Composition-Dependent Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Biopolymer-Capped Ag/Au Bimetallic Nanoparticles against Melanoma and Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Nanostructured silver (Ag) and gold (Au) are widely known to be potent biocidal and cytotoxic agents as well as biocompatible nanomaterials. It has been recently reported that combining both metals in a specific chemical composition causes a significant enhancement in their antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, as well as in their anticancer effects, while preserving cytocompatibility properties. In this work, Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles over a complete atomic chemical composition range were prepared at 10 at% through a green, highly reproducible, and simple approach using starch as a unique reducing and capping agent. The noble metal nanosystems were thoroughly characterized by different analytical techniques, including UV-visible and FT-IR spectroscopies, XRD, TEM/EDS, XPS and ICP-MS. Moreover, absorption spectra simulations for representative colloidal Ag/Au-NP samples were conducted using FDTD modelling. The antibacterial properties of the bimetallic nanoparticles were determined against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, showing a clear dose-dependent inhibition even at the lowest concentration tested (5 µg/mL). Cytocompatibility assays showed a medium range of toxicity at low and intermediate concentrations (5 and 10 µg/mL), while triggering an anticancer behavior, even at the lowest concentration tested, in a process involving reactive oxygen species production per the nanoparticle Au:Ag ratio. In this manner, this study provides promising evidence that the presently fabricated Ag/Au-NPs should be further studied for a wide range of antibacterial and anticancer applications.

Impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de la gestante / Impact of oral health on the quality of life of pregnant woman

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar los factores determinantes de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud oral (OHIP-14) en una población de mujeres embarazadas. Métodos En el estudio participaron 90 pacientes embarazadas, 45 inmigrantes y 45 españolas. Las participantes completaron el cuestionario de OHIP-14 (versión española) y se les exploró el índice CAOD (presencia de caries, ausencia de dientes por caries y dientes obturados) en el segundo trimestre de embarazo. Se realizó un estudio analítico bivariante y multivariante. Resultados La edad media de las participantes inmigrantes fue 30,2 años y de las españolas de 34,4. La puntuación media de OHIP-14 fue de 5,83±6,57, siendo en el grupo de inmigrantes de 8,15 y en las nacionales de 3,51, manifestando una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0.001). Las puntuaciones más altas del OHIP-14 se presentaron en los dominios de dolor (110), seguido del malestar psicológico (81). Tomando como punto de corte el valor de la mediana en la puntuación del OHIP-14 (≥3), el Odds ratio de sentir una salud oral que interfiere en la calidad de vida fue de 3,294 y este riesgo se potenció con el padecimiento de caries (4,323) pero no con la edad. Conclusiones Dado que la experiencia de caries, pudiera ser uno de los determinantes en la valoración de percibir una peor calidad de vida oral durante el embarazo, se necesitarían más estudios que lo corroborasen, y así ampliar las expectativas preventivas en el desarrollo de la salud oral por parte de la política sanitaria.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To identify the factors that determine quality of life related to oral health (OHIP-14) in a population of pregnant women. Methods This study included ninety pregnant women, 45 immigrants and 45 from Spain. Participants completed the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) -Spanish version- and the DMFT index (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) was explored during the second trimester of pregnancy. A bivariate and multivariate analytical study was performed. Results The average age of immigrant participants was 30.2, and of Spanish women 34.4. The mean OHIP-14 score was 5.83±6.57 (8.15 in the immigrant group and 3.51 in the Spanish group), showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). The highest OHIP-14 scores were related to pain (110), followed by psychological distress (81). Considering the median value in the OHIP-14 score as a cut-off (≥3), the odds ratio for oral health that interferes with quality of life was 3.294, and this risk was increased by caries (4.323) but not by age. Conclusions Since the DMFT could be one of the determining factors for worst quality of life in pregnant patients, more studies to corroborate this information are necessary in order to expand preventive expectations in the practice of oral health in relation to policies.(AU)