The escalating frequency of environmental pollution incidents has raised significant concerns regarding the potential health impacts of pollutant fluctuations. Consequently, a comprehensive study on the role of pollutants in the prevalence of viral hepatitis is indispensable for the advancement of innovative prevention strategies. Monthly incidence rates of viral hepatitis from 2005 to 2020 were sourced from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Disease Surveillance Information System. Pollution data spanning 2014-2020 were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), encompassing pollutants such as CO, NO2, and O3. Time series analysis models, including seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), Holt-Winters model, and Generalized Additive Model (GAM), were employed to explore prediction and synergistic effects related to viral hepatitis. Spearman correlation analysis was utilized to identify pollutants suitable for inclusion in these models. Concurrently, machine learning (ML) algorithms were leveraged to refine the prediction of environmental pollutant levels. Finally, a weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression framework was developed to evaluate the singular and combined impacts of pollutants on viral hepatitis cases across different demographics, age groups, and environmental strata. The incidence of viral hepatitis in Beijing exhibited a declining trend, primarily characterized by HBV and HCV types. In predicting hepatitis prevalence trends, the Holt-Winters additive seasonal model outperformed the SARIMA multiplicative model ((1,1,0) (2,1,0) [12]). In the prediction of environmental pollutants, the SVM model demonstrated superior performance over the GPR model, particularly with Polynomial and Besseldot kernel functions. The combined pollutant risk effect on viral hepatitis was quantified as βWQS (95% CI) = 0.066 (0.018, 0.114). Among different groups, PM2.5 emerged as the most sensitive risk factor, notably impacting patients with HCV and HEV, as well as individuals aged 35-64. CO predominantly affected HAV patients, showing a risk effect of βWQS (95% CI) = - 0.0355 (- 0.0695, - 0.0016). Lower levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with heightened risk of viral hepatitis incidence with a lag of five months, whereas elevated levels of PM2.5 (100-120 μg/m3) and CO correlated with increased hepatitis incidence risk with a lag of six months. The Holt-Winters model outperformed the SARIMA model in predicting the incidence of viral hepatitis. Among machine learning algorithms, SVM and GPR models demonstrated superior performance for analyzing pollutant data. Patients infected with HAV and HEV were primarily influenced by PM10 and CO, whereas SO2 and PM2.5 significantly impacted others. Individuals aged 35-64 years appeared particularly susceptible to these pollutants. Mixed pollutant exposures were found to affect the development of viral hepatitis with a notable lag of 5-6 months. These findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring of pollutants in relation to viral hepatitis incidence.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metal pollution, particularly lead (Pb), poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, threatening their delicate balance and long-term viability. This study highlights the urgent need to mitigate heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigates Pb(NO3)2 exposure effects on tissue accumulation, behavioral abnormalities, and hemato-biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a widely distributed freshwater fish species.
METHODS: Fish (115 ± 5.23 g) were exposed to various Pb(NO3)2 concentrations for 10 and 20 days, representing control (0 %), 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % of the LC50 equivalent to 19.33, 38.66, and 58.0 mg/l, respectively. The standard manual procedure was used for blood sampling. The lead concentration in fish tissue was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
RESULTS: Results revealed that fish gills showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in Pb(NO3)2 after 10 days, further rising after 20 days. Liver concentrations also rose significantly (P < 0.05) with prolonged exposure and increasing Pb levels. Muscle had lower concentrations. Hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, HB, HCT) decreased with higher Pb(NO3)2 levels. Behavioral and morphological changes were significantly more pronounced in the exposure groups when compared to the control group. Hepatic enzyme activities (AST, ALT), glucose, and lipid levels increased, while total protein decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights Pb(NO3)2 harmful effects on common carp, impacting tissue accumulation, hematological parameters, and biochemical disruptions. It emphasizes the need to monitor and mitigate heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments to safeguard freshwater organisms and ecosystems, and to further increase our understanding of Pb toxicity in freshwater ecosystems.

Chromium and arsenic are among the priority pollutants to be controlled by regulatory and health agencies due to their ability to accumulate in food chains and the harmful effects on health resulting from the ingestion of food contaminated with metals and metalloids. In the present work, four biohybrid membrane systems were developed as alternatives for the removal of these pollutants, three based on polyvinyl alcohol polymeric mesh (PVA, PVA-magnetite, PVA L-cysteine) and one based on polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), all associated with bioremediation agents. The efficiency of the bioassociation process was assessed through count methods and microscopy. The removal capacity of these systems was evaluated in synthetic liquid medium, both in the absence and in the presence of soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings. The content of chromium and arsenic was also analyzed in aerial and hypogeous tissues of seedlings grown on contaminated solid substrate. PVA and PVA-magnetite biohybrid membranes showed the highest removal rates, between 57 and 75% of the initial arsenic content and more than 80% of the initial chromium content after 48 h of treatment, when evaluated in synthetic liquid media with initial concentrations of 2.5 ppm of pentavalent arsenic and 5 ppm of hexavalent chromium, both in presence and absence of seedlings. PVA and PBAT promoted a significant reduction of arsenic translocation to the aerial parts, generally edible, of this crop of agronomic interest. The systems tested showed a high potential for biotechnological applications in matrices affected by the presence of arsenic and chromium.

OBJECTIVE: In this in vitro study, we investigated the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human thyrocytes, with a focus on the involvement of AhR, a key player in xenobiotic response, and the anti-oxidant Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.
METHODS: Primary cultured thyrocytes were exposed to the dioxin-like congeners PCB118 and PCB126 at 2.5 and 5 µM concentrations. mRNA expression was assessed by real-time PCR, and protein expression by Western Blot and ELISA, while protein quantification was assessed by densitometric analysis.
RESULTS: In cultured thyrocytes, PCB118 and PCB126 induced a significant (P < 0.01) increase of mRNA and protein levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6, while reducing those of thyroglobulin (TG) and NIS (p < 0.05), indicating down-regulation of these thyroid-specific genes in PCB-induced inflammation. ROS production also increased (p < 0.001). mRNA levels of AhR and the downstream molecules cytochrome P4501A, Nrf-2/HO-1 increased (p < 0.001), as well as related protein levels (p < 0.01), suggesting the activation of AhR and Nrf-2 pathways in response to PCBs exposure. AhR silencing decreased AhR-related gene expression and restored NIS and TG expression, while reducing inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Dioxin-like PCBs (PCB118 and PCB126) may promote inflammation and oxidative stress in thyrocytes, impairing the expression of genes that are key players of thyroid function. These effects can be partially attributed to the activation of the AhR and Nrf-2 pathways. These data may contribute to explain the mechanisms underlying thyroid toxicity of PCBs, highlighting the potential role of these pollutants as a trigger of autoimmune thyroid inflammation and damage.

In recent times, biochar has emerged as a novel approach for environmental remediation due to its exceptional adsorption capacity, attributed to its porous structure formed by the pyrolysis of biomass at elevated temperatures in oxygen-restricted conditions. This characteristic has driven its widespread use in environmental remediation to remove pollutants. When biochar is introduced into ecosystems, it usually changes the makeup of microbial communities by offering a favorable habitat. Its porous structure creates a protective environment that shields them from external pressures. Consequently, microorganisms adhering to biochar surfaces exhibit increased resilience to environmental conditions, thereby enhancing their capacity to degrade pollutants. During this process, pollutants are broken down into smaller molecules through the collaborative efforts of biochar surface groups and microorganisms. Biochar is also often used in conjunction with composting techniques to enhance compost quality by improving aeration and serving as a carrier for slow-release fertilizers. The utilization of biochar to support sustainable agricultural practices and combat environmental contamination is a prominent area of current research. This study aims to examine the beneficial impacts of biochar application on the absorption and breakdown of contaminants in environmental and agricultural settings, offering insights into its optimization for enhanced efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its components during pregnancy on the prevalence of preterm birth (PTB). Additionally, we sought to identify the susceptible exposure window. Furthermore, we explored the potential mediating role of blood analysis and a comprehensive metabolic panel in the association between pollutant exposure and PTB incidence.
METHODS: This birth cohort study recruited 139 participants with PTB outcomes and 1713 controls from Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2021 and June 2023. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical treatment data during participants\' first pregnancies were collected. The exposure levels to pollutants during pregnancy were estimated via a combined geographic-statistical model utilising satellite remote sensing data. The distributional lag nonlinear modelling was employed to assess associations between pollutant exposure during pregnancy and the prevalence of PTB. Weighted quantile regression was used to identify key components associated with PM2.5 and PTB during pregnancy. Additionally, a mediating effect analysis was conducted to evaluate the role of blood analysis. The metabolic profile was used to screen for differentially abundant metabolites associated with PTB and explore their relative expression in relation to air pollutants and PTB incidence.
RESULTS: Following the adjustment for potential confounding variables, the mean weekly susceptibility windows for PM2.5 were identified as 7-10, 16-19, and 22-28 weeks; 8-10, and 15-19 weeks for inorganic sulfate; 6-10, and 15-28 weeks for nitrate; 6-12, and 15-28 weeks for ammonium (NH4+); and 7-9, 18-20, and 22-36 weeks for organic matter. During mixed exposure to PM2.5 components, the key component is NH4+. In the mixed exposure to PM2.5 components, NH4+ emerged as a key contributor. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that haemoglobin played a mediating role, accounting for 21.53 % of the association between exposure to environmental pollutants and the prevalence of PTB. It is noteworthy that, no mediating effects were observed for the other variables. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolomics identified 17 metabolites associated with PTB. Among these factors, hydrogen phosphate may impact metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, influencing the risk of PTB. The interplay between environmental pollutants and metabolites, particularly through oxidative phosphorylation pathways, may contribute to PTB incidence.
CONCLUSIONS: The evidence indicates that exposure to PM2.5 and its components during pregnancy were a significant risk factor for PTB. Notably, specific weekly exposure windows were identified for pollutants during pregnancy. Among the PM2.5 components, NH4+ exhibited the most substantial weight in the association analysis between exposure to the mixture of components and PTB. Furthermore, our mediation analysis revealed that haemoglobin serves as a partial mediator in the relationship between exposure to pollutants during pregnancy and the prevalence of PTB. Additionally, maternal serum metabolic profiles differed between the preterm and control groups. Notably, a combined effect involving hydrogen phosphate and mixed exposure to PM2.5 fractions further contributed to the development of PTB. Oxidative phosphorylation pathways may play pivotal roles in this intricate association.

Aquaculture is the major way to solve the global food sacrcity. As the global population increases, the demand for aquaculture increases. Fish feed, drugs and chemicals, and metabolic waste or mortalities of aquatic organisms also increase, eventually resulting in the production of a large amount of aquaculture wastewater. These aquaculture discharges contain a variety of pollutants, such as conventional pollutants, organic compounds, heavy metals, and biological contaminants, inducing occupational hazards and risks, food security, the environment pollution. Proper wastewater treatment technologies are required to remove hazardous pollutants for minimizing their impacts on environmental and human health. Recirculating aquaculture systems, some biological and physicochemical methods have been applied to remove some pollutants from the aquaculture wastewater, but their efficiency in removing pollutants still requires to be further improved for achieving zero-waste discharge and ensuring sustainable aquaculture development. Meanwhile, sound regulation and legislation needs to be established for ensuring the normal operation of aquaculture industries and the standard discharge of wastewater. This review aims to provide comprehensive information of aquaculture wastewater for the researchers and promote the healthy development of aquaculture.

In this work, the role of ascorbic acid in the process of azo dye degradation was explained. For this purpose, the kinetics of azo dye degradation under different conditions was studied. Among them, the influence of daylight protection/exposition, different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0.567-0.014 mol/dm3), and temperature (20 °C and 50 °C) on the rate of the dyes\' degradation was considered. For this process, the kinetic equation was proposed, which indicates that the process of azo dye degradation using ascorbic acid is first order. Moreover, the observed rate constants were determined, and the mechanism of azo dye degradation was proposed. Spectrophotometry results, together with FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and DFT calculations, explain the origin of the decolorization of the azo dyes and highlight the role of ascorbic acid in this process. Detailed analysis of the obtained products indicates that the process itself goes through several stages in which equally or more toxic compounds are formed. Obtained results from LCMS studies indicate that during tropaeolin OO degradation, 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine (m/z 185.1073) is formed. Thus, the process of azo dye degradation should be carried out in protective conditions. The proposed mechanism suggests that ascorbic acid at high content levels can be used for azo dye degradation from aqueous solution and can be an alternative method for their removal/neutralization from waste solution but with caution during the process.

The disposal of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) from wastewater treatment plants poses a major environmental challenge due to the presence of inorganic and organic pollutants. Co-pyrolysis, in which MSS is thermally decomposed in combination with biomass feedstocks, has proven to be a promising method to immobilize inorganic pollutants, reduce the content of organic pollutants, reduce the toxicity of biochar and improve biochar\'s physical and chemical properties. This part of the review systematically examines the effects of various co-substrates on the physical and chemical properties of MSS biochar. This review also addresses the effects of the pyrolysis conditions (temperature and mixing ratio) on the content and stability of the emerging pollutants in biochar. Finally, this review summarizes the results of recent studies to provide an overview of the current status of the application of MSS biochar from pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis for the remediation of HM-contaminated soils. This includes consideration of the soil and heavy metal types, experimental conditions, and the efficiency of HM immobilization. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of MSS biochar for environmental sustainability and offers insights into future research directions for optimizing biochar applications in soil remediation.

The study focuses on current pollution in the Saïda basin, a semi-arid region in north-western Algeria. By analyzing sediments, the study provides interesting results on urban pollution and its environmental impact. The research consists of two main phases, each addressing different aspects of pollution. In the first phase, different pollution indicators are used to analyze heavy metals and organic pollutants in urban drainage sediments. The results are compared with sediment quality guidelines, regulatory thresholds, and local and international references. Most of the metallic contaminants exceed the toxicity levels established by the continental crust and sediment quality guidelines, suggesting an anthropogenic origin. In addition, contamination indices show significant accumulation. In this context, the results highlight the importance of accumulation and transport processes in urban sediments. Hydrological parameters significantly influence heavy metal distribution mechanisms. Remarkable variations between copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) suggest a combined or singular source during transport. Conversely, chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) are mainly derived from natural lithological sources. Cadmium (Cd) is associated with anthropogenic sources related to the agricultural use of phosphate fertilizers, whereas zinc (Zn) is mainly derived from physical corrosion processes. In the second phase, a combined descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis examines the mobility and distribution of heavy metals and their relationships with organic matter (OM) over time. Pronounced temporal variations in Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations are attributed to human activities. Strong correlations exist between OM and cobalt (Co), Cu and Pb, confirming the ability of OM to adsorb these metals under specific geochemical conditions associated with waste disposal. Conversely, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni show weak or negative correlations with OM, suggesting diverse sources, including potential agricultural, industrial, and natural origins. The dendrogram confirms the existence of previously identified contaminant groups, suggesting common sources and potential co-occurrence patterns. This analysis highlights the role of the drainage network as a physico-chemical reactor in the mobilization of contaminants. It underlines the importance of sediment interactions in urban pollution processes. Finally, recommendations are proposed to ensure effective pollution control and remediation. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Useful information on pollution and its environmental impact is provided by the analysis of sediments in the urban basin of Saida (NW-Algeria). The results of this study indicate high levels of heavy metals in the sediments, in excess of toxicity limits, and evidence of anthropogenic sources. Temporal variations in metal concentrations indicate the influence of human activities. The study has made it possible to identify the sources, to understand the mobility and distribution, and to control the contamination by heavy metals in the urban sediments. Drainage system serves as a pathway for dispersing contaminants.