Synthetic/recycled rubber materials are widely used in playgrounds, artificial turf infill, and synthetic tracks, but they may contain harmful substances, such as metal(oid)s, posing health risks through ingestion and inhalation. The use of such materials and artificial turf has raised increasing concern, and several studies have begun to investigate the pollutants potentially released into simulated fluids (in-vitro bioaccessibility) to provide a more realistic assessment of the associated health risks. In this context, the present study reports, the estimation of the oral and inhalation bioavailability of metal(oid)s (bioaccessible fraction that can potentially be absorbed into the bloodstream and pose a major health risk) in synthetic/recycled rubber materials and artificial turf, from public facilities and brand-new samples. To this end, an in-vitro oral and inhalation bioavailability approach was applied using synthetic human fluids and dialysis membrane filled with simulated human plasma to mimic absorption, with subsequent metal(oid)s quantification. Higher inhalation bioavailability ratios (1.0 - 37.4% for Mo and Rb, respectively) were observed compared to oral ones (0.35 - 22.7% for Fe and Sr, respectively). Regarding the rubber composition, samples made of ethylene propylene diene monomer showed higher metal(oid)s bioavailability ratios than those made of styrene-butadiene-styrene, suggesting distinct metal(oid)s-polymer interactions influencing their release. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic hazard indexes via ingestion and inhalation were assessed using metal(oid) oral and inhalation bioavailable concentrations based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment exposure model. The results suggested no significant carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risks for several scenarios, including children, adults, coaches, and bystanders from both exposition routes.

Chemical characterization and quantification of nicotine in e-liquids consumed in Brazil using DI-SPME-GC-MS.

In this scoping review, we examine the implications of 3 pillars (housing conditions and quality, residential consistency, and housing affordability) of healthy housing on vision health outcomes. We examine barriers based on geographical locations of the studies and World Health Organization income levels. We identified 11,190 abstracts, with 10,996 articles retrieved. Sixty-three met inclusion criteria. Among these, housing conditions emerged as the most frequently observed housing pillar associated with adverse vision health outcomes, cited in 62.1 % of the studies. Environmental pollution, particularly indoor air quality and exposure to harmful substances, was the most common condition associated with poor vision outcomes.

Breaking barriers: Understanding and managing blood-spinal cord barrier dysfunction in spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

Background: Cigarette smoking exposes the human body to a complex mixture of toxic and carcinogenic compounds that can exert widespread biological effects across different organ systems. From addictive responses and consequence maladaptive neuroendocrine responses, cigarette smoke delivers a variety of reactive oxygen species, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, and heavy metals that collectively contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic disruption. The liver, as the primary organ responsible for xenobiotic metabolism, plays a central role in processing these harmful substances and is therefore uniquely susceptible to their effects. This narrative review will aim to provide an overview of the current evidence of cigarette smoking effects on hepatic structure and function and discuss clinical implications. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and human clinical research examining the effects of cigarette smoking on liver biology. Mechanistic pathways of injury, metabolic and vascular alterations, and clinical consequences for liver disease were considered. Results: Smoking influences hepatic function both directly—through biotransformation pathways generating reactive intermediates—and indirectly via vascular impairment, immune modulation, hormonal alterations, and changes in lipid and glucose metabolism. Emerging evidence indicates that cigarette smoking contributes to hepatic steatosis, accelerates fibrosis progression, worsens outcomes in viral and alcohol-related liver disease, and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking exerts multifaceted deleterious effects on the liver. Recognition of smoking as a modifiable risk factor for liver-related morbidity underscores the importance of smoking cessation in patients with or at risk for liver disease and highlights implications for research and clinical practice.

Affect-based impulsivity describes the tendency to behave impulsively while experiencing negative or positive affective states. In the context of psychiatric disorders, the consequences of affect-based impulsivity can be dire, including suicidal behavior and harmful substance use. Here, we provide a narrative review and articulate a decision neuroscience account of affect-based impulsivity. We focus specifically on how negative emotions alter the balance of Pavlovian and goal-directed decision systems. We consider how negative affect influences whether to act, what actions to consider, which action to select, and how vigorously to engage in a selected action. Further, we describe the neural and neuroendocrine bases of these computations. We propose that modulation of norepinephrine and glucocorticoids during negative affective states enhances the pursuit of rewards by reducing goal-directed computations and increasing appetitive Pavlovian computations.

Background: Urban and industrial air pollution releases harmful substances that threaten human health. Fine particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while gases such as NOx and CO disrupt oxygen transport and increase poisoning risk. The World Health Organization reports that 99% of the global population is exposed to polluted air, contributing to approximately 6.5 million premature deaths annually. Air pollution also affects neurological and reproductive health, increasing risks of developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental health problems. Objective: This study aims to describe the development of air quality monitoring technologies for detecting pollution. Methods: A descriptive Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, analyzing national and international publications from databases such as Google Scholar and ResearchGate. Results: IoT-based monitoring systems and digital sensors effectively measure pollutants in real time with high accuracy. These technologies support early warning systems, policy-making, and public awareness. Conclusion: IoT-based air quality monitoring offers an efficient solution for improving environmental health, although challenges remain in implementation and accessibility. Keywords: Air pollution, public health, technology, monitoring, IoT.

Ama is an important concept in Ayurveda that refers to harmful substances formed when digestion and metabolism are not functioning properly due to weakened Agni. Classical texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya describe Ama as a major factor responsible for the development of many systemic diseases. It develops when both digestive processes (Jatharagni) and tissue metabolism (Dhatvagni) are impaired, leading to the buildup of toxic substances in the body. These substances circulate through the system, block bodily channels (Srotas), and disturb normal physiological functions. Symptoms of Ama include heaviness, tiredness, loss of appetite, indigestion, general discomfort, joint stiffness, and weakness, indicating metabolic imbalance. When Ama combines with Doshas, it forms Sama Dosha, which results in more severe disease conditions. In modern medicine, systemic inflammation is recognized as a key factor in chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. It involves immune activation, release of inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP, along with oxidative stress and metabolic disturbances. The similarities between Ama and systemic inflammation suggest a strong connection. Ama may be understood as a broader concept that includes toxins, inflammation, and immune dysfunction. Ayurvedic treatments like Deepana, Pachana, Langhana, and Shodhana may help reduce inflammation and restore balance.

Introduction Athletes commonly use ergogenic substances, ranging from natural to pharmacological agents, aiming to enhance their performance. This review analyses their risks in terms of hepatotoxicity and liver health. Materials and Methods A thorough research was conducted using the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The keyword choice was decided based on the subject of the review beforehand. The Stage of Knowledge The review subsumes anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), creatine, caffeine and herbal supplements. Despite strict bans, AAS and SARMs are widely abused, also among youth. Many of them display serious adverse effects, including consecutive signs of liver damage culminating in drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Moreover, SARMs present severe testosterone suppression. Overall, the safety profile of exogenous creatine is good and non-hepatoxic. The reports of serious side effects remain anecdotal. Additionally, there is a rising number of reports on the therapeutic application of creatine, also in terms of the liver. Caffeine effectively enhances endurance and glycogen recovery. Green tea, rich in catechins, minimises exercise induced muscle-damage and, by lowering AST levels and reducing oxidative stress, actively protects the liver. Both maintain a favourable safety profile. Summary Ultimately, the impact of ergogenic substances on liver health ranges from highly toxic to safe, even beneficial, within a broad spectrum. This contrast highlights the critical need for athletes to consider the severe adverse effects of any illicit and harmful substances against those proven to be both safe and effective. It is all in terms of their own well-being and the trends that later spread among people they are being looked up to.

Predicting environmental persistence of chemicals from molecular structure is an open challenge, yet indispensable in regulatory screenings for potentially harmful substances and to advance the development of safe-and-sustainable-by-design chemicals. Limited availability of biotransformation half-life data makes persistence prediction difficult, and models typically struggle to generalize beyond their training data. Therefore, reliable estimates of prediction confidence are key. Here, we propose a probabilistic model for the prediction of soil biotransformation half-lives. A Gaussian Process Regressor was trained on 867 mean pesticide half-lives with data uncertainty estimates. Instead of single half-life values, our model predicts well-calibrated probability distributions that can be used to calculate a compound's probability of being persistent. Although the overall model performance remains moderate, the predictions are reliable when the confidence in the prediction is high. We applied our model to pesticide transformation products with unknown half-lives, and to a database of globally marketed chemicals. We show that our model is able to identify chemicals that are known, or suspected to be, persistent in the environment. The model is available as an online app (https://pepper-app.streamlit.app/) and as a Python library (pepper-lab) to meet diverse user needs.

• High exposure to chemical, physical, and psychosocial risks in Dentistry. • Rotary instruments are considered the highest risk by experts. • High transmission risk due to improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) against SARS-CoV-2. • Contact with sharp instruments poses significant occupational hazards. Despite technological advancements in dentistry, professionals remain exposed to numerous occupational hazards that compromise their health and well-being. These include chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals, aerosols, ionizing radiation, excessive noise, and significant ergonomic and psychosocial stressors. A review of current scientific literature reveals persistent challenges for dental professionals, such as daily contact with harmful substances, invasive procedures, contaminated aerosols, radiation, noise, and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal and psychosocial disorders. These risks persist despite technological improvements and continue to hinder the development of a strong culture of occupational health and safety within the profession. This study aimed to assess occupational risks in dental clinics by analyzing expert opinion through the Delphi method. A panel of 18 experts, each with over ten years of experience, participated. Results indicated that “rotary dental instruments (e.g., turbines, contra-angle handpieces)” were consistently rated as the highest risk (mean score: 3.50). In the deviation category, the “risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to inappropriate PPE use” received the highest scores (3.83 and 3.61). In the contact category, “exposure to sharp, cutting, or abrasive instruments/materials” was rated highest (3.94 and 3.78). The study concludes that rotary instruments and sharp tools contribute significantly to the generation of potentially pathogenic bioaerosols and elevate the risk of infection. While strict safety protocols are essential, they may impair working conditions by reducing visibility, fogging protective eyewear, limiting breathability, and increasing humidity factors associated with decreased efficiency and increased stress among dental professionals.

Substance use disorders affect millions of people and can be difficult to treat, warranting novel therapeutic approaches. Simultaneously, well-established findings demonstrate beneficial effects of nature exposure for mental health, including substance use disorder comorbidities (e.g., anxiety), and emerging evidence suggests that nature exposure could impact decision making associated with harmful substance use. Across two within-subject experiments (Experiment 1: Amazon Mechanical Turk, n = 170, Experiment 2: college students, laboratory setting, n = 29), we evaluated the effects of visual exposure to natural versus built environment stimuli on delay discounting and demand for a substance among individuals who frequently use substances. Experiment 1 results showed that for subsets of participants, under certain conditions, visual exposure to natural compared with built environment stimuli reduced delay discounting and demand for cannabis, with medium effect sizes, but not for alcohol or cigarettes. Order effects emerged, demonstrating within-subject lower delay discounting following visual exposure to natural (vs. built) stimuli, when nature was presented second and lower demand for cannabis when presented first. Acknowledging sample size limitations, Experiment 2 results showed reduced demand for alcohol, with a large effect size, following visual exposure to natural (vs. built) stimuli, and no effect on delay discounting or demand for cannabis. Results contribute preliminary evidence of the beneficial effects of visual nature exposure on substance use-related decision-making outcomes among individuals who regularly use substances. We further discuss methodological challenges. Results hold implications for future research with clinical populations to develop and validate real nature prescription guidelines as prevention or adjunct to substance use disorder treatment programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Introduction: Tooth enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body, protects teeth from harmful substances and bacteria but is prone to wear and erosion. Restorative materials such as ceramics and composites help restore function but can alter bite alignment and increase sensitivity. Understanding tribology – the study of friction and wear – helps improve dental materials. Advances in nanotechnology enhance restoration durability, ensuring better patient outcomes and overall oral health. Materials and Methods: This study is composed of four groups: one control against antagonist tooth, one with metal alloy against tooth structure, one with lithium disilicate against tooth structure, one with zirconia against tooth structure. Results: The results showed a comparison of colour stability after three body wear tests amongst four groups. Group A had a mean of 102.57 ± 3.42; Group B, 76.36 ± 1.69; Group C, 65.57 ± 1.90 and Group D, 80.13 ± 1.31. It was concluded that the least changes were seen in Group C, while the highest changes were observed in Group A. Another result showed a comparison of surface roughness after three body wear tests amongst the same four groups. The mean value in Group A was 0.71; Group B, 0.60; Group C, 0.73 and Group D, 0.66. Group C had the highest mean score, followed by Group A, Group D and Group B, which had the lowest. No significant difference was observed between the groups ( P = 0.27). Conclusions: It can be concluded that novel nanoparticles prove to reduce enamel wear after tribofilm in all test antagonist tooth structures using different restorative materials.

Water contamination by hazardous organic dyes and nitrophenols, particularly methylene blue (MB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), is one of the critical environmental challenges in recent times. Conventional remediation methods often face limitations, including inefficiency, high cost, and the generation of secondary pollution. Catalytic reduction using metal/metal oxide (M/MO) nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising alternative for converting these pollutants into less harmful substances. However, the practical application of bare M/MO NPs is hindered by issues of aggregation, instability, and leaching. This paper comprehensively discusses the innovative strategy for stabilizing M/MO NPs with eco-friendly and cost-effective biopolymers. The paper explores strategies for extraction of biopolymers, synthesis and characterization of biopolymer-stabilized M/MO nanocomposites (NCs), their effectiveness in reducing 4-NP and MB, their stability and reusability, as well as the mechanisms of the reduction process. Furthermore, the critical operational parameters influencing catalytic efficiency are discussed, and performance is evaluated through key catalytic performance metrics such as the conversion rate, rate constant, and turnover frequency. The finding of the review revealed that biopolymer incorporation into M/MO NPs significantly enhanced MB and 4-NP conversion efficiency while improving nanoparticle dispersion, stability, and reusability. Despite their considerable advantages, challenges such as potential nanoparticle leaching, biopolymer degradation, and the need for reducing agent optimization remain. The review finally presents future research directions, which include the development of greener alternatives to NaBH 4 , computational mechanistic studies, and scaling up the technology for real-world wastewater treatment applications. • The review examined the roles of biopolymers as stabilizers for catalytic reduction of 4-NP and MB. • Biopolymer-stabilized M/MO NCs demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance. • The NCs can achieve conversion rates of 90–100 % for both 4-NP and MB under optimized conditions. • The NCs demonstrated excellent reusability and stability, with 5–10 catalytic cycles. • The catalytic innovation provides eco-friendly wastewater treatment that aligns with UN SDG 6.

Effect of fiber-reinforcement on tensile and dynamic performance of elastic rubber layers composed of recycled SBR

Fe2CrSi thin film as magnetocaloric refrigerant to liquefy/solidify high-boiling-point harmful organic substances and its associated critical phenomena

Abstract Aquaculture presents a sustainable alternative to traditional capture fisheries, offering livelihoods and a valuable protein source while alleviating pressure on natural ecosystems. However, environmental stressors often impede the success of aquaculture, posing risks to aquatic life. Functional feed additives are a promising solution to combat stress in fish culture. These additives are integrated into feed formulations to meet animals’ nutritional requirements and enhance growth, health, and stress resistance. Among these additives, L-carnitine has emerged as a promising candidate in aquaculture. By boosting mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and regulating energy metabolism, L-carnitine can help alleviate stress induced by water temperature fluctuations, enhance immunity and growth, shield cells from ammonia toxicity, and eliminate harmful substances from mitochondria. While numerous studies have explored the benefits of L-carnitine supplementation in aquaculture, few studies, according to our knowledge, have reported its specific role in stress mitigation in fish. This review seeks to consolidate existing research and underscore the potential of L-carnitine in high-fat diets, growth promotion, and stress reduction. In conclusion, further exploration of L-carnitine’s mechanisms in reducing fish stress is essential, as it shows promise as a valuable additive for aquafeed formulations.

Neurodegenerative disorders are marked by progressive deterioration of neurons, affecting cognitive, memory, and motor functions. This decline creates substantial personal and social challenges, making early identification of risk factors essential for effective intervention. Environmental toxicants, such as chemicals and air pollutants, are suspected to negatively impact brain health. This review critically examines the relationship between environmental toxicants and neurodegenerative disorders, exploring their potential mechanisms and providing recommendations for future research. A PubMed search was performed for all available data until April 2024 using keywords related to environmental toxicants and neurodegenerative diseases. The search was limited to peer-reviewed articles in English, focusing on human studies that investigate the association between toxicants and neurodegenerative disorders. A narrative synthesis was conducted based on the neurodegenerative disorder, specific toxicants, and mechanisms of action. This review highlights the detrimental effects of chemical toxicants and air pollutants on diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Key mechanisms discussed include oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The findings emphasize the need to understand the mechanisms by which environmental toxicants contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Early detection and management, including reduced exposure to harmful substances, are vital. Further research is essential for improving screening techniques and developing targeted interventions.

Nucleophagy: The guardian of genome stability - from molecular mechanisms to disease associations.

Groundwater is one of the most important sources of drinking water for human populations. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural activities have significantly affected groundwater quality in many regions. This study focuses on the assessment of groundwater quality by evaluating various physicochemical parameters to determine its suitability for domestic and agricultural purposes. Groundwater contamination occurs when harmful substances such as industrial chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, sewage, and landfill leachate enter underground aquifers. These pollutants alter the natural characteristics of water and reduce its quality. Once groundwater becomes polluted, it is very difficult to restore due to the slow movement of water beneath the Earth's surface. In this study, groundwater samples were collected from six different locations in Tamil Nadu. The collected samples were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters such as colour, odour, temperature, turbidity, total hardness, chloride, fluoride, and residual chlorine. These parameters help determine water quality and suitability for drinking purposes. The results showed variations in groundwater quality among sampling locations. Some samples showed higher hardness and chloride levels due to mineral dissolution and environmental conditions. However, most parameters were within acceptable limits. Regular monitoring of groundwater quality is necessary to ensure safe water supply and protect water resources for future generations.