Effects of workload on human cognitive performance of exposure to extremely cold environment

Ubiquitinome Analysis Uncovers Alterations in Synaptic Proteins and Glucose Metabolism Enzymes in the Hippocampi of Adolescent Mice Following Cold Exposure

Cold exposure exerts negative effects on hippocampal nerve development in adolescent mice, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Given that ubiquitination is essential for neurodevelopmental processes, we attempted to investigate the effects of cold exposure on the hippocampus from the perspective of ubiquitination. By conducting a ubiquitinome analysis, we found that cold exposure caused changes in the ubiquitination levels of a variety of synaptic-associated proteins. We validated changes in postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) ubiquitination levels by immunoprecipitation, revealing reductions in both the K48 and K63 polyubiquitination levels of PSD-95. Golgi staining further demonstrated that cold exposure decreased the dendritic-spine density in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis revealed that differentially ubiquitinated proteins were enriched in the glycolytic, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways. Protein expression analysis confirmed that cold exposure activated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/HIF-1α pathway. We also observed suppression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) protein levels and the pyruvate kinase (PK) activity induced by cold exposure. Regarding oxidative phosphorylation, a dramatic decrease in mitochondrial respiratory-complex I activity was observed, along with reduced gene expression of the key subunits NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit V1 (Ndufv1) and Ndufv2. In summary, cold exposure negatively affects hippocampal neurodevelopment and causes abnormalities in energy homeostasis within the hippocampus.

Association between work fatigue and cognitive function among Lebanese health-care professionals: the moderating effect of emotional intelligence

The aim of this study was to assess the association between work-related fatigue and cognitive impairment among Lebanese health-care professionals with a closer look into the moderating role of emotional intelligence. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and January 2022; 406 Lebanese health-care professionals were recruited through convenience sampling. Moderate analysis showed that with low levels of emotional intelligence, more physical, mental, or emotional work fatigue was significantly associated with lower cognitive function scores. These scores get better in people with moderate and high emotional intelligence for the same levels of work fatigue. Health-care workers, especially in Lebanon, are subject to a decline in their cognitive function when faced to high work fatigue loads in all its types, physical, mental, and emotional, along with the country's stressors. Here comes the role of emotional intelligence, where for the same level of fatigue, professionals with high emotional intelligence tend to have better cognitive functioning.

Promoting the value of good work: An important role for occupational professionals in a post-pandemic world?

 In the wake of 3 years of societal disruptions related to COVID-19 many workers and organisations are reflecting on the value of work. Despite work generally being good for individuals, it is often framed negatively by individuals. Occupational professionals may have inadvertently contributed to this negative perception by focussing on reducing occupational risks. This editorial outlines 5 issues and invites researchers and practitioners involved in work design to reflect on the contribution they can make in a post-pandemic world.

Effects of skin and mild core cooling on cognitive function in cold air in men

This study tested the effects of skin and core cooling on cognitive function in 0°C cold air. Ten males completed a randomized, repeated measures study consisting of four environmental conditions: (i) 30 min of exposure to 22°C thermoneutral air (TN), (ii) 15 min to 0°C cold air which cooled skin temperature to ~27°C (CS), (iii) 0°C cold air exposure causing mild core cooling of ∆-0.3°C from baseline (C-0.3°C) and (iv) 0°C cold air exposure causing mild core cooling of ∆-0.8°C from baseline (C-0.8°C). Cognitive function (reaction time [ms] and errors made [#]) were tested using a simple reaction test, a two-six item working memory capacity task, and vertical flanker task to assess executive function. There were no condition effects (all p > 0.05) for number of errors made on any task. There were no significant differences in reaction time relative to TN for the vertical flanker and item working memory capacity task. However, simple reaction time was slower in C-0.3°C (297 ± 33 ms) and C-0.8°C (296 ± 41 ms) compared to CS (267 ± 26 ms) but not TN (274 ± 38). Despite small changes in simple reaction time (~30 ms), executive function and working memory was maintained in 0°C cold air with up to ∆-0.8°C reduction in core temperature.

Effects and mechanisms of extremely cold environment on body response after trauma

With the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, extremely cold environment warfare has once again become the focus of international attention. People exposed to extremely cold environments may suffer from cold damage, further aggravate trauma, trigger high disability and mortality rates, and even cause serious sequelae. To declare the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, this paper reviews, firstly, physiological reaction of human body in an extremely cold environment. Then, the post-traumatic body response in an extremely cold environment was introduced, and finally, the sequelae of trauma in extremely cold environment was further summarized in the paper. The results indicated that extremely cold environment can cause a series of damage to the body, especially the body after trauma. The extremely cold factor is a double-edged sword, showing a favorable and unfavorable side in different aspects. Moreover, in addition to the trauma suffered by the body, the subsequent sequelae such as cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder may also be induced. The paper summarizes the human body's physiological response in an extremely cold environment, and declares the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, which may provide a theoretical basis for effectively improving the level of combat trauma treatment in extremely cold regions.

Modeling of heat transfer and thermal regulation for an electric heating glove against a cold environment

An electric heating glove can protect the health of workers without affecting flexibility of the hand in a cold environment. A heat transfer model of an electric heating glove with a function of intelligent temperature control was established. The model was verified by a test device for simulating cold-contact exposure. The results showed good agreement between the simulated values and the experimental values. Based on the numerical model, the basic parameters of the electric heating glove were analyzed. It was found that the pressure, thickness and thermal conductivity of the outer fabric were the key factors affecting the thermal regulative performance of the electric heating glove. The power consumption of the electric heating glove was mainly determined by the thickness of the outer fabric. The developed model provides a theoretical basis for the design of an electric heating glove for a thermal regulative effect and energy saving.

Ambient temperatures associated with increased risk of motor vehicle crashes in New York and Chicago

Motor Vehicle Crashes (MVC) are a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Yet it remains unknown to what extent changes in cold and hot temperatures affect the MVC. Here we quantify the linkage between ambient temperature exposure and the MVC risk of the driver in four cities of the United States. After adjusting for confounding factors, we find both a cold effect and a hot effect on MVC in New York, and a cold effect on MVC in Chicago. A 1 °C decrease in mean daily temperature below a cold threshold of -4.8 °C is associated with an increase in the overall cumulative relative risk of MVC by 11.59% (95% CI: 5.17%-16.43%) over 0-28 lag days for New York. The respective risk increase is 1.58% (95% CI: 0.36%-2.79%) over 0-2 lag days for a 1 °C increase in mean daily temperature above the hot threshold of 26.1 °C for New York. There is no significant heat wave or cold spell effects except for the heat wave effect on the consecutive heat wave days 7-10 in New York. Our study provides evidence of the association between driver exposure to low or high temperatures and the MVC risk. Improved public- administration preventive measures and policymaking are needed to minimize the negative consequences of abnormal temperatures on road safety driving.

The Effect of Cold Exposure on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Several aspects of cognition can be affected after cold exposure, but contradictory results have been reported regarding affected cognitive domains. The aim of the current systematic review was to evaluate the effects of specific cold exposure on cognitive performance in healthy subjects. A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE (Scopus) and PsycINFO databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were healthy subjects exposed to a cold environment (either simulated or not) and cognitive performance related to cold exposure with an experimental design. The literature search identified 18 studies, eight studies investigated the effect of cold air exposure and ten the effect of cold water immersion on cognitive performance of healthy subjects. There were several differences among the studies (environmental temperature reached, time of exposure, timing, and type of cognitive test administration). Cold exposure induced in most of the experimental settings (15 of 18) an impairment of CP even before accidental hypothermia was established. The most investigated and affected cognitive domains were attention and processing speed, executive function, and memory. Gender differences and effects of repeated exposure and possible acclimation on cognitive performance need further studies to be confirmed.