Laser Ablation for the Synthesis of Cu/Cu2O/CuO and Its Development as Photocatalytic Material for Escherichia coli Detoxification.

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) offer promising methods for disinfection by generating radical species like hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, and hydroxy peroxyl, which can induce oxidative stress and deactivate bacterial cells. Photocatalysis, a subset of AOPs, activates a semiconductor using specific electromagnetic wavelengths. A novel material, Cu/Cu2O/CuO nanoparticles (NPs), was synthesized via a laser ablation protocol (using a 1064 nm wavelength laser with water as a solvent, with energy ranges of 25, 50, and 80 mJ for 10 min). The target was sintered from 100 °C to 800 °C at rates of 1.6, 1.1, and 1 °C/min. The composite phases of Cu, CuO, and Cu2O showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light excitation at 368 nm. The size of Cu/Cu2O/CuO NPs facilitates penetration into microorganisms, thereby improving the disinfection effect. This study contributes to synthesizing mixed copper oxides and exploring their activation as photocatalysts for cleaner surfaces. The electronic and electrochemical properties have potential applications in other fields, such as capacitor materials. The laser ablation method allowed for modification of the band gap absorption and enhancement of the catalytic properties in Cu/Cu2O/CuO NPs compared to precursors. The disinfection of E. coli with Cu/Cu2O/CuO systems serves as a case study demonstrating the methodology's versatility for various applications, including disinfection against different microorganisms, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

A hospital management algorithm for acute poisoning by Paraquat® in a pediatric population, a series of cases / Algoritmo de manejo hospitalario para la intoxicación aguda por Paraquat® en población pediátrica, serie de casos.

Paraquat®, or N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride, is a bipyridyl compound used as a non-selective herbicide and desiccant that can cause acute poisoning through all routes of exposure. There is no known antidote, and the available treatments are based on avoiding its absorption and timely removing it, in adults and children. We describe a case series of 14 pediatric patients from the department of Cauca, Colombia, with acute intoxication after oral intake of paraquat. Patients were referred to a medium-high complexity hospital in southwestern Colombia and treated according to an institutional protocol for acute paraquat poisoning. Acute paraquat poisoning after oral ingestion is associated with a high mortality rate, even with timely medical attention, as the compound has no known antidote and quickly reaches systemic concentrations for fulminant poisoning. Based on the available literature, our center has proposed a clinical protocol including early standard management, immunosuppressive and antioxidant treatments, and systemic removal techniques. This protocol suggests an adequate approach to acute paraquat poisoning in the pediatric population.

El dicloruro de 1,1'-dimetil-4,4'-bipiridilo (Paraquat®) es un compuesto químico de la familia de las piridinas, utilizado como herbicida no selectivo y desecante. Este compuesto puede causar intoxicación aguda por todas las vías de exposición. En el momento, no hay un antídoto conocido y los tratamientos disponibles, incluidos los pediátricos, se basan en contrarrestar su absorción y propiciar su remoción oportuna. Se describe una serie de casos de 14 pacientes pediátricos, procedentes en su mayoría del departamento del Cauca, con intoxicación aguda por ingestión de paraquat. Los pacientes fueron remitidos y atendidos en un hospital de mediana a alta complejidad en el suroccidente colombiano, con un protocolo institucional para el manejo de la intoxicación aguda por el herbicida. La intoxicación aguda con paraquat por vía oral se asocia con una alta tasa de mortalidad, aún con atención médica oportuna, pues fácilmente se alcanzan concentraciones sistémicas para ser fulminante. Basado en la literatura disponible, el Hospital Universitario San José ha propuesto un protocolo clínico ­adecuado para la intoxicación aguda por paraquat en población pediátrica­ que incluye manejo estándar temprano, tratamiento inmunosupresor y antioxidante, y técnicas para su remoción sistémica.

Study of Titanium-Silver Monolayer and Multilayer Films for Protective Applications in Biomedical Devices.

The search for coatings that extend the useful life of biomedical devices has been of great interest, and titanium has been of great relevance due to its innocuousness and low reactivity. This study contributes to the investigation of Ti/Ag films in different configurations (monolayer and multilayer) deposited by magnetron sputtering. The sessile droplet technique was applied to study wettability; greater film penetrability was obtained when Ag is the external layer, conferring high efficiency in cell adhesion. The morphological properties were characterized by SEM, which showed porous nuclei on the surface in the Ag coating and crystals embedded in the Ti film. The structural properties were studied by XRD, revealing the presence of TiO2 in the anatase crystalline phase in a proportion of 49.9% and the formation of a silver cubic network centered on the faces. Tafel polarization curves demonstrated improvements in the corrosion current densities of Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti and Ti/Ag compared to the Ag coating, with values of 0.1749, 0.4802, and 2.044 nA.m-2, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis and the yeasts Candida krusei and Candida albicans, revealing that the Ti/Ag and Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti coatings exhibit promise in biomedical material applications.

Paquioniquia congénita tipo I o síndrome de Jadassohn- Lewandowsky: un caso de presentación familiar / Congenital pachyonychia type I or Jadassohn-Lewandowsky syndrome: a familial case

La paquioniquia congénita es una rara genodermatosis de herencia autosómica dominante, que produce alteración de la queratinización a nivel de piel, uñas y mucosas. El primer caso fue descrito por Jadassohn y Lewandowsky en 1906, y actualmente afecta a miles de personas en el mundo. El Registro Internacional de Investigación de Paquioniquia Congénita (IPCRR, del inglés, International PC Research Registry) ha identificado a nivel mundial hasta enero de 2020, 977 individuos en 517 familias con paquioniquia congénita, confirmadas genéticamente. Esta condición es considerada en nuestro país como una enfermedad huérfana, y previamente solo hay un reporte en la literatura de un caso en 2009. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente masculino de 23 años de edad procedente del área rural del municipio de Timbío, Colombia, con historia clínica de distrofia ungueal hipertrófica en todas las uñas de manos y pies, queratodermia palmoplantar y dolor plantar moderado a severo. Además, presentaba leucoqueratosis oral, hiperqueratosis folicular en muslos e hiperhidrosis palmoplantar. No presentaba quistes foliculares ni antecedente de dientes natales. Sus manifestaciones clínicas se catalogaron como propias de la paquioniquia congénita tipo I. Sumado a lo anterior, se identificaron características clínicas similares en otros miembros de la familia en tres generaciones, incluidos un hermano, la madre y la abuela materna, lo cual evidenció un patrón de herencia propio de esta enfermedad.

Pachyonychia congenita is a rare genodermatosis of autosomal dominant inheritance pattern that affects keratinization at the level of skin, nails and mucous membranes. The first case was described by Jadassohn and Lewandowsky in 1906 and it affects thousands of people around the world. The International Pachyonychia Congenita Research Registry (IPCRR) has identified until January 2020, worldwide, 977 individuals in 517 families with pachyonychia congenita genetically confirmed. This condition is considered in our country as an orphan disease and there has only been one previous case report in 2009. We present a case of a 23-year old male patient from the rural area of Timbio, Colombia, with a history of hypertrophic nail dystrophy in all nails and toenails, palmoplantar keratoderma and moderate plantar pain. In addition, he presented oral leucokeratosis, follicular hyperkeratosis in the thighs, and palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. No follicular cysts were present nor history of natal teeth. Clinical manifestations were classified as typical of congenital pachyonychia type I. Furthermore, similar clinical manifestations were identified in other family members from three generations, including his brother, mother and maternal grandmother, a characteristic inheritance pattern of this illness.