Body temperature responses of Savanna Brown goat to the harmattan and hot-dry season

Rectal and vaginal temperature responses of the Savanna Brown goat indigenous to the Nigerian guinea savanna were determined during the harmattan and the hot-dry season. Measurements were made at 06:00h and at 14:00h after 8h exposure to field conditions. At the 06:00h measurements during the harmattan, all animals were observed to shiver. A significant (P<0.01) positive correlation was found between rectal (T_re) and vaginal temperatures. During the harmattan, mean T_re was 38.2C at 06:00h and 39.7C at 14:00h; the mean difference, T_re was 1.5C. During the hot-dry season, T_re at 06:00h was 38.1C, and at 14:00h, 38.7; T_re was 0.6C. It is concluded that the harmattan is thermally more stressful than the hot-dry season and that passive thermolability may not be an important mechanism in the Savanna Brown goat in adaptation to thermal stress.     

Interaction of cytochrome c L with methanol dehydrogenase from Methylophaga marina 42:

The reaction of methanol dehydrogenase with cytochrome c _L from Methylophaga marina and the reactions of the non-physiological substrates, Wurster's blue and ascorbic acid, with both proteins were studied as a function of temperature (4–32 °C), pressure (1–2000 bar) and ionic strength using the optical high pressure stopped-flow method. The thermodynamic parameters H, S and V were determined for all reactions where electron transfers are involved. These data allowed the determination of the Maxwell relationships which proved the internal thermodynamic consistency of the system under study. A conformational change on the cytochrome c _L level was deduced from both breaks in the Arrhenius plots and the variation of the V with temperature.Abbreviations MOPS 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid - CHES 2-(cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid - MDH methanol dehydrogenase - EDTA ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid disodium salt - BTB bromothymol blue (3,3-dibromothymolsulfoneph-thalein) - PQQ 2,7,9-tricarboxy-lH-pyrrolo-[2,3f]quinoline-4,5-dione - cytochrome c _HH mammalian horse heart cytochrome c     

Rhodopsin phosphorylation occurs at metarhodopsin II level

Photolyzed rhodopsin was phosphorylated in bovine rod outer segments incubated at –10 C. In the experiment in which urea-treated outer segments and rhodopsin kinase were incubated with ATP in the presence of 30% glycerol, the extent of phosphate incorporation at –10 C was about 30% of that at 37 C. Separation of phosphorylated rhodopsin by isoelectric focusing indicated that a limited number of sites were phosphorylated at –10 C. The partially phosphorylated pigment incorporated more phosphates when the temperatures was raised to 37 C. This was partly due to decreased inhibition of phosphorylation by glycerol at higher temperature. Since the maximum phosphorylation at –10 C (at which metarhodopsin II is stable) occurred at a pH value (6.0) lower than the pKa for metarhodopsin I-metarhodopsin II transition, metarhodopsin II was suggested to be the preferred substrate for rhodopsin kinase at –10 C. Limited proteolysis with thermolysin of rhodopsin phosphorylated at 37 C released peptides containing about 50% of the total phosphate incorporated. In contrast, proteolytic digestion of rhodopsin phosphorylated at –10 C released negligible amounts of phosphate-containing peptides. The results were taken to suggest that the incorporation of phosphates at metarhodopsin II level under the present condition occurred in the residues other than those removed by thermolysin digestion.Based on material presented at the Fifth International Congress of Eye Research, Eindhoven, October 1982     

The relative influence of urban climates on outdoor human energy budgets and skin temperature II. Man in an urban environment

Four typical urban neighborhoods or street canyon settings (including street parks) were simulated. These urban morphologies were exposed to typical summer and winter climatic scenarios for latitudes 10, 34, and 50N. The changes induced in the components of the human energy budget were examined. Resultant skin temperatures were compared with non-urban, unobstructed environments.     

Effects of hyperthermia on enzymes and electrolytes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in dogs

The effects of exposure to various degrees of heat stress on serum glutamate—oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P-ase), calcium and chlorides have been studied on 75 dogs. Rectal temperature (T_re) was recorded before and after exposure to heat stress. These dogs were divided into 5 groups, according to the T_re level attained after exposure to heat stress. Rectal temperature was raised from normal to 39.45±0.47C in the first group, to 40.93±0.17C in the second group, to 41.87±0.22C in the third group, to 42.90 ± 0.21C in the fourth group and to 43.93±0.19C in the fifth group. The concentration of enzymes SGOT, SGPT and ALK-P-ase in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increased significantly with hyperthermia. Calcium and chlorides concentrations in blood and in CSF tended to increase in hyperthermia. The integrity of the blood brain barrier for these enzymes and calcium is maintained under mild hyperthermia but it breaks down partially under influence of more severe hyperthermia. Core temperature above 41C results in damage to tissues and consequential rise of plasma enzymes. This degree of hyperthermia also seems to mark the beginning of injury to blood brain barrier. Critical core temperature tolerated by 50% of animals was 44C.     

Thermoregulation in the hippopotamus

Measurements of the sub-lingual temperature and of the skin temperature of the nose, ears, neck, dewlap, sides and back of two hippopotami (HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS L.) in the Zoological Park at Wroclaw have been made. The mean sub-lingual temperature was 36.1C but a diurnal rhythm of sub-lingual temperature was evident, which was not related to changes in the environmental temperature. The skin temperatures varied with the environmental temperature. When the animals were immersed in water at 9C the sub-lingual temperature dropped to 24.5C but it had returned to its pre-immersion value within one hour of leaving the water.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden Messungen der Sublingualtemperatur und der Temperatur der Haut an Nase, Ohren, Nacken, Wamme, Seiten und Rücken von 2 Hippopotamus (HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBUUS L.) im Zoologischen Garten in Warschau vorgenommen. Die mittl. Sublingualtemperatur war 36.1C. Ein diurnaler Rhythmus ohne Beziehung zu den Änderungen der Umwelttemperatur konnte nachgewiesen werden. Die Hauttemperatur Änderte sichmit der Umwelttemperatur. Wenn die Tiere im Wasserbecken (9C) standen,fiel die Sublingualtemperatur auf 24,5C. Sie stieg nach Verlassen des Wassers innerhalb einer Stunde auf den Ausgangswert.

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Resume La température sublinguale ainsi que les températures cutanées du nez,de l'oreille, de la nuque, du ventre, des flancs et du dos ont été relevées chez deux hippopotamus (HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS L.) du Jardin Zoologique de Varsovie. La température sublinguale moyenne a été de 36,1C. L'existence d'un rythme nycthéméral indépendant des variations de la température ambiante a été observée.La température cutanée varie en fonction de la température ambiante.Quand les animaux se tenaient debout dans leur bassin d'eau froide à 9C, la température sublinguale tombait à 24,5C.Lorsque les animaux quittaient ce bassin, cette température remontait au bout d'environ b heure à sa valeur de départ.

     

High-resolution autoradiography of nuclear modifications during and after heat treatment ofNeurospora crassa

Summary The appearance of perinucleolar electron-dense spots in the nuclei of macroconidia ofNeurospora crassa incubated at 46C and their disaggregation after shift-down to 25 C have been investigated by high-resolution autoradiography after (5-³H) uridine pulses with or without chase periods. The RNA of these ribonucleoprotein-rich dense spots has been found to originate mainly from the heatsensitive nucleolus; after return to 25 C, the nucleolar activity was recovered and the RNA material stored either in an unprocessed or a mature rRNA form in the dense spots was found to be progressively extruded into the cytoplasm.     

Frostbite and the significance of a temperature-sensation scale in field and laboratory conditions

The literature indicates that rapid thawing in water between 42 and 45C provides the best prognosis for frostbitten limbs.A temperature:sensation scale for the normal hand was derived and tested in laboratory and field conditions. The scale permitted the preparation of water suitable for frostbite treatment by the majority of subjects without access to a thermometer. The maximum observed inaccuracy was 1.2C outside the preferred range but was well withing the safe range for treatment.

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Zusammenfassung Die beste Prognose zur Behandlung von Erfrierungen bietet nach den Erfahrungen in der Literatur das schnelle Auftauen von erfrorenen Gliedern bei Wassertemperaturen von 42–45C. Für die gesunde Hand wurde eine Temperatur-Wahrnehmungsskala aufgestellt und unter verschiedenen Bedingungen im Laboratorium und im Freien geprüft. Ohne Zugang zu einem Thermometer gestattete die Skala in der Mehrzahl der FÄlle die ErwÄrmung von Wasser auf Temperaturen, die für die Behandlung von Erfrierungen geeignet sind. Die grösste Ungenauigkeit zwischen SchÄtzwert und Thermometerwert war 1.2C ausserhalb des gewünschten aber noch innerhalb des für die Behandlung zulÄssigen Bereiches.

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Résumé D'après les indications de plusieurs auteurs, le meilleur traitement de membres gelés consiste à les dégeler dans de l'eau à une temperature entre 42 et 45C. Une échelle température-sensation pour la main normale a été mise au point et vérifiée au laboratoire ainsi qu'en plain air.Cette méthode a permis la préparation d'eau en vue d'un traitement de gelures sans faire usage d'un thermomètre dans la plupart des cas. L'erreur maximum observée était de 1,2 C sans que les limites de l'intervalle propice à un traitement ne soient jamais dépassées.

     

Supraoptimal growth-temperature reduces the heat-shock sensitivity of the chrysophycean flagellatePoterioochromonas malhamensis

Summary The chrysophycean flagellatePoterioochromonas malhamensis shows some characteristic alterations after a sublethal heat-shock (42 C, 16 minutes). Most cells round up and retract their cytoplasmic tail. The lorica formation is affected and, in nearly all cells, flagellar activity. Most membrane systems, especially the dictyosome, are severely damaged. In contrast the flagellar root apparatus and the cortical microtubules seem to be unaffected.After growth at a supraoptimal temperature of 33 C and a subsequent heat-shock (42 C, 16 minutes) the cells do not show the heat injuries reported above. The ability to form the lorica becomes also adapted to higher temperatures.Possible adaptation mechanisms are discussed.     

The orientation behaviour of the lesser spearnosed bat, Phyllostomus discolor (Chiroptera) in a model roost

The orientation behaviour of bats (Phyllostomus discolor, Phyllostomidae), flying inside an octagonal roost-like chamber (ø: 100cm; h: 150cm) was examined.It has been shown that the bats begin turning manoeuvres during flight by turning their head towards the direction they intend to proceed to. During early phases of the flights, cumulative navigation errors were evident, indicating that endogenous spatial information plays a major role in the orientation of the bats. During later phases of the flight this error is diminished again. So it can be concluded that the bats start to use exogenous spatial information for orientation while approaching the target.In order to investigate the relative importance of vision, echolocation and endogenous spatial information for approaching the roost, the landing lattices inside the test arena were changed for non-grid dummies. We found that: 1. combined visual and endogenous information are more important than echoacoustical cues, 2. the bats learned quickly to switch their orientation behaviour in order to get a better performance in avoiding the dummies, 3. the learning performance was influenced by the visual similarity of dummies and the real landing lattice.     

Estimation of sweat rate and thermal tolerance of pure Creole and of Limousin × Creole crossbred growing bulls in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Four out of 8 Limousin × Creole (Li × Cr) and 4 out of 8 Creole growing bulls were exposed to full sunshine in Guadeloupe (French West Indies), the others being kept under shade. Sweating rate (measured on the back with capsules filled with a dessicator), rectal temperature and respiratory rhythm were measured between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as climatic environmental data. Rectal temperature of Creole bulls (overall mean: 38.8C) remains unaffected by black globe temperature (TG), while, for Li × Cr bulls, it is well related to TG, reaching 39.5C when TG=39C; at this moment, Li × Cr respiratory rhythm reaches 100 breaths/min, compared with only 70 for Creole animals. The shade mean levels of these two parameters for each genotype are consistently the same (38.7C and 39 breaths/min). Under full sunshine, mean sweat rate is almost the same for the 2 genotypes; under shelter, the crossbred bulls sweat more than the Creole bulls, both shade means being significantly lower than means in the sun. Probably, when shaded, the Li × Cr animals must sweat more to balance a greater heat production, but their maximum sweat ability is not very different than the one of Creole bulls.     

Effect of protons and cations on chloroplast membranes as visualized by the bound ANS fluorescence

Structural changes in the chloroplast membranes caused by acidification and heat-treatment are studied by observing the changes in the fluorescence of ANS bound to thylakoid membranes. On addition of acids to buffered suspension of isolated pea chloroplasts, the fluorescence intensity of bound ANS shows a sigmoidal rise on reaching a pH value of about 4.5. A part of the fluorescence enhancement of bound ANS brought about by protons is not reversible on back titration with alkali. The reversible part of acid induced rise in ANS fluorescence possibly reflects structural changes expected to be associated with photophosphorylation. Divalent cations enhance the fluorescence of ANS bound to chloroplasts between a pH range 4.5–7.0 but diminish it if the pH is below 4.5.Addition of acid to heat-treated chloroplasts shows similar sigmoidal rise in ANS fluorescence intensity on lowering the pH to about 4.5. On addition of acid upto a pH of 3.1, the ANS fluorescence is greater than that of untreated chloroplasts, however, at pH below 3.1, the fluorescence of bound ANS is lower than the control chloroplasts. This observation indicates that heat-treatment caused some alteration of the microstructure of thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts besides the usual loss in the O₂ evolving capacity.This is further confirmed from the studies of Hill-activity and ANS binding to chloroplasts incubated at various temperatures in the absence and presence of aliphatic alcohol. Hill-activity (DCPIP reduction) of chloroplasts incubated at temperatures between 25 C and 55 C first increases reaching a maximum at 45 C and then declines rather sharply, when the chloroplasts are heated beyond 45 C (Tmax). The presence of 200 mM n-butyl alcohol or 40 mM n-amyl alcohol during the warming treatment lowers the temperature by 8 C at which the decline in the Hill-activity is observed. An enhancement in the fluorescence intensity and a blue shift of the emission spectrum of bound ANS are noted if the chloroplasts are heated beyond the Tmax either in absence or presence of alcohol. The changes in the fluorescence of ANS bound to heat-treated chloroplasts plausibly reflect the nature of the structural changes in chloroplasts during the heating upto 55 C.Abbreviations ANS 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate - DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol     

Central nervous versus total body thermosensitivity of the duck

Ducks were chronically implanted with thermodes in the POAH region, the lower brainstem or the vertebral canal. At thermoneutral conditions, lowering the temperature of the spinal cord (T_vc) or the lower brainstem (T_mb) stimulated metabolic heat production (M) with a subsequent rise of core temperature (T_c). Lowering the temperature of the POAH region (T_hy) induced a fall of T_c due to paradoxical activation of heat defence and, thus, induced slight to moderate general hypothermia depending on the cooling intensity. When T_hy was normalized, the hypothermia temporarily stimulated metabolic heat production until T_c was normalized. Cold sensitivity of the entire body, as revealed by the metabolic response to the hypothermia induced by preceding POAH cooling, and cold sensitivity of the spinal cord and the lower brainstem, as revealed by the metabolic response to local cooling, were quantified by calculating the quotient M/T from the maximum metabolic response and the experimentally induced drop of T_c, T_mb and T_vc. With lower brainstem cooling M/T_mbdid not exceed –0.4 W/(kg · C). With spinal cord cooling, M/T_vc did not exceed –0.6 W/(kg · C). The mean value of M/T_c after hypothermia induced by POAH cooling was –4.02 W/(kg · C). The results indicate that the cold sensitivity residing in the CNS of ducks represents only a small fraction of the entire cold sensitivity of the body.Presented at the Eighth International Congress of Biometeorology, 9–14 September 1979, Shefayim, Israel.     

Growth temperature acclimation byAmoeba proteus: Effects on cytoplasmic organelle morphology

Summary The effects on subcellular morphology of maintaining amoebae at temperatures other than 20 C (the routine culture temperature) were assessed. Estimations of cycling potential at each temperature confirmed that acclimation had affected gross cell functioning. Generation times ranged from no division at 6 C, to an optimal minimum of 2 days at 22 C.Organelle morphology changes were studied after 5 days of growth at the new temperatures; alterations were most evident at the extremes of 6 and 28 C. The main mitochondrial alteration resulted in changes to the ratio of Type I: Type II organelles; with a decrease in Type I forms away from the optimal range of 20–22 C. Extended culturing at 6 C generated mitochondrial matrical inclusions. Ribosomal attachment to the endoplasmic reticulum, a common feature of 20 C-grown cells, decreased at the temperature extremes, where an increase in free ribosomes occurred. Upon extended culture at 6 C helical structures, usually observed in groups only within the nucleus, were also present in the cytoplasm. Golgi complexes were less common in cells maintained at extreme temperatures and often showed differences in shape. These changes were all reversible on a return to culturing at 20 C.The possible functional significance of these findings is discussed.     

Thermal stability of soluble mitochondrial H+-ATPase

ATPase melting has been studied by circular dichroism and differential scanning microcalorimetry. Decomposition of the -helix of H⁺-ATPase (in which about 80% of the peptide groups of the enzyme are involved) following thermal treatment is shown to proceed gradually, beginning with room temperature. Effect of nucleotides upon melting is detected in the range of 20–40 C. Above 40 C, the pattern of thermal decomposition of the three-dimensional structure of H⁺-ATPase is independent of the nature of nucleotides present. Highly stable -helical sites have been found in the enzyme molecule. Possible mechanism of formation of such sites is discussed, and the results obtained are compared with data on thermal stability of ATPase from thermophilic bacteria. Structural changes in the molecule following thermal treatment are compared with ATPase activity changes under similar experimental conditions.     

Effect of light and temperature on the bleaching of the yellow mutant y-1 ofEuglena gracilis

Summary The yellow mutant y-1 ofEuglena gracilis, whose plastids are chlorophyll-deficient, is stable only in the dark and at suboptimal growth temperatures (below 26 C).At growth temperature of 30 C (in darkness) this strain is unstable and undergoes permanent bleaching. The process is enhanced by light so that bleaching may be increased up to 100 per cent. The degree of bleaching is proportional to light intensity.Bleaching is possible only during the active cell division. In the resting medium there is no bleaching, but total carotenoid synthesis is stimulated by illumination. At suboptimal growth temperature (26 C) the mutant is bleached only in the light, if light intensity exceeds 2,000 Lux. The results indicate that the process of bleaching in the yellow mutant is much more sensitive to temperature and light than in wild typeEuglena.     

Pineal melatonin rhythms in the lizardAnolis carolinensis: effects of light and temperature cycles

Summary Pineal and ocular melatonin was assessed, over 24 h periods, in male lizards (Anolis carolinensis) entrained to 24 h light-dark (LD) cycles and a constant 32 C, and in lizards entrained to both 24 h LD cycles and 24 h temperature cycles (32 C/20 C). At a constant temperature, the duration of the photoperiod has a profound effect on the duration, amplitude, and phase of the pineal melatonin rhythm (Fig. 1). The pineal melatonin rhythm under cyclic temperature peaks during the cool (20 C) phase of the cycle regardless of whether or not the cool phase occurs during the light or dark phase of a LD 1212 cycle (Fig. 3). Under a temperature cycle and constant dim illumination, a pineal melatonin rhythm is observed which peaks during the cool phase of the temperature cycle, but the amplitude of the rhythm is depressed relative to that observed under LD (Fig. 2). Illumination up to 2 h in duration does not suppress the nocturnal melatonin peak in theAnolis pineal (Fig. 4). No melatonin rhythm was observed in the eyes ofAnolis under either 24 h LD cycles and a constant temperature (Fig. 1), or under simultaneous light and temperature cycles (Fig. 3). Ocular melatonin content was, in all cases, either very low or non-detectable.Abbreviations HIOMT hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase - NAT N-acetyltransferase     

Temperature dependent structural changes of intraphage T7 DNA

The phenomena connected with the first phase transition step of the native T7 phage at 40C–65 C have been studied using various methods. In this temperature range a) the optical melting curve shows an absorption decrease, b) the maximum of the small-angle X-ray scattering characteristic for DNA packing disappears, c) there is a drop of biological activity and d) there are changes in the structure of the difference absorption spectra of native phages versus isolated DNA. All data are interpreted assuming a structural change of the DNA due to the release of its protein coat towards the end of the first phase transition step (at 60–65 C in the case of M9 buffer). Above this temperature the intraphage DNA packing appears to be destroyed and the DNA structure seems to be similar to that in DNA solution.     

Effects of fasting on maximum thermogenesis in temperature-acclimated rats

To further investigate the limiting effect of substrates on maximum thermogenesis in acute cold exposure, the present study examined the prevalence of this effect at different thermogenic capabilities consequent to cold- or warm-acclimation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=11) were acclimated to 6, 16 and 26C, in succession, their thermogenic capabilities after each acclimation temperature were measured under helium-oxygen (21% oxygen, balance helium) at –10C after overnight fasting or feeding. Regardless of feeding conditions, both maximum and total heat production were significantly greater in 6>16>26C-acclimated conditions. In the fed state, the total heat production was significantly greater than that in the fasted state at all acclimating temperatures but the maximum thermogenesis was significant greater only in the 6 and 16C-acclimated states. The results indicate that the limiting effect of substrates on maximum and total thermogenesis is independent of the magnitude of thermogenic capability, suggesting a substrate-dependent component in restricting the effective expression of existing aerobic metabolic capability even under severe stress.     

Cross bridge slippage in skinned frog muscle fibres

Mechanically skinned single fibres of the semitendinosus muscles of Rana esculenta were investigated at ca. 4 C. The fibres were activated by a Ca²⁺ jump technique, which allowed the development of a steady isometric tension within several seconds of entering a calcium rich solution at 4 C. Sequences of length changes of different duration and amplitude were applied to the fibre. It could be demonstrated that the fibre behaved as a Hookean spring in the case of small amplitude length changes (up to 0.5% L₀, ramp duration 0.5 ms) and that a sequence of length changes induced reversible changes in fibre state. In contrast, large stretches (> 1% L₀) induced a muscle give if the stretch were not immediately preceded by a release. The data was interpreted on the basis of a strain induced detachment of cross bridges in combination with a rapid reattachment of presumably the same cross bridges in a discharged position. The rates of strain induced detachment and reattachment depended on the stretch amplitude. At amplitudes exceeding 2% L₀ the rates were estimated to be at least several thousands per second.