Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the third severe acute respiratory disease of the 21st century and the most aggressive global pandemic to date. The whole population has been susceptible to the disease, particularly the emerging variants of the virus. The core pathophysiological mechanism is viral sepsis that can lead to the respiratory tract disorders and even systemic disorders such as cytokine release syndrome, thrombosis, abnormal angiogenesis, and multiple organ dysfunction. Despite only few licensed treatments to date, rapid advances have been made in exploring the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions and vaccines. However, three pillars of preventative and control measures - proactive contact tracing, wearing facial masks, and social distancing - are essential to combat the ongoing pandemic. As the number of patients recovering from COVID-19 rapidly increases, the world has entered the era of caring for patients during the convalescence phase. This phase still represents a largely unmet medical need globally.
Objective: This general non-systematic review aimed to gather information on reported statistical models examing the effects of meteorological factors on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and compare these models. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for studies on "meteorological factors and COVID-19" published between January 1, 2020, and October 1, 2022. Results: The most commonly used approaches for analyzing the association between meteorological factors and COVID-19 were the linear regression model (LRM), generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), and distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). In addition to these classical models commonly applied in environmental epidemiology, machine learning techniques are increasingly being used to select risk factors for the outcome of interest and establishing robust prediction models. Conclusion: Selecting an appropriate model is essential before conducting research. To ensure the reliability of analysis results, it is important to consider including non-meteorological factors (e.g., government policies on physical distancing, vaccination, and hygiene practices) along with meteorological factors in the model.
Extreme weather events and climate change have witnessed a substantial increase in recent years, leading to heightened concerns. The rise in abnormal ambient temperatures, both in intensity and frequency, directly and indirectly impacts cardiovascular health. While the impact of high ambient temperatures on cardiovascular response is a common concern in the context of global warming, the significance of low temperatures cannot be overlooked. The challenges posed by low temperatures contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, posing a significant threat to global public health. This review aims to provide an overview of the relationship between low ambient temperature and cardiovascular health, encompassing the burden of cardiovascular outcomes and underlying mechanisms. Additionally, the review explores strategies for cold adaptation and cardioprotection. We posit that to optimize cold adaptation strategies, future research should delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular health in response to low ambient temperature exposure.
Cold stimulation and exercise are two independent stimulus variables, each yielding unique impacts on human health. However, in many cases, individuals often encounter both factors simultaneously, particularly in colder regions where outdoor physical activity is prevalent. Despite numerous studies exploring the effects of cold exposure and exercise independently, only a limited number of comprehensive reviews have evaluated their combined influence on health. This review aims to bridge this gap by meticulously examining the potential benefits and detriments of both cold stimulation and exercise on human health. Specifically, the review focuses on their impacts on cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune function, as well as the favorable effects of moderate exercise on the human body. While evidence suggests that cold exposure can enhance health outcomes in certain disease contexts, it also poses risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Furthermore, while moderate exercise is generally beneficial, engaging in physical activity in cold weather conditions can increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related injuries. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop safe and effective guidelines for exercising in cold weather, particularly for individuals living in colder regions. This review emphasizes the necessity for further research on the combined effects of cold stimulation and exercise, with the goal of informing public health policies and guidelines for physical activity in cold weather conditions.
Background: In some developing countries, people have little knowledge about the causes of diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, public health education for patients on these conditions is a prerequisite for effective pharmacological treatment. Diabetic foot ulcers are a complex symptom of diabetes and are hard to cure due to the lack of efficacious medicine and alternative treatment approaches. Vitamin A (VA) is known to have potent biological functions, including skin repair and immunoregulation. However, the potential pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of VA on foot ulcers are still to be discovered. Methods: By using bioinformatic/computational analyses, including network pharmacology, gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, we aimed to identify and reveal the pharmacological targets, molecular mechanisms, biological functions, and signaling pathways of VA in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Results: A total of 66 intersection genes were identified as candidate targets of VA, which are related to diabetic foot ulcers. Therein, 18 core genes/targets, namely JUN, MAPK1, THRB, MAPK14, MTNR1B, CXCR3, ESR1, AR, HDAC1, IL-10, CNR1, DRD2, EGFR, ADRA2A, CCND1, RXRB, RARA, and RXRA, were further identified. Furthermore, the biological processes, cell components, and molecular functions which may underlie the effects of VA against diabetic foot ulcers were characterized. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we concluded that the pharmacological effects of VA on diabetic foot ulcers primarily involve the promotion of cellular regeneration and proliferation and the inhibition of inflammatory response. The core genes/targets may potentially serve as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcers.