Heavy vehicle drivers encounter a variety of health risks due to the nature of their work. This study synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to examine the health challenges and potential interventions for these drivers. Using systematic review methodologies, a total of 35 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2001 and 2024 were analyzed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Heavy vehicle drivers are particularly susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders, with low back pain being predominant. They face mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, which are aggravated by long working hours and social isolation. Substance misuse also presents significant health and safety risks. Furthermore, drivers are at an elevated risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, largely as a result of sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices. Alarmingly, the incidence of lung and bladder cancer is higher among drivers, associated with prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust.Heavy vehicle drivers encounter a variety of health risks due to the nature of their work. This study synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to examine the health challenges and potential interventions for these drivers. The prevalence of these health issues is greater than that observed in the general population. However, there is limited effectiveness of current interventions. To address these complex health challenges, comprehensive occupational health policies and targeted interventions are essential to enhance the well-being of this often-overlooked group and to improve public safety.
Food spoilage is a complex process. Despite modern preservation methods use of alternative antimicrobial agents such as essential oils, as natural preservatives can be beneficial. This study aims to comparatively evaluate Anise essential oil (AEO) encapsulated in Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) versus chitosan nanocarriers against E. coli and S. typhimurium and oxidative stress in HU02 cells. The probable improvement of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm effects of AEO relevant to food preservation, using two different nanocarriers, was not investigated previously. Nanoparticles were synthesized using natural based excipients and the probe-sonication method and their physico-chemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were characterized. The mean size and zeta potential of AEO-SLN 292.66 nm and − 21.9 mV and for AEO-CH 188.41 nm and 29.7 mV, revealing the smaller size and positive surface charge for chitosan nano-carrier. Both systems showed sustained release up to 72 h with slightly higher cumulative release from AEO-CH (87.06
Cryptosporidium spp. is a globally significant protozoan parasite with profound implications for animals, humans, and environmental health. Despite extensive research, its distribution, prevalence, and diversity across Asia remain fragmented. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on studies published between 2015 and 2025, incorporating 329 investigations from 29 Asian countries and analyzing 142,484 animal specimens. Pooled prevalence was calculated, and molecular epidemiological data were synthesized to characterize species distribution and subtype diversity. The overall pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium among animals across Asia was 12
Burn wound infections represent a significant clinical challenge, frequently involving antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The escalating concern over antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. Natural bioactive compounds, including chamomile essential oil, have attracted considerable interest due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties; however, their clinical application is limited by poor stability, rapid volatility, and low bioavailability. Nanoencapsulation offers a promising approach to overcome these limitations. This study investigated whether nanoencapsulation of chamomile essential oil (ChEO) in chitosan (CH) and solid lipid (SLN) nanoparticles could enhance its antimicrobial efficacy. Nanoparticles were prepared using probe sonication and characterized for size, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency. Cytotoxicity assessments were also conducted. The results demonstrated that nanoencapsulation substantially improved the antibacterial activity of chamomile essential oil. Chitosan-based nanoparticles achieved minimum inhibitory concentrations of 80 and 85 µg/mL against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively, compared with 520 and 530 µg/mL for solid lipid nanoparticles, and 970 and 985 µg/mL for the pure essential oil. Both nanoparticle formulations proved considerably more effective than the pure oil alone, with chitosan carriers demonstrating superior performance. These findings suggest that chitosan-based nano-formulations of chamomile essential oil hold significant promise as a complementary strategy for managing burn wound infections.
The taxonomy of Iranian Paeonia species remains unresolved due to overlapping morphological traits and insufficient molecular data. In this study, interspecific and intraspecific genetic variation among four taxa: Paeonia archibaldii, P. mascula, P. tomentosa, and P. wendelboi was analyzed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 105 bands were generated across ten ISSR primers, with 68 (68.57
