Toxics

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice poses a serious threat to global food safety and human health. Foliar application of nano-silica (Si) offers a promising remediation strategy, but its efficacy is often limited by poor droplet retention on hydrophobic leaf surfaces. This study hypothesized that surfactants could overcome this barrier by enhancing the foliar performance of nano-Si. Through field experiments, we evaluated the synergistic effects of five surfactants (Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) powder, Aerosol OT (AOT), Rhamnolipid (RH), Didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), and Alkyl Polyglycoside (APG)) when combined with nano-silica. The results demonstrated that all surfactants significantly improved wetting and retention, with alkyl polyglycoside (APG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) being the most effective. These improvements translated into a remarkable suppression of Cd translocation within rice plants. The PVP–nano-Si combination emerged as the most potent treatment, reducing grain Cd content by 50% and achieving the lowest levels of As and Cr among all treatments. Furthermore, this synergistic effect was linked to a significant increase in grain concentrations of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), which exhibit a competitive relationship with Cd. The findings reveal that surfactant co-application not only optimizes the physical application of nano-Si but also triggers beneficial nutrient–Cd interactions, providing a novel and efficient strategy for mitigating Cd contamination in rice. This study provides critical theoretical support for developing efficient and environmentally friendly foliar barrier technologies and supports safe production of rice in lightly to moderately contaminated paddy fields.

With the increasing global burden of major depressive disorder (MDD), identifying modifiable environmental risk factors has become a critical priority. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), characterized by environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, have been linked to elevated mental health risks. However, the potential neurotoxicity of GenX—a novel PFAS developed to replace perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—and its molecular association with MDD remain unclear. In this study, peripheral blood serum transcriptomic data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were integrated with multidimensional bioinformatics analyses to elucidate molecular mechanisms connecting GenX exposure with MDD. Four hub genes (UCP2, AKR1B1, TP53, and F5) were identified, showing strong combined diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.925). Functional enrichment and immune infiltration analyses revealed their involvement in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune-coagulation regulation. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations further confirmed stable interactions between GenX and these proteins, providing structural support for their mechanistic roles. Although classical dopaminergic markers (TH, SLC6A3, DRD1–5) were not detected in the serum-derived transcriptomes, the identified hub genes may still affect dopaminergic function indirectly by modulating metabolic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory/coagulation pathways, thereby influencing MDD susceptibility. This study provides the first integrated transcriptomic and structural evidence linking GenX to psychiatric risk, proposing a novel “GenX-dopamine-MDD” framework for understanding pollutant-mediated neuropsychiatric mechanisms.

Microplastics (MPs) have become widespread environmental contaminants, with increasing evidence of their harmful impacts on human health. MPs generally enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure, with the gastrointestinal tract acting as a crucial entrance route. This work utilized the SHIME system to evaluate the effects of polystyrene (PS) MPs on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism in distinct colonic areas. The results demonstrated regional and individual-specific variations in microbial diversity, significant shifts in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and declines in beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteriaceae. Moreover, SHIME supernatants were then tested with a co-cultured cell model (Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12). Results indicated a deteriorative effect on the intestinal model, characterized by enhanced oxidative stress and mitochondrial malfunction. No significant effect on intestinal barrier integrity or mucus secretion was detected. These findings highlight the potential systemic toxicity of PS-MPs on human gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms, emphasizing the necessity for immediate mitigation efforts.