Search Results (28,644)

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are recognized as a novel class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are categorized into short- (SCCPs, C_10–13), medium- (MCCPs, C1_4–17), and long- (LCCPs, C_≥18) chain CPs considering the carbon-chain length. Among them, SCCPs possess lower molecular weights, higher vapor pressures, and greater water solubilities compared to their longer-chain counterparts (MCCPs and LCCPs), which promote their environmental release. Consequently, SCCPs were designated as POPs of concern under the Stockholm Convention in 2017. This review concludes the recent research progress of SCCPs in China from 2015 to present, and we present a comprehensive overview of SCCP concentrations, encompassing diverse environmental matrices and human tissues, for example, air, water, soil, sediments, biota, food, human placenta, breast milk, blood, and organs (fat, kidney, liver, brain, bone, etc.). Whereafter, we summarize the development of SCCPs determination methods, benefiting from quantifying relative carbon-chain length and chlorine content of SCCPs correctly. Moreover, toxicity, toxicokinetics, and adverse health effects of SCCPs in humans from China are concluded and discussed. Meanwhile, we review the existing control and treatment technologies for SCCPs. Lastly, we describe some noteworthy and prospective issues that are worthy of further study. In the future, the relevant studies are still necessary to keep up with consecutive monitoring and evaluation of SCCP levels and relative potential health impacts in China. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the specific relationships between sleep quality, physical activity levels, and demographic characteristics (age, education level, and work experience) in night shift nurses working at hospitals. Understanding these relationships is critical for developing evidence-based scheduling, educational initiatives for sleep hygiene, and physical activity programs that can mitigate the negative impacts of night work, ultimately promoting nursing workforce sustainability and safer patient health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented, involving 400 night shift nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which included an Individual Characteristics Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form. Results: The sleep quality of night shift nurses differed statistically significantly by age in almost all sub-scales (p < 0.001) except for the sub-scale “habitual sleep efficiency”. A significant difference was found across groups, with sleep latency (p = 0.038 *) increasing as work experience grew. Nurses with more experience utilized sleep medications (p = 0.014 *) more frequently than less experienced ones. Physical activity levels differed significantly (p < 0.05): the youngest group showed a higher proportion of high physical activity (52.3%) compared to the oldest (28.9%). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between total physical activity and the total PSQI score (r = −0.162, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The data show that night shifts consistently disrupt nurses’ sleep, and advancing age further compounds these difficulties. The elevated total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores verify severe sleep disruption across the sample. Physical activity operates as a beneficial behavioral modifier that significantly relates to better sleep quality, lower sleep latency, and less frequent use of sleep medications among night shift nurses. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) infections are a pressing health concern in the White Mountain Apache (WMA) Tribal community, where invasive Staph infection rates far exceed those in the general U.S. population. This study explored community perspectives to guide culturally tailored education and prevention strategies. We conducted 42 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare providers, traditional practitioners, and community members. Thematic analysis showed that participants had familiarity with the term “MRSA” (methicillin-resistant Staph), although many did not recognize it as a form of Staph, per se. Barriers to timely care-seeking included lack of transportation, stigma, and misconceptions about infection causes. With regard to biomedical approaches to prevention, participants preferred products like antiseptic nasal sprays and antimicrobial skin cleansers due to ease of use. Community members emphasized the need for simple, bilingual educational materials grounded in Apache culture and delivered by trusted figures. The findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded education and prevention approaches. Implementation and scaling of these strategies may enhance health literacy, reduce infection rates, and promote holistic wellness in Indigenous communities. Full article

Background/Objectives. Increasing evidence suggests that nutrition and sport participation may positively influence cognitive functioning, readiness for learning, and academic achievement during adolescence. However, limited research has investigated the combined effects of structured breakfast programs and cognitively oriented sport-based interventions implemented in real school settings. The present study aimed to examine the associations between participation in an integrated school-based program consisting of structured breakfast and morning sport sessions and executive functions, physiological well-being, school engagement, and academic achievement in adolescent students. Methods. A 16-week quasi-experimental pre–post study with class-based allocation was conducted in a secondary school in Southern Italy. A total of 110 students aged 14–16 years participated in the study. The experimental group, comprising 55 students, participated in a structured breakfast program combined with cognitively oriented morning sport-based sessions conducted three times per week for 40 min before regular lessons, whereas the control group continued ordinary school activities. Cognitive assessment included the Stroop Color and Word Test and the Digit Span Test in both forward and backward conditions. Physiological measures included body mass index, resting heart rate, and the 20 m shuttle run test. Nutritional habits, school engagement, and academic achievement were also evaluated through questionnaires and school records. Results. Compared with the control group, students participating in the integrated program showed more favorable changes in selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, breakfast habits, and school engagement over the study period. Moderate positive changes in academic achievement were also observed, whereas no substantial anthropometric changes emerged during the study period. Conclusions. The findings suggest that participation in an integrated school-based program combining structured nutrition and cognitively oriented sport activities was associated with improvements in cognitive functioning, healthy habits, and academic outcomes during adolescence. These findings highlight the potential value of multidimensional educational approaches integrating health promotion and learning processes within school environments. Full article

Elucidating the response mechanisms of C-, N-, and P-cycling enzyme activities within soil aggregates to tea plantation age can provide a theoretical foundation for improving soil fertility, safeguarding soil health, and promoting the sustainable use of soil resources in tea plantations. In the present study, soil samples were collected from the 0–20 cm layer of tea plantations with different ages (3, 9, 16, and 24 years). Then, soil samples were separated into >2, 2–1, 1–0.25, and <0.25 mm aggregate size fractions using an optimal moisture sieving method, and the activities of β-glucosidase, invertase, urease, protease, and acid phosphatase were measured in each fraction. Across all tea plantation ages, the aggregate composition was dominated by the >2 mm fraction, whose content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of other size fractions, averaging 54.47%. With increasing plantation age, the content of >2 mm aggregates first increased and then decreased, reaching a relatively high level at 16 years. The activities of β-glucosidase, invertase, urease, and protease in the tea plantation soils were predominantly distributed in the >2 mm aggregates, with average activities of 261.34, 585.31, 52.24, and 84.34 mg kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively; in contrast, acid phosphatase activity was less affected by aggregate size. As plantation age increased, the activities of β-glucosidase, invertase, urease, and protease initially increased and then decreased, reaching relatively high levels at 16 years (322.98, 696.66, 67.00, and 100.98 mg kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively), whereas acid phosphatase activity progressively increased with age. During the aggregate fractionation process, all enzyme activities were lost to varying degrees, with average recovery rates of 80.45% (β-glucosidase), 83.13% (invertase), 80.78% (urease), 82.16% (protease), and 81.66% (acid phosphatase). As the primary carriers of soil enzymes, the formation and stabilization of >2 mm aggregates are of great importance for promoting soil organic C and nutrient cycling. In tea plantation management, therefore, attention should be directed to the breakdown and disruption of >2 mm aggregates after 16 years of cultivation to maintain soil quality and sustain soil organic C and nutrient use efficiency. Full article

Lead (Pb) is a persistent and highly toxic heavy metal that poses significant ecological and human health risks due to its high bioaccumulation potential. In this study, nitrogen-doped biochar (NBC) was synthesized from straw-derived biochar via ball-milling and ammonium nitrate modification to remediate Pb-contaminated soil. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the adsorption process was best described by the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that Pb(II) immobilization by NBC occurred through multiple mechanisms, primarily precipitation and complexation with hydroxyl and pyrrolic-N functional groups. Subsequent pot experiments confirmed that NBC outperformed pristine biochar (BC) in reducing Pb bioavailability. This superior performance was attributed to the ability of NBC to increase soil pore water pH and significantly decrease soil redox potential (Eh). Moreover, compared to the control, a 5% NBC treatment (NBC2) significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) by 136.24% while concurrently increasing soil available nitrogen (SAN), phosphorus (SAP), and potassium (SAK) by 46.91%, 75.72%, and 42.79%, respectively. Microbiological analyses indicated that NBC application enhanced soil alpha diversity (Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices) and enriched beneficial bacterial phyla, such as Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Random forest analysis identified the acid-soluble Pb fraction and SOM as the main drivers of bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) composition. Specifically, NBC increased the relative abundance of the family Hungateiclostridiaceae, which may promote soil sulfide production and facilitate the precipitation of Pb into highly insoluble forms, further reducing its mobility and toxicity. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NBC is a promising soil amendment that leverages both physicochemical and microbial pathways to immobilize Pb, mitigate environmental toxicity, and restore soil ecological health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Loneliness is a major public health concern in later life and may be especially prevalent among older adults living in nursing homes. Evidence from Spain remains limited regarding modifiable correlates of different loneliness dimensions. This study aimed to describe social and existential loneliness among nursing home residents and examine their associations with sociodemographic, institutional, functional, and psychosocial factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Spanish nursing homes using face-to-face structured interviews with residents aged ≥65 years (n = 139). Social loneliness was assessed with the ESTE-II scale and existential loneliness with the existential loneliness subscale of the ESTE-R. Functional dependence was measured with the Barthel Index. Health literacy, locus of control, institutional variables, and suicidality-related items were also collected. Spearman correlations and multiple linear regression models with BCa bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (5000 resamples) were used. Results: Social and existential loneliness were moderately correlated (ρ = 0.481, p < 0.001). Greater activity engagement was independently associated with lower social (B = −1.105, p < 0.001) and existential loneliness (B = −0.732, p = 0.029). Receiving visits regularly was associated with lower social loneliness (B = −4.083, p = 0.002), but not existential loneliness. Greater functional independence was associated with lower existential loneliness (B = −0.044, p = 0.023). Conclusions: Activity engagement was a consistent correlate across loneliness dimensions, whereas regular visits were mainly related to social loneliness and functional independence to existential loneliness. These findings support feasible long-term care strategies focused on meaningful activities, relational contact, and functional support. Full article

Background: Sexuality education is essential for adolescent health and well-being, yet in Italy it is not included in a mandatory national curriculum, resulting in heterogeneous implementation across regions. Within the ESPRIT project, a multidisciplinary training-of-trainers (ToT) model was developed to prepare professionals to support school-based peer-education pathways. This study aimed to describe the training model and perform a pilot evaluation of short-term knowledge outcomes among trained participants. Methods: A pilot non-randomized controlled comparative study was conducted within the ESPRIT project framework. A multidisciplinary Training Team developed a structured ToT pathway based on WHO guidance, national recommendations, and peer-education models. Ten advanced public health residents in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine attended a three-day residential training course. One month later, a 10-item knowledge questionnaire was administered to trained participants (n = 10) and untrained advanced public health residents (n = 10). Results: Trained participants achieved higher questionnaire scores than the comparator group (median score 8 [IQR 2] vs. 3.5 [IQR 2]; p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Structured ToT programmes may represent a promising approach for strengthening professional preparation in sexuality education. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to evaluate sustainability and real-world implementation. Full article

Food safety training is a cornerstone of foodborne disease prevention in collective catering, particularly in settings serving vulnerable populations. This study aimed to assess baseline food safety knowledge and evaluate the effectiveness of a food safety training session among food handlers employed in school cafeterias and residential care facilities (RSAs) collective catering. A pre–post design was applied to 168 participants who completed a structured knowledge questionnaire before and after training. At baseline, only 31% of participants achieved a passing score. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with primary job role (p < 0.001): food preparers and managers were more likely to pass compared with food service workers involved mainly in meal distribution. In multivariate analysis, both job role and catering setting remained independently associated with test performance. Following the training session, the proportion of participants passing the test increased to 74% (p < 0.001), and differences between professional categories were reduced. These findings indicate that food safety knowledge in collective catering could vary according to occupational role and organizational context, but can be improved through training. Role-tailored, HACCP-based educational programs could be essential to strengthen compliance and protect vulnerable populations in institutional catering settings. Full article

Superfoods have gained increasing attention for their nutritional and functional properties, with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) among the most prominent examples owing to its health-promoting compounds. However, avocado cultivation is associated with several challenges, including high water demand, environmental impact, seasonal variability, and post-harvest losses. To address these limitations, in vitro plant cell cultures represent a sustainable and controlled alternative for producing avocado-derived material. In this study, avocado var. Hass callus cultures were established and evaluated as a potential source of functional metabolites. Colourimetric assays performed at different growth stages identified 14-day-old callus as the most enriched in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity; this material was therefore selected for further analyses. LC–ESI–QTOF–MS/MS profiling revealed a phenolic-rich composition, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, galloyl derivatives and phenylpropanoid-related compounds, consistent with vegetative plant tissues. Nutritional analysis showed high moisture content and low lipid levels, differing in composition from the avocado pulp, along with a high content of attention-grabbing nutrients, such as protein and fibre. Overall, although further studies are required to confirm compound identity and assess safety for future applications, avocado calli represent a promising sustainable platform for the production of value-added bioactive compounds. Full article

LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges, driven largely by exposure to stigma, discrimination, and minority stress. In response, there is growing interest in creative, community-based interventions that support wellbeing. This study evaluates “LGBTQteehee!”, a 10-week stand-up comedy programme designed to promote mental wellbeing and resilience among LGBTQ+ individuals. N = 6 participants took part in post-intervention qualitative data collection via focus group and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Two overarching themes were identified: “Standing up Together: A Queer Ensemble” and “Comedy as Catharsis”, each comprising two subthemes. The first theme captured the importance of community, highlighting “Where Comedy Meets Community” and “Where Safety Takes Centre Stage”, emphasising the role of belonging, diversity, and psychological safety. The second theme reflected the transformative potential of comedy, with “Performing (Queer) Resilience” and “Taking the Mic and Owning the Moment” illustrating how participants reframed lived experience into empowering narratives and reported increased confidence and self-expression. Findings suggest that the benefits of the intervention extend beyond humour alone, instead reflecting the interplay between social connection and identity-affirming narrative expression. Participants described how having a space to talk openly about their mental health and receive support from others contributed to their perceptions of both individual and collective resilience. These findings suggest that community-based comedy interventions may offer accessible and identity-affirming spaces through which LGBTQ+ individuals can explore wellbeing, belonging, and resilience. Whilst further evaluation is required, the findings contribute to growing discussions regarding the role of arts-based approaches in supporting LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing. Full article

This study aims to determine the effect of an education intervention on female athletes’ menstrual health knowledge, communication, and perceived importance of menstrual cycle tracking, and whether factors such as age, education level, or hormonal contraceptive use influence these outcomes. Three athlete cohorts engaged in two workshops and received targeted handouts. Participants (n = 51) completed surveys before, after, and 3 months following the intervention, which included a menstrual health knowledge assessment and a series of ratings to ascertain perceived knowledge; likelihood that they would discuss menstrual health with teammates, coaches, medical staff, and performance staff; and perceived importance of menstrual cycle tracking. Bayesian generalised linear mixed models and Bayesian linear mixed models were used to understand the effect of time and interactions between time and age, educational level, or hormonal contraceptive use. Actual and perceived knowledge and likelihood to communicate with teammates and performance staff appeared to be higher post-intervention and were retained for at least three months. The importance of menstrual cycle tracking increased from post-intervention to follow-up, while no change in communication with coaches or medical staff was observed. There appeared to be some effect of age, education level, and hormonal contraceptive use on knowledge and communication with medical staff. A menstrual health education intervention could be a practical and effective strategy to promote menstrual health literacy and communication in sport settings. Full article

Background: Physical activity is widely linked to better mental health and quality of life in university students, but less is known about whether the automatic, habit-like quality of physical activity is prospectively associated with quality of life through psychological distress and whether this indirect association depends on exercise identity. The objective of this study was to test a three-wave longitudinal moderated mediation model linking T1 physical activity habit automaticity, T2 psychological distress, T3 quality of life, and T1 exercise identity. Methods: A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among Chinese university students in 2026. After data cleaning and anonymous matching across waves, the final analytic sample included 1024 students, of whom 58.98% were female. T1 physical activity habit automaticity was assessed using the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index, T1 exercise identity using the Exercise Identity Scale, T2 psychological distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and T3 quality of life using the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index. PROCESS Model 4 and Model 7 were estimated with 5000 bootstrap samples, controlling for sex, age, grade, physical activity frequency, sleep quality, baseline psychological distress, and baseline quality of life. Results: In the baseline-adjusted mediation model, T1 physical activity habit automaticity was negatively associated with T2 psychological distress (B = −0.503, p < 0.001), and T2 psychological distress was negatively associated with T3 quality of life (B = −0.086, p < 0.001). The indirect effect was significant (effect = 0.043, 95% CI [0.028, 0.059]), with a mediated proportion of 30.9%, while the direct effect remained significant. In the moderated mediation model, the habit automaticity × exercise identity interaction significantly predicted T2 psychological distress (B = −0.317, p < 0.001, ΔR² = 0.008). Conditional indirect effects were significant at mean and high levels of exercise identity, and the index of moderated mediation was significant (index = 0.027, 95% CI [0.012, 0.043]). Conclusions: Physical activity habit automaticity was prospectively associated with higher quality of life partly through lower psychological distress, and this indirect association was more pronounced among students with stronger exercise identity. The findings highlight habit formation and exercise identity as potentially relevant targets for campus health promotion, although causal conclusions remain limited by the observational design. Full article

Sustainable rabbit production requires effective nutritional strategies to enhance productivity, health status, and immune competence. Following the restriction of antibiotic growth promoters, organic acids (OAs) have gotten increasing attention as promising functional feed additives due to their multiple biological roles. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the functional roles of OAs in rabbit nutrition, with a focus on their effects on gut morphology, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbiota, antioxidative status, immunity, and growth performance in growing rabbits. The OAs may modulate gut microbiota balance through inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and promotion of beneficial microbial populations, thereby contributing to the establishment of a balanced intestinal ecosystem. This effect is particularly important during the post-weaning period, a critical stage characterized by increased susceptibility to enteric disorders and associated economic losses. The OAs may also enhance digestive enzyme activities, leading to improving nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, and reducing feed wastage. In addition, OAs have been shown to improve intestinal histomorphology through coordinated effects on epithelial proliferation, mucosal renewal, and tight junction integrity. Furthermore, OAs have been shown to modulate antioxidative status and immune responses, which are essential for maintaining intestinal health and overall production sustainability. Collectively, OAs represent a promising and viable nutritional strategy to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of rabbit production systems through their beneficial effects on gut health, nutrient utilization, immune competence, and antioxidative status. Full article

Population aging has increased the importance of identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that promote psychological well-being and support brain health in later life. Aerobic exercise has consistently been associated with positive mental health outcomes; however, further evidence is needed regarding its relationship with depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between aerobic exercise, depression, purpose in life, and quality of life in older adulthood, as well as their implications for healthy aging and brain health. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed involving 151 older adults aged 65 years and older. Participants were recruited from Open Care Centers for the Elderly (KAPI) in the Municipality of Corinth, Greece, and through home visits in nearby communities. Data collection was conducted using the Purpose in Life Questionnaire–Short Form (PIL-SF), the Geriatric Depression Scale–Short Form (GDS-SF), and the WHOQOL-OLD Brief Form. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, while non-parametric analyses were applied due to deviations from normality. The findings demonstrated that a higher frequency of aerobic exercise was significantly associated with lower depressive symptomatology, higher levels of purpose in life, and better quality of life. Participants who exercised almost daily reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms compared with those who exercised rarely or not at all. Furthermore, depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with both purpose in life and quality of life, whereas purpose in life was positively associated with quality of life. Gender differences were also observed, suggesting that the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms may vary between men and women. Overall, the findings suggest that regular aerobic exercise may represent an important protective lifestyle factor associated with emotional well-being, psychological resilience, quality of life, and healthy aging among older adults. The study further supports the role of physical activity as a potentially beneficial non-pharmacological strategy for promoting mental health and supporting brain health in later life. Full article