ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-22DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090805
Toe Toe Maw, Jiangdi Deng, Bo Li, Yanqun Zu, Zuran Li
{"title":"Single Super Phosphate Improves <i>Lolium perenne</i> Quality and Rhizosphere Microorganism Structure Under Combined Cadmium and Arsenic Stress.","authors":"Toe Toe Maw, Jiangdi Deng, Bo Li, Yanqun Zu, Zuran Li","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090805","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cadmium and arsenic co-contamination found in mining actions indicates major effluence in adjacent farmland soils, disturbing the plant physiology and soil's microbial community. Phosphorus (P) plays a vital role in reducing soil contamination from Cd and As bioavailability and uptake by plants. However, the right P sources for remediation approaches are critical and still require further research in Cd- and As-contaminated soil. This study aimed to explore the effects of different phosphorus fertilizer sources on <i>Lolium perenne</i> growth and its physiological and rhizosphere microbial diversity under combined contamination with Cd and As. Pot experiments were performed with seven treatments including SSP (single super phosphate), DAP (diammonium phosphate), MAP (monoammonium phosphate), CaP (calcium phosphate), HighCaP (high calcium phosphate), RP (rock phosphate), and no phosphorus fertilizer application (CK) with five replications in the RCB design. The SSP treatment showed the greatest plant height (15.7 cm), hay yield (3567.6 kg·ha<sup>-1</sup>), and enhanced antioxidant defense activities. It also achieved the highest phosphorus accumulation rate (0.63 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>) with reduced Cd and As uptake. In addition, SSP promoted higher non-protein sulfhydryl (NPT) and phytochelatin synthetase (PCs) contents along with γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) activity, and enriched the rhizosphere microbial community, where the Sphingomonas abundance was 7.08% higher than for other treatments. Therefore, this result indicates that SSP can improve the yield and physiology in <i>L. perenne</i>, as well as soil the rhizosphere microbial community structure, while reducing Cd and As accumulation in plants under Cd and As stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474417/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of Long-Term Heavy Metal Pollution on Microbial Community Structure in Soil.","authors":"Qiannuo Mi, Yan Wu, Huaisen Cai, Zuben Xu, Yue Zhao, Ronghao Guan, Xin Fan, Jianhua Guo","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090806","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090806","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heavy metal (HM) contamination of soil is a worldwide problem with adverse consequences for the environment and human health. Microorganisms, as the most active fraction in soil, play a pivotal role in assessing changes in soil quality and maintaining ecological equilibrium. Accordingly, screening efficient microorganisms for remediating contaminated soils has emerged as a key research focus. This study employed high-throughput sequencing and conducted in situ field surveys to investigate the impacts of long-term HM pollution with varying severity on soil physicochemical properties, as well as the community structure and diversity of bacteria and fungi. The results showed that the major soil physiochemical properties and the bacterial and fungal β diversity significantly changed with the increase in HM pollution levels. The relative abundances of <i>Chloroflexi</i>, <i>Myxococcota</i> and <i>Nitrospirota</i> among bacteria, along with <i>Chytridiomycota</i> and <i>Talaromyces</i> among fungi, increased significantly with rising HM pollution levels. In low-, medium- and highly contaminated soils, the dominant bacterial species were OTU10618 (<i>Micrococcales</i>), OTU6447 (<i>Chthoniobacterales</i>), and OTU7447 (<i>Burkholderiales</i>), while the dominant fungal species were OTU3669 (<i>Glomerellales</i>), OTU397 (<i>Olpidiales</i>), and OTU2568 (<i>Mortierellales</i>). Bacterial communities were mainly affected by soil-available phosphorus, available cadmium (Cd) and available Pb, while fungal communities were predominantly influenced by soil-available phosphorus, soil organic carbon and total Pb content. These findings demonstrate that soil microorganisms in chronically HM-contaminated soils exhibit adaptive shifts, and this study thereby provides critical implications for assessing the remediation potential of diverse microbial taxa in HM-polluted soils.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474092/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-22DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090803
Raju Kumar Das, Mongsathowai Marma, Al Mizan, Gang Chen, Md Shahin Alam
{"title":"Heavy Metals and Microplastics as Emerging Contaminants in Bangladesh's River Systems: Evidence from Urban-Industrial Corridors.","authors":"Raju Kumar Das, Mongsathowai Marma, Al Mizan, Gang Chen, Md Shahin Alam","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090803","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090803","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urban industrialization is a major driver of water pollution, particularly through emerging contaminants that pose significant health risks for humans and ecosystems. This critical review focuses on Bangladesh's Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, which pass through highly industrialized and urban areas, analyzing contaminant types, sources, pathways, and impacts. By synthesizing data from studies published between 2005 and 2024, the paper examines pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Cu, Fe) and microplastics in water, sediments, and biota. The Buriganga River shows extreme heavy metal contamination, with surface water Cr concentrations reaching up to 167,160 μg/L, Pb up to 3830 μg/L, and Fe up to 30,000 μg/L, and sediment Cr up to 4249 μg/g, Pb up to 3312 μg/g, and Fe up to 15,435 μg/g. In contrast, the Dhaleshwari River exhibits elevated but comparatively lower heavy metal concentrations in surface water (e.g., Cr up to 3350 μg/L; Cd up to 1890 μg/L; Pb up to 1320 μg/L; Ni up to 1732 μg/L; Fe up to 6040 μg/L) and sediments (Cr up to 282 μg/g; Fe up to 14,375 μg/g). Microplastic contamination in Buriganga is widespread across water, sediments, and biota and dominated by polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Industrial discharges, particularly from the textile, leather, and metal processing industries, are identified as primary sources for heavy metals and microplastics. Additional inputs from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and municipal sewage intensify pollution, with Cr, Cd, and Pb notably frequently exceeding safety thresholds. Microplastics, originating from municipal waste and atmospheric deposition, persist in these rivers, posing ecological and public health risks. The persistence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals and microplastics threaten aquatic biodiversity by disrupting food chains and pose significant risks to local communities that depend on these rivers for agriculture, fishing, and daily water use. This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive bioaccumulation studies, long-term monitoring, and enhanced detection techniques to better assess contamination levels. Strengthening environmental regulations, improving waste management, and adopting sustainable industrial practices are critical to mitigating emerging contaminant impacts and safeguarding these vital river ecosystems and public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474336/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-22DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090804
Xinghong Xu, Wenshuai Xu, Xinxin Meng, Xiaocong Cao, Biwu Chu, Chuandong Du, Rongfu Xie, Zhaohe Zeng, Hui Sheng, Youjing Lin, Weijun Yan, Hong He
{"title":"Characterization and Source Analysis of Water-Soluble Ions in PM<sub>2.5</sub> at Hainan: Temporal Variation and Long-Range Transport.","authors":"Xinghong Xu, Wenshuai Xu, Xinxin Meng, Xiaocong Cao, Biwu Chu, Chuandong Du, Rongfu Xie, Zhaohe Zeng, Hui Sheng, Youjing Lin, Weijun Yan, Hong He","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090804","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We explored the mass concentrations of water-soluble ions in PM<sub>2.5</sub> and their variations across different time scales and concentration levels. Using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model and backward trajectory analysis, we focused on identifying the sources of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and its water-soluble ion fractions, with particular emphasis on regional transport. The findings reveal that the average mass concentration of total water-soluble ions in Hainan between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022 was 7.0 ± 4.4 µg m<sup>-3</sup>, constituting 73.5% ± 24.4% of PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Secondary ions (SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) were dominant, accounting for 84.0% ± 12.4% of the total water-soluble ions, followed by sea-salt particles. Seasonal variations were pronounced, with the highest concentrations observed in winter and the lowest in summer. The results of the PMF analysis showed that secondary sources, combustion sources, dust sources, and oceanic sources are the main sources of PM<sub>2.5</sub> at the monitoring site. The potential sources and transport pathways of water-soluble ions exhibit distinct seasonal characteristics, with the land-based outflows from the YRD-PRD-Fujian corridor controlling Hainan's PM<sub>2.5</sub> maxima, while southerly marine air delivers the annual minimum; seasonal alternation between dust/secondary aerosols (winter-spring), combustion (autumn), and oceanic dilution (summer) dictates the island's air-quality rhythm.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474098/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-21DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090802
Jie Wang, Zhong-Lan Chen, Cheng-Gang Liang, Hui-Ying Yang, Xian-Fu Wu, Hui-Min Sun
{"title":"Toxicological Impacts of Polypropylene Nanoparticles Similar in Size to Nanoplastics in Plastic-Bottle Injections on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.","authors":"Jie Wang, Zhong-Lan Chen, Cheng-Gang Liang, Hui-Ying Yang, Xian-Fu Wu, Hui-Min Sun","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090802","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) particles have been observed in various human organs. However, polypropylene (PP), one of the top three most commonly detected types of MNPs in terms of quantity, is also present in injections given for the infusion treatment of diseases, and there is a considerable knowledge gap concerning its adverse effects on the human cardiovascular system. In this study, we used commercial PP particles (500 nm), similar in size to nanoplastics (NPs) present in injections and greater than or equal in concentration to NPs in the blood of healthy individuals, as the experimental dose to study their toxicological effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results revealed that PP particles at 35 μg/mL, equivalent to 20 times the concentration of blood, reduced cell viability, induced oxidative stress, caused cytomembrane damage, increased the inflammatory response, promoted apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration and wound tissue healing. In addition, a NP concentration of up to 210 μg/mL decreased the level of zonula occludens-1. In conclusion, since we used spherical particles, a type of nanoplastic present in plastic-bottle injections in clinical treatment that induces toxicological effects, this study provides cellular-level insights into the ecological risks of NP exposure in the human body.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474203/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-20DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090801
Rae T Benedict, Gregory M Zarus, Franco Scinicariello, Henry G Abadin, Roberta Attanasio
{"title":"DEET Metabolite and Hearing Loss in United States Adults.","authors":"Rae T Benedict, Gregory M Zarus, Franco Scinicariello, Henry G Abadin, Roberta Attanasio","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090801","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hearing loss (HL) causes numerous challenges for individuals. N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is a common ingredient in insect repellants and some sunscreens. M-(diethylcarbamoyl) benzoic acid (DCBA) is a DEET metabolite measured in the urine of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants. This study examines potential associations between HL and urinary DCBA in U.S. adults. Speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) was defined as an average hearing threshold above 25 dB across four frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz). In comparison, high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) was based on the average threshold above 25 dB at three higher frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz) in the better hearing ear. Hearing loss severity was categorized as normal (≤25 dB), mild (26-40 dB), and moderate or worse (≥41 dB). Higher DCBA exposure was significantly associated with increased odds of high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). Participants in the highest exposure quartile had greater odds of HFHL (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.14-4.81), with a dose-response trend (<i>p</i> < 0.05) confirmed in sensitivity analyses controlling for chronic conditions and inflammation. Multinomial models further showed elevated odds of both slight/mild (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05-4.42) and moderate/worse HFHL (aOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.10-7.37), supporting the robustness of the association. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HL being associated with a DEET metabolite in a nationally representative cross-sectional sample.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-20DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090800
Luming Wang, Juan Huang, Jing Tuo, Jin Xu, Xinwei Li
{"title":"Constructed Wetlands with Novel Substrate Exposed to Nano-Plastics: Mitigating the Effects of Substrate Enzyme and Ecological Processes.","authors":"Luming Wang, Juan Huang, Jing Tuo, Jin Xu, Xinwei Li","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090800","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The widespread occurrence of nano-plastics (NPs) in aquatic environments poses emerging challenges to the pollutant removal performance and ecological stability of constructed wetlands (CWs). This study investigates the performance of calcium-modified (Ca-MBF) and manganese-modified basalt fiber (Mn-MBF) bio-nests as novel substrates to mitigate NP-induced inhibition of CWs. Laboratory-scale CWs were operated for 180 days to evaluate substrate-associated enzyme activities, microbial community structure, and functional gene profiles. Results showed that Mn-MBF bio-nests enhanced the activities of dehydrogenase (DHA), urease (UR), ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), nitrite oxidoreductase (NOR), nitrate reductase (NAR), nitrite reductase (NIR), and phosphatase (PST) by 86.2%, 65.5%, 127.0%, 62.8%, 131.5%, 65.3%, and 107.0%, respectively, compared with the control. In contrast, Ca-MBF bio-nests increased these enzyme activities by 48.6%, 53.5%, 67.0%, 30.6%, 95.0%, 45.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. MBF bio-nests also enhanced microbial diversity, enriched denitrifying and phosphorus-removing bacteria (e.g., Thauera, Plasticicumulans), and promoted extracellular polymeric substance secretion. Functional gene prediction indicated elevated abundances of nitrogen cycle-related genes, thereby enhancing nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal processes. These synergistic effects collectively improved nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal efficiency, with Mn-MBF showing superior performance. This study highlights MBF bio-nests as a sustainable strategy to enhance the resilience and long-term operational stability of CWs in environments impacted by nano-plastic pollution.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12473994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Estuarine Phytoplankton Communities in Aquatic Microcosms.","authors":"Jianan Ling, Chao Wei, Dongning Yang, Jiangning Zeng, Fangping Cheng, Xin Zheng, Zhanhong Yang","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090798","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phytoplankton serves as the primary producer in estuarine ecosystems, with its community structure and dynamics being directly influenced by the concentration and ratio of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients. This study utilized raw water from the Yangtze Estuary to establish a series of ocean microcosm systems, setting up gradients of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and reactive phosphate (SRP) concentrations to explore the reaction of phytoplankton communities over 30 days. The results indicated that total phytoplankton abundance significantly increased under prolonged exposure to high concentrations of DIN and SRP. However, the community diversity indices exhibited a declining tendency, indicating a simplification and increased instability of the community structure. Diatoms and dinoflagellates, the predominant phytoplankton taxa, differed in their response to DIN and SRP. Diatom abundance rose at elevated DIN concentrations and initially increased and then decreased at high SRP concentrations, while dinoflagellate abundance diminished at high DIN concentrations and persisted in increasing at elevated SRP concentrations. An ecological threshold is the critical point at which the structure or function of an ecosystem undergoes significant changes when subjected to external disturbances or internal changes. The Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) was employed to identify indicator species within the microcosm systems, revealing that the ecological response thresholds of phytoplankton communities to DIN and SRP were 0.50 mg/L and 0.030 mg/L, respectively. This study quantitatively analyzed the environmental exposure concentrations of DIN and SRP at the community level and calculated the ecological response thresholds, providing fundamental data and a scientific basis for nitrogen and phosphorus management in estuaries.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474025/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-19DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090797
Ülkü Türk Börü, Ahmet Yıldız, Metin Bağcı, Ayla Sandıkçıoğlu Gümüş, Elif Simin Issı, Furkan İncebacak, Hakan Acar, Cem Bölük
{"title":"The Effect of Radon Concentration on MS Prevalence: A Door-to-Door Survey in the Fault Zone in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.","authors":"Ülkü Türk Börü, Ahmet Yıldız, Metin Bağcı, Ayla Sandıkçıoğlu Gümüş, Elif Simin Issı, Furkan İncebacak, Hakan Acar, Cem Bölük","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090797","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Despite the identification of various environmental factors that increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), the effects of many factors on the etiology of MS remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of radon, a factor previously studied in relation to various other neurodegenerative diseases, on the epidemiology of MS. <b>Methods:</b> A door-to-door field study was conducted in residential areas with relatively high and low radon gas concentrations to determine the prevalence of MS. The study area comprises the Bolvadin and İhsaniye regions, which have different geological characteristics, such as seismic activity, active faults, and distributions of volcanic rocks. CR-39 detectors, with an accepted limit of 300 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>, were utilized to measure radon gas concentrations. During the screening field, the patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis were confirmed with their hospital records. Mc Donald's revised diagnostic criteria were used for multiple sclerosis diagnosis. <b>Results:</b> The regions were grouped into higher radon areas and lower radon areas. The İhsaniye city center, Kayıhan, Kemerkaya, Döğer, and Bolvadin city center were classified as higher radon regions, whereas Dişli, Yaylabağı, Gazlıgöl, and Özburun were identified as lower radon regions. A total of 40,841 individuals were surveyed in the field. The crude MS prevalence was 41.8/100,000 in settlements with high radon gas concentrations and 20.5/100,000 in settlements with low radon gas concentrations. <b>Conclusions:</b> In this study, we revealed that the prevalence of MS was greater in settlements with high radon gas concentrations than in settlements with low radon gas concentrations. These results demonstrated that radon gas is an important environmental risk factor in the etiopathogenesis of MS.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-09-19DOI: 10.3390/toxics13090799
Marco Evangelista, Ester Papa
{"title":"A Review of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) Models to Predict Thyroid Hormone System Disruption by Chemical Substances.","authors":"Marco Evangelista, Ester Papa","doi":"10.3390/toxics13090799","DOIUrl":"10.3390/toxics13090799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thyroid hormone (TH) system disruption by chemicals poses a significant concern due to the key role the TH system plays in essential body functions, including the metabolism, growth, and brain development. Animal-based testing methods are resource-demanding and raise ethical issues. Thus, there is a recognised need for new approach methodologies, such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, to advance chemical hazard assessments. This review, covering the scientific literature from 2010 to 2024, aimed to map the current landscape of QSAR model development for predicting TH system disruption. The focus was placed on QSARs that address molecular initiating events within the adverse outcome pathway for TH system disruption. A total of thirty papers presenting eighty-six different QSARs were selected based on predefined criteria. A discussion on the endpoints and chemical classes modelled, data sources, modelling approaches, and the molecular descriptors selected, including their mechanistic interpretations, was provided. By serving as a \"state-of-the-art\" of the field, existing models and gaps were identified and highlighted. This review can be used to inform future research studies aimed at advancing the assessment of TH system disruption by chemicals without relying on animal-based testing, highlighting areas that require additional research.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474327/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}