The latest episode of cough syrup-associated pediatric deaths in India linked to the reported diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination reverberates a long-standing catastrophic history from the Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster in the USA to the similar incidents in Haiti, Panama, and Gambia. Such recurring preventable tragedies highlight continuing concerns on global pharmaceutical regulation enforcement, toxicological implications on public health, and drug safety, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In spite of clearly established pharmacopeial limits of diethylene glycol and other excipients used in pharmaceutical industry, probable gaps in excipient verification, insufficient quality control measures, and patchy regulatory monitoring have continued to be discussed in relation to contaminated drug formulations reaching global markets. Existing conventional strategies to combat reoccurrences, such as mandatory analytical testing of excipients and final drug products, vendor qualification, and strict pharmacovigilance programs, are necessary but not sufficient. This article describes the toxicological aspects of diethylene glycol poisoning, provides a brief overview of the historical events, and critically examines the reasons behind recurrence of DEG-related poisonings. Further, it provides specific recommendations to eradicate such catastrophes by employing futuristic strategies using block chain technology and artificial intelligence-based solutions.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, with cancer stem cells (CSCs) playing a critical role in metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence, thereby presenting significant treatment challenges. Emerging evidence suggests that normal embryonic and adult progenitor stem cells share common gene signatures with CSCs. However, the early pluripotency-associated factors and stemness programs that become aberrantly reactivated during oncogenic transformation remain poorly defined. Here, we identify SLC22A3/OCT3 (Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 3) as a reactivated embryonic-associated signature that regulates PC stemness. SLC22A3 is markedly upregulated in CSC-enriched populations, and its silencing in PC cells grown in both 2D cultures and 3D organoid models significantly reduces key stemness features. Moreover, serotonin (5-HT) transport, mediated by SLC22A3, enhances overall stemness via downstream histone modifications, linking serotonin signaling to CSC regulation. Collectively, these findings establish SLC22A3 as a regulator of serotonin-driven stemness and a potential therapeutic target in PC.

Bovine borreliosis is caused by Borrelia theileri, it is rarely reported, and it has a worldwide distribution, but its circulation in Mexico is poorly studied. In this report, a retrospective serological analysis of 100 bovine sera from the state of Guanajuato to detect exposure to Borrelia sp. was performed by Western blot for the detection of antibodies against the recombinant proteins rGlpQ and three versions of rBipA. A positive reaction was obtained in 3 individuals for rGlpQ, but not for the rBipA versions. A posterior collection of sera in 21 cows showed that two of them were reactive to a Borrelia turicatae extract and rGlpQ. Additionally, field sampling was carried out in herds with seroreactive animals to collect ticks that were morphologically and molecularly classified as Rhipicephalus microplus. The flaB gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced in four of the ticks, resulting in the identification of Borrelia theileri. Our results indicate that B. theileri is present in ticks and suggest it may be infecting cattle in this region of Mexico.

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide, characterised by high recurrence, therapeutic resistance, and significant molecular heterogeneity.Membrane-bound heat shock protein 70 (mHSP70) has emerged as a tumour-selective biomarker, exhibiting elevated expression in aggressive breast cancer subtypes with minimal presence in normal tissues.Functionally, mHSP70 contributes to immune evasion, metastatic progression, and chemoresistance, making it a compelling therapeutic target. The 14-mer TKD peptide (TKDNNLGRFELSG) exhibits high-affinity binding to mHSP70, facilitating targeted drug delivery to HSP70-positive malignant cells.Preclinical investigations demonstrate that TKD peptide-functionalized nanocarriers enhance tumour penetration, reverse multidrug resistance, and elicit anti-tumour immune responses.However, successful clinical translation requires optimisation of pharmacokinetics, immunological compatibility, and in vivo stability. This review critically evaluates the biological role of mHSP70 in breast cancer, its diagnostic and therapeutic implications, and the translational potential of TKD-guided nanocarriers.The integration of precision nanotechnology with mHSP70-targeted therapy represents a potentially promising approach to overcoming treatment resistance and improving outcomes in metastatic breast cancer; however, further validation and translational research are required to confirm its clinical applicability.

The effectiveness of gastrointestinal bypass surgery for treating non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) remains unclear. We aimed to compare the outcomes of gastrointestinal bypass and conventional surgery in patients with non-strangulated ASBO who were unresponsive to conservative treatment. The patients (n = 55) were divided into a bypass group (n = 15) undergoing bypass surgery and a non-bypass group (n = 40) undergoing conventional surgery, including adhesiolysis or small bowel resection. The serum albumin levels and prognostic nutritional index were comparable between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively. No patients (0%) in the bypass group and 13 (32.5%) in the non-bypass group experienced recurrent ASBO after surgery (p = 0.008). The recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the bypass group than in the non-bypass group (p = 0.030). Gastrointestinal bypass surgery may reduce long-term recurrence and thus represents a promising alternative surgical strategy for non-strangulated ASBO.

It is important that axillary surgery is optimized for de-escalation in the era of sentinel lymph node biopsy for early breast cancer. Several randomized trials of clinically node-negative breast cancer have demonstrated the non-inferiority of regional lymph node recurrence and distant metastasis in women aged ≥ 50 years with small tumors of the luminal subtype who did not undergo axillary surgery compared with those who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. Tailored axillary surgery has been attempted to personalize axillary management in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Image-guided localization, such as clipping, has been shown to accurately diagnose lymph node involvement and reduce the rate of false negatives for sentinel lymph node biopsy. This technique also reduces regional lymph node recurrence, although regional nodal irradiation and adjuvant therapy are usually required for this purpose. In this review, we aimed to facilitate the optimization of axillary surgery for patients with clinically node-negative and node-positive breast cancer by discussing the findings of randomized trials and our own experiences at the Japanese Society for Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery.