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Seasonal variation in respiration of 1-year-old shoots of scots pine exposed to elevated carbon dioxide and temperature for 4 years.

Sixteen 20-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees growing in the field were enclosed for 4 years in environment-controlled chambers that maintained: (1) ambient conditions (CON); (2) elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (ambient + 350 micro mol mol-1; EC); (3) elevated temperature (ambient +2-6 degrees C; ET); or (4) elevated CO2 and elevated temperature (ECT). The dark respiration rates of 1-year-old shoots, from which needles had been partly removed, were measured over the growing season in the fourth year. In all treatments, the temperature coefficient of respiration, Q10, changed with season, being smaller during the growing season than at other times. Respiration rate varied diurnally and seasonally with temperature, being highest around mid-summer and declining gradually thereafter. When measurements were made at the temperature of the chamber, respiration rates were reduced by the EC treatment relative to CON, but were increased by ET and ECT treatments. However, respiration rates at a reference temperature of 15 degrees C were reduced by ET and ECT treatments, reflecting a decreased capacity for respiration at warmer temperatures (negative acclimation). The interaction between season and treatment was not significant. Growth respiration did not differ between treatments, but maintenance respiration did, and the differences in mean daily respiration rate between the treatments were attributable to the maintenance component. We conclude that maintenance respiration should be considered when modelling respiratory responses to elevated CO2 and elevated temperature, and that increased atmospheric temperature is more important than increasing CO2 when assessing the carbon budget of pine forests under conditions of climate change.

Carbon↗

Seasonal and annual stem respiration of Scots pine trees under boreal conditions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stem respiration of trees is a major, but poorly assessed component of the carbon balance of forests, and important for geo-chemistry. Measurements are required under naturally changing seasonal conditions in different years. Therefore, intra- and inter-annual carbon fluxes of stems in forests were measured continuously from April to November in three consecutive years. METHODS: Stem respiratory CO2 fluxes of 50-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees were continuously measured with a CO2 analyser, and, concomitantly, stem circumference, stem and air temperature and other environmental factors and photosynthesis, were also measured automatically. KEY RESULTS: There were diurnal, seasonal and inter-annual changes in stem respiration, which peaked at 1600 h during the day and was highest in July. The temperature coefficient of stem respiration (Q10) was greater during the growing season than when growth was slow or had stopped, and more sensitive to temperature in the growing season. The annual Q10 remained relatively constant at about 2 over the three years, while respiration at a reference temperature of 15 degrees C (R15) was higher in the growing than in the non-growing season (1.09 compared with 0.78 micromol m(-2) stem surface s(-1)), but was similar between the years. Maintenance respiration was 76 %, 82 % and 80 % of the total respiration of 17.46, 17.26 and 19.35 mol m2 stem surface in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The annual total stem respiration of the stand per unit ground area was 75.97 gC m(-2) in 2001 and 74.28 gC m(-2) in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Stem respiration is an important component in the annual carbon balance of a Scots pine stand, contributing 9 % to total carbon loss from the ecosystem and consuming about 8 % of the carbon of the ecosystem gross primary production. Stem (or air) temperature was the most important predictor of stem carbon flux. The magnitude of stem respiration is modified by photosynthesis and tree growth. Solar radiation indirectly affects stem respiration through its effect on photosynthesis.

Carbon↗

Long-term respiration in relation to growth and maintenance processes of the aboveground parts of a hinoki forest tree.

Over a three-year period, CO(2) exchange rates were measured continuously on the aboveground parts of a 13-year-old hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl.) tree in the field, using an open gas-exchange system tracking ambient temperature. The relationship between daily aerial respiratory consumption and daily gross production, which was analyzed monthly, closely resembled McCree's equation. The value of the coefficient of growth respiration ranged between 0.0 in winter and 0.16 in summer and increased with increasing monthly mean temperature. A clockwise loop was observed for monthly change in the relationship between the coefficient of growth respiration and temperature. Maintenance respiration could be formulated as a power function of aboveground dry weight. The exponent of the equation ranged from 0.3 to 1.1. A value of 1.1 in May and June, when trees were growing most actively, indicated that maintenance respiration was directly proportional to aboveground weight. In March, April, July, and August, maintenance respiration was not proportional to aboveground weight, but it was closely proportional to surface area. The exponent value exhibited seasonal change with a clockwise loop in response to monthly average temperature. During the dormant season, respiration was used only for maintenance purposes, whereas during the growing season both growth and maintenance respiration occurred. Annual growth and maintenance respiration increased with increasing tree age. The average annual contribution to total respiratory consumption was 21% for growth respiration and 79% for maintenance respiration.

Journal Article↗

Foliar temperature-respiration response functions for broad-leaved tree species in the southern Appalachians.

We measured leaf respiration in 18 eastern deciduous forest tree species to determine if there were differences in temperature-respiration response functions among species or among canopy positions. Leaf respiration rates were measured in situ and on detached branches for Acer pensylvanicum L., A. rubrum L., Betula spp. (B. alleghaniensis Britt. and B. lenta L.), Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet, Cornus florida L., Fraxinus spp. (primarily F. americana L.), Liriodendron tulipifera L., Magnolia fraseri Walt., Nyssa sylvatica Marsh., Oxydendrum arboreum L., Platanus occidentalis L., Quercus alba L., Q. coccinea Muenchh., Q. prinus L., Q. rubra L., Rhododendron maximum L., Robinia psuedoacacia L., and Tilia americana L. in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Dark respiration was measured on fully expanded leaves at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees C with an infrared gas analyzer equipped with a temperature-controlled cuvette. Temperature-respiration response functions were fit for each leaf. There were significant differences in response functions among species and by canopy position within species. These differences were observed when respiration was expressed on a mass, nitrogen, or area basis. Cumulative nighttime leaf respiration was calculated and averaged over ten randomly selected nights for each leaf. Differences in mean cumulative nighttime respiration were statistically significant among canopy positions and species. We conclude that effects of canopy position and species on temperature-respiration response functions may need to be considered when making estimates of whole-tree or canopy respiration.

Journal Article↗

Temperature variation and distribution of living cells within tree stems: implications for stem respiration modeling and scale-up.

Few studies have examined variation in respiration rates within trees, and even fewer studies have focused on variation caused by within-stem temperature differences. In this study, stem temperatures at 40 positions in the stem of one 30-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were measured during 40 days between July 1994 and June 1995. The temperature data were used to simulate variations in respiration rate within the stem. The simulations assumed that the temperature-respiration relationship was constant (Q10 = 2) for all days and all stem positions. Total respiration for the whole stem was calculated by interpolating the temperature between the thermocouples and integrating the respiration rates in three dimensions. Total respiration rate of the stem was then compared to respiration rate scaled up from horizontal planes at the thermocouple heights (40, 140, 240 and 340 cm) on a surface area and on a sapwood volume basis. Simulations were made for three distributions of living cells in the stems: one with a constant 5% fraction of living cells, disregarding depth into the stem; one with a living cell fraction decreasing linearly with depth into the stem; and one with an exponentially decreasing fraction of living cells. Mean temperature variation within the stem was 3.7 degrees C, and was more than 10 degrees C for 8% of the time. The maximum measured temperature difference was 21.5 degrees C. The corresponding mean variation in respiration was 35% and was more than 50% for 24% of the time. Scaling up respiration rates from different heights between 40 and 240 cm to the whole stem produced an error of 2 to 58% for the whole year. For a single sunny day, the error was between 2 and 72%. Thus, within-stem variations in temperature may significantly affect the accuracy of scaling respiration data obtained from small samples to whole trees. A careful choice of chamber position and basis for scaling is necessary to minimize errors from variation in temperature.

Body Temperature↗

Kok effect and the quantum yield of photosynthesis : light partially inhibits dark respiration.

The linear response of photosynthesis to light at low photon flux densities is known to change abruptly in the vicinity of the light compensation point so that the quantum yield seems to decrease as radiation increases. We studied this ;Kok effect' in attached sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv IS894) leaves using gas exchange techniques. The effect was present even though respiration was constant in the dark. It was observed at a similar photon flux density (7 to 11 micromole photons per square meter per second absorbed photosynthetically active radiation) despite a wide range of light compensation points as well as rates of photosynthesis. The effect was not apparent when photorespiration was inhibited at low pO(2) (1 kilopascal), but this result was complicated because dark respiration was quite O(2)-sensitive and was partially suppressed under these conditions. The Kok effect was observed at saturating pCO(2) and, therefore, could not be explained by a change in photorespiration. Instead, the magnitude of the effect varied as dark respiration varied in a single leaf, and was minimized when dark respiration was minimized, indicating that a partial suppression of dark respiration by light is responsible. Quantum yields measured at photon flux densities between 0 and 7 to 11 micromole photons per square meter per second, therefore, represent the combined yields of photosynthesis and of the suppression of a component of dark respiration by light. This leads to an overestimate of the quantum yield of photosynthesis. In view of these results, quantum yields of photosynthesis must be measured (a) when respiration is constant in the dark, and (b) when dark respiration has been inhibited either at low pO(2) to eliminate most of the light-induced suppression of dark respiration or at photon flux densities above that required to saturate the light-induced suppression of dark respiration. Significant errors in quantum yields of photosynthesis can result in leaves exhibiting this respiratory behavior if these principles are not followed.

Journal Article↗

Respiration and Alternative Oxidase in Corn Seedling Tissues during Germination at Different Temperatures.

Respiration rates of Zea mays L. seedling tissues grown at 30 and 14 degrees C were measured at 25 degrees C at different stages of seedling growth. Accumulation of heat units was used to define the developmental stages to compare respiration between the two temperatures. At both temperatures, respiration rates of most tissues were highest at the youngest stages, then declined with age. Respiration rates of mesocotyl tissue were the most responsive to temperature, being nearly twofold higher when grown at 14 compared to 30 degrees C. Alternative pathway respiration increased concomitantly with respiration and was higher in mesocotyls grown in the cold. When seedlings were started at 30 then transferred to 14 degrees C, the increase in alternative pathway respiration due to cold was not observed unless the seedlings were transferred before 2 days of growth. Seedlings transferred to 14 degrees C after growth at 30 degrees C for 2 days had the same alternative oxidase capacity as seedlings grown at 30 degrees C. Seedlings grown at 14 degrees C for 10 to 12 days, then transferred to 30 degrees C, lost alternative pathway respiratory capacity over a period of 2 to 3 days. Western blots of mitochondrial proteins indicated that this loss of capacity was due to a loss of the alternative oxidase protein. Some in vitro characteristics of mitochondria were determined. The temperature optimum for measurement of alternative oxidase capacity was 15 to 20 degrees C. At 41 degrees C, very little alternative oxidase was measured, i.e., the mitochondrial oxygen uptake was almost completely sensitive to cyanide. This inactivation at 41 degrees C was reversible. After incubation at 41 degrees C, the alternative oxidase capacity measured at 25 degrees C was the similar to when it was measured at that temperature directly. Isolated mitochondria lost alternative oxidase capacity at the same rate when incubated at 41 degrees C as they did when incubated at 25 degrees C. Increasing the supply of electrons to isolated mitochondria increased the degree of engagement of the alternative pathway, whereas lower temperature decreased the degree of engagement. Lower temperatures did not increase the degree of engagement of the pathway in intact tissues. We interpret these observations to indicate that the greater capacity of alternative oxidase in cold-grown seedlings is a consequence of development at these low temperatures which results in elevated respiration rates. Low temperature itself does not cause greater capacity or engagement of the alternative oxidase in mitochondria that have developed under warm temperatures. Our hypothesis would be that the low growth temperatures require the seedlings to have a higher respiration rate for some reason, e.g., to prevent the accumulation of a toxic metabolite, and that the alternative pathway functions in that respiration.

Journal Article↗

Measuring tree root respiration using (13)C natural abundance: rooting medium matters.

Tree root respiration utilizes a major portion of the primary production in forests and is an important process in the global carbon cycle. Because of the lack of ecologically relevant methods, tree root respiration in situ is much less studied compared with above-ground processes such as photosynthesis and leaf respiration. This study introduces a new (13)C natural tracer method for measuring tree root respiration in situ. The method partitions tree root respiration from soil respiration in buried root chambers. Rooting media substantially influenced root respiration rates. Measured in three media, the fine root respiration rates of longleaf pine were 0.78, 0.27 and 0.18 mg CO(2) carbon mg(-1) root nitrogen d(-1) at 25 degrees C in the native soil, tallgrass prairie soil, and sand-vermiculite mixture, respectively. Compared with the root excision method, the root respiration rate of longleaf pine measured by the field chamber method was 18% higher when using the native soil as rooting medium, was similar in the prairie soil, but was 42% lower if in the sand-vermiculite medium. This natural tracer method allows the use of an appropriate rooting medium and is capable of measuring root respiration nondestructively in natural forest conditions.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Evidence relating cessation of respiration, cell envelope changes, and death in ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli B-r cells.

Ionic and nonionic detergents have little effect on respiring bacteria, but in cultures poisoned with KCN rapid solubilization of the cell membrane, as indicated by turbidity losses, takes place. Ultraviolet radiations cause Escherichia coli cells grown in minimal medium with glycerol as a carbon source to cease respiring and growing about 1 h after irradiation. We tested the effect of the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 on growth and cell membrane dissolution (both measured by turbidity changes), respiration, and viability of unirradiated and irradiated E. coli B/r cells. When the detergent was added to cells immediately after irradiation, a decrease in turbidity occurred only when respiration was about to cease; when it was added after cessation of respiration, the turbidity loss was immediate. In both cases the turbidity loss was about 60%, and disintegration of the cell walls did not take place. 5-Fluorouracil (FU) and thermal (42 C) treatments cause respiration of irradiated cells to be maintained and also cause viability increases. Irradiated cells treated with FU and detergent show no turbidity loss just prior to the time respiration normally ceases, but a loss does occur in irradiated cells incubated with detergent at 42 C. We conclude that FU maintains respiration for all of the cells, but that thermal treatment maintains respiration for only part of the cells. In all cases the detergent had only a negligible effect on the respiration and viability of unirradiated and irradiated cells. We conclude that Triton X-100 causes solubilization of cell membranes of only nonrespiring cells that are not destined to survive.

Anaerobiosis↗

[The temporal variations of soil respiration under different land use in Liupan Mountain forest zone].

The temporal variations of soil respiration under cropland, rangeland, natural secondary forest (brushwood, nature secondary forest dominated by Querces liaotungensis koiz or Populus davidiana dode) and the plantation of larch (13, 18 and 25-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtil mayr) in Liupan Mountain forest zone was studied. It was found that the rate of soil respiration increased with increasing soil temperature during diurnal variation and the highest temperature was from 13:00 o'clock to 15:00 o'clock, the lowest temperature was from 04:00 o'clock and 08:00 o'clock, the variation of soil respiration rate appeared same trend. The daily rate of soil respiration increased from May to October and which was the highest from August to September and declined on October. The diurnal or seasonal variation of soil respiration rate mainly consisted with the diurnal or seasonal variation of soil temperature and its range under cropland or rangeland was greater than which under forestland (natural secondary forest, plantation or brushwood). The highest rate of soil respiration for diurnal or seasonal variation of soil CO2 efflux under cropland or rangeland was higher than which under the forestland, while the lowest rate of soil respiration under cropland or rangeland was lowered than which under forestland. Annual rate of respiration for natural secondary forest, cropland, rangeland and plantation was 3.96-4.51 t/(hm2.a), 1.91 t/(hm2.a), 5.08 t/(hm2.a) and 4.11-5.55 t/(hm2.a) respectively. The results shows that the diurnal or seasonal variation range of soil respiration rate would increase with conversion from natural forests to cropland or rangeland, while which would decrease following afforestation under cropland or rangeland. In addition, the annual respiration rate would also change with change in land use.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Dual effect of amiodarone on mitochondrial respiration. Initial protonophoric uncoupling effect followed by inhibition of the respiratory chain at the levels of complex I and complex II.

The effects of amiodarone on the respiration of isolated mouse liver mitochondria have been determined. Amiodarone (200 microM) had a biphasic effect on state 4 respiration supported by either glutamate plus malate or succinate. Initially, the respiratory rate was increased. This stimulatory effect was not prevented by oligomycin (an inhibitor of ATP synthase). It was associated with marked accumulation of amiodarone in the mitochondria, and with collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. This initial uncoupling effect was followed by a progressive decrease in the state 4 respiration rate, leading eventually to marked inhibition. Preincubation for 5 min with amiodarone (200 microM) also decreased markedly ADP-stimulated (state 3) respiration, ATP production and dinitrophenol-stimulated (uncoupled) respiration supported by glutamate plus malate (which donate electrons to complex I), and respiration supported by succinate (which donate electrons to complex II), but did not affect respiration supported by duroquinol (donating electrons to complex III) or by ascorbate plus N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (donating electrons to cytochrome c). Preincubation with amiodarone (150-200 microM) decreased markedly respiration mediated by fatty acids of various chain length and respiration mediated by citrate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle substrate. We conclude that amiodarone has a dual effect on mitochondrial respiration. The initial uncoupling effect is probably due to the entry of protonated amiodarone, releasing a proton in the matrix. Accumulation of amiodarone soon leads to inhibition of the respiratory chain at the levels of complex I and complex II and to decreased ATP formation.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Respiration and cell volume of primary cultured cerebral astrocytes in media of various osmolarities.

Respiration and cell volume of cerebral astrocytes from primary culture were measured in media of various osmolarities. Respiration was measured in 3T3 fibroblasts under similar conditions. Uncoupled respiration and respiration independent of oxidative phosphorylation were obtained by adding dinitrophenol and oligomycin, respectively. In NaCl media, dinitrophenol-stimulated respiration was inhibited at low and high osmolarities. With increasing osmolarity from 363 to 1185 mOsm, oligomycin-insensitive respiration increased and became the predominant respiratory component. The same respiratory changes in response to altered osmolarity were observed in 3T3 fibroblasts. In astrocytes, the oligomycin-insensitive respiration also increased in hyperosmolar sodium acetate media but was unchanged with increasing osmolarity in choline chloride or sucrose media. The increase in oligomycin-insensitive respiration in hyperosmolar NaCl media was blocked by amiloride, an inhibitor of passive Na+ movement. In contrast to amiloride, ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+, K+-ATPase, inhibited a constant amount of respiration with increasing NaCl concentration. The relationship of astrocyte volume to osmolarity was the same in hyper-osmolar media containing NaCl or sucrose. Cell volumes were greater in hypo-osmolar NaCl than in sucrose media. Our results suggest the presence of a Na+-dependent respiratory component in primary cultured cerebral astrocytes in media of increased osmolarity. This respiratory component is not coupled to oxidative phosphorylation or a Na+-K+-ATPase. It may be important in the proposed physiologic role of the astrocyte in maintaining brain extracellular water content and electrolyte concentrations.

Animals↗

Cholinergic effects on spike-density and burst-duration of medullary respiration-related neurones in the rabbit: an iontophoretic study.

Cholinoceptive properties of 180 medullary respiration-related neurones (RRN) were studied in urethane-anaesthetized rabbits. Acetylcholine (ACh) and agonists, as well as antagonists of muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors, were administered iontophoretically. Respiration-related neurons were classified with respect to the correlation of their activity with the activity of the phrenic nerve: phase-bound inspiratory (I) and expiratory (E) neurones and phase-spanning expiratory-inspiratory and inspiratory-expiratory neurones were discriminated. Acetylcholine altered the activity of 170 respiration-related neurones. In 49 cells the discharge-rate (f) alone was affected. In 44 respiration-related neurones the burst-duration (tbd) only was altered. In 77 respiration-related neurones the discharge rate and burst duration were affected simultaneously. Inhibitory actions of ACh prevailed over excitatory actions on inspiratory neurones. In expiratory neurones the discharge rate was increased or decreased in about the same number of cases. In most phase-spanning neurones the discharge rate was increased. Cholinergic inhibition of burst duration was observed in most respiration-related neurones. In all phase-types of respiration-related neurones muscarinic as well as nicotinic actions of ACh were demonstrated. In inspiratory and expiratory-inspiratory neurones muscarinic effects on the discharge rate prevailed over nicotinic effects. More nicotinic than muscarinic effects on discharge rate were observed in expiratory and inspiratory-expiratory neurones. Cholinergic effects on burst duration in about the same number of respiration-related neurones were mediated by muscarinic or by nicotinic receptors, respectively. Various types of cholinoceptors may be involved in these effects. The results suggest that cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in the control of the central regulation of respiratory movements. The functional significance of cholinergic effects on respiration-related neurones is discussed with special emphasis of effects on burst duration.

Acetylcholine↗

Noninvasive, quantitative respirator fit testing through dynamic pressure measurement.

A new method has been invented for the noninvasive and quantitative determination of fit for a respirator. The test takes a few seconds and requires less expensive instrumentation than presently used for invasive testing. In this test, the breath is held at a negative pressure for a few seconds, and the leak-induced pressure decay inside the respirator cavity is monitored. A dynamic pressure sensor is attached to a modified cartridge of an air-purifying respirator or built into the respirator body or into the air supply line of an air-supplied respirator. The method is noninvasive in that the modified cartridge can be mounted onto any air-purifying respirator. The pressure decay during testing quantifies the airflow entered through the leak site. An equation has been determined which gives the air leakage as a function of pressure decay slope, respirator volume and the pressure differential during actual wear--all of which are determined by the dynamic pressure sensor. Thus, the ratio of air inhaled through the filters or via the air supply line to the leak rate is a measure of respirator fit, independent of aerosol deposition in the lung and aerosol distribution in the respirator cavity as found for quantitative fit testing with aerosols. The new method is shown to be independent of leak and sensor locations. The concentration and distribution of aerosols entered through the leak site is dependent only on the physical dimensions of the leak site and the air velocity in it, which can be determined independently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗

Night temperature has a minimal effect on respiration and growth in rapidly growing plants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Carbon gain depends on efficient photosynthesis and adequate respiration. The effect of temperature on photosynthetic efficiency is well understood. In contrast, the temperature response of respiration is based almost entirely on short-term (hours) measurements in mature organisms to develop Q(10) values for maintenance and whole-plant respiration. These Q(10) values are then used to extrapolate across whole life cycles to predict the influence of temperature on plant growth. METHODS: In this study, night temperature in young, rapidly growing plant communities was altered from 17 to 34 degrees C for up to 20 d. Day temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C. CO(2) gas-exchange was continuously monitored in ten separate chambers to quantify the effect of night-temperature on respiration, photosynthesis and the efficiency of carbon gain (carbon use efficiency). KEY RESULTS: Respiration increased only 20-46 % for each 10 degrees C rise in temperature (total respiratory Q(10) of between 1.2 to about 1.5). This change resulted in only a 2-12 % change in carbon use efficiency, and there was no effect on cumulative carbon gain or dry mass. No acclimation of respiration was observed after 20 d of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that whole-plant respiration of rapidly growing plants has a small sensitivity to temperature, and that the sensitivity does not change among the species tested, even after 20 d of treatment. Finally, the results support respiration models that separate respiration into growth and maintenance components.

Acclimatization↗

Rapid temperature acclimation of leaf respiration rates in Quercus alba and Quercus rubra.

We conducted controlled (chamber) and natural (field) environment experiments on the acclimation of respiration in Quercus alba L. and Quercus rubra L. Three-year-old Louisiana, Indiana and Wisconsin populations of Q. alba were placed in growth chambers and exposed to alternating 5-week periods of cool (20 degrees C mean) and warm (26 degrees C mean) temperatures. We measured respiration rates on fully expanded leaves immediately before and approximately every 2 days after a switch in mean temperature. In a second chamber experiment, 3-year-old potted Q. alba seedlings were exposed to alternating warm (26 degrees C mean) and cool (16 degrees C mean) temperatures at 4-day intervals. Leaf dark respiration rates were measured on days 2, 3 and 4 after each change in temperature. In a third, field-based study, we measured leaf respiration rates in the same three sources of Q. alba and in Arkansas, Indiana and Minnesota sources of Q. rubra before and after a natural 16 degrees C change in mean daily ambient temperature. We observed rapid, significant and similar acclimation of leaf respiration rates in all populations of Q. alba and Q. rubra. Cold-origin populations were no more plastic in their acclimation responses than populations from warmer sites. All geographic sources showed lower respiration rates when measured at 24 degrees C after exposure to higher mean temperatures. Respiration rates decreased 13% with a 6 degrees C increase in mean temperature in the first chamber study, and almost 40% with a 10 degrees C increase in temperature in the second chamber study. Acclimation was rapid in all three studies, occurring after 2 days of exposure to changed temperature regimes. Acclimation was reversible when changes in ambient temperature occurred at 4-day intervals. Respiration response functions, ln(R) = ln(beta0) + beta1T, were statistically different among treatments (cool versus warm, first chamber study) and among sources in a pooled comparison. Pair-wise comparisons indicated statistically significant (P<0.05) differences in cool- versus warm-measured temperature/respiration response functions for Indiana and Wisconsin sources of Q. alba. Log-transformed base respiration rates were significantly lower during periods of higher mean temperatures. Indiana Q. alba showed a significantly higher beta1 when plants were grown at 16 degrees C than when grown at 26 degrees C. Acclimation in Q. alba was unaccompanied by changes in leaf nitrogen concentration, but was associated with a change in leaf total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration. Total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration was slightly, but statistically, lower (13.6 versus 12%, P<0.05) after a 10 degrees C increase in temperature.

Acclimatization↗

Role of UCP3 in state 4 respiration during contractile activity-induced mitochondrial biogenesis.

In an effort to better characterize uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) function in skeletal muscle, we assessed basal UCP3 protein content in rat intermyofibrillar (IMF) and subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondrial subfractions in conjunction with measurements of state 4 respiration. UCP3 content was 1.3-fold (P < 0.05) greater in IMF compared with SS mitochondria. State 4 respiration was 2.6-fold greater (P < 0.05) in the IMF subfraction than in SS mitochondria. GDP attenuated state 4 respiration by approximately 40% (P < 0.05) in both subfractions. The UCP3 activator oleic acid (OA) significantly increased state 4 respiration in IMF mitochondria only. We used chronic electrical stimulation (3 h/day for 7 days) to investigate the relationship between changes in UCP3 protein expression and alterations in state 4 respiration during contractile activity-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. UCP3 content was increased by 1.9- and 2.3-fold in IMF and SS mitochondria, respectively, which exceeded the concurrent 40% (P < 0.05) increase in cytochrome-c oxidase activity. Chronic contractile activity increased state 4 respiration by 1.4-fold (P < 0.05) in IMF mitochondria, but no effect was observed in the SS subfraction. The uncoupling function of UCP3 accounted for 50-57% of the OA-induced increase in state 4 respiration in IMF mitochondria, which was independent of the induced twofold difference in UCP3 content due to chronic contractile activity. Thus modifications in UCP3 function are more important than changes in UCP3 expression in modifying state 4 respiration. This effect is evident in IMF but not SS mitochondria. We conclude that UCP3 at physiological concentrations accounts for a significant portion of state 4 respiration in both IMF and SS mitochondria, with the contribution being greater in the IMF subfraction. In addition, the contradiction between human and rat training studies with respect to UCP3 protein expression may partly be explained by the greater than twofold difference in mitochondrial UCP3 content between rat and human skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

The effectiveness of respirators measured during styrene exposure in a plastic boat factory.

In a plastic boat company we studied workers' attitudes toward wearing respiratory protective equipment and differences in styrene exposure received with and without respirators. The workers studied used either half-facepiece air-purifying or full-face air-supplied respirators as much as possible during the first day of the study. On the second day respirators were used only for short periods or not at all. Individual styrene exposures were measured by personal air sampling in the breathing zone. When using respirators the exposure was measured both inside and outside the respirators. The styrene metabolites mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids were determined in urine samples collected during the workday. The eleven workers studied used the respirators 52% of the time on the first day and 7% of the time on the second. The reasons for not wearing respirators were that they delayed work, were too tight and uncomfortable, made it difficult to breath, and/or became too warm. The use of respirators during work operations such as spraying, laminating, and painting reduced the styrene exposure by 56%-92%. The excretion rate of mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids in urine collected at the end of the working day was 30%-99% lower when respirators were worn than when they were not.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗