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1.
[Hypothermia, chilblain and frostbite].
Yanagisawa, H
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine. 2013;(6):1074-8
Abstract
Many factors such as the environmental conditions (temperature and humidity etc.), a nutritional status, the degree of fatigue, a moisturizing state of the body, clothes, the sensitivity to coldness are involved in an outbreak of hypothermia. Children, aged persons and the presence of an underlying disease are also risk factors related to the occurrence of hypothermia. The dysfunction of the respiratory system, the circulatory system and the central nervous system is caused by a decrease in body temperature. Finally, death is brought about at 25 degrees C of body temperature or lower. Frostbite develops when tissue is exposed to -4 degrees C of coldness or lower. The extent of injury is determined by the magnitude of coldness.
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2.
Adaptive dimensions of health research among indigenous Siberians.
Snodgrass, JJ, Sorensen, MV, Tarskaia, LA, Leonard, WR
American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council. 2007;(2):165-80
Abstract
Present evidence suggests that modern humans were the first hominid species to successfully colonize high-latitude environments (> or =55 degrees N). Given evidence for a recent (<200,000 years) lower latitude naissance of modern humans, the global dispersal and successful settlement of arctic and subarctic regions represent an unprecedented adaptive shift. This adaptive shift, which included cultural, behavioral, and biological dimensions, allowed human populations to cope with the myriad environmental stressors encountered in circumpolar regions. Although unique morphological and physiological adaptations among contemporary northern residents have been recognized for decades, human biologists are only now beginning to consider whether biological adaptations to regional environmental conditions influence health changes associated with economic modernization and lifestyle change. Recent studies have documented basal metabolic rates (BMRs) among indigenous Siberian populations that are systematically elevated compared to lower latitude groups; this metabolic elevation apparently is a physiological adaptation to cold stress experienced in the circumpolar environment. Important health implications of metabolic adaptation are suggested by research with the Yakut (Sakha), Evenki, and Buriat of Siberia. BMR is significantly positively correlated with blood pressure, independently of body size, body composition, and various potentially confounding variables (e.g., age and smoking). Further, this research has documented a significant negative association between BMR and LDL cholesterol, which remains after controlling for potential confounders; this suggests that high metabolic turnover among indigenous Siberians has a protective effect with regard to plasma lipid levels. These results underscore the importance of incorporating an evolutionary approach into health research among northern populations.
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3.
Cold urticaria and infectious mononucleosis in children.
Morais-Almeida, M, Marinho, S, Gaspar, A, Arêde, C, Loureiro, V, Rosado-Pinto, J
Allergologia et immunopathologia. 2004;(6):368-71
Abstract
Physical urticaria includes a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the development of urticarial lesions and/or angioedema after exposure to certain physical stimuli. The authors present the case of a child with severe acquired cold urticaria secondary to infectious mononucleosis. Avoidance of exposure to cold was recommended; prophylactic treatment with ketotifen and cetirizine was begun and a self-administered epinephrine kit was prescribed. The results of ice cube test and symptoms significantly improved. Physical urticaria, which involves complex pathogenesis, clinical course and therapy, may be potentially life threatening. Evaluation and diagnosis are especially important in children. To our knowledge this is the first description of persistent severe cold-induced urticaria associated with infectious mononucleosis in a child.
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4.
[Cold-induced urticaria].
Delorme, N, Drouet, M, Thibaudeau, A, Verret, JL
Allergie et immunologie. 2002;(7):255-8
Abstract
Cold urticaria is characterized by the development of urticaria, usually superficial and/or angioedematous reaction after cold contact. It was found predominantly in young women. The diagnosis is based on the history and ice cube test. Patients with a negative ice cube test may have represented systemic cold urticaria (atypical acquired cold urticaria) induced by general body cooling. The pathogenesis is poorly understood. Cold urticaria can be classified into acquired and familial disorders, with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Idiopathic cold urticaria is most common type but the research of a cryopathy is necessary. Therapy is often difficult. It is essential that the patient be warned of the dangers of swimming in cold water because systemic hypotension can occur. H1 antihistamines can be used for treatment of cold urticaria but the clinical responses are highly variable. The combination with an H2 antagonists is more effective. Doxepin may be useful in the treatment. Leukotriene receptor antagonists may be a novel, promising drug entity. In patients who do not respond to previous treatments, induction of cold tolerance may be tried.
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5.
[Sports and extreme conditions. Cardiovascular incidence in long term exertion and extreme temperatures (heat, cold)].
Melin, B, Savourey, G
La Revue du praticien. 2001;(12 Suppl):S28-30
Abstract
During ultra-endurance exercise, both increase in body temperature and dehydration due to sweat losses, lead to a decrease in central blood volume. The heart rate drift allows maintaining appropriate cardiac output, in order to satisfy both muscle perfusion and heat transfer requirements by increasing skin blood flow. The resulting dehydration can impair thermal regulation and increase the risks of serious accidents as heat stroke. Endurance events, lasting more than 8 hours, result in large sweat sodium chloride losses. Thus, ingestion of large amounts of water with poor salt intake can induce symptomatic hyponatremia (plasma sodium < 130 mEq/L) which is also a serious accident. Heat environment increases the thermal constraint and when the air humidity is high, evaporation of sweat is compromise. Thus, thermal stress becomes uncompensable which increases the risk of cardiovascular collapse. Cold exposure induces physiological responses to maintain internal temperature by both limiting thermal losses and increasing metabolic heat production. Cold can induce accidental hypothermia and local frost-bites; moreover, it increases the risk of arrhythmia during exercise. Some guidelines (cardiovascular fitness, water and electrolyte intakes, protective clothing) are given for each extreme condition.
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6.
Mental and cognitive performance in the cold.
Palinkas, LA
International journal of circumpolar health. 2001;(3):430-9
Abstract
Vigilance, attention, memory, and motivation are essential to adapting to the physiological changes that occur with prolonged exposure to the cold and to avoiding both the environmental hazards associated with cold and the health-related consequences of these hazards. This paper summarizes the effects of cold temperatures on cognitive performance and mood. Although the effects of hypothermic-induced cold temperatures on cognitive performance and mood have been well documented, evidence of nonhypothermic effects has been inconsistent. There is evidence of a dose-response relation involving decrements in cognitive performance with respect to decline in core body temperature and complexity of tasks performed. However, it is unclear whether these effects are due to distraction or increased arousal. Likewise, further research is required to test the efficacy of existing and proposed pharmacologic and nutritional countermeasures.
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7.
[Myocardial infarction caused by cold beverage drinking after strenuous physical exercise].
García Rubí, DE, Kúsulas Cerón, C, Santiago Quintos, AM, Cervantes Martínez, A, Orihuela Rodríguez, O
Archivos del Instituto de Cardiologia de Mexico. 2000;(5):481-5
Abstract
A case of acute myocardial infarction in a 36 years old patient is presented. Maleness was male, as the only mayor coronary risk factor. He had myocardial infarction associated with ingestion of cold beverage after strenuous physical exercise. A coronariographic study was done postmyocardial infarction, which showed a mild obstruction of the LAD. The most likely cause of the coronary event in this case is coronary spasm and atherosclerosis. A review of the literature on this subject is made.