Search Results (124)

The agricultural and environmental application of Miscanthus × giganteus biomass ash (MBA) as a soil amendment requires a thorough assessment of its properties, nutrient potential, and associated risks. This study characterizes the elemental composition, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content of MBA in comparison with other common biomass ashes (crops, wood, and sewage sludge) referred to the international regulatory standards. The ash exhibits a strong alkaline pH (11.03), suggesting potential to improve soil pH in acid soils, but requires careful controlled application to prevent excessive alkalization. The main nutrients detected include K (5.54%), Ca (2.07%), Mg (0.37%), and P (0.86%), indicating its potential as a soil amendment, though long-term use may cause nutrient imbalances. Micronutrients such as Zn (240.67 mg·kg⁻¹), Mn (297 mg·kg⁻¹), and Cu (33.5 mg·kg⁻¹) are found in concentrations suitable for agricultural use, while potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, are below detection limits, thereby reducing the risk of pollution. As (8.3 mg·kg⁻¹) and ΣPAHs (1.63 mg·kg⁻¹) remain within safety thresholds, suggesting a low environmental toxicity of MBA. The low Na content (0.12%) indicates a minimal risk of salinity accumulation, distinguishing MBA from high-sodium biomass ashes. Soil alkalization, disruptions in nutrient balance, and element leaching are risks to be considered. Despite these concerns, its composition is in agreement with established safety guidelines, supporting its feasibility for valorization as a sustainable soil amendment and remediation material. To maximize agronomic benefits and mitigate environmental risks, it is important to utilize the ash, considering site conditions and carry out regular monitoring of the soil. Full article

Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal plant widely recognized for its richness in bioactive compounds; however, its production in semi-arid regions is often constrained by soil and/or irrigation water salinity. Micronutrient fertilization may contribute to plant stress alleviation under salinity, since elements such as Mn, Mo, and Zn are involved in essential processes related to photosynthetic metabolism and physiological adjustment. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations on growth, gas exchange, and relative chlorophyll indices of purple basil plants subjected to severe NaCl stress under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 30 days in a randomized block design with nine treatments and four replicates: a non-saline control without micronutrients, a saline control without micronutrients, and plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl with substrate application of Mn, Mo, Zn, MoMn, ZnMo, ZnMn, or ZnMoMn. Micronutrient sources were applied to the substrate at 3.5 g kg⁻¹ according to each treatment. Fertilization with Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations enhanced plant stress alleviation under salinity compared with the saline control without micronutrients, with positive responses in growth and physiological performance, including increases in chlorophyll indices. The double combinations MoMn, ZnMo, and ZnMn attenuated the effects of NaCl, especially by increasing leaf area. Mn stood out for increasing net photosynthesis and water-use efficiency, whereas Mo and ZnMo were associated with higher relative chlorophyll indices. Although the triple combination ZnMoMn improved some traits compared with the saline control, its lower efficacy relative to selected single or double applications may indicate that the simultaneous supply of the three elements reduced specific synergistic effects, possibly due to nutritional imbalance or antagonistic interactions among micronutrients under severe salinity. Overall, micronutrient fertilization, particularly through specific double combinations, may contribute to short-term mitigation of NaCl-induced stress responses under controlled greenhouse conditions. Full article

Copper (Cu)–zinc (Zn) imbalance has been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Exchangeable copper (exCu), the labile circulating Cu fraction, may better reflect functionally relevant metal dysregulation than total Cu. We investigated sex-specific associations between systemic Cu–Zn indices, tumor burden, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related tissue remodeling in CRC. We studied 152 CRC patients and 140 healthy controls. Serum Cu, Zn, and exCu were measured using validated analytical methods; circulating gonadotropins, sex steroids, and carcinoembryonic antigen were also assessed. EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, vinculin, MEMO1) were quantified by Western blot in paired tumor and adjacent mucosa. Analyses were sex-stratified and age-adjusted. CRC patients exhibited higher serum Cu and exCu and lower Zn than controls, resulting in a marked increase in the exCu:Zn ratio in both sexes. In patients, exCu:Zn was associated with tumor burden and pathological stage, with stronger associations with tumor size and pT stage in women and with metastatic status in men. Serum exCu:Zn was associated with tumor − normal differences in EMT-related proteins, particularly ΔE-cadherin, in both sexes. Systemic Cu–Zn disequilibrium, summarized by the exCu:Zn ratio, was associated with tumor burden and epithelial remodeling in CRC in a sex-specific manner, suggesting its potential as a biologically informative biomarker warranting further validation. Full article

Mineral imbalances in livestock can severely impair growth, immunity, and productivity. Yaks inhabiting the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau face unique environmental challenges, including altitude-induced nutritional deficiencies. This study investigated the mineral status of healthy yak calves and its correlation with altitude across six regions in Ganzi Prefecture at elevations of 3200–4200 m, as well as the interrelationships among mineral elements in the “soil–forage–animal” ecosystem. A total of 42 hair samples and 42 serum samples were collected from yak calves across the six regions, and 49 forage samples and 49 soil samples were collected from seven regions. The contents of 11 mineral elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, and Se) were determined in all samples. The results revealed widespread deficiencies. The primary deficiencies were as follows: Na in hair was significantly lower than reference values, with deficiency rates ranging from 2% to 48.1%; Co was deficient to varying degrees in all samples, with deficiency rates ranging from 54.0% to 89.5%; Se was also commonly deficient, with rates between 32.7% and 74.7%. In serum, Mg, S, and Cu were generally deficient, with deficiency rates as high as 39.3%, 41.3%, and 47.2%, respectively. Serum Se deficiency occurred frequently at high altitudes, particularly in Seda and Shiqu counties. Additionally, significant correlations were observed: negative correlation between forage Zn and hair Zn in Luhuo, positive correlation between forage S and hair S in Ganzi, negative correlation between forage Se and serum Se in Yajiang, positive correlation between soil Se and forage Se as well as between soil Na and hair Na in Seda, positive correlation between forage Co and serum Co in Shiqu, and positive correlations between soil Se and serum Se and between forage Co and hair Co in Jiulong. These findings indicate that multiple mineral deficiencies are prevalent in yak calves, are closely associated with altitude, and may be influenced by soil and forage mineral composition as well as feeding practices. This study emphasizes the urgent need to develop targeted mineral supplementation strategies to support yak health and growth. Full article

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their outstanding electroluminescent properties and have achieved remarkable progress. However, charge injection imbalance remains a major obstacle limiting the performance of near-infrared (NIR) PeLEDs. Herein, we propose inserting a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) buffer layer between ITO and Zinc oxide (ZnO) to reduce electron injection. This layer also acts as a substrate to modulate ZnO surface roughness, thereby improving perovskite film quality. Through this optimization, the device’s external quantum efficiency (EQE) increases from 20% to 22%, and its T₅₀ operational lifetime extends from 3.4 h to 17.8 h. Importantly, we successfully integrate the PEDOT:PSS buffer layer into scalable fabrication, demonstrating NIR-PeLEDs with a uniform emission area of 2500 mm². Full article

Essential trace elements such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) play a critical role in neurodevelopment, influencing key processes like neurotransmitter regulation and neuronal signaling. To synthesize the existing evidence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies investigating the associations between these trace elements and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. A comprehensive literature search was performed up to March 2026 across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. A total of 46 studies involving 5515 ADHD cases and 8166 controls were included. The results showed that Zn (SMD = −1.01, 95% CI: −1.51 to −0.52), Fe (SMD = −0.82, 95% CI: −1.52 to −0.11) and Ferritin (SMD = −0.54, 95% CI: −1.00 to −0.27) levels were significantly lower in children with ADHD than in controls, while no significant difference was observed for Cu levels (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI: −1.12 to 0.02). When the research subjects are limited to children ≤12 years old, the differences in Zn are more pronounced. Moreover, the differences in the levels of Zn, Fe, and Cu were more pronounced among children and adolescents from developing countries. These findings suggest that imbalances in Zn and Fe may be involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Further research is needed to validate early biomarkers of ADHD risk and to explore their potential application in clinical diagnosis and management, especially considering the high heterogeneity of the studies included in this study. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in which oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenic pathways are associated with the development and progression beyond glycemic control. Serum trace element levels (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr, Mn, Cd, and Se), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) were measured in patients with T2DM, with and without DR, as well as in healthy controls, and their associations with the presence and severity of DR were evaluated. Methods: 61 T2DM patients, 27 healthy controls. Patients with T2DM were classified into T2DM without DR (n = 30) and T2DM with DR (n = 31). Non-proliferative DR (NPDR, n = 19) and proliferative DR (PDR, n = 12) were classified as the T2DM with DR group. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify serum trace elements. SOD and GSH-Px activities were measured using colorimetric assays. Results: Significant differences were observed in trace element levels and antioxidant enzyme activities among the study groups (p < 0.001 to 0.05). The DR subgroup had lower levels of Cr, Cu and Se compared to the T2DM without DR group; Cd, Zn and Mn were also higher in the T2DM with DR than in the T2DM without DR group. Fe levels were significantly higher in the PDR subgroup than in the T2DM without DR group (p < 0.001). The PDR group showed greater declines of Cr, Cu and GSH-Px compared to NPDR while higher values for Mn, Fe, and Zn were obtained (p < 0.001). Several biomarkers remained significantly associated with DR after adjustment for metabolic variables. Correlation analysis between trace elements, and antioxidant enzymes showed significant associations. Conclusions: Trace element imbalance, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities may contribute to the development and progression of DR in T2DM. These findings suggest that oxidative stress and micronutrient imbalance may be linked to DR-related biochemical alterations. Full article

Understanding the complex relationships between processing conditions and mechanical properties in aluminum alloys remains a critical challenge in materials science. This study presents a data-driven framework using explainable artificial intelligence to quantify and interpret how different processing routes influence the strength–ductility trade-off in aluminum alloys. Using a comprehensive dataset of 1154 aluminum alloy samples with 10 distinct processing conditions, optimized XGBoost models were developed via Bayesian hyperparameter tuning to predict yield strength (R² = 0.9392), tensile strength (R² = 0.9491), and elongation (R² = 0.6767). The strength models showed high predictive accuracy, whereas elongation showed lower and less uniform reliability, with the largest relative errors in the 0–5% elongation regime. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis revealed that processing condition is the most influential feature for yield strength prediction, while Cu dominates tensile strength prediction. True SHAP interaction analysis identified Processing_encoded interactions with Cu as the strongest processing-coupled contribution, followed by Mg and Al, with Zn, Si, and Li showing smaller but non-negligible interaction contributions. The decision-tree surrogate is presented as an exploratory rule-extraction tool rather than as a standalone processing-selection classifier. These findings demonstrate that explainable Machine Learning (ML) can support interpretation of processing–property relationships in aluminum alloys when predictive limitations, class imbalance, and the associative nature of SHAP explanations are explicitly considered. Full article

Background: Diabetic kidney disease is a common and serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and represents a major contributor to chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally. While sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated significant renoprotective effects, the potential advantages of combining these agents with micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties, have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to assess the effects of dapagliflozin (DAPA) and empagliflozin (EMPA), administered either alone or alongside Zn, in an experimental diabetes model. Methods: T2DM was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through a high-fat diet (HFD) followed by a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). Seven experimental groups were established: a control group, an untreated diabetic group, and treatment groups receiving DAPA, EMPA, or their combinations with Zn. Metabolic parameters, renal function, and histopathological alterations were assessed, while immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited sustained hyperglycemia, metabolic imbalance, and significant renal damage, accompanied by elevated levels of inflammatory and fibrotic markers. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors improved metabolic status, mitigated kidney injury, and reduced inflammatory marker expression. Zn association further potentiated these effects, with the most pronounced benefits observed when combined with EMPA. Conclusions: These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors exert strong renoprotective effects in experimental diabetic nephropathy. Zn supplementation may amplify these benefits through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The combination of EMPA and Zn demonstrated the greatest protective effect, highlighting the potential of multi-target therapeutic strategies in diabetic kidney disease. Full article

Micronutrient limitation and rhizosphere imbalance often constrain the productivity and quality of leafy vegetables in intensively managed greenhouse soils. This study evaluated the effects of conventional fertilization (CK), micronutrient supplementation (Mi), and micronutrient supplementation combined with a compound microbial inoculant (MM) on bur clover (Medicago polymorpha L.) yield, quality, rhizosphere chemical properties, and soil microbial communities. Compared with CK, Mi increased yield by 26.53%, whereas MM increased yield by 40.77%. MM also significantly increased SPAD, soluble protein, and soluble sugar, while reducing plant nitrate content by 22.86%; Mi had no significant effect on nitrate reduction. MM decreased soil pH from 8.62 to 8.34 and increased EC, available P and K, water-soluble Ca, Mg, and K, and available Zn and B, indicating improved rhizosphere chemical conditions. Mantel analysis showed that yield and plant nitrate were significantly associated with several soil variables. MM also markedly reshaped rhizosphere microbial communities, with clear treatment separation for both bacteria and fungi. The bacterial community was significantly explained by selected soil variables, whereas the fungal model was not significant. Overall, micronutrient supplementation mainly promoted yield, while its combination with microbial inoculation further improved rhizosphere conditions, crop quality, and nitrate control. Full article

The dose–response relationship for fluoride (F⁻) exposure remains largely unexplored. Hence, the current study assessed the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of subacute exposure (28 days) to increasing F⁻ concentrations in Wistar rats via the benchmark dose (BMD5) method. Thirty male rats were assigned to six groups (n = 5): a control group (tap water) along with five groups that received F⁻ via drinking water at increasing concentrations (10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/L). F⁻ toxicity was determined via water intake, weight gain, histological analyses, redox status, and essential element levels. PROASTweb 70.1 software was utilized to investigate the external and internal F⁻ dose–response relationships. Specified major cytoarchitecture damage and superoxide anion (O₂·⁻), total oxidative status (TOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total thiol groups (SH), and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) level alterations were detected in both sets of tissues. Moreover, F⁻ caused an imbalance in copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). The most sensitive parameters were O₂·⁻ (0.06 mg F⁻/kg) in the liver and AOPP (6.5 × 10⁻⁶ mg F⁻/L) in the kidneys. These findings contribute to the limited risk assessment of fluorides and highlight the dose-dependent relationship between redox status parameters and bioelements in the liver and kidneys. Full article

Foliar nanofertilization is increasingly being explored as a strategy to enhance crop nutritional quality; however, dose-dependent physiological and metabolic responses remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated the effects of conventional NPK (20:20:20) and nano-formulated NPK combined with zinc (3 and 5 g/L) on the mineral composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic profile of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. ‘Dora’) grown under controlled conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the nanofertilizer by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoscale primary particle size and revealed concentration-dependent aggregation behavior at higher Zn levels. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among treatments in macro- and microelement content, total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity. The application of nano NPK combined with 3 g/L Zn resulted in the highest accumulation of total phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity, suggesting stimulation of secondary metabolism. In contrast, the higher Zn concentration (5 g/L) further increased carotenoid content but was associated with elevated proline levels, indicating the onset of physiological stress. Multivariate analyses (PCA and ROC) supported dose-dependent metabolic modulation and confirmed that combinations of selected metabolites contributed to clearer differentiation between fertilization regimes. Overall, the results highlight the existence of an optimal nano-zinc application range that enhances fruit functional quality while avoiding stress-related metabolic imbalance, emphasizing the importance of physicochemical stability in nano-enabled fertilization strategies. While this study focused on a single sweet pepper cultivar, future research should explore other pepper species to evaluate whether similar dose-dependent nano Zn effects are observed. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of agricultural soils poses a serious threat to crop productivity and food safety due to its high mobility, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. This study investigated the effects of increasing Cd levels on growth performance, physiological responses, Cd partitioning, mineral nutrient disruption, and Cd accumulation in four Brassicaceae crops (cress, watercress, broccoli, and white cabbage). Plants were grown in plastic pots filled with 4 kg of soil under controlled greenhouse conditions and exposed to five different Cd concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg kg⁻¹). Cd exposure significantly affected growth and physiological responses in a species-dependent manner. Compared to the control, shoot dry weight decreased by up to 66.4% in broccoli and 51.7% in cress at the highest Cd level, while white cabbage exhibited comparatively greater tolerance. Oxidative stress indicators showed contrasting patterns, with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) increasing by up to 8.8-fold, whereas proline and membrane permeability (MP) responses varied among species. Photosynthetic pigments declined in cress but increased in broccoli under high Cd conditions, suggesting differential adaptive strategies. Cd accumulated predominantly in roots; however, root retention capacity declined at elevated Cd concentrations (20–50 mg kg⁻¹ soil), leading to greater Cd translocation to shoots. Elevated translocation factors and shoot Cd distribution demonstrated that physiological tolerance did not necessarily limit Cd accumulation in edible tissues. Cd stress also induced notable imbalances in essential mineral nutrients, particularly potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and zinc (Zn), reflecting strong Cd–nutrient interactions at uptake and transport levels. These nutrient disruptions not only exacerbated physiological stress responses but also reduced the nutritional quality of plant tissues. Notably, species maintaining relatively stable growth under moderate Cd exposure still accumulated substantial Cd concentrations in shoots, highlighting a critical disconnect between agronomic performance and food safety. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that Brassicaceae crops exhibit contrasting strategies in response to Cd stress, with significant implications for Cd entry into the food chain. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating physiological assessment with metal partitioning and nutrient balance analyses when evaluating crop suitability for cultivation in Cd-contaminated soils and for mitigating potential risks to human health. Full article

Background: Both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the haemodialysis procedure can contribute to disturbances in mineral homeostasis, which can potentially result in cellular pathologies. Our study aims to investigate trace element levels in haemodialysis patients and evaluate their potential impact on cellular adhesion molecules. This will clarify the clinical significance of trace element imbalances in this population. Methods: The study included 84 haemodialysis patients and 42 healthy controls. Trace element levels in blood (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, V, Sb and Cr) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and cellular adhesion markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were analysed by ELISA. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.00, with significance set at p < 0.005. Results: Manganese (Mn) levels were significantly higher in haemodialysis patients (p = 0.019). Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V), Antimony (Sb) and Chromium (Cr) levels were higher in the control group. Zinc (Zn) and Cr levels differed significantly between the control group (p = 0.018; p = 0.007). Cu levels were lower in hypertensive patients (p = 0.011), while Zn and Mn levels were higher in diabetic patients (p = 0.048 and p = 0.004, respectively). Dialysis duration, however, correlated with Sb (r = 0.295; p = 0.01), and Kt/V correlated with Mn, Sb and Cr (r = 0.256, r = 0.272 and r = 0.259, respectively; p = 0.05). Mo levels showed a positive correlation with both pre-dialysis (r = 0.230) and post-dialysis (r = 0.281) creatinine levels, and a negative correlation with post-dialysis GFR (r = −0.294). ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in dialysis patients (p = 0.001 for both); however, it was not found to be related to variables in the vascular access route. Conclusions: The levels of trace elements and adhesion molecules were examined in haemodialysis patients. High Mn levels indicate a risk of accumulation, while low Cu, Mo, V, Sb and Cr levels may require monitoring for deficiency. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in haemodialysis patients are associated with some trace elements (Mn and Zn); however, this relationship requires further evidence. In conclusion, the levels of trace elements and adhesion molecules in haemodialysis patients indicate the need for regular monitoring and show that the relationships between creatinine and GFR can be applied to larger patient groups. Full article

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a key signaling molecule involved in plant tolerance to abiotic stress. Yet, its role in regulating cadmium (Cd) detoxification and ion homeostasis remains insufficiently understood across different lettuce genotypes. This study aimed to elucidate the NO-mediated mechanisms underlying Cd stress mitigation by focusing on oxidative regulation, ion balance, and Cd accumulation dynamics in lettuce. Three lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.), namely curly (var. crispa), romaine (var. longifolia), and iceberg (var. capitata), were exposed to 100 and 500 µM Cd, with or without 200 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), under controlled greenhouse conditions in a modified Hoagland solution. Growth traits, antioxidant enzyme activities [catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)], oxidative stress markers [hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), membrane permeability (MP), and proline], ionic homeostasis [potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn)], and Cd accumulation indices [bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), total accumulation rate (TAR), and net accumulation via roots (NetAcc)] were evaluated. Cd exposure significantly reduced biomass production, photosynthetic pigment contents, and the accumulation of essential mineral nutrients, while markedly increasing oxidative stress indicators. Antioxidant responses varied among varieties, with Cd generally stimulating CAT activity but suppressing APX, indicating redox imbalance. SNP application partially restored antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced membrane damage, and alleviated oxidative stress in a genotype-dependent manner. Cd accumulation indices revealed substantial Cd uptake and translocation, particularly in curly and iceberg lettuce. SNP significantly reduced BCF, TF, TAR, and NetAcc values, suggesting NO-mediated restriction of Cd mobility, possibly through enhanced root sequestration and detoxification processes. Moreover, SNP improved K⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mn²⁺ homeostasis, highlighting its role in maintaining selective ion transport under Cd stress. Among the tested varieties, curly lettuce exhibited the highest NO-induced tolerance, followed by iceberg and romaine lettuce. Overall, the findings demonstrate that NO acts as an effective regulator of redox balance, ion homeostasis, and Cd detoxification, thereby enhancing physiological resilience and reducing Cd accumulation in lettuce exposed to Cd stress. From a sustainability perspective, these findings highlight the potential of NO application as an effective strategy to reduce Cd accumulation in leafy vegetables, thereby contributing to safer food production and more sustainable crop management under heavy metal-contaminated conditions. Full article