Bathing before sleep in the young and in the elderly.

In this study we investigated the effects of bathing on the quality of sleep in 30 elderly people (ages 65-83 years) and in 30 young people (ages 17-22 years) in their homes. Room temperature did not vary significantly during the nights that data were acquired, ranging from 8 to 12 degrees C. After bathing and at the beginning of sleep, the mean (SE) rectal temperatures of the young and the elderly were 37.8 (0.08) and 37.5 (0.07) degrees C, respectively, and were higher by 0.7 (0.13) and 0.6 (0.07) degrees C, respectively, than when the subjects had not bathed. At the beginning of the sleep after bathing in the young subjects, skin temperature was 32.5 (0.24) and 1.5 (0.34) degrees C higher than when those subjects had not bathed. In the elderly, however, there were no significant differences in skin temperature with and without prior bathing because they used electric blankets during sleep. After bathing, the young people reported "warmth" in their hands and/or legs, while the elderly more often reported "good sleep" or "quickness of falling asleep". During the first 3 h of sleep, body movements were less frequent after bathing for both the young and the elderly subjects. The results suggest that a bath before sleep enhances the quality of sleep, particularly in the elderly.

Physiological responses of men and women during exercise in hot environments with equivalent WBGT.

Eight Japanese men and women participated in this study. They were randomly exposed to two environments: hot-dry; HD (Ta = 40 degrees C, rh 30%, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) = 32 degrees C) and hot-wet; HW (Ta = 31 degrees C, rh = 80%, WBGT = 32 degrees C) for 110 min. During the exposure, they rested on a bicycle ergometer for 20 min during rest and 30 min during recovery, then they pedaled it with an intensity of 40% VO2 max for 60 min. Tre, Tsk, and HR were recorded every minute. Total sweat loss and dripping were measured by independent bed balances which was connected to a computer processing with an accuracy of 1 g throughout the experiment. Sweat sodium concentration at forearm and back sites were collected by sweat capsule technique. These results showed that delta Tre, Tsk, evaporated sweat, dripping sweat, body heat storage of both sexes in HD were significantly higher than these in HW during exercise. HR of men in HD at the end of recovery was slightly higher than that of women. Whereas the sweat sodium concentration at forearm and back sites in both sexes remained unchanged either in HD or HW environment, it was found that HD was more stressful than HW environment under equivalent WBGT.

Physiological responses of women during exercise under dry-heat condition in winter and summer.

Fourteen young Japanese women were exposed to a dry-heat condition (Ta = 40 degrees C, rh = 30%) both in winter and summer. During an exposure for 110 min, they were rested on a bicycle ergometer for 20 min, exercised with an intensity of 40% Vo2 max for 60 min and recovery for 30 min. Their rectal and skin temperatures, and heart rate were determined every minute. Total sweat loss and dripping sweat were recorded throughout the experiment by independent bed balances which connected to a computer processor with an accuracy of 1 g. Sweat capsule with filter paper was used to measure sodium concentration on the forearm and back sites. Rectal temperature was not significantly different between winter and summer. Mean skin temperature was significantly higher in summer than in winter during exercise while heart rate was significantly lower in summer than in winter. Sweat evaporation and dripping in summer showed a tendency to increase much more than these in winter, but there were not significantly different. Sweat sodium concentration were significantly lower in summer than that in winter. It was found that sweating responses were not influenced by seasonal variation during exercise in dry-heat except the sweat sodium concentration.

Effects of the thermal conditions of the dressing room and bathroom on physiological responses during bathing.

The effects of the thermal conditions of the dressing room and bathroom on the physiological responses during bathing were assessed. Six female students participated in this experiment. Three climate chambers were used as a living room, a dressing room and a bathroom. The living room was thermoneutral and maintained at 25 degrees C, while the thermal conditions of the dressing room and bathroom were as follows: (A) cold (10 degrees C), (B) cool (17.5 degrees C) thermoneutral (25 degrees C). The subjects wore standard clothing (0.65 clo). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, rectal (Tre) and skin temperature, and subjective thermal sensation were recorded. 1) Marked increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) after undressing and redressing in the dressing room and during washing were observed under the cold conditions. 2) A significant negative correlation was found between the dressing room temperature and increased SBP compared to before bathing (r = -0.684, p < 0.01, n = 18). 3) After exposure, mean skin temperature (Tsk) showed marked differences among the three conditions despite the rest taken under the same thermal conditions. 4) A significant negative correlation was found between Tsk and the increase in SBP of after undressing relative to that before bathing (r = -0.695 p < 0.01, n = 18). These findings suggested that 25 degrees C was the most appropriate temperature for the bathroom and dressing room, since the increase in blood pressure was minimum and subjective thermal sensation was neutral (neither cool nor warm) to warm under this thermal condition, and 17.5 degrees C at which the increase in blood pressure was within the physiological fluctuation range (+/- 10 mmHg) is the minimum tolerable temperature.

Physiological and subjective responses to standing showers, sitting showers, and sink baths.

The purpose of this study was to investigate physiological and subjective responses during and after bathing in three different bathing methods. Eight healthy males bathed for 10 minutes, and then rested for 30 minutes. Three kinds of bathing methods - standing shower, sitting shower and sink bath - were adopted in this experiment. Water temperature and flow volume of the showers were kept at 41 degrees C and 11 liter/min, while water temperature of the bath was kept at 40 degrees C. Rectal temperature, skin temperatures and heart rate of the subjects were measured continuously during bathing and the subsequent 30-minute rest. Blood pressure and votes for thermal sensations were recorded before bathing, after 5 and 10 minutes of bathing, and 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after bathing. The following results were obtained. 1) Although rectal temperature rose, on the average, by 0.15 degrees C in all bathing methods, there were no significant differences among the three bathing methods at any time in the experiment. 2) Mean skin temperature (Tsk) during the sink bath was significantly higher than that in the standing or sitting shower. After bathing, Tsk of sink bath was slightly higher than those of the remaining conditions, but did not significantly differ among the bathing methods. 3) Heart rate increased gradually during all the bathing methods, however, only HR in the standing shower exceeded 100 beats/min which was significantly higher than those of the two remaining bathing methods. 4) Blood pressure (BP) decreased rapidly during the sink bath in contrast to an increased BP in the sitting and standing showers.

Thermal conditions in the bathroom in winter and summer, and physiological responses of the elderly during bathing.

Thermal conditions in the bathroom and physiological responses were examined during winter and summer. The subjects were 22 male and 20 female elderly people, between 65 and 88 years old living in 25 houses in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and thermal sensation were measured during bathing. Changes in thermal sensation due to bathing were assessed in the living room and dressing room on a 9-point scale. Then they were asked about the purposes of bathing and the facilities of bathroom and dressing room. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The purpose of bathing in winter was to warm up for more than 80% of the subjects. In summer, all subjects felt refreshed by bathing. Eighty-five percent of the subjects took a bath every other day in both seasons. 2. Fifty-two percent of the bathrooms had no ventilating fans and 32% had no exclusive dressing rooms. 3. The average room temperature in the dressing rooms was 13-14 degrees C in winter. Thermal sensation was 'cool', 'slightly cold' or 'cold' for more than two-thirds of the subjects when they were partially nude, and there were no heaters in most dressing rooms. 4. The heart rate increased steadily, and reached a maximum value in a partially dressed condition in both seasons. 5. In winter, a marked increase of systolic blood pressure was observed in the partially nude condition. There was a significant difference between the before bathing condition and partially nude condition in winter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of repeated exposures to severely cold environments on thermal responses of humans.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different exposure rates on thermal responses with the total cold exposure time the same under each of the conditions. After resting in a warm room (25 degrees C) for 10 minutes, six male students wearing standard cold protective clothing entered an adjoining cold room (-25 degrees C). Each 5-, 10- and 20-minute cold exposure was repeated 12, 6 and 3 times, respectively. Each cold exposure was followed by a similar duration of rest at 25 degrees C. Total cold exposure time was the same under the three conditions. Rectal temperature, skin temperatures, blood pressure, 17-hydroxycoyticoids (OHCS), counting task and subjective responses were measured. At the end of the cold exposure skin temperatures in the shorter exposures were higher than those in the other conditions, except on the foot. Discomfort due to cold was less in the shorter exposures and manifestation of discomfort was delayed. However, there were no differences among the three conditions in the fall of rectal temperature and urinary excretion of 17-OHCS, which are good indices of cold stress. Moreover, increase in blood pressure and decrease in counting task due to cold were not different among the three conditions. Even though the cold exposure time for each stay was short, when cold exposures were repeated frequently, cold stress of the whole body and decrease in manual task performance were the same as in the longer cold exposure.

Body movements of the elderly during sleep and thermal conditions in bedrooms in summer.

The frequency of body movement in the elderly and young people during sleep was measured in order to investigate the effect of hot thermal environments on sleep in summer. Simultaneously, room temperature and humidity were also measured. In the morning after measuring body movements, the subjects completed a questionnaire about their night's sleep. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The time of going to bed and rising in the elderly was significantly earlier than the young. 2) The elderly had a tendency to judge their sleep as "good", however, there were no significant differences between the two groups. 3) The room temperature for the elderly during sleep ranged from 25 to 28 degrees C (mean 26.5 degrees C). On the other hand, it was between 20 and 30 degrees C (mean 27.1 degrees C) in the young, which was significantly higher than that of the elderly. 4) Body movement in the elderly during sleep was significantly greater than those in the young. 5) A significant relation between body movement and room temperature was found within each group. Under conditions of less than 28 degrees C of room temperature, there were significantly higher rates of body movement in the elderly.

Thermal responses of 6- to 8-year-old children during immersion of their legs in a hot water bath.

Twenty-three children (12 boys and 11 girls) and 13 female students served as the subjects in summer. The children were from six to eight years old. The subjects were seated in a hot room of 30 degrees C and their legs were immersed in bath water of 42 degrees C for 30 minutes. Total sweat rate, local sweat rate on the back, rectal temperature, skin temperatures at eight sites, heart rate and blood pressure were measured during the experiments. Total sweat rate of both groups was similar, but local sweat rates of the children were significantly smaller than those of the students. Although the degree of increase in rectal temperature from immersion in the hot bath were similar, the increases of heart rate and skin temperatures on the thigh and forearm were greater in children. These results suggest that the thermoregulatory ability of children during heat exposure is similar to that of young female adults. However, it is found that for heat loss, children resort more to vasodilation than sweating during heat exposure as compared to adults. The children were divided into two groups according to whether the children were exposed to air cooling systems in summer in their infancy or not. There was no significant inter-group differences in physiological responses during immersion in the hot water bath. It is found that the ability of Japanese children to tolerate heat was not reduced distinctly by the frequent use of an air cooling system in infancy.

Thermoregulation during heat exposure of young children compared to their mothers.

The study was conducted to investigate the thermoregulation of young children compared to that of adults. A group of 19 children (ages 9 months-4.5 years), with only 3 children aged 3 years or above, and 16 adults first rested in a thermoneutral room (air temperature 25 degrees C relative humidity 50%, air velocity 0.2 m.s(-1)). They were then exposed to a hot room (air temperature 35 degrees C, relative humidity 70%, air velocity 0.3 m.s(-1)) next door for 30 min, and then returned to the thermoneutral room where they stayed for a further 30 min. The rectal temperature (Tre), skin temperatures (Tsk) at seven sites, heart rate (HR), total sweat rate (Msw,t), local sweat rate (Msw,l) and the Na+ concentration of the sweat were measured. There was no significant difference in Tre between the children and their mothers in the rest phase. However, the Tre of the children increased as soon as they entered the hot room and was significantly higher than during the control period, and than that of the mothers during heat exposure. Mean Tsk, forehead, abdomen and instep Tsk were significantly higher in the children during both the thermoneutral and heat exposure. The Msw,t was significantly higher and Na+ concentrations in the sweat on the back and upperarm were significantly lower for the children during the heat exposure. They had a greater body surface area-to-mass ratio than the mothers by 64%, which indicated that they had advantages for thermal regulation. However, the sweating and Tsk responses of the children were not enough to prevent a rise in body temperature. These results would suggest that the young children had the disadvantage of heating up easily due to their smaller body sizes and there may be maturation-related differences in thermoregulation during the heat exposure between young children and mothers.

Thermal responses affected by different underwear materials during light exercise and rest in cold.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of two types of underwear materials on thermophysiological responses during rest and light exercise. Two differently moisture-regaining underwear materials were tested: 100% cotton (COTTON) and 100% acrylic (ORLON). Nine female subjects participated in the experiments at an ambient temperature of -10 degrees C. The experiment comprised a 20-min of rest, a 40-min of walking exercise (6 km/h) and a 40-min of recovery. No significant differences could be found in the average values of core temperature, skin and clothing temperatures, amount of non-evaporated and evaporated sweat or subjective ratings of thermal sensations within the two different underwear ensembles. The amount of sweat accumulated into the underwear was very low (3 +/- 1g) and (5 +/- 3g) (mean +/- SE) in COTTON and ORLON, respectively. In both ensembles moisture was transferred towards outer layers of the clothing where the amount of moisture correlated significantly with the total sweat production. In a heavily sweating individual, however, the properties of COTTON underwear, such as wicking ability and high moisture regain, became apparent (accumulated sweat 71g) compared to ORLON (46g). It is concluded that the underwear materials have no significant influence on the thermophysiological responses or subjective sensations under the conditions studied, especially when the sweat rate is low. On the other hand, in individuals with a higher sweating rate the differences between materials may become evident even during light exercise.

The effects of variation in body temperature on the preferred water temperature and flow rate during showering.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body temperature variations on subjects' preferred water temperature and flow rate during showers. Nine healthy women students took a shower before and after physical exercise (running on a treadmill for 30 min) and water immersion (immersing in the water of 25 degrees C temperature for 30 min). During each shower, the subject was instructed to adjust both the water temperature and flow rate of a shower to suit their comfort. Rectal temperature and skin temperatures of the subjects, water temperature, and flow rate of the shower were measured during the experiments. The means of preferred water temperature during showers were 40.2 degrees C and 43.8 degrees C before and after water immersion respectively, which were significantly different. On the other hand, there was little difference in the preferred water temperature between before and after the treadmill exercise. There were no significant differences in the flow rates between before and after both water immersion and the treadmill exercise. A significant negative relationship was observed between the mean body temperature (Tb) and the preferred water temperature during showers (r = -0.439). On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between Tb and the preferred flow rate. Moreover, a significant negative relationship was observed between the preferred water temperature and the flow rate during showers (r = -0.528).

Physiological strains in hot-humid conditions while wearing disposable protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry.

The purpose of this study is to investigate workers' responses to work in hot-humid conditions while wearing protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry, and to evaluate the effects of resting between work bouts in a cool environment on the physiological strain. Seven male students wearing impermeable protective clothing and air masks were exposed to the following conditions for 100 min on separate days: (1) hot conditions (35 degrees C/85%RH), (2) cool conditions (20 degrees C/85%RH), and (3) hot/cool conditions (working in hot conditions and resting in cool conditions). After 12 min rest, the subjects worked on an ergometer (70 Watts) for 18 min. This experimental schedule was repeated three times under each environmental condition. Rectal temperature (Tre), heart rate (HR), sweat rate (SR) and discomfort sensation were recorded. Two of the subjects were not able to complete the experiment in hot conditions. The increases in Tre and HR with time were not found in cool conditions. Although Tre increased in hot/cool conditions, it was almost half of that in hot conditions. Since HR did not return to the pre-work level during recovery in hot conditions, HR during work was accompanied by increases in HR at pre-work. HR during work in hot/cool conditions was higher than that in cool conditions, HR at pre-work, however, was almost the same as that in cool conditions because of rapid recovery. The means of SR in hot and hot/cool conditions were five and four times greater than that in cool conditions, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Health effects of ultraviolet radiation].

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) occurs from both natural and artificial sources. The main natural source is the sun. On the other hand, artificial UVR sources are widely used in industry and also used in hospitals, laboratories, etc. because of their germicidal properties. They are even used for cosmetic purposes. UVR can be classified into three regions according to its wavelength: as UVA (320-400nm), UVB (320-280nm) and UVC (280-200nm). The UVC has the greatest health effect on humans among the three. The sun radiates a wide range of spectrum of electromagnetic radiation including the UVR, however the radiation below 290 nm in wavelength does not reach the surface of the earth for effective absorption by the stratospheric ozone layer. As a result, UVR from a natural source consists of only UVA and a part of UVB. On the other hand, artificial UVR sources include UVC region and have serious effects on the human body, especially on the skin and eyes. The health effects of UVR on humans can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the amount and form of UVR, as well as on the skin type of the individual exposed. It has been acknowledged that a long period of UVR deficiency may have harmful effects on the human body, such as the development of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children due to a disturbance in the phosphorus and calcium metabolism. Appropriate measures to increase the amount of exposure to UVR, especially to UVB radiation by the use of sun bathing, the exposure to artificial UVR sources, etc. have shown to prevent disease states caused by UVR deficiency. The harmful effects of UVR consist of erythema, sunburn, photodamage (photoaging), photocarcinogenesis, damage to the eyes, alteration of the immune system of the skin, and chemical hypersensitivity. Skin cancer is commonly produced by UVR. In this review, various states of UV from solar radiation and the degree of exposure to UVR are introduced. The benefits and harmful health effects of UVR are discussed in relation to the skin type of humans. The measures of protection from UVR, such as sunscreen preparations, protective clothing against UVR, etc. are also introduced.

[A survey on physiological strains of asbestos abatement work wearing protective clothing in summer].

Since the health hazard of asbestos fibers has been widely recognized, the number of asbestos abatement projects in schools has increased rapidly. Most of these projects were planned during summer vacation from school. However, in Japan, it is hot and humid in summer. Moreover, the workers have to wear impermeable protective clothing because of the asbestos exposure risk. The purpose of this survey is to study the workload of asbestos abatement work by measuring physiological reactions. Physiological strains of 12 male workers and working conditions during asbestos abatements work in two schools were measured in August in 1988 and in 1989. Body weight loss by the work of all workers was measured, and heart rate, rectal temperature and skin temperatures at five sites of some of them were measured every minute. In both workplaces, the workers wore disposable coveralls with hoods and shoes covers and protective masks. Air temperature in the workplaces was between 24.6 degrees C and 28.8 degrees C, and air humidity was between 85% and 96%. The high humidity was result of covering the floor, ceiling and wall of the workplaces were covered with vinyl seats, and sprinkling the asbestos fibers with water to lower the amount of asbestos in the air. Working hours of asbestos abatement were between 46 minutes and 95 minutes. Sweat rates were between 217 g/h and 605 g/h. These values were greater compared to the estimate values when work was done wearing commonly used light clothing. Heart rates during asbestos abatement work did not exceed 150 beats/min in one school where the temperature was 25 degrees C-27 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis after high-dose corticosteroid therapy in multiple myeloma].

A number of different combination regimens including high-dose corticosteroids (HDCS) have been widely used in an attempt to achieve better results for relapsed or alkylating agent-resistant multiple myeloma (MM). A major complication of these regimens is commonly said to be infection. In addition, we have had occasion to point out that a rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis can be one of serious complications of HDCS therapy in MM. The patient, born in 1940, was diagnosed of having Bence Jones (BJ) type MM in 1987. The conventional therapy including alkylating agents and interferon-alpha induced a partial remission of 22 months' duration. After the relapse, 2 courses of vincristine, adriamycin plus high-dose dexamethasone resulted in a reduction of the excreted amount of urinary BJ proteins with symptomatic improvement. However, the following clinical features indicating systemic amyloidosis occurred in succession within 2 months after beginning the therapy: submandibular swelling, giant tongue, shoulder pad sign, carpal tunnel syndrome, low voltage on ECG and recurrent diarrhea. The biopsy specimens from the submandibular gland revealed amyloid deposition. In the present case, a rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis is supposed to be attributable to the HDCS therapy. The possible mechanism of enhancement of amyloidosis by HDCS therapy is discussed.

[An autopsy case of primary cutaneous plasmacytoma].

An autopsy case of primary cutaneous plasmacytoma with very unusual extensive skin involvement resulting in death 9 months later, was reported. A 75-year-old female was admitted to our hospital in November, 1985 because of an enlarging skin nodule on the right neck of 5 month's duration. The nodule was a 5 x 7 x 4-cm, firm and mobile mass. Light- and electron-microscopic studies of its biopsy specimen revealed a cutaneous plasmacytoma which was composed of dense aggregates of plasma cells. Cytogenic study on the biopsy specimen revealed hypotetraploid and structural abnormalities such as 7q+, 11q+ and 20q+. After radiotherapy, the right neck nodule became smaller, but subcutaneous indurations with erosions extended to the surrounding skin. The biopsy specimen of these skin lesions microscopically revealed massive infiltrations of plasma cells in the dermis. The PAP method revealed a definite evidence of monoclonal kappa light chain production by these cells. 3H-thymidine were incorporated in 5.6% of the plasma cells. The skin lesions were refractory to chemotherapy and gradually extended. The clinical course showed a progressive one leading to persistent deterioration and she died in August, 1986. Repeated examinations including immunoelectrophoresis of serum and concentrated urine, bone marrow aspirations and skeletal x-ray films, excluded the diagnosis of myeloma. At autopsy, massive infiltrations of plasma cells in the skin of chest wall and neck, small metastatic tumors in the liver and bilateral axillary lymph nodes were found, but there was no evidence of bone marrow involvement.