The search for new and efficient pharmaceuticals is a constant struggle for medicinal chemists. New substances are needed in order to treat different pathologies affecting the health of humans and animals, and these new compounds should be safe, effective and have the fewest side effects possible. Some functional groups are known for having biological activity; in this matter, the nitro group (NO₂) is an efficient scaffold when synthesizing new bioactive molecules. Nitro compounds display a wide spectrum of activities that include antineoplastic, antibiotic, antihypertensive, antiparasitic, tranquilizers and even herbicides, among many others. Most nitro molecules exhibit antimicrobial activity, and several of the compounds mentioned in this review may be further studied as lead compounds for the treatment of H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, M. tuberculosis and S. mutans infections, among others. The NO₂ moiety triggers redox reactions within cells causing toxicity and the posterior death of microorganisms, not only bacteria but also multicellular organisms such as parasites. The same effect may be present in humans as well, so the nitro groups can be considered both a pharmacophore and a toxicophore at the same time. The role of the nitro group itself also has a deep effect on the polarity and electronic properties of the resulting molecules, and hence favors interactions with some amino acids in proteins. For these reasons, it is fundamental to analyze the recently synthesized nitro molecules that show any potential activity in order to develop new pharmacological treatments that enhance human health.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal associated with several health disorders. The mining and Pb battery industry are related to Pb increase in air, water, and soil. Mexico is an important worldwide Pb producer; however, reviews on environmental Pb contamination in Mexico are insufficient. Since Pb remains stable in soil and its concentration is an indicator of Pb exposure, this systematic review focused on reports of Pb concentrations in soil from Mexico published in 2010–2023. The retrieved reports were ordered, and contamination grade and health risk were estimated for location. From 36 retrieved reports, 24 were associated with mining Pb pollution, while a unique report mentioned the battery industry. The publications evaluated mining (13), agricultural (11), and residential (16) soils. Pb concentrations in soil were higher than the allowed limits in more than half of the reports. According to the Pb concentrations in soil, the locations evaluated in Mexico presented a contamination grade from heavily contaminated to extremely contaminated and health risks results suggested severe hazards, particularly for children. This work can guide other researchers to identify potentially contaminated but understudied Mexican locations.

This paper provides an overview of the impacts of mining-related environmental liabilities on humans, soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater across various mining districts in Zacatecas, Mexico. An analysis has been carried out on the areas of the state most affected by the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, chromium and zinc, identifying priority areas for environmental assessment and remediation. Likewise, a review of the concentrations of PTEs reported in different environmental matrices of the state’s mining areas with the presence of environmental liabilities was carried out, most of which exceed the maximum permissible limits established by Mexican and international regulations, generating an environmental risk for the populations near these districts due to their potential incorporation into the food chain. Additionally, this study explores research focused on the biostabilization of PTEs using microorganisms with specific metabolic activities. Phytoremediation is presented as a viable tool for the stabilization and elimination of PTEs, in which endemic plants from arid–semi-arid climates have shown favorable results in terms of the phytostabilization and phytoextraction processes of the PTEs present in mining waste.

Apoptosis plays a role in pemphigus IgG-dependent acantholysis; theoretically, the blockade of the caspase pathway could prevent the blistering that is caused by pemphigus autoantibodies. Using this strategy, we attempted to block the pathogenic effect of pemphigus IgG in Balb/c mice by using the caspase inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CMK. This inhibitor was administrated before the injection of pemphigus IgG into neonatal mice. The main results of the present investigation are as follows: (1) pemphigus IgG induces intraepidermal blisters in Balb/c neonatal mice; (2) keratinocytes around the blister and acantholytic cells undergo apoptosis; (3) the caspases inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CMK prevents apoptosis; (4) the inhibition of the caspase pathway prevents blister formation. In conclusion, inhibition of the caspase pathway may be a promising therapeutic tool that can help in the treatment of pemphigus flare ups.

Cadmium (Cd) is a widely spread pollutant in the environment and its identification in human breast milk has caused concern. Children are particularly vulnerable, since their detoxification mechanism is not fully developed and their organs still being formed. Human- and animal-based studies demonstrate health issues and adverse pregnancy outcomes related to prenatal and postnatal Cd exposure. However, investigations of the effects, mechanisms, and treatments are still required. Thus, this systematic review compiled studies of Cd effects on lactating mice and rats focusing on experimental features and reported effects. The search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), using PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases. After identification, screening, and inclusion process 52 research articles were recovered and data, such as animal strain, metal compound, dose or concentration, administration route, exposure time, litter size normalization, lactation days, organs or samples examined, and effects reported were organized in tables. Three general schemes of Cd exposure on dams were identified: pregnancy, lactation, or pregnancy-lactation. The effects evaluated included neurotoxicity, sexual maturation, biochemical parameters, and Cd transfer and retention. Experimental features most common were Cd exposure during the pregnancy–lactation scheme and Cd administration by drinking water, while the most evaluated effect on offspring was Cd-neurotoxicity.

The lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide health education to patients with diabetes means that this service is provided in a heterogeneous, isolated and intermittent manner, thus limiting quality. To validate a SOP to provide health education to diabetic patients using Delphi methodology and determining its efficacy in clinical practice by performing a pilot study. The SOP was designed from a theoretical analysis of the available literature; a participatory brainstorming technique was used to define the processes included in the SOP. The research was carried out at the Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care Polyclinic of a Mexican Institute of Health Sciences, from August 2017 to March 2020. The pilot test was carried out on 15 outpatients with diabetes type 1 and 2. The validation was carried out by a panel of experts using Delphi methodology, the consensus among the experts was estimated by determining Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The practice clinical efficacy of the SOP was determined by a pilot study in 15 diabetic patients using process indicators. The SOP was structured in nine sections with the process approach described in the ISO 9001:2008 standards. The criteria issued by the experts relating to content, records and data extraction tools allowed improvement of the SOP. The pilot test showed that health education, following the SOP, improved metabolic control, level of knowledge, therapeutic adherence and the attitudes of more than 80% of patients. The SOP designed and validated by experts was effective in educating patients with diabetes due to the high impact achieved with the intervention and incorporates indicators to guarantee the quality of the health service provided.