Bogra Polytechnic Institute

The current burden associated to multidrug resistance, and the emerging superbugs, result in a decreased and even loss of antibiotic efficacy, which poses significant challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases. This situation has created a high demand for the discovery of novel antibiotics that are both effective and safe. However, while antibiotics play a crucial role in preventing and treating diseases, they are also associated with adverse effects. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and the extensive appearance of drug-resistant microorganisms, has become one of the major hurdles in healthcare. Addressing this problem will require the development of at least 20 new antibiotics by 2060. However, the process of designing new antibiotics is time-consuming. To overcome the spread of drug-resistant microbes and infections, constant evaluation of innovative methods and new molecules is essential. Research is actively exploring alternative strategies, such as combination therapies, new drug delivery systems, and the repurposing of existing drugs. In addition, advancements in genomic and proteomic technologies are aiding in the identification of potential new drug targets and the discovery of new antibiotic compounds. In this review, we explore new sources of natural antibiotics from plants, algae other sources, and propose innovative bioinspired delivery systems for their use as an approach to promoting responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the spread of drug-resistant microbes and infections.

The delivery of peptides and proteins usually faces formulation development challenges attributed to the difficulties encountered in their stabilization. Nanoparticles offer an alternative to improve the physicochemical stability of such biomacromolecules, while increasing their bioavailability by overcoming biological absorption barriers. With this review, we aim to discuss the stability problems of proteins and peptides that have driven the scientific community to find in nanotechnology a valid alternative for oral administration of biomolecules. In addition, we describe the most commonly used nanoparticles for this purpose (e.g., polymers such as polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, modified chitosan, and lipids such as oil-in-water nanoemulsions, self-emulsified drug delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, liposomes, as well as hybrid systems like micelles), and we show some of the most important recent applications of these nanoparticles for the delivery of proteins and peptides, including for the treatment of diabetes, viruses (such as HIV), cancer, as well as in the development of vaccines.

This chapter aims to contribute to the interpretation, regulation, and implementation of the tax part of the Concordat established in 2004 between the Portuguese Republic and the Holy See. On the one hand, the legal framework of the different religions will be sought, underlining their positive externalities and enumerating the process that grants them legal personality, which is the reason for the tax benefits given to each religion. On the other hand, the tax framework of the religions in the Portuguese tax regime will be analyzed, examining the normative set emanating from the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, the Religious Freedom Law, the Concordat, the Agreements with the Ismaili Imamat, and other relevant statutory norms. Thus, faced with the complex Portuguese landscape of tax laws, helpful clarifications will emerge for religious entities, particularly for many private social solidarity institutions associated with them, enabling better allocate of resources and improving their community impact.

Oxidation of lipids and lipoproteins contributes to inflammation processes that promote the development of eye diseases. This is a consequence of metabolism dysregulation; for instance, that of the dysfunctional peroxisomal lipid metabolism. Dysfunction of lipid peroxidation is a critical factor in oxidative stress that causes ROS-induced cell damage. Targeting the lipid metabolism to treat ocular diseases is an interesting and effective approach that is now being considered. Indeed, among ocular structures, retina is a fundamental tissue that shows high metabolism. Lipids and glucose are fuel substrates for photoreceptor mitochondria; therefore, retina is rich in lipids, especially phospholipids and cholesterol. The imbalance in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid accumulation in the human Bruch's membrane are processes related to ocular diseases, such as AMD. In fact, preclinical tests are being performed in mice models with AMD, making this area a promising field. Nanotechnology, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to develop site-specific drug delivery systems to ocular tissues for the treatment of eye diseases. Specially, biodegradable nanoparticles constitute an interesting approach to treating metabolic eye-related pathologies. Among several drug delivery systems, lipid nanoparticles show attractive properties, e.g., no toxicological risk, easy scale-up and increased bioavailability of the loaded active compounds. This review analyses the mechanisms involved in ocular dyslipidemia, as well as their ocular manifestations. Moreover, active compounds as well as drug delivery systems which aim to target retinal lipid metabolism-related diseases are thoroughly discussed.

INTRODUCTION:Physical activity is a great remedy to prevent diseases, as well as to keep us healthy and improve our physical, mental, and social health. One of the many benefits of physical exercise is emotional regulation, which allows us to provide an adequate response to everyday situations in addition to controlling our own emotions. High-level athletes face multifactorial stressors that can affect their quality of life.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We explored the relationship between quality of life and emotional regulation using questionnaires that measure self-reported quality of life and how they cope with stressful situations in 54 mountain athletes with a mean age of 21.88 (SD = 7.88). We also investigated gender differences and demographic location in this population, as they are subjected to very high moments of stress in competition, with the risk that this modality entails.RESULTS:Rural areas have better physical and psychological health, with higher scores on quality of life and adaptation dimensions. Women have a worse quality of life, specifically in psychological health, with worse coping mechanisms.CONCLUSIONS:It is important to design strategies that improve these mechanisms, specifically in urban areas and the female sex, to improve their emotional regulation and quality of life.