Associations between outdoor temperature and bright sunlight with metabolites in two population-based European cohorts

Self-Reported Outdoor Light Exposure Time and Incident Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

A healthy lifestyle is an important factor for preventing heart failure. However, the association between outdoor light exposure time and heart failure is still unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between outdoor light exposure time and the incidence of heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cohort study included participants from the UK Biobank recruited from 2006 to 2010 who were 40 to 70 years of age and free of heart failure at baseline. The mean follow-up time was 12.61 years. The outdoor light exposure time was self-reported at baseline. A restricted cubic spline was performed to examine the potential nonlinear relationship between outdoor light exposure and the incidence of heart failure. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. During a mean follow-up of 12.61 years, 13 789 participants were first diagnosed with heart failure. There was a nonlinear (J-shaped) trend between outdoor light time and heart failure risk. Cox proportional hazard regression models showed that, compared with participants who received an average of 1.0 to 2.5 hours of outdoor light per day, those with <1.0 hours or >2.5 hours had a higher risk of heart failure after the model was adjusted for age and sex (<1.0 hours: HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.18-1.36]; >2.5 hours: HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.07-1.15]). These associations were still significant in the fully adjusted models (<1.0 hours: HR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.03-1.18]; >2.5 hours: HR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.03-1.11]).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a J-shaped association between outdoor light exposure time and the risk of incident heart failure, suggesting that moderate exposure to outdoor light may be a prevention strategy for heart failure.

Geographic, Gender, and Seasonal Variation of Diabetes: A Nationwide Study With 1.4 Million Participants

CONTEXT

China has experienced a rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the prevalence of diabetes among Chinese adults who attended preventive physical examinations and analyzed geographical and gender difference in seasonal variation of fasting blood glucose (FBG).

METHODS

The study used data from 1 390 088 participants attending preventive health examination at 430 health screening centers in 220 cities. Diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes were based on FBG and glycated hemoglobin A1c and self-reported physician's diagnosis. We calculated age- and sex-standardized prevalence of diabetes according to the sixth Chinese population census data in 2010. Geographical distribution of diabetes and prediabetes were represented on a country map. FBG levels were analyzed to detect seasonal variation adjusted for age and gender by geographic location.

RESULTS

The standardized prevalence of diabetes was 8.70% (95% CI, 8.22%-9.19%), 10.7% in men and 6.61% in women. Among those with diabetes, 43.7% (95% CI, 40.9%-46.5%) were aware of their conditions and 38.5% (95% CI, 36.0%-41.1%) were treated. Only 49.3% (95% CI, 47.0%-51.6%) of treated patients achieved glycemic control. The mean level of FBG was higher in winter than summer and in the northern than the southern region.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of diabetes was high while the percentages of awareness, treatment, and glycemic control were low among adults. Effective measures are needed to prevent and manage diabetes in China. Geographic and seasonal variation of diabetes should be considered for its prevention and control.

Emerging role of air pollution and meteorological parameters in COVID-19

Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with respiratory viral infections. Epidemiological studies have shown that air pollution exposure is related to increased cases of SARS-COV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated mortality. In addition, the changes of meteorological parameters have also been implicated in the occurrence and development of COVID-19. However, the molecular mechanisms by which pollutant exposure and changes of meteorological parameters affects COVID-19 remains unknown. This review summarizes the biology of COVID-19 and the route of viral transmission, and elaborates on the relationship between air pollution and climate indicators and COVID-19. Finally, we envisaged the potential roles of air pollution and meteorological parameters in COVID-19.