Neural influence on cold induced vasodilatation using a new set-up for bilateral measurement in the rat hind limb.

Cold induced vasoconstriction (CIVC) is a way for mammals to reduce heat loss in an effort to maintain body core temperature. As blood flow to a cooled extremity is reduced, the amount of body heat lost at the cooled location is minimised. However, when the extremity temperature gets below a certain threshold, Cold induced vasodilatation (CIVD) occurs, a phenomenon that is believed to reduce the risk of local cold injuries.

Reference value of transcutaneous oxygen measurement in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients.

Purpose: This study evaluated the values of transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPo(2)) measurement in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients and assessed its reproducibility.

Methods: In 60 diabetic patients (type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus) without signs of peripheral arterial disease or neuropathy, we measured TcPo(2) at the chest and foot and compared these measurements with 60 age- and sex-matched nondiabetic patients in a cross-sectional fashion. The reproducibility of TcPo(2) in terms of interobserver variability was also assessed.