Climatic Variation on Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence in Tabebuia roseoalba and Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract: Climatic variation throughout the day influences the ecophysiological performance of plants at different growth stages and phases. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of climatic variation on ecophysiological aspects of T. roseoalba and H. heptaphyllus at different hours of the day and indicate the ideal time for measuring ecophysiological variables in these species. The research was carried out in a greenhouse at the forest nursery of the Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of 10 evaluation times throughout the day (from 8 am to 5 pm), with 1 h hour interval between each evaluation. Temperature and air relative humidity inside and outside the greenhouse were evaluated to understand the effect on gas exchange (net assimilation rate of CO2, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal concentration of CO2, and vapor-pressure deficit) and chlorophyll a fluorescence (initial, maximum, and variable fluorescence, photochemical quenching, and electron transport rate). Data were submitted to canonical correlation analysis and principal component analysis to verify the relationship between climatic and ecophysiological variables. For both species, higher correlation was found between internal and external relative humidity with all the ecophysiological variables analyzed, except for initial fluorescence. Thus, climatic factors influenced the photosynthetic performance of T. roseoalba and H. heptaphyllus plants, and 8 am to 9 am is indicated for carrying out ecophysiological evaluations in both species.

Hydrogel applications for yield improvement of capsicum with deficit irrigation at cold desert Ladakh region

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydrogel application on growth, physiological responses and yield of capsicum under high altitude cold desert conditions with deficit irrigation of Ladakh region. Methodology: Field experiment was conducted with five levels of hydrogel treatment (viz. 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1) at cold desert Ladakh region with two irrigation intervals (7 and 11 days) during 2014-15 cropping season. Plant growth characters, root morphology, physiological parameters and capsicum yield were analyzed according to standard methods during the experiments. Results: Hydrogel application in deficit irrigation improved physiological parameters viz. leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content, membrane stability index and significant reduction in electrolyte leakage in capsicum plant. Significant improvement in root morphology was also recorded when hydrogel was applied @ 15 and 20 kg ha-1. Improvement of yield attributing characters as influenced by hydrogel application @ 15 and 20 kg ha-1 resulted in significant increase in capsicum yield with reduced water requirement. Interpretation: Hydrogel has potential for growth of capsicum crop through improved root morphology and physiology of plant in deficit irrigation under arid and semi-arid regions where availability of water for irrigation is scarce or average rainfall is quite low.

Effects of additional external load manipulation on perceptual and physiological responses during exergame

This study tested whether performing exergames with and without additional external load could induce to different internal load demand for young adults. Methods: Fifteen young women (24.4 ± 4.06 years) participated in the study. Electromyography (EMG) activity, heart rate (HR) and overall and local rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined in "Just Dance" and "Ski" exergames without additional external load and with additional external load of 5% of body mass attached bilaterally to the ankles in "Just Dance" and using a weight vest in "Ski". Results: EMG, HR and overall RPE presented similar responses between loads in both exergames (p>.05). However, local RPE differentiate internal load only in "Just Dance", with higher values with additional load (with additional load: 11.2 ± 2.1 RPE; without additional load: 10.3 ± 1.4 RPE; p = .037). Conclusion: Therefore, performing exergames with an additional external load of 5% of young women body mass did not induce different internal load demand in "Just Dance" and "Ski" exergames compared to performing such games without external load. However, the greater local RPE in "Just Dance" exergame after adding the external load suggests that a higher amount of load (i.e., > 5% of body mass) to this population may generate different internal load demand.(AU)

The Effect of Various Hot Environments on Physiological Responses and Information Processing Performance Following Firefighting Activities in a Smoke-Diving Room

BACKGROUND: Fire service workers often implement multiple duties in the emergency conditions, with such duties being mostly conducted in various ambient temperatures. METHODS: The aim of the current study was to assess the firefighters' physiological responses, information processing, and working memory prior to and following simulated firefighting activities in three different hot environments. Seventeen healthy male firefighters performed simulated firefighting tasks in three separate conditions, namely (1) low heat (LH; 29–31°C, 55–60% relative humidity), (2) moderate heat (MH; 32–34°C, 55–60% relative humidity), and (3) severe heat (SH; 35–37°C, 55–60% relative humidity). It took about 45–50 minutes for each firefighter to finish all defined firefighting activities and the paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT). RESULTS: At the end of all the three experimental conditions, heart rate (HR) and tympanic temperature (TT) increased, while PASAT scores as a measure of information processing performance decreased relative to baseline. HR and TT were significantly higher at the end of the experiment in the SH (159.41 ± 4.25 beats/min; 38.22 ± 0.10°C) compared with the MH (156.59 ± 3.77 beats/min; 38.20 ± 0.10°C) and LH (154.24 ± 4.67 beats/min; 38.17 ± 0.10°C) conditions (p 0.05). Nonetheless, there was a measurable difference in PASAT scores between LH and SH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These consequences demonstrate that ambient temperature is effective in raising the physiological responses following firefighting activities. It is therefore argued that further increase of ambient temperature can impact firefighters' information processing and working memory during firefighting activity.

Physiological parameters, hair coat morphological characteristics and temperature gradients in holstein-gyr crossbred cows / Parâmetros fisiológicos, características morfológicas do pelame e gradientes térmicos de vacas cruzadas holandês-gir

The aim of this study was to assess physiological parameters, hair coat morphological characteristics and temperature gradients in crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows in the municipality of Tapira, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Forty-nine lactating cows from six Holstein (H) and Gyr (G) genetic groups (1/4H 3/4G, 3/8H 5/8G, 1/2H 1/2G, 5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and the temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and body surface temperature were measured, as were hair thickness, numbers, length and angle. Cows with a greater than 50% Holstein breed ratio (5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) showed a higher respiratory rate and greater hair length than animals with genetic composition equal to or greater than 50% Zebu (1/2H 1/2G, 3/8H 5/8G and 1/4H 3/4G). Animals from the 1/2 and 1/4 HG genetic groups showed the greatest hair angle (P<0.05). With respect to climatic characteristics, the examined locality was within the thermoneutral zone and therefore did not impose conditions of thermal stress. The animals exhibited thermoregulation and hair coat characteristics that were within physiological parameters.

Objetivou-se avaliar parâmetros fisiológicos, características morfológicas de pelame e gradientes térmicos de vacas cruzadas Holandês-Gir no município de Tapira, MG. Foram utilizadas 49 vacas em lactação de seis grupos genéticos Holandês (H) e Gir (G): 1/4H 3/4G, 3/8H 5/8G, 1/2H 1/2G, 5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G e 7/8H 1/8G distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. A temperatura de bulbo seco e umidade relativa foram registradas e calculou-se o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). A temperatura retal, frequência respiratória, temperatura da superfície corporal, espessura, número, comprimento e inclinação dos pelos foram mensurados. Vacas com proporção maior que 50% da raça Holandesa (5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G e 7/8H 1/8G) apresentaram frequência respiratória e comprimento dos pelos maiores em comparação aos animais com composição genética igual ou superior a 50% do Zebu (1/2H 1/2G, 3/8H 5/8G e 1/4H 3/4G). Os animais do grupo genético 1/2 e 1/4 HG apresentaram a maior inclinação de pelo (P<0,05). As características climáticas da localidade estiveram dentro da zona de termoneutralidade, não impondo desta forma condições de estresse térmico e os animais apresentaram características de termorregulação e de pelame dentro dos parâmetros fisiológicos.

Treinamento de força excêntrico em idosos: revisão acerca das adaptações fisiológicas agudas e crônicas / Eccentric resistance training in elderly: review on the acute and chronic physiological adaptations

Já está bem estabelecido na literatura que a manutenção da massa muscular tem um importante papel na capacidade funcional, manutenção da saúde e independência dos idosos. Deste modo, o estudo dos mecanismos envolvidos com o processo fisiológico no envelhecimento tem sido evidenciado nas ultimas três décadas, fato que impulsionou os interesses sobre as relações do exercício físico com a melhoria da qualidade de vida e saúde da população idosa. Ademais, considerando o declínio das funções fisiológicas do músculo humano e outros sistemas com o avanço da idade, o treinamento de força pode ser aplicado como ferramenta preventiva aos processos degenerativos associados ao envelhecimento. Dentre as diferentes formas de contração músculo-esquelética, o treinamento que visa priorizar a ação excêntrica recebeu considerável atenção. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve como objetivo apresentar os efeitos agudos e crônicos do treinamento de força excêntrico sobre as respostas cardiorrespiratórias, metabólicas e neuromotoras em idosos. Foi realizada uma busca bibliográfica utilizando os seguintes unitermos: resistance training, molecular mechanisms, hypertrophy, eccentric resistance training e aging, nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO e LILACS. A presente revisão indica que os exercícios que priorizam as ações excêntricas promovem menor sobrecarga cardiorrespiratória, metabólica e neuromotora quando comparados com exercícios de ação concêntrica e isométrica. Por esta razão, o treinamento de força excêntrico torna-se potencialmente adequado para idosos, os quais possuem uma relativa preservação da força excêntrica durante o envelhecimento, bem como risco e/ou doenças cardiorrespiratórias e neuromotoras. Adicionalmente, este tipo de treinamento induz ao ganho de massa muscular e capacidade funcional em idosos.

It is well established in the literature that muscle mass maintenance has an important role on functional capacity, health maintenance and independence in elderly. Thus, the study of the mechanisms involved with the physiological process of aging have been evidenced in the last three decades, which has stimulated the interests on the relationships of exercise with the improvement of life quality and health of the elderly population. Apart from this, considering the decrease of the physiological function of the human muscle and other systems with aging, resistance training can be prescribed as preventive tool to the degenerative process associated with aging. Between the different forms of skeletal-muscle contraction, the training targeting eccentric actions has received considerable attention. In this sense, the present study had the objective to present the acute and chronic effects of eccentric resistance training on cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neuromotor responses in elderly. A bibliographic search using the following keywords was done: resistance training, molecular mechanisms, hypertrophy, eccentric resistance training and aging, on the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS. The present review indicates that exercises targeting eccentric actions promote lower cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and neuromotor stress as compared with exercises of concentric and isometric muscle actions. For this reason, eccentric resistance training becomes potentially adequate for elderly, which have relative reservation of eccentric force during aging, as well as risk for and/or cardiorespiratory and neuromotor diseases. Additionally, this type of training induces gains of muscle mass and functional capacity in elderly.

Uso de los biomarcadores en la evaluación de la contaminación / Us of biomarkerss in pollution evaluatonn

Cada día es más difícil evaluar la salud de un ecosistema debido a la gran cantidad y diversidad de xenobióticos que son introducidos en ellos. Es por eso, que en las últimas dos décadas se ha incrementado el uso de biomarcadores para la evaluación y monitoreo de los ecosistemas. Un biomarcador es una respuesta funcional, fisiológica o bioquímica al nivel celular o interacciones moleculares que un organismo, una población o una comunidad refleja frente a un peligro potencial, el cual puede ser químico, físico o biológico. El biomarcador representa una señal integrada del nivel de contaminación de una determinada zona y, por consiguiente, constituye un indicador del nivel de riesgo toxicológico al que puede ser sometida una determinada población natural. No obstante, para que sea efectiva una evaluación ambiental o un programa de biomonitoreo, se deberán utilizar múltiples biomarcadores que describan los síntomas que sugieren la relación causa-efecto para una especie.

Each day is more difficult to evaluate an ecosystem health due to the amount and diversity of xenobiotic substances introduced in them. This is why in the last two decades the use of biomarkers for the evaluation and monitoring of ecosystems as been increasingly used. A biomarker is a functional, physiological or bio-chemical response to the cellular level or molecular interactions that an organism, a population or a community reflects before a potential danger. These responses can be chemical, physical or biological. The biomarker represents an integrated signal of the pollution level of a determined area and, as a consequence, constitutes an indicator of the toxicological risk level a determined natural population can be submitted to. However, for an environmental evaluation or biomonitoring program to be effective, multiple biomarkers describing the symptoms that suggest the cause-effect relationship for a species must be used.

Avaliação de respostas metabólicas do tambaqui exposto ao eugenol em banhos anestésicos / Evaluation of tambaqui metabolic responses to eugenol in anesthetics baths

O tambaqui é a principal espécie de peixe cultivado na Amazônia Ocidental. Porém durante o processo produtivo, práticas de manejo são necessárias para o monitoramento do crescimento e estado geral da sanidade dos animais. Para isso os animais devem ser anestesiados para maior segurança no trabalho. O eugenol, componente majoritário do óleo de cravo, tem sido bastante utilizado como anestésico alternativo para peixes por ser um produto natural e de baixo custo. Entretanto, estudos tratando de respostas metabólicas em peixes tropicais expostos a diferentes anestésicos são ainda necessários. Dentro desse intuito, o presente trabalho avaliou respostas metabólicas, detectadas por meio de alterações de parâmetros sanguíneos e plasmáticos do tambaqui, exposto ao eugenol em banhos anestésicos simulados. Respostas típicas ao estresse foram detectadas devido ao manuseio imposto aos peixes durante a realização dos banhos anestésicos. O eugenol não reduziu totalmente essas reações ao estresse. Por outro lado, esse anestésico não provocou estresse adicional em exposições curtas de 15 min em concentrações próximas a 20 mg L-1.

Tambaqui is the main farmed fish in the Western Amazon. However, in handling this fish has to be anesthetized for safety purposes, usually when evaluating growth and health conditions. Eugenol, the main component of clove oil, has been reported as an alternative fish anesthetic, because it is an inexpensive natural product. However, continued studies are necessary about the metabolic responses of tropical fish to anesthetics. The present work evaluated metabolic responses of tambaqui to eugenol in simulated anesthetic baths, measuring blood and plasma parameters. Typical metabolic stress responses to handling were detected, but they were not totally reduced by eugenol. On the other hand, the anesthetic dissolved in water did not provoke any extra charge of stress during short-term exposures in concentrations of about 20mg L-1 for 15 min.

Avaliação do bem-estar de frangos de corte em dois galpões comerciais climatizados / Evaluation of poultry well-being in two commercial climatized poultry houses

Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar as condições do ambiente interno em dois galpões comerciais de frangos de corte equipados com dois sistemas de resfriamento diferentes: placas porosas umedecidas de celulose associadas à nebulização (SRPN) e placas umedecidas de sombrite associadas à nebulização (SRSN). Nos galpões estudados, situados em Itaberaí, GO, foram avaliadas quatro variáveis térmicas (temperatura, índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade, carga térmica de radiação e entalpia), três respostas fisiológicas (temperaturas retal e da pele, e frequência respiratória) e três índices de desempenho produtivo (ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar) das aves. Os resultados indicaram que os sistemas avaliados não foram suficientemente adequados para promover condições de conforto às aves, não sendo observada diferença estatística significativa entre o desempenho das aves neles alojados. A taxa de mortalidade no galpão SRSN foi 15 por cento maior em relação ao galpão SRPN, porém, ambas são inferiores àquelas sugeridas para as aves em estudo.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the environmental conditions inside two commercial broiler houses equipped with different cooling systems: wet cellulose pads associated with misting (SRPN) and wet black screen pads associated with misting (SRSN). In the studied broiler houses, located in Itaberaí, Goiás, Brazil, four thermal variables (temperature, black globe temperature and humidity indices, thermal radiation load and enthalpy), three physiological responses (rectal temperature, skin temperature and respiration frequency), and three productivity performance indexes (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion) for broiler chickens were evaluated. The results indicate that the evaluated systems were not sufficient to promote thermal comfort conditions for the birds and in general, no significant statistical difference was noticed between the performances of the birds raised in the two broiler houses. The mortality rate in the SRSN system was 15 percent higher than in the SRPN system, however, both are lower than those suggested for the birds under study.

Acute application of bilevel positive airway pressure influences the cardiac autonomic nervous system

INTRODUCTION: Noninvasive positive pressure has been used to treat several diseases. However, the physiological response of the cardiac autonomic system during bilevel positive airway pressure (Bilevel) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the heart rate variability (HRV) during Bilevel in young healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty men underwent 10-minute R-R interval recordings during sham ventilation (SV), Bilevel of 8-15 cmH2O and Bilevel of 13-20 cmH2O. The HRV was analyzed by means of the parallel R-R interval (mean R-Ri), the standard deviation of all R-Ri (SDNN), the root mean square of the squares of the differences between successive R-Ri (rMSSD), the number of successive R-Ri pairs that differ by more than 50 milliseconds (NN50), the percentage of successive R-Ri that differ by more than 50 milliseconds (pNN50), the low frequency (LF), the high frequency (HF) and SD1 and SD2. Additionally, physiological variables, including blood pressure, breathing frequency and end tidal CO2, were collected. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to assess the differences between the three studied conditions and the relationships between the delta of Bilevel at 13-20 cmH2O and sham ventilation of the HRV indexes and the physiological variables, respectively. RESULTS: The R-Ri mean, rMSSD, NN50, pNN50 and SD1 were reduced during Bilevel of 13-20 cmH2O as compared to SV. An R-Ri mean reduction was also observed in Bilevel of 13-20 cmH2O compared to 8-15 cmH2O. Both the R-Ri mean and HF were reduced during Bilevel of 8-15 cmH2O as compared to SV, while the LF increased during application of Bilevel of 8-15 cmH2O as compared to SV. The delta (between Bilevel at 13-20 cmH2O and sham ventilation) of ETCO2 correlated positively with LF, HF, the LF/HF ratio, SDNN, rMSSD and SD1. Acute application of Bilevel was able to alter the cardiac autonomic nervous system, resulting in a reduction in parasympathetic...

Psycological and physiological responses to stress: a review based on results from PET and MRI studies

A new application for the nuclear imaging techniques is the study of organic responses to stress. Neuroimaging techniques allow the assessment of brain activation changes in association with the metabolic responses to stress. In this paper, a review of general effects of the stress on organic activity is made, emphasizing important advances introduced by studies using PET and fMRI. The importance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to onset the adequate psychical and organic responses to sustain the homeostasis during the stress is discussed, as well as the possibility of traumatic stressing experiences have negative effects on the brain.

Uma nova aplicação para as técnicas de imagem nuclear é o estudo de respostas orgânicas ao estresse. Técnicas de neuroimagem permitem observar as mudanças da ativação cerebral associadas às respostas metabólicas ao estresse. Neste artigo, uma revisão dos efeitos do estresse sobre a atividade orgânica é feita, enfatizando importantes avanços introduzidos por estudos realizados com PET e fMRI. A importância do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal para o disparo das respostas orgânicas e psíquicas para a manutenção da homeostasia durante o estresse é discutida, bem como a possibilidade de experiências estressantes traumáticas exercerem efeitos negativos sobre o cérebro.

Caminhada em ambiente aquático e terrestre: revisão de literatura sobre a comparação das respostas neuromusculares e cardiorrespiratórias / Walking on land and in water: a review study about the comparison of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre a comparação das respostas neuromusculares e cardiorrespiratórias durante a caminhada em meio aquático e em meio terrestre. As respostas foram apresentadas para a caminhada em piscina rasa e para a caminhada em piscina funda. Em relação à caminhada em piscina rasa, as respostas neuromusculares (sinal EMG) e cardiorrespiratórias (FC e VO2) são muito dependentes da velocidade do exercício. As respostas neuromusculares podem ser menores no meio aquático quando a velocidade da caminhada é menor nesse ambiente. Por outro lado, quando o exercício é realizado com velocidades similares, a atividade dos músculos propulsores pode ser superior durante a caminhada aquática. Da mesma forma, respostas cardiorrespiratórias maiores são registradas no exercício aquático quando velocidades similares de caminhada são utilizadas. Contudo, com velocidades menores, essas respostas são semelhantes ou menores que as encontradas em meio terrestre. No que diz respeito à caminhada em piscina funda, as respostas neuromusculares diferem daquelas encontradas durante a caminhada em meio terrestre devido à ausência das forças de reação com o solo. Essa característica possivelmente modifica os músculos envolvidos na produção de força propulsiva nesse exercício. Além do mais, durante a caminhada em piscina funda, as respostas cardiorrespiratórias parecem sempre mais baixas devido à grande redução no peso hidrostático e à menor atividade dos músculos posturais e pela utilização do cinturão flutuador nessa modalidade.

The purpose of this review was to analyze neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses during walking in water and on dry land. The responses were presented during walking in shallow and in deep water. During walking in shallow water, neuromuscular (EMG signal) and cardiorespiratory (HR and VO2) responses are very dependant on the exercise speed. Neuromuscular responses can be lower in aquatic environment when speed is lower. On other hand, when the exercise is performed in similar speeds, propulsive muscles activity can be higher walking in shallow water. Similary, higher cardiorespiratory responses are registered when similar speeds are used during the aquatic exercise. However, when it is performed at lower speeds, cardiorespiratory responses are similar or lower than the ones found on land. Concerning walking in deep water, neuromuscular responses are different from walking on land due to the absence of the ground reaction forces. This characteristic probably modifies the muscles involved in propulsive forces production during the exercise. Moreover, cardiorespiratory responses always seem to be lower than those during walking on land due to the effect of hidrostatic pressure as well as the lower posture muscles activity observed by the use of the floating belt in this modality.

The Effects of Kangaroo Care on Body Weight, Physiologic Responses and Behavioral States in Premature Infants / 간호학회지

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kangaroo care on body weight, physiological responses and behavioral states in premature infants. The subjects were 32 premature infants, fifteen for the kangaroo care group and seventeen for the control group, who hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital. The kangaroo care was applied 8 times during the twenty five days with 40 minutes for each session. The kangaroo care provides the skin-to-skin contact during which a premature infant wearing a diaper and a hat is placed on its mother's chest. As for the measures, body weight was measured everyday. The levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and 17-OHCS were measured twice, before beginning the first intervention and after finishing the last intervention. While each session of the care is undergoing, such physiological responses were measured periodically as heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, core temperature and skin temperature. The results were as follows : 1. The weight gain was significantly greater in the kangaroo care group than that in the control group during the period of performing the kangaroo care. 2. No significant difference was revealed between the two groups in heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation and core temperature. The kangaroo care group also showed significant increases in the skin temperature. 3. The differences in the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and 17-OHCS were not significant between the kangaroo care and the control groups. The level of norepinephrine in the two groups was significantly increased over time. 4. Sleep pattern changed significantly in the kangaroo group from a very restless sleep to a very quiet sleep. These results suggest that kangaroo care is an effective nursing intervention for premature infants in gaining weight, achieving stable physiological responses and facilitating a quiet sleep.