Search Results (2,052)

In response to the demands of climate change and urban sustainability, urban green space construction in China has rapidly expanded, while simultaneously giving rise to allergenic pollen pollution. Focusing on the central urban area of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, this study utilizes urban surveys, field measurements, and pollen particle microscopy to analyze the seasonal variation in allergenic pollen pollution concentrations and the physical dispersion characteristics of allergenic pollen particles in residential areas. The study also examines the impact of urban residential area spatial layout on regulating allergenic pollen pollution. The results show that (1) allergenic pollen pollution in Xi’an’s residential areas exhibits significant seasonal characteristics, with spring, summer, and autumn being the primary seasons. The highest concentrations occur in spring, dominated by tree pollen, followed by summer and autumn with a predominance of herbaceous pollen. (2) Pollution concentrations in residential areas are affected by the diurnal temperature variation, with higher concentrations observed in public green spaces compared to residential green spaces and roadside green spaces. (3) Allergenic pollen pollution shows a layered characteristic in the vertical direction, with concentrations concentrated around 13 m above ground due to the effects of diurnal temperature variation and local microclimate. (4) Urban pollen pollution concentrations are positively correlated with high temperatures and negatively correlated with high humidity, while local circulations influence pollen dispersion concentrations in residential areas. (5) Design indicators such as plot ratio and building stagger affect the dispersion concentrations of allergenic pollen pollution in residential areas. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing residential area spatial design to mitigate allergenic pollen pollution and offer strategic guidance for improving the health and livability of urban environments. Full article

The utilization of 3D printing releases a multitude of harmful gas pollutants, posing potential health risks to operators. Materials extrusion (ME; also known as fused deposition modeling (FDM)), a widely adopted 3D printing technology, predominantly employs acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) as printing materials, with the respective market shares of these materials reaching approximately 75%. The extensive usage of ABS and PLA during the ME process leads to significant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, thereby deteriorating the quality of indoor air. Nevertheless, information regarding the emission characteristics of VOCs and their influencing factors, as well as the toxicological impacts of the printing processes, remains largely unknown. Herein, we thoroughly reviewed the emission characteristics of VOCs released during ME printing processes using ABS and PLA in various printing environments, such as chambers, laboratories, and workplaces, as well as their potential influencing factors under different environmental conditions. A total of 62 VOC substances were identified in chamber studies using ABS and PLA filaments; for example, styrene had an emission rate of 0.29–113.10 μg/min, and isopropyl alcohol had an emission rate of 3.55–56.53 μg/min. Emission rates vary depending on the composition of the filament’s raw materials, additives (such as dyes and stabilizers), printing conditions (temperature), the printer’s condition (whether it has closure), and other factors. Additionally, we reviewed the toxicological concerns associated with hazardous VOC species commonly detected during the ME printing process and estimated cancer and non-cancer risks for users after long-term inhalation exposure. Potential health hazards associated with inhalation exposure to benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, styrene, and other substances were identified, which were calculated based on concentrations measured in real indoor environments. This study provides valuable insights for future research on the development of ME printing technologies and offers suggestions to reduce VOC emissions to protect users. Full article

Background: The framework of measuring effective coverage is conceptually straightforward, yet translation into a single metric is quite intractable. An estimation of a metric linking need, access, utilization, and service quality is imperative for measuring the progress towards Universal Health Coverage. A coverage metric obtained from a household survey alone is not succinct as it only captures the service contact which cannot be considered as actual service delivery as it ignores the comprehensive assessment of provider–client interaction. The study was thus conducted to estimate a one-composite metric of effective coverage by linking varied datasets. Methods: The study was conducted in a rural, remote, and fragile setting in India. Tools encompassing a household survey, health facility assessment, and patient exit survey were administered to ascertain measures of contact coverage and quality. A gamut of techniques linking the varied surveys were employed such as (a) exact match linking and (b) ecological linking using GIS approaches via administrative boundaries, Euclidean buffers, travel time grid, and Kernel density estimates. A composite metric of effective coverage was estimated using linked datasets, adjusting for structural and process quality estimates. Further, the horizontal inequities in effective coverage were computed using Erreygers’ concentration index. The concordance between linkage approaches were examined using Wald tests and Lin’s concordance correlation. Results: A significantly steep decline in measurement estimates was found from crude coverage to effective coverage for an entire slew of linking approaches. The drop was more exacerbated for structural-quality-adjusted measures vis-à-vis process-quality-adjusted measures. Overall, the estimates for effective coverage and inequity-adjusted effective coverage were 36.4% and 33.3%, respectively. The composite metric of effective coverage was lowest for postnatal care (10.1%) and highest for immunization care (78.7%). A significant absolute deflection ranging from −2.1 to −5.5 for structural quality and −1.9 to −8.9 for process quality was exhibited between exact match linking and ecological linking. Conclusions: Poor quality of care was divulged as a major factor of decline in coverage. Policy recommendations such as bolstering the quality via the effective implementation of government flagship programs along with initiatives such as integrated incentive schemes to attract and retain workforce and community-based monitoring are suggested. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide city residents contact with nature, offering mental and physical health benefits. However, residents’ access to green spaces in cities can be associated with their socioeconomic status (SESs). This study utilizes the Kernel Density tool as an innovative method to measure UGS inequities and their relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates. Next, the UGS patterns and their potential implications for CVD are examined across suburbs with a range of SES levels in Melbourne, Australia. The proposed method is tested in conjunction with two commonly used measures of accessibility (Network Analysis) and provision (UGS per capita). The results show that more advantaged suburbs have better access to UGS and lower CVD rates. Moreover, the analysis reveals that a more geographically dispersed UGS pattern, predominantly observed in higher SES suburbs, can be associated with lower CVD than a concentrated pattern, and the integration of the SES and UGS indicators through Kernel Density analysis reveals that inequitable access to green spaces disproportionately impacts the health incomes of socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Finally, the Kernel Density and Network Analysis tools in ArcGIS can serve as effective supplementary methods for addressing similar considerations in UGS planning and policy. Full article

Air quality is an essential factor for human health and ecosystem balance, but in regions like Petroșani Mountain Depression, air pollution continues to be a significant challenge. This area, marked by decades of coal mining, is confronted with high concentrations of pollutants, influenced by human activities and the specific geography and climate. This study aims to compare instrumental air quality measurements with snow sample analysis, as a sustainable alternative method. Specifically, it examines the spatiotemporal distribution and evolution of air pollutants, utilizing long-term monitoring data and an extensive sampling network (42 points) for both air and snow, to provide a thorough understanding of air quality dynamics in the area. The experimental part of this study focused on determining VOCs and PM in the air, and dissolved ions (sulfate, calcium, and magnesium) and suspended solids in snow. The results highlight significant correlations between pollution sources and atmospheric dynamics in mountain depressions, while also analyzing the efficiency of the instruments used for data collection. This study emphasizes that, although instrumental methods provide precise and detailed measurements, their implementation in isolated regions presents significant challenges. Therefore, alternative approaches such as snow analysis can represent a more efficient and sustainable option in these regions. Full article

Background: The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized healthcare by significantly reducing morbidity and mortality. However, excessive and inappropriate use has led to a global surge in antimicrobial resistance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic use patterns among inpatients at Jimma Medical Center (JMC) in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted in February and March 2019 at JMC, focusing on patients admitted for over 24 h who received antibiotics. Data on patient demographics, clinical indications, and antibiotics prescribed were systematically collected. Antibiotic consumption rates were measured as days of therapy (DOTs) per 100 patient-days, and utilization was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe (Access, Watch, and Reserve) framework. Results: A total of 384 inpatients were included, with a male predominance (53.9%) and a median age of 24 years (IQR: 5–37). In total, 634 antibiotic regimens were prescribed. According to the WHO AWaRe classification, 48.3% (306/634) were “Access” and 51.7% (328/634) were “Watch” antibiotics. Patients were treated with antibiotics for a median duration of 4 days (IQR: 2–7), leading to a total of 2880 days of antibiotic therapy. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, with a usage rate of 44.65 DOTs per 100 patient-days. Substantial variability was observed in empirical antibiotic regimens among treating physicians and across wards. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) were performed for only 4.2% of patients, and none of the treatments were modified based on susceptibility data. Conclusions: The study highlights critical issues in antibiotic prescribing at JMC, including over-reliance on “Watch” antibiotics, predominantly ceftriaxone, limited use of AST results, and deviations from standard treatment guidelines. Addressing these challenges requires implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs, developing evidence-based local treatment guidelines, and strengthening and encouraging the use of microbiology services to improve rational antibiotic use. Full article

The increasing number of heat wave (HW) days, combined with the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, poses a threat to the health and comfort of city residents. This study investigates the impact of HWs on the diurnal cycles of intensity and spatial structure of the atmospheric UHI (AUHI) and surface UHI (SUHI). A comparative analysis is conducted on the simultaneous night–day variability of AUHI and SUHI intensities in Kraków in two 24 h summer periods: one representing normal summer conditions (Period W) and the other HW conditions (Period H). Evaluating sub-daily UHI patterns based on integrated in situ and satellite data is a relatively novel approach. This study utilizes (1) air temperature from 21 measurement points located in different local climate zones and vertical (altitude) zones; and (2) land surface temperature from six NOAA/AVHRR satellite images. The findings indicate that AUHI and SUHI intensities in Kraków were generally up to 3 °C higher at night and up to 3 °C lower during the daytime in Period H compared to Period W, particularly in the valley floor. These results provide valuable insights into the increased heat load risk due to the co-occurrence of UHI and HW, with implications for sustainable urban planning strategies. Full article

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the anthropometric and nutritional status among Serbian adults aged 18–64 years, using the data from the EFSA EU Menu food consumption survey conducted between 2017 and 2022. Based on a nationally representative sample of 1139 participants, this research utilized validated 24 h dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements. The results indicate significant dietary imbalances, characterized by a heavy reliance on energy-dense foods, such as grains, fats, and meat, with an underrepresentation of fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Men exhibited a higher total energy intake, obtaining more energy from meat and fats, while women consumed more fruits and vegetables but often did not meet the recommended protein intake. Approximately 67.8% participants had a insufficient dietary fiber intake, and 15.4% did not meet the protein recommendations, particularly women. Anthropometric measurements showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially among men. These findings highlight critical deficits in dietary adequacy and, from a clinical practice perspective, underscore the necessity for the formulation of policies, targeted public health strategies aimed at improving dietary habits, and provide evidence for the development of national dietary guidelines and clinical guidelines to support preventive healthcare strategies, especially in the management of diet-related conditions, such as obesity and metabolic disorders. Full article

Background: Laying hens, which are widely utilized for consumption and export in various regions, experience prolonged antibiotic exposure due to their longer lifespan, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance and impacting the microbial environment of poultry slaughterhouses. Given the significance of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in food safety, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ESBL genes in E. coli isolated from a laying hen slaughterhouse in Konya, Turkey. Methods: Sampling was conducted using a convenient sampling approach, and a total of 150 samples were collected from a single slaughterhouse over six visits during both warm (June–August) and cold (January–March) seasons to evaluate seasonal variations. Samples were categorized into environmental sources (personnel, air, wastewater, eggs) and carcass-related sources (cloaca, carcasses at critical control points, final product). Classical cultural and molecular techniques and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were used for ESBL presence and gene characterization. For sequence analysis, the bidirectional Sanger Gene sequence analysis method was applied. Results: PCR-based detection identified 10 of the 17 isolates as E. coli by amplifying the uspA gene, and bidirectional Sanger sequencing further confirmed these isolates at the species level. The E. coli isolates were detected at various sampling areas, including personnel, carcasses after evisceration, and raw wastewater samples collected at different time points. In the multiplex PCR analysis, most ESBL isolates were positive for the blaCTX-M gene. The co-existence of blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes was detected in five samples. Additionally, three genes (blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaOXA) were identified in a carcass sample after evisceration. All ESBL-producing isolates harbored the blaCTX-M1 gene, and multiple antibiotic resistance was observed across all isolates. The presence of these genes was strongly associated with resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, aztreonam, cefepime, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime, and cephalothin, highlighting the critical role of blaCTX-M in driving the multidrug resistance patterns observed in this study. The highest resistance rate (80%) was observed in “personnel” and “carcass samples after evisceration”, while all isolates remained sensitive to carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of the laying hen slaughter line as a potential source of contamination with ESBL-producing E. coli, which poses significant implications for food safety and public health. These findings underscore the need for improved control measures to mitigate ESBL E. coli transmission in poultry processing and highlight the importance of optimizing antibiotic use strategies in laying hen farming. Full article

The increasing demand for self-powered sensors and wireless sensor networks, particularly for environmental and structural health monitoring applications, is driving the need for energy harvesting from natural sources. To fill a gap in the scientific literature, this study quantitatively investigates the advantages of hybrid energy harvesters, which utilize multiple energy sources, compared to single-source harvesters. The analysis leverages a real-world dataset collected from a meteorological station in Cervinara, Southern Italy. The measured data are processed to estimate the energy that can be recovered from solar, wind, and rain sources using energy harvesters designed to supply low-power electronic devices. The available energy serves as the basis for optimizing the sizing of a hybrid energy harvester that effectively integrates the aforementioned energy sources. The system sizing, carried out under the constraint of ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted power supply to the load, quantifies the benefits of using a hybrid harvester over a single-source harvester. The results show that one of the main advantages of the hybrid solution is the reduction in the size of the storage device, enabling the replacement of rechargeable batteries with supercapacitors, which offer both environmental and reliability benefits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Generous consumption of phytonutrient-rich foods, including blueberries, provides benefits to multiple physiologic and metabolic systems. This study explored the potential that regular, generous blueberry intake could favorably modulate fecal microbiome composition in sedentary older (>60 years) men and women with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 to 32 kg/m²). Methods: Participants (n = 55) were randomized to daily consumption of either lyophilized blueberry powder (equivalent to 1.5 cups of blueberries) or an indistinguishable placebo powder; both groups participated in weekly supervised exercise classes. Fecal samples were collected at 0 and 12 weeks and frozen. Following this, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to profile each participant’s fecal microbiome. Blood biomarkers of cardiometabolic health were measured via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) pre- and post-treatment. Results: Comparing the baseline and endpoint results for the blueberry (n = 15) and placebo (n = 19) groups, there were no significant overall compositional differences or differences in the level of diversity in the fecal microbiome. However, in subjects whose diet included blueberry powder, there was a significant enrichment (p = 0.049) in the relative abundance of Coriobacteriales incertae sedis, a taxonomic group of bacteria that facilitates the metabolism of dietary polyphenols. The placebo group exhibited significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, total LDL-P, large LDL-P, and ApoB, while the blueberry group exhibited significant reductions in total HDL-P and ApoA-I after 12 weeks compared to baseline. Conclusions: Generous blueberry consumption may upregulate the ability of the older human gut to utilize dietary polyphenols by altering the fecal microbiome. Longer, larger-scale studies with blueberries or blueberry powder are needed to observe improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults with overweight or obesity. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with better cardiovascular health, with evidence suggesting that it may play a key role in reducing arterial stiffness. This research aims to systematically review existing evidence on the association between a Mediterranean diet pattern and arterial stiffness in the general population. Methods: The literature was examined in six electronic databases up until December 2024. The evaluation of the 128 publications based on inclusion criteria resulted in the selection of 16 observational and randomized controlled trials that aligned with the research question. Two researchers simultaneously extracted the data, employing inter-rater reliability (IRR) to assess coder agreement, followed by the κ statistic to evaluate accuracy and precision. According to the PRISMA principles and quality evaluation procedures, all data extraction phases achieved a k coefficient of no less than 0.9. All publications, with the exception of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were evaluated for bias risk utilizing the NIH Quality Assessment Toolkit. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024597173). Results: Most studies were observational (ten cross-sectional, three longitudinal), with three RCTs. Studies were primarily conducted in Europe (82%), followed by America (12%) and Australia (6%), with a total of 13,680 participants. The evidence showed an inverse relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and arterial stiffness, with a focus on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the Augmentation Index (AIx) as outcome measures. Lower but consistent and statistically significant evidence was also found in the cross-tabulation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the cardiovascular ankle index (CAVI), a proxy of the overall stiffness of the artery from the origin of the aorta to the ankle. Study quality ranged from moderate to high. Conclusions: The available evidence consistently shows that people who follow a Mediterranean diet may have less stiff arteries and, therefore, a lower cardiovascular risk. However, multifactorial biological pathways still need to be corroborated. Full article

The Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. (Trust, Research, Understand, Teach, and Heal) Project investigates water quality concerns, including potential contamination from a nearby landfill, and their corresponding health implications among residents of rural Charles City County, Virginia. This rural, majority-racial-minority county includes citizens of the Chickahominy Indian tribe. The T.R.U.T.H. Project utilizes a community-based participatory research approach and environmental justice-focused lens to study water quality and health; the present study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the drinking water quality of homes with domestic groundwater wells. We collected water samples from 121 participants located within a four-mile radius of the landfill, analyzing over 200 potential analytes that may affect water quality. Among the measured analytes, water pH, aluminum, iron, manganese, and hardness as CaCO₃ were most frequently identified as having ratings outside of established EPA limits (“Bad”). Logistic regression models demonstrated that proximity to streams near the landfill was associated with significantly greater odds of worse water quality for several analytes. Specifically, residing within a mile of these streams was associated with greater odds of “Fair” or worse turbidity (OR = 4.31, 95% CI 1.31–19.53) and zinc levels (OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.23–5.86). Additionally, residing within half a mile of a proximate stream was linked with “Poor” or worse hardness ratings (OR = 10.71, 95% CI 1.64–86.96); residing within a mile of the landfill was associated with “Bad” water pH levels (OR = 10.50, 95% CI 1.16–95.68). Though many tested analytes did not have concerning ratings or were not significantly associated with proximity to the landfill or streams, the above findings suggest that anthropogenic factors, particularly landfill proximity, may influence water quality with regard to specific analytes. Therefore, addressing water quality through enhanced monitoring, contaminant remediation, and community education is crucial for restoring trust in drinking water and improving public health outcomes. Full article

It has been well observed that accurate estimation of the aboveground biomass (AGB) of mangrove forests is critical for evaluating ecosystem health, carbon sink capacity, and sustainable development. This study utilizes UAV-LiDAR data and field measurements to develop an AGB inversion model based on 26 feature variables. We employed three machine learning algorithms—random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and support vector machine (SVM)—to estimate mangrove AGB in the Xinyingwan region of Lingao County, Hainan Province, China. The key findings include that: (1) the SVM algorithm demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy, with an R² of 0.8853 and RMSE of 0.4766 kg/m², making it most suitable for this study; (2) the proposed zero-importance feature selection method based on mutual information (MI) outperformed traditional techniques, selecting more effective variables for model development; (3) in the SVM model, variables selected using the zero-importance feature selection method based on MI yielded the best prediction accuracy; and (4) the estimated AGB in the study area ranged from 1.97 to 5.23 kg/m², with an average of 3.83 kg/m². This study not only provides valuable data for mangrove ecosystem conservation and restoration but also offers a scientific basis and technical framework for future biomass estimation and carbon stock assessments. Full article

The valorization of agricultural and industrial solid by-products as secondary resources in the development of value-added materials can contribute to environmental health protection, particularly in the climate change era. Current advances in environmental legislation also encourage manufacturers to optimize waste management, upgrading and utilization towards resource conservation, energy efficiency and cost reduction in the context of a circular economy. In the present research, the elaboration of novel sustainable ceramics is investigated by sintering (at 800 °C for 2 or 6 h) of compacted mixtures composed of lignite fly ashes along with biomass ash (olive kernel ash) at different proportions. It appears that the chemical, mineralogical and morphological characteristics of these by-products promote their use as starting materials in ceramic engineering. Characterization and evaluation of the ceramics obtained via XRD and SEM-EDX analysis, as well as Vickers microhardness measurements, confirm the effectiveness of the consolidation process. In fact, the material derived from an 85% Class-C fly ash and 15% biomass ash compact, after 6 h sintering, exhibited greater results in terms of ceramic microstructure and microhardness (380 Hv), while a sintering time of 2 h was barely acceptable. The materials developed can be considered for use in various applications. Full article