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Bhardwaj G, Riadi Y, Afzal M, Bansal P, Kaur H, Deorari M, Tonk RK, Almalki WH, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Kukreti N, Thangavelu L, Saleem S. The hidden threat: Environmental toxins and their effects on gut microbiota. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 255:155173. [PMID: 38364649 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The human gut microbiota (GM), which consists of a complex and diverse ecosystem of bacteria, plays a vital role in overall wellness. However, the delicate balance of this intricate system is being compromised by the widespread presence of environmental toxins. The intricate connection between contaminants in the environment and human well-being has garnered significant attention in recent times. Although many environmental pollutants and their toxicity have been identified and studied in laboratory settings and animal models, there is insufficient data concerning their relevance to human physiology. Consequently, research on the toxicity of environmental toxins in GM has gained prominence in recent years. Various factors, such as air pollution, chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, have a detrimental impact on the composition and functioning of the GM. This comprehensive review aims to comprehend the toxic effects of numerous environmental pollutants, including antibiotics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, on GM by examining recent research findings. The current analysis concludes that different types of environmental toxins can lead to GM dysbiosis and have various potential adverse effects on the well-being of animals. We investigate the alterations to the GM composition induced by contaminants and their impact on overall well-being, providing a fresh perspective on research related to pollutant exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Bhardwaj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Pushp Vihar sector-3, M-B Road, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Yassine Riadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh 247341, India; Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 831001, India
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar Tonk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Pushp Vihar sector-3, M-B Road, New Delhi 110017, India.
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, 72341 Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neelima Kukreti
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shakir Saleem
- Department of Public Health. College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Li H, Yang Z. Does digital economy development affect urban environment quality: Evidence from 285 cities in China. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297503. [PMID: 38394059 PMCID: PMC10889867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of the digital economy (DE) on urban environmental quality (EQ) is a critical aspect of China's economic development. This study investigates the impact of DI on urban EQ using the data from prefecture-level cities spanning the period from 2011 to 2021 and updates some disparate conclusions of related studies. It is discovered that a non-linear correlation exists between DE and urban EQ. Currently, DE can effectively improve local city EQ. This conclusion remains valid even after robustness tests and endogeneity treatment. The impact of DE on improving EQ can be classified as the impact of technological innovation, industrial upgrading, resource allocation, infrastructure construction, environmental governance, and changes in public lifestyle. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the influence of DE is particularly pronounced in cities located in central and eastern regions of China, those with higher levels of administrative management, resource-based urban areas, and those with more stringent environmental regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- School of Business, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Zihan Yang
- School of Business, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
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Baker E, Barlow CF, Daniel L, Morey C, Bentley R, Taylor MP. Mental health impacts of environmental exposures: A scoping review of evaluative instruments. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169063. [PMID: 38048998 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
To date, much of the health focus of environmental policy has been on preventing physical health impacts of environmental exposures. Recent research has however highlighted increasingly concurrent mental health effects and its consideration is an emerging requirement for many governments and their agencies, yet there are limited universal mental health assessment tools for environmental exposures. This paper details the findings of a scoping review that evaluated assessment tools used to measure psychological impacts from environmental exposures and pollution, as reported in recent peer-reviewed literature (2000-2022). Across the 126 papers identified in our review, a wide range of tools to assess mental health impact were identified. We document a clear recent upswing of research interest in the mental and psychological impacts of environmental exposures, and an overarching concern for air pollution from industry, traffic, and fires. A majority of studies utilised standardised assessment instruments, but there was little consistency in the way that these were combined or deployed. The dominant mental health outcomes of interest in these studies were depression, anxiety, and mental and psychiatric health. The findings of the review identify a need and opportunity to develop a best-practice approach to consistently assess the mental health impacts arising from environmental exposures. Future work is needed to define the most appropriate choice and application of assessment tools to evaluate adverse mental health impacts from environmental exposures. This will support a more universal, coordinated and cross-jurisdiction approach for the assessment, quantification and targeted response to addressing mental health impacts arising from environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Baker
- Australian Centre for Housing Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Cynthia Faye Barlow
- Australian Centre for Housing Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Lyrian Daniel
- UniSA Creative, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Claire Morey
- Australian Centre for Housing Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Rebecca Bentley
- Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria 3085, Australia.
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Cantuaria ML, Brandt J, Blanes-Vidal V. Exposure to multiple environmental stressors, emotional and physical well-being, and self-rated health: An analysis of relationships using latent variable structural equation modelling. Environ Res 2023; 227:115770. [PMID: 37003553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuella Lech Cantuaria
- Applied AI and Data Science, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Jørgen Brandt
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Victoria Blanes-Vidal
- Applied AI and Data Science, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Zhang Z, Yang W, Li D, Wang Y. Impact of Two-Way FDI on China's Environmental Quality: The Perspective of Environmentally Cleaner Production and End Treatment. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4320. [PMID: 36901342 PMCID: PMC10002312 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While the rapid development of two-way foreign direct investment (FDI) has boosted China's economic growth, its impact on environmental quality is uncertain. Based on provincial panel data from China covering the period from 2002 to 2020, this paper proposes an environmental quality assessment index system for China from two aspects: environmentally cleaner production and environmental end treatment. The comprehensive environmental quality index (EQI), environmentally cleaner production index (EPI), and environmental end treatment index (ETI) were all measured, with the geographic information system tool and Dagum Gini coefficient used to analyse the indicators' differences using a system-generalised method-of-moments (SYS-GMM) estimation to study the impact of two-way FDI on environmental quality in various regions across China. The results demonstrate that during the sample period, inward FDI positively impacted environmental quality and cleaner production but had a negative impact on environmental end treatment. Outward FDI significantly promoted EQI, EPI, and ETI, and the interaction between inward FDI and outward FDI positively impacted environmental quality and environmentally cleaner production, while it negatively impacted environmental end treatment. This indicates that under two-way FDI, China's relationship with environmental quality has gradually evolved from 'pollution first and then treatment' to 'green development of cleaner production'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenya Zhang
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710064, China
| | - Wanping Yang
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710064, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710064, China
| | - Yajuan Wang
- School of Management, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Hu Y, Wang H, Zhou B, Li Z, Jia H, Deji P, Liu N, Wei J. Effects of cadmium stress on fruits germination and growth of two herbage species. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220544. [PMID: 37070076 PMCID: PMC10105554 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a global environmental problem. It is of great significance to find a kind of pasture that can grow normally in a cadmium environment, especially in the Tibetan Plateau. We studied the fruit germination and fruit growth of Elymus sinsubmuticus S.L. Chen and Elymus tangutorum (Nevski), native plants of the Tibetan Plateau, in different cadmium environments. The results showed that with increased cadmium stress, the fruit germination rate, final germination rate, fruit-vigor, average germination time, and germination-speed index for the two grass species gradually decreased, and the 50% germination time for the seed gradually increased. Root length, biomass, and the number of leaves decreased in both species. We quantified the fruit germination and growth of plants in the cadmium environment and found that E. sinosubmuticus S.L. Chen had better fruit germination and fruit growth, and it had the development potential of cadmium pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
| | - Huichun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
- Key Lab. of Medicinal Animal and Plant Resources on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Xi’ning 810008, China
- The south of Qilian Mountain Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Huzhu 810500, China
| | - Biyao Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
| | - Zhengke Li
- Qinghai Province Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Xi’Ning 810007, China
| | - Huiping Jia
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
| | - Pengmao Deji
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
| | - Nian Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
- Key Lab. of Medicinal Animal and Plant Resources on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Xi’ning 810008, China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- College of Geographical Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xi’ning 810008, China
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Zhao W, Chang M, Yu L, Sohail MT. Health and Human Wellbeing in China: Do Environmental Issues and Social Change Matter? Front Psychol 2022; 13:860321. [PMID: 35664190 PMCID: PMC9157178 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.860321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
How to mitigate greenhouse gas emission and achieve human development remain major sustainability issues, particularly in China. Empirical research on the effects of climate warming and social change on human health and wellbeing is quite fragmented. This study examines the impact of environmental issues and social changes on health and human wellbeing using a time series data of China from 1991 to 2020. Findings show that environmental issues have a negative impact on health and human wellbeing in long run. While the internet is a form of social change that tends to improve health and human wellbeing in the long run. FDI exerts a positive effect on human health, but it does not improve wellbeing in the long run. In contrast, financial development does not improve human health but it has a significant positive impact on wellbeing in the long run. Our empirical insights have important implications for achieving human wellbeing through the pursuit of environmental sustainability and social change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Zhao
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Chang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Yu
- China Petroleum Planning & Engineering Institute, Beijing, China
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Yang W, Li D. Spatio-temporal evolution of ecological environment quality in China from a concept of strong sustainability. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:28769-28787. [PMID: 34988789 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17156-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Based on the concept of strong sustainability, this paper builds a dynamic evaluation system on ecological environment quality from the concepts of ecological environment pollution and ecological environment management and puts forward the evaluation indexes including ecological environment pollution index (EPI), ecological environment management index (EMI), and ecological environment quality index (EQI). On this basis, kernel density estimation, Markov chain, Theil index, and dynamic SDM are used to reveal and explain the spatio-temporal evolution of ecological environment quality in China. The results were as follows. Overall, the EPI is decreasing while EMI and EQI are on the rise. In the long run, there is low possibility of upward and cross-level transition for EPI and EQI. The differences of EPI, EMI, and EQI are mainly caused by the regional differences. The regional differences have been reflected in the value of EPI, EMI, and EQI. It has been shown that the internal regional differences are continuously narrowing and the inter-regional differences are expanding. The convergence speeds of EPI, EMI, and EQI are 13.77%, 23.80%, and 9.69%, respectively. In the regional convergence test, different regions have shown different convergence speeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanping Yang
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Yang W, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Deng P, Guo L. Impact of China’s Provincial Government Debt on Economic Growth and Sustainable Development. Sustainability 2022; 14:1474. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Macroeconomic stability is the core concept of sustainable development. However, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused government debt problems worldwide. In this context, it is of practical significance to study the impact of government debt on economic growth and fluctuations. Based on panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2019, we used the Mann–Kendall method and Kernel Density estimation to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of China’s provincial government debt ratio and adopted a panel model and HP filtering method to study the impact of provincial government debt on economic growth and fluctuation. Our findings indicate that, during the sample period, China’s provincial government debt promoted economic growth and the regression coefficient (0.024) was significant. From different regional perspectives, the promotion effect of the central region (0.027) is higher than that of the eastern (0.020) and western regions (0.023). There is a nonlinear relationship between China’s provincial government debt and economic growth, showing an inverted “U-shaped” curve. Fluctuations in government debt aggravate economic volatility, with a coefficient of 0.009; tax burden fluctuation and population growth rate aggravate economic changes. In contrast, the optimization of the province’s industrial structure and the improvement of the opening level of provinces slow down economic fluctuations.
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Liu X, Fang W, Li H, Han X, Xiao H. Is Urbanization Good for the Health of Middle-Aged and Elderly People in China?—Based on CHARLS Data. Sustainability 2021; 13:4996. [DOI: 10.3390/su13094996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to test whether improved healthcare services can mitigate health hazards resulting from environmental pollution in the urbanization process. Specifically, using China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data and official statistics, this paper constructs comprehensive urbanization indicators and healthcare service indicators by applying the fully arrayed polygonal graphical indication method. Then, we introduce healthcare service indicators, urbanization indicators, environmental pollution indicators, and the interaction term between environmental pollution and healthcare into an ordered-logistics regression model. Our results indicate that improvement in health conditions can decrease the health risks from multiplied emissions of industrial sulfur dioxide, industrial soot and dust, and industrial effluents, but it cannot counteract the adverse health effects of PM2.5. Furthermore, heterogeneity tests show that, when considering the multidimensionality of urbanization, the positive influence of healthcare is the greatest in residential surroundings urbanization and economic urbanization, which reduces the prevalence of chronic diseases by 18.4% and 14.9%, respectively. Among the diverse city types, mixed-economy cities have the most obvious positive effects, where healthcare has the greatest mitigating effect on the health damage caused by industrial sulfur dioxide and industrial soot and dust, decreasing the prevalence of chronic diseases among the middle-aged and elderly by 27.3% and 16.4%, respectively. When considering the regional impacts of urbanization, there is a large difference in the positive effects brought about by medical care, which is reflected mainly in eastern and western China. In eastern China, although healthcare does not offset the health damage of PM2.5, the increase in chronic diseases among the middle-aged and elderly is only 0.5%, while in western China, the increase rises to 22.4%.
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