Article
Environmental Sciences
Jeroen Langeveld, Remy Schilperoort, Leo Heijnen, Goffe Elsinga, Claudia E. M. Schapendonk, Ewout Fanoy, Evelien I. T. de Schepper, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Miranda de Graaf, Gertjan Medema
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater has become an important tool for public health surveillance. Different normalisation methods, including electrical conductivity and crAssphage, have been studied and compared to the standard approach of using flow measurements. The results show that crAssphage can be used as a quantitative biomarker for larger populations, while electrical conductivity is useful for determining dilution rates. Overall, flow normalisation is necessary for accurately determining short-term trends in virus circulation and can be improved with additional measurements.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ivo Schmerold, Inge van Geijlswijk, Ronette Gehring
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to combatting bacterial infections in humans and animals. The widespread use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine is a critical factor contributing to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The European Union has implemented new legal provisions to safeguard the effectiveness and availability of antibiotics, including categorization of antibiotics and restrictions on their use. These regulations address the responsible selection, prescription, and use of antibiotics, as well as the monitoring of antibiotic consumption.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fatema Mohsen, Batoul Bakkar, Humam Armashi, Nizar Aldaher
Summary: This study aimed to assess the specific knowledge of COVID-19 in Syria during the pandemic and identify factors associated with poor knowledge. Findings showed good awareness overall, with lower knowledge scores seen in males, those with lower education, non-healthcare workers, individuals in lower economic status, and those with larger households. Results underscore the need for a strong public education campaign in Syria to enhance awareness, knowledge, and vigilance towards precautionary measures against COVID-19.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
A. McLeod, S. J. Hutchinson, A. Weir, S. Barclay, J. Schofield, C. Gillespie Frew, D. J. Goldberg, M. Heydtmann, E. Wilson-Davies
Summary: With the introduction of direct-acting antiviral therapy, it is now possible to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health concern. This study examined HCV infection among individuals undergoing liver function tests in primary care, highlighting the importance of diagnosing and engaging patients with HCV infection.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Katja M. Shimko, Timothy Piatkowski, Kevin Thomas, Naomi Speers, Lance Brooker, Ben J. Tscharke, Jake W. O'Brien
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology can be used to assess and monitor drug consumption in the community, potentially serving as a complementary method for monitoring PIED use and aiding public health authorities in developing targeted prevention and education programs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bertina Kreshpaj, David H. Wegman, Bo Burstrom, Letitia Davis, Tomas Hemmingsson, Carin Hakansta, Johanna Jonsson, Gun Johansson, Katarina Kjellberg, Nestor Sanchez Martinez, Nuria Matilla-Santander, Cecilia Orellana, Theo Bodin
Summary: Precarious employment in Sweden is associated with lower risk of occupational injuries overall, but temp agency work, multiple job-holding, and low-income status are important risk factors for both male and female workers. Further research is needed to better understand these dimensions of precarious employment and their impact on occupational injuries.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Pengyu Zhu, Xinying Tan, Songnian Zhao, Shuai Shi, Mingshu Wang
Summary: This paper examines the long-term travel behaviors of different age groups in the U.S. and investigates the impacts of local land use regulations and transit investment. The results show that land use regulations and public transit investment have positive effects on reducing driving and increasing carpooling, with younger workers being more responsive. Urban planners should focus on regional cooperative planning and targeted land use regulations to improve public transit.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
John L. Kilgallon, Ishaan Ashwini Tewarie, Marike L. D. Broekman, Aakanksha Rana, Timothy R. Smith
Summary: In the postpandemic era, utilizing passive data collected from mobile phones for disease tracking is a significant topic. Ethical considerations, combining history and moral frameworks, are essential to avoid repeating past mistakes and ethical pitfalls.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Z. Ranjbar, D. Pourhadadi, Sh. Montazeri, M. Roshanzamir Modaberi
Summary: Contamination by potentially toxic elements, especially lead, is a growing global issue that adversely affects public health. This study provides critical insights into the existing scientific literature and statements from international organizations on lead-based paint. The production and trade of lead-based paint are still widespread globally, particularly in low- and middle-income developing countries.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dustin T. Hill, Hannah Cousins, Bryan Dandaraw, Catherine Faruolo, Alex Godinez, Sythong Run, Simon Smith, Megan Willkens, Shruti Zirath, David A. Larsen
Summary: Wastewater surveillance has significantly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and is considered an important public health tool. A survey conducted among municipal treatment plant supervisors in New York State found that while most supervisors were aware of the ability to track COVID-19 through wastewater, their knowledge about surveillance for other public health issues was limited. The study also revealed a direct association between attitudes towards wastewater testing and the reported capacity of treatment plants to take samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Morgan E. Gorris, Karin Ardon-Dryer, Althea Campuzano, Laura R. Castanon-Olivares, Thomas E. Gill, Andrew Greene, Chiung-Yu Hung, Kimberly A. Kaufeld, Mark Lacy, Edith Sanchez-Paredes
Summary: Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) has been a recognized health threat in the US since the 1930s, but not all states are required to report cases. Mandating reporting of the disease across more states would increase awareness, improve outcomes, and aid in drug and vaccine development. This commentary advocates for reporting coccidioidomycosis in the US and surveillance in endemic regions to protect human health.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Guillermo Paraje, Daniela Montes de Oca, Camila Corvalan, Barry M. Popkin
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of the 2016 Chilean comprehensive food policy package, which includes front-of-package warning labels for food and beverages high in unhealthy components, on food and beverage prices. The study found that the implementation of the policy did not lead to price changes in different categories of products or specific price indices for households from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The results suggest that extensive reformulation did not result in price changes during the first year and a half of regulation implementation in Chile.
Article
Immunology
Howard Chiou, Christopher Voegeli, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Jessica Kolis, Kathryn Brookmeyer, Dimitri Prybylski
Summary: Infodemic surveillance systems are crucial in detecting and responding to outbreaks of misinformation, disinformation, information overload, or information voids. These systems monitor the information environment, identify infodemic events with digital analytics, and generate timely routine reports to ensure timely interventions for both epidemic and infodemic response are deployed in an increasingly hyperconnected world.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lisetta Del Castillo, Nora Cardona-Castro, Denis R. Whelan, John Paul Builes, Hector Serrano-Coll, Margarita Arboleda, Juan S. Leon
Summary: Despite a robust well-child visits program in Colombia, anemia remains a problem for both children and mothers, especially in lower socioeconomic populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among mothers and children attending well-child visits in the Colombian Caribbean region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ina Saeumel, Simone Jessica Sanft
Summary: This study explored the use and perceptions of local greenery by residents in eight socially disadvantaged neighborhoods of Berlin after sixteen months of the COVID-19 crisis. The research found that residential greenery was highly appreciated by residents and fostered more active uses such as reducing loneliness by meeting neighbors, engaging in outdoor sports, and creating safe green spaces.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
