Effects Of Extreme Cold Research Articles

Ambient temperature and the risk of childhood epilepsy hospitalizations: Potentially neglected risk of temperature extremes and modifying effects of air pollution

PurposeExtreme temperatures and air pollution are increasingly important risk factors for human health in the background of climate change, with limited evidence available for neurological disorders. This study intended to investigate the short-term effects of extreme temperatures on childhood epilepsy and explore the potential modifying effect of air pollution. MethodsDaily childhood epilepsy hospitalization, meteorological and air pollution data were collected from 10 cities in Anhui Province of China during 2016–2018. We firstly employed a space–time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression model to fit the short-term relationship between temperature and epilepsy. Then, we conducted stratified analyses by the level of air pollution and individual characteristics. ResultsBoth extreme heat and extreme cold increased the risk of hospitalization for childhood epilepsy. The effect of extreme heat [97.5th vs. minimum hospitalization temperature (MHT)] on hospitalization was acute and emerged at lag0 [OR: 1.229 (95 %CI: 1.035 to 1.459)], while the effect of extreme cold (2.5th vs. MHT) was delayed and appeared at lag5 [OR: 1.098 (95 %CI: 1.043 to 1.156)]. We also found children aged 6–18 years were more susceptible to extreme cold than children aged 0–5 years. Besides, extreme heat and cold effects differed by the level of air pollutants. ConclusionThis study suggests that extreme temperatures might be the novel but currently neglected risk factor for childhood epilepsy, and air pollution could further amplify the adverse effect of temperature.

The association between apparent temperature and psoriasis outpatient visits: a time-series study in Hefei, China

Temperature may be an important environmental factor affecting psoriasis. This study aimed to determine the potential association between apparent temperature (AT) and outpatient visits for psoriasis in Hefei, China. Daily psoriasis clinic visits in Hefei were collected from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. A Poisson generalized linear regression model (PGLM) combined with a distributional lagged nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to analyze the impact of AT on psoriasis outpatient visits; the model was adjusted for relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, time trends, Sundays, and holidays. The analyses were stratified by age and sex. A total of 24,351 patients with psoriasis were included in this study. Only a low AT showed a delayed and strong risk effect. Referring to the median AT (16.8 °C), the effect of low AT started at lag 2 days and showed an increasing and then decreasing trend for approximately 5 days; the effect of extreme cold (1st percentile) and cold (5th percentile) peaked at lag 4 days with a relative risk (RR) of 1.117 (95% CI:1.065 to 1.171) and 1.081 (95% CI:1.044 to 1.119), respectively. The effect of mild cold (25th percentile) reached a maximum RR of 1.033 (95% CI:1.017 to 1.048) at lag 6 days. Subgroup analysis showed that low AT risk was more pronounced and longer-lasting in men and individuals aged <45 years. Our study provides evidence that a low AT increases the risk of psoriasis. Men and young people are vulnerable to potential adverse effects. There is a need for enhanced health interventions, medical care, and early warnings for patients.

The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study.

Regular exposure to a cold factor—cold water swimming or ice swimming and cold air—results in an increased tolerance to cold due to numerous adaptive mechanisms in humans. Due to the lack of scientific reports on the effects of extremely low outdoor temperatures on the functioning of the human circulatory system, the aim of this study was to evaluate complete blood count and biochemical blood indices in multiple Guinness world record holder Valerjan Romanovski, who was exposed to extremely cold environment from −5 °C to −37 °C for 50 days in Rovaniemi (a city in northern Finland). Valerjan Romanovski proved that humans can function in extremely cold temperatures. Blood from the subject was collected before and after the expedition. The subject was found to have abnormalities for the following blood indices: testosterone increases by 60.14%, RBC decreases by 4.01%, HGB decreases by 3.47%, WBC decreases by 21.53%, neutrocytes decrease by 17.31%, PDW increases by 5.31%, AspAT increases by 52.81%, AlAT increase by 68.75%, CK increases by 8.61%, total cholesterol decreases by 5.88%, HDL increases by 28.18%. Percentage changes in other complete blood count and biochemical indices were within standard limits. Long-term exposure of the subject (50 days) to extreme cold stress had no noticeable negative effect on daily functioning.

The Effect of Cold Waves on Mortality in Urban and Rural Areas of Madrid

BACKGROUND AND AIM: While many studies analyze the effect of extreme thermal events on health, little has been written about the effects of extreme cold on mortality of rural population. Therefore, we tries to analyze these effects on urban areas and rural areas from Madrid and to test whether differentiated extreme cold effects exist between both population classes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2013. Municipalities were classified as urban or rural (Eurostat), and they were grouped into similar climatological zones. The dependent variable was the daily mortality rate due to natural causes per million inhabitants (CIE-X: A00-R99) that occurred between the months of November and March for the period. The independent variable was minimum daily temperature (ºC). Social and demographic contextual variables were used, including: population age 64 (%), deprivation index and housing indicators. The analysis was carried out in three phases: 1. determination of the threshold temperature which defines the cold waves; 2. Determination of the relative risk (RR) for cold waves using Poisson linear regression (GLM); 3. Using GLM of the binomial family, Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated to analyze the relationship between the frequency of the appearance of cold waves and the socioeconomic variables. RESULTS:The urban zone experienced 585 extreme cold events related to attributable increases in the mortality rate. The average number of cold waves in the rural zones was 319. The primary risk factor was the percentage of population over age 64, and the primary protective factor was housing rehabilitation. Globally, the period experienced more cold waves (1,542) than heat waves (1,130). CONCLUSIONS:The urban zone was more vulnerable than the rural areas. Due to cold spells were more frequent than heat waves, the results support the development of specific prevention plans. KEYWORDS: Cold-spells, mortality, urban-rural, deprivation, building quality, ageing

The effect of cold waves on mortality in urban and rural areas of Madrid

BackgroundWhile many studies analyze the effect of extreme thermal events on health, little has been written about the effects of extreme cold on mortality. This scarcity of papers is particularly relevant when we search studies about extreme cold on the health of rural population. Therefore, we tried to analyze the effect of cold waves on urban areas and rural areas from Madrid and to test whether differentiated effects exist between both population classes. For this purpose, we analyzed data from the municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2013. Municipalities were classified as urban or rural (Eurostat), and they were grouped into similar climatological zones: Urban Metropolitan Centre (UMC), Rural Northern Mountains (RNM), Rural Centre (RC) and Southern Rural (SR). The dependent variable was the daily mortality rate due to natural causes per million inhabitants (CIE-X: A00-R99) that occurred between the months of November and March for the period. The independent variable was minimum daily temperature (ºC) (Tmin). Social and demographic contextual variables were used, including: population > age 64 (%), deprivation index and housing indicators. The analysis was carried out in three phases: (1) determination of the threshold temperature (Tthreshold) which defines the cold waves; (2) determination of the relative risk (RR) for cold waves using Poisson linear regression (GLM); and (3) using GLM of the binomial family, Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated to analyze the relationship between the frequency of the appearance of cold waves and the socioeconomic variables.ResultsThe UMC zone experienced 585 extreme cold events related to attributable increases in the mortality rate. The average number of cold waves in the rural zones was 319. The primary risk factor was the percentage of population over age 64, and the primary protective factor was housing rehabilitation. As a whole, the period experienced more cold waves (1542) than heat waves (1130).ConclusionThe UMC was more vulnerable than the rural areas. Furthermore, the results support the development of prevention policies, especially considering the fact that cold wave events were more frequent than heat waves.

Hematological Parameters, and Hematopoietic Growth Factors: Epo and IL-3 in Response to Whole-Body Cryostimulation (WBC) in Military Academy Students

The effects of extreme cold on the human body are not fully understood, there are also no reports on the effect of cryogenic temperatures on the levels of erythropoietin (EPO) and interleukin 3 (IL-3), two important factors that regulate hematopoiesis. Aim: determination of changes in peripheral blood cell counts and EPO and IL-3 levels induced by a series of 10, 20 and 30 standard whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) treatments. The study involved 45 men, experimental group (EXP, n = 30) subjected to 30 WBC treatments (−130°C, treatment duration: 3 minutes) and a control group (CON, n = 15). Blood samples were collected before the series of treatments and after 10, 20 and 30 treatments. After 10 and 20 treatments we observed lower red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels compared to baseline (p<0.05) and the control group (p<0.05). Additionally we observed an increase in hemoglobin concentration in plasma (p<0.05), and bilirubin after 10 and 20 treatments, and a decrease in plasma concentration of haptoglobin after 10, 20 and 30 treatments (p<0.05). The number of leukocytes was higher after 10 and 20 WBC treatments compared to baseline and the CON group. EPO concentration in plasma was elevated and the concentration of IL-3 was lower after 10, 20 and 30 WBC treatments. The decrease in indices of the erythrocytic system, plasma hemoglobin and bilirubin, with a simultaneous decrease in haptoglobin concentrations after 10 and 20 WBC treatments, may be due to increased intravascular hemolysis. At the same time there was a small, but statistically significant increase in the concentration of EPO stimulated erythropoiesis which could facilitate a return of erythrocytic system indices to initial levels after 30 WBC treatments. Changes in the white blood cell system showed transient mobilization of this system under the influence of WBC.

Effects of extreme cold and aridity on soils and habitability: McMurdo Dry Valleys as an analogue for the Mars Phoenix landing site

AbstractThe McMurdo Dry Valleys are among the driest, coldest environments on Earth and are excellent analogues for the Martian northern plains. In preparation for the 2008 Phoenix Mars mission, we conducted an interdisciplinary investigation comparing the biological, mineralogical, chemical, and physical properties of wetter lower Taylor Valley (TV) soils to colder, drier University Valley (UV) soils. Our analyses were performed for each horizon from the surface to the ice table. In TV, clay-sized particle distribution and less abundant soluble salts both suggested vertical and possible horizontal transport by water, and microbial biomass was higher. Alteration of mica to short-order phyllosilicates suggested aqueous weathering. In UV, salts, clay-sized materials, and biomass were more abundant near the surface, suggesting minimal downward translocation by water. The presence of microorganisms in each horizon was established for the first time in an ultraxerous zone. Higher biomass numbers were seen near the surface and ice table, perhaps representing locally more clement environments. Currently, water activity is too low to support metabolism at the Phoenix site, but obliquity changes may produce higher temperatures and sufficient water activity to permit microbial growth, if the populations could survive long dormancy periods (∼106years).

Temperature, temperature extremes, and mortality: a study of acclimatisation and effect modification in 50 US cities

Objectives:The authors examined the increase in mortality associated with hot and cold temperature in different locations, the determinants of the variability in effect estimates, and its implications for adaptation.Methods:The authors...

ABC of sports medicine. Temperature and performance--II: Heat.

Environmental temperature may cause problems through being either too cold or too hot; and the effects may be general, local, or secondary. These effects range from impairment of performance through injury or illness to possible death, either directly or indirectly. The effects of extreme cold in sport are more prevalent than are the results of extreme heat. For instance, for most sports in the world one of the numerically greatest hazards of cold is torn muscles or tendons. Hypothermia is also more common in Britain than is heatstroke. At milder degrees, cold can result in illness, injury, and death, whereas heat generally merely affects performance. The body normally maintains a steady deep (core) temperature of 37°C, though the set point changes during the circadian rhythm, after sleep loss, during hypobaria (at altitude), and after dehydration. This stability is achieved by balancing the rate of heat production (mainly from metabolic heat generation) with the rate of heat loss and also by altering the temperature of the superficial tissues (shell). The size of the shell also varies. Heat transfer to and from the body follows the normal rules of thermodynamics. The rate of dry heat loss (convection and conduction) depends on the temperature difference between the skin and the environment. The rate of evaporative heat loss (surface evaporation and through breathing) depends on the ambient humidity. Air movement (air over the body or the body through the air) increases both types of heat loss. Rough relation of core temperatures and shell sizes. (Note the arbitrary temperature definition of hypothermia (<35°C) and the range of shell sizes in normothermia.) When estimating the severity of cold stress - that is, the rate of heat loss - wind and wet are as important as temperature. A body is in fact losing more heat at +10°C …

ABC of sports medicine. Temperature and performance. I: Cold.

Environmental temperature may cause problems through being either too cold or too hot; and the effects may be general, local, or secondary. These effects range from impairment of performance through injury or illness to possible death, either directly or indirectly. The effects of extreme cold in sport are more prevalent than are the results of extreme heat. For instance, for most sports in the world one of the numerically greatest hazards of cold is torn muscles or tendons. Hypothermia is also more common in Britain than is heatstroke. At milder degrees, cold can result in illness, injury, and death, whereas heat generally merely affects performance. The body normally maintains a steady deep (core) temperature of 37°C, though the set point changes during the circadian rhythm, after sleep loss, during hypobaria (at altitude), and after dehydration. This stability is achieved by balancing the rate of heat production (mainly from metabolic heat generation) with the rate of heat loss and also by altering the temperature of the superficial tissues (shell). The size of the shell also varies. Heat transfer to and from the body follows the normal rules of thermodynamics. The rate of dry heat loss (convection and conduction) depends on the temperature difference between the skin and the environment. The rate of evaporative heat loss (surface evaporation and through breathing) depends on the ambient humidity. Air movement (air over the body or the body through the air) increases both types of heat loss. Rough relation of core temperatures and shell sizes. (Note the arbitrary temperature definition of hypothermia (<35°C) and the range of shell sizes in normothermia.) When estimating the severity of cold stress - that is, the rate of heat loss - wind and wet are as important as temperature. A body is in fact losing more heat at +10°C …

The effects of extreme cold on sensory nerves

The effects of extreme cold on sensory nerves

Pathologic-anatomical and permeability-pathological findings on the rabbit brain following the effect of extreme cold

Bei 45 Kaninchen und 8 Katzen wurden mittels der Cooperschen Kältesonde die Hirnoberflächen auf extrem tiefe Temperaturen abgekühlt. Die angewendeten Temperaturwerte lagen zwischen -30 bis -180 Grad C Sondeninnentemperatur; variiert wurde außerdem die Dauer der Kälteeinwirkung. Die Tiere wurden in Abständen von 30 Minuten bis 28 Tagen nach Abkühlung getötet und die Gehirne makroskopisch und histologisch untersucht. Die Kälteläsionen zeigten bei allen Versuchstieren eine typische Dreiteilung mit einer zentralen Zone von totaler Nekrose, einer Zwischenzone mit scholligem Zerfall, sowie einer Zone mit Übergang zum normalen Gewebe. Mitbestimmend für die Entstehung dieser Zonen ist die Angioarchitektonik des Hirngewebes sowie der Verlauf der Isothermen im Gewebe. Die variable Gefäßanordnung erschwert jedoch die Vorhersage von Größe und Form der Kälteherde.

81. The effects of extreme cold on major extracranial arteries: Khairy Samra, K. Wisniewska, and Irving S. Cooper (Department of Neurologic Surgery, St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York)

81. The effects of extreme cold on major extracranial arteries: Khairy Samra, K. Wisniewska, and Irving S. Cooper (Department of Neurologic Surgery, St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York)

THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME COLD ON MAJOR EXTRACRANIAL ARTERIES AND VEINS.

Extreme cold has been focally applied to major extracranial arteries and veins in the cat. Reversible slowing of circulation and vascular occlusion have been shown to occur from this application. Following rewarming no acute changes within the lumen of the blood vessels have been observed radiographically and permanent thrombosis does not result after freezing of segments up to 30 minutes. Possible uses for this modality in cerebrovascular surgery are discussed.

Experimental studies in cryobiology

c RYOBIOLOGY [I] is the study of the effects of coId on Iiving organisms. The effects of extreme cold on isolated cells, the use of low temperatures for preservation of whoIe organs, the effect of prolonged suspended animation on entire animaIs and the surviva1 of skin grafts and grohof tumors in such animaIs have been under study in our laboratory during the past three years. CeIIs and thin sIices of tissue wiI1 survive at Iow temperatures but many probIems must be soIved before norma function can be restored after subjecting a whoIe organ or an entire organism to extremes of cold.

Effect of Extreme Cold on Ducks in Milwaukee Bay

Effect of Extreme Cold on Ducks in Milwaukee Bay

Note on the effect of extreme cold on the emanations of radium

As it seemed advisable to examine the action of extreme cold on the action of radium, the following experiments have been made, in continuation of work formerly done by either of us separately. The first endeavour was to ascertain whether the scintillations produced by radium on a sensitive blende screen were affected by cold.

On the Liquefaction of Gases and Other Effects of Extreme Cold, and on Some Phenomena of High Temperature

On the Liquefaction of Gases and Other Effects of Extreme Cold, and on Some Phenomena of High Temperature