Effects of fitness, fatness, and age on men's responses to whole body cooling in air.

Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the influence of 12 white men's fitness (aerobic capacity 44-58 ml O2.min-1.kg fat-free mass-1), fatness (mean skin-fold thickness 5-20 mm, body fat content 15-36%), and age (26-52 yr) on their thermal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and subjective responses to 2 h of whole body cooling, nude, in air at 10 degrees C. Fitter men had slower heart rates, and fatter men had higher blood pressures. Fitness had no effect (P greater than 0.39) on any measured response to cold. Fatness was associated (P less than 0.01) with reduced heat loss, heat production, and mean skin temperature; unchanged heat debt; and increased tissue insulation. Age had the opposite effects. When the confounding effects of fatness were held constant by multiple regression, older men responded to cold as though they were 1 mm of skinfold thickness leaner for each 3-4 yr of age. We conclude that aging, even between the relatively youthful ages of 26 and 52 yr, is accompanied by a progressive weakening of the vasoconstrictor response to cold.     

异氟醚预处理对小鼠全身缺氧损伤保护作用的量效关系

目的:探讨异氟醚预处理对小鼠耐受全身低氧损伤保护作用的浓度效应关系。方法:6-7wk健康雄性C57小鼠100只(n=20),分成5组:Iso0.5组、Iso1.0组、Iso1.5组、Iso2.0组分别吸入0.5%、1.0%、1.5%和2.0%异氟醚30min;对照组吸入相同时间的空气。预处理后洗脱30min,放入5%O2低氧环境中持续20min,记录在20min内小鼠的生存率和生存时间,测量存活小鼠复氧24h后脑,肺和心的组织含水量。结果:Iso1.0组(70%)和Iso1.5组(75%)的生存率分别与对照组(30%)相比,明显提高(P<0.05);Iso1.5组的生存率明显高于Iso2.0%组(44%()P<0.05);其余各组两两比较无统计学差异。Iso1.0组(17.87min)和Iso1.5组(17.93min)的平均生存时间分别与对照组(13.83min)相比(P<0.05),有显著性差异(P<0.05)。其余各组两两比较,差异不明显。结论:1.0%和1.5%异氟醚预处理可以产生较好的保护作用。     

Effects of estradiol and aging on fine manual performance in female rhesus monkeys

Aging is characterized by a progressive deterioration of motor function related to dysfunctions of the nigrostriatal system. Because estrogen has been reported to protect dopaminergic neurons and to improve the motor deficits associated with Parkinson's disease, we hypothesized that it would partially reverse the age-related decline of motor function in normal aging. We tested the effects of estrogen treatment and withdrawal on fine motor performance in five aged (21-24 years old) and five young (6-9 years old) ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys. The tests required the monkeys to use each hand to retrieve a Life Saver candy from metal rods bent in shapes of different complexity. Monkeys were tested twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks, during treatment with placebo or ethinyl estradiol (EE(2)) in alternating 14-day blocks. Each behavioral test was videotaped and subsequently scored for the duration and the success of the first trial on each shape. Both groups of monkeys improved rapidly with practice in speed and success of retrieval. The older monkeys were slower but as successful as the young monkeys in retrieving the candy. The left hand was faster than the right hand for both the aged and young females. We failed to detect any effect of EE(2) treatment on speed or success of retrieval in either group. These results confirm the slowing of fine motor performance with aging in female rhesus monkeys. They also indicate that estradiol, at least as administered in this study, does not benefit fine manual performance.     

Effects of inbreeding on life history and thermal performance in the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana

Human-induced loss and fragmentation of natural habitats reduces population size and thereby presumably genetic diversity through inbreeding or genetic drift. Additionally, many species are confronted with increased temperature stress due to climate change, with reduced genetic diversity potentially interfering with a species’ ability to cope with such conditions. While in general the detrimental impact of inbreeding has often been documented, its consequences for the ability to cope with temperature stress are still poorly understood. Against this background we here investigate the effects of inbreeding on egg hatching success, development and temperature stress tolerance in the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Specifically we test for an increased sensitivity to environmental stress in inbred individuals. Our results revealed that even comparatively low levels of inbreeding yield negative consequences for reproduction and development under beneficial conditions. Inbreeding also reduced cold tolerance in adult butterflies, while heat tolerance remained unaffected. We therefore conclude that acute stress tolerance may not be generally impaired by inbreeding.     

X线全身照射对2型糖尿病KKAy小鼠造血免疫系统功能的影响

目的观察X线全身照射对2型糖尿病模型KKAy小鼠的造血免疫系统功能的损伤作用,并与对照C57小鼠进行比较。方法KKAy小鼠,分为对照组和照射组,照射组小鼠经X线全身照射,剂量4Gy,C57小鼠作为对照。照射后15d检测小鼠的外周血常规,流式细胞术检测骨髓中造血祖细胞、造血干细胞和长期造血干细胞的比例,脾中B细胞和T细胞的比例,胸腺中CD4CD8双阳性T细胞、CD4单阳性T细胞和CD8单阳性T细胞的比例。通过粒细胞集落形成能力实验评价小鼠造血祖细胞的功能。结果照射前KKAy小鼠的HSC和LT-HSC的比例低于C57小鼠。4Gy全身照射后,KKAy小鼠的外周血WBC、RBC、PLT、HGB和LYM%分别下降了68.42%、12.17%、8.78%、30.12%、70.84%;骨髓中HPC、HSC和LT-HSC的比例分别下降了34.02%、29.49%、35.74%;脾B细胞和T细胞的比例分别下降了57.85%、58.81%;胸腺CD4CD8双阳性细胞的比例下降了51.70%。KKAy小鼠的骨髓HSC、LT-HSC、外周血RBC和HGB的降低幅度显著低于C57小鼠。结论4Gy全身照射损伤KKAy小鼠的造血免疫系统功能,KKAy小鼠可能比C57小鼠表现出对电离辐射较强的耐受性。     

男性吸烟者体重对烟碱引起的生热作用和儿茶酚胺释放的影响

本研究的目的是在中年男子中观察禁食情况下吸烟后烟碱对安静时能量消失（resting energy expenditure,REE)和血浆儿茶酚胺浓度的影响,并且在正常体重（BMI≤25kg/m^2),和超重（BMI＞25kig/m^2)吸烟者之间比较吸烟引起的REE和血浆儿茶酚胺的急性反应是否有差别,对32名禁食的男性吸烟者用间接测热法分别在吸烟前和吸2支含0．16mg烟碱（低烟碱）或2支含1．74mg烟碱（高烟碱）香烟30min后测定REE,同时测定血浆中烟碱和去甲肾上腺素浓度,正常体重组在吸低烟碱烟后和超重组不认在吸低烟碱烟或高烟碱烟后,REE和血浆儿茶酚胺均无明显改变,而在正常体重组中,吸高烟碱烟后血浆去甲肾上腺素浓度升,时REE增加7．2％,如果将血浆烟碱水平作为一个共变量进行分析,则吸烟后血浆去甲肾上腺素浓度和REE的改变也不明显,表明吸烟后的生热效应是因血浆烟碱浓度升高而引起的,体重对烟碱的生热效应能发生影响,在超重的吸烟者中烟碱的生热效应减弱,由此推测,正常体重的吸烟者在戒烟后,由于不再有吸烟引起的耗能生热,可能导致体重增加。     

Effects of evaporative cooling on reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows in hot wet conditions

Fourteen animals of second and third lactation of Thai Friesian crossbred cows (87.5% Friesian × 12.5% Bos indicus) located at Sakol Nakhon Research and Breeding Centre, Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, were divided randomly into two groups of seven each to evaluate the effects of evaporative cooling on reproductive and physiological traits under hot, humid conditions. Results indicated that installation of evaporating cooling in the open shed gave a further improvement in ameliorating heat stress in dairy cows in hot-wet environments by utilising the low humidity conditions that naturally occur during the day. The cows housed in an evaporatively cooled environment had both a rectal temperature and respiration rate (39.09°C, 61.39 breaths/min, respectively) significantly lower than that of the non-cooled cows (41.21°C; 86.87 breaths/min). The former group also had higher milk yield and more efficient reproductive performance (pregnancy rate and reduced days open) than the latter group. It is suggested that the non-evaporatively cooled cows did not gain benefit from the naturally lower heat stress during night time.     

Effects of evaporative cooling on the regulation of body water and milk production in crossbred Holstein cattle in a tropical environment

The aim of this study was to determine how evaporative cooling modifies body function with respect to water metabolism and other variables relevant to milk synthesis in crossbred cattle. The study was conducted on two groups of 0.875HF:0.125RS crossbred Holstein cattle (87.5%) housed in an open-sided barn with a tiled roof (non-cooled animals) and in a close-sided barn under an evaporative cooling system (cooled animals). The maximum ambient temperature and relative humidity for the non-cooled group were 33 degrees C and 61%, with the corresponding values for the evaporatively cooled barn being 28 degrees C and 84%, respectively. The temperature humidity index (THI) of under non-cooled conditions was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the cooled barn. Rectal temperatures and respiration rates of non-cooled animals were higher (P < 0.05) than those of cooled animals. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) of cooled animals was higher while water intakes were lower (P < 0.05) than those of non-cooled animals. The mean absolute values of plasma volume, blood volume, and extracellular fluid (ECF) of cooled animals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of non-cooled animals throughout all stages of lactation. Milk yields of cooled animals were higher by 42%, 36% and 79% on average than those of non-cooled animals during early-, mid- and late-lactation, respectively. The decline in milk yields as lactation advances was markedly apparent in late-lactating non-cooled animals, while no significant changes in milk composition at different stages of lactation were observed in either group. Mean arterial plasma concentrations, arteriovenous concentration differences (A-V differences) and the extraction ratio across the mammary gland for acetate, glucose and triglyceride of cooled animals were not significantly different compared with values for non-cooled animals. No differences were seen in plasma hormonal levels for triiodotyronine (T(3)) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but plasma cortisol and thyroxine (T(4)) levels tended to be lower in non-cooled animals. This study suggests that low cooling temperature accompanied by high humidity influences a galactopoietic effect, in part through increases in ECF, blood volume and plasma volume in association with an increase in DMI, which partitions the distribution of nutrients to the mammary gland for milk synthesis. Cooled animals were unable to maintain high milk yield as lactation advances even though a high level of body fluids was maintained during long-term cooled exposure. The decline in milk yield, coinciding with a decrease in net energy for lactation as lactation advances, could be attributed to a local change within the mammary gland.     

Effects of water pulsing on individual performance and competitive hierarchies in plants

Abstract. In a glass house experiment, we investigated the effect of both the frequency of water pulses and the total amount of water supplied on individual performance in the absence and presence of neighbors. We used monocultures and all combinations of pairs of seedlings of three species of perennial grasses, characteristic of different points along a soil moisture gradient within a semi‐arid grassland in New Mexico, USA. In the absence of neighbors, higher total water or more frequent (but smaller) pulses significantly increased growth of all three species. The species with the fastest intrinsic growth rate, and from the most productive habitat, exhibited the largest increase in absolute and relative growth in response to higher total water quantity. Competitive effects were highly significant overall and there were significant hierarchies of competitive ability. Under frequent pulses, the fast‐growing species from the most productive environment was the best competitor in terms of both ability to suppress other plants and ability to tolerate the presence of neighbors. However, under infrequent pulses, the slowest growing species from the least productive environment became a much stronger competitor, again in terms of both suppression and tolerance of neighbors. While differences in total water availability had greater effects than differences in pulsing regime on individual plant performance in the absence of competition, pulsing regime had much stronger effects on relative competitive abilities and thus may be more likely to influence field distribution patterns.     

4 种不同脂肪源对太平洋鲑生长和体组成的影响

在日粮中添加11.5%的4 种不同来源脂肪饲养180 尾初始重约为110g 的太平洋鲑(Oncorhynchus spp.)于水泥池中56d。实验分4 组,每组3个平行池,每池15尾鱼。研究日粮中4 种不同来源脂肪对淡水养殖太平洋鲑生长性能、体组成与品质的影响。4 组脂肪源分别为鱼油(实验1 组)、大豆油(实验2 组)、大豆磷脂(实验3 组)和玉米油(实验4 组)。实验表明:(1) 实验各组太平洋鲑存活率相似,但大豆磷脂组的特定生长率显著好于鱼油组、大豆油组和玉米油组(P0.05)。大豆磷脂组、大豆油组和玉米油组的饲料效益显著好于鱼油组(P< 0.05); (2) 大豆油组、大豆磷脂组和玉米油组太平洋鲑肠系膜脂肪与肝脏脂肪含量不同程度低于鱼油组,而肌肉中脂肪含量不同程度低于鱼油组; (3) 实验各组太平洋鲑肝脏脂肪、肌肉脂肪和肠脂中总多不饱和脂肪酸组成基本相似,但玉米油组、大豆磷脂组和大豆油组太平洋鲑总n-3 多不饱和脂肪酸比例较鱼油组显著下降,而总n-6 系多不饱和脂肪酸比例显著提高(P<0.05);(4) 玉米油组、大豆磷脂组和大豆油组太平洋鲑血浆中脂肪分解酶、甘油三酯和高密度脂蛋白指标较鱼油组不同程度上升;(5) 实验各组太平洋鲑解剖组织学检查未见异常病理变化。实验结果表明,淡水养殖条件下,太平洋鲑日粮中脂肪以添加大豆磷脂的生长性能最好,大豆油、玉米油和鱼油效果相似,添加玉米油、大豆磷脂和大豆油均不影响太平洋鲑健康状况和品质。       

The effects of whole body vibration on mobility and balance in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Objective:

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration on physiologic and functional measurements in children with cerebral palsy.

Design and methods:

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, Scielo, CINAHL (from the earliest date available to November 2014) for randomized controlled trials, that aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration versus exercise and/or versus control on physiologic and functional measurements in children with cerebral palsy. Two reviewers independently selected the studies. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results:

Six studies with 176 patients comparing whole-body vibration to exercise and/or control were included. Whole-body vibration resulted in improvement in: gait speed WMDs (0.13 95% CI:0.05 to 0.20); gross motor function dimension E WMDs (2.97 95% CI:0.07 to 5.86) and femur bone density (1.32 95% CI:0.28 to 2.36). The meta-analysis also showed a nonsignificant difference in muscle strength and gross motor function dimension D for participants in the whole-body vibration compared with control group. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions:

Whole-body vibration may improve gait speed and standing function in children with cerebral palsy and could be considered for inclusion in rehabilitation programs.     

Effects of intake of a mixture of thiamin, arginine, caffeine, and citric acid on adiposity in healthy subjects with high percent body fat

We assessed the effects of intake of thiamin, arginine, caffeine, and citric acid (TACC) on lipid metabolism in healthy subjects. Thirty-one subjects with high percent body fat (> or = 25.0%) were randomly assigned to a 12-wk intervention with daily intake of TACC-supplemented tea (1.1, 1240, 52, and 540 mg, respectively; n=16) or control tea (n=15). The percent body fat decreased significantly during the intervention in both groups, especially in the TACC group. A percentage decrease in triceps skinfold was significantly greater in the TACC group than in the control group. The decrease in abdominal visceral fat in obese subjects was significantly greater in the TACC group than in the control group. Serum triglyceride was significantly lower during intervention than that during the non-intervention period in the TACC group. These results suggest that TACC may be effective in reducing body fat in obese subjects.     

Effects of genetic polymorphisms of UCP2 and UCP3 on very low calorie diet-induced body fat reduction in Korean female subjects

The uncoupling protein (UCP) family has been suggested as a possible determinant affecting obesity risk given their function in the regulation of energy metabolism. In an effort to elucidate the effects of UCP family polymorphisms on obesity phenotypes, we genotyped 10 polymorphisms in UCP2 and UCP3 among overweight female subjects (n=458), and genetic effects on BMI and changes after a very low calorie diet (VLCD) were examined. Analyses of VLCD-induced changes among the subjects who had finished one month-weight control program (n=301) revealed that several polymorphisms in UCP2-3 gene cluster showed associations with changes of BMI and fat mass, however not of protein mass. One of the major haplotypes of UCP2-3 gene cluster, ht1 (GGCdelCGTACC), and UCP2-866G>A showed significant associations with VLCD-induced fat reduction (P=0.002 and 0.004; P(corr)=0.03 and 0.01, respectively), and these results suggested that UCP2-3 polymorphisms were important genetic factor for the VLCD-induced reduction of body fat mass.     

Effect of pre-cooling, with and without thigh cooling, on strain and endurance exercise performance in the heat

Body cooling before exercise (i.e. pre-cooling) reduces physiological strain in humans during endurance exercise in temperate and warm environments, usually improving performance. This study examined the effectiveness of pre-cooling humans by ice-vest and cold (3 degrees C) air, with (LC) and without (LW) leg cooling, in reducing heat strain and improving endurance performance in the heat (35 degrees C, 60% RH). Nine habitually-active males completed three trials, involving pre-cooling (LC and LW) or no pre-cooling (CON: 34 degrees C air) before 35-min cycle exercise: 20 min at approximately 65% VO2peak then a 15-min work-performance trial. At exercise onset, mean core (Tc, from oesophagus and rectum) and skin temperatures, forearm blood flow (FBF), heart rate (HR), and ratings of exertion, body temperature and thermal discomfort were lower in LW and LC than CON (P<0.05). They remained lower at 20 min [e.g. Tc: CON 38.4+/-0.2 (+/-S.E.), LW 37.9+/-0.1, and LC 37.8+/-0.1 degrees C; HR: 177+/-3, 163+/-3 and 167+/-3 b.p.m.), except that FBF was equivalent (P=0.10) between CON (15.5+/-1.6) and LW (13.6+/-1.0 ml.100 ml tissue(-1) x min(-1)). Subsequent power output was higher in LW (2.95+/-0.24) and LC (2.91+/-0.25) than in CON (2.52+/-0.28 W kg(-1), P=0.00, N=8), yet final Tc remained lower. Pre-cooling by ice-vest and cold air effectively reduced physiological and psychophysical strain and improved endurance performance in the heat, irrespective of whether thighs were warmed or cooled.     

Effects of maternal body morphology, morning sickness, gestational diabetes and hypertension on fluctuating asymmetry in young women

The magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry (FA)—an indicator of genetic and phenotypic quality—can be affected by genetic perturbations, environmental stressors, and maternal effect (maternal age, diseases, dietary deficiency). Maternal effect on human FA has been typically investigated in newborns or very young children. There are no studies investigating whether maternal effect can disrupt developmental mechanisms responsible for the secondary sexual traits that are manifested at adulthood under the influence of steroid hormones. We investigated the effect of maternal degree of obesity, gestational diabetes and hypertension, and morning sickness on the magnitude of FA in nonsexual traits as well as asymmetric thigh circumference—a sexually differentiated trait—in adult daughters. Results revealed that gestational diabetes and hypertension and maternal obesity are positively associated with FA in nonsexual traits. FA in nonsexual traits was not associated with morning sickness; however, the FA in the sexual trait (thigh circumference) was positively related to third-trimester morning sickness. Fluctuating asymmetries of nonsexual traits and thigh circumference were significantly correlated. This preliminary study demonstrates a maternal effect on adult daughters' developmental instability as measured by sexual and nonsexual traits.     

Effects of silage digestibility on intake and body reserves of dry cows and performance in the first part of the next lactation

This experiment evaluated different strategies for allocating first-cut grass silages to dry dairy cows that had low body-condition score (BCS) at drying off. A total of 48 moderately yielding Holstein-Friesian cows were used, receiving one of three dietary treatments in the dry period and a single lactation diet based on a flat-rate of concentrates and grass silage ad libitum. Throughout the dry period, one group received a low-digestibility silage (harvested 15 June 1998; LL; metabolisable energy (ME) = 10.3 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)) and a second group received a high-digestibility silage (harvested 9 May 1998, HH; ME = 11.7 MJ/kg DM). A third strategy (LH) offered the low-digestibility silage in the early dry period and the high-digestibility silage in the final 3 weeks before calving. The silages had very different crude protein concentrations (144 and 201 g/kg DM) and intakes were widely divergent (10.1 v. 13.5 kg DM/day) across the dry period. No concentrates were fed during the dry period. Silage quality had a very large effect on liveweight change, with treatment means of 0.32 and 1.75 kg/day for LL and HH, respectively. BCS changes followed a similar pattern, though no cows became over-conditioned and blood metabolites were within normal ranges. Increased silage digestibility in the late dry period led to a substantial increase in milk fat concentration and a smaller increase in milk protein concentration, the latter confined to the first full week of lactation. Depression of milk fat appears related to low blood glucose when dry cows in low body condition are fed at a low level. The LH strategy avoided the tendency for lower milk yields and fat concentration that resulted from feeding the low-digestibility silage until calving. This strategy also avoided the higher calf weights that resulted from feeding the high-digestibility silage in the early dry period.     

体温、摄食、断尾和雌体繁殖状态对原尾蜥虎运动表现的影响

设计4项实验研究4种内外因素(环境温度、摄食、断尾和怀卵状态)导致的肇庆原尾蜥虎运动表现种群内变异.环境温度通过影响体温而影响原尾蜥虎运动表现.两性成体疾跑速均具有在低体温范围内随体温升高而加快、在高体温范围内随体温升高而降低的一般模式.在任何体温下成年雌体的疾跑速均略大于雄体,但两者平均值在统计上无显著差异.体温对原尾蜥虎最大持续运动距离的影响存在两性间差异.成年雌体的最大持续运动距离在低体温范围(从17 ℃到27 ℃)内随体温升高而增加,而在相对较高的体温范围(从27 ℃到37 ℃)内无显著变化,成年雄体在实验体温范围(从17 ℃到37 ℃)内无显著变化;在任何体温下成年雌体的最大持续运动距离均显著大于雄性.性别与体温相互作用对最大持续运动距离有显著影响.两性个体的平均疾跑速和最大持续运动距离呈显著的正相关.当去除最大持续运动距离差异的影响后发现,疾跑速两性差异统计上仍不显著.摄食、尾自切和雌体怀卵在两个实验温度下(27 ℃和31 ℃)均减小壁虎疾跑速;而仅尾自切减小壁虎的最大持续运动距离,摄食和雌体怀卵对其无影响.以上3种因子分别与体温、性别的交互作用均不显著.这些结果说明生理限制和尾自切是原尾蜥虎运动能力变异的重要来源.一些内外因素能近因性诱导蜥蜴功能表现发生一定程度的种群内变异.     

Effects of age at mating of both sexes on female longevity and fecundity performance in Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Life-history strategies of animals are governed by fitness-related trait trade-offs. In particular, the age at which either one of the two sexes copulate has been shown to affect insect reproductive output and longevity. This suggests that trade-offs between longevity and reproduction might drive the choice of a mating partner based on their age and ultimately such choices might select for different life-histories. Although several studies indicate that female age at mating dictates subsequent insect longevity, fecundity, and egg hatch rate, it is unclear how male age at copulation affects these life-history traits. In this study, we simultaneously investigated the effects of female and male age on female fecundity, eggs hatch rate, and adult longevity in Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomellidae), the primary biological control agent of the invasive common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. We found that young mature females lived significantly longer when they were mated with older males. Maximum female fecundity and subsequent egg hatch rate occurred when young females mated with 3-day-old males. On the other hand, females lived longer when mating with an older male. These findings are in accordance with the cost-of-reproduction concept.