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RESEARCH LANDSCAPE OF REPURPOSED MEDICATIONS IN CANCER TREATMENT: A MULTI-DATABASE BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ELEVEN OFF-PATENT THERAPEUTICS

Background: Drug repurposing offers potential advantages for cancer therapy development, particularly when utilizing medications with established safety profiles and expired patents. While individual repurposed medications have been investigated for oncological applications, comprehensive comparative analyses of research distribution patterns across multiple therapeutic candidates appear limited in the literature. Understanding these patterns may provide insights into research priorities and potential knowledge gaps. Aim: This exploratory study was designed to quantify and compare the volume of scientific literature examining the anticancer potential of eleven selected off-patent medications across different pharmacological classes. Methods: Bibliometric searches were conducted across five databases (Google Scholar, BVS, PubMed, NIH, and Science.gov) using standardized search terms combining each medication name with "cancer" and "cancer treatment." The selected medications included ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole, albendazole, metformin, propranolol, disulfiram, valproic acid, thalidomide, dexamethasone, and hydroxychloroquine. Basic statistical analyses were performed to examine the distribution patterns and correlations within the database. Results: The search yielded 3,226,066 total publications with considerable variation in distribution patterns. Dexamethasone accounted for the largest proportion (1,538,058 publications, 47.68%), followed by metformin (697,172 publications, 21.61%). Some medications with smaller overall publication volumes demonstrated higher proportions of treatment-specific research, such as fenbendazole (87.82%), disulfiram with copper (86.54%), and hydroxychloroquine with zinc (75.21%). The Herfindahl Index indicated a high concentration of research attention (0.2870). Discussion: The findings suggest substantial variation in research attention across the selected medications. While some medications dominate the literature, others with focused treatment-specific research may warrant further investigation. The inverse relationship observed between total publication volume and treatment specificity suggests that research patterns in this field may be more complex than absolute publication counts indicate. Conclusions: This preliminary bibliometric assessment reveals an uneven distribution of research attention among repurposed medications being investigated for cancer applications. These patterns may inform future research prioritization, though further qualitative analysis would be valuable to assess the clinical significance of these quantitative observations.
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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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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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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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USING SYNTHESISED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY RETARDANTS FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

The pre-sowing treatment of scarlet sage (Salvia splendens Ker Gawl.) seeds with 4-methyl-2-piperidin1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% proved to have an obvious inhibiting effect. Prior to sowing, the seeds of Salvia splendens were soaked in a water suspension of 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid with concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% for 18 hours. On the 42nd day of the experiment, the seedlings, having been preliminarily hardened for 12 days, were removed from the greenhouse and planted on the field. The pre-sowing treatment of Salvia splendens seeds with 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid proved to have the inhibiting effect at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05%. The height of the seedlings decreased by 13.3-43.7%. It was revealed that 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% decreased the growth of the seedlings by 30.4-43.7%, and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05% decreased the growth of the seedlings by13.3-22.2%. By contrast, the effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height of another annual flower – spreading marigold (Tagetes patula L.) was stimulating. It was investigated some different concentrations from 0.01 to 0.05 %. The same concentrations of identical compounds were tested, but effects from them were opposite for Tagetes patula, and Salvia splendens seedlings. Сonsequently, the species-specific effect of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids on seed germination and plant height for ornamental grasses takes place. Therefore,4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid are recommended as growth retardants for Salvia splendens. 
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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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NATURAL EXTRACTS AS A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR GRAM-POSITIVE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Background: Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the biggest problems in public health. Infectious diseases are the second human death cause, and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria increases mortality and morbidity rates. There is a growing clinical need for the development of new antibiotics. In this line, WHO issued an alert about 12 bacteria with an urgent need to develop new antibiotics. Aims: This review aims to analyze the current knowledge of their antibacterial activity against the gram-positive pathogens listed by WHO and their extraction techniques. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, searching publications describing the use of natural extracts as antibiotics over bacteria. The exclusion criteria consisted of limiting papers on natural extracts tested over the bacteria culture related to eleven selected bacteria, according to an alert issued by WHO in 2017, and seven plant extracts. Results: All the gram-positive bacteria present in the WHO alert have been treated, with different degrees of advance, with some of the plant extracts and plant-based compounds reviewed. Currently, they are in the preclinical stage. Edible herbs are more often used, as well as artemisia and wine byproducts. Discussion: Natural products based on plants have shown to be efficient in inhibiting bacterial growth, even in antibiotic-resistant strains. The classical extraction methods are still in use and have been improved with the available technology to improve efficiency and yield. Conclusions: Ongoing evidence shows that plant extracts and plant-based compounds are effective as antibacterial, with minimal effects on the host cell, a promising antibiotic source. Furthermore, they are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and renewable.
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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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