Evaluation of anti-biofouling potential of Viburnum opulus extracts / Evaluación del potencial anti bioincrustante de extractos de Viburnum opulus

In this study the in vitro investigation of the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Viburnum opulus L. bark sample on Streptococcus mutans planctonic cells and biofilm has been intended. A Scanning electron microscopy analysis has been performed in order to investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract on Streptococcus mutans biofilms. Furthermore, the Exopolysaccharide and dextran production of this bacteria have been identified in the presence of the extract. It has been found out that the bark extract with the concentration of 2,5 mg/mL is able to inhibit more than 50% of the cells in the different times development phases. According to this, the exopolymeric matrix on the biofilm surface disperses and the Exopolysaccharide and dextran production get lowered in the presence of bark extract compared to the control group. It is considered that this extract can be used as an alternative approach for the new chemotherapeutic strategies against tooth decay.

En este estudio se investigó el efecto inhibitorio in vitro del extracto de etanólico de una muestra de corteza de Viburnum opulus L. en biopelículas de células planctónicas de Streptococcus mutans. Se realizó un análisis de microscopía electrónica de barrido para investigar el efecto inhibitorio del extracto sobre las biopelículas de Streptococcus mutans. Además, se identificó la producción de exopolisacárido y dextrano de esta bacteria en presencia del extracto. Se descubrió que el extracto de corteza con una concentración de 2,5 mg/ml inhibió más del 50% de las células en las diferentes fases de desarrollo. Consecuentemente, la matriz exopolimérica en la superficie de la biopelícula se dispersa y la producción de exopolisacárido y dextrano se reduce en presencia de extracto de corteza en comparación con el grupo de control. Se sugiere que este extracto puede ser usado como un enfoque alternativo para las nuevas estrategias quimioterapéuticas contra la carie dental.

Validación de una prueba para medir eventos vitales estresantes en adultos gay, lesbianas y bisexuales colombianos / Validation test in order to measure stressful life events in Colombian gays, lesbians and bisexual adults

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar las características psicométricas de una prueba para valorar eventos vitales estresantes (PEVE), así como comparar el constructo según sexo, edad y orientaciones sexuales no heterosexuales residentes en tres ciudades de Colombia, Barranquilla, Bogotá y Tunja. Método: Se implementó un muestreo no probabilístico tipo bola de nieve mediante el cual 208 participantes con edades entre 18 y 67 años (ME= 26,16; DE=8,56) diligenciaron la PEVE, que medía diversos eventos estresantes (EE). Resultados: La consistencia interna obtenida a través de alfa de Cronbach fue 0,79 y el Omega de McDonald fue de 0,89. El 34,62% no experimentó EE durante el pasado año, el 56,25% experimentó bajos niveles y solo un 9,13% tuvo EE en alto grado. Análisis Paralelo y Test MAP sugieren un único factor que explicó el 54% de la varianza. Los EE en mujeres se asocian con mayor proporción de discusiones con la familia debido a su homosexualidad (p<0,05), mientras que EE en hombres se asocian con problemas con la policía y ser agredidos físicamente (p<0,05). Con relación a orientación sexual, EE se asocian con mayor proporción de homosexuales que reportan problemas con familiares en comparación de la proporción de bisexuales (p<.05). Con respecto a la edad, adultos jóvenes tienden a experimentar mayores niveles promedio de EE que adultos (p<.05). Conclusión: En población LGB colombiana, PEVE muestra adecuada validez de constructo y consistencia interna. La mayoría de participantes perciben un nivel bajo de EE y estos niveles cambian teniendo en cuenta variables como el sexo, orientación sexual y edad. Se requieren más investigaciones en contextos latinoamericanos.

Abstract Objective: This paper aims to evaluate psychometric properties of the test stressful life events (SLE) and also to compare the construct according to sex, age and non-heterosexual sexual orientations in individuals who live in three different cities in Colombia, Barranquilla, Bogotá y Tunja. Method: A non-probabilistic or snowball sampling was implemented. 208 participants between 18 and 67 years old (ME = 26.16, SD = 8.56) who completed the SLE test, being measured various stressful events (SE). 34.62% did not face SE during last year, 56.25% have experienced low levels of SE and only 9.13% faced a high degree of SE. Parallel Analysis and MAP Test suggested a single factor that showed 54% of the variance. In women, SE are associated with discussions with their family because of their homosexuality (p <.05), but in men SE are associated with problems with the police and being physically assaulted (p <.05). In relation with sexual orientation, SE are associated with homosexuals who report problems with relatives, comparing with bisexuals (p <.05). According to age, results show that young adults tend to experience higher levels of SE than adults (p <.05). Conclusion: In Colombian LGB population, PEVE shows adequate construct validity and internal consistency. Most participants faced low level of SE and these levels change taking into account variables such as sex, sexual orientation and age. More researches are required in Latin American contexts.

Effectiveness and safety of exclusive spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine versus femoral sciatic block during the postoperative period of patients having undergone knee arthroscopy: systematic review / Efectividad y seguridad de la anestesia espinal exclusiva con bupivacaína vs el bloqueo ciático femoral en el postoperatorio de pacientes llevados a artroscopia de rodilla: revisión sistemática

Abstract Introduction: Spinal anesthesia (SA) and sciatic-femoral nerve block are the most widely used anesthesia techniques for knee arthroscopy; however, there is still some controversy with regard to which anesthetic procedure offers improved safety, better pain control, and higher patient satisfaction. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of exclusive SA with bupivacaine versus sciatic-femoral nerve block, regardless of the drug, during the postoperative period of patients having undergone knee arthroscopy, through a systematic review of the scientific literature. Methods: A search of Randomized Clinical Trials was conducted in a number of databases including Ovid, Cochrane, Embase, Lilacs, Open Grey, ClinicalTrials.gov, and academic Google. The snowball technique was also used to identify additional trials. The design of the search strategy included Boolean operators and considered studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with no date restrictions. The information is presented in narrative form. Results: The search identified 478 studies, of which 3 met the eligibility criteria. The effectiveness was evaluated based on total anesthesia time and rescue analgesia. Safety was evaluated with heart rate monitoring and time to first micturition. Patient satisfaction was identified through surveys to measure the acceptance of the anesthetic technique. Conclusion: SA is effective as assessed based on the motor-sensory blockade effect and pain control, but its adverse events shall be taken into consideration when making a decision. The anesthetic techniques of the peripheral sciatic-femoral nerve block present less undesirable side effects than spinal analgesia and provide better postoperative pain control.

Resumen Introducción: La anestesia espinal y el bloqueo de nervios ciático-femoral son las técnicas de anestesia regional más utilizadas para la artroscopia de rodilla, sin embargo, existe controversia en relación a qué procedimiento anestésico ofrece mayor seguridad, mejor control del dolor y satisfacción del paciente. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la anestesia espinal exclusiva con bupivacaína vs el bloqueo de nervio ciático -femoral sin distinción de fármaco en el postoperatorio de pacientes intervenidos con artroscopia de rodilla, a través de una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica. Métodos: se realizó una búsqueda de Ensayos Clínicos Aleatorizados en las bases de datos Ovid, Cochrane, Embase, Lilacs, al igual que en Open Grey, ClinicalTrials.gov y Google académico, también se utilizó la técnica bola de nieve para encontrar estudios adicionales. El diseño de la estrategia de búsqueda incluyó operadores boleanos y consideró estudios en inglés, español y portugués, sin restricción de fecha. La información se presenta de forma narrativa. Resultados: la búsqueda identificó 478 estudios de los cuales tres cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad. La efectividad fue valorada con el tiempo total de anestesia y analgesia de rescate. La seguridad fue evaluada con monitoreo de frecuencia cardiaca y tiempo de primera micción. La satisfacción del paciente se indagó a través de encuestas de aceptación de la técnica anestésica. Conclusiones: la anestesia espinal resulta efectiva valorada por el efecto de bloqueo motor-sensitivo y control del dolor, pero sus eventos adversos deben ser considerados en la selección. Las técnicas anestésicas de bloqueo periférico del nervio ciático-femoral presentan menos efectos indeseables que la analgesia espinal y ofrecen un mejor control del dolor postoperatorio.

Etnobotânica de plantas medicinais em duas comunidades do município de Picuí, Paraíba, Brasil / Ethnobotanic of medicinal plants in two communities in the municipality of Picuí, Paraíba, Brazil

RESUMO O presente trabalho realizou um levantamento etnobotânico sobre a utilização de plantas medicinais no município de Picuí, Seridó Oriental, Estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Foi analisada uma área urbana (bairro monte santo) e uma rural (sítio massapê). As informações etnobotânicas foram obtidas através de formulários semiestruturados, contendo características socioeconômicas dos entrevistados, características das plantas e seus usos terapêuticos. Para a entrevista foi selecionado o adulto responsável pela residência, “chefe de família”, e utilizou-se a técnica da “bola de neve”. Foram citadas 37 famílias botânicas, 59 gêneros e 64 espécies. As espécies mais citadas foram Vernonia condensata Baker e Chenopodium ambrosioides L. e a família mais indicada foi Fabaceae. O hábito predominante foi o herbáceo, seguido do arbóreo; as partes da planta mais utilizadas foram as folhas e as cascas do caule; os principais modos de preparo dos remédios foram os chás e a água e/ou sumo. A planta com maior CUPc foi Vernonia condensata Baker (41,67%), sendo também uma das plantas com maior FRt junto a Chenopodium ambrosioides L., ambas com 19,6%. Esses resultados demonstraram que as populações estudadas ainda usam plantas medicinais com frequência, entretanto, a maioria das plantas utilizadas não é nativa da caatinga.

ABSTRACT This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey on the use of medicinal plants in the municipality of Picuí, Seridó of Paraíba, Brazil. An urban area (neighborhood monte santo) and a rural area (massapê farm) were analysed. The ethnobotanical information was obtained through semi-structured questionary containing socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, characteristics of plants and their therapeutic uses. We selected an adult which was the responsible adult of the residence “householder” for the interview and used the technique of “snowball”. 37 plant families, 59 genera and 64 species were cited. The species most frequently cited were Vernonia condensata Baker and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and the most mentioned family was Fabaceae. The predominant habit was the herbaceous, followed by woody, the parts of the plant which were most used are the leaves and bark of the stem, the main modes of preparation of the medicines were showers and water and / or lushness. The plant with the highest CUPc was Vernonia condensata Baker (41.67%), and it was also one of the plants with greatest FRt along with Chenopodium ambrosioides L., both with 19.6%. These results demonstrated that the studied populations still use medicinal plants often, however, most of the plants used is not native to the caatinga.