ABSTRACT
Gaseous pollutants at the ground level seriously threaten the urban air quality environment and public health. There are few estimates of gaseous pollutants that are spatially and temporally resolved and continuous across China. This study takes advantage of big data and artificial-intelligence technologies to generate seamless daily maps of three major ambient pollutant gases, i.e., NO2, SO2, and CO, across China from 2013 to 2020 at a uniform spatial resolution of 10km. Cross-validation between our estimates and ground observations illustrated a high data quality on a daily basis for surface NO2, SO2, and CO concentrations, with mean coefficients of determination (root-mean-square errors) of 0.84 (7.99μgm-3), 0.84 (10.7μgm-3), and 0.80 (0.29mgm-3), respectively. We found that the COVID-19 lockdown had sustained impacts on gaseous pollutants, where surface CO recovered to its normal level in China on around the 34th day after the Lunar New Year, while surface SO2 and NO2 rebounded more than 2 times slower due to more CO emissions from residents' increased indoor cooking and atmospheric oxidation capacity. Surface NO2, SO2, and CO reached their peak annual concentrations of 21.3±8.8μgm-3, 23.1±13.3μgm-3, and 1.01±0.29mgm-3 in 2013, then continuously declined over time by 12%, 55%, and 17%, respectively, until 2020. The declining rates were more prominent from 2013 to 2017 due to the sharper reductions in anthropogenic emissions but have slowed down in recent years. Nevertheless, people still suffer from high-frequency risk exposure to surface NO2 in eastern China, while surface SO2 and CO have almost reached the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended short-term air quality guidelines (AQG) level since 2018, benefiting from the implemented stricter "ultra-low"emission standards. This reconstructed dataset of surface gaseous pollutants will benefit future (especially short-term) air pollution and environmental health-related studies. © 2023 Jing Wei et al.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects millions of people worldwide. The article aims to review the therapeutic perspective on natural antioxidants, their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics in management and cure of COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We conducted a literature search including World Health Organization and National Institute of Health guidelines and clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov limited to antioxidants in COVID-19 management. Results: Elderly, immunocompromised patients, and others with underlying health conditions or multiple comorbidities have a high mortality rate. Disrupted redox homeostasis and oxidative stress seem to be biological pathways that may increase personal vulnerability to infection. Antioxidants like vitamins C, D, E, epigallocatechin-3 gallate, and morin have been reported to protect against COVID-19 disease. Reactive oxygen species are immunological regulatory elements of viral replication. Natural antioxidants exhibit potential action in preventing inflammation and organ dysfunction during viral infection. They also increase glutathione level, oxygenation rate, and immunological responses in the treatment of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: No wonder the selection of prevention, treatment, and cure of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 mainly depends upon the antiviral and immunoregulatory activity which they possess. Yet, their efficacy against COVID-19 is of great concern and demands extensive study. © 2023 The Authors. Food Frontiers published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd and Nanchang University, Northwest University, Jiangsu University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University.
ABSTRACT
Background: Covid-19 infection time and again has been causing major morbidities and mortalities. Increased vulnerability of Covid-19 recovered patients was seen towards mucormycosis infection. Mucormycosisis is an aggressive, angioinvasive fungal disease caued by fungi of order Mucorales. This increase in cases may be attributed to a weakened immune system, pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes, overzealous use of steroids. We conducted a study on 25 cases admitted in mucor ward in a tertiary care setting to highlight this association and focusing on possible causes so that we can be prepared to handle any such catastrophe in future in a better way. Methods and Results: We did a retrospective study on 25 cases admitted in a tertiary care center catering to large population of Covid -19 patients with varying severity.Covid-19 associated mucormycosis(CAM) was found to be more common in males(76%).Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying condition(72%).68% patients had received steroids and antibiotics, 28% patients had history of receiving Oxygen. In CAM predominant presentation was rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Unilateral orbit involvement was seen in (88%) cases. Conclusion(s): As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is highly susceptible to mutations and is causingseries of waves, its association with opportunistic fungal infection is a serious concern. Incidences of mucormycosis were increased in Covid-19 patients due to immune modulation and coexistence of immunosuppressive conditions such as diabetes. Concurrent glucocorticoid therapy further heightens the risk. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention can help improve outcome. Copyright © 2023 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.