Search Results (36)

Cape Verdean immigrants are a growing yet understudied population in the United States (U.S.), with limited data on HPV and cervical cancer prevention knowledge. This descriptive qualitative study explored awareness, knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions related to HPV and cervical cancer prevention among Cape Verdean immigrant mothers of children aged 11–17 residing in Massachusetts, a state in the northeastern U.S. A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 Cape Verdean immigrant mothers of adolescents aged 11–17 residing in the study area. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed thematically using inductive and deductive approaches guided by the literature and emergent narratives. MAXQDA was used for data management, and coding reliability was established through independent review by bilingual researchers. Participants demonstrated varying levels of awareness, ranging from comprehensive understanding to limited knowledge. Two major themes emerged: (1) knowledge and beliefs about cervical cancer and (2) knowledge and beliefs about HPV. Findings revealed fragmented knowledge, misconceptions about screening and transmission, and gendered perceptions of HPV as a “women’s issue.” While many mothers valued prevention and recognized HPV’s link to cervical cancer, uncertainties remained regarding vaccination, screening recommendations, and vaccine effectiveness. Findings highlight the need for culturally and linguistically tailored interventions addressing HPV misinformation, strengthening parental confidence, and supporting Cape Verdean mothers as informed health decision-makers to improve HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. Full article

Proteases are widely studied hydrolases as “green technologies” for degrading structures within complex matrices, although combining different classes poses challenges for catalytic stability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically evaluate the biochemical control of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts using plant- and microbial-derived proteases. This study evaluated the compatibility and sanitizing potential of the microbial serine protease subtilisin Carlsberg (HPF-1SCA) and the plant cysteine protease papain (1PPP), both individually and in a 15% (w/v) combination, hypothesizing a synergistic effect due to their distinct catalytic specificities, as a potential biochemical approach to reduce contamination by these zoonotic protozoa of global importance, which are highly resilient to conventional disinfectants. The experimental design comprised five distinct treatment groups: a negative control (distilled water), a positive chemical control (0.04% v/v NaClO), treatment with isolated papain (15% w/v), treatment with isolated microbial HPF formulation (15% w/v), and a combined treatment using both enzymes simultaneously (15% w/v each). Concurrently, an in silico molecular docking investigation was conducted to elucidate the predicted binding scores, structural compatibility, and preferential binding mechanisms of these enzymes toward the Cryptosporidium Oocyst Wall Protein (COWP). In vitro compatibility assays revealed an immediate antagonistic effect due to mutual proteolysis, reducing overall proteolytic activity by 45% after 72 h. Despite this antagonism, the enzyme mixture (G5) and the isolated microbial protease (G4) achieved a 93% reduction in oocysts, equivalent to the conventional 0.04% NaClO treatment (G2), while papain (G3) achieved 65%. All these results represented statistically significant efficacy (p < 0.01) compared to the negative control (G1). In silico molecular docking studies provided a structural predictive basis for the experimental data, suggesting that subtilisin Carlsberg (HPF-1SCA) exhibits more favorable predicted binding scores and structurally compatible interfaces, compared to papain, particularly toward the major oocyst structural proteins COWP8 (estimated ΔG = −15.2 kcal·mol⁻¹) and COWP6 (estimated ΔG = −13.3 kcal·mol⁻¹). This provides robust evidence for initial target recognition and molecular anchoring, although these static models do not definitively confirm catalytically productive cleavage conformations. In summary, this in vitro proof-of-concept demonstrates that microbial proteases show promise for the biochemical destabilization of oocysts without generating toxic chlorinated byproducts. While these baseline findings align with the One Health concept, future field-scale validations assessing enzyme stability under variable environmental conditions and in vivo infectivity assays are required before practical application in sanitation protocols. Full article

Cannabis use among breastfeeding women is increasing. While studies have shown that cannabinoids transfer into human milk, whether breastfed infants of mothers who use cannabis are exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is not known. Here, we characterized VOC metabolite concentrations in urine produced by exclusively breastfed infants whose mothers used cannabis. Relationships between infant urinary VOC metabolite concentrations and milk delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆⁹-THC) concentrations and cannabis use modality (smoking/vaping) were documented. Twenty mother–infant dyads (<6 months postpartum) living in Washington and Oregon were enrolled in the Lactation and Cannabis (LAC) Study, and nineteen were included in the current study. Mothers collected baseline infant urine and milk samples (following ≥12 h of cannabis abstention) and three infant urine and five milk samples over 8–12 h following cannabis use. Sixty-five urine samples were analyzed for VOC metabolite concentrations, and 111 milk samples were previously analyzed for ∆⁹-THC. Results indicate detectable levels of 24 VOC metabolites in infant urine. Non-baseline infant urine had greater concentrations of 15 VOC metabolites than matched baseline samples (p < 0.05). Urinary 2CyEMA (acrylonitrile metabolite) and 2CaEMA (acrylamide metabolite) concentrations were positively correlated with ∆⁹-THC concentrations in milk. Urinary 2CyEMA concentrations were higher in infants whose mothers primarily smoked (including those who smoked and vaped) compared to those who exclusively vaped (B = −0.637, SE = 0.317, p = 0.044). 2CaEMA concentrations were also greater in the urine produced by infants whose mothers reported any cannabis smoking versus only vaping on the study day (B = −4.06, SE = 1.42, p = 0.004). Results indicate that infants whose mothers use cannabis have measurable VOC exposure. Further research is needed to assess the potential health implications, if any. Full article

The operationalization of the One Health (OH) approach remains a major challenge due to persistent fragmentation across human, animal, and environmental data systems. This gap is exacerbated by climate change, which acts as a risk multiplier for pathogen transmission and agri-food system vulnerability. Drawing on more than a decade of research, including the re-emergence of brucellosis in Italy and the 2024 Salmonella Umbilo outbreak, this perspective discusses key weaknesses in current data management, particularly the lack of real-time, interoperable data sharing. To address these challenges, we propose an AI-enabled One Health Information System (OH-IS), grounded in FAIR data principles and privacy-preserving architectures. The proposed conceptual framework integrates multi-matrix data streams, combining Earth observation data, genomic surveillance through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and livestock mobility within a geospatially integrated architecture to support timely decision-making in vulnerable settings. By analyzing the constraints of siloed databases, we discuss how automated semantic harmonization could conceptually support improved risk assessment and outbreak reconstruction in recent zoonotic events. This approach may facilitate a transition from descriptive to anticipatory surveillance, providing a scalable model to move One Health from a conceptual paradigm toward a more integrated and data-driven surveillance framework aligned with EU digital health policies and global health security priorities. Full article

Most developed countries welcome the redevelopment of brownfield sites and consider it an effective tool for urban policy. However, its adoption can be challenging initially, particularly in developing countries where these challenges are significantly greater. This research aims to answer the question, “How are research methodologies applied in the field of brownfield redevelopment studies?” Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, relevant studies were identified through searches in Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. This study utilizes a meta-methodological approach to analyze and compare the methodological characteristics of brownfield redevelopment studies. After applying the predefined eligibility criteria, which included English-language peer-reviewed articles between 2018 and 2023 and articles that are directly relevant to brownfield redevelopment, 20 articles were selected for detailed examination. Based on the thematic classification of the research, the studies can be categorized into four groups: brownfield redevelopment and community participation, brownfield redevelopment and urban planning, brownfield redevelopment and environmental sustainability, and brownfield redevelopment and technology. The majority of the research relates to brownfield redevelopment and environmental sustainability. This review suggests that research in brownfield redevelopment has been dominated by quantitative research, and there is a need for more comparative, theoretically oriented, and methodologically integrated research. Full article

Innovative models of cancer care have emerged in response to advances in cancer treatment, expanding technologies that bring care closer to home and address COVID-19-related challenges and concerns about a shrinking healthcare workforce. Despite the advancements made, the psychosocial impact on people affected by cancer persists. The psychosocial burden of cancer underlines the need for patient access to evidence-based psychosocial oncology (PSO) and supportive care (SC) interventions. As models of care evolve, hiring practices of PSO professionals must also evolve for cancer patients to access properly staffed PSO programs that deliver high-quality and efficient services. In 2019, the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO)–Clinical Advisory Committee consulted administrators and clinicians across Canada to understand caseload volumes of PSO professionals with a goal to set staffing ratios. The engagement process revealed that there is no consistency in staffing PSO programs across Canada, let alone staffing ratios for PSO disciplines. In 2022, CAPO introduced a 10-point staffing framework and formula to calculate staffing ratios for hiring PSO professionals, beginning with the social work discipline. The goal of this paper is to provide updates to the existing framework and demonstrate how the formula can be adapted to other PSO disciplines. To our knowledge, this is the first published paper in Canada outlining the calculations for a PSO staff framework and formula. The authors advocate for greater transparency when reporting PSO staffing ratios across Canada, using this framework as a reference point. Organizations reporting on the cancer system performance are encouraged to develop PSO indicators, starting with tracking patient access to PSO services. Full article

Licania tomentosa leaf extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) which were systematically analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies and energy-dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) methods. Based on XRD scans, the green NPs have an average crystallite size of 15.9 nm as estimated using the Scherrer equation and have a roughly spherical shape with an average diameter of 25.15 ± 1.2 nm as calculated from SEM data. As estimated from the Tauc plot based on UV-Vis absorption spectra, ZnO NPs have a small band gap of 3.0 eV. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs were effectively utilized for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes under UV illumination with resulting MB and CV degradation efficiencies of ~94% and ~81% after 60 min and 70 min, with pH = 12 and pH = 10, respectively. Different experimental parameters such as NPs quantity, experimental pH, light intensity and initial concentration of dyes were varied to test the performance of the catalyst. Furthermore, efficient recycling of the catalyst was demonstrated. We also undertook antimicrobial studies of the green ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29737, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, P. aeruginosa B3, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and S. aureus SA01, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the inhibitory concentrations associated with 50% effect (IC50) values ranging from 250 to 2000 µg/mL and 7.74 to 283.14 µg/mL, respectively. The nanoparticles also significantly inhibited biofilm formation by E. faecalis ATCC 29737, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27856, and S. aureus SA03. The antimicrobial efficiency of the ZnO NPs against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus SA03 isolates was also assessed using the disk diffusion assays. Taken together, our results reveal that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs are promising multifunctional materials with potential applications in antimicrobial treatments, biofilm control, and photocatalytic remediation. Full article

Decarbonising greenhouse food production requires improvements in thermal management, energy efficiency, and system integration. Greenhouse energy demand is shaped by coupled heat and mass transfer processes, particularly envelope performance, ventilation, and latent heat associated with humidity control. This article synthesises recent advances in greenhouse microclimate control with emphasis on heat transfer, low-carbon heating and cooling, thermal storage, renewable and waste heat integration, and advanced modelling and control approaches. The review shows that humidity control and latent load management are primary drivers of winter energy use, as moisture removal through ventilation and dehumidification directly increases the sensible heating required to maintain indoor temperature setpoints. When assessed using realistic psychrometric relationships, ventilation and dehumidification can dominate peak heating demand and seasonal consumption. The performance of heat pumps, storage systems, semi-closed greenhouse concepts, and renewable heat pathways depends on how thermal loads are defined, how system boundaries are set, and how technologies are integrated in operation. Digital twins, predictive control, and hybrid physics-data models are increasingly used to manage variability in weather, energy prices, and infrastructure constraints. Greenhouse decarbonisation cannot be treated as a simple substitution of energy sources. System performance depends on coordinated design and operation, including heat recovery, moisture removal, and integration of supply technologies. Semi-closed and heat recovery-based configurations can reduce the ventilation–heating penalty and lower primary energy demand compared with vent-to-dry approaches. Long-term market projections suggest that the commercial greenhouse sector could expand substantially by 2050 under plausible growth scenarios, reflecting increased capital investment rather than a proportional rise in global food output. Net-zero greenhouse production is achievable through combined improvements in thermal management, electrification, and renewable energy integration. However, large-scale deployment depends on consistent modelling assumptions, credible economic assessment, and alignment with heat and CO₂ supply infrastructure. The transition is therefore shaped by system integration and planning as much as by individual technologies. Full article

Railway transport plays a crucial role in sustainable and low-carbon mobility; however, the safety and resilience of railway systems are increasingly challenged by aging infrastructure, spatial inequality, and intensifying climate extremes. These challenges are particularly evident in Serbia, where railway stations in rural and peripheral areas often lack adequate safety infrastructure, accessibility, and climate-adaptive design, especially affecting women and other vulnerable passengers. The aim of this study is to develop a GIS-based spatial framework for assessing gender-sensitive railway safety under combined sociospatial and environmental pressures. The analysis integrates multiple geo-information sources, including railway infrastructure data, passenger statistics, safety incidents, and climate hazard indicators such as floods, heatwaves, heavy snowfall, and windstorms. Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, including kernel density estimation, buffer and zonal statistics, spatial interpolation, and spatial regression, were applied to evaluate spatial safety patterns and environmental risks. The results reveal pronounced regional disparities, with southern and eastern Serbia representing the most vulnerable areas due to inactive stations, poor lighting, limited digital connectivity, and frequent exposure to extreme weather events. Rural railway stations are frequently located in climate risk zones, and many do not meet the minimum safety infrastructure standards. Based on these findings, this study recommends strengthening station lighting and surveillance systems, improving digital connectivity and emergency accessibility, and integrating climate-resilient infrastructure planning into railway modernization strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of combining GIS-based spatial analysis, climate hazard assessment, and gender-sensitive planning to support safer, more inclusive, and climate-resilient railway infrastructure in Serbia. Full article

The use of proteolytic enzymes in association with entomopathogenic fungi offers a promising alternative for improving the biological control of insect pests. This study evaluated the compatibility between Beauveria bassiana and papain and the effectiveness of their combined application in controlling Tenebrio molitor. Conidial viability in the presence of papain was monitored for 48 h and showed a reduction in germination from 100% to approximately 70%, without detrimental effects on fungal performance. Papain activity remained stable up to 12 h, declining afterward, indicating biochemical compatibility. Bioassays revealed significant differences among treatments (p < 0.01). In larvae, mortality ranged from 5.18 ± 0.19% in the control to 49.62 ± 2.00% with papain, 62.24 ± 0.58% with conidia, and 89.71 ± 1.06% in the combined treatment; papain and conidia alone did not differ statistically. In pupae, mortality reached 2.20 ± 0.00% in the control, 47.38 ± 0.69% with papain, 63.69 ± 0.69% with conidia, and 85.91 ± 0.84% with the combination, with all treatments differing significantly. Fungal reisolation confirmed typical B. bassiana development. Overall, the results show that papain does not compromise fungal viability and that its combination with B. bassiana enhances entomopathogenic activity, supporting its potential for integrated pest management. Full article

Urban lighting is evolving from a basic technical infrastructure to a strategic tool for sustainable regeneration, energy efficiency, and public space reactivation. This paper explores the potential of smart and adaptive lighting systems as enablers of 24 h services, equitable access, and environmental resilience. By integrating lighting strategies with urban planning instruments (PRIC, PEC, PMU), cities can reduce energy consumption, limit light pollution, and foster new urban centralities. The study outlines regulatory gaps, technical solutions, and cultural shifts needed to transform lighting into a key asset for livable, inclusive, and digitally enabled urban futures. Full article

The Strait of Messina occupies a strategic position in the Mediterranean, representing an environmental and territorial peculiarity. The Strait area today is at the center of the political debate for the stable crossing project, a strategic infrastructure work for Italy and Europe. With the Strait Bridge, territorial arrangements, sea fronts, infrastructure systems, and urban and architectural dimensions will change. It appears necessary to prepare the territories and take advantage of all the opportunities related to future scenarios. The Strait area is not only marked by the crossing, but the whole territorial and urban system—the coastal strip and inland areas—becomes an active part of the processes of territorial regeneration and development. Full article

Irregular use of antibiotics is widespread in Nigeria, which has been reported to be associated with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. As antibiotics have been reported to be associated with declining male infertility in animal models, we investigated the association between exposure to antibiotics and sperm quality. The study was a prospective case–control study involving 136 infertile men and 154 fertile men recruited from five hospitals in southern Nigeria. Semen analysis was carried out, while Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry was used to assay for various antibiotics in urinary samples. Three antibiotics showed an independent association with sperm quality in the regression analysis. Urinary ampicillin was associated with more than a 3 mL decline in sperm count in the cases, with no significant effects shown in the control group. Similarly, a significant association of urinary chloramphenicol with sperm motility and sperm morphology was shown in cases of infertility. In contrast, an independent association of urinary tetracycline with increased sperm motility in men with infertility was found, but no significant association was shown in fertile men. We conclude that urinary antibiotics—ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol—may be associated with varying sperm characteristics and sperm quality in Nigerian men. Full article

In 2024, a significant Salmonella Umbilo outbreak was reported across the European Union and beyond, traced to contaminated vegetables originating from the Province of Salerno (Italy). Subsequent on-site inspections in the production area revealed a mismanaged manure storage tank, which became the focus of a GIS-based investigation aimed at locating nearby animal establishments. Within a 1-km radius—encompassing both the tank and the contaminated greenhouses—three buffalo farms were identified. Farm inspections revealed buffalo calves exhibiting enteric symptoms. Fecal samples collected from these animals led to the isolation of S. Umbilo genomically linked to the 2024 multi-country outbreak, as well as other serotypes. To thoroughly investigate, data from official EU and Italian databases were analyzed, to detect the presence of S. Umbilo in vegetables, buffalo, and other livestock within the Province of Salerno. However, the lack of access to critical data needed to clarify the epidemiological links at the human–animal–environment interface has hindered the full reconstruction of the outbreak dynamics. These limitations underscore the urgent need to implement One Health strategies by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among veterinarians, physicians, food technologists, biologists and other professionals; leveraging official open access databases; and adopting emerging technologies as interoperable data systems and drone surveillance. Full article

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (U.S.) and a major contributor to several cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Although a safe and effective vaccine is available, HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal, particularly among racial, ethnic, and immigrant minority groups. This study explored multiple factors, such as cultural, social, and structural influences, influencing HPV vaccine decision-making among Cape Verdean immigrant parents in the U.S., a population currently underrepresented in HPV research. Methods: Qualitative study using individual, in-depth interviews with Cape Verdean immigrant parents of children aged 11 to 17 years living in the U.S. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the social ecological model (SEM) to identify barriers and facilitators at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. Results: Forty-five Cape Verdean parents (27 mothers, 18 fathers) participated. Fathers were significantly older than mothers (50.0 vs. 41.1 years, p = 0.05). Most were married or partnered (60%), had at least a high school education (84.4%), and reported annual household incomes of US$50,000 or more (66.7%), with no significant gender differences. Nearly all spoke Creole at home (95.6%). Fathers had lower acculturation than mothers (p = 0.05), reflecting less adaptation to U.S. norms and language use. Most parents had limited knowledge of HPV and the vaccine, with gendered beliefs and misconceptions about risk. Only seven mothers (25.9%) reported receiving a provider recommendation; all indicated that their children had initiated vaccination (1 dose or more). Mothers were the primary decision-makers, though joint decision-making was common. Trust in providers was high, but poor communication and the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials limited informed decision-making. Stigma, misinformation, and cultural taboos restricted open dialogue. Trusted sources of information included schools, churches, and Cape Verdean organizations. While parents valued the U.S. healthcare system, they noted gaps in public health messaging and provider engagement. Conclusions: Findings revealed that HPV vaccine uptake and hesitancy among Cape Verdean immigrant parents in the U.S. were influenced by individual beliefs, family dynamics, healthcare provider interactions, cultural norms, and structural barriers. These findings highlight the need for multilevel strategies such as culturally tailored education, community engagement, and improved provider communication to support informed vaccination decisions in this population. Full article