Visibility of the new Moon at two sites I: Maryland situated at northern geographical latitude. II: Sacramento peak situated at high altitude above sea level

Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.

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Body water metabolism in high altitude natives during and after a stay at sea level

International Journal of Biometeorology ◽

10.1007/bf02184438 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 47-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. C. Jain ◽

Jaya Bardhan ◽

Y. V. Swamy ◽

A. Grover ◽

H. S. Nayar

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Body Water ◽

Water Metabolism ◽

High Altitude Natives

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Seasonal and Altitudinal Prevalence of Fascioliasis in Buffalo in Eastern Nepal

Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council ◽

10.3126/jnarc.v4i1.19689 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Ramesh Prasad Sah ◽

Hari Kumar Prasai ◽

Jiban Shrestha ◽

Md Hasanuzzaman Talukder ◽

AKM Anisur Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Meat Production ◽

Parasitic Diseases ◽

Sedimentation Technique ◽

Risk Period ◽

Pasture Contamination ◽

Low Altitude

Buffalo is the most important livestock commodities for milk, meat production and several other multipurpose uses distributed densely from southern tarai to northern mid-hills in Nepal. Among several internal parasitic diseases fascioliasis is highly economic one caused by Fasciola in buffaloes. However, there are only few studies carried on prevalence of fascioliasis emphasizing buffaloes in relation to seasonal (summer and rainy, and winter) and altitudinal variations. Therefore, we examined prevalence of fascioliasis seasonally and vertically. For the purpose, we selected two districts of eastern Nepal and sampled from low altitude area known as Madhesha ranging from 175-200, Dhankuta from 800-1200 m, and Murtidhunga from 1800-2200 m elevation from the sea level, representing tarai, mid hills and high hills, respectively. Altogether from February 2013 to January 2014 at every two months interval we collected 798 fecal samples from buffaloes; 282 from Murtidhunga, 239 from Dhankuta and 277 from Madhesha. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola eggs using sedimentation technique. Results showed that overall prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was 39.9% (319/798), ranging highest 42.6%in Madhesha followed by 39.7% in Murtidhunga and 37.2% in Dhankuta, respectively. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be significantly (p <0.05) high in winter (44.9%) comparing to rainy season (34.4%). The prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was relatively higher in low altitude than high altitude, although it was not statistically significant (p <0.05). In our findings the female buffaloes showed higher prevalence for fascioliasis than in male. Since the fascioliasis in buffaloes is highly endemic, thus strategic deworming in high risk period is recommended along with measure to prevent pasture contamination with buffalo feces.

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A STUDY OF VARIOUS INDICES OF ADRENOCORTICAL ACTIVITY DURING 23 DAYS AT HIGH ALTITUDE

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.0260555 ◽

1963 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 555-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

P. C. B. MACKINNON ◽

M. E. MONK-JONES ◽

K. FOTHERBY

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Acute Exposure ◽

Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone ◽

Adrenocortical Activity

SUMMARY 1. Four men and three women ascended by télépherique and helicopter from 1000 to 4333 m. where they remained for 23 days. 2. Measurements of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 17-oxosteroids, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol and circulating eosinophils were made at sea level and at high altitude. 3. An attempt was also made to measure changes in emotional activity by means of the palmar sweat index (PSI). This index was assessed at intervals throughout the day at sea level and at high altitude, and in response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and a self-imposed stress. 4. Within 24 hr. of acute exposure to high altitude urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids increased whilst circulating eosinophils decreased; by the 5th day both were returning to sea-level values. The output of 17-oxosteroids was lower by the 5th day at high altitude and subsequently increased; pregnanediol and pregnanetriol levels remained unchanged. 5. PSIs throughout the day become progressively lower as the length of stay at altitude increased. The response to ACTH at sea level and high altitude appeared to be similar but the response to a self-imposed stress was longer in duration at high altitude than at sea level.

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Improvement in lung diffusion by endothelin A receptor blockade at high altitude

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00670.2011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 112 (1) ◽

pp. 20-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Claire de Bisschop ◽

Jean-Benoit Martinot ◽

Gil Leurquin-Sterk ◽

Vitalie Faoro ◽

Hervé Guénard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Barometric Pressure ◽

Membrane Component ◽

Alveolar Volume ◽

Double Blind ◽

Lung Diffusion ◽

Endothelin A Receptor ◽

Endothelin A

Lung diffusing capacity has been reported variably in high-altitude newcomers and may be in relation to different pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Twenty-two healthy volunteers were investigated at sea level and at 5,050 m before and after random double-blind intake of the endothelin A receptor blocker sitaxsentan (100 mg/day) vs. a placebo during 1 wk. PVR was estimated by Doppler echocardiography, and exercise capacity by maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max). The diffusing capacities for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) were measured using a single-breath method before and 30 min after maximal exercise. The membrane component of DLCO (Dm) and capillary volume (Vc) was calculated with corrections for hemoglobin, alveolar volume, and barometric pressure. Altitude exposure was associated with unchanged DLCO, DLNO, and Dm but a slight decrease in Vc. Exercise at altitude decreased DLNO and Dm. Sitaxsentan intake improved V̇o2 max together with an increase in resting and postexercise DLNO and Dm. Sitaxsentan-induced decrease in PVR was inversely correlated to DLNO. Both DLCO and DLNO were correlated to V̇o2 max at sea level ( r = 0.41–0.42, P < 0.1) and more so at altitude ( r = 0.56–0.59, P < 0.05). Pharmacological pulmonary vasodilation improves the membrane component of lung diffusion in high-altitude newcomers, which may contribute to exercise capacity.

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Condensing Life Substances within the House: The Rice-Boiling Shuhi of Southwest China

Asiatische Studien – Études Asiatiques ◽

10.1515/asia-2016-0023 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elisabeth Hsu ◽

Franz K. Huber ◽

Caroline S. Weckerle

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Southeast Asia ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Ethnic Groups ◽

Southwest China ◽

Cultural Practice ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Regional Culture ◽

Fault Line

AbstractThe Shuhi of Muli County, Sichuan Province, are one of multiple ethnic groups inhabiting the river gorges of the Qinghai-Gansu-Sichuan corridor between the Tibetan plateau and the Chinese lowlands. The Shuhi have grown paddy rice since times immemorial at an unusually high altitude (ca. 2,300 m above sea level). This article aims to explain this conundrum not merely through the ecology (as is common among Tibetan area specialists), but by researching the cultivation and consumption of rice as a historically-evolved cultural practice. According to a recently formulated agro-archaeological hypothesis regarding the macro-region of Eurasia, it is possible to identify two supra-regional culture complexes distinguished by their respective culinary technologies: rice-boiling versus wheat-grinding-and-baking. The hypothesis posits that the fault line between the two supra-regional cultural complexes is precisely along this river gorges corridor. In this article we provide support for this hypothesis arguing that Shuhi ritual and kinship practices have much affinity with those of other rice-boiling peoples in Southeast Asia, whereas certain of their current religious practices are shared with the wheat-grinding Tibetans.

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The Influence of Altitude on Erythropoietin Resistance Index in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: Data from Tibetan Plateau

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000510997 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Yan Wang ◽

Zong-hui Dang ◽

Liang-ying Gan ◽

Ciren Luobu ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Resistance Index ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽

Autonomous Region ◽

Tibet Autonomous Region ◽

Dialysis Vintage ◽

Peking University ◽

The Impact

Background: It is known that hypoxia influences many of the biologic processes involved in erythropoiesis; therefore, the high-altitude hypoxia may affect erythropoietin (EPO) responsiveness in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of altitude on EPO responsiveness in MHD patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, MHD patients from Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital (3,650 m above sea level) and Peking University People’s Hospital (43.5 m above sea level) were recruited between May 2016 and December 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to altitude. Variables including age, sex, dialysis vintage, dialysis modality, duration of EPO use, EPO doses, and laboratory tests were collected and analyzed. EPO responsiveness was measured in terms of the EPO resistance index (ERI). ERI was defined as the weekly weight-adjusted dose of EPO (IU/kg/week) divided by hemoglobin concentration (g/dL). The association between ERI and altitude was estimated using a multivariable linear regression model. Results: Sixty-two patients from Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital (high-altitude [HA] group) and 102 patients from Peking University People’s Hospital (low-altitude [LA] group) were recruited. The ERI for HA group and LA group was 6.9 ± 5.1 IU w−1 kg−1 (g/dL)−1 and 11.5 ± 6.4 IU w−1 kg−1 (g/dL)−1, respectively. After adjusting for covariates by multivariable regression, altitude was independently associated with ERI (R2 = 0.245, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Altitude had an independent negative correlation with ERI. This result supported the hypothesis that altitude-associated hypoxia improved EPO responsiveness in MHD patients.

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Comparative analysis of vitamin D content in population of different climatic zones of Carpathian region

Bukovinian Medical Herald ◽

10.24061/2413-0737.xviii.4.72.2014.206 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (4 (72)) ◽

Author(s):

V. V. Povorozniuk ◽

I. V. Pankiv

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

High Altitude ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Sea Level ◽

Severe Form ◽

Climatic Zones ◽

Vitamin D Intake ◽

Carpathian Region ◽

Low Altitude

The adequate vitamin D intake is found only in 19,5 % of inspected habitants of Carpathian region. The vitamin D deficiency is marked in 135 (80,5 %) and among them severe form is detected in 48 (28,4 %) of the inspected people. Frequency of vitamin D deficiency depends on a residence and increases with the height above a sea level. 25 (ОН) D level is higher among the ihabitants of low altitude region (27,14±1,26 nmol/l) comparatively with data of middle altitude region (21,37±1,34 nmol/l) and high altitude region (15,56±1,04 nmol/l).

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Energy expenditure during load carriage at high altitude

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1981.51.1.14 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 14-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

A. Cymerman ◽

K. B. Pandolf ◽

A. J. Young ◽

J. T. Maher

Keyword(s):

Energy Expenditure ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Prediction Equation ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Load Carriage ◽

Metabolic Rates ◽

Specific Exercise ◽

Upper Limit ◽

Predicted Values

To determine the applicability of a prediction equation for energy expenditure during load carriage at high altitude that was previously validated at sea level, oxygen uptake (Vo2) was determined in five young men at 4,300 m while they walked with backpack loads of 0, 15, and 30 kg at treadmill grades of 0,8, and 16% at 1.12 m.s-1 for 10 min. Mean +/- SE maximal Vo2, determined on the cycle ergometer, was 42.2 +/- 2.3 at sea level and 35.6 +/- 1.7 ml.kg-1 .min-1 at altitude. There were no significant differences in daily Vo2 at any specific exercise intensity on days 1, 5, and 9 of exposure, nor were there any differences in endurance times at the two most difficult exercise intensities. Endurance times for 15- and 30-kg loads at 16% grade were 7.3 and 4.2 min, respectively. Measured energy expenditure was compared with that predicted by the formula of Pandolf et al. (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 43: 577–581, 1977) and found to be significantly different. The differences could be attributed to measurements at metabolic rates exceeding 730 W or 2.1 1.min-1 Vo2. These data indicate that the prediction equation can be used at altitude for exercise intensities not exceeding this upper limit. The observed deviations from predicted values at the high exercise intensities could possibly be attributed to the occurrence of appreciable oxygen deficits and the inability to achieve steady-state conditions.

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Exercise-induced VA/Q inequality in subjects with prior high-altitude pulmonary edema

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1996.81.2.922 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 922-932 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

A. Podolsky ◽

M. W. Eldridge ◽

R. S. Richardson ◽

D. R. Knight ◽

E. C. Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

Pulmonary Edema ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Pulmonary Capillary ◽

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema ◽

History Of ◽

Capillary Pressures ◽

Exercise Induced

Ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) mismatch has been shown to increase during exercise, especially in hypoxia. A possible explanation is subclinical interstitial edema due to high pulmonary capillary pressures. We hypothesized that this may be pathogenetically similar to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) so that HAPE-susceptible people with higher vascular pressures would develop more exercise-induced VA/Q mismatch. To examine this, seven healthy people with a history of HAPE and nine with similar altitude exposure but no HAPE history (control) were studied at rest and during exercise at 35, 65, and 85% of maximum 1) at sea level and then 2) after 2 days at altitude (3,810 m) breathing both normoxic (inspired Po2 = 148 Torr) and hypoxic (inspired Po2 = 91 Torr) gas at both locations. We measured cardiac output and respiratory and inert gas exchange. In both groups, VA/Q mismatch (assessed by log standard deviation of the perfusion distribution) increased with exercise. At sea level, log standard deviation of the perfusion distribution was slightly higher in the HAPE-susceptible group than in the control group during heavy exercise. At altitude, these differences disappeared. Because a history of HAPE was associated with greater exercise-induced VA/Q mismatch and higher pulmonary capillary pressures, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that exercise-induced mismatch is due to a temporary extravascular fluid accumulation.

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