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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used as carriers in medicine due to their ability to be functionalized with chemical substances. However, cytotoxicity analysis is required prior to use for in vivo models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of CNTs functionalized with a 46 kDa surface protein from Entamoeba histolytica (P46-CNTs) on J774A macrophages. With this purpose, CNTs were synthesized by spray pyrolysis and purified (P-CNTs) using sonication for 48 h. A 46 kDa protein, with a 4.6–5.4 pI range, was isolated from E. histolytica HM1:IMSS strain trophozoites using an OFFGEL system. The P-CNTs were functionalized with the purified 46 kDa protein, classified according to their degree of functionalization, and characterized by Raman and Infrared spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT, apoptosis, and morphological assays. The results demonstrated that P46-CNTs exhibited cytotoxicity dependent upon the functionalized grade. Contrary to what was expected, P46-CNTs with a high grade of functionalization were more toxic to J774 macrophages than P46-CNTs with a low grade of functionalization, than P-CNTs, and had a similar level of toxicity as UP-CNT. This suggests that the nature of the functionalized protein plays a key role in the cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles.

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A functional food as a matrix based on a blend of carbohydrate polymers (25% maltodextrin and 75% inulin) with quercetin and Bacillus claussi to supply antioxidant and probiotic properties was prepared by spray drying. The powders were characterized physiochemically, including by moisture adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The type III adsorption isotherm developed at 35 °C presented a monolayer content of 2.79 g of water for every 100 g of dry sample. The microstructure determined by XRD presented three regions identified as amorphous, semicrystalline, and crystalline-rubbery states. SEM micrographs showed variations in the morphology according to the microstructural regions as (i) spherical particles with smooth surfaces, (ii) a mixture of spherical particles and irregular particles with heterogeneous surfaces, and (iii) agglomerated irregular-shape particles. The blend’s functional performance demonstrated antioxidant activities of approximately 50% of DPPH scavenging capacity and viability values of 6.5 Log10 CFU/g. These results demonstrated that the blend displayed functional food behavior over the complete interval of water activities. The equilibrium state diagram was significant for identifying the storage conditions that promote the preservation of functional food properties and those where the collapse of the microstructure occurs.

Introduction: Levels of anxiety and depression have increased internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and identify their associated factors including lockdown measures in the general population over 18 years from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional study, with online survey and snowball sampling. The GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression) and Likert (social distancing measures) scales were used. Frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated; a bivariate analysis was performed with odds ratio as a measure of association between those with the presence and absence of anxiety and depression symptoms; for the total population and stratifying by sex, calculating the degree of association between the categorical variables using Fisher's exact test and Chi2, considering a p<.05. Results: From 377 participants, 46% had symptoms of anxiety and 43% depressive symptoms. Being a woman, single, young, student, not exercising, smoking, alcohol consumption, practicing social distancing measures, the history of a previous mental disorder or mental health care, were associated with the presence of symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Discussion and conclusion: High prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms were found, justifying a follow-up of the mental health of the population. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tecnociencia.v16i1.889