Lack of Exposure to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Chilean Cervids, and Evidence of a New Mycobacterium-Like Sequence.

Screening of serum and fecal samples from huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) and pudu (Pudu puda) from southern Chile for Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) found all but four samples Mycobacterium-negative. The positive sequences showed only 92-93% similarity with MAP and were from remote Isla Riesco populations.

Dynamic Mechanisms of the Bactericidal Action of an Al2O3-TiO2-Ag Granular Material on an Escherichia coli Strain.

The bactericidal activity of an Al2O3-TiO2-Ag granular material against an Escherichia coli strain was confirmed by a culture-based method. In particular, 100% of microorganisms were permanently inactivated in 30 to 45 min. The present work aimed to investigate the mechanisms of the bactericidal action of this material and their dynamics on Escherichia coli using different techniques. Observations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at different times of disinfection revealed morphological changes in the bacteria as soon as they were put in contact with the material. Notably highlighted were cell membrane damage; cytoplasm detachment; formation of vacuoles, possibly due to DNA condensation, in association with regions exhibiting different levels of electron density; and membrane lysis. PCR and flow cytometry analyses were used to confirm and quantify the observations of cell integrity. The direct exposure of cells to silver, combined with the oxidative stress induced by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated, was identified to be responsible for these morphological alterations. From the first 5 min of treatment with the Al2O3-TiO2-Ag material, 98% of E. coli isolates were lysed. From 30 min, cell viability decreased to reach total inactivation, although approximately 1% of permeable E. coli cells and 1% of intact cells (10(5) genomic units·ml(-1)) were evidenced. This study demonstrates that the bactericidal effect of the material results from a synergic action of desorbed and supported silver. Supported silver was shown to generate the ROS evidenced.

Predicting and setting conservation priorities for Bolivian mammals based on biological correlates of the risk of decline.

The recognition that growing proportions of species worldwide are endangered has led to the development of comparative analyses to elucidate why some species are more prone to extinction than others. Understanding factors and patterns of species vulnerability might provide an opportunity to develop proactive conservation strategies. Such comparative analyses are of special concern at national scales because this is the scale at which most conservation initiatives take place. We applied powerful ensemble learning models to test for biological correlates of the risk of decline among the Bolivian mammals to understand species vulnerability at a national scale and to predict the population trend for poorly known species. Risk of decline was nonrandomly distributed: higher proportions of large-sized taxa were under decline, whereas small-sized taxa were less vulnerable. Body mass, mode of life (i.e., aquatic, terrestrial, volant), geographic range size, litter size, home range, niche specialization, and reproductive potential were strongly associated with species vulnerability. Moreover, we found interacting and nonlinear effects of key traits on the risk of decline of mammals at a national scale. Our model predicted 35 data-deficient species in decline on the basis of their biological vulnerability, which should receive more attention in order to prevent their decline. Our results highlight the relevance of comparative analysis at relatively narrow geographical scales, reveal previously unknown factors related to species vulnerability, and offer species-by-species outcomes that can be used to identify targets for conservation, especially for insufficiently known species.

Módulo educativo sobre emergencias escolares / Educational Module on School Emergencies / Módulo educativo sobre emergências escolares

Con el fin de conocer el comportamiento ante emergencias escolares de niñas y adolescentes, se realizó una investigación descriptiva sobre el impacto de un proceso educativo de un programa de salud al colegio. El estudio se adelantó entre el 2007 y el 2008, en la localidad de Suba, en Bogotá, con un grupo de 120 estudiantes, de 6 a 18 años, de estratos cero, uno y dos. Mediante una metodología lúdica, pedagógica y de experiencias se evaluaron los conocimientos impartidos a esta población, en la que se observaron cambios en los estilos de vida y hábitos individuales y grupales. El 95% de las niñas validaron los conocimientos en salud sobre el manejo de emergencias escolares, el 100% de la población participó en la construcción del plan y trabajó en las prácticas, lo que crea conciencia acerca de la importancia del programa de salud escolar con el desarrollo de este tipo de planes.

A descriptive study on the impact of an educational module in a school health program was developed to find out how young girls and teenagers respond to emergencies at school. Conducted between 2007 and 2008 in the Suba District of Bogotá, the study featured a group of 120 students between the ages of 6 and 18. The participants in the sample were from income brackets zero, one and two. Using a method involving recreation, education and experiences, the know-how imparted to this population was evaluated, and changes in individual and group lifestyles and habits were observed. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the girls endorsed the health information on response to school emergencies, 100% took part in constructing the plan and worked in the practice sessions, all of which creates an awareness of the importance of the school health program with the development of plans of this type.

Para conhecer o comportamento frente a emergências escolares, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva sobre o efeito de um processo educativo em um programa de saúde na escola. O estudo foi levado a cabo entre 2007 e 2008 no distrito de Suba em Bogotá com um grupo de 120 estudantes de 6 a 18 anos de estratos zero, uno e dois. Com uma metodologia lúdica, pedagógica e de experiências, foram avaliados os conhecimentos dados a esta população, na que foram observados alterações dos estilos de vida e dos hábitos individuais e grupais. O 95% das meninas validaram os conhecimentos em saúde sobre o manejo de emergências escolares. O 100% da população contribuiu à elaboração do plano e participou nas práticas. Isso faz tomar consciência da importância do programa de saúde escolar.