Human health risks associated to trace elements and metals in commercial fish from the Brazilian Amazon.

Fish constitutes the main protein source for the Amazonian population. However, the impact of different anthropogenic activities on trace element and metal accumulation in fish and their risks for human health at a regional scale remain largely unexplored. Here we assessed exposure levels of 10 trace elements and metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in 56 samples belonging to 11 different species of fish from the Brazilian Amazon. We studied the relationship between exposure levels, fish origin, and fish feeding habits, and assessed toxicological and carcinogenic risks for the Amazonian population. No significant correlation was found between sampling site and exposure levels to the studied elements, but a significant difference was found between the accumulation of some metals and the position of the fish species in the food chain. The concentrations of Cr and Hg in fish flesh were found to exceed the Brazilian limits for human consumption. This study shows that current fish consumption patterns can lead to estimated daily intakes of Hg, As and Cr that exceed the oral reference dose, thus posing a toxicological concern. Furthermore, carcinogenic risks may be expected due to the continued exposure to Cr and As. The results of this study show that the consumption of wild caught fish in the Amazon region should be controlled. Moreover, continued monitoring of trace element and metal contamination in fish and on the health of the Amazonian population is recommended, particularly for riverine and indigenous communities.

Combustion aerosols and suspended dust with controlled processes in Lhasa: Elemental analysis and size distribution characteristics.

To explore air contamination resulting from special biomass combustion and suspended dust in Lhasa, the present study focused on the size distribution and chemical characteristics of particulate matter (PM) emission resulting from 7 types of non-fossil pollution sources. We investigated the concentration and size distribution of trace elements from 7 pollution sources collected in Lhasa. Combining Lhasa's atmospheric particulate matter data, enrichment factors (EFs) have been calculated to examine the potential impact of those pollution sources on the atmosphere quality of Lhasa. The highest mass concentration of total elements of biomass combustion appeared at PM0.4, and the second highest concentration existed in the size fraction 0.4-1 µm; the higher proportion (12 %) of toxic metals was produced by biomass combustion. The elemental composition of suspended dust and atmospheric particulate matter was close (except for As and Cd); the highest concentration of elements was all noted in PM2.5-10 (PM3-10). Potassium was found to be one of the main biomass markers. The proportion of Cu in suspended dust is significantly lower than that of atmospheric particulate matter (0.53 % and 3.75 %), which indicates that there are other anthropogenic sources. The EFs analysis showed that the Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb produced by biomass combustion were highly enriched (EFs > 100) in all particle sizes. The EFs of most trace elements increased with decreasing particle size, indicating the greater influence of humanfactors on smaller particles.

Trace and Heavy Metals in Locally and Imported Spices Sold on Markets in Accra Metropolis, Ghana.

Spices enhance food's colour, aroma and palatability. The main objective of this study was to assess the levels of heavy metals in the most common spices used in Ghanaian and worldwide cuisines. Ninety samples were obtained directly from local marketplaces in the Accra Metropolis (Madina, Kaneshie and Makola). After microwave digestion, the samples' levels of arsenic, iron, lead, cadmium and zinc were measured using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Iron, zinc, arsenic, cadmium and lead levels in specified natural spices varied from 0.022 mg/kg to 5.814 mg/kg, 0.056 mg/kg to 0.895 mg/kg, not detected to 14.012 mg/kg, 0.02 mg/kg to 0.45 mg/kg and not detected to 3.583 mg/kg, respectively. The toxic metals arsenic and lead in turmeric powder, whole rosemary and garlic, as well as lead in ginger, were slightly above the Codex, but below the FAO/WHO permissible level. All spices in this study had THQ and HI values of less than one, indicating that consumers will experience no potential health hazards from consuming specific metals through spices. However, continual scrutiny should be maintained over time due to bioaccumulation in humans.

Micro PIXE mapping proves a differential distribution and concentration of trace elements in fungal structures of Rhizophagus intraradices.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can sequester different potentially toxic elements, such as trace elements (TEs), within their structures to alleviate the toxicity for its host plant and themselves. To elucidate the role of AM fungi in TEs immobilization in the rhizosphere of host plants, it is important to know the TEs distribution in AM fungal structures. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and concentration of TEs within extraradical spores and mycelium of the AM fungus Rhizophagus intraradices, collected from the rhizosphere of Senecio bonariensis plants grown in a soil polluted with multiple TEs, by using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission with a micro-focused beam (micro PIXE). This technique enabled the simultaneous micrometric mapping of elements in a sample. The calculated values were compared with those in the polluted substrate, measured by the Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence technique. The highest concentrations of Fe, P, Ti, Mn, Cr, Cu and Zn were found in AM fungal spores, where they were accumulated, while extraradical mycelium was enriched in Cu. Finally, we demonstrated that AM fungi can simultaneously accumulate high amounts of different TEs in their structures, thus reducing the toxicity of these elements to its host plant.

Transect approach for assessing major and trace elemental contamination in agricultural soils of the palamaner division, chittoor district, andhra pradesh, india.

Three soil transects located in the granitic regions of Palamaner mandal, Andhra Pradesh, India, were examined to assess the pollution levels of both primary and secondary metals (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Mn, P, and Zn) and to ascertain the degree of soil pollution in agricultural areas. The soils along these transects are slightly acid to neutral, with dark brown to red rubified argillic clay-rich B horizons alongside a moderate cation exchange capacity. The A horizon soils display low organic carbon levels with a moderate variability and contain over 70% SiO2, exhibiting low variability due to limited leaching in a semiarid climate. The findings suggest that iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) oxides play a role in reducing contamination levels through oxidation and precipitation processes. Furthermore, the soils show low to moderate cation exchange capacity, which restricts the retention of absorbed heavy metals, thus lessening their negative impacts. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in CEC, organic carbon, and total zinc content across different horizons and landscape positions. Si, Al, and Cu had small increases and negative geoaccumulation indices in all soil profiles, suggesting no pollution. However, the Nemerow and mean contamination degree over 6 point to slight to moderate pollution. The analysis identified three distinct clusters with significant variations in contamination factors for SiO2 and Cu. Five principal components were determined, explaining 76% of the total variance, primarily derived from geogenic sources and remaining within acceptable limits. This research on soil transects in granitic regions contributes to a better understanding of the distribution, movement, and concentration of elemental oxides based on slope position, which is essential for pollution assessment and soil quality enhancement.

Bioaccumulation, contamination and health risks of trace elements in wild fish in Chongqing City, China: a consumer guidance regarding fish size.

Trace elements generally contaminate wild fish, particularly in megacities, necessitating guided consumption practices. This study investigated the bioaccumulation of trace elements in wild fish from Chongqing City in June 2021. We evaluated their contamination and associated health risks to establish consumption guidance based on fish size. Our results indicate that the concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cr, and As were relatively high, with some fish exceeding the maximum residue limits. Herbivorous and pelagic fish generally exhibited lower bioaccumulation of most trace elements, except for Cr and As, which were higher in pelagic species. The contamination indices (Pi) for Cr, Pb and As were consistently above 0.2, indicating widespread contamination. The most contaminated fish typically measured around 19 cm in length and weighed approximately 90 g. Only the maximum target hazard quotients (THQ) for As, Cr, and Hg exceeded 1, with a notably high ratio of THQ(As) > 1, highlighting concerns over arsenic contamination. The THQ(As) remained below 1 for adults across all fish species, whereas for children, species such as Onychostoma sima, Pseudohemiculter dispar, and Parabramis pekinensis exceeded this threshold. Fish safe for adult consumption generally measured 13 cm in length and weighed 20 g, and for children, 16 cm and 25 g. Consequently, selecting larger fish is likely to reduce the consumption of contaminated fish, thereby decreasing health risks to the public. The centralization of contaminated fish with high risk in specific size range confirmed fish size could be used to gauge the contamination and health risk of fish.

Human health risk assessment of potentially toxic and essential elements in medicinal plants consumed in Zabol, Iran, using the Monte Carlo simulation method.

Medicinal plants (MPs) have long been used for their therapeutic properties in traditional forms of medicine. However, the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in MPs raises concerns about their safety, efficacy, and potential adverse effects on human health. The current study aimed to determine the level of potentially toxic and essential elements (PTEEs) in commonly consumed MPs in Zabol, Iran, along with their health risk assessments. To conduct the present study, 10 types of MPs widely used in Zabol, Iran, were selected, and 15 samples of each type (150 samples in total) were taken. Each sample was analyzed for the presence of various PTEEs using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn); and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Finally, to better comprehend the scope of exposure and its possible effects, the Monte Carlo simulation method is successfully applied to assess human health risks related to PTEs in MPs. Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant (P < 0.001) variations in PTE averages among MP types. Furthermore, all samples' overall PTE mean concentration (range: 0.18 to 215.5 µg/kg) was below the World Health Organization's (WHO) regulatory standards. Probabilistic health risks, including non-carcinogenic-target hazard quotient (THQ) for each element, total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for all elements, and carcinogenic-incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for each element, and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for all elements, were significantly lower than the acceptable limit for children and adults. Accordingly, it can be said that consuming MPs sold in Zabol is safe for children and adults regarding carcinogenic (ILCR/TCR = 10- 4) and non-carcinogenic (THQ/TTHQ = 1) effects. In light of the findings presented here, and to our understanding, the primary factor contributing to lower levels of PTEs in MPs in Zabol City markets is the cultivation of plants in nonindustrialized areas, separate from urban and industrial zones. This practice keeps them from environmental contaminations, including soil quality and water sources. It is recommended that it is essential to regulate the sources that enhance the transfer of PTEs and other harmful pollutants from surroundings to the soil and, consequently, MPs. It is also suggested that, like chemical drugs, MPs should undergo rigorous testing by quality control agencies before being made available to the market.

[Determination of 22 elements in whole blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry].

Objective: To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of 22 elements, including beryllium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, calcium, magnesium, barium, cobalt, cadmium, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, titanium, strontium, nickel, molybdenum, tin, antimony, thallium and lead, in whole blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) . Methods: In September 2023, the analysis conditions were determined by optimizing the detection mode of the instrument, the pretreatment mode and the dilution factor of the samples, etc. Whole blood samples were diluted with a mixture of 0.1% nitric acid and 0.05% triton X-100, and centrifuged at 2000 r/min by high-speed centrifuge for 2 min. The supernatant was taken into inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to determine the content of 22 elements, and the detection limit and precision of the method were analyzed. Results: The 22 elements had a good linear relationship in their respective measurement ranges (r=0.9991-0.9999), the detection limit ranged from 0.003 µg/L to 0.012 mg/L. The intra-batch precision ranged from 0.5% to 7.2%, the inter-batch precision ranged from 0.4% to 9.4%, and the average recoveries ranged from 80.6% to 114.9%. Conclusion: ICP-MS method has a good effect on the determination of 22 elements in whole blood. The method is fast and simple, and can be used for clinical detection of multiple elements in whole blood.

The Role of Trace Metals in the Development and Progression of Prostate Cancer.

Over the years, prostate cancer (PCa) research has been of great interest, and trace metals have attracted a lot of attention due to their association with prostate cancer development and progression. PCa has a complex etiology, with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors being implicated. Trace metals such as zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) have garnered much attention in recent years, suspected of having direct links to the modulation of cancer risk and progression through their impacts on prostate cancer omics (genomics, epigenetics, proteomics, and transcriptomics). This has led to them being the subject of extensive research in this regard. In this review, we explored the influence of trace metals and offered a comprehensive analysis of the current knowledge on how trace metals affect the biology of prostate cancer at a molecular level by integrating findings from the recent literature to help suggest possible directions for future research.

Bones or Stones: How Can We Apply Geophysical Techniques in Bone Research?

Some studies have used physical techniques for the assessment of bone structure and composition. However, very few studies applied multiple techniques, such as those described below, at the same time. The aim of our study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical/organic composition of bovine tibial bone samples using geophysical/geochemical reference techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR), inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) were applied to measure the organic and inorganic composition of 14 bovine bone samples. In addition, peripheral quantitative CT (QCT) was used to assess BMD in these bones. We were able to define the total composition of the studied bone samples. ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques were used to determine the major and trace element composition. The X-ray analysis could detect inorganic crystalline compounds of bones, such as bioapatite, and its degree of ordering, indicating whether the bones belong to a younger or older individual. The total volatile content of the samples was calculated using TG and resulted in about 35 weight% (wt%). This, together with the 65 wt% total resulting from the chemical analysis (i.e., inorganic components), yielded a total approaching 100 wt%. As a large portion of the volatile content (H2O, CO2, etc.) was liberated from the organic components and, subordinately, from bioapatite, it could be concluded that the volatile-to-solid ratio of the examined bone samples was ~35:65. The FTIR-ATR analysis revealed that the organic portion consists of collagens containing amide groups, as their typical bands (OH, CH, CO, NC) were clearly identified in the infrared spectra. Numerous parameters of bone composition correlated with BMD as determined by QCT. In conclusion, we performed a complex evaluation of bovine bones to test multiple geophysical/geochemical techniques in bone research in association with QCT bone densitometry. From a medical point of view, the composition of the studied bones could be reliably examined by these methods.

Pre- and Postnatal Vitamin A Deficiency Impairs Motor Skills without a Consistent Effect on Trace Mineral Status in Young Mice.

Pregnant women and children are vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which is often compounded by concurrent deficiencies in other micronutrients, particularly iron and zinc, in developing countries. The study investigated the effects of early-life VAD on motor and cognitive development and trace mineral status in a mouse model. C57BL/6J dams were fed either a vitamin A-adequate (VR) or -deficient (VD) diet across two consecutive gestations and lactations. Offspring from both gestations (G1 and G2) continued the same diets until 6 or 9 weeks of age. Behavioral assays were conducted to evaluate motor coordination, grip strength, spatial cognition, and anxiety. Hepatic trace minerals were analyzed. A VD diet depleted hepatic retinoids and reduced plasma retinol across all ages and gestations. Retracted rear legs and abnormal gait were the most common clinical manifestations observed in VD offspring from both gestations at 9 weeks. Poor performance on the Rotarod test further confirmed their motor dysfunction. VAD didn't affect hemoglobin levels and had no consistent effect on hepatic trace mineral concentrations. These findings highlight the critical role of vitamin A in motor development. There was no clear evidence that VAD alters the risk of iron deficiency anemia or trace minerals.

Determination of nutritional sufficiency ranges for pomelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) grown on alluvial soils using DRIS.

Pomelo is an important tropical fruit with a high nutrient content and economic value in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) helps determine the leaf nutrient status of various plants worldwide. However, the DRIS-based nutritional balance in pomelo leaves remains to be established. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to (i) construct the DRIS norms and indices for nutrients, including macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn) in pomelo leaves, and (ii) establish nutrient sufficiency value ranges for sustainable pomelo cultivation in the VMD. We collected 270 leaf samples at three stages of pomelo growth, i.e., flowering, fruit development, and postharvest, and calculated DRIS indices for various nutrients. The DRIS indices established for various nutrients in pomelo leaves were accurate and reliable, as indicated by the high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.43-0.93, p < 0.05) between nutrient concentrations and their DRIS indices. We observed that pomelo leaves were deficient in N (IN = -6.82), P (IP = -24.0), and Fe (IFe = -0.40) at the flowering stage and most deficient in P (IP = -15.6), K (IK = -11.7), Fe (IFe = -0.50), and Mn (IMn = -2.31) at the fruit development stage. However, only N (IN = -2.64) and P (IP = -13.4) shortages were observed at the postharvest stage. Thus, in this study, we evaluated nutrient value ranges (deficient, balanced, and excess) in pomelo leaves at their different growth stages and established DRIS indices for various nutrients. The results contribute to our understanding of the nutritional status of pomelo leaves, which can help growers improve plant health for sustainable pomelo production.

Exploring Associations and Mediating Factors between Multiple Trace Metals with Anemia in US Adults: Insight from NHANES 2017-2020.

BACKGROUND: Anemia significantly contributes to the global disease burden, with its incidence potentially influenced by the trace metal content within the body. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the associations between trace metals and anemia risk, with a particular focus on investigating the potential mediating roles of iron status and inflammation in these associations. METHODS: Five trace metals (Ni, Co, Mn, Se, and Mo) were examined in 1274 US adults, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020. The individual and combined effects of these metals on anemia were assessed using logistic regression, quantile g-computation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). A sex-stratified analysis was conducted to discern any gender-specific susceptibilities. Additionally, mediation analysis was employed to explore the potential mediating roles of iron status and inflammation in the associations between these metals and anemia. RESULTS: Increased risks of anemia were positively associated with Co and Ni levels but negatively correlated with Se and Mn levels (all with p < 0.05). The trace metal mixture was negatively associated with anemia, with the highest weights of Co and Se in different directions in both the QGC and BKMR models. In the sex-specific analysis, we observed less pronounced protective effects from trace metals in females. Moreover, the mediating proportion of the iron status and inflammation in these relationships ranged from 10.29% to 58.18%. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the trace element mixture was associated with decreased anemia risk, among which Se was a protective factor while Co was a risk factor, and females were more susceptible. The effects of these trace metals on anemia may be mediated by the iron status and inflammation.

Advanced chelate technology-based trace minerals reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in Eimeria-infected broilers by modulating NF-kB and Nrf2 pathways.

This study investigated the effects of substituting inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with advanced chelate technology-based TM (ACTM) in broiler chicken feed on productive performance, metabolic profile, humoral immunity, antioxidant status, and modulation of NF-kB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in mixed Eimeria species exposure. The study involved 480 newly hatched male broiler chickens, which were divided into 5 treatment groups, each with 6 replicate cages and 16 chickens per replicate. The experimental treatments included an uninfected negative control group fed a basal diet with recommended inorganic TM levels (NC), an infected positive control group fed the same diet (PC), a PC group supplemented with salinomycin (SAL), and two PC groups in which the basal diet was replaced with 50% and 100% ACTM instead of inorganic TM (ACTM50 and ACTM100, respectively). All groups, except for the NC group, were orally challenged with mixed Eimeria species oocysts on day 14. According to the results, the PC group showed lower feed intake, breast yield, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration, lactobacillus spp. counts, and serum IgG levels, but higher jejunal TGF-ß expression versus the NC group. The broilers in the NC, SAL, and ACTM100 groups showed higher body weight gain, carcass yield, and TGF-ß expression, but lower serum alkaline phosphatase activity, ileal E. coli count, and jejunal expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IFN-γ, Nrf2, and SOD1 compared to the PC group, with the NC group having the highest body weight gain and lowest IL-1ß and Nrf2 expression levels. Furthermore, the administration of ACTM100 treatment improved feed efficiency, increased serum iron, zinc, manganese, and copper levels, enhanced total antioxidant capacity and different antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced malondialdehyde concentration. In conclusion, complete replacement of ITM with ACTM effectively protects broilers from Eimeria infection, with similar positive effects to SAL treatment in terms of productive performance and anti-inflammatory responses and better antioxidant responses and mineral availability.

Seasonal dynamics in microbial trace metals transporters during phytoplankton blooms in the Southern Ocean.

Trace metals are required as cofactors in metalloproteins that are essential in microbial metabolism and growth. The microbial requirements of diverse metals and the capabilities of prokaryotic taxa to acquire these metals remain poorly understood. We present here results from metagenomic observations over an entire productive season in the region off Kerguelen Island (Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean). We observed seasonal patterns in the abundance of prokaryotic transporters of seven trace elements (zinc [Zn], manganese [Mn], nickel [Ni], molybdenum [Mo], tungsten [W], copper [Cu] and cobalt [Co]) and the consecutive spring and summer phytoplankton blooms were strong drivers of these temporal trends. Taxonomic affiliation of the functional genes revealed that Rhodobacteraceae had a broad repertoire of trace metal transporters (Mn, Zn, Ni, W and Mo) and a more restricted set was observed for other prokaryotic groups, such as Flavobacteriaceae (Zn), Nitrincolaceae (Ni and W) and Thioglobaceae (Mo). The prevalence of trace metal transporters within a prokaryotic group, as determined on the family level, was overall confirmed in representative metagenome-assembled genomes. We discuss the potential involvement of prokaryotic groups in processes related to organic matter utilisation that require these metals and the consequences on carbon and trace metal cycling in surface waters of the Southern Ocean.

Tracing troubles: Unveiling the hidden impact of inorganic contamination on juvenile green sea turtle.

Human activities and climate change have negatively affected the world's oceans, leading to a decline of 30 to 60 % in coastal ecosystems' biodiversity and habitats. The projected increase in the human population to 9.7 billion by 2050 raises concerns about the sustainability of marine ecosystem conservation and exploitation. Marine turtles, as sentinel species, accumulate contaminants, including trace elements, due to their extensive migration and long-life span. However, there is a lack of data on the degree of contamination and their effects on marine turtles' health. This study focuses on assessing in-situ inorganic contamination in juvenile green sea turtles from La Réunion Island and its short-term impact on individual health, using conventional biomarkers and proteomics. The goals include examining contamination patterns in different tissues and identifying potential new biomarkers for long-term monitoring and conservation efforts. The study identified differential metal contamination between blood and scute samples, which could help illuminate temporal exposure to trace elements in turtle individuals. We also found that some conventional biomarkers were related to trace element exposure, while the proteome responded differently to various contaminant mixtures. Immune processes, cellular organization, and metabolism were impacted, indicating that contaminant mixtures in the wild would have an effect on turtle's health. Fifteen biomarker candidates associated with strong molecular responses of sea turtle to trace element contamination are proposed for future long-term monitoring. The findings emphasize the importance of using proteomic approaches to detect subtle physiological responses to contaminants in the wild and support the need for non-targeted analysis of trace elements in the biomonitoring of sea turtle health.

Soil contamination by trace elements and radioelements and related environmental risks in agricultural soils of the M'Dhilla Basin (southwestern Tunisia).

Agricultural soil contaminated by phosphogypsum pile stocked in plan air remains a major problem in M'Dhilla city southwestern of Tunisia. The present effort aimed to enhance the knowledge of trace elements and radioactivity abundance and to assess the corresponding environment. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to evaluate the trace elements, radioactive elements, and major element concentrations. Our finding revealed that the mean values of U and Th in all the soil profiles ranged from 0.283 to 2.875 mg.kg-1 and from 0.797 to 1.491 mg.kg-1 respectively. The statistical analyses indicated that uranium abundance has non-significant correlation with the most of trace metals; it shows a moderate correlated with Sr and inverse correlation with P2O5. Contamination factors indicate that the studied soil ranged from uncontaminated to significantly contaminated. Thus, the pollution load index values classify the sites from background values to high pollution sites. The findings of this study will help improve the environmental conditions of M'Dhilla city by addressing contamination issues through targeted interventions. The study's findings highlight the importance of a periodic environmental monitoring such as soil remediation in the study area. This research fills a critical gap in the current understanding of contamination management in this region.

Potential benefits of advanced chelate-based trace minerals in improving bone mineralization, antioxidant status, immunity, and gene expression modulation in heat-stressed broilers.

Organic sources of trace minerals (TM) in broiler diets are more bioavailable and stable than inorganic sources, making them particularly beneficial during challenging periods such as heat stress (HS) conditions. A 42-d study investigated the effects of using advanced chelate technology-based TM (ACTM) or adding varying amounts of ACTM to broiler diets during HS conditions. The study involved 672 male broiler chickens in 7 treatment groups, including a thermoneutral control (TNC) group and six HS treatments. There were 8 replicate pens per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. The six HS treatments included birds exposed to a cyclic HS environment (34°C) for 8 h and were as follows: HSC, which consisted of the same basal diet with the recommended ITM levels; ACTM50 and ACTM100, which replaced the basal diet with 50% and 100% ACTM instead of ITM; ITM+ACTM12.5 and ITM+ACTM25, which involved adding extra ACTM to the ITM basal diet at 12.5% and 25%, respectively; and ITM125, which used 125% of the recommended levels of ITM in the basal diet. Compared with the HSC treatment, the TNC, ACTM100, and ITM+ACTM25 treatments resulted in increased (P < 0.05) body weight; tibia weight; tibia ash, phosphorus, iron, and manganese contents; secondary antibody titers; and serum TAC and SOD values but decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA concentrations and the expression levels of the hepatic genes IL-1ß, IL-6, and INF-γ. The TNC and ACTM100 groups also showed greater (P < 0.05) feed efficiency, tibia length, tibia zinc content, and hepatic SOD1 expression but exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) hepatic NF-kB expression. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in primary anti-NDV titers, serum GPx1 activity, and Nrf2 and GPx1 gene expression levels were also detected in the ACTM100, ITM+ACTM12.5, and ITM+ACTM25 groups. In conclusion, the findings suggest that replacing ITM with ACTM or adding ACTM to ITM diets, especially at a 25% higher dose, can effectively protect broilers from heat stress by promoting growth, reducing inflammation, and increasing the expression of antioxidant proteins.

Food Supplements Containing Iron-Comparison of Actual Content with Declared Content and Health Consequences.

The use of food supplements (FSs) is becoming an increasingly common trend observed in society. This is related to frequently observed nutritional deficiencies and the inability to provide sufficient amounts of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, through the diet. The ease of registering FSs sometimes results in low-quality preparations on the market. Therefore, our research aimed to assess the content of one of the most popular trace element components, iron (Fe), in FSs available in Poland. This study covered 109 preparations purchased from stationary pharmacies and online pharmacies. The following criteria were used to characterize FSs in the data analysis: the Fe content declared by the manufacturer, pharmaceutical form, type of Fe salt, manufacturer's country of origin, contents of other trace elements or minerals, presence of additional ingredients, age of the target group, and addition of vitamins B2, B6, B12, and C. The Fe content was quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry after mineralization using microwaves. It was demonstrated that 69.73% of the preparations contained more Fe than the value declared by the manufacturer (and corrected for permissible deviations), 11.00% contained less Fe than declared, and only 19.27% were within the norm. In summary, the FS market requires the improvement of manufacturing processes and increased control, which should translate into patient safety.

Elemental composition and health risk assessment of PM10, PM2.5, at different microenvironments: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This study was designed to evaluate the health risks faced by inhabitants living in the slum areas of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 and elemental composition of the PM10 were measured in indoors (in the kitchen and living room) and outdoors (at the roadside). A total of 75 sampling locations (45 indoor and 30 outdoor) were selected for the study. The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were determined using an AROCET531S instrument, while an universal air pump was used for the sampling of PM10 for the determination of trace elements by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‒OES). The health impacts of PMs on the inhabitants of twelve microenvironments (MEs), where they spend much of their daily time, were estimated. The total amounts of PM2.5 and PM10, and trace metals in PM10 found in the nine or twelve MEs ranged from 10.6-119, 128-185, and 0.007-0.197 µg m-3, respectively. According to the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines, ten of the twelve MEs can cause significant health problems for inhabitants (HI > 1) due to PM2.5 and PM10. Thus, special attention should be given by stakeholders/inhabitants to minimize the health impacts on long-term exposure. This study assessed the risk of levels of trace elements on the inhabitants who spend most of their daily lives. The study revealed that the lifetime cancer risk values for the individual and cumulative trace elements were within the tolerable range set by the USEPA guidelines.