Assessment of human relationships with other animal species Evaluación de las relaciones humanas con otras especies animales

Abstract Few works explore the assessments that laypeople make about practices that involve animals. This study tests the multiple sorting tasks (MST) as a method to explore perceptions of animals. 115 people of different genders, and age groups, and the condition of owning a pet or not, assessed practices that make use of animals. The inquiry was made through an interview based on a conceptualisation of the free sortings of 18 cards with text and 18 images that contain practices involving animals, and whether the condition of having a pet or not influenced their conceptualisations. A multidimensional scaling analysis (MSA), indicates that people classify the practices based on the function animals have for society, however are worried about the conditions in which animals are used. The results discuss the importance that laypeople give to the ethics of animal uses, and the role of having a pet or not, showing that young people are more sensitive to the welfare of animals. The results conclude that the participants conceptualise images differently according to whether they are asked to evaluate the practice represented only by text; using images induces more moral conceptualisations than text. This demonstrates the utility of the MST and provides theoretical and practical implications for exploring people's perceptions and educating them on animal welfare.

Resumen Son pocos los trabajos que exploran las valoraciones que las personas del común hacen sobre las prácticas que involucran animales. Este estudio prueba la técnica de Clasificación Múltiple de Ítems (CMI) como método para explorar las percepciones sobre los animales. 115 personas de diferentes géneros, grupos de edad y el tener o no mascota, evaluaron prácticas que hacen uso de animales. La indagación se realizó a través de una entrevista a partir de las clasificaciones libres de 18 tarjetas con texto y 18 imágenes que contienen prácticas con animales, y si la condición de tener mascota influía o no en las conceptualizaciones. Un análisis de escalamiento multidimensional (MSA), indica que las personas clasifican las prácticas a partir de la función que tienen los animales para la sociedad, sin embargo, están preocupados por las condiciones en las que se utilizan. Los resultados discuten la importancia que las personas le dan a la ética de los usos que se hace de los animales y el papel de tener o no una mascota, mostrando que los jóvenes son más sensibles al bienestar de los animales. Los resultados concluyen que los participantes conceptualizan las imágenes de manera diferente según se les solicite evaluar la práctica representada solo por el texto; el uso de imágenes induce más conceptualizaciones morales que el texto. Esto demuestra la utilidad de la CMI y proporciona implicaciones teóricas y prácticas para explorar las percepciones de las personas y educarlas sobre el bienestar animal.

Program Infrastructure the Key to Success: A Pilot Crosswalk Installation to Promote Walkability, Pedestrian Safety, and Physical Activity in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: While physical inactivity can contribute to chronic diseases, regular activity like walking can help prevent them. In 2010, one in three adults in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) was physically inactive, higher than most U.S. states and territories. There are few walkable destinations and sidewalks along streets in the USVI. Since community- and street-scale design features can influence walking, we convened a 3-day walkability institute in the USVI to (1) learn about physical activity and best practices for design and (2) develop public health infrastructure that supports implementation. Island teams were formed to develop and implement a territory-wide action plan, focused on passing a Complete Streets policy, and demonstration projects on the islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas to advance and pass this policy. An example of the demonstration projects and their significance is the completed one in St. Croix, which is the focus of this article. METHODS: Island teams applied critical components of functioning program infrastructure as described in the Component Model of Infrastructure (CMI) such as engaged data, multilevel leadership, responsive plans and planning, and networked partnerships. We evaluated whether a crosswalk installation in St. Croix could alter driver and pedestrian behavior and create a safer environment for pedestrians. Observers recorded pedestrian crossing time, driver speed, and other behaviors before and after crosswalk installation. RESULTS: Pedestrians took significantly fewer average seconds to cross the street in the postdemonstration period (9.83) compared with predemonstration (13.4) (p = .03). Average car speed declined between the predemonstration (24.3) and long-term demonstration periods (p < .01) and from the postdemonstration (24.7) to the long-term demonstration period (18.2) (p < .01). A greater percentage of pedestrians used the crosswalk to cross the street between the postdemonstration (12.5%) and long-term demonstration periods (53.7%) (p < .01). IMPLICATIONS: The demonstration project in St. Croix shows that improvements to built environment infrastructure can increase safety for pedestrians, thus improving walkability in the USVI. We discuss the importance of CMI elements observed in the success of the St. Croix demonstration and its effectiveness in promoting a Complete Streets policy and the lack of these elements on St. John hindering progress there. Public health practitioners can apply the CMI to future physical activity promotion projects in the USVI and other settings as having functioning program infrastructure helps overcome challenges including natural disasters and a global pandemic and can achieve progress toward sustained policy and systems change.

Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Hedyosmum purpurascens (Todzia)-An Endemic Plant in Ecuador.

Hedyosmum purpurascens is an endemic species found in the Andes of Ecuador and it is characterized by its pleasant smell. In this study, essential oil (EO) from H. purpurascens was obtained by the hydro-distillation method with a Clevenger-type apparatus. The identification of the chemical composition was carried out by GC-MS and GC-FID in two capillary columns, DB-5ms and HP-INNOWax. A total of 90 compounds were identified, representing more than 98% of the total chemical composition. Germacrene-D, ϒ-terpinene, α-phellandrene, sabinene, O-cymene, 1,8-cineole and α-pinene accounted for more than 59% of the EO composition. The enantioselective analysis of the EO revealed the occurrence of (+)-α-pinene as a pure enantiomer; in addition, four pairs of enantiomers were found (α-phellandrene, o-cymene, limonene and myrcene). The biological activity against microbiological strains and antioxidants and the anticholinesterase properties were also evaluated and the EO showed a moderate anticholinesterase and antioxidant effect, with an IC50 value of 95.62 ± 1.03 µg/mL and a SC50 value of 56.38 ± 1.96. A poor antimicrobial effect was observed for all the strains, with MIC values over 1000 µg/mL. Based on our results, the H. purpurasens EO presented remarkable antioxidant and AChE activities. Despite these promising results, further research seems essential to validate the safety of this medicinal species as a function of dose and time. Experimental studies on the mechanisms of action are essential to validate its pharmacological properties.

Safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-LNP COVID-19 vaccine CVnCoV in Latin American adults: A phase 2 randomized study.

Background: The COVID-19 vaccine candidate CVnCoV comprises sequence-optimized mRNA encoding SARS-CoV-2 S-protein encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. In this phase 2a study, we assessed reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two or three doses in younger and older adults. Methods: Younger (18-60 years) and older (>60 years) adults were enrolled in two sites in Panama and Peru to receive either 6 or 12 µg doses of CVnCoV or licensed control vaccines 28 days apart; subsets received a 12 µg booster dose on Day 57 or Day 180. Solicited adverse events (AE) were reported for 7 days and unsolicited AEs for 4 weeks after each vaccination, and serious AEs (SAE) throughout the study. Humoral immunogenicity was measured as neutralizing and receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG antibodies and cellular immunogenicity was assessed as CD4+/CD8 + T cell responses. Results: A total of 668 participants were vaccinated (332 aged 18-60 years and 336 aged > 60 years) including 75 who received homologous booster doses. Vaccination was well tolerated with no vaccine-related SAEs. Solicited and unsolicited AEs were mainly mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. Both age groups demonstrated robust immune responses as neutralizing antibodies or RBD-binding IgG, after two doses, with lower titers in the older age group than the younger adults. Neither group achieved levels observed in human convalescent sera (HCS), but did equal or surpass HCS levels following homologous booster doses. Following CVnCoV vaccination, robust SARS-CoV-2 S-protein-specific CD4 + T-cell responses were observed in both age groups with CD8 + T-cell responses in some individuals, consistent with observations in convalescing COVID-19 patients after natural infection. Conclusions: We confirmed that two 12 µg doses of CVnCoV had an acceptable safety profile, and induced robust immune responses. Marked humoral immune responses to homologous boosters suggest two doses had induced immune memory.

Pyrazinamide-isoniazid hybrid: synthesis optimisation, characterisation, and antituberculous activity / Híbrido pirazinamida-isoniacida: optimización de síntesis, caracterización y actividad antituberculosa / Híbrido pirazinamida-isoniazida: otimização da síntese, caracterização e atividade antituberculose

Abstract Over time, the effective resistance mechanisms to various first- and second-line drugs against the disease of tuberculosis make its treatment extremely difficult. This work presents a new approach to synthesizing a hybrid of antituberculosis medications: isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA). The synthesis was performed using ultrasound-assisted synthesis to obtain an overall yield of 70%, minimizing the reaction time from 7 to 1 h. The evaluation of the biological activity of the hybrid (compound 2) was tested using the tetrazolium microplate assay (TEMA), showing inhibition in the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv at a concentration of 0.025 mM at pH 6.0 and 6.7.

Resumen Debido a los grandes mecanismos de resistencia a lo largo del tiempo de diversos fármacos de primera y segunda línea contra la enfermedad de la tuberculosis, el tratamiento sigue dificultándose. Este trabajo presenta un nuevo enfoque para sintetizar un híbrido de fármacos antituberculosos: isoniazida (INH) y pirazinamida (PZA). La síntesis fue asistida por ultrasonido con el fin de obtener un rendimiento global del 70%, minimizando el tiempo de reacción de 7 a ' h. La evaluación de la actividad biológica del híbrido (compuesto 2) se probó usando el ensayo de microplaca de tetrazolio (TEMA), que mostró una inhibición en el crecimiento de Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv a una concentración de 0,025 mM a pH 6,0 y 6,7.

Resumo Devido aos grandes mecanismos de resistência ao longo do tempo a diversos fármacos de primeira e segunda linha contra a tuberculose, o que torna seu tratamento extremamente difícil. Este trabalho apresenta uma nova abordagem para sintetizar um híbrido de fármacos antituberculose: isoniazida (INH) e pirazinamida (PZA) A síntese foi realizada utilizando a síntese assistida por ultrassom de forma a obter um rendimento global de 70%, minimizando o tempo de reação de 7 h para ' h. A avaliação da atividade biológica do híbrido (composto 2) foi testada utilizando o ensaio de microplaca de tetrazólio (TEMA), mostrando uma inibição no crescimento de Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv na concentração de 0,025 mM em pH 6,0 e 6,7.

Validez preliminar del inventario de evaluación de riesgos criminogénicos YLS/CMI en adolescentes en Chile / Preliminary validity of the inventory of criminogenic risks evaluation YLS/CMI in adolescents in Chile / Validade preliminar do inventário de avaliação de riscos criminogênicos YLS/CMI em adolescentes no Chile

Resumen Antecedentes/objetivos: Los inventarios de evaluación de riesgos criminogénicos basados en evidencia resultan de gran apoyo para determinar los objetivos prioritarios en las intervenciones y prevenir la reincidencia en adolescentes infractores de ley. Esta investigación permite avanzar en la validación de instrumentos de evaluación de riesgos en adolescentes infractores en contexto latinoamericano. Se estudian las evidencias de validez para la versión adaptada a Chile, del Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory YLS/CMI. Método: Mediante un muestreo incidental se obtiene una muestra de 129 adolescentes varones (14 a 19 años), cumpliendo sanción por la ley de responsabilidad penal. Resultados y conclusiones: El YLS/CMI adaptado muestra adecuados niveles de confiabilidad y validez en la muestra estudiada. Solo el factor de educación y empleo no alcanza los alpha aceptables (Alpha: .51). Las evidencias de validez convergente y discriminante del YLS/CMI son satisfactorias, siendo el factor de tiempo libre el que menos discrimina entre reincidentes y no reincidentes mediante análisis retrospectivo. El estudio avanza en la disertación de la adaptación y validación del YLS/CMI para evaluar los riesgos criminogénicos en adolescentes chilenos infractores de ley.

Abstract Background and Objectives: The inventories of criminogenic risks evaluation based on evidence prove to be a big support to determine the priority objectives in the interventions and prevent the recidivism in adolescent law infringers. This investigation permits to advance in the validation of risks evaluation instruments in adolescent infringers in Latin-American context. The validity evidences are studied for the adapted version for Chile, of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory YLS/CMI. Ç Method: By means of an incidental sampling it is obtained a sample of 129 male adolescents (14 to 19 years old) serving a sanction by the criminal responsibility law. Results and conclusions: The adapted YLS/CMI shows adequate levels of reliability and validity in the studied sample. Only the factor of education and employment does not reach the acceptable alpha (Alpha: .51). The evidences of convergent and discriminant validity of the YLS/CMI are satisfactory, being the factor of free time which discriminates the least between recidivists and nonrecidivists by means of retrospective analysis. The study advance in the dissertation of the adaptation and validation of the YLS/CMI to evaluate the criminogenic risks in Chilean adolescent law infringers.

Resumo Antecedentes/objetivos: Os inventários de avaliação de riscos criminogênicos baseados em evidencia resultam de grande apoio para determinar os objetivos prioritários nas intervenções e prevenir a reincidência em adolescentes infratores de lei. Esta investigação permite avançar na validação de instrumentos de avaliação de riscos em adolescentes infratores em contexto latino-americano. Estudam-se as evidências de validade para a versão adaptada ao Chile, do Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory YLS/ CMI. Método: Através de uma amostragem incidental se obtém uma amostra de 129 adolescentes varões (14 a 19 anos) cumprindo sanção pela lei de responsabilidade penal. Resultados e conclusões: O YLS/CMI adaptado mostra adequados níveis de confiabilidade e validade na amostra estudada. Só o fator de educação e emprego não atinge os alpha aceitáveis (Alpha: .51). As evidências de validade convergente e discriminante do YLS/CMI são satisfatórias, sendo o fator de tempo libre o que menos discrimina entre reincidentes e não reincidentes através de análise retrospectiva. O estudo avança na dissertação da adaptação e validação do YLS/CMI para avaliar os riscos criminogênicos em adolescentes chilenos infratores de lei.

Tamizaje fitoquímico y actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de tres especies colombianas del género Hypericum / Phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions from three Colombian species of the genus Hypericum

Introducción: el género Hypericum se caracteriza por poseer gran importancia etnobotánica en diferentes culturas a nivel mundial lo cual ha impulsado los estudios para el aislamiento e identificación de metabolitos bioactivos. Objetivo: realizar la caracterización fitoquímica preliminar y el estudio de actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de tres especies colombianas del género Hypericum. Métodos: a partir de las hojas secas de Hypericum myricariifolium Hieron, Hypericum mexicanum L. e Hypericum juniperinum Kunth se obtuvieron los extractos etanólicos, se realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico preliminar y se obtuvieron fracciones de polaridad creciente (hexano, cloroformo, acetato de etilo y metanol). Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones por el ensayo de difusión en agar frente a Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228) y Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). A las fracciones y extractos que presentaron mayor inhibición del crecimiento bacteriano se les determinó la CMI por el método de dilución en micropozos (SPOTi). Resultados: el análisis fitoquímico preliminar mostró la posible presencia de esteroides, terpenos, fenoles, flavonoides y quinonas. Los extractos y fracciones de H. mexicanum y H. myricariifolium resultaron activos frente...(AU)

Introduction: The genus Hypericum has been awarded great ethnobotanical importance by various cultures worldwide, which has given an impulse to the conduct of studies aimed at isolating and identifying its bioactive metabolites. Objective: Perform a preliminary phytochemical characterization and study the antibacterial activity in vitro of extracts and fractions from three Colombian species of the genus Hypericum. Methods: Ethanolic extracts were obtained from dry leaves of Hypericum myricariifolium Hieron, Hypericum mexicanum L. and Hypericum juniperinum Kunth. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed and increasing polarity fractions were obtained (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol). In vitro antibacterial activity of the extracts and fractions was evaluated with the agar diffusion test against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). The MIC was determined for fractions and extracts displaying greater bacterial growth inhibition, using the microwell dilution method (SPOTi). Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the possible presence of steroids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and quinones. Extracts and fractions of H. mexicanum and H. myricariifolium were active against all strains with inhibition haloes above 15 mm. The extract of H. juniperinum was active against gram-positive strains. The total extract and the hexane fraction of H. mexicanum displayed the best activity against S. epidermidis with an MIC of 0.05 mg/mL and 0.001 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Preliminary phytochemical characterization revealed the prevailing presence of phenolic metabolites in extracts of the three study species. Ethanolic extracts and low polarity fractions of these species exhibit high inhibitory activity against gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) responsible for a large number of skin infections(AU)

Tamizaje fitoquímico y actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de tres especies colombianas del género Hypericum / Phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions from three Colombian species of the genus Hypericum

Introducción: el género Hypericum se caracteriza por poseer gran importancia etnobotánica en diferentes culturas a nivel mundial lo cual ha impulsado los estudios para el aislamiento e identificación de metabolitos bioactivos. Objetivo: realizar la caracterización fitoquímica preliminar y el estudio de actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de tres especies colombianas del género Hypericum. Métodos: a partir de las hojas secas de Hypericum myricariifolium Hieron, Hypericum mexicanum L. e Hypericum juniperinum Kunth se obtuvieron los extractos etanólicos, se realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico preliminar y se obtuvieron fracciones de polaridad creciente (hexano, cloroformo, acetato de etilo y metanol). Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones por el ensayo de difusión en agar frente a Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228) y Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). A las fracciones y extractos que presentaron mayor inhibición del crecimiento bacteriano se les determinó la CMI por el método de dilución en micropozos (SPOTi). Resultados: el análisis fitoquímico preliminar mostró la posible presencia de esteroides, terpenos, fenoles, flavonoides y quinonas. Los extractos y fracciones de H. mexicanum y H. myricariifolium resultaron activos frente a todas las cepas con halos de inhibición superiores a 15 mm. El extracto de H. juniperinum presentó actividad frente la cepas gram-positivas. El extracto total y la fracción de hexano de H. mexicanum presentaron la mejor actividad frente a S. epidermidis con CMI de 0,05 mg/mL y 0,001 mg/mL respectivamente(AU) Conclusiones: la caracterización fitoquímica preliminar permitió determinar la presencia mayoritaria de metabolitos de tipo fenólico en los extractos de las 3 especies de estudio. Los extractos etanólicos y las fracciones de polaridad baja de estas especies poseen alta actividad inhibitoria frente a las bacterias gram-positivas (S. aureus y S. epidermidis) causantes de un gran número de infecciones cutáneas(AU)

Introduction: The genus Hypericum has been awarded great ethnobotanical importance by various cultures worldwide, which has given an impulse to the conduct of studies aimed at isolating and identifying its bioactive metabolites. Objective: Perform a preliminary phytochemical characterization and study the antibacterial activity in vitro of extracts and fractions from three Colombian species of the genus Hypericum. Methods: Ethanolic extracts were obtained from dry leaves of Hypericum myricariifolium Hieron, Hypericum mexicanum L. and Hypericum juniperinum Kunth. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed and increasing polarity fractions were obtained (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol). In vitro antibacterial activity of the extracts and fractions was evaluated with the agar diffusion test against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). The MIC was determined for fractions and extracts displaying greater bacterial growth inhibition, using the microwell dilution method (SPOTi). Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the possible presence of steroids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and quinones. Extracts and fractions of H. mexicanum and H. myricariifolium were active against all strains with inhibition haloes above 15 mm. The extract of H. juniperinum was active against gram-positive strains. The total extract and the hexane fraction of H. mexicanum displayed the best activity against S. epidermidis with an MIC of 0.05 mg/mL and 0.001 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Preliminary phytochemical characterization revealed the prevailing presence of phenolic metabolites in extracts of the three study species. Ethanolic extracts and low polarity fractions of these species exhibit high inhibitory activity against gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) responsible for a large number of skin infections(AU)

Actividad antimicótica "in vitro" del aceite esencial Cinnamomun zeylanicum Breyn "canela" frente a Cándida albicans ATCC 6538, Tacna, 2012 / Antimycotic activity "in vitro" of the essential oil Cinnamomun zeylanicum Breyn "cinnamon" against Candida albicans ATCC 6538, Tacna, 2012

Objetivo: Determinar la actividad antimicótica "in vitro" del aceite esencial de Cinnamomum zeylanicum Breyn "canela" frente a Cándida albicans ATCC 6538. Metodología: Se obtuvo el aceite esencial de las cortezas Cinnamomun zeylanicum Breyn "canela" mediante destilación por arrastre de vapor. Utilizando los métodos de: a) Kirby Bauer, se conoció el grado de sensibilidad en función al tamaño de los halos de inhibición, b) Por dilución en medio líquido se determinó la Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI) y c) Por difusión en agar la Concentración Mínima Fungicida (CMF) del aceite esencial. Resultados: Se demostró que Cándida albicans presenta alta sensibilidad al aceite esencial. La CMI para Cándida albicans fue de 0,01895 mg/ml y la CMF fue de 0,020529166 mg/ml. Conclusión: El aceite esencial de Cinnamomun zeylanicum Breyn presenta actividad antimicótica frente a Cándida albicans.

Caracterización del estado nutricional de la población centenaria de Cuba / Characterization of the nutritional status of the Cuban centenarian population

La esperanza de vida ha aumentado considerablemente en las últimas décadas y con ella la demanda de conocimiento sobre el proceso de envejecimiento. Cuba muestra indicadores demográficos similares al mundo desarrollado con una esperanza de vida al nacer en mujeres de 80,02 y en hombres de 76 y un grado de envejecimiento de su población al cierre del 2010 de 17,8 porciento. De esta situación emerge otro aspecto: la supervivencia excepcional, pues cada vez va siendo más frecuente las personas que llegan a la centuria de vida. Los centenarios cubanos alcanzaban los 1 488 a finales del 2007. Esta investigación forma parte del proyecto Centenarios en Cuba dirigida por el Ministerio de Salud Pública, cuyo objetivos es caracterizar la población de ancianos centenarios desde el punto de vista somatofisiológico y nutricional, y a partir de ellos determinar el comportamiento de indicadores antropométricos y nutricionales, así como se pretende identificar determinantes biológicos y socioculturales responsables de las diferencias del comportamiento entre la longevidad de hombres y mujeres(AU)

The considerable increase in life expectancy witnessed by recent decades has resulted in a greater need for information about the aging process. Cuba's demographic indicators are similar to those of developed countries, with a life expectancy at birth of 80.02 for women and 76 for men, and an aging rate of 17.8 percent at the close of 2010. Another aspect emerging from this situation is exceptional survival, for an ever increasing number of persons now live to be one hundred years old or more. By the end of 2007 there were 1 488 centenarians in Cuba. This research is part of the project Centenarians in Cuba, led by the Ministry of Public Health. The project is aimed at characterizing the centenarian population from a somatophysiological and nutritional point of view, determining the behavior of anthropometric and nutritional indicators, and identifying biological and sociocultural determinants responsible for the differences between male and female longevity(AU)

Screening antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica or stinging nettle is traditionally used as an herbal medicine in Western Asia. The current study represents the investigation of antimicrobial activity of U. dioica from nine crude extracts that were prepared using different organic solvents, obtained from two extraction methods: the Soxhlet extractor (Method I), which included the use of four solvents with ethyl acetate and hexane, or the sequential partitions (Method II) with a five solvent system (butanol). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of crude extracts were tested against 28 bacteria, three yeast strains and seven fungal isolates by the disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Amoxicillin was used as positive control for bacteria strains, vancomycin for Streptococcus sp., miconazole nitrate (30µg/mL) as positive control for fungi and yeast, and pure methanol (v/v) as negative control. The disc diffusion assay was used to determine the sensitivity of the samples, whilst the broth dilution method was used for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC). The ethyl acetate and hexane extract from extraction method I (EA I and HE I) exhibited highest inhibition against some pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, MRSA and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. A selection of extracts that showed some activity was further tested for the MIC and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC). MIC values of Bacillus subtilis and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using butanol extract of extraction method II (BE II) were 8.33 and 16.33mg/mL, respectively; while the MIC value using ethyl acetate extract of extraction method II (EAE II) for Vibrio parahaemolyticus was 0.13mg/mL. Our study showed that 47.06% of extracts inhibited Gram-negative (8 out of 17), and 63.63% of extracts also inhibited Gram-positive bacteria (7 out of 11); besides, statistically the frequency of antimicrobial activity was 13.45% (35 out of 342) which in this among 21.71% belongs to antimicrobial activity extracts from extraction method I (33 out of 152 of crude extracts) and 6.82% from extraction method II (13 out of 190 of crude extracts). However, crude extracts from method I exhibited better antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria than the Gram-negative bacteria. The positive results on medicinal plants screening for antibacterial activity constitutes primary information for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Therefore, the extracts could be suitable as antimicrobial agents in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Urtica dioica u ortiga se utiliza tradicionalmente como medicina herbaria en el oeste de Asia. En esta investigación se estudia la actividad antimicrobiana de nueve extractos crudos de U. dioica, los cuales fueron preparados utilizando diferentes disolventes orgánicos y obtenidos a partir de dos métodos de extracción: el extractor Soxhlet (Método I), que incluía el uso de cuatro disolventes con acetato de etilo y hexano, y las particiones secuenciales (Método II) con un sistema de cinco disolventes (butanol). Las actividades antibacterianas y antifúngicas de extractos crudos fueron ensayados contra 28 bacterias, tres cepas de levadura y siete cepas fúngicas por la difusión en disco y el método de dilución en caldo. La amoxicilina se utilizó como control positivo para cepas de bacterias, vancomicina para Streptococcus sp., nitrato de miconazol (30μg/mL) como control positivo para los hongos y levaduras, y el metanol puro (v / v) como control negativo. El ensayo de difusión en disco se utilizó para determinar la sensibilidad de las muestras, mientras que el método de dilución en caldo se utilizó para la determinación de la concentración de inhibición mínima (CIM). El acetato de etilo y el extracto de hexano del método de extracción I (AE I y EH I) mostraron mayor inhibición contra algunas bacterias patógenas tales como Bacillus cereus, MRSA y Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Una selección de extractos que mostraron algún tipo de actividad se probó para el CIM y las concentraciones mínimas bactericidas (CMB). Los valores de CIM de Bacillus subtilis y de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a la meticilina (MRSA) usando extracto de butanol mediante el método de extracción II (EB II) fueron: 8.33 y 16.33mg/ mL, respectivamente; mientras que el valor de MIC con el uso del extracto de acetato de etilo por el Método de extracción II (EAE II) para Vibrio parahaemolyticus fue 0.13mg/mL. Nuestro estudio mostró que el 47.06% de los extractos inhibieron bacterias Gram-negativas (8 de 17), y el 63,63% de los extractos también inhibieron bacterias Gram-positivas (7 de 11), además que estadísticamente la frecuencia de la actividad antimicrobiana fue de 13.45% (35 de 342), que de este porcentaje un 21.71% pertenece alos extractos de actividad antimicrobiana con el método de extracción I (33 de 152 de los extractos crudos) y un 6.82% del método de extracción II (13 de 190 de los extractos crudos). Sin embargo, los extractos crudos del método I exhibieron una mejor actividad antimicrobiana contra las bacterias Gram-positivas que las Gram-negativas. Los resultados positivos en la detección de plantas medicinales para la actividad antibacteriana constituye información primaria para la realización de nuevos estudios fitoquímicos y farmacológicos. Por lo tanto, los extractos podrían ser adecuados como agentes antimicrobianos en la industria farmacéutica y de alimentos.

Caracterización del estado nutricional de la población centenaria de Cuba / Characterization of the nutritional status of the Cuban centenarian population

La esperanza de vida ha aumentado considerablemente en las últimas décadas y con ella la demanda de conocimiento sobre el proceso de envejecimiento. Cuba muestra indicadores demográficos similares al mundo desarrollado con una esperanza de vida al nacer en mujeres de 80,02 y en hombres de 76 y un grado de envejecimiento de su población al cierre del 2010 de 17,8 porciento. De esta situación emerge otro aspecto: la supervivencia excepcional, pues cada vez va siendo más frecuente las personas que llegan a la centuria de vida. Los centenarios cubanos alcanzaban los 1 488 a finales del 2007. Esta investigación forma parte del proyecto Centenarios en Cuba dirigida por el Ministerio de Salud Pública, cuyo objetivos es caracterizar la población de ancianos centenarios desde el punto de vista somatofisiológico y nutricional, y a partir de ellos determinar el comportamiento de indicadores antropométricos y nutricionales, así como se pretende identificar determinantes biológicos y socioculturales responsables de las diferencias del comportamiento entre la longevidad de hombres y mujeres

The considerable increase in life expectancy witnessed by recent decades has resulted in a greater need for information about the aging process. Cuba's demographic indicators are similar to those of developed countries, with a life expectancy at birth of 80.02 for women and 76 for men, and an aging rate of 17.8 percent at the close of 2010. Another aspect emerging from this situation is exceptional survival, for an ever increasing number of persons now live to be one hundred years old or more. By the end of 2007 there were 1 488 centenarians in Cuba. This research is part of the project Centenarians in Cuba, led by the Ministry of Public Health. The project is aimed at characterizing the centenarian population from a somatophysiological and nutritional point of view, determining the behavior of anthropometric and nutritional indicators, and identifying biological and sociocultural determinants responsible for the differences between male and female longevity

Atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana de Ziziphus joazeiro mart. (Rhamnaceae): avaliação comparativa entre cascas e folhas / Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ziziphus joazeiro mart. (Rhamnaceae): comparison between bark and leaves

Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar as atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana de extratos de cascas e folhas de uma notável árvore da Caatinga (semi-árido brasileiro), usado em remédios populares, Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada através do método de captação pelo DPPH, enquanto a atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pelo método de difusão em ágar seguido pela determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CMI). Os resultados mostraram que ambos os extratos de Z. joazeiro possuem atividade antioxidante com EC50 de 461,88 e 1.743,05mg/mL para as folhas e casca, respectivamente. As amostras foram ativas contra 70% das bactérias testadas. O extrato de folhas mostrou CMI entre 0,25-0,5 mg/mL contra Micrococcus luteus e entre 0,125-0,250 mg/mL contra Mycobacterium smegmatis, enquanto o extrato da casca apresentou CMI entre 0,5-1,0 mg /ml M. smegmatis.

The objectives of this study were to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extracts of the bark and leaves of a notable tree of the caatinga (Brazilian semiarid scrubland) used in many popular remedies, Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay, while the antimicrobial activity, against a range of Gram positive and negative bacteria and a yeast, was determined by the agar disk diffusion method, followed by an assay of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed that both extracts of Z. joazeiro have antioxidant activity, the EC50 of leaf extract being 461.88 and that of bark 1743.05 mg/mL, with respect to DPPH absorbance in a standard assay. Samples were active against 70% of the bacterial species tested. The leaf extract showed MICs of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL against Micrococcus luteus and 0.125-0.250 mg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis, while the bark extract showed a MIC of 0.5-1.0 mg/mL against M. smegmatis.

Avaliação do risco à osteopenia/osteoporose através do questionário avaliativo e sua associação com a análise morfológica do cortéx inferior da mandíbula realizadas em radiografias panorámicas / Risk assessment of osteopenia/osteoposis through the evaluation questionnaire and its association with the morphological analysis of the mandibular inferior cortex in panoramics radiographs

Objetivo: os autores apresentam uma proposta de questionário e conduta para referenciar pacientes com risco de osteoporose para avaliação médica...

Objective: The authors prepared a questionnaire for referring patients about the risk at osteoporosis...

Hallazgos clínicos y de laboratorio presentes en mujeres adolescentes embarazadas residentes en Costa Rica y con al menos dos consultas de control prenatal en el Hospital Calderón Guardia del 10 de mayo al 21 de mayo del 2010 / Clinical and laboratory findings in pregnant teenagers present resident in Costa Rica and with at least two antenatal care visits in the Calderon Guardia Hospital May 10 to May 21, 2010

El presente es un estudio descriptivo observacional de cincuenta y tres expedientes de pacientes de la clínica de adolescentes del Hospital Calderón Guardia de donde se obtuvieron datos de hemoglobina, hematocrito, peso, talla y otros, con el fin de determinar la frecuencia de anemia y los patrones de ganancia pero adecuados e inadecuados. Menos del 10 porciento de las pacientes presentaron anemia y aproximadamente la mitad tuvieron una inadecuada ganancia de peso y de estas la gran mayoría por pobre ganancia de peso. No se encontró una alta incidencia de anemia en esta población sin embargo en las que si presentaron se encontraba asociada a un bajo peso para la edad gestacional, lo cual concuerda en la literatura existente. En cuanto a la ganancia de peso se obtuvieron resultados que demuestran que en las adolescentes embarazadas la presencia de una inadecuada ganancia de peso es frecuente por lo que se debe tener en cuenta como factores asociados a este cuando se trabaja en el área de salud...

Pruebas de sensibilidad frente a agentes anti microbianos en cepas de Brachyspira pilosicoli aisladas a partir de ponedoras comerciales en Colombia / Antimicrobial susceptibility test in Brachyspira pilosicoli strains isolated from commercial layers farms in Colombia

Las espiroquetas intestinales del género Brachyspira ocasionan enfermedades importantes en porcinos y aves. Se ha evidenciado un problema de incremento en la presentación de cepas resistentes a los antimicrobianos utilizados normalmente para tratar las espiroquetosis intestinales en porcinos, y esto podría ser aplicable a los aislamientos de aves. Hay muypocos reportes de sensibilidad antimicrobiana in vitro de cepas de Brachyspira spp. aisladas en aves. En este estudio se evaluó la sensibilidad de doce aislamientos de Brachyspira pilosicoli obtenidos de granjas de ponedoras comerciales a los agentes antimicrobianos tiamulina, tilosina y lincomicina, y se estableció la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI)mediante la técnica de dilución en agar. Todas las bacterias analizadas fueron sensibles a tiamulina (CMI≤0,1 μg/ml) y lincomicina (CMI 1 μg/ml) y resistentes a tilosina (CMI 5 μg/ml).

Intestinal Spirochaetes of the genus Brachyspira cause important diseases in swine and poultry. An increasing problem in the presentation of resistant strains to the antimicrobial drugs usually used to treat the intestinal spirochaetosis in swine has been evidenced and this could be applicable to the isolations from poultry. There are very few reports of in vitro antimicrobialsusceptibility of Brachyspira spp. isolated from birds. In this study the antimicrobial susceptibility of twelve Brachyspira pilosicoli isolates obtain from commercial layers was evaluated against tiamulin, tylosin and lincomycin establishing the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by agar dilution technique. All bacteria analyzed were sensitive to tiamulin (MIC ≤0,1μg/ml), and lincomycin (MIC 1μg/ml) and resistant to tylosin (MIC 5μg/ml).

PODER ANTIBACTERIAL DE MIELES DE Tetragonisca angustula, VALORADA POR CONCENTRACIÓN MÍNIMA INHIBITORIA / Antibacterial Power Of Honeys From Tetragonisca angustula Assessed By Minimum Inhibitory Concentration

Mediante pruebas in vitro se determinó la capacidad antibacteriana, de 37 mieles de la especie Tetragonisca angustula de siete regiones de Colombia, con la técnica de Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI) frente a tres especies de bacterias Gram positivas y tres Gram negativas. La técnica CMI se evaluó en microdiluciones (v/v) al 90%, 45%, 22,5%, 12,3%, 5,6% de miel, contra las cepas Gram negativas Salmonella enterica sp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, ATCC 14028; Escherichia coli, ATCC 31617 y Klebsiella pneumoniae sp. pneumoniae, ATCC 700603 y Gram positivas Bacillus subtilis sp. spizizenii, ATCC 6633; Staphylococcus aureus sp. aureus Rosenbach, ATCC 6538 y Micrococcus luteus Kocuria rhizophila, ATCC 9341. Las muestras de miel correspondieron a los departamentos de Antioquia, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Santander, Tolima y Valle del Cauca. Las mieles analizadas por prueba binomial presentaron efecto bactericida contra todas las cepas bacterianas del ensayo con mayor efectividad para E. coli, M. luteus y S. enterica, con una probabilidad de p(x)=1 a una dilución de 90%; al ser diluidas el mayor efecto se evidenció frente a M. luteus donde aún en dilución 5,6% presentaban probabilidades de p(x)=0,62 de actividad inhibitoria por parte de las mieles. En dilución de miel al 90%, el efecto fue solo cercano a p(x)=0,5 para K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis y S. aureus. La región de Antioquia, la cual hace parte de las mieles con mayor número de muestras dentro del ensayo, exhibe la mayor acción bactericida.

The in vitro antibacterial capacity was determined for 37 honeys of Tetragonisca angustula from seven regions of Colombia, by minimum inhibitory concentration (CMI) against three positive Gram bacteria and three negative Gram bacteria. The CMI technique was evaluated by microdilutions (v/v) to 90%, 45%, 22.5%, 12.3%, 5.6% of honey against the negative Gram bacteria, Salmonella enterica sp. enteric serovar Typhimurium, ATCC 1402; Escherichia coli, 31617 ATCC and Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, ATCC 700603 and to positive Gram bacteria, Bacillus subtilis sp. spizizenii, ATCC 6633; Staphylococcus aureus sp. aureus Rosenbach, 6538 ATCC and Micrococcus luteus Kocuria rhizophila, ATCC 9341. The honey samples corresponded to Colombia regions: Antioquia, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Santander, Tolima and Valle del Cauca. The honeys analyzed by binomial test showed bactericidal effect against the tested bacteria; the greater effectiveness was detected in E. coli, M. luteus and S. enterica, with probability or p(x)=1 in a 90% dilution; for followed up dilutions, the effect was still demonstrated against M. luteus in a 5.6% dilution with an inhibition activity from honeys at p(x)=0.62. In a 90% dilution, the effect was only closed to p(x)=0.5, for K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis and S. aureus. The region of Antioquia, exhibits honeys with superior bactericidal action between the sampling areas.

Susceptibilidad in vitro de candida spp a caspofungina por los métodos de microdilución y difusión en agar / Caspofungin in vitro susceptibility of candida spp by the methods of microdilution and agar diffusión

Caspofungina (CS) es una equinocandina fungicida que actúa inhibiendo la síntesis de la ß-1,3 -D-glucan componente esencial de la pared celular de los hongos El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) por microdilución en caldo y Etest® de CS en las Candida spp., aisladas de pacientes de la UCI con candidemia, para lo cual se recolectaron 80 aislados de Candida spp., los aislados se identificaron por métodos automatizados Vitek-2 YBC® (bioMérieux, France) y Walkway MicroScan®, se verificó la identificación por métodos convencionales, incluyendo morfología macroscópica y microscópica en agar harina de maíz, uso del medio CHROMagar Candida. La CMI se determinó según el método del CLSI M27-A2 y por Etest®, tomándose como lectura del CMI la concentración que mostrará una reducción significativa ≥ 50% de inhibición con respecto al control de crecimiento. La susceptibilidad de Candida spp., a CS por ambos métodos fue del 100% con una CMI ≤2 µg/ml. Las CMI50/CMI90 por CLSI a las 48h y Etest® a las 24h en el total de Candida spp., fueron (0,51/0,70 y 0,28/0,47) y por especie mayormente aislada C.parapsilosis (0,54/0,78 y 0,37/0,65), C.tropicalis (0,20/0,40 y 0,17/0,25), C.albicans (0,12/0,27 y 0,18/0,35). Se obtuvo un valor de R promedio de 0,85 lo que indica una buena correlación entre ambos métodos. Se demostró que CS presenta una excelente actividad inhibitoria in vitro a todas las especies de Candida por lo que representa una alternativa terapéutica adecuada en pacientes con candidemia y/o candidiasis invasora. El método de E-test® representa una alternativa confiable y reproducible con respecto al método de referencia.

Caspofungina (CS) is a Echinocandins fungicide that acts by inhibiting the synthesis of ß-1, 3-D-glucan essential component of cell walls of fungi study the aim of this was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in microdilution broth and Etest® CS of Candida spp; isolated from patients in the ICU with Candida in blood for which were collected 80 isolates of Candida spp; from patients in the ICU, isolates were identified by automated method Vitek-2 YBC® (bioMérieux, France) and Walkway MicroScan®, identification was verified by conventional methods, including microscopic and macroscopic morphology in cornmeal agar and use of the medium CHROMagar Candida. The MIC was established by the method of CLSI M27-A2 and Etest®, taking as MIC the point that show a significant reduction ≥ 50% inhibition with respect to control growth. The susceptibility of Candida spp., CS by both methods was 100% with a MIC ≤ 2 µg / ml. The MIC50/MIC90 by CLSI at 48h and 24h Etest ® to all Candida spp. , were (0.51 / 0.70 and 0.28 / 0.47) per species and mostly isolated C.parapsilosis (0.54 / 0.78 and 0.37 / 0.65), C.tropicalis (0.20 / 0.40 and 0.17 / 0.25), C.albicans (0.12 / 0.27 and 0.18 / 0.35). We obtained a value of R average of 0.85 which indicates a good correlation between both methods. It was shown that CS presents an excellent inhibitory activity in vitro all Candida species and therefore represents a therapeutic alternative in appropriate patients with invasive candidiasis. The E-test® method represents an alternative reliable and reproducible with respect to the reference method.

Métodos para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana e determinação da Concentração Mínima Inibitória (CMI) de plantas medicinais / Methods for evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of plant extracts

Várias pesquisas vêm sendo desenvolvidas e direcionadas no descobrimento de novos agentes antimicrobianos provenientes de extratos de plantas e outros produtos naturais, para serem aplicados em produtos farmacêuticos e cosméticos. Atualmente, existem vários métodos para avaliar a atividade antibacteriana e antifúngica dos extratos vegetais. Os mais conhecidos incluem método de difusão em ágar, método de macrodiluição e microdiluição. A proposta dessa revisão é apresentar diferentes métodos comumente utilizados na pesquisa de novos agentes antimicrobianos, provenientes de extratos vegetais, e elucidar os principais fatores interferentes. Dessa maneira, contribuir como fonte de pesquisa para o desenvolvimento de futuros trabalhos relacionado ao estudo de atividade antimicrobiana de produtos naturais.

Several researches have been developed to search for new antimicrobial agents from extracts of plants and other natural products to be used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Nowadays there are many methods to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the plant extracts. The most known assays have been based on diffusion in agar; and micro and macrodilution methods. The purpose of this review is to describe the different methods commonly used for the determination of new antimicrobial agents from the plants extracts and elucidate the main interference factors. Moreover, this contributes as research source for future development of investigations related to the study of antimicrobial activity from natural products.