scholarly journals Effect of Ambient Temperature on the Spread of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Author(s):  
Ahad Heydari ◽  
Saeed Fallah-Aliabadi ◽  
Peymaneh Habibi

Introduction: So far, the so many people has been infected by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the worldwide and almost all the countries have reported infected and death cases. Some studies have shown that coronaviruses are sensitive to air temperature and in warm temperature the rate of spread decreases. This study aimed to review the literature whether or not the temperature can affect the spread rate of COVID-19.   Methods: In this study, three main scientific electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and also Scholar Google were searched on April 14, 2020 to find relevant studies on COVID-19 and its spread in different ambient temperature. Results: Totally 588 articles were found for screening and 27 articles were selected for data extraction. The result of some of these studies showed that weather variations can affect transmission of coronavirus. Low temperature and low humidity may be essential factors for survival of coronaviruses. A temperature of 4°C is ideal for the life of this virus and it may be sensitive to 70°C temperature. The increase in temperature of stainless steel, wood, fabrics, and metal can eliminate and remove coronaviruses according to the findings of some of these reviewed articles. Conclusion: This review study failed to precisely report the effect of temperature or humidity to stop the virus from spreading and transmitting. It is required to conduct more studies in this regard to introduce the exact pattern of transmission by examining the conditions of virus transmission in different climatic conditions.

Author(s):  
Karla Romero Starke ◽  
René Mauer ◽  
Ethel Karskens ◽  
Anna Pretzsch ◽  
David Reissig ◽  
...  

Weather conditions may have an impact on SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission, as has been shown for seasonal influenza. Virus transmission most likely favors low temperature and low humidity conditions. This systematic review aimed to collect evidence on the impact of temperature and humidity on COVID-19 mortality. This review was registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42020196055). We searched the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane COVID-19 databases for observational epidemiological studies. Two independent reviewers screened the title/abstracts and full texts of the studies. Two reviewers also performed data extraction and quality assessment. From 5051 identified studies, 11 were included in the review. Although the results were inconsistent, most studies imply that a decrease in temperature and humidity contributes to an increase in mortality. To establish the association with greater certainty, future studies should consider accurate exposure measurements and important covariates, such as government lockdowns and population density, sufficient lag times, and non-linear associations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravindra Verma ◽  
Vaibhav Misra ◽  
Dileep Tiwari ◽  
Prakash S. Bisen

Introduction: Many environmental risk factors are associated with some form of chronic inflammation. The spread of COVID-19 across the world has impacted every one of us. The first case of coronavirus was reported on 30 January 2020 in India originating from China. Study Area: India has a tremendous capacity to deal with the coronavirus outbreak because of its high immunity and climatic conditions. Maintaining social distancing and hand washing is not a sufficient step for preventing COVID-19. Indian system of traditional medicine has a potential worth to enhance immunity, which can resist a novel coronavirus. Material & Methods: A detailed study was carried out by analyzing national and international scientific databases (PubMed, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science, Mendeley), thesis, and recognized books. Only Indian herbs with high immunity resistant power were analyzed. Epidemiologic studies with information on COVID-19 risk factors and precautions also considered for study purposes. Results: Some herbs like Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice), Curcuma domestica Vahl (Turmeric), Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Cinnamon (Dalchini), Shoot of Triticumaestivum Linn. (Wheatgrass), Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), can help in boosting immunity for COVID-19 disease. Discussion: Despite the shreds of evidence for the efficacy of these herbs in treating coronavirus induced infections; the proper dose with ideal timing for such interventions needs to verify in clinical trials. Researchers must have to take the privilege to explore the potential of herbs to reduce such epidemics of environmental threats.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043215
Author(s):  
Kim Tam Bui ◽  
Roger Liang ◽  
Belinda E Kiely ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Haryana M Dhillon ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo identify available literature on prevalence, severity and contributing factors of scan-associated anxiety (‘scanxiety’) and interventions to reduce it.DesignSystematic scoping review.Data sourcesOvid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid PsycINFO, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, EBSCO CINAHL and PubMed up to July 2020.Study selectionEligible studies recruited people having cancer-related non-invasive scans (including screening) and contained a quantitative assessment of scanxiety.Data extractionDemographics and scanxiety outcomes were recorded, and data were summarised by descriptive statistics.ResultsOf 26 693 citations, 57 studies were included across a range of scan types (mammogram: 26/57, 46%; positron-emission tomography: 14/57, 25%; CT: 14/57, 25%) and designs (observation: 47/57, 82%; intervention: 10/57, 18%). Eighty-one measurement tools were used to quantify prevalence and/or severity of scanxiety, including purpose-designed Likert scales (17/81, 21%); the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (14/81, 17%) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (9/81, 11%). Scanxiety prevalence ranged from 0% to 64% (above prespecified thresholds) or from 13% to 83% (‘any’ anxiety, if no threshold). Mean severity scores appeared low in almost all measures that quantitatively measured scanxiety (54/62, 87%), regardless of whether anxiety thresholds were prespecified. Moderate to severe scanxiety occurred in 4%–28% of people in studies using descriptive measures. Nine of 20 studies assessing scanxiety prescan and postscan reported significant postscan reduction in scanxiety. Lower education, smoking, higher levels of pain, higher perceived risk of cancer and diagnostic scans (vs screening scans) consistently correlated with higher scanxiety severity but not age, gender, ethnicity or marital status. Interventions included relaxation, distraction, education and psychological support. Six of 10 interventions showed a reduction in scanxiety.ConclusionsPrevalence and severity of scanxiety varied widely likely due to heterogeneous methods of measurement. A uniform approach to evaluating scanxiety will improve understanding of the phenomenon and help guide interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 899.2-899
Author(s):  
M. Starovoytova ◽  
O. Desinova ◽  
L. P. Ananyeva ◽  
O. Koneva ◽  
L. Garzanova ◽  
...  

Background:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection or COVID-19 is a serious problem for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases Given the serious complications, including acute lung injury, patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), especially SSs associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), may represent a high risk group for infection and the development of severe COVID-19.Objectives:We present an analysis of the COVID-19 course and outcomes in 110 SSc pts.Methods:The study included 147 patients with SSc. The information was clarified by means of telephone survey after 10 months of the pandemic (December 2020). Covid-19 was diagnosed when confirmed by positive oral /nasopharyngeal swab, in the presence of positive antibodies and/or characteristic symptoms, and data from chest computed tomography (CT). 110 pts (77%) out of 147 patients in the SSc registry, gave the necessary information. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 59 pts (53 %). 42 pts (71%) had SSc-ILD. Pts mean age was 54.96 (s.d.11, min 31, max 79), 83% women (49 women and 10 men). 38 pts (65%) had a limited form of SSc, 15 (26%) pts had diffuse form SSc, 6% had overlap (SSc-polymyositis (PM) and SSc had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 3% had visceral form of SSc). All patients received low-dose prednisone, and more than half of the pts received immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab therapy was performed in 24 pts (41%).Results:Almost all patients had positive swab from the oral cavity/nasopharynx. And only in 4 (7%) pts nasopharyngeal swabs were negative, in these patients specific antibodies and characteristic CT changes were detected. Chest CT was performed in 51 (86%) pts. Novel coronavirus pneumonia developed in the vast majority of pts - in 46 (78 %) pts. CT1 (up to 25% of lung lesions) had 10 (17%) pts, CT2 (25-50%) – 21(36%) pts, CT 3 (50-75%) – 15(25%) pts. In 5 (8.5%) pts no changes were detected on CT. The course of COVID-19 was mild and moderate (20 (34%) pts and 18 (31%) pts respectively), severe course was observed in 21 (35%) pts, including fatal in 12 (20%) pts. Among the deceased pts, only 1 patient with SSc-PM had not had ILD, but 7 patients had been treated with rituximab.Conclusion:SSc SARS-CoV-2-infected patients may be at risk of severe disease and mortality due to the frequent presence of ILD and the frequent use of immunosuppressive, including biological, therapy.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110096
Author(s):  
Whitley J Stone ◽  
Kayla M Baker

The novel coronavirus may impact exercise habits of those with intellectual disabilities. Due to the mandated discontinuation of face-to-face research, investigators must adapt projects to protect all involved while collecting objective physical activity metrics. This brief report outlines a modification process of research methods to adhere to social distancing mandates present during COVID-19. Actions taken included electronic consent and assent forms, an electronic survey, and mailing an accelerometer with included instructions. The amended research methods were implemented without risk for virus transmission or undue burden on the research team, participant, or caregiver. Recruitment was likely impacted by the coronavirus-mediated quarantine, plausibly resulting in bias. Objective physical activity data collection can be sufficiently modified to protect those with intellectual disabilities and investigators. Future research designs may require greater participant incentives and the creation of in-home participation.


Rodriguésia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo M. Freire ◽  
Ignacio M. Barberis ◽  
José L. Vesprini

Abstract Aechmea distichantha, a widely-distributed facultative epiphytic bromeliad species, is present from rainforests to xerophytic forests. At its southernmost distribution (Humid Chaco) it grows in the understory and forest edges. This animal-pollinated bromeliad shows high phenotypic plasticity on its vegetative traits, but there is no information about plasticity on its reproductive traits. Infructescences from shade plants were heavier, had longer rachis, more spikelets, higher number of fruits/spikelet and higher number of seeds/fruit than those from sun plants, but they presented similar number of open flowers. The number of visitation events was similar in both habitats, but more flowers were visited in the sun than in the shade. Flowers were visited by seven species (six insects and one hummingbird). In the sun, the carpenter bee was the most frequent visitor and visited almost all flowers, whereas in the shade different species of visitors attained similar proportion of visits and number of visited flowers. Despite visitation events were similar in both habitats, plants growing in the shade set more seeds/fruit than plants growing in the sun. The higher proportion of visits accomplished by carpenter bees compared to hummingbirds is probably a consequence of the climatic conditions in the austral location of these populations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
В.К. Сердеров ◽  
Д.В. Сердерова

Большое значение в увеличении продуктивности картофеля имеет внедрение в производство перспективных высокоурожайных сортов и гибридов, приспособленных к местным природно-климатическим условиям возделывания, от чего зависят эффективность отрасли и себестоимость продукции. Цель работы – изучить влияние климатических условий на продуктивность и качественные показатели сортов и гибридов картофеля, а также использование ими благоприятных почвенно-климатических условий высокогорья Республики Дагестан, для размножения и внедрения в производство новых перспективных, высокоурожайных, приспособленных к условиям среды выращивания сортов картофеля с комплексом хозяйственно-ценных признаков. Объектом изучения послужили сорта картофеля раннего, среднераннего и среднего сроков созревания российской, белорусской и иностранной селекции. Полевые опыты закладывали в 2014–2017 годах на высоте 2000–2200 м, на землях горного опорного пункта «Курахский» Курахского района и на равнинной провинции (Прикаспийской низменности) на территории дачного массива «Наука» Махачкалинского района Республики Дагестан. Схема посадки – 70×30 см, повторность – четырехкратная. Технология выращивания картофеля – гребневая. При проведении полевых опытов использовали общепринятые методики. Практически все сорта картофеля, выращенные на равнинной провинции, сформировали высокий урожай в первый год и при дальнейшем размножении в результате развития вирусных болезней резко снизили свои продуктивные качества. Наиболее высокая урожайность в среднем за три года отмечена у сортов Жуковский ранний (20,8 т/га), Импала (20,5 т/га), Невский (17,8 т/га), Предгорный (16,9 т/га) и Удача (16,3 т/га). В свою очередь, горная провинция Дагестана характеризовалась благоприятными почвенно-климатическими условиями для возделывания как продовольственного картофеля, так и для организации первичного семеноводства на безвирусной основе и размножения перспективных сортов этой культуры. В среднем за годы исследований в горной провинции по урожайности выделились сорта Сильвана (37,4 т/га), Удача (37,6 т/га), Рокко (33,3 т/га), Импала (31,7 т/га), Жуковский ранний (29,0 т/га), Предгорный (27,7 т/га) и Примобелла (27,7 т/га), а также гибриды № 12.40/17 (43,1 т/га) и № 13.61/61 (38,8 т/га). The introduction of promising high-yielding varieties and hybrids adapted to the local natural and climatic conditions of cultivation is of great importance in increasing the productivity of potatoes, which determines the efficiency of the industry and the cost of production. The aim of the work is to study the influence of climatic conditions on the productivity and quality indicators of potato varieties and hybrids, as well as their use of favorable soil and climatic conditions in the highlands of the Republic of Dagestan, for breeding and introducing into production new promising, high-yielding, adapted to the growing environment of potato varieties with a complex of economically valuable characteristics. The object of the study was potato varieties of early, mid-early and medium maturation periods of Russian, Belarusian and foreign selection. Field experiments were conducted in 2014–2017 at an altitude of 2000–2200 m, on the lands of the mountain stronghold Kurakhsky of the Kukhar district and on the plain province (the Caspian lowland) on the territory of the suburban area Nauka of the Makhachkala district of the Republic of Dagestan. The landing scheme is 70×30 cm, the repeatability is four times. The technology of growing potatoes is combed. When conducting field experiments, generally accepted methods were used. Almost all potato varieties grown in the lowland province formed a high yield in the first year and, with further propagation, as a result of the development of viral diseases, sharply reduced their productive qualities. The highest yield on average for three years was observed in the varieties Zhukovskiy ranniy (20.8 t/ha), Impala (20.5 t/ha), Nevsky (17.8 t/ha), Predgornyy (16.9 t/ha) and Udacha (16.3 t/ha). In turn, the mountain province of Dagestan was characterized by favorable soil and climatic conditions for the cultivation of both food potatoes, and for the organization of primary seed production on a virus-free basis and the reproduction of promising varieties of this crop. On average, over the years of research in the mountain province, the varieties Silvana (37.4 t/ha), Udacha (37.6 t/ha), Rocco (33.3 t/ha), Impala (31.7 t/ha), Zhukovskiy ranniy (29.0 t/ha), Predgornyy (27.7 t/ha) and Primobella (27.7 t/ha), as well as hybrids No.12.40/17 (43.1 t/ha) and No.13.61/61 (38.8 t/ha) were distinguished by yield.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3587-3603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier M. Roche ◽  
Claire Waelbroeck ◽  
Brett Metcalfe ◽  
Thibaut Caley

Abstract. The oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 ratio recorded in fossil planktonic foraminifer shells has been used for over 50 years in many geoscience applications. However, different planktonic foraminifer species generally yield distinct signals, as a consequence of their specific living habitats in the water column and along the year. This complexity is usually not taken into account in model–data integration studies. To overcome this shortcoming, we developed the Foraminifers As Modeled Entities (FAME) module. The module predicts the presence or absence of commonly used planktonic foraminifers and their oxygen-18 values. It is only forced by hydrographic data and uses a very limited number of parameters, almost all derived from culture experiments. FAME performance is evaluated using the Multiproxy Approach for the Reconstruction of the Glacial Ocean surface (MARGO) Late Holocene planktonic foraminifer calcite oxygen-18 and abundance datasets. The application of FAME to a simple cooling scenario demonstrates its utility to predict changes in planktonic foraminifer oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 ratio in response to changing climatic conditions.


1987 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Roffi ◽  
F. Chami ◽  
P. Corbier ◽  
D. A. Edwards

Abstract. In the neonatal male rat, a rapid and transient increase in serum testosterone occurs about 2 h after birth. This post-partum testosterone surge (PPTS) has been implicated in the masculinization and defeminization of the central nervous system. The present study shows that environmental temperature can have a profound influence on the PPTS. Male rats were delivered from their mothers by caesarean section on day 22 of gestation. Immediately thereafter, neonatal males were placed at an ambient temperature of either 18, 21, 24 or 30°C. With 2 h of exposure, the body temperature was in close correspondence with the ambient temperature. The PPTS was clearly abolished in the pups exposed for 2 h at either 18 or 21°C. The effect of temperature was reversible: by placing pups at either 18 or 21°C for 2 h after delivery, and then rewarming by placing them with a foster mother, the PPTS was delayed until 4 h after birth, i.e. 2 h after the beginning of rewarming. Thus, environmental cooling appears to retard the development of neural and/or endocrine systems mediating the PPTS. Aberrant maternal care which would produce substantial cooling of the male pups would be expected to affect the PPTS, which in turn might affect the sexuality of male progeny.


Koedoe ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kudakwashe Musengi ◽  
Sally Archibald

Alien invasive species can have negative impacts on the functioning of ecosystems. Plantation species such as pines have become serious invaders in many parts of the world, but eucalypts have not been nearly as successful invaders. This is surprising considering that in their native habitat they dominate almost all vegetation types. Available theory on the qualities that characterise invasive species was used to assess the invasive potential of Eucalyptus grandis – a common plantation species globally. To determine rates of establishment of E. grandis outside plantations, we compared population demographics and reproductive traits at two locations in Mpumalanga, South Africa: one at higher elevation with more frost. Eucalyptus grandis has a short generation time. We found no evidence that establishment of E. grandis was limiting its spread into native grassland vegetation, but it does appear that recruitment is limited by frost and fire over much of its range in Mpumalanga. Populations at both study locations displayed characteristics of good recruitment. Size class distributions showed definite bottlenecks to recruitment which were more severe when exposed to frost at higher elevations. Generally, the rate of spread is low suggesting that the populations are on the establishing populations’ invasion stage. This research gives no indication that there are any factors that would prevent eucalyptus from becoming invasive in the future, and the projected increase in winter temperatures should be a cause for concern as frost is currently probably slowing recruitment of E. grandis across much of its planted range.Conservation implications: Eucalyptus plantations occur within indigenous grasslands that are of high conservation value. Frost and fire can slow recruitment where they occur, but there are no obvious factors that would prevent E. grandis from becoming invasive in the future, and monitoring of its rates of spread is recommended.


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