Article
Environmental Sciences
Shihan Deng, Josephine Lau, Zhihao Wang, Pawel Wargocki
Summary: This study monitored indoor environmental data in 144 classrooms in 31 schools in the Midwestern United States. The results showed that increased ventilation rates and reduced indoor particle levels were associated with reduced absence rates and improved attendance rates. These findings highlight the importance of indoor air quality in schools for both health and academic performance.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Junemo Koo, Young Min Jo, Tae Jeong Lee, Sowoo Park, Doosam Song
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in South Korea faced a trade-off problem between airborne transmission risks and elevated indoor PM2.5 concentrations due to increased ventilation rates. This study quantitatively analyzed the impact of ventilation rate on indoor PM2.5 concentrations and COVID-19 transmission risk in classrooms. The results provide important insights into the trade-off between ventilation rate and COVID-19 transmission risk, and can be used to develop strategies for mitigating both risks and ensuring safety.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shijun Yan, Chang Liu, Li-an Hou, Bo Wang, Yumeng Zhang
Summary: This study presents a new filterless indoor air purifier, the Cloud-Air-Purifying (CAP) air purifier, which uses heterogeneous condensation and supergravity technology to remove fine particles and disinfect bioaerosols. The CAP air purifier showed high efficiency in purifying particulate matter and effectively disinfecting bioaerosols. The study also investigated other factors such as ClO2 release concentrations, noise, and power consumption, which were found to be within acceptable limits.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dimitrios Bousiotis, Leah-Nani S. Alconcel, David C. S. Beddows, Roy M. Harrison, Francis D. Pope
Summary: Air quality, both indoor and outdoor, is crucial for public health. This study introduces a new methodology using low-cost sensors and source apportionment techniques to understand the importance of different air pollution sources on indoor air quality. The results demonstrate the highest concentrations of PM in the bedroom, the highest PM spikes in the kitchen during cooking times, and the highest PM1 concentrations in the office due to outdoor infiltration. Source apportionment analysis shows that up to 95% of PM1 comes from outdoor sources in all rooms.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Antigona Ukehaxhaj, Naser Ramadani, Hanns Moshammer, Drita Zogaj
Summary: There is scientific evidence of the adverse health effects of indoor exposure to chemicals in children. Nitrogen dioxide and benzene were found to be too high in at least one school. Formaldehyde levels were higher indoors and in newer schools. Improving air circulation and temperature control, as well as identifying and eliminating sources of pollution, would benefit the health and learning of school children.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chester J. Lau, Max Loebel Roson, Keifer M. Klimchuk, Tania Gautam, Boyang Zhao, Ran Zhao
Summary: Household humidification is beneficial for combating dry indoor air, but the use of ultrasonic humidifiers may lead to the generation of PM that can affect indoor air quality. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of humidifier operation on human health and indoor atmospheric chemistry.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francesca Marcovecchio, Cinzia Perrino
Summary: The atmospheric concentration of bioparticles was determined in outdoor and indoor sites using a commercial low-volume sampler and a detection method based on particle collection on polycarbonate filters. Higher concentrations of PBAPs were recorded during the warm period, with differences in shape and mass distribution. Indoor PBAPs concentrations were much higher compared to outdoors, with wide polyhedral-shaped particles identifiable as skin flakes.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hsiang-Lin Yu, Tsang-Jung Chang
Summary: This study proposes a new 3D approach for modeling indoor airborne particulate matter (PM) concentration using cellular automata (CA) framework. By considering four major PM transport mechanisms, the CA approach achieves high accuracy and efficiency in numerical simulations, making it a useful tool for 3D simulations of indoor PM transport and distribution.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paola Fermo, Begona Artinano, Gianluigi De Gennaro, Antonio Marco Pantaleo, Alessandro Parente, Fiorella Battaglia, Elena Colicino, Gianluca Di Tanna, Andouglas Goncalves da Silva Junior, Igor Gadelha Pereira, Gabriel Santos Garcia, Luiz Marcos Garcia Goncalves, Valeria Comite, Alessandro Miani
Summary: The study tested a commercial system as an air purifier and found that it significantly reduced PM and VOCs concentrations in the air by about 90% and over 50%, respectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vasileios N. Matthaios, Man Liu, Longxiang Li, Choong-Min Kang, Carolina L. Z. Vieira, Diane R. Gold, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: This study found that indoor PM2.5 gross alpha and beta radioactivity levels were mainly correlated with various elements, primarily sourced from outdoor air pollution. The contributions of outdoor air pollution to indoor PM2.5 alpha and beta activity levels were most significant during summer and with windows open.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mostafa Yuness Abdelfatah Mostafa, Hyam Nazmy Bader Khalaf, Michael V. Zhukovsky
Summary: Several studies have confirmed a correlation between the mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) and health-related issues. This particular study focused on quantifying the emission characteristics of different indoor particle sources, finding that electronic cigarettes can significantly increase indoor PM2.5 levels. It is important to continue evaluating indoor PM, assessing the toxic potential of internal molecules, and developing strategies to improve indoor air quality.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jean C. Rivera-Rios, Taekyu Joo, Masayuki Takeuchi, Thomas M. Orlando, Tracy Bevington, John W. Mathis, Cliffton D. Pert, Brandon A. Tyson, Tyler M. Anderson-Lennert, Joshua A. Smith, Nga Lee Ng
Summary: This study measured particle number and mass concentrations in aircraft cabins during July 2020 in Atlanta, with restaurants having the highest concentrations and in-flight aircraft cabins having the lowest.
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. V. Abhijith, Vina Kukadia, Prashant Kumar
Summary: In urban areas of the UK, schools located near busy roads often face pollution hotspots due to vehicle emissions during drop-off and pick-up times. Students are exposed to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants, highlighting the need for scientific investigations to mitigate air pollution exposure. This study aimed to understand the extent of air pollution inside and around schools and the factors affecting it, and determine effective interventions. Monitoring of air pollution in and around three primary schools in London was conducted, revealing improvements in air quality through interventions such as green screens, air purifiers, and school street initiatives. Practical recommendations were made based on the findings to improve air quality in and around UK schools.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hye Kwan Kong, Dan Ki Yoon, Hye Won Lee, Cheol Min Lee
Summary: The study aimed to determine ventilation conditions for managing indoor air quality during cooking in a typical South Korean residential home. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations varied depending on ventilation conditions, but were high when inappropriate methods were used. Using appropriate ventilation conditions is effective in reducing PM10 and PM2.5 generated during cooking.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shamim Mosalaei, Hoda Amiri, Ata Rafiee, Alireza Abbasi, Abbas Norouzian Baghani, Mohammad Hoseini
Summary: This study investigated the air characteristics of veterinary clinics in Shiraz, Iran in terms of fungal bioaerosols and particulate matters, revealing the concentrations and predominant fungal genera. The concentration of fungal bioaerosols showed a positive correlation with relative humidity and a negative correlation with temperature. Tests including nasopharyngeal sampling are recommended to assess individual exposure of veterinarians and staff in veterinary clinics.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana S. Oliveira, Joana Rolo, Carlos Gaspar, Leonor Ramos, Carlos Cavaleiro, Ligia Salgueiro, Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Jose Martinez-de-Oliveira, Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluated the bioactivities of Thymus mastichina and Cistus ladanifer essential oils and hydrolates in skin ailments, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, wound healing, and antimicrobial properties. The results showed that Cistus ladanifer essential oil exhibited higher anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential, but also had some cytotoxicity. Thymus mastichina preparations had anti-inflammatory potential and better biocompatibility. Both species' hydrolates showed good potential in promoting cell migration and wound healing.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Allergy
Ines Paciencia, Aino K. Rantala, Harri Antikainen, Timo T. Hugg, Maritta S. Jaakkola, Jouni J. K. Jaakkola
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Robertina Giacconi, Blanca Laffon, Solange Costa, Armanda Teixeira-Gomes, Fabrizio Maggi, Lisa Macera, Pietro Giorgio Spezia, Francesco Piacenza, Alexander Buerkle, Maria Moreno-Villanueva, Stefano Bonassi, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Martijn E. T. Dolle, M. Liset Rietman, Eugene Jansen, Tilman Grune, Efstathios S. Gonos, Claudio Franceschi, Miriam Capri, Birgit Weinberger, Ewa Sikora, Wolfgang Stuetz, Olivier Toussaint, Florence Debacq-Chainiaux, Antti Hervonen, Mikko Hurme, P. Eline Slagboom, Christiane Schoen, Juergen Bernhardt, Nicolle Breusing, Eduardo Pasaro, Ana Maseda, Laura Lorenzo-Lopez, Jose C. Millan-Calenti, Mauro Provinciali, Marco Malavolta
Summary: This study analyzed the association between TTV viremia and physical frailty and cognitive impairment. The results showed that TTV viremia was associated with physical frailty and cognitive impairment. However, the association varied in different study samples.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Joao Bessa, Fatima Brandao, Fernanda Rosario, Luciana Moreira, Ana Teresa Reis, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon, Sonia Fraga, Joao Paulo Teixeira
Summary: Several studies have investigated the potential adverse health risks associated with exposure to nanoscale materials. In vitro model systems provide important information about the molecular mechanisms of action, while in vivo studies are crucial for understanding the relationship between dose and adverse effects. This review focuses on the toxicity assessment of inhaled (nano)particulate materials and provides an overview of available human respiratory models and exposure systems for in vitro testing, as well as their advantages, limitations, and current research.
JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART B-CRITICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andrew Collins, Peter Moller, Goran Gajski, Sona Vodenkova, Abdulhadi Abdulwahed, Diana Anderson, Ezgi Eyluel Bankoglu, Stefano Bonassi, Elisa Boutet-Robinet, Gunnar Brunborg, Christy Chao, Marcus S. S. Cooke, Carla Costa, Solange Costa, Alok Dhawan, Joaquin de Lapuente, Cristian Del Bo, Julien Dubus, Maria Dusinska, Susan J. J. Duthie, Naouale El Yamani, Bevin Engelward, Isabel Gaivao, Lisa Giovannelli, Roger Godschalk, Sofia Guilherme, Kristine B. B. Gutzkow, Khaled Habas, Alba Hernandez, Oscar Herrero, Marina Isidori, Awadhesh N. N. Jha, Siegfried Knasmueller, Ingeborg M. M. Kooter, Gudrun Koppen, Marcin Kruszewski, Carina Ladeira, Blanca Laffon, Marcelo Larramendy, Ludovic Le Hegarat, Angelique Lewies, Anna Lewinska, Guillermo E. E. Liwszyc, Adela Lopez de Cerain, Mugimane Manjanatha, Ricard Marcos, Mirta Milic, Vanessa Moraes de Andrade, Massimo Moretti, Damian Muruzabal, Matjaz Novak, Rui Oliveira, Ann-Karin Olsen, Norah Owiti, Mario Pacheco, Alok K. K. Pandey, Stefan Pfuhler, Bertrand Pourrut, Kerstin Reisinger, Emilio Rojas, Elise Runden-Pran, Julen Sanz-Serrano, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Ville Sipinen, Karen Smeets, Helga Stopper, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Mahara Valverde, Frederique van Acker, Frederik-Jan van Schooten, Marie Vasquez, Johannes F. F. Wentzel, Maciej Wnuk, Annelies Wouters, Bojana Zegura, Tomas Zikmund, Sabine A. S. Langie, Amaya Azqueta
Summary: The comet assay is a versatile method for detecting various types of DNA damage in individual eukaryotic cells. It has been widely used in research, industry, and regulatory agencies, and has been adopted as an in vivo test for genotoxicity. The present document provides consensus protocols for applying the comet assay to different cell types, species, and types of DNA damage.
Article
Pediatrics
Monica Rodrigues, Francisca de Castro Mendes, Ines Paciencia, Joao Cavaleiro Rufo, Diana Silva, Luis Delgado, Andre Moreira, Pedro Moreira
Summary: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a non-invasive method that can identify and quantify biomarkers from the lower respiratory tract. This study aimed to assess the association between diet quality and markers in EBC among school-aged children. Higher diet quality was found to be associated with higher conductivity levels of the EBC.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sara Oliveira de Brito, Diogo Libanio, Claudia Martins Marques Pinto, Joao Pedro Pinho Osorio de Araujo Teixeira, Joao Paulo Meireles de Araujo Teixeira
Summary: LECS, as a novel combined surgical approach, combines the advantages of endoscopy and laparoscopy for the effective treatment of upper gastrointestinal lesions. The study found that LECS showed comparable efficacy and safety to existing techniques, with a trend towards shorter hospitalization time, longer procedure duration, and fewer adverse events. However, it is important to note that the existing studies are mainly retrospective cohorts and more prospective studies are needed to evaluate the superiority of LECS.
GE PORTUGUESE JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Peter Moller, Amaya Azqueta, Julen Sanz-Serrano, Tamara Bakuradze, Elke Richling, Ezgi Eyluel Bankoglu, Helga Stopper, Victoria Claudino Bastos, Sabine A. S. Langie, Annie Jensen, Francesca Scavone, Lisa Giovannelli, Maria Wojewodzka, Marcin Kruszewski, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon, Carla Costa, Solange Costa, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo, Patrizia Riso, Congying Zheng, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Andrew Collins
Summary: Measurement of DNA migration in the comet assay can be done through image analysis or visual scoring, with the latter accounting for a significant portion of the published results. This study examines the variability in visual scoring of comets among different investigators and suggests the use of three reference sets for scoring. The results show both inter-investigator and intra-investigator variation in scoring, indicating a need for further standardization, but also demonstrate that visual scoring remains a reliable method for analyzing DNA migration in comets.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Peter Moller, Amaya Azqueta, Miguel Collia, Tamara Bakuradze, Elke Richling, Ezgi Eyluel Bankoglu, Helga Stopper, Victoria Claudino Bastos, Sabine A. S. Langie, Annie Jensen, Sara Ristori, Francesca Scavone, Lisa Giovannelli, Maria Wojewodzka, Marcin Kruszewski, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon, Carla Costa, Solange Costa, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo, Patrizia Riso, Congying Zheng, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Andrew Collins
Summary: The comet assay is a versatile method for measuring DNA damage, but there is no agreement on optimal assay conditions or suitable assay controls, resulting in inter-laboratory variation. The hCOMET ring trial tested KBrO3 as a positive control for the Fpg-modified comet assay and demonstrated its robustness. However, inter-laboratory variation in DNA migration levels remains a concern.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monica Rodrigues, Francisca de Castro Mendes, Luis Delgado, Patricia Padrao, Ines Paciencia, Renata Barros, Joao Cavaleiro Rufo, Diana Silva, Andre Moreira, Pedro Moreira
Summary: Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, is influenced by diet. Certain dietary factors have been identified as potential contributors to asthma development and severity due to their inflammatory and oxidative effects. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats has been associated with a positive impact on asthma, while high intake of salt, saturated fats, and trans-fat has a negative effect. However, further research is needed on dietary patterns and their mechanisms of action.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Peter Moller, Amaya Azqueta, Adriana Rodriguez-Garraus, Tamara Bakuradze, Elke Richling, Ezgi Eyluel Bankoglu, Helga Stopper, Victoria Claudino Bastos, Sabine A. S. Langie, Annie Jensen, Sara Ristori, Francesca Scavone, Lisa Giovannelli, Maria Wojewodzka, Marcin Kruszewski, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon, Carla Costa, Solange Costa, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo, Patrizia Riso, Congying Zheng, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Andrew Collins
Summary: Accumulation of DNA strand breaks during cryopreservation is not a concern for mononuclear blood cell lines, and there is inter-laboratory variation in the results.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Peter Moller, Amaya Azqueta, Adriana Rodriguez-Garraus, Tamara Bakuradze, Elke Richling, Ezgi Eyluel Bankoglu, Helga Stopper, Victoria Claudino Bastos, Sabine A. S. Langie, Annie Jensen, Sara Ristori, Francesca Scavone, Lisa Giovannelli, Maria Wojewodzka, Marcin Kruszewski, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Blanca Laffon, Carla Costa, Solange Costa, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo', Patrizia Riso, Congying Zheng, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Andrew Collins
Summary: The study finds that potassium bromate is a suitable positive control for the Fpg-modified comet assay, which is widely used to measure oxidatively generated damage to DNA. Although all laboratories obtained positive concentration-response relationships, there was variation in the levels of Fpg-sensitive sites between different laboratories. However, the consistency between the measurements of %Tail DNA values and visual scores of comet images done in the central laboratory suggests a potential source of inter-laboratory variation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fatima Brandao, Carla Costa, Maria Joao Bessa, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Bryan Hellack, Andrea Haase, Sonia Fraga, Joao Paulo Teixeira
Summary: This study assessed the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of different-sized and surface-modified amorphous silica nanomaterials on rat alveolar epithelial cells. The results showed that variants with larger surface areas had higher cytotoxic potential, SiO2_40 induced significant DNA damage, and all tested variants increased gamma-H2AX levels. This study supports the use of multiparametric approaches to improve understanding of nanomaterial mechanisms and hazard prediction.
Article
Pediatrics
Monica Rodrigues, Francisca de Castro Mendes, Patricia Padrao, Luis Delgado, Ines Paciencia, Renata Barros, Joao Cavaleiro Rufo, Diana Silva, Andre Moreira, Pedro Moreira
Summary: This cross-sectional study explores the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and levels of airway inflammation in school-aged children. The findings suggest that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of airway inflammation among non-overweight/non-obese children.
Article
Toxicology
Maryam Zare Jeddi, Karen S. Galea, Susana Viegas, Peter Fantke, Henriqueta Louro, Jan Theunis, Eva Govarts, Sebastien Denys, Clemence Fillol, Loic Rambaud, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Tiina Santonen, Hilko van der Voet, Manosij Ghosh, Carla Costa, Joao Paulo Teixeira, Hans Verhagen, Radu-Corneliu Duca, An Van Nieuwenhuyse, Kate Jones, Craig Sams, Ovnair Sepai, Giovanna Tranfo, Martine Bakker, Nicole Palmen, Jacob van Klaveren, Paul T. J. Scheepers, Alicia Paini, Cristina Canova, Natalie von Goetz, Andromachi Katsonouri, Spyros Karakitsios, Dimosthenis A. Sarigiannis, Jos Bessems, Kyriaki Machera, Stuart Harrad, Nancy B. Hopf
Summary: The impact of the environment on health is a necessary result of human activity. Environmental health sciences aim to understand how people are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can harm their health. Implementing the FAIR principles for scientific data management can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology.
FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY
(2023)