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Environmental Research Jul 2023Evidence supporting the effect of individual protective measures (IPMs) on air pollution is relatively scarce. In this study, we performed a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Evidence supporting the effect of individual protective measures (IPMs) on air pollution is relatively scarce. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of air purifiers, air-purifying respirators, and cookstove changes on cardiopulmonary health outcomes. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 31, 2022, 90 articles and 39,760 participants were included. Two authors independently searched and selected the studies, extracted information, and assessed each study's quality and risk of bias. We performed meta-analyses when three or more studies were available for each IPMs, with comparable intervention and health outcome. Systematic review showed that IPMs were beneficial in children and elderly with asthma along with healthy individuals. Meta-analysis results showed a reduction in cardiopulmonary inflammation using air purifiers than in control groups (with sham/no filter) with a decrease in interleukin 6 by -0.247 μg/mL (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.413, -0.082). A sub-group analysis for air purifier as an IPMs in developing counties reduced fractional exhaled nitric oxide by -0.208 ppb (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.394, -0.022). However, evidence describing the effects of air purifying respirator and cook stove changes on cardiopulmonary outcomes remained insufficient. Therefore, air purifiers can serve as efficient IPMs against air pollution. The beneficial effect of air purifiers is likely to have a greater effect in developing countries than in developed countries.
Topics: Child; Humans; Aged; Air Pollution; Asthma; Household Products; Cooking; Health Status
PubMed: 36940818
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115708 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2024Various methodologies including genetic analyses, morphometrics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, etc. are now used or being developed to authenticate fish and... (Review)
Review
Various methodologies including genetic analyses, morphometrics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, etc. are now used or being developed to authenticate fish and seafood. Such techniques usually lead to the generation of enormous amounts of data. The analysis and interpretation of this information can be particularly challenging. Statistical techniques are therefore commonly used to assist in analyzing these data, visualizing trends and differences and extracting conclusions. This review article aims at presenting and discussing statistical methods used in studies on fish and seafood authenticity and adulteration, allowing researchers to consider their options based on previous successes/failures but also offering some recommendations about the future of such techniques. Techniques such as PCA, AMOVA and statistics, that allow the differentiation of genetic groups, or techniques such as MANOVA that allow large data sets of morphometric characteristics or elemental differences to be analyzed are discussed. Furthermore, methods such as cluster analysis, DFA, CVA, CDA and heatmaps/Circos plots that allow samples to be differentiated based on their geographical origin are also reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages as found in past studies are given. Finally, mathematical simulations and modeling are presented in a detailed review of studies using them, together with their advantages and limitations.
Topics: Animals; Seafood; Multivariate Analysis; Fishes; Metabolomics
PubMed: 36052815
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2117786 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2023This study evaluated the technological viability of yogurt with the addition of green-banana biomass (Musa spp.) considering the resistant starch (BBV) as a potential...
This study evaluated the technological viability of yogurt with the addition of green-banana biomass (Musa spp.) considering the resistant starch (BBV) as a potential prebiotic ingredient and texture agent. Four yogurt formulations were prepared: control; 3% BBV; 5% BBV; and 10% BBV. They were subjected to analysis of resistant starch, lactose, fat, total dry extract, defatted dry extract, moisture, ash, proteins, pH and titratable acidity; syneresis analysis, instrumental texture and instrumental color. All four formulations met the requirements of the identity and quality regulation for fermented milks regarding the physicochemical and microbiological parameters. In the instrumental color analysis, in all treatments with added BBV, darkening was observed after 21 days, with a reduction of a* coordinate and an increase of b* coordinate. In the instrumental texture analysis, the yogurt in the Control treatment had the highest firmness (0.430 N) at 21 days among these treatments. Among the treatments with added BBV, the yogurt with 5% added BBV showed the best results for increasing the viability of lactic bacteria. It was found that yogurt with added BBV is a promising alternative in the elaboration of functional dairy products, adding value to the banana production chain by reducing the green fruit waste.
Topics: Biomass; Musa; Prebiotics; Resistant Starch; Yogurt
PubMed: 37556713
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220532 -
Journal of Environmental Management Dec 2023There is increasing attention on developing efficient processes including circular economy principles, and obtaining fuels from wastewater treatment feedstocks is among...
There is increasing attention on developing efficient processes including circular economy principles, and obtaining fuels from wastewater treatment feedstocks is among the most promising. As a wastewater treatment byproduct, sewage sludge is a source of lipids that can be converted to biodiesel in a transesterification process. Economic and environmental analysis have been applied to a 60 m/h sewage sludge plant, exploring 32 process alternatives. Using solvent extraction from wet sewage sludge, the high cost associated with the drying step is skipped. The wet alternatives with low amounts of solvent and acid usage depicted higher performance compared to the dry ones. Incorporating additional extraction stages increases both the financial gains and environmental impacts. As a result, a multicriteria analysis is implemented to ascertain the optimum process based on different priorities. The case with 0.5:1 (v/v) of hexane to biomass ratio, 3-stage extractor, 60 min residence time and pH 4 was the optimum alternative in most criteria.
Topics: Sewage; Biofuels; Esterification; Solvents
PubMed: 37864937
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119269 -
The Veterinary Record Mar 2024
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Animal Feed; Insect Proteins; Insecta
PubMed: 38427389
DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4009 -
Analytical Sciences : the International... Jan 2024With the prevalence of glucosamine- and chondroitin-containing dietary supplements for people with osteoarthritis in the marketplace, it is important to have an accurate...
With the prevalence of glucosamine- and chondroitin-containing dietary supplements for people with osteoarthritis in the marketplace, it is important to have an accurate and reproducible analytical method for the quantitation of these compounds in finished products. NMR spectroscopic method based both on low- (80 MHz) and high- (500-600 MHz) field NMR instrumentation was established, compared and validated for the determination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in dietary supplements. The proposed method was applied for analysis of 20 different dietary supplements. In the majority of cases, quantification results obtained on the low-field NMR spectrometer are similar to those obtained with high-field 500-600 MHz NMR devices. Validation results in terms of accuracy, precision, reproducibility, limit of detection and recovery demonstrated that the developed method is fit for purpose for the marketed products. The NMR method was extended to the analysis of methylsulfonylmethane, adulterant maltodextrin, acetate and inorganic ions. Low-field NMR can be a quicker and cheaper alternative to more expensive high-field NMR measurements for quality control of the investigated dietary supplements. High-field NMR instrumentation can be more favorable for samples with complex composition due to better resolution, simultaneously giving the possibility of analysis of inorganic species such as potassium and chloride.
Topics: Humans; Glucosamine; Reproducibility of Results; Dietary Supplements; Osteoarthritis; Chondroitin Sulfates
PubMed: 37819571
DOI: 10.1007/s44211-023-00433-2 -
PloS One 2023Addressing global warming is one of the most pressing environmental challenges and a crucial agenda for humanity. In this literature study, we employed bibliometrics to...
Addressing global warming is one of the most pressing environmental challenges and a crucial agenda for humanity. In this literature study, we employed bibliometrics to reproduce nearly two decades of research on carbon emission reduction in China, the largest carbon emitter worldwide. The scientometrics analysis was conducted on 1570 academic works published between 2001 and 2021 concerning China's carbon emission reduction to characterize the knowledge landscape. Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, the basic characteristics, research forces, knowledge base, research topic evolution, and research hotspots were identified and revealed. The analysis results show that the attention to and research on China's carbon emissions have increased in recent years, giving rise to leading institutions and relatively stable core journal groups in this field. The research disciplines are relatively concentrated, but the research collaboration needs strengthening. The research hotspots are mainly carbon emission causes, impacts, and countermeasures in China, and the research frontiers have been constantly advanced and expanded. In the future, research on countermeasures needs more effort, and research cooperation needs to strengthen. The changing landscape of hotspot clusters reveals China's transition towards a low-carbon economy. Through comprehensive analysis of the potential and obstacles to China's transition to low-carbon development, we identified three promising areas of action (low-carbon cities, low-carbon technologies and industries, and transforming China's energy system) and proposed research directions to address remaining gaps systematically.
Topics: Carbon; Global Warming; Technology; China; Bibliometrics; Carbon Dioxide; Economic Development
PubMed: 37471311
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288661 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Oct 2023Among the largest CO emission industries, the cement industry is ranked in 2nd place. A large volume of CO is emitted at the clinker production, which is a cement...
Among the largest CO emission industries, the cement industry is ranked in 2nd place. A large volume of CO is emitted at the clinker production, which is a cement manufacturing intermediate product. Countries around the world were having difficulty reducing atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Concrete is still being used more and more as the nation's infrastructure advances. The amount of CO emitted by concrete can be decreased by using less cement or substituting other materials for cement. In this study, the CO emission analysis is made on M40 grade, which is that metakaolin (MK) and alccofine (AL) are replaced to the cement in the manufacturing of concrete and is compared with the conventional concrete. The optimum cement replacement of MK and AL is 10% in the production of M40 grade concrete. MK and AL concrete have advantages and disadvantages. If proper safety precautions are taken during the manufacturing process, the toxicity level can be reduced, as well as the amount of CO released by the cement during the production of concrete. The LCA (life cycle analysis) is made for the concrete specimens, and the results were interpreted to know which concrete sample emits less and more carbon dioxide. The LCA study provided insights into the environmental aspects of metakaolin and alccofine concrete, including potential reductions in CO emissions, energy consumption and other environmental indicators. It helps identify areas of improvement and informs decision-making processes regarding sustainable material choices and construction practices. In M40 grade concrete, a 10% cement replacement with metakaolin and alccofine was found to be ideal. These results could also help in identifying the major cause of CO emission, and they can be used for further research purposes.
Topics: Construction Materials; Carbon Dioxide; Greenhouse Gases; Industry
PubMed: 37704814
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29771-4 -
Analytical Chemistry Jul 2023Developing advanced tools for multicomponent analysis is an open challenge in engineering and life science. Herein, multicompartmental hydrogel microspheres with...
Developing advanced tools for multicomponent analysis is an open challenge in engineering and life science. Herein, multicompartmental hydrogel microspheres with multi-material compatibility and structural scalability are developed as a tool for multicomponent analysis at a single-particle level. Microfluidic technology endows particles with adjustable sizes and super-segmented layouts that can be used to load various analyte probes. In order to perform multicomponent analysis, these microspheres are structurally divided into identifier regions for indicating reading direction and analyte regions for detecting target molecules. The multiplex detection ability of these particles is demonstrated in microRNA bioassays with high specificity and sensitivity. The multi-target analysis is performed on a single-particle level, and the bioassay is free of conventional labeling interference. We expect these particles to reach their potential in clinical diagnostics.
Topics: Hydrogels; Microspheres; Microfluidics; MicroRNAs; Biological Assay
PubMed: 37348075
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01305 -
PloS One 2024Currently, the world faces an existential threat of climate change, and every government across the globe is trying to come up with strategies to tackle the severity of...
Currently, the world faces an existential threat of climate change, and every government across the globe is trying to come up with strategies to tackle the severity of climate change in every way possible. To this end, the use of clean energy rather than fossil fuel energy sources is critical, as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pave the way for carbon neutrality. This study examines the impact of the energy cleanability gap on four different climate vulnerabilities, such as ecosystem, food, health, and housing vulnerabilities, considering 47 European and non-European high-income countries. The study considers samples from 2002 to 2019. This study precedes the empirical analysis in the context of a quadratic relationship between the energy cleanability gap and climate vulnerability. The study uses system-generalized methods of the moment as the main technique, while panel quantile regression is a robustness analysis. Fixed effect and random effect models have also been incorporated. The study finds that the energy cleanability gap and all four climate vulnerabilities demonstrate a U-shaped relationship in both European and non-European countries, implying that when the energy cleanability gap increases, climate vulnerability decreases, but after reaching a certain threshold, it starts to increase. Development expenditure is found to be negatively affecting food and health vulnerabilities in European nations, while it increases food vulnerability and decreases health vulnerability in non-European nations. Regarding industrialization's impact on climate vulnerabilities, the study finds opposite effects for the European and non-European economies. On the other hand, for both groups, trade openness decreases climate vulnerabilities. Based on these results, the study recommends speeding up the energy transition process from fossil fuel energy resources towards clean energy resources to obtain carbon neutrality in both European and non-European groups.
Topics: Developed Countries; Ecosystem; Greenhouse Gases; Economic Development; Fossil Fuels; Carbon; Carbon Dioxide; Renewable Energy
PubMed: 38578792
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297529