Portela A, Martin E, Aréchiga H, Cornelissen G, Sutherland D, Illera J C, Illera M, Halberg F
Laboratorios de Cronobiología, Universidad de Minnesota, MN, USA.
Gac Med Mex. 1996 Jul-Aug;132(4):409-23.
Chronobiology studies predictable variations, rhythms and trends in all forms of life. Each physiologic variable or system in an organism has a time structure which is genetically anchored and capable of being expressed in the absence of external cycles. However, it is normally adjusted by geophysical changes. Chronobiology quantifies rhythms by providing measures of amplitude and timing (phase and period), and a mean more precise than the arithmetic mean. The correct measurement of biological rhythms has led to considerable advances in the understanding of their underlying mechanisms of generation and expression. The use of information on rhythms is opening new opportunities in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Chronobiology is also effective in the improvement of the quality of life by teaching self-help to the healthy individual.
时间生物学研究各种生命形式中可预测的变化、节律和趋势。生物体中的每个生理变量或系统都有一个时间结构，该结构由基因决定，并且在没有外部周期的情况下也能够表达。然而，它通常会受到地球物理变化的调节。时间生物学通过提供幅度和时间（相位和周期）的测量值以及比算术平均值更精确的平均值来量化节律。对生物节律的正确测量在理解其产生和表达的潜在机制方面取得了相当大的进展。利用节律信息为疾病的预防、诊断和治疗带来了新的机遇。时间生物学通过向健康个体传授自助方法，在改善生活质量方面也很有效。
