Prediction of the potential biological activity of novel spiropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and spiropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5,5'-pyrimidines by a ligand-protein inverse-docking approach.

The interaction of a series of spiropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and spiropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5,5'-pyrimidines with 975 molecular targets involved in different diseases and biochemical alterations in humans was assessed. In-silico and in-vivo methods were used to predict the potential biological activity of these compounds. The exposure of several individuals of C. elegans to these compounds shows that their lethality would be less than 10% and that they do not induce any alteration in their locomotion. The compounds identified as PRV-8 and 13-G were the most bioactive, and also showed other advantages such as; better structural properties, adequate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and good flexibility and unsaturation, which placed them as the compounds of greatest interest to be tested in-vitro and in-vivo. The series of compounds described here exhibited significant interactions with the estrogen signaling pathway.

Opinión de estudiantes de enfermería sobre el examen clínico objetivo estructurado / Nursing students’ opinion about the objective structured clinical examination

Investigación educativa bajo el paradigma cualitativo, a través de un estudio de caso, cuyo objetivo es conocer el significado que tiene para los estudiantes de segundo año de la Carrera de Enfermería el sistema de evaluación ECOE al finalizar la práctica clínica, Módulo Enfermería Básica del Niño, Adolescente y Adulto, del cuarto nivel académico, año 2007. Los estudiantes a partir de sus historias personales individuales, al final del ECOE respondieron una encuesta semiestructurada donde debían mencionar ventajas, desventajas, sugerencias. El análisis de datos siguió el esquema de Miles y Huberman, a través de la reducción progresiva de ellos (separación de unidades, agrupamiento, identificación y clasificación de elementos), disposición, transformación y obtención de conclusiones verificables, validándose a través de la triangulación por investigadores. En las ventajas se identificaron 88 unidades de significado, finalizando en tres dominios cualitativos “proceso de evaluación”, “reconocimiento de competencias genéricas adquiridas en el proceso de evaluación ECOE” y “proceso de gestión y administración del ECOE”. En las desventajas hubo 139 unidades de significado, originando dos dominios cualitativos “reconocimiento de competencias genéricas adquiridas en el proceso de evaluación ECOE” y “proceso de gestión y administración del ECOE”. Los resultados evidencian que el ECOE al igual que cualquier sistema de evaluación provoca en los estudiantes ansiedad, estrés. Reconocen que mide destrezas, actitudes y favorece la retroalimentación con el examinador. Para futuros ECOE, de acuerdo a las opiniones de los educandos, se debe considerar el momento de su aplicación y minimizar el tiempo de espera para ser examinados.

Educational research under qualitative paradigm through a case study aiming to raise awareness of the meaning that OSCE assessment system has for second year Nursing students at the end of the clinical practice of Basic Nursing in child, adolescent and adult modules, given in the fourth level, 2007. At the end of the OSCE and from their own personal stories the students answered a semi-structured survey where they had to mention advantages, disadvantages and suggestions. Data analysis followed the scheme proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994), through the progressive reduction of the data (separate units, clustering, identification and classification of items), provision, processing and obtaining verifiable findings, validating them through researcher triangulation. As for the advantages, 88 units of meanings were identified, ending up in three qualitative domains “evaluation process”, “recognition of generic skills acquired in the OSCE assessment process” and “administration and process management of the OSCE.” 139 units of meanings were identified as disadvantages, creating two qualitative domains: “recognition of generic skills acquired in the OSCE assessment process” and “process management and administration of the OSCE”. The results of this study show that the OSCE as well as any system of student assessment results in anxiety and stress. However, they recognize that measures skills, attitudes and encourages feedback from the examiner. For future, according to the student opinions OSCE should consider the time of application and minimize the time out for examination.

Exposure of young children working on Mexican tobacco plantations to organophosphorous and carbamic pesticides, indicated by cholinesterase depression.

BACKGROUND: Organophosphorous (OP) and carbamic pesticides are used in large quantities on tobacco plantations in Nayarit State, Mexico, where up to 3000 children and their families work. OP and carbamic pesticides are easily inhaled or absorbed through the skin and children may be particularly vulnerable to pesticides because of their smaller body mass, their height and more regular hand-mouth contact. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of pesticide exposure on acetylcholinesterase levels of very young migrant Mexican tobacco workers and younger siblings. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 160 children aged 0-14 years during harvest (exposure) and from 62 children in their home communities 6-9 months after harvest (baseline). Samples were tested for cholinesterase corrected for haemoglobin and ambient temperature. RESULTS: Fifteen per cent of children had depression scores ranging from -40% to 190% of their baseline levels. Thirty-three per cent of children had depression scores of at least 15% and 86% of children were anaemic. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that very young children are exposed to potentially harmful and toxic amounts of pesticides while working. Further research is needed to assess the actual acute and chronic health impacts of such exposures.

A modified colorimetric method for the determination of orthophosphate in the presence of high ATP concentrations.

We describe a modified colorimetric method that quantitates inorganic phosphate linearly up to 60 nmol, with high stability of the developed color and with a low interference by ATP concentration (up to 30 mM). This method is very suitable for use in ATPase enzymatic assays, especially with enzymes that have low specific activities and (or) high Km values for ATP.

[Rehabilitation of patients with coronary cardiopathy. Early mobilization after acute myocardial infarction]. / Rehabilitación del paciente con cardiopatía coronaria. Movilización temprana después del infarto agudo del miocardio.

The early mobilization of selected patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction is not any longer a controversial subject. The benefits are the prevention of decreasing physical capacity and other complications due to physical immobilization. Anxiety and depressive states are prevented or improved, physical capacity is maintained; there is a well being sensation upon discharge and there are economical advantages due to shortening of the hospitalization period. The latter favors an early return to work and a rapid turnover of hospital beds. From different points of view, early discharge of these patients is desirable, safe, possible, decreases expenses, and favors recovery.

Rehabilitacion del paciente con cardiopatia coronaria. Movilizacion temprana despues del infarto agudo del miocardio. / Rehabilitation of patient with coronary heart disease. Early movilization after myocardial infarction

La movilizacion temprana en un grupo de pacientes seleccionados con infarto del miocardio no complicado ya no constituye un tema de controversia. Sus beneficios son la prevencion de abatimiento de la capacidad fisica y de la aparicion de otras complicaciones observadas por mantener un periodo prolongado de inmovilizacion. Con ella se establece la prevencion y el mejoramiento del estado de ansiedad, y de depresion, el mejoramiento de la capacidad fisica, la sensacion de bienestar al momento de ser dado de alta del hospital, ademas de las ventajas economicas consecutivas al acortamiento del periodo de hospitalizacion, lo que favorece la mayor movilizacion de las camas y que los pacientes se reintegren a su trabajo com mayor antecipacion. Todo esto es desde varios puntos de vista deseable , seguro, posible; disminuye los gastos y favorece la recuperacion

[Results of a prolonged program of physical training in patients with ischemic cardiopathology]. / Resultados de un programa prolongado de entrenamiento físico en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica.

Training with resistant exercises has been proved to be beneficial for patients of ischemic cardiopathy. This kind of training increases working capacity, provided the exercise is maintained in the necessary threshold to avoid starting a chest angina. Nevertheless, there is no clear evidence of an increase in the blood flooding of the myocardio, the left ventricle function or the heart electric stability as a consequence of the said training. It's our opinion that the principal reasons for this lack of evidence are: a) insufficient research, b) the existence of technical difficulties for developing certain phases of the necessary research, and maybe that, c) some exercise programs are not sufficiently long and intense and to induce myocardial adaptation. The purpose of this study is to determine if a long program of physical exercise training could produce a better blood irrigation and ventricular function as well as restore the electric stability. This approach to the problem is justified by the recent finding of adequate methods which really and definitely answer these questions with the results obtained through properly controlled physical exercise.