The emergence of superhydrophobic antibacterial materials represents a promising approach to maintaining surface cleanliness and hygiene by effectively preventing bacterial adhesion. This research outlines the synthesis of a superhydrophobic coating with anti-adhesion and bacteriostatic properties, utilizing silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were conducted to analyze the coating’s morphology and surface characteristics. The coating was applied to glass substrates using the spray coating method, and the number of layers was varied to evaluate its antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties. These properties were measured using turbidimetry and inhibition halo techniques. Additionally, the durability of the coatings was assessed by exposing them to outdoor conditions for 35 days. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and bacteriostatic capacities of the superhydrophobic coating, along with its resistance to outdoor weathering. The results indicate that a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle ≥ 150° and a sliding angle ≤ 10° was successfully synthesized using SiO₂ NPs smaller than 10 nm, modified with PFDTES. The coating demonstrated an ability to inhibit bacterial growth by preventing the adhesion of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the number of coating layers significantly influenced its bacteriostatic efficacy. The coating also exhibited strong durability under outdoor conditions. These findings highlight the potential application of superhydrophobic coatings for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and growth in environments where such contamination poses risks.

Tree nuts are rich in polar (phenolic compounds) and non-polar (tocols) antioxidants, with recognized effects in the prevention of diseases such as cancer. These biomolecules possess antiproliferative activity on cancer cells; however, the combined effect of both types of compounds has been scarcely studied, and this approach could give valuable information on the real anticancer potential of tree nuts. In the present study, the antiproliferative activity of pure tocols and phenolic compounds, tocol- and phenolic-rich extracts (TRE and PRE, respectively) from tree nuts and the extracts combinations, was evaluated in four cancer (HeLa, MCF7, PC3, A549) and one control (ARPE) cell lines. The most sensible cell lines were HeLa and MCF7. TRE and PRE from nuts were chemically characterized; γ and δ tocopherols, total tocols, total tocopherols and total phenolic compounds were negatively correlated with cell viability in MCF7 cells. In HeLa cells, only δ and total tocopherols were negatively correlated with cell viability. TRE and PRE had a low effect in reducing cell viability of the cancer cell lines, the most effective extracts were those of emory oak acorn (EOA), pecan nut (PEC) and walnut (WAL), and these were further studied for their pharmacological interactions, using the combination index and the isobologram methods. Combinations of both extracts showed a synergistic and strongly synergistic behavior in the three nuts (EOA, PEC and WAL), with combination indexes between 0.12 and 0.55. These results highlight the need to understand the interactions among components found in complex natural extracts or food products in order to fully understand their bioactivities.

In this study, films of O-carboxymethyl chitosan with Mimosa tenuiflora extract were manufactured, characterized, and evaluated. In this work, both the synthesis of O-carboxymethyl chitosan and the extraction of the active ingredient of Mimosa tenuiflora extract from the cortex are described. First, the extract of Mimosa tenuiflora in water was obtained by precipitation with ethanol, filtering, and concentrating. Subsequently, a study was conducted of scratch wound healing to determine the optimal concentration of extract to be used in the manufacture of films. The produced O-carboxymethyl chitosan films and the Mimosa tenuiflora extract were mixed, and their chemical composition, tensile properties, and wettability were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical tests, and contact angle measurement. The antimicrobial properties of the films were tested by turbidimetry using two types of bacteria. In addition, a study of the enzymatic degradation of the films with the enzyme lysozyme was performed. Finally, in vitro studies to assess the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of films with fibroblastic cells were carried out as well as the kinetic analysis of healing in mice. It was found that the addition of Mimosa tenuiflora extract in the polymer matrix of the films made with O-carboxymethyl chitosan improves the proliferation of fibroblast and accelerates wound healing, thus providing a novel biomaterial for skin regeneration.

Theranostic agents enable the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and they are particularly useful in fluorescent imaging and cancer therapies. In this study, carbon quantum dots were synthesized via a microwave-assisted method using citric acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as precursors. The resulting CQDs exhibited spherical morphology, an average size of 4 nm, and an amorphous graphitic structure. FT-IR characterization revealed the presence of amide bonds and oxygenated functional groups. At the same time, optical analysis showed excitation at 320 nm and emission between 360 and 400 nm, with fluorescent stability maintained for one month. Furthermore, the CQDs demonstrated good thermal stability and photothermal efficiency, reaching temperatures above 41 °C within 15 min under NIR irradiation, with a mass loss of less than 1%. Their stability was evaluated in media with different pH levels, simulating physiological and tumor environments. While their behavior was affected under acidic conditions, their excellent photothermal conversion capacity and overall stability in triple-distilled water positioned them as promising candidates for theranostic applications in cancer, effectively combining diagnostic imaging and thermal therapy.

The dressings are materials that can improve the wound-healing process in patients with medical issues. Polymeric films are frequently used as dressings with multiple biological properties. Chitosan and gelatin are the most used polymers in tissue regeneration processes. There are usually several configurations of films for dressings, among which the composite (mixture of two or more materials) and layered ones stand out (layers). This study analyzed the antibacterial, degradable, and biocompatible properties of chitosan and gelatin films in 2 configurations, composite and bilayer, composite. In addition, a silver coating was added to enhance the antibacterial properties of both configurations. After the study, it was found that the bilayer films have a higher antibacterial activity than the composite films, having inhibition halos between 23% and 78% in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the bilayer films increased the fibroblast cell proliferation process, reaching up to 192% cell viability after 48 h of incubation. On the other hand, composite films have greater stability since they are thicker, with 276 µm, 243.8 µm, and 239 µm compared to 236 µm, 233 µm, and 219 µm thick for bilayer films; and a low degradation rate compared to bilayer films.