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14 papers

Bayesian Analysis of Postoperative Complication Risk Associated With Preoperative Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Pearson JF et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Background Air pollution, especially particle pollution, is increasingly recognized as a potential perioperative risk factor, yet modeling environmental exposures in surgical cohorts remains methodologically underdeveloped. We demonstrate a Bayesian hierarchical framework to quantify probabilistic associations between preoperative fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) exposure and postoperative complications, highlighting its interpretability and flexibility for clinical environmental epidemiology. Methods We conducted a single center, retrospective cohort study using data from 49,615 surgical patients in Utah who underwent elective surgical procedures from 2016 to 2018. Patients' addresses were geocoded and linked to daily Census-tract level PM 2.5 estimates. The exposure variable was defined as the maximum PM 2.5 concentrations in the 7 days prior to surgery. The binary outcome was a composite of postoperative complications: pneumonia, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, sepsis, stroke, myocardial infarction, or thromboembolic event. A hierarchical Bayesians regression model with weakly informative priors was used adjusting for age, sex, season, neighborhood disadvantage, and the Elixhauser index of comorbidities with census tract as a group (random) effect. We present posterior estimates with credible intervals, highlight model transparency and sensitivity, and discuss contrasts with standard frequentist methods. Results Postoperative complications were associated in a dose-dependent manner with higher concentrations of PM 2.5 exposure. We found a relative increase of 8.2% in the odds of complications (OR = 1.082) for every 10.ug/m 3 increase in the highest single-day 24-h PM 2.5 exposure during the 7 days prior to surgery. For an increase in PM 2.5 from 1 to 30 ug/m 3 , the odds of complication rose to over 27% (95% CI: 4%-55%). The results were robust across prior choices and model specifications. We report full posterior distributions and highlight advantages of Bayesian modeling for uncertainty quantification and clinical interpretability. Conclusions This case study demonstrates the application of hierarchical Bayesian modeling to quantify the probabilistic associations between preoperative PM 2.5 exposure and postoperative complications, highlighting transparent risk estimation and uncertainty characterization that may inform the design of future multicenter perioperative environmental studies. Editorial comment Using Bayesian statistical analysis, the authors demonstrate a dose-dependent risk for postoperative complications in patients exposed to air polluted with fine particulate matter with a size of less than 2.5 μm.

Environmental Science

Plasma Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist Activity Is Associated With Inflammation and Metabolic Dysregulation in Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Bahman F et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Background The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is linked to inflammation, but its plasma agonist activity and association with metabolic and inflammatory markers in obesity remain unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the level of plasma AhR agonistic activity and its association with systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in obesity. Methods Plasma samples were collected from 80 non-diabetic (39-obese, 23-overweight, and 18-normal/healthy weight) individuals. AhR agonist activity was assessed using a cell-based luciferase reporter assay. Plasma AhR was quantified by ELISA. Inflammatory markers were assessed using a multiplex Luminex platform. Results Our findings indicate that plasma AhR agonist activity is elevated in obese (92.77 ± 4.002 fold activation) compared with normal/healthy weight (51.39 ± 2.335) and overweight participants (67.54 ± 5.24 fold activation). Moreover, the AhR protein was also elevated in obese (94.88 ± 7.62 pg/ml) compared to normal/healthy weight (65.88 ± 6.78 pg/ml) and overweight participants (67.54 ± 5.24 pg/ml), which was positively correlated with AhR activity (r = 0.441, p Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that elevated plasma AhR agonist activity is associated with obesity, systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. These results highlight AhR activity as a biomarker of interest and support further studies to clarify its mechanistic role and potential clinical relevance in metabolic disorders.

Environmental Science

Combined Effects of Arsenic and Cadmium With Selenium on Oxidative Stress Indicators in Goldfish: Implications for Veterinary Toxicology.

Hosseinkhani S et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Background The individual and combined effects of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) and their interactions with selenium (Se), play a crucial role in modulating bioaccumulation patterns and oxidative stress responses in aquatic organisms. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of As, Cd and Se, individually and in combination, on tissue metal accumulation and oxidative stress biomarkers in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Methods A total of 210 fish were randomly assigned to seven experimental groups with three replicates each and exposed to single or combined concentrations of As, Cd and Se via water for 14 days. At the end of the exposure period, tissue concentrations of metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were assessed using spectrophotometric methods and commercial assay kits. Results and conclusions Body weight increased in all treatment groups compared to initial values. Co-exposure to Se significantly reduced As accumulation, with tissue concentrations decreasing from 0.16 ± 0.02 mg/kg in the As group to 0.10 ± 0.009 mg/kg in the combined exposure groups (approximately 62 % reduction; p 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between As concentration and MDA levels across all groups, including the control (p < 0.01). Conversely, Se exhibited a negative correlation with MDA and a positive correlation with SOD, indicating its protective role against oxidative damage. Overall, the results demonstrate that combined exposure to heavy metals can produce variable toxicological interactions, ranging from antagonistic to potentially synergistic effects, depending on the type of metal and exposure conditions. These interactions are closely associated with oxidative stress responses, highlighting potential ecological risks to aquatic organisms and public health concerns associated with the consumption of contaminated fish.

Environmental Science

Towards a Sustainable Future: Embedding Planetary Health in Allied Health Professional Education Through the Lens of Indigenous Knowledges.

McPherson K et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Planetary health is increasingly recognised as an essential aspect of health professional education, yet its integration within allied health curricula in Australia remains fragmented. This commentary argues that meaningful and sustainable embedding of planetary health requires explicit engagement with Indigenous knowledges. Expanding curricula beyond Western views to include Indigenous eco-centric worldviews enables a deeper understanding of the interconnections between environmental health, human wellbeing and spiritual identity. We reflect on the influential role of accreditation standards in shaping educational priorities, highlighting the leadership demonstrated by medical and nursing professions and the relative absence of coordinated action across allied health in the context of planetary health. We propose the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework as a culturally grounded lens through which planetary health education can be advanced within allied health education. Aligning planetary health capabilities with the Framework's five interconnected cultural capabilities offers a practical and transformative pathway to develop culturally capable graduates, strengthen environmental stewardship and promote climate justice. Urgent and inclusive educational reform is required to prepare the future allied health workforce for escalating planetary health challenges.

Environmental Science

pr2-Wormifier: A Bioinformatics Pipeline to Create Custom Reference Databases for Improved Metabarcoding of Marine Protists.

Knell S et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Metabarcoding of environmental and ancient environmental DNA (eDNA and sedaDNA) is a powerful approach for studying and monitoring marine communities. However, its effectiveness is limited by the availability of comprehensive and well-curated reference databases, particularly for protists. Here, we introduce pr2-wormifier, a bioinformatics pipeline designed to create customized and improved reference databases for 18S rRNA-based metabarcoding. This pipeline integrates sequences from PR 2 and NCBI with taxonomic information from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and AlgaeBase, allowing for refined taxonomic assignments at the genus and species levels. pr2-wormifier enables users to tailor reference databases to specific taxonomic groups or geographic regions, enhancing the resolution and accuracy of biodiversity assessments. We benchmarked the pipeline using a sedimentary ancient DNA dataset from the Baltic Sea, focusing on marine protists, especially ciliates and dinoflagellates. The customized database generated by pr2-wormifier identified more sequences at the genus and species levels than PR 2 alone, while maintaining taxonomic consistency and quality. Our results demonstrate that pr2-wormifier addresses common limitations of existing databases, such as low taxonomic resolution and missing taxa and facilitates more reliable classification in metabarcoding studies. By enabling the creation of locally relevant, taxonomically curated databases, pr2-wormifier offers a flexible and scalable solution for improving the identification of protists in environmental and paleoenvironmental research.

Environmental Science

Evaluation of Adaptive, Productive and Reproductive Performance of Boran Dairy Breed in the Lowland Agro-Ecology of Kaffa Zone, South-Western Ethiopia.

Nigatu EW. · Jul 1, 2026

Background Adaptive traits, along with productive and reproductive performance, are essential for assessing the suitability and long-term sustainability of indigenous cattle in specific production environments. Objective This study evaluated the adaptive, productive and reproductive performance of Boran dairy cattle in the lowland agro-ecology of the Kaffa Zone, south-western Ethiopia. Methods The study was conducted at a commercial farm in Gojeb, and sixty (60) multiparous Boran dairy cows were selected based on health status, parity, and lactation stage, following an adaptation period before data collection. This study covered the early, mid and late lactation stages over a 25-week monitoring period. Daily milk yield was recorded twice daily, and reproductive parameters, including age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), number of services per conception (NSPC), days open (DO) and gestation length (GL), were obtained from farm records. Adaptive performance was assessed using rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) in relation to the meteorological variables. Blood samples were collected from 30 cows (10 per lactation stage) for haematological (HC, RBC, WBC and PCV) and biochemical (TP, GLU, URE, TGL, TC, AST and ALT) analyses. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20, and descriptive statistics were summarized as mean ± SD. Results The current study revealed that the mean daily milk yield was 2.43 ± 0.62, 2.12 ± 0.58 and 1.72 ± 0.45 L/day for early, mid and late lactation, respectively. Parity 1 and 2 cows produced 1.71 ± 0.46 L and 2.47 ± 0.52 L, respectively, with an overall mean of 2.09 ± 0.62 L/day. Parity and lactation stage significantly (p Conclusion The productive and reproductive performances of Boran cows were within the expected ranges for indigenous breeds, suggesting that crossbreeding could enhance productivity. Further studies should consider age, season and comparisons with other locally adapted breeds.

Environmental Science

Educating Early Adolescents for a Sustainable Future With Digital Civic Learning: Moral Self-Concept as a Developmental Catalyst Linking Civic Competencies and Civic Purpose.

Kim S et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is increasingly recognized as a developmental imperative in a world facing ecological, social, and political challenges. While many approaches to ESD emphasize knowledge and competencies, emerging research suggests that sustainable action in youth requires the integration of cognitive, emotional, and identity-based developmental processes. We propose that Digital Civic Learning (DCL) serves as a developmentally appropriate educational approach that can scaffold this process in early adolescence. Using a sample of 149 4th and 5th graders in Mid-Western United States, we examined how civic competencies, namely civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, relate to civic purpose and further investigated the mediating role of moral self-concept. Our findings underscore the importance of nurturing moral self-concept so that enhanced civic competencies translate into a form of civic purpose. SUMMARY: Conceptual innovation: It introduces Digital Civic Learning as a design-based, developmentally aligned model that integrates civic learning with sustainable development goals, aiming for transformative impact in education. Methodological advancement: It develops and applies a novel civic competencies coding scheme tailored for a nuanced analysis of students' civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Theoretical contribution: It positions moral self-concept as a developmental link connecting civic learning with a sustainability-oriented civic purpose in early adolescence, a critical period for identity formation. Empirical rigor: It employs performance-based assessments to evaluate students' civic competencies demonstrated in authentic digital classroom settings, emphasizing real-world application of civic reasoning within sustainability education.

Environmental Science

Investigating the Impact of Carboxylated Polystyrene Nanoplastics in the Liver Using Cell Lines and Precision-Cut Liver Slices.

Pandey N et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Background and aims Increasing reports of plastic accumulation in human tissue have raised concerns about potential adverse health outcomes. Evidence of negative effects of nanoplastics is heterogeneous and provides limited insights into the underlying pathogenic toxicity mechanisms in humans. Methods In the present study, carboxylate-modified fluorescently labelled polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) were used to investigate uptake and cytotoxicity in three different hepatic models of varying complexity, including HepG2 cells, IHH cells, and human precision-cut liver slices (hPCLS). Results The results show model- and dose-dependent effects on hepatocytes. 74.2% ± 13.4% of the IHH cells showed PS NPs uptake at 0.1 μg/mL, which is considerably lower than the estimated plastic concentration in human blood (1.8-4.7 μg/mL). The viability of IHH cells decreased to 10.6% ± 9.1% after exposure to 100 μg/mL for 48 h. Early signs of hepatic injury were found in hPCLS at high concentrations. No changes were observed in the redox state and mitochondrial respiratory parameters of HepG2 cells after exposure. Conclusion The PS NPs exposure experiments show uptake across all three hepatic models and toxic effects in IHH cells and hPCLS. Overall, the study highlights the need for physiologically relevant human tissue models to understand the impact of nanoplastic pollution on human health.

Environmental Science

Applying the Bow Tie Method to Evaluate Emerging Risk: The Case of Carbon Capture and Water Stress.

Weisner MJ et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Emerging environmental risks are often shaped not by a lack of knowledge alone, but by fragmented information across systems, disciplines, and levels of governance. This fragmentation limits the ability of local decision-makers to identify and respond effectively to rapidly developing technologies. This paper introduces a novel bow tie risk assessment framework as a practical tool for identifying and organizing these risks. By integrating engineering, environmental, and policy perspectives, the approach captures interactions across land use, water systems, and governance structures. We apply the framework to carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) development in Colorado. Analysis shows that tracking how CCS, CCU, and CCUS are defined and applied across institutions reveals gaps in accountability, coordination, and risk identification. These inconsistencies contribute to policy drift, obscure system-level impacts, and limit stakeholder engagement. The bow tie framework makes these gaps visible, drawing attention to risks that remain hidden within fragmented knowledge and governance systems. Findings from the Colorado case study indicate that current CCUS governance lacks consistent mechanisms to define, measure, and account for water use and impacts across institutions. The analysis highlights a critical gap in how water is conceptualized and measured, particularly where it may be permanently removed or altered through subsurface injection, storage, or disposal in ways that do not align with conventional distinctions between consumptive and non-consumptive use. The method provides a practical tool for local and regional governments to identify risks, engage broader stakeholders, and support coordinated, interdisciplinary, and adaptive decision-making.

Environmental Science

BeeGees: A High-Throughput Protein-Coding DNA Barcode Recovery Pipeline Tailored for Genome Skims of Museum Specimens.

Parsons DAJ et al. · Jul 1, 2026

Natural history collections are unparalleled archives of global biodiversity, yet most specimens remain molecularly uncharacterised due to the technical challenges of historical DNA (hDNA), including degradation, low endogenous content and contamination. Genome skimming offers a scalable alternative to PCR-based barcoding, but existing bioinformatic workflows are not optimised for the heterogeneous, metagenomic nature of museum-derived data. Here we present BeeGees (Barcode Extraction and Evaluation from Genome Skims), a high-performance computing (HPC) integrated, Snakemake-based workflow designed for protein-guided recovery and validation of mitochondrial and plastid barcode genes from degraded short-read genome sequences. BeeGees integrates dual read pre-processing, systematic per-sample parameter sweeps, sequential consensus cleaning to remove contaminant sequences and rigorous structural and taxonomic validation against curated reference databases. We benchmarked BeeGees on 1518 museum specimen-derived genome skims spanning eight phyla. The workflow completed in approximately 120 h (< 5 min per sample) on HPC infrastructure. When excluding sequencing failures (< 1 M reads), validated COI barcodes were recovered for 73.2% of specimens (1050/1435). Barcode recovery success was influenced by endogenous content, preservation quality and parameter choice rather than raw read count alone, highlighting the importance of systematic parameter optimisation. Sequential consensus cleaning eliminated ambiguous bases and reduced chimeric artefacts, proving essential for robust museomic analyses. BeeGees provides a reproducible, scalable framework for high-throughput barcode recovery and biodiversity genomics and reference gap-filling initiatives from natural history collections. The BeeGees pipeline is available at: https://github.com/bge-barcoding/BeeGees/.

Environmental Science