1
|
Rishan ST, Kline RJ, Rahman MS. New prospects of environmental RNA metabarcoding research in biological diversity, ecotoxicological monitoring, and detection of COVID-19: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:11406-11427. [PMID: 38183542 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31776-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Ecosystems are multifaceted and complex systems and understanding their composition is crucial for the implementation of efficient conservation and management. Conventional approaches to biodiversity surveys can have limitations in detecting the complete range of species present. In contrast, the study of environmental RNA (eRNA) offers a non-invasive and comprehensive method for monitoring and evaluating biodiversity across different ecosystems. Similar to eDNA, the examination of genetic material found in environmental samples can identify and measure many species, including ones that pose challenges to traditional methods. However, eRNA is degraded quickly and therefore shows promise in detection of living organisms closer to their actual location than eDNA methods. This method provides a comprehensive perspective on the well-being of ecosystems, facilitating the development of focused conservation approaches to save at-risk species and uphold ecological equilibrium. Furthermore, eRNA has been recognized as a valuable method for the identification of COVID-19 in the environment, besides its established uses in biodiversity protection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is accountable for the worldwide epidemic, releases RNA particles into the surrounding environment via human waste, providing insights into the feasibility of detecting it in wastewater and other samples taken from the environment. In this article, we critically reviewed the recent research activities that use the eRNA method, including its utilization in biodiversity conservation, ecological surveillance, and ecotoxicological monitoring as well as its innovative potential in identifying COVID-19. Through this review, the reader can understand the recent developments, prospects, and challenges of eRNA research in ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sakib Tahmid Rishan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Richard J Kline
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Md Saydur Rahman
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA.
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Elzohairy NW, Fatah NKAE, Khedr MA. Effectiveness of psycho-educational program on climate change distress and risk perception among older adults. Geriatr Nurs 2024; 55:35-43. [PMID: 37967480 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is a global environmental phenomenon that affects human health. It has a negative impact on the health and well-being of older adults. Therefore, educating older adults about coping with climate change and providing psychological interventions could promote successful aging. AIM To determine the effectiveness of psycho-educational program on climate change distress and risk perception among older adults. METHODS A quasi-experimental research design, "pre-test and post-test was followed. The study used the Climate Change Distress, the Impairment Scale, and the Risk Perception Scale. Data were collected from 80 older adults aged 60 years and above at three elderly clubs in Damanhour City, El-Behaira Governorate, Egypt. RESULTS The difference in mean severity of climate change distress, impairment, and risk perception scores between the study and control groups after the psycho-educational program was statistically significant. CONCLUSION Psycho-educational interventions can reduce climate change distress and impairment among older adults and increase their risk perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Waheed Elzohairy
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | | | - Mahmoud Abdelwahab Khedr
- Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Hafr Albatin University, Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lo Y, Vosper E, Higgins JP, Howard G. Heat impacts on human health in the Western Pacific Region: an umbrella review. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2024; 42:100952. [PMID: 38022710 PMCID: PMC10652124 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Background High temperatures and heatwaves are occurring more frequently and lasting longer because of climate change. A synthesis of existing evidence of heat-related health impacts in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) is lacking. This review addresses this gap. Methods The Scopus and PubMed databases were searched for reviews about heat impacts on mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, respiratory morbidity, dehydration and heat stroke, adverse birth outcomes, and sleep disturbance. The last search was conducted in February 2023 and only publications written in English were included. Primary studies and reviews that did not include specific WPR data were excluded. Data were extracted from 29 reviews. Findings There is strong evidence of heat-related mortality in the WPR, with the evidence concentrating on high-income countries and China. Associations between heat and cardiovascular or respiratory morbidity are not robust. There is evidence of heat-related dehydration and stroke, and preterm and still births in high-income countries in the WPR. Some evidence of sleep disturbance from heat is found for Australia, Japan and China. Interpretation Mortality is by far the most studied and robust health outcome of heat. Future research should focus on morbidity, and lower income countries in continental Asia and Pacific Island States, where there is little review-level evidence. Funding Funded by the World Health Organization WPR Office.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y.T.Eunice Lo
- Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol, UK
- Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Emily Vosper
- Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol, UK
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Julian P.T. Higgins
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Guy Howard
- Cabot Institute for the Environment, University of Bristol, UK
- School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, University of Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yan X, Zuo C, Li Z, Chen HW, Jiang Y, He B, Liu H, Chen J, Shi W. Cooperative simultaneous inversion of satellite-based real-time PM 2.5 and ozone levels using an improved deep learning model with attention mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121509. [PMID: 36967005 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ground-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are air pollutants that can pose severe health risks. Surface PM2.5 and O3 concentrations can be monitored from satellites, but most retrieval methods retrieve PM2.5 or O3 separately and disregard the shared information between the two air pollutants, for example due to common emission sources. Using surface observations across China spanning 2014-2021, we found a strong relationship between PM2.5 and O3 with distinct spatiotemporal characteristics. Thus, in this study, we propose a new deep learning model called the Simultaneous Ozone and PM2.5 inversion deep neural Network (SOPiNet), which allows for daily real-time monitoring and full coverage of PM2.5 and O3 simultaneously at a spatial resolution of 5 km. SOPiNet employs the multi-head attention mechanism to better capture the temporal variations in PM2.5 and O3 based on previous days' conditions. Applying SOPiNet to MODIS data over China in 2022, using 2019-2021 to construct the network, we found that simultaneous retrievals of PM2.5 and O3 improved the performance compared with retrieving them independently: the temporal R2 increased from 0.66 to 0.72 for PM2.5, and from 0.79 to 0.82 for O3. The results suggest that near-real time satellite-based air quality monitoring can be improved by simultaneous retrieval of different but related pollutants. The codes of SOPiNet and its user guide are freely available online at https://github.com/RegiusQuant/ESIDLM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chen Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Zhanqing Li
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and ESSIC, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - Hans W Chen
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden.
| | - Yize Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Bin He
- College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Huiming Liu
- Satellite Environment Center, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wenzhong Shi
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chi MC, Lin ZC, Lee CW, Huang CCY, Peng KT, Lin CM, Lee HC, Fang ML, Chiang YC. Tanshinone IIA suppresses burning incense-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in astrocytes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 258:114987. [PMID: 37172407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The burning incense (BI) behavior could be widely observed in Asia families. Incense sticks are often believed to be made from natural herbs and powders, and to have minimal impact on human health; however, there is limited research to support this claim. The current study aimed to identify the components of BI within the particulate matter 2.5 µm (PM2.5) range and explore if BI has bio-toxicity effects on rat astrocytes (CTX-TNA2). The study also examined the protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of tanshinone IIA, a primary lipid-soluble compound found in the herb danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), which has been shown to benefit the central nervous system. Results showed that despite the differences in BI components compared to the atmospheric particulate matter (PM) standards, BI still had a bio-toxicity on astrocytes. BI exposure caused early and late apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAPKs (JNK, p38, and ERK), and Akt signaling activation, and inflammation-related proteins (cPLA2, COX-2, HO-1, and MMP-9) increases. Our results further exhibit that the tanshinone IIA pre-treatment could significantly avoid the BI-induced apoptosis and inflammatory signals on rat astrocytes. These findings suggest that BI exposure may cause oxidative stress in rat astrocytes and increase inflammation-related proteins and support the potential of tanshinone IIA as a candidate for preventing BI-related adverse health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Ching Chi
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Department of Safety Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 243, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan
| | - Zih-Chan Lin
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan
| | - Chiang-Wen Lee
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan
| | | | - Kuo-Ti Peng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Mo Lin
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chun Lee
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ling Fang
- Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; Super Micro Research and Technology Center, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chang Chiang
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County 61363, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Masrani AS, Nik Husain NR, Musa KI. Five Decades of Research Progress in Air Pollution, Children’s Respiratory Health, and Emergency Department Visits: A Bibliometric Analysis. Cureus 2023; 15:e37151. [PMID: 37153234 PMCID: PMC10161285 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is a global environmental health concern. Our study aims to examine the collective scientific impact of air pollution, children's respiratory health, and emergency department visits during the last five decades. Original articles, review papers, and conference proceedings in the English language published from 1972 to 2022 were obtained after a comprehensive search of the Scopus database using the terms air pollution, children, respiratory health, and emergency department visit. The Biblioshiny web application of the R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) was used to analyse the publication trend and identify the top authors and journals of the subject. The countries' collaborative network was mapped, and the authors' trending keywords were tracked using a thematic map. In total, 1,309 publications authored by 6,342 authors from 483 sources were retrieved. Three distinctive collaborative network clusters were observed, with the United States as the connecting central node. Among the 39 trending keywords identified, particulate matter had constantly been a motor theme with an emerging interest in individual pollutants, specific diseases, and time series analysis. In conclusion, political will is a strong driver for research on air pollution, children's respiratory health, and emergency department visits, which is further enhanced by technological advancement that increases the availability and accessibility of air pollution and patient data. The trend for future studies is time series analysis and research on the impact of individual air pollutants on specific respiratory disorders in children.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ferrari GN, Leal GCL, Thom de Souza RC, Galdamez EVC. Impact of climate change on occupational health and safety: A review of methodological approaches. Work 2022; 74:485-499. [PMID: 36314181 DOI: 10.3233/wor-211303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The working population is exposed daily to unavoidable climatic conditions due to their occupational settings. Effects of the weather such as rain, heat, and air pollution may increase the risk of diseases, injuries, accidents, and even death during labor. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to summarize the impacts of climate change on workers' health, safety and performance, identifying the risks, affected workplaces and the range of methodological approaches used to assess this problem. METHODS A thorough systematic mapping was conducted in seven scientific international databases: Emerald, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, Scielo, Scopus, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. Three research questions guided the extraction process resulting in 170 articles regarding the impacts of climate change on occupational health and safety. RESULTS We found an accentuated trend in observational studies applying primary and secondary data collection. Many studies focused on the association between rising temperatures and occupational hazards, mainly in outdoor work settings such as agriculture. The variation of temperature was the most investigated impact of climate change. CONCLUSIONS We established a knowledge base on how to explore the impacts of climate change on workers' well-being and health. Researchers and policymakers benefit from this review, which explores the suitable methods found in the literature and highlights the most recurring risks and their consequences to occupational health and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Neto Ferrari
- Postgraduate Program in Production Engineering, Production Engineering Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Camila Lapasini Leal
- Postgraduate Program in Production Engineering, Production Engineering Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Edwin Vladimir Cardoza Galdamez
- Postgraduate Program in Production Engineering, Production Engineering Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Czechowski PO, Piksa K, Da̧browiecki P, Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek AI, Czermański E, Owczarek T, Badyda AJ, Cirella GT. Financing Costs and Health Effects of Air Pollution in the Tri-City Agglomeration. Front Public Health 2022; 10:831312. [PMID: 35309195 PMCID: PMC8931043 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.831312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between the presence of air pollution and incidence of selected respiratory diseases in the urban population of the Tri-City agglomeration. The study takes into consideration the specific character of the region, relating to coastal, and port-based shipping. Three research hypotheses formulated the study. General regression models were used to identify the health effects of air pollution and developed health costs were calculated in relation to the treatment of diseases. The findings have shown that air pollution and climatic conditions in the Tri-City aggravate the symptoms of bronchial asthma, while also increasing the number of cases of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. The evidence demonstrates the negative impact of shipping on the health condition of the inhabitants. The calculations have shown the extent of financial losses incurred in connection with the treatment of diseases found to have been caused by air pollution. The estimated health costs turned out to be significant for each of the examined diseases. The financial inefficiency of the Polish health care system has also been demonstrated. All the models have been identified for monthly data for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr O. Czechowski
- Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Konstancja Piksa
- Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr Da̧browiecki
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Tomasz Owczarek
- Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Artur J. Badyda
- Department of Informatics and Environment Quality Research, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro- and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Giuseppe T. Cirella
- Faculty of Economics, University of Gdansk, Sopot, Poland
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe T. Cirella
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Urban chemistry as a new discipline exploring chemical and chemico-biological aspects of urban environment. HEMIJSKA INDUSTRIJA 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/hemind221204020g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Urban sciences can be divided into three directions: Natural, Humanities and
Engineering. Within the fields of urban natural and urban engineering
(technical) sciences, chemical and chemico-biological research take an
important place. We propose using the new term "urban chemistry" (i.e.
chemistry of the urban environment) focusing on the chemical aspects of the
atmosphere, water bodies, and soil of cities. Urban chemistry is
interconnected with urban ecology, toxicology and urban biology, and among
the biological disciplines, it is particularly related to urban botany.
Urban chemistry can be seen as a separate direction of urban natural
sciences, which will significantly contribute to sustainable development of
cities.
Collapse
|
10
|
Álvarez Castelló M, Almaguer Chávez M. Climate Change and Allergies. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
11
|
Climate change, air pollution, and allergic respiratory diseases: a call to action for health professionals. Chin Med J (Engl) 2021; 133:1552-1560. [PMID: 32590458 PMCID: PMC7386356 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rising emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have warmed the planet substantially and are also accompanied by poor air quality. The increased prevalence of allergic airway disease worldwide can be partially attributed to those global environmental changes. Climate change and air pollution pose adverse impacts on respiratory allergies, and that the mechanisms are complex and interactive. Adverse weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures, can act directly on the respiratory tract to induce allergic respiratory illnesses. Thunderstorms and floods can alter the production and distribution of aeroallergens while wildfires and dust storms increase air pollution, and therefore indirectly enhance health risks. Concentrations of particulate matter and ozone in the air have been projected to increase with climate warming and air stagnation, and the rising temperatures and CO2 increase pollen, molds, and spores, which escalate the risk of allergic respiratory diseases. The synergistic effects of extreme heat and aeroallergens intensify the toxic effect of air pollutants, which in turn augment the allergenicity of aeroallergens. With the Earth's climate change, migration of humans and plants shift the living environments and allergens of susceptible people. Urban residents are exposed to multiple factors while children are sensitive to environmental exposure. Since climate change may pose many unexpected and persistent effects on allergic respiratory diseases, health professionals should advocate for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies to minimize its respiratory health effects.
Collapse
|
12
|
Patella V, Florio G, Brancaccio R, Delfino G. Could anti-tubercular vaccination protect against COVID-19 infection? Allergy 2021; 76:942-945. [PMID: 32578215 PMCID: PMC7361449 DOI: 10.1111/all.14443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Patella
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital Salerno Italy
- Postprogram in Allergy and Clinical Immunology School of Medicine University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Giovanni Florio
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital Salerno Italy
| | - Raffaele Brancaccio
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital Salerno Italy
| | - Gabriele Delfino
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital Salerno Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Winkler R. MeteoMex: open infrastructure for networked environmental monitoring and agriculture 4.0. PeerJ Comput Sci 2021; 7:e343. [PMID: 33816994 PMCID: PMC7959651 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Air, water, and soil are essential for terrestrial life, but pollution, overexploitation, and climate change jeopardize the availability of these primary resources. Thus, assuring human health and food production requires efficient strategies and technologies for environmental protection. Knowing key parameters such as soil moisture, air, and water quality is essential for smart farming and urban development. The MeteoMex project aims to build simple hardware kits and their integration into current Internet-of-Things (IoT) platforms. This paper shows the use of low-end Wemos D1 mini boards to connect environmental sensors to the open-source platform ThingsBoard. Two printed circuit boards (PCB) were designed for mounting components. Analog, digital and I2C sensors are supported. The Wemos ESP8266 microchip provides WiFi capability and can be programed with the Arduino IDE. Application examples for the MeteoMex aeria and terra kits demonstrate their functionality for air quality, soil, and climate monitoring. Further, a prototype for monitoring wastewater treatment is shown, which exemplifies the capabilities of the Wemos board for signal processing. The data are stored in a PostgreSQL database, which enables data mining. The MeteoMex IoT system is highly scalable and of low cost, which makes it suitable for deployment in agriculture 4.0, industries, and public areas. Circuit drawings, PCB layouts, and code examples are free to download from https://github.com/robert-winkler/MeteoMex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Winkler
- Kuturabi S.A. de C.V., Irapuato, Mexico
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, CINVESTAV Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yan X, Zang Z, Jiang Y, Shi W, Guo Y, Li D, Zhao C, Husi L. A Spatial-Temporal Interpretable Deep Learning Model for improving interpretability and predictive accuracy of satellite-based PM 2.5. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116459. [PMID: 33465651 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Being able to monitor PM2.5 across a range of scales is incredibly important for our ability to understand and counteract air pollution. Remote monitoring PM2.5 using satellite-based data would be incredibly advantageous to this effort, but current machine learning methods lack necessary interpretability and predictive accuracy. This study details the development of a new Spatial-Temporal Interpretable Deep Learning Model (SIDLM) to improve the interpretability and predictive accuracy of satellite-based PM2.5 measurements. In contrast to traditional deep learning models, the SIDLM is both "wide" and "deep." We comprehensively evaluated the proposed model in China using different input data (top-of-atmosphere (TOA) measurements-based and aerosol optical depth (AOD)-based, with or without meteorological data) and different spatial resolutions (10 km, 3 km, and 250 m). TOA-based SIDLM PM2.5 achieved the best predictive accuracy in China, with root-mean-square errors (RMSE) of 15.30 and 15.96 μg/m3, and R2 values of 0.70 and 0.66 for PM2.5 predictions at 10 km and 3 km spatial resolutions, respectively. Additionally, we tested the SIDLM in PM2.5 retrievals at a 250 m spatial resolution over Beijing, China (RMSE = 16.01 μg/m3, R2 = 0.62). Furthermore, SIDLM demonstrated higher accuracy than five machine learning inversion methods, and also outperformed them regarding feature extraction and the interpretability of its inversion results. In particular, modeling results indicated the strong influence of the Tongzhou district on the principle PM2.5 in the Beijing urban area. SIDLM-extracted temporal characteristics revealed that summer months (June-August) might have contributed less to PM2.5 concentrations, indicating the limited accumulation of PM2.5 in these months. Our study shows that SIDLM could become an important tool for other earth observation data in deep learning-based predictions and spatiotemporal analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Zhou Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yize Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wenzhong Shi
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yushan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chuanfeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Letu Husi
- Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), DaTun Road No. 20 (North), Beijing, 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Patella V, Florio G, Palmieri M, Bousquet J, Tonacci A, Giuliano A, Gangemi S. Atopic dermatitis severity during exposure to air pollutants and weather changes with an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) analysis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2020; 31:938-945. [PMID: 32585042 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have shown an association between global warming, air pollution, and allergic diseases. Several air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, toluene, nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), and particulate matter, act as risk factors for the development or aggravation of atopic dermatitis (AD). We evaluated the impact of air pollutants and weather changes on AD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty AD patients ≥5 years of age (mean age: 23.5 ± 12.5 years), living in the Campania Region (Southern Italy), were followed for 18 months. The primary outcome was the effect of atmospheric and climatic factors on signs and symptoms of AD, assessed using the SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) index. We measured mean daily temperature (TOD), outdoor relative humidity (RH), diurnal temperature range (DTR), precipitation, particulate with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10 ), NO2 , tropospheric ozone (O3 ), and total pollen count (TPC). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations of AD signs and symptoms with these factors. An artificial neural network (ANN) analysis investigated the relationships between weather changes, environmental pollutants, and AD severity. RESULTS The severity of AD symptoms was positively correlated with outdoor temperatures (TOD, DTR), RH, precipitation, PM10 , NO2 , O3 , and TPC. The ANN analysis also showed a good discrimination performance (75.46%) in predicting disease severity based on environmental pollution data, but weather-related factors were less predictive. CONCLUSION The results of the present study provide evidence that weather changes and air pollutions have a significant impact on skin reactivity and symptoms in AD patients, increasing the severity of the dermatitis. The knowledge of the single variables proportion on AD severity symptoms is important to propose alerts for exacerbations in patients with AD of each age. This finding represents a good starting point for further future research in an area of increasingly growing interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Patella
- Division Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine ASL Salerno, "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital, Salerno, Italy.,Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Florio
- Division Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine ASL Salerno, "Santa Maria della Speranza" Hospital, Salerno, Italy.,Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Palmieri
- Former Primary of Unit of Pediatry, Hospital of Eboli, Salerno, Italy
| | - Jean Bousquet
- MACVIA-France and University Hospital, Montpellier, France.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Tonacci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology-National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Ada Giuliano
- Laboratory of Toxicology Analysis, Department for the Treatment of Addictions, ASL Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Patella V, Delfino G, Florio G, Spadaro G, Chieco Bianchi F, Senna G, Di Gioacchino M. Management of the patient with allergic and immunological disorders in the pandemic COVID-19 era. Clin Mol Allergy 2020; 18:18. [PMID: 33020697 PMCID: PMC7528155 DOI: 10.1186/s12948-020-00134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic COVID-19 abruptly exploded, taking most health professionals around the world unprepared. Italy, the first European country to be hit violently, was forced to activate the lockdown in mid-February 2020. At the time of the spread, a high number of victims were quickly registered, especially in the regions of Northern Italy which have a high rate of highly-polluting production activities. The need to hospitalize the large number of patients with severe forms of COVID-19 led the National Health System to move a large number of specialists from their disciplines to the emergency hospital departments for the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, the lockdown itself has limited the possibility for general practitioners and pediatricians to be able to make outpatient visits and/or home care for patients with chronic diseases. Among them, the patient with atopic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, is worthy of particular attention as she/he is immersed in a studded negative scenario with the onset of spring, a factor that should not be underestimated for those who suffer from pollen allergy. The Italian Society of Asthma Allergology and Clinical Immunology, to quickly deal with the lack of references and specialist medical procedures, has produced a series of indications for immunologic patient care that are reported in this paper, and can be used as guidelines by specialists of our discipline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Patella
- Division Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, "Santa Maria Della Speranza" Hospital, Salerno, Italy.,Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Delfino
- Division Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, "Santa Maria Della Speranza" Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Florio
- Division Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, "Santa Maria Della Speranza" Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Spadaro
- Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gianerico Senna
- Asthma Center and Allergy Unit, Verona University and General Hospital, Verona, Italy.,Chairman of Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Di Gioacchino
- Center of Advanced Science and Technology, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.,Leonardo Da Vinci, University, Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Microbial Air Quality in Neighborhoods near Landfill Sites: Implications for Public Health. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 2020:4609164. [PMID: 32733576 PMCID: PMC7369668 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4609164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution has been a major challenge worldwide particularly in the developing world. Improper waste disposal and management may result in microbial air pollution. In advanced countries, landfill sites are far from neighborhoods; however, the opposite is observed for landfill sites in the developing world. In Accra, some landfill sites are 100 meters from neighborhoods. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial air quality and associated environmental health hazards of landfill sites in selected districts in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A random sampling method was employed to select sampling sites across the dry and wet seasons from landfills and their corresponding neighborhoods. Results obtained showed a higher total count (CFU/m3) of bacteria and fungi in the air at the landfill sites than neighborhoods. Statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) in bacterial and fungal concentrations over two seasons was found for both landfills and neighborhoods. However, bacterial concentrations were significantly higher than fungal concentrations (p < 0.05) across seasons for all locations. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the highest (15.6 %) occurring microbe at both landfill sites and neighborhoods. This was followed by Staphylococcus aureus (12.7%). Other bacteria and fungi of public health importance such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger were also isolated from the study sites, above the WHO recommended levels. In conclusion, the landfill waste disposal and its close proximity to neighborhoods as observed in this study pose a potential environmental health risk, with dire implications for public health and safety. The government must enact and implement policies to regulate waste management and to ensure public safety.
Collapse
|
18
|
Ray C, Ming X. Climate Change and Human Health: A Review of Allergies, Autoimmunity and the Microbiome. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134814. [PMID: 32635435 PMCID: PMC7369820 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The impact of climate change on human health is a topic of critical importance. While only recently beginning to gain attention, it is clear that immediate action is necessary to minimize this impact. In our review, we will outline a subset of these effects in detail. We will examine how climate change has worsened respiratory allergic disease. We will discuss how climate change has altered antigen exposure, possibly disrupting antigen-specific tolerance by the immune system, leading, in turn, to an increase in the prevalence of immunologic diseases. Finally, we will explore how the loss of biodiversity related to climate change may affect the microbiome, potentially leading to dysbiosis, inflammatory, autoimmune and neurologic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xue Ming
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-973-972-2922
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Particulate matter exposure aggravates osteoarthritis severity. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 133:2171-2187. [PMID: 31696218 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Several diseases have been linked to particulate matter (PM) exposure. Outdoor activities, such as road running or jogging, are popular aerobic exercises due to few participatory limitations. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disease, usually observed at age 40, and not noticed before pain or diagnosis. Although exercise has health benefits, it is unclear whether outdoor jogging in higher PM (standard reference material 1649b, SRM 1649b) concentration environments could affect OA development or severity. Hence, a PM exposure monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA animal jogged model was established for investigation. Results showed that high doses of PM (5 mg) significantly increased pro-inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, and M1 macrophages in the lung region, also obtained in systemic IL-6 and TNF-α expressions in this MIA-OA rat model. Moreover, levels of osteocalcin, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and N-telopeptides of type I collagen were especially influenced in MIA+PM groups. Morphological and structural changes of the knee joint were detected by micro-computed tomography images (micro-CT) and immunohistochemistry. MIA + PM rats exhibited severe bone density decrease, cartilage wear, and structure damages, accompanied by lower levels of physical activity, than the sham group and groups receiving MIA or PM alone. The findings suggest that the severity of OA could be promoted by PM exposure with a PM concentration effect via systemic inflammatory mechanisms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide direct effects of PM exposure on OA severity.
Collapse
|
20
|
Cao B, Chen Y, McIntyre RS. Comprehensive review of the current literature on impact of ambient air pollution and sleep quality. Sleep Med 2020; 79:211-219. [PMID: 32912798 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is associated with increasing morbidity, mortality and decreasing health and life span. Accumulating epidemiological and experimental evidence has shown that exposure to ambient air pollutants such as particulate matters (PM) and gaseous components [eg, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3)] has detrimental effects on sleep quality. We conducted this comprehensive review to explore the association between ambient air pollution and sleep quality. A systematic search was conducted with the databases of PubMed and Web of Science from inception to November 2019. Overall, 15 studies with 133,695 subjects that evaluated the association between ambient air pollution and sleep quality were conducted in 10 different countries (ie, USA, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Mexico, and Turkey). Most included studies in the current review have shown that one or more air pollutants have negative influences on sleep quality. Air pollutants might be one of the triggers for poor sleep quality via disparate mechanisms including but not limited to the central ventilator control centers, central nervous system, allergic and non-allergic mechanisms. The possible association between air pollution and select chronic diseases (eg, mental illnesses, cardiovascular diseases) and behaviors (eg, impulsivity) may also play important roles in explaining the association between ambient air pollution and sleep quality. The associations and underlying mechanisms between ambient air pollutants and sleep quality need to be clarified with long-term, multi-centered cohort studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Faculty of Psychology, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
| | - Yan Chen
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Merlo S. Surface Electrical Stimulation for Persistent Stuttering and Concomitant Orofacial Disorders: A Multiple Case Study. Percept Mot Skills 2020; 127:698-721. [PMID: 32233734 DOI: 10.1177/0031512520915027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This multiple case study analysis describes the immediate effects on speech fluency of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to participants with persistent stuttering and concomitant orofacial disorders. Study participants were 14 adolescents and adults who stuttered and had jaw clenching bruxism or mouth breathing. Participants experienced low-frequency TENS applied at mild motor level for 20 minutes with electrodes placed at the lower third of the face (Area A), submandibular region (Area B), posterior neck (Area C), or shoulder girdle (Area D), with speech fluency assessed immediately before and after each stimulation.For participants with stuttering and bruxism, AB stimulation reduced the median frequency of syllables stuttered by 27% and reduced the median duration of the three highest stuttering moments by 29%. In addition, for participants with stuttering and mouth breathing, CD stimulation reduced the median duration of the three highest stuttering moments by 28% and increased their median speech rate by 113%. As a single session of TENS may help participants with stuttering and concomitant orofacial disorders better use fluency shaping techniques, the therapeutic potential of TENS for treating stuttering should be further investigated.
Collapse
|
22
|
|
23
|
Azmeh R, Greydanus DE, Agana MG, Dickson CA, Patel DR, Ischander MM, Lloyd RD. Update in Pediatric Asthma: Selected Issues. Dis Mon 2019; 66:100886. [PMID: 31570159 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.100886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a complex condition that affects 14% of the world's children and the approach to management includes both pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic strategies including attention to complex socioeconomic status phenomena. After an historical consideration of asthma, allergic and immunologic aspects of asthma in children and adolescents are presented. Concepts of socioeconomic aspects of asthma are considered along with environmental features and complications of asthma disparities. Also reviewed are links of asthma with mental health disorders, sleep disturbances and other comorbidities. A stepwise approach to asthma management is discussed that includes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies in the pediatric population. The role of immunotherapy and use of various immunomodulators are considered as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roua Azmeh
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Donald E Greydanus
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States.
| | - Marisha G Agana
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Cheryl A Dickson
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States; Health Equity and Community Affairs, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
| | - Dilip R Patel
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Mariam M Ischander
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Robert D Lloyd
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Yakima, Washington, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis toAmbrosia Elatior in OlteniaArea and the Association with Allergic Conjunctivitis or Asthma. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2019; 45:66-72. [PMID: 31297265 PMCID: PMC6592663 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.45.01.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction-Ambrosia elatior pollen sensitivity can lead to respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. Ambrosia is quite an important source of pollen and it is thought to be an invasive plant. Sensitivity prevalence to Ambrosia pollen varies from one country to another. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of pollen allergic rhinitis caused by Ambrosia elatior in the Oltenia area located in the south west part of Romania. Material and method - The study was carried on 1004 patients with allergic rhinitis. All the patients experienced symptoms of allergic rhinitis, associated with /without conjunctivitis or asthma, and positive skin tests to aeroallergens. Results - In the group under study, 48,80% of the cases are sensitized to Ambrosia elatior pollen. The number of patients with allergic rhinitis and pollen sensitivity to Ambrosia is higher in 2014-2015 compared to 2012, i.e. 282 cases and the symptoms are moderate-severe. Conclusions - Ambrosia elatior pollen has become a major source of aeroallergen in Oltenia area.
Collapse
|
25
|
Andualem Z, Gizaw Z, Bogale L, Dagne H. Indoor bacterial load and its correlation to physical indoor air quality parameters in public primary schools. Multidiscip Respir Med 2019; 14:2. [PMID: 30680192 PMCID: PMC6343310 DOI: 10.1186/s40248-018-0167-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor indoor air quality is a great problem in schools due to a high number of students per classroom, insufficient outside air supply, poor construction and maintenance of school buildings. Bacteria in the indoor air environment pose a serious health problem. Determination of bacterial load in the indoor environment is necessary to estimate the health hazard and to create standards for indoor air quality control. This is especially important in such densely populated facilities like schools. Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 51 randomly selected classrooms of eight public primary schools from March 29–April 26, 2018. To determine the bacterial load passive air sampling settle plate method was used by exposing a Petri dish of blood agar media for an hour. The Pearson correlation matrix was employed to assess the correlation between bacterial load and physical parameters. Results The grand total mean bacterial load was 2826.35 CFU/m3 in the morning and 4514.63 CFU/m3 in the afternoon. The lowest and highest mean bacterial load was recorded at school 3 (450.67 CFU/m3) and school 5 (7740.57 CFU/m3) in the morning and afternoon, respectively. In the morning relative humidity (r = − 0.7034), PM2.5 (r = 0.5723) and PM10 (r = 0.6856); in the afternoon temperature (r = 0.3838), relative humidity (r = − 0.4014) were correlated with indoor bacterial load. Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species and Bacillus species were among isolated bacteria. Conclusions High bacterial load was found in public primary schools in the Gondar city as compared to different indoor air biological standards. Temperature, relative humidity and particulate matter concentration (PM2.5 and PM10) were associated with the indoor bacterial load. Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species and Bacillus species were among isolated bacterial species. Attention should be given to control those physical factors which favour the growth and multiplication of bacteria in the indoor environment of classrooms to safeguard the health of students and teachers in school.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zewudu Andualem
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Zemichael Gizaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Laekemariam Bogale
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Henok Dagne
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Patella V, Florio G, Magliacane D, Giuliano A, Russo L, D’Amato V, De Luca V, Iaccarino G, Illario M, Bousquet J. Public Prevention Plans to Manage Climate Change and Respiratory Allergic Diseases. Innovative Models Used in Campania Region (Italy): The Twinning Aria Implementation and the Allergy Safe Tree Decalogue. Transl Med UniSa 2019; 19:95-102. [PMID: 31360673 PMCID: PMC6581484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, climate change has been influenced by air pollution, and this destructive combination has justifiably sounded an alarm for nations and many institutional bodies worldwide. Official reports state that the emission of greenhouse gases produced by human activity are growing, and consequently also the average temperature. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that health effects expected in the future due to climate change will be dramatic, and has invited international groups to investigate potential remedies. A task force has been established by the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), with the aim to actively work on correlation between pollution and climate change. The Task Force provided prevention tools to suggest city leaders how to improve the health conditions of allergic people in public urban parks. The "Allergy Safe Tree Decalogue" suggests the preparation and maintenance of public low allergy-impact greenery. Through the Twinning ARIA project, the Division for the Promotion and Enhancement of Health Innovation Programs of Campania Region (Italy), sought to promote the implementation of the project in the regional Health System. The main objective will be to investigate the current use and usefulness of mobile phone Apps in the management of allergic respiratory disease, through Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 of the ARIA initiative, based on the freely available MASK App (the Allergy Diary, Android and iOS platforms). The effects of these prevention activities will be registered and compared with monitoring efforts thanks to the Aerobiology Units, located throughout the Campania area. A joint effort between researchers and public administrations for the implementation of prevention plans coherently with the two models proposed in a specific area, i.e. the Decalogue for public administrations and the MASK Allergy Diary app for individual patients suffering from allergy, will be implemented as a pilot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V. Patella
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine ASL Salerno, “Santa Maria della Speranza” Hospital, Battipaglia, Salerno, Italy,Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology–University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - G. Florio
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine ASL Salerno, “Santa Maria della Speranza” Hospital, Battipaglia, Salerno, Italy
| | - D. Magliacane
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine ASL Salerno, “Santa Maria della Speranza” Hospital, Battipaglia, Salerno, Italy
| | - A. Giuliano
- Laboratory of Environmental Analysis, Department of Public Health, ASL Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - L.F. Russo
- Referente Promis, ASL Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - V. De Luca
- Research and Development Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - G. Iaccarino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M. Illario
- Division for Health Innovation, Campania Region and Federico II University Hospital Naples (R&D and DISMET) Naples, Italy
| | - J. Bousquet
- MACVIA-France, Fondation partenariale FMC VIA-LR, Montpellier, France,VIMA, INSERM U 1168, VIMA : Ageing and chronic diseases. Epidemiological and public health approaches, Villejuif, Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UMR-S 1168, Montigny le Bretonneux, France, Euforea, Brussels, Belgium, and Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Acevedo N, Zakzuk J, Caraballo L. House Dust Mite Allergy Under Changing Environments. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2019; 11:450-469. [PMID: 31172715 PMCID: PMC6557771 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.4.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmental variations induced by industrialization and climate change partially explain the increase in prevalence and severity of allergic disease. One possible mechanism is the increase in allergen production leading to more exposure and sensitization in susceptible individuals. House dust mites (HDMs) are important sources of allergens inducing asthma and rhinitis, and experimentally they have been demonstrated to be very sensitive to microenvironment modifications; therefore, global or regional changes in temperature, humidity, air pollution or other environmental conditions could modify natural HDM growth, survival and allergen production. There is evidence that sensitization to HDMs has increased in some regions of the world, especially in the subtropical and tropical areas; however, the relationship of this increase with environmental changes is not so clear as has reported for pollen allergens. In this review, we address this point and explore the effects of current and predicted environmental changes on HDM growth, survival and allergen production, which could lead to immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization and allergic disease prevalence. We also assess the role of adjuvants of IgE responses, such as air pollution and helminth infections, and discuss the genetic and epigenetic aspects that could influence the adaptive process of humans to drastic and relatively recent environmental changes we are experiencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
| | - Josefina Zakzuk
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
| | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Park CS, Kim BY, Kim SW, Lee JH, Koo SK, Kim KS, Kim ST, Kim YD, Kim JH, Kim JK, Kim CH, Kim HJ, Kim HY, Rha KS, Roh HJ, Park DJ, Shin SH, Lim SC, Lee JH, Lee HM, Lee HG, Kim YH, Cho JH. The Relationship between the Causative Allergens of Allergic Diseases and Environments in Korea Over a 8-Year-Period: Based on Skin Prick Test from 2006 to 2015. JOURNAL OF RHINOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.18787/jr.2018.25.2.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Soon Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Boo-Young Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Uijeongbu, Korea
| | - Soo Whan Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Hyung Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Soo Kweon Koo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan St. Mary's Hospital, Pusan, Korea
| | - Kyung-Su Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seon Tae Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gachon University, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yong-Dae Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jeong Hong Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jeju Hospital, Jeju University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
| | - Jin Kook Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kun Kook University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Hoon Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shinchon Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jun Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hyo Yeol Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki-Sang Rha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University, School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hwan-Jung Roh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Dong-Joon Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Seung-Heon Shin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Daegu, School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sang-Chul Lim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea
| | - Heung Man Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guro Hospital, Korea University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heung Gu Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Ha Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Hee Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|