Some physiological and behavioural responses in Bos indicus and Bos taurus heifers acclimatized to the hot humid seasonal equatorial climate.
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Acclimatization↗
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Variations in response to radiation of a nylon-walled ionization chamber induced by humidity changes.
The volume of nylon-walled ionization chambers varies with relative air humidity due to the hygroscopic properties of nylon. A 6% increase in exposure calibration factor of a commonly employed 0.6 cm3 nylon-walled ionization chamber was observed when the relative air humidity decreased from 98% to 11%. The increase as well as the decrease in volume shows an initial fast change during the first day followed by an exponential change with half-lives of about 1.2 days and 2.4 days, for water uptake and water loss, respectively.
Cobalt Radioisotopes↗
Behavioural responses of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus and R. guilhoni ticks to relative humidity, light and host odour.
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Animals↗
Gas-exchange analysis of chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase antisense potatoes at different air humidities and at elevated CO(2).
Gas-exchange measurements were performed to analyze the leaf conductances and assimilation rates of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desireé) plants expressing an antisense construct against chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase, EC 3.1.3.11) in response to increasing photon flux densities, different relative air humidities and elevated CO(2) concentrations. Assimilation rates (A) and transpiration rates (E) were observed during a stepwise increase of photon flux density. These experiments were carried out under atmospheric conditions and in air containing 500 micromol mol(-1) CO(2). In both gas atmospheres, two levels of relative air humidity (60-70% and 70-80%) were applied in different sets of measurements. Intercellular CO(2) concentration, leaf conductance, air-to-leaf vapour pressure deficit, and instantaneous water-use efficiency (A/E) were determined. As expected, assimilation rates of the FBPase antisense plants were significantly reduced as compared to the wild type. Saturation of assimilation rates in transgenic plants occurred at a photon flux density of 200 micromol m(-2) s(-1), whereas saturation in wild type plants was observed at 600 micromol m(-2) s(-1). Elevated ambient CO(2) levels did not effect assimilation rates of transgenic plants. At 70-80% relative humidity and atmospheric CO(2) concentration the FBPase antisense plants had significantly higher leaf conductances than wild-type plants while no difference emerged at 60-70%. These differences in leaf conductance vanished at elevated levels of ambient CO(2). Stomatal response to different relative air humidities was not affected by mesophyll photosynthetic activity. It is suggested that the regulation of stomatal opening upon changes in photon flux density is merely mediated by a signal transmitted from mesophyll cells, whereas the intercellular CO(2) concentration plays a minor role in this kind of stomatal response. The results are discussed with respect to stomatal control by environmental parameters and mesophyll photosynthesis.
Carbon Dioxide↗
Effects of calf removal at parturition on postpartum ovarian activity in Zebu (Bos indicus) cows in the humid tropics.
To assess endocrine and morphological responses of ovaries to total weaning at parturition, 6 Zebu (Bos indicus) cows 5 years or older were investigated. Following parturition, blood samples were collected daily during the first month and twice weekly thereafter until day 60 to determine concentrations of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite. It took between 25 to 32 days to complete uterine involution. The prostaglandin metabolite remained elevated for a mean period of 14.2 days (range, 4-21) postpartum. Five of the animals resumed cyclicity with a short estrous cycle starting between days 7 to 34 and lasting between 7 and 14 days. No estrous behavior was recorded prior to the short estrous cycles, but subsequent normal-length estrous cycles were all preceded by signs of estrus. In the 1 animal that resumed cyclicity with an estrous cycle of normal length on day 37 (length 20 days), the cycle was preceded by estrous behavior. Progesterone concentrations reached a mean maximum of 4.8 nmol liter-1 during the short estrous cycles, and prostaglandin metabolite concentrations peaked while P4 concentrations were decreasing. P4 concentrations reached a mean maximum of 12.2 nmol liter-1 during the estrous cycles of normal length. The interval from parturition to the first estrous cycle of normal length varied between 16 and 48 days, and the length of the cycle was 18 to 22 days. Starting 2 days postpartum, ovaries from 5 of the cows were scanned by ultrasonography every second day until day 30 postpartum. Medium-sized follicles were detected between days 4 to 7 postpartum in 4 of the scanned cows that later had short estrous cycles. The time between parturition and the appearance of the first dominant follicle was 7.6 days (range 6-10 days). The interval between parturition and the appearance of the first ovulatory-sized follicle was 10.2 days (range 8-13 days). In 3 of the scanned cows this ovulatory-sized follicle ovulated. We conclude that cyclic ovarian activity in Zebu cows can start early in the postpartum period in the absence of offspring, and that short luteal phases, not preceded by estrous behavior, may play an important role in establishing normal postpartum ovarian activity.
Animals↗
An inexpensive dual-chamber particle monitor: laboratory characterization.
In developing countries, high levels of particle pollution from the use of coal and biomass fuels for household cooking and heating are a major cause of ill health and premature mortality. The cost and complexity of existing monitoring equipment, combined with the need to sample many locations, make routine quantification of household particle pollution levels difficult. Recent advances in technology, however, have enabled the development of a small, portable, data-logging particle monitor modified from commercial smoke alarm technology that can meet the needs of surveys in the developing world at reasonable cost. Laboratory comparisons of a prototype particle monitor developed at the University of California at Berkeley (UCB) with gravimetric filters, a tapered element oscillating microbalance, and a TSI DustTrak to quantify the UCB particle monitor response as a function of both concentration and particle size and to examine sensor response in relation to changes in temperature, relative humidity, and elevation are presented here. UCB particle monitors showed good linearity in response to different concentrations of laboratory-generated oleic acid aerosols with a coarse (mass median diameter, 2.1 microm) and fine (mass median diameter, 0.27-0.42 microm) size distributions (average r2 = 0.997 +/- 0.005). The photoelectric and ionization chamber showed a wide range of responses based on particle size and, thus, require calibration with the aerosol of interest. The ionization chamber was five times more sensitive to fine rather than coarse particles, whereas the photoelectric chamber was five times more sensitive to coarse than fine. The ratio of the response between the two sensors has the potential for mass calibration of individual data points based on estimated parameters of the size distribution. The results demonstrate the significant potential of this monitor, which will facilitate the evaluation of interventions (improved fuels, stoves, and ventilation) on indoor air pollution levels and research on the impacts of indoor particle levels on health in developing countries.
Aerosols↗
Localization of mechanisms involved in hydropassive and hydroactive stomatal responses of Sambucus nigra to dry air.
The response of stomata to a reduction of air humidity is composed of a hydropassive opening followed by active closure. Whereas the mechanisms behind the hydropassive opening are largely understood, the location and physiological basis of the sensing mechanisms leading to active closure are not yet known. This study attempts to evaluate the importance of a single pore's transpiration on its own response and that of adjacent pores. Selected stomata on attached intact leaves of Sambucus nigra were sealed with mineral oil and the response to a reduction of humidity was continuously observed in situ. Blocking a pore's transpiration had no appreciable effect on hydropassive opening and subsequent stomatal closure. If the adjacent stomata were additionally sealed, the closing response was reduced, but not the hydropassive opening. On the other hand, sealing the entire leaf surface, except a small area including the observed stomata, also reduced stomatal closure. These results indicate that strictly local processes triggered by a pore's own transpiration are not required to induce stomatal closure. To describe the effect of one pore's transpiration on the hydropassive and hydroactive responses of neighboring stomata, a simple spatial model was constructed. It suggests that 90% of the closing effect covers an area of approximately 0.5 mm2, whereas the effect on hydropassive opening affects an area of approximately 1 mm2. This divergence may suggest mechanisms other than or in addition to those involving changes of local leaf water potential.
Air↗
A method for the collection and determination of phenol and bisphenol A in air.
An analytical method has been developed for the determination of phenol and bisphenol A in air. Air samples are concentrated on commercial silica by the well established tube-pump method. The trapped components are desorbed and analyzed by HPLC using UV detection at 275 nm. The method has been validated for a concentration range of 0.5-50 mg m-3 (based on a 10-l air sample) for both compounds. Linearity of response, adsorption/desorption efficiency, influence of humidity on sample collection and influence of temperature and time on storage of collected samples were studied. The reported technique provides a selective and sensitive method for environmental monitoring in industrial atmospheres as well as for personnel exposure measurement.
Air↗
The influence of PVP incorporation on moisture-induced surface crystallization of amorphous spray-dried lactose particles.
We have recently shown that atomic force microscopy (AFM) may be an appropriate method for characterisation of the re-crystallization of amorphous particles. In this study, spray-dried composite particles consisting of lactose and polyvinyl pyrrolidon (PVP) were characterised by AFM and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and their response on increasing the relative humidity (RH) was investigated. The PVP content in the particles used was 0, 5 or 25 wt.% of either PVP K17 or PVP K90. All composite particles were found to be enriched with PVP at the surface. The incorporation of PVP in the particles influenced the way the particles responded to an increase in RH. The specific RH interval in which the surface of the particles smoothened and the RH where crystallization could be detected, increased with an increase in the amount and molecular weight of the PVP in the particles. The crystallization kinetics of single particles was analysed with AFM and by utilising the JMAK equation. The rate constant for this transformation increased in an exponential manner with increasing RH. Furthermore, above the RH needed for the crystallization to occur, the exponential increase in the crystallization rate was larger for particles with higher polymer content which indicates that the stabilising effect decreases as the water content in the particles becomes higher. In this study we report a method for determination of crystallization kinetics on single composite particles, which is valuable when evaluating the effect of stabilisers in amorphous powders.
Crystallization↗
Cat and dust mite sensitivity and tolerance in relation to wheezing among children raised with high exposure to both allergens.
BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has suggested that high exposure to cat allergens is associated with decreased prevalence of sensitization to cat and, in some studies, decreased asthma. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study antibodies to cat and mite allergens and their relationship to wheezing in a country with high exposure to both allergens. METHODS: Sera from 112 wheezing and 112 control children aged 10 to 11 years in a nested case-control study in New Zealand were assayed for specific IgE antibody, as well as IgG antibody and IgG4 antibody, to Der p 1 and Fel d 1. RESULTS: IgE antibody to both mite (99/224) and cat (41/224) were strongly associated with wheezing (odds ratios, 5.2 and 6.5, respectively). Children who had ever lived with a cat were less likely to have IgE antibody to cat (20/141 vs 21/83, P < .04); however, cat ownership had no effect on IgE antibody to mite (67/141 vs 32/83, P = .23). Among sensitized children, cat ownership was associated with a lower prevalence of IgE antibody to cat (28% vs 66%, P < .001), and this analysis remained significant after exclusion of children whose families had chosen not to own a cat. Among sensitized subjects, the mean titer of IgE antibody to cat (1.7 IU/mL) was 10-fold lower than for mite (22.1 IU/mL). A cat in the home had no significant effect on endotoxin or mite allergen in house dust, whereas cat allergen was much higher (40.8 vs 3.3 microg/g). CONCLUSION: The response to these 2 allergens was distinct on the basis of the prevalence of sensitization, the titer of IgE antibody, and the effect of cat ownership. The results suggest that induction of tolerance to cat allergen is an allergen-specific phenomenon that cannot be attributed to endotoxin or family choice. The strength of the IgE antibody response to dust mite in humid climates could contribute to the increased prevalence and severity of asthma.
Allergens↗
Humidity-dependent dynamic infrared linear dichroism study of a poly(ester urethane).
Fourier transform infrared techniques, infrared difference spectroscopy and dynamic infrared linear dichroism (DIRLD), have been utilized to explore the effects of humidity and water absorption on a poly(ester urethane). An environmental infrared microbalance cell was used to measure the infrared spectra as a function of humidity and accompanying weight change for the absorption-desorption processes. The infrared difference data indicate that exposure to humidity affects the hydrogen-bonding interactions in the polymer. Dynamic infrared linear dichroism studies in tensile deformation mode as a function of humidity demonstrate how changes in water content affect the orientational response of functional groups. Complex behavior as a function of humidity for functional groups involved in hydrogen bonding indicates that water absorbed by the polymer affects the micro-environments near these functional groups.
Humidity↗
Dry environment increases mast cell number and histamine content in dermis in hairless mice.
BACKGROUND: A variety of skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, senile xerosis or psoriasis tends to worsen during the dry winter season. These skin diseases are also characterized by itch sensation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the generation of histamine in the dermis of hairless mice kept under various conditions of environmental humidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out the quantification of mast cell population and evaluated the histamine content in the epidermis, dermis and serum of the mice kept under various conditions of environmental humidity. RESULTS: Histamine content in the dermis of the mice kept in a low environmental humidity (relative humidity < 10%) for 3 and 5 days was significantly higher than that of the mice kept in a high environmental humidity (relative humidity > 80%) for the same period of time. No significant difference was observed on the histamine content in the epidermis between the two humidity groups. The number of mast cells in the dermis of the mice kept in the low environmental humidity was significantly higher than that of the mice kept in the high environmental humidity. Topical application of petrolatum reduced the level of histamine in the dermis of the mice under the low environmental humidity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a low environmental humidity increases mast cell number and dermal histamine content.
Animals↗
A formulation for high-energy photon and electron beam dosimetry.
A formalism is derived to estimate the absorbed dose to a medium irradiated by high-energy photon and electron beams using an ionization chamber calibrated in terms of the exposure and this is compared with those in particular NACP and AAPM protocols. The influence of the humidity in air on the response of the chamber is taken into account in combination with various correction factors. In the present proposal, the fundamental factors needed for converting the reading of a chamber, calibrated in exposure (or air kerma), into absorbed dose are calculated for dry air in the calibration beam. For the user's beam, correction factors depending on the atmospheric conditions prevailing in the laboratory are given.
Calibration↗
[Axillary granular parakeratosis].
Axillary granular parakeratosis is an alteration of keratin characterized by a thick parakeratotic horny layer with abundant intracellular keratohyalin granules. It was first described in 1991 and since then 32 cases have been reported from USA, Europe and Australia. Lesions may affect intertriginous areas other than the axilla. The disease has apparently not been previously described in Latin America. Three overweight Colombian women were diagnosed with axillary granular parakeratosis. They presented encrusted, hyperkeratotic, hyperpigmented and pruriginous papules and plaques which affected both axillae in two women and only one in the other. Lesions had persisted for two and four months in two patients and for one year in the third. Clinical diagnoses were benign familiar pemphigus and tinea nigra. Skin biopsies showed a thick parakeratotic basophilic horny layer. Electron microscopy demonstrated a high content of keratohyalin granules. No Langerhans cells were demonstrated in the lesions using IHC for S-100 protein. No fungi were seen with the PAS stain. Infundibula showed thick horny plugs with changes similar to those seen in the epidermis. Dermal tissue showed few perivascular lymphocytes. These findings suggest that the disease has an irritative pathogenesis. Clinical histories indicated that the three women were overweight and used several types of antiperspirants. These factors plus local irritation and humidity apparently triggered the keratinization response.
Adult↗
Ticks from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Ngamiland, Botswana.
In November 1972, 93 out of 100 African buffalo from 3 areas in Ngamiland, Botswana, were found to be infested with ticks. The tick species present and the percentage of buffalo infested by each were: Hyalomma truncatum (63%), H. rufipes (54%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (68%), R. tricuspis (11%), R. simus (4%) and Boophilus decoloratus (1%). The mean number of ticks per animal was 8,6 (standard deviation +/-4,1), representing a mean of 6,5+/-3,4 male and 2,1+/-1,9 female ticks. The incidence of infestation with H. truncatum and the number of ticks of this species on infested animals were lowest in areas where plentiful surface water was responsible for an increase in humidity.
Animals↗
The effect of dry and humid hot air inhalation on expired relative humidity during exercise.
It has been previously demonstrated that under certain environmental conditions, expired air is not fully water saturated because of the low relative humidity of the first part of the expirate. This finding is of interest to those involved in respirator research, particularly those who design and test robotic metabolic simulators. These simulators must accurately mimic the physiological responses of human airways to breathing air of various temperatures and relative humidities (RHs). Because these responses are not fully quantified, this study examined the mean relative humidity of expired air during four inspired air conditions: cool dry (26 degrees C, 60% RH), cool humid (26 degrees C, 95% RH), hot dry (45 degrees C, 11% RH), and hot humid (45 degrees C, 95% RH). These conditions were administered during three exercise intensities: rest, low (35% VO2max), and moderate (70% VO2max). As compared to the cool dry (CD) condition, frequency of breathing (f) was 9.3% lower and tidal volume (VT) was 9.4% greater across all exercise intensities for the hot humid (HH) condition (p less than 0.05). Mean expired relative humidity (ERH) was substantially lower for the hot dry (HD) condition as compared to the other three conditions during each sampling period. These findings support the conclusion that the mean ERH of expired air depends upon several respiratory and environmental factors in addition to inspired air temperature.
Adolescent↗
An apnea monitor using a rapid-response hygrometer.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect cyclic changes in the relative humidity (RH) occurring with spontaneous respiration using a rapid-response hygrometer, and to evaluate its potential applicability as an apnea monitor in nonintubated subjects. METHODS: Respiratory monitoring using a rapid-response hygrometer was performed in spontaneously breathing, nonintubated subjects. Changes in RH during spontaneous breathing were measured in adult volunteers, breathing room air and nonintubated infants who underwent cardiac catheterization under intravenous anesthesia. The detection of apnea by the hygrometer was assessed in the adult patients during the induction of anesthesia and those undergoing minor gynecologic surgery under epidural anesthesia. The hygrometric sensor was positioned in front of the nostril; a simultaneous recording of CO2 was obtained from nasal cannulas by a sidestream capnograph. Each waveform was collected and acquired by a PC-based computer, and data were analyzed off-line. RESULTS: The hygrometer showed a rapid response to the cyclic changes in RH during spontaneous respiration and could identify respiratory phases of tachypnea as high as 60 breaths per minute in infants. RH rapidly increased to 80% with a plateau on expiration and decreased to 40% on inspiration. These phasic changes, consisting of three distinct phases, expiratory upstroke, plateau and inspiratory downslope, preceded the corresponding capnographic changes by nearly two seconds. Expiratory increase in RH appeared to be influenced by the respiratory flow rate as well as the response time of the equipment. As respiration was depressed due to airway obstruction, the magnitude of RH gradually decreased and then disappeared at the time of apnea. CONCLUSIONS: The hygrometer could detect cyclic changes in RH during spontaneous respiration. Apnea was immediately detected by the decreases in the magnitude of RH. The results demonstrate the potential usefulness of a rapid-response hygrometer for monitoring respiratory rate and early detection of apnea.
Adult↗
The influence of air humidity on an unsealed ionization chamber in a linear accelerator.
The safe and accurate delivery of the prescribed absorbed dose is the central function of the dose monitoring and beam stabilization system in a medical linear accelerator. The absorbed dose delivered to the patient during radiotherapy is often monitored by a transmission ionization chamber. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the chamber behaves correctly. We have noticed that the sensitivity of an unsealed chamber in a Philips SL linear accelerator changes significantly, especially during and after the summer season. The reason for this is probably a corrosion effect of the conductive plates in the chamber due to the increased relative humidity during hot periods. We have found that the responses of the different ion chamber plates change with variations in air humidity and that they do not return to their original values when the air humidity is returned to ambient conditions.
Air↗