Over 43 million people in the United States rely on private drinking water supplies for domestic purposes, yet 20% of water wells are potentially contaminated in some form. In Pennsylvania, 2-3 million rural residents use private water supplies for domestic purposes, yet Pennsylvania has no state-wide well drilling standards or water quality testing requirements for private water sources. The lack of implemented standards and monitoring hides potential water supply and quality issues and may affect water trust, health, and overall water insecurity. Therefore, we conducted two interlinked systematic reviews to understand (1) social perspectives around water insecurity among private water supply users in Pennsylvania and (2) associations between private water sources and health outcomes. Using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Compendex, and Google Scholar, we identified 10 articles (n1) for the first review and 15 for the second (n2). Results indicated water insecurity relates to perceived and measured water quality problems. Common sources of water quality issues were chemical contamination (n1 = 5, n2 = 8), biological contamination (n1 = 3, n2 = 7), and proximity to shale gas drilling (n1 = 6, n2 = 4). Four articles measured health effects including thyroid health, risk for Parkinson's disease, and effects related to TCE/PCB contamination and proximity to shale gas drilling, while others discussed poor water quality potentially causing gastrointestinal illnesses. These reviews indicate opportunities for increased water testing for private water users and education for water quality health risks. Emerging literature emphasizes a surge of research interest in examining the social perceptions and health effects of water in Pennsylvania. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Water, Health, and SanitationHuman Water > Water GovernanceScience of Water > Water Quality.
Childhood learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders have been increasingly linked to early-life environmental chemical exposures, including air pollutants, heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pesticides. Despite growing academic interest, a comprehensive analysis of global research trends and emerging themes in this interdisciplinary field remains lacking. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to identify studies published between January 2005 and December 2025. Articles and reviews written in English focusing on environmental exposure and childhood learning disabilities were included. CiteSpace software was employed to analyze annual publication trends, country and institutional contributions, co-authorship networks, co-cited references, and keyword clustering and evolution. In addition, we applied Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling to abstracts/keywords to uncover latent thematic structures and quantify topic prevalence across the corpus. A total of 1056 publications were included. Global research output increased steadily, with a notable surge after 2017. The United States led in publication volume and international collaboration, followed by China, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Influential institutions included Harvard University, Columbia University, and ISGlobal. Key authors such as Jordi Sunyer, David Bellinger, and Brenda Eskenazi were identified as central contributors. Frequently co-cited journals included Environmental Health Perspectives and Environmental Research. Major research clusters focused on air pollution, endocrine disruptors, oxidative stress, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Timeline and burst analyses revealed a shift from traditional toxicants (e.g., lead, mercury) to complex outcomes such as academic performance and mental health, with growing attention to mechanisms like epigenetics and environmental justice. LDA topic modeling revealed 15 themes spanning exposure settings (indoor/residential/air pollution), neurodevelopmental outcomes (autism/ADHD/cognition), and key neurotoxicants (pesticides/PCB, arsenic, methylmercury), suggesting an evolving focus toward functional outcomes and mechanisms. This study highlights the evolving landscape of research linking environmental exposures to childhood cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The field is expanding from exposure identification to mechanistic understanding and real-world functional implications. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration and equity-focused research are needed to inform policy and protect child brain health globally.
Euphorbia milii Des Moul is a plant with a long history of use in traditional medicinal and is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Traditionally, its sap has been used in folk medicine to treat various conditions such as skin inflammations, pain, and boils. To date, it remains a commonly used herbal medicine in clinical practice. This paper systematically reviews the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of E. milii to assess its therapeutic potential and guide future studies. A comprehensive literature search was performed based on multiple s databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Elsevier, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang. Additionally, taxonomic databases such as Flora of China and Plants of the World Online (POWO) were consulted to verify the plant's nomenclature and distribution. To date, 85 compounds have been identified from E. milii, comprising 74 diterpenoids, 6 triterpenoids, 2 steroids, 2 flavonoids, and 1 macrocyclic lactone. These phytochemicals exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-gout, molluscicide, and anti-parasitic effects. Given its long history of traditional use, rich phytochemical composition, and diverse pharmacological activities, E. milii can be considered an important botanical resource for applications not only in traditional medicine but also in modern ecological and potential pharmacological contexts. However, in vivo and clinical studies remain limited. Future research should emphasize pharmacokinetic profiling to strengthen the basis for clinical applications and new drug development.
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes. However, limiting exposure to EDCs remains a significant challenge due to their widespread uses and persistence in the environment. Adequate micronutrient status supports optimal health and may offer actionable strategies for mitigating the adverse health effects of EDCs. This scoping review aimed to summarize the epidemiologic evidence on micronutrients as potential mitigators of EDC-related health outcomes, with the goal of guiding future research and methodologies. We identified 71 epidemiologic studies assessing micronutrients as mitigators of EDC-outcome relations, focused primarily on exposures during pregnancy (n = 34). Most studies examined phthalates and/or environmental phenols (n = 25), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (n = 15), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (n = 10), and self-reported pesticide exposure (n = 6). Most studies suggested higher levels of some micronutrients attenuated adverse associations of EDCs with some health outcomes, particularly iodine (thyroid hormones); folic acid (fertility, birth outcomes, neurodevelopment); vitamin D (lung function, neurodevelopment); and antioxidants (birth outcomes, aging, metabolic health). However, included studies assessed a wide range of micronutrients, EDCs, and outcomes, with limited overlap across studies. This scoping review identified few topics with substantial evidence to warrant focused systematic reviews, suggesting that additional prospective research is needed, especially in at-risk populations and sensitive periods outside of pregnancy. Future epidemiologic research should consider the co-occurrence of EDCs and micronutrients in foods and include multiple methods for assessing micronutrients. Finally, to strengthen causal inference, future research should thoughtfully model potential confounding, mediation, effect measure modification, and/or statistical interaction.
Freshwater fungi have attracted considerable attention as a potential source of lead compounds with diverse and novel chemical structures and biological activities in drug discovery. This review summarizes 307 natural products of freshwater fungi from 1988 to the end of October 2025. These compounds are categorized into fourteen structural types, including fatty acids and their lactones (compounds 1-18), furans and furanones (compounds 19-31), pyrans and pyranones (compounds 32-109), benzoquinones, phenols and phenolic acids (compounds 110-141), naphthalenes and naphthalenones (compounds 142-192), authraquinones and xanthones (compounds 193-211, depsidones (compounds 212-217), macrolides (compounds 218-234), polyesters (compounds 235-237), alkaloids (compounds 238-251), peptides (compounds 252-280), terpenoids (compounds 281-300), steroids (compounds 301 and 302), and other compounds (compounds 303-307). Some of them displayed promising biological activity, mainly comprising antibacterial, cytotoxic, and nematicidal activities. The preliminary analysis of the Structure--Activity Relationship (SAR) of important compounds is also discussed. In the last section, current challenges and prospective research perspectives are briefly proposed based on opinions from previous reviews. This review would contribute to the understanding of the utilization and development of natural products derived from freshwater fungi as potent medical resources in the future.
Flocs, visible particles formed in sugar-sweetened beverages, reduce clarity and consumer acceptance of products. Their presence can be caused not only by different types of trace impurities in the sugar but also by interactions among beverage components. In this review, scientific reports on acid beverage flocs (ABFs) and alcohol flocs are summarized, the main pathways for their formation are described, and practical options for detecting them and preventing their formation in beverages are compiled. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and related guidance, literature searches of Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA), CAB Abstracts, and International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) resulted in the inclusion of 56 studies. In various types of beverages, complexes formed between proteins (Ps) and polyphenols (PPs) often initiate haze and floc formation, while polysaccharides (dextran, pectin, and starch), silica or silicates, and inorganic ions influence charge balance, particle bridging, and floc growth rate. Ethanol in alcohol beverages can further destabilize colloids and promote aggregation. For beet sugars, saponin-protein interactions are a likely pathway for the formation of ABF, but the available evidence is not consistent. In cane sugars, the reported roles of proteins, polysaccharides, silica, and starch in floc formation vary considerably between studies. For quality assurance, ICUMSA floc tests (GS2-40 and GS2-44) should be complemented by turbidity or haze measurement and colloid characterization such as light scattering, ζ-potential, and infrared IR-based analytical methods supported by chemometrics. Risk mitigation works best as a two-level strategy that combines impurity removal during sugar production and stabilization steps in beverage formulation and storage, including the use of clarification agents and control of pH, temperature, ionic strength, and oxygen exposure. Standardized reporting and validation of rapid predictors against ICUMSA benchmarks remain essential.
Ugni molinae, a Patagonian berry traditionally consumed fresh and increasingly explored for value-added applications, has attracted growing interest for the functional food industry due to its distinctive sensory attributes and bioactive profile. The domestication program initiated by Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) in 1996 led to the development of cultivars such as Red Pearl INIA and South Pearl INIA, improving fruit quality and yield and being associated with shifts in secondary metabolite profiles that may depend on genotype, environment, and management conditions. This metabolism includes phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and pentacyclic triterpenoids associated with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Evidence suggests that domestication may alter specific flavonol profiles, indicating possible trade-offs between agronomic traits and ecological functions. This integrative review was conducted through structured searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases covering publications from 2000 to 2025 using combinations of the terms 'Ugni molinae', 'murtilla', 'murta', and 'Chilean guava'. Peer-reviewed articles published in English or Spanish addressing domestication, propagation, phytochemistry, chemical ecology, and food applications were screened for relevance, resulting in 96 studies included in the final synthesis. Previous reviews have primarily addressed phytochemical composition and biological activities of U. molinae. The objective of this review is to provide an integrated overview of the species, encompassing its domestication history, propagation strategies, secondary metabolite composition, ecological roles, and emerging food applications. By linking chemical ecology with technological potential, this work addresses an underexplored integrative dimension and identifies current knowledge gaps and future research priorities required to support the sustainable valorization of this native species. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Despite major advances, the clinical translation of cancer nanomedicine remains limited, with only a small proportion of formulations reaching regulatory approval. Although tumor heterogeneity, biological barriers, and patient-to-patient variability are commonly blamed, growing evidence suggests that drug-carrier molecular incompatibility is a fundamental and underrecognized cause of translational failure. In this review, molecular compatibility is defined as the thermodynamically and kinetically stable association between a therapeutic agent and its nanocarrier, governed by hydrophobic partitioning, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, miscibility, and crystallization behavior. By contrast, incompatibility refers to physicochemical mismatches that destabilize drug loading, trigger premature release, induce structural rearrangement, or alter biodistribution. Common manifestations include burst release, aggregation, chemical degradation, and loss of colloidal stability, all of which can reduce tumor accumulation, increase systemic toxicity, and weaken therapeutic efficacy. Evidence from both failed and clinically successful nanomedicines indicates that molecular compatibility, rather than carrier complexity alone, is a critical determinant of translational success. Experimental, spectroscopic, and computational methods for compatibility assessment are reviewed, together with rational design strategies including carrier selection, drug modification, surface engineering, and smart delivery systems. This review highlights compatibility as a central design and regulatory consideration in cancer nanomedicine. Nanomedicine has been widely explored for improving the treatment of cancer. In these therapies, anticancer drugs are loaded into nanoscale carriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, or inorganic nanomaterials. These carriers are designed to improve drug stability, reduce toxicity, and enhance delivery to tumors. However, despite promising results in laboratory studies, many nanomedicine formulations fail during clinical development.One important but often overlooked reason for these failures is molecular incompatibility between the drug and the carrier material. When a drug molecule does not interact properly with the carrier matrix, several problems may occur, including drug leakage, instability during storage, unpredictable release, or reduced therapeutic activity. These issues can ultimately compromise the effectiveness and reliability of the nanomedicine.This review discusses the fundamental physicochemical principles that determine drug–carrier compatibility. It examines how molecular interactions such as hydrophobic forces, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding influence drug loading and stability in different nanocarrier systems. The article also reviews examples of formulation failures and highlights strategies that researchers can use to predict and improve compatibility during the design stage.Understanding drug–carrier compatibility may help scientists design more stable and effective nanomedicine formulations. By focusing on these molecular interactions early in the development process, future nanomedicine systems may achieve better clinical translation and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Arsenic contamination represents a global environmental challenge, with trivalent arsenic (As(III)) posing significantly higher risks than pentavalent arsenic (As(V)). Compared to conventional arsenic removal approaches, mineral immobilization technology demonstrates superior efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental compatibility by sequestering arsenic within stable crystalline structures. However, since arsenic in most arsenic-containing minerals exists in the pentavalent form, the arsenic mineral immobilization method requires pre-oxidation of As(III) to As(V), which compromises efficiency and increases operational costs. Tooeleite (Fe6(AsO3)4(SO4)(OH)4·4H2O), as the sole naturally occurring mineral capable of directly immobilizing As(III) without the pre-oxidation, with potential applications for arsenic removal from wastewater. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews that systematically evaluate the influencing factors and mechanisms of tooeleite mineralization in arsenic removal. This work systematically reviews the geochemical origin, crystal structure, thermodynamic stability, and environmental persistence of tooeleite. And the critical regulatory factors governing both biotic and abiotic synthesis pathways, including pH conditions, Fe/As/S ratios and microbial interactions, are elucidated. Evaluating the arsenic removal efficiency, limitations, and mineralization pathways of chemical versus biological synthesis approaches, Finally, future research potentials are proposed to advance the engineering applications of tooeleite, thereby providing theoretical foundations and technical references for targeted arsenic pollution remediation.
The current testing strategy for the assessment of developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) in European chemicals regulations has well recognised limitations. In response to these limitations, the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) initiated a 4-year DIT project in May 2025. This project comprises 14 partner institutions and will tackle two primary objectives: a) to enhance the DIT knowledgebase and refine the understanding of critical phases of immune system development, and b) to facilitate the transition towards the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in DIT risk assessment. The first objective will be approached by reviews of existing literature and the continued advancement of a physiological map of human immune system development. The reviews and the physiological map will in turn serve as foundational tools to support NAMs and Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) development. Addressing the second objective, the project has a short-term aim to promote a testing strategy that leverages current immunotoxicity assays and their modifications to inform regulatory decision processes such as screening, prioritisation and read-across analyses. In the longer term, novel NAMs, encompassing developmental processes, will be developed and assessed for their regulatory applicability. While the primary focus of this PARC project is on the enhancement of human DIT risk assessment, it also aims to contribute to the advancement of ecotoxicological evaluation of immunotoxicity.
Wound healing in diabetes is a complicated and challenging task, which is affected by many factors. For example, microcirculatory disorders, inflammatory reactions, cell signaling disruption, abnormal fibrosis, and impaired immunity due to high blood sugar may have an adverse effect on wound healing. In order to address this problem, researchers have continued to explore a broad range of innovative approaches. Nanoparticles, as a novel repair material, are widely used due to their unique physical and chemical properties, particularly in the treatment of diabetes; however, they also have certain limitations. Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, with their inherent biocompatibility and precise drug delivery capabilities, have emerged as a novel and highly effective strategy for treating diabetic wounds. Among these, nanoparticles coated with macrophage membranes and mesenchymal stem cell membranes have demonstrated the most significant therapeutic effects in wound anti-inflammation, vascular regeneration, and tissue repair. They can effectively improve the local pathological microenvironment, offering a novel and highly effective nanotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic wounds. This paper systematically reviews research progress on nanoparticles coated with red blood cell membranes, macrophage membranes, stem cell membranes, and exosome membranes for treating diabetic wounds. It comprehensively organizes findings based on membrane source classification, mechanisms of action and in vitro/in vivo evidence. Compared to existing reviews, this paper's primary innovations and contributions lie in establishing a comprehensive membrane classification system, deeply analyzing the synergistic logic of multi-mechanism actions, and it provides a comprehensive analysis of practical challenges in areas such as reproducibility, safety, immunomodulation, large-scale production, regulatory compliance, and clinical translation. It provides theoretical support and practical references for developing more precise and safer wound repair strategies in the future.
Insect sex pheromone receptors (PRs) are crucial for regulating mating and reproduction. In the insect olfactory perception pathway, the pheromone-binding protein (PBP) facilitates the efficient translocation of sex pheromones, enabling them to bind to PRs. PRs convert chemical signals into electrical signals, which are transmitted to the insect central nervous system to ultimately regulate reproductive behaviors. Thus, conducting functional analysis of PRs not only clarifies the molecular mechanism underlying insect mating via sex pheromone recognition and reveals the intrinsic regulatory link between sex pheromone detection and mating behavior but also provides theoretical support for the scientific understanding of the insect olfactory system. Additionally, this research lays a core theoretical foundation for the development of green pest control technologies in agriculture and forestry. This paper systematically reviews the research methods, technical principles, and advantages and disadvantages of techniques used to study insect PR genes. It summarizes representative identified PRs and their corresponding research strategies, aiming to provide a reference for future investigations into insect chemical communication and for the advancement of pest control practices.
The surface quality of 3-dimensional (3D) printed resin dental restorations is critical for longevity and patient satisfaction, but surface quality is complex and influenced by the interplay of material composition, manufacturing parameters, and postprocessing techniques. This systematic review aimed to analyze the scientific literature qualitatively and summarize the effects of key factors on the mechanical, biophysical, and esthetic properties of the surface quality of 3D printed resin dental restorations. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted through February 2025 using the population, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) framework to define the search strategy: 3D printed resin restorations; printing parameters, materials, and postprocessing; conventional methods or different settings; and surface quality assessed through its mechanical, biophysical, and esthetic properties. After screening, 82 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0. A total of 398 studies remained after duplicate removal using Zotero, of which 82 were included for analysis. The surface quality was influenced by 3 primary domains: material properties (such as resin matrix, filler type or content, photoinitiators) (n=29), printing parameters (such as layer thickness, build orientation, exposure energy) (n=61), and postprocessing methods (such as polishing, chemical coating, postpolymerization) (n=28). Material composition fundamentally determined baseline properties. Printing parameters significantly affected surface roughness and microstructure, while postprocessing was crucial for enhancing final surface characteristics. Analysis revealed distinct patterns: filler systems and postpolymerization were paramount for mechanical properties; printing orientation and finishing dominated biophysical properties; and postprocessing and environmental resistance were decisive for esthetic performance. The surface quality of 3D printed resin restorations is not determined by a single factor but by the synergistic effect of material composition, process parameters, and postprocessing techniques. Effective clinical optimization requires a tailored approach to each category of surface property, acknowledging their different governing factors. Optimizing these factors in concert is essential for achieving restorations with superior mechanical performance, biocompatibility, and durable esthetics.
Nanoporous materials have been the focus of considerable attention due to their unique structural and physicochemical properties and a diverse range of applications, such as drug delivery, biosensing and tissue engineering in biomedical fields. Distinct from existing reviews that primarily focus on material synthesis or single application scenarios, this review provides an integrated and mechanism-oriented overview of nanoporous nanomaterials for biomedical use. This review focuses on the biomedical applications of nanoporous nanomaterials, including inorganic, organic, and hybrid nanoporous materials. Initially, the definition and classification of nanoporous materials are introduced, followed by an overview of their significance in biomedical fields. Importantly, this review systematically summarizes the interactions between nanoporous materials and biological systems at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, highlighting the role of nanoporosity in governing biological responses. Further, the biomedical application of nanoporous materials in smart drug and gene delivery, tissue repair and regeneration, immunomodulation, cancer therapy and theranostics are summarized. Finally, key challenges related to biosafety, long-term stability, biodegradation, immune interactions, and clinical translation are critically analyzed, together with emerging trends and future research directions. This review provides an entry-level reference specifically for young researchers working in an exciting interdisciplinary area of nanoporous materials and medicine.
Gas station workers are at increased risk of inhaling volatile chemical compound vapours that may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, eye and nasal irritation, as well as haematological and neurological changes. This systematic review aims to estimate the prevalence of symptoms associated with occupational exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene vapours among fuel station workers. The review will be conducted between February and July 2026. Literature searches will be carried out between February and March 2026 across the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (PubMed/MEDLINE), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Grey literature will be searched using OpenGrey. Eligible studies will include cross-sectional and case-control designs. No language or publication date restrictions will be applied. The systematic review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Two reviewers will independently select the studies, assess their eligibility using predefined criteria and standardised forms, and extract data. Combined prevalence estimates will be calculated in the meta-analysis using a random effects model with 95% CIs. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RevMan (version 5.3.5) will be used for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Ethical approval is not required for this protocol, as the review and meta-analysis will be based exclusively on secondary data and will not involve the collection of primary data. Findings will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and communication with workers, employers and policy-makers. CRD420251159127.
The sperm cell is recognized nowadays as a key epigenetic vector, transmitting not only the paternal genome but also a complex epigenetic content-including DNA methylation, chromatin code and structure, and non-coding RNAs-to the zygote. This epigenome is highly sensitive to environmental factors, with paternal exposures such as dietary intake, lifestyle choices, stress, chemical hazards, pollution, or reprotoxic treatments (among others) influencing its programming. Genetic factors also modulate the sperm epigenetic cargo, supporting that a combination of complex multifactorial cues will define the final epigenome before conception. Alterations on the sperm epigenetic alterations, apart from having the potential to be used as a diagnostic tool in reproductive medicine, are central to the paradigm of Paternal Origins of Health and Disease (POHaD), linking sperm epigenetic alterations not only with fertility problems, but also with the transmission of altered traits to the zygote, potentially impacting embryo and placenta development during pregnancy, associated with a higher incidence of maternal and offspring long-term health problems.This chapter reviews recent evidence on how environmental and genetic perturbations modify the sperm epigenome, highlighting its plasticity and the challenges posed by the heterogeneity among studies. We discuss the interplay between exposome and genotype, and the need for further research to clarify the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and its long-term consequences.
The everyday use of plastic products exposes us to plastic-associated chemicals (PACs), which have been associated with risks to human health. We present the results of the Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health Trial, with an observational cohort of 211 Australian participants and a 7-day pilot randomized controlled trial in 60 participants. Intervention groups received combinations of plastic-free kitchenware, low-plastic personal-care products and food sourced from more than 100 producers that minimized all plastic touchpoints from paddock to plate, while the control group received no intervention. The primary trial outcome was a reduction in urinary plastics-associated chemicals levels. In the cohort study, highly processed, plastic-packaged and canned foods were important modifiable factors for urinary PAC metabolite levels. Additionally, we observed negative associations between cardiometabolic biomarkers and higher urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites. Our randomized controlled dietary intervention maintained participants' daily energy intake while decreasing plastic exposure (P < 0.001) and urinary levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate and bisphenol A by 37.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): -55.6, -12.0; P = 0.007), 53.5% (95% CI: -72.7, -20.6; P = 0.005) and 59.7% (95% CI: -82.5, -6.87; P = 0.033), respectively. Intervention groups provided with foods that had minimal to no contact with plastic had the broadest effect on PAC excretion, and replacing low-plastic personal-care products alone led to an independent decrease in urinary mono-n-butyl phthalate, compared to no intervention. Despite constant plastic exposures, limiting food plastics touchpoints decreases select PACs in 7 days. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12622001252707 .
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), due to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, are emerging pollutants that are widely used as raw materials in industrial production, leading to their ubiquitous presence in the environment, plants and animals. Humans may also face health risks from exposure to PFASs. This paper reviews that the different populations are exposed to PFASs in their daily lives through diet, drinking water, indoor air, and assess the health risks to susceptible populations from various exposure pathways. Research has shown that PFASs can persist in organisms for a long time and can cross the blood-brain barrier, accumulating in the brain. Additionally, experimental studies on animals have demonstrated the occurrence of neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by PFASs, including behavioral problems, alterations to neurotransmitters, and brain tissue lesions. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that PFASs are associated with adverse outcomes in susceptible populations, including cognitive function, learning, memory, and motor function. Finally, this paper elucidates the potential mechanisms from the perspectives of disrupted signaling pathways, synaptic plasticity, and endocrine disruption. It demonstrates that PFASs may alter neuronal synaptic structures, leading to abnormal neurotransmitter secretion and affecting intracellular calcium homeostasis and calcium signaling. It is hoped that this review will provide a reference for further research on the neurodevelopmental toxicity and health risks of PFASs.
Soft robots powered by sustainable energy abundantly available on Earth, such as heat, humidity, sunlight, osmotic potential, pH variation, triboelectricity, and wind, represent a promising shift toward eco-friendly and autonomous robotic systems. Efficiency depends on selecting and engineering responsive materials that directly transform environmental stimuli into mechanical actuation and motion, or harvest and store environmental energy to power actuators. Thermo-responsive materials undergo shape changes with temperature variations, while hygroscopic materials leverage moisture adsorption to induce actuation. Photothermal materials convert sunlight into heat and can combine thermal or hygroscopic actuators for controlled deformation. Osmotic processes drive movement through fluidic interactions, whereas pH-sensitive hydrogels respond to chemical gradients, facilitating controlled motion. Triboelectric materials generate electricity via contact-induced charge transfer, enabling self-powered sensing and actuation, while wind-dispersed structures exploit aerodynamic forces for unique movements. This review explores the critical roles of chemical, physical, mechanical, and environmental properties of materials in designing soft robots for sustainable and autonomous operation. Importantly, the review distinguishes between the broad concept of environmental energy and operation that is energetically sustainable. It systematically evaluates reported actuators and soft robotic systems based on whether their required energy sources and operating conditions are naturally occurring and regenerable, or instead depend on restricted environmental ranges, auxiliary inputs, or laboratory-controlled conditions. By examining material behavior, integration into multifunctional composites, and mechanism design for exploiting sustainable energy, this review identifies both established and emerging pathways toward environmentally realistic, autonomous, and long-lived soft robotic systems, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, reforestation, and other robotic domains.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and locomotor restriction. With over 600 million affected individuals globally, current surgical interventions often bring high costs and postoperative recovery problems, underscoring the urgent need for minimally invasive therapeutic strategies. Phosphatidylcholines (PCs), critical constituents of the natural lubricating layer on the articular cartilage surface, play a pivotal role in maintaining low-friction joint motion. Liposomes, spherical vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers, have been extensively explored as drug delivery vehicles due to their structural mimicry of biological membranes and excellent biocompatibility. These properties enable efficient encapsulation and targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to inflamed joints. Contemporary research emphasizes the development of OA microenvironment-responsive liposomal systems engineered for sustained drug release by intra-articular (IA) injections. By leveraging pathological features of OA (such as elevated protease activity or acidic pH), these systems achieve spatiotemporally controlled drug release, prolonging therapeutic efficacy while minimizing cartilage abrasion. At the same time, functionalizing liposomes with synergistic lubricating biomaterials or cartilage-binding ligands has emerged as a dual-functional strategy. Such modifications enhance liposome adhesion to cartilage, prolong IA retention, and restore boundary lubrication by replenishing depleted phospholipid layers, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction (COF) and alleviating pain. This enables the simultaneous reduction of physical friction (via hydration lubrication) and chemical suppression of inflammation (via targeted drug delivery), together breaking the mechano-inflammatory cycle that drives OA progression. This article reviews the lubrication mechanisms of articular cartilage, the role of phospholipids in joint health, and recent advances in liposome-mediated drug delivery and lubrication restoration for OA treatment. It further highlights emerging strategies for integrating lubrication and anti-inflammatory functions into liposomal systems, and discusses key challenges and future directions toward personalized OA therapies.