Motivated by the search for novel antimicrobials against opportunistic resistant pathogens and based on the reported antimicrobial activity of phthalimides, two series of phthalimide and N-phthaloylglycine esters were designed to investigate whether the addition of butyl and aryl groups enhances their antimicrobial properties. Thus, in vitro antimicrobial activity, antifungal mechanism of action, effect combined with Chloramphenicol, in silico/vitro toxicity, and a docking molecular were studied. Phthalimide and N-phthaloylglycine aryl esters were obtained in yields of 75–98%. Phthalimide aryl ester 3b (R = Me) showed the best results against Gram-(+) and Gram-(−) bacteria, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively, and yeast fungi, C. tropicalis and C. albicans, with MIC values equal to 128 µg·mL⁻¹. Regarding the antifungal mechanism of action on C. albicans, the MIC values of compound 3b changed from 128 to 1024 µg·mL⁻¹ in the presence of ergosterol. Furthermore, compound 3b showed synergy with Chloramphenicol against P. aeruginosa, with a FICI value equal to 0.5. Finally, the four most promising compounds had their in silico/vitro toxicity evaluated, which showed moderate toxicity to non-toxicity on Artemia salina larvae. With the exception of Chloramphenicol, all selected compounds, including Fluconazole, are potentially hepatotoxic, but they were predicted not to cause skin sensitization, suggesting a potential application for topical use. Molecular docking revealed that compound 3b exhibits superior binding affinity and stability with the 50S ribosomal subunit (−92.69 kcal·mol⁻¹) compared to Chloramphenicol, and a unique π–sulfur interaction with CYP51, suggesting its potential as a dual-action antibacterial and antifungal candidate against resistant pathogens.

Some areas of Brazil have natural sources of fluoride in their water supply. Identifying these areas is an important measure to guide oral health measures when implementing safe fluoride applications, either alone or in combination. The study aims to map residual water fluoride levels and geological patterns in a rural semi-arid area of Brazil. Therefore, water samples were taken from 24 rural areas in the municipality of Poço de José de Moura, located in the tropical semi-arid areas of the country. The samples were analyzed in triplicate with a special fluoride electrode and a shallow water buffer, namely the legendary fortified water (secretive). The residual fluoride values in the samples ranged from 0.04 ± 0.00 mgF/mL in São Geraldo to 6.81 ± 2.81 mgF/mL in Monteiro. Therefore, residual fluoride was found in all groundwater samples analyzed in this study, with several sites exceeding the WHO guideline characterization of a potential risk of dental fluorosis in children and high levels of fluoride that may be related to geological formation factors.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito dos óleos essenciais de Origanum vulgare L. (OEO) e do carvacrol (CAR) no crescimento de bactérias da orofaringe. Para tanto, foram aplicadas as seguintes técnicas microbiológicas: difusão em ágar, concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). Na análise estatística, foi aplicado o teste ANOVA, com pós teste de Tukey. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. As cepas testadas foram Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 15656, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 e Klebsiella pneumoniae INCQS 00147. O OEO apresentou atividade antimicrobiana, variando o tamanho dos halos de 21,00 (± 0,20) mm, para E. coli, a 33,56 (± 14,32) mm, para S. aureus. No teste de CIM, o CAR obteve menor concentração para a K. pneumoniae e maior concentração para S. aureus. A CBM mostrou valores semelhantes a CIM. O óleo essencial de Origanum vulgare L. e o carvacrol apresentaram efeito inibitório no crescimento de bactérias da orofaringe.

This chapter aims to present a scoping review of the association between exposure to fluoride and low intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in children. The mechanism of fluoride in reducing IQ is still a matter of debate. Rats affected by chronic fluorosis may have altered membrane lipids that could be a cause of a brain disorder. It is suggested that in humans, high fluoride in the water can affect children’s cognitive abilities and mental development. However, concentrations of fluoride in the drinking water to provoke chronic fluorosis in rats need to be 5 times higher when compared to similar doses for humans. Scientific evidence for the fluoride-low IQ relationship comes mostly from case-control studies with low levels of evidence and problems related to confidence in exposure to the risk factor and potential risk of bias. In addition to water fluoride, some studies try to relate this problem to other fluoride methods, such as salt fluoridation and the regular use of fluoride toothpaste. It can be concluded that there is a lack of consistent prospective studies on this topic to conclusively assess the association between exposure to fluoride and low IQ scores in children.

This study aims to develop a nano-sized fluoridated layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based release system via hydrothermal treatment for the controlled delivery of fluoride (F-) ions in the oral environment. The synthesis of conventional LDH-type (C-LDH) precursor nanomaterials was conducted using a co-precipitation method at constant pH, and the nanoparticulate-LDH (N-LDH) was synthesized by a hydrothermal procedure. Fluoride LDH (F-LDH) products were obtained through indirect synthesis using the precursor ion-exchange technique by varying the agitation time (2 and 24 h) and temperature (25 and 40 °C) to produce 12 material samples. The materials were characterized by energy dispersive x-ray, hexamethyldisilazane, digital radiography x-ray, Fourier-transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the F-release kinetic profile was evaluated for 21 d in neutral and acid media with mathematical model analysis. Products with varying F-quantities were obtained, revealing specific release profiles. In general, there was a higher F-release in the acid medium, with emphasis on F-LDH-8. Fluoride-LDH and controlled fluoride delivery was successfully obtained, proving the potential of these nanomaterials as alternative anti-caries agents.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a complication associated with bacterial colonization of suture material. Although triclosan-coated sutures are used to reduce this risk, concerns regarding their safety and their role in resistance selection have prompted research into alternative approaches. This study evaluated polyglactin 910 sutures coated with Lippia sidoides Cham. essential oil (LSEO), rich in thymol, assessing their physicomechanical properties, in vitro antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and biocompatibility using the Hen's Egg Test–Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Three suture groups were compared: uncoated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl_U), triclosan-coated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl_P), and LSEO-coated polyglactin 910 (VLSEO). All groups met pharmacopoeial requirements for length, diameter, and tensile strength, with VLSEO exhibiting the highest mean tensile strength (13.76 ± 1.43 N), followed by Vicryl_P (13.07 ± 1.04 N) and Vicryl_U (12.43 ± 0.99 N). High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed effective thymol impregnation on the VLSEO surface (142 μg/cm), while scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform and intact surfaces. VLSEO exhibited antibiofilm activity comparable to Vicryl_P, reducing bacterial cell survival to 18% for S. aureus and 30% for E. coli relative to the uncoated control. The HET-CAM assay classified both VLSEO and LSEO as non-irritant (0 ± 0). Thus, LSEO-coated sutures demonstrated adequate mechanical properties, antibiofilm activity, and biocompatibility, representing a promising alternative to triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of SSIs.