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This study assessed the societal economic burden in terms of cost of illness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of posttraumatic long bone non-unions in the Netherlands. An incidence-based bottom-up approach was used, focusing on adult patients with posttraumatic long bone non-unions. The analysis included healthcare costs, patient and family costs, and productivity losses, measured using the iMCQ and iPCQ questionnaires. Cost evaluations followed Dutch costing guidelines, and productivity losses were calculated using the friction cost method. HRQoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-5L. A deterministic one-way sensitivity analysis varied baseline characteristics by ± 10%. Scenario analyses were conducted from healthcare and patient perspectives, as well as for patient subgroups. Average costs per patient during the three months before the initial visit at a non-union clinic were €8,928 (healthcare, N = 78), €1,360 (patient and family, N = 58), and €4,313 (productivity losses, N = 59), the average of the observed data calculates to 10,831 (N = 44). The mean EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.390 (± 0.29 SD). Subgroup analysis showed no significant cost increase for patients with infections or open fractures. However, a higher Non-Union Severity Score and a lower HRQoL were significantly associated with higher total costs. Posttraumatic long bone non-unions pose a substantial economic burden on Dutch society and have a tremendous impact on HRQoL. Severe non-unions and a lower quality of life were associated with increased costs, whereas initial fracture characteristics were not. These findings highlight the importance of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce the burden of posttraumatic long bone non-unions.

More than 50% of physicians currently work for hospital systems compared with 20% in 2010, a shift driven in large part by hospital acquisitions of physician practices. These acquisitions have been linked to higher prices for physician and hospital services, and the evidence regarding their impact on quality of care has been mixed; however, there is little research regarding the perspectives of key stakeholders regarding such acquisitions. To provide systematic evidence on the motivation for and impact of physician practice acquisitions from hospital system leaders and physicians who are directly involved in these transactions. A qualitative research design was used for the study. Data collection occurred between December 2024 and April 2025. A purposive sample of 3 hospital systems that each had experience with physician practice acquisitions was included. Interviews were conducted with hospital system leaders and employed physicians who had been members of an acquired practice. Semistructured interview guides were used covering motivations for acquisitions, implications for patient care, and operational challenges. Coded data were analyzed to identify major themes. A total of 37 interviews were conducted of 18 hospital system leaders and 19 employed physicians (26 male and 11 female). Both hospital leaders and physicians reported that practice acquisitions were most often initiated by physicians because of concerns about the financial viability of their practices. Hospital leaders and physicians also perceived that practice acquisitions improved care for patients, for example by uniting clinicians through a common electronic health record or colocating primary care and behavioral health services. Operationally, hospital leaders expressed frustration with employed physicians' productivity, whereas employed physicians complained of being sidelined in decisions about practice support and work schedules. In this qualitative study of hospital acquisitions of physician practices, acquisitions were largely initiated by physicians seeking to leave independent practice. The acquisitions created opportunities to improve patient care, but efforts to integrate physicians after acquisition were impeded by ongoing tensions over physician productivity and autonomy. Physician practice acquisitions hold promise for improving patient care if various operational challenges on integrating acquired practices can be resolved.

Osteoarthritis (OA) in working-age individuals (aged 30-64 years) adversely affects health and reduces productivity. In this study, the disease burden and economic impact of OA on this demographic are examined, and the trends from 1990 to 2021 are analyzed. Using data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study, incident cases, prevalent cases, years lived with disability (YLDs), and the corresponding age-standardized rates of OA in the working-age population from 1990 to 2021 were examined. To evaluate the changes in trends, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of these age-standardized rates was calculated. Subgroup analyses based on sex, age, sociodemographic index (SDI) level, and joint site were conducted. The economic burden was assessed by integrating data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). By 2021, 329 million working-age individuals had OA, a 123% increase over 1990. Age-standardized rates of incidence, prevalence, and YLDs increased globally by 116%, 123%, and 125%, respectively, with the most rapid growth occurring in low-middle-SDI regions. The total economic burden in 2021 was $350 billion, with $165 billion in direct medical costs and $185 billion in productivity losses, representing 0.32% of the global GDP. High-SDI regions bore a greater economic burden, representing approximately 50% of the total. The increasing prevalence of OA and its significant economic impact on the working-age population highlight the need for targeted policies and preventive strategies. The growing burden, especially in low-middle-SDI countries, underscores the importance of sustainable health development.

Coccolithophores are unicellular marine microalgae capable of producing calcium carbonate exoskeletons composed of micrometric scales called coccoliths. Since they require CO₂ for both calcification and biomass production, they are expected to exhibit a potentially higher CO₂ fixation, making them promising candidates for applications in biological carbon capture systems. In addition, coccoliths themselves are considered high-value products due to their potential applications in many fields such as nanobiotechnology. In this study, a high cell density culture of Chrysotila sp. was tested using the CellDEG® technology, with the objective of maximizing both biomass and coccolith production as a function of light intensity, nitrogen and carbon supply, thanks to a design of experiments (DoE) approach. The optimal conditions identified for biomass production were 600 mg L⁻1 of nitrogen and a light intensity of 375 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1, which allowed the system to reach a final biomass productivity of 0.96 g L⁻1 d⁻1. However, coccolith production was found to be very limited under these conditions. Additional experiments assessed the effect of calcium addition and light regime, which did not remarkably affect the PIC:POC ratio. On the other hand, when Chrysotila sp. was cultivated in a semicontinuous system with controlled pH (to maintain the carbonate structure of the coccosphere) with a light bubbling as mixing, a remarkable particulate inorganic carbon versus particulate organic carbon ratio (PIC:POC) of 0.3 was obtained. Semicontinuous feeding was selected for its ability to maintain relatively stable concentrations of nutrients and cells over time. Therefore, semicontinuous cultivation under these conditions is recommended for coccolith production, whereas the CellDEG® system is more suitable for biomass generation. This study allowed us to obtain data on the growth of Chrysotila sp. using semicontinuous and high cell density culture systems, which is innovative given the limited information available in literature regarding the cultivation of this species. KEY POINTS: CellDEG® technology allows high biomass production, but low PIC:POCChanges in calcium concentration or photoperiod cannot increase CellDEG®'s PIC:POCSemicontinuous cultivation yields high PIC:POC but reduces biomass levels.

Air pollution from fine dust (PM2.5) poses severe risks to urban environments and human health in many cities, particularly in roadside areas. Urban green spaces can help reduce this pollution, but there is still limited research on the best way to design plant layouts for maximum dust removal. This study evaluated the performance of a specially designed urban garden in Bangkok, Thailand, for PM2.5 removal. A three-layer planting design, featuring species with high PM2.5 removal capacity from a screening of 73 plant species, was implemented beside a major traffic road. Measurements conducted during high-pollution periods showed an average removal efficiency of 14.89%, increasing up to 35% under high PM2.5 conditions. The garden improved microclimatic conditions, reducing air temperature by 1-2°C and increasing relative humidity by approximately 9.9%. Environmental parameters such as wind speed and direction significantly affected removal efficiency. Wind speeds between 1-3 m/s optimized dust capture, reaching efficiency levels of 15-18%, while speeds above 3.6 m/s resulted in a drop in efficiency. The annual PM2.5 dry deposition rate was calculated at 1.33 g/m2 ·y. These results demonstrate that strategic planting design and species selection can enhance nature-based solutions for urban air quality improvement.Implications: This study demonstrated that a newly designed urban green space can significantly reduce roadside PM2.5, especially during high-pollution periods. Using a multi-layer planting structure and species with high PM2.5 removal capacity, the garden achieved up to 35% reduction and accumulated substantial annual particulate matter. Seasonal wind patterns were also key determinants of removal efficiency. These results provide practical guidance for municipalities and urban planners seeking cost-effective, nature-based solutions for air quality improvement. Integrating targeted green infrastructure into urban design can enhance public health protection and strengthen long-term air pollution management.

To investigate topological alterations of functional brain networks in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and to explore the relationship between network organization and post-stroke cognitive performance. This study was conducted with a prospective enrollment of 45 patients with ischemic stroke, including 21 patients with PSCI and 24 patients with post-stroke non-cognitive impairment (PSNCI), coupled with the recruitment of 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent brain rs-fMRI and cognitive function assessment. This study further employed comparative analyses to clarify the inter-group differences of global and nodal topological metrics, and the correlation between different brain regions and cognitive scores. Compared with the HC group, both PSCI and PSNCI groups exhibited significant topological alterations of functional brain networks, including increased characteristic path length (Lp), reduced global efficiency (Eg) and local efficiency (Eloc), and disrupted small-worldness (σ). However, PSCI and PSNCI groups exhibited no significant differences in global network metrics. At the nodal level, PSCI and PSNCI patients showed increased nodal clustering coefficient (NCp) and local efficiency (NLe) in the left medial and paracingulate cortices, left caudate nucleus, and right paracentral lobule. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that Eloc (r = 0.580, P = 0.006), σ (r = 0.513, P = 0.017) and normalized clustering coefficient (γ) (r = 0.581, P = 0.006) were positively correlated with MoCA scores in PSCI group. Clustering coefficient (Cp) (r = -0.492, P = 0.015) was negatively correlated with the MMSE score in PSNCI group. The global and node topological properties of the brain networks in patients with PSCI have changed. This is manifested as impaired information transmission efficiency and decreased integration ability in the entire brain. The abnormal global properties are related to cognitive dysfunction, providing valuable insights from the imaging perspective for understanding the neural cognitive mechanism of PSCI.

While electro-technological studies on algae typically focus on direct current, electric field, and high-voltage electric field applications, this study investigates the effects of various alternating current electric waveforms on the biomass production, macromolecular, and carotenoid composition of the microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris. The findings reveal that the applied waveforms significantly enhanced the growth performance of C. vulgaris compared to the control group. OD680 values increased by 40% in the Pulse-10 group, 33% in the Pulse-90 group, 26% in the Sine, 24% in the Square group and group 19% in the Triangle group. Chlorophyll-a content also increased similarly, with the highest increase of 54% observed in the Pulse-10 group. Furthermore, macromolecule and total carotenoid production was supported and increased compared to the control group. In conclusion, these findings contribute to innovative electro-technological applications that enhance the commercial potential of C. vulgaris for use in fields such as food, feed, cosmetics, and biodiesel production.

The growing demand for Portland cement has intensified environmental concerns due to its high CO2 emissions and energy-intensive production. Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), an abundant agro-industrial residue from sugar mill boilers, has emerged as a promising supplementary cementitious material owing to its high amorphous silica content, pozzolanic reactivity, and potential for waste valorisation. This review synthesizes current findings on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of SBA; the influence of processing techniques such as controlled calcination, grinding, and acid treatment; and the resulting impacts on fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete. Evidence across the literature indicates that optimally processed SBA, incorporated at 10-20% replacement of cement, enhances compressive strength, refines pore structure, and improves resistance to chloride ingress, water absorption, and sulphate and acid attacks. Microstructural analyses consistently show denser matrices and strengthened interfacial transition zones due to secondary C-S-H formation. The review also highlights life-cycle benefits including reduced embodied carbon, lower material costs, and decreased landfill burden. While variability in ash quality and standardisation challenges remain, the collective evidence positions SBA as a sustainable and technically viable material for producing durable, eco-efficient concrete.

To evaluate the prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived left ventricular filling pressure (MRI-wedge) and pulmonary blood volume index (PBVi), and to assess their association with non-invasive markers of myocardial fibrosis. MRI-wedge pressure was computed from left-atrial volume and left-ventricular mass, and PBVi was measured from first-pass transit analysis. Patients were assigned to one of four MRI haemodynamic stages based on normal or elevated MRI-wedge and PBVi: stage 1 (normal profile), stage 2 (isolated volume overload), stage 3 (isolated pressure overload), and stage 4 (combined overload). Non-invasive myocardial tissue indices and clinical outcomes were compared across stages. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and cardiac hospitalisation. Among 262 participants (mean age 52&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;17 years; 34% women), mean MRI-wedge was 13.4&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2.3&#x2009;mmHg and mean PBVi was 333&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;150&#x2009;mL/m&#xb2;. Higher MRI-wedge values were associated with greater PBVi and prolonged pulmonary transit time (both p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and increased in parallel with native T1 mapping and indexed extracellular volume (iECV, both p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Over a median follow-up of 30 months, 29 patients (12%) met the primary endpoint. Event-free survival was reduced in patients with MRI-wedge&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;15&#x2009;mmHg, PBVi&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;492&#x2009;mL/m&#xb2;, and iECV&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;16&#x2009;mL/m&#xb2;, and declined progressively across MRI haemodynamic stages, with stage 4 having the lowest survival (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). In multivariable analysis, the MRI-based haemodynamic congestion staging system (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.009) and iECV (HR 1.072; 95% CI 1.003-1.146; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.04) each remained independent predictors of adverse events. MRI-wedge, PBVi and iECV capture complementary and progressive biological features of haemodynamic congestion-from early structural adaptation to overt circulatory overload-and identify patients at increased risk of adverse clinical events. Question How do MRI-derived markers of haemodynamic congestion relate to one another, and can their integration improve non-invasive prognostic stratification? Findings Higher MRI-wedge was associated with increased PBVi, prolonged pulmonary transit time, and extracellular matrix expansion. A four-stage haemodynamic congestion grading framework predicted clinical outcomes. Clinical relevance An integrated MRI-based system combining filling-pressure surrogates and pulmonary blood volume identifies progressively higher haemodynamic congestion states, while iECV provides complementary tissue-level prognostic information.

Writing is an essential yet often overlooked component of vision rehabilitation for adults with acquired vision loss, receiving less focus than activities such as reading. This study explores the specific challenges older adults encounter when engaging in writing tasks, the types of writing they wish to perform and the factors they associate with successful performance. It also examines the psychological and functional impacts of writing difficulties and evaluates the usability of current assistive tools designed to support writing. A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 10 participants aged 67-93 years recruited through vision impairment support groups. Interview data were analysed using content analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to participants' needs, challenges and adaptive strategies. Analysis identified five themes with 20 subthemes. Participants engaged in diverse writing tasks across daily, personal and occupational contexts, with emails, shopping lists and signatures being reported most frequently. Performance was limited by difficulties with initiation, multisensory coordination, visual focus and physical effort, but mitigated by task familiarity. Success was judged against personal benchmarks of spatial accuracy, legibility, efficiency and error correction, although these were often compromised. Adaptations included changes in modality, use of assistive technologies and reduction in frequency or volume of written output. Impact extended beyond function, contributing to frustration, embarrassment, reduced independence and social isolation. Participants emphasised the distinction between "spot" writing tasks, often retained for procedural familiarity and "fluent" tasks, requiring sustained effort. Success, from the patient perspective, was defined not by completion but by legibility, spatial accuracy, efficiency and self-correction, while preserving independence and identity. These findings highlight that outcome measures must reflect the lived experience of adults with acquired vision loss, capturing the functional, emotional and psychosocial dimensions of writing that matter most to people living with sight loss.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a central contributor to the pathogenesis of major neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. In Parkinson's disease, mitochondrial abnormalities are often linked to mutations in genes like PINK1 and Parkin, which regulate mitochondrial quality control, while &#x3b1;-synuclein aggregation further exacerbates mitochondrial damage. In Huntington's disease, mutant huntingtin protein impairs mitochondrial dynamics, transport, and ATP production, contributing to selective neuronal vulnerability. The convergence of mitochondrial impairments across both diseases highlights a common pathological axis that can be therapeutically targeted. This review critically examines the molecular underpinnings of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD and HD and explores emerging strategies to restore mitochondrial function. These include antioxidants, metabolic modulators, mitophagy activators, and gene therapy approaches. Despite promising preclinical findings, several translational challenges remain, underscoring the need for continued investigation. Understanding the shared and unique mitochondrial-related mechanisms in PD and HD will be essential for developing targeted, disease-modifying therapies that may improve outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.

A novel, eco-friendly synthesis method for producing dithiocarbamates and rhodanines is presented, offering a greener alternative to conventional methods. This one-pot, three-component reaction involves the reaction of simple cyclic and acyclic aliphatic amines, carbon disulfide, and N-substituted maleimides under mild, ambient conditions. Importantly, the method proceeds without metal catalysts, bases, or additional additives, helping to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. It delivers excellent efficiency, rapidly producing biologically relevant dithiocarbamate and rhodanine derivatives in high yields and with much shorter reaction times. Using commercially available starting materials further enhances accessibility and lowers costs, making this approach highly suitable for both research and industrial applications. This study highlights how green chemistry principles can enable sustainable and convenient routes for synthesizing important dithiocarbamate and rhodanine derivatives.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GIONFH) is a frequently encountered complication in orthopedic practice, yet its precise pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Dysregulation of bone metabolism induced by glucocorticoids (GCs) is considered a key contributing factor. 3,4-Dimethoxychalcone (3,4DC), an organic compound, has shown potential biological activities, but its role in the context of GIONFH has not been elucidated. This study investigates the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of 3,4DC against dexamethasone (Dex)-induced ferroptosis and its therapeutic potential in GIONFH.A rat model of GIONFH was established through intraperitoneal administration of Dex, and in&#xa0;vitro studies were performed by culturing osteoblasts (OBs) under Dex treatment conditions. To evaluate the effects of 3,4DC on Dex-treated OBs, we employed C11-BODIPY and FerroOrange staining, assessed mitochondrial function, and analyzed protein expression via Western blot and immunofluorescence. The impact of 3,4DC on the bone microarchitecture of the femoral head in rats was further examined using micro-CT, H&E staining, as well as immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at both imaging and histological levels. Our results indicate that 3,4DC effectively inhibits Dex-induced ferroptosis and attenuates the development of GIONFH. In&#xa0;vitro, 3,4DC treatment significantly increased glutathione (GSH) levels while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) production, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Furthermore, 3,4DC enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation, upregulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and osteogenesis-related proteins, and promoted bone formation. Mechanistically, 3,4DC activated the STAT3/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Notably, silencing STAT3 with siRNA abrogated the protective effects of 3,4DC in Dex-treated OBs.3,4DC alleviates GIONFH by activating the STAT3/Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby suppressing ferroptosis and may have potential clinical applications.

Viola, commonly known as "Banafshah" in India, has been well studied in traditional Unani and Ayurvedic medicine for its pharmacological properties. However, the overexploitation of this plant has led to its status into endangered species. Microorganisms residing inside the plants play important role in plant adaptations. Endophytes which are also referred as the secondary genome of the host plant are well known for reshaping the host's metabolic capabilities by stimulating secondary metabolite production. This review describes the distribution of Viola species in the north western Himalayan region and impact of recent advancements in characterizing pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. The review also investigates the influence of endophytes on biosynthesis of medicinally important secondary metabolites.

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Aluminum-doped bismuth tungstate (Al-Bi&#x2082;WO&#x2086;) nanostructures were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. The structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of the as-prepared sheet-like nanostructures were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. XRD results confirmed that all synthesized samples possessed an orthorhombic crystal structure. The adsorption performance of the prepared nanostructures was evaluated for the removal of crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) dyes from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to examine the effects of key operational parameters, including solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature. The results demonstrated maximum removal efficiencies of 96% for CV and 98% for MB at an initial dye concentration of 20&#xa0;mg&#xa0;L-1, achieved within 20 and 25&#xa0;min, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacities were determined to be 30.57&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g-1 for CV and 15.11&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g-1 for MB over a concentration range of 20-50&#xa0;mg&#xa0;L-1. The adsorption behavior was best described by the Langmuir isotherm model and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating monolayer adsorption with chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic in nature.

Dielectric gratings with guided mode resonance (GMR) are integral to narrow-band filtering due to their high resonances, enhancing optical metrics like diffraction efficiency and sensitivity. Recent advancements have introduced polarization-sensitive GMR filters, enabling selective control of TE and TM mode resonances based on polarization. This work presents theoretical and experimental studies on a green filter using polarization-sensitive GMR gratings. These devices are pivotal in applications such as telecommunications, spectroscopy, and imaging. We demonstrate the fabrication of TiO2-coated one-dimensional (1D) GMR gratings with polarizing resonance characteristics at normal incidence. A trapezoidal-profile grating, created via holographic lithography, achieves excellent polarization filtering for green light. Additionally, TiO2-coated photoresist (PR) gratings on SiO2 substrates are fabricated using magnetron sputtering, showcasing high performance and potential for cost-effective mass production. Nanoimprinting these gratings provides a scalable, economical method for producing reproducible GMR filters.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to histopathology for detecting extramural venous invasion (EMVI) in rectal cancer, and to assess their prognostic value for long-term recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In a prospective cohort of 150 patients with biopsy-confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma, EMVI was assessed via high-resolution 1.5-T MRI and histopathological examination. Interobserver agreement, clinical correlations, and survival outcomes were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). mrEMVI was detected in 52.7% of patients and showed good interobserver agreement (&#x3ba;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.68). pEMVI was confirmed in 45.9% of surgical cases, with fair agreement with mrEMVI (&#x3ba;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.40). mrEMVI was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, larger tumor volume, synchronous metastases, and elevated CEA levels. mrEMVI positivity predicted poorer RFS (HR 5.22, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and OS (HR 3.40, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.01), while pEMVI showed no significant prognostic value. mrEMVI is a more reliable imaging biomarker strongly correlated with long-term oncologic events compared to histopathological EMVI. Question Reliable preoperative markers are lacking for accurate EMVI detection in rectal cancer, creating uncertainty in risk stratification and treatment decisions due to inconsistent MRI-pathology concordance. Findings mrEMVI showed strong prognostic value for recurrence and survival, whereas pEMVI did not, and MRI offered higher reliability and reproducibility than histopathology. Clinical relevance Identifying mrEMVI preoperatively enables more accurate risk stratification, helping clinicians tailor treatment intensity and potentially improve survival, while highlighting MRI as a more reliable tool than pathology for guiding management decisions in rectal cancer.

The contamination of children's products with potentially toxic elements is a critical global health concern. Due to their rapid physiological development and behavioural patterns, such as frequent mouthing of objects, children are uniquely susceptible to heavy metal exposure. This study aimed to address the lack of data on the Algerian market by assessing acid-extractable concentrations of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in toys and school supplies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 158 samples, including 103 toy components and 55 school supply items of various origins. Metal migration was simulated using the European EN 71-3 protocol via 0.07 M HCl extraction. Analysis was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Health risk was evaluated by calculating the oral Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and the Dermal Absorbed Dose (DAD) and comparing it to the Oral and Dermal Reference Dose (RfDo and RfDd). Most samples demonstrated high regulatory compliance, with metal levels below the limit of quantification. However, significant exceptions were found in toys of Chinese origin. One 'Police Quad toy figurine' imported from China contained 381.56 mg/kg of Pb, exceeding the Algerian safety limit of 90 mg/kg, however, it remained below the RfDo and RfDd (0.0005 and 0.00025 mg/kg/day respectively), suggesting low immediate risk from dermal absorption alone. Although the Algerian market shows high overall compliance compared to global datasets, the presence of specific high-lead imported items reflects a localized paediatric risk. These findings underscore the need for more rigorous market surveillance and integrated risk assessments.