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Polat C, Erdin M, Kalkan ŞO, Irmak S, Çetintaş O, Çolak F, Kalkan KK, Çoğal M, Ölgen K, Sözen M, Matur F, Öktem İMA. Evaluating climate-dependent distribution of orthohantaviruses with monitoring wild rodents: One Health Perspective †. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:2739-2751. [PMID: 39012426 PMCID: PMC11405598 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Orthohantaviruses, cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, nephropathia epidemica, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, are major public health problems all over the world. Wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses is of great importance for the preparedness against these human infections and the prediction of possible outbreak regions. Thus, we aimed to screen orthohantaviruses in wild rodents in Southern Anatolia, where the area has some of the glacial period refugia in the Mediterranean Basin, and interpret their current epidemiology with climatic biovariables in comparison with previously positive regions.We trapped muroid rodents between 2015 and 2017, and screened for orthohantaviruses. Then, we evaluated the relationship between orthohantavirus infections and bioclimatic variables. In spite of the long-term and seasonal sampling, we found no evidence for Orthohantavirus infections. The probable absence of orthohantaviruses in the sampling area was further evaluated from the climatic perspective, and results led us suggest that Orthohantavirus epidemiology might be relatively dependent on precipitation levels in driest and warmest quarters, and temperature fluctuations.These initial data might provide necessary perspective on wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses in other regions, and help to collect lacking data for a such habitat suitability study in a bigger scale in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceylan Polat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
| | - Mert Erdin
- Department of Virology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Şaban Orçun Kalkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sercan Irmak
- Science and Technology Application and Research Center, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir, Türkiye
| | - Ortaç Çetintaş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Faruk Çolak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Kürşat Kenan Kalkan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Muhsin Çoğal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Kirami Ölgen
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Letters, Ege University, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Mustafa Sözen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Türkiye
| | - Ferhat Matur
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - İbrahim Mehmet Ali Öktem
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye.
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2
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Huang J, Wang D, Zhu Y, Yang Z, Yao M, Shi X, An T, Zhang Q, Huang C, Bi X, Li J, Wang Z, Liu Y, Zhu G, Chen S, Hang J, Qiu X, Deng W, Tian H, Zhang T, Chen T, Liu S, Lian X, Chen B, Zhang B, Zhao Y, Wang R, Li H. An overview for monitoring and prediction of pathogenic microorganisms in the atmosphere. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 4:430-441. [PMID: 38933199 PMCID: PMC11197502 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has exerted a profound adverse impact on human health. Studies have demonstrated that aerosol transmission is one of the major transmission routes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Pathogenic microorganisms such as SARS-CoV-2 can survive in the air and cause widespread infection among people. Early monitoring of pathogenic microorganism transmission in the atmosphere and accurate epidemic prediction are the frontier guarantee for preventing large-scale epidemic outbreaks. Monitoring of pathogenic microorganisms in the air, especially in densely populated areas, may raise the possibility to detect viruses before people are widely infected and contain the epidemic at an earlier stage. The multi-scale coupled accurate epidemic prediction system can provide support for governments to analyze the epidemic situation, allocate health resources, and formulate epidemic response policies. This review first elaborates on the effects of the atmospheric environment on pathogenic microorganism transmission, which lays a theoretical foundation for the monitoring and prediction of epidemic development. Secondly, the monitoring technique development and the necessity of monitoring pathogenic microorganisms in the atmosphere are summarized and emphasized. Subsequently, this review introduces the major epidemic prediction methods and highlights the significance to realize a multi-scale coupled epidemic prediction system by strengthening the multidisciplinary cooperation of epidemiology, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, sociology, demography, etc. By summarizing the achievements and challenges in monitoring and prediction of pathogenic microorganism transmission in the atmosphere, this review proposes suggestions for epidemic response, namely, the establishment of an integrated monitoring and prediction platform for pathogenic microorganism transmission in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Danfeng Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yongguan Zhu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zifeng Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease (Guangzhou Medical University), Guangzhou 510230, China
| | - Maosheng Yao
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoming Shi
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cunrui Huang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xinhui Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jiang Li
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zifa Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yongqin Liu
- Center for Pan-third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guibing Zhu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 510640, China
| | - Xinghua Qiu
- State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weiwei Deng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Soft Mechanics & Smart Manufacturing and Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huaiyu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tianmu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xinbo Lian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Beidou Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yingjie Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Han Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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3
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Czerwińska A, Krzyścin J. Measurements of biologically effective solar radiation using erythemal weighted broadband meters. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:479-492. [PMID: 38363530 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe conversion factors (CF) for the calculation of biologically effective irradiances (BEI) from erythemal irradiance for three effects: photosynthesis of previtamin D3, psoriasis healing, and inactivation of the SARS-Cov-2 virions. CFs were empirically derived from measurements of spectral solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation during all sky conditions at four mid-latitude sites in the Northern Hemisphere, namely Aosta, Belsk, Reading, and San Diego. These CFs were found to depend on solar zenith angle (SZA) and total column ozone, but are largely independent (within ± 5% for SZA < 60°) of local conditions such as surface albedo, visibility and other local atmospheric patterns. The values of these empirical CFs are consistent with analytical CFs derived with radiative transfer calculations (model FastRT) for clear-sky and overcast conditions. To validate these analytical CFs, one-hour radiant exposures for the three biological effects were calculated from erythemal measurements at Reading between 2012 and 2021 and compared with similar exposures calculated directly from the spectral UV measurements. The two datasets agreed within 10% for SZA < 65°, demonstrating the utility of the conversion method. These results suggest that the proposed analytical CFs can be used with confidence to estimate radiant exposures for the three biological effects from measurements of the UV Index at any northern mid-latitude site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janusz Krzyścin
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Tarannum T, Ahmed S. Recent development in antiviral surfaces: Impact of topography and environmental conditions. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16698. [PMID: 37260884 PMCID: PMC10227326 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmission of viruses is largely dependent on contact with contaminated virus-laden communal surfaces. While frequent surface disinfection and antiviral coating techniques are put forth by researchers as a plan of action to tackle transmission in dire situations like the Covid-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, these procedures are often laborious, time-consuming, cost-intensive, and toxic. Hence, surface topography-mediated antiviral surfaces have been gaining more attention in recent times. Although bioinspired hydrophobic antibacterial nanopatterned surfaces mimicking the natural sources is a very prevalent and successful strategy, the antiviral prospect of these surfaces is yet to be explored. Few recent studies have explored the potential of nanopatterned antiviral surfaces. In this review, we highlighted surface properties that have an impact on virus attachment and persistence, particularly focusing and emphasizing on the prospect of the nanotextured surface with enhanced properties to be used as antiviral surface. In addition, recent developments in surface nanopatterning techniques depending on the nano-scaled dimensions have been discussed. The impacts of environments and surface topology on virus inactivation have also been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjina Tarannum
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka-1000. Bangladesh
| | - Shoeb Ahmed
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka-1000. Bangladesh
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5
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Lombini M, Schreiber L, Albertini R, Alessi EM, Attinà P, Bianco A, Cascone E, Colucci ME, Cortecchia F, De Caprio V, Diolaiti E, Fiorini M, Lessio L, Macchi A, Malaguti G, Mongelluzzo G, Pareschi G, Pelizzo MG, Pasquarella C. Solar ultraviolet light collector for germicidal irradiation on the moon. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8326. [PMID: 37221252 PMCID: PMC10204019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged human-crewed missions on the Moon are foreseen as a gateway for Mars and asteroid colonisation in the next decades. Health risks related to long-time permanence in space have been partially investigated. Hazards due to airborne biological contaminants represent a relevant problem in space missions. A possible way to perform pathogens' inactivation is by employing the shortest wavelength range of Solar ultraviolet radiation, the so-called germicidal range. On Earth, it is totally absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach the surface. In space, such Ultraviolet solar component is present and effective germicidal irradiation for airborne pathogens' inactivation can be achieved inside habitable outposts through a combination of highly reflective internal coating and optimised geometry of the air ducts. The Solar Ultraviolet Light Collector for Germicidal Irradiation on the Moon is a project whose aim is to collect Ultraviolet solar radiation and use it as a source to disinfect the re-circulating air of the human outposts. The most favourable positions where to place these collectors are over the peaks at the Moon's poles, which have the peculiarity of being exposed to solar radiation most of the time. On August 2022, NASA communicated to have identified 13 candidate landing regions near the lunar South Pole for Artemis missions. Another advantage of the Moon is its low inclination to the ecliptic, which maintains the Sun's apparent altitude inside a reduced angular range. For this reason, Ultraviolet solar radiation can be collected through a simplified Sun's tracking collector or even a static collector and used to disinfect the recycled air. Fluid-dynamic and optical simulations have been performed to support the proposed idea. The expected inactivation rates for some airborne pathogens, either common or found on the International Space Station, are reported and compared with the proposed device efficiency. The results show that it is possible to use Ultraviolet solar radiation directly for air disinfection inside the lunar outposts and deliver a healthy living environment to the astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Lombini
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Laura Schreiber
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Albertini
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisa Maria Alessi
- Istituto di Matematica Applicata e Tecnologie Informatiche "E. Magenes" - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | - Primo Attinà
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Merate, LC, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Merate, LC, Italy
| | - Enrico Cascone
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Fausto Cortecchia
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Caprio
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
| | - Emiliano Diolaiti
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mauro Fiorini
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Lessio
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Macchi
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Merate, LC, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Malaguti
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mongelluzzo
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pareschi
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, Merate, LC, Italy
| | - Maria G Pelizzo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
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Bernhard GH, Madronich S, Lucas RM, Byrne SN, Schikowski T, Neale RE. Linkages between COVID-19, solar UV radiation, and the Montreal Protocol. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:991-1009. [PMID: 36995652 PMCID: PMC10062285 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00373-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
There are several connections between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), solar UV radiation, and the Montreal Protocol. Exposure to ambient solar UV radiation inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. An action spectrum describing the wavelength dependence of the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by UV and visible radiation has recently been published. In contrast to action spectra that have been assumed in the past for estimating the effect of UV radiation on SARS-CoV-2, the new action spectrum has a large sensitivity in the UV-A (315-400 nm) range. If this "UV-A tail" is correct, solar UV radiation could be much more efficient in inactivating the virus responsible for COVID-19 than previously thought. Furthermore, the sensitivity of inactivation rates to the total column ozone would be reduced because ozone absorbs only a small amount of UV-A radiation. Using solar simulators, the times for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 have been determined by several groups; however, many measurements are affected by poorly defined experimental setups. The most reliable data suggest that 90% of viral particles embedded in saliva are inactivated within ~ 7 min by solar radiation for a solar zenith angle (SZA) of 16.5° and within ~ 13 min for a SZA of 63.4°. Slightly longer inactivation times were found for aerosolised virus particles. These times can become considerably longer during cloudy conditions or if virus particles are shielded from solar radiation. Many publications have provided evidence of an inverse relationship between ambient solar UV radiation and the incidence or severity of COVID-19, but the reasons for these negative correlations have not been unambiguously identified and could also be explained by confounders, such as ambient temperature, humidity, visible radiation, daylength, temporal changes in risk and disease management, and the proximity of people to other people. Meta-analyses of observational studies indicate inverse associations between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity or severity of COVID-19, although the quality of these studies is largely low. Mendelian randomisation studies have not found statistically significant evidence of a causal effect of 25(OH)D concentration on COVID-19 susceptibility or severity, but a potential link between vitamin D status and disease severity cannot be excluded as some randomised trials suggest that vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for people admitted to a hospital. Several studies indicate significant positive associations between air pollution and COVID-19 incidence and fatality rates. Conversely, well-established cohort studies indicate no association between long-term exposure to air pollution and infection with SARS-CoV-2. By limiting increases in UV radiation, the Montreal Protocol has also suppressed the inactivation rates of pathogens exposed to UV radiation. However, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the expected larger inactivation rates without the Montreal Protocol would have had tangible consequences on the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H Bernhard
- Biospherical Instruments Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - S Madronich
- Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, USA
| | - R M Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - S N Byrne
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | - T Schikowski
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - R E Neale
- Population Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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7
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Bernhard GH, Bais AF, Aucamp PJ, Klekociuk AR, Liley JB, McKenzie RL. Stratospheric ozone, UV radiation, and climate interactions. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:937-989. [PMID: 37083996 PMCID: PMC10120513 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00371-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
This assessment provides a comprehensive update of the effects of changes in stratospheric ozone and other factors (aerosols, surface reflectivity, solar activity, and climate) on the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the Earth's surface. The assessment is performed in the context of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its Amendments and Adjustments. Changes in UV radiation at low- and mid-latitudes (0-60°) during the last 25 years have generally been small (e.g., typically less than 4% per decade, increasing at some sites and decreasing at others) and were mostly driven by changes in cloud cover and atmospheric aerosol content, caused partly by climate change and partly by measures to control tropospheric pollution. Without the Montreal Protocol, erythemal (sunburning) UV irradiance at northern and southern latitudes of less than 50° would have increased by 10-20% between 1996 and 2020. For southern latitudes exceeding 50°, the UV Index (UVI) would have surged by between 25% (year-round at the southern tip of South America) and more than 100% (South Pole in spring). Variability of erythemal irradiance in Antarctica was very large during the last four years. In spring 2019, erythemal UV radiation was at the minimum of the historical (1991-2018) range at the South Pole, while near record-high values were observed in spring 2020, which were up to 80% above the historical mean. In the Arctic, some of the highest erythemal irradiances on record were measured in March and April 2020. For example in March 2020, the monthly average UVI over a site in the Canadian Arctic was up to 70% higher than the historical (2005-2019) average, often exceeding this mean by three standard deviations. Under the presumption that all countries will adhere to the Montreal Protocol in the future and that atmospheric aerosol concentrations remain constant, erythemal irradiance at mid-latitudes (30-60°) is projected to decrease between 2015 and 2090 by 2-5% in the north and by 4-6% in the south due to recovering ozone. Changes projected for the tropics are ≤ 3%. However, in industrial regions that are currently affected by air pollution, UV radiation will increase as measures to reduce air pollutants will gradually restore UV radiation intensities to those of a cleaner atmosphere. Since most substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol are also greenhouse gases, the phase-out of these substances may have avoided warming by 0.5-1.0 °C over mid-latitude regions of the continents, and by more than 1.0 °C in the Arctic; however, the uncertainty of these calculations is large. We also assess the effects of changes in stratospheric ozone on climate, focusing on the poleward shift of climate zones, and discuss the role of the small Antarctic ozone hole in 2019 on the devastating "Black Summer" fires in Australia. Additional topics include the assessment of advances in measuring and modeling of UV radiation; methods for determining personal UV exposure; the effect of solar radiation management (stratospheric aerosol injections) on UV radiation relevant for plants; and possible revisions to the vitamin D action spectrum, which describes the wavelength dependence of the synthesis of previtamin D3 in human skin upon exposure to UV radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H Bernhard
- Biospherical Instruments Inc, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - A F Bais
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - P J Aucamp
- Ptersa Environmental Consultants, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A R Klekociuk
- Antarctic Climate Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia
| | - J B Liley
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Lauder, New Zealand
| | - R L McKenzie
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Lauder, New Zealand
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8
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Pérez-Gilaberte JB, Martín-Iranzo N, Aguilera J, Almenara-Blasco M, de Gálvez MV, Gilaberte Y. Correlation between UV Index, Temperature and Humidity with Respect to Incidence and Severity of COVID 19 in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031973. [PMID: 36767340 PMCID: PMC9915304 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various studies support the inverse correlation between solar exposure and Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Spain, from the Canary Islands to the northern part of the country, the global incidence of COVID-19 is different depending on latitude, which could be related to different meteorological conditions such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet index (UVI). The objective of the present work was to analyze the association between UVI, other relevant environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, and the incidence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 at different latitudes in Spain. METHODS An observational prospective study was conducted, recording the numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, patients in critical units, mortality rates, and annual variations related to UVI, temperature, and humidity in five different provinces of Spain from January 2020 to February 2021. RESULTS Statistically significant inverse correlations (Spearman coefficients) were observed between UVI, temperature, annual changes, and the incidence of COVID-19 cases at almost all latitudes. CONCLUSION Higher ultraviolet radiation levels and mean temperatures could contribute to reducing COVID-19 incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Blas Pérez-Gilaberte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - José Aguilera
- Photobiological Dermatology Laboratory Medical Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Medicine, School of Medicine, Campus Universitario de Teatinos S/N, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Manuel Almenara-Blasco
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Victoria de Gálvez
- Photobiological Dermatology Laboratory Medical Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Medicine, School of Medicine, Campus Universitario de Teatinos S/N, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gilaberte
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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9
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Cox J, Christensen B, Burton N, Dunn KH, Finnegan M, Ruess A, Estill C. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace: Key findings from a rapid review of the literature. AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AEROSOL RESEARCH 2023; 57:233-254. [PMID: 37213938 PMCID: PMC10193509 DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2023.2166394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary route of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not well understood. Research gathered from other respiratory infectious diseases, including other coronaviruses, was the basis for the initial perceptions for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. To better understand transmission of SARS-CoV-2, a rapid literature review was conducted from literature generated March 19, 2020, through September 23, 2021. 18,616 unique results were identified from literature databases and screened. Of these, 279 key articles were reviewed and abstracted covering critical topics such as environmental/workplace monitoring, sampling and analytical method evaluation, and the ability of the virus to remain intact and infectious during sampling. This paper describes the results of the rapid literature review, which evaluated pathways that contribute to transmission as well as the strengths and limitations of current sampling approaches. This review also evaluates how different factors, including environmental conditions and surface characteristics, could impact the transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2. A continual rapid review in the midst of a pandemic proved particularly useful for quickly understanding the transmission parameters of the virus and enabled us to comprehensively assess literature, respond to workplace questions, and evaluate our understanding as the science evolved. Air and surface sampling with the accompanying analytical methods were not generally effective in recovering SARS-CoV-2 viable virus or RNA in many likely contaminated environments. In light of these findings, the development of validated sampling and analysis methods is critical for determining worker exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and to assess the impact of mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Cox
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian Christensen
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nancy Burton
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kevin H. Dunn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Ana Ruess
- Gryphon Scientific, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | - Cherie Estill
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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10
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Shahini E, Pesce F, Argentiero A, Solimando AG. Can vitamin D status influence seroconversion to SARS-COV2 vaccines? Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038316. [PMID: 36601112 PMCID: PMC9806423 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing data indicate an association between vitamin D deficiency and increased severity of respiratory distress due to COVID-19 infection, especially in high-risk populations. To date, the effect of vitamin D on immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has been investigated solely in young healthcare workers in a few studies, yielding conflicting findings, yet highlighting that the response to immunization is inversely related to age. Vitamin D status can potentially influence the antibody titers in people with a previous (or naïve) SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, given its role in immune regulatory functions. From this standpoint, vitamin D supplementation can help reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 severity/mortality and rebalance immunological function, particularly in subjects with vigorous T lymphocyte responses to COVID-19. However, more research is needed to establish a correlation between vitamin D status and the generation of protective serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrit Shahini
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Research “Saverio De Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, Italy,*Correspondence: Endrit Shahini,
| | - Francesco Pesce
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
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11
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Song Q, Qian G, Mi Y, Zhu J, Cao C. Synergistic influence of air temperature and vaccination on COVID-19 transmission and mortality in 146 countries or regions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114229. [PMID: 36049515 PMCID: PMC9423881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the influence of vaccination and air temperature on COVID-19 transmission and severity. METHODS The study data in 146 countries from January 6, 2020 to July 28, 2022 were aggregated into 19,856 weeks. Country-level weekly incidence, time-varying reproduction number (Rt), mortality, and infection-fatality ratio (IFR) were compared among groups of these weeks with different vaccination rates and air temperatures. RESULTS Weeks with <15 °C air temperature and 60% vaccination showed the highest incidence (mean, 604; SD, 855; 95% CI, 553-656, unit, /100,000 persons; N = 1073) and the highest rate of weeks with >1 Rt (mean, 41.6%; SD, 1.49%; 95% CI, 39.2-45.2%; N = 1090), while weeks with >25 °C and <20% showed the lowest incidence (mean, 24; SD, 75; 95% CI, 22-26; N = 5805) and the lowest rate of weeks with >1 Rt (mean, 15.3%; SD, 0.461%; 95% CI, 14.2-16.2%; N = 6122). Mortality in weeks with <15 °C (mean, 2.1; SD, 2.8; 95% CI, 2.0-2.2, unit, /100,000 persons; N = 4365) was five times of the mortality in weeks with >25 °C (mean, 0.44; SD, 1; 95% CI, 0.41-0.46; N = 7741). IFR ranged between 2% and 2.6% (SD, 1.9%-2.4%; 95% CI, 2.0-2.7%) at < 20% vaccination level, 1.8% (SD, 2%-2.2%; 95% CI, 1.7-2.0%) at 20-60% vaccination level, and 0.7%-1% (SD, 1%-1.8%; 95% CI, 0.7-1.1%) at > 60% vaccination level and at all air temperatures (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Vaccination was insufficient to mitigate the transmission since the significantly elevated weekly incidence and >1 Rt rate in weeks with high vaccination, while IFR was reduced by high vaccination. Countries with long-term low air temperature were affected by high transmission and high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifa Song
- Medical Data Center, Ningbo City First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Guoqing Qian
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Ningbo City First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuwei Mi
- Medical Data Center, Ningbo City First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianhua Zhu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Ningbo City First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Chao Cao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Ningbo City First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.
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12
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Khandker S, Akther A, Syed BH, Shafiullah R, Ahmed K, Chowdhury AA, Khan S. Post-COVID-19 complications in home and hospital-based care: A study from Dhaka city, Bangladesh. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 3:1037649. [PMID: 36504697 PMCID: PMC9731105 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.1037649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to understand the management patterns and post-COVID-19 complications among hospital and home-treated participants. Retrospective information was collected from four COVID-19 dedicated hospitals and four selected community settings. Using probability proportional sampling, 925 participants were selected. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and the exact chi-square tests were utilized to analyze the association between the studied variables. A total of 659 participants responded (response rate 70.93%); 375 from hospitals and 284 from communities. About 80% of participants were mild cases, 75% were treated at home, and 65% of hospital-treated participants were referred after home treatment. Participants treated at home-to hospital and directly in the hospital had 1.64 and 3.38 times longer recovery time respectively than what home-based participants had. A significant increasing trend (p < 0.001) of co-morbidities was found among referred and hospital treated participants. Age, level of education, physical exercise, practicing preventive measures, exposure to sunlight, and intake of carbohydrate, additional liquid, food supplements, and avoidance of junk foods were significantly associated with place of treatment. Post-COVID-19 difficulties of all factors were statistically significant for home treatment participants, whilst only depression (p = 0.026), chest pain (p = 0.017), and digestive disorders (p = 0.047) were significant (p < 0.05) for hospital treated participants. The outcomes from this study provide insight into a range of post-COVID-19 difficulties relating to at home and in hospital treatment participants. There are clear differences in the complications experienced, many of which are statistically significant. The health care professionals, the community people and COVID-19 survivors will be benefitted from the study findings, and the policy level people may use the information for designing health education program on post COVID-19 complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salamat Khandker
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Aivee Akther
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Billal H. Syed
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rezoun Shafiullah
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kawsar Ahmed
- School of Mathematics & Statistics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Salim Khan
- Head, Department of Public Health, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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13
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Coccia M. COVID-19 Vaccination is not a Sufficient Public Policy to face Crisis Management of next Pandemic Threats. PUBLIC ORGANIZATION REVIEW 2022. [PMCID: PMC9574799 DOI: 10.1007/s11115-022-00661-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
This study reveals that a vast vaccination campaign is a necessary but not sufficient public policy to reduce the negative impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis because manifold factors guide the spread of this new infectious disease and related mortality in society. Statistical evidence here, based on a worldwide sample of countries, shows a positive correlation between people fully vaccinated and COVID-19 mortality (r = + 0.65, p-value < 0.01). Multivariate regression, controlling income per capita, confirms this finding. Results suggest that the increasing share of people vaccinated against COVID-19 seems to be a necessary but not sufficient health policy to reduce mortality of COVID-19. The findings here can be explained with the role of Peltzman effect, new variants, environmental and socioeconomic factors that affect the diffusion and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic in society. This study extends the knowledge in this research field to design effective public policies of crisis management for facing next pandemic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Coccia
- CNR -- NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Via Real Collegio, n. 30, 10024 Moncalieri (TO), Italy
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14
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Haga L, Ruuhela R, Auranen K, Lakkala K, Heikkilä A, Gregow H. Impact of Selected Meteorological Factors on COVID-19 Incidence in Southern Finland during 2020-2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13398. [PMID: 36293991 PMCID: PMC9603127 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We modelled the impact of selected meteorological factors on the daily number of new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa in southern Finland from August 2020 until May 2021. We applied a DLNM (distributed lag non-linear model) with and without various environmental and non-environmental confounding factors. The relationship between the daily mean temperature or absolute humidity and COVID-19 morbidity shows a non-linear dependency, with increased incidence of COVID-19 at low temperatures between 0 to -10 °C or at low absolute humidity (AH) values below 6 g/m3. However, the outcomes need to be interpreted with caution, because the associations found may be valid only for the study period in 2020-2021. Longer study periods are needed to investigate whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a seasonal pattern similar such as influenza and other viral respiratory infections. The influence of other non-environmental factors such as various mitigation measures are important to consider in future studies. Knowledge about associations between meteorological factors and COVID-19 can be useful information for policy makers and the education and health sector to predict and prepare for epidemic waves in the coming winters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Haga
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Meteorological and Marine Research Programme, Weather and Climate Change Impact Research, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Reija Ruuhela
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Meteorological and Marine Research Programme, Weather and Climate Change Impact Research, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Auranen
- The Center of Statistics, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Kaisa Lakkala
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Space and Earth Observation Centre, Earth Observation Research, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Climate Research Programme, Atmospheric Research Center of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Heikkilä
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Climate Research Programme, Atmospheric Research Center of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hilppa Gregow
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Meteorological and Marine Research Programme, Weather and Climate Change Impact Research, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
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15
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Mattiuzzi C, Henry BM, Lippi G. Regional Association between Mean Air Temperature and Case Numbers of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Lineages throughout the Pandemic. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091913. [PMID: 36146720 PMCID: PMC9501826 DOI: 10.3390/v14091913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between mean air temperature and new SARS-CoV-2 case numbers throughout the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was investigated to identify whether diverse SARS-CoV-2 lineages may exhibit diverse environmental behaviors. The number of new COVID-19 daily cases in the province of Verona was obtained from the Veneto Regional Healthcare Service, whilst the mean daily air temperature during the same period was retrieved from the Regional Agency for Ambient Prevention and Protection of Veneto. A significant inverse correlation was found between new COVID-19 daily cases and mean air temperature in Verona up to Omicron BA.1/BA.2 predominance (correlation coefficients between −0.79 and −0.41). The correlation then became positive when the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 lineages were prevalent (r = 0.32). When the median value (and interquartile range; IQR) of new COVID-19 daily cases recorded during the warmer period of the year in Verona (June–July) was compared across the three years of the pandemic, a gradual increase could be seen over time, from 1 (IQR, 0–2) in 2020, to 22 (IQR, 11–113) in 2021, up to 890 (IQR, 343–1345) in 2022. These results suggest that measures for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection should not be completely abandoned during the warmer periods of the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Mattiuzzi
- Service of Clinical Governance, Provincial Agency for Social and Sanitary Services (APSS), 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Brandon M. Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-045-8124308
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16
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Donzelli G, Biggeri A, Tobias A, Nottmeyer LN, Sera F. Role of meteorological factors on SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in Italy and Spain before the vaccination campaign. A multi-city time series study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 211:113134. [PMID: 35307374 PMCID: PMC8928740 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have been conducted worldwide to investigate if an association exists between meteorological factors and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection incidence. Although research studies provide conflicting results, which can be partially explained by different methods used, some clear trends emerge on the role of weather conditions and SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially for temperature and humidity. This study sheds more light on the relationship between meteorological factors and SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in 23 Italian and 52 Spanish cities. For the purposes of this study, daily air temperature, absolute and relative humidity, wind speed, ultraviolet radiation, and rainfall are considered exposure variables. We conducted a two-stage meta-regression. In the first stage, we estimated the exposure-response association through time series regression analysis at the municipal level. In the second stage, we pooled the association parameters using a meta-analytic model. The study demonstrates an association between meteorological factors and SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence. Specifically, low levels of ambient temperatures and absolute humidity were associated with an increased relative risk. On the other hand, low and high levels of relative humidity and ultraviolet radiation were associated with a decreased relative risk. Concerning wind speed and rainfall, higher values contributed to the reduction of the risk of infection. Overall, our results contribute to a better understanding of how the meteorological factors influence the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 and should be considered in a wider context of existing robust literature that highlight the importance of measures such as social distancing, improved hygiene, face masks and vaccination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Donzelli
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Department of Cardio, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Aurelio Tobias
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Luise N Nottmeyer
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Francesco Sera
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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17
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Ortiz-Prado E, Simbaña-Rivera K, Fernandez-Naranjo R, Vásconez JE, Henriquez-Trujillo AR, Vallejo-Janeta AP, Rivera-Olivero IA, Lozada T, Viscor G, Garcia-Bereguiain MA. SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Analysis at Low and High Altitude: A Case Study from Ecuador. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:7945. [PMID: 35805606 PMCID: PMC9265329 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has spread throughout the world, including remote areas such as those located at high altitudes. There is a debate about the role of hypobaric hypoxia on viral transmission and COVID-19 incidence. A descriptive cross-sectional analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral load among patients living at low (230 m) and high altitude (3800 m) in Ecuador was completed. Within these two communities, the total number of infected people at the time of the study was 108 cases (40.3%). The COVID-19 incidence proportion at low altitude was 64% while at high altitude was 30.3%. The mean viral load from those patients who tested positive was 3,499,184 copies/mL (SD = 23,931,479 copies/mL). At low altitude (Limoncocha), the average viral load was 140,223.8 copies/mL (SD = 990,840.9 copies/mL), while for the high altitude group (Oyacachi), the mean viral load was 6,394,789 copies/mL (SD = 32,493,469 copies/mL). We found no statistically significant differences when both results were compared (p = 0.056). We found no significant differences across people living at low or high altitude; however, men and younger populations had higher viral load than women older populations, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Katherine Simbaña-Rivera
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
| | - Raul Fernandez-Naranjo
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
| | - Jorge Eduardo Vásconez
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
| | - Aquiles R. Henriquez-Trujillo
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
| | | | - Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
| | - Tannya Lozada
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (A.P.V.-J.); (T.L.)
| | - Gines Viscor
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Miguel Angel Garcia-Bereguiain
- One Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador; (K.S.-R.); (R.F.-N.); (J.E.V.); (A.R.H.-T.); (I.A.R.-O.)
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18
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Biasin M, Strizzi S, Bianco A, Macchi A, Utyro O, Pareschi G, Loffreda A, Cavalleri A, Lualdi M, Trabattoni D, Tacchetti C, Mazza D, Clerici M. UV and violet light can Neutralize SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2022; 10:100107. [PMID: 35036965 PMCID: PMC8741330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed an in-depth analysis of the virucidal effect of discrete wavelengths: UV-C (278 nm), UV-B (308 nm), UV-A (366 nm) and violet (405 nm) on SARS-CoV-2. By using a highly infectious titer of SARS-CoV-2 we observed that the violet light-dose resulting in a 2-log viral inactivation is only 104 times less efficient than UV-C light. Moreover, by qPCR (quantitative Polymerase chain reaction) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) approach we verified that the viral titer typically found in the sputum of COVID-19 patients can be completely inactivated by the long UV-wavelengths corresponding to UV-A and UV-B solar irradiation. The comparison of the UV action spectrum on SARS-CoV-2 to previous results obtained on other pathogens suggests that RNA viruses might be particularly sensitive to long UV wavelengths. Our data extend previous results showing that SARS-CoV-2 is highly susceptible to UV light and offer an explanation to the reduced incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection seen in the summer season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Biasin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Strizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Merate, Italy
| | - Alberto Macchi
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Merate, Italy
| | - Olga Utyro
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pareschi
- Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Brera Astronomical Observatory, Merate, Italy
| | - Alessia Loffreda
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Adalberto Cavalleri
- Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, IRCCS Foundation, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Lualdi
- Department of Imaging Diagnostic and Radioterapy, IRCCS Foundation, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Tacchetti
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Mazza
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Don C. Gnocchi Foundation, IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy
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19
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Coccia M. COVID-19 pandemic over 2020 (withlockdowns) and 2021 (with vaccinations): similar effects for seasonality and environmental factors. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112711. [PMID: 35033552 PMCID: PMC8757643 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
How is the dynamics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020 with an health policy of full lockdowns and in 2021 with a vast campaign of vaccinations? The present study confronts this question here by developing a comparative analysis of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic between April-September 2020 (based upon strong control measures) and April-September 2021 (focused on health policy of vaccinations) in Italy, which was one of the first European countries to experience in 2020 high numbers of COVID-19 related infected individuals and deaths and in 2021 Italy has a high share of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (>89% of population aged over 12 years in January 2022). Results suggest that over the period under study, the arithmetic mean of confirmed cases, hospitalizations of people and admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in 2020 and 2021 is significantly equal (p-value<0.01), except fatality rate. Results suggest in December 2021 lower hospitalizations, admissions to ICUs, and fatality rate of COVID-19 than December 2020, though confirmed cases and mortality rates are in 2021 higher than 2020, and likely converging trends in the first quarter of 2022. These findings reveal that COVID-19 pandemic is driven by seasonality and environmental factors that reduce the negative effects in summer period, regardless control measures and/or vaccination campaigns. These findings here can be of benefit to design health policy responses of crisis management considering the growth of COVID-19 pandemic in winter months having reduced temperatures and low solar radiations ( COVID-19 has a behaviour of influenza-like illness). Hence, findings here suggest that strategies of prevention and control of infectious diseases similar to COVID-19 should be set up in summer months and fully implemented during low-solar-irradiation periods (autumn and winter period).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Coccia
- CNR, National Research Council of Italy - Via Real Collegio, n. 30 (Collegio Carlo Alberto), 10024, Moncalieri (TO), Italy.
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20
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Grant WB. Putative roles of solar UVA and UVB exposure and vitamin D supplementation in reducing risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Am J Clin Nutr 2022; 115:987-988. [PMID: 35178551 PMCID: PMC9863054 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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21
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Albergamo A, Apprato G, Silvagno F. The Role of Vitamin D in Supporting Health in the COVID-19 Era. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3621. [PMID: 35408981 PMCID: PMC8998275 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genomic activity of vitamin D is associated with metabolic effects, and the hormone has a strong impact on several physiological functions and, therefore, on health. Among its renowned functions, vitamin D is an immunomodulator and a molecule with an anti-inflammatory effect, and, recently, it has been much studied in relation to its response against viral infections, especially against COVID-19. This review aims to take stock of the correlation studies between vitamin D deficiency and increased risks of severe COVID-19 disease and, similarly, between vitamin D deficiency and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Based on this evidence, supplementation with vitamin D has been tested in clinical trials, and the results are discussed. Finally, this study includes a biochemical analysis on the effects of vitamin D in the body's defense mechanisms against viral infection. In particular, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions are considered in relation to energy metabolism, and the potential, beneficial effect of vitamin D in COVID-19 is described, with discussion of its influence on different biochemical pathways. The proposed, broader view of vitamin D activity could support a better-integrated approach in supplementation strategies against severe COVID-19, which could be valuable in a near future of living with an infection becoming endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Albergamo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Apprato
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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22
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Pacifico A, Pigatto PDM, Cristaudo A, Orsini D, Buja A, Linder D, Grada A, Damiani G. RNA
‐based
COVID
‐19 vaccine are not a contraindication to phototherapy: real‐life data on minimal erythema dose (
MED
) changes. Dermatol Ther 2022; 35:e15337. [DOI: 10.1111/dth.15337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pacifico
- Clinical Dermatology Department S. Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Paolo D. M. Pigatto
- Clinical Dermatology IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi Milan Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaudo
- Clinical Dermatology Department S. Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Diego Orsini
- Clinical Dermatology Department S. Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra Buja
- Department of Cardiologic, Vascular and Thoracic Sciences, and Public Health University of Padova Padua Italy
| | - Dennis Linder
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy medical University of Graz Graz Austria
| | - Ayman Grada
- Department of Dermatology Boston University Boston US
| | - Giovanni Damiani
- Clinical Dermatology IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi Milan Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences University of Milan Milan Italy
- PhD Degree Program in Pharmacological Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences University of Padua Padua Italy
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23
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Nakano T, Chiang KC, Chen CC, Chen PJ, Lai CY, Hsu LW, Ohmori N, Goto T, Chen CL, Goto S. Sunlight Exposure and Phototherapy: Perspectives for Healthy Aging in an Era of COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010950. [PMID: 34682694 PMCID: PMC8535353 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Most humans depend on sunlight exposure to satisfy their requirements for vitamin D3. However, the destruction of the ozone layer in the past few decades has increased the risk of skin aging and wrinkling caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which may also promote the risk of skin cancer development. The promotion of public health recommendations to avoid sunlight exposure would reduce the risk of skin cancer, but it would also enhance the risk of vitamin D3 insufficiency/deficiency, which may cause disease development and progression. In addition, the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic may further reduce sunlight exposure due to stay-at-home policies, resulting in difficulty in active and healthy aging. In this review article, we performed a literature search in PubMed and provided an overview of basic and clinical data regarding the impact of sunlight exposure and vitamin D3 on public health. We also discuss the potential mechanisms and clinical value of phototherapy with a full-spectrum light (notably blue, red, and near-infrared light) as an alternative to sunlight exposure, which may contribute to combating COVID-19 and promoting active and healthy aging in current aged/superaged societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Nakano
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (K.-C.C.); (P.-J.C.); (L.-W.H.)
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.N.); (S.G.); Tel.: +886-7-731-7123 (T.N.); +81-975-53-2165 (S.G.)
| | - Kuei-Chen Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (K.-C.C.); (P.-J.C.); (L.-W.H.)
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Chien-Chih Chen
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (K.-C.C.); (P.-J.C.); (L.-W.H.)
| | - Chia-Yun Lai
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Li-Wen Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (K.-C.C.); (P.-J.C.); (L.-W.H.)
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Naoya Ohmori
- Faculty of Nursing, Josai International University, Togane 283-8555, Japan; (N.O.); (T.G.)
- Kazusa Institute for Drug Discovery, Josai International University, Togane 283-8555, Japan
| | - Takeshi Goto
- Faculty of Nursing, Josai International University, Togane 283-8555, Japan; (N.O.); (T.G.)
- Kazusa Institute for Drug Discovery, Josai International University, Togane 283-8555, Japan
| | - Chao-Long Chen
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Shigeru Goto
- Liver Transplantation Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; (C.-C.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (C.-L.C.)
- Faculty of Nursing, Josai International University, Togane 283-8555, Japan; (N.O.); (T.G.)
- Nobeoka Medical Check Center, Fukuoka Institution of Occupational Health, Nobeoka 882-0872, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.N.); (S.G.); Tel.: +886-7-731-7123 (T.N.); +81-975-53-2165 (S.G.)
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