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Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Iron Oxide Nanopar-ticles: An Integrative Systematic Review
No full textAntibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Iron Oxide Nanopar-ticles: An Integrative Systematic Review
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The global rise in antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for alternative therapeutic strategies capable of overcoming bacterial tolerance and biofilm-associated infections. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their physicochemical properties and potential multimodal mechanisms of action. This integrative review aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of iron oxide nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as their potential synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics. Methods: A structured search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, BVS, LILACS, and Redalyc databases using predefined descriptors related to iron nanoparticles and bacterial inhibition. Twelve studies published between 2014 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. Most studies presented low to moderate risk of bias and the findings were categorized into three thematic areas: antibacterial activity of IONPs, synergistic interaction with antibiotics, and reported adverse effects. Results: Overall, IONPs demonstrated inhibitory effects against clinically relevant pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing activity against both planktonic cells and biofilm formation. Synergistic effects with antibiotics were frequently reported, suggesting enhanced antimicrobial efficacy potentially mediated by increased membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species generation. Conclusions: Iron oxide nanoparticles show promising antibacterial and antibiofilm effects and may act as adjuncts to conventional antibiotics. Nevertheless, further standardized and translational studies are required before clinical implementa-tion
Applications of Emerging Digital Technologies to Address Health Needs of People with Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review of the Past Decade
No full textBackground: People with intellectual disability experience higher rates of multi-morbidity, preventable deaths, and barriers to healthcare access compared to the general population. Emerging digital technologies have been identified as potential tools to address these healthcare disparities, but evidence examining their application, effectiveness, and feasibility for people with intellectual disability remains fragmented across multiple disciplines.
Objective: To examine applications of emerging digital technologies for health outcomes in people with intellectual disability and evaluate evidence for their effectiveness and feasibility across health domains.
Design: Scoping review conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.
Method: Systematic searches were conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore databases in June 2025. Studies were included if they reported on emerging digital technologies (excluding telehealth) used to support health outcomes for people with intellectual disability, presented quantitative or qualitative data, and were published from 2015-2025.
Results: Thirty-six studies were included, spanning seven health domains. Physical activity and motor skills were the most frequently addressed domains, whilst healthcare access and mental health remained underexplored. Technologies included gaming consoles, head-mounted displays, mobile applications, and augmented and mixed reality technology. Most interventions reported improvements on primary outcome measures including physical fitness, balance, anxiety reduction, and skill acquisition. Minor adverse effects including motion sickness and equipment discomfort were noted in some studies. Most interventions required continuous support during use and were delivered in institutional settings rather than home or community contexts. Only eight studies involved people with intellectual disability in intervention development.
Conclusion: Emerging digital technologies demonstrate feasibility and safety for people with intellectual disability across multiple health domains. Research to date has focused on physical health applications using readily available consumer technologies. Future research should expand to healthcare access and mental health interventions, involve people with intellectual disability as partners in co-design processes, and demonstrate pathways to independent use in home and community settings to address documented health disparities