Latest Edition Highlights (Issue 39)

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THE REVOLUTION IN AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY: PETROLEUM-BASED DYES AND THE CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIC

Background: The American food regulatory landscape has historically been influenced by industry interests, resulting in the widespread use of petroleum-derived synthetic food dyes banned in European countries. Chronic disease rates in American children have increased from 3% in the 1960s to approximately 60% currently, with annual healthcare costs reaching $1 trillion. The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services marks a paradigmatic shift toward transparency and industry accountability in food safety regulation. Aim: This forum analysis examines Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary approach to food safety regulation, particularly his confrontational stance against petroleum-based food additives exemplified by his statement, "if they want to eat petroleum, they should add it themselves at home" and evaluates the broader implications for American public health policy and global regulatory standards. Methods: Critical analysis of Kennedy Jr.'s public policy statements, examination of epidemiological data trends, and evaluation of proposed regulatory frameworks through content analysis of official speeches and policy declarations from the Department of Health and Human Services. Results: Kennedy Jr.'s administration targets the systematic elimination of synthetic food dyes through industry partnerships, scientific transparency initiatives, and restoration of rigorous research standards. His confrontational rhetorical approach, compared to Mike Tyson's boxing style, has generated unprecedented industry cooperation with food companies "calling almost daily" seeking compliance guidance. The strategy combines voluntary industry agreements with open-source information databases and enhanced FOIA access. Discussion: This confrontational rhetoric represents unprecedented directness in health policy communication, challenging decades of established regulatory practices. The approach prioritizes scientific transparency over diplomatic language, generating both media attention and voluntary industry engagement that traditional regulatory pressure failed to achieve. Conclusions: Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary stance may establish new global standards for food additive oversight, prioritizing public health over commercial interests through evidence-based policymaking and industry accountability measures. This paradigm shift from reactive to preventive regulatory models could influence international food safety governance and restore American leadership in global health policy.
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INTERVIEW WITH DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR DR. O. A. OMOTESHO, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA (ENGLISH VERSION)

Background: The University of Ilorin, founded in 1975 in Nigeria, has evolved from 3 to 16 faculties, becoming the country's most sought-after institution for the past two decades. Aims: To document the institutional evolution, identify the most demanded programs, assess scientific output, examine internationalization strategies, and understand strategic development objectives. Methods: Structured interview with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Olubumi Abayomi Omotesho, following a standardized protocol covering historical, academic, scientific, and strategic aspects of the institution, under Creative Commons license format. Results: The university expanded to 16 faculties in 49 years. The most demanded programs are Medicine and Nursing, followed by Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Accounting. Areas with the highest scientific output: Medicine, Biological/Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering. It offers 340 postgraduate programs with approximately 7,523 students. There is a dedicated infrastructure for internationalization, with plans for international accommodations. Discussion: The predominance of healthcare courses reflects global employability trends. Research aligned with Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates a contemporary vision. The institutional goal (number one in Nigeria, top 10 in Africa, top 500 globally) shows a measurable strategic approach. Commitment to internationalization aligns with global education trends. Conclusions: The institution exemplifies an evolving African university focused on academic excellence, scientific relevance, and internationalization. The prioritization of student-centered development, clear positioning goals, and international collaboration initiatives establish solid foundations for its contribution to regional and global knowledge.
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TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TISAGENLECLEUCEL AND CLOFARABINE

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy predominantly affecting individuals under 20 years of age. Traditional chemotherapy, such as clofarabine, has shown efficacy; however, novel immunotherapeutic strategies like tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah®) have significantly altered the treatment paradigm. Aim: This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of tisagenlecleucel, a CAR-T cell therapy, and clofarabine, a second-generation purine nucleoside analog, evaluating their mechanisms of action, therapeutic benefits, limitations, and clinical applicability across diverse patient populations. Methods: A systematic comparative evaluation was conducted, encompassing pharmacological characteristics, mechanisms of action, treatment protocols, efficacy, safety profiles, and clinical indications of both agents. The analysis considered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data and included patient demographic variables. Results: Tisagenlecleucel demonstrated high efficacy in refractory B-cell ALL, with durable responses and a blood half-life of 128 days, but with notable immune-related adverse effects such as cytokine release syndrome. Clofarabine, effective across a broader patient population, acts via multiple antitumor mechanisms but carries significant toxicity risks, including infection and sepsis. Discussion: The therapies present distinct clinical profiles: tisagenlecleucel offers targeted immunotherapy with high specificity but requires specialized infrastructure and management of immune toxicities. Clofarabine is more widely accessible and applicable, but is associated with conventional chemotherapy-related side effects. Treatment accessibility and cost differ markedly between the two. Conclusions: Therapy selection should be personalized based on patient-specific factors and institutional resources. Tisagenlecleucel is ideal for pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL in CAR-T-capable centers, while clofarabine remains a viable option for broader ALL populations, particularly when genetic therapies are not feasible. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve access to advanced treatments.
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General information

SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

    General information about this journal
  • Title: SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
  • Short Title: South. J. Sci.
  • ISSN: 2764-5959 (Online); ISSN: 2764-5967 (Print)
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): 001
  • Review Process: Double-Blind Peer-Review
  • Accessibility: Platinum Open Access, NO-APCs.
  • Digital preservation: Portico
  • Frequency of Publication: biannual [2 issues per year]. Journal publication schedule
  • DOI: 10.48141/2764-5959
  • Website: https://www.sjofsciences.com/
  • Country: BRAZIL
  • Publisher: Araucária - Scientific Association.
  • Language of Publication: ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE*
  • *Year that the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Portuguese: 2020
  • First issue year: 1993
  • Free full text: Yes
  • Indexed in: Index Copernicus; Latindex, and I2OR.
  • Formerly known as the Southern Brazilian Journal of Chemistry (1993 to 2021).
  • Former ISSN: 2674-6891 (Online); Former ISSN: 0104-5431 (Print).
  • Website last update: 06/07/2025.

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PREVENTION OF CANDIDIASIS IN PATIENTS USING REMOVABLE DENTURES

Background: Despite innovations in orthopedic dentistry, the manufacture of removable dentures belongs to the most popular orthopedic care category. Removable dentures are combined stimuli that affect the mucous membrane and neuro-receptor apparatus. Acrylic plastic prostheses, widely used in prosthetic dentistry, have a negative side mechanical, chemical-toxic, sensitizing, and thermal insulating effect on oral tissue and prosthetic impression area. This is often complicated by a violation of the biocenosis of the oral cavity, the growth of pathogenic microflora that releases toxins, especially an increase in the number of yeast colonies that irritate the oral mucosa and prosthetic stomatitis. According to the WHO, one-fifth of the world s population suffers or has suffered various candidiasis forms at least once. The worldwide increase in the incidence of the disease is primarily related to the fact that this infection is opportunistic, more than half of the world s population is a carrier of fungi of this kind, i.e., in most cases, it is an endogenous infection, which makes candidiasis different from other opportunistic mycoses. Aims: The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of candidiasis in patients using removable dentures and to evaluate the effectiveness and prevention of candidiasis treatment. Methods: 100 patients with oral candidiasis of various age groups from 45 to 65 years were observed. Of these, 60 patients with removable plate prostheses; 40 patients with partially removable prostheses. Results and Discussion: Chronic forms of candidiasis were diagnosed in 40 patients and with exacerbation of chronic forms of candidiasis-60 people. The number of untreated carious cavities and poor hygienic condition of the oral cavity directly affects the severity of candidiasis. Acute forms of candidiasis were observed mainly in patients with high DMF and PMA indices. The severity of candidiasis depends on the degree and duration of wearing dentures and hygienic conditions - the most severe forms of invasive candidiasis were observed in the presence of removable plate prostheses, the complete absence of teeth, and the use of a prosthesis for more than 10-15 years. A combined lesion of the oral mucosa and the red border of the lips was observed mainly in patients older than 60 years. Conclusions: The presence of candidiasis in the oral cavity in patients with removable plate prostheses leads to a statistically significant change in the indicators of local immunity of the oral cavity: an increase in the concentration of serum IgG and IgA and the values of the coefficient of the balance of local immunity factors.
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WASTE FRYING OIL TRANSESTERIFICATION TREATED BY STEAM DRAG METHOD

Demand for diversified biodiesel feedstocks is high and increasing, but few are viable for large-scale production, and many of those selected compete with other sectors of the chemical industry. To improve energy and environmental sustainability, fatty acids from waste oils that are improperly disposed of and pollute the environment can be used for transesterification reactions. However, they need treatment to achieve high conversion rates. In this context, the aim of this work was to perform and analyze the treatment of residual frying oil with the evaporation and entrainment process, aiming at its use as raw material to obtain biodiesel (methyl esters) by a transesterification reaction. The physicochemical properties of the residual oil after treatment were characterized by moisture content, pH and the acidity, saponification, iodine, and peroxide index. The conversion rate of the residual oil to methyl esters was determined by 1H NMR analysis. After the treatment, the method of analysis of variance showed that the oil obtained a significant reduction of the saponification, iodine, peroxide and acidity indexes, being the acidity reduced from 9.36 to 7.85 mg KOH g-1. The moisture content of 0.733% and elevation of pH to 8.0. The conversion rate of fatty acid biodiesel of residual oil was 79.3 %, lower value of standards norms (ASTM, 2005; EN, 2008; ANP, 2014), showing that the assigned methodology for frying residual oil is inefficient in biodiesel production.
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THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION: INSIGHTS FROM DR. BHAVNA AMBUDKAR

Background: Dr. Bhavna, an experienced leader in education and innovation, has held various leadership positions, including head of department, dean of alumni relations, and president of the institutions innovation council. She has been instrumental in initiating the alumni cell at her previous organization and establishing world-class state-of-the-art laboratories in collaboration with the automotive sector. Aims: Dr. Bhavna's efforts aim to create an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within the institute and beyond, encouraging learners to consider entrepreneurship as a career option and fostering innovation in the electronics manufacturing domain. Methods: Dr. Bhavna's approach involves raising awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship among learners, fostering collaborations between academia and industry, and establishing world-class state-of-the-art laboratories to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Results: Dr. Bhavna's efforts have resulted in a strong alumni network, with graduates across the globe contributing to various domains and positions. She has also established world-class laboratories in collaboration with the automotive sector, fostering innovation and startups in the electronics manufacturing domain. Discussions: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology plays a significant role in initiating innovations and startups in the electronics manufacturing domain. They have generated a separate vertical for startups, which poses challenges to innovators. If a solution is validated, the ministry handholds the innovators, incubates their ideas, funds them, and helps them reach the market at the national and international levels. Conclusions: Dr. Bhavna's vision and efforts toward fostering an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within the institute and beyond are commendable. Her experience and achievements in various leadership roles, including as the head of the department and president of the institutions innovation council, have added significant value to her professional and personal life.
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES publishes articles in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Agriculture, and related interdisciplinary areas and is intended to fill a gap in terms of scientific information worldwide. All manuscripts can be published either in English or Portuguese, with tile, abstracts, and keywords in English. At present, there are NO PUBLICATION FEES. Editors will cover web hosting, open access, DOI number, and other service costs.

We have set high standards for the articles to be published by ensuring strong but fair refereeing by at least two reviewers. We hope that this Journal will provide a forum for disseminating high-quality research in chemistry and related areas and are open to any questions and suggestions. Starting in 2020, the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES will have two issues per year (June and December).

Thank you very much for choosing the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES to publish your paper!
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