SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: Dr. Miguel Fornes is a researcher at CONICET and director of the Andrological Research Laboratory of Mendoza, Argentina. His research focuses on how dietary fat excess and hypercholesterolemia affect sperm physiology and male fertility. Objectives: The primary objective of Dr. Fornes' research is to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on sperm function, capacitation, acrosomal reaction, and fertilization. He aims to develop translational animal models to study these effects without using human subjects. Methods: Dr. Fornes and his team use rabbit models to induce hypercholesterolemia through a high-fat diet. They then study the physiology and function of sperm cells from these hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Key parameters analyzed include cholesterol content in sperm membranes, ability to undergo capacitation and acrosomal reaction, and fertilization capability. Results: The studies revealed that hypercholesterolemia caused by a high-fat diet leads to increased cholesterol levels in sperm. This interferes with the normal physiology of sperm cells. In particular, many sperm from hypercholesterolemic rabbits were unable to properly undergo the acrosomal reaction, a crucial step for successful fertilization of the oocyte. This suggests high-fat diets could contribute to male infertility. Conclusions: The research highlights the importance of diet and lifestyle on male reproductive health. Dr. Fornes recommends a balanced diet like the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, to maintain healthy sperm function and fertility. Replacing animal fats with olive oil may help prevent hypercholesterolemia-related infertility. The findings have implications for dietary guidelines and clinical interventions to support male fertility.

Introduction: The detection of methanol in alcoholic beverages represents a critical public health issue, particularly in light of the recent outbreak of poisonings in Brazil, which registered 58 confirmed cases and 15 deaths through October 2025. Methanol's toxicity, with an estimated lethal dose ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 g/kg, requires reliable analytical methods for health surveillance. Brazilian legislation establishes a maximum limit of 20 mg/100 mL of anhydrous alcohol; however, the need for accessible screening methods in field settings remains an important challenge. Objective: To critically compare three analytical methods for methanol determination: classical qualitative methods (Lucas Test and dichromate/Schiff), Brazilian colorimetric method, and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID), evaluating their performance and applicability in resource-limited contexts. Methods: Theoretical-comparative approach through critical analysis of specialized literature and normative technical documentation. Methods were evaluated according to: operational principle, sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), selectivity, operational complexity, analysis time, and practical applicability. Results: The Lucas Test is not applicable for methanol detection. Colorimetric methods showed moderate sensitivity (LOD ~20-160 mg/100 mL), a 10-30-minute execution time, low operational complexity, and excellent portability. The Brazilian method presented chemical equivalence with international standards, differing only in the type of reading performed. GC-FID has shown superior sensitivity (LOD ≤ 1 mg/100 mL) and high specificity, but it requires extended time (~45-60 minutes), complex laboratory infrastructure, and specialized operators. Sugars interfere with colorimetric methods. Conclusions: The methods are complementary within a hierarchical system. Colorimetric methods enable rapid field screening, while GC-FID serves as the confirmatory method for forensic analyses. We recommend implementing integrated protocols that combine in situ colorimetric screening with GC-FID confirmation in accredited laboratories for effective health surveillance.

Background: Industrial wastewater contains pollutants that are detrimental to human health in varied proportions. Among the pollutants are heavy metals, including Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ found in a characterized pharmaceutical wastewater. Several techniques have been proposed for the heavy metal sequester. However, they are with attendant challenges. The adsorption techniques using clay-metal oxide modified adsorbent/composite such as silver-clay adsorbent is considered suitable for an effective sequestering process. Aims: To develop and characterize Ag/clay adsorbent for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. Methods: The Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using Parkia biglobossa aqueous leaves extract in an optimization study. The raw clay was beneficiated and doped with silver nanoparticles via the wet impregnation method. The silver-clay adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS characterization tools. The developed adsorbent was used for the batch adsorption process of the heavy metal ion removal from the wastewater. Results and Discussion: The phytochemical analysis and FTIR results of the P. biglobosa showed that the leaf contains phenol, tannin, and flavonoids which acts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent required for synthesizing the silver nanoparticles. The prepared silver nanoparticles modified clay adsorbent Ag/clay, have evenly distributed stacks of pseudo-hexagonal plates, are rich in silica, possess silver nanoparticles in the frameworks, and contain functional groups suitable for binding heavy metals. The adsorptions of Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ from pharmaceutical wastewater onto the silver-modified clay were studied as a function of adsorbent dosage and contact time. The percentage removal results obtained showed that the adsorbent had up to 99.96%, 99.5%, and 99.44% removal efficiency for Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+, respectively, which are better compared with previous studies. The adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic, with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order models as best fits for the process. Conclusions: The adsorption of selected heavy metal ions onto the green synthesized silver-modified clay adsorbent (Ag/clay) was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in the order Zn2+>Pb2+>Cu2+ with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order model best fitted for the process. These show that the synthesized silver oxide nanoparticles supported on local clay can be used as a potentially low-cost adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater.