ETa, 昼升高2 ℃, 夜升高4 ℃)三个温度情景, 研究了大豆产量和水分利用对昼夜不对称性与对称性升温的差异性响应。结果表明: 在昼/夜26 ℃/16 ℃的背景下, 1) ETs对大豆产量影响不显著, 主要是因为生物量的增加缓解了收获指数下降对大豆的不利影响; ETa使大豆产量减少38.9%, 是由于大豆的收获指数和产量构成要素(荚数、粒数、百粒重)均显著降低。2) ETs对大豆全生育期蒸散量(ET)的影响不显著, ETa使大豆整个生育期ET减少14.8%。3)两种升温模式对大豆耗水量中蒸发量的影响都不显著, 耗水量的差异主要来自蒸腾量的差异, 其中ETs和ETa分别使大豆全生育期蒸腾量降低10.7%和26.1%。综上所述, 只针对ETs进行研究, 而没有对ETa进行研究的实验会低估真正的气候变暖情景(ETa)对大豆生长和产量的不利影响, 高估其对大豆耗水量的影响。     

水流对莲草直胸跳甲种群存活和扩散的影响

【背景】水流是外来入侵生物传播蔓延的重要方式之一,特别是水生生物。水生杂草在水流传播过程中也经常携带其天敌从一个地方传播到另一个地方,如莲草直胸跳甲经常随着空心莲子草在水流中传播。研究水流对莲草直胸跳甲存活的影响及其对种群迁移的间接协助作用,可为解析该天敌抵御洪涝灾害和借助水流传播的能力提供科学依据。【方法】本研究以莲草直胸跳甲为研究对象,在室内进行水流模拟,比较水流转速（1000、1250和1750r.min-1）和时间（30、60、90和120min）对不同虫态莲草直胸跳甲（雌雄成虫、幼虫和卵）存活率的影响,并推算莲草直胸跳甲成虫和幼虫在野外随水流传播的最大距离。【结果】水流速度对昆虫的存活和发育具有一定影响。在不同旋转时间和转速下,雌雄成虫的存活率较高,幼虫次之,卵的存活率最低;雌虫随水流传播能达到的最远距离最大,雄虫次之,传播距离最小的是幼虫。【结论与意义】莲草直胸跳甲可随水流进行远距离传播和自然扩散,对于利用莲草直胸跳甲防治空心莲子草,缓解水渠和河道的堵塞非常有利。     

Insect responses to plant water deficits. II. Effect of water deficits in soybean plants on the growth and survival of Mexican bean beetle larvae

Abstract. 1. We examined the effect of water deficits in soybean, Glycine max [L.] Merr., on the growth and survival of Mexican bean beetle larvae, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
2. Larvae were reared under growth chamber, glasshouse, and field conditions on foliage from plants that were either well-watered or subjected to water deficits.
3. Larval survival, growth rate and pupal weight were reduced, and development time was increased when larvae were reared on foliage from plants subjected to water deficits. These results are contrary to White's (1974) hypothesis that water deficits in plants cause increased growth and survival of herbivorous insects.
4. Changes in foliage chemistry caused by water deficits, possibly in the concentration of free amino acids, are the most likely causes of the observed effects on growth rate and development time. However, under glasshouse and field conditions, physical changes in foliage and/or the foliage's environment that accompany water deficits are also important.     

Differential effects of diurnal asymmetric and symmetric warming on yield and water utilization of soybean

Aims Global warming does not mean similar warmer temperatures between daytime and nighttime. Soybean (Glycine max) is a widely planted legume crop around the world and an important food crop in China. The aim of this study was to understand the responses of soybean growth and water utilization to future asymmetric warming, which would provide scientific reference for evaluating the adaptation of soybean to the future climate scenarios.Methods This experiment was carried out in artificial climate chambers, using the method of potted plants, under three temperature conditions; contrast (CON, 26 °C during the day and 16 °C during night), symmetric warming (ETs, elevated temperature of 3 °C both during the day and night), asymmetric warming (ETa, elevated temperature of 2 °C during the day and elevated temperature of 4 °C during night). We investigated the differential effects of diurnal asymmetric and symmetric warming on the yield and water consumption of soybean. Important findings The results revealed that, under the background of 26 °C during the day and 16 °C during night: 1) the effect of ETs on soybean yields showed no significant function that mainly benefit from the increase in the amount of biomass to ease negative influence of decrease in the harvest index. ETa reduced yields of soybean by 38.9% (p < 0.05) due to both significant decrease in harvest index and yield components (pod number per plant, grain number per pod and 100-grain weight). 2) ETs showed no obvious effect on the whole growing stage evapotranspiration (ET) of soybean, while ETa reduced the whole growing stage ET by 14.8% (p < 0.05). 3) The effect of the two warming pattern on water consumption of soybean were not significant. The difference in water consumption was mainly derived from the difference in transpiration (T). ETs and ETa reduced total transpiration by 10.7% (p < 0.05) and 26.1% (p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that ETs will underestimate the detrimental effects of real climate warming (ETa) on the growth and yield of soybean, and overestimate the effects on water consumption of soybean.