Effects of apparent temperature on hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases: a case study of different rural areas in Northwest China.

Apparent temperature (AT) is a composite index that combines ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed and other meteorological factors, and reflects heat perception more accurately than raw temperature. This is the first study to investigate the association between AT and CVD in rural areas of Jiuquan and Longnan, Gansu Province, China. In this study, the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to examine the exposure-response relationship between AT and the 21 days relative risk (RR) of CVD admission. The results showed that the exposure risk of the gender group in Jiuquan was opposite to that of Longnan under the influence of cold effect. Under the influence of heat effect, it has a protective effect on all groups in Jiuquan area, which is harmful to males and adults in Longnan area. The results of this study can help local governments to formulate public policies.

Cardiovascular admission risk attributable to hot apparent temperature: a study in a rural area of northwest China.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, posing a significant threat to public health. Research on the relationship between CVD and temperature has primarily focused on developed urban settings, with limited studies conducted in rural regions with lower levels of development. Additionally, compared to relative risks, attributable risks can provide more information when assessing the risk of CVD hospitalizations associated with exposure to apparent temperature (AT). Apparent temperature is a composite temperature index that takes into account both meteorological factors and temperature, providing an objective reflection of human thermal sensation. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of AT on CVD hospitalization and quantifies the burden of CVD admission in the rural areas of China. We employed the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) to estimate the relationship between AT and the relative risk (RR) of CVD hospitalization. Finally, we used attributable risk methods to quantify this relationship further.

Recent progress on the CRISPR/Cas system in optical biosensors.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein systems are adaptive immune systems unique to archaea and bacteria, with the characteristics of targeted recognition and gene editing to resist the invasion of foreign nucleic acids. Biosensors combined with the CRISPR/Cas system and optical detection technology have attracted much attention in medical diagnoses, food safety, agricultural progress, and environmental monitoring owing to their good sensitivity, high selectivity, and fast detection efficiency. In this review, we introduce the mechanism of CRISPR/Cas systems and developments in this area, followed by summarizing recent progress on CRISPR/Cas system-based optical biosensors combined with colorimetric, fluorescence, electrochemiluminescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering optical techniques in various fields. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives of CRISPR/Cas systems in optical biosensors.

Effects of apparent temperature on cardiovascular disease admissions in rural areas of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major threat to public health worldwide. The relationship between CVD and temperature has been widely reported in developed countries and regions. However, there are few studies of severe CVD in poor rural areas of developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between CVD and apparent temperature (AT) in a rural area of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, China. Daily CVD admission data and meteorological data were collected from Linxia between 2014 and 2015. The media of AT was used as the reference temperature to estimate the cumulative relative risk (RR) of CVD admission. The distributed lag non-linear models were used to examine the association between AT and cumulative RR of CVD admission at lag 0-21 days. In Linxia, high AT (20 °C) had a persistent adverse effect on cumulative RR of CVD admissions, and the RR increased with increasing lag days. Cold (- 10 °C) had a protective effect on the first and later lag days (lag 0-14 and lag 0-21). Adults (aged < 65 years) and females were more susceptible to the effects of heat than males and the elderly (aged ≥ 65 years). In Linxia, China, extremely high AT is an important risk factor for CVD hospitalizations in suburban and rural populations.

Impact of fine particulate matter 2.5 on hospitalization for upper respiratory tract infections in Lanzhou urban industrial area, China.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Abundant evidence has shown that an increase in the concentration of fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) leads to a simultaneous increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases. Xigu District is the main industrial district of Lanzhou, located in Lanzhou City in northwest China and central Gansu Province. Because of limited research and data in the region, the impact of PM2.5 on human health has not been systematically recognized. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between PM2.5 pollution and upper respiratory tract infections in urban industrial areas of Lanzhou City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on outpatient visits, air pollutants, and meteorological indices were collected in the Xigu District of Lanzhou City from 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2019. A generalized additive model was used to evaluate the association between PM2.5 and outpatient visits for upper respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: The results show that PM2.5 had the greatest impact on outpatient visits for upper respiratory tract infections on 7 cumulative lag days. At cumulative lag days 1, 3, and 5, the effects gradually increased. In the subgroup analysis, the effect of PM2.5 on visits for upper respiratory tract infections was significantly influenced by gender. Men were more susceptible to PM2.5 pollution. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in atmospheric PM2.5 concentration was associated with an increase in visits for upper respiratory tract infections with the lag effect. The obtained results can provide a reference for the development of prevention strategies to protect the population from the adverse effects of PM2.5 pollution.

Association between apparent temperature and hypertension hospital admissions: a case study in rural areas in western China.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Although it has previously been shown that temperature is associated with cardiovascular disease, no investigations exploring the association between apparent temperature (AT) and hypertension in farmers in Zhangye and Longnan, Gansu Province, China, have been undertaken. As hypertension is a commonly known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the relationship between apparent temperature (AT) and hypertension is examined in Zhangye and Longnan to provide advice to local governments on preventive measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Daily data and weather conditions were collected in Zhangye and Longnan from 2014-2015. The Poisson generalized linear model and the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) were combined to investigate the relationship between AT and hypertension in hospital admissions in the study areas. RESULTS: A non-linear relationship between AT and hypertension in hospital admissions in both Zhangye and Longnan were recorded. The cold effects were stronger in Zhangye than that in Longnan for both study group and subgroups. The heat effects were more deleterious for the entire study group, female subgroup and adult subgroup in Longnan, but stronger for the male subgroup and elderly subgroup in Zhangye. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation indicates that AT has adverse impacts on hypertension hospital admissions in Zhangye and Longnan, especially under low AT exposure levels. The results from this study may promote the formulation of further prevention measures for hypertension disease.

The effect of ambient temperature and risk of cardiovascular disease hospitalization in China: a meta-analysis.

The effect of ambient temperature on relative risk (RR) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is different in China than in other countries due to the different geographical environment, climate the different inter- and intra-individual characteristics of the population within China. It is therefore important to integrate information to evaluate the impact of temperature on RR of CVD in China. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of temperature on RR of CVD. The Web of Science, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched back to 2022 and nine studies were included in the study. The Cochran Q test and I2 statistics were used to assess heterogeneity, while Egger's test was used to assess publication bias. The pooled estimated size of the relationship between ambient temperature and CVD hospitalization in the random effect model was 1.2044 (95%CI: 1.0610-1.3671) for the cold effect and 1.1982 (95%CI: 1.0166-1.4122) for the heat effect. The Egger's test showed a potential publication bias for the cold effect, whereas there was no apparent publication bias for the heat effect. There is a significant effect of ambient temperature on RR of CVD for both the cold effect and heat effect. The effect of socioeconomic factors should be considered more thoroughly in future studies.

The non-linear and interactive effects of meteorological factors on the transmission of COVID-19: A panel smooth transition regression model for cities across the globe.

The ongoing pandemic created by COVID-19 has co-existed with humans for some time now, thus resulting in unprecedented disease burden. Previous studies have demonstrated the non-linear and single effects of meteorological factors on viral transmission and have a question of how to exclude the influence of unrelated confounding factors on the relationship. However, the interactions involved in such relationships remain unclear under complex weather conditions. Here, we used a panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model to investigate the non-linear interactive impact of meteorological factors on daily new cases of COVID-19 based on a panel dataset of 58 global cities observed between Jul 1, 2020 and Jan 13, 2022. This new approach offers a possibility of assessing interactive effects of meteorological factors on daily new cases and uses fixed effects to control other unrelated confounding factors in a panel of cities. Our findings revealed that an optimal temperature range (0°C-20 °C) for the spread of COVID-19. The effect of RH (relative humidity) and DTR (diurnal temperature range) on infection became less positive (coefficient: 0.0427 to -0.0142; p < 0.05) and negative (coefficient: -0.0496 to -0.0248; p < 0.05) with increasing average temperature(T). The highest risk of infection occurred when the temperature was -10 °C and RH was >80% or when the temperature was 10 °C and DTR was 1 °C. Our findings highlight useful implications for policymakers and the general public.

Effects of large temperature change lasting for several days on cardiovascular disease hospital admissions among farmers in China's Western villages.

Global climate change has resulted in an increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme events. However, we know very little about the associations between large temperature changes lasting for several days (LTCD) and CVD, particularly in less-developed, rural areas. We collected daily data on cardiovascular-related diseases and weather conditions from 119 villages in seven counties between 2010 and 2016. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to investigate the association between LTCD and relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions for CVD. Analyses were stratified by the duration and intensity of LTCD, age, and sex. The RR of CVD increases with the intensity and duration of LTCD. Men and young people were more vulnerable to LTCD of longer duration and higher intensity than women and old. Our findings may help local public health authorities develop adaptive preventive strategies targeting inhabitants of villages.

Impact of diurnal temperature range on hospital admissions for cerebrovascular disease among farmers in Northwest China.

Diurnal temperature range (DTR) is an appropriate indicator for reflecting climate change. Many previous studies have examined the relationship between DTR and mortality. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) have a higher mortality than other diseases, with mortality from CVD higher in rural areas than in urban areas. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to analyze the exposure-effect relationship between DTR and hospital admissions for CVD from 2018 to 2020 in the population living in rural areas of Tianshui, Gansu Province, China. We investigated the effects of extreme DTR in groups stratified according to gender and age. A U-shape relationship was observed between DTR and hospital admissions for CVD. Both high DTR (19 °C) and low DTR (3 °C) were significantly associated significantly with CVD hospital admissions. When the lag period was 0-21 days, the impact of high DTR (1.595 [95% CI 1.301-1.957]) was slightly more significant than that of a low DTR (1.579 [95% CI - 1.202 to 2.075]). The effect of DTR on CVD varied in different populations. Males and adults were more sensitive to DTR than females and elderly people. It is necessary to make preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of extreme DTR.

The effect of apparent temperature on hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in rural areas of Pingliang, China.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: There is a well-reported association between temperature and the relative risk (RR) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in urban areas in China. However, insufficient research has been performed in rural areas. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between apparent temperature (AT) and the RR of CVD hospital admissions in rural areas of Pingliang, northwest China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Daily data and weather conditions were collected in Pingliang from 2014-2015. The median value of AT was selected to estimate the RR of CVD, and the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) used to examine the relationship between AT and the RR of CVD admissions for up to 21 days. RESULTS: The results showed a nonlinear relationship between AT and the RR of CVD admissions. Regarding the heat effect, there was a protective effect. Meanwhile, the cold effect on the RR of CVD admissions appeared at day 0 and persisted until day 21, resulting in a cumulative RR of 2.304 (95%CI: 1.809-2.936) compared with the median value of AT, and the maximum RR appeared at about -5 °.The cumulative RR values of CVD on men and adults were more sensitive than those on women and elders in the cold effect. CONCLUSIONS: AT is associated with the hospitalization of CVD patients. Both gender and age factors were associated with the increase in RR of CVD admissions. More preventive measures should be taken to avoid this adverse effect.

A comparison of the effect of diurnal temperature range and apparent temperature on cardiovascular disease among farmers in Qingyang, Northwest China.

Climate change is increasing the incidence of extreme weather events which have a significant impact on public health. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally (40%). Apparent temperature (AT) and diurnal temperature range (DTR) have been extensively used to evaluate the effects of temperature on cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relevant information is quite limited from analysis and comparison of effects and differing pathogenesis of DTR and AT on CVD especially in less-developed, rural areas of China. This is the first attempt to analyze different effects between AT and DTR on CVD using distributed lag nonlinear modeling (DLNM) in rural area. Data on CVD hospital admission in Qingyang (Northwest China) in 2014-2017 originated from the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS) of Gansu Province, and meteorological variables were provided by the Meteorological Science Data Sharing Service. Both AT and DTR had significant nonlinear and delayed impacts on hospital admissions for CVD. DTR had a stronger and more persistent effect on CVD incidence than AT. Females were more affected by high AT and low DTR than were males, while males were more vulnerable to low AT and high DTR. Temperature effects were not significantly different between people above and below 65 years of age. These findings provide local public health authorities with reference concerning sensitive temperature indices for susceptible populations with a view to improve CVD preventive strategies in rural areas.

Association between air pollution and emergency department visits for upper respiratory tract infection inLanzhou, China.

There is limited evidence regarding the associations between air pollution and emergency hospital visits for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in the arid regions of northwest China. We collected daily emergency department (ED) visits for URTI from three hospitals in Lanzhou during January 2014 and December 2018, as well as daily air pollutants and meteorological factors. In the present study, generalized additive model with quasi-Poisson regression was used to evaluate the relationship between short-term exposure to ambient pollutants and daily emergency hospital visits for URTI in Lanzhou, China. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted by gender (male and female), age (0-14, 15-64, and ≥ 65 years)), and season (cold season, warm season). The results of the single-pollutant model show that the associations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO with URTI ED visits were all statistically significant, whereas we observed insignificant associations of O38h. The highest association of each pollutant with hospital emergency visits was observed with PM2.5 (5.302% (95% CI: 3.202, 7.445)), PM10 (0.808% (95% CI: 0.291, 1.328)), SO2 (10.607% (95% CI: 5.819, 15.611)), and NO2 (5.325% (95% CI: 2.379, 8.357)) at lag 07 for an increase of 10 ug/m3 in concentrations of the pollutants. Percentage increase for each 1-mg/m3 increase in CO was 20.799% (95% CI: 11.834, 30.482) at lag 07. In the stratification analyses, females were more susceptible to PM2.5 and PM10, while males were more sensitive to the effects of SO2, NO2, and CO, and the higher association effect of four pollutants (PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO) on hospital visits for URTI among children (0-14 years). The associations appeared to be stronger in the cool season than in the warm season. This study suggests that short-term exposure to air pollution, especially to SO2 and CO, was associated with increased risk of hospital emergency visits for URTI in Lanzhou, China. Relevant strategies and health interventions should be strengthened to reduce the air pollution level in the future.

Association between air pollution and hospital admissions for hypertension in Lanzhou, China.

Air pollution has been accepted as an important risk factor for hypertension. However, little is known about the association between air pollution and hospitalization for hypertension. In this study, we explored the association between six criteria air pollutants and hypertension hospitalization in Lanzhou, China. An over-dispersed Poisson regression model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used. In addition, we investigated the effect of modification by sex, age, and season. A total of 30,197 hospitalization cases were identified during the study period. A 10µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 concentrations or 1 mg/m3 increment in CO was significantly associated with relative risks (RRs) of hospital admissions due to hypertension 1.026 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.010, 1.043], 1.010 (95%CI: 1.005, 1.015), 1.042 (95%CI: 1.001, 1.085), 1.028 (95%CI: 1.003, 1.052), and 1.106 (95%CI: 1.031, 1.186), respectively. No significant influence of O38h was found on hypertension hospital admissions. The associations differed by individual characteristics; the elderly (≥ 65 years) and females were highly vulnerable. The effects of PM2.5, SO2, and CO were more evident in the cool season than in the warm season. From exposure-response curves, we observe a nearly linear relationship for PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO. This study suggests that exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO is associated with hypertension morbidity.

[Research progress on therapeutic potential of quercetin].

Quercetin is a naturally occurring phytochemical with good bioactivity, which mainly exists in the form of glycoside in vegetables, fruits, tea, and wine and exhibits beneficial health effects. Quercetin is a dietary polyphenol that exerts the protective effects through diet or use as a food supplement. Compared with chemical agents, quercetin is widely available and safe. Quercetin has been extensively studied for its anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-arthritic, anti-influenza virus, anti-microbial infection, anti-aging, autophagy-regulating, and cardiovascular protective effects. Studies on its activities against different can-cer cell lines have also been reported recently. However, the poor water solubility, rapid in vivo metabolism, and short half-life of quercetin have led to its low bioavailability, thus limiting its application in the field of medicine. Quercetin nanoparticles and nanoparticle drug delivery system have been effectively utilized for enhancing its bioavailability. This paper reviewed the therapeutic potential of quercetin from both preclinical and clinical aspects and proposed solutions to improve its bioavailability, so as to provide a reference for the therapeutic application of natural compounds in the field of medicine.

[Research progress on rutin derivatives].

Compounds derived from natural products present satisfactory efficacy in disease prevention and treatment. The use of chemical substances in plants to promote healthhas increasingly attracted people's attention. Rutin, a typical flavonoid, is mainly found in various vegetables, fruits and Chinese herbal medicines. As a natural antioxidant, it features many pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-tumor, and prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the low bioavailability and poor water solubility limit its clinical application. In view of this, its structure is optimized and modified to afford rutin derivatives with good solubility, high bioavailability, stable metabolism and small toxic side effects. So far, a large number of rutin ethers, esters, and complexes have been synthesized and undergone activity testing. This paper reviews the structural modification of rutin in recent years, and the obtained derivatives have excellent properties and significant biological activity.

Impact of diurnal temperature range on cardiovascular disease hospital admissions among Chinese farmers in Dingxi (the Northwest China).

BACKGROUND: Diurnal temperature range (DTR) has been widely applied in exploring its effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few studies have investigated the correlations between DTR and CVD in poor rural areas in China. This study aimed to examine the association between DTR and CVD in rural China. METHODS: A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to evaluate the relationship between DTR and CVD risk among farmers living in the city of Dingxi (Northwest China) in the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. RESULTS: We observed nonlinear M-patterns between the relative risk (RR) of DTR (reference: median DTR, 12 °C) and CVD hospitalizations in all subgroups. The peak RR of CVD was noticed at DTR of 6 °C (total: 1.418; men: 1.546; women: 1.403; young: 1.778; old: 2.549) and 17 °C (total: 1.781; men: 1.937; women: 1.712; young: 2.233; old: 1.798). The adverse effect of DTR on CVD risk was more pronounced in females (RR 1.438) and elderly (RR 2.034) than males (RR 1.141) and younger adults (RR 1.852) at the extremely low (5th, 4 °C) DTR. The reverse was observed at the extremely high DTR (95th, 19 °C) (male: 1.267; females: 0.993; young: 1.586; old: 1.212). CONCLUSIONS: DTR is associated with CVD morbidity. This association was more pronounced in women and elderly, but men and younger peoples at extremely high DTR (19 °C). Future measures should take DTR into account to prevent CVD among susceptible populations.

Lag effects of size-fractionated particulate matter pollution on outpatient visits for respiratory diseases in Lanzhou, China.

INTRODUCTION: A large body of evidence suggests that an increase in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) concentrations will lead to an increase in morbidity due to adverse health conditions, such as respiratory diseases (RESD). Lanzhou is located in northwest China, central Gansu Province. Due to limited research and data, the impact of PM on human health have not been systematically acknowledged. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the association between size-fractionated PM pollution and outpatients visits for RESD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on outpatient visits for RESD, air pollutants and meteorological indices in Lanzhou were collected from 1 February 2014 - 31 December 2017, and the associations of three types of PM (PM2.5, PMC, and PM10) with outpatient visits for RESD were evaluated using generalized additive models (GAMs). RESULTS: Findings showed that PM2.5 and PMC had the most significant impact on outpatient visits for RESD at seven cumulative lag days. PM10 was not significantly associated with outpatient visits for RESD. In subgroup analysis, the impact of atmospheric PM on outpatient visits for RESD was significantly modified by gender and age; men, and children aged 0-5 years old, were more sensitive to PM2.5 pollution. CONCLUSIONS: Increased atmospheric PM concentration is associated with an increase in outpatient visits for RESD, and it has a lag effect. The increase in outpatient visits for RESD appears to be driven by increased PM2.5 concentrations. The results obtained may provide reference values for formulating preventive strategies to protect the population from the adverse impact of PM pollution.

[Research progress on antitumor activity of quercetin derivatives].

Quercetin is a kind of typical flavonoid, mainly found in various vegetables, fruits and Chinese herbs that are consumed daily, with the functions of anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Quercetin is a natural compound with defined anti-tumor activity. Due to its low bioavailability and poor water solubility, quercetin has limitations in clinical application. The quercetin derivatives with good solubility, high bioavailability, metabolic stability, and low toxicity have been obtained through modification of quercetin structure. In recent years, a large number of quercetin ethers, esters, complexes, C-4 carbonyloxy substituted derivatives, A,B-ring modified compounds and other derivatives have been synthesized and tested for in vitro anticancer activity. The quercetin derivatives with anti-tumor activity synthesized in the last 5 years were reviewed in this paper.

Comparison of air pollution in Shanghai and Lanzhou based on wavelet transform.

For a long-period comparative analysis of air pollution in coastal and inland cities, we analyzed the continuous Morlet wavelet transform on the time series of a 5274-day air pollution index in Shanghai and Lanzhou during 15 years and studied the multi-scale variation characteristic, main cycle, and impact factor of the air pollution time series. The analysis showed that (1) air pollution in the two cities was non-stationary and nonlinear, had multiple timescales, and exhibited the characteristics of high in winter and spring and low in summer and autumn. (2) The monthly variation in air pollution in Shanghai was not significant, whereas the seasonal variation of air pollution in Lanzhou was obvious. (3) Air pollution in Shanghai showed an ascending tendency, whereas that in Lanzhou presented a descending tendency. Overall, air pollution in Lanzhou was higher than that in Shanghai, but the situation has reversed since 2015. (4) The primary cycles of air pollution in these two cities were close, but the secondary cycles were significantly different. The aforementioned differences were mainly due to the impact of topographical and meteorological factors in Lanzhou, the weather process and the surrounding environment in Shanghai. These conclusions have reference significance for Shanghai and Lanzhou to control air pollution. The multi-timescale variation and local features of the wavelet analysis method used in this study can be applied to varied aspects of air pollution analysis. The identification of cycle characteristics and the monitoring, forecasting, and controlling of air pollution can yield valuable reference.