Ecotoxicology of glyphosate and recent advances in its mitigation by adsorption.

Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) is one of the most popular herbicides now used in agricultural practice. The aim of this paper was to discuss the research progress and innovations in recent years on the mitigation of glyphosate (GLY) from aqueous media by adsorption. The ecotoxicology of GLY was discussed in the domain of its chronic and sub-chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity, and potential risks of food contamination were discussed. It was observed that polymers and resins are the best class of adsorbents for GLY adsorption from aqueous media. GLY adsorption was best fit to either Freundlich or Langmuir isotherm depending on the nature of the adsorbent. The pseudo-second-order kinetics was also the best fit for modelling the kinetics of GLY adsorption. A review of the thermodynamics revealed that GLY adsorption was usually spontaneous and exothermic. Research trends and knowledge gaps are in the area of chemical mobility in environmental systems (especially in the presence of other chemical species), the use of heavy metal-laden adsorbent and molecular modelling. Furthermore, it was observed that the ecotoxicology of GLY still has some contentious areas where there is no conclusive stance.

Perceptions of Health Care Professionals towards Pharmacogenomics in Nigeria: Preliminary Results

"Background: Pharmacogenomics/pharmacogenetics has the potential to mitigate adverse drug reactions and optimize pharmacotherapy in individuals. Over the past several years; there has been increasing attention towards the characterization of pharmacogenomic biomarkers in African populations; both locally and internationally. However; the perceptions of the African health care community towards pharmacogenomic testing have not been studied. Objectives: To assess knowledge and perceptions of pharmacogenomics among health care professionals in Benin City; Nigeria. Methods: In this preliminary and pilot investigation; we used a semi-structured qualitative survey methodology to understand the perceptions of pharmacists and pharmacologists towards pharmacogenomics in an academic care centre in Benin City; Nigeria. Three themes were explored: Knowledge and experience with pharmacogenetics; Expectations about how a pharmacogenetic testing service could be used; and Capacity building for pharmacogenetic service delivery. Results: Though none of the participants had received training or undertaken research in pharmaco- genomics; all participants were familiar with the field and listed beneficial outcomes associated with pharmacogenetic testing. Participants identified factors such as lack of funding; infrastructure; and manpower for limitations of pharmacogenomic testing in Nigeria. Participants listed numerous ethical issues and concerns in recruiting participants for research and introducing pharmacogenetics in the clinic; including the need to ""win the confidence of the people."" Conclusion: Pharmacists and pharmacologists in an academic centre in Nigeria are aware of the benefits of pharmacogenomics; but cite many hurdles to overcome before this field can become a routine part of patient care in their communities."