FARMACI, INQUINAMENTO AMBIENTALE ED EFFETTI SULLA SALUTE
Inquinamento ambientale dei farmacidrugs and environmental pollution: Latest results from PubMed
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Home Environment as a Therapeutic Target for Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Delivering Restorative Living Spaces, Patient Education and Self-Care by Bridging Biophilic Design, E-Commerce and Digital Health Technologies
A high prevalence of chronic diseases exposes diverse healthcare pain points due to the limited effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs and biologics, sedentary lifestyles, insufficient health literacy, chronic stress, unsatisfactory patient experience, environmental pollution and competition with commercial determinants of health. To improve patient care and long-term outcomes, the impact of the home environment is overlooked and underutilized by healthcare. This cross-disciplinary work describes... -
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... -
Research progress on the diversity, physiological and functional characteristics of lactic acid bacteria in the Nongxiangxing baijiu microbiome
Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXXB) is one of the main types of Chinese Baijiu. Its unique flavor is formed during fermentation by the combined action of various microorganisms, with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) making a great contribution. Lactate fermentation produces the precursors of key flavor compounds, such as lactic acid, acetic acid, and other flavor compounds, which combine to produce the unique sensory characteristics of NXXB. This review focuses on the diversity of LAB species and their... -
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... -
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... -
Spent Coffee Grounds as a Source of Chlorogenic Acid
Spent coffee grounds generated from the brewing of coffee cherries are rich in chlorogenic acids that are associated, to a certain extent, with a delay in the development of various chronic diseases and age-related disorders. These natural antioxidants are applied in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. This brief overview describes recently proposed procedures for the extraction and recovery of chlorogenic acids from spent coffee grounds, which is a low-cost and easily accessible... -
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 conducting nanocomposite hydrogels for wearable biomonitoring
Recent advancements in wearable biosensors and bioelectronics have led to innovative designs for personalized health management devices, with biocompatible conducting nanocomposite hydrogels emerging as a promising building block for soft electronics engineering. In this review, we provide a comprehensive framework for advancing biosensors using these engineered nanocomposite hydrogels, highlighting their unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, flexibility, self-healing,... -
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... -
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... -
The impact of aflatoxin B1 on animal health: Metabolic processes, detection methods, and preventive measures
Aflatoxin (AF) is a toxic metabolite produced by the fungus Aspergillus. The various subtypes of AFs include B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2, with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) being the most toxic. These AFs are widespread in the environment, particularly in soil and food crops. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified AFB1 as a highly potent natural Class 1A carcinogen. Excessive exposure to AFB1 can lead to poisoning in both humans and animals, posing substantial risks to food safety and livestock... -
Unraveling the nutritional potential of millet by-products through extraction of high value compounds for the development of novel food products
Millets are drought-resistant crops that generate significant amount of by-products (bran, husk, stalk etc.) during harvesting and processing. These by-products are storehouse of nutrients and high value compounds including polyphenols, dietary fiber, proteins etc. However, these by-products remain underutilized and generally discarded, burned or used as feedstock causing adverse impact on the environment and human health in addition to loss of valuable nutrients. Therefore, the valorization of... -
A comprehensive review of sustainable hydrogels from lignin for advanced wastewater solutions
Throughout the recent years, water bodies have been significantly contaminated via various industrial and pollution wastes posing threats to the living. To tackle the situation, Lignin-Based Hydrogels have appeared as a material with great potential for wastewater treatment. Biomass-derived polymers for wastewater treatment present a sustainable replacement to plastics based on petroleum owing to its biocompatibility, affordability, eco-friendliness and biodegradability. After cellulose the... -
Managing strategies of chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are widely employed as primary non-surgical cancer treatments; however, their non-selective cytotoxicity often leads to adverse events such as oral mucositis (OM), particularly in head and neck cancer therapies. International guidelines provide recommendations for managing chemoradiotherapy-induced OM in various clinical contexts. Subsequently, emerging researches have introduced evidence supporting novel approaches or existing regimens for OM prevention and... -
Protein Based Hybrid Materials of Metal Phosphate Nanoflowers and Gels for Water Remediation: Perspectives and Prospects
Water pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide. Contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, antibiotics, and microplastics enter water bodies from the disposals of industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste. The development of new and advanced technologies for addressing water remediation has turned out to be a dire need. Protein-inorganic hybrid materials have emerged as innovative solutions for water remediation, leveraging the unique... -
Factors influencing surimi gelling properties and natural additive-based gel fortification strategies: A review
Gelation and gel properties are crucial to surimi-based seafood products, and many factors significantly influence surimi gel quality. Although physical and chemical modifications can improve surimi gel performance, challenges such as high cost, difficulties in industrialization and environmental pollution pose significant barriers to their practicality. Natural additives offer a promising alternative by reinforcing and improving the characteristics of surimi gel through mechanisms such as... -
Environmental Impact of Xenobiotic Aromatic Compounds and Their Biodegradation Potential in Comamonas testosteroni
Xenobiotic aromatic compounds are the raw materials of necessities in modern life, such as plastics, pesticides, and antibiotics. To meet the global requirements, their production and consumption have continually increased, and thus, the vast amount of waste generated results in prominent environmental pollution. Fortunately, some microorganisms (e.g., Comamonas spp.) can specially use these pollutants as substrates for growth, allowing for the development of bioremediation technology to achieve... -
Recent Advances in Enantiorecognition and Enantioseparation Techniques of Chiral Molecules in the Pharmaceutical Field
Enantioseparation and enantiorecognition are crucial in the pharmaceutical analysis of chiral substances, impacting safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance. Enantioseparation refers to the process of separating enantiomers from a mixture, typically achieved through chromatography techniques like HPLC and SFC. In contrast, enantiorecognition involves the identification of enantiomers based on their interaction with a chiral selector without the need for separation. Recent advancements in... -
Insights and perspectives of chitosan-based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metals and dyes from wastewater
Water pollution has become an increasingly serious issue, necessitating the design and development of more effective wastewater treatment methods. Chitosan-based hydrogels, owing to their unique structural and chemical properties, have demonstrated high efficiency in removing contaminants. However, the application remains restricted by the scarcity of effective adsorption sites and limited environmental stability. This review summarizes recent advances in the production of chitosan-based... -
Research Progress on Using Modified Hydrogel Coatings as Marine Antifouling Materials
The adhesion of marine organisms to marine facilities negatively impacts human productivity. This phenomenon, known as marine fouling, constitutes a serious issue in the marine equipment industry. It increases resistance for ships and their structures, which, in turn, raises fuel consumption and reduces ship speed. To date, numerous antifouling strategies have been researched to combat marine biofouling. However, a multitude of these resources face long-term usability issues due to various... -
Drug protection against radiation-induced neurological injury: mechanisms and developments
In daily life, individuals are frequently exposed to various forms of radiation, which, when adhering to safety standards, typically result in relatively minor health effects. However, accidental exposure to radiation levels that exceed these safety standards can lead to significant health consequences. This study focuses on the analysis of radiation-induced damage to the nervous system and the mechanisms of pharmacological protection. The findings indicate that radiation can adversely affect... -
Advances in molecular networking technology for discovering emerging contaminants and transformation products
Emerging contaminants and their transformation products are widely distributed in the environment. These pollutants carry unknown risks owing to their persistence, migration, and toxicity. The wide variety and complex structures of these substances render them difficult to identify using only target analysis. Suspect screening analysis can identify more substances than target analysis in a single run. However, this analysis method is based on limited data and cannot meet the growing demand for... -
A critical review on the symbiotic effect of bacteria and microalgae on treatment of sewage with biofertilizer production
Wastes like sewage, kitchen and industrial are the major sources of environmental pollution and health hazards. Sewage contains 99.9% water and 0.1% solid waste including urinal waste and faecal matter alongwith large amounts of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate ions. Sewage may also contain a variety of harmful contaminants like analgesics, antihypertensive drugs, antibiotics, dioxin, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, chlorine derivatives and... -
Development and application of hydrogels in pathogenic bacteria detection in foods
Hydrogels are 3D networks of water-swollen hydrophilic polymers. It possesses unique properties (e.g., carrying biorecognition elements and creating a micro-environment) that make it highly suitable for bacteria detection (e.g., expedited and effective bacteria detection) and mitigation of bacterial contamination in specific environments (e.g., food systems). This study first introduces the materials used to create hydrogels for bacteria detection and the mechanisms for detection. We also... -
Exposure to bioaerosol in the residential environment
The aim of review was to describe the knowledge about exposures to bacteria, fungi and viruses present in bioaerosol in residential environment in moderate climate condition, in connection with health effects in humans, their sources. The basis for the narrative literature review were peer-reviewed papers published between January 2000 and September 2023 in English and Polish, meeting the established criteria. Knowledge about fungi, bacteria and viruses harmful to humans that may be present in... -
Current and Potential Use of Biologically Active Compounds Derived from Cannabis sativa L. in the Treatment of Selected Diseases
Cannabis sativa L. contains numerous compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, including the flavonoids and the cannabinoids, particularly Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabinoids have an effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a cellular communication network, and are, hence, widely studied for medical applications. Epidiolex^(®), a 99% pure oral CBD extract, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy. Nabiximols (Sativex) is an... -
Unlocking the Potential of Keratin: A Comprehensive Exploration from Extraction and Structural Properties to Cross-Disciplinary Applications
The rapid expansion of the livestock and poultry industry has led to a considerable increase in slaughter byproducts; however, exploring their potential applications still needs to be improved. These underutilized byproducts, which include nails, hides, skins, and bones, represent a significant loss of valuable biological resources. Among these materials, keratin has garnered considerable attention due to its unique properties as a natural biopolymer. Keratin exhibits outstanding mechanical... -
Laccase-based biocatalytic systems application in sustainable degradation of pharmaceutically active contaminants
The outflow of pharmaceutically active chemicals (PhACs) exerts a negative impact on biological systems even at extremely low concentrations. For instance, enormous threats to human and aquatic species have resulted from the widespread use of antibiotics in ecosystems, which stimulate the emergence and formation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial species and associated genes. Additionally, it is challenging to eliminate these PhACs by employing conventional physicochemical water treatment... -
Efficacy and safety of QingReJieDu therapy in preventing acute radiation esophagitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that QRJD therapy has a significant preventive effect on ARE in clinical practice. However, it is important to note that these findings should be confirmed through more rigorously designed, multicenter, large-sample, and large-scale randomized controlled trials. -
Pints of the past, flavours for the future
The recreation of historic beverages is possible via contemporary fermentations carried out with microbes revived form the past. Advanced molecular techniques have recently provided opportunities to investigate historic samples, such as those from beer found in shipwrecks, and provide data on their character as well as identifying differences with contemporary products. In some cases, isolates of yeasts and bacteria create the possibility for authentic recreations of fermented beverages that can... -
Exosomes derived stem cells as a modern therapeutic approach for skin rejuvenation and hair regrowth
BACKGROUND: The skin covers the surface of the body and acts as the first defense barrier against environmental damage. Exposure of the skin to environmental physical and chemical factors such as mechanical injuries, UV rays, air pollution, chemicals, etc. Leads to numerous damages to skin cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, etc. The harmful effects of environmental factors on skin cells could lead to various skin diseases, chronic wounds, wrinkles, and skin aging. Hair is an... -
Comprehensive Advancements in Hydrogel, and Its Application in Microalgae Cultivation and Wastewater Treatment
Microalgae are recognized as a sustainable resource to produce biofertilizers, biofuels, and pigments, with the added benefits of environmental sustainability, such as carbon sequestration and pollutant removal. However, traditional cultivation methods face challenges like low biomass productivity and high operational costs. This review focuses on the innovative use of hydrogels as a medium for microalgae cultivation, which addresses these challenges by enhancing nutrient permeability, light... -
The art of biodegradable polymer design for the treatments against osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis arises from the incomplete treatment of the external wounds in the healing process, while bacterial infections persist within the bone marrow, leading to abscess formation. Osteomyelitis treatments generally involve three main aspects: rapid bactericidal action, sustained bacteriostasis, and induction of bone regeneration. However, current treatment methods, which often combine surgical debridement with long-term high-dose intravenous antibiotic administration or poly(methyl... -
From flavor to function: A review of fermented fruit drinks, their microbial profiles and health benefits
Fermented fruit drinks (FFDs) are gaining popularity among consumers for their unique flavors and potential health benefits. This review provides a systematic assessment of the flavor components in FFDs and explores the metabolic pathways for their formation. We examine the interactions between the structure of microbial communities and the development of these flavor components, highlighting the role of microorganisms in shaping the unique taste of FFDs. Additionally, we discuss the potential... -
Indoor bioaerosols and asthma: Overview, implications, and mitigation strategies
Aerosolized particles with a biological origin are called bioaerosols. Bioaerosols from plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and viruses are an important class of environmental exposures that are clinically relevant to asthma. However, there are important differences in the pathways by which various bioaerosols affect asthma. Additionally, differences in individual susceptibility to different bioaerosols affect exposure reduction and mitigation strategies. Strategies to reduce exposures to... -
Selected emerging contaminants in water: Global occurrence, existing treatment technologies, regulations and associated risk
Emerging contaminants (ECs) in aquatic environments have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their ubiquitous occurrence and the potential risk they may pose to life. While advance analytical methods have improved global reporting in water matrices, additional information is needed to compile data on their occurrence, existing legislation, treatment technologies and associated human health risks. Therefore, the present study provides an overview of the occurrence of selected... -
Occurrence of selected Covid-19 drugs in surface water resources: a review of their sources, pathways, receptors, fate, ecotoxicity, and possible interactions with heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) led to the high consumption of antibiotics such as azithromycin as well as corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone used to treat the disease. Seemingly, the concentrations of these four Covid-19 drugs increased in wastewater effluents and surface water resources. This is due to the failure of traditional wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) to eliminate pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Therefore, the objective... -
The Influence of Environmental Exposure to Xenoestrogens on the Risk of Cancer Development
Xenoestrogens (XEs) are a group of exogenous substances that may interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system. They may mimic the function of estrogens, and their sources are plants, water or dust, plastic, chemical agents, and some drugs. Thus, people are highly exposed to their actions. Together with the development of industry, the number of XEs in our environment increases. They interact directly with estrogen receptors, disrupting the transmission of cellular signals. It is proven... -
Veterinary tetracycline residues: Environmental occurrence, ecotoxicity, and degradation mechanism
Tetracycline has been widely used in the intensive livestock and poultry breeding industry to prevent and treat infectious diseases or promote animal growth. Usually, about 40.0-90.0% of tetracycline is excreted in the form of original drugs or metabolites and finally enters the surrounding water and soil, causing a series of eco-toxic effects. In this review, the toxic effects on plants, soil animals, and microorganisms are systematically reviewed. The migration and degradation mechanisms of... -
An investigative review of the expanded capabilities of thermal/optical techniques for measuring carbonaceous aerosols and beyond
Carbonaceous aerosols primarily comprise organic carbon (OC) and black carbon (BC). Thermal-optical analysis (TOA) is the most commonly used method for separating carbonaceous aerosols into OC and EC (BC is referred to as elemental carbon EC, in this method). Advances in hardware design and algorithms have expanded the capabilities of TOA beyond just distinguishing OC and EC. However, a comprehensive understanding of the enhanced functionality of TOA is still lacking. This study provides the... -
Airborne DNA: State of the art - Established methods and missing pieces in the molecular genetic detection of airborne microorganisms, viruses and plant particles
Bioaerosol is composed of different particles, originating from organisms, or their fragments with different origin, shape, and size. Sampling, analysing, identification and describing this airborne diversity has been carried out for over 100 years, and more recently the use of molecular genetic tools has been implemented. However, up to now there are no established protocols or standards for detecting airborne diversity of bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and plant particles. In this review we... -
The definition of chemical contaminants in food: Ambiguity and consequences
Consumers may be exposed via foods to a diverse range of substances that could be considered as contaminants. However, it is not always straightforward to understand the definition of a 'contaminant'. The present review evaluates how various categories of food-relevant substances are considered in terms of being 'contaminants'. To this end these categories of food borne constituents are evaluated against the various criteria encountered in the available definitions of a food contaminant,... -
Revolutionizing dairy waste: emerging solutions in conjunction with microbial engineering
The dairy industry is grappling with significant challenges in managing effluent due to environmental concerns and stringent regulatory demands, necessitating innovative solutions. The paper investigates how microbial engineering is transforming the treatment of dairy wastewater, offering advanced methods to minimize environmental impact and enhance sustainability. It delves into the current challenges faced by the dairy industry, such as regulatory compliance and the limitations of traditional... -
Insights into the efficiencies of different biological treatment systems for pharmaceuticals removal: A review
This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research on biological treatment processes for removing pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) from wastewater. Unlike previous studies on this topic, our study specifically delves into the effectiveness and drawbacks of various treatment approaches such as traditional wastewater treatment facilities (WWTP), membrane bioreactors (MBRs), constructed wetlands (CW), and moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR). Through the examination and synthesis of... -
Polysaccharide-based biopolymeric magnetic hydrogels for remediation of antibiotics from aqueous solution
Polysaccharide-based biopolymeric magnetic hydrogels have garnered significant attention as effective materials for wastewater treatment due to their high adsorption capacity and environmentally friendly nature. This review examines recent advancements in the development of biopolymeric magnetic hydrogels derived from polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, alginate, carrageenan, starch, and gums, with a focus on their application in removing antibiotics from contaminated water as it not... -
From prescription to pollution: The ecological consequences of NSAIDs in aquatic ecosystems
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely utilised to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in both human and veterinary medicine. Despite their therapeutic benefits, NSAIDs pose environmental concerns due to their possible ecotoxicity. NSAIDs can enter aquatic ecosystems through wastewater discharge as it is very difficult to extract NSAIDs by conventional wastewater treatment, thus affecting aquatic life. These drugs induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, affect the functioning of... -
Applications of artificial intelligence for chemical analysis and monitoring of pharmaceutical and personal care products in water and wastewater: A review
Specifying and interpreting the occurrence of emerging pollutants is essential for assessing treatment processes and plants, conducting wastewater-based epidemiology, and advancing environmental toxicology research. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly applied to enhance chemical analysis and monitoring of contaminants in environmental water and wastewater. However, their specific roles targeting pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have not been... -
Removal and elimination of pharmaceuticals in water using zeolites in diverse adsorption processes and catalytic advanced oxidation technologies-a critical review
Water pollution by pharmaceuticals is a current worrying environmental problem. Adsorption and catalytic processes using zeolites have been employed in several studies to remove/degrade pharmaceuticals from water. The interest of researchers in these two strategies based on the utilization of zeolites (i.e., adsorption and advanced oxidation technologies, AOT) is continuously growing. Then, this work presents a literature review, considering the origin of the zeolites (natural vs. synthetic) and... -
Green technologies for extracting plant waste functional ingredients and new food formulation: A review
Nowadays, there is a growing interest in food waste recovery by both consumers and companies. Food waste of plant origin is a source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phytosterols, carotenoids, and tocopherols, with well-known antioxidant, anti-glycemic, and antimicrobial properties. The use of green and sustainable technologies to recover bioactive compounds from food waste is a possible solution to valorize waste following the principles of green... -
Bioaerogels from biomass waste: An alternative sustainable approach for wastewater treatment
The generation of municipal solid waste is projected to increase from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. In 2020, the direct global cost of managing this waste was approximately USD 252 billion. When considering additional hidden costs-such as those arising from pollution, adverse health effects, and climate change due to inadequate waste disposal-the total cost escalates to USD 361 billion. Without significant improvements in waste management practices, this figure could... -
Pharmaceuticals in urban streams: A review of their detection and effects in the ecosystem
The presence of pharmaceuticals in urban freshwater has been considered an emerging issue. Although rivers are better studied, the streams crossing the cities, which are prone to higher concentrations of pharmaceuticals, and with a higher potential to affect animals, plant and human health, were never specifically addressed in a review. Thus, here we performed a literature review on the existing pharmaceutical contamination and impacts of these compounds in the urban stream ecosystems. To... -
Starch-based bio-membrane for water purification, biomedical waste, and environmental remediation
This review article explores the utilization of starch-based materials as smart materials for the removal of dyes and heavy metals from wastewater, highlighting their cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. It addresses the critical need for clean water, emphasizing the contamination caused by industrial activities, such as printing, textile, cosmetic, and leather tanning industries. Starch and its derivatives demonstrate significant potential in water purification... -
Research progress on secondary formation, photosensitive reaction mechanism and human health effects of chromophoric brown carbon
Brown carbon (BrC) has attracted widespread attention because of its strong absorption of solar radiation in the ultraviolet-visible wavelength range, which causes adverse impacts on human health. Originally, BrC was a physically defined class of substances. However, current research has gradually shifted towards the identification of its chemical groups, because its light-absorbing capability, chemical properties and health effects mainly depend on the chemical composition of its chromophores.... -
Microbial chemotaxis in degradation of xenobiotics: Current trends and opportunities
Chemotaxis, the directed movement of microbes in response to chemical gradients, plays a crucial role in the biodegradation of xenobiotics, such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, which pose significant environmental and health risks. Emerging trends in genomics, proteomics, and synthetic biology have advanced our understanding and control of these processes, thereby enabling the development of engineered microorganisms with tailored chemotactic responses and degradation... -
Ultrasound Findings After Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: Cutaneous, Pleural, Pulmonary, and Cardiac Changes
External beam radiation therapy (RT) can induce toxicity in patients surgically treated for breast cancer. Modern irradiation techniques have lowered the incidence and severity of radiation-induced injuries; however, their side effects on normal tissues remain challenging. This review illustrates early and late changes observed using ultrasound (US) imaging, including echocardiography, at the skin, muscle, pleura, lungs, and heart levels. The US findings and the potential role of this technique... -
The occupational exposure prevention and control system for hazardous drugs in the United States
Hazardous drugs represented by antineoplastic drugs have clear health hazards to occupational exposed populations, and this issue has received widespread attention all over the world in recent years. This article reviewed the laws, regulations, guidelines, and industry guidance documents for the prevention and control of occupational exposure to hazardous drugs issued by relevant departments and associations in the United States. It could provide a reference basis for the development of... -
Emerging organic contaminants in sewage sludge: Current status, technological challenges and regulatory perspectives
Sewage sludge is the source and sink of pollutants. It accumulates a large number of organic contaminants such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), thus posing threats to the ecological environment and human health. The harmlessness of sludge provides the possibility to realize the recycling of resources. In this study, the VOSviewer software is used to visualize published... -
Global Cancer Nurse's Experiences and Perceptions of Potential Occupational Exposure to Cytotoxic Drugs: Mixed Method Systematic Review With Framework Synthesis
CONCLUSIONS: The review conclude that individuals espouse safe handling and administration of CDs. Synthesis highlights a complex interplay between self-reported perception and the observed experience of potential occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs. -
Cutting-Edge Applications of Cellulose-Based Membranes in Drug and Organic Contaminant Removal: Recent Advances and Innovations
The increasing environmental challenges caused by pharmaceutical waste, especially antibiotics and contaminants, necessitate sustainable solutions. Cellulose-based membranes are considered advanced tools and show great potential as effective materials for the removal of drugs and organic contaminants. This review introduces an environmentally friendly composite membrane for the elimination of antibiotics and dye contaminants from water and food, without the use of toxic additives. The potential... -
IMPACT OF REAL-LIFE ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES ON REPRODUCTION: Impact of human-relevant doses of endocrine-disrupting chemical and drug mixtures on testis development and function
IN BRIEF: Toxicological studies better resembling human exposures are needed to improve risk assessment. This review presents studies examining the impact of low-dose exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) mixtures, some combined with pharmaceuticals, on male reproduction in animal models and humans. -
Microalgal Phenolics: Systematic Review with a Focus on Methodological Assessment and Meta-Analysis
A critical review and analysis of the literature relevant to the phenolic content of eucaryotic microalgae was performed. Several issues were identified and discussed. In summary, the main problems with the reporting on the phenolic content of microalgae are the following: (1) despite its usefulness in the determination of phenolic content in plant samples, the Folin-Ciocalteu assay is non-suitable for microalgal research due to the high presence of interfering compounds in microalgal extracts... -
Plastic-Degrading Enzymes from Marine Microorganisms and Their Potential Value in Recycling Technologies
Since the 2005 discovery of the first enzyme capable of depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an aromatic polyester once thought to be enzymatically inert, extensive research has been undertaken to identify and engineer new biocatalysts for plastic degradation. This effort was directed toward developing efficient enzymatic recycling technologies that could overcome the limitations of mechanical and chemical methods. These enzymes are versatile molecules obtained from microorganisms... -
Cognitive dysfunction induced by cranial radiotherapy: mechanisms and therapeutic methods
Cranial radiotherapy can damage normal brain tissues, inducing cognitive dysfunction in patients. Radiotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction is associated with hippocampal injury, white matter damage and microvascular injury. In this study, the mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction induced by cranial radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy are reviewed, and the advances in therapeutic methods for radiotherapy-induced brain injury are summarized. The mechanisms of radiotherapy-induced brain... -
Epigenetic changes driven by environmental pollutants in lung carcinogenesis: a comprehensive review
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with environmental pollutants identified as significant risk factors, especially for nonsmokers. The intersection of these pollutants with epigenetic mechanisms has emerged as a critical area of interest for understanding the etiology and progression of lung cancer. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, can induce alterations in gene expression without affecting the... -
Effect, Fate and Remediation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) during Anaerobic Sludge Treatment: A Review
Biomass energy recovery from sewage sludge through anaerobic treatment is vital for environmental sustainability and a circular economy. However, large amounts of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) remain in sludge, and their interactions with microbes and enzymes would affect resource recovery. This article reviews the effects and mechanisms of PPCPs on anaerobic sludge treatment. Most PPCPs posed adverse impacts on methane production, while certain low-toxicity PPCPs could... -
Pharmaceuticals and personal care product modelling: Unleashing artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities and impact on one health and sustainable development goals
The presence of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment poses a significant threat to environmental resources, given their potential risks to ecosystems and human health, even in trace amounts. While mathematical modelling offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the fate and transport of PPCPs in the environment, such studies have garnered less attention compared to field and laboratory investigations. This review examines the current state of modelling... -
A critical review of wastewater-based epidemiology as a tool to evaluate the unintentional human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a powerful tool to gather epidemiological insights at the community level, providing objective data on population exposure to harmful substances. A considerable portion of the human exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals occurs unintentionally, unlike substances such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, or alcohol. In this context, this comprehensive review analyzes WBE studies focused on classes of organic chemicals to which humans are... -
Optimizing constructed wetland design and operation for dual benefits: A critical review to enhance micropollutant removal while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly considered for secondary wastewater treatment, removing both conventional contaminants and emerging pollutants, notably pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). However, the CW design and operational conditions to biodegrade PPCPs as micropollutants may promote greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, raising sustainability concerns. This meta-analysis investigates the relationship between PPCP removal (caffeine, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac,... -
Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in different water samples from the lower part of the Danube River Middle Basin - A review
This study intends to assess the extent of the occurrence of CECs in different water types based on the literature data reported for the countries from a lower part of the Middle Danube Basin, including those belonging to the Western Balkan (WB) region and two upstream neighboring EU Member States, Croatia and Slovenia. These countries share main freshwater courses important for drinking water supply, agriculture, industry, navigation, tourism, etc, but in some of them there are low rate of... -
Review of health effects driven by aerosol acidity: Occurrence and implications for air pollution control
Acidity, generally expressed as pH, plays a crucial role in atmospheric processes and ecosystem evolution. Atmospheric acidic aerosol, triggering severe air pollution in the industrialization process (e.g., London Great Smoke in 1952), has detrimental effects on human health. Despite global endeavors to mitigate air pollution, the variation of aerosol acidity remains unclear and further restricts the knowledge of the acidity-driven toxicity of fine particles (PM(2.5)) in the atmosphere. Here, we... -
Enhancing the Efficacy of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Medicinal Plants through Nanoformulations: A Promising Field
This article explores the emerging field of nanomedicine as a drug delivery system, aimed at enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicinal plants. The traditional methods of applying medicinal plants present several limitations, such as low bioavailability, poor solubility, challenges in accurately controlling drug dosage, and inadequate targeting. Nanoformulations represent an innovative approach in drug preparation that employs nanotechnology to produce... -
Recent Advances in Developing Optical and Electrochemical Sensors for Monitoring Thiram and Future Perspectives
Thiram, as one widely used dithiocarbamate pesticide, has been considered seriously detrimental to food safety and human health because of poor efficiency, nonstandard/superfluous usage, and lack of a targeting effect. Developing high-performance sensors for thirams is strongly needed. With the rapid development of chemistry, biology, and materials science, many sensors have been constructed for thiram with high sensitivity and selectivity. Regarding the energy form of the signal, recognition... -
Administration of airborne pathogens in non-human primates
CONCLUSION: The wide range of methods used for the delivery of pathogento NHP respiratory airways is associated with varying doses and deposition profiles in the airways. -
Environmental impact and source-controlled approaches for emerging micropollutants: Current status and future prospects
Emerging micropollutants, originating from diverse sources, including pharmaceutical, pesticides, and industrial effluents, are a serious environmental concern. Their presence in natural water bodies has negative effects on ecosystems and human health. To address this issue, the importance of a source-controlled approach has grown, highlighting the use of advanced technologies such as oxidation processes, membrane filtration, and adsorption to prevent micropollutants from entering the... -
Value-added utilization technologies for seaweed processing waste in a circular economy: Developing a sustainable modern seaweed industry
The global seaweed industry annually consumes approximately 600,000 tons of dried algal biomass to produce algal hydrocolloids, yet only 15-30% of this biomass is utilized, with the remaining 70-85% discarded or released as scum or wastewater during the hydrocolloid extraction process. This residual biomass is often treated as waste and not considered for further commercial use, which contradicts the principles of sustainable development. In reality, the residual algal biomass could be employed... -
A review of airborne micro- and nano-plastics: Sampling methods, analytical techniques, and exposure risks
Atmospheric Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) can be easily inhaled and ingested by humans and have become a global health concern. With the development of instruments and techniques, an increasing number of sampling and analytical methods have been applied to study airborne MNPs. Active samplers and passive collectors are used to collect suspended aerosols and atmospheric depositions. Microscopes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to physically identify the MNPs, while Fourier... -
Ameliorative Effects of Ginger on Allergic Diseases: An Updated Review
The hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system to harmless environmental substances causes allergic diseases. Today, about 22%-30% of the world's population suffers from allergic diseases. Since the probability of change in the genetic structure during the past decades of lives is very low, genetic disorders cannot be blamed for causing allergic diseases. Thus, factors such as air pollution, climate change, change in diet, increased antibiotics consumption, change in the gut microbiome,... -
Parabens as the double-edged sword: Understanding the benefits and potential health risks
Parabens are globally employed as important preservatives in pharmaceutical, food, and personal care products. Nonetheless, improper disposal of commercial products comprising parabens can potentially contaminate various environmental components, including the soil and water. Residues of parabens have been detected in surface water, ground water, packaged food materials, and other consumer items. Long-term exposure to parabens through numerous consumer products and contaminated water can harm... -
Fungi as biotechnological allies: Exploring contributions of edible and medicinal mushrooms
Edible and medicinal mushrooms possess excellent nutritional properties due to their incredible versatility in growing on different substrates and producing extracellular enzymes with a wide range of specificity. These features make them excellent candidates for various biotechnological applications. In this context, biotechnological applications using edible and medicinal mushrooms can focus on the bioprocessing of agro-industrial wastes, an economical and environmentally friendly strategy.... -
Veterinary Drug Residues in Food Products of Animal Origin and Their Public Health Consequences: A Review
Veterinary medications used for disease treatment and prevention may remain in animal-origin foods, such as milk, eggs, honey and meat, which could pose a risk to the public's health. These drugs come from different groups of drugs, mostly with antibiotic, anti-parasitic or anti-inflammatory actions, in a range of food matrices including milk, meat or egg. This review is intended to provide the reader with a general insight about the current status of veterinary drug residues in food products of... -
Antimalarial Mechanisms and Resistance Status of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives
Artemisinin is an endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Artemisia annua and is often used to treat malaria. Artemisinin's peroxide bridge is the key structure behind its antimalarial action. Scientists have created dihydroartemisinin, artemether, artesunate, and other derivatives preserving artemisinin's peroxide bridge to increase its clinical utility value. Artemisinin compounds exhibit excellent efficacy, quick action, and minimal toxicity in malaria treatment and have greatly... -
Valorization of the Invasive Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the Mediterranean: Nutritional Value, Bioactive Compounds and Sustainable By-Products Utilization
The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), originally from the western Atlantic Ocean, has recently spread to the Mediterranean and is now considered one of the one hundred most invasive species in that region. This opportunistic species, known for its adaptability to different temperatures and salinities, negatively impacts biodiversity and human activities such as fishing and tourism in the Mediterranean. However, the blue crab is gaining interest as a potential food resource due to its high... -
A Chemical Toolbox to Unveil Synthetic Nature-Inspired Antifouling (NIAF) Compounds
The current scenario of antifouling (AF) strategies to prevent the natural process of marine biofouling is based in the use of antifouling paints containing different active ingredients, believed to be harmful to the marine environment. Compounds called booster biocides are being used with copper as an alternative to the traditionally used tributyltin (TBT); however, some of them were recently found to accumulate in coastal waters at levels that are deleterious for marine organisms. More... -
Enzymes from Fishery and Aquaculture Waste: Research Trends in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Circular Bio-Economy
In the era of the blue bio-economy, which promotes the sustainable utilization and exploitation of marine resources for economic growth and development, the fisheries and aquaculture industries still face huge sustainability issues. One of the major challenges of these industries is associated with the generation and management of wastes, which pose a serious threat to human health and the environment if not properly treated. In the best-case scenario, fishery and aquaculture waste is processed... -
Bioaerosols downwind from animal feeding operations: A comprehensive review
Bioaerosols originating from animal feeding operations (AFOs) may carry pathogens, allergens, and other hazardous biocomponents, such as endotoxins, posing a potential risk to community health and the environment when dispersed downwind. This review summarizes and synthesizes existing literature data on bioaerosols downwind from three major types of AFOs (swine, poultry, and cattle), covering their composition, concentration, dispersion patterns, measurement methodologies, potential health...
