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BMC Public Health Jun 2024Global warming has led to an increase in the number and intensity of extreme heat events, posing a significant threat to the health and safety of workers, especially...
PURPOSE
Global warming has led to an increase in the number and intensity of extreme heat events, posing a significant threat to the health and safety of workers, especially those working outdoors, as they often have limited access to cooling strategies. The present systematic literature review (a) summarizes the current knowledge on the impacts of climate change on outdoor workers, (b) provides historical background on this issue, (c) explores factors that reduce and increase thermal stress resilience, (d) discusses the heat mitigation strategies, and (e) provides an overview of existing policy and legal frameworks on occupational heat exposure among outdoor workers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this systematic review, we searched scientific databases including Scopus (N = 855), Web of Science (N = 828), and PubMed (N = 202). Additionally, we identified relevant studies on climate change and heat-stress control measures through Google Scholar (N = 116) using specific search terms. In total, we monitored 2001 articles pertaining to worker populations (men = 2921; women = 627) in various outdoor climate conditions across 14 countries. After full-text assessment, 55 studies were selected for inclusion, and finally, 29 eligible papers were included for data extraction.
RESULTS
Failure to implement effective control strategies for outdoor workers will result in decreased resilience to thermal stress. The findings underscore a lack of awareness regarding certain adaptation strategies and interventions aimed at preventing and enhancing resilience to the impact of climate change on heat stress prevalence among workers in outdoor tropical and subtropical environments. However, attractive alternative solutions from the aspects of economic and ecological sustainability in the overall assessment of heat stress resilience can be referred to acclimatization, shading, optimized clothing properties and planned breaks.
CONCLUSION
The integration of climate change adaptation strategies into occupational health programs can enhance occupational heat resilience among outdoor workers. Conducting cost-benefit evaluations of health and safety measures for thermal stress adaptation strategies among outdoor workers is crucial for professionals and policymakers in low- and middle-income tropical and subtropical countries. In this respect, complementary measures targeting hydration, work-rest regimes, ventilated garments, self-pacing, and mechanization can be adopted to protect outdoor workers. Risk management strategies, adaptive measures, heat risk awareness, practical interventions, training programs, and protective policies should be implemented in hot-dry and hot-humid climates to boost the tolerance and resilience of outdoor workers.
Topics: Humans; Climate Change; Heat Stress Disorders; Occupational Exposure; Hot Temperature; Female; Male
PubMed: 38926816
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19212-3 -
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North... Aug 2024Altitude-related illness occurs as a result of inadequate acclimatization. The mainstay of prevention is a slow, graded ascent profile which gives the body time to... (Review)
Review
Altitude-related illness occurs as a result of inadequate acclimatization. The mainstay of prevention is a slow, graded ascent profile which gives the body time to respond to a low-oxygen environment. The diagnosis of these conditions is often difficult in resource-limited environments, so history and a physical exam are key in identifying patients who will require descent and evacuation. Treatment modalities such as supplemental oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and medications, are all temporizing measures until the patient can be safely evacuated to a lower elevation.
Topics: Humans; Altitude Sickness; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Altitude; Mountaineering
PubMed: 38925772
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2024.02.013 -
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Healthy Non-Sedated Horses: A Feasibility Study.Veterinary Sciences May 2024This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tAVNS) in healthy horses and its effect on heart rate variability...
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tAVNS) in healthy horses and its effect on heart rate variability (HRV). The study comprised three phases: the selection of mares, their acclimatization to the tAVNS, and the stimulation phase. Stimulation was performed with two electrodes positioned on the right pinna. The settings were 0.5 mA, 250 μs, and 25 Hz for pulse amplitude, pulse width, and pulse frequency, respectively. HRV was analysed before (B1), during (T), and after (B2) the tAVNS. From the 44 mares initially included, only 7 completed the three phases. In these mares, the heart rate (HR) was significantly lower, and frequency domain parameters showed an increased parasympathetic tone in B2 compared with B1. However, in 3/7 mares, the HR was significantly higher during T compared with B1 and B2, compatible with a decreased parasympathetic tone, while in 4/7 mares, the HR was significantly lower and the parasympathetic nervous system index was significantly higher during T and B2 compared with B1. The tAVNS is an economical and easy procedure to perform and has the potential to stimulate vagal activity; however, it was poorly tolerated in the mares included in this study.
PubMed: 38921988
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060241 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology May 2024Leaf rust caused by (Pt) is one of the most dangerous diseases causing significant losses in common wheat crops. In adult plants resistant to rust, a horizontal adult...
Leaf rust caused by (Pt) is one of the most dangerous diseases causing significant losses in common wheat crops. In adult plants resistant to rust, a horizontal adult plant resistance (APR) type is observed, which protects the plant against multiple pathogen races and is distinguished by greater persistence under production conditions. Crucial pleiotropic slow-rust genes such as , , , and , in combination with other genes of lesser influence, continue to increase durable resistance to rust diseases. Based on our previous results, we selected four candidate genes for out of ten candidates and analysed them for expression before and after inoculation by . As part of our study, we also investigated the expression patterns of miRNA molecules complementary to and the candidate genes. The aim of the study was to analyse the expression profiles of candidate genes for the gene and the and genes responsible for the differential leaf-rust resistance of hybrid forms of the F1 generation resulting from crosses between the Glenlea cultivar and cultivars from Polish breeding companies. In addition, the expression of five miRNAs (tae-miR9653b, tae-miR5384-3p, tae-miR9780, tae-miR9775 and tae-miR164), complementary to , and selected candidate genes were analysed using stem-loop RT-PCR and ddPCR. Biotic stress was induced in adult plants by inoculation with fungal spores, under controlled conditions. Plant material was collected before and 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after inoculation (hpi). Differences in expression patterns of , , and candidate genes (for ) were analysed by qRT-PCR and showed that gene expression changed at the analysed time points. Identification of molecular markers coupled to the genes studied was also carried out to confirm the presence of these genes in wheat hybrids. qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression levels of the resistance genes. The highest expression of genes (, , , and ) occurred at 12 and 24 hpi, and such expression profiles were obtained for only one candidate gene among the four genes analysed (), indicating that it may be involved in resistance mechanisms of response to infection.
PubMed: 38921001
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060329 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Soil salinity is a major environmental stressor impacting global food production. Staple crops like wheat experience significant yield losses in saline environments....
Soil salinity is a major environmental stressor impacting global food production. Staple crops like wheat experience significant yield losses in saline environments. Bioprospecting for beneficial microbes associated with stress-resistant plants offers a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture. We isolated two novel endophytic bacteria, Bacillus cereus (ADJ1) and Priestia aryabhattai (ADJ6), from Agave desmettiana Jacobi. Both strains displayed potent plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, such as producing high amounts of indole-3-acetic acid (9.46, 10.00 µgml), ammonia (64.67, 108.97 µmol ml), zinc solubilization (Index of 3.33, 4.22, respectively), ACC deaminase production and biofilm formation. ADJ6 additionally showed inorganic phosphate solubilization (PSI of 2.77), atmospheric nitrogen fixation, and hydrogen cyanide production. Wheat seeds primed with these endophytes exhibited enhanced germination, improved growth profiles, and significantly increased yields in field trials. Notably, both ADJ1 and ADJ6 tolerated high salinity (up to 1.03 M) and significantly improved wheat germination and seedling growth under saline stress, acting both independently and synergistically. This study reveals promising stress-tolerance traits within endophytic bacteria from A. desmettiana. Exploiting such under-explored plant microbiomes offers a sustainable approach to developing salt-tolerant crops, mitigating the impact of climate change-induced salinization on global food security.
Topics: Salt Tolerance; Triticum; Crops, Agricultural; Bacillus; Endophytes; Salinity; Indoleacetic Acids; Soil Microbiology; Nitrogen Fixation; Germination; Bacillus cereus; Seedlings; Carbon-Carbon Lyases
PubMed: 38918548
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65632-x -
Journal of Environmental Management Jun 2024Microalgae are considered sustainable resources for the production of biofuel, feed, and bioactive compounds. Among various microalgal genera, the Tetraselmis genus,...
Microalgae are considered sustainable resources for the production of biofuel, feed, and bioactive compounds. Among various microalgal genera, the Tetraselmis genus, containing predominantly marine microalgal species with wide tolerance to salinity and temperature, has a high potential for large-scale commercialization. Until now, Tetraselmis sp. are exploited at smaller levels for aquaculture hatcheries and bivalve production. However, its prolific growth rate leads to promising areal productivity and energy-dense biomass, so it is considered a viable source of third-generation biofuel. Also, microbial pathogens and contaminants are not generally associated with Tetraselmis sp. in outdoor conditions due to faster growth as well as dominance in the culture. Numerous studies revealed that the metabolite compositions of Tetraselmis could be altered favorably by changing the growth conditions, taking advantage of its acclimatization or adaptation ability in different conditions. Furthermore, the biorefinery approach produces multiple fractions that can be successfully upgraded into various value-added products along with biofuel. Overall, Tetraselmis sp. could be considered a potential strain for further algal biorefinery development under the circular bioeconomy framework. In this aspect, this review discusses the recent advancements in the cultivation and harvesting of Tetraselmis sp. for wider application in different sectors. Furthermore, this review highlights the key challenges associated with large-scale cultivation, biomass harvesting, and commercial applications for Tetraselmis sp.
PubMed: 38917540
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121520 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jun 2024Thermophilic cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms that possess exceptional heat-resistant characteristics. This group serves as an excellent model for investigating... (Review)
Review
Thermophilic cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms that possess exceptional heat-resistant characteristics. This group serves as an excellent model for investigating the heat tolerance of higher photosynthetic organisms, including higher plants, some protists (such as algae and euglena), and bacteria. Analyzing the mechanisms of high-temperature adaptation in thermophilic cyanobacteria can enhance our understanding of how photosynthetic organisms and microorganisms tolerate high temperatures at the molecular level. Additionally, these thermotolerant cyanobacteria have the potential to contribute to breeding heat-tolerant plants and developing microbial cell factories. This review summarizes current research on thermophilic cyanobacteria, focusing on their ecology, morphology, omics studies, and mechanisms of high-temperature tolerance. It offers insight into the potential biotechnological applications of thermophilic cyanobacteria and highlights future research opportunities. Specifically, attention is given to the photosynthetic physiology and metabolism of cyanobacteria, and the molecular basis of heat-tolerance mechanisms in thermophilic cyanobacteria is explored.
Topics: Cyanobacteria; Hot Temperature; Biotechnology; Adaptation, Physiological; Photosynthesis; Thermotolerance
PubMed: 38914490
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230645 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2024Tibetan sheep were introduced to the Qinghai Tibet plateau roughly 3,000 B.P., making this species a good model for investigating genetic mechanisms of high-altitude...
Tibetan sheep were introduced to the Qinghai Tibet plateau roughly 3,000 B.P., making this species a good model for investigating genetic mechanisms of high-altitude adaptation over a relatively short timescale. Here, we characterize genomic structural variants (SVs) that distinguish Tibetan sheep from closely related, low-altitude Hu sheep, and we examine associated changes in tissue-specific gene expression. We document differentiation between the two sheep breeds in frequencies of SVs associated with genes involved in cardiac function and circulation. In Tibetan sheep, we identified high-frequency SVs in a total of 462 genes, including , , and . Single-cell RNA-Seq data and luciferase reporter assays revealed that the SVs had -acting effects on the expression levels of these three genes in specific tissues and cell types. In Tibetan sheep, we identified a high-frequency chromosomal inversion that exhibited modified chromatin architectures relative to the noninverted allele that predominates in Hu sheep. The inversion harbors several genes with altered expression patterns related to heart protection, brown adipocyte proliferation, angiogenesis, and DNA repair. These findings indicate that SVs represent an important source of genetic variation in gene expression and may have contributed to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan sheep.
Topics: Animals; Altitude; Sheep; Tibet; Genomic Structural Variation; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Gene Expression Regulation; Genome; Acclimatization
PubMed: 38913905
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322291121 -
Environmental Research Jun 2024Thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of animal manure offers various environmental benefits but the process requires a microbial community acclimatized to high ammonia....
Genome-centric metagenomics and methanogenic pathway analysis for acclimated anaerobic digestion of chicken manure with high ammonia stressed under thermophilic condition.
Thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of animal manure offers various environmental benefits but the process requires a microbial community acclimatized to high ammonia. In current study, a lab-scale continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) fed with chicken manure was operated under thermophilic condition for 450 days in total. Results showed that the volumetric methane production decreased from 445 to 328 and sharply declined to 153 mL L·d with feeding total solid (TS) step increased from 5% to 7.5% and 10%, respectively. While, after a long-term stop feeding for 80 days, highly disturbed reactor was able to recover methane generation to 739 mL L·d at feeding TS of 10%. Isotope analysis indicted acetate converted to methane through the syntrophic acetate oxidation and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (SAO-HM) pathway increased from 33% to 63% as the concentration of ammonium increased from 2493 to 6258 mg L. Significant different in the genome expression of the SAO bacterial from 0.09% to 1.23%, combining with main hydrogenotrophic partners (Methanoculleus spp. and Methanothermobacter spp.) contented of 2.1% and 99.9% during inhibitory and recovery stages, respectively. The highly expressed KEGG pathway in level 3 (enzyme genes) for the Recovery sludge combining with the extraordinary high abundance of genera Halocella sp. suggested that Halocella sp. might be a highly efficient hydrolytic and acidogenic microorganism and enhance the process of SAO during carbon metabolic flow to methane. This report will be a basis for further study of AD studies on high nitrogen content of poultry manure.
PubMed: 38909951
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119453 -
Functional Plant Biology : FPB Jun 2024This study reveals a new acclimation mechanism of the eukaryotic unicellular green alga Chlorella vulgaris in terms of the effect of varying atmospheric pressures on the...
This study reveals a new acclimation mechanism of the eukaryotic unicellular green alga Chlorella vulgaris in terms of the effect of varying atmospheric pressures on the structure and function of its photosynthetic apparatus using fluorescence induction measurements (JIP-test). The results indicate that low (400mbar) and extreme low (2 atmosphere (simulating the Mars atmosphere), reveals that the impact of extremely low atmospheric pressure on PQ mobility within the photosynthetic membrane, coupled with the low density of an almost 100% CO2 Mars-like atmosphere, results to a similar photosynthetic efficiency to that on Earth. These findings pave the way for the identification of novel functional acclimation mechanisms of microalgae to extreme environments that are vastly distinct from those found on Earth.
Topics: Photosynthesis; Atmospheric Pressure; Microalgae; Mars; Acclimatization; Chlorella vulgaris; Exobiology; Atmosphere; Extraterrestrial Environment
PubMed: 38902906
DOI: 10.1071/FP24058