Core Body Research Articles

Phytohemagglutinin ameliorates HFD-induced obesity by increasing energy expenditure.

Despite all modern advances in medicine, there are few reports of effective and safe drugs to treat obesity. Our objective was to screen anti-obesity natural compounds, and to verify whether they can reduce the body weight gain and investigate their molecular mechanisms. By using drug-screening methods, Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was found to be the most anti-obesity candidate natural compound. Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and intraperitoneally injected with 0.25 mg/kg PHA everyday for 8 weeks. The body weight, glucose homeostasis, oxygen consumption and physical activity were assessed. We also measured the heat intensity, body temperature and the gene expression of key regulators of energy expenditure. Prevention study results showed PHA treatment not only reduced the body weight gain but also maintained glucose homeostasis in HFD-fed mice. Further study indicated energy expenditure and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) in HFD-fed mice were significantly improved by PHA. In the therapeutic study, a similar effect was observed. PHA inhibited lipid droplet formation and upregulated mitochondrial-related gene expression during adipogenesis in vitro. UCP-1 KO mice displayed no differences in body weight, glucose homeostasis and core body temperature between PHA and control groups. Our results suggest that PHA prevent and treat obesity by increasing energy expenditure through upregulation of BAT thermogenesis.

Evaluation of a Wearable Non-Invasive Thermometer for Monitoring Ear Canal Temperature during Physically Demanding (Outdoor) Work.

Aimed at preventing heat strain, health problems, and absenteeism among workers with physically demanding occupations, a continuous, accurate, non-invasive measuring system may help such workers monitor their body (core) temperature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and explore the usability of the wearable non-invasive Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer. Ear canal temperature was monitored in 49 workers in real-life working conditions. After individual correction, the results of the laboratory and field study revealed high correlations compared to ear canal infrared thermometry for hospital use. After performance of the real-life working tasks, this correlation was found to be moderate. It was also observed that the ambient environmental outdoor conditions and personal protective clothing influenced the accuracy and resulted in unrealistic ear canal temperature outliers. It was found that the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer did not result in significant interference during work. Therefore, it was concluded that, without a correction factor, the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer is inaccurate. Nevertheless, with a correction factor, the reliability of this wearable ear canal thermometer was confirmed at rest, but not in outdoor working conditions or while wearing a helmet or hearing protection equipment.

016 Associations between Circadian Melatonin and Temperature Amplitudes during Constant Routine

Abstract Introduction Circadian amplitude measures the strength or robustness of a rhythm and changes in amplitude may have implications for health. Large individual differences in melatonin amplitude are recognized. Here we aimed to determine the strength of relationships between melatonin and the core body (CBT) and distal-proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG) amplitudes during a constant routine protocol. Additionally, we determined the best fitting harmonic model for the DPG circadian rhythm. Methods 17 young healthy adults [13 males (22.3±3.9yr;mean±SD)] completed a 28-hr constant routine protocol after maintaining 8h habitual sleep schedules for one week at home. Endogenous circadian amplitudes of melatonin and CBT were fit with standard three- and dual-harmonic linear regression models, respectively. The DPG amplitude was analyzed with both dual and three-harmonic regression models to determine which model produced the best fit. Results The DPG was best fit by a three-harmonic regression model with significantly lower standard deviation and higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to the 2-harmonic model (both p<0.05) as well as by visualization of the fitted curves. Melatonin, CBT and DPG amplitudes were not found to be associated with each other during constant routine (all r<0.37; all p>0.10). Conclusion While it is common for melatonin and body temperature circadian phase estimates to be used interchangeably, non-significant findings for associations between circadian amplitudes of melatonin, CBT and DPG indicate that these markers may not provide similar information about circadian amplitude. Further, research is needed to explore possible associations between individual differences in melatonin, CBT and DPG amplitudes with other physiological and behavioral outcomes to determine which measure(s) of circadian amplitude may be functionally relevant. Support (if any) NIH R01 HL081761

Evaluation of conventional invasive measurements and examination of non-invasive measurement technique on human body core temperature

It is important in many cases to measure and monitor, human body core temperatures, to prevent the likes of heat stroke and hypothermia. Measuring core body temperatures is also important for example, in relation to the basal body temperatures of women, and for improving the quality of life for vulnerable people such as infants, and those with cervical spine injuries. In doing so, thermal environmental changes can be monitored. However, todays conventional measuring method is apparently invasive because a temperature sensor has to be inserted into the body, from the outside. Characteristics of the body parts measured were considered by the subject experiments. There was a difference in core temperatures, depending on the measurement body parts, and it was found that the temperature decreased in the order of rectum, sublingual, and tympanic during normal times. It was confirmed that the tympanic temperature showed the most significant increase in core temperature, with running and the sublingual temperature the best in responsiveness. As a non-invasive core temperature measurement method, the basic characteristics were examined by the heat transfer experiment for the dual-heat-flux method. Thus, it was clarified that adequate temperature accuracy can be guaranteed if appropriate materials, thicknesses, and sizes are selected and the adiabatic condition for the peripheral part is fulfilled.

Heat Stress Management in the Military: Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Offsets for Modern Body Armor Systems.

The aim of this study was to model the effect of body armor coverage on body core temperature elevation and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) offset. Heat stress is a critical factor influencing the health and safety of military populations. Work duration limits can be imposed to mitigate the risk of exertional heat illness and are derived based on the environmental conditions (WBGT). Traditionally a 3°C offset to WBGT is recommended when wearing body armor; however, modern body armor systems provide a range of coverage options, which may influence thermal strain imposed on the wearer. The biophysical properties of four military clothing ensembles of increasing ballistic protection coverage were measured on a heated sweating manikin in accordance with standard international criteria. Body core temperature elevation during light, moderate, and heavy work was modeled in environmental conditions from 16°C to 34°C WBGT using the heat strain decision aid. Increasing ballistic protection resulted in shorter work durations to reach a critical core temperature limit of 38.5°C. Environmental conditions, armor coverage, and work intensity had a significant influence on WBGT offset. Contrary to the traditional recommendation, the required WBGT offset was >3°C in temperate conditions (<27°C WBGT), particularly for moderate and heavy work. In contrast, a lower WBGT offset could be applied during light work and moderate work in low levels of coverage. Correct WBGT offsets are important for enabling adequate risk management strategies for mitigating risks of exertional heat illness.

A Mathematical Study of Effect of Humidity on Human Skin Temperature at Warm Environment

The ability of the human body to regulate its heat exchange depends on various environmental factors together with its ability to exchange heat in in-vivo tissue. The environmental factor humidity plays a crucial role in heat regulation within the human body. The heat regulation within in-vivo tissue constitutes temperature regulation in the layers of the dermal part to maintain body core temperature constant. The purpose of this article is to develop a mathematical model to study the effect of humidity on temperature regulation within the human body. The model has been developed for one dimensional steady state flow of heat in human dermal parts with appropriate boundary conditions containing the factors of effect of humidity. Matlab program has been used to simulate the model and obtain numerical results with graphs.

Evaluation of Three Formulations of Essential Oils in Broiler Chickens under Cyclic Heat Stress.

Simple SummaryThe use of essential oils in animal feeding has been practiced for their role as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, digestive stimulants, immunomodulators, hypolipidemic agents, and heat stress alleviators. The objective of the present research was to assess dietary supplementation of three formulations of essential oils on performance, bone mineralization, carcass component weights, intestinal permeability, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant biomarkers in broiler chickens under cyclic heat stress. Heat stress reduced the body weight, feed intake, and bone strength through bone mineralization, while increasing feed conversion, gut permeability, IFN-γ and IgA levels in serum when compared with thermoneutral control broilers. Interestingly, in the present study, all three essential oils treatments partially mitigated these harmful effects at statistically significant levels compared with heat stress control chickens. These results suggest that the strategic use of some essential oils formulations during periods of stress, such as cyclic heat stress, could ameliorate adverse effects.The objective of the present research was to assess the dietary supplementation of three formulations of essential oils (EO) in chickens under heat stress (HS). Day-of-hatch Cobb 500 chicks (n = 500) were randomly distributed into four groups: 1. HS control + control diets; 2. HS + control diets supplemented with 37 ppm EO of Lippia origanoides (LO); 3. HS + control diets supplemented with 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm EO of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) + 300 ppm red beetroot; 4. HS + 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm RO + 300 ppm natural betaine. Chickens that received the EO showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement on BW, BWG, FI, and FCR compared to control HS chickens. Average body core temperature in group 3 and group 4 was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared with the HS control group and group 2. Experimental groups showed a significant reduction in FITC-d at 42 days, a significant increase in SOD at both days but a significant reduction of IFN-γ and IgA compared with HS control (p < 0.05). Bone mineralization was significantly improved by EO treatments (p < 0.05). Together these data suggest that supplemental dietary EO may reduce the harmful effects of HS.

Exercise under heat stress: thermoregulation, hydration, performance implications, and mitigation strategies.

A rise in body core temperature and loss of body water via sweating are natural consequences of prolonged exercise in the heat. This review provides a comprehensive and integrative overview of how the human body responds to exercise under heat stress and the countermeasures that can be adopted to enhance aerobic performance under such environmental conditions. The fundamental concepts and physiological processes associated with thermoregulation and fluid balance are initially described, followed by a summary of methods to determine thermal strain and hydration status. An outline is provided on how exercise-heat stress disrupts these homeostatic processes, leading to hyperthermia, hypohydration, sodium disturbances, and in some cases exertional heat illness. The impact of heat stress on human performance is also examined, including the underlying physiological mechanisms that mediate the impairment of exercise performance. Similarly, the influence of hydration status on performance in the heat and how systemic and peripheral hemodynamic adjustments contribute to fatigue development is elucidated. This review also discusses strategies to mitigate the effects of hyperthermia and hypohydration on exercise performance in the heat by examining the benefits of heat acclimation, cooling strategies, and hyperhydration. Finally, contemporary controversies are summarized and future research directions are provided.

Contribution of American Football Uniforms to the Development of Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenario: Many American football players have died from exertional heatstroke, one of the leading causes of sudden death in athletes. These athletes are predisposed to exertional heatstroke, in part, because of their protective equipment. Few authors have systematically appraised the research to determine how much faster rectal temperature (Trec) increases when full American football uniforms generally consisting of a helmet, shoulder pads, jersey, pants with padding, socks, shoes, and underwear/compressions (PADS) are worn compared with no uniform so that clinicians can better plan and modify exercise sessions to prevent dangerous Trec (i.e., ≥40.5 °C). Clinical Question: How much faster does Trec increase when men wear a full American football uniform compared with workout clothing during exercise in the heat? Summary of Key Findings: The authors searched the literature for randomized controlled studies with PEDro scores &gt;6 that compared Trec of males wearing PADS to a control uniform during exercise under controlled laboratory conditions. In all four studies, Trec increased faster when PADS were worn during exercise (PADS = 0.052 ± 0.007 °C/min and control = 0.039 ± 0.009 °C/min). The average effect size across studies was 1.4 ± 0.5. Clinical Bottom Line: PADS increase Trec significantly faster than lesser uniform ensembles. Clinicians should factor in equipment and alterations in exercise duration and rest break frequency to help prevent dangerous Trec in American football players. Strength of Recommendation: Given the large effect size and controlled experimental study designs, there is strong evidence that wearing PADS during exercise results in faster increases in body core temperature.

Suitability of Different Thermometers for Measuring Body Core and Skin Temperatures in Suckling Piglets.

Simple SummaryAfter birth, piglets’ temperatures usually drop some degrees because of low ambient temperatures in the stable. Piglets have no ability to increase their body temperatures during their first days of life, which can cause health issues if piglets are not appropriately cared for. Monitoring temperatures can, therefore, contribute to reducing impaired wellbeing and unnecessary losses. The most common method for assessing core temperatures is measuring rectally with a digital thermometer. This, however, takes time and requires securing of the animal, which is stressful. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether other thermometers or thermometric devices, such as an infrared camera, can deliver results similar to the digital thermometer. For the measurements in newborn piglets, infrared ear thermometers, infrared forehead thermometers, and infrared laser thermometers were used, as it was assumed that these would deliver results fast and cause little distress in piglets. The results were compared to rectally measured temperatures and it was found that the temperatures measured in-ear correspond to a great extent to rectal temperatures and show little variation between measurements, while the other used devices can only give a rough estimate of the actual core temperatures.Monitoring the temperature of piglets after birth is critical to ensure their well-being. Rectal temperature measurement is time-consuming, requires fixation of the animal and is stressful for piglets. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of infrared thermometry and thermography as compared to rectal temperatures. We investigated digital thermometers for rectal measurements, infrared ear thermometers, infrared forehead thermometers, infrared laser thermometers and an infrared camera during field trials with piglets aged 1–13 days. Temperatures differed between the left and right ear and ear base (p < 0.01), but not between temples. Three forehead and laser devices yielded different temperatures (p < 0.01). Temperatures assessed with a laser thermometer decreased with distance from the target (p < 0.01). The highest correlation observed was between the rectal and tympanic temperatures (r = 0.89; p < 0.01). For temperatures assessed with the camera, inner thigh and abdomen correlated most closely to core temperature (0.60 ≤ r ≤ 0.62; p < 0.01). Results indicate that infrared ear thermometry commonly used in humans is also suited for assessing temperature in piglets. The inner thigh and abdomen seem promising locations for estimating core temperature with an infrared camera, but this approach needs to be adapted to reduce time exposure and stress for the piglets to be used under practical conditions.

T6 Burn Survivors Can Perform Mild/moderate-intensity Exercise in Thermoneutral Conditions Without a Risk of Excessive Elevations in Core Body Temperature

Abstract Introduction Burned skin excision and subsequent grafting removes sweat glands, which impairs thermoregulation. Consequently, exercise prescribed for rehabilitation may expose individuals with burn injuries to a greater risk of hyperthermia, depending on exercise duration, intensity, and environmental temperature. Little is known regarding the risk of hyperthermia in adult burn survivors performing mild/moderate-intensity exercise under thermoneutral environmental conditions, i.e. conditions similar to the rehabilitation clinic and/or the gym. This project tested the hypothesis that burn survivors, across a wide range of percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burned, can participate in mild/moderate-intensity exercise in a thermoneutral environment without excessive elevations in core body temperature. Methods Twenty-eight well-healed burn survivors with low (23±5%TBSA; N=10), moderate (42±7%TBSA; N=9), and high (60±8%TBSA; N=9) sized burn injuries performed 60 minutes of cycle ergometry exercise (72±15 Watts, oxygen uptake rate of 1.25±0.21 L/min equivalent to 4.5±0.2 METs) in a 25°C and 23% relative humidity environment. Absolute gastrointestinal temperatures (Tcore) and changes in gastrointestinal temperatures (ΔTcore) were obtained at 15-minute increments throughout the exercise bout. A participant with an absolute Tcore of greater than 38.5°C, and/or a ΔTcore of &amp;gt;1.5°C, at any time point during the trial was categorized as being at risk for hyperthermia. Results Sixty minutes of exercise increased Tcore in all groups (Low: 0.72±0.21°C; Moderate: 0.42±0.22°C; High: 0.77±0.25°C, all P&amp;lt; 0.01 from pre-exercise baseline), resulting in similar absolute Tcore values of upon exercise termination (Low: 37.87±0.24°C; Moderate: 37.56±0.34°C; High: 37.76±0.47°C, P=0.19). Importantly, no participant was categorized as being at risk for hyperthermia, based upon the aforementioned criteria. Conclusions These data indicate that individuals with substantial %TBSA burned can exercise at a mild/moderate intensity for 60 minutes in thermoneutral environmental conditions without a risk of excessive elevations in body core temperature.

How dryland mammals will respond to climate change: the effects of body size, heat load and a lack of food and water.

Mammals in drylands are facing not only increasing heat loads but also reduced water and food availability as a result of climate change. Insufficient water results in suppression of evaporative cooling and therefore increases in body core temperature on hot days, while lack of food reduces the capacity to maintain body core temperature on cold nights. Both food and water shortage will narrow the prescriptive zone, the ambient temperature range over which body core temperature is held relatively constant, which will lead to increased risk of physiological malfunction and death. Behavioural modifications, such as shifting activity between night and day or seeking thermally buffered microclimates, may allow individuals to remain within the prescriptive zone, but can incur costs, such as reduced foraging or increased competition or predation, with consequences for fitness. Body size will play a major role in predicting response patterns, but identifying all the factors that will contribute to how well dryland mammals facing water and food shortage will cope with increasing heat loads requires a better understanding of the sensitivities and responses of mammals exposed to the direct and indirect effects of climate change.

Hydration and cooling in elite athletes: relationship with performance, body mass loss and body temperatures during the Doha 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships

PurposeTo characterise hydration, cooling, body mass loss, and core (Tcore) and skin (Tsk) temperatures during World Athletics Championships in hot-humid conditions.MethodsMarathon and race-walk (20 km and 50 km) athletes (n=83,...

Myths and methodologies: Degrees of freedom - limitations of infrared thermographic screening for Covid-19 and other infections.

Around the planet, in many different scenarios, skin temperature is being used as a surrogate measure of deep body (core) temperature in the assessment of whether an individual is infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), as indicated by the presence of fever. The key question is whether this is a valid methodology. If it is not, we run the risk of falsely excluding individuals from places they may want, or need, to go. We also run the risk of falsely allowing people into places where they can spread the undetected infection they have. In this review, we explore these and associated questions. We establish the limited utility of the current methodology for the mass screening of individuals for Covid-19 related fever using infrared thermography. We propose the development of an alternative method that may prove to be more sensitive.

Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Autonomic Nervous Hyperactivity among Premenopausal Women with Cold-Sensitivity Constitution (Hiesho).

The cold-sensitivity constitution (CSC), termed "Hiesho" in Japanese, is a woman-specific cold sense of peripheral sites. The etiology of and criteria for CSC are not yet well established. We defined CSC as temperature gradient > 6˚C between body surface and core, and investigated the autonomic nervous activity by measuring heart rate variability and the vascular endothelial function by determining reactive hyperemia index (RHI) in 43 healthy premenopausal women, aged 18-47 years. Twenty five women had CSC during both the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles (sustained-CSC group), 8 women did not show CSC during both phases (non-CSC group), and the remaining 10 women showed CSC in either menstrual phase (occasional CSC). To identify the pathophysiological bases of CSC, we compared the sympathetic nervous activity and vascular endothelial function between sustained-CSC and non-CSC. We thus found that sympathetic nervous activity was higher among the sustained-CSC group (p = 0.042) during the follicular phase, compared with the non-CSC group, while the RHI was similar in both groups. Furthermore, the sympathetic nervous activity was similar between the sustained-CSC women aged ≥ 40 years (n = 10) and those aged < 40 years (n = 15) during either menstrual phase, whereas the RHI of the women aged < 40 years was lower during the follicular phase (p = 0.045), compared with the women aged ≥ 40 years. In conclusion, CSC is associated with sympathetic nervous hyperactivity in premenopausal women, and vascular endothelial dysfunction is also involved in CSC among younger women.

Association of core body temperature and peripheral blood flow of the hands with pain intensity, pressure pain hypersensitivity, central sensitization, and fibromyalgia symptoms.

Our aim was to analyse body core temperature and peripheral vascular microcirculation at skin hypothenar eminence of the hands and its relationship to symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A total of 80 FMS women and 80 healthy women, matched on weight, were enrolled in this case–control study. Thermography and infrared thermometer were used for evaluating the hypothenar regions and core body temperature, respectively. The main outcome measures were pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) and clinical questionnaires. Significant associations were observed between overall impact [β = 0.033; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.003, 0.062; p = 0.030], daytime dysfunction (β = 0.203; 95%CI = 0.011, 0.395; p = 0.039) and reduced activity (β = 0.045; 95%CI = 0.005, 0.085; p = 0.029) and core body temperature in FMS women. PPTs including greater trochanter dominant (β = 0.254; 95%CI = 0.003, 0.504; p = 0.047), greater trochanter non-dominant (β = 0.650; 95%CI = 0.141, 1.159; p = 0.013), as well as sleeping medication (β = −0.242; 95%CI = −0.471, −0.013; p = 0.039) were also associated with hypothenar eminence temperature. Data highlighted that FMS women showed correlations among body core temperature and hand temperature with the clinical symptoms.

Short-term effects of on-field combined core strength and small-sided games training on physical performance in young soccer players.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 6-weeks combined core strength and small-sided games training (SSGcore) vs. small-sided games (SSG) training on the physical performance of young soccer players. Thirty-eight amateur soccer players (age: 16.50 ± 0.51 years) were randomly assigned to either a SSGcore (n = 20) or a SSG group (n = 18). The SSGcore group performed upper and lower body core strength exercises combined with SSG including 2-, 3- and 4-a-sided soccer games third a week. The SSG group performed only the SSG periodization. Baseline and after the 6-week training period the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIRTL-1), 5–20-m sprint test, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), triple-hop distance (THD), zigzag agility with ball (ZAWB) and without ball (ZAWOB), three corner run test (TCRT) and Y-balance test. The SSGcore group demonstrated meaningful improvements in 20 m sprint time (SSGcore: -9.1%, d = 1.42; SSG: -4.4%, d = 0.76), CMJ (SSGcore: 11.4%, d = 2.67; SSG: -7.7%, d = 1.43), SJ (SSGcore: 12.0%, d = 2.14; SSG: 5.7%, d = 1.28), THD (SSGcore: 5.0%, d = 1.39; SSG: 2.7%, d = 0.52) and TCRT (SSGcore: -3.7%, d = 0.69; SSG: -1.9%, d = 0.38). Furthermore, the SSGcore group demonstrated meaningfully higher improvement responses in both leg balance score (d = ranging from 2.11 to 2.75) compared with SSG group. These results suggest that the inclusion of core strength training to a SSG periodization is greatly effective to improve speed and strength-based conditioning in young soccer players.

Body Core Temperature Estimation Using New Compartment Model With Vital Data From Wearable Devices

With increasing heat-wave frequency, the prevention and public awareness of heat-related illnesses has become an essential topic. In the standard for heat strain and stress, empirical guidelines to prevent excess core temperature rise above 1 °C have been prescribed for workers. However, measuring core temperature change in our daily life or working place is not straightforward. The estimation of core temperature from measured vital signals in a non-invasive manner is thus essential for the management of heat stress or strain. Here, we propose an estimation method for core temperature change by a simplified thermodynamics model with the measured heart rate and ambient conditions (temperature and relative humidity). Our proposed model is based on a two-layer two-compartment model with tuned parameters, which were derived from comparison between the computations using high-resolution anatomical human body model. Our model exhibited good agreement with the measured core temperature rise; the computed and measured core temperature rise for the naked trial were 0.54 °C and 0.53 °C, whereas those for the clothed trial were 0.70 °C, and 0.71 °C, respectively. Furthermore, our compartment model with vital data measured from a wearable device achieved good estimation in real time for field measurement in addition to computational replication with a previous study.

Mathematical modeling of temperature variation in breast tissue with and without tumor/cyst during menstrual cycle

The thermoregulation of human female body is influenced by hormonal and physiological changes in the body during the menstrual cycle. The fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone hormones, release in the follicular phase and the luteal phase of menstrual cycle, respectively play an important role in the growth of breast ducts and lobules (milk glands). The imbalance of these hormones causes breast tumors/cysts. The body core temperature, blood perfusion and metabolism rate are higher in the luteal phase than the follicular phase of menstrual cycle. In the present work, a tumor/cyst is assumed to be in the glandular layer. A two-dimensional Pennes bioheat equation is solved to find the temperature variation in breast tissue with and without tumor/cyst during the menstrual cycle by using the finite element method. The results show that the temperature of each layer of breast tissue in the luteal phase is higher than the follicular phase in the case of normal breast, tumorous breast and breast with cyst.

Gender differences on pain threshold, body temperature and reaction time among elderly population after alternate nostril breathing exercises-A comparative study

Introduction: It is a known fact that elderly males have a faster reaction time than females, and females exhibit greater pain sensitivity than males. Results on body core temperature between genders are inconsistent. Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) exercises were known to modulate the autonomic nervous system. The present study was done to find whether such differences between elderly males and females on pain sensitivity, body temperature and reaction time still persisted after ANB exercises. Objectives: 1. To measure the pain sensitivity, body temperature and reaction time in elderly males and females; 2: To compare the effects of 30 minutes of ANB exercises on all these parameters between elderly males and females. Materials and Methods: 30 elderly males (n=14) and females (n=16) with a mean age of 70.3 years participated in the study. Pain sensitivity was measured with digital algometer, temperature with clinical thermometer and reaction time with choice time apparatus before and immediately after ANB exercises. Results: A significant decrease (