EVALUACIÓN BIOQUÍMICA Y ANTROPOMÉTRICA EN UN GRUPO DE NIÑOS ASISTIDOS EN UN COMEDOR DE CARIDAD SOCIAL EN HERMOSILLO, SONORA, MÉXICO

La desnutrición infantil en México sigue siendo un grave problema de salud pública, afectando hasta un 50 % en zonas rurales y urbanas marginadas. Este estudio se realizó el verano de 2006, para conocer el estado de nutrición de un grupo de 46 niños en condiciones socioeconómicas precarias en Hermosillo Sonora. Se registró peso, talla y edad, utilizando el sistema de años cumplidos. El sistema de referencia para la evaluación de los indicadores: P/E, P/T y T/E, fue el recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHO, 1979). Adicionalmente se midió hemoglobina (Hb), Hematocrito (Hto), cuenta y diferencial de glóbulos blancos. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa Epi info 2000 y el puntaje Z en la interpretación de índices antropométricos. Encontrando en las niñas un 4% con bajo peso y 4% con baja talla, pero ningún caso de estos parámetros en niños. El análisis bioquímico mostró solo dos niños con valores bajos de hemoglobina y hematocrito, pero normales en los otros parámetros. Finalmente se observó prevalencia de anemia muy baja, con valores hematológicos menores en niños. Estos resultados muestran que la población en estudio se encuentra en mejor estado nutricional que la reportada en ENSANUT (2006) para el estado de Sonora

Biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using Parkinsonia florida leaf extract and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles

In this work, the biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles from a leaf extract of Parkinsonia florida (P. florida) is reported. The P. florida leaf extract was analyzed by a phytochemical screening, by measuring the DPPH radical scavenging activity, and by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The phytochemical screening results indicated that biomolecules like carbohydrates, phenols, proteins, aminoacids, saponins, and flavonoids present in P. florida leaf extract might have participated in the chemical reduction of the metallic salts and further colloidal stabilization. The FT-IR results from leaf extract functional groups support the role of surface modification with the presence of residues of phenols, proteins, aminoacids, saponins, and flavonoids. The formation of metallic nanoparticles was confirmed by optical absorption spectroscopy with characteristic absorption bands at 550 nm and 430 nm, for gold and silver nanoparticles, respectively. Zeta potential for gold nanoparticles presents negative values in the range of 10 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1 mV, depending on the amount of leaf extract used during the synthesis reaction. Similarly, zeta potential values for silver nanoparticles were in the range of -5 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1 mV. STEM images revealed the average particles sizes in the range from 10 to 15 nm, and 10 to 57 nm, for gold and silver nanoparticles respectively. The silver nanoparticles presented good antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) [INFR-226208-2014, INFR-255791-2015]; CONACYTOpen access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Chitosan-only nanoparticles against phytopathogenic fungi in the past decade (2013–2023)

Chitosan is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and antimicrobial polymer. Researchers have recently explored using chitosan nanoparticles to fight phytopathogenic fungi. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies conducted between 2013 and 2023 using the most popular databases for academic research on this topic. A systematic review was conducted using Software Rayyan to support the process. The search was conducted using the Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. Out of the 752 records found from 2013–2023, only 83 articles were considered eligible for inclusion in the review after screening with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most studies showed that chitosan nanoparticles are produced using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) through ionotropic gelation. However, using TPP has potential drawbacks and may have a synergistic effect with chitosan, which requires further investigation. TPP can affect the biological activity of the nanoparticle matrix. Furthermore, less than 10 out of the 83 articles reviewed in the time frame explored chitosan-only nanoparticles (nanochitosan) against phytopathogenic fungi. This shows the need for more research to determine the potential benefits of chitosan-only nanoparticles in control phytopathogenic fungi