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Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 16103

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Giuseppina Caggiano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche E Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
Interests: environmental hygiene; quality and hygiene of food; prevention of infectious disease; health promotion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the changing lifestyles associated with environmental variations in progressive evolution, mainly related to anthropic impact, have favored the onset and spread of chronic diseases, which has become a public health problem worldwide. In fact, the environment plays a substantial role in conveying microorganisms and particles that are toxic to human health in the community, in the workplace, and in health facilities. In particular, in health facilities where high-risk infectious patients are hospitalized, the circulation of microorganisms is responsible for infectious complications that are difficult to resolve.

Health protection is a priority of hygiene, which with its interventions in various sectors aims for disease prevention and for early diagnostic of diseases to intervene promptly and to encourage healthy lifestyles. According to the WHO, health promotion enables people to increase control over their own health. It covers a wide range of social and environmental interventions to protect an individual’s health and quality of life by addressing and preventing the root causes of ill health.

We are organizing a topical collection about “Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion” in this Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This venue is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles and communications in the interdisciplinary areas of occupational health, safety, and human factors.

Dr. Giuseppina Caggiano
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Health promotion
  • School
  • Extensive internet use and ludopathy
  • Microbiological contamination indoors and outdoors
  • Chemical contamination
  • Infectious diseases
  • Biomarkers
  • Epidemiology
  • Drinking water standards
  • Emerging contaminants

Published Papers (7 papers)

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18 pages, 3272 KiB  
Article
Potential Therapeutic Candidates against Chlamydia pneumonia Discovered and Developed In Silico Using Core Proteomics and Molecular Docking and Simulation-Based Approaches
by Roqayah H. Kadi, Khadijah A. Altammar, Mohamed M. Hassan, Abdullah F. Shater, Fayez M. Saleh, Hattan Gattan, Bassam M. Al-ahmadi, Qwait AlGabbani and Zuhair M. Mohammedsaleh
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7306; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127306 - 15 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1878
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumonia, a species of the family Chlamydiacea, is a leading cause of pneumonia. Failure to eradicate C. pneumoniae can lead to chronic infection, which is why it is also considered responsible for chronic inflammatory disorders such as asthma, arthritis, etc. There is [...] Read more.
Chlamydia pneumonia, a species of the family Chlamydiacea, is a leading cause of pneumonia. Failure to eradicate C. pneumoniae can lead to chronic infection, which is why it is also considered responsible for chronic inflammatory disorders such as asthma, arthritis, etc. There is an urgent need to tackle the major concerns arising due to persistent infections caused by C. pneumoniae as no FDA-approved drug is available against this chronic infection. In the present study, an approach named subtractive proteomics was employed to the core proteomes of five strains of C. pneumonia using various bioinformatic tools, servers, and software. However, 958 non-redundant proteins were predicted from the 4754 core proteins of the core proteome. BLASTp was used to analyze the non-redundant genes against the proteome of humans, and the number of potential genes was reduced to 681. Furthermore, based on subcellular localization prediction, 313 proteins with cytoplasmic localization were selected for metabolic pathway analysis. Upon subsequent analysis, only three cytoplasmic proteins, namely 30S ribosomal protein S4, 4-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase subunit C, and oligopeptide binding protein, were identified, which have the potential to be novel drug target candidates. The Swiss Model server was used to predict the target proteins’ three-dimensional (3D) structure. The molecular docking technique was employed using MOE software for the virtual screening of a library of 15,000 phytochemicals against the interacting residues of the target proteins. Molecular docking experiments were also evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations and the widely used MM-GBSA and MM-PBSA binding free energy techniques. The findings revealed a promising candidate as a novel target against C. pneumonia infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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9 pages, 620 KiB  
Article
Tendency in Pulmonary Aspergillosis Investigation during the COVID-19 Era: What Is Changing?
by Giuseppina Caggiano, Francesca Apollonio, Mila Consiglio, Valentina Gasparre, Paolo Trerotoli, Giusy Diella, Marco Lopuzzo, Francesco Triggiano, Stefania Stolfa, Adriana Mosca and Maria Teresa Montagna
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7079; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127079 - 09 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1946
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a disease caused by Aspergillus, and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is the most common invasive fungal infection leading to death in severely immuno-compromised patients. The literature reports Aspergillus co-infections in patients with COVID-19 (CAPA). Diagnosing CAPA clinically is complex since [...] Read more.
Aspergillosis is a disease caused by Aspergillus, and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is the most common invasive fungal infection leading to death in severely immuno-compromised patients. The literature reports Aspergillus co-infections in patients with COVID-19 (CAPA). Diagnosing CAPA clinically is complex since the symptoms are non-specific, and performing a bronchoscopy is difficult. Generally, the microbiological diagnosis of aspergillosis is based on cultural methods and on searching for the circulating antigens galactomannan and 1,3-β-D-glucan in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (bGM) or serum (sGM). In this study, to verify whether the COVID-19 period has stimulated clinicians to pay greater attention to IPA in patients with respiratory tract infections, we evaluated the number of requests for GM-Ag research and the number of positive tests found during the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. Our data show a significant upward trend in GM-Ag requests and positivity from the pre-COVID to COVID period, which is attributable in particular to the increase in IPA risk factors as a complication of COVID-19. In the COVID period, parallel to the increase in requests, the number of positive tests for GM-Ag also increased, going from 2.5% in the first period of 2020 to 12.3% in the first period of 2021. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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6 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
No-Touch Automated Disinfection System Based on Hydrogen Peroxide and Ethyl Alcohol Aerosols for Use in Healthcare Environments
by Francesco Triggiano, Giuseppina Caggiano, Marco Lopuzzo, Giusy Diella, Francesca Apollonio, Fabrizio Fasano and Maria Teresa Montagna
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4868; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19084868 - 17 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2018
Abstract
Healthcare-related infections are sustained by various bacteria and fungi. In recent years, various technologies have emerged for the sanitation of healthcare-related environments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a no-touch disinfection system that aerosolizes 5% hydrogen peroxide and 10% ethyl alcohol. After selecting [...] Read more.
Healthcare-related infections are sustained by various bacteria and fungi. In recent years, various technologies have emerged for the sanitation of healthcare-related environments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a no-touch disinfection system that aerosolizes 5% hydrogen peroxide and 10% ethyl alcohol. After selecting an environment, the Total Bacterial Count and the Total Fungal Count in the air and on a surface of the room were determined to evaluate the effectiveness of the aerosolization system. In addition, sterile stainless-steel plates inoculated with S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Aspergillus spp. isolated from hospitalized patients and reference strains were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. For each organism, three plates were used: A (cleaned), B (not cleaned), and C (control). The A plates were treated with non-ionic surfactant and the aerosolization system, the B plates were subjected to the aerosolization system, and the plates C were positioned outside the room that was sanitized. Following sanitization, air and surface sampling was conducted, after which, swabs were processed for bacterial and fungal enumeration. The results showed that the air sanitization system had good efficacy for both bacteria and fungi in the air and on stainless-steel plates, particularly for the A plates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
9 pages, 772 KiB  
Article
SARS-CoV-2 and Public Transport in Italy
by Giuseppina Caggiano, Francesca Apollonio, Francesco Triggiano, Giusy Diella, Pasquale Stefanizzi, Marco Lopuzzo, Marilena D’Ambrosio, Nicola Bartolomeo, Giovanna Barbuti, Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti, Pantaleo Magarelli, Domenico Pio Sorrenti, Vincenzo Marcotrigiano, Osvalda De Giglio and Maria Teresa Montagna
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11415; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111415 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
Although direct contact is considered the main mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, environmental factors play an important role. In this study, we evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on bus and train surfaces. From the buses, we took samples from the following areas: handrails [...] Read more.
Although direct contact is considered the main mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, environmental factors play an important role. In this study, we evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on bus and train surfaces. From the buses, we took samples from the following areas: handrails used to enter or exit the bus, stop request buttons and handles next to the seats. From the trains, the sampled surfaces were handrails used to enter or exit the train, door open/close buttons, handles next to the seats, tables and toilet handles. SARS-CoV-2 was detected on 10.7% of the tested surfaces overall, 19.3% of bus surfaces and 2% of train surfaces (p < 0.0001). On the buses, the most contaminated surfaces were the handles near the seats (12.8%), followed by door open/close buttons (12.5%) and handrails (10.5%). Of the five analyzed transport companies, bus companies were the most contaminated, in particular, companies C (40%) and B (23.3%). A greater number of positive samples were found among those taken at 10:00 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. (45% and 40%, respectively). The presence of the virus on many bus surfaces highlights how the sanitation systems on public transport currently in use are not sufficient to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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19 pages, 2929 KiB  
Article
In Silico Core Proteomics and Molecular Docking Approaches for the Identification of Novel Inhibitors against Streptococcus pyogenes
by Abdur Rehman, Xiukang Wang, Sajjad Ahmad, Farah Shahid, Sidra Aslam, Usman Ali Ashfaq, Faris Alrumaihi, Muhammad Qasim, Abeer Hashem, Amal A. Al-Hazzani and Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11355; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111355 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant pathogen that causes skin and upper respiratory tract infections and non-suppurative complications, such as acute rheumatic fever and post-strep glomerulonephritis. Multidrug resistance has emerged in S. pyogenes strains, making them more dangerous and pathogenic. Hence, it is necessary [...] Read more.
Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant pathogen that causes skin and upper respiratory tract infections and non-suppurative complications, such as acute rheumatic fever and post-strep glomerulonephritis. Multidrug resistance has emerged in S. pyogenes strains, making them more dangerous and pathogenic. Hence, it is necessary to identify and develop therapeutic methods that would present novel approaches to S. pyogenes infections. In the current study, a subtractive proteomics approach was employed to core proteomes of four strains of S. pyogenes using several bioinformatic software tools and servers. The core proteome consists of 1324 proteins, and 302 essential proteins were predicted from them. These essential proteins were analyzed using BLASTp against human proteome, and the number of potential targets was reduced to 145. Based on subcellular localization prediction, 46 proteins with cytoplasmic localization were chosen for metabolic pathway analysis. Only two cytoplasmic proteins, i.e., chromosomal replication initiator protein DnaA and two-component response regulator (TCR), were discovered to have the potential to be novel drug target candidates. Three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction of target proteins was carried out via the Swiss Model server. Molecular docking approach was employed to screen the library of 1000 phytochemicals against the interacting residues of the target proteins through the MOE software. Further, the docking studies were validated by running molecular dynamics simulation and highly popular binding free energy approaches of MM-GBSA and MM-PBSA. The findings revealed a promising candidate as a novel target against S. pyogenes infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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9 pages, 718 KiB  
Article
A Possible Outbreak by Serratia marcescens: Genetic Relatedness between Clinical and Environmental Strains
by Giuseppina Caggiano, Francesco Triggiano, Giusy Diella, Francesca Apollonio, Marco Lopuzzo, Adriana Mosca, Stefania Stolfa, Carlo Pazzani, Marta Oliva, Carla Calia, Nicola Laforgia, Lidia Dalfino, Giovanna Barbuti, Pasquale Stefanizzi, Anna Maria Minicucci, Osvalda De Giglio and Maria Teresa Montagna
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9814; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18189814 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2540
Abstract
Serratia marcescens (SM) is a Gram-negative bacterium that is frequently found in the environment. Since 1913, when its pathogenicity was first demonstrated, the number of infections caused by SM has increased. There is ample evidence that SM causes nosocomial infections in immunocompromised or [...] Read more.
Serratia marcescens (SM) is a Gram-negative bacterium that is frequently found in the environment. Since 1913, when its pathogenicity was first demonstrated, the number of infections caused by SM has increased. There is ample evidence that SM causes nosocomial infections in immunocompromised or critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs), but also in newborns admitted to neonatal ICUs (NICUs). In this study, we evaluated the possible genetic correlation by PFGE between clinical and environmental SM strains from NICU and ICU and compared the genetic profile of clinical strains with strains isolated from patients admitted to other wards of the same hospital. We found distinct clonally related groups of SM strains circulating among different wards of a large university hospital. In particular, the clonal relationship between clinical and environmental strains in NICU and ICU 1 was highlighted. The identification of clonal relationships between clinical and environmental strains in the wards allowed identification of the epidemic and rapid implementation of adequate measures to stop the spread of SM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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9 pages, 315 KiB  
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Hospital School Program: The Right to Education for Long-Term Care Children
by Giuseppina Caggiano, Lucia Ilaria Giulia Brunetti, Kathleen Ho, Angiola Piovani and Alessia Quaranta
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11435; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111435 - 30 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2482
Abstract
Education and health are two inseparable aspects of a single dynamic which aims to support and increase the physical and mental well-being of children and young people. Children must be guaranteed two rights: the right to study and the right to health. Schools [...] Read more.
Education and health are two inseparable aspects of a single dynamic which aims to support and increase the physical and mental well-being of children and young people. Children must be guaranteed two rights: the right to study and the right to health. Schools capable of reconciling these two fundamental needs are represented by school in hospital and home schooling. Thanks to this flexible teaching method, it is possible to support the child and his or her family during hospitalization, and to prevent consequences such as school failure and dropout. Hospitalization is always a traumatic event for children, in which white coats are unknown figures, perceived all the more threatening the younger the child: a threat to one’s integrity, loss of autonomy, distorted perception of time, loss of confidence, and a sense of abandonment. Therefore, it is important to create a communicative basis that facilitates the child’s adaptation to the new hospital environment and establishes continuity during this period of time. Teachers play a significant role within the context of such difficulties. They need to understand patients’ emotions and act as a bridge between the small inpatient room of the child and the outside world. In this article we examined: (1) the School in Hospital and the reasons why it is a valid resource for the psychophysical rehabilitation of the student in a hospital; (2) the role of the teacher in hospital and the difficult context in which the teacher has to work; and (3) how the school in hospital was challenged by the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Hygiene and Health Promotion)
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