SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

This study implements a novel integrated care model combining continuous IAQ monitoring, advanced lung function assessment using oscillometry, digital adaptive case management, and predictive modelling for early detection and management of exacerbations. These interventions are designed to identify environmental and clinical triggers of acute events, optimise personalized care, and reduce unplanned hospitalisations in high risk patients.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly impacts human health, particularly in enclosed spaces where people spend most of their time. This study evaluates the performance of low-cost IAQ sensors, focusing on their ability to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) under real-world conditions.

The aim of this study was to systematically review the available evidence regarding the sources, determinants and concentrations of indoor air pollutants in a set of scenarios under study in K-HEALTHinAIR project. To this end, a systematic review was performed to review the available studies published between the years 2013–2023, for several settings (schools, homes, hospitals, lecture halls, retirement homes, public transports and canteens), conducted in Europe, where sources and determinants of the indoor pollutants concentrations was assessed.

This study examined the neurodegenerative effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to DEP (0.167 and 1.67 µg/cm²) led to developmental delays, altered locomotion, and changes in antioxidant gene expression (sod-3, gst-4). Significant reductions in movement speed and swimming activity were observed, especially at higher doses. Glutamatergic neurons showed clear degeneration, while dopaminergic neurons exhibited structural deformities without major degeneration. In silico docking suggested DEP acts as a competitive inhibitor, more strongly affecting glutamatergic transporters than dopaminergic receptors. The findings link locomotion defects to glutamatergic neurodegeneration and highlight environmental health risks from DEP exposure.

This study demonstrates the excitation of optical anapole states in the ultraviolet (UV) range (350–380 nm) using TiO₂ nano-rectangles with different length-to-width ratios. Simulations confirm these modes, and a periodic 2D arrangement on fused silica is proposed. Understanding UV anapole states is key to developing advanced photonic devices and enhancing nonlinear effects like third-harmonic generation for vacuum UV light.

This study demonstrates the excitation of optical anapole states in the ultraviolet (UV) range (350–380 nm) using TiO₂ nano-rectangles with different length-to-width ratios. Simulations confirm these modes, and a periodic 2D arrangement on fused silica is proposed. Understanding UV anapole states is key to developing advanced photonic devices and enhancing nonlinear effects like third-harmonic generation for vacuum UV light.

The skin, constantly exposed to natural and synthetic nanomaterials, faces risks ranging from corrosion to cancer. Skin-on-chip systems offer a promising tool for assessing nanomaterial safety by closely mimicking skin physiology. This review discusses recent advances in these models, strategies to simulate skin functions, and improved control over nanomaterial exposure and cellular transport. It also outlines future opportunities and challenges in design, fabrication, and regulatory acceptance.

This scoping review examines methods for assessing airborne virus exposure in occupational and indoor settings. Analyzing 50 studies from 2010 to 2023, it highlights the importance of early detection to prevent virus spread and evaluate protective measures. Key findings include inconsistencies in sampling methods, reporting gaps, and lack of contextual data, which hinder result comparison and consensus. The study identifies research gaps and calls for standardized approaches tailored to specific assessment goals.

The use of cleaning and disinfecting products rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing indoor exposure to harmful chemicals and particulate matter. This review analyzes their impact on air quality and health, highlighting links to asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory issues, especially in children and professional cleaners. Reducing exposure requires safer product formulations, better ventilation, informed product choices, and clearer labeling. The study also outlines best practices and calls for further research.

This study assessed whether outdoor particulate matter (PM) data from a fixed station could estimate personal PM exposure in schoolchildren. Simulations compared outdoor-only and actual exposure scenarios. Personal PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ doses were 23.4% and 20.2% higher than ambient estimates, respectively. Including hygroscopic growth increased ambient doses further. Regression analyses showed poor correlation between ambient and personal doses, especially for PM₁₀, indicating that ambient data alone are unreliable for estimating children’s real exposure, particularly for PM₁₀.

This study reviews dosimetry and clearance models used to estimate particle deposition in the human respiratory tract and assess internal exposure. It examines how factors like particle properties, respiratory geometry, and breathing conditions influence deposition. Modeling approaches include empirical methods, 1D flow models, and CFD simulations, with emphasis on accurately representing hygroscopicity. The integration of dosimetry with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models is proposed to better predict particle-bound chemical transport and health effects across organs.