Keratinocytes at the uppermost layer of epidermis might act as sensors of atmospheric pressure change
AbstractIt has long been suggested that climate, especially atmospheric pressure change, can cause health problems ranging from migraine to myocardial infarction. Here, I hypothesize that the sensory system of epidermal keratinocytes mediates the influence of atmospheric pressure change on the human physiological condition. We previously demonstrated that even subtle changes of atmospheric pressure (5 –20 hPa) induce elevation of intracellular calcium level in cultured human keratinocytes (excitation of keratinocytes). It is also established that communication occurs between epidermal keratinocytes and peripheral nerve ...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - October 6, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
High altitude-related hypertensive crisis and acute kidney injury in an asymptomatic healthy individual
ConclusionThis report challenges the view that transient rises in blood pressure at altitude are without immediate risk. We review the evidence that altitude induces hypertension and discuss the implications for the management of hypertension at altitude. (Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine)
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - September 14, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Exercise in space: the European Space Agency approach to in-flight exercise countermeasures for long-duration missions on ISS
ConclusionIncreased or unchanged absolute exercise workloads in-flight would appear contradictory to typical post-flight reductions in muscle mass and strength, and cardiovascular capacity following LDMs. However, increased absolute in-flight workloads are not directly linked to changes in exercise capacity as they likely also reflect the planned, conservative loading early in the mission to allow adaption to µG exercise, including personal comfort issues with novel exercise hardware (e.g. the treadmill harness). Inconsistency in hardware and individualised support concepts across time limit the comparability of results f...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - August 2, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Chronic occupational exposures can influence the rate of PTSD and depressive disorders in first responders and military personnel
AbstractBackgroundFirst responders and military personnel experience rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) far in excess of the general population. Although exposure to acute traumatic events plays a role in the genesis of these disorders, in this review, we present an argument that the occupational and environmental conditions where these workers operate are also likely contributors.Presentation of the hypothesisFirst responders and military personnel face occupational exposures that have been associated with altered immune and inflammatory activity. In turn, these physiological responses are linked to altered mo...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - July 15, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Chronic occupational exposures can influence the rate of PTSD and depressive disorders in first responders and military personnel
Abstract
Background
First responders and military personnel experience rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) far in excess of the general population. Although exposure to acute traumatic events plays a role in the genesis of these disorders, in this review, we present an argument that the occupational and environmental conditions where these workers operate are also likely contributors.
Presentation of the hypothesis
First responders and military personnel face occu...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - July 14, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Psychological factors in exceptional, extreme and torturous environments
AbstractOur cognitive system has adapted to support goal-directed behaviour within a normal environment. An abnormal environment is one to which we are not optimally adapted but can accommodate through the development of coping strategies. These abnormal environments can be ‘exceptional’, e.g., polar base, space station, submarine, prison, intensive care unit, isolation ward etc.; ‘extreme’, marked by more intense environmental stimuli and a real or perceived lack of control over the situation, e.g., surviving at sea in a life-raft, harsh prison camp etc.; or ‘ tortuous’, when specific environmental stimuli are...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - June 1, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Psychological factors in exceptional, extreme and torturous environments
Abstract
Our cognitive system has adapted to support goal-directed behaviour within a normal environment. An abnormal environment is one to which we are not optimally adapted but can accommodate through the development of coping strategies. These abnormal environments can be ‘exceptional’, e.g., polar base, space station, submarine, prison, intensive care unit, isolation ward etc.; ‘extreme’, marked by more intense environmental stimuli and a real or perceived lack of control over the situation, e.g., surviving at sea in a life-raft, harsh prison camp etc.; or ‘tortuous’, when specific envir...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - May 31, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Moving in extreme environments: extreme loading; carriage versus distance
AbstractThis review addresses human capacity for movement in the context of extreme loading and with it the combined effects of metabolic, biomechanical and gravitational stress on the human body. This topic encompasses extreme duration, as occurs in ultra-endurance competitions (e.g. adventure racing and transcontinental races) and expeditions (e.g. polar crossings), to the more gravitationally limited load carriage (e.g. in the military context). Juxtaposed to these circumstances is the extreme metabolic and mechanical unloading associated with space travel, prolonged bedrest and sedentary lifestyle, which may be at leas...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - April 22, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Moving in extreme environments: extreme loading; carriage versus distance
Abstract
This review addresses human capacity for movement in the context of extreme loading and with it the combined effects of metabolic, biomechanical and gravitational stress on the human body. This topic encompasses extreme duration, as occurs in ultra-endurance competitions (e.g. adventure racing and transcontinental races) and expeditions (e.g. polar crossings), to the more gravitationally limited load carriage (e.g. in the military context). Juxtaposed to these circumstances is the extreme metabolic and mechanical unloading associated with space travel, prolonged bedrest and sedentary lifestyle,...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - April 21, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
‘Blood doping’ from Armstrong to prehabilitation: manipulation of blood to improve performance in athletes and physiological reserve in patients
AbstractHaemoglobin is the blood ’s oxygen carrying pigment and is encapsulated in red blood corpuscles. The concentration of haemoglobin in blood is dependent on both its total mass in the circulation (tHb-mass) and the total plasma volume in which it is suspended. Aerobic capacity is defined as the maximum amount of oxygen that can be consumed by the body per unit time and is one measure of physical fitness. Observations in athletes who have undergone blood doping or manipulation have revealed a closer relationship between physical fitness (aerobic capacity) and total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) than with haemoglobin con...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - February 29, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
‘Blood doping’ from Armstrong to prehabilitation: manipulation of blood to improve performance in athletes and physiological reserve in patients
AbstractHaemoglobin is the blood ’s oxygen carrying pigment and is encapsulated in red blood corpuscles. The concentration of haemoglobin in blood is dependent on both its total mass in the circulation (tHb-mass) and the total plasma volume in which it is suspended. Aerobic capacity is defined as the maximum amount of oxygen that can be consumed by the body per unit time and is one measure of physical fitness. Observations in athletes who have undergone blood doping or manipulation have revealed a closer relationship between physical fitness (aerobic capacity) and total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) than with haemoglobin c...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - February 29, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
‘Blood doping’ from Armstrong to prehabilitation: manipulation of blood to improve performance in athletes and physiological reserve in patients
Abstract
Haemoglobin is the blood’s oxygen carrying pigment and is encapsulated in red blood corpuscles. The concentration of haemoglobin in blood is dependent on both its total mass in the circulation (tHb-mass) and the total plasma volume in which it is suspended. Aerobic capacity is defined as the maximum amount of oxygen that can be consumed by the body per unit time and is one measure of physical fitness. Observations in athletes who have undergone blood doping or manipulation have revealed a closer relationship between physical fitness (aerobic capacity) and total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) tha...
Source: Extreme Physiology and Medicine - February 29, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
