Towards engineering mitigation of leaching of Cd and Pb in co-contaminated soils using metal oxide-based aerogel composites and biochar.

Applications of metal-based nanomaterials for the remediation of heavy metal (HM) contaminated environments are of great importance. The ability of metal oxide-based carbon aerogel composite to immobilize HMs in multi-metal contaminated soils has not yet been investigated, particularly under acidic conditions. Herein, we investigate the performance of metal oxides (Sr0.7 Mn0.3 Co0.5 Fe0.5O3-δ)-based carbon aerogel composite (MO-CAg) compared with coconut coil fiber biochar (CCFB) and carbon aerogel (CAg) for Cd and Pb immobilization in contaminated soil. The MO-CAg, applied at 2% (w/w), significantly decreased Pb leaching by 67-75% and Cd by 60-65%, CAg decreased Cd by 54% and Pb by 46%, while biochar decreased Cd by 40-44% and Pb by 43%. The addition of MO-CAg altered Cd and Pb geochemical fractions by increasing their residual fraction, i.e., stabilized both metals compared to the control. This presents a comprehensive elaboration on the probable reaction interactions between the MO-Cag and heavy metals, including a combination of (co)precipitation, and reduction-oxidation as the predominant mechanisms of metal stabilization with MO-CAg. Moreover, MO-CAg increased Pb and Cd stabilization in soils by strengthening the bonding between metal oxides and Cd/Pb. By imbedding MO into the CAg, in MO-CAg, the immobilization of Cd(II) and Pb(II) occurred through inner-sphere complexation, while with CCFB and CAg metals, immobilization occurred through outer-sphere complexation. MO-CAg is a promising and highly efficient material that could be recommended for the remediation of Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils in subsequent studies.

Environmental health risk factors and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL): A case-control study in northeastern Iran.

Background & objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the main causes of vector-born diseases in younger population. To evaluate the association of environmental health factors on the odds of CL incidence, a case-control study was conducted in northeastern Iran. Methods: This study was conducted within 2020-2021 based on individual and household data from a tertiary referral center. Cases were patients diagnosed with CL by PCR method; controls were selected among the patients' relatives, and information was obtained from a health registry system. Demographic and socioeconomic data of 1871 subjects, included age, sex, household information and environmental health factors. Multivariable models with environmental factors in various conditions and CL were separately fit by univariate and mixed multiple unconditional logistic regression. Results: Participants included 617 cases (mean [SD] age, 13.62[13.72] years; 58.20% male) and 1264 controls (mean [SD] age, 16.45[15.44] years; 50.40% male). Results revealed that the use of well-water sources compared to surface water is significantly associated with CL (odds ratio [OR]=0.204; 95%CI, 0.13-0.33;P<0.001). Muddy houses, ruined buildings or wastelands and stagnant water, canals and rivers near the houses were also associated with CL (OR=3.85; 95%CI, 1.66-8.89; P=.002; OR=2.47; 95%CI, 1.76-3.47; P<.001). Besides, existence of pine tree was found to be a risk factor (OR=3.25; 95%CI, 2.12-4.99; P<.001) and similarly for the use of waste collection system (OR=4.43; 95%CI, 3.32-7.51; P<.001). Interpretation & conclusion: Environmental factors related to houses were significantly associated with CL and may represent the modifiable risk factors of CL disease.

The Effect of Month of Birth on Multiple Sclerosis: A Sase-Control Study in Northeast Iran.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and multi-factorial (e.g. environmental, genetic) disease. We conducted a case-control study of month and season of birth (MOB and SOB) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in the east of Iran. METHODS: The MS patients registered in Mashhad and Torbat Heydariyeh MS Society until 20 March 2018 was compared with the MOB and SOB in the healthy population during 1988 to 2018. Case group was matched for age, sex and place of residence with the control group. Differences in the distributions of MOB and SOB between the patients and the control groups were assessed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: There were 2,160 MS patients in case group and 2,245 in control group. There was a significant relationship between MOB ans SOB with the risk of MS (P less than 0.05). Analysis showed a significant (p less than 0.01) peak in the MOB during Mar-Apr (OR is equal to 1.60), May-Jun (OR is equal to 1.30) and Aug-Sep (OR is equal to 2.42). CONCLUSION: The findings show a relationship between MOB and SOB as risk factor for MS in Northeast Iran. Further studies are needed to confirm this result. Keyword: Multiple sclerosis, Month of Birth, seasonality, case-control, Iran.

Air quality index variation before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive study on 87 capital, industrial and polluted cities of the world.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided an opportunity for the environment to reduce ambient pollution despite the economic, social and health disruption to the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the air quality indexes (AQI) in industrial, densely populated and capital cities in different countries of the world before and after 2020. In this ecological study, we used AQI obtained from the free available databases such as the World Air Quality Index (WAQI). Bivariate correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations between meteorological and AQI variables. Mean differences (standard deviation: SD) of AQI parameters of different years were tested using paired-sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test as appropriate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to recognize meteorological variables affecting the AQI parameters. RESULTS: AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 changes were significantly higher before and after 2020, simultaneously with COVID-19 restrictions in different cities of the world. The overall changes of AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 in 2020 were - 7.36%, - 17.52% and - 20.54% compared to 2019. On the other hand, these results became reversed in 2021 (+ 4.25%, + 9.08% and + 7.48%). In general, the temperature and relative humidity were inversely correlated with AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2. Also, after adjusting for other meteorological factors, the relative humidity was inversely associated with AQI-PM2.5, AQI-PM10 and AQI-NO2 (ß = - 1.55, ß = - 0.88 and ß = - 0.10, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that air quality generally improved for all pollutants except carbon monoxide and ozone in 2020; however, changes in 2021 have been reversed, which may be due to the reduction of some countries' restrictions. Although this quality improvement was temporary, it is an important result for planning to control environmental pollutants.

Association between water and sanitation, air and emission pollution and climate change and neurological disease distribution: A study based on GBD data.

Along with the urbanization and industrialization of countries, the prevalence of chronic diseases has increased. There is ample evidence that ambient pollution can play a major role in these diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between neurological disorders (NDs) and their subtypes with environmental factors. In this country-level study, we used the age-standardized prevalence and incidence rate (per 100,000 populations) of NDs and its subtypes that have been taken from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database in 2019. We used correlation and regression analysis to assess the association between variables. Also, multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify the most important variables in NDs distribution. Age-adjusted NDs incidence rate was significantly higher in developed countries compared to developing countries (11345.25 (95% CI: 11634.88-11055.62) and 9956.37 (95% CI: 10138.66-9774.08)). Association results indicated that the impact of water and sanitation could be more effective than air pollution on NDs. The increase in water and sanitation index levels was positively correlated with NDs incidence rate and prevalence (regression coefficient (b) = 38.011 (SE = 6.50) and b = 118.84 (SE = 20.64), p < 0.001, respectively) after adjusting socio-economic and demographic factors. Furthermore, the incidence of NDs was negatively correlated with the increase in air quality (b = -16.30 (SE = 7.25), p = 0.008). Water and sanitation and their related factors are plausible factors in the distribution of NDs, which may be linked to the potential role of air and water pollution, such as heavy metals and particle matters. These results can be used by politicians and municipal service planners for future planning.

Interaction between meteorological parameters and COVID-19: an ecological study on 406 authorities of the UK.

Understanding the factors affecting COVID-19 transmission is critical in assessing and mitigating the spread of the pandemic. This study investigated the transmissibility and death distribution of COVID-19 and its association with meteorological parameters to study the propagation pattern of COVID-19 in UK regions. We used the reported case and death per capita rate (as of November 13, 2020; before mass vaccination) and long-term meteorological data (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and visibility) in 406 UK local authority levels based on publicity available secondary data. We performed correlation and regression analysis between COVID-19 variables and meteorological parameters to find the association between COVID-19 and independent variables. Student's T and Mann-Whitney's tests were used to analyze data. The correlation and regression analyses revealed that temperature, dew point, wind speed, and humidity were the most important factors associated with spread and death of COVID-19 (P <0.05). COVID-19 cases negatively correlated with humidity in areas with high population density, but the inverse in low population density areas. Wind speeds in low visibility areas, which are considered polluted air, may increase the spread of disease (r=0.42, P <0.05) and decrease the spread in high visibility areas (r=-0.16, P <0.05). Among low (T <10°C) and high (T >10°C) temperature areas, the average incidence rates were 2056.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1909.49-2204.23) and 1446.76 (95% CI: 1296.71-1596.81). Also, COVID-19 death per capita rates were 81.55 (95% CI: 77.40-85.70) and 69.78 (95% CI: 64.39-75.16) respectively. According to the comprehensive analysis, the spread of disease will be suppressed as the weather warms and humidity and wind speed decrease. Different environmental conditions can increase or decrease spread of the disease due to affecting spread of disease vectors and by altering people's behavior.

Analyses and anticipating the future trend of accidents in an electricity distribution company of Iran: A time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many work-related fatalities happen every year in electricity distribution companies. This study was conducted to model accidents using the time series analysis and survey descriptive factors of injuries in an electricity distribution company in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: Data related to 2010 to 2017 were collected from the database of the safety department. Time series and trend analysis were used for data analyzing and anticipating the accidents up to 2022. RESULT: Most of the accidents occurred in summer. Workers' negligence was the reason for 75% of deaths. Employment type and type of injuries had a significant relationship (p <  0.05). CONCLUSION: The anticipating model indicated occupational injuries are going to have an increase in the future. A high rate of accidents in summer maybe because of the warm weather or insufficient skills in temporary workers. Temporary workers have no chance to work in a year like permanent workers, therefore acquisition experiences may be less in them. Based on the estimating model, management should pay attention to those sectors of the company where most of the risky activities take place. Also, training programs and using personal protective equipment can help to protect workers in hazardous conditions.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of COVID-19; a Narrative Review.

There are significant misconceptions and many obstacles in the way of illuminating the epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 as a new emerging epidemic. In addition, usefulness of some evidence published in the context of the recent epidemic for decision making in clinic as well as public health is questionable. However, misinterpreting or ignoring strong evidence in clinical practice and public health probably results in less effective and somehow more harmful decisions for individuals as well as subgroups in general populations of countries in the initial stages of this epidemic. Accordingly, our narrative review appraised epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease including genetic diversity of coronavirus genus, mode of transmission, incubation period, infectivity, pathogenicity, virulence, immunogenicity, diagnosis, surveillance, clinical case management and also successful measures for preventing its spread in some communities.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Etherification of Aldehydes at Room Temperature: C-O vs C-C Bond Formation.

The reaction of secondary and tertiary benzyl alcohols activated by 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine (TCT) with aldehydes in the presence of NiCl2·dmg as a precatalyst in ethylene glycol afforded ethers at room temperature. A selective C-O vs C-C bond formation was observed for the secondary and tertiary benzyl alcohols in comparison with primary ones.