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Complexes {Ag[NHCMes,R]}n (R = H, 2a; Me, 2b and 2b’; iPr, 2c; iBu, 2d), were prepared by treatment of imidazolium precursor compounds [ImMes,R] (2-(3-mesityl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)acetate, 1a, (S)-2-alkyl(3-mesityl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)acetate, 1b–d, and (R)-2-methyl(3-mesityl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)acetate, 1b’, with Ag2O under appropriate conditions. They were characterised by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, 1H, and 13C NMR and polarimetry), and X-ray methods (2a). In the solid state, 2a is a one-dimensional coordination polymer, in which the silver(I) cation is bonded to the carbene ligand and to the carboxylate group of a symmetry-related Ag[NHCMes,H] moiety. The coordination environment of the silver centre is well described by the DFT study of the dimeric model {Ag[NHCMes,H]}2. The antimicrobial properties of these complexes were evaluated versus Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and P. aeruginosa. From the observed MIC and MBC values (minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration, respectively), complex 2b’ showed the best antimicrobial properties (eutomer), which were significantly better than those of its enantiomeric derivative 2b (distomer). Additionally, analysis of MIC and MBC values of 2a–d reveal a clear structure–antimicrobial effect relationship. Antimicrobial activity decreases when the steric properties of the R alkyl group in {Ag[NHCMes,R]}n increase

The spread of antibiotic resistance among human and animal pathogens is one of the more significant public health concerns. Moreover, the restrictions on the use of particular antibiotics can limit the options for the treatment of infections in veterinary clinical practice. In this context, searching for alternative antimicrobial substances is crucial nowadays. In this study, 4,4′-dihydroxy-azobenzene (DHAB) was tested for its potential in vitro as an antimicrobial agent against two relevant human and animal pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. The values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were 64 and 32 mg/L respectively, and they comparable to other azo compounds of probed antimicrobial activity. In addition, the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MCB) were 256 and 64 mg/L. The mechanism by which DHAB produces toxicity in staphylococci has been investigated. DHAB caused membrane damage as revealed by the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) such as malondialdehyde. Furthermore, differential induction of the enzymes peroxidases and superoxide dismutase in S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius suggested their prevalent role in ROS-scavenging due to the oxidative burst induced by this compound in either species. In addition, this substance was able to inhibit the formation of biofilms by both bacteria as observed by colorimetric tests and scanning electron microscopy. In order to assess the relevance of DHAB against clinical strains of MRSA, 10 clinical isolates resistant to either methicillin or daptomycin were assayed; 80% of them gave values of CMI and CMB similar to those of the control S. aureus strain. Finally, cutaneous plasters containing a composite formed by an agar base supplemented with DHAB were designed. These plasters were able to inhibit in vitro the growth of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius, particularly the later, and this suggests that this substance could be a promising candidat

The spread of antibiotic resistance among human and animal pathogens is one of the more significant public health concerns. Moreover, the restrictions on the use of particular antibiotics can limit the options for the treatment of infections in veterinary clinical practice. In this context, searching for alternative antimicrobial substances is crucial nowadays. In this study, 4,4'-dihydroxy-azobenzene (DHAB) was tested for its potential in vitro as an antimicrobial agent against two relevant human and animal pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. The values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were 64 and 32 mg/L respectively, and they comparable to other azo compounds of probed antimicrobial activity. In addition, the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MCB) were 256 and 64 mg/L. The mechanism by which DHAB produces toxicity in staphylococci has been investigated. DHAB caused membrane damage as revealed by the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) such as malondialdehyde. Furthermore, differential induction of the enzymes peroxidases and superoxide dismutase in S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius suggested their prevalent role in ROS-scavenging due to the oxidative burst induced by this compound in either species. In addition, this substance was able to inhibit the formation of biofilms by both bacteria as observed by colorimetric tests and scanning electron microscopy. In order to assess the relevance of DHAB against clinical strains of MRSA, 10 clinical isolates resistant to either methicillin or daptomycin were assayed; 80% of them gave values of CMI and CMB similar to those of the control S. aureus strain. Finally, cutaneous plasters containing a composite formed by an agar base supplemented with DHAB were designed. These plasters were able to inhibit in vitro the growth of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius, particularly the later, and this suggests that this substance could be a promising candidat

Complexes [Ag(LR)], 2 (LR = 2,2′-(imidazolium-1,3-diyl)di(2-alkylacetate)), were prepared by treatment of compounds HLR, 1, with Ag2O. They were characterised by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, 1H and 13C NMR and polarimetry) and X-ray methods (2c, 2c′ and 2e). In the solid state, these compounds are novel one-dimensional or two-dimensional coordination polymers in which silver(I) cations are connected via the chiral [LR]− anion with unprecedented coordination modes. The antimicrobial properties of these complexes were evaluated. 2a and 2b′ showed the best antimicrobial properties (minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal bactericidal concentration) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli pathogens. Eutomers 2b′ and 2c′ showed slightly better antimicrobial properties than their respective enantiomers 2b and 2c.

This work discloses an epidemiological mathematical model to predict an empirical treatment for dogs infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This dangerous pathogen is one of the leading causes of multi-resistant infections and can be transmitted from dogs to humans. Numerical simulations and appropriated codes were developed using Matlab software to gather information concerning long-time dynamics of the susceptible, infected and recovered individuals. All data compiled from the mathematical model was used to provide an appropriated antibiotic sensitivity panel for this specific infection. In this study, several variables have been included in this model to predict which treatment should be prescribed in emergency cases, when there is no time to perform an antibiogram or the cost of it could not be assumed. In particular, we highlight the use of this model aiming to become part of the convenient toolbox of Public Health research and decision-making in the design of the mitigation strategy of bacterial pathogens.

The complexity of some diseases—as well as the inherent toxicity of certain drugs—has led to an increasing interest in the development and optimization of drug-delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles stand out as a key tool to improve drug bioavailability or specific delivery at the site of action. The versatility of polymers makes them potentially ideal for fulfilling the requirements of each particular drug-delivery system. In this review, a summary of the state-of-the-art panorama of polymeric nanoparticles as drug-delivery systems has been conducted, focusing mainly on those applications in which the corresponding disease involves an important morbidity, a considerable reduction in the life quality of patients—or even a high mortality. A revision of the use of polymeric nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery, for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as nutraceutical delivery, was carried out, and a short discussion about future prospects of these systems is included

A high number of pathogens have shown the capacity of resist to the action of antibiotics. This fact presents a very important problem to public health and highlights the necessity of looking for new substances as alternative to antibiotics. Since some of these substances have a hydrophobic nature they need to be solved in organic solvents. Some of these solvents are also toxic to bacteria, mainly affecting membranes. For these reasons it is necessary to perform a study of the toxicity of organic solvents to bacteria, which has been the aim of this work. Five organic solvents, DMF (dimethylformamide), TBME (tert-butyl methyl ether), THF (tetrahydrofuran), DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and CH2Cl2 (dichloromethane), have been tested, using two of the most prevalent pathogens (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,) both in animals and humans. The results show that, when possible, DMSO followed by TBME are the best options for testing new compounds in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, whether DMF followed by TBME are the preferred solvents for testing hydrophobic compounds in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Antibiotic resistance is an increasing public health problem that affects to numerous pathogens, including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, which has a high prevalence of methicillin resistance and can be transmitted to humans. The development of new compounds to prevent the appearance of antibiotic resistances and find alternatives to classic therapies is essential to health protection. The main objective of the present study is to determine whether the nanoparticles of polyvinyl alcohol and tannic acid “PVA-TA NPs” are effective to inhibit Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and can be considered as an alternative therapy. The study includes increasing concentration essays of the nanoparticles and establishes, using the determination of turbidity by refractometry that could be a useful tool to inhibit bacterial growth, resulting successful. Nonetheless, further studies to identify the underlying action mechanisms of these nano-particles are going on in our group.

Introduction. In Spain, during 2016, there were 555.722 accidents at work. Within the health sector, nursing professionals are exposed to a large number of occupational risks. Nursing students are also exposed to these risks on a daily basis during their clinical practices. The actions that present the greatest risk for this group are re-encapsulation of needles, opening ampoules of medication and preparing the medication for patients. The objective of this study is to know the experience and opinion of the students of the nursing degree of the San Jorge University on this topic. Design. Descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out with first, second and third year students of the nursing degree at the Universidad San Jorge. Absolute or relative frequencies were calculated in percentage mode. Results. Reencapsulation of needles was considered the most risky technique for an accident, followed by the preparation of medication. More than half of the participants consider that the emergency service is the most favorable to suffer an accident. The main reason that respondents consider that nursing students do not report biological accidents suffered, is the fear of stigmatization. Conclusions. It is considered necessary to offer adequate training and information on biological accidents, from the university or the internship service to which the student has been assigned, transmitting tranquility and avoiding any type of repercussion or repression if he suffers an event of these characteristics., Introducción. En España, durante el año 2016, se produjeron 555.722 accidentes de trabajo. Dentro del sector sanitario, los profesionales de enfermería están expuestos a gran cantidad de riesgos laborales. Los estudiantes de enfermería también están expuestos a estos riesgos diariamente durante la realización de sus prácticas clínicas. Las acciones que presentan mayor riesgo para este colectivo son reencapsular agujas, abrir ampollas de medicación y preparar la medicación de los pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la experiencia y la opinión de los estudiantes del grado en enfermería de la Universidad San Jorge sobre este tema. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo y transversal realizado con estudiantes de primer, segundo y tercer curso del grado en enfermería de la Universidad San Jorge. Se calcularon frecuencias absolutas o relativas en modo porcentaje. Resultados. La reencapsulación de agujas fue considerada la técnica con más riesgo para sufrir un accidente, seguida de la preparación de medicación. Más de la mitad de los participantes consideran que el servicio de urgencias es el más propicio para sufrir un accidente. El principal motivo que consideran los encuestados por el que los estudiantes de enfermería no notifican los accidentes biológicos sufridos, es el temor a la estigmatización. Conclusiones. Se considera necesario ofrecer una adecuada formación e información en materia de accidentes biológicos, desde la universidad o el servicio de prácticas al que haya sido asignado el estudiante, transmitiendo tranquilidad y evitando cualquier tipo de repercusión o represión si sufre un evento de estas características.