{"title":"Investigation of the presence of <i>Candida auris</i> and other <i>Candida</i> species in marine waters.","authors":"Sajedeh Soltani, Mahnaz Nikaeen, Nayereh Besharatipour, Sahar Gholipour, Hossein Mirhendi","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2485425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2485425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine recreational waters harbor various microorganisms that may pose health risks to users. However, fungal contamination, particularly by <i>Candida</i> species, has received limited attention despite evidence of their presence and potential health concerns. This study aimed to assess the microbial quality of water at five popular recreational beaches along the Persian Gulf, with a specific focus on <i>Candida</i> species. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), including <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Enterococci</i>, were enumerated in marine water samples. Additionally, the presence of <i>Candida auris</i> and other clinically relevant <i>Candida</i> spp. as well as <i>Meyerozyma guilliermondii</i> was investigated using nested, multiplex, and conventional PCR assays, respectively. FIB were highly prevalent across most of the sampling locations. Additionally, <i>C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei</i>, and <i>M. guilliermondii</i> were detected in a few samples. <i>C. albicans</i> specifically found at locations with high FIB concentrations, suggesting an association with anthropogenic activities. However, <i>C. auris</i> was not detected in this study. The presence of <i>Candida</i> spp. in recreational waters suggests a potential public health risk. These findings highlight the importance of further monitoring for fungal contamination to protect public health and guide future water quality management policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143730092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nur Farah Shafinaz Shafie, Nurul Kabir Nurul Bashar, Nor Azlina Abd Aziz, Razif Dasiman, Noor Hashida Hashim
{"title":"Protective role of <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. water on BPA-mediated oxidative stress and reproductive damage in male rats.","authors":"Nur Farah Shafinaz Shafie, Nurul Kabir Nurul Bashar, Nor Azlina Abd Aziz, Razif Dasiman, Noor Hashida Hashim","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2484782","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2484782","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bisphenol A (BPA) may impair male fertility by inducing oxidative stress in the testis, though its effects on spermatogenesis and sperm quality remain unclear. Conversely, <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. (coconut) water, rich in antioxidants, effectively inhibits oxidative stress. The aim of the study is to evaluate the protective effect of <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. water against BPA-mediated oxidative stress in male rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (C) received distilled water (0.5 mL/day), vehicle (V) received corn oil (0.5 mL/day), Bisphenol A (B) (50 mg/kg/day), <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. water (CW) (10 mL/kg/day) and <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. water plus bisphenol A (CW+B) groups. The testes and epididymis were harvested on day 31 for oxidative stress analysis, histological examination, immunofluorescence assay, and sperm motility. BPA administration reduced glutathione levels, increased malondialdehyde levels, and caused histopathological changes in the testis. Additionally, the grayscale intensity of actin and tubulin immunofluorescence, along with sperm motility, significantly decreased in the B group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). However, these parameters were notably improved by the administration of coconut water in CW+B group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusively, this study suggests that coconut water enhances antioxidant defences and supports male reproductive health in rats, potentially preventing BPA-induced reproductive damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143730101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Milad Badri, Mohammad Ali Mohaghegh, Meysam Olfatifar, Amir Abdoli, Leila Zaki, Ali Asghari, Razagh Mahmodi, Daniel Diaz, Aida Vafae Eslahi
{"title":"The contamination of human residential environments by intestinal protozoan parasites in cockroaches: a systematic review, meta-analysis and future predictions (up to 2035).","authors":"Milad Badri, Mohammad Ali Mohaghegh, Meysam Olfatifar, Amir Abdoli, Leila Zaki, Ali Asghari, Razagh Mahmodi, Daniel Diaz, Aida Vafae Eslahi","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2482062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2482062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cockroaches are significant health hazards as they can carry and transmit various pathogens, leading to serious illnesses in humans. This study investigates the global prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites (IPPs) in cockroaches through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Several databases, including (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), were searched for publications covering 2003 to 2024. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 5,955 records, resulting in 36 eligible studies. The pooled global prevalence of contaminated cockroaches was estimated at 0.26 (95% CI = 0.16-0.37). Further analysis indicated that the highest pooled prevalence based on sample source was found in zoo samples (0.82, 95% CI = 0.75-0.88). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection methods yielded the highest prevalence (0.42, 95% CI = 0-1.00), while <i>Blatta orientalis</i> showed a pooled prevalence of 0.57 (95% CI = 0.49-0.65). Geographically, Asia exhibited the highest prevalence rate (0.35, 95% CI = 0.16-0.57), particularly in low-income countries (0.56, 95% CI = 0.00-1.00). These findings underscore significant public health concerns regarding the contamination of cockroaches with IPPs and highlight the necessity for effective monitoring and control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of temperature on daily hospital visits for urticaria in Nanchang, China: a distributed lag nonlinear time series analysis.","authors":"Jing Zhang, Fadong Zhang, Weijun Liu, Xiaobing Wang, Zhiliang Xu","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2472191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2472191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluated temperature's lagged effects on urticaria outpatient visits in Nanchang, China (2017-2022), and identified sensitive populations through age/gender stratification.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM), we analyzed 71,779 urticaria visits, adjusting for humidity, weekday, holidays, and seasonal/long-term trends. Temperature effects (cold: 5th/25th percentiles; hot: 75th/95th percentiles) were compared to the 50th percentile.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Temperature exhibited non-linear and delayed impacts. Daily averages >19.9°C initially increased then decreased urticaria risk, peaking at 29°C with a 15-day lag (RR=1.74, 95% CI:1.63-1.86). No adverse effects occurred below 19.9°C. Individuals aged ≥60 were most vulnerable: at 29°C with a 16-day lag, RR surged to 2.31 (95% CI:1.99-2.70).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hot increases urticaria outpatient visits, while cold reduces risk. These findings highlight temperature-specific prevention strategies, particularly for older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Walid Yeddes, Iness Bettaieb Rebey, Raghda Yazidi, Ameni Ben Abdennebi, Majdi Hammami, Mouna Ben Farhat, Moufida Saidani Tounsi
{"title":"Eco-friendly extraction of hesperidin from citrus peels: a comparative study of Soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted methods for improved yield and antioxidant properties.","authors":"Walid Yeddes, Iness Bettaieb Rebey, Raghda Yazidi, Ameni Ben Abdennebi, Majdi Hammami, Mouna Ben Farhat, Moufida Saidani Tounsi","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2485426","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2485426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study compares Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for isolating hesperidin from citrus peels. UAE achieved the highest yield (89.7%) and demonstrated favorable kinetic parameters (rate constant: 0.96 h<sup>-1</sup>, half-life: 0.72 h), highlighting its efficiency as an eco-friendly alternative. The UAE extract also exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, maximizing bioactive compound recovery. While MAE showed superior antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC₅₀: 31.49 µg/mg DE) and ABTS (IC₅₀: 73.38 µg/mg DE) assays, the HPLC analysis confirmed a hesperidin purity of 89.7%, with UAE and MAE yielding comparable results. These findings underscore UAE's potential for enhancing hesperidin extraction while promoting sustainability through citrus waste valorization. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing extraction techniques for bioactive compounds and supporting their industrial applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143730089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arturo Sánchez-Paz, Trinidad Encinas-García, Liliana Ávila-Félix, Fernando Mendoza-Cano
{"title":"Microplastics in surface waters surrounding a touristic beach at the Gulf of California, Mexico.","authors":"Arturo Sánchez-Paz, Trinidad Encinas-García, Liliana Ávila-Félix, Fernando Mendoza-Cano","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2483356","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2483356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plastic waste, fragmented into microplastics (MPs), is an undeniable threat to marine ecosystems. This study analyzed the abundance of MPs in surface seawater samples collected in four locations surrounding a tourism destination in the Gulf of California before and after spring vacation. The mean concentration of MPs increased significantly between the two periods (up to a 2.02-fold increase), and the average number of natural/artificial microfibers was significantly more abundant after the vacation period (up to a 3.4-fold change). The most common colors of microfibers were black and blue, with red microfibers being the least abundant. Furthermore, in this study, the total abundance of microfibers slightly outnumbered microplastic particles (50.8 and 49.2%, respectively), with natural/artificial microfibers being more abundant than synthetic sources. Fluorescent microplastic particles (FMPs) were found in all seawater samples collected at different sites in both periods. Interestingly, the concentration of FMPs in some sampling sites increased after the intense incursion of tourists for the spring vacation. The low abundance of white microfibers before spring vacation could be due to the preference of some marine animal species to consume transparent or white MPs. This study highlights the importance of addressing the issue of microplastics on tourist beaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143700294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Radiological health risk maps of drinking water in Diyarbakır city, Türkiye.","authors":"Nevzat Damla, Cafer Mert Yesilkanat, Recep Kaya, Halim Taskin, Umit Isık, Kamuran Aldemir","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2482067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2482067","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Quantifying Radon-222 (<sup>222</sup>Rn), gross alpha (α) and beta (β) emitting radionuclides in drinking water is crucial for assessing water quality and potential long-term impacts on human health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the radiological characteristics and the spatial distribution of drinking water samples from Diyarbakır province, Türkiye using the geostatistical approach. The measurements of <sup>222</sup>Rn and gross α/β were scrutinized using a radon gas analyzer (AlphaGUARD PQ 2000 PRO) and a gas proportionate α/β counter (Berthold, LB 770 model). Spatial distribution maps were generated through the Ordinary Kriging method to visualize these parameters. The values of <sup>222</sup>Rn, gross α and β activity in drinking water were established to be in the range of 258-1393 mBq L<sup>-1</sup>, 12-243 mBq L<sup>-1</sup> and 32-380 mBq L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The associated averages of the total annual effective dose (AEDt<sub>otal</sub>) and total lifetime cancer risk (LCR<sub>total</sub>), of drinking water were estimated to be 59.56 μSv y<sup>-1</sup> and 2.57E - 04, respectively. Although the average LCR<sub>total</sub> was below the WHO threshold (3.85E - 04), it remained above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) limit (1E - 04). These outcomes highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and further investigation of local water supplies to safeguard public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143700297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Somayeh Rahimimoghadam, Ali Firoozichahak, Mojtaba Emkani, Arash Mohammadi, Danial Soleymani-Ghoozhdi
{"title":"Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to heavy metals among workers in the iron and steel industry.","authors":"Somayeh Rahimimoghadam, Ali Firoozichahak, Mojtaba Emkani, Arash Mohammadi, Danial Soleymani-Ghoozhdi","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2483967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2483967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heavy metals (HMs) emitted into the atmosphere from various sources pose numerous health risks, including cancer, respiratory and skin disorders, and neurological effects. This research aimed to conduct comprehensive quantitative and semi-quantitative risk assessments concerning HMs exposure among employees within the Iron and Steel industry. The study included a group of 149 workers exposed to HMs. Air sampling and analysis were conducted according to the NIOSH 7300 method. The semi-quantitative risk assessment followed the delineations provided by the Singapore Health Department, while the quantitative assessment adhered to the methodology outlined by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The study outcomes delineated those levels of exposure to heavy metals across all operational units were lower than the air exposure limits recommended by the ACGIH. According to the semi-quantitative risk assessment, a majority of workers were categorized within the negligible-risk level. Furthermore, mean carcinogenic risk values attributed to Cr surpassed the acceptable threshold of 1 × 10<sup>-4</sup>. The research findings also indicate the presence of non-carcinogenic risks associated with Mn and Cr exposure among the workforce. Thus, it is imperative to institute strategies aimed at mitigating workers' exposure to HMs, including the implementation of engineering controls and the establishment of regular monitoring protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of air pollution exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes: a time-series study.","authors":"Chenxin Wang, Qian Tang, Wei Xiao, Wenbin Shen, Ying Zong, Zhongxiang You, Xingyu Tang, Fen Huang","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2483349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2483349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to explore the connections between six categories of atmospheric pollutants (PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, CO, and O<sub>3</sub>) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, LBW; preterm birth, PTB) in Hefei, China, using a combination of Distributed Lag Nonlinear Models and Generalized Additive Models to evaluate the nonlinear exposure-response associations and the lag effects of air pollutants on the risk of LBW and PTB. Stratified and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of our findings. Among 44,727 live births from 2016 to 2020, 1,335 (2.98%) were identified as LBW, and 2,128 (4.76%) were classified as PTB. Among the six pollutants, exposure to PM<sub>10</sub> for pregnant women at lag0-11 weeks was observed to have the most significant impact on LBW, producing a relative risk (RR) of 1.100 (95% CI: 1.017, 1.189). In contrast, SO<sub>2</sub> exposure at lag0-5 weeks was most notably linked to the risk of PTB, with a RR of 1.559 (95% CI: 1.024, 2.374). Additionally, it was found that exposure to NO<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>3</sub> contributed to a heightened risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study further substantiated the relationships between air pollution and the risk of LBW and PTB.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143700301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The occurrence, concentration, and human health risk assessment of deoxynivalenol in beer: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Denis A Nikolenko, Yadolah Fakhri, Fereshteh Mehri, Amirhossein Mahmoudizeh, Somayeh Dehghani, Behnam Khodadoust, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah","doi":"10.1080/09603123.2025.2482073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2025.2482073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the concentration and occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in beer and calculated the health risk to consumers using the target hazard quotient (THQ). The analysis considered the country and type of DON subgroups. Searches were performed in databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed from 1 January 2000, to 20 February 2024. Our study included 26 papers with 154 data reports. The rank order of DON types based on occurrence was DON (67.38%) > DON-3-Glc (61.45%) > DON-15-Ac (3.43%) > DON-3-Ac (2.58%). Based on concentration, DON (14.658 µg L⁻¹) > DON-3-Glc (14.190 µg L-1) > DON-15-Ac (13.023 µg L⁻¹) > DON-3-Ac (7.550 µg L⁻¹). The highest concentrations of DON, DON-3-Ac, DON-15-Ac, and DON-3-Glc in beer were observed in Cameroon (227.797 µg L⁻¹), Nigeria (27.000 µg L⁻¹), Nigeria (30.000 µg L⁻¹), and the Czech Republic (44.050 µg L⁻¹), respectively. The meta-regression reveals a significant decrease in the occurrence of DON in beer over time (C: -0.014; p-value = 0.016). Despite the higher health risk in Cameroon, Brazil, and Latvia compared to other countries, the health risk assessment revealed no significant non-carcinogenic risk for consumers.</p>","PeriodicalId":14039,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Health Research","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}