Thermoregulatory responses to heat and exercise in Japanese and Caucasians

Responses to heat and exercise were studied in 9 male Japanese subjects who walked on a treadmill at a speed of 4.4 – 4.8 km/h at 0 grade for 2 hours in a climatic chamber in July 1973, in Nagoya Japan. The results were compared with those obtained in a similar study made in July 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following results were obtained: (1) Japanese showed a 1.8 times higher rate of sweating than Caucasians. Total sweat from the whole body during 2 hours walk was also higher in Japanese. (2) Japanese exhibited lower chloride concentration in local sweat than Caucasians in spite of their higher dietary salt intake, higher serum chloride concentration and higher rate of sweating. While in Caucasians the sweat chloride concentration showed a tendency to continue to rise during the later period of the walk in spite of decreasing sweat rate after sweat suppression occurred, in Japanese it tended to fall in parallel with the sweat rate. No difference was observed in the length of the latent time of sweat suppression. (3) There were no differences in rectal temperature or heart rate, both at the period of equilibrium rectal temperature and at the end of the walk. (4) Mean skin temperature during the walk was significantly higher in Japanese than in Caucasians. It was concluded that the Japanese group was better heat acclimatized than Caucasians, though the two groups were considered to have been naturally heat exposed by season to the same extent.     

The dermatoglyphics of American Caucasians

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics were collected from 360 male and 360 female seven year old Caucasians from the greater Boston area. All participants were screened and found to be free of minor anomalies or chronic diseases. All individuals with I.Q. scores below 70 were also excluded. The results were presented in such a way as to give information on bilateral symmetry as well as overall frequencies of the various dermatoglyphic features. The results were compared with those of the corresponding sample of seven year old normal male and female Negrose of the accompanying report. A review of the distribution of the dermatoglyphic features in different Caucasian populations has also been presented and the overall dermatoglyphics of the Caucasians were discussed in reference to the distribution of the same features in the other major “racial” groups. The method of collection and selection of the subjects, described in the text, makes this set of data unique and one of the most suitable for use as controls in studying the dermatoglyphics of the individuals with diseases or congenital anomalies.     

Vitamin D level and its relation to muscle and fat mass in adult male Arabs

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with increased adiposity and diminished muscle strength. Whether it is also related to fat deposition in muscle tissues is not studied well. This study explored the associations between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and fat deposition in muscle tissues of adult Arab males. A total 465 adult Saudi males were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics, body composition and muscle strength were assessed. Serum 25(OH)D was determined and quantified enzymatically. They were grouped according to vitamin D status: deficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l) N = 325 (69.9%) and sufficient (25(OH)D > 50 nmol/l)140 (30.1%). Mean level of lean/height², lean-arm-legs and lean-arms-legs/height² were significantly higher in 25(OH)D deficient participants (p-values 0.03; 0.05 and 0.01 respectively). Thigh strength was significantly higher in 25(OH)D sufficient participants than their deficient counterparts (p = 0.02). In all participants, a significant correlation between 25(OH)D was observed with age and thigh-strength (p-values < 0.05), while a significant inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and lean/height², lean-arms-legs, lean-arms-legs/height², fat (%) region, fat arms, fat legs, fat trunk, lean legs were noted. In conclusion, low circulating 25(OH)D is associated with enhanced fat infiltration in muscle tissues of adult Arab males.     

Cutaneous and Ocular Reactions to Practolol

A total of 21 patients suffering from drug-induced rashes from practolol have been seen over the past two years. The clinical manifestations varied, with the morphological appearances of the rash resembling those of eczema, lupus erythematosus, lichen planus, and a highly characteristic toxic erythematous psoriasiform eruption. Persistent ocular damage was a feature in three cases.