Haulage Methods in Different Areas of Nepal and the Health Condition of the Porters in Kathmandu

The complicated geographical features of Nepal make transport of goods difficult. People have to depend on human power even today, especially porters who use a number of different transport styles. The objectives of this study were to document (1) the characteristics of haulage methods in relation to the geographical conditions, and (2) the diurnal activities and health of porters in Kathmandu. The observed methods used by the porters in Nepal to carry loads were divided into four main classes: (1) on the top of the head, (2) by handcart, (3) in baskets on a yoke across the shoulders, and (4) on the back using a tumpline. The method of carrying a load on the back with a tumpline was most commonly observed, although this style might cause damage to the spinal vertebrae. The study of the diurnal activities and health condition of porters was limited to those in Kathmandu. For this purpose seven porters were interviewed orally. The results can be summarised as follows: (1) luggage of about 60kg to 110kg could be carried, (2) six of the seven porters habitually smoked tobacco and drank alcohol, (3) many porters wore cloth tightly twisted around their waist, and (4) complaints of severe neck pain were not made, but all porters complained of knee and/or back pains. The cervical and lumbar vertebrae of these porters were examined by roentgenological analysis, but no abnormal changes were observed

Relationship between the Duration of Stay in Japan of Malaysian Subjects and the Suppression of Sweat Gland Sensitivity by lontophoretically Applied Acetylcholine

Tropical African and Thai Subjects regulate core temperature with less amount of sweat against heat compared to temperate Japanese subjects. Reduced sweating in tropical subjects was attributed to suppression of both central and peripheral sudomotor mechanisms. The objective of the study is to compare the local sweating response activated by acetycholine (ACh) applied iontophoretically among the Malaysians (n=12) of varying duration of stay in Japan. Based on their length of stay, Malaysian subjects were divided into 2 groups, MS (n=6) with a duration of stay of 3 to 15 months and ML (n=6) with 27 to 60 months. ACh, the primary transmitter for sudomotor innervation, was iontophoretically administered on the forearm. Sweating response elicited directly (DIR) and indirectly via axon reflex (AXR) were evaluated by quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test. Although the sweat onset time was tend to reduce with longer duration of stay among Malaysian subjects, there was no significant difference among the two groups. AXR (1), sweat volume elicited by axon reflex for 0-5 min was 0.96ﾂｱ0.11 mg/cm2 in MS and 1.40ﾂｱ0.23 mg/cm2 in ML. AXR(2), that for 6-11 min, was 1.09ﾂｱ0.13 mg/cm2 and 1.45ﾂｱ0.20 mg/cm2. DIR, sweat volume directly induced by ACh for 6-11 min, was 3.40ﾂｱ0.18 mg/cm2 and 3.96ﾂｱ0. 24 mg/cm2 in MS and ML , respectively. A slight positive correlation between DIR and the duration of stay in Japan was observed in Malaysian subjects, though not significant (p=0.14). From these results, suppressed neuroglandular response to ACh was confirmed in Malaysians. It is suggested that long-term heat-acclimatization acquired in tropical subjects may decay after immigration to temperate area

Thermobiological Characteristics of Pikas, Rabbits and Rats

Animals are provided by nature with biological defense mechanisms against the deleterious effects of the environment. Three different animal species: pikas, rabbits and rats were compared in their thermobiological characteristics. Results revealed significant dissimilarities of the characteristics of pikas from both rabbits and rats that they called morphologically and physiologically unique. Compared to the two, these animals have relatively high body temperature and absence of circadian rhythm in core body temperature. These probably explain the non-manifestation of thermal panting and salivation which are evidences of the absence of natural heat losing ability in these animals. Since 1975 up to the present blood glucose has never been studied in pikas. Thus, in this experiment, this substance was determined to explain some biochemical related peculiarities in these animals. Findings revealed a low blood glucose level in pika in contrast to the rats but relatively similar to that of the rabbits. Conclusively, pikas have peculiarities which enable them to exist in environments with low temperature. It seems that blood glucose does not bear any relationship with this physiological nature. The same characteristics make them different from Lagomorpha and other lower animals

Evaluation of the Applicability of Infrared and Thermistor-Thermometry in Thermophysiology Research

The accuracy and reliability of temperature measuring devices in thermal physiology research and clinical practice has been subject of various investigations. Research data have been conflicting in some cases. Further investigations are therefore needed to elucidate the reliability and sensitivity of these devices under different temperature settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of the tympanic thermistor (TT), infrared tympanic thermometer (ITT) and oral thermistor (OT) in the detection of body temperature changes in adults exposed to heat load. A single set of three simultaneous temperatures i.e. oral, left and right tympanic membrane were measured. At rest, core temperature (Tc) measured by TT was 0.45℃ and+0.10～-0.12℃ (changed range) higher than that measured with OT and ITT respectively. At the end of 30min 43℃ water bath leg immersion, Tc measured by TT was 0.48℃ and 0.04℃ higher than that measured with OT and ITT. This showed that when subjects were exposed to heat load, there was no difference in Tc measured by TT and ITT, although both were significantly higher than that measured with OT. From these results, it might be thought that the sensitivity for Tc detection increased in the order tympanic thermistor>infrared thermometer>oral thermistor. Further-more, in addition to the merits of infrared thermometer, the hazards and difficulties of tympanic temperature measurement were discussed from the view of development of the various kinds of thermometers