Health Risk Research Articles

A Comprehensive Assessment of Health Risks Associated with Heavy Metal Through Ingestion of Two Predominant Fish Species in a Developing Country.

The existence of heavy metal pollutants in fish within aquatic ecosystems presents a threat to human health due to trophic shift. This research sought to identify the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) in two economically significant cultured fish species, pangus (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and catla (Labeo catla), which were sourced from key fish markets in Khulna, Bangladesh. Nevertheless, there has been a scarcity of studies addressing the metal concentrations in these species within this region. To evaluate the levels of trace elements, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was employed following the acid digestion of the samples. The concentrations of Cd, As, Cu, Pb, and Cr were observed as 0.372, 0.232, 0.741, 0.758, and 1.356mg/kg in pangus and 0.395, 0.297, 1.175, 0.616, and 0.959mg/kg in catla fish, respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded the maximum permissible limits established by the FAO and WHO. Apart from Cu, the estimated daily intakes (EDI) for both seasons and age groups exceeded the recommended daily allowance (RDA), indicating that other trace elements could be detrimental to human health. In contrast, the calculated hazard index (HI) and total hazard quotient (THQ) remained below 1, suggesting that the fish examined would not pose health risks to adults but the HI value for children surpassed the acceptable limit. Moreover, Cd (for adult group) and Cd and Cr (for children group) surpassed the acceptable range for carcinogenic risk (CR), and the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) exceeded the permissible limit for both groups. This study concluded that studied fishes may represent a health risk for consumers, underscoring the necessity for ongoing monitoring of trace elements in other fish species within that catchment area.

Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons

Levels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado had the following relative abundance: p-Xylene (20.09 µg m−3) > Toluene (19.50 µg m−3) > Ethylbenzene (19.34 µg m−3) > Benzene (17.39 µg m−3). Their concentrations were consistent with global reports, showing diurnal and seasonal variability. Levels were higher during the dry season due to elevated temperatures, low wind speeds, and lack of precipitation, which reduced pollutant dispersion. BTEX concentrations in Santa Catarina (industrial site) and Obispado (urban site) were influenced by local activities like industrial processes, area sources, and vehicular traffic. Wind rose analysis confirmed the influence of local sources, with higher BTEX levels when winds came from the east. This was linked to pollutant transport within MAM and thermal inversions trapping pollutants during the dry season. Benzene/Toluene (B/T) and p-Xylene/Ethylbenzene (X/E) ratios showed that the sampling sites were influenced by vehicular sources and local fresh emissions. Benzene inhalation has an unacceptable lifetime cancer risk, urging MAM authorities to implement stricter regulations to protect public health. While non-cancer risks were within acceptable limits, controlling Benzene and p-Xylene emissions remains critical to improving air quality.

Smartphone-Based Intervention Targeting Norms and Risk Perception Among University Students with Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Secondary Mediation Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Many digital interventions for unhealthy alcohol use are based on personalized normative feedback (PNF) and personalized feedback on risks for health (PFR). The hypothesis is that PNF and PFR affect drinkers’ perceptions of drinking norms and risks, resulting in changes in drinking behaviors. This study is a follow-up mediation analysis of the primary and secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial testing the effect of a smartphone-based intervention to reduce alcohol use. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether perceptions of drinking norms and risks mediated the effects of a smartphone-based intervention to reduce alcohol use. Methods A total of 1770 students from 4 higher education institutions in Switzerland (mean age 22.35, SD 3.07 years) who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use were randomized to receive access to a smartphone app or to the no-intervention control condition. The smartphone app provided PNF and PFR. Outcomes were drinking volume (DV) in standard drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days (HDDs) assessed at baseline and 6 months. Mediators were perceived drinking norms and perceived risks for health measured at baseline and 3 months. Parallel mediation analyses and moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test whether (1) the intervention effect was indirectly related to lower DV and HDDs at 6 months (adjusting for baseline values) through perceived drinking norms and perceived risks for health at 3 months (adjusting for baseline values) and (2) the indirect effects through perceived drinking norms differed between participants who overestimated or who did not overestimate other people’s drinking at baseline. Results The intervention’s total effects were significant (DV: b=–0.85, 95% bootstrap CI –1.49 to –0.25; HDD: b=–0.44, 95% bootstrap CI –0.72 to –0.16), indicating less drinking at 6 months in the intervention group than in the control group. The direct effects (ie, controlling for mediators) were significant though smaller (DV: b=–0.73, 95% bootstrap CI –1.33 to –0.16; HDD: b=–0.39, 95% bootstrap CI –0.66 to –0.12). For DV, the indirect effect was significant through perceived drinking norms (b=–0.12, 95% bootstrap CI –0.25 to –0.03). The indirect effects through perceived risk (for DV and HDD) and perceived drinking norms (for HDD) were not significant. Results of moderated mediation analyses showed that the indirect effects through perceived drinking norms were significant among participants overestimating other people’s drinking (DV: b=–0.17, 95% bootstrap CI –0.32 to –0.05; HDD: b=–0.08, 95% bootstrap CI –0.15 to –0.01) but not significant among those not overestimating. Conclusions Perceived drinking norms, but not perceived risks, partially mediated the intervention’s effect on alcohol use, confirming one of its hypothesized mechanisms of action. These findings lend support to using normative feedback interventions to discourage unhealthy alcohol use. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry 10007691; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10007691

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Diseases and Awareness of Related Burden in Women: Results of a Survey in Italian Pharmacies.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for women worldwide, yet they are often unaware of this heavy burden. To assess cardiovascular risk awareness among Italian women. Following World Heart Day 2023, a cardiovascular prevention campaign was conducted in Italian pharmacies to evaluate the effectiveness of screening activities offered by pharmacies and raise awareness of cardiovascular health status among Italian women. Cardiovascular risk profile and perception of CVD burden relative to other common female-specific diseases were assessed. Blood pressure (BP) measurement and ECG recording were performed. A total of 1510 women (84.7% < 70 years), enrolled at 91 pharmacies, were included. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor was sedentary lifestyle (57.9%), followed by overweight/obesity (44.3%), hypercholesterolemia (37.9%), hypertension (31.3%), family history of early CVD (28.7%), smoking (20.6%), and diabetes (5%). CVD and/or kidney disease were uncommon (3.6%), but 1 in 4 women was classified as being at increased cardiovascular risk, and 47.5% had some type of ECG abnormalities, requiring further assessments in 18% cases. Less than 1 in 3 women was aware of the burden represented by CVD, being the majority mostly concerned with breast cancer and osteoporosis as potential health threats. The burden of cardiovascular risk factors is high, and the perception of related health threat is low among the examined sample of Italian women, supporting the urgent need to raise awareness of CVD in women as a major health issue and to undertake effective, tailored preventive strategies to reduce such risk in a timely fashion.

Assessment of the performance of Ni carbon nanotube nano composite coatings and activated carbon for diesel exhaust treatment

Abstract Diesel engines are essential in sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and power generation, offering benefits like fuel efficiency, high power output, and durability. However, their emissions (NOX, CO2, CO, HC, SO2, and PM) significantly contribute to air pollution, posing serious environmental and health risks. This study aimed to design and fabricate a unit that simulates diesel engine emissions and tests various purification materials. The unit consists of a combustion chamber, filtration media, and exhaust pipes, with materials such as activated carbon, activated carbon with magnesium oxide, and Ni-Carbon Nanotube (CNTs) nanocomposites tested under controlled combustion conditions to measure their pollutant removal efficiencies. Results showed that 100% activated carbon achieved pollutant removal efficiencies of 85.21% for CO2, 80.77% for CO, and 68.84% for HC. Combining activated carbon with magnesium oxide (AC: MgO) enhanced these efficiencies to 76.92% for CO2, 86.84% for CO, and 73.28% for HC. Ni-CNTs nanocomposites (at 0.2 concentration) demonstrated the highest performance, with removal efficiencies of 93.13% for CO2, 94.87% for CO, and 76.02% for HC. These results emphasize the potential of Ni-CNTs nanocomposites as highly efficient materials for reducing diesel exhaust emissions, contributing significantly to cleaner air, better public health, and more sustainable diesel technologies.

Risk Assessment of Global Animal Melioidosis Under Current and Future Climate Scenarios

Melioidosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is a serious public health and safety risk. In order to explore the global animal melioidosis risk distribution and its dynamic response to future climate scenarios, we collected global data about reported animal incidence sites. Data regarding the density of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment were created by collecting and sorting information about the Burkholderia pseudomallei occurrence sites in contaminated air, soil, and water. Combined with bioclimatic variables, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) niche was modeled for global animal melioidosis. The findings indicate that under current bioclimatic conditions, global animal melioidosis risk regions are concentrated between 30° S and 30° N, with high-risk areas being mainly in Central America, the northern part of South America, and eastern and southern India, among others. Most countries will expand their risk regions under future climatic scenarios. Melioidosis risk expanding towards higher northern latitudes has led to new epidemic areas. In addition, the melioidosis risk area will contract in some areas. Therefore, we have provided a basis for global melioidosis surveillance and propose feasible strategies for prevention and control in high-risk regions, which will help countries to carry out targeted surveillance and prevention to reduce risks and losses.

Investigating mental health disparities in rural sexual and gender minority adults: protocol for the rural exploration and approaches to LGBTQ + Mental Health (REALM) prospective cohort study

BackgroundSexual and gender minority (SGM) persons experience substantial mental health disparities throughout the life course, including increased vulnerability to depression and suicide. Few existing studies, however, have explored how pervasive experiences of SGM-related stigma, discrimination, and trauma (i.e., minority stress) contribute to adverse mental health outcomes among diverse sub-populations of SGM adults living in rural areas of the United States. This paper describes the protocol for a prospective cohort study, “Rural Exploration and Approaches for LGBTQ + Mental Health (REALM),” that will explore minority stress in relation to mental health conditions and suicidal behaviors among rural SGM adults.MethodsOnline processes will be used to recruit and enroll a diverse sample of up to 2,500 SGM adults aged 18 + living in rural counties and small metropolitan areas in the United States to complete an online baseline survey. This will include: up to 1,000 cisgender sexual minority persons (up to n = 500 each cisgender women and cisgender men); and up to 1,500 gender minority persons (up to n = 500 persons who were assigned male at birth and identify as a woman, female, and/or transfeminine; up to n = 500 persons who were assigned female at birth and identify as a man, male, and/or transmasculine; and up to n = 500 persons who identify as some other gender, including non-binary, gender non-conforming, and/or agender regardless of sex assigned at birth). All enrolled participants will subsequently be followed over a 12-month period, with repeated surveys at three-month intervals. Included survey measures will focus on sociodemographic information, mental health, substance use, suicidal behaviors, minority stressors, psychological processes, and other related risk and protective factors.DiscussionThis study presents a critical opportunity to better understand how minority stress contributes to adverse mental health outcomes among populations that remain underrepresented in research and programs in 2024. Results will be used to create more targeted, acceptable, and impactful intervention content and strategies that mitigate stigma, promote mental health, and prevent suicidal behaviors among rural SGM adults.

Clostridioides difficile infection study models and prospectives for probing the microbe-host interface.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an urgent public health threat with a high rate of recurrence and limited treatment options. In vivo models have been indispensable in understanding CDI pathophysiology and establishing treatment protocols and continue to be essential in pre-clinal testing. More importantly, in vivo models offer the opportunity to probe the complex systemic host response to the microbe, which is impossible to recapitulate in vitro. Nonetheless, constraints related to the availability of animal models, cost, ethical considerations, and regulatory control limit their accessibility for basic research. Furthermore, physiological and habitual divergences between animal models and humans often result in poor translatability to human patients. In addition to being more accessible, in vitro CDI models offer more control over experimental parameters and allow dynamic analysis of early infection. In vitro fermentation offers models for probing microbe-microbe and microbe-microbiome interactions, while continuous multi-stage platforms allow opportunities to study C. difficile pathophysiology and treatment in context with human-derived microbiota. However, these platforms are not suitable for probing the host-pathogen interface, leaving the challenge of modeling early CDI unanswered. As a result, alternative in vitro co-culture platforms are being developed. This review evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, as well as future directions for C. difficile research.

Disparities in air pollution exposure among primary schools in Auckland: a geo-spatial analysis

ABSTRACT Outdoor air pollution poses a significant threat to children, especially those in low socioeconomic areas exposed to dense traffic pollutants. This study explores the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity, and air pollution exposure among primary school children in Auckland, New Zealand. Findings indicate that NO₂ levels do not vary significantly between schools in low versus high SES areas; however, Pacifica children experience the highest exposure, with levels reaching up to 13.37 μg/m³. Central regions of Auckland show particularly high pollution levels, measuring 15.7 μg/m³—significantly above the regional average of 13.16 μg/m³, which amplifies health risks for children in these areas. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. Future research should broaden the scope to include more pollutants and utilize more recent data to assess the health impacts of air pollution. .

Comparison of GLP-1RAs vs Other Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 42% of adults in the United States (US) are obese, and 10% are severely obese. Obesity has many known associated health risks, and successful treatment decreases those risks. Management always includes diet and lifestyle changes and drug therapy can improve weight loss. The current United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceutical therapy choices for long-term use include a combination of phentermine-topiramate, combination bupropion-naltrexone, orlistat, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), and dual action GLP-1RAs and gastric inhibitory peptide agonists (GIP). Objectives: This review will summarize evidence comparing the safety and efficacy of GLP-1RAs or GLP-1RAs/GIP agonists with other pharmacologic treatments to achieve and maintain weight loss, improve quality of life, and reduce morbidity in obese adults. Methods: We completed a literature review of multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases, to identify studies about pharmacologic treatment for overweight or obese adults with or without T2DM and reporting outcomes of mean percentage body weight loss. An emphasis was placed on choosing meta-analyses and primary studies in patients without T2DM. We excluded articles older than 5 years or published in a language other than English. 19 meta-analyses and 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were chosen, and 13 meta-analyses were excluded based on not meeting the inclusion criteria. 6 meta-analyses and 2 RCTs were included. Results: The literature showed that over 52 weeks, liraglutide reduced mean body weight percentage by 4.81% (95% CI: 4.23%-5.39%). Between a 12-68 week period in patients receiving semaglutide, three meta-analyses reported reduced weight by 12.57% [97% CI 10.35%-14.80%,) 10.55% (95% CI 6.96%-14.13%,) and 10.09% (95% CI: 8.33%-11.84%.) Tirzepatide, a novel GLP-1RA and GIP agonist, recently completed a phase-3 RCT, which showed that over 72 weeks, the mean weight percentage decrease was 18.4% (95% CI: 18.5%-23.2%) vs a 3.1% weight gain with placebo, a change of 21.8%. Each of the GLP-1RA agents (including tirzepatide) improved cardiometabolic risk factors. Phentermine-topiramate reduced mean body weight percentage by 8.45% (95% CI, 7.89%–9.01%) after 52-56 weeks. Bupropion-naltrexone reduced mean body weight percentage by 3.01% (95% CI, 2.47%–3.54%) over 56 weeks. Finally, orlistat reduced mean body weight percentage by 2.78% (95% CI, 2.36%–3.20%) after 1-4 years. Semaglutide is a well-established drug with weight loss, but tirzepatide shows the most promise in being the superior agent. Conclusion: It is well known that pharmacotherapy with diet and exercise is more effective than diet and exercise alone in achieving weight loss. The GLP-1RAs are effective for weight loss, with semaglutide more effective than phentermine-topiramate, bupropion-naltrexone, orlistat, and liraglutide. Tirzepatide shows promise as a superior agent, but more comprehensive studies need to be done. When choosing pharmacotherapy, utilizing a GLP-1RA (semaglutide) or a dual GLP-1RA/GIP agonist (tirzepatide) can improve cardiometabolic risk factors and quality of life and is more effective than any other FDA-approved agent. ?

Occupational Injury and Health Hazards in Ship Breaking Industries in Chittagong, Bangladesh: A Challenge in Implementation of Laws

The due rights and diligence to working class in our country is always ignored and sometimes are compelled to work in hazardous circumstances, which frequently result in serious accidents and even death is not a surprising one. In Chittagong, a coastal city of Bangladesh is famous ship breaking place where the workers do their job without meaningful safety precautions against explosions, asbestos, heavy metals, oil residues, TBT, PCBs, or a variety of hazardous compounds present within the ship. The majority of the workforce continues to work either without taking any precautions since they are unaware of the health risks posed by ship-borne chemicals or careless and dam caring attitudes from yards’ owners of foreseen threat that may cost a lot. Suffocation from breathing in Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other unpleasant inflammatory petroleum and gasses trapped in ship chambers, unexpected falls of heavy steel plates and gas explosions are the leading causes of accidents at ship scrapping yards. Workers dealing with poisonous and explosive things without proper uniform, face mask, protective gloves and goggles took more than 400 lives and thousands injuries in last two decades despite of having laws and regulations in this behalf. The study’s objectives are to identify the primary sources of risks associated with ship breaking and recycling, the provisions of existing laws and conventions pertaining to occupational safety, and after examining the difficulties, to suggest mechanisms for workers’ safety.

Metaverse for mental health disorders: Opportunities and challenges

Several articles on the mental health impact of the metaverse and the need to balance its potential benefits with the risks of metaverse use has recently published. The metaverse consists of a combination of immersive technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms. The metaverse differs from the preceding digital psychiatric interventions due to its complex structure and interactions between components. The diverse functions of the metaverse ensure that it may have a substantial impact on mental health. However, the evidence for its efficacy in treating mental health disorders is limited to a few trials. The mental health benefits of immersive technologies are well-documented and suggest that metaverse-based psychiatric treatment may be similarly efficacious. The mental health risks of the metaverse are largely unknown, and it is not clear whether they will be greater than other digital psychiatric interventions. Much more research is needed to determine whether metaverse-based psychiatric treatment will meet the standards of appropriate mental healthcare.

UV radiation at 222, 254, and 282 nm inhibits sporulation and suppresses infectivity of Eimeria acervulina oocysts.

Eimeria acervulina is one of several apicomplexan parasites that can cause the economically important disease avian coccidiosis, which is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. It is also a valuable model for exploring interventions capable of reducing the public health risks posed by the related foodborne parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Unsporulated (noninfectious) oocysts are shed in the feces and sporulate in the environment to become infectious. In this study, the effect of UV radiation (UVR) on E. acervulina sporulation efficiency was evaluated. Nonstandard wavelengths including 222 and 282 nm have been established as alternatives to standard 254 nm UVR for sterilization. To address the disinfection capability of these nonstandard wavelengths, E. acervulina sporulation was scored following treatment under three wavelengths: 222, 254, or 282 nm. Each wavelength significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the sporulation rate relative to untreated controls, supporting the utility of nonstandard UVR treatments for coccidian inactivation. Furthermore, infectivity assays showed that chickens administered E. acervulina treated at each wavelength shed significantly fewer oocysts (P < 0.05) than those that received untreated oocysts, demonstrating a near 3-log reduction and verifying that these alternative wavelengths successfully break the transmission cycle. Owing to its biological similarity with the emerging enteric parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, it is proposed that disinfection with 222 or 282 nm UVR will likewise be efficacious against Cyclospora.IMPORTANCECoccidian parasites cause enteric disease in animals and people. For example, Eimeria acervulina imposes major economic burdens on the poultry industry and provides a surrogate for investigating means to mitigate the foodborne risk that Cyclospora cayetanensis poses to human health. Previous work established that UV radiation at 254 nm can inactivate the oocysts of E. acervulina, but radiation at this wavelength harms human skin and eyes. Since nonstandard UVR at wavelengths of 222 and 282 nm shows promise against pathogens like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, the present work sought to determine whether such exposures could arrest E. acervulina development and reduce their infectivity. These nonstandard wavelengths proved capable of disrupting transmission. Epidemiological evidence suggests Cyclospora transmission through the food chain; the use of nonstandard UV wavelengths represents a promising method to inactivate coccidian oocysts, thereby protecting produce supply chains while, specifically in the case of 222 nm, incurring less risk to occupational health.

Characterization of Sprayer Rinsing Water in Rice Plots in the Yamoussoukro Region, Ivory Coast

The intensive use of pesticides in modern agriculture poses significant risks to the environment and human health. Sprayer rinsate is often overlooked as a potential source of contamination of soil and water resources. The objective of this study is to evaluate the total pesticide load in rinse water samples. Sprayer rinsate samples were collected and analyzed to determine the concentrations of different pesticides. The targeted substances included glyphosate, atrazine, 2, 4-D, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, mancozeb, and tebuconazole, among others. Total pesticide burden was also measured to assess variation between samples. Data were interpreted based on agricultural practices and flushing techniques. The results show high concentrations of some pesticides, including glyphosate (20 mg/L), chlorpyrifos (2.4 mg/L), and mancozeb (12 mg/L). Total pesticide load varies significantly, ranging from 20 mg/L to 100 mg/L, reflecting differences in agricultural practices and flushing effectiveness. In addition, herbicides were the most predominant, followed by fungicides and insecticides. These results highlight the environmental and health risks associated with the presence of these substances in rinsing waters. Hence, it’s processing by photochemical.

Identification of Three Novel Tetrahydrocannabinol Analogs in the European Market.

Synthetic cannabinoids, known as Spice or K2, emerged in Europe and the United States between 2005 and 2008, peaking in incidents by 2015 with severe health implications. In 2021, the identification of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a semisynthetic cannabinoid (SSC), led to regulatory control in more than 20 countries in Europe, several US states, and other jurisdictions. A 2024 study in the United States highlighted the diversity of semisynthetic cannabinoids in the US market. New entries of SSCs are increasingly available in the European market, often found as blends in consumer products. This highlights the growing complexity of their regulation and the potential public health risks due to limited toxicological data. The major ingredients, isolated from "CB9", "tresconol",and "CBx", were subjected to mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The major isolated ingredient of "CB9" was identified as [2-(E)-propen-1-yl]-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol-acetate. The major ingredient of "tresconol" was identified as [2-propen-2-yl]-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and the major ingredient of "CBx" was identified as [2-propen-2-yl]-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol. These compounds have no available spectroscopic or chromatographic data, have never been identified in Cannabis plants, and cannot be identified by standard chromatographic forensic analytical methods, without the use of spectroscopic techniques due to the lack of reference standards. The products were complex mixtures of previously unknown synthetic cannabinoids lacking established safety profiles. These findings highlight the potential public health risks associated with unregulated SSCs, similar to the concerns raised during the 2015 Spice outbreak. The presence of these novel substances requires careful monitoring to prevent future health crises.

The world's first anabolic-androgenic steroid testing trial: A two-phase pilot combining chemical analysis, results dissemination and community feedback.

The clandestine production and distribution of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) poses health risks due to the uncertainty of their contents. This study aimed to test the chemical content of AAS samples and provide aggregate results back to the community, exploring how these results influenced usage decisions and risk management. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining chemical analysis of AAS samples with qualitative interviews. Participants submitted samples for testing, and the results were later shared with them. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' perceptions of AAS risks and the impact of testing results on their behaviour. The study was conducted at CheQpoint drug checking service in Brisbane, Australia. Thirty-two samples were submitted for testing between 19 April and 7 June 2024, with 23 samples analysed. A total of 25 active AAS users participated in interviews. Chemical analyses identified substances present and assessed active ingredient concentrations. Qualitative interviews gathered participants' perceptions, and these data were analysed through iterative categorisation, guided by the Health Belief Model. Chemical analysis identified that 13% of samples contained substances different from what was expected. Concentrations of active ingredients were close to expected levels [e.g. testosterone propionate at 96.2mg/mL (range = 91.39-101.01 mg/mL)]. Interviews identified four key theme categories. Participants sought testing primarily for substance verification, expressing concerns about contamination and dosage. Barriers to testing included limited access and fear of disclosure. While testing was seen as a valuable harm reduction tool, gaps in health guidance and follow-up support were identified as areas for improvement. Thirteen percent of 23 anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) samples analysed contained substances different from what was expected. Interviews with active AAS users highlighted the need for reliable information, accessible testing services and tailored health approaches for AAS use.

Impact of Climate Change on Informal Street Vendors: A Systematic Review to Help South Africa and Other Nations (2015–2024)

Climate change poses significant challenges to informal street vendors, particularly in urban settings where they operate in vulnerable environments. These challenges include economic instability, health risks, and sociopolitical exclusion, which are further exacerbated by extreme weather events and inadequate policy support. This review focuses on understanding these impacts by synthesizing lessons and exploring potential solutions from South Africa and other regions that could be implemented by governments and street vendors. A systematic review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, to synthesize findings from 48 studies published between 2015 and 2024. This review employed qualitative and quantitative analysis using thematic coding in ATLAS.ti and Microsoft Excel version 2024. Comparative analyses across regions and time periods were conducted to identify differences in impacts and adaptation strategies. Among the 48 studies, 52% were conducted in Africa and 50% in Asia, making these the most frequently represented regions in research on climate change and informal street vendors. Most of the publications were between 2021 and 2024 (52%). This review further highlights that climate change has led to significant economic losses, reduced working hours, and increased operational costs for informal vendors. Health impacts, such as respiratory illnesses and heat stress, are prevalent, particularly among vendors exposed to air pollution and extreme temperatures. Gender-specific vulnerabilities were noted, with women facing compounded challenges due to caregiving responsibilities and inadequate access to sanitation facilities. While Asian vendors have adopted technological solutions like mobile payment systems and cooling devices, these may not be currently feasible for South African vendors. Instead, tailored interventions that consider the local context and available resources are necessary to effectively support South African street vendors. Key recommendations include integrating vendors into urban resilience planning such as encouraging the use of cleaner and more sustainable transportation, improving access to healthcare, and providing financial support. Additionally, governments and communities should pilot the solutions identified in this review and publish their findings to inform future policies and practices.

ILSI Europe Systematic Review: The Impact of Digestible and Nondigestible Carbohydrate Consumption for Toddlers (1-4 Years) in Relation to Health Outcomes.

Early dietary habits play a crucial role in shaping long-term health outcomes. Understanding the effects of different carbohydrate types on physiological markers is essential for developing evidence-based nutritional guidelines for toddlers. The aim was to systematically evaluate the impact of both digestible and nondigestible carbohydrate intake during early childhood (1-4 years of age) on various health outcomes, including growth patterns, metabolic parameters, and the development of risk of cardiovascular diseases. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched up to April 2022 to identify studies investigating carbohydrate consumption in toddlers. The types of carbohydrates consumed, their sources, and their associations with growth parameters and metabolic markers were extracted. Thirty-one publications, including 18 cohort studies and 2 randomized controlled trials, were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis was performed, with a visual summary table of the direction of effects. In toddlers, the negative impact on health risks later in life is more pronounced for digestible dietary carbohydrate intake in liquid forms, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, compared with solid forms. Higher nondigestible carbohydrate (dietary fiber) intake during early childhood showed a beneficial trend on later lipid profile. Further studies are required to comprehensively assess the effect of digestible and nondigestible carbohydrate intake in toddlers on cognitive and psychomotor development, infections, bowel function, and gut microbiota.

Impacts of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar and apatite on heavy metal speciation in incubated heavy metal-contaminated soil.

Heavy metal contamination in soils poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating effective remediation strategies. This study investigates the time-dependent effects of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar and apatite as soil amendments on the chemical speciation of heavy metals in polluted soil. Despite their known efficacy, the specific influence of these amendments on the distribution of heavy metal chemical fractions over time remains underexplored. Incubated experiments were conducted over one month using soil samples spiked with Biochar and apatite. Pb- and Zn-contaminated soils were incubated with biochar and apatite at varying ratios: biochar at 5% and 10%, and biochar/apatite mixtures at 2.5:2.5% and 5:5% ratios (in mass). Changes in heavy metal speciation were analyzed using Tessier's sequential extraction procedure. Results demonstrate significant shifts in the distribution of heavy metals across soil phases, suggesting potential reductions in bioavailability and environmental mobility. Incubation with varying application rates of biochar and apatite revealed diverse effects on Pb and Zn chemical fractions. Amendments reduced the exchangeable fraction of Pb and Zn by up to 38.5% and 47.7%, respectively, while increasing their more stable F4 and F5 fractions. Proposed mechanisms likely include cation exchange (swapping of ions between the soil and amendments), precipitation (formation of solid compounds), complexation with functional groups/minerals, and physical adsorption (attachment of metal ions) on biochar surfaces The efficacy of biochar and apatite underscores their promise for remediating Pb and Zn in contaminated soils, though variability in efficacy across different soil types warrants further investigation. These findings indicate the potential for practical applications in large-scale soil remediation projects. Further research is needed to assess the persistence of heavy metal stabilization over time and under varying environmental conditions.

Dynamics of Primary Succession in Airborne Microbial Communities on Urban Masonry

Microbial succession on urban masonry surfaces is a critical yet understudied aspect of environmental microbiology, with implications for public health within the One Health framework. This study investigated how building age, orientation, and vegetative cover influence microbial diversity on masonry, metal, and glass substrates at the University of La Verne, California. Biophysical characterizations were conducted, and microbial communities were analyzed using morphospecies richness and DNA sequencing. Significant variation in microbial species richness (χ2 = 20.3882, p = 0.0011) and diversity (Fisher’s LSD, p &lt; 0.05) was observed. Masonry surfaces exhibited the highest microbial diversity, with a mean richness of 23 morphospecies compared to 14 on metal and 12 on glass. Penicillium fungi dominated masonry sites, comprising 45% of colonies, while Pseudomonas and Klebsiella were more prevalent on metal and glass surfaces (35% and 28%, respectively). Microbial succession did not follow a linear progression but showed non-sequential shifts influenced by local conditions. The abundance of Penicillium, known for antibiotic production, raises concerns about spreading antibiotic resistance genes. Opportunistic pathogens further highlight potential health risks. These findings underscore the importance of understanding primary successional processes in urban environments to manage microbial communities and mitigate public health risks.