Search Results (164)

Background: This up-to-date narrative review examines the associations of low environmental exposure to toxic trace elements—arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg)—on pregnancy. While high levels are known to be harmful, the impact of low levels has not been fully analyzed. The aim was to summarize global data on As, Cd, Pb, and Hg levels in maternal and cord blood of healthy pregnant women, compare their distribution, and assess associations with demographic factors, lifestyle, and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for studies published between 1 January 1990 and 14 May 2025. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 824 records were assessed for eligibility, and 656 were excluded based on predefined criteria. Exclusion criteria encompassed in vivo or in vitro studies, non-English written publications, treatment-based studies, and studies involving occupationally exposed pregnant women. Inclusion criteria included original full-length research papers with cross-sectional, prospective cohort, or case–control designs; studies measuring As, Cd, Pb, and/or Hg in maternal and/or cord blood; and studies examining associations with demographic, lifestyle, and pregnancy outcomes. The review was not registered, and no external funding was received. Given the narrative synthesis approach of the review, a formal risk-of-bias assessment was not undertaken. Results: A total of 168 studies were included: 32 reported findings on As, 55 on Cd, 78 on Pb, and 64 on Hg, with 26 addressing all four elements. No meta-analysis was performed; results were summarized narratively. Results show that As and Cd levels are higher in maternal blood, whereas Pb and Hg, including methylmercury, are higher in cord blood. Key factors include smoking, rural residence, and fish or seafood consumption, linked to higher Cd, Pb, and Hg levels, respectively. Interpretation: Low Pb levels show the strongest associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes, while As shows the weakest. Pb’s effects may relate to passive placental diffusion, unlike other elements. Further studies are needed. Full article

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children, adolescents, and young adults, and metastasis remains the main determinant for a poor outcome. We conducted an exploratory retrospective cohort study using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 97 patients with histopathologically confirmed osteosarcoma treated between 2005 and 2019 to evaluate telomere maintenance mechanisms. To assess alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), colocalization of telomeric DNA and promyelocytic leukemia protein (TEL–PML) was evaluated as a tissue-based proxy. TEL–PML colocalization was assessed using combined PML immunofluorescence and telomere DNA PNA-FISH. Furthermore, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in relation to metastasis and disease progression. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, and smoking. TEL–PML was evaluable in 45/97 cases, including 10 positive and 35 negative tumors; the remaining samples were non-evaluable because of non-determinable signal or predominant necrosis. TERT immunohistochemistry was scorable in 58/97 cases, of which 33 were positive. TEL–PML evaluability was associated with amputation specimens, whereas TERT positivity was associated with non-osteoblastic histology and was inversely associated with age. Neither TEL–PML nor TERT was significantly associated with metastasis, recurrence, or death. Exploratory time-to-metastasis curves suggested an earlier increase of metastatic events among TEL–PML-positive cases. However, the small number of positive tumors precludes definitive prognostic interpretation. These hypothesis-generating findings indicate that TEL–PML assessment is feasible in osteosarcoma, but it is strongly influenced by tissue adequacy. On the other hand, TERT immunohistochemistry appears to reflect subtype- and age-related heterogeneity rather than providing robust outcome stratification in this cohort. Full article

Radon-222, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer globally, after tobacco use. When inhaled, its decay products, especially polonium-218 and polonium-214, emit high-energy alpha particles that induce dense DNA damage in the bronchial epithelium. Because ambient radon measurements often vary significantly over time and across locations, they provide limited insight into individual exposure levels. This suggests the urgent need for biological markers that can accurately indicate internal dose and early signs of lung cancer development. This review offers an extensive overview of biomarkers associated with radon exposure, from internal dosimetry to early biological responses. It covers internal dose markers (e.g., radon progeny in air and ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb in bones and teeth), molecular and cytogenetic indicators of effective dose (such as chromosomal aberrations, γ-H2AX foci, and DNA adducts), and early effect markers (including somatic mutations, epigenetic changes, miRNA profiles, and autoantibody signatures). The review highlights translocations detected via FISH, discussing those that are stable over time versus those that are transient. It also evaluates the reliability and practicality of these biomarkers in occupational and residential settings, noting how smoking complicates causal inference due to overlapping mutation pathways. Finally, it suggests that integrating multi-omics technologies could improve the precision of biomarker panels. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous combustion-derived contaminants that represent a significant cross-cutting threat to human, animal, and environmental health. Viewed through an explicit One Health lens, this review shows how the shared combustion sources, evolutionarily conserved toxicological mechanisms, and food-web linkages connecting environmental contamination to wildlife and human exposure justify an integrated, cross-domain approach to PAH risk assessment and management. PAHs are generated predominantly through incomplete combustion of organic materials and are globally distributed through atmospheric transport, aquatic runoff, and food-web transfer, persisting in soils and sediments for decades. The present review synthesizes current knowledge on PAHs through an explicit One Health lens, examining shared sources, environmental fate, and convergent health effects across species and health domains, while also highlighting the need to move beyond the classical US EPA priority PAHs to include high-molecular-weight PAHs (>302 Da), alkylated homologues, and transformation products such as oxy- and nitro-PAHs. Common pathways such as dietary intake of grilled and smoked foods, inhalation of contaminated air, and occupational exposure create parallel toxicological burdens in both human and wildlife populations, particularly through genotoxic mechanisms mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation and CYP1A1/CYP1B1-catalyzed bioactivation to reactive diol epoxides. The resulting DNA adduct formation links environmental PAH exposure to carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, immunosuppression, and developmental impairment across vertebrate species with remarkable mechanistic consistency. Wildlife, especially fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, serve as critical sentinels for environmental PAH contamination, while simultaneously facing direct health impacts on immune function, reproduction, and population viability. Vulnerable human populations, including children, subsistence communities, occupational workers, and residents near combustion-intensive industries, bear disproportionate burdens reflecting underlying environmental justice concerns. Integrated intervention strategies encompassing source control, dietary exposure reduction, site remediation, and coordinated biomonitoring are urgently needed. By incorporating emerging PAH classes with distinct persistence, trophic behavior, and toxicological potency, the One Health paradigm provides a more comprehensive conceptual framework for modern environmental surveillance, food safety, and integrated risk assessment, recognizing that the health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is inseparable from that of the animals and humans within them. Full article

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune background and unknown etiology. The importance of genetic factors in RA development is well-established. Environmental factors have also been extensively researched in relation to risk of RA and managing its symptoms. Smoking, physical activity, diet, and gut microbiota are considered to be the most essential modifiable factors in RA. Among dietary interventions, the most researched is Mediterranean diet, monounsaturated fatty acids, fish consumption, and fish oil (EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA, that is, docosahexaenoic acid). Others concerned gluten-free and vegan or vegetarian diet, salt intake, supplementation with vitamin D, antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics. Diet modifications can alter the gut environment, and the association between RA development or severity and the composition of gut bacteria has already been shown. This review focuses on effectiveness and usefulness of various dietary approaches and supplements in RA prevention and management, including the influence on disease activity and inflammatory status. The composition of gut microbiota and its changes in response to dietary factors are also considered. There is a great need for further research into mutual dependencies of diet, microbiome, and RA activity. The current state of knowledge provides promising evidence for future nutrition and microbial therapies. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes remains a major foodborne pathogen associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) products, including smoked fish. This study investigated the occurrence, molecular characteristics, virulence gene profiles, and antimicrobial susceptibility of L. monocytogenes isolated from retail smoked fish in Poland. A total of 46 samples (cold- and hot-smoked products) collected from 15 producers and five retail chains were analyzed using ISO 11290-1:2017 for qualitative detection and ISO 11290-2:2017 for enumeration. Listeria spp. were detected in 5/46 samples (10.9%), including 4 isolates confirmed as L. monocytogenes (8.7%). All positive samples originated from cold-smoked salmon, with a prevalence of 4/13 (30.8%) in this product category. The quantitative analysis indicated that contamination levels in all positive samples were below 100 CFU/g. Molecular serogrouping and multiplex PCR demonstrated the presence of key virulence-associated genes, including hlyA, prfA, plcB, and actA, consistent with potentially pathogenic profiles. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed clustering of isolates, indicating genetic relatedness among strains obtained from different retail sources. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the MICRONAUT system showed that all L. monocytogenes isolates were susceptible to first-line therapeutic agents, including ampicillin and penicillin, according to EUCAST/CLSI criteria. Although contamination levels were low and isolates remained susceptible to clinically relevant antimicrobials, the detection of virulence-associated strains in RTE smoked fish highlights the need for continuous monitoring and strict hygienic control in the production and retail chain. These findings contribute to regional surveillance data on L. monocytogenes in smoked fish products in Poland. Full article

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker that reflects the balance between innate immune response and adaptive immunity. Currently, the genetic basis and clinical implications of NLR in relation to inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases have not been extensively explored. Methods: We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on European individuals from the UK Biobank to detect genetic variants related to NLR, followed by post-GWAS analyses including colocalization analysis, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), and LD score regression. Logistic regression, Cox regression, and gene–environment interaction analysis were used to evaluate the impact of NLR polygenic risk scores (PRS) on inflammatory gastrointestinal disease risks. Results: GWAS of 395,442 Europeans identified 306 genomic regions (731 lead SNPs) associated with NLR, mapping to 1542 genes enriched for immune pathways. Colocalization revealed shared genetic signals with TWAS prioritization of 59, 19, 14, 22 and 28 genes in the whole blood, spleen, terminal ileum, transverse colon and sigmoid colon, respectively. LD-score regression showed significant positive genetic correlations with CD (rg = 0.132), coeliac disease (rg = 0.124), peptic ulcer (rg = 0.138) and duodenal ulcer (rg = 0.220). One-SD increase in NLR PRS predicted higher risk of IBD (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.08), Crohn’s disease (OR = 1.06, 1.02–1.10), ulcerative colitis (OR = 1.05, 1.02–1.08) and coeliac disease (OR = 1.07, 1.03–1.11). Restricted cubic splines demonstrated non-linear relationships of NLR PRS for IBD, CD and UC. Gene environment analyses showed smoking and diabetes amplified the risks, while cardioprotective diet, oily fish intake and polyunsaturated fatty acid level attenuated NLR PRS-associated risk in IBD (mainly CD). Conclusions: Our study delineates the polygenic basis of NLR and establishes its genetic correlation with inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, offering a genetically informed indicator for disease risk stratification with potential utility in population-level prevention strategies. Full article

Marine fish are a good dietary source of important macro- and micronutrients. In addition to fresh fish, fish with varying degrees of industrial processing—frozen, marinated, smoked, canned, etc.—is used extensively in the food market. This study comprehensively characterizes the protein content, fat content, and fatty acid composition of various commercially available canned marine fish species. All canned fish muscle and cod liver were in salted brine, to eliminate the influence of other ingredients. All samples obtained from muscle had a relatively high protein content, mostly between 15 and 21 g/100 g. The fat content was highly variable, ranging from a few tenths to 15 g/100 g. Of the fatty acids, PUFAs predominated in almost all samples. The fatty acid composition of canned fish was very similar to the fatty acid composition of fresh fish. The fact that the content of highly oxylabile PUFAs practically did not differ compared to fresh fish indicates that the preservation process does not lead to significant oxidative damage to this type of product. A significant benefit of eating marine fish is the intake of highly unsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA of the omega-3 fatty acid series. Mainly mackerel and sardines are an excellent source of these two acids. Atlantic salmon and sockeye salmon are also very good sources. As a result, consuming an average of 3 g of cod liver, 10 g of mackerel, 15 g of sardines, or 30 g of Atlantic and sockeye salmon is sufficient to ensure the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA. Full article

Background: There are conflicting reports on the association of socioeconomic (SES) characteristics and lifestyle with salt and potassium intake as well as with the sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio. This paper examined how SES status and lifestyle habits affect salt, potassium intake, and the Na/K ratio in adults. Methods: Adults subjects (random sample) from the EH-UH 2 nationwide study with valid 24 h urine samples were included in these analyses. We used a questionnaire which included SES and questions related to lifestyle. Salt and potassium levels were measured using a 24 h urine collection. Results: A low level of professional qualification and education are important predictors of high salt and low potassium intake. SES affects salt intake more than potassium intake. Processed meat was the most important determinant of high salt intake. It significantly affected potassium intake, but this was not relevant due to a poor Na/K ratio. Non-smoking status was related to high daily salt and potassium intake, but with no significantly positive impact on Na/K ratio. Former smokers swapped one unhealthy habit for another, such as overeating or consuming too much salt. The Adriatic/Mediterranean diet, represented in this study with frequent olive oil and fish consumption, was related to more favourable salt and potassium intake and a better Na/K ratio. Targets of daily salt and potassium intake, as well as of Na/K ratio were achieved in a very low proportion of the population regardless of SES, lifestyle and behaviour. Conclusions: Our results emphasize the need for public-health strategies that consider both diet and individual characteristics to address nutritional inequalities and promote healthier eating habits. Targeted nutrition programmes for lower SES groups should emphasize salt reduction and encourage potassium-rich diets, thus reducing health imparities and the burden of diet-related chronic diseases. The prevention strategy should be more proactive and specifically designed for the food (meat) industry. A more holistic approach should be taken for smokers when quitting smoking is necessary, the whole population should be educated to change habits toward the Adriatic diet pattern, and the government should make olive oil and fish more affordable to all citizens, particularly to those with poor SES. Full article

Prenatal exposure to essential and toxic metals may influence fetal development and birth outcomes. Meconium represents a valuable biomarker of cumulative intrauterine exposure; however, data linking maternal lifestyle and diet to meconium metal concentrations remain limited. This study included 152 mother–newborn pairs at the University Hospital Center Split. Meconium samples were analyzed for essential metals (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu) and toxic metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Maternal and newborn characteristics were collected via questionnaires and medical records. Associations between maternal factors and metal concentrations were assessed using multivariable regression, and inter-metal correlations were evaluated with Spearman’s rank correlation. The correlation matrix indicates positive correlations among essential metals, particularly between Fe and Cu (r_s = 0.523), whereas toxic metals show mixed correlation patterns. Maternal factors were associated with several metal concentrations: zinc was positively associated with the newborn ponderal index; greater gestational weight gain and longer gestation were associated with lower iron concentrations; frequent fruit or grain consumption was associated with lower copper concentrations; frequent milk/dairy intake was associated with lower mercury; and fish consumption was associated with higher mercury and manganese. Rural residence and lower smoking intensity were associated with lower lead concentrations, while higher pre-pregnancy body mass index and frequent maternal smoking were associated with increased cadmium. No significant associations were observed for nickel or chromium. These findings highlight the influence of maternal diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors on fetal metal exposure, underscoring the need for monitoring, food safety control, and targeted education during pregnancy. Full article

This study investigates the predictive modeling of total Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in smoked fish products based on various smoking parameters using machine learning techniques in the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) software environment. Key input variables included fish fat content, smoking temperature, and wood type, all of which were statistically significant predictors of PAH levels (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis conducted in SPSS revealed a strong correlation between predictors and PAH concentration (r = 0.801), with an explained variance of 64.1% (R² = 0.641) and a standard error of 3.52. Among the evaluated machine learning algorithms—Linear Regression, SMOreg, Multilayer Perceptron, M5P, Random Forest, and IBk—performance was assessed using five criteria: Correlation Coefficient, Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Relative Absolute Error (RAE), and Root Relative Squared Error (RRSE). All models were validated using 10-fold cross-validation. For classification tasks based on fish species, Logistic Regression outperformed the Random Forest and J48 algorithms, indicating superior predictive capability. This integrated analytical framework demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning in food safety monitoring and provides a scientific basis for optimizing smoking processes to mitigate PAH contamination. Overall, the findings underscore the practical value of machine learning tools in the predictive modeling of PAH contamination in smoked fish. The approach not only offers high predictive accuracy but also serves as a scientific framework for improving food safety by optimizing smoking conditions to minimize PAH formation. This integrated model can aid food technologists and manufacturers in establishing safer processing parameters while maintaining product quality. Full article

Background: Depression represents a major public health burden in Hungary, where prevalence remains higher than the global average. Although diet is an increasingly studied factor associated with mental health, evidence from Central and Eastern Europe is scarce. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Hungarian wave of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) 2019, a nationally representative sample of 5603 adults aged ≥15 years. Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) and categorized as none (0–4), mild (5–9), and moderate-to-severe (≥10). Self-reported frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, dairy products, fish, processed meat, sweetened beverages, coffee, and sweeteners was examined. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age, education, income, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, were used to estimate associations with depressive symptom severity. Results: Overall, 77.9% of participants had no depression, 17.0% mild, and 5.1% moderate-to-severe symptoms. After full adjustment, lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, less frequent fruit juice intake, and lower processed meat consumption were associated with higher odds of more severe depressive symptoms. Moderate coffee intake (1–2 cups/day) was associated with lower odds than heavier consumption. Conclusions: In the Hungarian adult population, poorer dietary patterns, particularly low intake of fruits, vegetables, and paradoxically lower processed meat consumption, are significantly associated with greater depressive symptom severity, independent of major sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. These findings underscore the potential role of diet quality in mental health and support public health efforts to promote nutrient-rich dietary patterns in Hungary. Full article

Purpose: Cross-sectional analysis using open data has revealed an association between the traditional Japanese diet score (TJDS) and healthy life expectancy (HALE). This study aimed to clarify the association of the TJDS with the HALE and average life expectancy (LE) via a longitudinal analysis. Methods: Data regarding the food supply and total energy were extracted from the database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and data regarding HALE and LE were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The supply of items consumed frequently (rice, fish, soybeans, vegetables, and eggs) and less frequently (wheat, milk, and red meat) in the Japanese diet were scored (total: −8 to 8 points) and stratified into tertiles by country. The gross domestic product, aging rates, years of education, smoking rate, physical activity, and obesity rate were used as covariates. Longitudinal analyses were conducted for 143 countries, using the HALE and LE for each country from 2010 to 2019 as dependent variables and the 2010 TJDS as an independent variable. Results: The fixed effects (standard errors) were HALE 0.424 (0.102) and LE 0.521 (0.119), indicating significance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The nine-year longitudinal analysis using international data suggests that the traditional Japanese diet based on rice may prolong the HALE and LE. Full article

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is an important Black Sea species; however, quantitative data on how traditional household cooking affects its nutritional composition remain limited. This study assessed the effects of grilling, pan-frying, and smoking on the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, fat-soluble vitamins, antioxidant pigments, and cholesterol content of bluefish. Cooking led to moisture reductions of 7–18%, accompanied by increased total lipid content (26–80%). Crude protein content decreased in grilled and smoked fish and increased in pan-fried samples. Pan-frying resulted in the largest reduction in long-chain n-3 PUFA, with reductions of approximately 25.2% for EPA and 20.3% for DHA (in mg/100 g wet weight), probably due to higher temperature and absorption of other fatty acids from the cooking oil. Combined EPA + DHA levels ranged from 743 to 2223 mg/100 g (wet weight), with smoked fish showing the highest values. Vitamin E exhibited substantial losses during grilling but was largely preserved during smoking, whereas astaxanthin was undetectable in the grilled samples. Vitamin D₃ demonstrated moderate thermal stability. Overall, each cooking method induced distinct quantitative changes driven by moisture loss and changes in the relative proportions of individual fatty acids within the total lipids. Grilling and smoking were the most favorable for retaining long-chain n-3 PUFA and key micronutrients. Full article

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, with key features being synovial hyperplasia, autoantibody production, and ultimately cartilage and bone destruction. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not fully understood, but it is estimated that genetic factors account for 50–60% of the risk, with the remainder attributed to environmental factors, including infectious agents, smoking, gut microbiota, and diet. Given that most current clinical trials on RA and nutrition are limited in sample size and duration, there is an unmet need for higher-quality studies in the future, a need that EULAR has already recognized. Objective: This article aims to investigate the impact of diet and nutritional factors on the development, progression, and potential prevention of RA. Specifically, it provides a comprehensive review of certain foods, such as alcohol, gluten, red meat, and saturated and trans fats, and their contribution to the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, it examines the effect of key anti-inflammatory nutrients in reducing the risk of RA, including olive oil, fatty fish, juices, and certain fruits. Finally, it discusses the potential protective effects of certain dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) and diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Scopus databases (1990–2025). English-language observational studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews addressing the relationship between diet and dietary patterns and RA were included. Results: High consumption of red and processed meat, saturated and trans fats, sugary drinks, and gluten (in vulnerable individuals) is associated with increased RA risk and greater disease activity, partly through pro-inflammatory pathways and gut dysbiosis. In contrast, regular intake of olive oil, fatty fish rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fruit juices, cocoa, certain fruits, and vitamin D appears protective and may reduce disease activity and symptom severity. Adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet and diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is consistently associated with a lower incidence of RA, reduced inflammatory markers, and improved clinical outcomes. However, most available studies are limited by small sample sizes, short duration, heterogeneous methodologies, and potential confounding by other lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, obesity). Conclusions: Although an appropriate diet and dietary habits cannot replace pharmacological therapy, current knowledge supports the inclusion of an anti-inflammatory diet as an adjunct strategy in the prevention and management of RA. The relatively limited studies that have been conducted suggest that high-quality, large-scale, prospective studies are needed to prevent and treat RA. These studies should incorporate genetic, microbiome, and long-term clinical endpoints, so as to establish definitive dietary recommendations and allow for personalized nutritional interventions for patients with RA. Full article