Search Results (6,499)

Background: Occupational health risk assessment in industrial enterprises has traditionally focused on physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards, while psychosocial working conditions have often been assessed separately from routine occupational surveillance. The aim of this study was to examine whether integrating working conditions, the psychosocial work environment, occupational stress, and temporary disability indicators provide a more informative health risk profile in an industrial setting. Methods: An analytical observational study was conducted at a mining and processing enterprise in Kazakhstan. This study used three data sources: 5429 temporary disability records for 2020–2024, workplace assessments covering 188 job positions, and psychosocial survey data from 392 employees. Occupational stress was evaluated in annual PSS-25 screening waves conducted in 2023 (n = 133), 2024 (n = 133), and 2025 (n = 134). The author-developed psychosocial questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.82). Results: During the five-year period, 4971 eligible temporary disability episodes and 61,472 lost workdays were recorded. Psychosocial profiles were less favorable in production units than in administration, and mean PSS-25 values remained relatively stable across the years. The Integral Index of Working Conditions (Iwc) was positively associated with temporary disability indicators and occupational stress, whereas the Integral Health Index (Ihr) was inversely associated with psychosocial well-being. Conclusions: The findings suggest that occupational risk assessment remains incomplete when psychosocial factors are excluded or treated separately. Integrating hygienic, psychosocial, stress-related, and medical-statistical indicators may improve the prioritization of preventive measures and support healthier workplace management in industrial enterprises. Full article

Battery locomotives used in underground coal mining operations require continuous maintenance, and failures occurring during these operations pose significant occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. Traditional Risk Assessment Methods (TRAMs), particularly the Risk Matrix Method (RMM), often fail to capture the uncertainty and subjectivity inherent in complex mining environments. This study develops a fuzzy logic-based risk assessment framework to improve the evaluation of accident risks associated with maintenance and repair activities in battery locomotive workshops of an underground coal mine in Turkey. Two fuzzy inference models (FL-Basic and FL-Advanced) based on expert knowledge and linguistic variables were designed using Mamdani-type inference with centroid defuzzification. The mathematical formulation of the fuzzy inference and defuzzification steps is presented explicitly, and a six-step algorithm formalises the proposed framework. The rule base of FL-Advanced systematically upweights the severity dimension relative to RMM through reassignment of 16 of the 25 consequent categories. The outputs of these models were compared with RMM to analyse their effectiveness in identifying critical hazards. Application results from Karadon Hard Coal Company show that the proposed FL-Advanced model significantly reduces ambiguity, prioritises high-severity risks more realistically, and provides a more consistent decision-making structure for OSH specialists. The study highlights the advantages of fuzzy logic for modelling uncertain, incomplete, and human-dependent data in hazardous underground mining conditions. Full article

Soil heavy metal pollution poses a threat to agricultural sustainability, food safety, and human health. The ecologically fragile Yellow River Basin is a critical hub for agriculture, energy, and mining; however, soil heavy metal studies remain fragmented, and basin-wide syntheses are limited almost entirely to agricultural soils. This study presents a basin-wide analysis of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in topsoil, based on 2498 sampling locations compiled from 347 publications, using an integrated framework of receptor modeling, multivariate spatial statistics, self-organizing maps, and probabilistic human health and ecological risk assessment. Four pollution sources, namely agricultural–industrial, emissions, mining–smelting, and geogenic/lithogenic, were resolved. Agriculture–industry and emissions posed considerable ecological risks (mean PER = 367.9 and 353.4), with Cd and Pb accounting for 95.7% of the risk. The non-carcinogenic hazard was negligible for adults, but 8.6% of sites exceeded the safe threshold for children, and the carcinogenic risk surpassed 10⁻⁶ for all groups, with 2.6–9.6% of sites exceeding 10⁻⁴. Spatially, the strongest multimetal contamination corridors are the Baiyin–Lanzhou corridor (upper–middle reaches) for Cu-Pb-Zn (mining–smelting) and the Xi’an–Weinan belt (middle reaches) for Cd-Pb (agricultural–industrial and emissions). Multivariate clustering was more extensive (56.1% of sites) than single-metal clustering (13.1–26.2%), confirming coherent source-linked zones. Ecological risks were driven by Cd and Pb, whereas human health risks were driven by As, Cr, and Ni. This divergence and the strong spatial organization of the risk clusters highlight the need for source-specific, spatially targeted mitigation, which requires monitoring across all land use types. The compiled dataset, although extensive, is constrained by heterogeneity in sampling periods and analytical methods and by sparse coverage in some grassland, desert, and plateau regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is common, but its cancer-risk profile remains incompletely defined. Estimates vary because of referral patterns, diagnostic era, outcome definitions, and surveillance around diagnosis. We evaluated cancer-category-specific associations in a matched cohort of clinically recognized CD. Methods: We used longitudinal electronic health record (EHR) data from Clalit Health Services for a propensity-matched cohort. Adults with EHR-coded CD were matched to controls on demographic, socioeconomic, comorbidity, and inflammatory variables. Pre-index invasive malignancies and non-invasive neoplasms were excluded. Dated EHR-coded invasive oncology outcomes were analyzed using Cox models. A restricted dated-event cohort, lag analyses, competing-risk modeling, hemoglobin adjustment, and age-at-index strata assessed robustness. Results: The primary matched cohort included 8143 individuals: 1006 with CD and 7137 controls, contributing 49,330.5 person-years. CD was associated with increased hazard of an EHR-coded invasive oncology outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47–1.77; $p<0.001$). Strongest signals were hematological malignancy codes (HR 1.99), lymphoma codes (HR 1.90), and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer codes (HR 2.71). Associations persisted after one-year and two-year lags. In the dated-event sensitivity cohort (161 CD; 1610 controls), CD remained associated with invasive cancer (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.31–2.14), with the strongest signals for lymphoma (HR 2.81) and GI cancer (HR 2.25). The association was essentially unchanged under competing-risk modeling (Fine–Gray subdistribution HR 1.69) and after hemoglobin adjustment (HR 1.61), and was present in both age strata. Neither breast nor lung cancer was associated. Lymphoma codes included peripheral T-cell lymphomas recorded at intra-abdominal and extranodal sites, the pattern most consistent with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL). Conclusions: In clinically recognized CD, cancer hazard was elevated and category-specific, concentrated in hematological, lymphoid, and GI codes with a gut-oriented T-cell lymphoma signal. The findings support targeted clinical vigilance, not expanded screening, and describe relative associations that require registry-linked confirmation. Full article

Groundwater quality remains insufficiently characterized in the rural agriculture–residential interface of the Huaibei Plain, particularly with respect to nitrate (NO₃⁻) occurrence, hydrochemical controls, source contributions, and population-specific health risks. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis, source apportionment models, and health risk assessment models were applied to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and related non-carcinogenic risks to different populations. NO₃⁻ content exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water in 60.0% and 62.5% of wet- and dry-season groundwater, respectively. Groundwater NO₃⁻ was mainly influenced by agricultural non-point inputs and domestic sewage, whereas major-ion composition was primarily governed by water–rock interactions. Our deterministic health risk assessment model reveals that the hazard index (HI) exceeded the acceptable threshold of 1.0 in 76.25%, 65.00%, 66.25%, and 56.25% of groundwater samples for infants, children, adult females, and adult males, respectively. These results indicate that continuous monitoring, improved sewage collection, and more controlled nitrogen management are required in the rural agricultural–residential interface of the Huaibei Plain with regard to shallow domestic groundwater. Full article

Background/Objectives: Falls and upper limb injuries (ULI) are prevalent in older adults, yet whether ULI independently predisposes to subsequent falls remains poorly characterized. This nationwide cohort study evaluated the association between ULI and future fall risk using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (2011–2019, follow-up through 2020). Methods: Adults aged ≥ 50 years with newly diagnosed ULI—defined as fractures (clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, hand), sprains, strains, or open wounds of the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand—were propensity score-matched 1:1 to controls by age, sex, and eight major comorbidities. Fall occurrence was identified by validated ICD codes, and Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The cohort included 110,600 participants (mean follow-up 4.4 years). Fall incidence was 2.8 versus 1.6 per 1000 person-years in ULI versus control groups. Patients with ULI had 62% higher fall risk (adjusted HR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.43–1.84, p < 0.001), corresponding to 1.2 additional falls per 1000 person-years. Kaplan–Meier curves showed early divergence sustained throughout follow-up. Conclusions: ULI is independently associated with subsequent fall risk in older adults and may serve as a sentinel marker warranting fall-prevention strategies in clinical practice. Full article

Heavy metal (HM) contamination in urban soils is a pressing global issue, particularly in rapidly industrializing regions like Kazakhstan, where anthropogenic activities such as transportation, energy production, and manufacturing exacerbate accumulation in ecosystems. In Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, urban expansion and legacy pollution pose risks to soil functions, biodiversity, and public health through bioaccumulation and migration pathways. This study evaluates the spatial distribution and ecological impacts of total heavy metal concentrations (HMs) (Pb, Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo, Mn) in Almaty’s soils to inform remediation strategies. Soil samples (n = 73) were collected using a systematic grid sampling method across urban, industrial, and peri-urban zones in Almaty. HM concentrations were determined via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) following GOST 33850-2016 standards. Pollution indices (contamination factor K_c and integrated pollution index Z_c) were calculated relative to Kazakhstani permissible limits (PDK RK) and Russian approximate permissible concentrations (ODK RF). Statistical analyses included Spearman’s correlation, boxplots, and coefficient of variation. Morphological, physicochemical (pH, humus content), and biological assessments evaluated degradation. Spatial interpolation via GIS mapped the hotspots. HM distributions showed significant variability, with As, Zn, and Ni exceeding norms in >90% of samples (median K_c ≈ 5 for As). Z_c classified >70% of sites as hazardous or extremely hazardous (Z_c > 32), with hotspots in central-eastern districts (Z_c 90–145). Strong correlations (ρ ≥ 0.6) identified a technogenic group (Pb–Zn–Cu–Ni) from traffic and industry, contrasting predominantly geogenic elements with possible anthropogenic contribution (As–Co–Mo–Mn). Pollution induced soil compaction, reduced humus/pH, and disrupting biogeochemical cycles. Local exceedances were noted near TECs, factories, and transport hubs. Almaty’s soils exhibit pervasive technogenic HM pollution, driven by urban sources, leading to ecosystem degradation and health risks. Future research should incorporate vertical profiling and isotopic sourcing for refined risk models. Prioritized monitoring and phytoremediation in hotspots are recommended to enhance resilience, aligning with UN SDGs for sustainable cities and ecosystems. Future research should incorporate vertical profiling and isotopic sourcing for refined risk models. Full article

Flood-induced scour remains one of the leading causes of bridge failure, yet the chain linking flood hazard to bridge decisions is still commonly treated as a sequence of disconnected tasks. This review examines that chain using uncertainty as a unifying interpretive framework, synthesizing the recent literature on non-stationary flood hazard assessment, bridge-scale hydraulics, scour processes and predictive models, scour monitoring, monitoring-informed forecasting, structural vulnerability, and risk-informed decision-making. The review synthesizes the state of the art across all these stages of the chain, highlighting how the dominant uncertainty changes along it: climate and hydrologic variability upstream; model-form, sediment, and parameter uncertainty in scour prediction; measurement noise and inverse-inference uncertainty in monitoring; and threshold and consequence uncertainty in closure, retrofit, and network-level decisions. Although major advances have been achieved in probabilistic modelling, machine learning, hybrid physics-informed methods, and multimodal sensing, most published frameworks still transfer deterministic outputs from one stage to the next. As a result, uncertainty is rarely propagated consistently to the decision level. The main value of this review lies in making the chain’s weak interfaces explicit, in showing how uncertainty propagation can serve as a unifying framework across otherwise disconnected literatures, and in identifying which methodological directions are most promising for connecting prediction, monitoring, and decision support into a coherent end-to-end probabilistic chain supporting climate-resilient bridge management. Full article

This manuscript will present an advancement of transformative research that has been conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) over a 25-year period (2000–2025) on a variety of environmental and biological matrices. These investigations derived a fundamental understanding of how elemental detection and analysis of these matrices led to the knowledge and discovery of natural processes in plants and the environment. Each project led to the initiation of a new research area which unearthed awesome and novel breakthroughs. Highlights are listed below: 1. The preliminary research at ORNL centered on the detection of aerosols utilizing Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology. The Clean Air Act Amendment (CAAA) of 1990 highlighted the importance of identifying hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) due to their impact on environmental and human health, thereby underscoring the need to detect various toxic elements. Research in aerosol chemistry aimed to identify these harmful elements released by factories during periods of increased emissions in their manufacturing processes. LIBS emerged as the most effective method for real-time, in situ measurements of metal species in both gaseous and aerosol phases. 2. An understanding of the presence of total carbon in soils gives perspective on how to develop carbon sequestration strategies. The recognition that carbon sinks can evolve back to carbon sources to emit back to the atmosphere was an important consideration. Also, the concentration of carbon in soil indicates the health of land areas for growing crops successfully. 3. The direct detection of most of the elements in a wood sample in a single emission spectrum, without sample preparation, encouraged the research to use the LIBS technique for preservative treated wood coupled with use of multivariate statistical methodology. Additionally, it encouraged the researchers to try to differentiate natural woods from different parts of the country, and it was successfully demonstrated that LIBS coupled with MVA analysis could differentiate wood of different species from each other and of similar species grown in different environments based on their elemental spectra. This was a breakthrough since it revealed a systematic approach to connect elemental scarcity and abundance to either drought or typical rainfall conditions for the hardwood trees grown in specific areas. 4. Furthermore, the research progressed to reveal physiological and developmental processes contributing to biomass production such that the variation in leaf elemental composition increases our understanding of terrestrial nutrient cycles, as well as tracking the transfer of toxic elements from soils to living organisms. 5. Recently another breakthrough viz., ionomics initiated the correlation of elements to specific genes, uncovering the function that the element performed in the plant. More recently, this has been extended from plants to fungi as well as fungi growing in symbiotic relations with plants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with psychiatric burden, but longitudinal data on incident psychiatric outcomes remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate incident psychiatric disorders in adults with HS compared with matched non-HS controls and to assess sex-specific risk. Methods: We conducted a retrospective propensity score–matched cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Adults with at least two HS diagnoses and no prior psychiatric diagnosis were compared with non-HS controls with repeated general health examination encounters and no psychiatric history. Time-to-event analyses estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analyses used a 30-day lag and restriction to the most recent 5-year period. Results: After matching, 37,964 pairs were retained for the primary individual-outcome analysis. Median follow-up was shorter in the HS cohort than in matched controls (844 vs. 1505 days). HS was associated with increased risk of any psychiatric disorder (12.3% vs. 5.8%; HR 3.17, 95% CI 3.01–3.34) and severe psychiatric illness (0.6% vs. 0.1%; HR 6.70, 95% CI 4.77–9.41). Elevated risks were observed for bipolar/manic disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, suicidal ideation, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and insomnia/parasomnia. Women had higher hazards of depression and anxiety, whereas men had higher hazards of substance use disorders; insomnia/parasomnia showed a nominal association with higher hazard in men. Conclusions: In this observational EHR-based study, HS was associated with broad incident psychiatric morbidity. These findings support consideration of proactive mental health assessment and integrated dermatologic–psychiatric care in patients with HS. Full article

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) is an ongoing global health concern, particularly affecting agricultural communities in equatorial regions. Unlike traditional chronic kidney disease (CKD), CKDu occurs without common risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, or kidney stones. Its etiology remains poorly understood, with environmental exposures, occupational hazards, and genetic susceptibility proposed as contributing factors. Omic technologies including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and exposomics offer promising avenues to elucidate CKDu pathogenesis by enabling comprehensive molecular profiling and identification of biomarkers. Recent genomic studies have explored single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to kidney injury susceptibility, while transcriptomic analyses have identified differential expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and tubular injury pathways. Proteomic investigations have revealed candidate urinary biomarkers such as heat shock proteins and inflammatory mediators, and metabolomic profiling has highlighted alterations in amino acid and energy metabolism in affected individuals. Exposomic approaches are beginning to characterize cumulative chemical exposures, including pesticides and heavy metals, in endemic regions. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the application of omics approaches in CKDu research, highlights knowledge gaps, and proposes future directions for integrating multi-omics studies with machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches. Advancing omics-based investigations may provide critical insights into disease mechanisms, improve diagnostic precision, and inform targeted interventions for vulnerable populations. Full article

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematologic malignancy among U.S. military service members (SMs), yet the impact of deployment and deployment-related factors on survival remains unclear. Modern military service involves potential exposure to environmental hazards and trauma that could plausibly influence lymphoma biology, treatment tolerance, or long-term outcomes. Methods: Tricare beneficiaries with NHL diagnosed between 2001 and 2022 were identified from the Defense Health Agency Cancer Registry. Deployment history, demographics, lymphoma subtype, and mortality data were obtained from linked Department of War and National Death Index sources. Survival was compared between previously deployed (9/11 DEP) and non-deployed (NON-9/11 DEP) SMs using multivariable Cox models. Among deployed SMs, associations between deployment characteristics and mortality were evaluated. Results: Among 745 SMs, 378 had deployed, and 367 had not. There were no significant differences in all-cause, lymphoma-specific, or non-lymphoma mortality between cohorts. Deployment location, duration, number of deployments, and occupational category did not affect survival. Histologic differences between cohorts, higher diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma in deployed SMs, and higher T-cell lymphomas and marginal zone lymphoma in non-deployed SMs, were more consistent with unmeasured confounding and differential deployability than with deployment-related risk. Conclusions: These findings do not suggest major survival differences attributable to deployment status. Given the lack of publicly available validated exposure assessment tools for military personnel, as current military operations expand, including recent deployments to the Middle East, proactive and systematic approaches to exposure assessment are urgently needed. Strengthening military cancer registries and embedding validated exposure tools will be essential to proactively anticipate, identify, and manage exposure-related hematologic concerns in future Veterans. Full article

This study evaluated trace element bioaccumulation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) marketed in Brazil and assessed potential implications for food safety and human health. A total of 120 farmed fish samples, including whole fish and tissues (gills, kidneys, liver, and muscle), were analyzed. Concentrations of Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and compared with ANVISA and FAO/WHO guideline values. Arsenic concentrations complied with ANVISA limits, whereas Pb in whole Nile tilapia exceeded the permissible threshold. Nickel and Se concentrations in muscle and whole fish also surpassed FAO/WHO guidelines. Estimated Se intake from consumption of whole tilapia and muscle (fillet) reached 188.01% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for children aged 8 years. Contamination index values (CI) indicated bioaccumulation of Ni in multiple tissues and Se in edible portions. Human health risk assessment identified carcinogenic risks associated with As, Cr, Ni, and Pb, while non-carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) was primarily driven by As exposure. These findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring of trace elements in aquaculture products. Full article

Modern agriculture in developing regions faces significant challenges due to labor scarcity and the health hazards associated with the manual application of chemical treatments. This study presents the design, development, and techno-economic evaluation of an experimental hexacopter unmanned ariel vehicle (UAV) platform specifically tailored for crop protection on fragmented, smallholder farmlands. The research aims to bridge the gap between expensive imported technology and the practical needs of small-scale farmers by providing a cost-effective, locally manufacturable solution. The methodology involved the integration of a modular spraying system and optimized control architecture into a high-stability hexacopter frame. Experimental evaluations focused on flight stability, payload capacity, and spray uniformity using water-sensitive media. The results indicate that the developed platform achieves high coverage efficiency while significantly reducing chemical waste compared to traditional manual methods. Furthermore, the economic analysis suggests that the operational costs are substantially lower than those of comparable imported systems, offering a favorable payback period within a few crop seasons. These findings demonstrate that an indigenous UAV spraying platform can enhance both operational safety and economic feasibility for smallholder agriculture. Full article

The Wadi Al-Ahsaba watershed is an arid to semi-arid catchment situated in southwestern Saudi Arabia, characterized by intermittent surface flow, high evaporation and low rainfall, and a dam reservoir built for flood control. The work aims to assess hydrological and anthropogenic controls on surface and groundwater quality, pollution status, and human health risks using an integrated approach of hydrogeochemical analysis, multivariable statistics, and water quality and contamination indices. A total of 21 water samples (15 surface water, 6 groundwater) were analyzed for general chemistry, major ions, and trace elements. Hydrogeochemical analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were implemented to differentiate the geogenic from anthropogenic control on water quality. The pollution status and associated risk were evaluated using water quality index (WQI), contamination degree (Cd), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI). Results suggest limited surface–groundwater interaction, with surface water dominated by Ca–Mg–HCO₃ facies, indicating recent recharge and limited water–rock interaction, whereas groundwater exhibits mixed Ca–Mg–Cl and Ca–Na–Cl–SO₄ types, revealing longer residence time and water–rock interaction. Nitrate (9.5–109 mg/L) and TDS (522–1003 mg/L) exceeded drinking water standards in 90% and 95% of tested samples, respectively, and WQI ranged from 43 to 134, reflecting excellent to poor water. High non-carcinogenic risk from nitrate was observed, especially for infants. The study concluded that the geogenic processes (water–rock interaction, evaporation, and mineral dissolution) control the general chemistry of tested water, while anthropogenic input from wastewater and agriculture input are likely contributors to nitrate contamination. The study contributes to the understanding of arid wadi-dam systems by revealing how limited recharge, hydrological connectivity, and episodic flow control contaminant transport and persistence, underscoring the critical role of integrated hydrological analysis and land use management in safeguarding freshwater resources in arid environments. Full article