Experimental investigations on the trigger mechanism of the generalized type of heat and cold urticaria by means of a climatic chamber.

The physical conditions of challenge were investigated in a climatic chamber on 8 patients with cholinergic urticaria and 10 patients with generalized cold urticaria. The cholinergic urticaria was induced by passive or active (physical exercise) heating and psychological stimulation; the generalized cold urticaria was induced by general cooling at rest and during physical effort. The ambient temperature was varied, and the mean body temperature was recorded continuously at different measuring points.

Cold-adaptive modifications in man induced by repeated short-term cold-exposures and during a 10-day and-night cold-exposure.

Two types of cold exposures were carried out in humans. A. Fourteen subjects were exposed 4-7 times within 2 weeks to the following conditions: ambient temperature was decreased from 28 degrees C to between plus and minus 5 degrees C; the subjects wore a bathing suit and remained in a resting position during the exposure which lasted for 1h.

Adaptive modifications in the thermoregulatory system of long-distance runners.

In seven long-distance runners (42 km or more) the thermoregulatory responses to acute external cooling and heating, under resting conditions, were recorded and compared with those in physically untrained controls. Sweating as well as shivering thresholds were significantly decreased in the runners when compared either in terms of mean body temperature (Tb) or esophageal temperature (Tes); Tb and Tes were reduced in the runners at rest under thermoneutral conditions. Moreover, cold sensation in the runners occurred at lower Tb.