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Non-saturated markets such as high-tech markets are attracting more and more eco-conscious consumers. Their utility can be increased by firms' investment in carbon reduction, so the overall demand can be expanded without intensifying the market competition too much. In this paper, we build a two-stage-N-firm optimisation model by assuming firms' products are horizontally differentiated and may engage in multi-dimensional competition. We analyze three scenarios: (1) Benchmark of price-only competition, (2) Two-dimensional 'price + investment effort' competition, and (3) N-firm circular differentiated competition. We find that consumers' high eco-awareness may lead firms to lower investment levels for carbon emission reduction. When the market is sufficiently saturated, we reveal that a Prisoner's Dilemma will occur where firms are trapped in investment-effort competition, so their profits are damaged. We further investigate the environmental performance and the social welfare, finding that consumers' high eco-awareness may render the environment worse and undermine the social welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells have attracted significant attention in the field of optoelectronics due to their exceptional photovoltaic and optoelectronic properties. Although lead (Pb)-based perovskites exhibit the highest power conversion efficiencies, concerns about their toxicity and environmental impact have prompted significant research activities to explore alternative compositions. In this regard, a special emphasis has been devoted to tin (Sn) and germanium (Ge) based perovskites. In order to reveal the full potential of Sn–Ge based perovskites, we computationally screened perovskites with a general formula of A 0.5 A 0.5 ′ S n y G e 1 − y X 3 (y = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00) at the density functional theory level, particularly using the HSE06 hybrid functional. By using 18 A/A′-cations, four X-anions, and five different y compositions, a total of 7695 perovskites in cubic (C), orthogonal (O), and tetragonal (T) phases were considered, and the most promising ones have been filtered out based on their formation energy and bandgap. More specifically, 596, 525, and 542 C-, O-, and T-phase perovskites have been identified with a HSE06 bandgap range of 1.0–2.0 eV. While the Sn1.00Ge0.00 composition was dominated for both C- and O-phases, for the T-phase, a higher number of promising perovskites were obtained with the Sn0.75Ge0.25 composition. It has also been found that Sn-rich perovskites exhibit more favorable bandgap characteristics compared to Ge-rich ones. FA, MS, MA, K, Cs, and Rb are the most favored A/A′-cations in these promising perovskites. Moreover, I− overwhelmingly prevails as the dominant anion. Further experimental validation may uncover the true capabilities and practical applicability of these promising perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the anticipated foliar application of nanoparticles (NPs) as a potential strategy to improve crop production and ameliorate heavy metal toxicity, it is crucial to evaluate the role of NPs in improving the nutrient content of plants under Lead (Pb) stress for achieving higher agriculture productivity to ensure food security. Herein, Brassica napus L. grown under Pb contaminated soil (300 mg/kg) was sprayed with different rates (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of TiO2 and ZnO-NPs. The plants were evaluated for growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, leaf exchange attributes, oxidant and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results revealed that 100 mg/L NPs foliar application significantly augmented plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, and leaf gas exchange attributes. Furthermore, 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs application showed a maximum increase in SPAD values (79.1%, 68.9%). NPs foliar application (100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs) also substantially reduced malondialdehyde (44.3%, 38.3%), hydrogen peroxide (59.9%, 53.1%), electrolyte leakage (74.8%, 68.3%), and increased peroxidase (93.8%, 89.1%), catalase (91.3%, 84.1%), superoxide dismutase (81.8%, 73.5%) and ascorbate peroxidase (78.5%, 73.7%) thereby reducing Pb accumulation. NPs foliar application (100 mg/L) significantly reduced root Pb (45.7%, 42.3%) and shoot Pb (84.1%, 76.7%) concentration in TiO2 and ZnO-NPs respectively, as compared to control. Importantly, macro and micronutrient analysis showed that foliar application 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs increased shoot zinc (58.4%, 78.7%) iron (79.3%, 89.9%), manganese (62.8%, 68.6%), magnesium (72.1%, 93.7%), calcium (58.2%, 69.9%) and potassium (81.5%, 68.6%) when compared to control without NPs. The same trend was observed for root nutrient concentration. In conclusion, we found that the TiO2 and ZnO-NPs have the greatest efficiency at 100 mg/L concentration to alleviate Pb induced toxicity on growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient content of Brassica napus L. NPs foliar application is a promising strategy to ensure sustainable agriculture and food safety under metal contamination.

In the present study, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were monitored in different juice samples including orange, grape, apple and multi-fruit juices collected from Zanjan, Iran. The collected fruit juice samples were digested by using a microwave digestion system and their metals content was determined under graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). In addition, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk resulting from Cd and Pb entered through fruit juice consumption were evaluated. Cd and Pb were detected in more than 41% and 80% of analysed fruit juices. The highest concentration of Pb and Cd was observed in orange juice (99 and 9.4 µg/l). Furthermore, incidence of Pb and Cd in 58.9% and 4.9% of fruit juices were higher than the established Codex maximum permissible level. The data showed that total hazard quotients (THQ) for Pb and Cd metals in fruit juices were less than 1 in adults and children, meaning that no major non-carcinogenic risk is resulted from consumption of fruit juice samples. In Cd, the highest calculated CR at the 95th percentile for carcinogenic risk was 1.47 × 10−5 (multi-fruits for children) and 1.43 × 10−5 (orange juice for children) as determined by Monte Carlo simulation model. In addition, for the carcinogenic risk of Pb in adults and children, the safest risk value (≤10−6) was indicated. The calculated CR of Cd and Pb in juices for adults and children was lower than the permissible carcinogenic risk value set by USEPA (1 × 10−5). Based on the results, fruit juices are not the major source of Cd and Pb intake by Iranian consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) is one of the major heavy metal pollutants that can cause serious health problems to humans and the environment. This indicates that its concentration should be known to learn its levels in various environmental systems, and a powerful and economical analytical technique should be there to do so. In this study we report a simple, rapid, cost-effective and environmentally friendly colorimetric sensor based on biosynthesised AgNPs using Parthenium hysterophorus leaf extract. The biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised by UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDS techniques. These nanoparticles were utilised to develop colorimetric sensor for Pb(II) detection. The developed AgNPs-based colorimetric sensor was sensitive and selective towards Pb(II) with the limit of detections of 2.8 and 0.08 µM by visual and UV-vis detection techniques, respectively. The method also exhibited excellent linearity (R2 = 0.9959) within 0.5 to 100 µM concentration range and precision (intra-day and inter-day %RSD values were 2.78% and 3.40%, respectively). The practical application of the developed AgNPs-based sensor was investigated for colorimetric detection of Pb(II) in various real-world samples such as wastewater effluents, leakage, fresh water, tap water and soft drink. The percent recoveries of the tested samples ranged from 99.5–108% indicating the potential applicability of the technique. In general, the nano-sensor is green, exhibited a potential sensitivity and applicability, and hence, recommended for the detection of Pb(II) ions in various water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most abundant element in the atmosphere, nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plant growth. Nitrate is the main form of nitrogen uptake by plants. Although nitrates are relatively low in toxicity, if they accumulate in vegetables can be converted to nitrite and nitrous acids in the human body. This study collected 83 tomato and 40 onion samples cultivated in Fars province; then nitrate concentration was determined by an HPLC, also cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration by an atomic absorption instrument. The Cd and Pb in samples were below the detection limits (LOD) of the techniques used. However, the nitrate concentration in tomato and onion samples from Fars province varied from 0 to 154.40 mg/kg and 0 to 317.20 mg/kg, respectively. The mean chronic daily intake (CDI) for tomatoes in children, women and men was 0.1188, 0.0375, and 0.0366, and for onions, 0.1899, 0.0605, and 0.0447, respectively. On the other hand, the 95th percentile hazard index in the probabilistic method for nitrate for children, women, and men were 0.81, 0.26, and 0.21, respectively. Also, nitrate concentration in onion for children and tomatoes in both men and women was identified as the most considerable parameter in assessing the non-carcinogenic risk of nitrate. This study showed that the amount of nitrate in some samples of tomatoes and onions was not within the acceptable international standard limits. Therefore, monitoring the nitrate concentration in these high-consumption vegetables is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pokhara valley is gifted with nine lakes out of which the largest lake, Phewa is the lifeline for the economic development of that region. However, the lake water is deteriorating owing to wastewater discharge from nearby hotels, restaurants, and urban settings. Therefore, the current study aims to rate the status of water quality in Phewa Lake concerning the water quality index (WQI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and pollution load index (PI). Ten selected physicochemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, turbidity, hardness, chloride, and alkalinity were analysed for the calculation of WQI. Likewise, iron (Fe), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) were selected for HPI and PI calculations. The average WQI value in the winter, rainy, and autumn seasons of 2021 was 33.64, 66.94, and 58.71 respectively. In general, water quality was good in the WQI classification and it showed significant differences seasonally. However, the value of HPI and PI indicated that the water of Phewa Lake is polluted with heavy metals. The study findings are a useful database that is important for the concerned authorities for effective lake management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals removal from Specialized Industrial Park of Zinc of Zanjan effluent was tested using sulfide, hydroxide, and the combination precipitation. The initial effluent includes 200 ppm of zinc, 55 ppm of cadmium, 113 ppm of manganese, 0.85 ppm cobalt, 0.65 ppm nickel, 0.2 ppm iron, and 0.55 ppm lead. Sulfide precipitation using Na2S as a sulfide source is inefficient in the precipitation of manganese except in high concentrations of sulfide, while hydroxide precipitation using lime is not successful in cadmium removal. Combining these two methods in one and two steps is helpful in the precipitation and settling of all heavy metal ions. The optimum temperature, pH, sulfide concentration, and time were determined. The concentration of zinc, cadmium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and iron were reduced to 0.1, 0.1, 0.14, 0.23, 0.19, and 0.16 ppm, while lead was not detected in the solution in optimum condition. The experiments were repeated for effluent with higher amounts of lead, iron, and nickel, and its success in efficient removing of these ions is also confirmed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were used to study morphologies and structures of precipitation. The concentration of Na2S plays a crucial role in removal efficiency. Excess sulfide causes the increment of ions such as manganese in the solution and decrements the efficiency discussed in this research. The lower use of lime, almost no excess sulfide ions in solution, fast kinetics, and precipitating of a wide range of metal ions are some advantages of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An uncontrolled industrialisation and urbanisation have caused environmental contamination with toxic inorganic and organic substances. The enormous release of industrial wastewater, industrial sludge, electronic waste, domestic waste and excess use of synthetic and pesticides fertilisers are the major causes of environmental pollution. Contamination of agricultural goods is directly related with the health of human beings as well as entire ecosystem. Among the agricultural crops, vegetables are generally cultivated near the river basins owing to the irrigation water availability and good fertility of the soil. The presence of heavy metal and metalloids (HMMs) like cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn) in the vegetable cultivated and marketed across the world is a challenging concern. Periodical identification and quantification of the contaminants especially HMMs in the vegetables is an important aspect for the good health of human beings and global safe food security. In the present review, the level of HMMs in the commonly grown vegetables in from thirty countries has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological reconstruction and safe utilisation of a large number of tailings ponds are very important. In this study, the accumulation and transportation of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the soil-mulberry-silkworm system was evaluated through the mulberry planting and silkworm rearing at a tailings pond in Huayuan County, China. The results revealed that both the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of mulberry for Cd and Pb were less than 1. The highest translocation factors (TFs) for both Cd and Pb were appeared in the stage from silkworm to excrement, followed by mulberry stem to leaf. The peak concentrations of Cd and Pb in the silkworm excrement were 2.33 mg kg−1 and 6.46 mg kg−1, respectively. Though the Cd and Pb contents in the cocoon shell from Yangjiazhai fitted the Technical Specifications of Ecological Textiles (GB/T 18885–2009, China), the ratio of cocoon shell was reduced by 17.06% under the stress of heavy metals. Developing the sericulture industry could be a reasonable way to utilise the tailings pond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) is an important marine crustacean widely reared for food all over the world but poses a health risk if it is contaminated by toxic elements. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), i.e. copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in wild- and farm-cultured prawns were measured for the first time to assess the levels of PTEs, their sources and health risks. Average concentrations (mg/kg) of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Mn and Zn in farm prawn were 3.13, 3.06, 14.21, 1.28, 0.50, 1.32, 5.89 and 7.68, respectively, and in wild prawn, they were 0.98, 2.43, 8.48, 0.45, 0.19, 0.46, 2.77 and 3.88, respectively. Except Ni and Zn, the concentrations of PTEs in prawn samples were higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC), indicating their contamination by PTEs which might pose risks to human health. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that anthropogenic activities including industrial wastes and agricultural chemicals are substantial sources of PTEs in the samples. Estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and target carcinogenic risk (CR) assessed for potential human health risk implications suggest that the values were slightly higher than the acceptable threshold for both adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium nanoparticles were evaluated as a potential chemical modifier for lead determination by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Hydrophilic palladium nanocubes and palladium nanospheres were synthesised with sizes varying from 3 to 22 nm. Positive effects in terms of sensitivity and thermal stability upon the use of palladium nanoparticles were observed, especially using the 3 nm spherical-shaped. The mass of modifier influenced the thermal stability and relative signal intensity of the analyte, although the effectiveness of the modifier appeared to be suppressed to an important extent in the presence of matrix components of the leached extracts obtained from petroleum wastes. The optimised pyrolysis and atomisation temperatures were, respectively, 800 °C and 2300 °C, using 200 ng of 3 nm palladium nanoparticles. The limit of detection (4 µg L−1) and the precision (better than 18 %) were considered satisfactory for the proposed analysis. The method accuracy, evaluated by recovery tests and by comparison with the results obtained using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, was proven adequate to enable the determination of Pb in leached extracts from petroleum waste. The method was successfully applied to determine lead in leached extracts obtained from oily sludge and drill cuttings and the obtained concentrations ranged from <13 to 354.4 µg L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was targeted to remove toxic heavy metal lead (Pb(II)) from synthetic solution with ultra-sonicated turmeric leaves powder (UTLP) as sorbent. The responsible functional groups for adsorption of Pb(II) onto UTLP were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the adsorption was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The Central Composite Design (CCD) method was used to scrutinise the effective parameters. Based on the optimisation results, the maximum % biosorption (97.36) of Pb(II) was attained under optimum conditions of pH: 4.92, biosorbent dosage (BD): 0.44 g and initial solution concentration (ISC): 37.93 mg/L. The experimental findings were fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. Sequel to isotherm data, the Freundlich model gave good fit with R2 = 0.99 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 36.49 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order model was found to be the most significant for kinetic data analysis. The thermodynamic parameters such as Gibb's energy change (∆G0), enthalpy change (∆H0) and entropy change (∆S0) were estimated, and it was found that the process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Furthermore, the desorption study was conducted with 0.1 N HNO3 to estimate the ease of regeneration behaviour of UTLP. Conclusively, the results revealed that UTLP is prominent and cheap biosorbent for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are harmful environmental pollutants that have attracted widespread attention, attributed to their health hazards to humans and animals. Due to the non-degradable property of heavy metals, organisms are inevitably exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). Several studies revealed that heavy metals can cause reproductive damage by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which exacerbates oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption. Natural antioxidants, mainly polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins, have been shown to mitigate heavy metal-induced reproductive toxicity potentially. In this review, accumulated evidences on the influences of four non-essential heavy metals As, Cd, Pb, and Hg on both males and females reproductive system were established. The purpose of this review is to explore the potential mechanisms of the effects of heavy metals on reproductive function and point out the potential biomarkers of natural antioxidants interventions toward heavy metal-induced reproductive toxicity. Notably, increasing evidence proven that the regulations of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, Nrf2, MAPK, or NF-κB pathways are the important mechanisms for the amelioration of heavy metal induced reproductive toxicity by natural antioxidants. It also provided a promising guidance for prevention and management of heavy metal-induced reproductive toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects and bioaccumulation of heavy metals iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) in different parts (muscle, gills, and liver) of Tilapia zillii occurring in polluted drainage canal and fish farm, which is located in Abiece region in front of village number 10, Alexandria governorate, Egypt. Results of water analysis revealed the concentration of Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Cr exceeded the limits defined by the American Public Health Association (APHA) in the polluted drainage canal. In addition, the concentration of Ni elevated to the standard limits of APHA and Cu was not detected in the fish farm. Different types of chromosomal aberrations were recorded (e.g., stickiness, fragmented chromosomes, centromeric gaps, chromatid break, chromatid deletion, and tetraploid). Micronucleus frequency was found to be 5.58 in the polluted drainage canal group and 0.32 in the fish farm group. Other nuclear abnormalities such as blebbed nucleus, segmented nucleus, enucleated erythrocyte, kidney-shaped nucleus, heart-shaped nucleus, polymorphic irregular nuclei, binucleated cell, nuclear fragmented erythrocyte, long nucleus, putative fragmented notched nucleus, lobed nuclei, fused erythrocytes, necrotic erythrocyte, and vacuolated nucleus were recorded. The total of erythrocytes nuclear morphological abnormalities was 70.33% in the polluted drainage canal and 1.78% in the fish farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal ions, such as thallium(I) and lead(II) are environmental toxicants known to cause a severe threat to human and ecosystem health. This work investigates aptamers and intercalating chromophore-based complexes for the detection of these toxic species. In one method, a selective label-free "turn-on" biosensor was developed using a G-quadruplex-intercalating agent, berberine. Fluorescence, melting temperature (Tm), and circular dichroism analysis confirmed the affinity and selectivity results, illustrating the potential of these aptasensor methods for improving detection limits. These fluorescence assays were found to perform with a detection limit of 3.4 μM for Tl(I) and 0.84 nM for Pb(II). Furthermore, the assays were challenged successfully with Tl(I) and Pb(II) spiked into river water samples. We next developed paper-based fluorescent assays for Tl(I) and Pb(II), where the aptamer/berberine complex was spotted onto the paper test zone. When Tl(I) or Pb(II) ions solutions were spotted onto the top of the test zone and the spot was illuminated with a portable UV light (365 nm), a strong green fluorescence could be easily visualized with the naked eye. The lowest detection limits achieved with these fluorescent paper-based assays for Tl(I) and Pb(II) were 1.1 nM and 1.6 nM, respectively. The two fluorescent approaches presented here have the potential to be the basis of rapid, fast, and cost-efficient screening assays for these toxic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The electrochemical hydrogenation (e‐hydrogenation) of unsaturated compounds like imines or carbonyls presents a benign reduction method. It enables direct use of electrons as reducing agent, water as proton source, while bypassing the need for elevated temperatures or pressures. In this contribution, we discuss the active species in electrocatalytic reductive amination with the transformation of acetone and methylamine as model reaction. Surprisingly, lead impurities in the ppm‐range proved to possess a significant effect in e‐hydrogenation. Accordingly, the influence of applied potential and cathode material in presence of 1 ppm Pb was investigated. Finally, we transferred the insights to the reduction of acetone manifesting comparable observations as for imine reduction. The results suggest that previous studies on electrochemical reduction in the presence of lead electrodes should be re‐evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, investigated the concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in vegetables grown with irrigation and sold in Sabon gari and Samaru markets in Zaria, Nigeria. Cadmium was absent in amaranthus, pepper and tomatoes purchased from Samaru market. Nevertheless, amaranthus and lettuce had higher concentrations of these toxic metals than pepper. Total arsenic concentrations in the investigated vegetables were higher than the maximum levels set by the World Health Organization. Total daily intake of the metals was higher than the maximum levels for consuming vegetables from these markets. Therefore, individuals who consume these foods may be at risk. These results indicate the possibility of toxic metal contamination in vegetables purchased from Zaria markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the association between blood metal mixture and HUA risk. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed based on the populations from Kailuan cohort trial in China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was utilized to detect the blood concentrations of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn). Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) models and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were employed to assess the relationships. Results: There were 3706 participants included in this study, and 464 (12.52%) were with HUA. The mean level of uric acid was 485.60 μmol/L in the subjects with HUA, which was remarkably increased compared to those without HUA (293.10 μmol/L). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of HUA were 2.15 (1.40, 3.29) for Pb, 3.42 (2.24, 5.23) for Fe, 1.61 (1.15, 2.25) for Ca, 3.06 (2.04, 4.59) for Mg, and 1.69 (1.26, 2.28) for Zn by comparing the highest and lowest metal quartiles using the single-metal logistic regression model. Meanwhile, the WQS regression models demonstrated a positive association between metal mixtures and HUA risk, to which, Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn were the major contributors. Pb, Fe, and Zn were still robust in multiple-metal models. Age, gender, weight, smoking, and drinking status could modify these relationships with significant interactions. Conclusions: Co-exposure to Fe, Pb, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg, Se, and Mn were related to increased HUA risk in Chinese adults, of with, Pb, Fe, and Zn appeared to have greater impacts. These relationships were more obvious in adults aged < 60 years, or women, or overweight, or non-smoking, or drinking with significant interactions. Key Points • Increased Fe, Pb, Mg, Ca, and Zn were related to increased HUA risk in dose–response fashion among Chinese adults. • The metal mixture dominated by Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn was positively associated with HUA risk. Fe, Pb, and Zn were still robust in MM model. • Such association was stronger showed in adults aged < 60 years, or women, or overweight, or non-smoking, or drinking with significant interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hatu gold deposit is the largest historical gold producer of the West Junggar, western China, with an Au reserve of about 62 t. The orebodies were controlled by NE-, EW-, and NW-trending subsidiary faults associated with the Anqi fault. This deposit exhibits characteristics typical of a fault-controlled lode system, and the orebodies consist of auriferous quartz veins and altered wall rocks within Early Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary rocks. Three stages of mineralization have been identified in the Hatu gold deposit: the early pyrite-albite-quartz stage, the middle polymetallic sulfides-ankerite-quartz stage, and late quartz-calcite stage. The sulfur isotopic values of pyrite and arsenopyrite vary in a narrow range from − 0.8‰ to 1.3‰ and an average of 0.4‰, the near-zero δ34S values implicate the thorough homogenization of the sulfur isotopes during the metamorphic dehydration of the Early Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary rocks. Lead isotopic results of pyrite and arsenopyrite (206Pb/204Pb = 17.889–18.447, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.492–15.571, 208Pb/204Pb = 37.802–38.113) are clustered between orogenic and mantle/upper crust lines, indicating that the lead was mainly sourced from the hostrocks within the Early Carboniferous Tailegula Formation. The characteristics of S and Pb isotopes suggest that the ore-forming metals of the Hatu orogenic gold deposit are of metamorphogenic origin, associated with the continental collision between the Yili-Kazakhstan and Siberian plates during the Late Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early childhood pedagogical leadership has been found to enhance program quality by assisting educators to reach deeper understanding of pedagogical practices. In the early years of school where pedagogical tension resides, research on early childhood pedagogical leadership is scarce. Furthermore, there are few models of early childhood pedagogical leadership that describe how early childhood pedagogical leadership might be enacted in practice. This paper presents a relational model of early childhood pedagogical leadership that was developed from the findings of an investigation into early childhood pedagogical leadership enactment in school settings. The practical elements of pedagogical leadership outlined in this model may assist educators to understand how they can lead continuous improvement while empowering their colleagues and building leadership capability of their team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, we explored the performance of steel slag ballast (SSB), granite ballast (GB), and a slag–granite ballast mixture under cyclic loading conditions using a large-scale track simulation apparatus. In addition, the single-particle crushing strength and toxicity characteristics of steel slag were evaluated. The test results indicate that the SSB particles exhibited higher crushing strength (σo) than conventional GB. In addition, the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test results indicate that the leaching concentrations of all the heavy metals in the slag were below the recommended limit, except for lead, which exceeded the drinking water limit. The cyclic test results indicate that the SSB exhibited lower vertical (Sv) and lateral deformation (ld) than the GB, and that, with the increase in the proportion of SSB (PSSB) in the GB, both the Sv and ld were reduced. It was additionally found that, with an increase in PSSB in the GB, the resilient modulus (Mr), damping ratio (D), track stiffness (k), and track modulus (u) increased, whereas particle breakage (Bg/BBI) decreased. It was further observed that the extent of the sleeper (avs) and ground acceleration was lower in the SSB samples than the GB samples. Nonlinear regression models were developed to predict the vertical strain (ε1), lateral strain (ε3), Mr, and D of the slag–granite ballast mixture. A detailed analysis of the performance of the slag–granite ballast mixture, in terms of the toxicity characteristics, volumetric strain (εv), shear strain (εs), Mr, D, avs, Bg/BBI, and k, revealed that a blend of 58% SSB and 42% GB (SSB58) can be used for optimal performance. Practical Applications: The problem of the excessive demand for conventional ballast is addressed in the current study by utilizing steel slag as railway ballast. The benefits of utilizing steel slag ballast (SSB) over conventional granite ballast (GB), in terms of lesser vertical deformation and particle degradation, are highlighted. The lower degradation exhibited by the SSB helped in reducing the frequency of ballast replacement operations, and hence the track maintenance costs. Moreover, owing to the higher specific gravity of the SSB, its lateral displacement was found to be lower compared with conventional GB, and thereby the lateral stability of the track is improved when using steel slag as railway ballast. In addition, the SSB exhibited a higher resilient modulus compared with conventional GB, implying better passenger riding comfort where the track has steel slag as the railway ballast. In addition, in bridge approaches, SSB can be mixed with conventional ballast to allow for a gradual transition from soft to stiff and stiff to soft zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our study was to determine the influence of lead and cadmium in concentrations commonly found in the environment on the redox system of the follicular fluid (FF) and on the results of assisted reproduction. A prospective study of 113 patients with unexplained infertility who qualified for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Patients with moderate or severe endometriosis or poor ovarian reserve were excluded from the study. Biochemical analyses and heavy metal assays of follicular fluid and serum (blood) were followed by statistical analyses of dependencies between lead and cadmium and the components of redox system and results of assisted reproduction. A highly significant linear correlation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in serum and in FF was stated. The number of retrieved oocytes and MII (metaphase II stage) oocytes depended on the malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), catalase/g of protein (CAT/g of protein), and glutathione reductase (GR) concentrations. Among biochemical factors, MDA was the only factor that correlated negatively with cadmium concentration in serum and FF and simultaneously influenced the number of retrieved oocytes and MII oocytes. The fertilization rate of MII oocytes was influenced by thiol groups—SH, SH/g of protein, CAT, CAT/g of protein, and glutathione peroxidase/g of protein (GPx/g of protein). The Pb and Cd concentrations in FF did not significantly influence the fertilization rates. Lead as well as cadmium at concentrations commonly found in women of reproductive age despite some adaptive changes in the redox system in follicular fluid do not cause large changes in the ovarian follicular environment as a whole and do not significantly worsen the final results of assisted reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) in drinking water is a serious concern due to its adverse health impacts. Aiming to identify sources and contributing factors of waterborne Pb, this study tracked Pb at different locations in Addis Ababa's (capital of Ethiopia) water distribution system, successively from 3 water sources, 15 storage reservoirs and 88 taps. The mean Pb concentration at sources was 2.6 µg/L, significantly varying from the concentration at taps, 15.9 µg/L (ANOVA Post Hoc, P = 0.02). A significant variation of Pb was also observed among the city's water distribution sub-systems and source waters (ANOVA Post Hoc, P = 0.006). Surface waters exhibited a negative Langelier saturation index (LSI) and higher corrosivity. Analysis from first-drop and flushed water samples showed that water stagnation for 6–8 hours would increase Pb leaching by 11.5 Points (95% CI [6.23, 16.78]). Metal plumbing releases more Pb compared to plastics (t30 = −4.358, P < 0.001), where the leaching is higher from new faucets than the old (r = −0.368, P < 0.05). A multiple linear regression (R2 = 0.61, F5, 80 = 24.617, P < 0.001) predicted that a 1% increase of Fe in the water can raise the Pb concentration by 0.35% (t80 = 7.033, P < 0.001), while 1% increment of Zn can raise Pb by 0.21% (t80 = 4.45, P < 0.001). The analysis suggests that leaded-brass and galvanised-steel could be important Pb sources. In conclusion, Pb contamination in Addis Ababa's drinking water system chiefly arises from the plumbing and pipelines, where the main portal of entry lies between storage reservoirs and taps. Water properties (hardness, tendency to scale formation and corrosivity), water stagnation time in pipelines, and material types and age of premise plumbing were significant contributing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transvenous lead failure associated with cardiac pacing and defibrillation remains an important clinical problem, with an estimated incidence between 1 to 2%. Oversensing of non-physiological signals usually precede lead impedance changes and may result in clinical compliations such as pacing inhibition and inappropriate shocks. Device based algorithms that identify non-physiological signals can be used in conjunction with remote monitoring to facilitate early diagnosis and management of lead failure and avoid serious adverse outcomes. This review highlights mechanisms of lead failure and proposes a diagnostic approach to suspected lead failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverine contamination of metals and metalloids is a growing global concern. However, our understanding of how cascade reservoirs influence the fate of these pollutants remains limited. In this study, we focused on the Jinsha River, a typical large river polluted with metal(loid)s in Southwest China, to investigate the partitioning and transport of these substances from the upper natural reaches to the lower cascade reservoirs-regulated reaches during both flood and dry seasons. Results revealed that the rapid urbanization and industrial development following the construction of reservoirs led to significant copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) pollution. Through various analytical techniques such as correlation analysis, principal component analysis, redundancy analysis, and structural equation modeling, we determined that reservoirs had a profound impact on solid-associated parameters, including particulate organic matter (POM), suspended solid concentration (SSC), and median particle diameter (D50). These parameters, in turn, affected the fate of metal(loid)s through processes like sorption-desorption and dissolution-precipitation. High POM concentrations and low SSC and D50 values resulted in the precipitation of most particulate metal(loid)s, thereby reducing their transport across reservoirs. As river water moved downstream across the reservoirs, the percentage of particulate metal(loid)s decreased by 6.1% for arsenic (As), 38.3% for Cu, 74.9% for Ni, 36.8% for Cr, 17.8% for Cd, and 41.9% for Pb, respectively. Furthermore, the cascade reservoirs had cumulative effects on the deposition of particulate metal(loid)s, particularly concerning Cr, Cd, and Pb in the final reservoirs. Human health risk assessments indicated that dissolved As and Pb posed potential non-carcinogenic threats to residents. Despite the fact that reservoirs captured most particulate metal(loid)s, the transport of dissolved As and Pb across the reservoirs still impacted the safety of downstream drinking water. Therefore, in cascade reservoir systems, the concern regarding dissolved metal(loid) pollution remains a priority for future reservoir management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a toxic heavy metal, lead (Pb) is well known for impairment of renal function due to oxidative injuries. In contrast, the antioxidant activity of silibinin has been approved. Given the role of silibinin antioxidant activity, the present study investigated the effectiveness of silibinin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (Sili-NLCs) against Pb-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. The emulsification-solvent evaporation method was applied to prepare Sili-NLCs. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into ten separate groups. Pb (20 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was applied to induce nephrotoxicity and in the treatment groups animals received the same concentration of silibinin and Sili-NLCs (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for five days. After sacrificing rats, kidney tissue samples were collected to assess the oxidative stress parameters, including lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Also, histopathological examination using Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) was studied. Not only did Pb injection significantly increase the renal levels of LPO and NO, but also decreased the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity. On the other hand, Sili-NLCs were more effective than silibinin in decreasing renal oxidative damage by increasing the antioxidant defense system. Moreover, the histopathological examination correlated well with biochemical findings. Our data suggested that Sili-NLCs are potentially superior to pure silibinin for attenuating Pb-induced acute nephrotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seafood is considered a healthy and nutritious food, but the presence of toxic substances in such foods is a serious problem. The present study aimed to analyze the concentration of some toxic metals in seafood and evaluate their noncarcinogenic risks to consumers. Samples were digested according to the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) standard. The heavy metals concentration of Cd, Ni, Hg, Pb, and Sn in 30 canned tuna samples were determined using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations of Cd, Ni, Sn, Pb, and Hg were 0.7, 0.49, 1.03, 0.31, and 0.12 µg g− 1, respectively. Based on these results, the concentrations of Cd, Sn, and Hg in samples met the required standards. However, the concentrations of Ni and Pb in some samples were higher than the permissible limits. The mean values of Sn, Ni, Pb, Hg, and Cd in samples followed a decreasing order. Since the values of the health risk index for these samples were lower than the HI and HRI risk threshold (<1), they can be consumed without any problems arising. Highlights: The metal concentration was measured in the four most popular brands of canned fish sold in Neyshabur City, Iran. Some samples exceeded the maximum permissible level of nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). A significant correlation was observed between Ni concentration with Pb and Hg concentrations and Pb concentration with Cd concentration. The values of the health risk index (HRI) for noncarcinogenic health risks were lower than 1. The calculated Hazard index (HI) for adult and child consumers was less than 1. The HI values were greater for children than for adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an eco-friendly, simple, and inexpensive procedure was developed using vortex-assisted combined with deep eutectic solvent-based liquid phase microextraction (VA-LPME-DES) followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In the present procedure, DES was first synthesized from the combination of l-menthol and (1S)-(+)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid (CSA) in a molar ratio of 5:1, and then it was used as a green and safe extractant instead of common toxic organic solvents. The ability of the presented method was applied for the separation and preconcentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in herbal medicines. After optimizing all the parameters of the experiment, the linear ranges were 0.10–200 µg kg−1 with coefficient of determination (r2) better than 0.985. The limits of detection were in the ranges of 0.03–0.15 µg kg−1. Relative standard deviation values for intra-day and inter-day of the method based on 7 replicate measurements were in the range of 1.8%–3.6% and 3.1%–7.3%, respectively. The relative recoveries of herbal medicines which have been spiked with different concentrations of metal ions were 91.5%–109.8%. The method was successfully used to analyze the heavy and toxic metals in herbal medicine samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to their ability to absorb large amounts of trace elements from the atmosphere, lichens are widely used as bioaccumulators and bioindicators of air pollution. Among air pollutants, heavy metals represented by lead are the most important contributors to the deterioration of ecosystems. Fluorine is prevalent in a wide range of environmental matrices, even in trace amounts, and is one of the most phytotoxic halogens to plants. When lichens are exposed to air pollution, they frequently undergo structural, morphological and physiological alterations, and exhibit several coping strategies to combat and tolerate stressful situations. This manuscript presents general information about lichens, fluorine, and lead as well as the toxic effect of these two air pollutants on lichens, and the means of combat used by lichens to respond to fluorine and lead-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adds to the literature by examining fiscal competition and deficit financing by local governments in a developing country, China. We examine tax competition using a unique revenue source in China, land-use premiums, in a panel dataset consolidated at the prefectural level from 2006 to 2016. Our results indicate that fiscal competition in land-use premiums exists and is stronger for wealthier than poorer prefectures, a result that supports the view of Cai and Treisman (Am Econ Rev 95:817–830, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828054201314) that competition among asymmetrically endowed regions can lead to less discipline. Moreover, we find higher lagged deficits for prefectures lead to lower land-use premiums, a result that suggests that the prefecture does not fill any fiscal gap with own revenues, is consistent with soft budget constraint arguments, and suggests that competitive pressures do not eliminate this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ashes from biomass combustion (BAs) are waste materials that contain valuable nutrients, making them suitable for reuse in plant fertilization. The application of ash positively impacts soil properties, including the reduction of excessive acidification, which enhances nutrient absorption. However, the use of ash can also introduce potentially toxic elements into the soil in excessive amounts. This study analyzed the effect of different doses of BAs on the accumulation of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in the surface layer of Haplic Luvisol soil and in various parts of spring barley plants. The research was conducted over three years under field experiment conditions. Throughout the three-year study period, no significant changes were observed in the content of individual elements in the soil or in various parts of the spring barley plants. The analyzed elements tended to accumulate more in the roots of the plants than in their above-ground parts. When considering the average content of individual elements for the entire study period, no significant increase was noted in their levels within the analyzed soil. However, when examining each year of the experiment separately, significant dynamics in the content of individual elements in both plants and soil were identified. These fluctuations were likely influenced by variations in weather conditions, as the highest concentrations of the analyzed elements were typically recorded in the second year of the study, which coincided with the highest total rainfall of 792.4 mm. The findings indicate that analyzing changes in the content of elements introduced via biomass combustion ashes necessitates comprehensive studies conducted under both controlled and realworld conditions. Without such thorough investigations, conclusions regarding the release of components contained in BAs, particularly concerning their potential toxicity, may be misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged exposure to environments with high concentrations of crystalline silica (CS) can lead to silicosis. Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of silicosis. In the process of silicosis, silica (SiO2) invades alveolar macrophages (AMs) and induces mitophagy which usually exists in three states: normal, excessive, and/or deficiency. Different mitophagy states lead to corresponding toxic responses, including successful macrophage repair, injury, necrosis, apoptosis, and even pulmonary fibrosis. This is a complex process accompanied by various cytokines. Unfortunately, the details have not been fully systematically summarized. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the role of macrophage mitophagy in SiO2‐induced pulmonary fibrosis by systematic analysis on the literature reports. In this review, we first summarized the current data on the macrophage mitophagy in the development of SiO2‐induced pulmonary fibrosis. Then, we introduce the molecular mechanism on how SiO2‐induced mitophagy causes pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, we focus on introducing new therapies based on newly developed mitophagy‐inducing strategies. We conclude that macrophage mitophagy plays a multifaceted role in the progression of SiO2‐induced pulmonary fibrosis, and reprogramming the macrophage mitophagy state accordingly may be a potential means of preventing and treating pulmonary fibrosis. Inhalation of crystalline silica (CS) can cause alveolar macrophage mitophagy that usually exists in three states: normal, excessive, and/or deficiency. Among them, mitophagy deficiency induced by high‐dose silica (SiO2) plays a special role in the development of silicosis. Its appearance means that dysfunctional mitochondria damaged by SiO2 cannot be perfectly repaired through autophagy mechanisms, which will cause a series of toxic reactions in macrophages and ultimately lead to pulmonary fibrosis via various mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the bioavailability of lead (Pb) in soil is the key to alleviating the toxicity of Pb to plants. The present study investigated the effects of phosphorus application on Pb speciation in soil and the oxidative stress of plant to Pb. Maize was planted in 100 mg/kg Pb soil with three fertilizer levels. The phosphate application led to reductions of 25%, 30% and 25% in the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and peroxidase (POD) and the concentration of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in maize leaves, and reduced Pb accumulation in the above- and belowground biomass of maize by 39% and 30%, comparing to the control. The water-soluble, ionic, and carbonate Pb fractions in rhizosphere soil decreased by 38%, 36% and 43%, respectively, and the organic and residual Pb fraction were increased with values of 11.7 ± 0.6 and 18.6 ± 0.4 mg/kg. The soil aluminum-bound (Al–P) and iron-bound phosphate (Fe–P) were highest, with values of 94 ± 8.2 and 230 ± 16.0 mg/kg, indicating that phosphate supplementation increased the soil ionic phosphorus and transformed chemically mobilized P (such as O–P and Ca–P) into bioavailable P. The phosphate supplementation of Pb-contaminated soil could transfer the unstable Pb fraction into the stable Pb fraction by P-induced Pb immobilization, could reduce the bioavailability of Pb and could alleviate the toxicity of heavy metals to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) toxicity is a major environmental threat that severely affects growth and production of staple crops. Foliar applications of glycine betaine (GB) have been extensively studied for their ability to stimulate heavy metals (HMs) tolerance in plants. Despite that, no literature reports are available on the ameliorative behavior of GB application on barley cultivars under Pb stress. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the relative efficacy of exogenous GB (2 mM) supplementation on various morphological (spike length) yield (no. of spikelet spike−1, no. of grains spike−1, grain yield plant−1, and 1000 grain weight) and grain quality traits (carbohydrate and protein content) of two barley cultivars (BH946 & BH959) under three levels of Pb stress treatments, viz. control, 15, 25, and 35 mM. Current research results revealed that Pb stress significantly (p < 0.05) decreased barley plants' yield traits and grain quality characteristics. More reduction was observed at the highest Pb stress, i.e., 35 mM. However, the foliar application of GB significantly (p < 0.05) mitigates the toxic effect of Pb stress and improves the yield traits, and ultimately, the grain yield per plant increases. Moreover, GB addition also enhances the quality of barley grain by improving the protein and carbohydrate content. The present research findings exhibit the ameliorative role of foliar-applied GB in enhancing the yield, and quality traits of barley cultivars might be attributed to modulating plant growth, photosynthetic activities, the antioxidant defense system, and diminished oxidative stress under Pb toxicity. According to the t-test results, both cultivars displayed the same trend under each stress and GB supplement. Therefore, only one cultivar can be considered for the experiment setup out of the two for further studies. In conclusion, GB at 2 mM concentrations successfully mitigates the toxic effect of Pb (up to 35 mM) and its implication might be recommended for crops suffering from Pb stress to improve their yield and quality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of urban and agricultural development on sediment quality in the Alvarado Lagoon region in the southern Gulf of Mexico requires an examination of the historical behavior of potential toxic metals (PTMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Consequently, this study aims to assess the ecotoxicological hazards that benthic species and human consumers face in the area. These results are crucial for economic activities in the region and can help prevent future hazards. We examined two sediment profiles from the ecosystem: Profile 1, which spans the period between 1929 and 1998, and Profile 2, which covers the years between 1929 and 2007. The study evaluated the degree of human-induced pollution of six trace metal elements (PTMs): arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V) in the sediments of Alvarado Lagoon. The Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (IGeo) were computed as internationally recognized indices to measure the magnitude of contamination and additional anthropogenic and geochemical inputs contributing to the natural levels of the elements. Our analysis indicates that there is no evidence of either enrichment or pollution (EF < 1 class 1; IGeo < 0 class zero) found in the sediments of Alvarado Lagoon. The occurrence of these elements can be attributed to their lithogenic origin, as supported by a significant correlation observed between them. Within the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) analyzed, solely Naphthalene (Nap) and Phenanthrene (Phe) were identified in both sediment profiles. The levels of chemicals are indicative of minimal ecotoxicological risks, with Nap ranging between 0.25 and 0.43 µg g−1 and Phe ranging between 0.31 and 0.79 µg g−1. The analysis of factors in this study identified two distinct factors, one related to lithogenic processes and another related to petrogenic processes. The sedimentary profiles of the study site confirmed low levels of potentially toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), posing insignificant environmental risks. As a result, the ecosystem in this area has demonstrated resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a class of water-soluble phenolic acid abundant in the human diet, has been shown to be of great nutritional interest and to have medicinal value. However, the protective effects against lead (Pb)-induced body injury have not been elucidated. In this study, we explored the protective effect of PCA on Pb-induced oxidative damage and cognitive impairment in rats. The results showed that PCA could reduce the Pb content in rat bodies (blood, bone, brain, liver, and kidney) after Pb exposure. Moreover, PCA may inhibit Pb-induced oxidative damage by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and decreasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain, liver, and kidney. In addition, PCA may alleviate Pb-induced learning and memory impairment by upregulating neurotransmitter levels; maintaining the normal function of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs); and promoting Ca2+ influx, thus activating signaling molecules, related protein kinases, and transcription factors in the cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway. In general, PCA could reduce oxidative stress and ameliorate the learning and memory deficits in Pb-treated rats, indicating that PCA may be an effective preventive agent and treatment or plumbism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lead is persistent in the environment as a toxic substance and accumulates in the human body. Lead exposure has far-reaching harmful effects on all human systems and is widely recognized as a health and public health concern. Lead exposure poses a significant risk to oral health, as it destroys salivary glands and alveolar bone. It also induces oxidative stress which results in an immune response. Lead exposure appears to adversely affect periodontal tissues. Currently, the available evidence on the relationship between blood lead and periodontitis is insufficient and further research is necessary. Objective: In this study, the objectives were to clarify the association between blood lead and periodontitis, as well as to explore potential dose-response relationships between blood lead exposure and periodontitis, as well as to determine appropriate thresholds for the effects of blood lead on periodontitis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 8,550 participants with American adults aged 30 or older. blood Lead, periodontitis, age, sex, race, heart rate, education level, poverty index, marital status, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, hypertension, diabetes and stroke. were collected from participants. Logistic regression, smooth curve fittingwere utilized to substantiate the research objectives. Results: There were a total of 8,550 participants of which 52.2% (4,467/8,550) had moderate/severe periodontitis. Compared with Q1 (0.15–0.93 ug/L), where blood lead levels were lower, the OR values for adjusted blood lead and periodontitis in Q2 (0.93–1.60 ug/L) and Q3 (1.60–61.29 ug/L) were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12–1.25, P < 0.001) and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.34–1.52, P < 0.001). The association between blood lead levels and periodontitis exhibited a curve (non-linear, P < 0.001), with an inflection point of roughly 2.700 ug/L. The OR values for moderate/severe periodontitis in participants with blood lead levels <2.700ug/L was 1.318 (95% CI: 1.193–1.457, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Blood lead levels are positively associated with periodontitis. Blood lead levels increased by five units and were associated with an increase in moderate and severe periodontitis risk by 36%. There is a curvilinear relationship between blood lead and periodontitis with a threshold effect and an inflection point of approximately 2.7 ug/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb(II)) is a pervasive heavy metal toxin with many well-established negative effects on human health. Lead toxicity arises from cumulative, repeated environmental exposures. Thus, prophylactic strategies to protect against the bioaccumulation of lead could reduce lead-associated human pathologies. Here we show that DNA and RNA aptamers protect C. elegans from toxic phenotypes caused by lead. Reproductive toxicity, as measured by brood size assays, is prevented by co-feeding of animals with DNA or RNA aptamers. Similarly, lead-induced neurotoxicity, measured by behavioral assays, are also normalized by aptamer feeding. Further, cultured human HEK293 and primary murine osteoblasts are protected from lead toxicity by transfection with DNA aptamers. The osteogenic development, which is decreased by lead exposure, is maintained by prior transfection of lead-binding DNA aptamers. Aptamers may be an effective strategy for the protection of human health in the face of increasing environmental toxicants. • Lead toxicity remains a pervasive public health problem, with limited interventions available. • Aptamers are short single-stranded nucleic acids that bind targets including proteins, small molecules, and ions. • Lead-binding aptamers applied to C. elegans protect the animals from lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity. • Upon transfection, DNA aptamers protect primary osteoblasts from lead toxicity. • The study represents the first demonstration of the use of an aptamer as a prophylactic to an environmental pollutant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWater pollution with potentially toxic elements is a critical public health problem today. An extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) extracted from Lysinibacillus sp. SS1 was used for the adsorptive removal of lead. One-variable-at-a-time method was used to obtain maximum adsorption of 87% at 25 mg/L lead, 25 mg/L EPS, pH 6, temperature of 27 °C, agitation speed of 80 RPM. Response surface methodology gave optimum conditions of 3.79 mg/L of EPS and 108 RPM corresponding to 97.92% of lead removal at contact time of 60 min. The data for adsorption process fit Temkin isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model (k = 3.348 × 10−4 mg/g.min and Qe = 824.34 mg/g), confirming monolayer-multilayer chemisorption process with liquid-film diffusion regulating the reaction rate. Positive values of ΔHo, ΔGo, and ΔSo confirmed the biosorption process to be endothermic, non-spontaneous and exhibiting increased randomness at the biosorptive interface. The adsorption of lead by EPS showed no significant change in a mixture containing zinc, magnesium, cadmium, cobalt, and iron. Hence, EPS produced by Lysinibacillus sp. SS1 can be a highly efficient, eco-friendly method of treating low concentrations of lead pollution in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impaired cognitive function following exposure to heavy metals has emerged as a significant global health concern. Nevertheless, the impact of combined exposure to multiple heavy metals on cognitive impairment remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to explore the association between multiple heavy metals exposure and cognitive function to provide theoretical evidence to guide prevention strategies. Methods: The blood levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and the results of the cognitive function tests were extracted from 811 elderly Americans who completed the NHANES between 2011 and 2014. Quantile regression (QR), restricted cubic splines (RCS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to explore the individual and joint association between heavy metals exposure and performance in 4 standardized cognitive tests; Item Response Theory (IRT), Delayed Recall Test (DRT), Animal Fluency Test (AFT) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Results: A negative association was noted between Cd levels and IRT (p = 0.048, 95%CI: -2.7, -0.1). Se concentrations ranging between 2.197 µg/L (95%CI: 0.004, 0.15) to 2.29 µg/L (95%CI: 2.56, 7.64) (log10Se) was postively associated with DSST (p = 0.001). Cu was negatively associated with DSST (p = 0.049, 95%CI: -37.75, -0.09), while Zn was positively associated with IRT (p = 0.022, 95%CI: 0.55, 11.73). Exposure to the 6 heavy metals combined showed a positive linear association with IRT, DRT, and a negative linear association with DSST. An interaction between Cd and the other heavy metals (excepted for Pb). Conclusion: Exposure to Pb, Cd, Hg, Se, Cu, and Zn was associated with cognitive function. Joint exposure to the 6 heavy metals showed a positive linear association with IRT, DRT, contrarily, a negative linear association with DSST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural landscapes worldwide are heavily sprayed with agrochemicals to increase crop productivity. These agrochemicals release bio-accumulative pollutants such as heavy metals that often persist in the environment with harmful impacts on biota. In a prime endangered Atlantic Forest biome, in Bahia, Brazil, agroforestry of cacao (Theobroma cacao) provides a livelihood for small farmers and suitable habitats for forest species. However, landscape transformation to pasture and monoculture expose vulnerable communities to scarcely evaluated pollutants with unknown effects on the health of humans and animals. We assessed the bioaccumulation of manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) by analyzing hair samples of 326 bats representing 28 species across 15 cacao agroforestry and 2 forest remnants. Bats from regions heavily disturbed by pastures and monocultures showed higher levels of Pb (41.20 µg/g) and Mn (0.44 µg/g) compared to those from areas where forest or cacao agroforestry dominates the landscape. Local grassland covers increased Pb bioaccumulation, while forest cover reduced it. Cacao agroforestry appeared to increase Cu exposure, likely due to fungicide use. This study pioneers the evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in bats inhabiting cacao agroforestry and Atlantic Forest remnants, highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural practices to protect wildlife and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an increasingly demanding and pressured work environment, employee resilience is acknowledged as a critical element to navigate adversity. There has been increased focus and interest in studying the nature of resilience in the workplace, however the mechanisms of developing and sustaining resilience are still under debate. Coaching is a promising method organisations use to improve employee resilience and provides employees with support to deal with the challenging working environment. There has been significant interest in coaching for resilience in recent years, however there is no overarching, consolidated view on the nature and dynamics of resilience coaching. This scoping review seeks to fill this gap by making three contributions. Firstly, we present details on various types of coaching approaches used to improve resilience. Secondly, we review the specific coaching elements and processes that lead to improved resilience and finally, we provide an overview on the efficacy of resilience coaching interventions. We conclude this scoping review with a roadmap for future research to help position and strengthen organisational coaching as a pillar of resilience development. This scoping review followed a five-stage PRISMA-ScR methodology which entails formulating research questions; identifying studies; choosing studies; extracting and charting data; and summarising the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of eco‐friendly indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) for Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) devices is booming. Emerging IPVs, especially those based on lead halide perovskites (LHPs), outperform the industry standard of amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a‐Si:H). However, the toxic lead in LHPs drives the search for safer alternatives. Perovskite‐inspired materials (PIMs) containing bismuth (Bi) and antimony (Sb) have shown promise, achieving indoor power conversion efficiencies (PCE) approaching 10% despite early research stages. This is promising due to their eco‐friendlier light‐harvesting layers compared to LHPs. Yet, the environmental footprint of pnictogen‐based PIM over their lifecycle remains unassessed. This study conducts a life‐cycle assessment (LCA) of the best‐performing Sb‐ and Bi‐PIMs, considering PCE, raw material availability, energy consumption, and waste generation. It is find that PCE plays a decisive role in identifying the PIM for IPVs with minimized environmental impact, namely a Bi‐Sb alloy. Extended LCA simulations for industrial‐scale processing show that the most promising Bi‐PIM has a reduced environmental burden compared to a‐Si:H. It is also explore challenges and solutions for enhancing Bi‐and Sb‐PIMs’ sustainability. Overall, this study provides the first evidence of the potential of pnictogen‐based PIMs as a sustainable IPV technology, addressing whether lead‐free PIMs are truly eco‐friendly, thus contributing toward battery‐less IoT applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality degradation due to heavy metal contamination poses serious threats to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. The rise in the concentration of heavy metals in aquatic environments is largely attributable to anthropogenic activities. These metals accumulate over time in water bodies, necessitating rigorous monitoring to accurately assess pollution levels. The present study is concerned with the assessment of heavy metal pollution in the Styr River (Ukraine) before and after the discharge of water from a nuclear power plant. The assessment is based on three indices: the Heavy Metal Pollution Index, the Heavy Metal Evaluation Index, and the Degree of Contamination. Therefore, heavy metals, including zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr), were analyzed in this study. Water samples were collected at two locations on a monthly basis over the course of five years (2018–2022) and subsequently analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The results indicates a low contamination level at both sampling sites, indicating stable and uniform concentrations of metals across the study area. Moreover, statistical analysis highlights significant associations between certain metals and pollution indices, supporting the indices' utility in tracking pollution trends and assessing environmental impacts. This dataset underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring for effective water quality management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cosmetic-tattoo industry is evolving every year and the microstructures of the equipment have the great potential for semi-permanent makeup applications. Present paper explores the materials and microparticles of semi-permanent makeup tattoo needles. The surface of the five-round-shader tattoo needle used in semi-permanent makeup process was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and its elemental composition was analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The comparison of five-round-shader needles have undergone thorough observation: original five-round-shader needle and distorted five-round-shader needle. The diameter of the sharp and rounded needle tip was measured at approximately 6.80 μm, while the deformed needle tip was approximately 16 μm thick, about 2.5 times thicker than the rounded needle tip. Many rosette-shaped lead (Pb) particles and irregular clusters adhere to the welded areas and closely adjacent needle shaft surfaces. The lead particles have a diameter ranging from 4 μm to 5 μm and exhibit a grid-like structure with a consistent thickness of plate-like shape. The distorted structure of Pb in rosette-shaped formations is shown to have originated from the grinding and polishing processes during needle manufacturing. To produce sterilized tattoo needles, high-quality tattoo needle inspection processes are necessary to remove any unhygienic substances adhering to the needle surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]