Tailoring Mesoporous Silica-Coated Silver Nanoparticles and Polyurethane-Doped Films for Enhanced Antimicrobial Applications.

The global increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a challenge to public health and requires the development of new antibacterial materials. In this study, we examined the bactericidal properties of mesoporous silica-coated silver nanoparticles, varying the core sizes (ca. 28 nm and 51 nm). We also investigated gold nanoparticles (ca. 26 nm) coated with mesoporous silica as possible inert metal cores. To investigate the modification of antimicrobial activity after the surface charge change, we used silver nanoparticles with a silver core of 28 nm coated with a mesoporous shell (ca. 16 nm) and functionalized with a terminal amine group. Furthermore, we developed a facile method to create mesoporous silica-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag@mSiO2) doped films using polyurethane (IROGRAN®) as a polymer matrix via solution casting. The antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles with different core sizes were analyzed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria relevant to the healthcare and food industry. The results demonstrated that gold nanoparticles were inert, while silver nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial effects against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis) and Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus) strains. In particular, the larger Ag@mSiO2 nanoparticles showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 18 µg/mL in the Salmonella strain. Furthermore, upon terminal amine functionalization, reversing the surface charge to positive values, there was a significant increase in the antibacterial activity of the NPs compared to their negative counterparts. Finally, the antimicrobial properties of the nanoparticle-doped polyurethane films revealed a substantial improvement in antibacterial efficacy. This study provides valuable information on the potential of mesoporous silica-coated silver nanoparticles and their applications in fighting multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially in the healthcare and food industries.

Development of New Targeted Nanotherapy Combined with Magneto-Fluorescent Nanoparticles against Colorectal Cancer.

The need for non-invasive therapies capable of conserving drug efficiency and stability while having specific targetability against colorectal cancer (CRC), has made nanoparticles preferable vehicles and principal building blocks for the development of complex and multi-action anti-tumoral approaches. For that purpose, we herein report the production of a combinatory anti-tumoral nanotherapy using the production of a new targeting towards CRC lines. To do so, Magneto-fluorescent NANO3 nanoparticles were used as nanocarriers for a combination of the drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and ofloxacin (OFLO). NANO3 nanoparticles' surface was modified with two different targeting agents, a newly synthesized (anti-CA IX acetazolamide derivative (AZM-SH)) and a commercially available (anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Cetuximab). The cytotoxicity revealed that only DOX-containing nanosystems showed significant and even competitive cytotoxicity when compared to that of free DOX. Interestingly, surface modification with AZM-SH promoted an increased cellular uptake in the HCT116 cell line, surpassing even those functionalized with Cetuximab. The results show that the new target has high potential to be used as a nanotherapy agent for CRC cells, surpassing commercial targets. As a proof-of-concept, an oral administration form of NANO3 systems was successfully combined with Eudragit® enteric coating and studied under extreme conditions.

The use of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery in non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a global health problem affecting millions of people each year. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer with various conventional treatment available in the clinic. Application of these treatments alone often results in high rates of cancer reoccurrence and metastasis. In addition, they can cause damage to healthy tissues, resulting in many adverse effects. Nanotechnology has emerged as a modality for the treatment of cancer. When used in combination with nanoparticles, it is possible to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of pre-existing drugs used in cancer treatment. Nanoparticles have physiochemical properties such as small size which allowing passage through challenging areas of the body, and large surface area allows for higher doses of drugs to be brought to the tumor site. Nanoparticles can be functionalized which involves modifying the surface chemistry of the particles and allows for the conjugation of ligands (small molecules, antibodies, and peptides). Ligands can be chosen for their ability to target components that are specific to or are upregulated in cancer cells, such as targeting receptors on the tumor surface that are highly expressed in the cancer. This ability to precisely target the tumor can improve the efficacy of drugs and decrease toxic side effects. This review will discuss approaches used for targeting drugs to tumors using nanoparticles, provide examples of how this has been applied in the clinic and highlight future prospects for this technology.

Exploring Coumarin-Based Boron Emissive Complexes as Temperature Thermometers in Polymer-Supported Materials.

Three coumarin-based boron complexes (L1, L2 and L3) were designed and successfully incorporated into polymeric matrixes for evaluation as temperature probes. The photophysical properties of the complexes were carried out in different solvents and in the solid state. In solution, compound L1 exhibited the highest fluorescence quantum yield, 33%, with a positive solvatochromism also being observed on the absorption and emission when the polarity of the solvent increased. Additionally in the presence of anions, L1 showed a colour change from yellow to pink, followed by a quenching in the emission intensity, which is due to deprotonation with the formation of a quinone base. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of L1 were calculated at different temperatures by the DFT/B3LYP method. The decrease in fluorescence of compound L1 with an increase in temperature seems to be due to the presence of pronounced torsional vibrations of the donor and acceptor fragments relative to the single bond with C(carbonyl)-C (styrene fragment). L1, L2 and L3, through their incorporation into the polymeric matrixes, became highly emissive by aggregation. These dye@doped polymers were evaluated as temperature sensors, showing an excellent fluorescent response and reversibility after 15 cycles of heating and cooling.

Physical activity of children with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: what were the most relevant studies published from August 2019 to July 2021? / Actividad física em niños con cáncer durante la covid-19: ¿cuáles fueron las publicaciones más relevantes entre agosto de 2019 y julio de 2021? / Atividade física de crianças com câncer durante a covid-19: o que foi publicado de mais relevante entre agosto de 2019 e julho de 2021?

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate up-to-date scientific information about physical activity, COVID-19, and childhood cancer. This study is an integrative review. Research was conducted in the Science Direct database, using keywords in three different combinations. In total, 50 publications classified as the most relevant of each keyword combination were selected, 26 eligible publications were reached from August 2019 to July 2021, of which nine were duplicates. When exclusion criteria were applied, 11 complete studies were selected. The level of physical activity (PA) of children diagnosed with cancer or those who survived cancer is low. Changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic include the decrease in the level of PA and the increase in the use of technological devices. The minimum PA recommendations for this population vary but some evidence supports its importance and benefits in minimizing the adverse effects arising from cancer and from the performed medical treatment. Exercise-based interventions should be chosen and carried out considering the type of cancer and the stage of treatment the child is in due to the evidence of its effectiveness.

RESUMEN Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar, en la base de datos ScienceDirect, la información científica actualizada sobre actividad física, COVID-19 y cáncer infantil, mediante una revisión integradora, en la cual se utilizaron las palabras clave en tres combinaciones diferentes. Se seleccionaron cincuenta publicaciones clasificadas como las más relevantes de cada combinación, y se alcanzaron 26 publicaciones elegibles en el periodo entre agosto de 2019 y julio de 2021, de las cuales nueve fueron textos duplicados. Al aplicar los criterios de exclusión, se seleccionaron 11 artículos completos. El nivel de actividad física (AF) de los niños diagnosticados de cáncer o supervivientes de cáncer es bajo, y entre los cambios provocados por la pandemia de la COVID-19 se encuentran la disminución del nivel de AF y el aumento en el uso de dispositivos tecnológicos. Las recomendaciones mínimas de AF para esta población varían entre sí, sin embargo, existe evidencia que respalda su importancia y los beneficios en la minimización de los efectos adversos derivados del propio cáncer y del tratamiento médico realizado. Las intervenciones basadas en ejercicios, para la cual ya existe evidencia de efectividad, deben elegirse y llevarse a cabo teniendo en cuenta el tipo de cáncer y la etapa de tratamiento en la que se encuentra el niño.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar, na base de dados Science Direct, informações científicas sobre atividade física, covid-19 e câncer infantojuvenil, através de uma revisão integrativa, utilizando três combinações de palavras-chave. Cinquenta publicações mais relevantes de cada combinação de palavras-chave foram selecionadas, e chegou-se a 26 artigos elegíveis no período compreendido entre agosto de 2019 e julho de 2021, dos quais nove eram textos duplicados. Aplicando-se os critérios de exclusão, foram selecionados 11 estudos completos. Constatou-se que o nível de atividade física (AF) de crianças com câncer ou sobreviventes do câncer é baixo e que entre as mudanças causadas pela pandemia de covid-19 estão a diminuição do nível de AF e o aumento do uso de dispositivos tecnológicos. As recomendações mínimas de AF para essa população variam, entretanto há evidências que sustentam sua importância e seus benefícios ao minimizar os efeitos adversos oriundos do próprio câncer e do tratamento médico realizado. As intervenções baseadas em exercícios, para as quais já há evidência de eficácia, devem ser escolhidas e realizadas a partir do tipo de câncer e na fase do tratamento em que a criança está.

Magneto-Fluorescent Mesoporous Nanocarriers for the Dual-Delivery of Ofloxacin and Doxorubicin to Tackle Opportunistic Bacterial Infections in Colorectal Cancer.

Cancer-related opportunistic bacterial infections are one major barrier for successful clinical therapies, often correlated to the production of genotoxic factors and higher cancer incidence. Although dual anticancer and antimicrobial therapies are a growing therapeutic fashion, they still fall short when it comes to specific delivery and local action in in vivo systems. Nanoparticles are seen as potential therapeutic vectors, be it by means of their intrinsic antibacterial properties and effective delivery capacity, or by means of their repeatedly reported modulation and maneuverability. Herein we report on the production of a biocompatible, antimicrobial magneto-fluorescent nanosystem (NANO3) for the delivery of a dual doxorubicin-ofloxacin formulation against cancer-related bacterial infections. The drug delivery capacity, rendered by its mesoporous silica matrix, is confirmed by the high loading capacity and stimuli-driven release of both drugs, with preference for tumor-like acidic media. The pH-dependent emission of its surface fluorescent SiQDs, provides an insight into NANO3 surface behavior and pore availability, with the SiQDs working as pore gates. Hyperthermia induces heat generation to febrile temperatures, doubling drug release. NANO3-loaded systems demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity, specifically after the application of hyperthermia conditions. NANO3 structure and antimicrobial properties confirm their potential use in a future dual anticancer and antimicrobial therapeutical vector, due to their drug loading capacity and their surface availability for further modification with bioactive, targeting species.

Functional Cyanine-Based PVA:PVP Polymers as Antimicrobial Tools toward Food and Health-Care Bacterial Infections.

The rising of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their associated proliferation as harmful microorganisms boosts the creation of new antibacterial surfaces and biomaterials with applications ranging from health to food packing. Herein, low-cost antibacterial PVA:PVP copolymers containing cyanine derivatives (1, 2, and 3) and their respective Cu2+ complexes are successfully obtained and tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The possible application in food packing is addressed by covering the surface of typical paper mockups with the doped polymers. All dye-doped polymers present a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect against Gram-positive bacteria, especially for Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, with PVA:PVP@3 and PVA:PVP@3-Cu being the most effective. Moreover, polymers containing cyanine derivatives present interesting inhibition effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), where the production of its characteristic blue/green virulent pigment is not observed. Of the coated paper mockups, PVA:PVP:paper@2 and PVA:PVP:paper@2-Cu are most effective against B. cereus and S. aureus, while PVA:PVP:paper@3 and PVA:PVP:paper@3-Cu are most effective against the MRSA strain. In these formulations, direct contact inhibition mechanisms appear to be more significant than diffusional mechanisms, due to cyanine release hindrance, making them very interesting and versatile platforms for medical and food applications.

Validation of a Standard Luminescence Method for the Fast Determination of the Antimicrobial Activity of Nanoparticles in Escherichia coli.

The use of nanoparticles in multiple industries has raised concerned voices about the assessment of their toxicity/antimicrobial activity and the development of standardized handling protocols. Issues emerge during the antimicrobial assaying of multiple cargo, colorimetric, colloidal nanoformulations, as standard protocols often rely on visual evaluations, or optical density (OD) measurements, leading to high variance inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Thus, a fast, luminescence-based assay for the effective assessment of the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles is herein reported, using the bioluminescence of an in-house E. coli ATCC® 8739TM construct with the pMV306G13 + Lux plasmid (E. coli Lux). The new strain's sensitivity to ofloxacin as a standard antibiotic was confirmed, and the methodology robustness verified against multiple nanoparticles and colorimetric drugs. The reduction of incubation from 24 to only 8 h, and the sole use of luminescence (LUX490) to accurately determine and distinguish MIC50 and MIC90, are two main advantages of the method. By discarding OD measurements, one can avoid turbidity and color interferences when calculating bacterial growth. This approach is an important tool that contributes to the standardization of methods, reducing samples' background interference and focusing on luminescence as a direct probe for bacterial metabolic activity, growth and, most importantly, the correct assessment of nanomaterials' antimicrobial activity.

Neonatal Thrombocytopenia Due to Dual Alloimmune and Autoimmune Mechanisms.

Alloantibody-mediated and autoantibody-mediated immune destruction are common causes of early neonatal thrombocytopenia. The authors report a case of severe, early-onset thrombocytopenia with mucocutaneous bleeding in an otherwise well-appearing full-term neonate. Recurrence of thrombocytopenia following initial treatment and its persistence after 2 weeks of life suggested a dual immune mechanism. This is a rare case of immune thrombocytopenia caused by human platelet antigen-5b alloimmunization and passive transfer of maternal antiplatelet antibodies. Appropriate, timely treatment and absence of severe bleeding complications, namely intracranial hemorrhage, conferred a good overall prognosis.

Ofloxacin@Doxorubicin-Epirubicin functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous silica-based nanocarriers as synergistic drug delivery tools for cancer related bacterial infections.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MNs) emerged as new promising drug-delivery platforms capable to overcome resistance in bacteria. Dual loading of drugs on these nanocarriers, exploiting synergistic interactions between the nanoparticles and the drugs, could be considered as a way to increase the efficacy against resistant bacteria with a positive effect even at very low concentrations. Considering that patients with cancer are highly susceptible to almost any type of bacterial infections, in this work, nanocarriers mesoporous silica-based, MNs and MNs@EPI were synthetized and submitted to single and/or dual loading of antibiotics (ofloxacin - OFLO) and anticancer drugs (Doxorubicin - DOX; Epirubicin - EPI), and investigated regarding their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Formulations containing ofloxacin such as MNs-OFLO, MNs-EPI + OFLO, MNs-DOX + OFLO and MNs@EPI + OFLO, present antibacterial activity in all bacterial strains tested. All these are more effective in E.coli with MIC and MBC values for MNs-OFLO, MNs-EPI + OFLO and MNs-DOX + OFLO of around 1 and 2 µgnanomaterial/mL, corresponding to ofloxacin concentrations of 0.03, 0.02 and 0.04 µg/mL, respectively. In the cocktail formulations the conjugation of epirubicin with ofloxacin presents a more effective antibacterial activity with more than 3-fold reduction of ofloxacin concentration when comparing to the single ofloxacin system. By far, the most effective synergistic effect was obtained for the system where epirubicin was functionalized at nanoparticles surface (MNs@EPI), where a 40-fold and 33-fold reductions of ofloxacin concentration were obtained, in P. aeruginosa in comparison to the MNs-OFLO and MNs-EPI + OFLO systems, respectively. These effects are shown in all bacterial strains tested, even in strains that have acquired resistance mechanisms, such as MRSA.

Impacts of environmental issues on health and well-being: a global pollution challenge.

Every 2 years, the environmental, chemical, and health research communities meet in Costa de Caparica, Portugal to showcase the latest technologies, methodologies and research advances in pollution detection, contamination control, remediation, and related health issues. Since its inception in 2015, the International Caparica Conference on Pollution Metal Ions and Molecules (PTIM) has become a biennial global forum to hear from those who protect the land, the water, and the air at all environmental scales. During past PTIM editions, we have learned about numerous efforts to develop new recovery and clean-up processes to restore the natural equilibria of our planet. Soil, land, water, and air are the key focus of efforts that will require deeper understanding and better control.

Utilização de exergames e seus efeitos sobre a saúde física de pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer: uma revisão integrativa / Aplicabilidad de las ecuaciones de referencia brasileñas para la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón / Use of exergaming and its effects on the physical health of patients diagnosed with cancer: an integrative review

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo a busca de registros com diferenças significativas a respeito da saúde física de pacientes com câncer ao praticarem exergames. Utilizou-se como método a Revisão Integrativa de Literatura com as palavras chaves "Fisioterapia", "Realidade Virtual", "Wii", "Exergames" e "Câncer", em português e inglês, nas bases de dados PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, Scopus, Lilacs, SciELO, PEDro, Cochrane e Periódicos Capes. Os critérios de inclusão foram: estudos que utilizassem exergames em tratamentos clínicos e que apresentassem diferenças sobre a saúde física de pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer, de ambos os sexos, de todas as idades e tipos de câncer, publicados nos últimos 10 anos, em qualquer idioma. Dos 3172 artigos encontrados, apenas nove foram incluídos, sendo que esses avaliaram: desempenho físico, sedentarismo, funcionalidade de membros superiores, força muscular de membros inferiores e fadiga. Concluiu-se que os exergames demostraram ser ferramenta promissora para a saúde física de pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el impacto de diferentes ecuaciones de referencia brasileñas para la distancia recorrida en la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos (PC6min) en la evaluación de la capacidad de ejercicio funcional en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón (CP). Este estudio transversal incluyó a 48 pacientes con CP (promedio de edad de 60±12 años). Se evaluó las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y la capacidad funcional de los participantes para ejercitarse en la PC6min según los criterios internacionales. Se analizaron cinco ecuaciones. La distancia recorrida por los pacientes (503±102 metros) estuvo relativamente cerca de las distancias predichas por las ecuaciones de referencia (82-94% del predicho), aunque son estadísticamente menores (p<0,05 para todas).

ABSTRACT This study aimed to search for records with significant differences regarding the physical health of cancer patients when practicing exergaming. The integrative literature review was used as method with the keywords "Physiotherapy," "Virtual Reality," "Wii," "Exergames" and "Cancer," in Portuguese and English, in the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, Scopus, Lilacs, SciELO, PEDro, Cochrane and Capes Journals. The inclusion criteria were studies that used exergaming in clinical treatments and presented differences on the physical health of patients diagnosed with cancer, of both sexes, of all ages and types of cancer, published in the last 10 years, in any language. Of the 3,172 articles found, only nine were included; they evaluated physical performance, sedentary lifestyle, upper limbs functionality, lower limbs muscle strength and fatigue. The review concluded that exergaming is a promising tool for the physical health of patients diagnosed with cancer.

Vulvovaginitis recurrente por cuerpo extraño oculto / Occult foreign body: A rare cause of recurrent vulvovaginitis

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Magnetic, fluorescent and hybrid nanoparticles: From synthesis to application in biosystems.

Multifunctional nanoparticles have emerged as an outstanding candidate for a new generation of biomedical applications, mainly due to their remarkable properties and biocompatibility. Individual reports on multi-metal, semiconducting and superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs), elucidating on each's unique intrinsic properties, have demonstrated that the biological application of such materials is highly dependent of their size, shape, surface nature and core nature. However, reviews combining nanoparticles with multiple properties, as fluorescence and paramagnetism, as well as, biocompatibility, toxicology and biodegradability are yet seldom. This review highlights the highest output advances, of the last decade, on synthetic procedures for the design of multifunctional magneto-luminescent hybrid nanosystems based on quantum dots, SPIONs and mesoporous silica nanoparticles, as well as, surface modifications and their role for biological applications.

Engineered Nanostructured Materials for Ofloxacin Delivery.

Antibiotic resistance is emerging as a growing worldwide problem and finding solutions to this issue is becoming a new challenge for scientists. As the development of new drugs slowed down, advances in nanotechnology offer great opportunities, with the possibility of designing new systems for carrying, delivery and administration of drugs already in use. Engineered combinations of the synthetic, broad-spectrum antibiotic ofloxacin, rarely studied in this field, with different types of silver, mesoporous silica-based and Pluronic/silica-based nanoparticles have been explored. The nanocarriers as silver core@silica mesoporous (AgMSNPs) and dye-doped silica nanoparticles functionalized with ofloxacin were synthesized and their antibacterial properties studied against S. aureus and E. coli. The best antibacterial results were obtained for the AgMSNPs nanosystem@ofloxacin for the strain S. aureus ATCC 25923, with MIC and MBC values of 5 and 25 µg/mL, proving the efficacy and synergetic effect of the antibiotic and the Ag core of the nanoparticles.

Characterization of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from free-range helmeted guineafowl.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates from apparently healthy free range helmeted guineafowl were characterized. Most of them had a high frequency of virulence associated genes, multi drug resistance and high pathogenicity. We demonstrated that helmeted guineafowl have potential to transmit antibiotic resistant APEC to other species including humans.

Toxicological Evaluation of Luminescent Silica Nanoparticles as New Drug Nanocarriers in Different Cancer Cell Lines.

Luminescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles, CdTeQDs@MNs@PEG1, SiQDs@Isoc@MNs and SiQDs@Isoc@MNs@PEG2, were successfully synthetized and characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, N2 nitrogen isotherms, ¹H NMR, IR, absorption, and emission spectroscopy. Cytotoxic evaluation of these nanoparticles was performed in relevant in vitro cell models, such as human hepatoma HepG2, human brain endothelial (hCMEC/D3), and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell lines. None of the tested nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxicity in any of the three performed assays (MTT/NR/ LDH) compared with the respective solvent and/or coating controls, excepting for CdTeQDs@MNs@PEG1 nanoparticles, where significant toxicity was noticed in hCMEC/D3 cells. The results presented reveal that SiQDs-based mesoporous silica nanoparticles are promising nanoplatforms for cancer treatment, with a pH-responsive drug release profile and the ability to load 80% of doxorubicin.