Modelling benzo(a)pyrene concentrations for different meteorological conditions - Analysis of lung cancer cases and associated economic costs

Viral respiratory infections and air pollution: A review focused on research in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced an interest in the relationship between air pollution and respiratory viral infections, indicating that their burden can be increased under poor air quality. This paper reviews the pathways through which air pollutants can enhance susceptibility to such infections and aggravate their clinical course and outcome. It also summarizes the research exploring the links between various viral infections and exposure to solid and gaseous pollution in Poland, a region characterized by poor air quality, especially during a heating season. The majority of studies focused on concentrations of particulate matter (PM; 86.7%); the other pollutants, i.e., BaP, benzene, CO, NOx, O3, and SO2, were studied less often and sometimes only in the context of a particular infection type. Most research concerned COVID-19, showing that elevated levels of PM and NO2 correlated with higher morbidity and mortality, while increased PM2.5 and benzo[a]pyrene levels were related to worse clinical course and outcome in hospitalized, regardless of age and dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. PM10 and PM2.5 levels were also associated with the incidence of influenza-like illness and, along with NO2 concentrations, with a higher rate of children's hospitalizations due to lower respiratory tract RSV infections. Higher levels of air pollutants also increased hospitalization due to bronchitis (PM, NOx, and O3) and emergency department admission due to viral croup (PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, and benzene). Although the conducted studies imply only correlations and have other limitations, as discussed in the present paper, it appears that improving air quality through reducing combustion processes in energy production in Poland should be perceived as a part of multilayered protection measures against respiratory viral infections, decreasing the healthcare costs of COVID-19, lower tract RSV infections, influenza, and other respiratory viral diseases prevalent between autumn and early spring, in addition to other health and climate benefits.

Strategic Assessment of Boron-Enriched Carbon Dots/Naproxen: Diagnostic, Toxicity, and In Vivo Therapeutic Evaluation

Cancer is a significant global public health concern, ranking as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. This study thoroughly explores boron-doped carbon dots (B-CDs) through a simple/rapid microwave-assisted approach and their versatile applications in cancer therapy. The result was highly uniform particles with an average diameter of approximately 4 nm. B-CDs exhibited notable properties, including strong fluorescence with a quantum yield of 33%. Colloid stability tests revealed their robustness within a pH range of 6-12, NaCl concentrations up to 0.5 M, and temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 °C. The study also delved into the kinetics of naproxen release from B-CDs as a drug delivery system. The loading efficacy of naproxen exceeded 55.56%. Under varying pH conditions, the release of naproxen from B-CDs conformed to the Peppas-Sahlin model, demonstrating the potential of Naproxen-loaded CDs for cancer drug delivery. In vitro cytotoxicity assessments, conducted using the CCK-8 Assay and flow cytometry, consistently indicated low toxicity with average cell viability exceeding 80%. An in vivo toxicity test on female mice administered 20 mg/kg of B-CDs for 31 days revealed reversible histological changes in the liver and kidneys, while the pancreas remained unaffected. Importantly, B-CDs did not impact the mice's physical behavior, body weight, or survival. In vivo experiments targeting benzo(a)pyrene-induced fibrosarcoma demonstrated the efficacy of B-CDs as naproxen carriers in the treatment of cancer. This in vivo study provides a thorough comprehension of B-CDs synthesis and toxicity and their potential applications in cancer therapy and drug delivery systems.

Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and COVID-19 severity during SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron waves: A multicenter study

Air pollution may affect the clinical course of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure of adult patients to mean 24 h levels of particulate matter sized <10 μm (PM₁₀ ) and <2.5 μm (PM_2.5 ) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) during a week before their hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatology, hyperinflammation, coagulopathy, the clinical course of disease, and outcome. The analyses were conducted during two pandemic waves: (i) dominated by highly pathogenic Delta variant (n = 1440) and (ii) clinically less-severe Omicron (n = 785), while the analyzed associations were adjusted for patient's age, BMI, gender, and comorbidities. The exposure to mean 24 h B(a)P exceeding the limits was associated with increased odds of fever and fatigue as early COVID-19 symptoms, hyperinflammation due to serum C-reactive protein >200 mg/L and interleukin-6 >100 pg/mL, coagulopathy due to  d-dimer >2 mg/L and fatal outcome. Elevated PM₁₀ and PM_{2. 5} levels were associated with higher odds of respiratory symptoms, procalcitonin >0.25 ng/mL and interleukin >100 pg/mL, lower oxygen saturation, need for oxygen support, and death. The significant relationships between exposure to air pollutants and the course and outcomes of COVID-19 were observed during both pandemic waves. Short-term exposure to elevated PM and B(a)P levels can be associated with a worse clinical course of COVID-19 in patients requiring hospitalization and, ultimately, contribute to the health burden caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants of higher and lower clinical significance.