Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential.

The paper provides a comprehensive examination of heavy metal stress on medicinal plants, focusing on its impact on antioxidant capacity and biosynthetic pathways critical to their therapeutic potential. It explores the complex relationship between heavy metals and the physiological and biochemical responses of medicinal plants, highlighting how metal stress disrupts biosynthetic pathways, altering concentrations of secondary metabolites. This disruption may compromise the overall quality and efficacy of medicinal plants, requiring a holistic understanding of its cumulative impacts. Furthermore, the study discusses the potential of targeted genetic editing to enhance plant resilience against heavy metal stress by manipulating genes associated with antioxidant defenses. This approach represents a promising frontier in safeguarding medicinal plants in metal-contaminated environments. Additionally, the research investigates the role of phytohormone signaling in plant adaptive mechanisms to heavy metal stress, revealing its influence on biochemical and physiological responses, thereby adding complexity to plant adaptation. The study underscores the importance of innovative technologies and global cooperation in protecting medicinal plants' therapeutic potential and highlights the need for mitigation strategies to address heavy metal contamination effectively.

Studies of Mycotoxins in Medicinal Plants Conducted Worldwide over the Last Decade: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Exposure Risk Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins have been reported to be present in medicinal plants. With the growing usage of medicinal plants, contamination of mycotoxins has emerged as one of the biggest threats to global food hygiene and ecological environment, posing a severe threat to human health. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the mycotoxin prevalence and levels in medicinal plants and conduct a risk assessment by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A thorough search on Web of Science and PubMed was conducted for the last decade, resulting in 54 studies (meeting the inclusion criteria) with 2829 data items that were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The combined prevalence of mycotoxins in medicinal plants was 1.7% (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.1% - 2.4%), with a mean mycotoxin concentration in medicinal plants of 3.551 µg/kg (95% CI = 3.461 - 3.641 µg/kg). Risk assessment results indicated that aflatoxins and ochratoxin A found in several medicinal plants posed a health risk to humans; additionally, emerging enniatins exhibited possible health risks. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the study underlines the need for establishing stringent control measures to reduce the severity of mycotoxin contamination in medicinal plants.

Ethnobotanical, ecological and health risk assessment of some selected wild medicinal plants collected along mafic and Ultra Mafic rocks of Northwest Pakistan.

The current study investigated wild plant resources and health risk assessment along with northern Pakistan's mafic and ultramafic regions. Ethnobotanical data was collected through field visits and semi-structured questionnaire surveys conducted from local inhabitants and healers. Six potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were extracted with acids and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS, Perkin Elmer-7000) in nine selected wild medicinal plants. Contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) were used to determine the health risk assessment of the studied medicinal plants. The results showed that the selected medicinal plants were used for the treatments of cough, joint swelling, cardiovascular disorders, toothaches, diabetes, and skin pimples by the local inhabitants due to their low-cost and easy accessibility. The concentrations of Pb (3.4-53 mg kg-1), Cd (0.03-0.39 mg kg-1), Ni (17.5-82 mg kg-1), Cr (29-315 mg kg-1), Mn (20-142 mg kg-1), and Zn (7.4-64 mg kg-1) in the studied medicinal plants were found above the safe limits (except Zn) set by WHO/FAO/USEPA (1984/2010). The Pb contamination factor was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in A. modesta (7.84) and D. viscosa (6.81), and Cd contamination factor was significantly higher in C. officinalis (26.67), followed by A. modesta (8.0) mg kg-1. Based on PTE concentrations, the studied plants are considered not suitable for human consumption purposes. Pollution load index values for A. modesta, A. barbadensis, A. caudatus, A. indica, C. procera (2.93), D. viscosa (2.79), and C. officinalis (2.83), R. hastatus (3.12), and Z. armatum were observed as 1.00, 2.80, 2.29, 2.29, 2.93, 2.79, 2.83, 3.12 and 2.19, respectively. Hazard index values were in order of R. hastatus (1.32 × 10-1) ˃ C. procera (1.21 × 10-1) ˃ D. viscosa (1.10 × 10-1) ˃ A. caudatus (9.11 × 10-2) ˃ A. barbadensis (8.66 × 10-2) ˃ Z. armatum (7.99 × 10-2) ˃ A. indica (6.87 × 10-2) ˃ A. modesta (5.6 × 10-2) ˃ C. officinalis (5.42 × 10-2). The health risk index values suggested that consumption of these plants individually or in combination would cause severe health problems in the consumers. Pearson's correlation results showed a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) between Zn and Mn in the studied medicinal plants. The current study suggests that wild medicinal plants should be adequately addressed for PTEs and other carcinogenic pollutants before their uses in the study area. Open dumping of mining waste should be banned and eco-friendly technology like organic amendments application should be used to mitigate PTEs in the study area.

Nickel uptake in leafy greens from contaminated soil: an investigation into phytoavailability and health risk assessment using in vitro digestion model.

Nickel (Ni) is a toxic metal that not only pollutes the environment but also causes harmful impacts on plant growth and human health. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the relationship between the phytoavailability of Ni in soil and its accumulation in edible and non-edible parts of vegetables. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate Ni uptake in three different leafy vegetables, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), grown in soil artificially contaminated with Ni at three different treatment levels (100 mg kg-1, 200 mg kg-1, and 300 mg kg-1). The potential dietary toxicity of these vegetables in humans was examined by using an in vitro digestion model. The lowest and highest chlorophyll contents were detected in lettuce at 300 mg kg-1 of Ni concentration and in control plants of spinach. Their values were 34.16 ± 3.01 (SPAD unit) and 53 ± 3.7673 (SPAD unit), respectively. Among the three vegetables, lettuce and spinach at 300 mg kg-1 exhibited the highest accumulation of Ni, with 43 mg kg-1 in edible parts and 182 mg kg-1 in non-edible parts. Furthermore, health risk index (HRI) values were found to be > 1 for lettuce and fenugreek at Ni concentrations of 200 and 300 mg kg-1 for both children and adults. The average bioaccessibility of Ni in lettuce, fenugreek, and spinach during the gastrointestinal phase was 32-23%, 24-10%, and 45-37%, respectively, at a Ni concentration of 300 mg kg-1. All three vegetables grown on Ni-contaminated soil may potentially contribute to food chain toxicity. The HRI values being > 1 suggest that these vegetables are unsafe for consumption. Monitoring of Ni concentration in leafy vegetables is essential to minimize human health risks associated with food chain contamination.

Hydrochemistry, quality, and integrated health risk assessments of groundwater in the Huaibei Plain, China.

Groundwater is an essential freshwater resource utilized in industry, agriculture, and daily life. In the Huaibei Plain (HBP), where groundwater significantly influences socio-economic development, information about its quality, hydrochemistry, and related health risks remains limited. We conducted a comprehensive groundwater sampling in the HBP and examined its rock characteristics, water quality index (WQI), and potential health risks. The results revealed that the primary factors shaping groundwater hydrochemistry were rock dissolution and weathering, cation exchange, and anthropogenic activities. WQI assessment indicated that only 73% of the groundwaters is potable, as Fe2+, Mn2+, NO3-, and F- contents in the water could pose non-carcinogenic hazards to humans. Children were more susceptible to these health risks through oral ingestion than adults. Uncertainty analysis indicated that the probabilities of non-carcinogenic risk were approximately 57% and 31% for children and adults, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further identified fluoride as the primary factor influencing non-carcinogenic risks, indicating that reducing fluoride contamination should be prioritized in future groundwater management in the HBP.

The bitter side of teas: Pesticide residues and their impact on human health.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages globally, known for its rich composition of bioactive compounds that offer various health benefits to humans. However, the cultivation of tea plants often faces challenges due to their high vulnerability to pests and diseases, resulting in the heavy use of pesticides. Consequently, pesticide residues can be transferred to tea leaves, compromising their quality and safety and potentially posing risks to human health, including hormonal and reproductive disorders and cancer development. In light of these concerns, this review aims to: (I) present the maximum limits of pesticide residues established by different international regulatory agencies; (II) explore the characteristics of pesticides commonly employed in tea cultivation, encompassing aspects such as digestion, bioaccessibility, and the behavior of pesticide transfer; and (III) discuss the effectiveness of detection and removal methods for pesticides, the impacts of pesticides on both tea plants and human health and investigate emerging alternatives to replace these substances. By addressing these critical aspects, this review provides valuable insights into the management of pesticide residues in tea production, with the goal of ensuring the production of safe, high-quality tea while minimizing adverse effects on human health.

Students are at risk? Elucidating the impact of health risks of COVID-19 on emotional exhaustion and academic performance: role of mindfulness and online interaction quality.

Although previous online learning studies have looked at how student outcomes are influenced in different settings, this study is unique in that it looks at the role of COVID-19 as a particular stressor. This study discussed how students' perceptions of health risks of COVID-19 (PHRC) influenced their academic performance through emotional exhaustion. This study also looked at how mindfulness and online interaction quality (OIQ) affected PHRC's direct effects on exhaustion, as well as PHRC's indirect effects on academic performance via exhaustion. The data for the current study were collected from 336 students in three waves who were studying online during COVID-19. The results through structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that PHRC influenced academic performance. The results further revealed that mindfulness and OIQ attenuated the direct effects of PHRC on emotional exhaustion as well as indirect effects on academic performance through emotional exhaustion. This study provides some novel implications for practice and research.

Selenium and toxic metals in human hair of the Dashan Region, China: Concentrations, sources, and antagonism effect.

The Dashan Region was a Se-rich region of China. In this study, 131 residents' human hair samples were collected. The concentrations of Se and toxic metals were analyzed, and the health risk was estimated using the concentration data. Cd and As concentrations were significantly higher than in East China. Se and most toxic metal concentrations increased with age (except for the aged people). Furthermore, gender and smoking habits might have a significant impact on toxic metals and Se levels. Multivariable statistics analysis revealed that Se and toxic metals primarily originate in the environment and are then transferred to the human body via the food chain. Dietary habits had an effect on the Se and As concentrations in hair, according to the results of stable isotope analysis. To assess detoxification ability, the Se/ toxic metal molar ratio was used as an indicator. The results demonstrated that the antagonistic effect of Se and Cd, As, Cr, and Hg (molar ratio > 1) could effectively protect residents in the study area from Cd and As pollution in daily life.

Health Risk Study of Heavy Metals from Consumption of Drugs (Solid and Liquid) Samples Derived from Medicinal Plants in Iraq.

Heavy metals are one of the carcinogenic factors harmful to the safety of human health. In plant-based medications, heavy metals can be found. In February 2022, 28 specimens of medicinal drugs (solid and liquid) were collected from Texas drugstores to investigate heavy metals like zinc, iron, and lead utilizing a Shimadzu AA-7000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The current study used a US EPA model to calculate non-cancer and cancer risk parameters for heavy metals in all medicinal drug specimens. Zinc, iron, and lead levels (mg/kg) in solid samples were 1.95-51.43, 29.09-2055.92, and ND-26.68, respectively, while they were 0.043-4.267, 0.100-5.25, and ND-1.434, respectively, in liquid specimens. The average value of total non-cancer risk (TNCR or HII) and total cancer risk (TCCR) of heavy metals intake in solid specimens was 4.54E - 03 ± 1.1E - 03 and 2.11E - 06 ± 6.0E - 07, while in liquid specimens were 1.98E - 04 ± 4.1E - 05 and 9.44E - 09 ± 2.3E - 09, respectively. Compared to liquid specimens, solid specimens have higher concentrations of heavy metals. The zinc, iron, and lead concentrations in the liquid specimens were lower than the WHO-acceptable standards of 50, 20, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand, few solid specimen results are more than acceptable. However, all the specimens' TNCR and TCCR results were within the US EPA's globally recommended limits. Finally, the results of the heavy metals show no health hazards associated with using the researched medications.

Distribution characteristics, air-water exchange, ozone formation potential and health risk assessments of VOCs emitted from typical coking wastewater treatment process.

Coking industry has been considered as important source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. However, few studies have emphasized the occurrence and adverse effects of VOCs from coking wastewater treatment processes. In this research, pollution profiles of both air and water phase VOCs in a typical coking wastewater treatment plant were investigated in terms of distribution characteristics, air-water exchange, ozone formation potential (OFP) and associated human health risks. Thirty VOCs were detected in the air phase, in which benzene and naphthalene were found to be the major VOCs with total contribution of 87.81 %. Nineteen VOCs were detected in the water phase, in which benzene, naphthalene and toluene contribute most to total VOCs with total contribution of 75.1 %. The regulating tank (RT) was the major source of VOCs, and the emission rate of total VOCs from all unites was 2711.03 g/d with annual emission of 0.99 t. The emission factor was estimated to be 1.36 g VOCs/m3 wastewater. The air-water exchange was assessed using the Fugacity model, and water-to-air volatilization was predominant based on the net flux of air-water exchange. OFP evaluated by emission factor indicated that the total OFP in RT was the highest (1.52 g O3/m3 wastewater), and toluene contributed 41.8 % of the total OFP, followed by naphthalene accounting for 38.7 % The total carcinogenic risks were in the range of 8.60 × 10-6 to 2.18 × 10-3, in which the RT exceeded the significant risk threshold (>1 × 10-4). The non-carcinogenic risks of hazard quotient value in RT also exceeded the risk threshold (>1), and naphthalene was the major contributor accounting for 79.02 %. These results not only provided comprehensive knowledge on pollution profiles and environmental risks of VOCs during coking wastewater treatment processes, but also facilitated the implement of VOCs regulation and occupational health protection strategies in coking industries.

Measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible oils and potential health risk to consumers using Monte Carlo simulation, southwest Iran.

Persistent organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are hazardous trace contaminants frequently observed in food ingredients, such as edible oils. This study aimed to measure PAHs in forty brands of edible oils marketed in southwest Iran. Additionally, we characterized the daily intake of MOE and ILCR using Monte Carlo simulation. To analyze the content of PAHs, the liquid-liquid extraction method followed by GC-MS was utilized. The average concentration of PAHs was mostly lower than the maximum value for individual PAH (2 µg/Kg); however, the average concentration of fluorene (3.86 µg/Kg) and benzo(a)anthracene (3.13 µg/Kg) was more than the permitted level. The highest residual concentrations of PAHs were mostly observed in canola and corn oils. The daily intake of BaP and 4-PAH for 95% of consumers was 0.01 ng/kg BW/day and 0.04 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Also, MOE was more than 10,000 for the percentiles of 5%, 50%, and 95%. The modeled ILCR showed that consumption of oil does not currently pose a cancer risk for Iranian consumers due to PAHs exposure. Concerning potential health risks, consumption of edible oils is safe; however, regular monitoring and assessment are required.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants utilized in the management of candidiasis in Northern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of resistant Candida species to antifungal drugs has led to resurgence in herbal usage globally. However, little is known about anti-candida plants. This study explored ethnomedicinal plants as treatment option for candidiasis in Pader, Northern Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of potential anti-candida plants was conducted using questionnaires, focus group discussions and field observations in March 2022. Sixty-three respondents were selected by snowball technique. The frequencies of respondents/responses were analyzed, associations of respondents' socio-demographics with indigenous knowledge of herbal usage established by Chi-square (χ2) test using SPSS 27. Informant Consensus Factor was computed to establish level of agreement on herbal usage, and thematic analysis done for focus group discussions. RESULTS: Candidiasis is still common and troublesome in Pader. All herbalist had equal chances of receiving and treating candidiasis patients irrespective of herbalist's gender, age, education level, occupation, marital status and religion (p > 0.05). About 39.7% of herbalists received candidiasis patients weekly (p < 0.01). All herbalists had knowledge on candidiasis. Death (56.8%) and discomfort (36.8%) were the major health risks of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), respectively. A total of 32 potential anti-candida plant species in 18 families were identified. Families of Fabaceae (9 species) and Asteraceae (5 species) had most plant species. Trees (50.0%) and herbs (43.8%) were the dominant life forms. The commonest plants by frequency of mention were: Momordica foetida (26), Sansevieria dawei (20), Khaya anthotheca (15), Piliostigma thonningii (10), Clerodendrum umbellatum (7), Hallea rubrostipulata (5) and unidentified plant, 'Agaba/daa layata' in Acholi dialect (5). Plant parts mainly used were roots (56.3%) and stem barks (15.6%) harvested majorly by cutting (46.9%) and uprooting (12.5%). Most respondents (females, 95%) preferred herbal to western medication (p < 0.01) due to its perceived effectiveness. There was high consensus among herbalists on herbal remedies for OPC and VVC (FIC = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS:  Pader communities have diverse indigenous knowledge on candidiasis and prefer herbal medicines to orthodox treatment for candidiasis. However, the herbalists use unsustainable harvesting techniques like uprooting whole plants and cutting main roots. Hence, the need to document such indigenous knowledge before being lost for community usage and scientific validation.

Profiles and health risks (STIs, HCV, HIV) of injecting drug users.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is twofold: to present the sociodemographic profiles of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Togo and to assess the prevalence of health risks (sexually transmitted infections [STIs], the hepatitis C virus, and HIV), the problems linked to drug injection, and the factors characterizing PWIDs. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Using a questionnaire, this cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 384 PWIDs in Togo. The questionnaire focused on sociodemographic characteristics, consumption history, and known health problems and risks. Snowball sampling allowed for data collection in all regions of the country. RESULTS: In the sampling, the results revealed prevalence of 17% for STIs and 53% for the hepatitis C virus. The onset of medical problems and STI signs was significantly triggered when the person was female, over 25 years of age, polygamous, not attending school, unemployed, and had been using drugs for more than five years. Moreover, reused injection equipment was shown to be associated with the high STI prevalence. CONCLUSION: Drug injection is dangerous and results in numerous health problems. This study shows that PWID vulnerability of stems from specific characteristics, such as being uneducated, single, unemployed, bereft of parents, and having a low monthly income. Additional research is required to further investigate the health risks associated with drug injection in view of providing PWIDs with comprehensive care.

Inhalation risk to PAHs and BTEX during barbecuing: The role of fuel/food type and route of exposure.

The manuscript presents an innovative and holistic approach to quantifying PAHs and BTEX emissions from the grilling process and indicates a novel driven-toxicity-based solution to recognize health effects related to BBQ emissions. The exposure scenario includes the type of grilling device, food type, and individual attitudes, but also a keen understanding of the broad health implications related to the gaseous/particulate PAHs emission, or age-related effects. The calculated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) associated with the exposure to PAH congeners and BTEX indicates an unacceptable level in the case of charcoal and briquette grilling with the highest values for professional cooks. The sum of 15 PAH concentrations in grilled foods was highest for meat grilling over charcoal briquettes - 382,020.39 ng/m3 and lowest for meat grilling on a gas grill - 1442.16 ng/m3. The emissions of BTEX from lump charcoal grilling were 130 times higher compared to the gaseous grill. In all considered scenarios lump-charcoal and charcoal briquettes grilling derive the ILCR above the 10-4, indicating negative effects of traditional grills on human health. The paper completes knowledge of wide-ranging health implications associated with BBQs, a topic that is almost completely unaddressed among the scientific community and policymakers.

Microcystin pollution in lakes and reservoirs: A nationwide meta-analysis and assessment in China.

The frequent occurrence of microcystins (MCs) has caused a series of water security issues worldwide. Although MC pollution in natural waters of China has been reported, a systematic analysis of the risk of MCs in Chinese lakes and reservoirs is still lacking. In this study, the distribution, trend, and risk of MCs in Chinese lakes and reservoirs were comprehensively revealed through meta-analysis for the first time. The results showed that MC pollution occurrence in numerous lakes and reservoirs have been reported, with MC pollution being distributed in the waters of 15 provinces in China. For lakes, the maximum mean total MC (TMC) and dissolved MC (DMC) concentrations occurred in Lake Dianchi (23.06 µg/L) and Lake Taihu (1.00 µg/L), respectively. For reservoirs, the maximum mean TMC and DMC concentrations were detected in Guanting (4.31 µg/L) and Yanghe reservoirs (0.98 µg/L), respectively. The TMC concentrations in lakes were significantly higher than those in the reservoirs (p < 0.05), but no difference was observed in the DMC between the two water bodies (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the total phosphorus concentrations, pH, transparency, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen were significantly related to the DMC in lakes and reservoirs. The ecological risks of DMC in Chinese lakes and reservoirs were generally at low levels, but high or moderate ecological risks of TMC had occurred in several waters, which were not negligible. Direct drinking water and consumption of aquatic products in several MC-polluted lakes and reservoirs may pose human health risks. This study systematically analyzed the pollution and risk of MCs in lakes and reservoirs nationwide in China and pointed out the need for further MC research and management in waters.

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in traditional Chinese medicine materials (TCMMs): A critical review.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has accumulated a wealth of ecological wisdom and is regarded as an outstanding cultural and medical resource in China. However, in the context of serious environmental pollution, the potential harm caused by TCM materials (TCMMs) due to toxic heavy metals has seriously affected the sustainable development of TCM. Cadmium (Cd) is an internationally recognized heavy metal contaminant. In this paper, 270 reports on Cd in TCMMs were screened from 1969 publications covering 243 species in 81 families. According to the source of the TCMMs, the data were divided into the following categories: aboveground part, bark, flower and fruit, herb, leaf and rhizome. The temporal dynamics of the Cd content and its correlations with the habitats and categories (parts) of TCMMs were also studied. The results show that 22.05 % of the investigated TCMM samples exceeded the relevant domestic standards (Cd≤0.3 mg/kg), among which the maximum Cd content was 17.75 mg/kg. Myrtaceae and Syzygium aromaticum were the family and species with the highest mean Cd content, respectively. Regarding the source of TCMMs of great concern, the mean Cd content of TCMMs decreased in the order of herb > aboveground part > flower and fruit > leaf > rhizome > bark. In addition, in terms of the spatiotemporal distribution, the spatial distribution of the mean Cd content of TCMMs was significantly higher on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, followed by Southwest China. When comparing different times, more serious Cd pollution of TCMMs existed after 2000, and the highest mean Cd content was observed in 2000-2004. In summary, soil acidity must be decreased and the cultivation conditions of Cd-hyperaccumulators such as Ligusticum chuanxiong and Lonicera japonica must be modified, in conjunction with a scientific health risk assessment, to ensure the sustainable development of TCMMs.

Effects of Cadmium on Physiochemistry and Bioactive Substances of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.).

Muskmelon pedicel is the fruit stalk of muskmelon and one of the traditional Chinese medicines, which can be used to treat jaundice, diabetes and neuropathy. However, in recent years, agricultural soil heavy metal cadmium (Cd) pollution has become serious, coupled with the imperfect sales management of herbal medicine, increasing the potential health risk of contaminated herbal medicine in the human body. In this paper, the comprehensive quality of contaminated muskmelon was tested. The results showed that Cd stress significantly inhibited the growth of muskmelon plants, reduced the anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents, and increased the fruit size and sweetness of muskmelon. In addition, heavy metal Cd can also cause oxidative stress in plants, resulting in a series of changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. In the experimental group, the content of polyphenols and saponins increased by 27.02% and 23.92%, respectively, after high-concentration Cd treatment, which may be a mechanism of plant resistance to stress. This paper reveals that the content of bioactive substances in Chinese herbal medicine is high, but the harm in heavy metals cannot be underestimated, which should be paid attention to by relevant departments.

Hydrolyzed urine for enhanced valorization and toxicant degradation of wet coffee processing wastes: Implications for soil contamination and health risk reductions.

Coffee pulp (CP) and wastewater, from wet coffee processing plants, pollute water and soil ecosystems unless a greener management system is employed. The aim was to evaluate the effect of hydrolyzed human urine (HU) on the dynamics of total phenol, caffeine, and heavy metals during CP and coffee processing wastewater (CPWW) co-composting. The associated health risks reduction after application for cabbage production was also estimated. For the purpose, five treatments were prepared as C0 (CP, control), C1 (CP + CPWW), C2 (CP + 1:1 CPWW:HU), C3 (CP + 1:2 CPWW:HU) and C4 (CP + 1:3 CPWW:HU). The optimum compost was applied for cabbage cultivation in comparison with mineral fertilizer and without fertilization in a greenhouse. The total phenol reduction was in the order of C1 (77.71%) < C0 (78.66%) < C4 (79.89%) < C3 (91.20%) < C2 (91.48%), and maximum significant reduction of caffeine was also observed in C3 (81.34%) and C2 (82.66%). Pb and Cd were significantly reduced in C2, and Cr in C3 with a reduction of 4.38-15.13%, 12.50-33.00%, and 2.94-19.57%, respectively. The bio-concentration factor decreased in the order of Cd > Cr > Ni > Pb with concentrations, hazard quotient, hazard index (along with phenol) < 1, and cancer risk values below 1.00E-04, indicating very little risk. Thus, supplementing HU enhanced degradation of the anti-nutrient factors, and provide compost that enrich soil nutrients with little health risks of application.

Converting health risks into loss of life years - a paradigm shift in clinical risk communication.

For facilitating risk communication in clinical management, such a ratio-based measure becomes easier to understand if expressed as a loss of life expectancy. The cohort, consisting of 543,410 adults in Taiwan, was recruited between 1994 and 2008. Health risks included lifestyle, biomarkers, and chronic diseases. A total of 18,747 deaths were identified. The Chiang's life table method was used to estimate a loss of life expectancy. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for health risks. The increased mortality from cardio-metabolic risks such as high cholesterol (HR=1.10), hypertension (HR=1.48) or diabetes (HR=2.02) can be converted into a loss of 1.0, 4.4, and 8.9 years in life expectancy, respectively. The top 20 of the 30 risks were associated with a loss of 4 to 10 years of life expectancy, with 70% of the cohort having at least two such risk factors. Smoking, drinking, and physical inactivity each had 5-7 years loss. Individuals with diabetes or an elevated white count had a loss of 7-10 years, while prolonged sitting, the most prevalent risk factor, had a loss of 2-4 years. Those with diabetes (8.9 years) and proteinuria (9.1 years) present at the same time showed a loss of 16.2 years, a number close to the sum of each risk. Health risks, expressed as life expectancy loss, could facilitate risk communication. The paradigm shift in expressing risk intensity can help set public health priorities scientifically to promote a focus on the most important ones in primary care.

Mercury and selenium in squids from the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean: The distribution and human health implications.

Squids are globally distributed. Hg-contaminated squids may have high risks on humans. With abundant Se (antagonistic effect on Hg), the risks can be reduced. We collected squids around the world (Northwest Pacific Ocean, Southeast Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean). Concentrations of Hg and Se were region-based and tissue-based. The higher content of Se were, the lower relative Hg levels were. The correlation between Se:Hg and Se was the strongest in the digestive gland. The values of Se:Hg and THQ all confirm that the health risk was lower in samples with higher concentrations of Se. Despite the risk assessment by Se:Hg, BRV and THQ analysis showed no risk when consumed in moderation, the maximum daily intake is provided based on Monte Carlo simulation. In future, when evaluating the risks cause by Hg exposure and providing the recommended daily amount, it may need to concurrent consideration of Se levels.