Structure-Metabolism Relationships of benzimidazole derivatives with anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity for Chagas disease.

This study introduces further insights from the hit-to-lead optimization process involving a series of benzimidazole derivatives acting as inhibitors of the cruzain enzyme, which targets Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative parasite of Chagas disease. Here, we present the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 30 new compounds as a third generation of benzimidazole analogues with trypanocidal activity, aiming to enhance our understanding of their pharmacokinetic profiles and establish a structure-metabolism relationships within the series. The design of these new analogues was guided by the analysis of previous pharmacokinetic results, considering identified metabolic sites and biotransformation studies. This optimization resulted in the discovery of two compounds (42e and 49b) exhibiting enhanced metabolic stability, anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity compared to benznidazole (the reference drug for Chagas disease), as well as being non-cruzain inhibitors, and demonstrating a satisfactory in vitro pharmacokinetic profile. These findings unveil a new subclass of aminobenzimidazole and rigid compounds, which offer potential for further exploration in the quest for discovering novel classes of antichagasic compounds.

Immunohistochemistry and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction: importance in the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis in a Peruvian population.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis is challenging even nowadays. This study aims to report the positivity rates of new diagnostic methods such as immunohistochemistry and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in patients with intestinal tuberculosis, as well as describe the pathological and endoscopic features of intestinal tuberculosis in our population. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in patients diagnosed with intestinal tuberculosis, between 2010 to 2023 from the Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrion and a Private Pathology Center, both located in Peru. Clinical data was obtained, histologic features were independently re-evaluated by three pathologists; and immunohistochemistry and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction evaluation were performed. The 33 patients with intestinal tuberculosis who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry was positive in 90.9% of cases, while real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction was positive in 38.7%. The ileocecal region was the most affected area (33.3%), and the most frequent endoscopic appearance was an ulcer (63.6%). Most of the granulomas were composed solely of epithelioid histiocytes (75.8%). Crypt architectural disarray was the second most frequent histologic finding (78.8%) after granulomas, but most of them were mild. CONCLUSION: Since immunohistochemistry does not require an intact cell wall, it demonstrates higher sensitivity compared to Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Therefore, it could be helpful for the diagnosis of paucibacillary tuberculosis.

Structure-activity relationships of novel N-imidazoylpiperazines with potent anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity.

Background: Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, and the lack of effective and safe treatments makes identifying new classes of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity of paramount importance. Methods: Hit-to-lead exploration of a metabolically stable N-imidazoylpiperazine was performed. Results: Compound 2, a piperazine derivative active against T. cruzi, was selected to perform the hit-to-lead exploration, which involved the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 39 new derivatives. Conclusion: Compounds 6e and 10a were identified as optimized compounds with low micromolar in vitro activity, low cytotoxicity and suitable preliminary absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and physicochemical properties. Both compounds reduced parasitemia in mouse models of Chagas disease, providing a promising opportunity for further exploration of new antichagasic compounds.

Targeted Protein Degradation for Infectious Diseases: from Basic Biology to Drug Discovery.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is emerging as one of the most innovative strategies to tackle infectious diseases. Particularly, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated protein degradation may offer several benefits over classical anti-infective small-molecule drugs. Because of their peculiar and catalytic mechanism of action, anti-infective PROTACs might be advantageous in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and selectivity. Importantly, PROTACs may also overcome the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, anti-infective PROTACs might have the potential to (i) modulate "undruggable" targets, (ii) "recycle" inhibitors from classical drug discovery approaches, and (iii) open new scenarios for combination therapies. Here, we try to address these points by discussing selected case studies of antiviral PROTACs and the first-in-class antibacterial PROTACs. Finally, we discuss how the field of PROTAC-mediated TPD might be exploited in parasitic diseases. Since no antiparasitic PROTAC has been reported yet, we also describe the parasite proteasome system. While in its infancy and with many challenges ahead, we hope that PROTAC-mediated protein degradation for infectious diseases may lead to the development of next-generation anti-infective drugs.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms and pharmacological actions of phycocyanobilin in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: A therapeutic promise for multiple sclerosis.

Cytokines, demyelination and neuroaxonal degeneration in the central nervous system are pivotal elements implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its nonclinical model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Phycocyanobilin (PCB), a chromophore of the biliprotein C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) from Spirulina platensis, has antioxidant, immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in this disease, and it could complement the effect of other Disease Modifying Treatments (DMT), such as Interferon-ß (IFN-ß). Here, our main goal was to evaluate the potential PCB benefits and its mechanisms of action to counteract the chronic EAE in mice. MOG35-55-induced EAE was implemented in C57BL/6 female mice. Clinical signs, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels by ELISA, qPCR in the brain and immunohistochemistry using precursor/mature oligodendrocytes cells antibodies in the spinal cord, were assessed. PCB enhanced the neurological condition, and waned the brain concentrations of IL-17A and IL-6, pro-inflammatory cytokines, in a dose-dependent manner. A down- or up-regulating activity of PCB at 1 mg/kg was identified in the brain on three (LINGO1, NOTCH1, and TNF-α), and five genes (MAL, CXCL12, MOG, OLIG1, and NKX2-2), respectively. Interestingly, a reduction of demyelination, active microglia/macrophages density, and axonal damage was detected along with an increase in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and mature oligodendrocytes, when assessed the spinal cords of EAE mice that took up PCB. The studies in vitro in rodent encephalitogenic T cells and in vivo in the EAE mouse model with the PCB/IFN-ß combination, showed an enhanced positive effect of this combined therapy. Overall, these results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity and the protective properties of PCB on the myelin and support its use with IFN-ß as an improved DMT combination for MS.

Chemoinformatics Studies on a Series of Imidazoles as Cruzain Inhibitors.

Natural products based on imidazole scaffolds have inspired the discovery of a wide variety of bioactive compounds. Herein, a series of imidazoles that act as competitive and potent cruzain inhibitors was investigated using a combination of ligand- and structure-based drug design strategies. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) were generated along with the investigation of enzyme-inhibitor molecular interactions. Predictive hologram QSAR (HQSAR, r2pred = 0.80) and AutoQSAR (q2 = 0.90) models were built, and key structural properties that underpin cruzain inhibition were identified. Moreover, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA, r2pred = 0.81) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA, r2pred = 0.73) revealed 3D molecular features that strongly affect the activity of the inhibitors. These findings were examined along with molecular docking studies and were highly compatible with the intermolecular contacts that take place between cruzain and the inhibitors. The results gathered herein revealed the main factors that determine the activity of the imidazoles studied and provide novel knowledge for the design of improved cruzain inhibitors.

Discovery of Potent, Reversible, and Competitive Cruzain Inhibitors with Trypanocidal Activity: A Structure-Based Drug Design Approach.

A virtual screening conducted with nearly 4 000 000 compounds from lead-like and fragment-like subsets enabled the identification of a small-molecule inhibitor (1) of the Trypanosoma cruzi cruzain enzyme, a validated drug target for Chagas disease. Subsequent comprehensive structure-based drug design and structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of carbamoyl imidazoles as potent, reversible, and competitive cruzain inhibitors. The most potent carbamoyl imidazole inhibitor (45) exhibited high affinity with a Ki value of 20 nM, presenting both in vitro and in vivo activity against T. cruzi. Furthermore, the most promising compounds reduced parasite burden in vivo and showed no toxicity at a dose of 100 mg/kg. These carbamoyl imidazoles are structurally attractive, nonpeptidic, and easy to prepare and synthetically modify. Finally, these results further advance our understanding of the noncovalent mode of inhibition of this pharmaceutically relevant enzyme, building strong foundations for drug discovery efforts.

Aspectos epidemiológicos del síndrome de inmunosupresión, inflamación y catabolismo persistente en pacientes crónicos críticamente enfermos / Epidemiological aspects of the syndrome of immunosuppression, inflammation and persistent catabolism in critical chronic ill patients / Aspectos epidemiológicos da síndrome de imunossupressão, inflamação e catabolismo persistente em pacientes crônico em estado crítico

Resumen: Los pacientes crónicos críticamente enfermos mantienen un ambiente inflamatorio persistente, inmunidad reducida y consumo progresivo de reservas fisiológicas. Se caracterizan por ingresos hospitalarios con estadías más prolongadas, mayor mortalidad y costos. Objetivo general: Describir las características del síndrome de inflamación, inmunosupresión y catabolismo persistente en pacientes críticos crónicamente enfermos hospitalizados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital General La Villa. Con el fin de conocer los aspectos epidemiológicos. Material y métodos: Estudio clínico prospectivo, descriptivo y observacional, analítico. Se ingresaron 25 pacientes con criterios de PICS acorde a la escala NUTRIC y cuadro clínico de enero-abril de 2018. Se realizaron pruebas de estadística descriptiva para variables cualitativas y para cuantitativas se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central. Pruebas inferenciales para contrastar variables cualitativas y para cuantitativas tablas de 2 x 2 para el cálculo de la odds ratio. Resultados: 25 pacientes cumplieron criterios de PICS, incidencia de 37.9%, la distribución por sexos fue 60% hombres y 40% mujeres. Edad promedio fue 48.8. Los diagnósticos más comunes fueron choque hipovolémico (28%), choque séptico (16%), 68% de los pacientes tenían un riesgo nutricional bajo y 32% riesgo alto, 84% de los pacientes requirieron algún tipo de soporte, el más común fue ventilación mecánica, Las complicaciones más comunes fueron las infecciosas (80%) principalmente NAVM. La mortalidad fue de 20%. Conclusiones: Los resultados en este estudio no difieren de los reportados en la bibliografía a nivel internacional, el síndrome de PICS se presenta en pacientes con mayor edad, mayor estancia hospitalaria y carencias nutricionales superiores en quienes las reservas biológicas no son suficientes para evitar la inmunosupresión que conlleva y genera el círculo vicioso que finalmente conduce a la muerte no sólo dentro de la UCI.

Abstract: Critically ill chronic patients maintain a persistent inflammatory environment, reduced immunity and progressive consumption of physiological reserves. They are characterized by hospital admissions with longer stays, higher mortality and costs. General objective: To describe the characteristics of the syndrome of inflammation, immunosuppression and persistent catabolism in critically ill critically ill patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of the La Villa General Hospital. In order to know the epidemiological aspects. Material and methods: Prospective, descriptive and observational clinical, analytical study. Patients were admitted with PICS criteria according to the NUTRIC score and clinical features from January-April 2018. Descriptive statistics tests were performed for qualitative variables, quantitative measures were used for quantitative central. Inferential tests to compare qualitative variables and for quantitative 2 x 2 tables for calculating the odds ratio. Results: 25 patients met criteria of PICS, incidence of 37.9%, the distribution by sex was 60% men and 40% women. Average age was 48.8. The most common diagnoses hypovolemic shock (28%), septic shock (16%), 68% of patients had a low nutritional risk and 32% high risk, 84% of patients required some kind of support the most common was ventilation mechanical, the most common complications were infectious (80%) mainly VAP. The mortality was 20%. Conclusions: The results in this study do not differ from those reported in the literature at the international level, the syndrome of PICS is presented in patients with older age, longer hospital stay and higher nutritional deficiencies in which biological reserves are not sufficient to avoid immunosuppression that leads to and generates the vicious circle that ultimately leads to death not only within the ICU.

Resumo: Os pacientes crônicos em estado crítico mantêm um ambiente inflamatório persistente, imunidade reduzida e consumo progressivo de reservas fisiológicas. Eles são caracterizados por internações hospitalares com estadias prolongadas, maior mortalidade e custos. Objetivo geral: Descrever as características da síndrome de inflamação, imunossupressão e catabolismo persistente em pacientes críticos cônicos internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Geral La Villa, com a finalidade de conhecer os aspectos epidemiológicos. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo, analítico, descritivo e observacional. Foram admitidos 25 pacientes com critérios da PICS segundo a escala NUTRIC e quadro clínico de janeiro a abril de 2018. Realizou-se testes estatísticos descritivos para variáveis qualitativas e medidas de tendência central foram utilizadas para variáveis quantitativas. Testes inferenciais para comparar variáveis qualitativas e para quantitativas tabelas 2 x 2 para calcular o Odds Ratio. Resultados: 25 pacientes preencheram os critérios da PICS, incidência de 37.9%. A distribuição por sexo foi de 60% homens e 40% mulheres sendo que a idade média foi de 48.8 anos. Os diagnósticos mais comuns foram: choque hipovolêmico (28%) e choque séptico (16%) sendo que 68% dos pacientes apresentaram baixo risco nutricional e 32% risco elevado. 84% dos pacientes necessitaram de algum tipo de suporte sendo o mais comum a ventilação mecânica. As complicações mais comuns foram infecciosas (80%) principalmente a PAVM. A mortalidade foi de 20%. Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo não diferem dos relatados na literatura a nível internacional. A síndrome PICS ocorre em pacientes com idade avançada, maior tempo de internação e deficiências nutricionais graves em que as reservas biológicas não são suficientes para evitar imunossupressão. Isso implica e gera o círculo vicioso que finalmente leva à morte não apenas dentro da UTI.

Apoyo virtual en el diagnóstico de lesiones cariosas según ICDAS en estudiantes de odontología / Virtual support in the carious lesions diagnosis according to ICDAS in dental students

Objetivo. Evaluar la influencia de la metodología expositiva con apoyo virtual en el diagnóstico de lesiones cariosas según ICDAS en alumnos del curso de carielogía. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, correlacional, prospectivo, longitudinal realizado en 88 alumnos de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de San Martín de Porres. Se intervino con dos tipos de metodología didáctica: la exposición a través de una clase magistral presentando imágenes de lesiones cariosas en piezas dentarias que se diagnosticaron con el sistema ICDAS y el apoyo virtual utilizando el programa E-Learning ICDAS. Ambas intervenciones tuvieron la misma temática e impartidas en sesiones diferentes. Después de cada intervención, se evaluó el nivel de conocimiento a través de un examen de 10 preguntas cuyos valores fueron: bueno (9-10), regular (6-8), malo (3-5), muy malo (0-2). El desempeño procedimental se evaluó diagnosticando visualmente ocho piezas dentarias con lesiones cariosas seleccionadas por un docente calibrado en el sistema ICDAS, registrando solo el código de caries del 0 al 6, considerando los valores: bueno (6,1-8), regular (4,1-6), malo (2,1-4), muy malo (0-2). Resultados. Existió diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ambas metodologías utilizadas (p< 0,05). Comparando las calificaciones de las intervenciones expositivas y el apoyo virtual los valores promedio fueron 4,61 y 6,72 en el nivel de conocimiento; y en el desempeño procedimental 3,07 y 5,00 respectivamente. Conclusiones. El apoyo virtual influyó significativamente al incrementar el número de alumnos con calificaciones conceptuales y procedimentales más altas, demostrando la relevancia del apoyo de esta herramienta educativa en la enseñanza.

Objective. To evaluate the influence of the expositive methodology with virtual support in the diagnosis of carious lesions according to ICDAS in the students of dental caries course. Materials and methods. Descriptive, cross, prospective, longitudinal study conducted on 88 students of the faculty of dentistry of the San Martin de Porres university. Two types of teaching methods intervened: exposure,through a master class presenting images of carious lesions on teeth that were diagnosed with ICDAS system and the virtual support system using the E-Learning program ICDAS. Both interventions had the same subject and were imparted in different sessions. After each intervention, the knowledge level through a test of 10 questions was assessed, whose values were: good (9-10), regular (6-8), bad (3-5), very bad (0-2). The procedural performance was evaluated visually diagnosing eight teeth with carious lesions selected by acalibrated teacher in ICDAS system, recording only decay code from 0 to 6, considering the values: good (6.1-8), regular (4 1-6), bad (2.1-4), very bad (0-2). Results. There was statistically significant difference between the two methodologies (p <0. 05). Comparing the scores of expositive interventions and virtual support the average values were 4.61 and 6.72 in the knowledge level; performance and procedural performance were 3.07 and 5.00 respectively. Conclusions. The virtual support significantly influenced increasing the number of students with higher scores on the conceptual and procedural aspects, demonstrating the relevancy of the support of this educational tool in teaching.

Autoantibodies in breast cancer sera are not epiphenomena and may participate in carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to demonstrate that autoantibodies in breast cancer sera are not epiphenomena, and exhibit unique immunologic features resembling the rheumatic autoimmune diseases. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive study of autoantibodies on a collection of sera from women with breast cancer or benign breast disease, undergoing annual screening mammography. All women in this study had suspicious mammography assessment and underwent a breast biopsy. We used indirect immunofluorescence, the crithidia assay for anti-dsDNA antibodies, and multiple ELISAs for extractable nuclear antigens. RESULTS: Autoantibodies were detected in virtually all patients with breast cancer, predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes. The profile detected in breast cancer sera showed distinctive features, such as antibodies targeting mitochondria, centrosomes, centromeres, nucleoli, cytoskeleton, and multiple nuclear dots. The majority of sera showing anti-mitochondrial antibodies did not react with the M2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase, characteristic of primary biliary cirrhosis. Anti-centromere antibodies were mainly anti-CENP-B. ELISAs for extractable nuclear antigens and the assays for dsDNA were negative. CONCLUSIONS: The distinctive autoantibody profile detected in BC sera is the expression of tumor immunogenicity. Although some of these features resemble those in the rheumatic autoimmune diseases and primary biliary cirrhosis, the data suggest the involvement of an entirely different set of epithelial antigens in breast cancer. High titer autoantibodies targeting centrosomes, centromeres, and mitochondria were detected in a small group of healthy women with suspicious mammography assessment and no cancer by biopsy; this suggests that the process triggering autoantibody formation starts in the pre-malignant phase and that future studies using validated autoantibody panels may allow detection of breast cancer risk in asymptomatic women. Autoantibodies developing in breast cancer are not epiphenomena, but likely reflect an antigen-driven autoimmune response triggered by epitopes developing in the mammary gland during breast carcinogenesis. Our results support the validity of the multiple studies reporting association of autoantibodies with breast cancer. Results further suggest significant promise for the development of panels of breast cancer-specific, premalignant-phase autoantibodies, as well as studies on the autoantibody response to tumor associated antigens in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Efecto del consumo de café regular y café descafeinado sobre la glicemia en adultos jóvenes / Effect of regular and decaffeinated coffee consumption on glycemia in young adults

Analizar el efecto del consumo de café regular y café descafeinado sobre la glicemia en adultos jóvenes. Material y Métodos. Diseño experimental. Se seleccionaron 42 estudiantes de medicina, divididos en tres grupos: G1 consumió café regular; G2, café descafeinado; G3, un placebo. Se realizó la prueba de tolerancia oral a glucosa (PTOG) antes del consumo, a las 4 y 8 semanas. Los datos fueron evaluados mediante la prueba t de Student para muestras relacionadas pre y posprueba de cada grupo, método estadístico ANOVA y prueba de Tukey; con significancia p < 0,05. Resultados. Antes del consumo, la glicemia en G1, G2 y G3 a los 0 minutos de la PTOG fue de 91,07 mg/dL, 91,86 mg/dL y 94,14 mg/ dL, respectivamente, y a los 120 minutos de 114,07 mg/ dL, 116,50 mg/dL y 110,57 mg/dL, respectivamente. A las 8 semanas, a los 0 minutos de la PTOG: G1 tuvo una glicemia de 87,64 mg/dL, G2 de 95,57 mg/dL y G3 de 95,57 mg/dL sin encontrar cambios significativos, a los 120 minutos: G1 una glicemia de 98 mg/dL con una disminución significativa de 14,09 %, G2 de 123,29 mg/ dL y G3 de 113,21 mg/dL, sin cambios significativos. Conclusión. El consumo de café regular disminuye significativamente la glicemia a los 120 minutos de la PTOG en adultos jóvenes...

Evaluate the effect of consumption of regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee on glycemia in young adults. Material and Methods. Experimental design. Were selected 42 students from Medical School, divided into three groups; which consumed; G1: regular coffee, G2: decaffeinated coffee, G3: a placebo. The glycemia was measured, by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to the beginning, at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The data were evaluated by t of studentÆs test for related samples before and after test in each group. Statistics: ANOVA and Tukey test; with significance p < 0,05. Results. Before the test with coffee, the glucose level in G1, G2 and G3 at 0 minutes of OGTT was 91,07, 91,86 and 94,14 mg/dL, respectively, and 114,07 mg/dL, 116,50 and 110,57 mg/dL at 120 minutes, respectively. At 8 weeks, at 0 minutes of OGTT, G1 had 87,64 mg/dL; G2, 95,57 mg/dL and G3, 95,57 mg/dL glycemia without significant changes; and at 120 minutes: G1 had 98 mg/dL with a significant decrease (14,09 %); G2, 123,29 mg/dL and G3, 113,21 mg/dL without significant changes. conclusion. The consumption of regular coffee decrease glycemia significantly at 120 minutes of OGTT, in young adults...

Conocimientos y actitudes sobre bioseguridad en estudiantes de odontología de una universidad peruana / Knowledge and attitudes on biosecurity in dental students of a peruvian university

Evaluar el efecto de una capacitación educativa sobre bioseguridad en estudiantes de Odontología. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de tipo cuasiexperimental, longitudinal y prospectivo. La muestra estuvo conformada por 102 alumnos de Carielogía matriculados en el IV ciclo de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de San Martín de Porres, durante el segundo semestre académico del 2013. Se evaluó los conocimientos y actitudes sobre bioseguridad de los participantes. Seguidamente, los alumnos fueron divididos en un grupo de estudio de 48 alumnos que recibirían una charla educativa sobre los principios de bioseguridad y un grupo control de 54 alumnos que no recibiría la mencionada capacitación. Finalmente, se procedió a evaluarlos nuevamente, comparando los resultados de ambos grupos. Resultados. No se encontró diferencia significativa en el conocimiento del grupo de estudio al ser comparado antes y después de la capacitación (p=0,100). Respecto a las actitudes, la capacitación dio como resultado una mejora tanto en el grupo de estudio como en el control (p=0,000 en ambos casos); al compararse ambos grupos se observó que esta mejora fue mayor en el grupo de estudio (p=0,016). No se encontró relación entre los conocimientos y las actitudes de los estudiantes, tanto antes como después de la capacitación (p =0,734 y p =0,873 respectivamente). Conclusiones. La capacitación sobre bioseguridad no influyó significativamente en el nivel de conocimiento de los alumnos, manteniéndose en un nivel ôregularõ. Respecto a las actitudes, ambos grupos pasaron de ôregularõ a ôbuenoõ, esta mejora fue mayor en el grupo de estudio. No se encontró correlación entre los conocimientos y las actitudes de los estudiantes...

Objective. To evaluate the effect of an educational training on biosecurity in dental students. Materials and methods. The study was quasi-experimental, longitudinal and prospective. The sample consisted of 102 students enrolled on the course of caries in the fourth cycle of the Faculty of Dentistry at the San Martin de Porres University, during the second semester of 2013. The initial assessment of knowledge and attitudes on biosafety of all participants was made .Then the students were divided into a study group of 48 students who receive training on the principles of biosecurity and another control group of 54 students who did not receivethe above mentioned training. Finally we proceeded to evaluate again the knowledge and attitudes about biosecurity, comparing the results of both groups. Results. No significant difference was found in the knowledge of the study group when compared before andafter training (p=0.10). Regarding attitudes, training resulted in an improvement in both the study group and the control (p=0.00 in both cases); comparing both groups, it was observed that the improvement was greater in the study group (p=0.02). No relationship between knowledge and attitudes of students, before and after training was found (p=0.73 and p=0.87 respectively). Conclusions. The educational intervention on biosecurity did not influence significantly the level of knowledge of the students, being kept in a ôregularõ level. Regarding attitudes, both groups passed from a ôregularõ to a ôgoodõ level, being this improvement greater in the study group. No relationship between knowledge and attitudes of students was found. KIRU. 2014;11(1):39-45...

Comparacion de dos programas educativos y su influencia en la salud bucal de preescolares / Comparison of two educational programs and its influence in oral health of preschool children

Comparar la influencia de dos programas educativos en la salud bucal de preescolares de 3, 4 y 5 a¤os de la I.E.I. Ni¤o Jes£s de Praga, del distrito de San Luis en el a¤o 2010. Material y m‚todos. Estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, realizado en 224 preescolares y sus respectivos padres, divididos en dos grupos: grupo A: intervenidos con el programa “Sonrisa feliz” empleando metodolog¡a demostrativa, participativa, l£dica, y actividades de refuerzo; grupo B: intervenidos con el programa “Tradicional expositivo”, que solo utiliz¢ metodolog¡a expositiva. Ambos programas tuvieron el mismo contenido y fueron impartidos por 6 meses. En los preescolares se evalu¢: el estado de higiene bucal pre, en proceso y posintervenci¢n con el IHOS, el nivel de conocimiento en salud bucal pre y posintervenci¢n con una encuesta estructurada de ocho preguntas, considerando los valores: bueno (6-8), regular (3-5) y malo (0 2). En los padres se evalu¢ el nivel de conocimiento en salud bucal con un cuestionario de quince preguntas que consider¢ los valores: bueno (11-15), regular (5-10) y malo (0-4). Ambos instrumentos fueron previamente validados. Resultados. Los valores promedio comparando los programas “Sonrisa feliz” y “Tradicional expositivo”, respectivamente, fueron: en los preescolares el IHOS fue 1,08 y 1,56; el nivel de conocimientos fue 6,22 y 4,50; en los padres de familia el nivel de conocimiento fue 10,79 y 9,05. Conclusiones. El programa “Sonrisa feliz” influy¢ significativamente (p< 0,05), tuvo mayor aceptaci¢n en los preescolares y sus padres, demostrando la relevancia del uso de diversas metodolog¡as en los programas de salud bucal dirigidos a los ni¤os.

To compare the influence of two educational programs on oral health of preschool of 3, 4 and 5 years old in the I.E.I. Jesus de Praga, district of San Luis, in 2010. Material and methods. . Prospective, longitudinal study conducted in 224 preschoolers and their parents, divided into 2 groups. Group A: operated with the “Happy smile” program using demonstrative, participatory, ludic methodology, building activities. Group B: operated with the program “Traditional exposition”, which only used expositive methodology. Both programs had the same content and they were given for 6 months. In preschool oral hygiene state was evaluated before, during and after intervention with OHI, the level of oral health knowledge before and after intervention with a structured survey of 8 questions considering the values: good (6-8), Regular (3-5) and poor (0-2). In their parents the level of knowledge in oral health was assessed with a questionnaire of 15 questions considering the values: good (11-15), fair (5-10) and bad (0-4). Both instruments were previously validated. Results. Average values comparing the “Happy smile” programs and “Traditional exposition” respectively were: in preschool the OHI was 1,08 and 1,56, the level of knowledge was 6,22 and 4,50, in parents the level of knowledge was 10,79 and 9,05. Conclusions. The “Happy smile” program influenced significantly (p<0,05), had greater acceptance in preschool children and their parents, demonstrating the relevance of the use of different methodologies in oral health programs aimed at children.

How can land-use modelling tools inform bioenergy policies?

Targets for bioenergy have been set worldwide to mitigate climate change. Although feedstock sources are often ambiguous, pledges in European nations, the United States and Brazil amount to more than 100 Mtoe of biorenewable fuel production by 2020. As a consequence, the biofuel sector is developing rapidly, and it is increasingly important to distinguish bioenergy options that can address energy security and greenhouse gas mitigation from those that cannot. This paper evaluates how bioenergy production affects land-use change (LUC), and to what extent land-use modelling can inform sound decision-making. We identified local and global internalities and externalities of biofuel development scenarios, reviewed relevant data sources and modelling approaches, identified sources of controversy about indirect LUC (iLUC) and then suggested a framework for comprehensive assessments of bioenergy. Ultimately, plant biomass must be managed to produce energy in a way that is consistent with the management of food, feed, fibre, timber and environmental services. Bioenergy production provides opportunities for improved energy security, climate mitigation and rural development, but the environmental and social consequences depend on feedstock choices and geographical location. The most desirable solutions for bioenergy production will include policies that incentivize regionally integrated management of diverse resources with low inputs, high yields, co-products, multiple benefits and minimal risks of iLUC. Many integrated assessment models include energy resources, trade, technological development and regional environmental conditions, but do not account for biodiversity and lack detailed data on the location of degraded and underproductive lands that would be ideal for bioenergy production. Specific practices that would maximize the benefits of bioenergy production regionally need to be identified before a global analysis of bioenergy-related LUC can be accomplished.