The design and construction of novel nanocarriers that have controlled shape and size and are made of inherently biocompatible components represents a milestone in the field of nanomedicine. Here, we show the tailoring of nanoliposphere-like particles for use as biocompatible drug nanocarriers. They are made with the building block components present in human lipoproteins by means of microfluidization, which allows for good size and polydispersity control, mimicking the physical properties of natural low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). This new type of nanocarrier has a negative surface charge and a hydrophobic core that allow the stabilization and encapsulation of hydrophobic anticancer drugs such as camptothecin, resulting in anticancer drug-loaded nanolipospheres. However, we found that the nanoparticles are unstable since their size increases with time. These nanolipospheres were further encapsidated using the non-cytotoxic capsid protein of the plant virus CCMV, which renders the nanoparticles stable. In a more general application, this new virus-like particle confers a controlled microenvironment for the transport of any kind of hydrophobic drug that can bypass the cellular defense mechanisms and deliver its payload.

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Due to its antimicrobial properties, silver has been used in many areas of medicine and today silver nanoparticles have been incorporated into different biomaterials. The objective of this study was to implement a simple method for the incorporation of silver nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate substrates, to determine their mechanical properties, antimicrobial functionality and the solubility of silver incorporated. Using this approach an antimicrobial material can be obtained; the surface of a commercial polymethyl methacrylate (Opti-cryl®) was impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNps) using a spray deposition method (0.03% by weight). The antimicrobial activity of the material was evaluated using the Japanese industrial standard (JIS Z 2801) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to measure the solubility of the incorporated silver nanoparticles. Mechanical tests of flexural strength were performed to observe changes in mechanical properties. The antimicrobial results show that        PMMA / AgNps has significant antimicrobial activity, showing better results for Escherichia coli. ICP-OES analysis suggests low solubility in silver nanoparticles. Mechanical tests showed a 1.6% increase in flexural strength for PMMA added with silver nanoparticles. The method presented for incorporating silver nanoparticles into PMMA and producing an acrylic antimicrobial substrate is easy and has the advantage of improving its mechanical properties.

Los metales pesados en los suelos agrícolas son absorbidos y pueden ser acumulados por los cultivos, representando un riesgo potencial a la salud humana. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar la concentración y transferencia de Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb y Zn en lechugas irrigadas con aguas tratadas cultivadas bajo diferentes prácticas agrícolas. Cuatro tratamientos fueron evaluados: 1.- riego rodado sin acolchar sin composta, 2.- riego con cintilla sin acolchar con composta, 3.- riego con cintilla con acolchado sin composta, 4.- riego con cintilla con acolchado con composta. Las concentraciones detectadas de Cd, Cr, Pb y Zn en parte comestible de lechugas rebasaron los niveles máximos permisibles en vegetales que establece la referencia de la Unión Europea. En el caso de Cd, mostró una alta capacidad de transferirse del suelo a la planta, lo que representa un riesgo a la salud aún mayor. Las prácticas agronómicas de riego con cintilla, utilizando agua proveniente de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales, acolchado plástico y abonado orgánico reducen discretamente la concentración e índice de transferencia de Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb y Zn en parte comestible de lechuga debido a que promueven un incremento en la producción de biomasa, lo que a su vez afecta la dilución de los metales pesados en los tejidos de las plantas.