Search Results (12,413)

Background/Objectives: Extreme temperatures linked to climate change threaten child health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where malnutrition remains widespread. This study examines how exposure to hot and cold temperature anomalies influences child stunting in Burkina Faso and Kenya and evaluates how household infrastructure and socio-demographic factors interact with climate stressors to shape outcomes. Methods: We combined nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (Burkina Faso 2021; Kenya 2022) with daily maximum and minimum temperature data from the Climate Hazards InfraRed Temperature with Stations (CHIRTS). The analytic sample included children aged 24–59 months. Temperature anomalies were calculated as standardized deviations from local historical averages. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed associations between stunting, climate anomalies, and household-level factors, including electricity, water, sanitation, wealth, and rural/urban residence. Results: Heat anomalies were linked to increased stunting risk in Kenya (β = 2.34, p < 0.001), while in Burkina Faso, higher maximum temperatures unexpectedly reduced stunting odds (β = 0.08, p < 0.05). Cold anomalies showed marginal positive associations with stunting in both countries. Infrastructure and socioeconomic factors varied by context: electricity access and urban residence were protective in Burkina Faso, while improved sanitation, household wealth, and child sex differences were significant in Kenya. Conclusions: Climate anomalies and household conditions jointly influence stunting among children aged 24–59 months, with effects varying by country. Cold anomalies were associated with higher odds of stunting in Burkina Faso (BF OR = 2.14) and Kenya (KE OR = 1.20), while heat anomalies reduced stunting in BF (OR = 0.08) but increased it in KE (OR = 2.34). Electricity access was protective in both countries (BF OR = 0.61; KE OR = 0.71), while improved water, sanitation, and wealth were significant only in KE. Older child age consistently reduced stunting risk, and urban residence was protective only in BF. These findings underscore that climate impacts on stunting are context-specific and highlight the need for policies integrating climate adaptation with investments. Full article

Background: Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (MTVT) is an exceedingly rare tumor. We performed a registry-based study on MTVT patient management and survival in Italy. Methods: Cases were extracted from the dataset of the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry. A descriptive analysis of patient characteristics, including asbestos exposure, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up and therapeutic management, was performed. Overall survival was evaluated. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for selected variables by fitting univariate and multivariable Cox models. Results: Overall, 104 patients with MTVT were included. Median age was 72 years (range 17–92). Epithelioid histotype was the most frequent. Previous asbestos exposure was identified in two thirds of cases. Data on diagnostic and therapeutic management were available for 74 patients (71%). The most frequent presentations were scrotal swelling/mass, hydrocele and inguinal pain. All patients underwent surgery, mostly with orchi-funicolectomy. Adjuvant therapy was administered to 15 patients (20%). Overall median survival was 26.2 months (95% CI 22.1–52.1); 3-, 5- and 10-year survival was 49%, 30% and 18%. Older age at diagnosis and presence of distant metastasis (HR 1.91, CI: 0.85–4.26) were negative prognostic factors. Adjuvant therapy was associated with higher mortality (HR 2.54, CI: 1.25–5.15), indicating a more advanced stage at diagnosis. Conclusions: Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for MTVT; adjuvant therapy in our study did not improve outcome. Data from cancer registries are essential for rare cancers, but they should be integrated routinely with additional diagnostic and therapeutic information. Full article

Heavy metal(loid) (HM) contamination in water arises from various anthropogenic activities and natural processes, posing risks to human health through ingestion and dermal absorption. Although numerous studies have assessed health risks associated with HMs in water, inconsistencies in the selection of exposure and toxicity factors limit comparability and reliability across studies. To address this gap, the aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive synthesis of exposure and toxicity factors used in health risk assessment (HRA) of HMs in water. The objectives were to evaluate the variability in ingestion, body weight, exposure duration and frequency, and dermal contact parameters, as well as in reference doses and cancer slope factors and to propose standardized values and statistical distributions for more consistent risk estimation. A systematic search of the Scopus database retrieved 806 studies, from which highly cited articles (≥100 citations) and recent publications (2023–2025) were prioritized for analysis. The findings revealed substantial variability in factors and showed that probabilistic approaches, particularly Monte Carlo simulation, were increasingly applied and provided more reliable estimates than traditional deterministic methods. The highest agreement was observed for exposure frequency for ingestion (365 days/year) and skin surface area (18,000 cm²), each applied in 75.5% of cases. By identifying inconsistencies in current practices and proposing standardized exposure and toxicity values and distributions for water, this review is expected to offer practical recommendations to improve the robustness, reliability, and comparability of HRAs, ultimately informing more effective policy-making and water management practices. Full article

Background: Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug indicated in all clinical forms of epileptic seizures, various forms of myoclonic seizures, myoclonus and other abnormal movements. At present, it is classified as a hazardous drug requiring special precautions for personnel at reproductive risk, according to a technical document produced by the Spanish National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST), in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH). The commercial solutions of clonazepam, for oral and parenteral administration, are supplied by laboratories in glass containers. Repacking in pre-filled polypropylene (PP) syringes, made in the pharmacy service, and in aseptic conditions, may facilitate its administration and reduce the risks to the health or safety of nursing personnel. Nevertheless, there is a lack of stability studies of clonazepam in pre-filled PP syringes. Objectives: To evaluate the physicochemical stability of commercial clonazepam 2.5 mg/mL oral solution and 1 mg/mL parenteral solution repackaged in pre-filled PP syringes under various storage conditions. Methods: A rapid, linear, precise and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for chemical stability studies of Clonazepam 1 mg/mL (parenteral use) and 2.5 mg/mL (oral use) in solution was implemented after repackaging in pre-filled PP syringes. The studies were conducted by measuring concentrations of oral and parenteral clonazepam in pre-filled syringes, at various time points, over 30 days in several different storage conditions: oral clonazepam protected from light in refrigerator and at controlled room temperature exposed to ambient light; parenteral clonazepam protected from light in a refrigerator and at controlled room temperature protected or unprotected from light. Visual aspects and pH change as well as crystal formation were checked to determine physical stability. Results: The degradation of the active ingredient in all groups was less than 10% after 30 days. No evidence of crystal formation, pH and visual aspect changes were observed. Conclusions: Clonazepam 1 mg/mL parenteral solution and 2.5 mg/mL oral solution in pre-filled PP syringes are stable for up to 30 days in the tested conditions. The centralized repackaging of clonazepam in pre-filled PP syringes, connected to a closed safety system, in the pharmacy service, reduces drug manipulation by nursing staff decreasing the risk of occupational exposure. Full article

Urban community gardens are valued for promoting sustainable food production, yet the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in city soils can present both ecological and public health risks. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the environmental and health risks of toxic heavy metals in community gardens soil contaminated by an industrial fire hazard in New Brunswick, Canada. Both top and subsoil soil samples were collected at Carleton community garden. The collected samples were examined for toxic heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Ecological risks were evaluated through the ecological risk factor and the potential ecological risk index, while human health risks were determined using a standard human health risk assessment approach. The mean concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Sn exceeded permissible limits when compared to the Canadian soil quality guidelines and upper continental crust values. Findings from the ecological risk assessment showed that all metals were associated with low risk, except for nickel, which posed a high ecological risk across both soil layers. PERI results revealed a low overall ecological threat. The human health risk analysis indicated that children could face non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from As exposure, while adults were not at risk from any of the studied metals. These findings identify arsenic as the primary contaminant of concern, with children representing the most vulnerable population, emphasizing the necessity for targeted mitigation strategies and protective measures to reduce their exposure. The results of this study can inform interventions aimed at safeguarding both environmental and public health, while also raising awareness about the presence and risks of toxic heavy metals, ultimately contributing to the protection of human health and the broader ecosystem. Full article

This work presents the HX-responsiveness of the following heteroleptic donor–M–acceptor dithiolene complexes: Bu4N[MII(L1)(L2)] [M = Ni(1), Pd(2), Pt(3)], where L1 is the chiral acceptor ligand [(R)-α-MBAdto = chiral (R)-(+)α-methylbenzyldithio-oxamidate] and L2 is the donor ligand (tdas = 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dithiolato). Addition of hydrohalic acids induces a strong bathochromic shift and visible color change, which is fully reversed by ammonia (NH₃). Moreover, the sensing capability of 1 was further evaluated by deposition on a cellulose substrate. Exposure to HCl vapors induces an evident color change from purple to green, whereas successive exposure to NH₃ vapors fully restores the purple color. Remarkably, cellulose films of 1 were revealed to be excellent optical sensors against the response to triethylamine, which is a toxic volatile amine. Moreover, the HCl-responsiveness of the nonlinear optical properties of complexes 1, 2, and 3 embedded into a poly(methyl methacrylate) poled matrix was demonstrated. Reversible chemical second harmonic generation (SHG) switching is achieved by exposing the poled films to HCl vapors and then to NH₃ vapors. The SHG response ratio HCl–adduct/complex is significant (around 1.5). Remarkably, the coefficients of the susceptibility tensor for the HCl–adduct films are always larger than those of the respective free-complex films. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations help in highlighting the structure–properties relationship. Full article

The P300 evoked potential, recorded via electroencephalography, serves as a relevant marker of attentional allocation and cognitive workload. This work extracts and analyzes event-related potentials that reflect variations in the cognitive state of military pilots during a complex simulated flight scenario coupled with simultaneous mental arithmetic tasks. The experiment was conducted at the Academia General del Aire (Spain) with 14 military pilots using a high-fidelity flight simulator. The experimental protocol involved dynamic flight instructions combined with arithmetic tasks designed to elicit varying cognitive loads. The results revealed a significant decrease in P300 amplitude across successive sessions, indicating a progressive reduction in attentional engagement due to task habituation and increased cognitive automaticity. Concurrently, P300 latency for correct responses decreased significantly, demonstrating enhanced efficiency in cognitive stimulus evaluation over repeated exposure. However, incorrect responses failed to yield robust results due to an insufficient number of trials. These findings validate the use of P300 as an objective indicator of cognitive workload variations in realistic aviation contexts. Full article

Introduction: Nowadays, there is evidence regarding a beneficial effect of heat on neuromuscular strength and muscle hypertrophy development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 4-week passive sauna bathing program to extreme heat (100 ± 2 °C) as a support for a resistance strength training program on maximal strength and body composition. Methods: 30 young male subjects participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to a Hyperthermia group (HG, n = 14; age: 20.48 (19.12–22–30) years; weight: 76.30 (71.00–79.00) Kg; BMI: 23.92 (22.93–24.87) Kg/m²), or to a Normothermia group (NG, n = 15; age: 19.95 (19.10–21–94) years; weight: 61.70 (59.45–72.90) Kg; BMI: 21.56 (20.42–23.26) Kg/m²). All participants followed the same lower limb strength training program (2 exercises; 4 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% 1RM with progressive loading). Additionally, HG underwent two weekly sessions of exposure to extreme heat in a sauna (100 ± 2 °C and 24 ± 1% relative humidity, four sets of 10 min, 2 days per week). The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week deconditioning period. Maximum isometric knee flexion-extension strength, maximum counter-resistance strength, as well as body composition and anthropometric variables were assessed. Results: The HG group significantly increased body weight (p < 0.05) and muscle mass (p < 0.05), while their sum of six skinfolds (Σ6 skinfolds) significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Both groups improved their 1RM squat performance following the intervention program (p < 0.05; HG: r = 0.86; NG: r = 0.89). However, only the HG group continued to improve their squat 1RM after the deconditioning period (p < 0.001; r = 0.93), as well as their leg press 1RM (p < 0.01; r = 0.94). Maximal isometric strength increased only in the NG group at the end of the training program, with a significant increase in knee flexion torque (p < 0.05; r = 0.76). In contrast, the HG group showed significant increases in isometric strength after the deconditioning period in both knee extension (p < 0.05; r = 0.76) and knee flexion (p < 0.05; r = 0.75). Conclusions: A four-week period of passive sauna bathing at extreme heat appears to alter the chronology of strength responses. It also seems to induce favorable responses in terms of strength development and body composition. Full article

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that highly aspheric lenslets (HAL) are effective in slowing myopia progression. Moreover, research indicates that an enhancement in choroidal thickness might serve as a biomarker for evaluating the efficacy of myopia control treatments. Therefore, this study examined the short-term effects of HAL and full-field +3.00 diopters (D) myopic defocus on sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCHR). Design: Prospective experimental study. Participants: Twenty-five participants aged 20–30 (mean 24.56 ± 2.467) years with a refraction error of emmetropia to −5.0 D (mean −2.255 ± 1.514 D). The contralateral non-dominant eye was used as control for each participant. Methods: The participants watched a movie projected at 6 m for 90 min on two separate occasions while wearing HAL or +3 D full-field myopic defocus lenses on their dominant eye. The control eye wore only a single-vision contact lens with the best-corrected distance vision. Three measurements of AL and SFCHR were captured before defocus, and after 60 and 90 min of defocus for both eyes. The main outcome measures were changes in SFCHR and AL over time. Results: Exposure to HAL and +3 D myopic defocus significantly increased SFCHR in the defocused eyes compared to the baseline (p < 0.001). The increase in SFCHR was 6.62 ± 6.32 µm with the HAL intervention and 7.36 ± 8.83 µm with the +3 D intervention. The difference between the two interventions was not statistically significant (p = 0.595). A significant mean difference of 3.176 ± 1.318 µm in SFCHR increase was observed with +3.00 D full-field defocus in the defocused eyes compared to the control eyes over the measurement period (p = 0.020). Conclusions: Short-term exposure to full-field myopic defocus increased choroidal thickness, which was comparable with that observed in peripheral myopic defocus with HAL, although the effect appears less pronounced. Full article

Light quality is a recognized driver of plant growth and secondary metabolism in Coleus blumei, a valuable source of rosmarinic acid (RA) and quercetin (QU), whereas its combination with salinity stress represents a potential strategy that still requires further investigation. We evaluated four LED spectra, red–blue (RB) (6:1, control), blue (B), red (R), and RB + Far-Red, under both control (0 mM NaCl) and moderate salt stress (120 mM NaCl), measuring biomass (dry weight) and RA/QU in leaves and roots after three (T1) and five weeks (T2). Blue light produced the greatest root biomass, while the leaf dry weight under B did not differ significantly from RB or RBfr. RA peaked at T2 under B in leaves and under R in roots; QU was maximal under B in leaves and under RB in roots. Extending exposure from T1 to T2 markedly increased both metabolites’ yield. Salinity had little effect on biomass, increased the total QU yield, and did not enhance the total RA yield. These results indicate that targeted LED regimes and longer exposure can raise the yields of bioactive compounds, and that combining specific spectra with moderate salinity is an effective strategy for selectively increasing quercetin accumulation in indoor-grown C. blumei. Full article

Background: Pediatric asthma is a multifactorial condition influenced by environmental, biological, and social determinants. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new variables that may have affected the severity and management of asthma in children and adolescents, particularly through changes in healthcare access, treatment adherence, and exposure to environmental risk factors. Objective: To evaluate the association between asthma severity and various factors including nutritional status, corticosteroid use, COVID-19 vaccination, and pollutant exposure before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a pediatric population. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using 307 medical records of patients aged 3 to 17 years. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional indicators, history of corticosteroid use, vaccination status against COVID-19, and exposure to environmental pollutants. Asthma severity was assessed using the pulmonary score, and multiple statistical analyses, including logistic regression using the Bayesian Logistic Regression Model (BLRM), were employed to identify significant associations. Results: The analysis revealed a statistically significant impact of the pandemic on hospitalization rates (p = 0.0187) and the use of corticosteroids (p = 0.009), indicating changes in asthma management during this period. Notable differences were observed in the geographic distribution of mild versus severe asthma cases prior to the pandemic, associated with nutritional status and gender (p = 0.018). During the pandemic, breastfeeding history, body weight, and hospitalization emerged as significant predictors of asthma severity (p < 0.05). In addition, breastfeeding in young children (aged 3 to 6 years) and hospitalization were strongly associated with pulmonary scores, with significance values of 0.022 and 0.012, respectively, as identified by the BLRM. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the pandemic context influenced both the clinical course and management of pediatric asthma. Preventive strategies should consider individual and environmental factors such as nutrition, early-life health practices (e.g., breastfeeding), and equitable access to appropriate asthma care and vaccination. Tailoring pediatric asthma management to these variables may improve outcomes and reduce disparities in disease severity. Full article

Use of anticholinergic and sedative medications is potentially inappropriate in older adults due to associated adverse effects, including impaired cognitive and physical function. This study evaluated anticholinergic and sedative burden in Croatian community-dwelling older adults using the Drug Burden Index (DBI) and examined its association with self-reported health and healthcare utilization over 12 months. This observational, cross-sectional study, part of the EuroAgeism H2020 ESR 7 project, included conveniently sampled adults ≥ 65 years from community pharmacies in three Croatian regions. Data were collected using a standardized research questionnaire. DBI was used to quantify exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. Multivariate regression analyses examined associations between DBI and health outcomes, using logistic regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for self-reported health. Among 388 participants (63.7% female, median age 73), most had multimorbidity (median five diagnoses) and polypharmacy (63.9%), while 57% used at least one DBI medication—most commonly diazepam (15.5%) and tramadol (14.7%). High DBI (≥1) independently predicted more emergency department (ED) visits (OR = 2.45) and worse self-rated health (B = −0.26), but not hospitalization. High DBI in older adults was associated with more ED visits and poorer self-rated health, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce anticholinergic and sedative use in this vulnerable population. Full article

This study systematically evaluates the influence of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement rate and the number of freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) on the frost damage of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) through rapid freeze–thaw tests, and delves into the underlying damage mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that the incorporation of recycled aggregates deteriorates the frost resistance of concrete to a certain extent, primarily manifested by increased apparent damage with rising FTC numbers and RCA content. Specimens with an RCA replacement rate exceeding 50% exhibited extensive mortar spalling and aggregate exposure after 50 FTCs. The mass loss rate initially decreased in the early freezing-thawing stage, then began to increase after approximately 20 cycles, reaching a maximum of 5.09%. The relative dynamic elasticity modulus (RDEM) decreased with an increase in both FTCs and RCA content, dropping to a minimum of 71.99%. Furthermore, based on the relative dynamic elastic modulus, this study developed a GM(1, 1) freeze–thaw damage prediction model applicable to a full replacement range of 0%–100% RCA with a precision level of Grade I. Microstructural analysis revealed that microcracks and pores within the interfacial transition zones (ITZs) and the surrounding matrix of both NCA and RCA are critical for the initiation and propagation of freeze–thaw damage, thereby elucidating the damage mechanism in RAC. Full article

Northern Thailand experiences annual haze events with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding standards, posing risks to schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study (Chiang Mai, 2024) evaluated respiratory impacts among primary school children aged 8–12 years. Daily mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a single fixed-site monitoring station (36T) located within 2 km of the spirometry site. Among 93 children with acceptable spirometry, 52% exhibited restrictive, 18% obstructive, and 30% had normal function. After adjustment for BMI, males had significantly lower odds of any pulmonary abnormality than females (AOR = 0.084; 95% CI 0.017–0.417; p = 0.002). The mean FEV₁/FVC ratio was normal (86.30 ± 13.07%), whereas mean FVC, FEV₁, and PEF were significantly below predicted values, indicating a predominantly restrictive pattern. This predominance likely reflects cumulative exposure to biomass-burning related PM2.5 during the haze season, infiltration of outdoor PM2.5 into indoor environments alongside indoor sources, and the vulnerability of developing lungs in children’s factors that reduce lung volumes while largely preserving the FEV₁/FVC ratio. The exposure assessment provides pragmatic, proximity-based estimates but is limited by reliance on one station and one season, which may not capture spatial or temporal variability. These findings highlight sex-based susceptibility and support stronger air quality protections for children. Full article

Cycling-induced vibration significantly affects riding comfort, with road surface conditions and vehicle type identified as primary contributing factors. This study developed a vibration measurement system based on ISO 2631-1, and proposed a method for generating cycling comfort maps grounded in vibration severity levels. Field measurements on 30 campus roads in Nanchang, China, used a Mountain Bike, Shared E-bike, and Shared Bicycle. Triaxial acceleration data were collected to evaluate vibration exposure, and comfort levels were classified to produce spatially resolved maps. Results show the proposed system has strong stability and adaptability across urban environments. The maps effectively captured vibration intensity variations along road segments. Among the three vehicle types, Mountain Bikes showed the lowest vibration exposure, with approximately 90% of segments rated as comfortable. Shared E-bike exhibited moderate vibration levels, with 42% of segments deemed uncomfortable, while Shared Bicycles experienced the highest vibration, with 80% of routes potentially inducing discomfort and only 1% meeting comfort standards. This study offers a framework for objective acquisition and visualization of cycling vibration data. The developed system and mapping method provide tools for assessing vehicle vibration, guiding route selection, and offer potential value for road quality monitoring. Full article