scholarly journals Pharmaceutical Pollution and Disposal of Expired, Unused, and Unwanted Medicines in the Brazilian Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-76
Author(s):  
Letícia de Araújo Almeida Freitas ◽  
Gandhi Radis-Baptista
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Pharmaceutical Market ◽  
Drug Residues ◽  
State Laws ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drug ◽  
Soil Systems ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Pharmaceuticals In The Environment

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is an everyday recognized concern worldwide, and drugs as environmental contaminants have been detected in water and soil systems, posing risks to humans and wildlife. The presence of drugs in wastewater, groundwater, and even drinking water occurs in several countries, including Brazil, where the pharmaceutical market is expanding over the years. The adverse, harmful effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment range from the spreading of antimicrobial resistance and species survival to the interference with reproduction and increased cancer incidence in humans. Therefore, it is demanding to count on proper legislation to prevent these pollutants from entering the distinct environment compartments. In some developed countries, laws, directives, programs, and initiatives regarding drug disposal reach a mature status. In Brazil, federal laws dealing with drug residues’ management are recent, with flaws that might facilitate non-compliance with drug pollution issues. Besides, pharmacies and drugstores are not obligated to collect unneeded household medicines, while particular State laws aim to ordinate the disposal of drug residues regionally. In this review, we consider the current knowledge about pharmaceutical (drug) pollution, the recommendation and regulations on the disposal of useless medicines in some countries, and in the context of the expanding pharmaceutical market in Brazil. The awareness of emerging contaminants in the environment, besides the joint effort of authorities, consumers, and the general public nationwide, will be required to avoid pharmaceutical/drug pollution and achieve an eco-friendly environment and a sustainable society.

Free Fatty Acid Receptors as New Potential Targets in Colorectal Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 1397-1404
Author(s):  
Adrian Bartoszek ◽  
Jakub Fichna ◽  
Aleksandra Tarasiuk ◽  
Agata Binienda ◽  
Adam Fabisiak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Free Fatty Acid ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
The Family ◽  
Free Fatty Acid Receptors

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. In developed countries, its mortality remains high, yet the prevalence has established owing to effective screening programs; however due to the westernization of lifestyle, the incidences in many other countries have increased. Although the treatment of CRC has improved in the last few years, the side effects of these approaches cannot be neglected. Recently, members of the family of free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) have become attractive pharmacological targets in many diseases, including asthma; studies also point to their role in carcinogenesis. Here, we discuss current knowledge and future directions in FFAR research related to CRC. Contradictory results of FFARs modulation may derive from the pleiotropic effects of FFAR ligands, receptor distribution and different signal transduction. Hence, we indicate directions of further studies to fully use the potential of FFARs in CRC.

scholarly journals Urinary Extracellular Vesicles for Diabetic Kidney Disease Diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2046
Author(s):  
Goren Saenz-Pipaon ◽  
Saioa Echeverria ◽  
Josune Orbe ◽  
Carmen Roncal
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Diabetic Kidney Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Diabetic Kidney ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Stage Renal Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in developed countries, affecting more than 40% of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. DKD pathogenesis is multifactorial leading to a clinical presentation characterized by proteinuria, hypertension, and a gradual reduction in kidney function, accompanied by a high incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. Unlike other diabetes-related complications, DKD prevalence has failed to decline over the past 30 years, becoming a growing socioeconomic burden. Treatments controlling glucose levels, albuminuria and blood pressure may slow down DKD evolution and reduce CV events, but are not able to completely halt its progression. Moreover, one in five patients with diabetes develop DKD in the absence of albuminuria, and in others nephropathy goes unrecognized at the time of diagnosis, urging to find novel noninvasive and more precise early diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these patient subgroups. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially urinary (u)EVs, have emerged as an alternative for this purpose, as changes in their numbers and composition have been reported in clinical conditions involving DM and renal diseases. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on the role of (u)EVs in DKD.

scholarly journals The Role of Biochar in Regulating the Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles Exemplified by Soil Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5612
Author(s):  
Shu-Yuan Pan ◽  
Cheng-Di Dong ◽  
Jenn-Feng Su ◽  
Po-Yen Wang ◽  
Chiu-Wen Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Soil Systems ◽  
P Mineralization ◽  
Rich Material ◽  
Pyrolysis Of Biomass

Biochar is a carbon-rich material prepared from the pyrolysis of biomass under various conditions. Recently, biochar drew great attention due to its promising potential in climate change mitigation, soil amendment, and environmental control. Obviously, biochar can be a beneficial soil amendment in several ways including preventing nutrients loss due to leaching, increasing N and P mineralization, and enabling the microbial mediation of N2O and CO2 emissions. However, there are also conflicting reports on biochar effects, such as water logging and weathering induced change of surface properties that ultimately affects microbial growth and soil fertility. Despite the voluminous reports on soil and biochar properties, few studies have systematically addressed the effects of biochar on the sequestration of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in soils. Information on microbially-mediated transformation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) species in the soil environment remains relatively uncertain. A systematic documentation of how biochar influences the fate and transport of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen in soil is crucial to promoting biochar applications toward environmental sustainability. This report first provides an overview on the adsorption of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen species on biochar, particularly in soil systems. Then, the biochar-mediated transformation of organic species, and the transport of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in soil systems are discussed. This review also reports on the weathering process of biochar and implications in the soil environment. Lastly, the current knowledge gaps and priority research directions for the biochar-amended systems in the future are assessed. This review focuses on literatures published in the past decade (2009–2021) on the adsorption, degradation, transport, weathering, and transformation of C, N, and P species in soil systems with respect to biochar applications.

scholarly journals Current Insights into Immunology and Novel Therapeutics of Atopic Dermatitis

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Hidaya A. Kader ◽  
Muhammad Azeem ◽  
Suhib A. Jwayed ◽  
Aaesha Al-Shehhi ◽  
Attia Tabassum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Th2 Response ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Environmental Agents ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent inflammatory disease among non-fatal skin diseases, affecting up to one fifth of the population in developed countries. AD is characterized by recurrent pruritic and localized eczema with seasonal fluctuations. AD initializes the phenomenon of atopic march, during which infant AD patients are predisposed to progressive secondary allergies such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergies. The pathophysiology of AD is complex; onset of the disease is caused by several factors, including strong genetic predisposition, disrupted epidermal barrier, and immune dysregulation. AD was initially characterized by defects in the innate immune system and a vigorous skewed adaptive Th2 response to environmental agents; there are compelling evidences that the disorder involves multiple immune pathways. Symptomatic palliative treatment is the only strategy to manage the disease and restore skin integrity. Researchers are trying to more precisely define the contribution of different AD genotypes and elucidate the role of various immune axes. In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge about the roles of innate and adaptive immune responsive cells in AD. In addition, current and novel treatment strategies for the management of AD are comprehensively described, including some ongoing clinical trials and promising therapeutic agents. This information will provide an asset towards identifying personalized targets for better therapeutic outcomes.

scholarly journals Entamoeba Histolytica: Updates in Clinical Manifestation, Pathogenesis, and Vaccine Development

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micaella Kantor ◽  
Anarella Abrantes ◽  
Andrea Estevez ◽  
Alan Schiller ◽  
Jose Torrent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Clinical Manifestation ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Amoebic Colitis ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Disseminated Disease

Entamoeba histolyticais the responsible parasite of amoebiasis and remains one of the top three parasitic causes of mortality worldwide. With increased travel and emigration to developed countries, infection is becoming more common in nonendemic areas. Although the majority of individuals infected withE. histolyticaremain asymptomatic, some present with amoebic colitis and disseminated disease. As more is learned about its pathogenesis and the host’s immune response, the potential for developing a vaccine holds promise. This narrative review outlines the current knowledge regardingE. histolyticaandE. disparand insight in the development of a vaccine.

scholarly journals Wound Healing and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: From Inflammation to Repair

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica R. Silva ◽  
Beatriz Burger ◽  
Carolina M. C. Kühl ◽  
Thamiris Candreva ◽  
Mariah B. P. dos Anjos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Phagocytic Capacity ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
Cell Migration And Proliferation

Wound healing is an evolutionarily conserved process that is essential for species survival. Wound healing involves a series of biochemical and cellular events that are tightly controlled, divided into 3 concomitant and overlapping phases: inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Poor wound healing or a chronic wound represents a silent epidemic that affects billions of people worldwide. Considering the involvement of immune cells in its resolution, recent studies are focused on investigating the roles of immune nutrients such as amino acids, minerals, and fatty acids on wound healing. Among the fatty acids, much attention has been given to omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids since they can modulate cell migration and proliferation, phagocytic capacity, and production of inflammatory mediators. The present review summarizes current knowledge about the role of ω-6 fatty acids in the wound healing context.

scholarly journals Epigenetics and Neurological Disorders in ART

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4169
Author(s):  
Marina La Rovere ◽  
Marica Franzago ◽  
Liborio Stuppia
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Increased Risk

About 1–4% of children are currently generated by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in developed countries. These babies show only a slightly increased risk of neonatal malformations. However, follow-up studies have suggested a higher susceptibility to multifactorial, adult onset disorders like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in ART offspring. It has been suggested that these conditions could be the consequence of epigenetic, alterations, due to artificial manipulations of gametes and embryos potentially able to alter epigenetic stability during zygote reprogramming. In the last years, epigenetic alterations have been invoked as a possible cause of increased risk of neurological disorders, but at present the link between epigenetic modifications and long-term effects in terms of neurological diseases in ART children remains unclear, due to the short follow up limiting retrospective studies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about neurological disorders promoted by epigenetics alterations in ART. Based on data currently available, it is possible to conclude that little, if any, evidence of an increased risk of neurological disorders in ART conceived children is provided. Most important, the large majority of reports appears to be limited to epidemiological studies, not providing any experimental evidence about epigenetic modifications responsible for an increased risk.

scholarly journals The Effect of Antibiotics on Post-adenotonsillectomy Morbidity in Tanzanian Children: Study Protocol for a Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Robert Katundu ◽  
Peter Stephen Shija ◽  
Baltazari Nyombi ◽  
Hadija Semvua ◽  
Fieke K Oussoren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Prescription ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cochrane Review ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Medical Centre ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Standard Regimen ◽  
Double Blind

Abstract Background Adenotonsillectomy is the most frequently performed operation in children worldwide. For decades prophylactic antibiotics have been prescribed to limit postoperative complications. In a Cochrane review the effect of this antibiotic use has been refuted. However, all reviewed studied were done in developed countries. In Tanzania, like many other developing countries with limited resources and a high burden of infectious diseases, postoperative antibiotic prescription is still very common to decrease the supposed higher postoperative morbidity. However, as a consequence of this widespread use of postoperative antibiotics cross-resistance and risk of allergic side effects rise. Well designed randomised controlled trials are needed to limit unnecessary antibiotic prescription and secondary antibiotic resistance. Aim The aim of this study is to analyse the prophylactic role of postoperative antibiotic on the morbidity following adenotonsillectomy in children in Tanzania. Design A double blinded randomised placebo controlled trial set in northern Tanzania. Participating centres are the department of otolaryngology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi and the department of paediatric surgery at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Arusha. Methods Around 270 children aged 2 to 14 years, all scheduled for elective (adeno)tonsillectomy, will be included and assigned to receive either a standard regimen of 5 days antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo after surgery. The primary outcomes are postoperative haemorrhage, raised temperature, pain and consequent need for analgesics. Secondary outcomes are the time until normal diet is resumed, the time until normal activities are resumed and the occurrence of adverse events. Finally, microbial recolonization of the tonsillar beds is analyzed. Discussion This study will enhance increase of proper antimicrobial prescription in Tanzanian institutions as well as other resource-limited countries where prescription of antibiotics is still very common. In addition, it might augment current knowledge about surface and core tonsillar micro-organisms and sensitivity patterns.

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