Azo dyes are one of the largest classes of synthetic dyes being used in textile industries. It has been reported that 15-50% of these dyes find their way into wastewater that is often used for ...irrigation purpose in developing countries. The effect of azo dyes contamination on soil nitrogen (N) has been studied previously. However, how does the azo dye contamination affect soil carbon (C) cycling is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effect of azo dye contamination (Reactive Black 5, 30 mg kg
dry soil), bacteria that decolorize this dye and dye + bacteria in the presence or absence of maize leaf litter on soil respiration, soil inorganic N and microbial biomass. We found that dye contamination did not induce any change in soil respiration, soil microbial biomass or soil inorganic N availability (
> 0.05). Litter evidently increased soil respiration. Our study concludes that the Reactive Black 5 azo dye (applied in low amount, i.e., 30 mg kg
dry soil) contamination did not modify organic matter decomposition, N mineralization and microbial biomass in a silty loam soil.
Background: It is unknown if COVID-19 will exhibit seasonal pattern as other diseases e.g., seasonal influenza. Similarly, some environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity) have been shown to ...be associated with transmission of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but global data on their association with COVID-19 are scarce. Objective: To examine the association between climatic factors and COVID-19. Methods: We used multilevel mixed-effects (two-level random-intercepts) negative binomial regression models to examine the association between 7- and 14-day-lagged temperature, humidity (relative and absolute), wind speed and UV index and COVID-19 cases, adjusting for Gross Domestic Products, Global Health Security Index, cloud cover (%), precipitation (mm), sea-level air-pressure (mb), and daytime length. The effects estimates are reported as adjusted rate ratio (aRR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Data from 206 countries/regions (until April 20, 2020) with ≥100 reported cases showed no association between COVID-19 cases and 7-day-lagged temperature, relative humidity, UV index, and wind speed, after adjusting for potential confounders, but a positive association with 14-day-lagged temperature and a negative association with 14-day-lagged wind speed. Compared to an absolute humidity of <5 g/m3, an absolute humidity of 5–10 g/m3 was associated with a 23% (95% CI: 6–42%) higher rate of COVID-19 cases, while absolute humidity >10 g/m3 did not have a significant effect. These findings were robust in the 14-day-lagged analysis. Conclusion: Our results of higher COVID-19 cases (through April 20) at absolute humidity of 5–10 g/m3 may be suggestive of a ‘sweet point’ for viral transmission, however only controlled laboratory experiments can decisively prove it.
•A global study from 206 countries/regions to examine the effects of climatic factors on COVID-19.•We adjusted for a range of climatic and structural factors in the analysis.•No association with 7-day lagged climatic variables and COVID-19.•Positive association between COVID-19 and 14-day lagged temperature.•Negative association between COVID-19 and 14-day lagged wind speed.•Consistently higher rate of COVID-19 cases in absolute humidity of 5–10 g/m3.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Arsenic (As) pollution in cultivated soils poses a significant risk to the sustainable growth of agriculture and jeopardizes food security. However, the mechanisms underlying how zinc (Zn) regulates ...the toxic effects induced by As in plants remain poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential of ZnO as an effective and environmentally friendly amendment to alleviate As toxicity in rice, thereby addressing the significant risk posed by As pollution in cultivated soils. Through a hydroponic experiment, the study assessed the mitigating effects of different ZnO dosages (Zn
5
, 5 mg L
-1
; Zn
15
, 15 mg L
-1
; Zn
30
, 30 mg L
-1
) on rice seedlings exposed to varying levels of As stress (As
0
, 0 µM L
-1
; As
25
, 25 µM L
-1
). The findings of the study demonstrate significant improvements in plant height and biomass (shoot and root), with a notable increase of 16–40% observed in the Zn
15
treatment, and an even more substantial enhancement of 29–53% observed in the Zn
30
treatment under As stress, compared to respective control treatment. Furthermore, in the Zn
30
treatment, the shoot and root As contents substantially reduced by 47% and 63%, respectively, relative to the control treatment. The elevated Zn contents in shoots and roots enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, SOD, and CAT), and decreased MDA contents (13-25%) and H
2
O
2
contents (11-27%), indicating the mitigation of oxidative stress. Moreover, the expression of antioxidant-related genes,
OsSOD-Cu/Zn
,
OsCATA
,
OsCATB
, and
OsAPX1
was reduced when rice seedlings were exposed to As stress and significantly enhanced after Zn addition. Overall, the research suggests that ZnO application could effectively mitigate As uptake and toxicity in rice plants cultivated in As-contaminated soils, offering potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The semiconductor metal oxides based photocatalysis is one of the efficient techniques used for eradication of pollutants from wastewater. The plants mediated biosynthesis of metal oxides have got ...much interest due to environmentally friendly and cost‐effective nature. This article reports the Calotropis gigantea mediated biosynthesis of ZnO and Ag@ZnO as effective catalysts for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye. After characterization with advanced techniques, the biosynthesized ZnO and Ag@ZnO were tested as photocatalysts on degradation of RhB dye under irradiation. The catalytic activity of ZnO and Ag@ZnO was estimated in terms of decolorization, COD, and TOC removal. Results showed that 50.4 and 90.2% decolorization, 41.3 and 74.8% removal of COD, and 45.3 and 83.5% removal of TOC were measured over ZnO and Ag@ZnO as photocatalysts in 120 min, respectively. The biosynthesized Ag@ZnO was a stable and reusable catalyst in degradation experiments.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The mental well-being of university students is a primary public health concern worldwide, including in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the overall mental ...health status among Bangladeshi university students. The study used larger and more diverse sample compared to previous studies, and also explored factors associated with the mental health well-being of those students.
Data were collected through an online questionnaire, utilizing the proportional allocation method, from students in various universities across Bangladesh. The sample included 2036 participants. The study applied Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using the GHQ2+ threshold (i.e., having more than two symptoms). A binary outcome variable was created with two levels: "good mental health" and "poor mental health," to assess the mental health status of the university students. The explanatory variables were age, gender, academic year, type of university, and sources of personal expenses. Exploratory data analysis, association tests, and binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors influencing the outcome variable.
A total of 55.9% of students (male: 52.6% and female: 62.8%) exhibited poor mental health status. Female students' mental health was found to be worse (odds ratio OR: 1.49, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.23-1.81) compared to that of males. Similarly, public university students displayed a worse mental health condition than their counterparts in private universities (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.61).
The overall mental health of university students in Bangladesh is concerning. There is a pressing need for effective mental health policies and interventions to bolster the mental well-being of university students, with a specific focus on students from public universities and females.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Blood-culture overutilization is associated with increased cost and excessive antimicrobial use. We implemented an intervention in the adult intensive care unit (ICU), combining education based on ...the DISTRIBUTE algorithm and restriction to infectious diseases and ICU providers. Our intervention led to reduced blood-culture utilization without affecting safety metrics.
To determine the occurrence of bacterial pathogens responsible for diarrhea and to engender information regarding the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotic against diarrhea.
This cross-sectional ...study was conducted between April and July 2014. Samples were collected from the Divisional Headquarter and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The differential and selective media were used to isolate bacterial pathogens, which were identified through cultural characteristics, microscopy, and biochemical tests. Disc diffusion assay was carried out using Muller Hinton agar medium, and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using broth dilution method against isolated pathogens.
One hundred and forty-one (100%) samples were positive for some bacteria. Frequency of occurrence was Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) (66%), Escherichia coli (E.coli) (48.5%), Salmonella typhi (S. Typhi) (27.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (8.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (4.3%). Single pathogen was detected in 20 (14.2%) samples whereas combinations were found in 121 (85.8%) samples. Bacillus cereus and E.coli were the most frequently detected pathogens followed by the S. Typhi, P. aeruginosa, and Staph. aureus. The percentage occurrence of isolated pathogens was 31% in B. cereus, 31% in E. coli, 18% in S. Typhi, 5% in P. aeruginosa, and 3% in Staph. aureus.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed resistance against Amoxicillin and Cefotaxime, whereas S. aureus was found resistant against Cefotaxime. Statistical analysis using one way Analysis of Variance revealed that Ofloxacin and Gentamicin had significant (p less than 0.05) differences against all isolates as compared with other antibiotics used in this study.
Methods In the ED at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (Houston, Texas, USA), an automated, real-time decision support software system (Decisio Health; Houston, Texas, USA) was installed to help ...calculate the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for each patient. With regards to the effect on O/E mortality, although there was not a statistically significant difference between intervention and control periods (mean=1.00, SD=0.18 and mean=1.14, SD=0.14, respectively) (z=1.67, p=0.08), O/E mortality was 12% lower during intervention months (as compared with control months) and the effect size was large (d=0.87).Table 1 Observed vs expected mortality and length of stay during the control and intervention periods and comparisons between the two using the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test Control (n=12 months) Intervention (n=9 months) % Improvement P value Cohen’s d Mean (SD) Mean (SD) Mortality O/E** 1.14 (0.14) 1.00 (0.18) 12 0.09 0.87 Arithmetic LOS O/E†† 1.54 (0.05) 1.47 (0.05) 4.5 0.004 1.40 Geometric LOS O/E†† 1.25 (0.04) 1.17 (0.04) 6.5 0.001 2.00 *Based on data from 11 132 patient admissions for control months and 8346 for intervention months. †Based on data from 11 101 patient admissions for control months and 8313 for intervention months. The ED is a highly complex, and unpredictable clinical environment, making an automated early warning system a critical adjunct and safety net for patients in these dynamic and busy departments.9 10 This study demonstrates that a real-time decision support software system that automates calculation of and notification for abnormal early warning scores was correlated with an improvement of hospital mortality and LOS for ED patients facing hospitalisation. The study demonstrates, that in a complex, dynamic clinical environment such as an ED, an automated decision support software system is an effective tool to implement a vital sign-based early warning score to change the outcomes of hospitalised patients.
•Multiple mechanisms are involved in the uptake and metabolism of As in plants.•The most toxic forms of this element are AsIII and AsV.•Under aerobic conditions, Pi transporters are the source of ...entry for AsV in roots.
Arsenic (As), a naturally-occurring metalloid, is not essential for plant growth, but it can accumulate in plants to toxic levels. As a result, it can enter the food chain and pose health risk to humans. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the uptake and metabolism of As in plants. The most toxic forms of this element are AsIII and AsV. Methylated As and arsenite (as AsIII) move through the noduline 26-like intrinsic protein (NIP) aquaporin channels while arsenate (as AsV) is taken up through the phosphate transporters. In the Pteridaceae family, some fern species show hyper-accumulating behavior towards As in aboveground tissues. However, generally in plants, the chelation phenomenon detoxifies arsenite through complexation with the thiol-rich peptide. This comprehensive review encompasses the mechanisms of transport, metabolism, and tolerance that plants show in response to As. Some recent advancement in plant breeding, genetic modifications and remediation approaches to overcome soil and food contamination problems are also summarized. We will also evaluate the implications of these new findings and assess how this may help in developing the crops that can be grown in high As regions and ultimately will be safe for consumers.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
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