Search Results (1,469)

The term ‘superfoods’ refers to a rapidly expanding group of food products that have gained increasing global interest due to their high nutritional value and association with health-oriented dietary patterns. Many superfoods, particularly grains and seeds, are rich sources of essential minerals, plant protein, dietary fibre, and bioactive compounds, making them valuable components of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the elemental composition of selected superfood grains and seeds and to verify the reliability of manufacturers’ declarations. The analyses confirmed that the investigated samples possess a rich macro- and trace elemental composition, with pronounced differences among product groups. Based on median concentrations, pumpkin and hemp seeds were characterized by generally high levels of Mg, K, P, Fe, Mn, and Zn, whereas chia seeds exhibited notably elevated Ca content. In contrast, quinoa and amaranth showed comparatively lower elemental concentrations. Most of the results obtained for the analysed products are within the permissible deviation from the value declared on the packaging, as specified in the relevant EU regulations. The presence of potentially toxic elements, including Al, Pb, and Cd, was also detected. Cadmium accumulation was of particular concern in flax seeds, where all samples exceeded the limit of quantification and approached permissible levels. Principal component analysis revealed clear clustering patterns, indicating similarities between amaranth and quinoa, as well as between hemp and pumpkin seeds, while chia and flax seeds formed distinct groups. These results highlight both the nutritional potential of superfoods and the necessity for independent verification of their elemental composition. Full article

Cadmium (Cd), a common environmental and occupational toxicant, is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Metformin has been found to have neuroprotective effect, in addition to antidiabetic function. Our recent studies have identified that metformin ameliorates Cd neurotoxicity via blocking ROS-dependent PP5/AMPK-JNK signaling pathway. Here we further show that metformin protected PC12 cells and primary neurons from Cd-poisoning by mitigating Cd-induced increases in ATG5/LC3-II/p62 levels and autophagosomes. Knockdown of ATG5 dramatically potentiated the inhibitory effects of metformin on Cd-induced LC3-II, cleavage of caspase-3, accumulation of autophagosomes and apoptosis in PC12 cells. Addition of chloroquine (CQ) strengthened the basic and Cd-elevated ATG5/LC3-II/p62 levels, autophagosome accumulation and cell apoptosis, whereas metformin powerfully blocked the events, implying a metformin-promoted autophagic flux-dependent mechanism involved. Further research revealed that metformin prevented Cd-induced autophagic flux impairment and cell apoptosis, which was attributed to restraining Cd inactivation of AMPK. This is supported by the findings that activation of AMPK with AICAR or ectopic expression of constitutively active AMPKα (AMPKα-ca) reinforced the inhibitory effects of metformin on Cd-evoked ATG5/LC3-II/p62/autophagosomes and apoptosis in PC12 cells and/or primary neurons. Taken together, the results indicate that metformin protects neuronal cells from Cd-induced autophagic flux impairment-dependent apoptosis by activating AMPK. Our studies highlight that metformin has a great potential for prevention of Cd toxicity related to neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

The occurrence and concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in fertilizers are a concern in tropical regions, and soil properties affect their bioavailability for crops. Cadmium is the most easily bioavailable for plants and so the food chain, and it represents a stepping-stone toward safe food production. So, this study aimed to evaluate the ionomics, metabolism, and growth of potato, tobacco, and rice in response to liming and to monoammonium phosphates (MAP) from different geographic origins and PTE contents (MAP 1, MAP 2, MAP 3). For this, independent experiments were conducted with each crop using MAP fertilizers as a phosphorus source applied to a Red-Yellow Latosol, with and without liming. Our findings indicated that physiological changes were primarily influenced by liming rather than PTE. Most acidic soils negatively impacted plant growth and sugar content and induced metabolic adjustments related to proline. The higher level of Cd in MAP 3 reduced manganese and zinc and increased sugar in plant shoots. Rice also had a lower Cd bioaccumulation than potato and tobacco, followed by a higher tolerance to acidic soil. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Cr present in fertilizers did not impair the growth and life cycle of the evaluated plants; however, metabolic adjustments were observed. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is widely recognized as a major risk factor affecting the security and quality of crop production. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a globally cultivated fruit that is susceptible to Cd stress. 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR), an active brassinosteroid, is essential for plant growth and abiotic stress responses. However, its protective role in watermelon under Cd stress remains unclear. This study elucidates the physiological and molecular processes underlying EBR-mediated alleviation of Cd toxicity in watermelon seedlings. The results showed that exogenous EBR application effectively mitigated Cd-induced growth inhibition through decreased Cd deposition, reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lowered membrane lipid peroxidation, and increased antioxidant capacity in watermelon leaves under Cd treatment. Transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed that EBR triggered substantial reprogramming of gene expression patterns, identifying 530 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Cd + EBR co-treatment compared with Cd treatment alone, including 204 down-regulated genes and 326 up-regulated genes. These DEGs are vital for controlling several physiological processes, including phenylpropane metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, endoplasmic reticulum’s protein production, cell wall organization, and others. Further physiological assays confirmed that EBR increased the activities of PAL and 4CL, the core enzymes driving phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, leading to a significant accumulation of total phenols and flavonoids. Together, the above results give concrete proof of the powerful functions of 24-EBR, acting as an enhancer of plant performance under Cd stress by enhancing the antioxidant system and by activating the phenylpropanoid pathway and its derived metabolic networks. Full article

Red- and near-infrared (NIR)-emissive quantum dots (QDs) hold great promise in optoelectronic devices, sensors, and biomedicine owing to their advantages of low optical scattering, deep-tissue penetration, and compatibility with advanced photonic technologies. However, the toxicity of conventional cadmium (Cd)- and lead (Pb)-based QDs has led to growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of sustainable classes of red/NIR-emissive QDs, including indium phosphide (InP), I-III-VI chalcogenides (CuInS₂, AgInSe, and so on), group-IV (Si, Ge, and SiGe) nanocrystals, and carbon-based QDs (graphene QDs or carbon dots). InP QDs are leading candidates for display technologies due to their high efficiencies and narrow bandwidths in emission properties, enabled by advanced core/shell engineering. In contrast, I-III-VI chalcogenides, group-IV, and carbon-based QDs offer advantages for biocompatible NIR bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and silicon photonics integration. We discuss synthesis strategies for achieving long-wavelength emission, the mechanisms of red/NIR photoluminescence (PL), and representative applications in displays, sensors, and bioimaging. Finally, we outline the remaining challenges, such as large-scale manufacturing and long-term stability, which should be addressed for commercial and clinical viability. Full article

Cadmium is an element that is unnecessary for the functioning of plant and animal organisms, and its widespread presence in the environment poses a serious threat to human and animal health. Therefore, effective methods are being sought to remediate soils contaminated with this element, including through the enrichment of degraded soils with organic matter. To this end, the effectiveness of selected organic sorbents, including starch, fermented bark, compost and humic acids, in mitigating the transfer of cadmium and other heavy metals from soil to plants was assessed. Model studies compared the effects of 15 and 30 mg of cadmium (Cd) per kg of soil with an uncontaminated control sample. The sorbents were applied on a carbon basis at a rate of 3 g C per kg of soil. The test plant was Zea mays. Cadmium was found to significantly impair plant growth, causing reductions of 21%, 85%, and 77% in leaf greenness, aboveground biomass and root biomass, respectively. Excess cadmium increased the translocation of lead, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc, iron, and manganese from the roots to the aboveground parts of the plant, while simultaneously limiting their uptake. All of the organic sorbents tested reduced the negative impact of cadmium on leaf greenness, except starch. Compost and HumiAgra significantly improved the condition of Zea mays plants weakened by cadmium exposure. Cadmium contamination increased soil acidification. pH was positively correlated with maize yield and the SPAD leaf greenness index and negatively correlated with the cadmium translocation index and cadmium content in the aboveground parts of maize. Compost and humic acids are among the most effective and practically feasible approaches for reducing cadmium bioavailability in soil and its accumulation in Zea mays, and are therefore recommended for the remediation of cadmium-contaminated soils. Full article

Pb–Zn slag and smelting activities represent a persistent global source of soil contamination, releasing toxic heavy metals—lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—with documented risks to ecosystems and human health. Although previous reviews have addressed heavy metal contamination near smelters and pollution indices as assessment tools, no review has specifically mapped environmental assessment methods for Pb–Zn slag-contaminated soils, and evidence from Central Asia remains absent. This scoping review, following PRISMA-ScR 2018 guidelines, maps the global evidence base on soil contamination from Pb–Zn slag and associated assessment methods. Searches across Dimensions, PubMed, and OpenAlex identified 410 records; 56 studies (2010–2025) met the inclusion criteria. Studies were concentrated in China (35.7%), Poland (8.9%), and Brazil (7.1%); no studies from Kazakhstan were identified despite major Pb–Zn smelting operations in the Shymkent region. All studies reported heavy metal concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds, with cadmium as the primary ecological risk driver and lead posing the greatest health risk to children. Assessment methods included pollution indices (73.2%), ecological risk assessment (67.9%), GIS-based spatial analysis (57.1%), human health risk frameworks (51.8%), and source apportionment models (50.0%). Post-2018 studies increasingly applied integrated multi-method frameworks. Critical gaps include the absence of Central Asian research, limited predictive modeling, and a lack of standardized protocols. Findings provide a structured evidence map to guide environmental monitoring and remediation at slag-contaminated sites globally. Full article

Municipal solid waste disposed of in open dumpsites and unlined landfills contaminates groundwater, soils, and air across urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, impacts across all three environmental media have not been systematically assessed together. We conducted a PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review of 286 peer-reviewed studies from PubMed, Dimensions, and OpenAlex, applying structured eligibility screening and quality appraisal using an adapted JBI checklist. Heavy metals—lead, cadmium, chromium, and zinc—were the most frequently detected contaminants in leachate and groundwater, commonly exceeding WHO drinking water guidelines by one to three orders of magnitude. Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements was documented at virtually all open dumpsites studied, persisting for decades after site closure. Particulate matter at South Asian MSW sites reached up to 41 times the WHO 2021 annual guideline. Microplastics acting as heavy metal carriers and dumpsite leachate as a source of antimicrobial resistance genes were identified as emerging risks outside standard monitoring frameworks. Non-carcinogenic hazard indices exceeded acceptable thresholds in the majority of health risk studies reviewed. Engineered containment was the strongest predictor of contamination severity across all sites. Phytoremediation, constructed wetlands, and biofiltration showed promise as mitigation approaches. Critical evidence gaps remain for Central Asia, harmonized reporting standards, and longitudinal monitoring data. Full article

Heavy metals including mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) remain significant global toxins due to their environmental persistence, widespread anthropogenic release, and serious biological effects. This review consolidates current understanding of their natural and industrial sources, environmental cycling, human exposure routes, and population-level vulnerabilities. It covers their toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, emphasizing species-specific absorption, distribution, and injury mechanisms, including oxidative stress, thiol binding, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disruption, and cancer risk. Clinical signs range from subtle neurocognitive impairment and kidney damage to severe acute poisoning. The review evaluates evidence-based approaches to risk assessment and biomonitoring, such as blood, urine, hair, and speciation tests, noting issues, including unvalidated provoked testing. Treatment focuses on removing exposure, providing nutritional support, and offering supportive care, with chelation therapy reserved for specific cases. It explains the chemistry, pharmacology, and roles of chelating agents—ALA, DMSA, DMPS, Cys, GSH, and physiologic thiols, comparing their effectiveness, limitations, and costs for various metals. Emerging therapies, precision toxicology, and public health strategies are discussed within a prevention-focused context. Unlike prior reviews focused primarily on toxic mechanisms or isolated clinical management, this review integrates mechanistic toxicology, biomarker interpretation and speciation, evidence-based clinical care, and ethical, cost-conscious decision-making within a single translational framework. This narrative review synthesizes foundational and contemporary literature published through 2025, with particular emphasis on studies published since 2000 that inform toxicokinetics, biomarker interpretation, diagnostics, clinical management, and prevention. Full article

Urban soils along transportation routes are subjected to intense anthropogenic pressure, altering their physicochemical properties and promoting the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (PTM). This study aimed to assess soil contamination levels and evaluate the bioindicative potential of Acer negundo L. growing in urban green areas exposed to varying traffic intensities. Topsoil and leaf samples were collected from eight sites representing different levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Soil granulometric composition, pH, organic carbon content, selected nutrients, and concentrations of PTM (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Cd, Hg, Fe) were determined, and contamination was evaluated using pollution indices (Igeo, EF, CF, Er). The soils ranged from moderately acidic to slightly alkaline (pH_KCl 5.85–7.66). Elevated concentrations of Zn (1078 ± 3.07 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (401.4 ± 2.51 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (1816 ± 3.3 mg kg⁻¹), and Cd (10.8 ± 2.06 mg kg⁻¹) were recorded at most sites, frequently exceeding permissible limits for urban green areas (Zn: 500; Pb: 200; Mn: 240 and Cd: 2 mg kg⁻¹). Correlation analyses revealed that zinc and cadmium are the two predominantly traffic-related origins. Pollution indices indicated moderate to very high enrichment, particularly for Cu and, locally, for Cd and Zn, while cadmium posed the highest potential ecological risk. The differences in the order of element abundance between the soil and plant tissues indicated a selective enrichment in plant leaves, with a preference for Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. A strong positive correlation between soil and leaf cadmium concentrations indicates its high bioavailability and efficient transfer to plant tissues. These results demonstrate that Acer negundo is a valuable bioindicator of urban soil contamination, particularly for cadmium and zinc, and highlight the significant impact of road traffic on urban soil quality. Full article

Cadmium exposure results in the impairment of pancreatic β-cells. The FTO protein, the product of the Fto gene, is a key regulator of diverse pathophysiological processes, including oxidative damage and cell death. However, it remains unclear whether Fto gene knockout affects cadmium-induced pancreatic β-cell damage, and the precise mechanisms involved are yet to be elucidated. Under conditions of cadmium exposure, Fto gene knockout was found to alleviate pancreatic β-cell damage significantly. Specifically, Fto gene knockout counteracted cadmium-induced cytotoxicity—manifested as reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and heightened lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release—while simultaneously suppressing DNA damage and preserving cellular membrane integrity. On a molecular level, Fto gene knockout markedly mitigated cadmium-induced oxidative stress. This was achieved by curbing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) generation, and reducing 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, alongside restoring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Furthermore, ER-Tracker Red staining revealed that cadmium treatment induced clustered aggregation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and increased fluorescence intensity, suggesting the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Conversely, Fto knockout ameliorated ER morphological abnormalities, thereby effectively antagonizing the excessive activation of ERS. In summary, our study elucidates the impact and underlying molecular mechanisms of the Fto gene in cadmium-induced toxicity in pancreatic β-cells from the perspectives of oxidative damage, ERS, and apoptosis. These findings identify the Fto gene as a potential molecular target for mitigating cadmium-induced toxicity in pancreatic β-cells, thereby providing a new theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of cadmium-induced pancreatic β-cell injury. Full article

Smoking is a major lifestyle factor associated with impaired male reproductive health, affecting both active smokers and individuals exposed to secondhand smoke. It also represents a significant source of cadmium (Cd) exposure, a toxic metal associated with altered sperm quality. This study aimed to evaluate the association between active and passive smoking and semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and chromatin decondensation, as well as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) levels in seminal plasma. A total of 280 men from infertile couples were included and categorized into three groups: 104 non-smokers (control), 90 active smokers, and 86 passive smokers. Semen samples were analyzed according to the WHO 2021 guidelines. Cadmium and zinc concentrations in seminal plasma were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin decondensation were evaluated. The findings indicated that both active and passive smoking were associated with impaired semen parameters, increased sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin decondensation, decreased zinc levels, and elevated cadmium concentrations in seminal plasma. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a potentially toxic element that impairs plant growth and threatens food safety and human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sulfur (S) supplementation on Cd uptake and tolerance in rice under hydroponic conditions. Rice seedlings were exposed to Cd stress and treated with S at different concentrations. Physiological traits, oxidative damage markers, thiol compounds, and ionomic profiles in rice plants were assessed. S supplementation reduced Cd-induced growth inhibition, restoring plant biomass. Although Cd accumulation increased with S treatment, it was accompanied by enhanced antioxidant responses, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. S application increased the production of thiol-containing compounds, including γ-glutamylcysteine, glutathione, and phytochelatins, which helped chelate Cd and sequester it in vacuoles, particularly in roots. Additionally, S supplementation altered the essential nutrient composition in rice tissues, particularly the uptake of N, P, and K, while influencing levels of Ca, Mg, and other essential elements. S supplementation enhanced rice tolerance to Cd stress by reestablishing ROS balance, activating thiol-based detoxification pathways, and regulating mineral nutrient balance. Furthermore, sulfur (S) exhibited a dual effect in plants, enhancing cadmium (Cd) uptake while also promoting its detoxification, underscoring its role in improving crop resilience in contaminated soils. Full article

Heavy metal contamination of freshwater systems represents a persistent environmental challenge due to metal toxicity, non-biodegradability, and bioaccumulation potential. This study compared the phytoremediation performance of Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Chrysopogon zizanioides for the removal of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) from contaminated water under controlled conditions. Plants were exposed to aqueous solutions containing 5 mg L⁻¹ of the four metals for 45 days. Metal concentrations in roots and shoots were determined by wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and removal efficiency (RE) were calculated. TF values (0.02–2.90) varied across species, metals, and experimental conditions, indicating a general tendency for metal retention in roots, although translocation to shoots occurred in several cases. BCF values (0.04–87.55) were significantly influenced by species, exposure time, and treatment (p < 0.05), with P. stratiotes showing higher accumulation under specific conditions (Cu = 87.55; Pb = 44.56). In contrast, RE showed high variability (−616.21 to 72.72%) and no significant differences among experimental factors. Overall, the results demonstrate context-dependent variation in metal uptake and translocation, highlighting the potential of aquatic macrophytes as low-cost alternatives for the treatment of metal-contaminated wastewater systems. Full article

The concepts of circular economy increase the need to recycle bio-waste. Effective implementation requires knowledge about associated risks and environmental concerns. This study examines the composition and heavy metal content of bio-waste from municipal waste in western Poland, considering waste type, location, and season. Food waste constituted 36.7% to 47.6% of the total bio-waste, while garden waste accounted for 35.8% to 52.8%, with a strong seasonal dependency. Impurities such as plastics and glass were significant issues for urban and multi-family houses (16.6%), whereas rural and single-family home bio-waste had much lower impurity levels (10.0%). Heavy metals were identified in bio-waste, with the highest concentrations found in inedible food and garden waste. The ecological risk and cumulative effects of heavy metals were assessed using the contamination factor (CF), pollution index (PI), Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), potential ecological risk index (Ef), and potential toxicity response index (RI). Urban bio-waste exhibited slightly higher levels of heavy metals and impurities compared to rural bio-waste. Zinc was the most abundant heavy metal, while cadmium had the lowest concentration. A seasonal pattern was observed, with winter bio-waste showing the lowest heavy metal concentrations. The results indicate that, despite localized elevated ecological risks, bio-waste recycling can be considered a conditionally safe waste management strategy, although localized and fraction-specific ecological risks, particularly related to cadmium and chromium, were identified. Full article