Tag: nevin manimala

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:512-521. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.09.011. Epub 2025 Sep 10.

ABSTRACT

High groundwater nitrate associated with agricultural activity is a global environmental problem. However, linking spatial variability of groundwater nitrate and agricultural activity quantification needs to be elucidated. This paper seeks to explain the spatial variability of groundwater nitrate in the loess area of Tongchuan City, China, identify the contributing factors using hydrogeochemical and statistical methods, and analyze the connection between farmland leaching and groundwater nitrate quantitatively. Results indicate that the nitrate of the Quaternary alluvial pore water (QAP) is significantly higher during the wet season (3.60 to 68.24 mg/L) compared to the dry season (3.53 to 37.20 mg/L). QAP nitrate is significantly higher than that in loess fissure-pore water (LFP), which ranges from 0.66 to 5.47 mg/L during the wet season and 0.82 to 5.01 mg/L during the dry season. The thin and loose vadose zone of QAP makes the aquifer particularly susceptible to anthropogenic influences. Following recharge from LFP, the hydrochemical parameters in QAP increased by 1.22 to 3.12 times (except Na⁺ and pH), the change of average nitrate concentration in QAP (10.11 mg/L) was considerably higher than that in LFP (0.03 mg/L) due to farmland leaching. A significant correlation (R² = 0.70 exists between groundwater nitrate and farmland leaching in river valleys and on slopes where farmland is prevalent. Fertilizer accumulation in river valleys enhances downward leaching, thereby further exacerbating groundwater nitrate. These findings highlight that river valleys with extensive farmland in the Loess Plateau should be prioritized for preventing and controlling groundwater nitrate pollution from agricultural activities.

PMID:41887870 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.09.011

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:48-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.051. Epub 2025 Oct 30.

ABSTRACT

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) regulate secondary pollutant formation by controlling both atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) intensity and RO_x cycling efficiency. However, their dynamic mechanisms under varying seasonal and pollution conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, the seasonal variations in AOC and radical chemistry under contrasting pollution scenarios were quantified based on the synchronized measurements of VOCs and other trace gases in Jinan, China. Severe ozone pollution was identified in summer with 8 h average ozone (O₃) levels exceeding the Chinese national ambient air quality on 22 days (or 73.3 % in frequency). Winter haze episodes (38.7 % in frequency) exhibited significant PM_2.5 accumulation alongside pronounced VOCs enhancement. VOCs exhibited marked seasonal divergence: summer pollution depleted alkanes (-23 %) but enriched oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs, +28 %) through photochemical processing, whereas winter conditions amplified primary VOCs emissions. AOC confirmed summer dominance, with an average value of 1.6 × 10⁷ molecules/(cm³·s), exceeding winter AOC values by 7-8 folds. OH reactivity analysis further distinguished seasonal drivers, with OVOCs accounting for 34 % of summer OH depletion versus NO₂/CO-dominated consumption (61.2 %) in winter. HCHO/OVOCs photolysis contributed 65 %-89 % to HO₂/RO₂ production in summer (54 %-56 % in winter), whilst OH generation primarily originated from HONO photolysis (38 %-44 % in winter) and O₃ dissociation (59 %-74 % in summer). Summer pollution episodes intensified radical cycling, as evidenced via accelerated summer OH production rates during pollution days.

PMID:41887866 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.051

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:37-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018. Epub 2025 Oct 14.

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their adverse health effects and have garnered significant global attention. This study assessed the levels of ten monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), derived from naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, in urine samples collected from 495 elderly individuals in southern China. OH-PAH concentrations ranged from 0.134 to 183 ng/mL, with OH-Nap (the monohydroxy metabolite of naphthalene) being the most prevalent, accounting for 76.8 % of total metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between urinary OH-PAH levels and demographic factors including gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, with smoking emerging as the strongest determinant. Regression analyses indicated that steaming significantly reduced PAH exposure (e.g., for 1-OHNap: β = -0.103, 95 % CI: -0.67, -0.04, p < 0.05), while dietary factors, such as fish, mycorrhizal algae, soy products, and coarse grains, influenced OH-PAH concentrations (p < 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations revealed a hazard index below the safety threshold of 1 and an overall carcinogenic risk ranging from 6.40 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.05 × 10⁻⁴, with approximately 85 % of individuals exceeding the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (lg(CR) > -6), primarily due to pyrene and naphthalene, which together accounted for 87.2 % of the total. This study delineates the link between PAH metabolites and dietary habits, uncovering health risks for the elderly population in the region. It provides a scientific basis for environmental health and pollution prevention policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of PAHs on environmental and public health.

PMID:41887855 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:348-375. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.053. Epub 2025 Aug 27.

ABSTRACT

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are a group of widely used insecticides in agriculture, livestock, and pest control for pets. However, increasing reports on their adverse effects on non-target organisms have aroused growing public concerns. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate NEO exposure and the related human health. This review summarized the human biomonitoring studies on NEOs, and the epidemiological, in vitro, and in vivo toxicological investigations on the health effects of NEOs. Human biomonitoring studies revealed significant changes in NEO detection frequencies, concentrations, and profiles across different human populations, suggesting potential variances in exposure patterns or metabolic processes. Certain metabolites may be more sensitive biomarkers than their parent molecules, as evidenced by higher levels of some NEO metabolites than those of their parent compounds. Although human epidemiological data has revealed associations between NEO exposure and diverse detrimental health outcomes including reproductive and developmental abnormalities, oxidative damage, etc., the cross-sectional design of most studies cannot elucidate causality, necessitating further prospective research. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown various toxic effects of NEOs, including neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, etc. Further research on the molecular mechanisms beyond oxidative stress is worthwhile. Given metabolic activation, additional metabolites of both conventional and new generation NEOs as well as NEO-like compounds need to be determined, and their toxicities should be evaluated. This review can be contributed to the comprehensive understanding of the threat from extensive exposure to NEOs and proposed future research directions can aid to improve studies on health effects of NEOs.

PMID:41887854 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.053

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:197-208. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.12.062. Epub 2025 Dec 25.

ABSTRACT

As urban renewal accelerates, heavy metals (HMs) pollution resulting from industrial activities in urban areas must be considered. This study examines 36 representative redevelopment industrial sites in the Jinshan District of Shanghai, where the concentrations of eight HMs in the soil were assessed. Based on this data, the characteristics of heavy metal concentrations and their sources in the region were investigated, followed by a risk assessment of HMs pollution. The results indicate that the soil in the study area exhibits low levels of pollution, with moderate ecological risks. Using Pearson correlation analysis and the Absolute Principal Component Score-Multiple Linear Regression (APCS-MLR) source apportionment model, the HMs were categorized into several sources: An industrial source dominated by Cu (74.84 %), a traffic source dominated by Zn (67.51 %), a natural source dominated by Cr and As (66.50 % and 64.98 %, respectively), and a mixed source. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation, which incorporates the probability distributions of various assessment parameters, thereby reducing uncertainty in the results. The findings show that the non-carcinogenic risk for all populations in the study area (children, adult females, and adult males) remains within acceptable limits. However, the carcinogenic risk proportional probabilities for these populations were found to be 48.13 %, 32.49 %, and 11.41 %, respectively, indicating a notable risk level. Uncertainty analysis results suggest that the heavy metals Cd and As exhibit high sensitivity in the model. This study provides theoretical support for the prevention and control of soil pollution during urban renewal.

PMID:41887839 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.12.062

J Environ Sci (China). 2026 May;163:154-162. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.002. Epub 2025 Jul 2.

ABSTRACT

Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions impacts are beginning to get more attention, due to their potential to adversely effect on air pollution, climate and human health. Vehicle emission and laboratory simulation testing were employed to analyze the ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission characteristics from a light-duty gasoline vehicle equipped with a monolithic three-way catalyst. It was found that NH₃ emission factors were much higher than N₂O emission factors, reaching 27.8 mg/km for an engine-aged catalyst. Catalyst aging and degradation resulted in the loss of three-way catalytic activity and reducibility, which led to a significant increase in the emissions of NH₃ and N₂O by-products. An engine aged catalyst showed higher N₂O and NH₃ emission than thermally aged catalyst for the real vehicle tests. Raman and electron probe results indicated that the agglomeration of active metals affects the dissociation process of NO on the metal surface, thereby affected the selectivity of the catalyst for N₂O and NH₃.

PMID:41887835 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.002

Lancet Public Health. 2026 Apr;11(4):e253-e263. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00030-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence (GBV) is an important public health issue in Europe, yet standardised cross-national data remain scarce. Emergency departments (EDs) are often the first point of contact for an individual who has been assaulted. This study aimed to analyse GBV-related ED presentations using data from the European Injury Database (IDB).

METHODS: This cross-sectional study analysed IDB data from 16 European countries (Jan 1, 2008, to Dec 14, 2023), defining GBV as intentional injuries inflicted by male perpetrators, involving female individuals aged ≥15 years. Descriptive analyses compared GBV with other female injuries (female victims in whom the perpetrator was recorded as female or was not specified). Multivariable logistic regression assessed GBV-associated injury severity compared with other violence against girls and women, adjusting for age, period, and country.

FINDINGS: Of 5 643 295 injury-related ED attendances, 1 960 096 were other female injuries and 21 048 were violence cases, of which 10 315 were GBV. Mean age was 38·2 years (SD 15·7) for individuals subjected to GBV and 55·3 years (41·5) for those with other female injuries. There were higher rates of head and face injuries, contusions, and asphyxiation-related injuries in cases of GBV than other female injuries, but there were lower rates of fractures. Most GBV events occurred in domestic settings (5802 [56·3%] of 10 315 GBV cases) and during night-time hours (3931 [41·9%]), involving physical force (7340 [73·1%]); perpetrators were most commonly intimate partners (4906 [47·6%]) or strangers (1546 [15·0%]). Hospital admission was more frequent in GBV than in other female injuries (2210 [21·4%] of 10 315 vs 366 765 [18·7%] of 1 960 096; p<0·0001). GBV was associated with higher injury severity compared with other female injuries after adjustment (odds ratio 1·22, 95% CI 1·12-1·34; p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION: GBV-related ED cases show distinct features that characterise the visible spectrum of violence against girls and women in emergency settings. These patterns highlight the need for improved documentation and greater awareness of less visible presentations. Cross-national variability underscores the need for harmonised surveillance protocols to capture the true burden of GBV in Europe.

FUNDING: None.

PMID:41887827 | DOI:10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00030-7

Lancet Public Health. 2026 Apr;11(4):e212-e220. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00043-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fiscal food policies can improve diets and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases. We aimed to model the effects of various health-promoting food taxes and subsidies in Australia on health, economics, and equity.

METHODS: In this modelling study, the modelled scenarios included a 20% tax on unhealthy foods (ie, sugar-sweetened beverages, confectionery, snack foods, biscuits, pastries, ice cream, and processed meat), a 20% subsidy for fruits and vegetables, and a 20% tax on unhealthy foods earmarked to subsidise fruits and vegetables. We used a food demand system and nationally representative dietary intake data from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey to estimate changes in energy, sodium, fruit, and vegetable intake for each policy across 5-year age-sex-socioeconomic status groups. These changes were input into a multiple-cohort proportional multistate lifetable model to estimate premature deaths averted, gains in health-adjusted life-years (HALYs), and health-care cost savings over the lifetime of the 2019 Australian adult population. Analyses were stratified by food category and socioeconomic quintile.

FINDINGS: We estimated that a 20% tax on unhealthy foods could avert 212 000 (95% uncertainty interval 196 000-229 000) premature deaths, generate 1370 000 (1270 000-1480 000) HALYs, lower health-care costs by AU$14·9 billion (4·6-27·5), and promote health equity. The estimated HALYs gained could be approximately 7 times greater than by taxing sugar-sweetened beverages alone. Conversely, a 20% subsidy for fruits and vegetables could avert 44 000 (36 000-52 000) premature deaths and generate 203 000 (155 000-249 000) HALYs, but might not lead to meaningful changes in health-care costs. Furthermore, earmarking the 20% tax to fund subsidies for fruits and vegetables could offset some of the financial burden of the tax.

INTERPRETATION: Fiscal food policies could be powerful levers to promote health and equity in Australia and should be considered by policy makers.

FUNDING: Australian Research Training Program.

PMID:41887824 | DOI:10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00043-5

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2026 Apr;169(4):532-540. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2025.11.022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the physical properties of directly 3-dimensional-printed clear aligners (DPA), fabricated from TA-28 resin (Graphy Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea), subjected to thermal cycling, focusing on color stability and surface wettability as indicators of clinical performance and material durability.

METHODS: Ninety disc-shaped specimens (15.0 × 2.0 mm) were fabricated using the manufacturer-recommended TA-28 resin (Graphy Inc). For color stability assessment, samples (n = 60) were immersed in distilled water, black tea, coffee, or red wine and evaluated at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days using a spectrophotometer based on the International Commission on Illumination L∗a∗b∗ and International Commission on Illumination color difference 2000 (ΔE00) systems. For surface wettability, specimens (n = 30) were subjected to thermal cycling at 5°C-55°C for 7 and 14 days, and the water contact angle was measured using the sessile drop method. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test for overall comparisons of nonparametric data, with post-hoc pairwise tests performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. For normally distributed variables, paired-samples t tests were applied. A significance level of P <0.05 was considered statistically meaningful.

RESULTS: Colorization tests revealed clinically unacceptable discoloration (ΔE₀₀ >2.25) in specimens immersed in tea, coffee, and red wine, with red wine producing the most severe changes (ΔE00 >30 at 14 days). A time-dependent increase in discoloration was observed across all staining solutions. Water contact angle values were consistently <90°, confirming a hydrophilic surface profile. Although values decreased after 7- and 14-day thermal cycling, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.143 and P = 0.599), indicating stable surface wettability over the aging period.

CONCLUSIONS: DPAs fabricated from TA-28 resin demonstrate hydrophilic surface characteristics and are highly susceptible to discoloration when exposed to pigmented beverages. These findings represent preliminary laboratory observations rather than clinical performance outcomes. Further studies simulating intraoral conditions, including mechanical wear and daily cleaning, are required to confirm the long-term esthetic stability of DPAs.

PMID:41887815 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajodo.2025.11.022

Chem Res Toxicol. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6c00143. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Computational models are crucial for rapid hazard screening of novel chemicals when time and resources are not available for laboratory assessment. The rise of machine learning (ML) methods powering quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models has enabled data-driven development of predictive models for health effects screening. However, these models are typically single-task, meaning that they are trained on a single toxicological endpoint and lack transferability to similar tasks, i.e., the ability to predict chemicals’ effects on related endpoints. Thus, when predictions are needed for another endpoint, a new model must be trained from scratch. Further, single-task ML models are typically trained on very large, homogeneous data sets, which are not available for most adverse outcome endpoints. Effective hazard screening would benefit from approaches that can handle multiple small, noisy data sets recording complex chemical and biological mechanisms. To that end, we trained an ML model simultaneously on multiple tasks curated from moderate-sized (∼1000 observations) ToxCast data sets. To predict novel tasks from small (∼100 observations) ToxCast data sets, we combined our pretrained multitask model with a task-specific predictor, either a random forest or a neural network. These two components comprise a novel ML pipeline that generates and uses molecular representations from our multitask model. Compared to a common ML approach using standard chemical representations, our pipeline performed statistically better on a majority of tasks, regardless of the choice of downstream predictor. The advantage of the molecular representations from our multitask model, over those from a single-task model, is that they combine information on multiple effects to provide a model of chemical space that captures generalizable information. This work contributes to efforts to improve the utility of ML QSAR methods for predicting chemicals’ bioactivity on low-data toxicological endpoints.

PMID:41887802 | DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6c00143