FARMACI, INQUINAMENTO AMBIENTALE ED EFFETTI SULLA SALUTE
Inquinamento ambientale dei farmacidrugs and environmental pollution: Latest results from PubMed
-
Antibiotic alternatives in livestock feeding
Since the mid-20th century, feed antibiotics have been extensively utilized due to their substantial benefits in animal husbandry. However, while feed antibiotics brings great benefits, the serious harm they produce has also attracted people's attention, mainly in inducing bacterial resistance, threatening animal and human health, leading to drug residues, and aggravating environmental pollution. Consequently, numerous countries have proposed legislation to ban feed antibiotics, which has... -
The Influence Mechanism of Dissolved Organic Matter on the Photocatalytic Oxidation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
With the worsening global water pollution crisis, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been increasingly detected in aquatic environments. The effective removal of PPCPs remains challenging for conventional water treatment technologies, whereas photocatalytic technology has shown distinct promise. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), a ubiquitous component of aquatic ecosystems, exerts multifaceted effects on the photocatalytic oxidation of PPCPs. In this article, the influence of... -
Hazardous Interactions Between Food, Herbs, and Drugs in the First Stage of Biotransformation: Case Reports of Adverse Drug Interactions in Humans
Food components and herbal substances can inhibit or enhance the therapeutic effects of drugs, thus influencing their efficacy and safety. As relatively little in known of these interactions, the aim of this review is to shed further light on the potentially dangerous influences that food and herbs may have on cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the first stage of drug biotransformation. The review includes documented cases in which such interactions have led to... -
Melatonin: a potential target for regulating ovarian function
CONCLUSIONS: This article reviews and discusses the relationship between melatonin and ovarian function regulation, including the synthesis and secretion of melatonin, the local synthesis and main role of melatonin in the ovaries, and the alleviating effect of melatonin on ovarian function decline caused by different injury factors. -
Nutrient and pharmaceutical and personal care product removal from wastewater: a special focus on microalgae and its consortium with Bacteria
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are ubiquitous and have deleterious effects on the environment as well as flora and fauna. Physicochemical treatment systems are associated with high operational and capital costs. Also, prevalent biologically operated treatment systems majorly rely on heterotrophic bacteria for eliminating both nutrients as well as emerging contaminants. However, owing to the non-specific treatment regimes of the WWTPs, the discharge of PPCPs into the aquatic... -
Perovskite as a Promising Candidate for Treating Typical Contaminants in Medical Wastewater: Synthesis, Progress, and Mechanism
With the fast development of global medical and health undertakings, medical wastewater has increasingly posed a great threat to human survival and ecosystems. This type of wastewater might contain many components, such as drugs, radioactive substances, heavy metals, etc., making it difficult to meet discharge standards. What is more, although efforts have been made to treat these pollutants, the incomplete degradation of pollutants or secondary pollution during treatment would inevitably... -
An insight into the impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants on the ecosystem and the potential role of bioremediation in mitigating pharmaceutical pollutants
Pharmaceutical pollution increases day by day and poses a serious threat to the environment and organisms' health. Though the concentration of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment is low, continuous release and long-term exposure make them a significant threat to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Pharmaceutical pollutants are found in soil, surface water, groundwater, sewage water, wastewater and even in drinking water. Pharmaceutical pollutants cause adverse effects on... -
Remediation strategies of antiretroviral drugs in the aquatic environment: current trend and future perspectives
The presence of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in the aquatic environment highlights the inadequacy of traditional wastewater treatment plants in their remediation. Moreover, the fate and associated human and ecotoxicological impact of those compounds are not well established. In fact, research focusing on effective alternative treatment solutions still seems lacking. However, a growing interest in remediation techniques for pharmaceutical residues, including ARVs in wastewater, has been noticed... -
Beyond Infections: Exploring Immune-Mediated Pathways Linking Cannabis and Emerging Environmental Contaminants to Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
The development of the brain is a highly coordinated process that begins early in gestation and relies on intricate interactions between maternal and fetal immune systems. Disruptions to this delicate prenatal immune environment can significantly impact fetal brain development, increasing the risk of a spectrum of neurological and behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. While maternal exposure to viral and bacterial infections has... -
Radiation-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches
Radiation-induced cardiac remodeling (RICR) is one of the complications of exposure to radiotherapy. These disorders may occur for a subset of cancer patients, when the heart remains in part or in full in the radiation field. Despite advancements in radiotherapy techniques, cardiotoxicity has remained a concern after radiotherapy. RICR includes complex pathophysiological processes, which can be initiated by oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte cell death and continue with inflammation, arrhythmia,... -
Pharmaceuticals and Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: A Comprehensive Review of Pathways and Distribution, Toxicological and Ecological Effects
Pharmaceuticals and microplastics are persistent emerging contaminants that pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and ecological health. Although extensively reviewed individually, a comprehensive, integrated assessment of their environmental pathways, bioaccumulation dynamics, and toxicological impacts remains limited. This review synthesizes current research on the environmental fate and impact of pharmaceuticals and microplastics, emphasizing their combined influence on aquatic... -
Solutions to the Dilemma of Antibiotics Use in Livestock and Poultry Farming: Regulation Policy and Alternatives
While the application of antibiotics in livestock production has undeniably propelled the rapid growth of animal husbandry, the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance stemming from antibiotic use poses significant threats to global public health and sustainable agricultural development. To address this critical challenge, multifaceted strategies have been implemented through coordinated policy interventions and scientific innovations. This review systematically examines two pivotal... -
Pharmacological and toxicological roles of Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) in the cardiovascular system: a review
Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are transcription factors (TFs) increasingly implicated in cardiovascular pharmacology and toxicology through molecular mechanisms regulating endothelial function, macrophage polarization, and lipid metabolism. For example, KLF2/4 maintains endothelial homeostasis by modulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and oxidative stress, and KLF4 additionally regulates smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch. KLF6 governs macrophage polarization and... -
In situ stabilization of antimony and arsenic in co-contaminated soil using organic matter-Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides colloids and their mineral phase transformation
Natural organic matter (NOM) containing Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides effectively stabilizes antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) in soils. However, the specific type of NOM that limits the mobility of Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides and how NOM-Fe/Mn colloidal properties can be modulated for better Sb and As stabilization remains unclear. This study suggests that the degree of stabilization of the colloidal structure formed between NOM and Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides is crucial for Sb and As stabilization. It was found that... -
Colloid phosphorus transport in agricultural soils: a critical review of content characteristics, migration mechanisms, and environmental drivers
Soil phosphorus (P) loss through runoff is a significant contributor to waterbody eutrophication, particularly in regions of intensive agricultural production. One critical pathway for P loss is the migration of soil colloid-facilitated P (P(coll)), which warrants attention. However, the mechanisms underlying the generation, release, and migration of soil P(coll) remain poorly understood. This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in the technical methods for the extraction,... -
Nanocarriers of natural and synthetic ixodicides, new alternatives against Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae): A review
In many countries, economic activities such as agriculture and livestock farming are fundamental pillars of the economy. However, the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus poses a serious threat to livestock production systems, leading to significant economic losses. The most employed control method is the use of chemical ixodicides; nonetheless, their application is associated with several drawbacks, including environmental pollution, risks to human and animal health, and the development of... -
Natural polysaccharide and protein-based hydrogels: a novel class of materials for sustainable agricultural development
As global population growth and resource constraints intensify, traditional agriculture relies on high-energy consumption and high-pollution measures that can no longer support the demand for sustainable development. Owing to their biocompatibility, degradability and functional diversity, natural polysaccharide- and protein-based hydrogels have become ideal materials for supporting the sustainable use of agricultural soils. This paper systematically reviews the design and preparation of such... -
Application of phages in farm animals, food and the environment as part of a One Health approach-potentials and challenges
In order to ensure the holistic protection of human, animal and environmental health (commonly referred to as One Health), alternatives to the available antimicrobial approaches are required. Although antibiotic drugs have an outstanding broad spectrum of activity, their use is under discussion due to increasingly occurring resistances. Furthermore, the utilisation of antibiotics can result in significant consequences for the affected microbiome, often irreversibly altering its natural... -
Comparative analysis of dermal and inhalation exposures to antineoplastic drugs among workers in the workplaces: a systematic review
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review of ten studies on dermal and inhalation exposure to antineoplastic drugs in various occupational settings reveals significant variability in contamination levels. Tailored safety measures, including stringent protocols, decontamination procedures, and respiratory protection, are essential for workplace safety. The review highlights the importance of standardized safety protocols, considering the impact of workplace practices and detection method sensitivity.... -
MOFs-based aerogels and their derivatives for water treatment: A review
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of environmental nano-materials composed of metal ions and organic ligands with remarkable physical and chemical properties, such as huge specific surface area as well as abundant pore volume. Based on their unique structures and properties, MOFs have demonstrated potential applications in the fields of adsorption, gas storage, separation membranes, and catalysis, and have become popular candidates in water treatment technologies. However, MOFs... -
A review of green technology assisted starch-based nanohydrogels adsorbent to remove pollutant from water
Biopolymeric adsorbent materials, derived from renewable sources, have attained significant attention due to their eco-friendliness, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. Among various biopolymers, starch stands out as an ideal base material for formulating advanced adsorbents. Its unique molecular structure, biocompatibility, and ease of modification make it highly effective for fabricating nanohydrogels with enhanced adsorption properties. Starch-based nanohydrogels exhibit potential... -
Smartphone-integrated Nanozyme approaches for rapid and on-site detection: Empowering smart food safety
Smartphone-integrated nanozyme technologies (S-INTs) have emerged as a promising solution for rapid, on-site food safety analysis, addressing the detection of foodborne pathogens, contaminants, and hazards. While the applications of nanozymes in food safety are well-reviewed, their integration with smartphones for real-time biosensing remains underexplored. This review highlights advancements in S-INTs, emphasizing predominant merits such as portability, real-time data processing, and... -
Exploration and application of pyrolysis in production of fuel gas from traditional Chinese medicine solid waste under "dual carbon" goals
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) solid waste is characterized by widespread availability, renewability, and substantial production volume. In the context of the "dual carbon" goals, the pyrolysis of TCM solid waste for producing fuel gas for recycling in pharmaceutical production has emerged as a crucial strategy for optimizing the energy structure in the TCM industry and developing renewable energy. This paper comprehensively reviews both internal and external factors that influence... -
Occurrence of pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and PFAS in global surface waters: A meta-analysis-based review
Emerging contaminants (ECs) have been recognized as a new class of water contaminants and their occurrence in surface water is a concern for ecosystems and society. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive systematic review based meta-analysis of ECs in global surface waters and associated ecological risks. With a special focus on pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs (PIDs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were... -
Recent advances in molecular-imprinting-based solid-phase microextraction for determination of pharmaceutical residues
Pharmaceutical residues usually exist in various complicated matrices at trace levels, but pose potential threats to human health and ecological environment. Recognition and determination of the residues are important and urgent. Therefore, efficient sample pretreatment techniques become a research hotspot for the sensitive and precise determination by chromatography and mass spectrometry. Molecular-imprinting-based solid-phase microextraction (MI-SPME) combines the rapidity, high enrichment and... -
Investigation of relationship between occupational exposure to aerosol and sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis
There are various occupational and industrial activities that are associated with the production of suspended particles. Little is known about sleep disturbance caused by exposure to aerosol exposure. Presented systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the impact of various aerosols during occupational exposure on sleep. A systematic search in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases was performed until 20 February 2024. Three sets of keywords and their... -
Relevant regulations on occupational exposure protection of anti-neoplastic drugs in China
Antineoplastic drugs have clear health hazards to the human body. In recent years, the scale of use of antineoplastic drugs had continued to expand, and the occupational exposure risk of medical personnel had also increased, which had attracted widespread attention. Taking effective measures to prevent occupational exposure can protect the health of medical personnel. This article reviewed the laws, regulations, guidelines, and industry guidance documents on occupational exposure prevention and... -
Pharmaceutical micropollutants removal and N(2)O production by nitrification process in SBR and SBBR: a review
Pharmaceutical micropollutants (PMPs) can cause significant environmental risks, with trace levels of exposure harming humans and wildlife. Biotransformation is a high-potential and low-cost way to remove PMPs, where ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOM) are essential for eliminating pharmaceutical micropollutants. On the other hand, AOM are associated with nitrous oxide (N(2)O) emission generation in nitrifying. In this sense, micropollutants can inhibit the activity of AOB, reducing the... -
Potential risks and hazards posed by the pressure of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on water treatment plants
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely used in various industrial and commercial products, contributing to their substantial presence in the environment. In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the environmental behavior, toxicity, and removal approaches of PPCPs. Nevertheless, few studies systematically summarized the current understanding of these issues and provided suggestions and comments for future research directions. In this review, the classification and... -
Airborne pathogen monitoring and dispersion modelling on passenger ships: A review
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a profound inability of pre-pandemic passenger ship policies implemented by both ship operators and governmental authorities to detect and address newly emerging diseases. The essentiality of maritime transport puts into focus the risk of approach to address known and new emerging airborne infectious diseases that, due to increasing capacity, are likely to occur on passenger ships. In order to enhance the passenger experience, prepare shipping for pandemics... -
Xenobiotics mediated modulation of gut microbiota and its role in lifestyle diseases: a critical appraisal on exposomics
Gastrointestinal tract of humans provides a niche to thousands of microbes, referred as gut microbiota (GM). GM establishes an intricate relationship with other organs via gut-organ axis, and modulates host health. The structure and functioning of these gut microbes can be influenced by the type of external exposome an individual experiences. Depending upon GM perturbations and host genotype, this can result in variable health implications. On the other hand, the huge arsenal of enzymes... -
Biodegradation of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater using microbial consortia: Mechanisms, applications, and challenges
Pharmaceuticals, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, have been increasingly detected in wastewater and pose substantial ecological and public health concerns due to their persistence and bioactivity. Conventional treatment processes are often insufficient for their complete removal, highlighting the need for advanced bioremediation strategies. This review critically examines the mechanisms, applications, and challenges of microbial consortia for pharmaceutical... -
A scoping review of surface wipe sampling for antineoplastic drug contamination in patient care areas
Antineoplastic drug (AD) exposure can cause adverse health effects for healthcare workers. AD contamination on surfaces persists despite interventions to reduce it. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention recommends surface sampling as a measure of exposure control but does not offer guidance regarding specific ADs, surfaces in patient care areas, or size of surface area to sample. This scoping review of literature published since January 1, 2004 aimed to identify specific surfaces in patient... -
A critical review of innovative strategies for the sustainable management of solid waste generated in the health institutions of Zimbabwe
Innovative frameworks and strategies for solid waste management have been brought forward by researchers to solve the phenomenon of accumulating waste in the environment globally. The sustainability of medical waste management then pivots on the ability of waste management in a way that proves harmless to humans, animals, plants and the environment at large. This review looks into the strategies for the sustainable management of solid waste generated in the health institutions of Zimbabwe. Waste... -
Consistency of Phenolic Compounds in Plant Residues Parts: A Review of Primary Sources, Key Compounds, and Extraction Trends
A significant challenge in valorizing food waste is the accurate extraction and identification of metabolites, as the composition of phenolic compounds varies by plant species, part, growth conditions, and processing. This review examined phenolic compounds in plant residue groups (leaves/stalks, peels/husks, pulp/pomace, and seeds) to verify the predominance of specific compounds in the same plant groups, establishing a comprehensive database. This database may be helpful for future studies... -
Advances in valorization of Camellia oleifera Abel. Seed cake: A review on the bioactive components, health benefits, extraction methods, and potential food applications
Camellia oleifera Abel. Seed cake (CSC) is a by-product of camellia oil processing. Owing to the lack of effective utilization, CSC are typically discarded or used as animal feed, fertilizer, or cleaning agents, which limits their full potential and causes environmental pollution. However, the high levels of bioactive compounds in CSC indicate their significant potential in the food industry. The primary bioactive components of CSC are proteins, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and saponins. Both... -
Natural gums-derived hydrogels for adsorptive removal of heavy metals: A review
This review explores advancing and refining hydrogels derived from natural gums for heavy metal ion adsorption, focusing on their efficiency, capacity, and influencing parameters. The high adsorption capacity of these hydrogels, with values reaching up to 384.6 mg/g (Pb^(2+)) and 203.7 mg/g (Cu^(2+)), is linked to functional moieties like -COOH and -OH, which bind to metal ions through electrostatic interactions, exchange of ions, and coordination mechanisms. Adsorption efficiency is governed by... -
Cardiometabolic disease management: influences from epigenetics
Epigenomics is a rapidly emerging field that has gathered significant attention as a "non-genetic determinant" implicated in the manifestation of non-communicable diseases. Exploring epigenetic modifications provides novel insights into the management of cardiometabolic disease (CMD). Epigenetics signatures are influenced by environmental stressors such as air pollution, toxins, and urban noises as well as by established cardiovascular risk factors including smoking, sedentary lifestyle,... -
Current applications of benchtop FT-NMR in food science: From quality control to adulteration detection
The introduction of benchtop FT-NMR spectrometers in recent years represents a remarkable innovation in various fields, including the food sector. Modern benchtop FT-NMR spectrometers are low-field instruments, with a magnetic field ranging from 1 T to 2.35 T (¹H resonance frequency from 43 MHz to 100 MHz), characterized by compact design, ease of use, and low maintenance costs. As in the case of high-field NMR instruments, benchtop NMR spectra (obtained by Fourier transformation) contain... -
Contributions of the joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives to international food safety: celebrating the 100th meeting of the committee
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) is an international scientific committee that carries out safety and risk assessments on substances that are intended to be added to food or may be present in food. It advises the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the member countries of the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization. In 2025, JECFA has its 100th meeting. This paper reviews the work of JECFA since its inception in 1956. The Committee has... -
The Impact of Microplastics in Food and Drugs on Human Health: A Review of the MENA Region
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have emerged as a global environmental and public health crisis, infiltrating air, water, soil, and food systems worldwide. MPs originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, single-use plastics, and industrial processes, entering food. Emerging evidence underscores the ability of MPs to cross biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier, triggering neuroinflammatory responses and contributing to... -
A systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotic resistance of foodborne pathogenic bacteria
Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat bacterial pathogens that cause infections in humans and animals. Despite their importance, antimicrobial drugs exhibit inefficiency in treating infections if used irrationally without adherence to standard guidelines. Currently there is a lack of review literatures concerning antimicrobial resistance status in the southern sub Saharan African countries, hence the study is designed for and provides valuable insights into the status and comparison of... -
An Atmospheric Chemistry Perspective on Airborne Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles
Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPPs) are emerging pollutants with significant environmental impacts due to their persistence, increasing concentrations, and potential health risks. Most MNPP studies have focused on identifying, quantifying, and assessing their ecotoxicological impacts in water or soil. However, the atmosphere is crucial in transporting and chemically transforming MNPPs. Further, well-established aerosol particle characterization techniques are underutilized and... -
Nanocellulose-hydrogel hybrids: A review on synthesis and applications in agriculture, food packaging and water remediation
The growing demand for sustainable and environment-friendly materials has driven extensive research on biopolymers for applications in agriculture, food science, and environmental remediation. Among these, nanocellulose-hydrogel hybrids (NC-HHs) have gained significant attention as an innovative class of bio-based materials that uniquely combine the remarkable physicochemical properties of nanocellulose with the functional versatility of hydrogels. These hybrids are characterised by exceptional... -
Impact of fluoride exposure on reproductive health: Insights into molecular mechanisms and health implications
While the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental caries are well-established, concerns about its potential toxicity at high intake levels are rising. This review investigates the link between chronic fluoride exposure and reproductive health outcomes at the molecular level, focusing on population growth and child sex ratios in the fluorosis-affected and non-fluorosis regions. The exploration of the detrimental effects of fluoride on both male and female reproductive systems is necessary. In... -
Current issues of regulation of contaminants in food
In the Russian Federation, ensuring food security is one of the main tasks of state policy, which is reflected in the national Food Security Doctrine, which declares the need not only to control products for compliance with the mandatory requirements of the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, but also to harmonize food quality and safety standards with international ones. The purpose of the work was to identify priorities for the development or revision of characteristics and... -
Flavor effect, application status, and research trend of umami peptides based on microbial fermentation in food
Umami peptides are important non-volatile compounds produced by protein degradation, contributing to food umami flavor and enhancing product quality. Microbial fermentation promotes the production of taste peptides, including umami peptides, which act as key flavor substances and precursors. Microbial-derived umami peptides are cost-effective, easy to produce, and a major source of umami peptide production. Although microbial fermentation of umami peptides has been extensively studied in... -
Sustainable utilization of date palm byproducts: Bioactive potential and multifunctional applications in food and packaging
Fruit processing of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) produces substantial byproducts. A variety of bioactive compounds exist in these byproduct streams, such as seeds, pomace, leaves, and pollen, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, and phytoestrogens. The present review describes the sensory properties, nutritional profiles, and bioactive components of these byproducts, demonstrating their potential as functional foods,... -
Efficient dye removal and antibacterial activity of imidazole-crosslinked chitosan hydrogel for wastewater treatment
In this study, an imidazole cross-linked chitosan hydrogel (I/CS-4) was synthesized through the Debus-Radziszewski reaction, resulting in a multifunctional adsorbent with both dye adsorption and antimicrobial capabilities. I/CS-4 effectively removed orange G (OG) and metanil yellow (MY) dyes under various environmental conditions, including pH, initial concentration, temperature, and contact time. The hydrogel demonstrated high stability and efficiency over a broad pH range (2-10), attributed to... -
A sustainable solution for environmental purification: A review of high-performance hydrogels based on chitosan
As the industrialization process accelerates, environmental pollution issues are becoming increasingly severe, especially water pollution, which poses a serious threat to the ecosystem and human health. Pollutants in water bodies that are difficult to degrade not only exert toxicity to aquatic life but may also accumulate through the food chain, affecting human health. Therefore, the development of efficient and environmentally friendly pollutant treatment technologies has become a popular topic... -
Pharmaceutical waste management through microbial bioremediation
Pharmaceuticals play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life. However, pharmaceutical products (PPs) manufacturing presents challenges, particularly in terms of waste generated, posing a risk to the ecosystem. Existing physical and chemical remediation methods are expensive and are not directly applicable for pharmaceutical remediation. Bioremediation using various microbial consortia has the potential to become a cost-effective solution when applied optimally. This review highlights... -
Nutraceutical potential of Mediterranean agri-food waste and wild plants: Green extraction and bioactive characterization
The agricultural waste and wild plants of the Mediterranean region offer significant nutraceutical potential, rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, carotenoids, lipids and volatile organic compounds. These compounds exhibit health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Advanced analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS and NMR are essential for the accurate chemical characterization of these bioactives. Green extraction methods,... -
Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins
Light olefins, as important bulk raw materials in the petrochemical industry, play an irreplaceable role in the development of the manufacturing industry and the economy. The epoxides of light olefins are important intermediates for the synthesis of polymers, drugs, and fine chemicals, and their green, efficient, and safe synthesis has attracted much attention. This review focuses on the research progress of light olefin epoxidation and elucidates traditional epoxidation methods, such as the... -
Research advances in non-immobilized aptamer screening techniques for small-molecule targets
Aptamers obtained through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) techniques are single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) or RNA molecules capable of specifically recognizing target molecules. Such aptamers are easily chemically synthesized and modified, highly thermally stable, and are low toxicity and low immunogenicity. Aptamers that target small molecules have broad applications prospects for the development of new drugs, treating tumors, diagnosing diseases,... -
Recent Advances in Metabolomic Research Within Food Mycology
In food science, fungi demonstrate a paradoxical role: some species contribute positively by improving food's flavor, aroma, and texture, while others undermine food safety and quality, leading to spoilage or contamination through the production of harmful mycotoxins. When fungi colonize food materials, they produce distinct chemical profiles consisting of both primary and secondary metabolites. Metabolomics, a field dedicated to the analysis of small molecular compounds within biological... -
Immunotoxicological disruption of pregnancy as a new research area in immunotoxicology
Immune mechanisms associated with normal pregnancy have only been being substantively investigated since the early 1990s. In parallel with the progress in that area of research, in the past few years it has become increasingly clear that several xenobiotics - including a variety of environmental chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and metals are considered to be both generally immunotoxic and specifically able to affect pregnancy. Among these, there is intense interest regarding potential effects from... -
A comprehensive review on the treatment of pharmaceutically active compounds using moving bed biofilm reactor: A systematic meta-analysis coupled with meta-neural approach
Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in wastewater pose challenges to cleaner environment due to their recalcitrance and toxicity, restricting the use of conventional treatment methods. On the other hand, advanced oxidation processes face technical complexity and financial constraints, which also discourage their applicability especially in large scale treatment system. Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) as an advanced biological treatment system has shown remarkable efficacy and... -
Neurobehavioral effects of low dose exposure to chemical mixtures: a review
Neurological disorders have become the leading cause of disease and disability worldwide, with 80% of these conditions being recorded in low- and middle-income countries. Scientific evidence has increasingly associated these disorders with exposure to xenobiotics, such as pesticides, heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Recent studies have focused on the consequences of exposure to chemical mixtures and their potential neurotoxic effects. As reported, such exposures can... -
Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies for Fine Particulate Matter-Induced Lung and Cardiovascular Damage: Marketed Drugs, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Biological Agents
Fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)), defined as airborne particles with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm, represents a major constituent of air pollution and has been globally implicated in exacerbating public health burdens by elevating morbidity and mortality rates associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Adverse health effects of PM(2.5) exposure manifest across diverse susceptibility profiles and durations of exposure, spanning both acute and chronic timelines. While prior reviews... -
Development of hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels for chronic diabetic wound healing: A review
This research delves into the advancements in chronic skin wound treatment, with a particular focus on diabetic foot ulcers, utilizing hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels. Hyaluronic acid, an integral component of the skin's extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in process such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Due to their three-dimensional network structure, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and gas exchange capabilities, HA-based hydrogels are considered highly... -
Advancing fungal biodegradation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - challenges and future perspectives
Environmental pollution poses serious threats to ecosystems, human health, and overall quality of life. Among the most concerning pollutants are emerging contaminants like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. These drugs and their metabolites are excreted into wastewater systems, where existing treatment methods often fail to eliminate them fully. Due to their persistence in aquatic environments, NSAIDs accumulate, necessitating... -
Modifiable risk factors associated with the risk of developing Parkinson's disease: a critical review
The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is complex and multifactorial, depending on interactions involving environmental/lifestyle and genetic factors. The genetic aspects of the disease are becoming well characterized, while the environmental factors still need further investigation. In the present narrative review, we have described the most concrete evidence of associations between environmental factors and the risk of developing PD. Physical activity, healthy dietary patterns, smoking, and... -
Chemical risk assessment in food animals via physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling - Part II: Environmental pollutants on animal and human health assessments
Human activities generate a large amount of environmental pollutants, including drugs and agricultural and industrial chemicals that are released into the air, water, and soil. Environmental pollutants can enter food animals through contaminated feed and water, posing risks to human health via the food chain. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is used to predict the target organ dosimetry informing human health risk assessment. However, there is a lack of critical reviews... -
Pollution by antimicrobials and antibiotic resistance genes in East Africa: Occurrence, sources, and potential environmental implications
The escalating burden of antimicrobial pollution in East Africa poses severe threats to public health, environmental integrity, and economic stability. Environmental compartments such as soil and water serve as reservoirs for these pollutants such as antimicrobials and antibiotic resistance genes, creating selective pressure that accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These dynamic fosters the proliferation of multidrug-resistant pathogens, or "superbugs," complicating... -
A systematic review/meta-analysis of xenobiotics in apple products highlights lack of compliance with European Food Safety Authority Regulation
Apples and their derivatives are among the most widely consumed fruit products in the world and iconic examples of food-safety issues. By using a systematic search in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, we extracted 1374 publications on pesticides, mycotoxins, and heavy metal contents in apple products, which represented 44%, 48%, and 26% of publications on fruit, respectively. We selected 90 articles in which we were able to assess compliance with the European Food Safety... -
Radiation-induced lung injury: from mechanism to prognosis and drug therapy
Radiation induced lung injury, known as the main complication of thoracic radiation, remains to be a major resistance to tumor treatment. Based on the recent studies on radiation-induced lung injury, this review collated the possible mechanisms at the level of target cells and key pathways, corresponding prognostic models including predictors, patient size, number of centers, radiotherapy technology, construction methods and accuracy, and pharmacotherapy including drugs, targets, therapeutic... -
The cutting edge of surveillance: Exploring high-resolution mass spectrometry in wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring forensic samples
Criminal activity has always been detected through forensic evidence. However, the potential for using such evidence to stop crimes in their tracks or slow them down has not yet been completely realized. There is a lot of potential for assessing trace quantities of chemicals in wastewater systems to provide effective forensic information. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged in the last decades as a crucial epidemiological information source for collecting data on community-wide... -
Application Progress of Electron Beam Radiation in Adsorption Functional Materials Preparation
To solve the problems of water and air pollution, adsorption functional materials (ASFMs) have been extensively investigated and applied. Among the preparation methods of ASFM, electron beam radiation (EBR) has attracted much attention for its high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and wide applicability. Based on the introduction of the application of EBR technology, the EBR preparation of ASFM is summarized by grafting and cross-linking. Secondly, the application of corresponding ASFM... -
Cytokine therapy of acute radiation syndrome
Radiological accidents/incidents are common with nearly 400 reported since 1944 exposing about 3000 people to substantial doses of ionizing radiations with 127 deaths. Damage to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with resulting bone marrow failure is a common consequence of exposure to whole body acute high-dose and -dose-rate ionizing radiations and is termed hematopoietic-acute radiation syndrome, or H-ARS. Therapy of H-ARS includes transfusions, anti-bacterial and -viral drugs,... -
Novel Approach Methodologies in Modeling Complex Bioaerosol Exposure in Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Under Climate Change
The undeniable impact of climate change and air pollution on respiratory health has led to increasing cases of asthma, allergic rhinitis and other chronic non-communicable immune-mediated upper and lower airway diseases. Natural bioaerosols, such as pollen and fungi, are essential atmospheric components undergoing significant structural and functional changes due to industrial pollution and atmospheric warming. Pollutants like particulate matter(PMx), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs),... -
Valorization of onion wastes and by-products using deep eutectic solvents as alternate green technology solvents for isolation of bioactive phytochemicals
Onion is an edible plant (vegetable) and many varieties of onions are consumed in the world as food. Current production is around one hundred million tonnes. One million tonnes of onion wastes are generated, which need to be utilized appropriately. Onion and onion waste contained several useful phytochemicals. This review describes and discusses on the results of studies using deep eutectic solvents (DES) as alternate green solvents in the extraction and analysis of bioactive phytochemicals from... -
Glucocorticoids as emerging pollutants in surface water: A systematic review on their global occurrence and distribution
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are synthetic drugs widely used for treating several diseases with inflammatory pathophysiology. In general, 1-20% of the concentration of GCs initially administered is eliminated unchanged in the urine while still in its active form, and therefore, fractions of GCs are constantly released in effluents. Currently, water treatment plants do not have sufficiently effective technologies to remove these substances completely, favoring the presence of these emerging pollutants... -
Perspectives on aerosol inhalability: concepts and applications
The original motivation for the aerosol inhalability convention was to account for the fact that the inhalation efficiency of particles can cause the composition of the particle-containing air that is inhaled into the mouth and nose to differ significantly from the composition of the ambient air. Therefore, without appropriate adjustments for the inhalation efficiency of particles, air samples could over- or underestimate the actual exposures of inhaled materials, possibly compromising some... -
Deep eutectic solvents in food contaminants detection: Characteristics, interaction mechanism and application advances from extracting to other roles
Food safety is crucial for public health, yet it faces growing threats from environmental and anthropogenic pollutants. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as green and efficient alternative solvents for detecting trace pollutants. This review highlights the characteristics of DESs, their mechanisms for extracting target analytes and applications in food analysis. Subsequently, the challenges faced by DESs in the detection of food samples and future development trends are further... -
The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife
Biotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a substantial global threat to ocean and human health. Domoic acid (DA) is one such biotoxin whose negative impacts are forecasted to increase with climate change and coastal development. This manuscript serves as a review of DA toxicosis after environmental exposure in humans and wildlife, including an introduction to HAB toxins, the history of DA toxicosis, DA production, toxicokinetic properties of DA, susceptibility, clinical signs, DA... -
Role of Epigenetics in Chronic Lung Disease
Epigenetics regulates gene expression and thus cellular processes that underlie the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Environmental factors (e.g., air pollution, smoking, infections, poverty), but also conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux, induce epigenetic changes long before lung disease is diagnosed. Therefore, epigenetic signatures have the potential to serve as biomarkers that... -
Recent advances in the electrochemiluminescence detection of small molecule drugs
The detection of small molecule drugs is crucial in clinical treatment and environmental protection by facilitating the optimization of therapeutic regimens, preventing adverse drug reactions and monitoring environmental pollution. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is widely employed in the detection of small molecule drugs due to its high sensitivity and low background signal. This review highlights advancements from the last five years or so in ECL detection methods based on ECL reactions between... -
Advances in innovative extraction techniques for polysaccharides, peptides, and polyphenols from distillery by-products: Common extraction techniques, emerging technologies, and AI-driven optimization
Distillery by-products, such as distillers' grains, stillage, and vinasse, are rich in organic compounds and offer immense potential for the recovery of bioactive substances, including polysaccharides, peptides, and polyphenols. The effective utilization of these by-products is critical for achieving long-term sustainability in the distillery sector. This review highlights advancements in extraction techniques, focusing on enzymatic, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted methods while also... -
Chemical risk assessment in food animals via physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling - Part I: Veterinary drugs on human food safety assessment
Veterinary drugs and environmental pollutants can enter food animals and remain as residues in food chains threatening human food safety and health. Performing health risk and food safety assessments to derive safety levels of these xenobiotics can protect human health. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is a mathematical tool to quantitatively describe chemical disposition in humans and animals informing human food safety and health risk assessments. However, few reviews... -
A critical review of COFs-based photocatalysis for environmental remediation
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are highly porous crystalline polymers formed through covalent bonding of molecular building blocks. Numerous fabrication strategies have been developed, including solvothermal, ionothermal, microwave, mechanochemical, and sonochemical methods, alongside ligand substitution and post-modification techniques, which allow for precise control over the structures and properties of COFs. The exceptional physicochemical stability, large specific surface area, broad... -
Ensuring safety in cytotoxic drug preparation: A systematic review of guidelines addressing education for pharmacy professionals
CONCLUSION: Included publications frequently recognized that conducting educational programs before and during the preparation of cytotoxic drugs was important and the combination of theoretical and practical learning seems of the utmost relevance. The development or update of guidelines in this area should prioritize their effective applicability to facilitate their implementation. -
A review on recent progress in polysaccharide/protein hydrogels in winter sports: Classification, synthesis routes, and application
In today's world, emerging materials play prominent roles in competitive sport applications. Among them, hydrogels gained increasing attention in winter sports applications owing to their unique advantages, such as flexibility, conductivity, and adhesion. However, traditional hydrogels prepared by synthetic routes from petroleum materials lose performance at freezing temperatures below zero degrees, limiting their direct use in winter sports. The emergence of natural polymer materials has... -
Recent occurrence of pharmaceuticals in freshwater, emerging treatment technologies, and future considerations: A review
Pharmaceuticals represent an emerging class of pollutants raising significant environmental health concerns, with their presence in freshwater systems linked to adverse aquatic ecosystem impacts and acceleration of antibiotic resistance development. This narrative review examines recent (2019-2024) pharmaceutical occurrences in freshwater globally, analyzes contamination pathways, evaluates compound-specific degradability, and assesses treatment technologies. Analysis revealed significant... -
Pesticides and veterinary pharmaceuticals in neotropical avian carnivores: A scoping review
Organic contaminants have long been known to have negative consequences for wildlife health. For avian carnivores, particular concern surrounds the use of compounds such as pesticides and pharmaceutical drugs, derived from global agricultural and veterinary practices. Previous cases of avian poisoning in North America, Europe and Asia have received great attention, owing to significant declines in avian populations and wider consequences. By contrast, the Neotropics, comprised of Latin America... -
The Heterogeneous Multi-Habitat Assay System (HeMHAS): A non-forced ecotoxicology test system to study contamination-driven habitat selection behavior from landscape and stress ecology perspectives
In ecotoxicology, the non-forced exposure approach provides a complementary perspective to traditional ecotoxicity tests by giving the organisms an opportunity to flee to adjacent, less contaminated areas, thus allowing them to escape from any toxic effects. This approach recognizes the chemical heterogeneity among connected habitats with different levels of contamination. The Heterogeneous Multi-Habitat Assay System (HeMHAS) is a non-forced aquatic assay system that allows the free movement of... -
Advances in structure designing and function tailoring strategy toward alginate-based hydrogels for efficient water remediation: A review
Alginate (mainly sodium alginate, SA), as a natural polysaccharide material, has been widely applied in water remediation due to its excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and high hydration properties. Alginate hydrogels exhibit high adsorption capacity, effectively removing heavy metal ions, dyes, antibiotics, phosphate ions, and other pollutants from wastewater. This review begins with a description of the chemical structure of sodium alginate and its physicochemical properties, followed... -
Photocatalytic degradation of veterinary antibiotics in wastewaters: A review
The extensive use of veterinary antibiotics worldwide has led to their increasing accumulation in aquatic environments, adversely affecting both ecosystems and human health and leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic residues enter water bodies primarily through wastewater effluent discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of pharmaceuticals. Several emerging technologies have been developed in response to the challenge of antibiotic contamination in... -
Biochar for mitigating pharmaceutical pollution in wastewater: A sustainable solution
Pharmaceutical contaminants (PCs), including antibiotics, analgesics, and other medications, pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their persistence and bioaccumulation potential. Biochar, a carbonaceous material derived from biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a sustainable adsorbent for removing PCs from wastewater. Biochar is reported to remove PCs from water with an average range of 58 to 91 %, depending on the nature of feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and... -
Innovations in cellulose-based hydrogels for enhanced wastewater treatment through adsorption
Cellulose-based hydrogels are versatile and biodegradable materials derived from renewable cellulose sources. These hydrogels possess unique properties, such as high water absorption capacity, tunable mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility. Their porous structure and functional groups enable effective interactions with contaminants and making them ideal candidates for water purification. In wastewater treatment, cellulose-based hydrogels are widely utilized for adsorbing heavy metals... -
Current scenario of emerging pollutants in farmlands and water reservoirs: Prospects and challenges
Globally, roughly more than 400 million metric tons of plastics are produced annually. Similarly, the pharmaceuticals business is rising exponentially yearly, 5.8 %. It is expected to increase from USD 714 billion to USD 1454 billion by 2029. Beyond their intended uses, these substances are released into the environment as contaminants due to improper usage and management practices. Therefore, pharmaceuticals and microplastics (MPs) are classified as emerging pollutants (EPs), and their... -
Pharmaceutical waste management legislations: Where do ASEAN countries stand in harmonization? A review of regulatory documents
Although healthcare waste management (HCWM) legislations prevail in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), there appears a prominent gap in standalone pharmaceutical waste management (PWM) legislation making harmonization of PWM challenging in the region. This review is aimed to comprehensively overview the PWM-related legislations in ASEAN, comprising of 10 economically rising countries in Southeast Asia. The relevant regulatory documents, that were promulgated till August 31, 2024 and... -
The role of residual (veterinary) antibiotics in chemical exposome analysis: Current progress and future perspectives
Humans are exposed to a complex mixture of environmental and food-related chemicals throughout their lifetime. Exposome research intends to explore the nongenetic, that is, environmental causes of chronic disease and their interactions comprehensively. Residual antibiotics can enter the human body through therapeutics, foods of animal origin, aquatic products, or drinking water. In the last decade, significant levels of residual antibiotics in human urine have been described, demonstrating... -
Inspection of Residual Veterinary Drugs at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health: Bioassay and LC-MS/MS Analysis
Veterinary drugs are used worldwide to prevent and treat diseases and promote growth in animals, fisheries, and beekeeping. Despite their effectiveness, the illegal and improper use of these drugs can result in livestock and fishery products, potentially impacting human health by causing allergic reactions, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial resistance. To mitigate these adverse effects, the Japanese government established a positive list system in 2006. Maximum residue levels (MRLs) have been... -
The Roles and Operations of Registered Conformity Assessment Body
As of August 2023, 99 organizations were registered as conformity assessment bodies by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in accordance with Article 33 of the Food Sanitation Act. These registered organizations are authorized to conduct inspections of imported food as well as domestic expropriation inspections. In recent years, we have actively participated in a project to develop new test methods, aiming to enhance our contribution as a registered testing organization and to maintain... -
Analytical Methods for Residual Compositional Substances of Agricultural Chemicals, Feed Additives, and Veterinary Drugs in Foods
Pesticides, veterinary drugs, and feed additives (hereinafter referred to as "pesticides") can remain in foods when used in agricultural and livestock products. Since consuming a variety of foods every day can result in ingesting trace amounts of these pesticides, which may be harmful to health, risk management for residual pesticides in foods is necessary to prevent adverse effects. Based on the Food Sanitation Act, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has established maximum... -
Photodegradation of typical psychotropic drugs in the aquatic environment: a critical review
Continuous consumption combined with incomplete removal during wastewater treatment means residues of psychotropic drugs (PDs), including antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and illicit drugs, are continuously entering the aquatic environment, where they have the potential to affect non-target organisms. Photochemical transformation is an important aspect to consider when evaluating the environmental persistence of PDs, particularly for those present in sunlit surface waters. This... -
State-of-the-art progress and prospect of metal-organic frameworks and composites for photoelectrochemical amino-drugs sensing
Unregulated discharge of antibiotics in waterbodies has posed a significant threat to the aquatic flora and fauna in post-pandemic times. This alarming situation has ascertained the need for suitable sensors to detect persistent antibiotic residues. In this context, functional hybrid materials centralized on reticular metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)/composites have been a research hot spot for photoelectrochemical host-guest recognition events over the past two decades. The unique amalgamation... -
Strategies for processing and valorization of ash gourd byproducts: A comprehensive review
Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) is cultivated for its medicinal benefits, with processing enhancing its health properties and shelf life. The processing industries generate significant byproducts, with peel and seeds common across all methods, along with lime (from petha sweet production), brine wastewater (from fermented foods), and pulp from juice processing. This review focuses on peel, seeds, and lime wastewater, which contain valuable compounds like polyphenols, terpenoids, essential oils,... -
Major heavy metals and human gut microbiota composition: a systematic review with nutritional approach
BACKGROUND: The human gut microbiota has a critical role in several aspects of host homeostasis, such as immune development, metabolism, nutrition, and defense against pathogens during life. It can be sensitive to xenobiotics including drugs, diet, or even environmental pollutants, especially heavy metals (HMs). The findings of some previous studies are heterogeneous due to the inclusion of various types of study (human, and animal studies) and wide exposures (phthalate, bisphenol A, HMS, etc.),... -
Microbes as Resources to Remove PPCPs and Improve Water Quality
The inadequate removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) by traditional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant environmental and public health challenge. Residual PPCPs find their way into aquatic ecosystems, leading to bioaccumulation in aquatic biota, the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and contamination of both water sources and vegetables. These persistent pollutants can have negative effects on human health, ranging from antibiotic...
