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PloS One 2015Packaged water products provide an increasingly important source of water for consumption. However, recent studies raise concerns over their safety. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Packaged water products provide an increasingly important source of water for consumption. However, recent studies raise concerns over their safety.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the microbial safety of packaged water, examine differences between regions, country incomes, packaged water types, and compare packaged water with other water sources.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Articles published in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, with no date restrictions were identified from online databases and two previous reviews. Studies published before April 2014 that assessed packaged water for the presence of Escherichia coli, thermotolerant or total coliforms were included provided they tested at least ten samples or brands.
RESULTS
A total of 170 studies were included in the review. The majority of studies did not detect fecal indicator bacteria in packaged water (78/141). Compared to packaged water from upper-middle and high-income countries, packaged water from low and lower-middle-income countries was 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6-8.1) and 13.6 (95% CI: 6.9-26.7) times more likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria and total coliforms, respectively. Compared to all other packaged water types, water from small bottles was less likely to be contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.17-0.58) and total coliforms (OR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.22). Packaged water was less likely to contain fecal indicator bacteria (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.62) compared to other water sources used for consumption.
CONCLUSIONS
Policymakers and regulators should recognize the potential benefits of packaged water in providing safer water for consumption at and away from home, especially for those who are otherwise unlikely to gain access to a reliable, safe water supply in the near future. To improve the quality of packaged water products they should be integrated into regulatory and monitoring frameworks.
Topics: Drinking Water; Escherichia coli; Feces; Humans; Product Packaging; Water Microbiology; Water Quality
PubMed: 26505745
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140899 -
The Lancet. Planetary Health May 2023Prevention and control of infections across the One Health spectrum is essential for improving antibiotic use and addressing the emergence and spread of antibiotic... (Review)
Review
Biosecurity and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in animal agricultural settings for reducing infection burden, antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance: a One Health systematic review.
Prevention and control of infections across the One Health spectrum is essential for improving antibiotic use and addressing the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Evidence for how best to manage these risks in agricultural communities-45% of households globally-has not been systematically assembled. This systematic review identifies and summarises evidence from on-farm biosecurity and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions with the potential to directly or indirectly reduce infections and antibiotic resistance in animal agricultural settings. We searched 17 scientific databases (including Web of Science, PubMed, and regional databases) and grey literature from database inception to Dec 31, 2019 for articles that assessed biosecurity or WASH interventions measuring our outcomes of interest; namely, infection burden, microbial loads, antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance in animals, humans, or the environment. Risk of bias was assessed with the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation tool, Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions, and the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies, although no studies were excluded as a result. Due to the heterogeneity of interventions found, we conducted a narrative synthesis. The protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020162345). Of the 20 672 publications screened, 104 were included in this systematic review. 64 studies were conducted in high-income countries, 24 studies in upper-middle-income countries, 13 studies in lower-middle-income countries, two in low-income countries, and one included both upper-middle-income countries and lower-middle-income countries. 48 interventions focused on livestock (mainly pigs), 43 poultry (mainly chickens), one on livestock and poultry, and 12 on aquaculture farms. 68 of 104 interventions took place on intensive farms, 22 in experimental settings, and ten in smallholder or subsistence farms. Positive outcomes were reported for ten of 23 water studies, 17 of 35 hygiene studies, 15 of 24 sanitation studies, all three air-quality studies, and 11 of 17 other biosecurity-related interventions. In total, 18 of 26 studies reported reduced infection or diseases, 37 of 71 studies reported reduced microbial loads, four of five studies reported reduced antibiotic use, and seven of 20 studies reported reduced antibiotic resistance. Overall, risk of bias was high in 28 of 57 studies with positive interventions and 17 of 30 studies with negative or neutral interventions. Farm-management interventions successfully reduced antibiotic use by up to 57%. Manure-oriented interventions reduced antibiotic resistance genes or antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animal waste by up to 99%. This systematic review highlights the challenges of preventing and controlling infections and antimicrobial resistance, even in well resourced agricultural settings. Most of the evidence emerges from studies that focus on the farm itself, rather than targeting agricultural communities or the broader social, economic, and policy environment that could affect their outcomes. WASH and biosecurity interventions could complement each other when addressing antimicrobial resistance in the human, animal, and environmental interface.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Swine; Sanitation; Biosecurity; Water; Cross-Sectional Studies; One Health; Chickens; Hygiene; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 37164518
DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00049-9 -
Archives of Environmental &... May 2017We summarized epidemiological studies assessing sodium in drinking water and changes in blood pressure or hypertension published in English from 1960 to 2015 from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
We summarized epidemiological studies assessing sodium in drinking water and changes in blood pressure or hypertension published in English from 1960 to 2015 from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We extracted data on blood pressure level or prevalence of hypertension and calculated pooled estimates using an inverse variance weighted random-effects model. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) in 7 studies (12 data sets) comparing the low and high water sodium exposure groups for systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 0.08 (95% CI, -0.17 to 0.34) and for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 0.23 (95% CI, 0.09-0.36). Of the 3 studies that assessed the association between high water sodium and odds of hypertension, 2 recent studies showed consistent findings of higher risk of hypertension. Our systematic review suggests an association between water sodium and human blood pressure (more consistently for DBP) but remain inconclusive because of the small number of studies (largely in young populations) and the cross-sectional design and methodological drawbacks. In the context of climate-change-related sea level rise and increasing saltwater intrusion into drinking water sources, further research is urgently warranted to investigate and guide intervention in this increasingly widespread problem.
Topics: Drinking Water; Humans; Hypertension; Risk Assessment; Salinity
PubMed: 27064986
DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2016.1175413 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2022to map the strategies for managing thirst in postoperative adult patients. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
to map the strategies for managing thirst in postoperative adult patients.
METHODS
scoping review was conducted in October 2021 in 19 data sources: 14 databases and 5 platforms to search in the grey literature. It was prepared according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the checklist of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Nine selected articles were part of the final sample.
RESULTS
there is evidence of strategies to manage postoperative thirst using interventions such as water, ice, mentholated measures, carbohydrate and protein enriched fluid, oral hydrator, flavored gargling, cold gargling, wet gauze, 0.75% citric acid spray, and cold water.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
the strategies observed may be reduced to cold and menthol use, salivary stimulants, and early introduction of fluids. The outcomes were positive in all the studies reviewed.
Topics: Adult; Carbohydrates; Citric Acid; Humans; Ice; Menthol; Research Design; Thirst; Water
PubMed: 36228294
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0154 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment May 2023Antimony (Sb) has been classified as a high-priority contaminant in the environment. Sb contamination resulting from the use of antimony-containing compounds in industry... (Review)
Review
Antimony (Sb) has been classified as a high-priority contaminant in the environment. Sb contamination resulting from the use of antimony-containing compounds in industry necessitates the development of efficient methods to remove it from water and wastewater. Adsorption is a highly efficient and reliable method for pollutants removal owing to its availability, recyclability, and low cost. Recently, carbonaceous materials and their applications for the removal of Sb from the aqueous matrices have received special attention worldwide. Herein, this review systematically summarizes the occurrence and exposure of Sb in the environment and on human health, respectively. Different carbon-based adsorbents have been classified for the adsorptive removal of Sb and their adsorption characteristics have been delineated. Recent development in the adsorption performance of the adsorbent materials for improving the Sb removal from the aqueous medium has been outlined. Further, to develop an understanding of the effect of different parameters like pH, competitive ions, and dissolved ions for Sb adsorption and subsequent removal have been discussed. A retrospective analysis of literature was conducted to present the adsorption behavior and underlying mechanisms involved in the removal of Sb using various adsorbents. Moreover, this study has identified emerging research gaps and emphasized the need for developing modified/engineered carbonaceous adsorbents to enhance Sb adsorption from various aqueous matrices.
Topics: Humans; Water; Wastewater; Antimony; Carbon; Retrospective Studies; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring; Adsorption
PubMed: 37248306
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11322-6 -
Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Dec 2023The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex structure that facilitates nutrient delivery and metabolic waste clearance, forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and supports... (Review)
Review
The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex structure that facilitates nutrient delivery and metabolic waste clearance, forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and supports fluid homeostasis in the brain. The integrity of NVU subcomponents can be measured in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including quantification of enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS), BBB permeability, cerebral perfusion and extracellular free water. The breakdown of NVU subparts is individually associated with aging, pathology, and cognition. However, how these subcomponents interact as a system, and how interdependencies are impacted by pathology remains unclear. This systematic scoping review identified 26 studies that investigated the inter-relationships between multiple subcomponents of the NVU in nonclinical and neurodegenerative populations using MRI. A further 112 studies investigated associations between the NVU and white matter hyperintensities (WMH). We identify two putative clusters of NVU interdependencies: a 'vascular' cluster comprising BBB permeability, perfusion and basal ganglia ePVS; and a 'fluid' cluster comprising ePVS, free water and WMH. Emerging evidence suggests that subcomponent coupling within these clusters may be differentially related to aging, neurovascular injury or neurodegenerative pathology.
Topics: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain; Blood-Brain Barrier; Water
PubMed: 38129925
DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00499-0 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2023Groundwater represents a critical water source for plants, especially during drought, with continuous groundwater availability widely associated with the presence of... (Review)
Review
Groundwater represents a critical water source for plants, especially during drought, with continuous groundwater availability widely associated with the presence of ecological refugia and the preservation of biodiversity during periods of adverse conditions. Here, we present a systematic quantitative literature review of global groundwater and ecosystem interactions to synthesise current knowledge and identify key knowledge gaps and research priorities through a management lens. Despite increasing research on groundwater dependent vegetation since the late 1990s, significant geographical and ecological biases are evident with papers focused on arid regions or areas with significant anthropogenic changes. Of the 140 papers reviewed, desert and steepe arid landscapes accounted for 50.7 % and desert and xeric shrublands were represented in 37.9 % of papers. A third of papers (34.4 %) quantified groundwater uptake by ecosystems and groundwater contributions to transpiration, with studies examining the influence of groundwater on vegetation productivity, distribution, and composition also well represented. In contrast, groundwater influences on other ecosystem functions are relatively poorly explored. The research biases introduce uncertainty in the transferability of findings between locations and ecosystems limiting the generality of our current understanding. This synthesis contributes to consolidating a solid knowledge base of the hydrological and ecological interrelationships for managers, planners, and other decision-makers that is relevant to the landscapes and environments they manage, so can more effectively deliver ecological and conservation outcomes.
Topics: Ecosystem; Groundwater; Biodiversity; Water; Plants
PubMed: 36898536
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162577 -
American Journal of Perinatology Jul 2024Despite patient interest, there is little evidence regarding waterbirth. This review sought to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in waterbirth, compared with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Despite patient interest, there is little evidence regarding waterbirth. This review sought to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in waterbirth, compared with landbirth. This search was conducted using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Sciences, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, OVID, and Cochrane Library from inception to November 15, 2021, with no language or geographic restrictions. Review was registered with PROSPERO under registration number: CRD42021288576. Selection criteria included randomized controlled trials of women with singleton cephalic gestations at ≥36 weeks comparing waterbirth to landbirth. The primary outcome was a perinatal composite outcome. Secondary outcomes included maternal and individual perinatal outcomes. Summary measures were reported as relative risk or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals using random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. (Higgins ) > 0% was used to identify heterogeneity. Six trials including 706 patients were included. When reported, all patients were ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Labor augmentation (41.7 vs. 84.7%, < 0.0001) and neuraxial anesthesia (10.5 vs. 72.4%, < 0.0001) were less common with waterbirth. Estimated blood loss, postpartum hemorrhage, perineal laceration, episiotomy, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes did not differ between groups. Chorioamnionitis and endometritis were not reported by any trial. Maternal satisfaction was higher ( = 0.01) and pain scores lower ( = 0.003) with waterbirth. Length of first stage ( < 0.00001), third stage ( = 0.02), and labor ( = 0.04) were shorter with waterbirth. The composite perinatal outcome could not be calculated due to lack of individual patient data. Compared with landbirth, waterbirth was associated with lower rates of neuraxial anesthesia and lower pain scores, with improved maternal satisfaction. KEY POINTS: · Data are limited regarding the safety and potential benefits of waterbirth.. · With waterbirth, maternal satisfaction was higher and pain scores lower. The first and third stages of labor and labor overall were shorter. No significant differences noted in other maternal outcomes, such as hemorrhage or laceration.. · Insufficient data are available regarding neonatal outcomes..
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Natural Childbirth; Water; Delivery, Obstetric; Postpartum Hemorrhage
PubMed: 36791786
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764145 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Apr 2023Malachite green (MG), an antibiotic with antifungal activity, is illegally used in aquaculture. Given that this chemical is teratogenic and mutagenic, abstinence from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Malachite green (MG), an antibiotic with antifungal activity, is illegally used in aquaculture. Given that this chemical is teratogenic and mutagenic, abstinence from intake seems to be a need for public safety. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the global contamination of fishes by MG and its reduced metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG), in a number of marine and farmed fish species. For literature published prior to January 2022, several databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) were investigated. In total, 20 publications (10 countries, 724 samples) achieved the criteria for inclusion. The overall average MG and LMG concentrations were 0.48 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.49 µg kg) and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.79 µg/kg), respectively. Eel (M. albus) 15.50 (95% CI: (14.39, 45.39 µg kg) and eel (A. anguilla) 4.46 (95% CI: 1.23, 7.69 µg kg) had the greatest contamination of MG and LMG, according to the effect size, respectively. Warm-water fish had a concentration of 2.591 (95% CI: 2.25, 2.93 µg kg) while cold-water fish had a concentration of 1.55 (95% CI: 0.25, 2.84 µg kg). Fish containing medium-fat level of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.44 µg kg) and high-fat content of 1.10 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.26 µg kg) had accumulate MG and LMG in their tissues, respectively. As a result, total MG observed in countries including China, Iran, and the Netherlands was higher than authorized (2 µg kg). The toxicity of MG and LMG demands more monitoring, especially in countries where these chemicals' residues are significant.
Topics: Animals; Rosaniline Dyes; Fishes; Water
PubMed: 36920616
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26372-z -
Parasitology Research Nov 2022Free-living amoebae (FLA) are cosmopolitan microorganisms known to be pathogenic to humans who often have a history of contact with contaminated water. Swimming pools... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are cosmopolitan microorganisms known to be pathogenic to humans who often have a history of contact with contaminated water. Swimming pools and recreational waters are among the environments where the greatest human exposure to FLA occurs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters, through a systematic review and meta-analysis that included studies published between 1977 and 2022. A total of 106 studies were included and an overall prevalence of FLA in swimming pools and recreational waters of 44.34% (95% CI = 38.57-50.18) was found. Considering the studies published up to 2010 (1977-2010), between 2010 and 2015, and those published after 2010 (> 2010-2022), the prevalence was 53.09% (95% CI = 43.33-62.73) and 37.07% (95% CI = 28.87-45.66) and 45.40% (95% CI = 35.48-55.51), respectively. The highest prevalence was found in the American continent (63.99%), in Mexico (98.35%), and in indoor hot swimming pools (52.27%). The prevalence varied with the variation of FLA detection methods, morphology (57.21%), PCR (25.78%), and simultaneously morphology and PCR (43.16%). The global prevalence by genera was Vahlkampfia spp. (54.20%), Acanthamoeba spp. (33.47%), Naegleria spp. (30.95%), Hartmannella spp./Vermamoeba spp. (20.73%), Stenamoeba spp. (12.05%), and Vannella spp. (10.75%). There is considerable risk of FLA infection in swimming pools and recreational waters. Recreational water safety needs to be routinely monitored and, in case of risk, locations need to be identified with warning signs and users need to be educated. Swimming pools and artificial recreational water should be properly disinfected. Photolysis of NaOCl or NaCl in water by UV-C radiation is a promising alternative to disinfect swimming pools and artificial recreational waters.
Topics: Amoeba; Humans; Prevalence; Sodium Chloride; Swimming Pools; Water
PubMed: 36040629
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07631-3