Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The Comparison of Metal Doped TiO₂ Photocatalytic Active Fabrics under Sunlight for Waste Water Treatment Applications

The release of toxic effluents and microfibers during the frequent washings of textiles poses a major threat to the environment. On the one hand, the detrimental effluents from detergents pose a threat to marine biota in peril, and on the other, microplastics have even been found in breastmilk. According to this study, functionalized metal-doped TiO2 nanoparticles can be immobilized to create fabrics that are hygienic and antibacterial. There is a need to reduce the amount of different detergents, surfactants and chemicals used to remove stains. The manufacture of pristine and Cu-, Ag- and Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles having trace molar ratios of dopant chosen with a simple sol–gel approach using pad–dry–cure silane coupling agents, firstly with the functionalization and then the immobilization of nanoparticles, was successfully performed on cotton fabric. The as-obtained fabrics were evaluated for their crystallinity, chemical functionalities, surface morphologies and elemental compositions. The photodegradation potentials of unfunctionalized materials were assessed in ambient sunshine against five commercial colors. Within three hours of sunshine exposure, according to color strength analysis and antibactericidal activities, 95–98% of the dye was degraded from the functionalized fabric surface. Additionally, the treated content kept its mechanical and comfort qualities

Determinants of anxiety and depression among university teachers during third wave of COVID-19

Abstract Background To estimate the determinants of anxiety and depression among university teachers in Lahore, Pakistan, during COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by enrolling 668 teachers from the universities of Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Chi-square for significance and logistic regression for the association were used. Results Majorly, the university teachers, with an average age of 35.29 years, had regular jobs (72.8%), job experience of > 6 years (51.2%) and good self-reported health (55.4%). The majority of the teachers were working as lecturers (59.6%), lecturing in arts (33.5%) or general science (42.5%) departments, having MPhil (37.9%) or master (28.9%) degrees, and teaching via synchronous video (59.3%) mode. Anxiety and depression, severe and extremely severe, were higher among lecturers, MPhil or master degree holders, teachers lecturing arts and general science subjects, and in those on contract employment. Anxiety was significantly associated with academic departments; arts (OR;2.5, p = 0.001) and general science (OR;2.9, p = 0.001), poor health status (OR;4.4, p = 0.018), and contractual employment (OR;1.8, p = 0.003). Depression was associated with academic departments; arts (OR;2.7, p = 0.001) and general science (OR;2.5, p = 0.001), and health status (OR;2.3, p = 0.001). Conclusion Among university teachers, anxiety and depression, severe and extremely severe, were prevalent among lecturers having MPhil or master degrees, belonging to arts and general science departments, and among contract employees. Anxiety and depression were significantly associated with academic disciplines, lower cadre, and poor health status

Physicochemical and sensory profile of spiced yogurt as affected by ginger supplementation

ABSTRACTFood fortification processes are used to improve the functional and dietary characteristics of the final product. The basic aim of the current study was to evaluate the ginger (Zingiber officinalis, Roscoe) fortification in yogurt and to improve its functionality. For this purpose, ginger at different concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) was added to yogurt. The results showed a significant influence (p < .05) on physicochemical and phenolic content as well as on the sensory parameters of fortified yogurt. Moreover, the addition of 1.5% ginger powder in yogurt resulted in the best results for protein (3.30%), moisture (79.16%), and water-holding capacity (39.85%), respectively. Furthermore, the total phenolic contents were also higher in T3 (19.91 μg GAE/g); however, the total plate count tends to decrease ranging from 3.94 to 3.58 log CFU/g in different treatments. The results of the sensorial assessment revealed T3 was appreciated the most among all treatments