Prediction of the incidence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage from meteorological data

We analyzed the relationship between the incidence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and various meteorological data (daily atmospheric air pressure, air temperature, precipitation, humidity, presence of typhoons, occurrence of the rainy season, wind velocity, and wind direction) for patients at Teraoka Memorial Hospital in Shin-ichi Town, Japan, from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003. All data were analyzed by contingency table analysis and multivariate regression analysis. From January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003, we identified high-risk ICH days as those days for which the preceding 3 days mean recorded air pressure of 1,015 hPa or more and then conducted a statistical comparison of the incidence of ICH on high-risk ICH days with that on the other days. Our subjects were 164 patients with ICH. The relative risk of high-risk ICH days is 1.46 (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.04). Mann–Whitney’s U-tests indicate ICH tends to occur on days with lower maximum air temperature. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 3 incidences influence the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01 each): (1) days associated with 4-day periods of mean air pressure in excess of 1,015 hPa; (2) days during which a typhoon was approaching; and (3) days with west or southwest wind . Detailed examination of meteorological data indicates a relationship with the incident rate of ICH.     

灌浆期气象因子对杂交中籼稻米碾米品质和外观品质的影响

 以`II优7号'和`4228A/江恢15'两个杂交中稻组合为材料,通过分期播种处理,研究了灌浆期气象因子与杂交中稻稻米碾米品质和外观品质的关系。结果表明：在稻谷碾米品质和外观品质的5项指标中,显著受灌浆期气象因子影响的有整精米率、垩白粒率和垩白度3项指标,显著影响这3项指标的是齐穗后0～20 d 6个气象因子中的相对湿度、日均气温、日最低气温3个,齐穗后21～30 d的气象因子对米质的影响不显著。从总体上看, 齐穗后0～20 d的日均气温和日最低气温低, 相对湿度大,有利于提高整精米率,降低垩白粒率和垩白     

Atmospheric Pressure and Onset of Episodes of Menière’s Disease - A Repeated Measures Study

BackgroundExternal changes of air pressure are transmitted to the middle and inner ear and may be used therapeutically in Menière’s disease, one of the most common vertigo disorders. We analyzed the possible relationship of atmospheric pressure and other meteorological parameters with the onset of MD vertigo episodes in order to determine whether atmospheric pressure changes play a role in the occurrence of MD episodes.MethodsPatients of a tertiary outpatient dizziness clinic diagnosed with MD were asked to keep a daily vertigo diary to document MD episodes (2004–2009). Local air pressure, absolute temperature and dew point temperature were acquired on an hourly basis. Change in meteorological parameters was conceptualized as the maximum difference in a 24 hour time frame preceding each day. Effects were estimated using additive mixed models with a random participant effect. We included lagged air parameters, age, sex, weekday and season in the model.ResultsA total of 56 persons (59% female) with mean age 54 years were included. Mean follow-up time was 267 days. Persons experienced on average 10.3 episodes during the observation period (median 8). Age and change in air pressure were significantly associated with vertigo onset risk (Odds Ratio = 0.979 and 1.010). We could not show an effect of sex, weekday, season, air temperature, and dew point temperature.ConclusionsChange in air pressure was significantly associated with onset of MD episodes, suggesting a potential triggering mechanism in the inner ear. MD patients may possibly use air pressure changes as an early warning system for vertigo attacks in the future.     

Impact of Temperature on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Lanzhou Based on the Distributed Lag Model

The study mainly analyzed the relationship between temperature and the upper respiratory tract infections (URI) in Lanzhou. We collected the daily URI and meteorological data from 2010 to 2015. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to examine the relationship and potential effects of different temperatures and different lag days on the morbidity of URI. The results showed that the morbidity of URI was significantly related to the meteorological factors, and the peak of the onset of the disease usually occurred between November and February the next year. The correlation analysis was carried out between meteorological factors and URI cases, and the result revealed that the daily morbidity of URI in Lanzhou was related to air temperature, air pressure, and wind speed. The exposure effect curve of average daily temperature to different sex and different age groups in Lanzhou displayed an M-shaped. Temperature had a certain lag effect on the daily morbidity of URI. For low temperature, it appeared on the present day, and the maximum impact appeared at lag 2 days and persisted for 12 days. The female was more vulnerable than the male, and the impact was obvious in teenagers and the elderly and not obvious in adult. Meteorological factors play an important role in the occurrence of URI in Lanzhou, but the main factor is low temperature. Temperature can trigger the morbidity of URI directly; it can induce various symptoms of URI (such as cold, sore throat and rhinitis) and directly affect the distribution of URI in the population.     

Circadian variation in clinical features and outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage: The INTERACT studies

Previous studies consistently reported a diurnal variation in the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), with a morning peak. However, limited knowledge exists on the circadian pattern of ICH severity and outcome. This study aimed to determine possible associations between ICH onset time and admission severity and 90-day outcomes using the combined data set of the pilot and main-phase Intensive blood pressure (BP) reduction in an acute cerebral hemorrhage trial (INTERACT). The ICH onset time was categorized into three groups (1: 00:00–07:59; 2: 08:00–15:59; and 3: 16:00–23:59). We found an association between onset time and low Glasgow Coma Scale score: aOR (time 1: 1.72, 95% CI 1.12–2.66; time 3: 1.95, 95% CI 1.31–2.89, p = 0.003; in comparison to time 2). There was no association between onset time and volume of ICH (adjusted p = 0.354) or 90-day outcomes of death or major disability, and death and major disability separately (all adjusted p > 0.4). The results showed that more severe cases of ICH patients, defined by a reduced level of consciousness, had late afternoon to early morning stroke onset, but this was unrelated to baseline hematoma volume or location. There was no circadian influence on ICH clinical outcome.     

A statistical investigation into the relationship between meteorological parameters and suicide

Many previous studies of relationships between weather and suicides have been inconclusive and contradictory. This study investigated the relationship between suicide frequency and meteorological conditions in people who are psychologically predisposed to commit suicide. Linear regressions of diurnal temperature change, departure of temperature from the climatic norm, mean daytime sky cover, and the number of hours of precipitation for each day were performed on daily suicide totals using standard computer methods. Statistical analyses of suicide data for days with and without frontal passages were also performed. Days with five or more suicides (clusterdays) were isolated, and their weather parameters compared with those of nonclusterdays. Results show that neither suicide totals nor clusterday occurrence can be predicted using these meteorological parameters, since statistically significant relationships were not found. Although the data hinted that frontal passages and large daily temperature changes may occur on days with above average suicide totals, it was concluded that the influence of the weather parameters used, on the suicide rate, is a minor one, if indeed one exists.     

Relationship between temperature change and the requirement for a permanent pacemaker implantation in bradyarrhythmias

Some cardiovascular diseases are associated with seasonal or meteorological factors. We tried to identify the relationship between meteorological parameters and the requirement for a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation for advanced sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrioventricular block (AVB). This study enrolled 656 patients (67% male, age = 76 ± 11 years) who underwent a PPM implantation due to SND or AVB from January 2004 to December 2008. Using daily temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and daylight hour records from Taipei, we evaluated the effect of these meteorological parameters within different time periods on the occurrence of SND and AVB. There were 355 patients in the SND group and 301 in the AVB group. In the AVB group, more patients presented in the spring than in other seasons (P = 0.003). In the SND group, there was no relationship with the seasons (P = 0.137). The proportion of patients with AVB did not depend on the average temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, or daylight hours within 3, 7, and 14 days prior to admission (P = NS). A temperature change of greater than 11°C within 30 days prior to admission was associated with a significantly higher proportion of patients with advanced AVB compared to those with advanced SND (P = 0.009). Extreme change in temperature was the most independent predictor of the development of advanced AVB. The peak occurrence of advanced AVB was in the spring. The occurrence of advanced AVB was associated with extreme temperature changes within 30 days, especially in the spring.     

Responses of a Specialized Insectivorous Mammal (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) to Variation in Ambient Temperature1

This study reports the effect of daily mean ambient temperature on daily activity and habitat use by the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil. We equipped 11 giant anteaters with a global position system collar programmed to acquire a location every 10 min for 15 d. A temperature data logger left in the meteorological station at the study site registered data on ambient temperature. Giant anteaters were mainly active in open fields except during the coldest days, when they sought protection inside forests. Giant anteaters also used open habitats for resting but during the hottest or chilliest days they sheltered in forests. In the Pantanal, where temperatures are usually high, giant anteaters were active all night long, but as daily average ambient temperature decreased anteaters began and finished activity progressively earlier and reduced total activity. As a consequence, time spent active at daylight increased progressively and time spent active during the night decreased progressively, probably to allow the anteaters to expose themselves to solar radiation and to avoid heat loss during the night.     

Activity of a specialized insectivorous mammal (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Pantanal of Brazil

The purpose of this study was to correlate the activity and habitat use of a large and ecologically specialized mammal ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla ) with the time of day and minimum daily temperature in Brazil's Pantanal wetland. Seven giant anteaters were fitted with very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters and monitored from March to December 2001. The animal's state of activity or rest, time and ambient temperature were recorded in different patches of the study site, which were covered by a mosaic of vegetation types and several ponds. Whenever a giant anteater was inside a forest patch, the temperature inside and outside of the patch was also recorded. The temperatures throughout the day were recorded by the meteorological station at the study site. The period of greatest activity of giant anteaters started at 18:00 h on hot days, but whenever the daily minimum temperature declined, the species' activity began earlier. Giant anteaters use predominantly forest habitats for rest and open habitats for activity. The forest patches work as a temperature buffer, because they are cooler than the matrix of open habitats during the hot hours of the day and warmer than the matrix during the cold hours. Although the giant anteater is known to be associated with open habitats, this study indicates the need of preserving forest patches for the conservation of this species.     

Critical temperatures for xylogenesis in conifers of cold climates

Aim To identify temperatures at which cell division and differentiation are active in order to verify the existence of a common critical temperature determining growth in conifers of cold climates. Location Ten European and Canadian sites at different latitudes and altitudes. Methods The periods of cambial activity and cell differentiation were assessed on a weekly time‐scale on histological sections of cambium and wood tissue collected over 2 to 5 years per site from 1998 to 2005 from the stems of seven conifer species. All data were compared with daily air temperatures recorded from weather stations located close to the sites. Logistic regressions were used to calculate the probability of xylogenesis and of cambium being active at a given temperature. Results Xylogenesis lasted from May to October, with a growing period varying from 3 to 5 months depending on location and elevation. Despite the wide geographical range of the monitored sites, temperatures for onset and ending of xylogenesis converged towards narrow ranges with average values around 4–5, 8–9 and 13–14 °C for daily minimum, mean and maximum temperature, respectively. On the contrary, cell division in the cambium stopped in July?August, when temperatures were still high. Main conclusions Wood formation in conifers occurred when specific critical temperatures were reached. Although the timing and duration of xylogenesis varied among species, sites and years, the estimated temperatures were stable for all trees studied. These results provide biologically based evidence that temperature is a critical factor limiting production and differentiation of xylem cells in cold climates. Although daily temperatures below 4?5 °C are still favourable for photosynthesis, thermal conditions below these values could inhibit the allocation of assimilated carbon to structural investment, i.e. xylem growth.     

The effects of daily weather variables on psychosis admissions to psychiatric hospitals

Several studies have noted seasonal variations in admission rates of patients with psychotic illnesses. However, the changeable daily meteorological patterns within seasons have never been examined in any great depth in the context of admission rates. A handful of small studies have posed interesting questions regarding a potential link between psychiatric admission rates and meteorological variables such as environmental temperature (especially heat waves) and sunshine. In this study, we used simple non-parametric testing and more complex ARIMA and time-series regression analysis to examine whether daily meteorological patterns (wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, rainfall, sunshine, sunlight and temperature) exert an influence on admission rates for psychotic disorders across 12 regions in Ireland. Although there were some weak but interesting trends for temperature, barometric pressure and sunshine, the meteorological patterns ultimately did not exert a clinically significant influence over admissions for psychosis. Further analysis is needed.     

A predictive study of cupressaceae pollen season onset, severity, maximum value and maximum value date

In this paper Cupressaceae pollen season onset, severity, maximum value and maximum value date, have been studied for 15 consecutive years (1982–1996). The data set was obtained using a Hirst spore-trap (Burkard Manufacturing). In order to determine the influence of the previous months’ meteorological variables on Cupressaceae season’s parameters, the sums of maximum, average and minimum temperatures, and total rainfall for the months of October, November and December were used as independent variables in predictive formulae built by multiple regression analyses. The variance explained percentage by regression analyses varied between 60 and 87%. Total rainfall in the months prior to anthesis and temperature (particularly minimum temperature) are important factors to consider in forecasting models of Cupressaceae pollen season parameters, but meteorological conditions at the time of pollen production are also important and can modify the pre-established potential of pollination.     

气象因素对心力衰竭的影响

目的:相关性分析近两年上海的气象因素及心力衰竭发病患者之间的关系,探讨影响心力衰竭高发的天气气候条件,为开展疾病预防和干预提供了理论和实践依据。方法:前瞻性统计2011年1月-2012年12月上海市胸科医院急诊的心力衰竭人数,并与同期气温,气压,湿度等气象资料进行相关性分析。结果:温度、气压、湿度对心衰的发生具有显著的影响。心力衰竭数与平均气温、最高气温、最低气温呈显著负相关,而与日平均气压呈显著正相关。前期相对湿度变化与心衰数显著相关。温度对心力衰竭数的影响具有滞后效应。结论:气温、气压及湿度与心力衰竭发病有明显相关,揭示了急性呼吸系统感染高发的天气气候条件,为开展疾病预防和干预提供了理论和实践依据。     

Effects of meteorological conditions on spore plumes

Fungal spores are an ever-present component of the atmosphere, and have long been known to trigger asthma and hay fever symptoms in sensitive individuals. The atmosphere around Tulsa has been monitored for airborne spores and pollen with Burkard spore traps at several sampling stations. This study involved the examination of the hourly spore concentrations on days that had average daily concentrations near 50,000 spores/m(3) or greater. Hourly concentrations of Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Curvularia, Pithomyces, Drechslera, smut spores, ascospores, basidiospores, other, and total spores were determined on 4 days at three sites and then correlated with hourly meteorological data including temperature, rainfall, wind speed, dew point, air pressure, and wind direction. On each of these days there was a spore plume, a phenomenon in which spore concentrations increased dramatically over a very short period of time. Spore plumes generally occurred near midday, and concentrations were seen to increase from lows around 20,000 total spores/m(3) to highs over 170,000 total spores/m(3) in 2 h. Multiple regression analysis of the data indicated that increases in temperature, dew point, and air pressure correlated with the increase in spore concentrations, but no single weather variable predicted the appearance of a spore plume. The proper combination of changes in these meteorological parameters that result in a spore plume may be due to the changing weather conditions associated with thunderstorms, as on 3 of the 4 days when spore plumes occurred there were thunderstorms later that evening. The occurrence of spore plumes may have clinical significance, because other studies have shown that sensitization to certain spore types can occur during exposure to high spore concentrations.     

Serum Copper Homeostasis in Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage and its Clinical Significance

This study was to investigate the alterations of serum copper homeostasis after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which is not yet clear. We recruited 85 hypertensive ICH patients and determined their serum levels of total copper (TCu), small molecule copper (SMC), and ceruloplasmin (Cp). Sera from 32 healthy persons and 12 primary hypertension patients were collected and analyzed as well. Serum TCu levels in ICH patients were tested at three time points (on admission, day 3, and day 7) and found to be higher than that in hypertension patients (p?<?0.05). The serum SMC levels in hypertension patients and ICH patients at three time points were higher than that in healthy controls (p?<?0.05). Higher serum SMC levels on days 3 and 7 were associated with death in the hospital. Additionally, higher serum SMC levels on the seventh day were associated with poor outcome at discharge. High serum Cp levels on admission, as well as low serum Cp levels on the seventh day, were associated with death in the hospital (p?=?0.002 and p?=?0.034, respectively). Our findings indicated that declines in serum Cp and increases in serum SMC are correlated with lethal or poor outcome in hypertensive ICH patients, possibly as a result of contributions to secondary injury of brain after hemorrhage due to impairment of iron transport and enhanced oxidative stress.     

基于日均温度的华山松径向生长敏感温度研究

树干木质部形成周期与温度密切相关,存在影响形成层活动的敏感温度,但是尚未研究尝试从树木年轮中探索影响径向生长的敏感温度。华山主峰的华山松径向生长对气候变化较敏感,且华山西峰的气象站记录了1953年以来气象资料,这为探索树木径向生长与温度的关系提供了宝贵的材料。以华山主峰的华山松年轮资料和日值温度资料为基础,通过分析历年日平均温度的变化过程和年轮宽度、早材宽度、晚材宽度、最小密度以及最大密度的相关性,尝试探索华山松径向生长与日均温度变化的关系。结果表明春季一定温度的初日时间对华山松径向生长有较大的影响,其中3 ℃和8 ℃初日时间和持续时间对年轮宽度的促进作用最明显,而3 ℃对早材宽度影响较大,8℃初日时间对晚材的影响较大;高于11 ℃的温度会对华山松的径向生长造成限制,其中以11 ℃的作用最明显;而温度的终日时间对年轮特征影响较小。说明3 ℃是早材形成的敏感温度,8 ℃是晚材形成的敏感温度,温度高于11 ℃会对华山松的径向生长构成胁迫。这证明华山松年轮特征中包含了较多的气候信息,形成层活动和木质部的生长存在阈值温度,通过分析不同温度的生长期与年轮特征的关系可以找到影响华山松径向生长的敏感温度。这些敏感的温度是通过什么生理过程影响木质部的形成尚无法得知,但是这为解释树木生长对全球温度升高的响应以及利用华山松年轮重建历史气候提供了重要依据。     

祁连山东部青杄年内径向生长动态对气候的响应

树木径向生长对气候因子的响应是树轮气候学的基础。在我国西北地区,虽然已有大量的树轮-气候响应研究,但是响应分析多基于数理统计结果,缺乏对树木生长过程的理解。基于此,于2013年到2015年在祁连山东部吐鲁沟国家森林公园内通过Dendrometer连续监测了树轮气候重建中常用树种青杄的径向生长,通过平均值法提取2013到2015年生长季内不同时间尺度(1天、7天、10天)的平均径向生长量及对应时间段的平均气候状况。不同时间尺度径向生长量和气候因子的相关分析结果表明,时间尺度的延长削弱了树干水分昼夜变化的干扰,但水分仍然是青杄径向生长的限制因子。为了进一步分析青杄径向生长与气候关系随时间的变化情况,以31天为窗口将日径向生长量与气候要素每隔一天进行滑动相关,结果显示:5、7月青杄的径向生长与降水的关系稳定,都呈显著正相关,但是6月降水的年际变率较大,导致树木可利用水分的变幅也较大,因而树木径向生长与6月水分的响应关系不稳定,存在较大的年际差异,而这可能是一些树轮-气候响应研究中轮宽与6月降水关系不显著的原因。     

Association between temperature and death in residential populations in Shanghai

The study is focused on patterns of daily deaths in Shanghai for the period from 1 May 1979 to 30 April 1980. From May to September the deaths in all age groups are lower, but increase gradually from October and reach to a peak in February. This confirms results found in other countries, namely the death rate is increased in winter. The peak for the population aged over 70 is the highest of the three different age groups. Correlation analyses were carried out on three temperature parameters (daily minimum, maximum and mean temperatures) and six categories of death (heart disease, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and total deaths). The results reveal that the average daily temperature is very significant for the six categories of death. There are three correlations: straight line relationship, parabolic relationship and exponential relationship. These different types arise from the different morbidity rates. Death from the different disease is also increased during days when the daily maximum temperature is over 35° C or the daily minimum temperature is below 0°C. This shows, in general, that days of extreme temperature lead to an increase in the death rate.     

河北塞罕坝樟子松径向生长动态变化及其与气象因子的关系

树木是森林生态系统的基本组成, 其生长受气象因子的影响, 基于此, 该研究通过监测樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)的径向生长, 研究樟子松生长日动态规律、季节动态规律及其与气象因子的关系, 探讨河北塞罕坝地区樟子松森林生态系统对气候变化的响应机制。此外, 以往研究树木生长大多数基于树轮年代学, 缺少短期树木径向生长动态的研究。该研究利用径向生长记录仪监测河北塞罕坝机械林场内樟子松连续3年(2016-2018)的树干径向动态变化。结果表明: 由于树干的水分吸收与蒸腾作用, 樟子松树干径向昼夜变化呈现季节性规律, 可划分为4个阶段: 春季萌动期、夏季生长期、秋冬交替期和冬季休眠期。塞罕坝樟子松树干径向生长开始于每年4月初; 4月初至5月中旬为水分恢复阶段; 5月中旬至7月中旬为快速生长阶段; 7月中旬至10月中旬为缓慢生长阶段; 10月中、下旬生长趋于停止, 并有树干径向收缩现象。以一天为时间尺度, 在快速生长阶段(5月初至7月中旬)樟子松径向生长主要受空气温度的影响; 缓慢生长阶段(7月中旬至10月下旬)降水量、空气温度均影响樟子松径向生长。以15天为时间尺度, 温度对樟子松径向生长的影响显著。结果显示樟子松的生长动态规律及其影响因子, 为未来樟子松生理研究提供参考时间节点, 同时在极端低温与干旱的情况下, 为半干旱地区樟子松的生长状态提供参考依据。     

Evaluation of thermal discomfort in Athens territory and its effect on the daily number of recorded patients at hospitals’ emergency rooms

Previous research has shown that temperature and humidity affect human health. However, only a few studies have examined the association of a biometeorological index, which combines several meteorological parameters and human physiology, with health outcomes. The aim of the present study is to assess the thermal discomfort in Athens city by using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) as well as to examine its association with the number of patients recorded at the emergency rooms of four main hospitals. Patients were selected based on their diagnosis during the summer season (June–August) from 1998 to 2004. Data included hourly values of meteorological parameters and daily numbers of patients who visited the emergency units of cardiology departments. Poisson regression models were applied using generalized estimating equations. A strong negative correlation between mean and maximum daily values of PMV and the number of emergency department visits was identified. More studies are needed to explore the association of this biometeorological index with health outcomes in other regions.