Architectural interventions to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in emergency departments.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency departments (EDs) are a critical entry gate for infectious agents into hospitals. In this interdisciplinary study, we explore how infection prevention and control (IPC) architectural interventions mitigate the spread of emerging respiratory pathogens using the example of SARS-CoV-2 in a prototypical ED. METHODS: Using an agent-based approach, we integrate data on patients' and healthcare workers' (HCWs) routines and the architectural characteristics of key ED areas. We estimate the number of transmissions in the ED by modelling the interactions between and among patients and HCWs. Architectural interventions are guided towards the gradual separation of pathogen carriers, compliance with a minimum interpersonal distance, and deconcentrating airborne pathogens (higher air exchange rates (AERs)). Interventions are epidemiologically evaluated for their mitigation effects on diverse endpoints. RESULTS: Simulation results indicate that higher AERs in the ED (compared to baseline) may provide a moderate level of infection mitigation (incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.95 (95% CI 0.93 - 0.98)) while the overall burden decreases more when separating rooms in examination areas (IRR of 0.78 (95% CI 0.76 - 0.81)) or when increasing the size of the ED base (IRR of 0.79 (95% CI 0.78 - 0.81)). The reduction in SARS-CoV-2-associated nosocomial transmissions is largest when combining architectural interventions (IRR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.59 - 0.63)). CONCLUSIONS: These modelling results highlight the importance of IPC architectural interventions; they can be devised independently of profound knowledge of an emerging pathogen, focusing on technical, constructive, and functional components. These results may inform public health decision-makers and hospital architects on how IPC architectural interventions can be optimally used in healthcare premises.

Trimeric complexes of Antp-TBP with TFIIEß or Exd modulate transcriptional activity.

BACKGROUND: Hox proteins finely coordinate antero-posterior axis during embryonic development and through their action specific target genes are expressed at the right time and space to determine the embryo body plan. As master transcriptional regulators, Hox proteins recognize DNA through the homeodomain (HD) and interact with a multitude of proteins, including general transcription factors and other cofactors. HD binding specificity increases by protein-protein interactions with a diversity of cofactors that outline the Hox interactome and determine the transcriptional landscape of the selected target genes. All these interactions clearly demonstrate Hox-driven transcriptional regulation, but its precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. RESULTS: Here we report Antennapedia (Antp) Hox protein-protein interaction with the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and the formation of novel trimeric complexes with TFIIEß and Extradenticle (Exd), as well as its participation in transcriptional regulation. Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC), we detected the interaction of Antp-TBP and, in combination with Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (BiFC-FRET), the formation of the trimeric complex with TFIIEß and Exd in living cells. Mutational analysis showed that Antp interacts with TBP through their N-terminal polyglutamine-stretches. The trimeric complexes of Antp-TBP with TFIIEß and Exd were validated using different Antp mutations to disrupt the trimeric complexes. Interestingly, the trimeric complex Antp-TBP-TFIIEß significantly increased the transcriptional activity of Antp, whereas Exd diminished its transactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide important insights into the Antp interactome with the direct interaction of Antp with TBP and the two new trimeric complexes with TFIIEß and Exd. These novel interactions open the possibility to analyze promoter function and gene expression to measure transcription factor binding dynamics at target sites throughout the genome.

Impulsive Neural Control to Schedule Antivirals and Immunomodulators for COVID-19.

New SARS-CoV-2 variants escaping the effect of vaccines are an eminent threat. The use of antivirals to inhibit the viral replication cycle or immunomodulators to regulate host immune responses can help to tackle the viral infection at the host level. To evaluate the potential use of these therapies, we propose the application of an inverse optimal neural controller to a mathematical model that represents SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in the host. Antiviral effects and immune responses are considered as the control actions. The variability between infected hosts can be large, thus, the host infection dynamics are identified based on a Recurrent High-Order Neural Network (RHONN) trained with the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The performance of the control strategies is tested by employing a Monte Carlo analysis. Simulation results present different scenarios where potential antivirals and immunomodulators could reduce the viral load.

Uncovering antibody cross-reaction dynamics in influenza A infections.

MOTIVATION: Influenza viruses are a cause of large outbreaks and pandemics with high death tolls. A key obstacle is that flu vaccines have inconsistent performance, in the best cases up to 60% effectiveness, but it can be as low as 10%. Uncovering the hidden pathways of how antibodies (Abs) induced by one influenza strain are effective against another, cross-reaction, is a central vexation for the design of universal flu vaccines. RESULTS: We conceive a stochastic model that successfully represents the antibody cross-reactive data from mice infected with H3N2 influenza strains and further validation with cross-reaction data of H1N1 strains. Using a High-Performance Computing cluster, several aspects and parameters in the model were tested. Computational simulations highlight that changes in time of infection and the B-cells population are relevant, however, the affinity threshold of B-cells between consecutive infections is a necessary condition for the successful Abs cross-reaction. Our results suggest a 3-D reformulation of the current influenza antibody landscape for the representation and modeling of cross-reactive data. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The full code as a testing/simulation platform is freely available here: https://github.com/systemsmedicine/Antibody_cross-reaction_dynamics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

When is SARS-CoV-2 in your shopping list?

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused several million confirmed cases worldwide. The necessity of keeping open and accessible public commercial establishments such as supermarkets or pharmacies increases during the pandemic provided that distancing rules and crowd control are satisfied. Herein, using agent-based models, we explore the potential spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2 considering the case of a small size supermarket. For diverse distancing rules and number of simultaneous users (customers), we question flexible and limited movement policies, guiding the flow and interactions of users in place. Results indicate that a guided, limited in movement and well-organized policy combined with a distance rule of at least 1 m and a small number of users may aid in the mitigation of potential new contagions in more than 90% compared to the usual policy of flexible movement with more users which may reach up to 64% of mitigation of potential new infections under the same distancing conditions. This study may guide novel strategies for the mitigation of the current COVID-19 pandemic, at any stage, and prevention of future outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 or related viruses.

Neuraminidase Inhibitors in Influenza Treatment and Prevention⁻Is It Time to Call It a Day?

Stockpiling neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) such as oseltamivir and zanamivir is part of a global effort to be prepared for an influenza pandemic. However, the contribution of NAIs for the treatment and prevention of influenza and its complications is largely debatable due to constraints in the ability to control for confounders and to explore unobserved areas of the drug effects. For this study, we used a mathematical model of influenza infection which allowed transparent analyses. The model recreated the oseltamivir effects and indicated that: (i) the efficacy was limited by design, (ii) a 99% efficacy could be achieved by using high drug doses (however, taking high doses of drug 48 h post-infection could only yield a maximum of 1.6-day reduction in the time to symptom alleviation), and (iii) contributions of oseltamivir to epidemic control could be high, but were observed only in fragile settings. In a typical influenza infection, NAIs' efficacy is inherently not high, and even if their efficacy is improved, the effect can be negligible in practice.

Estudio fitoquímico preliminar y evaluación de la actividad antibacteriana del Solanum Dolichosepalum Bitter (Frutillo) / Preliminary phytochemical study and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Solanum Dolichosepalum Bitter (frutillo)

Introducción: Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, llamada comúnmente frutillo, es tradicionalmente usada en Colombia como antibacteriano, antiinflamatorio, cicatrizante y en enfermedades renales. La escasa información en bases de datos sobre la planta en estudio no permitió referenciar un mayor número de artículos actuales. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antibacteriana de extractos obtenidos del fruto de S. dolichosepalum y realizar un estudio fitoquímico preliminar. Método: la actividad antimicrobiana fue evaluada a partir de cuatro fracciones (F) obtenidas del extracto etanólico de los frutos secos deS. dolichosepalum frente a cepas deEscherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomona aeruginosa por el método de Kirby-Bauer. La primera fracción se sometió a cromatografía en columna y a sus fracciones se les evaluó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (MIC) por el método de microdilución. Los metabolitos responsables de la actividad antimicrobiana...(AU)

Introduction: Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, commonly known as frutillo, has been traditionally used in Colombia as antibacterial, antiinflammatory and cicatrizant, and to treat renal disease. Due to the scant information about the study plant contained in databases, it was not possible to reference a larger number of current papers. Objective: Evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from the fruit of S. dolichosepalum and conduct a preliminary phytochemical study. Method: The Kirby-Bauer method was applied to four fractions (F) obtained from the ethanolic extract of dry fruits of S. dolichosepalum to evaluate antimicrobial activity against strains ofEscherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomona aeruginosa. The first fraction underwent column chromatography and its fractions were tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method. Metabolites responsible for antimicrobial activity were identified by thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates (MERCK) with an ultraviolet lamp (365 nm). Finally, a phytochemical study was conducted of the ethanolic extract of the fruits to determine the presence of bioactive metabolites.Results: Phytochemical testing of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids and/or free...(AU)

Estudio fitoquímico preliminar y evaluación de la actividad antibacteriana del Solanum Dolichosepalum Bitter (Frutillo) / Preliminary phytochemical study and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Solanum Dolichosepalum Bitter (frutillo)

Introducción: Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, llamada comúnmente frutillo, es tradicionalmente usada en Colombia como antibacteriano, antiinflamatorio, cicatrizante y en enfermedades renales. La escasa información en bases de datos sobre la planta en estudio no permitió referenciar un mayor número de artículos actuales. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antibacteriana de extractos obtenidos del fruto de S. dolichosepalum y realizar un estudio fitoquímico preliminar. Método: la actividad antimicrobiana fue evaluada a partir de cuatro fracciones (F) obtenidas del extracto etanólico de los frutos secos deS. dolichosepalum frente a cepas de Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomona aeruginosa por el método de Kirby-Bauer. La primera fracción se sometió a cromatografía en columna y a sus fracciones se les evaluó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (MIC) por el método de microdilución. Los metabolitos responsables de la actividad antimicrobiana se identificaron por cromatografía de capa delgada en placas de sílica gel (MERCK) y lámpara ultravioleta (365nm). Se realizó finalmente un estudio fitoquímico del extracto etanólico de los frutos para evaluar la presencia de metabolitos bioactivos. Resultados: las pruebas fitoquímicas del extracto etanólico revelaron la presencia de alcaloides, esteroides y/o triterpenoides libres, taninos, saponinas, flavonoides y glucósidos cardiotónicos. De las cuatro fracciones obtenidas a partir de este extracto, las fracciones F1 y F2 tuvieron MIC de 31,25 y 15,62 mg/mL, respectivamente frente a E. coli y de 500 y 31,25 mg/mL frente a S. aureus. F3 y F4 no presentaron inhibición y ninguna fracción tuvo actividad frente a P. aeruginosa. Las fracciones obtenidas por cromatografía en columna a partir de F1 se denominaron F1A, F1B, F1C y F1D; la fracción F 1B mostró la mayor actividad antimicrobiana, con MICs de 35 y 17,5 mg/mL frente a S. aureus y E. coli respectivamente. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos confirman el uso tradicional delS. dolichosepalum como antibacteriana, con actividad frente a E. coli y S. aureus(AU)

Introduction: Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, commonly known as frutillo, has been traditionally used in Colombia as antibacterial, antiinflammatory and cicatrizant, and to treat renal disease. Due to the scant information about the study plant contained in databases, it was not possible to reference a larger number of current papers. Objective: Evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from the fruit of S. dolichosepalum and conduct a preliminary phytochemical study. Method: The Kirby-Bauer method was applied to four fractions (F) obtained from the ethanolic extract of dry fruits of S. dolichosepalum to evaluate antimicrobial activity against strains ofEscherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomona aeruginosa. The first fraction underwent column chromatography and its fractions were tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method. Metabolites responsible for antimicrobial activity were identified by thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates (MERCK) with an ultraviolet lamp (365 nm). Finally, a phytochemical study was conducted of the ethanolic extract of the fruits to determine the presence of bioactive metabolites.Results: Phytochemical testing of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids and/or free triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and cardiotonic glucosides. Of the four fractions obtained from the extract, fractions F1 and F2 had an MIC of 31.25 and 15.62 mg/mL, respectively, against E. coli, and 500 and 31.25 mg/mL against S. aureus. F3 and F4 did not show any inhibition, and no fraction displayed any activity against P. aeruginosa. The fractions obtained by column chromatography from F1 were named F1A, F1B, F1C and F1D. Fraction F1B showed the highest antimicrobial activity, with MICs of 35 and 17.5 mg/mL against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Conclusions: The results obtained confirm the validity of the traditional use ofS. dolichosepalum as antibacterial, with activity against E. coli and S. aureus(AU)

Especies vegetaees investigadas por sus propieddes antimicrobianas, inmunomoduuladoras e hipoglicemiantes en el departamento de caldas (Colombia, sudamérica) / Veetal species sstudied by their antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and hypoglicemic properties in caldas-Colombia, south mmerica

El uso de plantas con fines terapéuticos en la atención primaria en salud, es una práctica común en la zona del Eje Cafetero colombiano. Nuestra Línea de Investigación ha realizado varios estudios etnofarmacológicos en esta zona, seleccionando algunas especies vegetales para evaluar la posible actividad antibacteriana, hipoglicemiante e inmunomoduladora. El presente trabajo describe las nueve especies estudiadas, con una breve descripción botánica, nombres comunes, usos empíricos tradicionales, fitoquímica y enfatizando en la actividad biológica hallada en la literatura o encontrada por nosotros. Los hallazgos de esta revisión muestran que -en nuestro medio- el uso medicinal de plantas es una práctica habitual, con varias indicaciones para una misma especie vegetal (muchas de ellas no validadas científicamente), no siempre coinciden los usos en diferentes regiones de ancestro étnico o cultural común y menos aún en las más dispersas; a veces el resultado experimental no valida la indicación terapéutica tradicional y empírica, pero antes de declarar dicha indicación como inválida, deben hacerse varios ensayos preclínicos y clínicos indagando eficacia y seguridad. Debido a la enorme biodiversidad de la flora colombiana se pensaría que existe una amplia investigación en su farmacología y fitoquímica, pero la realidad es que existen pocas especies que se hayan validado mediante estudios químicos y biológicos; por ello, son muy bajos el aprovechamiento medicinal más generalizado y la explotación económica de dicha flora. En nuestro país solo unas pocas universidades estimulan las investigaciones en este campo y no se observa apoyo de la industria farmacéutica o de otras entidades gubernamentales o privadas. Por razones políticas y culturales, las comunidades indígenas se muestran renuentes a compartir sus conocimientos ancestrales etnofarmacológicos empíricos con otros grupos sociales. Cinco especies mostraron una promisoria actividad inmunoestimulante, aumentando el recuento leucocitario: Alternanthera williamsii (Standley) Standley var. purpurea, familia Amaranthaceae, Ludwigia polygonoides H.B.K., familia Onagraceae, Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd, familia Urticaceae, Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, familia Solanaceae y Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq) Nichols, familia Bignoniaceae; cinco plantas: Alternanthera williamsii (Standley) Standley var. purpurea, Ludwigia polygonoides H.B.K., Austroeupatorium inulaefolium (H.B.K.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Senna reticulata (Willd) H. Irwin y Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, tienen algún efecto antibacteriano importante particularmente sobre Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli y Pseudomona aeruginosa.

The use of medicinal herbage plants with therapeutic purposes in the primary health careattention of the health, is a frequent practice in the Colombian coffee zonetriangle. Our research line group has done carried out some ethnopharmacologic studies in this zone, selecting some vegetal species to evaluate the possible antimicrobial, immunomodulating and hypoglycemic activity. The present review describes the nine species studied, with a short brief botanic description, common names, traditional empiric uses, phytochemistry, and emphasizing in on the biological activity found in the literature or in our assaysresearch. The findings of this review establish that, in this region environment, the medical use of plants is a habitual usual practice, with different indications for a the same vegetal species (a lot of them do notnot even validated scientifically), not always match the uses in different regions of common ethnic or culture cultural common ancestry not always match and even less in dispersewhen there are different ancestry regions; sometimes the experimental result does not validate the tradicional and empiric therapeutic indication but before to stablishestablishing such this indication as invalid, several pre-clinic and clinic trials must be carried out in order toshould be done some preclinical and clinical assays to search for the efficacy and safety. Due to the enormous biodiversity of Colombian flora it would be thought that there is have an extensive research about their its pharmacology and phytochemistry, but really there are a very few species validated by chemical and biological studies.; forFor this reason, there are very low medical and economic exploitation of this flora. In our country only a few Universities promote the research in this field and have not support of the pharmaceutical industry or of the government or private agencies is not observed. By Because of political and cultural reasons, the Indian indigenous communities are reluctant to share his their ancestral empiric ethnopharmacologic knowledgment knowledge with other social groups. Five species shown showed promissory immunostimulant activity by increasing leukocyte counts:. Alternanthera williamsii (Standley) Standley var. purpurea, Amaranthaceae family, Ludwigia polygonoides H.B.K., Onagraceae family, Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd, Urticaceae family, Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, Solanaceae family and Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq) Nichols, Bignoniaceae family; five species: Alternanthera williamsii (Standley) Standley var. purpurea, Ludwigia polygonoides H.B.K., Austroeupatorium inulaefolium (H.B.K.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Senna reticulata (Willd) H. Irwin and Solanum dolichosepalum Bitter, have some important antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli y Pseudomona aeruginosa.

Ensayo preliminar sobre los efectos en el hemograma de los extractos acuoso y metanólico de Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd y Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson / Preliminary test on the effects on the hematologic parameters of the aqueous and methanolic

Con el fin de validar los hallazgos obtenidos previamente en estudios etnofarmacológicos, se evaluaron los efectos en el hemograma de ratas hembras Wistar de los extractos acuoso y metanólico de las hojas de Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd y Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson, luego de su administración por vía oral durante 10 días consecutivos. Excepto para el recuento de eosinófilos con el extracto acuoso de P. rugosus, no hubo ningún cambio estadísticamente significativo en los demás valores del hemograma tras la administración de extractos acuoso y metanólico. El número de eosinófilos disminuyó a niveles con significancia estadística (p=0,03) cuando se compara el grupo que recibió el extracto acuoso con el grupo control. La administración de los extractos de Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson, no indujo cambios en los diferentes parámetros del hemograma que tuvieran significancia estadística.

In order to validate previous findings in ethnopharmacological studies, the effects on the hemogram of Wistar female rats after the oral administration of aqueous and methanolic extracts from Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd and Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson leaves were evaluated for 10 days. Except for the eosinophils count with the aqueous extract of Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd, no significant changes in the hemogram were observed after the administration of aqueous and methanolic extracts. The absolute number of eosinophils diminished to statistically significant levels (p=0.03) when comparing the group that received the aqueous extract and the control group. The administration of both extracts from Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson does not induce significant changes in the hemogram.

Estudio preliminar de los efectos hipoglicemiantes de Senna reticulata en ratas diabéticas / Preliminar study of the hipoglicemic effects of Senna reticulata in diabetic rats

La presente investigación evaluó el efecto sobre la glicemia de los extractos acuosos de las hojas de Senna reticulata (nombre común: martingalvis o dorancé), administrados a ratas con diabetes inducida por aloxano. Al grupo control y al que recibió el extracto, se les midió la glicemia en ayunas los días 0, 7 y 15. El análisis de los resultados mostró que la administración del extracto disminuye la glicemia cuando se compara con los valores del día 0 y con los del grupo control, durante los días 7 y 15; si bien estos efectos no fueron significativos estadísticamente muestran indicios de que esta planta posee acciones hipoglicemiantes que deberán ser estudiados en futuras investigaciones.

This research evaluated the effect on blood sugar levels in the aqueous extract of Senna reticulata (common name: pasture killer) leaves, administered to rats with Aloxan induced diabetes. Blood glucose was measured on an empty stomach on day 0, 7 and 15 in the control group and the treatment group. The analysis of results showed that administering the extract reduces blood sugar levels when compared with the values of day 0, and with the control group on days 7 and 15. Even though these effects were not statistically significant, they show clear signs that this plant has hypoglycemic actions that must be studied in future studies.

Efecto de los extractos acuosos y metanólicos de Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd. y Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson, sobre la producción de anticuerpos tipo IgG2b e IgM en ratas: estudio preliminar / Effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Phenax rugosus (Poir) Wedd and Tabebuia chrysantha

Estudios etnofarmacológicos previos han demostrado el uso de las hojas de Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd. y Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson para el tratamiento de enfermedades infecciosas y de procesos inflamatorios. En esta investigación se obtuvieron los extractos acuoso y metanólico de cada una de estas plantas para valorar en ratas Wistar la capacidad de los mismos para inducir cambios significativos en los niveles séricos de anticuerpos del tipo IgM e IgG2b. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que dichos extractos no produjeron una respuesta que tuviera significancia estadística cuando se compararon las concentraciones de las inmunoglobulinas de los grupos tratados con las del grupo control.

Previous Ethnopharmacological studies have showed the use of Phenax rugosus (Poir..) Wedd. and Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson leaves for the treatment of infectious diseases and in inflammatory processes. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of each plant was obtained in order to determine the capacity of these extracts to induce significant changes in the seric levels of IgM and IgG2b antibodies in Wistar rats. The results obtained show that these extracts do not produce a response with statistical significance when comparing the antibody levels between the control and treatments groups.

Actividad antifungica de los extractos acuosos de Baccharis trinervis, Baccharis latifolia y Solanum dolichosepalum / Antifungal activity in the aqueous extracts of Baccharis trinervis, Baccharis latifolia and Solanum dolichosepalum

Se estudió la actividad antifungica in vitro por el método de dilución con suspensión de esporas de los extractos acuosos de las plantas Baccharis trinervis (Chilca), Baccharis latifolia (Algodoncillo) y Solanum dolichosepalum (Frutillo) contra Trichophyton rubrum y Candida albicans. Los extractos de S. dolichosepalum mostraron actividad antifungica contra Trichophyton rubrum a una concentración de 16 mg/ml (800 ug de extracto), mientras que B. trinervis la presentó a 64 mg/ml (3,2 mg de extracto). Los extractos obtenidos de B. latifolia no mostraron actividad frente a ninguna delas cepas utilizadas en el ensayo.

The antifungal activity in vitro was studied by the dilution method with the suspension of spores of the aqueous extracts of Baccharis trinervis, Baccharis latifolia and Solanum dolichosepalum against Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans. The extracts of S. dolichosepalum showed antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum in a concentration of 16 mg/ml (800 ¦Ìg of extract), whilst B.trinervis displayed activity in 64 mg/ml (3.2 mg of extract). The extract obtained of B. latifolia did not present any activity against the strains used in this trial.

Determinación de la toxicidad subaguda de Zebrina pendula en ratas / Determination of acute toxicity of Zebrina pendula in rats

La presente investigación evaluó, en ratas normales, la toxicidad subaguda de la Zebrina pendula administrando diariamente, durante un periodo de 30 días, extracto acuoso de la planta a un grupo de animales y agua destilada a un grupo control: se utilizaron dosis del extracto 150 veces mayor que la usada empíricamente por diabéticos tipo II. Se realizaron pruebas de glicemia, hemoleucograma, función hepática (AST y ALT) y renal (úrea y creatinina), necropsia y examen histopatológico.No se encontraron diferencias en los exámenes hematológicos o en función hepática y renal en el grupo tratado que recibía la Zebrina pendula comparado con el grupo control. Tampoco hubo diferencias entre el grupo control y el tratado respecto a alteraciones pulmonares que se presentaron en la mayoría de las ratas (congestión pulmonar y bronquitis), ni en los renales (degeneración tubular incipiente y cilindros proteináceos). Tres animales –dos de ellos con alteraciones pulmonares- en el grupo tratado, presentaron congestión hepática, edema y disociación de hepatocitos. Por los resultados obtenidos en la presenteinvestigación, se puede concluir que los extractos acuosos de Zebrina pendula tienen baja toxicidad subaguda.

Analasis estrategico para una empresa productora de ceramica roja / sss

El trabajo se desarrollo con la relizacion de un diagnostico interno-externo de la empresa con la finalidad de identificar los nuevos objetivos, para determinar las nuevas estrategias a las vigentes, a base de la identificacion de los factores claves, determinando los indicadores que deben ser utilizados...

Valor diagnóstico del autorrefractómetro y toma de agudeza visual con cartilla hotv en el screening de ambliopía en niños / Value diagnosis of autorrefractómetro and taking of visual sharpness with record hotv in screening of ambliopía in children

La ambliopía es una patología que tiene una prevalencia de aproximadamente 0.5 a 7 por ciento, susceptible de recibir tratamiento exitoso si éste se instaura a tiempo (antes de los 12 años), obteniéndose mejor respuesta si se inicia a corta edad (2 a 3 años), y va disminuyendo su eficacia al aumentar la edad de inicio. Para su diagnóstico se utiliza tradicionalmente la toma de agudeza visual con la cartilla de Snellen, siendo ésta muy difícil de realizar en pacientes de corta edad. Se han utilizado otros métodos alternativos para agilizar su diagnóstico y el de sus factores de riesgo, los cuales pueden ser utilizados en pacientes que aun no son candidatos para una buena toma de agudeza visual con los métodos convencionales. Comprobamos la eficacia de dos de estos (la cartilla HOTV y el uso del autorrefractómetro) como métodos de screening para la detección de ambliopía...

Variaciones de la reserva pericárdica y masa ventricular izquierda en derrame pericárdico

Se evaluan los análisis clínicos y paraclínicos del derrame pericardico en 12 pacientes estudiados por ecografía "M" bidimensional; se observan tendencias y correlaciones entre los distintos hallazgos tales como signos, síntomas, patología sistémica asociada y seguimiento de tiempo. Se hace énfasis en el análisis ecocardiográfico de signos de derrame pericardico, especialmente en las variaciones del espesor de la pared y la masa del ventrículo izquierdo. Siendo una patología que ha sido ampliamente estudiada por ecografía con parámetro bien definido, se llama la atención sobre datos significativos para el estudio