Article
Environmental Sciences
Sahar Gholipour, Farzaneh Mohammadi, Mahnaz Nikaeen, Zahra Shamsizadeh, Atefeh Khazeni, Zohreh Sahbaei, Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, Mojtaba Ghobadian, Hossein Mirhendi
Summary: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the potential health risks from exposure to virus-contaminated aerosols were analyzed. The study found a relatively high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for wastewater workers via exposure to viral aerosols, with an estimated annual infection risk higher than the WHO recommended level. Further research is needed to determine the role of wastewater in COVID-19 transmission.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley W. Schmitz, Gabriel K. Innes, Sarah M. Prasek, Walter Q. Betancourt, Erika R. Stark, Aidan R. Foster, Alison G. Abraham, Charles P. Gerba, Ian L. Pepper
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology was effective in identifying and reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission events in student dormitories, with 79.2% of infections found to be asymptomatic.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Adeel, Tahir Farooq, Noman Shakoor, Sunny Ahmar, Sajid Fiaz, Jason C. White, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey, Freddy Mora-Poblete, Yukui Rui
Summary: Controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in global regions with common untreated effluent is urgent. While vaccine development is underway, timely detection and remediation of the virus in wastewater, especially in developing countries, is crucial. A proposed technique combining nanotechnology, wastewater-based epidemiology, and artificial intelligence could be effective for detecting and remedying SARS-CoV-2 in community-level wastewater.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Mohan Amarasiri, Cameron Hurst, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Shuichi Abe, Parichart Hongsing, S. M. Ali Hosseini Rad, Lachlan Pearson, Thammakorn Saethang, Sirirat Luk-in, Naris Kueakulpattana, Robin James Storer, Puey Ounjai, Alain Jacquet, Asada Leelahavanichkul, Tanittha Chatsuwan
Summary: This study utilized wastewater to monitor SARS-CoV-2 RNA, detecting viral RNA in both the city center and suburbs of Bangkok. A sharp increase in copy numbers was observed in October to November, indicating a potential early warning system for upcoming outbreaks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher S. McMahan, Stella Self, Lior Rennert, Corey Kalbaugh, David Kriebel, Duane Graves, Cameron Colby, Jessica A. Deaver, Sudeep C. Popat, Tanju Karanfil, David L. Freedman
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology offers an opportunity for real-time monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The SEIR model based on wastewater RNA concentrations provides a robust method to estimate the total number of infected individuals in a community, supplementing individual testing and informing policy decisions.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wen-Yu Su, Pin-Xian Du, Harvey M. Santos, Tzong-Shiann Ho, Batuhan Birol Keskin, Chi Ho Pau, An-Ming Yang, Yi-Yu Chou, Hsi-Chang Shih, Guan-Da Syu
Summary: This study utilized a multiplexed spike variant protein microarray (SVPM) to analyze the humoral immune response and neutralizing activity in COVID-19 patients, and found that severe patients had stronger inhibition of ACE2 binding to multiple variants.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Worobey, Joshua Levy, Lorena Malpica Serrano, Alexander Crits-Christoph, Jonathan E. Pekar, Stephen A. Goldstein, Angela L. Rasmussen, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Chris Newman, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Marc A. Suchard, Joel O. Wertheim, Philippe Lemey, David L. Robertson, Robert F. Garry, Edward C. Holmes, Andrew Rambaut, Kristian G. Andersen
Summary: This article demonstrates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, where susceptible animals were sold in late 2019, and SARS-CoV-2-positive environmental samples were spatially associated with vendors selling live animals.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shiyi Sun, Jie Han
Summary: This segment discusses the potential fecal transmission of COVID-19 and highlights the additional risks posed by open defecation and squat toilet use in developing regions. The article calls for increased attention and sanitation education in these communities to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mounia Achak, Soufiane Alaoui Bakri, Younes Chhiti, Fatima Ezzahrae M'hamdi Alaoui, Noureddine Barka, Wafaa Boumya
Summary: The new SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected over 34 million people worldwide, with studies finding its RNA in hospital wastewater. This poses a risk of public health and environmental contamination, necessitating the development of more effective deactivation technologies to prevent another outbreak of COVID-19.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chris Huntingford, Thomas Rawson, Michael B. Bonsall
Summary: Countries have reduced COVID-19 infections through non-pharmaceutical interventions, but now face the challenge of restarting economies and societal interactions. Vaccines offer hope for returning to normalcy, but raising concerns about distribution and travel policies. Ethical issues arise from the health impact disparities between sharing or withholding vaccines, especially as countries approach widespread vaccination.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Manuel Sanchez-Luna, Belen Fernandez Colomer, Concepcion de Alba Romero, Ana Alarcon Allen, Ana Bana Souto, Fatima Camba Longueira, Maria Cernada Badia, Zenaida Galve Pradell, Maria Gonzalez Lopez, M. Cruz Lopez Herrera, Carmen Ribes Bautista, Laura Sanchez Garcia, Elena Zamora Flores
Summary: This study from Spain collected data from 503 newborns born to mothers diagnosed with COVID-19, showing that maternal symptoms were similar to the general population. The study revealed that almost half of the newborns were left skin-to-skin after delivery, and delayed cord clamping was performed in 43% of cases. Maternal milk was received by 76.5% of neonates, with exclusive breastfeeding in 204 cases.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
A. Jayk Bernal, M. M. Gomes da Silva, D. B. Musungaie, E. Kovalchuk, A. Gonzalez, V Delos Reyes, A. Martin-Quiros, Y. Caraco, A. Williams-Diaz, M. L. Brown, J. Du, A. Pedley, C. Assaid, J. Strizki, J. A. Grobler, H. H. Shamsuddin, R. Tipping, H. Wan, A. Paschke, J. R. Butterton, M. G. Johnson, C. De Anda
Summary: This study found that early treatment with molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in at-risk, unvaccinated adults with Covid-19.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristian Gallardo-Escarate, Valentina Valenzuela-Munoz, Gustavo Nunez-Acuna, Diego Valenzuela-Miranda, Barbara P. Benaventel, Constanza Saez-Vera, Homero Urrutia, Beatriz Novoa, Antonio Figueras, Steven Roberts, Paulina Assmann, Marta Bravo
Summary: Wastewater-Based Epidemiology is a useful tool for assessing and mitigating COVID-19 outbreaks in specific communities. This study utilized nanopore technology to analyze microbiome profiles in wastewater samples collected from different facilities. The research found that the wastewater microbiome can serve as an indicator for community-wide SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and highlighted a correlation between the enteric bacteria of infected individuals and the presence of the virus in wastewater samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nuhu Amin, Rehnuma Haque, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Mohammed Ziaur Rahman, Zahid Hayat Mahmud, Rezaul Hasan, Md. Tahmidul Islam, Protim Sarker, Supriya Sarker, Shaikh Daud Adnan, Nargis Akter, Dara Johnston, Mahbubur Rahman, Pengbo Liu, Yuke Wang, Tahmina Shirin, Prosun Bhattacharya
Summary: The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in hospital wastewater can indicate the presence of COVID-19 infection in specific areas. A study conducted in Dhaka city analyzed wastewater from COVID and non-COVID hospitals and found high concentrations of E. coli and SARS-CoV-2. The untreated wastewater poses a significant risk for the transmission of various diseases via the fecal-oral route.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher J. R. Illingworth, William L. Hamilton, Christopher Jackson, Ben Warne, Ashley Popay, Luke Meredith, Myra Hosmillo, Aminu Jahun, Tom Fieldman, Matthew Routledge, Charlotte J. Houldcroft, Laura Caller, Sarah Caddy, Anna Yakovleva, Grant Hall, Fahad A. Khokhar, Theresa Feltwell, Malte L. Pinckert, Iliana Georgana, Yasmin Chaudhry, Martin Curran, Surendra Parmar, Dominic Sparkes, Lucy Rivett, Nick K. Jones, Sushmita Sridhar, Sally Forrest, Tom Dymond, Kayleigh Grainger, Chris Workman, Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas, Nicholas M. Brown, Michael P. Weekes, Stephen Baker, Sharon J. Peacock, Theodore Gouliouris, Ian Goodfellow, Daniela De Angelis, M. Estee Torok
Summary: This article describes a method for rapid identification of potentially linked cases of COVID-19 infection in a clinical setting. The method combines knowledge about infection dynamics, data describing individuals' movements, and evolutionary analysis of genome sequences to assess whether data collected from infection cases are consistent or inconsistent with direct transmission linkage. The results of a retrospective analysis and real-time application show the value of this method in monitoring infection cases in a clinical context.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Anshu Priya, Shifa Naseem, Deepshikha Pandey, Anisha Bhowmick, Mustafa Attrah, Kasturi Dutta, Eldon R. Rene, Sunil Kumar Suman, Achlesh Daverey
Summary: The utilization of algal biomass for biohydrogen production faces challenges due to the complex cell wall composition, requiring additional pretreatment. Conventional pretreatment strategies have limited feasibility and economic viability. This review discusses the structural complexities of algal cell walls and highlights innovative approaches such as hybrid technologies, biosurfactants, nanoparticles, and genetic engineering for improved hydrolysis and biohydrogen production. It also provides a comprehensive evaluation of various pretreatment methods and techno-economic and life cycle assessment of algal biohydrogen production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dibyajyoti Haldar, Asma Musfira Shabbirahmed, Biswanath Mahanty
Summary: In this study, multivariate regression and artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed using curated experimental data to predict reducing sugar generation from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). The results showed that acid and enzyme had a positive influence on reducing sugar generation, while treatment severity, temperature, and time had a negative influence. The genetic algorithm-optimized ANN model performed well in predicting LCB hydrolysis, with high fitness on training, validation, and test sets. Sensitivity analysis revealed that lignin and hemicellulose contents could be inhibitory factors. Although polynomial models offer simple interpretation, optimized ANN models provide better predictability for datasets with diverse biomass compositions.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pema Lhamo, Biswanath Mahanty
Summary: The increasing trend in bioplastic application has led to the emergence of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a promising candidate due to their bio-origin, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. This study investigates the effect of acetic acid concentration and its time of addition on PHA production by Cupriavidus necator. The addition of 1 g l(-1) acetic acid positively influenced biomass and PHA yield, but further increases had a reverse effect. Adding acetic acid during incubation resulted in higher PHA yield, while maximum biomass was achieved when acetic acid was added after 48 hours. Genetic algorithm-optimized artificial neural network (GA-ANN) modeling showed superior fitness compared to the polynomial model, and the optimized ANN model projected a PHA concentration of 2.691 g l(-1) with the addition of acetic acid during incubation.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Priyadarshini, Soumya Mishra, Naresh Kumar Sahoo, Sangeeta Raut, Achlesh Daverey, Bankim Chandra Tripathy
Summary: The biodegradation of phenol using an indigenous Rhodococcus pyridinivorans strain PDB9T NS-1 encapsulated in a calcium alginate bead system was investigated. Experimental conditions, such as contact time, pH, and initial phenol doses, were studied and the results showed more than 99.6% degradation of phenol at an initial dose of 1000 mg/L in 70 hours at 30 degrees C. The immobilized microbe exhibited superior phenol biosorption capacity and exceptional operating stability.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Priyanka Agarwal, Rutuja Vibhandik, Roma Agrahari, Achlesh Daverey, Radha Rani
Summary: Due to extensive industrialization and escalation in pollution, phytoremediation using plants and plant secretions has gained attention for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Plant root exudates act as an ecological driver in the rhizospheric region, influencing microbial community and bioavailability of pollutants. This review focuses on the role of root exudates in phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil, particularly lead, and their impact on the biogeochemistry of lead.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shelly Verma, Achlesh Daverey
Summary: In this study, a sequencing batch reactor was used to activate the anammox process, and stable nitrogen removal was achieved at nitrogen loading rates ranging from 20 to 116 (g N m(-3) d(-1)).
GEOMICROBIOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Pema Lhamo, Biswanath Mahanty
Summary: Microbially synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoates are being explored as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic, with Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) copolymer showing potential for varied material properties. Strategies such as the inclusion of volatile fatty acid precursors, nutrient-rich organic waste utilization, and metabolic engineering have expanded the scope of sustainable PHBV production. This review provides insight into manipulating PHBV quality and quantity in microbiological processes, as well as blending with other biopolymers for applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and food packaging.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Biswanath Mahanty, Pema Lhamo, Naresh K. Sahoo
Summary: The formalization of a stable water quality index (WQI) is crucial for water resource identification and classification. The PCA-based WQI approach, which derives parameter weight from PC loading or rotated factor loading, has inherent limitations and can result in rating disagreements. This study modeled the WQI of groundwater samples using PCA-based approaches and found bias and disagreement in the ratings. Repeated resampling and cross-validation techniques were used to assess the stability of PCA-based WQI.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Biswanath Mahanty, Shishir Kumar Behera, Naresh Kumar Sahoo
Summary: The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm is still widely used in solid/liquid interface adsorption models. However, the adsorption potential (epsilon) is often expressed in a dimensionally inconsistent form, instead of the correct form. Despite being pointed out by Hu and Zhang (2019), the incorrect use of the isotherm continues, with only a few articles referring to the correct form and source of required solubility (C-s) data. Modeling using datasets from three selected references indicates that using the incorrect expression would have variable impact on maximum adsorption capacity estimates, while consistently overestimating the sorption energy.
SEPARATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Pema Lhamo, Biswanath Mahanty, Shishir Kumar Behera
Summary: In this study, the effects of incubation time, nitrogen, and phosphate concentration on biomass growth and PHA production were co-optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm-optimized artificial neural network (GA-ANN). Sucrose and urea were found to offer significantly better biomass and PHA yield compared to other carbon and nitrogen sources. The GA-ANN model showed higher accuracy in predicting PHA yield compared to the polynomial model. The optimal conditions obtained from the GA-ANN model resulted in a PHA concentration of 2.69 g l(-1).
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vijendra Shah, Pooja Dani, Achlesh Daverey
Summary: This study investigates the impact of biosurfactant on the removal of cadmium from soil and finds that an appropriate concentration of biosurfactant can promote plant growth and increase enzymatic activities in soil.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pema Lhamo, Biswanath Mahanty
Summary: Mathematical modeling is important for optimal design of bioprocess in microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production. However, the selection of kinetics and model identification strategies from experimental data in PHA production remains largely heuristic. In this study, a parametric discretization approach was used to model PHA production from Cupriavidus necator using sucrose and urea. Logistic growth and Luedeking-Piret model were selected for PHA production based on regression coefficient (R-2: 0.941), adjusted R-2 (0.930), and AICc values (-42.764). The modeling framework can be used to avoid over-parameterization and identifiability issues and design optimal batch startup policies.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Harini Methma Perera, Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha, Sudantha Liyanage, Anusha Ekanayake, Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Achlesh Daverey, Meththika Vithanage
Summary: A novel Chitosan-modified Mimosa pigra biochar (CMPBC) was found to have higher efficiency in removing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous systems compared to pristine biochar. The sorption of Cr(VI) was heavily dependent on pH, with the highest adsorption occurring at pH 3.0. The results suggest the potential use of CMPBC as an easily available, environmentally sustainable, and inexpensive sorbent for the decontamination of Cr(VI) from water.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Priyanka Verma, Achlesh Daverey, Kusum Arunachalam
Summary: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the potential to treat wastewater and recover energy. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) is a crucial component of MFCs, affecting its performance and cost. This study developed a low-cost membrane from forestry waste pine needles, by preparing pine needle biochar through pyrolysis and subsequent sulphonation. The resulting membrane, consisting of sulphonated pine needle biochar (SPB) mixed with montmorillonite clay (MMT), showed improved water uptake capacity and achieved high removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand in MFCs, suggesting its viability as an affordable option for bioelectricity production.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qammer Zaib, Sangchul Park, Shishir Kumar Behera, Biswanath Mahanty, Mohd. Zafar, Hung-suck Park, Daeseung Kyung
Summary: This study aims to use waste materials as eco-friendly alternatives to coal in power plants. The study investigates the effect of waste material composition on energy value and ash fusion temperature, and develops a quadratic model for optimization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dewan Muhammad Shoaib, Tanvir Ahmed, Kazy Farhat Tabassum, Mehedi Hasan, Fazle Sharior, Mahbubur Rahman, Makfie Farah, Md Azizur Rahman, Alauddin Ahmed, James B. Tidwell, Mahbub-Ul Alam
Summary: An intervention was implemented in Bangladesh during COVID-19 to reduce occupational health risks for waste and sanitation workers. The intervention involved training and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE). The study found that the intervention improved workers' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PPE usage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andreas Kortenkamp, Olwenn Martin, Eleni Iacovidou, Martin Scholze
Summary: The European Food Safety Authority's downward revision of the Health-based Guidance Value for bisphenol A (BPA) has led to disagreements with other regulatory agencies, particularly the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The differing views between EFSA and BfR are driven by their respective selection of endpoints and study evaluation systems, as well as their acceptance or refusal of immunotoxic effects as a basis for establishing a Health-based Guidance Value.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shizhen He, Bjorn Lundberg, Jenny Hallberg, Susanna Klevebro, Goran Pershagen, Kristina Eneroth, Erik Melen, Matteo Bottai, Olena Gruzieva
Summary: Early life air pollution exposure and abnormal inflammation-related protein profiles may interact synergistically towards lower lung function in infants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paulien Cleys, Emilie Hardy, Yu Ait Bamai, Giulia Poma, Adam Cseresznye, Govindan Malarvannan, Paul T. J. Scheepers, Susana Viegas, Simo P. Porras, Tiina Santonen, Lode Godderis, Jelle Verdonck, Katrien Poels, Carla Martins, Maria Joao Silva, Henriqueta Louro, Inese Martinsone, Lasma Akulova, An van Nieuwenhuyse, Martien Graumans, Selma Mahiout, Radu Corneliu Duca, Adrian Covaci
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to phthalates and alternative plasticizers. The results showed that e-waste workers had higher urinary concentrations of phthalates and metabolites compared to non-occupationally exposed controls. However, no significant differences were found between pre-and post-shift concentrations in the e-waste workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karolina Bralewska
Summary: This review study examines the concentrations of various air pollutants in fire stations, identifies the limitations and strengths of existing research, identifies research gaps and challenges, and suggests potential solutions for reducing firefighter exposure to air pollution at fire stations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)