RESUMEN
Air pollution poses one of the greatest dangers to public well-being. This article outlines a study conducted in the Central Romania Region regarding the health risks associated with particulate matter (PM) of two sizes, viz., PM10 and PM2.5. The methodology used consists of the following: (i) an analysis of the effects of PM pollutants, (ii) an analysis of total mortality and cardiovascular-related mortality, and (iii) a general health risk assessment. The Central Region of Romania is situated in the Carpathian Mountains' inner arch (consisting of six counties). The total population of the region under investigation is about 2.6 million inhabitants. Health risk assessment is calculated based on the relative risk (RR) formula. During the study period, our simulations show that reducing these pollutants' concentrations below the new WHO guidelines (2021) will prevent over 172 total fatalities in Brasov alone, as an example. Furthermore, the potential benefit of reducing annual PM2.5 levels on total cardiovascular mortality is around 188 persons in Brasov. Although health benefits may also depend upon other physiological parameters, all general health indicators point towards a significant improvement in overall health by a general reduction in particulate matter, as is shown by the toxicity assessment of the particulate matter in the region of interest. The modality can be applied to other locations for similar studies.
RESUMEN
Platelet indices represent useful biomarkers to express the thromboembolic status, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in preterm newborns. Our study presented platelet count and function changes in prematurity-related morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular bleeding, and anemia of prematurity in preterm newborn cases reported to healthy full-term newborns by flow cytometry and hematological methods. The platelet volume represents the average size of platelets in the blood samples, showing the significantly increased values in preterm newborns compared with healthy full-term newborns due to increasing activated platelet production. Flow cytometric analysis of immature platelet fractions (IPF) made using thiazole orange staining to detect their mRNA content and a glycoprotein (anti-GPIIIa) antibody for platelet gating. CD61-TO expression from premature newborns was significantly lower compared to healthy full-term neonates. Preterm newborn cases with respiratory distress syndrome and a need for respiratory support (RDS+) were characterized by a significantly increased platelet volume and a decreased immature platelet fraction reported in RDS- cases. Evaluating the platelet function in the newborn is difficult because the laboratory methodologies work with small quantities of newborn blood samples. The immature platelet fractions and platelet volume promise to be diagnostic biomarkers for diseases.
