Chiara Copat

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those receiving hemodialysis (HD), may be more vulnerable to exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) because of impaired renal clearance and frequent contact to plastic-based medical devices. This study aimed to assess and compare the levels of blood MNPs and urinary BPA in HD patients, non-dialysis CKD patients, and healthy subjects with a focus on sex-related differences and the potential role of hemodialysis as an additional source of exposure. A cross-sectional human biomonitoring study was conducted. Blood and urine samples were collected to quantify BPA using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and MNPs using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Detector (SEM-EDX). Descriptive statistics included medians, interquartile ranges (IQRs), 95% confidence intervals, frequencies, and percentages. Blood MNP levels were higher in HD [9889 (4525–14,939) p/mL] and non-dialysis CKD patients [9234 (3354–15,429) p/mL] than in healthy subjects [5755 (2488–9042) p/mL]. Urinary MNP levels were also higher in non-dialysis CKD patients [1231 (0–8281) p/mL] than in healthy subjects [411 (0–1636) p/mL]. Urinary MNPs were smaller in non-dialysis CKD patients than in healthy subjects. In contrast, urinary BPA levels were lower in non-dialysis CKD patients [0.16 (0.12–0.16)] than in healthy subjects [0.98 (0.60–2.36)]. Sex-specific patterns were observed. Females had higher blood MNP levels than males among HD patients (median 9907 vs. 9063 p/mL) and healthy subjects (6627 vs. 4131 p/mL), whereas the opposite pattern was observed in non-dialysis CKD patients (10,083 vs. 7340 p/mL). Overall, these findings suggest an increased systemic burden of MNPs and altered BPA elimination in non-dialysis CKD and HD patients. The observed sex-specific patterns suggest that biological sex may contribute to differences in internal exposure within this vulnerable population.

This is an exploratory case–control study assessed levels of metals and essential trace elements in hair samples from children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurotypical controls, exploring potential differences according to sex. A total of 154 children (61 children with ASD and 93 controls) aged 4–18 years were enrolled at the same clinical site in Eastern Sicily. Demographic, perinatal, dietary, and exposure information was collected through structured parental questionnaires. Hair samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Children with ASD showed distinct elemental patterns. Females with ASD had higher median nickel (0.25 vs.0.20 µg/g), lead (1.11 vs.0.55 µg/g), chromium (0.87 vs.0.49 µg/g), and aluminum (10.27 vs. 6.97 µg/g) compared with female controls; similar but smaller differences appeared in males. Mercury levels were consistently lower in children with ASD for both sexes (females: 0.25 vs.0.60 µg/g; males: 0.30 vs.0.58 µg/g). Essential trace elements were markedly elevated in children with ASD: zinc reached 132 µg/g in ASD females vs. 83 µg/g in controls, and 129 vs. 65 µg/g in males; selenium and copper were also higher across sexes. Maternal and child characteristics differed between groups. Mothers of children with ASD reported more infections (30.9% vs. 9.6%) and therapies during pregnancy (43.9% vs.22.6%), while children with ASD showed more gastric disorders (40.4%vs.9.4%), specific diets (21.1% vs.3.5%), and vitamin use (26.3% vs.3.5%). Findings suggest sex-related differences in hair metals and trace elements profiles among children with ASD. The low mercury levels observed in children with ASD showld be interpreted with caution, given that factors such as dietary habits, supplement intake, or differences in metal metabolism were not directly assessed in this study.

Evidence indicates that micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) may act as endocrine disruptors, promote neuroinflammation, and interfere with treatments. This study investigated the association between internal MNP exposure and major depressive disorder (MDD) through a comparative biomonitoring design conducted between July 2021 and June 2022. Blood and urine MNPs were quantified using patented extraction protocol and identified by SEM-EDX, while polymer characterization by PyGC/MS R,Scitalopram concentrations were measured via UPLCMS/MS. Thirty individuals with MDD and thirty controls were enrolled. Cases exhibited higher median blood MNP levels than controls (11,570 vs 6,186 p/mL), a pattern confirmed in sexstratified analyses for both men and women (13,139 vs 11,570 p/mL). Among controls, females showed higher levels than males (9,028 vs 4,138 p/mL). Urinary MNPs were more frequently detectable and substantially elevated in cases (152 vs 0 p/mL). Particle size did not differ by group or sex. Participants with blood MNP levels ≥8,780 p/mL had higher estimated odds of MDD (adjusted OR 4.70; 95% CI 1.17–19.0), whereas older age was associated with lower odds. Polyethylene and polypropylene predominated in both matrices. No differences in blood MNPs emerged between adherent and nonadherent citalopram users. Findings suggest a potential link between MNP burden and MDD.

Evidence indicates that micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) may act as endocrine disruptors, promote neuroinflammation, and interfere with treatments. This study investigated the association between internal MNP exposure and major depressive disorder (MDD) through a comparative biomonitoring design conducted between July 2021 and June 2022. Blood and urine MNPs were quantified using patented extraction protocol and identified by SEM-EDX, while polymer characterization by PyGC/MS R,Scitalopram concentrations were measured via UPLCMS/MS. Thirty individuals with MDD and thirty controls were enrolled. Cases exhibited higher median blood MNP levels than controls (11,570 vs 6,186 p/mL), a pattern confirmed in sexstratified analyses for both men and women (13,139 vs 11,570 p/mL). Among controls, females showed higher levels than males (9,028 vs 4,138 p/mL). Urinary MNPs were more frequently detectable and substantially elevated in cases (152 vs 0 p/mL). Particle size did not differ by group or sex. Participants with blood MNP levels ≥8,780 p/mL had higher estimated odds of MDD (adjusted OR 4.70; 95% CI 1.17–19.0), whereas older age was associated with lower odds. Polyethylene and polypropylene predominated in both matrices. No differences in blood MNPs emerged between adherent and nonadherent citalopram users. Findings suggest a potential link between MNP burden and MDD.

Background: Human health is closely interconnected to our ecosystem. Several studies found evidence that nature-based interventions improve mental health. Very recently, these approaches have started including mindfulness practices. Nature-based mindfulness interventions (NBMIs) combine contemplative practices with exposure to natural environments and are increasingly recognised as promising tools for supporting mental health and resilience within a One Health perspective, fostering physio-psychological wellbeing whilst promoting nature awareness and a sense of connection with our planet—“biofilia”, as defined by American biologist Edward Wilson. Given the growing psychological impacts of climate-related stressors, NBMIs may offer particular value for regions with high climate-risk and ecological vulnerability. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted following established principles for high-quality non-systematic reviews. A non-systematic but structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (January 2018–November 2025), complemented by grey literature, identified studies involving adolescents and adults participating in interventions integrating mindfulness practices with natural environments. Extracted data included study context, participant characteristics, intervention type, mental health and resilience outcomes. Results: Across heterogeneous designs, NBMIs consistently reduced stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and rumination, while improving sleep, vitality, attention and self-regulation. Most studies reported enhanced nature connectedness—an important mediator of wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour. Programmes delivered to disaster-affected populations showed reductions in distress. Conclusions: NBMIs are feasible, low-cost and adaptable interventions with dual benefits for mental health and ecological awareness. They offer promising One Health-aligned strategies for strengthening psychological resilience in climate-vulnerable regions, warranting further research and context-specific adaptation.

Astaxanthin (AXT), a carotenoid primarily derived from marine organisms such as shrimp, krill and the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, has gained significant attention for its potent antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑proliferative properties. The present comprehensive review explored the role of AXT in cancer prevention and treatment, emphasizing its cytotoxic mechanisms and modulation of key molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. AXT has demonstrated efficacy across a variety of cancer types, including nervous system, breast and gastrointestinal cancers, through its ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit metastasis and disrupt cell growth. The present review detailed both in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting the effectiveness of AXT in sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes and potentially reducing treatment‑related side effects. The incorporation of AXT in nanoparticle‑based delivery systems has further improved its bioavailability and targeted action, showcasing its potential in advanced cancer therapies. However, despite promising experimental results, more comprehensive in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of AXT in human populations. Such research would help standardize dosing, confirm interactions with conventional treatments and support the integration of AXT into clinical oncology as a natural, complementary approach to existing cancer treatments.