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Carbon stable isotope ratios (δ(13)C) are widely used to trace resource transfer pathways, yet δ(13)C variation in freshwater autotrophs is not yet fully understood. We have analyzed data from 42 published studies, supplemented with some unpublished data, to show the determinants of lotic periphyton δ(13)C. At large spatial scales, we observed broad differences in periphyton δ(13)C among biomes and consistent longitudinal variation related to watershed area. Longitudinal increases in δ(13)C indicate the importance of in-stream processes on lotic carbon cycles and autotroph δ(13)C variation. At local spatial scales, periphyton δ(13)C was negatively related to canopy cover and water current velocity and positively related to chlorophyll a density. Autotroph δ(13)C varied among taxonomic groups. Cyanobacteria and red algae had significantly higher and lower δ(13)C than other taxa, respectively. A hierarchical model across spatial scales showed that local controls for periphyton δ(13)C were nested by regional controls, which suggested that productivity and CO(2) availability determine δ(13)C. Overall, our results reveal general patterns of periphyton δ(13)C and provide improved information for study design and the use of δ(13)C in isotopic mixing models in lotic food web studies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have reduced expression of erythroid nuclear factor-related factor 2 (NRF2) and increased nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). "Food as medicine" has been proposed as an adjuvant therapeutic alternative in modulating these factors. No studies have investigated the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) in cruciferous vegetables on the expression of these genes in patients with CKD. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of SFN on the expression of NRF2 and NF-κB in patients on hemodialysis (HD). DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was performed on 30 patients on regular HD. Fourteen patients were randomly allocated to the intervention group (1 sachet/day of 2.5 g containing 1% SFN extract with 0.5% myrosinase) and 16 patients to the placebo group (1 sachet/day of 2.5 g containing corn starch colored with chlorophyll) for 2 months. After a washout period of 2 months, the groups were switched. NRF2 and NF-κB mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Malondialdehyde was evaluated as a marker of lipid peroxidation. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (17 women, 55 [interquartile range = 19] years and 55 [interquartile range = 74] months on HD) completed the study. There was no significant difference concerning the expression of mRNA NRF2 (P = .915) and mRNA NF-κB (P = .806) after supplementation with SFN. There was no difference in pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. CONCLUSION: 150 μmol of SFN for 2 months had no antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in patients with CKD undergoing HD.

Acid rain is one of the influential environmental factors in transport of heavy metals, including lead from the atmosphere to the surface of the earth and growing plants. Such situation can not only damage the growing plants but can also toxify the food chain, and endanger human life. In order to reduce stress damage due to lead, on green bean plant, the effect of spraying the plants by sulfur, also amino acids including serine and glutamine, was evaluated. A factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out using the green bean Sunray cultivar in 2020. Treatments include foliar application of lead at two levels (0.0 and 1 mmol) as lead acetate, foliar application of liquid sulfur at two levels (0.0 and 2 per thousand), and foliar application of amino acids at four levels (0.0, serine at 200 mg/L, glutamine at 200 mg/L, and co-application of serine and glutamine at the same concentrations) at pre-flowering stage. The results showed that leaf foliar uptake of most of the employed treatments resulted in reduction of leaf area index, leaf, stem and pods dry weight, stem diameter and height, pod yield, photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, and relative leaf water content. However, grain protein content, hydrogen peroxide, and glutathione antioxidant activity significantly increased. Spraying of sulfur solution and serine and glutamine were effective in reducing the negative effects of lead stress, as it reduced the amount of hydrogen peroxide and grain protein and increased the reservoir of glutathione. These treatments also, compared to the pure lead treatment, significantly reduced lead accumulation in the pod, as the edible organ of green beans. This study results showed that foliar application of sulfur along with amino acids serine and glutamine reduced the lead toxicity effects through improving the physiological functions, and thus can increase the final yield and consequently human access to healthier food (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 Graphical abstract. © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Tetracycline antibiotics frequently co-occur with manganese (Mn) in freshwater environments, yet how Mn background gradients reshape mixture phytotoxicity remains insufficiently resolved. The objective of this study was to systematically investigate how varying Mn background levels modulate the phytotoxicity and interaction patterns of tetracycline antibiotics. Using Lemna minor as a model species, we employed full-factorial Mn × tetracycline concentration matrices (tetracycline, TC; oxytetracycline, OTC; and chlortetracycline, CTC) to quantify Mn-dependent modulation of tetracycline toxicity and identified operational Mn regimes supported by breakpoint robustness analysis. Growth-rate responses delineated a low-Mn window (0.10-0.40 mg·L⁻¹), a transition interval (0.40-1.60 mg·L⁻¹), and a high-Mn domain (≥1.60 mg·L⁻¹). Under low Mn conditions, Mn generally promoted antagonistic interactions, with inhibition weaker than expected, a pattern consistently observed across growth, pigment, and antioxidant endpoints. In contrast, under high Mn conditions, synergistic interactions emerged at specific Mn × antibiotic combinations, characterized by stronger-than-expected inhibition, forming spatially heterogeneous interaction "islands" on the response surfaces. These regime-dependent patterns were concordant between integrated multi-endpoint ΔBliss interaction landscapes, which quantify deviations from Bliss independence, and potency-surface validation using δZIP, a zero-interaction potency (ZIP)-based deviation metric, based on chlorophyll a. Overall, the results support a threshold-based, operational reporting framework linking Mn regimes to mixture interaction landscapes and indicate that mixture outcomes cannot be inferred from antibiotic dose alone when background metal levels vary, underscoring the need to explicitly incorporate metal gradients in mixture risk assessment.

Drought stress severely limits rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) growth and productivity by disrupting photosynthetic efficiency and inducing oxidative damage. This study investigated the potential of melatonin (MT) and methyl jasmonate (MJ), individually and in combination, to mitigate drought-induced toxicity in rapeseed. Plants were subjected to drought stress (15% Polyethylene glycol 6000), followed by foliar application of MT (100 μM), MJ (100 μM), or their combination. Under drought stress, rapeseed exhibited significantly reduced chlorophyll content (by 33.72% for chl a and 54.59% for chl b), impaired photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm decreased by 16.08%), and elevated oxidative stress markers (H₂O₂ increased by 54.79%, MDA by 144.6%, ROS by 43.96%). The combined application of MT and MJ conferred the highest level of drought tolerance, increasing shoot fresh weight by 92.33% and root dry weight by 405% compared to the stressed control. This synergistic treatment effectively enhanced stomatal conductance by 76.25%, increased net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 71.45%, and boosted key antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., POD by 216%). The enhanced efficacy of the dual treatment compared to individual applications strongly indicates coordinated signaling between MT and MJ pathways in stress response modulation. These results demonstrate that simultaneous application of these plant growth regulators offers an effective physiological strategy to improve rapeseed performance under water deficit conditions.

BACKGROUND: Elicitation is a widely used strategy to enhance secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants. However, the comparative effectiveness of different redox-modulating elicitors and their interactions in regulating antioxidant systems and terpenoid indole alkaloid (TIA) biosynthesis remains insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H) in combination with melatonin (MT) or L-cysteine (Cys) on redox stability, antioxidant defense, phenolic metabolism, and TIA accumulation in Catharanthus roseus in vitro plants. METHODS: In vitro-grown plants were treated with H₂O₂ (H: 20 µM) alone or combined with different concentrations of MT (100, 200 and 400 µM) or Cys (200, 400 and 800 µM). Photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, SOD), oxidative stress indicators (H₂O₂, MDA), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacity (TAC, FRAP), phenylpropanoid enzymes (PAL, PPO), and major alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, ajmalicine) were quantified using spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses. RESULTS: All treatments significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity and secondary metabolite accumulation compared with the control. Cys400 + H treatment was most effective for promoting biomass accumulation, activating antioxidant enzymes and TAC, whereas MT200 + H effectively enhanced TPC and minimized oxidative damage. MT400 + H preferentially improved chlorophyll content, while Cys800 + H strongly promoted carbohydrates accumulation and vincristine production. The highest plant growth, TFC and vinblastine content was recorded under H treatment alone. Ajmalicine content decreased under all elicitation regimes, indicating a redirection of metabolic flux within the TIA pathway. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that H in combination with MT or Cys differentially modulates redox balance and metabolic flux, enabling selective enhancement of antioxidant enzymes and valuable alkaloids. Optimized elicitor combinations therefore provide an effective strategy for targeted metabolic engineering of C. roseus under in vitro conditions. © 2026. The Aut

BACKGROUND: Over-reliance on and excessive use of pesticides for pest management have led to various side effects, including the rapid development of pesticide resistance. The abundant reactive species present in plasma-activated water (PAW) make it a potential alternative to pesticides for controlling crop pests. Whether PAW can truly replace pesticides or significantly reduce their usage depends on its efficacy when applied in the same manner as pesticides. RESULTS: A foliar spray bioassay that simulates the field application of pesticides was established to estimate the direct toxicity of PAW to two insecticide-susceptible and two resistant strains of cotton aphids in the presence and absence of imidacloprid or flonicamid. Spraying PAW alone only caused mortality of about 20-30% against the four cotton aphid strains, significantly lower than the effects of imidacloprid LC25 dose and flonicamid LC25 dose to the four strains. Spraying a mixture of PAW and imidacloprid at LC25 dose or flonicamid at LC25 dose resulted in significantly higher mortality rates against the four strains compared to the two insecticides diluted with pure water. Relative to pure water control, PAW and its mixtures with imidacloprid LC25 dose or flonicamid LC25 dose displayed no adverse effects on chlorophyll content and the photosynthetic parameters of cotton seedlings. CONCLUSION: The data obtained indicate that PAW has the potential to serve as a plant-safe synergist for enhancing the insecticidal efficacy of imidacloprid and flonicamid against both insecticide-susceptible and -resistant cotton aphids. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Maize crop is a vital source of nutrients, but its productivity and nutritional quality are threatened by climate change-induced stresses. Among different micronutrients, zinc (Zn) has prime importance due to its role in improving growth, enzyme activation, protein synthesis, and chlorophyll production. On the other hand, iron (Fe) is essential for electron transport, respiration, energy production, and metabolic functions. Furthermore, the role of boron (B) in cell wall formation, membrane integrity, pollen germination, seed and fruit development is also vital. Previous studies have largely focused on individual micronutrient management, overlooking their synergistic roles. However, synergistic contribution of zinc, iron, and boron toward maize biofortification and yield improvement still needs investigation. This study uniquely addresses this gap by evaluating sole and consortia applications of these micronutrients to enhance yield and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, and B) in maize. A total of eight treatments, i.e., control, Fe, Zn, B, Fe + Zn, Fe + B, Zn + B, and Fe + Zn + B, were applied in soil while bed preparation for sowing of maize (Azam variety) in three replications, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results demonstrate that Fe + Zn + B caused an increase in maize plant height (33.12%), 1000-grain weight (37.05%), biological yield (21.23%), grain yield (47.35%) while decrease in POD (38.77%), SOD (48.37%), CAT (48.78%), and APx (50.00%) compared to the control. Furthermore, improvement in Fe, Zn, and B concentration in leaves and grains verified the efficacious functioning of Fe + Zn + B more than the control. In conclusion, Fe + Zn + B is suggested as an effective amendment for mitigating nutritional deficiency in maize. © 2025. The Author(s).

The chlorophyll-derived diterpenoid phytol (PHY) is evident for its diverse biological effects, including neuroprotective activities in experimental animals. This study aims at the evaluation of anticonvulsant effects along with the possible mechanism of action of PHY through animal and in silico studies. For this, we performed pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion tests in chicks and in silico studies against GABAA receptor subunits and voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) receptors. PHY was tested at 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg with or without the standard drugs diazepam (DZP: 5 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (CAR: 80 mg/kg) using a vehicle as a control. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in chicks per OECD guidelines by administering PHY (500-2000 mg/kg, p.o.) and monitoring for 48 h for mortality, toxicological signs, and behavioral changes. PHY exhibited a dose-dependent anticonvulsant effect, significantly increasing latency and reducing convulsion frequency and duration at 75 mg/kg. PHY (75 mg/kg) combined with CAR and DZP showed the most potent reduction in convulsion frequency and duration, indicating a synergistic effect. Acute toxicity tests in chicks confirmed safety up to 2000 mg/kg. In silico studies demonstrated that PHY had good binding affinity with both the GABAA receptor (-6.5 kcal/mol) and VGSC (-7.0 kcal/mol), potentially contributing to its anticonvulsant action through GABAergic and sodium channel modulation. PHY showed significant anticonvulsant activity, likely via GABAA and VGSC modulation, warranting further studies to clarify its mechanisms and assess its adjunct potential in drug-resistant convulsion management. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment could realize simultaneous nutrients recovery and CO2 sequestration. However, impacts of environmental microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic co-exposure on microalgal growth, nutrients removal, intracellular nitric oxide (NO) accumulation and subsequent nitrous oxide (N2O) emission are unclarified, which could greatly offset the CO2 sequestration benefit. To reveal the potential impacts of environmental concentrations of MPs and antibiotic co-exposure on microalgal greenhouse gas mitigation, this study investigated the effects of representative MPs (PE, PVC, PA), antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and nitrite (NO2--N) in various combinations on attached Chlorella sorokiniana growth, nutrients removal, anti-oxidative responses, and N2O emission originated from intracellular NO build-up. Microalgal biofilm growth was more inhibited under 10 μg/L MPs than 100 μg/L SMX, and MPs+SMX co-exposure displayed toxicity antagonism while MPs+MPs co-exposure caused toxicity synergism (up to 66 % growth inhibition). Extracellular polysaccharides content correlated well with microalgal biofilm density under various stresses, while SMX involved stresses displayed chlorophyll a content reduction. Microalgal assimilation and MPs adsorption contributed to nutrients removal, and phosphorus removal displayed less variance among different stresses (residual phosphorus <0.5 mg/L) than nitrogen. Intracellular NO conversion to N2O almost doubled during the co-exposure processes, and N2O emission under NO2--N + PE+PVC co-exposure could offset the contribution of microalgal CO2 sequestration by as high as 176.2 %. Results of this study appealed for urgent concern regarding environmental MPs and antibiotic co-exposure on primary producers' growth characteristics and their greenhouse gas mitigation properties.

BACKGROUND: Water deficiency stress reduces yield in grain legumes, primarily due to a decrease in the pods number. Melatonin (ML) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) are recognized for their hormone-like properties that improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study aimed to assess the impact of different concentrations of ML (0, 100, and 200 µM) and EBL (0, 3, and 6 µM) on the growth, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of chickpea plants under water-stressed conditions. RESULTS: The study's findings indicated that under water-stressed conditions, a decrease in seed (30%) and pod numbers (31%), 100-seed weight (17%), total chlorophyll content (46%), stomatal conductance (33%), as well as an increase in H2O2 (62%), malondialdehyde content (40%), and electrolyte leakage index (40%), resulted in a 40% reduction in chickpea plants grain yield. Our findings confirmed that under water-stressed conditions, seed oil, seed oil yield, and seed protein yield dropped by 20%, 55%, and 36%, respectively. The concurrent exogenous application of ML and EBL significantly reduces oxidative stress, plasma membrane damage, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. This treatment also leads to increased yield and its components, higher pigment content, enhanced oil and protein yield, and improved enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, flavonoid, and carotenoid. Furthermore, it promotes the accumulation of osmoprotectants such as proline, total soluble protein, and sugars. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that ML and EBL act synergistically to regulate plant growth, photosynthesis, osmoprotectants accumulation, antioxidant defense systems, and maintain ROS homeostasis, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of water deficit conditions. ML and EBL are key regulatory network components in stressful conditions, with significant potential for future research and practical applications. The regulation metabolic pathways of ML and EBL in water-stressed remains unknown. As a result, future research should aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by employing genome

Salinity stress significantly hinders plant growth by disrupting osmotic balance and inhibiting nutrient uptake, leading to reduced biomass and stunted development. Using saponin (SAP) and boron (B) can effectively overcome this issue. Boron decreases salinity stress by stabilizing cell walls and membranes, regulating ion balance, activating antioxidant enzymes, and enhancing water uptake. SAP are bioactive compounds that have the potential to alleviate salinity stress by improving nutrient uptake, modulating plant hormone levels, promoting root growth, and stimulating antioxidant activity. That's why the current study was planned to use a combination of SAP and boron as amendments to mitigate salinity stress in sweet potatoes. Four levels of SAP (0%, 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) and B (control, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L B) were applied in 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results illustrated that 0.15% SAP with 20 mg/L B caused significant enhancement in sweet potato vine length (13.12%), vine weight (12.86%), root weight (8.31%), over control under salinity stress. A significant improvement in sweet potato chlorophyll a (9.84%), chlorophyll b (20.20%), total chlorophyll (13.94%), photosynthetic rate (17.69%), transpiration rate (16.03%), and stomatal conductance (17.59%) contrast to control under salinity stress prove the effectiveness of 0.15% SAP + 20 mg/L B treatment. In conclusion, 0.15% SAP + 20 mg/L B is recommended to mitigate salinity stress in sweet potatoes. © 2024. The Author(s).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a popular group of drugs used worldwide. These drugs are also available over the counter, which implies that their consumption is not strictly regulated. They are released through wastewater and feces and can have adverse effects on the environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two NSAIDs, diclofenac (DCF) and naproxen (NAP), and their mixture (DCF + NAP) on spring barley seedlings and ostracods Heterocypris incongruens. The tested drugs had a negative impact on bivalve ostracods and the studied plants. DCF was the most toxic toward ostracods, while spring barley seedlings were affected the most by NAP. The application of the tested compounds and their mixture resulted in a decrease in fresh weight yield and the content of photosynthetic pigments. In addition, an increase in H2O2 and proline content and changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (POD, APX, CAT, and SOD) were observed.

BACKGROUND: Chlorophyll-a is a novel photosensitizer recently tested for the treatment of acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy used for acne treatment. METHODS: Subjects with acne on both sides of the face were included. Eight treatment sessions were performed over a 4-week duration. Half of the face was irradiated using a blue and red light-emitting diode after topical application of chlorophyll-lipoid complex. The other half underwent only light-emitting diode phototherapy. The lesion counts and acne severity were assessed by a blinded examiner. Sebum secretion, safety, and histologic changes were also evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 24 subjects completed the study. Facial acne improved on both treated sides. On the chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy-treated side, there were significant reductions in acne lesion counts, acne severity grades, and sebum levels compared with the side treated with light-emitting diode phototherapy alone. The side effects were tolerable in all the cases. LIMITATIONS: All the subjects were of Asian descent with darker skin types, which may limit the generalizability of the study. A chlorophyll-a arm alone is absent, as is a no-treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris can be effective and safe with minimal side effects.

Reef-building corals create one of the most biodiverse and economically important ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, global coral reef ecosystems experience threats from numerous natural stressors, which are amplified by human activities. One such threat is ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun; a genotoxic stressor that is a double-edged sword for corals as they rely on sunlight for energy. More intense UVR has been shown to have greater direct impacts on animal physiology, and these may be exacerbated by co-occurring stressors. The aim of this systematic literature review was to examine if the same applies to corals; that is, if the co-exposure of a constant stressor (UVR) with other stressors has a greater impact on coral physiology than if these stressors occurred separately. We reviewed the biochemical and cellular processes impacted by UVR and the defenses corals have against UVR. The main stressors investigated with UVR were temperature, nitrate, nutrient, oil, water motion, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). UVR generally worsened the physiological impacts of other stressors (e.g., by decreasing zooxanthellae and chlorophyll densities). There were species-specific differences in their tolerance to UVR (differences in zooxanthellae populations, sunscreen production and depth) and environmental stress (e.g., resilience to some oils), and that ambient levels of UVR were often beneficial (i.e., nullifying impacts of nitrates). We highlight areas of future investigation including examining and assessing other interacting stressors and their impacts (e.g., ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, toxins and pollutants), investigating impacts of multiple stressors with UVR on the coral microbiome, and elucidating the effects of multi-stressors with UVR across early-life history stages (especially larvae). UVR is a pervasive stressor to corals and can interact with other environmental conditions to compromise the resilience of corals. This environmental driver needs to be more comprehensively examined alongside climate change stressors (e.g., temperature increases, ocean acidification and hypoxia) to better understand future climate scenari

Health promotion campaigns have advocated for individuals to 'eat a rainbow' of fruits and vegetables (FV). However, the literature has only focused on individual color pigments or individual health outcomes. This umbrella review synthesized the evidence on the health effects of a variety of color-associated bioactive pigments found in FV (carotenoids, flavonoids, betalains and chlorophylls), compared to placebo or low intakes. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL was conducted on 20 October 2021, without date limits. Meta-analyzed outcomes were evaluated for certainty via the GRADE system. Risk of bias was assessed using the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine critical appraisal tools. A total of 86 studies were included, 449 meta-analyzed health outcomes, and data from over 37 million participants were identified. A total of 42% of health outcomes were improved by color-associated pigments (91% GRADE rating very low to low). Unique health effects were identified: n = 6 red, n = 10 orange, n = 3 yellow, n = 6 pale yellow, n = 3 white, n = 8 purple/blue and n = 1 green. Health outcomes associated with multiple color pigments were body weight, lipid profile, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, mortality, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Findings show that color-associated FV variety may confer additional benefits to population health beyond total FV intake.

Contaminants may affect ecosystem functioning by reducing the fitness of organisms and these impacts may cascade through ecosystems, particularly if the sensitive organisms are also habitat-forming species. Understanding how sub-lethal effects of toxicants can affect the quality and functions of biogenic habitats is critical if we are to establish effective guidelines for protecting ecosystems. We carried out a global systematic review and meta-analysis critically evaluating contaminant effects on properties of habitat-formers linked to ecosystem functioning. We reviewed a total of 95 publications. However, 40% of publications initially captured by the literature search were identified as having flaws in experimental design and ~11% did not present results in an appropriate way and thus were excluded from the quantitative meta-analysis. We quantitatively reviewed 410 studies from 46 publications, of which 313 (~76%) were on plants and seaweeds, that is macro-algae, saltmarsh plants and seagrasses, 58 (~14%) studied corals and 39 (~10%) looked at toxicant impacts on bivalves, with 70% of those on mussels and the remaining studies on oysters. Response variables analysed were photosynthetic efficiency, amount of chlorophyll a (as a proxy for primary production) and growth of plants, seaweeds and corals as well as leaf area of plants. We also analysed filtration, growth and respiration rates of bivalves. Our meta-analysis found that chemical contaminants have a significant negative impact on most of the analysed functional variables, with the exception of the amount of chlorophyll a. Metals were the most widely harmful type of contaminant, significantly decreasing photosynthetic efficiency of kelps, leaf area of saltmarsh plants, growth of fucoids, corals and saltmarsh plants and the filtration rates of bivalves. Organic contaminants decreased the photosynthetic efficiency of seagrass, but had no significant effects on bivalve filtration. We did not find significant effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on any of the analysed functional variables or habitat-forming taxa, but this could be due to the low number of studies available. A meta-regression revealed t

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an exaggerated response of the immune system to common allergens. Most pharmacological therapies tend to be palliative and in some cases are associated with adverse effects. There is a growing tendency for people to self-medicate with health supplements as they are generally considered safe, however clinical studies relating to their efficacy and safety are limited. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to synthesise the available evidence relating to the treatment of allergic rhinitis with a variety of health supplements. A total of 57 062 articles were derived from searching seven online databases and evidence from 48 RCTs and 10 observational studies were reviewed for methodological quality and risk of bias. No qualitative studies meeting the inclusion criteria could be found, therefore only a quantitative review was performed. Promising evidence for the following single supplements were found: apple polyphenols, tomato extract, spirulina, chlorophyll c2, honey, conjugated linoleic acid, MSM, isoquercitrin, vitamins C, D and E, as well as probiotics. Combination formulas may also be beneficial, particularly specific probiotic complexes, a mixture of vitamin D3, quercetin and Perilla frutescens, as well as the combination of vitamin D3 and L. reuteri. Owing to the paucity of good quality evidence, recommendations pertaining to the use of health supplements for allergic rhinitis should involve a shared decision-making process between the healthcare provider and the patient, taking into account their efficacy, safety and cost. Further good quality clinical studies and qualitative research would further our understanding of the role these health supplements may play in future treatment protocols.

An evidence-based systematic review of chlorophyll by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing. Effect of Vitamin D and Docosahexaenoic Acid Co-Supplementation on Vitamin D Status, Body Composition, and Metabolic Markers in Obese Children: A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study. De Cosmi V(1), Mazzocchi A(1), D'Oria V(2), Re A(3), Spolidoro GCI(1), Milani GP(1)(4), Berti C(4), Scaglioni S(5), Giavoli C(1)(6), Bergamaschi S(6), Rodari G(6), Profka E(6), Colombo R(3), Agostoni C(1)(7). Author information: (1)Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy. (2)Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Anestesia e Terapia Intensiva Donna-Bambino, 20122 Milano, Italy. (3)Servizio di Alimentazione Pediatrica ASST Rhodense POT Bollate, 20024 Milano, Italy. (4)Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy. (5)Fondazione de Marchi Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy. (6)Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy. (7)Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy. Obese children are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives might have a beneficial effect on vitamin D status of obese children, due to their anti-inflammatory action, and increasing its absorption. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation for six months on vitamin D status, body composition, and metabolic markers of obese children with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 108