Influence of body dimensions and sex on cold-induced vasodilation.

Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is a physiological response characterized by cyclic vasodilation occurring within 5-10 min of cold exposure, predominantly in the fingers and toes. This study aimed to determine the roles of body dimensions, specifically surface-to-mass (SM) ratio and sex in modulating CIVD responses. Thirty-nine participants (mean ± SD age: 24 ± 3 yr; height: 174 ± 28 cm; weight: 75.

Cold-induced vasodilation during sequential immersions of the hand.

A common practice for those operating in cold environments includes repetitive glove doffing and donning to perform specific tasks, which creates a repetitive cycle of hand cooling and rewarming. This study aimed to determine the influence of intraday repeated hand cooling on cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD), sympathetic activation, and finger/hand temperature recovery. Eight males and two females (mean ± SD age: 28 ± 5 year; height: 181 ± 9 cm; weight: 79.

The effect of heat acclimation on the sweat lactate concentration vs. sweat rate relationship.

It is well known that there is a high concentration of lactate in sweat. Interest in measuring sweat lactate has arisen from its potential role in several clinical and sport performance applications. However, the effect of heat acclimation on sweat lactate concentration is still under debate.

Pathogenic troponin T mutants with opposing effects on myofilament Ca sensitivity attenuate cardiomyopathy phenotypes in mice.

Mutations in cardiac troponin T (TnT) associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy generally lead to an increase in the Ca sensitivity of contraction and susceptibility to arrhythmias. In contrast, TnT mutations linked to dilated cardiomyopathy decrease the Ca sensitivity of contraction. Here we tested the hypothesis that two TnT disease mutations with opposite effects on myofilament Ca sensitivity can attenuate each other's phenotype.

Heat acclimation causes a linear decrease in sweat sodium ion concentration.

The purpose of this study was to determine the time course for the previously reported reduction in sweat sodium ion concentration during heat acclimation. Four healthy volunteers completed 7 consecutive days of heat acclimation which included 2h of treadmill walking in a 40°C and 40% relative humidity environment. A modified constant hyperthermia protocol was used as workloads were increased each day to maintain a constant core temperature over the 7 days of heat acclimation.

Thrombospondin-1 acts as a ligand for CD148 tyrosine phosphatase.

CD148 is a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase that is expressed in several cell types, including vascular endothelial cells and duct epithelial cells. Growing evidence demonstrates a prominent role for CD148 in negative regulation of growth factor signals, suppressing cell proliferation and transformation. However, its extracellular ligand(s) remain unknown.

Does aromatherapy massage benefit patients with cancer attending a specialist palliative care day centre?

A randomised controlled pilot study was carried out to examine the effects of adjunctive aromatherapy massage on mood, quality of life and physical symptoms in patients with cancer attending a specialist unit. Participants were randomised to conventional day care alone or day care plus weekly aromatherapy massage using a standardised blend of oils for four weeks. At baseline and at weekly intervals, patients rated their mood, quality of life and the intensity and bother of two symptoms most important to them.

Prolongation of the QT interval in palliative care patients.

Prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. Many drugs used in palliative medicine increase the QT interval and several have had their licenses withdrawn or severely restricted. The relative importance of prolonged QT interval will increase for palliative medicine physicians when dealing with patients with longer prognoses and especially cardiac disease.