Physical fitness and thermoregulatory reactions in a cold environment in men

The relationship between the physical fitness level (maximal O2 consumption, VO2max) and thermoregulatory reactions was studied in 17 adult males submitted to an acute cold exposure. Standard cold tests were performed in nude subjects, lying for 2 h in a climatic chamber at three ambient air temperatures (10, 5, and 1 degrees C). The level of physical fitness conditioned the intensity of thermoregulatory reactions to cold. For all subjects, there was a direct relationship between physical fitness and 1) metabolic heat production, 2) level of mean skin temperature (Tsk), 3) level of skin conductance, and 4) level of Tsk at the onset of shivering. The predominance of thermogenic or insulative reactions depended on the intensity of the cold stress: insulative reactions were preferential at 10 degrees C, or even at 5 degrees C, whereas colder ambient temperature (1 degree C) triggered metabolic heat production abilities, which were closely related to the subject's physical fitness level. Fit subjects have more efficient thermoregulatory abilities against cold stress than unfit subjects, certainly because of an improved sensitivity of the thermoregulatory system.     

The significance of the moult cycle to cold tolerance in the Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus

Research into the ecophysiology of arthropod cold tolerance has largely focussed on those parts of the year and/or the life cycle in which cold stress is most likely to be experienced, resulting in an emphasis on studies of the preparation for and survival in the overwintering state. However, the non-feeding stage of the moult cycle also gives rise to a period of increased cold hardiness in some microarthropods and, as a consequence, a proportion of the field population is cold tolerant even during the summer active period.In the case of the common Antarctic springtail Cryptopygus antarcticus, the proportion of time spent in this non-feeding stage is extended disproportionately relative to the feeding stage as temperature is reduced. As a result, the proportion of the population in a cold tolerant state, with low supercooling points (SCPs), increases at lower temperatures.We found that, at 5 °C, about 37% of the population are involved in ecdysis and exhibit low SCPs. At 2 °C this figure increased to 50% and, at 0 °C, we estimate that 80% of the population will have increased cold hardiness as a result of a prolonged non-feeding, premoult period. Thus, as part of the suite of life history and ecophysiological features that enable this Antarctic springtail to survive in its hostile environment, it appears that it can take advantage of and extend the use of a pre-existing characteristic inherent within the moulting cycle.     

Physiological response of cut rose flowers to cold storage

The effects of low temperature storage on the physiology of cut rose flowers ( Rosa hybridaL. cv. Mercedes) were studied. Extension of cold storage or increase in temperature (from 3 to 8°C) was accompanied by shortening of vase life and advancement of petal senescence, as reflected in an advance in the timing of the rise in ethylene production and an increase in membrane permeability (ion leakage). Although storage at a relative humidity (RH) of 65% reduced petal water content by 20% in comparison with flowers stored at 95% RH, it did not shorten vase life. The progression of petal senescence was measured during storage at 3°C and during aging at 22°C. Both ethylene production rates and membrane microviscosity measured by fluorescence depolarization increased with time at 3°C and at 22°C, but more slowly at 3°C. At 3°C membrane permeability measured by ion leakage did not increase. Following cold storage the rate of ethylene production in the petals was increased by up to eight times the rate in unstored flowers. Silver thiosulphate extended the vase life of both stored and fresh flowers equally by 2 days, but did not increase the life of stored flowers to that of treated fresh flowers. It is concluded that the primary effect of cold storage on roses is to slow down senescence and that the continued slow senescence leads to shorter vase life. The possible occurrence of sequential processes during senescence and the effects of temperature on these processes is discussed.     

Physiological reactions of aquatic oligochaetes to environmental anoxia

Aquatic oligochaetes are well known for their ability to resist prolonged periods of anoxia. In fact, the observed mortality is more likely to result from laboratory stress (unnatural sediment, starvation, accumulation of toxic substances) than from lack of oxygen per se. Lumbriculus variegatus feeds under anoxia at 6°C at a low rate and survives more than 40 days. A sudden transfer into anoxic water, however, results in a cessation of defaecation before the gut is half emptied, whereas the gut is completely emptied under aerobic conditions within 8–10 hours (11°C).Anoxic heat dissipation as measured by direct calorimetry is reduced by up to 80% relative to aerobic rates. The basal rate of oxygen uptake is independent of PO₂ above 3 kPa (15% air saturation), but the active rate shows a high degree of oxygen conformity. Whereas the theoretical oxycaloric equivalent yields an accurate estimation of aerobic heat dissipation in Lumbriculus, anoxic catabolism of glycogen explains only up to 60% of the directly measured rates of anoxic heat dissipation in Lumbriculus and Tubifex. Since unknown bioenergetic processes may be important under anoxia, direct calorimetry is required to assess total rates of energy expenditure in anoxic oligochaetes.     

黑莓叶片对水分处理的生理反应

黑莓（Ｒｕｂｕｓ ｓｐｐ．）赫尔（Ｈｕｌｌ）品种扦插苗在土壤相对含水量分别为８５％以上、７０％￣８０％、５０％￣６０％、４５％￣５０％和３０％￣３５％的条件下处理２０ｄ,以土壤相对含水量７０％￣８０％的处理为对照,测定其叶片单个复叶的鲜重,单位叶面积鲜重、叶片相对含水量、叶绿素含量及可溶性蛋白质含量的变化。结果表明：当土壤相对含水量达８５％以上时,所测各项指标与对照相比均无显著差异,黑莓生长良好,