Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

{"title":"Integrated Toxicogenomic Analysis Reveals Potential Molecular Signatures Associated with Cadmium-Related Osteoarthritis.","authors":"Lichun Qiao, Husna Wali, Xiangyu Fan, Jing Tang, Yiming Shen, Qingsong Li, Qian Dong, Jing Han, Yijie Guo","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05327-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05327-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint disease, and cadmium (Cd) exposure may contribute to its progression. This study integrated network toxicology, transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and machine-learning methods to identify molecular signatures potentially associated with Cd exposure-related OA. A total of 740 overlapping targets between Cd-associated genes and OA-related genes were identified. These targets were primarily enriched in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathways. Integrated transcriptomic analysis identified 174 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and WGCNA identified the yellow module as the module most strongly associated with OA. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination, and random forest analyses identified BCL6 and FOSL2 as robust diagnostic feature genes. Both genes were consistently down-regulated in OA samples and demonstrated strong diagnostic performance across the analyzed cohorts. These findings suggest that BCL6 and FOSL2 may be potential diagnostic biomarkers of Cd-associated OA.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148890860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"Radiation-Synthesized Gallotannin Hydrogel Attenuates Trisenox-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats: miR-223/TXNIP Axis Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation\".","authors":"Omayma A R Abo-Zaid, Mostafa A Farrag, Aya S R Shaaban, Hiam Rushdy A Salem, Marwa A Esmat","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05301-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05301-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a potent therapeutic agent against acute promyelocytic leukemia; nevertheless, its clinical utility is severely restricted by dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. This study investigated the protective potential of a radiation-synthesized gallotannin hydrogel (GTH) against ATO-induced kidney injury in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups: Control, ATO (4 mg/kg, i.p., for 4 weeks), GTH (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and ATO + GTH. GTH treatment was initiated during the third week of ATO administration, with GTH being administrated one hour prior to ATO injection. Following the experimental period, animals were sacrificed, tissue histology was examined, and renal function was assessed by serum urea and creatinine levels. Oxidative stress was evaluated via MDA, SOD, GSH, and GPx markers. Additionally, miR-223 and TXNIP expression levels were quantified using qRT-PCR. Inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (PERK, eIF2α, and CHOP), and the apoptotic marker caspase-3 were analyzed by ELISA. Our results revealed that GTH noticeably ameliorated kidney dysfunction, as evidenced by reduced serum urea and creatinine levels. Furthermore, GTH attenuated oxidative stress by decreasing MDA levels and restoring antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH, and GPx). Histological analysis confirmed that GTH mitigated structural renal damage. Molecularly, GTH administration suppressed the ATO-induced upregulation of miR-223 and TXNIP. This downregulation correlated with a reduction in inflammatory mediators, attenuation of ER stress markers, and decreased apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that radiation-synthesized gallotannin hydrogel (GTH) exerts nephroprotective effects against ATO-induced nephrotoxicity. These benefits are driven by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms mediated via modulation of the miR-223/TXNIP axis.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"BTN2A2 Alleviates Arsenic-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Suppressing Pyroptosis and Inflammation.","authors":"Yu Luo, Yusha Liu, Zhenting Zhang, Xiaobo Peng, Xianbin Wang, Min Su, Jiayi Zeng, Ting Hu, Peng Luo","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05329-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05329-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arsenic is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that accumulates in the liver upon chronic exposure, driving hepatic injury and carcinogenesis. Hepatic fibrosis is a critical juncture in the progression from chronic damage to cirrhosis and cancer, yet therapeutic strategies targeting the fibrotic stage of arsenic-induced liver disease remain limited. Here, we investigated whether butyrophilin subfamily 2 member A2 (BTN2A2) serves as a protective regulator in arsenic‑induced liver fibrosis and explored its underlying mechanisms. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): untreated control, 40 ppm sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂), 80 ppm NaAsO₂, and an intervention group receiving continuous 80 ppm NaAsO₂ in drinking water for 36 weeks with BTN2A2 administration during weeks 32‑36. After 36 weeks, arsenic burdens in urine and hepatic tissue confirmed substantial accumulation, accompanied by a dose‑dependent decline in hepatic BTN2A2 protein expression. Remarkably, BTN2A2 administration alleviated liver fibrosis but did not reduce arsenic accumulation. At the molecular level, BTN2A2 suppressed the hepatic expression of pro‑inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-17 (IL-17), and pyroptotic effectors, concomitantly decreasing NLR family pyrin domain containing 3‌ (NLRP3), Caspase‑1, and Gasdermin D N-terminal domain (GSDMD‑N) protein levels. Flow cytometry further revealed that BTN2A2 restored the intrahepatic immune landscape by reducing T helper 17 cells and increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mechanistically, BTN2A2 suppressed arsenite-triggered NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-N pyroptotic signaling in hepatocytes and reduced IL-17 secretion, thereby limiting hepatic stellate cell-mediated extracellular matrix deposition. Conversely, siRNA‑mediated knockdown of BTN2A2 in hepatocytes significantly unleashed the pyroptotic cascade, reinforcing BTN2A2 as a genuine negative regulator of hepatocyte pyroptosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that BTN2A2 attenuates arsenic‑induced hepatic fibrosis by suppressing IL‑17‑driven inflammation and pyroptosis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target for environmental arsenic‑associated fibrotic liver disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148890897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Manifestations of Lithium Deficiency in the Human Body: What is Known to Date (A Narrative Review).","authors":"Cherpakov R A, Grebenchikov O A, Makarova A M, Antonova V V, Boeva E A","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05325-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05325-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lithium is a pharmacological agent with a well-established role in psychopharmacology. Interest in its \"trace\" doses as a potential nutrient has increased in the context of geochemical variability of lithium concentrations in drinking water and reports suggesting its possible influence on cognitive status. Within the current regulatory framework, lithium is not recognized as an essential element for humans; no diagnosable \"deficiency syndrome\" exists, nor are there validated biomarkers of lithium status under background exposure. A key methodological premise of this review is to distinguish between two \"dose domains\": therapeutic concentrations (mmol/L) and background intake (µg/day, µg/L). This targeted narrative review critically summarizes evidence on human lithium exposure, candidate status markers, and reported deficiency-related hypotheses in the context of the current absence of a clinically defined lithium-deficiency syndrome, validated biomarkers, and binding nutritional reference standards. A targeted narrative search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and eLIBRARY.RU. Regulatory and programmatic documents were retrieved from WHO IRIS, EFSA Publications, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; including the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule [UCMR-5] and related materials), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and national regulatory agencies. Selected grey literature was used only to contextualize monitoring practices, exposure assessment, and water-treatment technologies. Because the evidence base is heterogeneous, sources were internally stratified into green, yellow, and red evidence zones. This stratification was used as a transparency tool in a narrative review and was not intended to represent a formal systematic-review risk-of-bias assessment or meta-analytic grading scheme. The combination of \"green\" evidence (lack of recognized essentiality and reference norms, regulatory monitoring without standards, and engineering challenges of lithium removal) and \"yellow\" signals (ecological and cohort associations, preclinical data) does not form a clinically reproducible syndrome of \"lithium deficiency\" in humans. Overall, lithium may be regarded as a candidate \"beneficial trace element,\" for which validated biomarkers and prospective studies are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of miRNA-31 & miRNA 192 with Nrf2/NF-κB Biomarkers in Occupational Lead Toxicity: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.","authors":"Kanishka Kumar, Sudha Anjali, Shailja Sharma, Shweta Rana, Purvi Purohit, Mithu Banerjee, Dharmveer Yadav, Praveen Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05318-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05318-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lead (Pb) exposure is a global health threat characterized by oxidative stress. While Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways are known mediators of systemic toxicity, the epigenetic modulation of these defences via microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cohorts remains to be fully elucidated. This study investigates the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and a potential molecular signalling involving miRNA-31, miRNA-192, Nrf2, and NF-κB. In this cross-sectional study, 80 occupationally lead-exposed healthy workers and 80 age-gender matched healthy controls were enrolled. BLL was estimated using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). Relative expressions of miRNA-31, Nrf2, and NF-κB were quantified via RT-PCR, while serum protein levels were measured using commercially available sandwich ELISA kits. The exposed group exhibited significantly higher median BLL compared to controls (p < 0.001). A significant downregulation was observed in Nrf2 mRNA expression (fold change 0.53) and serum protein levels (p < 0.001) in occupationally exposed group. Additionally, the inflammatory transcription factor, NF-κB also showed an increasing trend and a slight positive correlation with BLL. Among miRNAs, miRNA-31 was significantly upregulated (fold change 3.95). In multivariable linear regression, miRNA-31 showed a significant inverse association with Nrf2 expression in the unadjusted model ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). However, after adjusting for blood lead levels, the effect of [Formula: see text] was substantially reduced, while BLL remained significantly and inversely associated with Nrf2 expression ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) Occupational lead exposure is accompanied by systemic miRNA-31 induction and reduced Nrf2 expression. These observational results suggest that blood lead levels exert a primary influence on Nrf2 suppression, offering hypothesis-generating insights into early epigenetic and redox responses during lead toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148878826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multielement Composition and in Vitro Bioaccessibility in Brazilian Edible Floral Supplement Capsules Containing Dandelion and Hibiscus.","authors":"Taís Lorena Santos Fiais, Jorge Machado Freitas Junior, Ygor Felipe Garcez Brito, Eliabe Sousa da Silva, Clícia Maria de Jesus Benevides, Thaís Luz de Souza, Jamille Santos Santana, Aníbal de Freitas Santos Júnior","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05309-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05309-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are notable unconventional edible flowers (UEFs) that have traditionally been used as food and in herbal preparations. This study examined the in vitro bioaccessibility content of six elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in edible flower capsules sold in Brazil. Acid digestion in a closed system and microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES) were employed, as well as simulated gastrointestinal digestion according to the INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro protocol. Additionally, we examined the contribution of the in vitro bioaccessible fraction (FBio) in relation to the recommended daily intake (RDI). The concentrations (in µg g⁻¹) of the target elements were as follows: Cr (< 0.46-2.82), Cu (< 0.48-11.45), Fe (159.44-1880.90), Mn (48.94-441.34), Ni (< 0.44-3.21), and Zn (< 0.55-30.98). The FBio of the evaluated elements ranged from 0.13% to 14.31%. Although Fe had high total levels, its bioaccessibility was limited, contributing only 0.13%. In contrast, Mn and Ni exhibited high gastrointestinal release, accounting for 12.13% and 14.31% of the FBio, respectively. Mn showed high gastrointestinal release, providing up to 209.3% of the RDI. This study is the first to specifically evaluate the bioaccessible trace element content of these edible flowers using the INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro protocol and MIP OES to assess microelements. Overall, the results highlight the importance of incorporating chemical composition and bioaccessibility data into the multi-element characterization of dandelion and hibiscus.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148878779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ameliorative Role of fenugreek Oil Against Lead Acetate Trihydrate-Induced Hepatic, Renal and Testicular Injury in Wistar Albino Rats: Insights into Bcl-2 Expression and sodium/potassium balance.","authors":"Fatimah A Al-Saeed, Nadiyah M Alabdallah","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05321-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05321-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lead (Pb) is a prevalent environmental toxicant that induces multisystem toxicity, primarily through oxidative stress and apoptosis. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seed oil is enriched with bioactive phytoconstituents possessing potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the protective effect of fenugreek oil against lead acetate trihydrate (PbAc)-induced hepatic, renal, and testicular histopathological damage in Wistar rats, with emphasis on the anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2). A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (10 in each): a control group (CG), a Pb-intoxicated group (PbG) given 50 mg/kg of PbAc daily, a fenugreek oil-protected group (Pb + FOG) co-administered the same PbAc dose plus 250 mg/kg of fenugreek, and fenugreek oil-only group (FOG) receiving 250 mg/kg of fenugreek oil alone. All treatments were administered via oral gavage over a period of four weeks. Histopathological examination of the PbG revealed marked structural alterations in the hepatic tissue (necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and inflammatory cell infiltration), renal tissue (glomerular shrinkage and tubular degeneration), and testicular tissue (degeneration of the germinal epithelium and Leydig cells) compared to the CG. In contrast, co-administration of fenugreek seed oil in the Pb + FOG partially restored histological architecture of hepatic, renal and testicular tissues compared to the PbG. However, co-administration of fenugreek seed oil in the Pb + FOG significantly upregulated Bcl-2 mRNA expression compared to PbG (0.65 vs. 0.40; P < 0.01). Sequencing analysis of liver samples showed 97.81-100% nucleotide identity with the Bcl-2 mRNA reference sequence. Lead intoxication in the PbG significantly impaired serum biochemical parameters and elevated Na⁺, K⁺, and Pb levels compared to the CG and FOG. Conversely, co-administration of fenugreek seed oil in the Pb + FOG significantly reduced Pb concentration and restored Na⁺/K⁺ levels. In conclusion, concurrent administration of fenugreek seed oil may attenuate PbAc-induced hepatic, renal and testicular histopathological damage in rats. This protectivity effect was associated with the restoration of sodium/potassium balance, and upregulation of Bcl-2 expression. Nonetheless, further mechanistic studies, particularly addressing oxidative stress markers, are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal Dynamics of Trace Mineral Prioritization and Retention in a Bamboo-feeding Specialist: The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).","authors":"Yan Shu, Fengmei Wang, Jinchao Tan, Dapeng Zhu, Leigang Zhao, Tingting Fang, Shibin Yuan, Le Wang","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05251-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05251-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an obligate bamboo specialist and exhibits pronounced seasonal shifts in diet composition. To investigate how wild pandas respond to seasonal variations in dietary trace minerals, we quantified four essential elements-iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)-in the dominant bamboo species (Bashania fargesii and Fargesia qinlingensis) and in panda feces over a full annual cycle in Foping National Nature Reserve, China. Using nutritional geometry (Geometric Framework, GF) and the Right-Angled Mixture Triangle (RMT) model, we assessed seasonal intake priorities, key elemental ratios (Cu/Mn, Cu/Zn), and relative mineral utilization. Trace mineral prioritization was strongly time-dependent: during the breeding, leaf-feeding, and overwintering periods, the prioritization pattern was Cu > Zn > Mn, whereas during the shoot-feeding stages of both bamboo species, it shifted to Cu > Mn > Zn. Copper consistently emerged as the highest ingestion priority mineral across all seasons, while iron consistently showed the lowest ingestion priority. The Cu/Mn and Cu/Zn ratios varied dynamically with dietary shifts: Cu/Mn was significantly higher in shoots than in leaves, and Cu/Zn peaked in April (Bashania shoots) and August (Fargesia leaves). Compared with wild individuals, captive pandas in Sichuan exhibited substantially higher Fe intake relative to Cu (77-623 mg Fe per 1 mg Cu vs. 13-29 mg Fe per 1 mg Cu in wild pandas), indicating a potential risk of iron overload. We conclude that wild giant pandas maintain trace mineral balance by synchronizing seasonal migration and dietary switching with fluctuations in bamboo mineral profiles. Our results emphasize the conservation importance of maintaining bamboo diversity in situ and highlight the need to refine captive feeding protocols to mimic wild seasonal nutritional patterns, particularly with respect to Fe regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148878875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Widespread Distribution of Toxic Trace Elements in House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Feathers: Evidence of a Homogeneous Urban Signature in a Petroleum-Industrial Hub.","authors":"Razieh Zamani, Seyed Mehdi Amininasab, Rasool Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, Hossein Madadi","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05322-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05322-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trace element pollution in industrial urban environments poses a significant threat to wildlife and human health, yet the spatial resolution of these contaminants is often poorly defined. This study investigated the distance-dependent accumulation of toxic trace elements-lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and mercury (Hg)-in the feathers of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) across urban and rural gradients in Gachsaran County, Iran, a major center for oil extraction. A stratified spatial design was employed, establishing concentric buffer zones at 500, 1000, and 1500 m from primary pollution sources (industrial nodes and high-traffic roads). Feather samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results revealed that all studied trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Hg) showed significant differences between urban and rural areas (p < 0.05), with consistently higher concentrations observed in urban settings. Conversely, no significant differences were found for any of the trace elements between the distances of 500, 1000, and 1500 m from the pollution sources. These findings suggest that the urban footprint of anthropogenic contaminants in industrial cities, such as Gachsaran County, is characterized by a pervasive and uniform distribution throughout the urban landscape rather than being confined to immediate point-source proximity. The study concludes that the house sparrow is an effective bioindicator for broad-scale urban environmental stressors and recommends that environmental monitoring programs account for the widespread nature of trace element signatures across urban zones to accurately identify associated ecological risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148878914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gadolinium Orthovanadate Nanoparticles Normalizes Glycemia, Insulin Resistance, and Glucose Tolerance in Rats with Experimental Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.","authors":"Vadym Sydorenko, Nina Karpenko, Irina Ivanova, Olexandr Parshikov, Anatoly Soloviev, Nataliya Kavok, Vladimir Klochkov, Vladimir Semynozhenko, Svitlana Yefimova","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05164-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-026-05164-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effect of orally administered gadolinium-europium orthovanadate nanoparticles (GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ NPs) on the course and progression of diabetes and vascular malfunction in rats with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was studied. Long-term GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ NPs administration with drinking water for 28 days at a dose of 0.3-0.4 mg/kg normalized blood glucose content and slightly increased the level of the insulin precursor, C-peptide. The glucose tolerance test demonstrated a decrease in the area under the glucose curve, a rise in fractional glucose clearance, and a return to normal glucose levels. The used T2DM model had no visible effect on endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses in the rat thoracic aorta. Administration of GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ NPs also did not alter these responses. The results of the present study suggested that GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ NPs have a positive effect on glucose homeostasis in experimental type 2 diabetes in rats, while the mechanisms underlying this effect require further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":"6971-6981"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148026428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}