Search Results (916)

Organic contaminants on optical components critically impair intense laser systems. Oxygen plasma cleaning is a promising non-contact method, yet the mechanism by which the initial kinetic energy of reactive oxygen species assists chemically driven removal remains unclear. This study employs ReaxFF molecular dynamics to elucidate how reactive oxygen species chemically decompose dibutyl phthalate and how kinetic energy assists chemical reactions by enhancing transport, penetration, and energy transfer. While the core removal mechanism is chemical, kinetic energy promotes plasma-contaminant encounters and facilitates access to otherwise sluggish pathways. The results show that kinetic energy is a key promoter that enhances chemical decomposition, with the contaminant decomposition rate enhanced by up to 1310% and residues reduced by 81.13% compared to pure chemical reactions. This study identifies and quantifies two dominant reaction pathways (butyl chain cleavage & benzene ring cleavage). The analysis of diffusion and energy transfer reveals that higher kinetic energy improves reactive oxygen species transport, enables deeper penetration, and selectively activates specific reaction pathways by overcoming energy barriers. Synergy with flux, dose, and temperature is also demonstrated. This work provides atomic-level insights into kinetic promotion mechanisms, supporting optimized plasma cleaning processes and contributing to the performance stability and operational longevity of intense laser systems. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly 10% of the global population, ranks among the top ten causes of death, and often progresses silently to end-stage disease without timely intervention. Increasing evidence indicates that many adult-onset cases originate in early life through adverse influences on kidney development, a process termed kidney programming within the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework. Environmental pollutants are now recognized as key drivers of kidney injury across the life course. Heavy metals, air pollutants, plastic contaminants such as bisphenol A, phthalates, and micro/nanoplastics—as well as biocontaminants like mycotoxins and aristolochic acid—and chronic light pollution can accumulate in kidney tissue or act systemically to impair function. These exposures promote oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial and circadian disruption, culminating in tubular injury, glomerular damage, and fibrosis. Notably, early-life exposures can induce epigenetic modifications that program lifelong susceptibility to CKD and related complications. Oxidative stress is central to these effects, mediating DNA, lipid, and protein damage while influencing developmental reprogramming during gestation. Preclinical studies demonstrate that antioxidant-based interventions may mitigate these processes, providing both renoprotective and reprogramming benefits. This review explores the mechanistic links between environmental pollutants, oxidative stress, and kidney disease and highlights antioxidant strategies as promising avenues for prevention and intervention in vulnerable populations. Full article

Increasing attention has been given to the environmental impact of tire-derived chemicals in aquatic systems, but submerged whole tires remain an overlooked source. This study investigates a previously unexplored underwater tire dump in Hjelmås Bay, Alver Municipality (Norway) where a blast mat manufacturer discarded large quantities of tires into the bay in the 1970s. These tires have remained submerged for over 50 years. We conducted an initial site mapping and collected sediment and water samples to assess tire-related pollutants in comparison with control sites. Sediment analysis revealed elevated levels of Zn, Pb, and Cu, particularly near the tire dump center, with Zn being the most abundant. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the dominant phthalate detected in the sediments, though no clear spatial pattern emerged for phthalates. Non-target chemical screening of water samples identified 20 features potentially linked to tire degradation, with N,N′-Diphenylguanidine (DPG) being the most notable. Our study highlights the long-term environmental persistence of several tire-derived chemicals, which has ramifications for both the regulation of tire-derived chemicals and plans for remediation at Hjelmås. Our initial findings warrant the implementation of a comprehensive chemical and ecological baseline monitoring assessment prior to discussions on remediation. Full article

End-of-life tyre (ELT) management is still a hot topic due to implications for sustainability and human health. This review aims to summarise the findings concerning the chemicals’ bio-accessibility/availability from the granular tyre-derived infill material used in sport surfaces. We included 14 original research articles and 5 reports (grey literature). The results included the analysis concerning volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, metal(loid)s and other substances. The release of some dangerous chemicals was demonstrated, even though results must be considered critically. However, the chemicals’ bioaccessibility shows a highly nuanced picture and is not, per se, sufficient to determine the risk for the exposed subjects. The lack of bioavailability and epidemiological studies analysing the exposures in real scenarios resulted in one of the main issues concerning a proper evaluation of the potential risks for human health. Full article

Antenatal depression affects 10–20% of pregnant women, with notable adverse outcomes for the neonates. Limited studies have indicated a potential link between exposure to phthalate metabolites and depression. The association between phthalate metabolites and depression in pregnant women is unknown. We sought to evaluate the association of exposure to phthalate metabolites with depression severity score in US pregnant women. This cross-sectional study used data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2005–2018 on pregnant adults who completed urinary profiles that examined 12 common phthalate metabolites. Linear and quantile sum regressions were used to evaluate the association between depressive symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and concentrations of phthalate metabolites. A total of 208 women were included in the analysis. These women’s mean (SD) age was 27.42 (5.78) years. We found that all the phthalates were associated with PHQ-9 scores except for mono (carboxyoctyl) and mono-isononyl phthalate. Similar results were observed with the association of high levels of phthalates with mild, moderate, and severe depression (PHQ-9 >4 vs. ≤4). All the phthalate metabolites remained significantly associated with depression scores in the adjusted analysis. Among all considered phthalate metabolites, a combination of MCNP, MBP, MiBP, MnBP, and MEHP contributed to the strongest association with higher depression scores. The relative importance was similar for MCNP (weight = 0.32) and MBP (weight = 0.31), followed by MiBP (weight = 0.12), MnBP (weight = 0.08), MEHP (0.07), and MEP (weight = 0.04) for depression scores. Our findings suggest that pregnant women with high exposure to phthalates are more likely to have higher depressive symptom scores. Full article

Microplastic pollution is pervasive in marine ecosystems and poses a growing threat to marine organisms and human health. This study simultaneously investigates microplastic ingestion and phthalate exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris, a commercially valuable and ecologically relevant Mediterranean crustacean occupying an intermediate trophic position. Specimens were collected from three coastal areas in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean): near the Tiber River mouth, one of the most polluted rivers in Italy, and two additional sites to the north and south. The frequency of individuals with ingested microplastics varied among locations: 78% near the Tiber River, 64% at site S, and 38% at site N, reflecting anthropogenic pressure gradients. Analyses confirmed the lower occurrence at site N, indicating higher ingestion near land-based pollution sources. Ingested microplastic polymer types varied among sites, reflecting location-specific contamination. Phthalates were present in shrimp muscle at all sites (5–1122 ng/g w.w.) with the highest average concentration (68.26 ± 55.74 ng/g) at the site with the highest microplastic ingestion. Although no statistical correlation was found, the similar spatial distribution of microplastics and phthalates suggests a potential link influenced by local pollution and individual variability. These findings provide novel evidence of microplastic and phthalate contamination in P. longirostris, highlighting its role as a trophic connector mediating contaminant transfer through the food web. While current levels suggest no potential risk to human health, continued monitoring and further studies on exposure along trophic pathways are recommended. Full article

Solvent processing hampers the reliability and energy density of self-healing binders for energetic materials. We report a solvent-free curing route for a Diels–Alder self-healing furanyl-terminated polybutadiene enabled by a functional external plasticizer, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which acts not only to lower the viscosity of the binder but to disperse the high-melting bismaleimide, thereby driving crosslinked network formation. The 50 wt% DBP-plasticized film healed a pre-cut crack in 5 min at 120 °C and recovered nearly full mechanical properties after 24 h at 60 °C. Based on this binder system, a self-healing solid propellant with 80 wt% solid content was solvent-free cast into a dense and void-free grain that healed surface cracks within 5 min at 120 °C. This solvent-free approach overcomes the limitations of solvent-based processing and offers a viable fabrication route for self-healing energetic materials. Full article

Early-life exposure to organic chemicals (OCs) may influence childhood obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk. These conditions have been shown to disproportionately affect minority populations such as Mexican Americans (MAs). However, information on the impact of organic chemicals on cardiometabolic risk in MA children is limited. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to assess the extent to which exposure to organic chemicals influences cardiometabolic traits (CMTs) in MA children. We recalled 25 children from a previous study and collected 25 primary teeth from them. Chemical analyses of the teeth were performed using established protocols. Target analytes included acetaminophen (APAP); 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (IMPy), diethyl phosphate (DEP), N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP). The organic chemicals most frequently detected in the teeth were APAP; the insect repellent DEET; plasticizers MnBP and MiBP; and the plasticizer-derived metabolite MEHP. These five analytes were included in association analyses with selected CMTs. After adjusting for covariate (age, sex, tooth-type) effects, we found significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations between MiBP and the following CMTs: fat mass, fasting insulin, and the homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Both MnBP and MEHP exhibited negative correlation with blood pressure measures and triglycerides, respectively. In addition, APAP showed a strong negative correlation with HDL-C (p = 0.009) and positive association with triglycerides (p < 0.10). These findings suggest a potential role for early-life exposures to organic chemicals in influencing cardiometabolic risk in MA children. Full article

Machine learning (ML) is reshaping how environmental chemicals are monitored and how their hazards are evaluated for human health. Here, we mapped this landscape by analyzing 3150 peer-reviewed articles (1985–2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection. Co-citation, co-occurrence, and temporal trend analyses in VOSviewer and R reveal an exponential publication surge from 2015, dominated by environmental science journals, with China and the United States leading in output. Eight thematic clusters emerged, centered on ML model development, water quality prediction, quantitative structure–activity applications, and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances, with XGBoost and random forests as the most cited algorithms. A distinct risk assessment cluster indicates migration of these tools toward dose–response and regulatory applications, yet keyword frequencies show a 4:1 bias toward environmental endpoints over human health endpoints. Emerging topics include climate change, microplastics, and digital soil mapping, while lignin, arsenic, and phthalates appear as fast-growing but understudied chemicals. Our findings expose gaps in chemical coverage and health integration. We recommend expanding the substance portfolio, systematically coupling ML outputs with human health data, adopting explainable artificial intelligence workflows, and fostering international collaboration to translate ML advances into actionable chemical risk assessments. Full article

This review aims to explore the implications of climate change for breast cancer management and prevention, with a focus on global strategies and interventions that can be applied in various contexts, including South Africa. Climate change has emerged as a significant global health concern, with far-reaching implications for various diseases, including cancer. This systematic review aims to synthesise epidemiological research examining the relationship between climate change and the incidence of breast cancer. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using main search terms, including “breast cancer,” “climate change,” “air pollution,” “water pollution,” “global warming,” and “greenhouse effect,” supplemented by the general term “breast” cancer across multiple databases. Our analysis identified studies that link environmental changes—such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased exposure to pollutants—with breast cancer risk. Our findings highlight a potential association between climate-related factors, including heat stress, air and water pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and lifestyle changes influenced by environmental shifts, and the epidemiology of breast cancer. This review underscores the need for an integrated approach that incorporates climate science into public health strategies to mitigate breast cancer risk. By elucidating these connections, we aim to inform policymakers and healthcare professionals about the importance of addressing climate change not just as an environmental issue, but as a pressing determinant of health that may exacerbate cancer incidence, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms and to develop targeted interventions that can address both climate change and its potential health impacts. Full article

Background: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a prevalent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in organisms, becoming amplified after the food cycle and ultimately affecting human health. Recent studies have provided evidence suggesting a potential association between exposure to DBP and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Objectives: This study’s objective is to investigate the toxic cardiovascular effects of long-term exposure to DBP, particularly its impact on the heart and blood vessels. To be specific, we hypothesized and verified the potential mechanisms underlying DBP-induced cardiac and vascular injuries, focusing on oxidative stress, pyroptosis, inflammatory responses, and metabolic pathways. Methods: The rats were divided into 5 groups: Control group, DBP-Low group, DBP-Medium group, DBP-High group, and DBP-High + Vitamin E group. The entire experimental period lasted 12 weeks. We conducted examinations on echocardiography, histopathology, oxidative stress biomarkers, pyroptosis-related biomarkers, and inflammatory cytokine biomarkers. Additionally, we carried out serum metabolomics analysis. Result: Our research findings indicate that long-term exposure to DBP can cause significant toxic effects on the cardiovascular system. Specifically, DBP leads to changes in oxidative stress indicators (ROS and an increase in MDA levels, alongside a decrease in GSH levels) and protein levels related to pyroptosis (NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD levels increase) in cardiac and vascular tissues, triggering oxidative inflammatory responses (IL-1β and IL-18 levels increase), damaging the heart and blood vessels (organizational structure deformation and collagen fiber infiltration) and ultimately affecting their functions (abnormalities in cardiac function and hemodynamics). Additionally, the results of metabolomics studies suggest that metabolic pathways (Biotin metabolism, TCA cycle, Vitamin B6 metabolism, Pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and Riboflavin metabolism) and metabolites may also be of great significance. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to DBP can induce cardiovascular toxicity in rats, manifesting as cardiac and vascular damage, as well as alterations in organ function. This process is characterized by oxidative stress, activation of the pyroptosis pathway, inflammatory responses, and modifications to metabolic pathways. Full article

Experimental animal evidence and a growing body of observational studies suggest that prenatal exposure to phthalates may be a risk factor for childhood obesity. Using data from the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Study (MSCEHS), which measured urinary phthalate metabolites (including MEP, MnBP, MiBP, MCPP, MBzP, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP, and MECPP) during the third trimester of pregnancy (between 25 and 40 weeks) of 382 mothers, we examined adiposity outcomes—body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference—of 180 children between ages 4 and 9. Our aim was to assess the effects of prenatal exposure to phthalates on these adiposity outcomes, with potential time-varying and sex-specific effects. We applied a novel Bayesian multivariate factor regression (BMFR) that (1) represents phthalate mixtures as latent factors—a DEHP and a non-DEHP factor, (2) borrows information across highly correlated adiposity outcomes to improve estimation precision, (3) models potentially non-linear time-varying effects of the latent factors on adiposity outcomes, and (4) fully quantifies uncertainty using state-of-the-art prior specifications. The results show that in boys, at younger ages (4–6), all phthalate components are associated with lower adiposity outcomes; however, after age 7, they are associated with higher outcomes. In girls, there is no evidence of associations between phthalate factors and adiposity outcomes. Full article

Cardiac hypertrophy is a critical contributor to cardiac dysfunction and the development of heart failure, yet effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. Propylene glycol alginate sulfate sodium (PSS) is a marine sulfated polysaccharide drug used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and has shown cardiac function benefits. Here, we designed a pH-responsive PSS-loaded nanoparticle drug delivery system. It was self-assembled by negatively charged PSS with positively charged trimethyl chitosan glycocholic acid (TMC-GA) via electrostatic interaction, and further stabilized the nanoparticles with Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HP55) excipients. The prepared TMC-GA/HP55@PSS nanoparticles were spherical, with a mean particle size of 361.5 ± 1.26 nm, zeta potential of −30.3 ± 0.9 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 92.52 ± 2.4%. In vitro release study demonstrated the pH-responsive property of TMC-GA/HP55@PSS under intestinal conditions and facilitated nanoparticles absorption in the intestinal epithelium. In vitro experiments confirmed the biocompatibility of PSS and its ability to improve myocardial cell hypertrophy. In vivo, both PSS and its nanoparticles significantly ameliorated pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice, with TMC-GA/HP55@PSS exhibiting better cardioprotective efficacy. This study is the first to integrate pH-responsiveness and bile acid transport-mediated uptake into PSS nanocarrier systems. The findings provide valuable data and enlightenment for designing novel formulations and expanding the clinical applications of PSS. Full article

Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), a bioactive metabolite of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), has been detected in the placenta and urine of pregnant women and is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, its effects on mitochondrial homeostasis in trophoblast cells remain incompletely understood. This study examined the impact of MEHP (0.5–200 µM) on mitochondrial function, dynamics, and biogenesis in human HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells. MEHP (≥5 µM) reduced MTT conversion without compromising membrane integrity, suggesting early metabolic or redox imbalance. A dose-dependent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed, with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation only at 200 µM. MEHP modulated the expression of mitochondrial dynamics genes, with a more pronounced mitofusin 1 (MFN1) induction at low doses and increased mitochondrial DNA content, suggesting a compensatory response to mild stress. Conversely, high doses more strongly induced fission and mitochondrial 1 (FIS1) expression, suggesting mitochondrial fragmentation. Both concentrations induced the expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis regulators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), while sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and activity declined progressively with dose. These results demonstrate that MEHP disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis in trophoblast cells at concentrations spanning the estimated human exposure range. The dose-dependent effects, from adaptive responses to overt dysfunction, may help explain the associations between MEHP exposure and placental pathology observed in epidemiological studies. Full article

Phthalates are widely used plasticizers recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with well-documented adverse effects on reproductive health. These compounds act either directly or through their metabolites and can influence various biochemical pathways. Key phthalates that have been associated with potential toxic outcomes include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP). The presence of these compounds in everyday consumer products has been associated with various adverse effects on human reproductive health, including hormonal disruption, issues in gonadal function, and other hormone related problems. This systematic review provides an overview and critical synthesis of the most recent research regarding phthalate reproductive toxicity. The scope is to summarize and aggregate correlations between phthalate exposure and reproductive health outcomes and highlight factors, such as age, sex, and extent of exposure, that have the most significant impacts on clinical outcomes. The reported studies focus on the gender-specific outcomes of various phthalates, while the epidemiological data reveal the importance of exposure duration and age. The reported results highlight the need for strict regulations regarding phthalate usage and the importance of developing safer alternatives. Full article