Co-based magnetic eutectic mixture for the extraction of trace metals in essential oils used in cosmetic industry prior to analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory RNA molecules that adjust the levels of proteins in cells to maintain cellular homeostasis during essential cellular events or stress conditions. A large array of studies are available in the literature, demonstrating the role and regulation of miRNAs in cellular responses to environmental toxicants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollutants. Genotoxicity, the damaging impact of various environmental and chemical agents on DNA, plays a significant role in altering gene expression and affecting cellular health. It is crucial to understand the interplay between the expression of miRNAs and the regulation of gene expression in response to genotoxic insults. Dysregulated miRNAs can lead to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, apoptosis, and DNA damage, resulting in various adverse health effects, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and immune dysfunction. With recent advances in miRNA-based therapies, such as miRNA mimics and antagomiRs, there is growing potential for developing interventions that mitigate toxicant-induced cellular damage. This chapter seeks to explore the critical role that miRNAs play in mediating gene expression in response to toxicants (including transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational mechanisms), focusing on how these small regulatory molecules contribute to cellular defense mechanisms and how their dysregulation can lead to adverse health outcomes. Key cellular responses, such as the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and p53 activation, work to maintain genomic stability by managing DNA repair, cell cycle control, and apoptosis.MiRNA profiling is an essential technique in miRNA biology, required to understand the role of individual miRNAs and their target genes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a widely used method for miRNA profiling due to its high sensitivity and specificity. This protocol outlines a step-by-step approach for miRNA quantification using qPCR, focusing on the copy number assay and relative quantification methods. Through this exploration, this chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of miRNAs in toxicology, highlighting their potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the context of environmental health and a protocol for quantification of miRNAs in different types of samples.

Medicare coverage gap status, adherence to oral anticoagulation, and stroke rates in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Risk and danger on the rise: Representation of intersex variations of innate sex characteristics in biomedical research.

Indoor ozone and ozone reaction products: An emerging health threat.

Characterization of the interaction between diclofenac sodium and human serum albumin based on network pharmacology, electrochemical analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational simulations.

Activated carbon fiber as a passive air sampler for monitoring phthalate exposure in university dormitories: Performance calibration and risk assessment.

Chemical exposure in childhood: A study on organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in a Flemish birth cohort.

Toxicological evaluation of vape liquids circulating in Brazil: Evidence of emerging hazards.

Harm reduction workers minimise the adverse health, social, and legal consequences of drug use through their engagement with people who use drugs (PWUD). Felix, a nurse overseeing drug use at a harm reduction facility in Barcelona, offers a glimpse into the hidden realities of their work. His account reveals how exposure to structural inequalities and violence shapes the socially situated experience of vulnerability at work. Taking us into his social relations with PWUD, he explains how these relations help him mitigate his exposure to violence and are emotionally rewarding, while heightening his vulnerability. His vulnerability is also shaped and redefined by the uncertain, unstable and insecure work arrangements explicitly imposed by his employer. By shedding light on how vulnerability and precarity intertwine during harm reduction work, this account unpacks the subjectivity-making process central to workers’ experiences of precariousness.

Excess phosphate (P) intake through inorganic P (Pi) addition is known to cause various adverse health effects while declaration of use and amount in pet food in the EU is not regulated. Distinction between organic phosphate (oP) from feed ingredients and Pi with standard laboratory methods is impossible. Most Pi sources are highly soluble after 1 min in water (Psol1). Measuring fractions of P according to solubility by the method of Lineva et al. (2019) can be used to estimate Pi addition. Heat processing reduces the fraction of Psol1 in meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heat- and pressure processing on complete wet diets with Pi addition. An experimental cat diet with loaf-type consistency was prepared. One sample without additives, one with a complete mineral-vitamin premix without Pi to balance and 16 samples with such premixes plus Pi addition from four different commonly used sources (H3PO4, NaH2PO4*H2O, KH2PO4, CaHPO4) were tested in various combinations and concentrations. Ca/P ratios were adjusted in ranges between 1/1 and 2/1 and for three samples above 2/1. Part of the samples was kept raw and stored frozen, the rest was canned individually according to specifications common for the canning process. The samples were analysed by the method of Lineva et al. (2019), measuring fractions of soluble P in water and 0.4% HCl after 1 and 90 min in raw and canned samples. The results showed a strong correlation between Pi addition and measured amount of Psol1 in the raw samples. However, Psol1 strongly decreased in the identical canned samples. High amounts of Psol1 are found in commercial pet food. The findings of this study indicate that the amount of added Pi in commercial pet food is probably even higher than can be expected by measuring Psol1.

ABSTRACT This study assessed long-term trends of tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations in Tehran, Iran, over the time period 2015–2024, and quantified the non-carcinogenic health risks across different age groups by applying the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) human health risk assessment methodology. The O3 data from 22 air-quality monitoring stations and satellite-retrieved columnar from Copernicus Sentinel-5P were analyzed. Annual O3 mean concentrations exhibited a slight non-statistically significant decreasing trend (-0.11% year−1). Peak concentrations were recorded in 2021, corresponding to post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery and rising precursor emissions. Age-specific Hazard Quotients (HQ) remained <1.0 in all years, indicating acceptable non-carcinogenic risk for any single life stage. However, the cumulative lifetime Hazard Index (HI), obtained by summing age-specific HQs, ranged from 5.48 to 8.10 and consistently exceeded the U.S. EPA safe threshold of 1.0, showing potential adverse non-carcinogenic health effects from chronic O3 exposure over a full lifetime. These results underline the importance of controlling O3 precursors in densely populated cities and demonstrate the value of combining ground and satellite observations with lifetime exposure modeling for urban air-quality management.

Bangladesh frequently appears among the top five countries with the most polluted air. Research is essential to understand the various health impacts of air pollution in vulnerable populations. This review compiles evidence from January 2000 to May 2025 on the adverse health effects of air pollution among Bangladeshi women and children. Long-term exposure mainly from biomass fuel burning leads to various health consequences in women, especially during pregnancy. Early life exposure also results in harmful health outcomes in children. Research on the effects of air pollution exposure in Bangladesh has primarily focused on adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes, chronic respiratory diseases and hypertension. There is limited information on childhood mortality, malnutrition, developmental disorders, and noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and mental illness, and occupational exposure-related outcomes. Further research is needed to establish a causal link between air pollution exposure and health impacts and inform interventions. Policies for air pollution mitigation require strict monitoring and enforcement by the government.

Recent studies clearly indicate that textile contamination with hazardous chemicals increasingly poses an emerging public health concern. Beyond its significant environmental implications, such contamination may lead to a variety of adverse health effects, including allergic skin reactions and an increased risk of autoimmune, metabolic, and oncological diseases. This comprehensive review highlights key chemical groups of concern frequently found in textiles that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin, including heavy metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, and bisphenols. Their concentration in textiles, potential for bioaccumulation, and associated toxicological effects are concisely discussed in the context of human exposure and overall health risk. The following review synthesizes secondary data extracted from environmental studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses obtained from PubMed between 2017 and 2025. The primary aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge regarding the amounts, associated risks, and potential health effects of these chemicals.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are susceptible to altitude-related adverse health effects (ARAHE). Does structured self-monitoring (SSM) predict imminent ARAHE in COPD patients during altitude travel. Patients with moderate to severe COPD without chronic respiratory failure, living below 800 m, ascended by bus within 5 h to a clinic at 3100 m and stayed there for 2 days. During the altitude sojourn, patients regularly monitored themselves for symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and/or drops of pulse oximetry (SpO2) to ≤84%, events designated as positive SSM. Measures of diagnostic accuracy of SSM in predicting subsequent ARAHE (defined as AMS Lake Louise score >4 and/or SpO2 <80% for >30 min or <75% for >15 min and/or any condition requiring medical intervention) were computed. www.ClinicalTrials.org NCT03957759. Among 153 COPD patients (79 women, mean ± SD age 57 ± 10y) travelling to 3100 m, SSM was positive in 55 (36%), ARAHE occurred in 116 (76%). Concordance statistics indicated a diagnostic accuracy of SSM in predicting ARAHE of 0.65 (95%CI 0.58 to 0.72). In SSM positive patients, the odds ratio for ARAHE was 4.9 (95%CI 1.8 to 12.9). Positive and negative predictive values of SSM for ARAHE were 91% (95%CI 80 to 97) and 33% (95%CI 24 to 43). In exploratory analyses, supplementing SSM by nocturnal pulse oximetry with alarm capability enhanced diagnostic accuracy considerably (sensitivity improved from 43% to 73% concordance statistic increased to 0.80). Lowlanders with COPD ascending to 3100 m commonly experience ARAHE. Due to its high positive predictive value, performing SSM may allow patients to predict imminent ARAHE and take timely appropriate actions such as descend or use oxygen. Negative SSM does not reliably indicate a low risk of ARAHE.

Pesticide sprayers are directly exposed to pesticides during their work. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of adverse health effects in relation to pesticide exposure and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage among agricultural sprayers in northeastern Thailand. Previous research has not established whether basic protective equipment adequately safeguards workers from developing adverse health effects. The 421 pesticide sprayers who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. Most sprayers in this study were male (68.65%) with a mean age of 53.24 years (SD = 9.86), and 48.46% of sprayers had serum cholinesterase activity in the high-risk range. The prevalence of adverse symptoms was 37.53% (95% CI: 33.01-42.28). The most common symptoms were dizziness, nose irritation, and tachycardia at mild, moderate, and severe levels, respectively. Female sprayers, those cultivating certain crops, and users of hand-operated knapsack sprayers had a higher risk of adverse symptoms than control. The use of protective footwear significantly lowered the risk of blurred vision (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02-0.38) among sprayers. The association between wearing recommended shoes and a diminished risk of blurred vision is rather a reflection of compliance and co-variate protection. While most sprayers remained asymptomatic, the substantial adverse symptoms among female sprayers and knapsack users indicate inadequate protection under current safety protocols. These findings necessitate targeted, gender- and equipment-specific interventions to reduce occupational health risks. The finding that wearing protective footwear was associated with a lower risk of blurred vision warrants further investigation to inform evidence-based safety recommendations.

Trafficked persons experience adverse health consequences and seek help, but many go unrecognized by health-care professionals. This study explored professionals' perspectives on current approaches toward identifying and supporting trafficked persons in health-care settings, highlighting current technology roles, gaps, and future directions. We developed an interview guide to investigate current human trafficking (HT) approaches, safety procedures, and HT education. Semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom, iteratively coded in Dedoose, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. We interviewed 19 health-care and community group professionals and identified 3 themes: (1) participants described a responsibility to build trust with patients through compassionate communication, rapport, and trauma-informed approaches across different stages of care. (2) Technology played a dual role, as professionals navigated both benefits and challenges of tools such as Zoom, virtual interpreters, and cameras in trust building. (3) Safety and privacy concerns guided how participants documented patient encounters and shared community resources, ensuring confidentiality while supporting patient and community well-being. Technology can both support and hinder trust in health care, directly affecting trafficked patients and their safety. Informatics can improve care for trafficked persons, but further research is needed on technology-based interventions. We provide recommendations to strengthen trust, enhance safety, support trauma-informed care, and promote safe documentation practices. Effective sociotechnical approaches rely on trust, safety, and mindful documentation to support trafficked patients. Future research directions include refining the role of informatics in trauma-informed care to strengthen trust and mitigate unintended consequences.

Chemical contaminants in drinking water represent a widespread threat to human health, making water quality monitoring an essential mitigation measure. This study aimed to assess the quality of drinking water by conducting comprehensive multi-year seasonal monitoring at seven distribution points in central Romania, determining the spatial and temporal trends of relevant physical parameters (pH and electrical conductivity) and chemical contaminants (NO2, NO3, NH4, Cl, and SO4). The pollution degree was evaluated using the pollution index and the overall pollution assessment index. The principal component analysis attributed over 60% of water quality variance to NO2, NO3, and NH4 pollution, linked to incomplete nitrification or external loading, such as agricultural practices. Additionally, a human health risk assessment was performed according to U.S. EPA guidelines, calculating the chronic daily intake, hazard quotient, and hazard index for nitrogen compounds via oral and dermal exposure pathways for both adults and children. The results showed significant seasonal fluctuations in nitrogen compounds and electrical conductivity. The pollution indices classified the water bodies across a spectrum from “light” to “significant” pollution degrees. The health risk assessment revealed that NO3 was the primary risk driver, with hazard index values exceeding the threshold of one in specific locations and seasons, indicating potential adverse health effects, particularly for children.

Beans are widely consumed worldwide and are a good source of amino acids and micronutrients; however, they contain anti-nutrients, such as lectins, tannins, protein inhibitors, saponins, and phytic acid, among others, which can reduce the food’s quality and cause adverse health effects. In this study, we analyzed the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of a protein extract from Phaseolus acutifolius (TBE) seeds. The extract contained some antinutritional compounds, with a higher lectin content and an activity of 2701.85 HU. The acute toxicity test in mice showed that the extract was not lethal at the concentrations tested, as it did not cause any mortality. The in vitro cytotoxicity study on small intestinal epithelial cells indicated that the lectin-rich extract was cytotoxic in both assays, with IC50 values of 10.08 µg/mL and 108.91 µg/mL for the free cell and intestinal fragment assays, respectively. In the in vivo study, an erythropoiesis-stimulatory effect was observed, with significant genotoxic damage noted at 48 h, evidenced by 11 micronucleated erythrocytes at 1000 mg/kg TBE. However, no genotoxicity was detected with prolonged treatment times. These results indicate that TBE is cytotoxic within the tested concentration range, and genotoxic damage is influenced by both concentration and exposure time.

Establishing a spatial framework for investigating PFAS in wild game animals: Evidence from wild boar livers in Brandenburg, Germany.