Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mahmoud Fathy ElSharkawy
Summary: This study aimed to assess indoor air quality (IAQ) by monitoring various air pollutants in selected homes in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The findings showed that the highest levels of PM10, CO2, and NO2 were found in kitchens, while the highest level of CO was found in living rooms. PM10 levels exceeded air quality guidelines in homes near industrial and agricultural areas.
INDOOR AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hehua Zhang, Yang Xia, Limin Cao, Qing Chang, Yuhong Zhao
Summary: The study found significant associations between outdoor air pollution and depressive symptoms, and increased occurrence of depressive symptoms in participants using both solid fuels for cooking and heating. Indoor solid fuel use for heating and high cooking frequency were also significantly associated with increased occurrence of depressive symptoms. This suggests that there may be antagonistic interactions between outdoor air pollution and indoor solid fuel use on depressive symptoms.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elsai Mati Asefa, Mekuria Teshome Mergia
Summary: Due to the majority of people spending most of their time in microenvironments, indoor air pollution (IAP) has gained more attention than outdoor air pollution. In Ethiopia, there is a higher concentration of IAP, with levels of particulate matters and gaseous pollutants exceeding the annual WHO exposure guidelines. The concentration of pollutants is influenced by geographical location, stove type, and household activities, with biomass fuel emissions and poor ventilation being the major contributors to high pollutant levels. Although improved cookstove technology has been proposed, further research is needed to understand the relationship between indoor air pollution and its health effects.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanan Luo, Yijing Zhong, Lihua Pang, Yihao Zhao, Richard Liang, Xiaoying Zheng
Summary: This study investigated the effects of indoor air pollution from solid fuel use on cognitive function among middle-aged and older individuals in China. Results showed that solid fuel users had worse cognitive function compared to clean fuel users, especially among females, those aged 65 years and above, individuals with primary school education or below, and those with cardiovascular diseases.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ning Li, Qiuxia Song, Wanying Su, Xianwei Guo, Hao Wang, Qiwei Liang, Mingming Liang, Guangbo Qu, Xiuxiu Ding, Xiaoqin Zhou, Yehuan Sun
Summary: Research shows a significant positive relationship between the use of solid fuel indoors and depression, with a higher risk observed for household solid fuels compared to biomass fuels. Additionally, using solid fuel for cooking and heating also increases the risk of depression.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Zablon Weku Shilenje, Scholastica Maloba, Victor Ongoma
Summary: Household air pollution (HAP) causes various diseases, with solid fuels being the main cause in Kenya. This review assesses its impact and identifies factors for improving policies, including improving access to proper cookstoves, raising community awareness, implementing housing regulations, and government interventions.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin Flanagan, Anna Oudin, John Walles, Asmamaw Abera, Kristoffer Mattisson, Christina Isaxon, Ebba Malmqvist
Summary: Air pollution poses a threat to human health, especially for pregnant women and their developing fetuses. This study in Ethiopia examines the association between ambient and indoor air pollution and adverse birth outcomes. The findings suggest a potential link between ambient NOX and NO2 exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of fetal death and stillbirth.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica R. Deslauriers, Carrie A. Redlich, Choong-Min Kang, Stephanie T. Grady, Martin Slade, Petros Koutrakis, Eric Garshick
Summary: This study investigated the sources and factors influencing carbonaceous aerosol exposure in residential environments. The results showed that in addition to outdoor concentrations, housing type, season, and home exposures are associated with indoor carbonaceous aerosol concentrations.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shyfuddin Ahmed, Boubakari Ibrahimou, Shirmin Bintay Kader, Muhammad Ashique Haider Chowdhury, Habibul Ahsan, Mohammad Yunus
Summary: Despite significant investment, childhood malnutrition continues to be a significant public health problem especially in least developed countries. The study in Bangladesh found a significant association between household biomass fuel use and childhood underweight and stunting, highlighting the possible alternative risk factor for malnutrition. Further research is needed to explore the mechanism of how biomass fuel use results in chronic malnutrition.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ethan S. Walker, Curtis W. Noonan, Erin O. Semmens, Desirae Ware, Paul Smith, Bert B. Boyer, Esther Erdei, Scarlett E. Hopkins, Johnnye Lewis, Annie Belcourt, Tony J. Ward
Summary: Household heating with wood stoves in rural areas of the US can lead to elevated indoor PM2.5 concentrations. Failure to clean chimneys and use of low-quality stoves can significantly increase PM2.5 levels. Regionally appropriate interventions such as upgrading to higher-quality stoves and regular chimney cleaning are essential for improving indoor air quality in rural wood-burning regions.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Vidhiben Patel, Andrew Foster, Alison Salem, Amit Kumar, Vineet Kumar, Biplab Biswas, Mehdi Mirsaeidi, Naresh Kumar
Summary: Increased exposure to solid fuel is associated with a higher likelihood of active TB history, as well as significant associations with TB for subjects using solid fuel and kerosene for heating and cooking. Smokers and solid fuel-exposed individuals are four times more likely to have a history of active TB compared to non-smokers and unexposed subjects.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manasa Reddy, Mohammad Heidarinejad, Brent Stephens, Israel Rubinstein
Summary: Indoor air quality in nursing homes often exceeds outdoor levels, which may adversely affect the health of elderly residents who are more susceptible to air pollutants. Regular monitoring and improvement of indoor air quality in nursing homes can reduce medical expenditures and improve residents' quality of life.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Elizabeth Cooper, Yan Wang, Samuel Stamp, Esfandiar Burman, Dejan Mumovic
Summary: The quality of indoor air is crucial for people's well-being, and using air purifiers can effectively reduce PM2.5 concentrations indoors. However, the main motivation for most people to use air purifiers is thermal comfort rather than improving air quality.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nan Ji, Ana M. Rule, Robert Weatherholtz, Lynn Crosby, Joseph E. Bunnell, Bill Orem, Raymond Reid, Mathuram Santosham, Laura L. Hammitt, Katherine L. O'Brien
Summary: Some residents of the Navajo Nation have a higher risk of exposure to indoor air pollution, mainly associated with overcrowded houses, nonmobile houses, smokers, pets, and long cooking times. Efforts are needed to identify the factors influencing this and to take measures to reduce risks and potential health impacts.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiutong Yu, Genyong Zuo
Summary: Indoor air pollution caused by solid fuel use for cooking affects 2.5 billion people worldwide and may elevate blood pressure. This study found that among people over the age of 65, cooking with solid fuel was associated with higher blood pressure, but not with hypertension. Northern China residents, women, people aged over 90 years, hypertensive and heart patients, and those with natural ventilation in the kitchen that used indoor solid fuel experienced a greater impact on blood pressure. Replacing solid fuel with clean fuel may be an important way to lower blood pressure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Joseph M. Lewis, Madlitso Mphasa, Lucy Keyala, Rachel Banda, Emma L. Smith, Jackie Duggan, Tim Brooks, Matthew Catton, Jane Mallewa, Grace Katha, Stephen B. Gordon, Brian Faragher, Melita A. Gordon, Jamie Rylance, Nicholas A. Feasey
Summary: This study describes the causes and long-term outcomes of sepsis in Malawi, finding that disseminated tuberculosis is the dominant cause and receiving antituberculous chemotherapy is associated with improved survival. Late deaths in individuals living with HIV contribute significantly to post-discharge mortality. These findings suggest the need for locally adapted sepsis protocols in sub-Saharan Africa and highlight the importance of considering distinct pathogens and novel treatment strategies.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elena Mitsi, Daniella McLenaghan, Asia-Sophia Wolf, Scott Jones, Andrea M. Collins, Angela D. Hyder-Wright, David Goldblatt, Robert S. Heyderman, Stephen B. Gordon, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study found that immunization with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine elicits serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses, with serum IgG levels to correlate with those measured in bronchoalveolar lavage samples, but shows poor immunogenicity against serotype 3 in both sites.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Cable, Rino Rappuoli, Elizabeth J. Klemm, Gagandeep Kang, Ankur Mutreja, Gavin J. Wright, Mariagrazia Pizza, Sowmya Ajay Castro, Joseph P. Hoffmann, Galit Alter, Andrea Carfi, Andrew J. Pollard, Florian Krammer, Ravindra K. Gupta, Caroline E. Wagner, Viviane Machado, Kayvon Modjarrad, Lawrence Corey, Peter B. Gilbert, Gordon Dougan, Nicole Lurie, Pamela J. Bjorkman, Christopher Chiu, Elisa Nemes, Stephen B. Gordon, Andrew C. Steer, Thomas Rudel, Catherine A. Blish, John Tyler Sandberg, Kiva Brennan, Keith P. Klugman, Lynda M. Stuart, Shabir A. Madhi, Christopher L. Karp
Summary: The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is the result of years of research and collaboration, but access and efficacy issues still exist in low-and-middle-income countries. Addressing these issues requires innovative research, deeper understanding of vaccine protection, and innovative trial designs and models.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alexander J. Stockdale, James E. Meiring, Isaac T. Shawa, Deus Thindwa, Niza M. Silungwe, Maurice Mbewe, Rabson Kachala, Benno Kreuels, Pratiksha Patel, Priyanka Patel, Marc Y. R. Henrion, Naor Bar-Zeev, Todd D. Swarthout, Robert S. Heyderman, Stephen B. Gordon, Anna Maria Geretti, Melita A. Gordon
Summary: A study conducted in Blantyre, Malawi found that infant HBV vaccination has been highly effective in reducing HBsAg prevalence in adults, but some HBsAg-positive adults have an unmet need for antiviral therapy.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marah G. Chibwana, Thandeka Moyo-Gwete, Gaurav Kwatra, Jonathan Mandolo, Tandile Hermanaus, Thopisang Motlou, Nonkululeko Mzindle, Frances Ayres, Mphatso Chaponda, Godwin Tembo, Percy Mwenechanya, Ndaona Mitole, Chisomo Jassi, Raphael Kamng'ona, Louise Afran, David Mzinza, Henry C. Mwandumba, Stephen B. Gordon, Khuzwayo Jere, Shabir Madhi, Penny L. Moore, Robert S. Heyderman, Kondwani C. Jambo
Summary: This study aimed to assess the dynamics of anti-Spike antibodies in an African adult population with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and determine the effect of subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. The findings showed that neutralizing antibodies wane within 6 months post-infection, but a single dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine significantly increased antibody levels. Furthermore, the antibodies generated after vaccination demonstrated broad cross-reactivity against multiple variants and had neutralizing potency.
Article
Immunology
Andrew D. McCallum, Henry E. Pertinez, Aaron P. Chirambo, Irene Sheha, Madalitso Chasweka, Rose Malamba, Doris Shani, Alex Chitani, Jane E. Mallewa, Jamilah Z. Meghji, Jehan F. Ghany, Elizabeth L. Corbett, Stephen B. Gordon, Geraint R. Davies, Saye H. Khoo, Derek J. Sloan, Henry C. Mwandumba
Summary: This study explores the relationship between intrapulmonary drug levels and sputum bacillary clearance in tuberculosis treatment. The results show that higher drug exposure to rifampicin or isoniazid in the epithelial lining fluid is associated with more rapid bacillary elimination. Higher doses of rifampicin and isoniazid may result in sustained high intrapulmonary drug exposure, rapid bacillary clearance, shorter treatment duration, and better treatment outcomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rebecca Best, Jullita Mvala, Albert Dube, Cynthia Katundu, Fredrick Kalobekamo, Kevin Mortimer, Stephen B. Gordon, Moffat Nyirenda, Amelia Crampin, Estelle McLean
Summary: This study provides evidence that an improved cookstove intervention in rural Malawi may reduce the number of babies born with low birthweight. This finding is supported by additional subset analysis. The intervention appears to decrease the number of infants born prematurely or with intra-uterine growth restriction, indicating that improved cookstoves could be a beneficial maternal health intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Ryan E. Robinson, Elena Mitsi, Elissavet Nikolaou, Sherin Pojar, Tao Chen, Jesus Reine, Tinashe K. Nyazika, James Court, Kelly Davies, Madlen Farrar, Partricia Gonzalez-Dias, Josh Hamilton, Helen Hill, Lisa Hitchins, Ashleigh Howard, Angela Hyder-Wright, Maia Lesosky, Konstantinos Liatsikos, Agnes Matope, Daniella McLenaghan, Christopher Myerscough, Annabel Murphy, Carla Solorzano, Duolao Wang, Hassan Burhan, Manish Gautam, Elizabeth Begier, Christian Theilacker, Rohini Beavon, Annaliesa S. Anderson, Bradford D. Gessner, Stephen B. Gordon, Andrea M. Collins, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study evaluated the colonization ability and safety of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 (SPN3) in the nasopharynx using a human challenge model. The results showed that colonization rates varied with inoculum doses and isolate types, and colonization may cause mild upper respiratory symptoms.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marianne Koenraads, Todd D. Swarthout, Naor Bar-Zeev, Comfort Brown, Jacquline Msefula, Brigitte Denis, Queen Dube, Stephen B. Gordon, Robert S. Heyderman, Melissa J. Gladstone, Neil French
Summary: This study examined the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in infants <90 days old in Blantyre, Malawi over a 14-year period and evaluated the impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on vaccine-serotype IPD in this population. The results showed that vaccine serotypes 1 and 5 were the main cause of IPD in neonates and young infants, both before and after PCV13 introduction.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Konstantinos Liatsikos, Angela Hyder-Wright, Sherin Pojar, Tao Chen, Duolao Wang, Kelly Davies, Christopher Myerscough, Jesus Reine, Ryan E. Robinson, Britta Urban, Elena Mitsi, Carla Solorzano, Stephen B. Gordon, Angela Quinn, Kaijie Pan, Annaliesa S. Anderson, Christian Theilacker, Elizabeth Begier, Bradford D. Gessner, Andrea Collins, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This article summarizes a study protocol for investigating the effect of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) on pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization. The study will use experimental human pneumococcal challenge to assess acquisition, density, and duration of colonization, as well as immune responses and antigenuria. The primary outcome is to compare the acquisition rate of pneumococcal serotype 3 (SPN3) between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
Article
Immunology
Asia -Sophia Wolf, Elena Mitsi, Scott Jones, Simon P. Jochems, Lucy Roalfe, Deus Thindwa, James E. Meiring, Jacquline Msefula, Farouck Bonomali, Tikhala Makhaza Jere, Maurice Mbewe, Andrea M. Collins, Stephen B. Gordon, Melita A. Gordon, Daniela M. Ferreira, Neil French, David Goldblatt, Robert S. Heyderman, Todd D. Swarthout
Summary: This study investigates the protective mechanism of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) against pneumococcal carriage. The results show no clear relationship between antibody quality and protection from carriage, suggesting that PCV13-driven antibody quality may mature with age and exposure.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rebecca Lester, Patrick Musicha, Kondwani Kawaza, Josephine Langton, James Mango, Helen Mangochi, Winnie Bakali, Oliver Pearse, Jane Mallewa, Brigitte Denis, Sithembile Bilima, Stephen B. Gordon, David G. Lalloo, Christopher P. Jewell, Nicholas A. Feasey
Summary: The study found that resistance to third-generation cephalosporins is associated with increased mortality and longer hospital stays in patients with bloodstream infections in Malawi. It highlights the urgent need for resource allocation towards antimicrobial resistance mitigation strategies in Africa.
Correction
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Simon P. Jochems, Karin de Ruiter, Carla Solorzano, Astrid Voskamp, Elena Mitsi, Elissavet Nikolaou, Beatriz F. Carniel, Sherin Pojar, Esther L. German, Jesus Reine, Alessandra Soares-Schanoski, Helen Hill, Rachel Robinson, Angela D. Hyder-Wright, Caroline M. Weight, Pascal F. Durrenberger, Robert S. Heyderman, Stephen B. Gordon, Hermelijn H. Smits, Britta C. Urban, Jamie Rylance, Andrea M. Collins, Mark D. Wilkie, Lepa Lazarova, Samuel C. Leong, Maria Yazdanbakhsh, Daniela M. Ferreira
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Katerina S. Cheliotis, Christopher P. Jewell, Carla Solorzano, Britta Urban, Andrea M. Collins, Elena Mitsi, Sherin Pojar, Elissavet Nikolaou, Esther L. German, Jesus Reine, Stephen B. Gordon, Simon P. Jochems, Jamie Rylance, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal and environmental factors influencing susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and found that male patients had a lower risk of carriage, while cooler temperatures and lower concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were associated with higher risk of carriage.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mukesh K. Dherani, Daniel Pope, Terence Tafatatha, Ellen Heinsbroek, Ryan Chartier, Thandie Mwalukomo, Amelia Crampin, Elena Mitsi, Esther L. German, Elissavet Nikolaou, Carla Solorzano, Daniela M. Ferreira, Todd D. Swarthout, Jason Hinds, Kevin Mortimer, Stephen B. Gordon, Neil French, Nigel G. Bruce
Summary: This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to household air pollution and the prevalence and density of S pneumoniae carriage among children. The study found a significant association between household air pollution exposure and the prevalence of nasopharyngeal S pneumoniae carriage, providing empirical evidence for the potential mechanistic association between exposure to household air pollution and childhood pneumonia.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)