1
|
Vandelli V, Palandri L, Coratza P, Rizzi C, Ghinoi A, Righi E, Soldati M. Conditioning factors in the spreading of Covid-19 - Does geography matter? Heliyon 2024; 10:e25810. [PMID: 38356610 PMCID: PMC10865316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
There is evidence in literature that the spread of COVID-19 can be influenced by various geographic factors, including territorial features, climate, population density, socioeconomic conditions, and mobility. The objective of the paper is to provide an updated literature review on geographical studies analysing the factors which influenced COVID-19 spreading. This literature review took into account not only the geographical aspects but also the COVID-19-related outcomes (infections and deaths) allowing to discern the potential influencing role of the geographic factors per type of outcome. A total of 112 scientific articles were selected, reviewed and categorized according to subject area, aim, country/region of study, considered geographic and COVID-19 variables, spatial and temporal units of analysis, methodologies, and main findings. Our literature review showed that territorial features may have played a role in determining the uneven geography of COVID-19; for instance, a certain agreement was found regarding the direct relationship between urbanization degree and COVID-19 infections. For what concerns climatic factors, temperature was the variable that correlated the best with COVID-19 infections. Together with climatic factors, socio-demographic ones were extensively taken into account. Most of the analysed studies agreed that population density and human mobility had a significant and direct relationship with COVID-19 infections and deaths. The analysis of the different approaches used to investigate the role of geographic factors in the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the significance/representativeness of the outputs is influenced by the scale considered due to the great spatial variability of geographic aspects. In fact, a more robust and significant association between geographic factors and COVID-19 was found by studies conducted at subnational or local scale rather than at country scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Vandelli
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Palandri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Coratza
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristiana Rizzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ghinoi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Righi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Soldati
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chiappelli F, Fotovat L. The lymphatic system: a pathway for meta-inflammation in permafrost immunity. Bioinformation 2023; 19:886-888. [PMID: 37928496 PMCID: PMC10625371 DOI: 10.6026/97320630019886] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphatic system is the anatomical substratum of immunity. Lymphatics collect tissue exudates, which contain cell debris, peptides, micronutrients and pathogens, as well as immune naive and memory effector cells from the body tissues and organs into the lymph. Lined by endothelial cells cemented together by tight junctions to ensure their impermeability, lymphatics contain valves that prevent the backward flow of the lymph as it moves forward toward the right and left venous angles, the anatomical site of confluence with the venous blood. Meta-inflammation increases the permeability of lymphatics, rendering the elderly more susceptible to novel and ancient airborne viruses released by melting glaciers and permafrost. Simple public health protocols (e.g., mask-wearing, quarantine) are essential to minimize colliding epidemics/pandemics, and favor permafrost immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Chiappelli
- Dental Group of Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
- UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Lily Fotovat
- Dental Group of Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang L, Hu Z, Yin H, Bradford SA, Luo J, Hou D. Aging of colloidal contaminants and pathogens in the soil environment: Implications for nanoplastic and COVID-19 risk mitigation. SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 39:SUM12849. [PMID: 36711026 PMCID: PMC9874619 DOI: 10.1111/sum.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal contaminants and pathogens are widely distributed in soil, whose tiny sizes and distinct surface properties render unique environmental behaviours. Because of aging, colloids can undergo dramatic changes in their physicochemical properties once in the soil environment, thus leading to diverse or even unpredictable environmental behaviour and fate. Herein, we provide a state-of-art review of colloid aging mechanisms and characteristics and implications for risk mitigation. First, we review aging-induced formation of colloidal contaminants and aging-associated changes. We place a special focus on emerging nanoplastic (NP) contaminants and associated physical, chemical, and biological aging processes in soil environments. Second, we assess aging and survival features of colloidal pathogens, especially viruses. Viruses in soils may survive from several days to months, or even several years in groundwater, depending on their rates of inactivation and the reversibility of attachment. Furthermore, we identify implications for risk mitigation based on aging mechanisms. Hotspots of (photo)chemical aging of NPs, including plastic gauzes at construction sites and randomly discarded plastic waste in rural areas, are identified as area requiring greater research attention. For COVID-19, we suggest taking greater care in regions where viruses are persist for long periods, such as cold climate regions. Soil amendment with quicklime (CaO) may act as an effective means for pathogen disinfection. Future risk mitigation of colloidal contaminants and pathogens relies on a better understanding of aging mechanisms and more sophisticated models accurately depicting processes in real soil environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liuwei Wang
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhongtao Hu
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Faculty of ScienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Hanbing Yin
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- College of Environmental Science and EngineeringBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Scott A. Bradford
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceSustainable Agricultural Water Systems UnitDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vianna Franco MP, Molnár O, Dorninger C, Laciny A, Treven M, Weger J, Albuquerque EDME, Cazzolla Gatti R, Villanueva Hernandez LA, Jakab M, Marizzi C, Menéndez LP, Poliseli L, Rodríguez HB, Caniglia G. Diversity regained: Precautionary approaches to COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:154029. [PMID: 35202694 PMCID: PMC8861146 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
As COVID-19 emerged as a phenomenon of the total environment, and despite the intertwined and complex relationships that make humanity an organic part of the Bio- and Geospheres, the majority of our responses to it have been corrective in character, with few or no consideration for unintended consequences which bring about further vulnerability to unanticipated global events. Tackling COVID-19 entails a systemic and precautionary approach to human-nature relations, which we frame as regaining diversity in the Geo-, Bio-, and Anthropospheres. Its implementation requires nothing short of an overhaul in the way we interact with and build knowledge from natural and social environments. Hence, we discuss the urgency of shifting from current to precautionary approaches to COVID-19 and look, through the lens of diversity, at the anticipated benefits in four systems crucially affecting and affected by the pandemic: health, land, knowledge and innovation. Our reflections offer a glimpse of the sort of changes needed, from pursuing planetary health and creating more harmonious forms of land use to providing a multi-level platform for other ways of knowing/understanding and turning innovation into a source of global public goods. These exemplary initiatives introduce and solidify systemic thinking in policymaking and move priorities from reaction-based strategies to precautionary frameworks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco P Vianna Franco
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Orsolya Molnár
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria.
| | - Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Alice Laciny
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Marco Treven
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Jacob Weger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Eduardo da Motta E Albuquerque
- Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Jakab
- Department for Academic Communication, Sigmund Freud University, Freudpl. 1, Vienna 1020, Austria
| | - Christine Marizzi
- BioBus, 1361 Amsterdam Avenue, Ste 340, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Regina-Pacis-Weg 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luana Poliseli
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | | | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Involvement of political and socio-economic factors in the spatial and temporal dynamics of COVID-19 outcomes in Brazil: A population-based study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH - AMERICAS 2022; 10:100221. [PMID: 35309089 PMCID: PMC8918677 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
6
|
Arora NK, Pandey P, Egamberdieva D, Fatima T. COVID-19 pandemic: aggressive research, vaccination, testing, and environmental sustainability are the way forward. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (SINGAPORE) 2021; 4:443-445. [PMID: 38624978 PMCID: PMC8426109 DOI: 10.1007/s42398-021-00206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar Arora
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Piyush Pandey
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam India
| | - Dilfuza Egamberdieva
- Faculty of Biology, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 100174
| | - Tahmish Fatima
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scientific Cooperation: Supporting Circumpolar Permafrost Monitoring and Data Sharing. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10060590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the world continues to work toward an understanding and projections of climate change impacts, the Arctic increasingly becomes a critical component as a bellwether region. Scientific cooperation is a well-supported narrative and theme in general, but in reality, presents many challenges and counter-productive difficulties. Moreover, data sharing specifically represents one of the more critical cooperation requirements, as part of the “scientific method [which] allows for verification of results and extending research from prior results”. One of the important pieces of the climate change puzzle is permafrost. In general, observational data on permafrost characteristics are limited. Currently, most permafrost data remain fragmented and restricted to national authorities, including scientific institutes. The preponderance of permafrost data is not available openly—important datasets reside in various government or university labs, where they remain largely unknown or where access restrictions prevent effective use. Although highly authoritative, separate data efforts involving creation and management result in a very incomplete picture of the state of permafrost as well as what to possibly anticipate. While nations maintain excellent individual permafrost research programs, a lack of shared research—especially data—significantly reduces effectiveness of understanding permafrost overall. Different nations resource and employ various approaches to studying permafrost, including the growing complexity of scientific modeling. Some are more effective than others and some achieve different purposes than others. Whereas it is not possible for a nation to effectively conduct the variety of modeling and research needed to comprehensively understand impacts to permafrost, a global community can. In some ways, separate scientific communities are not necessarily concerned about sharing data—their work is secured. However, decision and policy makers, especially on the international stage, struggle to understand how best to anticipate and prepare for changes, and thus support for scientific recommendations during policy development. To date, there is a lack of research exploring the need to share circumpolar permafrost data. This article will explore the global data systems on permafrost, which remain sporadic, rarely updated, and with almost nothing about the subsea permafrost publicly available. The authors suggest that the global permafrost monitoring system should be real time (within technical and reasonable possibility), often updated and with open access to the data (general way of representing data required). Additionally, it will require robust co-ordination in terms of accessibility, funding, and protocols to avoid either duplication and/or information sharing. Following a brief background, this article will offer three supporting themes, (1) the current state of permafrost data, (2) rationale and methods to share data, and (3) implications for global and national interests.
Collapse
|