Previously, Whipp et. al. (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exerc. Physiol. 50(1):217-221, 1981) demonstrated the feasibility of determining four parameters of aerobic function, identified as maximum oxygen uptake (μVO_2), VO_2 at anaerobic threshold (θan), the time constant for oxygen uptake kinetics (rVO_2) and work efficiency (η), using a short duration ramped bicycle ergometer exercise test. Because of the importance of being able to measure these parameters on a variety of measurement instruments a short duration ramping treadmill protocol has been developed. The ability of this protocol to determine the four aerobic parameters has been validated against conventional methods. The results of this investigation indicate that μVO_2, θan, rVO_2 and, η may be obtained from a single, short-duration ramping treadmill test.

The effects of moderate, long-term intake of ethanol on the hypothalamic response to cold stress were examined. The long-term experimental animals were given .25 ml of 28% ethanol or .25 ml of water orally once a day, five days a week for fourteen months. A stainless steel electrode was then surgically implanted into the paraventricular nucleus, after which the animal was subjected to cold stress (-150 C, 10 min.). Recordings were taken in the forms of frequency and activity. The data clearly indicate that: (1) alcohol fed rats exhibited a suppressed response to cold stress compared to sham-fed rats; (2) this suppression of activity occurred at the level of the hypothalamus, and (3) mortality was significantly lower in alcohol-fed males than it was in sham fed males. This study clearly points out the need for further work in the area of the beneficial effects of moderate doses of alcohol.

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (42-S Thiram), a carbamate fungicide was studied for its mutagenic potential on the germ cell stages of wild-type male Drosophila melanogaster. The mutagenicity was tested using the sex-linked recessive lethal assay (SLRL). Any lethals induced in the F2 generation were evidenced by the absence of wild-type males. Although there was an increase in mutation rates in the 42-S Thiram treated wild-type males over the control wild-type males, it was not significantly higher. According to the laboratory conditions in this preliminary study, tetramethylthiuram disulfide failed to produce mutagenic effect.