Progress in the Use of Hydrogels for Antioxidant Delivery in Skin Wounds.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it acts as a protective barrier against external factors. Chronic wounds affect millions of people worldwide and are associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. One of the main factors involved in delayed wound healing is oxidative injury, which is triggered by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic wounds, where it is known to impair wound healing by causing damage to cellular components, delaying the inflammatory phase of healing, and inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels. Thereby, the treatment of chronic wounds requires a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the underlying causes of the wound, provides optimal wound care, and promotes wound healing. Among the promising approaches to taking care of chronic wounds, antioxidants are gaining interest since they offer multiple benefits related to skin health. Therefore, in this review, we will highlight the latest advances in the use of natural polymers with antioxidants to generate tissue regeneration microenvironments for skin wound healing.

Total mercury and selenium levels in commercial shrimp along the Pacific coast of Mexico.

The present study analyzed the content of total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se) in the muscle of shrimp collected from local markets in the 11 Pacific coastal states of Mexico. Methylmercury (MeHg) concentration, Se:Hg ratio, health benefits value from selenium consumption (HBVSe) and the permissible weekly consumption were estimated to assess the health risk to consumers. All THg and Se concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits. All hazard quotient (HQ) values were <1, however in Hermosillo, Culiacán and Guadalajara, the Se:Hg ratio and HBVSe were <1 and negative, due to the low concentrations of Se. As a general conclusion, there is no risk nor benefit from the consumption of shrimp from the Pacific coast of Mexico due to its Hg and Se content.

4D Printing: The Development of Responsive Materials Using 3D-Printing Technology.

Additive manufacturing, widely known as 3D printing, has revolutionized the production of biomaterials. While conventional 3D-printed structures are perceived as static, 4D printing introduces the ability to fabricate materials capable of self-transforming their configuration or function over time in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, or electric field. This transformative technology has garnered significant attention in the field of biomedical engineering due to its potential to address limitations associated with traditional therapies. Here, we delve into an in-depth review of 4D-printing systems, exploring their diverse biomedical applications and meticulously evaluating their advantages and disadvantages. We emphasize the novelty of this review paper by highlighting the latest advancements and emerging trends in 4D-printing technology, particularly in the context of biomedical applications.

Multicentre Study Into the Use of Polyethylene Glycol With Electrolytes Over at Least 6 Months to Treat Constipation in Paediatric Populations.

Background: Constipation is a common clinical problem in children, for which the first-line therapeutic options are osmotic laxatives, mainly polyethylene glycol (PEG). These treatments are often prescribed for short or limited periods, with progressive treatment withdrawal often resulting in relapses. However, there are a few studies into the long-term use (≥6 months) of PEG 3350 with electrolytes (PEG+E) in terms of the patients' clinical evolution. Objectives: To assess bowel movement and other relevant symptoms in children with constipation receiving PEG+E (≥6 months), as well as parent/caregiver satisfaction with this treatment. Methods: A retrospective, observational, descriptive, longitudinal, and multicentre study was carried out on 74 children diagnosed with functional constipation (ROME IV criteria) who had received PEG+E (≥6 months). Bowel control was assessed using the Bristol stool scale, and the parent's/caregiver's perception of the treatment was also evaluated employing a nonvalidated questionnaire. Results: Children with an average duration of constipation >1 year experienced a significant improvement in bowel movements and stool consistency when using PEG+E. The mean duration of use was 18.6 (±13.4) months, without the need to adjust the dose for weight. All clinical symptoms improved significantly except bloating, and all the parents/caregivers confirmed these clinical improvements. Conclusions: Children treated with PEG+E (≥6 months) normalised their bowel movements, improving the clinical symptoms related to constipation in the absence of serious advert events or the need for dosage adjustments due to weight gain. Parents/caregivers reported good satisfaction with PEG+E treatment.

Assessment of potential risks to human health associated with trace elements in three commercially important shark species captured in the Central Mexican Pacific.

Shark meat is a popular protein source worldwide. However, existing national control policies for ensuring the safety and quality of shark meat are minimal. There are concerns about the sustainability of shark populations, which bioaccumulate and biomagnify potentially toxic elements at higher rates than non-predatory fish, posing a risk to human health. In this study, the contributions of essential elements to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and potentially toxic elements to the Reference Dose (RfD) linked to shark consumption (200 g per week) were investigated for three shark species in the Central Mexican Pacific. We estimated risks and benefits for women, children, and men. Our results suggest that the three shark species are sources of Se, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn, but poor sources of Mn for women and men aged 19-50 years. A weekly ingestion of 200 g of shark meat exceeded the RfD-As by 4-14 times and the RfD-Pb by 1.1-1.7 times for adults, indicating a potential risk to human health. The three shark species were also significant sources of potentially toxic elements for children, including Hg, Cd, Cr, and Pb. An excessive intake of Se was observed, with levels at 8.4-10.6 and 4.3-5.3 times the RDA for children aged 1-8 and 9-13 years, respectively. Although shark meat can be a good source of essential nutrients, the lack of controls in the commercialization process indicates that it should be consumed in moderation due to the potential risks associated with excessive exposure to potentially toxic elements. This caution is particularly important for children and pregnant women, who are at higher risk of health complications from consuming contaminated food.

Development and Validation of a Simple, Fast, and Accessible HPLC-UV Method for Cannabinoids Determination in Cannabis sativa L. Extracts and Medicinal Oils.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis sativa L. is a well-recognized medicinal plant. Cannabis regulations in Argentina are insufficient to solve the problem of patient access to full-spectrum cannabis-based products. So, the market of artisanal products with unknown quality and dosage of cannabinoids is increasing, and so is the local demand and need for analyzing these products. However, much of the latest validated methodologies for cannabinoid quantification include expensive instrumentation that is not always available in laboratories of health institutions in Argentina. METHODS: The aim of this work was to develop and validate a simple and rapid HPLC-UV method for the identification and quantification of principal cannabinoids in cannabis resins, inflorescences, and medicinal oils using standard HPLC equipment. The cannabinoids selected for validation were cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabichromene (CBC), and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA). A method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of these 7 main cannabinoids was developed and then validated. Some data parameters were comparable to other reports with more sophisticated analytical instruments for the analysis of cannabis. The assessed limits of detection and the limits of quantitation ranged from 0.9 to 3.66 µg/mL and 2.78 to 11.09 µg/mL, respectively. The concentration-response relationship of the method indicated a linear relationship between the concentration and peak area with R2 values of > 0.99 for all 7 cannabinoids. RESULTS: The relative standard deviation (RSD%) varied from 2.34 to 4.82 for intraday repeatability and from 1.16 to 3.15 for interday repeatability. The percentage of recovery values was between 94 to 115% (resins) and 80 to 103% (inflorescence extract). The cannabis industry is growing rapidly, and there is a need for reliable testing methods to ensure the safety and efficacy of cannabis products. In addition, current methods for cannabinoid analysis are often time-consuming and expensive, while the HPLC-UV method herein reported is a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective alternative for the analysis of cannabinoids in cannabis resins, inflorescences, and medicinal oils. CONCLUSION: This method will be proposed to be included in the Cannabis sativa L. monograph of the Argentine Pharmacopoeia.

Nanosilica size-dependent toxicity in Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Cladocera).

Silica nanoparticles (SiNP) are the most produced nanomaterials due to their variety of applications. When released to environments, surface water bodies are their main final sink. SiNP toxicity is still inconclusive and may vary according to particle properties such as their size. We analyzed the size-related effects of SiNP (22 and 244 nm) on mortality, life history traits, and oxidative stress in the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia reticulata. The smaller SiNP (LC5072 h: 105.5 µg/ml) were more lethal than the larger ones (LC5072 h >500 µg/ml). The 22 nm-sized SiNP decreased the number of molts and neonates, increased superoxide dismutase and inhibited glutathione S-transferase activities, while larger SiNP did not exert substantial effects on the organisms at the tested concentrations. In conclusion, SiNP toxicity depended on their size, and this information should be considered for regulatory purposes and to the development of safe-by-design nanoproducts to ultimately guarantee the environment protection.

Total Mercury and Selenium in wild Shrimp from Coastal Lagoons of Northwest Mexico: Human Health risk Assessment.

This study analyzed total mercury (THg), and selenium (Se) in edible tissues of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), blue shrimp (L. stylirostris) and brown shrimp (F. californiensis), from three states of the Northwest of Mexico in September and October 2017. Concentrations of THg and Se in the muscle were between 0.026 and 0.829 and 0.126-1.741 µg/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Significant differences were observed among Hg concentration of Sonora and Nayarit and among Se concentration of Sinaloa and Nayarit. In addition, the health risk assessment (HQ) in the three species of shrimp was between 0.550 and 0.607. All Se:Hg molar ratios were > 1 and positive HBVSe values that showed that shrimp from Northwest of Mexico does not represent a risk to human health.

Entourage Effect and Analytical Chemistry: Chromatography as a Tool in the Analysis of the Secondary Metabolism of Cannabis sativa L.

Cannabis sativa L. has been used as medicine for thousands of years. Since the early identification of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 1960, pharmacological activities were attributed to a group of unique structures named cannabinoids. For decades, research and development were applied to determine different cannabinoids and their medicinal properties. Nowadays there is evidence that the therapeutic benefits of the plant are based on the synergy of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites such as terpenes and flavonoids. Differences between the medical performance of isolated compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) or THC and full-spectrum plant extracts are notable. Indeed, the superiority of the last one is provoked by the synergy between various different compounds. This improved medicinal effect is called the entourage effect. Chromatography has become the method of choice for the determination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, so it represents an excellent tool for a proper characterization of the plant and plant derived products. The objective of characterization relies not only in analyzing the fingerprint of cannabis, but also to identify different chemotypes for medical purposes. To understand the contributions of each natural product to this "entourage effect", this review presents an in-depth analysis of the utilization of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas chromatography (GC) and other methods for the analysis of phytocomponents of Cannabis sativa L. In this sense, a representative number of examples and advances made in the field together with limitations and future needs are provided. It can be concluded that standardized protocols and quality control policies and procedures are necessary for the comprehensive analysis of cannabis extracts and derivatives.

Green Synthesized Nanomaterials for Safe Technology in Sustainable Agriculture.

Nanotechnology is a new emerging cutting-edge technology in the 21st century and has applications in medical, cosmetics, electronics, energy, food, agriculture, and many sectors. Nanomaterials (NMs) are the main component of nanotechnology. NMs prepared by chemical routes are very hazardous and not safe for life. Therefore, attempts are being made to prepare NMs via different green routes. It is expected that nanotechnology using green synthesized NMs will be safe. At the same time, green synthesized nanomaterials will be cost-effective. In this chapter, the applications of green synthesized NMs in agriculture have been discussed in detail.

Ecotoxicity of nanosilver on cladocerans and the role of algae provision.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are applied in diverse industries due to their biocide and physicochemical properties; therefore, they can be released into aquatic systems, interact with environmental factors, and ultimately exert adverse effects on the biota. We analyzed AgNPs effects on Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Cladocera) through mortality and life-history traits, considering the influence of food (Tetradesmus obliquus, Chlorophyceae) presence and concentration. C. reticulata was exposed to AgNPs in acute (absence and two algae concentrations plus five AgNPs treatments) and chronic assays (two algae concentrations plus three AgNPs treatments). AgNPs did not affect algae flocculation but increased Ag+ release, being these ions less toxic than AgNPs (as proved by the exposure to AgNO3). A reduction in AgNPs acute toxicity was observed when algae concentration increased. Acute AgNP exposure decreased C. reticulata body size and heart rate. The chronic AgNP exposure reduced C. reticulata molt number, growth, heart rate, and neonate size:number ratio, being these effects mitigated at the highest algae concentration. Increases in relative size and number of neonates were observed in AgNP treatments suggesting energy trade off. The increased Ag+ release with food presence suggests that the AgNP-algae interaction might be responsible of the decreased toxicity. Although algae reduced AgNP toxicity, they still exerted adverse effects on C. reticulata below predicted environmental concentrations. Since algae presence reduces AgNP effects but increases Ag+ release, studies should be continued to provide evidence on their toxicity to other organisms.

Green Synthesis: A Land of Complex Nanostructures.

The green synthesis of nanomaterials is nowadays gaining great attention owing to several beneficial aspects in terms of the low toxicity of reagents and by-products, low damage to the health and the environment, sustainability of energy savings and rational use of natural resources. The intrinsic complexity offered by the biological sources (plants, microorganisms, animal products) and the conditions applied in the synthetic procedures forms various nanomaterials with different sizes, morphologies and surface properties that strongly determine their functionality and applications. A deep understanding of the role of biological components, the mechanism of nanostructure formation and growth, and the effects of green synthesis conditions is of paramount importance to achieving the desired nanomaterial for the required application. In this context, this review aims to provide an overview of the structural and functional complexity of nanomaterials achieved by using green synthesis procedures, with a special focus on the role of biological sources and parameters in controlling the complexity and benefit of nanomaterial applications.

Design of a New 3D Gelatin-Alginate Scaffold Loaded with Cannabis sativa Oil.

There is an increasing medical need for the development of new materials that could replace damaged organs, improve healing of critical wounds or provide the environment required for the formation of a new healthy tissue. The three-dimensional (3D) printing approach has emerged to overcome several of the major deficiencies of tissue engineering. The use of Cannabis sativa as a therapy for some diseases has spread throughout the world thanks to its benefits for patients. In this work, we developed a bioink made with gelatin and alginate that was able to be printed using an extrusion 3D bioprinter. The scaffolds obtained were lyophilized, characterized and the swelling was assessed. In addition, the scaffolds were loaded with Cannabis sativa oil extract. The presence of the extract provided antimicrobial and antioxidant activity to the 3D scaffolds. Altogether, our results suggest that the new biocompatible material printed with 3D technology and with the addition of Cannabis sativa oil could become an attractive alternative to common treatments of soft-tissue infections and wound repair.

Cadmium and copper mixture effects on immunological response and susceptibility to Vibrio harveyi in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

Cadmium (Cd2+) and copper (Cu2+) are considered immunotoxic metals and their presence in combination in the aquatic environment may cause effects on shrimp species as Litopenaeus vannamei. Thus, this research evaluates the combined effects of Cd2+ and Cu2+ on shrimp inoculated with Vibrio harveyi bacteria. The experiments were performed at 96-h of exposure to sublethal concentrations of both metals. No mortality was observed in organisms exposed to the sum of Criterion of Continuous Concentration (ΣCCC) in Cd + Cu mixture and those inoculated with V. harveyi. Higher clotting times were recorded in Cd + Cu + V. harveyi treatment at higher metal concentrations. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded in hemocyanin content between shrimp exposed to metals and those experimentally infected. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) total hemocyte count (THC) was recorded at 96 h exposure in the ΣCCC and 10% treatments of Cd + Cu + V. harveyi experiment. Regarding Cd + Cu + V. harveyi bioassay, the highest phenoloxidase (PO) activity was recorded in shrimp inoculated with V. harveyi (0.326 ± 0.031 PO units/mg protein) at 96-h exposure. The lowest PO activity was observed in organisms exposed to Cd + Cu + V. harveyi. Regarding superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, shrimp exposed to higher metal concentrations at 96 h showed the lowest hemolymph activity (6.03 ± 0.62 SOD units/mL). Protein decrease was observed in organisms exposed to metal mixture. The results showed that L. vannamei could be more susceptible to V. harveyi when exposed to Cd + Cu.

Progress in Gelatin as Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering.

Tissue engineering has become a medical alternative in this society with an ever-increasing lifespan. Advances in the areas of technology and biomaterials have facilitated the use of engineered constructs for medical issues. This review discusses on-going concerns and the latest developments in a widely employed biomaterial in the field of tissue engineering: gelatin. Emerging techniques including 3D bioprinting and gelatin functionalization have demonstrated better mimicking of native tissue by reinforcing gelatin-based systems, among others. This breakthrough facilitates, on the one hand, the manufacturing process when it comes to practicality and cost-effectiveness, which plays a key role in the transition towards clinical application. On the other hand, it can be concluded that gelatin could be considered as one of the promising biomaterials in future trends, in which the focus might be on the detection and diagnosis of diseases rather than treatment.

Building the Bridge From Aquatic Nanotoxicology to Safety by Design Silver Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnologies have rapidly grown, and they are considered the new industrial revolution. However, the augmented production and wide applications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and nanoparticles (NPs) inevitably lead to environmental exposure with consequences on human and environmental health. Engineered nanomaterial and nanoparticle (ENM/P) effects on humans and the environment are complex and largely depend on the interplay between their peculiar properties such as size, shape, coating, surface charge, and degree of agglomeration or aggregation and those of the receiving media/body. These rebounds on ENM/P safety and newly developed concepts such as the safety by design are gaining importance in the field of sustainable nanotechnologies. This article aims to review the critical characteristics of the ENM/Ps that need to be addressed in the safe by design process to develop ENM/Ps with the ablility to reduce/minimize any potential toxicological risks for living beings associated with their exposure. Specifically, we focused on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) due to an increasing number of nanoproducts containing AgNPs, as well as an increasing knowledge about these nanomaterials (NMs) and their effects. We review the ecotoxicological effects documented on freshwater and marine species that demonstrate the importance of the relationship between the ENM/P design and their biological outcomes in terms of environmental safety.

The 3D Bioprinted Scaffolds for Wound Healing.

Skin tissue engineering and regeneration aim at repairing defective skin injuries and progress in wound healing. Until now, even though several developments are made in this field, it is still challenging to face the complexity of the tissue with current methods of fabrication. In this review, short, state-of-the-art on developments made in skin tissue engineering using 3D bioprinting as a new tool are described. The current bioprinting methods and a summary of bioink formulations, parameters, and properties are discussed. Finally, a representative number of examples and advances made in the field together with limitations and future needs are provided.

Optimal Design of PV Systems in Electrical Distribution Networks by Minimizing the Annual Equivalent Operative Costs through the Discrete-Continuous Vortex Search Algorithm.

This paper discusses the minimization of the total annual operative cost for a planning period of 20 years composed by the annualized costs of the energy purchasing at the substation bus summed with the annualized investment costs in photovoltaic (PV) sources, including their maintenance costs in distribution networks based on their optimal siting and sizing. This problem is presented using a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model, which is resolved by applying a master-slave methodology. The master stage, consisting of a discrete-continuous version of the Vortex Search Algorithm (DCVSA), is responsible for providing the optimal locations and sizes for the PV sources-whereas the slave stage employs the Matricial Backward/Forward Power Flow Method, which is used to determine the fitness function value for each individual provided by the master stage. Numerical results in the IEEE 33- and 69-node systems with AC and DC topologies illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach when compared to the discrete-continuous version of the Chu and Beasley genetic algorithm with the optimal location of three PV sources. All the numerical validations were carried out in the MATLAB programming environment.