Direct Health Effects Research Articles

MHT: Who benefits? Who does not benefit?

MHT: Who benefits? Who does not benefit? Abstract. Individually adapted MHT with respect of known contra-indications possess direct preventive health effects. Moreover, reducing the incidence of diab. mell. type II further secondary preventive effects can be expected.

Personality Type D, Level of Perceived Stress, Insomnia, and Depression Among High School Teachers in Poland.

Teaching is inherently connected with specific burdens that may imply stressful situations. The goal of this study was to explore the prevalence of type D (distressed) personality in teachers. This is known to cause depressive episodes and sleep disorders, which not only have direct physical health effects, but can also impact the wellbeing of individuals and hence adversely affect their job performance. The participants consisted of 412 high school teachers from the Silesian Province, located in the south of Poland. Using the following research tools: Type D Scale (DS14), Perceived Stress Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory, it was found that type D personality was observed in a large percentage of teachers (30.1%). It was reported that teachers with distressed personality suffered from insomnia and depression significantly more often. Findings from the current study indicate the need to implement preventive activities focused on reducing psychosocial risk factors in the work environment in order to reduce the frequency of depressive disorders among teachers.

A Structural Equation Model of Self-Regulation and Healthy Habits as an Individual Protective Tool in the Context of Epidemics-Evidence From COVID-19.

Objective: The present study aims to explore the mediation role of self-regulation on health-related behaviors adoption or maintenance, mental health, and well-being during the COVID-19 confinement in a sample of adults in Portugal.Design: One-hundred fifty individuals (118 females, 32 males; Mage = 33.57 year; SD = 12.71) filled an online survey to assess self-regulation, healthy behaviors, mental health, and well-being perception, during the early months of the pandemic (June–August, 2020).Main Outcome Measures: Self-regulation capacity, adoption or maintenance of healthy habits, mental health, including stress management, and the perception of one’s well-being were evaluated using a structural equation model (SEM).Results: Self-regulation had direct effects on healthy habits and mental health and indirect effects on well-being and mental health mediated by healthy habits. In specific, a positive direct effect on healthy habits (β = 0.497, p < 0.001) and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = −0.428, p < 0.001); and a positive indirect effect on well-being perception, mediated by healthy behaviors and mental health (β = 0.253, p = 0.003), and a negative indirect effect on mental health, mediated by healthy habits (β = −0.208, p = 0.003). Additionally, healthy habits exerted direct effects on well-being perception and mental health. A positive direct effect on well-being perception (β = 0.254, p = 0.012), and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = −0.418, p < 0.001) were further observed. No direct effect of mental health was observed in well-being perception (β = −0.199, p = 0.068). Finally, a negative correlation was observed between self-regulation and weeks of confinement (r = −0.208, p = 0.021).Conclusion: Self-regulation seems to be a good indicator of adopting a healthy lifestyle and better mental health and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future preventive actions and interventions to build long-term global preparedness for future health emergencies, such as COVID-19, should explore the importance of self-regulation as an important individual and collective protective factor.

Extraction and High Purification of Nicotine from Iraqi Tobacco Leaf Formanufacturing, Pharmaceutical, and Medicinal Uses

Bachground: Nicotine is highly addictive plant derived alkaloid and the most important species in humanuse today is Nicotianatabacum. There are direct health effects of chronic nicotine exposure. Even in lowdoses, nicotine causes vasoconstriction and other cardiovascular effects related to catecholamine release andpromote angiogenesis, neuroteratogenicity, and possibly some cancers. Methods: A preliminary investigationto analyze the nicotine contained in Iraqi tobacco leaves was carried out using gas chromatography-massspectrometry (GC-MS). Nicotine is an alkaloid, and alkali methanol and Lipophilic solventsystem methods(LSS) have been extracted and determined by GC-MS from tobacco leaves. Results: The detection limit fornicotine was for non-selective monitoring at the ppm level and for selective detection at the nanogram level.This is a simple method of thin layer chromatography (TLC) and chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS)for the tobacco leave analysis of nicotine. The final purity of nicotine is 99%. Conclusion :the methodswhich used in this study gave very high purity of nicotineafter converting the crude nicotine to its esters.

Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Selective Detection of Glycols and Glycerol in the Liquids and Aerosols of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products.

The long-term health effects of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs; also known as e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and vape pens) remain largely unknown. The inhalation of excipients, such as propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin (GLY), may have long-term health effects. In addition to the direct health effects of PG and GLY, glycerin-containing products can be contaminated with toxic ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG). To assess this issue, we developed a simple, versatile, high-throughput isotope dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying these common excipients and contaminants. The method is applicable to both the liquid contents and machine-generated aerosols of EVPs. Our rigorous method validation demonstrates that the new method is specific, precise, accurate, and rugged/robust. The calibration range is linear from 0.1–7 mg for the excipients and 2.5–1,000 µg for the contaminants. These ranges encompass expected excipients levels in EVP e-liquids and their machine-generated aerosols and the relevant maximum residue safety limit of 1 mg/g, or 0.1% (w/w), for the contaminants. The calculated limits of detection for PG, GLY, EG, and DEG were determined as 0.0109 mg, 0.0132 mg, 0.250 µg, and 0.100 µg, respectively. The method was applied to the aerosol emissions analysis of 141 EVPs associated with the 2019 lung injury outbreak, and found typical levels of PG (120.28–689.35 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (116.83–845.96 mg/g of aerosol) in all nicotine-containing products; PG (81.58–491.92 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (303.86–823.47 mg/g of aerosol) in 13% of cannabidiol (CBD) products; PG (74.02–220.18 mg/g of aerosol) and GLY (596.43–859.81 mg/g of aerosol) in products with neither nicotine nor CBD; and none detected in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. No products contained glycol contaminants above the recommended maximum residue safety limit.

Health is Everyone's Business: A Review and An Overdue Research Agenda

Business and human health are intrinsically connected. From occupational health and healthcare policy to the health of consumers and surrounding communities, business can only thrive if their stakeholders enjoy good health and well-being. Yet our literature review of the business-health nexus reveals that scholars have mainly paid attention to internal stakeholders and healthcare policies as they directly affect business, while overlooking the impact of business on the health of external stakeholders such as consumers and communities. Considering the urgency of improving health globally and the ambitious health targets set by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we propose an overdue research agenda for the post-pandemic era. We recommend moving from a mere focus on direct health effects on internal stakeholders to analyze the more indirect health impacts of business on external stakeholders. This change of focus acknowledges health as a grand challenge and recognizes the business institution as a key actor to achieve the SDG health targets.

Persistent Misperceptions about Nicotine among US Physicians: Results from a Randomized Survey Experiment.

We conducted a survey experiment among US physicians to evaluate whether question wording impacted perceptions about the health effects of nicotine. 926 physicians were randomized to receive one of two versions of a question matrix that asked about the “extent to which they agree or disagree that ‘nicotine’ (Version 1) or ‘nicotine, on its own,’ (Version 2) directly contributes to” birth defects, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, depression, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated whether question condition predicted strong agreement and/or agreement with each statement, and assessed demographic correlates of each outcome while adjusting for question version. Physicians who received Version 2 were less likely to “strongly agree” that nicotine directly caused birth defects (Prevalence Ratio (PR) 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98), CVD (PR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84–0.95), cancer (PR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75–0.87), and COPD (PR 0.78, 95% CI 0.72–0.84). Females were more likely to “strongly agree” that nicotine directly contributes to birth defects and cancer, and family physicians were most likely to “strongly agree” that nicotine directly contributes to CVD, cancer, and COPD. Question wording is important when measuring physicians’ beliefs about nicotine; however, even after accounting for question version, misperceptions about the direct health effects of nicotine were common and varied by sex and specialty.

Wildfire smoke affects detection of birds in Washington State

AbstractWildfire smoke is likely to have direct health effects on birds as well as influence movement, vocalization, and other avian behaviors. These behavioral changes may affect if and how birds are observed in the wild, although research on the effects of wildfire smoke on bird behavior is limited. To evaluate how wildfire smoke affects detection of birds, we combined data from eBird, an online community science program, with data from an extensive network of air quality monitors in the state of Washington over a 4-year period. We assessed how PM2.5, a marker of smoke pollution, affected the probability of observing 71 bird species during the wildfire seasons of 2015–2018 using bird observations from 62,908 eBird checklists. After accounting for habitat, weather conditions, seasonality, and survey effort, we found that PM2.5 affected the probability of observing 37% of study species. The ambient concentration of PM2.5 was negatively associated with the probability of observing 16 species and positively associated with the probability of observing 10 species, indicating that birds exhibit species-specific behavioral changes during wildfire smoke events that influence how they are observed. Our results suggest that wildfire smoke impacts the presence, availability, and/or perceptibility of birds. Impacts of smoke pollution on human observers, such as impaired visibility, may also influence detection of birds. These results provide a foundation for developing mechanistic hypotheses to explain how birds, and our studies of them, are impacted by wildfire smoke. Given the projected increase in large-scale wildfire smoke events under future climate change scenarios, understanding how birds are affected by wildfire smoke—and how air pollution may influence our ability to detect them—are important next steps to inform wildlife research and avian conservation.

A novel extraction protocol of nano-polystyrene from biological samples

Toxicological data demonstrate that nanoplastics (NPs) can cause direct adverse health effects. However, a method for quantifying NPs in biological samples is lacking to date. In this study, a diatomite associated coagulation-sedimentation extraction (CSE) protocol was developed to selectively enrich polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NP) from microplastics (PS-MP) in the digest of animal tissues, which were then analyzed using pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that 0.02 g of 7-μm diatomite can selectively adsorb 70-nm PS-NP in 5 mL oyster digest. The method works in the range of 0.006–5 μg PS-NP per 0.5 g wet weight tissue, which has been verified via samples of environmentally contaminated oysters and chow diet PS-NP-treated C57BL/6 mice (digestive tract, kidney, and liver tissues). The particle size-dependent colloidization or buoyancy theoretically supported the general CSE procedure. This work will pave the way for assessing human exposure to NPs and associated health risks.

Role of digital technologies to combat COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe unexpected epidemic of the latest coronavirus in 2019, known as COVID-19 by the Globe, a number of governments worldwide have been put in a vulnerable situation by the World Health Organization. The effect of the COVID-19 outbreak, previously experienced by China’s citizens alone, has now become more pronounced. For practically every nation in the world, this is a matter of grave concern. The lack of assets to withstand the infection of COVID-19, mixed with the perception of overwhelmed medical mechanisms, pressured a number of places in a state of partial or absolute lockdown.Design/methodology/approachThe medical photos such as computed tomography (CT) and X-ray playa key role in the worldwide battle against COVID-19, while artificial intelligence (AI) has recently appeared. The power of imaging is further increased by technology tools and support for medical specialists. In comparison to the related direct health effects because of the COVID-19 disaster, this research identifies its impacts on the overall society.FindingsThis paper hereby examines the rapid answers in the medical imaging community toward COVID-19 (empowered by AI). For example, the acquisition of AI-empowered images will significantly assist automate the scanning process and reshape the procedure as well. AI, too, may improve the quality of the job by correctly delineating X-ray and CT image infections, promoting subsequent infections, quantification. In addition, computer-aided platforms support radiologists make medical choices, i.e. for illness tracking, diagnosis and prognosis.Originality/valueThis research encompasses the whole medical imaging pipeline and methods for research related to COVID-19, include a collection of images, segmentation, diagnosis and monitoring. In drawing stuff to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, this paper is investigating the use of technologies such as the internet of things, unmanned aerial vehicles, blockchain, AI, big data and 5G.

Energy Balance and Risk of Mortality in Spanish Older Adults.

Clinical data on the direct health effects of energy deficit or surplus beyond its impact on body weight are scarce. We aimed to assess the association with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality of (1) sustained energy deficit or surplus, calculated according to each individual’s en-ergy intake (EI) and theoretical energy expenditure (TEE), and (2) mid-term change in total EI in a prospective study. In 7119 participants in the PREDIMED Study (PREvención con DIeta MEDi-terránea) with a mean age of 67 years, energy intake was derived from a 137-item food frequency questionnaire. TEE was calculated as a function of age, sex, height, body weight and physical ac-tivity. The main exposure was the proportion of energy requirement covered by energy intake, cumulative throughout the follow-up. The secondary exposure was the change in energy intake from baseline. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% con-fidence intervals for all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. Over a median follow-up of 4.8 years, there were 239 deaths (excluding the first 2 years). An energy intake exceeding energy needs was associated with an increase in mortality risk (continuous HR10% over energy needs = 1.10; 95% CI 1.02, 1.18), driven by cardiovascular death (HR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.11, 1.43). However, consum-ing energy below estimated needs was not associated with a lower risk. Increments over time in energy intake were associated with greater all-cause mortality (HR10% increase = 1.09; 95% CI 1.02, 1.17). However, there was no evidence that a substantial negative change in energy intake would reduce mortality risk. To conclude, in an older Mediterranean cohort, energy surplus or increase over a 5-year period was associated with greater risk of mortality, particularly cardiovascular mortality. Energy deficit, or reduction in energy intake over time were not associated with mortal-ity risk.

Feeling younger as a stress buffer: Subjective age moderates the effect of perceived stress on change in functional health.

Feeling younger than one's chronological age is associated with various beneficial health outcomes. However, apart from these direct health effects, little is known about the role of subjective age as a potential "buffer" and compensatory resource that might counteract the detrimental effect of health risk factors. We investigated whether the effect of perceived stress as a major health risk factor on change in functional health is smaller among individuals who feel younger. Additionally, we analyzed whether this "stress buffer effect" of subjective age varies by chronological age. Longitudinal data from the German Ageing Survey comprising 3 years (2014-2017) were used (N = 5,039; mean age at baseline: M = 63.91 years, SD = 10.80 years, range 40-95 years). Latent change score models revealed that, controlling for baseline functional health as well as for sociodemographic variables, greater perceived stress was associated with a steeper decline in functional health. This effect increased in size with advancing chronological age. Moreover, a younger subjective age was associated with a less steep decline in functional health. Subjective age additionally exhibited a stress buffer effect: Among individuals who felt younger, the association of greater perceived stress with steeper functional health decline was weaker. This stress buffer effect of subjective age became larger with increasing age. Our findings thus suggest that, particularly among older adults, a younger subjective age might help to buffer functional health decline, not only by directly affecting functional health, but also by compensating and counteracting the detrimental effect of stress on functional health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the Impacts of the Covid-19 on Travel Behaviour

COVID-19 is causing serious economic effects on the global economy as well as direct health effects. The virus has negative effects in almost all sectors but the travel and tourism industry has been the worst affected of all economic sectors. This paper aimed to explore how coronavirus could change traveler preferences in the post-pandemic period. For this purpose 284 data were collected from the participants by an online survey. Descriptive statistics was applied for data analysis. The findings show that most of the participants have the uncertainty-driven feeling in their travels. There will be a tendency towards keeping a safe social distance, paying attention to health and safety precautions. At the same time transportation vehicles, accommodations and types of tourism, where the safe social distance is maintained, will be preferred. The research findings contribute to the existing literature and are intended to help the industry build new approaches.

Cost Effectiveness of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Compared with Meropenem for the Treatment of Patients with Ventilated Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia.

IntroductionThe clinical efficacy and safety of ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of ventilated hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (vHABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) has been demonstrated in the phase III randomised controlled trial ASPECT-NP. However, there are no published data on the cost-effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam for vHABP/VABP. These nosocomial infections are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and are increasingly complicated by growing rates of resistance and the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. This study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with meropenem for the treatment of vHABP/VABP in a US hospital setting.MethodsA short-term decision tree followed by a long-term Markov model was developed to estimate lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years associated with ceftolozane/tazobactam and meropenem in the treatment of patients with vHABP/VABP. Pathogen susceptibility and clinical efficacy were informed by the Program to Assess Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Susceptibility (PACTS) database and ASPECT-NP, respectively. A US healthcare sector perspective was adopted, capturing direct costs borne by third-party payers or integrated health systems, and direct health effects for patients.ResultsIn the confirmed treatment setting (post-susceptibility results), the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for ceftolozane/tazobactam compared to meropenem was US$12,126 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY); this reduced when used in the early treatment setting (before susceptibility results) at $4775/QALY.ConclusionCeftolozane/tazobactam represents a highly cost-effective treatment option for patients with vHABP/VABP versus meropenem when used in either the confirmed or early treatment setting; with increased cost-effectiveness shown in the early setting.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40121-021-00436-4.

MODULATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BIOFILM BY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION

Mobile communication systems are undoubtedly an environmental source of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Although the direct health effect of a cell phone to human is still elusive, the effect to unicellular organisms is rather apparent. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of EMR on development of bacterial biofilm. Microtitration plates with four strains of Staphylococcus aureus were exposed to electromagnetic field of frequencies 1-5 GHz, which are used in mobile phones. The results showed mostly the inhibition of the development biofilm activity at frequencies 1, 2 and 3 GHz, however the significant stimulation of biofilm development occurred at frequencies 4 and 5 GHz. Our observations demonstrate that EMR exposure produced modulation effects on bacterial biofilms, which are very important in commensal and pathogen bacteria.

Perspectives on the Health Effects of Hurricanes: A Review and Challenges.

Hurricanes are devastating natural disasters which dramatically modify the physical landscape and alter the socio-physical and biochemical characteristics of the environment, thus exposing the affected communities to new environmental stressors, which persist for weeks to months after the hurricane. This paper has three aims. First, it conceptualizes potential direct and indirect health effects of hurricanes and provides an overview of factors that exacerbate the health effects of hurricanes. Second, it summarizes the literature on the health impact of hurricanes. Finally, it examines the time lag between the hurricane (landfall) and the occurrence of diseases. Two major findings emerge from this paper. Hurricanes are shown to cause and exacerbate multiple diseases, and most adverse health impacts peak within six months following hurricanes. However, chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and mental disorders, continue to occur for years following the hurricane impact.

Deciphering the Link Between Mental Health and Green Space in Shenzhen, China: The Mediating Impact of Residents' Satisfaction.

Rapid urbanization and increasing urban density in China threaten residents' mental health. As a vital component of built environments, green space plays a key role in individuals' psychological well-being; however, the mediating effect of residents' satisfaction with the green space environment on the relationship between urban greening and residents' mental health in Chinese contexts has yet to be thoroughly explored. To fill this knowledge gap, this paper attempts to reveal the internal logic and mechanism underlying the linkages between green space, residents' mental health, and their satisfaction with green space in Shenzhen, China. Specifically, this paper explores the mediating role of residents' satisfaction with a green space environment using questionnaire survey data, “Quick Bird-2” high-resolution remote sensing image data, and a multilevel regression model. Our empirical findings indicate that the relative range of neighboring green spaces can directly improve residents' mental health. More importantly, the relationship between the relative scope of green space and residents' mental health is mediated by residents' satisfaction with the green space environment rather than its direct health effects. Given the influence of green space on residents' satisfaction with the environment, green space indirectly affects mental health. These findings should provide the government useful guidance for considering the spatial distribution and quantity of green space. Our results should also help residents improve their actual experiences and subjective satisfaction with the green space environment.

Racial Disparities In Excess All-Cause Mortality During The Early COVID-19 Pandemic Varied Substantially Across States.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been starkly unequal across race and ethnicity. We examined the geographic variation in excess all-cause mortality by race and ethnicity to better understand the impact of the pandemic. We used individual-level administrative data on the US population between January 2011 and April 2020 to estimate the geographic variation in excess all-cause mortality by race and Hispanic origin. All-cause mortality allows a better understanding of the overall impact of the pandemic than mortality attributable to COVID-19 directly. Nationwide, adjusted excess all-cause mortality during that period was 6.8 per 10,000 for Black people, 4.3 for Hispanic people, 2.7 for Asian people, and 1.5 for White people. Nationwide averages mask substantial geographic variation. For example, despite similar excess White mortality, Michigan and Louisiana had markedly different excess Black mortality, as did Pennsylvania compared with Rhode Island. Wisconsin experienced no significant White excess mortality but had significant Black excess mortality. Further work understanding the causes of geographic variation in racial and ethnic disparities-the relevant roles of social and environmental factors relative to comorbidities and of the direct and indirect health effects of the pandemic-is crucial for effective policy making.

A commitment to support the world's most vulnerable women, children, and adolescents

Women, children, and adolescents face persistent inequities in many regions of the world, but none more so than in fragile and humanitarian contexts, especially conflict settings. It is not only a moral obligation to address their needs, but also an economic imperative aligned with the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the aim of universal health coverage. To support women, children, and adolescents in conflict settings, however, we need far greater political commitment and leadership. Doing better for women and children in armed conflict settingsA 2017 Lancet Health in Humanitarian Crises Series paper declared that the international “humanitarian system is not just broke, but broken”1 and called for action to prioritise protection; integrate affected and displaced people into national health systems; scale up efficient, effective, and sustainable interventions in humanitarian settings; and renew global leadership and coordination. There has been insufficient progress since then. WHO has understandably focused on managing large-scale infectious disease outbreaks, such as Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, and COVID-19, and health needs in conflict settings have largely taken a back seat. Full-Text PDF The effects of armed conflict on the health of women and childrenWomen and children bear substantial morbidity and mortality as a result of armed conflicts. This Series paper focuses on the direct (due to violence) and indirect health effects of armed conflict on women and children (including adolescents) worldwide. We estimate that nearly 36 million children and 16 million women were displaced in 2017, on the basis of international databases of refugees and internally displaced populations. From geospatial analyses we estimate that the number of non-displaced women and children living dangerously close to armed conflict (within 50 km) increased from 185 million women and 250 million children in 2000, to 265 million women and 368 million children in 2017. Full-Text PDF The political and security dimensions of the humanitarian health response to violent conflictThe nature of armed conflict throughout the world is intensely dynamic. Consequently, the protection of non-combatants and the provision of humanitarian services must continually adapt to this changing conflict environment. Complex political affiliations, the systematic use of explosive weapons and sexual violence, and the use of new communication technology, including social media, have created new challenges for humanitarian actors in negotiating access to affected populations and security for their own personnel. Full-Text PDF Delivering health interventions to women, children, and adolescents in conflict settings: what have we learned from ten country case studies?Armed conflict disproportionately affects the morbidity, mortality, and wellbeing of women, newborns, children, and adolescents. Our study presents insights from a collection of ten country case studies aiming to assess the provision of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition interventions in ten conflict-affected settings in Afghanistan, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. We found that despite large variations in contexts and decision making processes, antenatal care, basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, immunisation, treatment of common childhood illnesses, infant and young child feeding, and malnutrition treatment and screening were prioritised in these ten conflict settings. Full-Text PDF Delivering health and nutrition interventions for women and children in different conflict contexts: a framework for decision making on what, when, and howExisting global guidance for addressing women's and children's health and nutrition in humanitarian crises is not sufficiently contextualised for conflict settings specifically, reflecting the still-limited evidence that is available from such settings. As a preliminary step towards filling this guidance gap, we propose a conflict-specific framework that aims to guide decision makers focused on the health and nutrition of women and children affected by conflict to prioritise interventions that would address the major causes of mortality and morbidity among women and children in their particular settings and that could also be feasibly delivered in those settings. Full-Text PDF

A Study and Analysis of Impact of Meteorological Parameters on Pollen Count

Spring is a period of new development and new beginnings. With the end goal for blossoms and flowers to propagate each year, they should be pollinated. The study of pollen is called palynology and is highly useful in paleontology, paleoecology, archaeology, and forensics. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of pollen allergies among the world has skyrocketed. Climate change has a very huge impact on the pollen season. Climate change not only affects plant growth, pollen and flower production, and duration of the whole pollen season, but can also display more direct health effects by increasing the amount of allergenic proteins of the pollen. Pollen allergies are caused by a variety of plants, which emit pollen at different points throughout the year depending on the species, meteorological conditions, and other factors. So, in this study we are going to analyze the relation between airborne pollen found in India and meteorological parameters of Indian sub-continent.