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Human Factors Dec 2019In this review, we detail the impact of environmental stress on cognitive and military task performance and highlight any individual characteristics or interventions...
OBJECTIVE
In this review, we detail the impact of environmental stress on cognitive and military task performance and highlight any individual characteristics or interventions which may mitigate any negative effect.
BACKGROUND
Military personnel are often deployed in regions markedly different from their own, experiencing hot days, cold nights, and trips both above and below sea level. In spite of these stressors, high-level cognitive and operational performance must be maintained.
METHOD
A systematic review of the electronic databases Medline (PubMed), EMBASE (Scopus), PsycINFO, and Web of Science was conducted from inception up to September 2018. Eligibility criteria included a healthy human cohort, an outcome of cognition or military task performance and assessment of an environmental condition.
RESULTS
The search returned 113,850 records, of which 124 were included in the systematic review. Thirty-one studies examined the impact of heat stress on cognition; 20 of cold stress; 59 of altitude exposure; and 18 of being below sea level.
CONCLUSION
The severity and duration of exposure to the environmental stressor affects the degree to which cognitive performance can be impaired, as does the complexity of the cognitive task and the skill or familiarity of the individual performing the task.
APPLICATION
Strategies to improve cognitive performance in extreme environmental conditions should focus on reducing the magnitude of the physiological and perceptual disturbance caused by the stressor. Strategies may include acclimatization and habituation, being well skilled on the task, and reducing sensations of thermal stress with approaches such as head and neck cooling.
Topics: Cognition; Environment; Humans; Military Personnel; Psychomotor Performance; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 31002273
DOI: 10.1177/0018720819839817 -
A systematic review on reporting of refinement measures in mouse ECG telemetry implantation surgery.Laboratory Animals Feb 2023Telemetric monitoring is used in many scientific fields, such as cardiovascular research, neurology, endocrinology, as well as animal welfare research. Nowadays,... (Review)
Review
Telemetric monitoring is used in many scientific fields, such as cardiovascular research, neurology, endocrinology, as well as animal welfare research. Nowadays, implanted electrocardiogram (ECG) radiotelemetry units are the gold standard for monitoring ECG traces, heart rate and heart rate variability in freely moving mice. Telemetry technology can be a valuable tool when studies utilize it adequately, while prioritizing animal welfare. Recently, concerns have been raised in many research fields, including animal research, regarding the reproducibility of research findings, with insufficient reporting being one of the underlying causes.A systematic review was performed by making use of three literature databases, in order to include all publications until 31.12.2019, where the surgical placing of ECG recording telemetry devices in adult mice was involved. Data extracted from the publications included selected items recommended by the ARRIVE guidelines. We focused on aspects related to the refinement of the surgery and experimental conditions that aim to improve animal welfare. In general, the quality of reporting was low in the analyzed 234 publications. Based on our analyses, we assume there has been no improvement in this field's reporting quality since 2010 when the ARRIVE guidelines on reporting were introduced. Additionally, even though expert recommendations on telemetry surgery refinement have been available since many years now, no increase in uptake (or reporting) of these measures prior (e.g., acclimatization), during (e.g., asepsis) or after (e.g., social housing) the surgery could be observed.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Reproducibility of Results; Electrocardiography; Heart Rate; Animal Experimentation; Telemetry
PubMed: 36117425
DOI: 10.1177/00236772221115492 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Jun 2012Despite technological advances employed in signal processing strategies, one of the remaining obstacles are spectral gap details on the information transmitted.... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Despite technological advances employed in signal processing strategies, one of the remaining obstacles are spectral gap details on the information transmitted. Considering its importance in speech perception, researchers have investigated mechanisms to optimize spectral details through virtual spectral channels. The clinical application of this technique resulted in a new approach to signal processing - the HiRes 120.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the auditory performance of cochlear implant users with the HiRes 120 strategy.
METHODOLOGY
The literature review was conducted in an electronic database, with standard bibliographic search in the year 2011, using specific keywords. In order to select and evaluate the scientific studies found in the search, we setup search containing the following aspects: type of study, subjects, intervention used and evaluation of the results.
CONCLUSION
Scientific evidence points to an improvement in hearing performance in noisy environments with the HiRes 120 strategy, but this does not occur in quiet situations. The optimization of speech perception with this strategy is closely related to the cochlear implant user's age, to the time of sensory deprivation and the acclimatization time required to use the strategy's spectral information.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Deafness; Humans; Speech Perception
PubMed: 22714858
DOI: 10.1590/S1808-86942012000300021 -
Journal of Thermal Biology Dec 2018In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans and many species have shifted their...
In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans and many species have shifted their geographic ranges, seasonal activities, migration patterns, abundances and interactions in response to these changes. Projections of future climate change are uncertain, but the Earth's warming is likely to exceed 4.8 °C by the end of 21th century. The vulnerability of a population, species, group or system due to climate change is a function of impact of the changes on the evaluated system (exposure and sensitivity) and adaptive capacity as a response to this impact, and the relationship between these elements will determine the degree of species vulnerability. Predicting the potential future risks to biodiversity caused by climate change has become an extremely active field of research, and several studies in the last two decades had focused on determining possible impacts of climate change on Lepidosaurians, at a global, regional and local level. Here we conducted a systematic review of published studies in order to seek to what extent the accumulated knowledge currently allow us to identify potential trends or patterns regarding climate change effects on lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians and tuatara. We conducted a literature search among online literature databases/catalogues and recorded 255 studies addressing the influence of climate change on a total of 1918 species among 49 Lepidosaurian's families. The first study addressing this subject is dated 1999. Most of the studies focused on species distribution, followed by thermal biology, reproductive biology, behavior and genetics. We concluded that an integrative approach including most of these characteristics and also bioclimatic and environmental variables, may lead to consistent and truly effective strategies for species conservation, aiming to buffer the climate change effects on this group of reptiles.
Topics: Acclimatization; Animal Distribution; Animals; Biodiversity; Body Temperature; Climate Change; Reptiles
PubMed: 30509664
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.11.005 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Jan 2021In accordance with the principle of training specificity, adaptations to vertically or horizontally orientated plyometric training (VPT, HPT) directly transfer to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the principle of training specificity, adaptations to vertically or horizontally orientated plyometric training (VPT, HPT) directly transfer to athletic tasks that are carried out in the same direction as they are performed.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the relative effect of VPT and HPT on both vertical and horizontal measures of physical performance.
DATA SOURCES
Google Scholar, CrossRef, Microsoft Academic, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To qualify for inclusion in the meta-analysis, studies must have included a plyometric training intervention that compared jumps executed in a vertical direction [i.e. countermovement jump (CMJ)] to jumps executed in a horizontal direction (i.e. standing horizontal jump).
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
We used the inverse-variance random effects model for meta-analyses. Effect sizes, calculated from measures of horizontally or vertically orientated performance, were represented by the standardised mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
For between-group analysis on horizontal outcomes, there was a moderate, significant effect size (ES) in favour of HPT (0.65 [95% CI 0.12, 1.18], Z = 2.41 [p = 0.02]). For the analysis on vertical outcomes, there was a trivial, non-significant difference between VPT and HPT (- 0.04 [95% CI - 0.33, 0.24], Z = 0.0.29 [p = 0.77]). Within-group analysis showed HPT to be superior to VPT across horizontally- (1.05 [0.38, 1.72] vs. 0.84 [0.37, 1.31]) and vertically-orientated (0.74 [0.08, 1.40] vs. 0.72 [0.02, 1.43]) performance measures. For horizontally-orientated outcomes, single-factor moderator analyses showed that longer programmes (> 7 weeks), more sessions (> 12) and combined bilateral and unilateral training were most effective, favouring HPT in each case. In vertically orientated outcomes, these same variables showed only trivial differences between HBT and VBT.
CONCLUSIONS
HPT is at least as effective as VPT at enhancing vertical performance but is superior at enhancing horizontal performance. This means that HPT might be a more efficient method for enhancing multi-vector performance for sport.
Topics: Acclimatization; Athletic Performance; Humans; Muscle Strength; Plyometric Exercise; Soccer
PubMed: 32897526
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01340-6 -
Indoor Air May 2020This paper presents a review on thermal comfort research that is informed by changes in occupant behavior, lifestyle, and income leading to rebound or pre-bound effect....
This paper presents a review on thermal comfort research that is informed by changes in occupant behavior, lifestyle, and income leading to rebound or pre-bound effect. It explores the current state of research in thermal comfort domain through a systematic review to identify the gaps and opportunities specifically focusing on energy-intensive developing countries. This review argues that adaptive thermal comfort is a continuously evolving domain owing to dynamic modifications in occupant behavior occurring from changes in the cost of energy services and preference of comfort (rebound/pre-bound effect). A conceptual framework linking thermal comfort, rebound/pre-bound effect, and occupant behavior is forwarded through the introduction of an exogenous factor related to occupant well-being. The results ascertain that there is a need of localized thermal comfort model with an occupant-centric approach that can help in enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption.
Topics: Acclimatization; Air Pollution, Indoor; Humans; Temperature
PubMed: 32149411
DOI: 10.1111/ina.12664 -
Cureus Apr 2024Entering and acclimatizing to a university is crucial for achieving academic goals and graduation. Chronic illnesses can reduce a person's capacity to perform tasks,... (Review)
Review
Entering and acclimatizing to a university is crucial for achieving academic goals and graduation. Chronic illnesses can reduce a person's capacity to perform tasks, whether physically, cognitively, or emotionally, about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there is a lack of research about the impact of IBD on the daily lives of students. IBD can be seen as having an adverse effect on the life of college students. The objective of this review was to examine the psychological ramifications, particularly in relation to stress levels, that IBD elicits in the daily lives of students. The elementary search utilized specific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search terms employed were "IBD," "University," "Students," and "Stress." We reviewed 80 papers and selected 25 for their applicability and relevance. The current review includes at least a total of 12 articles. The following issues arose: 1) adaption to university, 2) managing IBD individually and from the university setting, 3) social impact, and 4) methods of controlling and coping with the IBD. Students with IBD have a tough time adapting to new situations. Their emotional and social status plays a significant role in this. The proper management and treatment of IBD throughout studies can have a significant impact on student's academic achievement as well as their later lives.
PubMed: 38807823
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59176 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Jan 2022Human-induced climate change is occurring rapidly. Ectothermic organisms are particularly vulnerable to these temperature changes due to their reliance on environmental...
Human-induced climate change is occurring rapidly. Ectothermic organisms are particularly vulnerable to these temperature changes due to their reliance on environmental temperature. The extent of ectothermic thermal adaptation and plasticity in the literature is well documented; however, the role of oxidative stress in these processes needs more attention. Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species, generated mainly through aerobic respiration, overwhelm antioxidant defences and damage crucial biomolecules. The effects of oxidative damage include the alteration of life-history traits and reductions in whole-organism fitness. Here we review the literature addressing experimental temperature effects on oxidative stress in vertebrate ectotherms. Acute and acclimation temperature treatments produce distinctly different results and highlight the role of phylogeny and thermal adaptation in shaping oxidative stress responses. Acute treatments on organisms adapted to stable environments generally produced significant oxidative stress responses, whilst organisms adapted to variable conditions exhibited capacity to cope with temperature changes and mitigate oxidative stress. In acclimation treatments, the temperature treatments higher than optimal temperatures tended to produce significantly less oxidative stress than lower temperatures in reptiles, whilst in some eurythermal fish species, no oxidative stress response was observed. These results highlight the importance of phylogeny and adaptation to past environmental conditions for temperature-dependent oxidative stress responses. We conclude with recommendations on experimental procedures to investigate these phenomena with reference to thermal plasticity, adaptation and biogeographic variation that provide the most significant benefits to adaptable populations. These results have potential conservation ramifications as they may shed light on the physiological effects of temperature alterations in some vertebrate ectotherms.
Topics: Acclimatization; Animals; Biomarkers; Climate Change; Fishes; Humans; Models, Biological; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reptiles; Temperature; Vertebrates
PubMed: 34571153
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111082 -
Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews Jan 2009The aim of this investigation was to review morphological and metabolic adaptations within skeletal muscle to exercise training in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus... (Review)
Review
The aim of this investigation was to review morphological and metabolic adaptations within skeletal muscle to exercise training in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). A comprehensive, systematic database search for manuscripts was performed from 1966 to March 2008 using computerized databases, including Medline, Premedline, CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE and SportDiscus. Three reviewers independently assessed studies for potential inclusion (exposure to exercise training, T2DM or IGT, muscle biopsy performed). A total of 18 exercise training studies were reviewed. All morphological and metabolic outcomes from muscle biopsies were collected. The metabolic outcomes were divided into six domains: glycogen, glucose facilitated transporter 4 (GLUT4) and insulin signalling, enzymes, markers of inflammation, lipids metabolism and so on. Beneficial adaptations to exercise were seen primarily in muscle fiber area and capillary density, glycogen, glycogen synthase and GLUT4 protein expressions. Few randomized controlled trials including muscle biopsy data existed, with a small number of subjects involved. More trials, especially robustly designed exercise training studies, are needed in this field. Future research should focus on the insulin signalling pathway to better understand the mechanism of the improvements in insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in response to various modalities and doses of exercise in this cohort.
Topics: Acclimatization; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Glucose Intolerance; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 19143033
DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.928 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021Investigating difficulties during activities of daily living is a fundamental first step for the development of vision-related intervention and rehabilitation...
Investigating difficulties during activities of daily living is a fundamental first step for the development of vision-related intervention and rehabilitation strategies. One way to do this is through visual impairment simulations. The aim of this review is to synthesize and assess the types of simulation methods that have been used to simulate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in normally sighted participants, during activities of daily living (e.g., reading, cleaning, and cooking). We conducted a systematic literature search in five databases and a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of various AMD simulation methods (following PRISMA guidelines). The review focuses on the suitability of each method for investigating activities of daily living, an assessment of clinical validation procedures, and an evaluation of the adaptation periods for participants. Nineteen studies met the criteria for inclusion. Contact lenses, computer manipulations, gaze contingent displays, and simulation glasses were the main forms of AMD simulation identified. The use of validation and adaptation procedures were reported in approximately two-thirds and half of studies, respectively. Synthesis of the methodology demonstrated that the choice of simulation has been, and should continue to be, guided by the nature of the study. While simulations may never completely replicate vision loss experienced during AMD, consistency in simulation methodology is critical for generating realistic behavioral responses under vision impairment simulation and limiting the influence of confounding factors. Researchers could also come to a consensus regarding the length and form of adaptation by exploring what is an adequate amount of time and type of training required to acclimatize participants to vision impairment simulations.
PubMed: 34483815
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.663062