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Fungal mycoses have become an important health and environmental concern due to the numerous deleterious side effects on the well-being of plants and humans. Antifungal therapy is limited, expensive, and unspecific (causes toxic effects), thus, more efficient alternatives need to be developed. In this work, Copper (I) Iodide (CuI) nanomaterials (NMs) were synthesized and fully characterized, aiming to develop efficient antifungal agents. The bioactivity of CuI NMs was evaluated using Sporothrix schenckii and Candida albicans as model organisms. CuI NMs were prepared as powders and as colloidal suspensions by a two-step reaction: first, the CuI2 controlled precipitation, followed by hydrazine reduction. Biopolymers (Arabic gum and chitosan) were used as surfactants to control the size of the CuI materials and to enhance its antifungal activity. The materials (powders and colloids) were characterized by SEM-EDX and AFM. The materials exhibit a hierarchical 3D shell morphology composed of ordered nanostructures. Excellent antifungal activity is shown by the NMs against pathogenic fungal strains, due to the simultaneous and multiple mechanisms of the composites to combat fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of CuI-AG and CuI-Chitosan are below 50 g/mL (with 5 h of exposition). Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses demonstrate the capability of the materials to disrupt biofilm formation. AFM also demonstrates the ability of the materials to adhere and penetrate fungal cells, followed by their lysis and death. Following the concept of safe by design, the biocompatibility of the materials was tested. The hemolytic activity of the materials was evaluated using red blood cells. Our results indicate that the materials show an excellent antifungal activity at lower doses of hemolytic disruption.

Nowadays, air pollution has become a global menace being responsible of a significant increase on the morbidity and mortality of human beings. In view of this, sustainable and efficient technologies for air purification are being sought. Air purification by photocatalytic treatment has received a lot of attention due to the unspecific and high oxidation capacity of the catalyst; however still some variables must be optimized to assure practical applications. In this work, visible light active TiO2–Cu2+@perlite and Ag@TiO2–Cu2+/perlite supported materials were fabricated. TiO2–Cu2+ (2 at. %) were synthesized using a sol-gel procedure followed of the impregnation of the support by immersion. For Ag@TiO2–Cu2+, silver deposition was conducted by chemical reduction using sodium citrate and sodium borohydride. The materials (powders and supported materials) were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to demonstrate their small size and adherence to the substrate. A prototype of a photocatalytic air purifier was built. The efficacy of the prototype was evaluated for the disinfection of indoor air (dentistry clinics). The photo-catalyst was activated using visible and UVA low-cost high-energy LEDs. The antibacterial activity of the air filter was evaluated. Ag@TiO2–Cu2+ exerts better air disinfection activity at lower doses in comparison to TiO2–Cu2+. Bacterial growth inhibitions up to 99% were achieved for both, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The incorporation of Ag and Cu to TiO2 improves the antibacterial activity of the materials due to enhanced photocatalytic activity and the synergic activity of TiO2 and dopant elements (Ag, Cu) to inhibit microorganism’s growth.

There is controversy concerning whether exercise during pregnancy may increase preterm delivery risk and type of delivery. The effect of pregnant Latin-American women engaging in vigorous exercise during the second and third trimester was examined regarding type of delivery and gestational age.This was a secondary analysis of data from a controlled randomized trial for determining the influence of physical exercise on pregnant women's endothelial function. The study included 35 nulliparous women, gestational week 16-20 attending prenatal care at three tertiary hospitals in Colombia, who were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group engaged in aerobic exercise involving 55 % - 75 % maximum heart rate for 60 min, three times a week for 12 weeks. The control group engaged in their usual physical activity. Maternal weight, height, weight gain, blood pressure and type of delivery were recorded; gender, abdominal and head circumference (cm), weight (g), height (cm), vitality (Apgar score at 1 and 5 min) and gestational age at the time of delivery (in weeks, days) were recorded for the newborn.There was no difference in type of delivery by the end of the 12-week program (p0.05), nor regarding newborn anthropometric variables, Apgar score, or maternal variables concerning weight, height, relative weight gain, blood pressure or weeks of gestation (p0.05).The potential public health benefits of vigorous exercise were enormous. This study supported existing guidelines indicating that Latin-American women may begin or maintain an on-going exercise program during pregnancy.NCT00741312.