Background:Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict,shallow breathing,and slight thickening of the blood.Working in extremely cold environments can have negative effects on health,yet there are currently no ...Background:Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict,shallow breathing,and slight thickening of the blood.Working in extremely cold environments can have negative effects on health,yet there are currently no effective biomarkers to monitor these health conditions.Proteins are important intermediate phenotypes that can provide a theoretical basis for understanding disease pathophysiology.Proteins in the circulatory system reflect the physiological status of individuals,and plasma proteins have significant potential as biomarkers for various health conditions.Methods:In this study,we employed the Mendelian randomization(MR)method to analyze the effects of freezing temperatures on over 2900 plasma proteins.Subsequently,the selected plasma proteins were subjected to causal analysis in relation to 55 diseases,including respiratory disorders,cardiovascular diseases,various cancers,and oral diseases.The aim was to identify proteins that could serve as biomarkers for health status.Results:Our results indicate that cold environments may affect the concentrations of 78 plasma proteins.Further MR analysis revealed that nine of these plasma proteins are associated with the risk of respiratory disorders,cardiovascular diseases,various cancers,and oral diseases.Conclusion:These proteins show promise as biomarkers for monitoring the hazards and risks faced by individuals working in cold environments.These findings provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms underlying occupational hazards.展开更多
Oil spills have become a serious problem in cold environments with the ever-increasing resource exploitation, transportation, storage, and accidental leakage of oil. Several techniques, including physical, chemical, a...Oil spills have become a serious problem in cold environments with the ever-increasing resource exploitation, transportation, storage, and accidental leakage of oil. Several techniques, including physical, chemical, and biological methods, are used to recover spilled oil from the environment. Bioremediation is a promising option for remediation since it is effective and economic in removing oil with less undue environmental damages. However, it is a relatively slow process in cold regions and the degree of success depends on a number of factors, including the properties and fate of oil spilled in cold environments, and the major microbial and environmental limitations of bioremediation. The microbial factors include bioavailability of hydrocarbons, mass transfer through the cell membrane, and metabolic limitations. As for the environmental limitations in the cold regions, the emphasis is on soil temperatures, freeze-thaw processes, oxygen and nutrients availability, toxicity, and electron acceptors. There have been several cases of success in the polar regions, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. However, the challenges and constraints for bioremediation in cold environments remain large.展开更多
The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)emphasizes the intrinsic connection between human beings and nature,positing that the human body undergoes distinct physiological changes in response to various natural ...The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)emphasizes the intrinsic connection between human beings and nature,positing that the human body undergoes distinct physiological changes in response to various natural environments.Cold,as a primary external factor in cold areas,necessitates the body's autonomous adaptation to uphold optimal living conditions.The repercussions of cold on the body are both far-reaching and profound,with metabolic equilibrium adjustments playing a pivotal role.This article,rooted in the TCM principle of Yin-Yang balance,delves into the metabolic intricacies and adaptive responses to the human body in cold environments.The effects manifest in heat-producing tissues,systemic substance consumption,the blood substance concentrations,liver function,and metabolic rhythms.The article subsequently presents TCM recommendations for maintaining health in cold climates.It concludes by advocating the exploration of metabolic homeostasis changes as a key avenue for investigating the metabolic traits s of populations in cold regions.We posit that such insights will enhance comprehension of the metabolic shifts in cold region populations and advance the evolution of regional medicine.展开更多
This study aimed to investigate the effects of firefighters’protective gloves on physiological responses,psychological responses,and manual performance in a cold environment through human trials.Twelve participants w...This study aimed to investigate the effects of firefighters’protective gloves on physiological responses,psychological responses,and manual performance in a cold environment through human trials.Twelve participants wearing firefighter protective equipment were exposed to a 16℃ environment,while their hands were exposed to a small chamber of 0℃ with(FPG)and without(CON)firefighting protective gloves.During the trials,physiological responses(core temperature(Tc),the mean skin temperature(Tsk),and heart rate(HR)),psychological responses(thermal sensation vote(TSV)and pain sensation vote(PSV)),and manual performance(handgrip strength,manual dexterity,maximum finger flexion,and tactile sensitivity)were obtained.The results indicated a significant difference(p<0.05)between FPG and CON regarding Tsk.Furthermore,pain sensation occurred when the mean skin temperature of the hand was between 15℃ and 20℃.Gloves significantly(p<0.05)reduced handgrip strength,manual dexterity,and tactile sensitivity in the cold exposure.This study provides fundamental knowledge for cold strain assessment and high-performance protective glove development with the potential to improve firefighters’safety and health.展开更多
The Eighth International Symposium on Permafrost Engineering was held in Xi’an,China,October 2009.The major topics discussed in the symposium included:permafrost engineering(involving design,construction and evaluati...The Eighth International Symposium on Permafrost Engineering was held in Xi’an,China,October 2009.The major topics discussed in the symposium included:permafrost engineering(involving design,construction and evaluation);mitigation of frost hazards in the regions affected by seasonally frozen ground;properties of frozen soils,model development and their applications;frost hazards and periglacial environments in mountain and plateau regions;climatic,environmental and cryospheric changes;and permafrost hydrology,cold regions water resources and land uses.The papers submitted to the symposium and lectures during the meeting represented some new developments of research on cold region engineering and environment.Here we summarized the works of the symposium in topics including:Permafrost engineering;General geocryology;Properties of frozen soils:model development and their applications;And climatic,environmental and cryospheric changes.During the symposium,the attendees pointed out that future studies should pay more attention to theoretical study and engineering mechanism study,and also on interaction between climate change and cold region environments and their engineering affects.展开更多
Affiliation unit: Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Cold Regions Environment, CAS Brief history: The Laboratory of Ice Core and Cold Regions Environment (LICCRE) was formally approved to open domestically and intern...Affiliation unit: Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Cold Regions Environment, CAS Brief history: The Laboratory of Ice Core and Cold Regions Environment (LICCRE) was formally approved to open domestically and internationally by Chinese Academy of Sciences in April 1997. It is attached to the Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology, CAS.展开更多
The room temperature tensile properties of cold rolled and annealed Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy are similar to those of warm rolled Fe 3Al alloys. The cold rolled Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy is also susceptible to test enviro...The room temperature tensile properties of cold rolled and annealed Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy are similar to those of warm rolled Fe 3Al alloys. The cold rolled Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy is also susceptible to test environments. It has been shown that the ductility in various environments decreases in sequence of oxygen—oil—air—distilled water. The results of X ray diffraction analysis show that (211) preferred orientation of B 2 phase appears in cold rolled Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy after recrystallization annealing.展开更多
The Cold and Arid Regions Environmental andEngineering Research Institute(CAREERI) wascreated in June 1999 as a result of the current PilotRroject of the Knowledge Innovation Program of theChinse Academy of Sciences (...The Cold and Arid Regions Environmental andEngineering Research Institute(CAREERI) wascreated in June 1999 as a result of the current PilotRroject of the Knowledge Innovation Program of theChinse Academy of Sciences (CAS). Formed onthe basis of three former CAS institutes,namely, theLanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology,the Lanzhou Institute of Desert Studies, and展开更多
Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)have been the top-ranked cause of human death in the world for years,according to the World Health Organization.Accumulating evidence from epidemiological data supports the view that the r...Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)have been the top-ranked cause of human death in the world for years,according to the World Health Organization.Accumulating evidence from epidemiological data supports the view that the risk of CVDs is higher in northern China than in southern area.There is no doubt that living environment has become a crucial factor contributing to the occurrence and progression of CVDs in northern region.However,there have not been any clinical guidelines for the prevention strategy of environment-related CVDs,especially for cold exposure.Thus,there is an urgent need for better understanding of the clinical characteristics and underlying mechanisms of cold-induced CVDs in order to formulate and implement proper and effective measures for minimizing the risk of CVDs for people residing in low-temperature area.Cold exposure,air pollution,lack of sunlight and irrational diet are believed to be crucial factors responsible for environment-related CVDs,and preventive measures might be carried out accordingly to decrease the high risk of CVDs in northern China.展开更多
Acclimatization is a process of biological adaptation when exposed to environmental factors such as hypoxia,cold and heat for prolonged periods of time,where non-genetical variations play a role in allowing subjects t...Acclimatization is a process of biological adaptation when exposed to environmental factors such as hypoxia,cold and heat for prolonged periods of time,where non-genetical variations play a role in allowing subjects to tolerate hypoxic,cold or hot environments.This review focuses on the characteristics and mechanisms of acclimatization found through major research advances by our institute.First,the mechanisms underlying the acclimatization to extreme environments are complex.In our investigations,the physiological changes of multiple systems including the nervous,circulatory,respiratory,and hemopoietic system were demonstrated when the acclimatization to hypoxia was developed,and the underlying significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) was investigated.Second,it is suggested that the development of acclimatization to extreme environments is complicated.Hypoxia and cold coexist at high altitude.Our investigations revealed the characteristics of negative cross-relationship in the acclimatization to hypoxia and cold.And third,it is interesting for us to understand that acclimatization to extreme environments is transferable among individuals,and the characteristics of heat acclimatizationinducing factor(HAIF) were presented.The above findings will provide a theoretical guidance for protective operations and help to establish a solid foundation for future research related to acclimatization.展开更多
基金funded by the Health Commission of Heilongjiang Province(Project Number:20230808010517).
文摘Background:Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict,shallow breathing,and slight thickening of the blood.Working in extremely cold environments can have negative effects on health,yet there are currently no effective biomarkers to monitor these health conditions.Proteins are important intermediate phenotypes that can provide a theoretical basis for understanding disease pathophysiology.Proteins in the circulatory system reflect the physiological status of individuals,and plasma proteins have significant potential as biomarkers for various health conditions.Methods:In this study,we employed the Mendelian randomization(MR)method to analyze the effects of freezing temperatures on over 2900 plasma proteins.Subsequently,the selected plasma proteins were subjected to causal analysis in relation to 55 diseases,including respiratory disorders,cardiovascular diseases,various cancers,and oral diseases.The aim was to identify proteins that could serve as biomarkers for health status.Results:Our results indicate that cold environments may affect the concentrations of 78 plasma proteins.Further MR analysis revealed that nine of these plasma proteins are associated with the risk of respiratory disorders,cardiovascular diseases,various cancers,and oral diseases.Conclusion:These proteins show promise as biomarkers for monitoring the hazards and risks faced by individuals working in cold environments.These findings provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms underlying occupational hazards.
基金Project supported by the 100 Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.2004407).
文摘Oil spills have become a serious problem in cold environments with the ever-increasing resource exploitation, transportation, storage, and accidental leakage of oil. Several techniques, including physical, chemical, and biological methods, are used to recover spilled oil from the environment. Bioremediation is a promising option for remediation since it is effective and economic in removing oil with less undue environmental damages. However, it is a relatively slow process in cold regions and the degree of success depends on a number of factors, including the properties and fate of oil spilled in cold environments, and the major microbial and environmental limitations of bioremediation. The microbial factors include bioavailability of hydrocarbons, mass transfer through the cell membrane, and metabolic limitations. As for the environmental limitations in the cold regions, the emphasis is on soil temperatures, freeze-thaw processes, oxygen and nutrients availability, toxicity, and electron acceptors. There have been several cases of success in the polar regions, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. However, the challenges and constraints for bioremediation in cold environments remain large.
基金This work was funded by the National Centre for the Development of TCM Education(TC2023002).
文摘The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)emphasizes the intrinsic connection between human beings and nature,positing that the human body undergoes distinct physiological changes in response to various natural environments.Cold,as a primary external factor in cold areas,necessitates the body's autonomous adaptation to uphold optimal living conditions.The repercussions of cold on the body are both far-reaching and profound,with metabolic equilibrium adjustments playing a pivotal role.This article,rooted in the TCM principle of Yin-Yang balance,delves into the metabolic intricacies and adaptive responses to the human body in cold environments.The effects manifest in heat-producing tissues,systemic substance consumption,the blood substance concentrations,liver function,and metabolic rhythms.The article subsequently presents TCM recommendations for maintaining health in cold climates.It concludes by advocating the exploration of metabolic homeostasis changes as a key avenue for investigating the metabolic traits s of populations in cold regions.We posit that such insights will enhance comprehension of the metabolic shifts in cold region populations and advance the evolution of regional medicine.
文摘This study aimed to investigate the effects of firefighters’protective gloves on physiological responses,psychological responses,and manual performance in a cold environment through human trials.Twelve participants wearing firefighter protective equipment were exposed to a 16℃ environment,while their hands were exposed to a small chamber of 0℃ with(FPG)and without(CON)firefighting protective gloves.During the trials,physiological responses(core temperature(Tc),the mean skin temperature(Tsk),and heart rate(HR)),psychological responses(thermal sensation vote(TSV)and pain sensation vote(PSV)),and manual performance(handgrip strength,manual dexterity,maximum finger flexion,and tactile sensitivity)were obtained.The results indicated a significant difference(p<0.05)between FPG and CON regarding Tsk.Furthermore,pain sensation occurred when the mean skin temperature of the hand was between 15℃ and 20℃.Gloves significantly(p<0.05)reduced handgrip strength,manual dexterity,and tactile sensitivity in the cold exposure.This study provides fundamental knowledge for cold strain assessment and high-performance protective glove development with the potential to improve firefighters’safety and health.
基金supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40910304019,40625004,40821001,40801024)Important Orientation Project of CAS(Grant No.KZCX2-YW-Q03-04)
文摘The Eighth International Symposium on Permafrost Engineering was held in Xi’an,China,October 2009.The major topics discussed in the symposium included:permafrost engineering(involving design,construction and evaluation);mitigation of frost hazards in the regions affected by seasonally frozen ground;properties of frozen soils,model development and their applications;frost hazards and periglacial environments in mountain and plateau regions;climatic,environmental and cryospheric changes;and permafrost hydrology,cold regions water resources and land uses.The papers submitted to the symposium and lectures during the meeting represented some new developments of research on cold region engineering and environment.Here we summarized the works of the symposium in topics including:Permafrost engineering;General geocryology;Properties of frozen soils:model development and their applications;And climatic,environmental and cryospheric changes.During the symposium,the attendees pointed out that future studies should pay more attention to theoretical study and engineering mechanism study,and also on interaction between climate change and cold region environments and their engineering affects.
文摘Affiliation unit: Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Cold Regions Environment, CAS Brief history: The Laboratory of Ice Core and Cold Regions Environment (LICCRE) was formally approved to open domestically and internationally by Chinese Academy of Sciences in April 1997. It is attached to the Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology, CAS.
文摘The room temperature tensile properties of cold rolled and annealed Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy are similar to those of warm rolled Fe 3Al alloys. The cold rolled Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy is also susceptible to test environments. It has been shown that the ductility in various environments decreases in sequence of oxygen—oil—air—distilled water. The results of X ray diffraction analysis show that (211) preferred orientation of B 2 phase appears in cold rolled Fe 3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy after recrystallization annealing.
文摘The Cold and Arid Regions Environmental andEngineering Research Institute(CAREERI) wascreated in June 1999 as a result of the current PilotRroject of the Knowledge Innovation Program of theChinse Academy of Sciences (CAS). Formed onthe basis of three former CAS institutes,namely, theLanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology,the Lanzhou Institute of Desert Studies, and
文摘Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)have been the top-ranked cause of human death in the world for years,according to the World Health Organization.Accumulating evidence from epidemiological data supports the view that the risk of CVDs is higher in northern China than in southern area.There is no doubt that living environment has become a crucial factor contributing to the occurrence and progression of CVDs in northern region.However,there have not been any clinical guidelines for the prevention strategy of environment-related CVDs,especially for cold exposure.Thus,there is an urgent need for better understanding of the clinical characteristics and underlying mechanisms of cold-induced CVDs in order to formulate and implement proper and effective measures for minimizing the risk of CVDs for people residing in low-temperature area.Cold exposure,air pollution,lack of sunlight and irrational diet are believed to be crucial factors responsible for environment-related CVDs,and preventive measures might be carried out accordingly to decrease the high risk of CVDs in northern China.
文摘Acclimatization is a process of biological adaptation when exposed to environmental factors such as hypoxia,cold and heat for prolonged periods of time,where non-genetical variations play a role in allowing subjects to tolerate hypoxic,cold or hot environments.This review focuses on the characteristics and mechanisms of acclimatization found through major research advances by our institute.First,the mechanisms underlying the acclimatization to extreme environments are complex.In our investigations,the physiological changes of multiple systems including the nervous,circulatory,respiratory,and hemopoietic system were demonstrated when the acclimatization to hypoxia was developed,and the underlying significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) was investigated.Second,it is suggested that the development of acclimatization to extreme environments is complicated.Hypoxia and cold coexist at high altitude.Our investigations revealed the characteristics of negative cross-relationship in the acclimatization to hypoxia and cold.And third,it is interesting for us to understand that acclimatization to extreme environments is transferable among individuals,and the characteristics of heat acclimatizationinducing factor(HAIF) were presented.The above findings will provide a theoretical guidance for protective operations and help to establish a solid foundation for future research related to acclimatization.
