Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro de extractos de Persea americana (Aguacate) variedad Choquette sobre el crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus y Escherichia coli / Evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts of Persea americana (Avocado) variety Choquette on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Las enfermedades infecciosas se encuentran entre las primeras causas de muerte a nivel mundial y la situación se agravada por la aparición progresiva de resistencia a las terapias farmacológicas convencionales. La Persea americana (aguacate), posee sustancias activas que regulan la proliferación de algunos microorganismos patógenos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana y concentración mínima inhibitoria de extractos de Persea americana variedad Choquette sobre el crecimiento de S. aureus ATCC 29213 y E. coli ATCC 25922. La presente fue una investigación de tipo experimental en la que se utilizaron extractos de la cáscara, pulpa y semilla a partir de solventes orgánicos. Se determinó la concentración mínima inhibidora (CMI) y bactericida (CMB) de cada extracto utilizando placas de agar Mueller Hinton las cuales fueron inoculadas con la suspensión bacteriana ajustada. La CMI y CMB para la E. coli. Tratada con la cáscara (solvente hexano y el cloroformo) fue de (1/2)1000 mg/ml; la CMI y CMB para el S. aureus (con los solventes cloroformo y acetato de etilo) fue de (1/2)1000 mg/ml, el extracto de la pulpa no presentó actividad antimicrobiana para ambos microorganismos. Los resultados reflejan actividad antimicrobiana en cascara y semilla, por lo que se propone desarrollar nuevas investigaciones orientadas hacia la caracterización de estos compuestos con miras al desarrollo de fármacos antimicrobianos

Infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide and the situation is aggravated by the progressive emergence of resistance to conventional drug therapies. The Persea americana (avocado), has active substances that regulate the proliferation of some pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts of Persea americana variety Choquette on the growth of S. aureus ATCC 29213 and E. coli ATCC 25922. The present was an experimental investigation using extracts of the shell, pulp and seed from organic solvents. The minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MIB) concentration of each extract was determined using Mueller Hinton agar plates which were inoculated with the adjusted bacterial suspension. The MIC and CMB for E. coli. Treated with the shell (hexane solvent and chloroform) was (1/2)1000 mg/ml; the MIC and CMB for S. aureus (with the solvents chloroform and ethyl acetate) was (1/2)1000 mg/ml, the pulp extract did not present antimicrobial activity for both microorganisms. The results reflect antimicrobial activity in shell and seed, so it is proposed to develop further research aimed at the characterization of these compounds for the development of antimicrobial drugs

How can systems engineering inform the methods of programme evaluation in health professions education?

CONTEXT: We evaluate programmes in health professions education (HPE) to determine their effectiveness and value. Programme evaluation has evolved from use of reductionist frameworks to those addressing the complex interactions between programme factors. Researchers in HPE have recently suggested a 'holistic programme evaluation' aiming to better describe and understand the implications of 'emergent processes and outcomes'. FRAMEWORK: We propose a programme evaluation framework informed by principles and tools from systems engineering. Systems engineers conceptualise complexity and emergent elements in unique ways that may complement and extend contemporary programme evaluations in HPE. We demonstrate how the abstract decomposition space (ADS), an engineering knowledge elicitation tool, provides the foundation for a systems engineering informed programme evaluation designed to capture both planned and emergent programme elements. METHODS: We translate the ADS tool to use education-oriented language, and describe how evaluators can use it to create a programme-specific ADS through iterative refinement. We provide a conceptualisation of emergent elements and an equation that evaluators can use to identify the emergent elements in their programme. Using our framework, evaluators can analyse programmes not as isolated units with planned processes and planned outcomes, but as unfolding, complex interactive systems that will exhibit emergent processes and emergent outcomes. Subsequent analysis of these emergent elements will inform the evaluator as they seek to optimise and improve the programme. CONCLUSION: Our proposed systems engineering informed programme evaluation framework provides principles and tools for analysing the implications of planned and emergent elements, as well as their potential interactions. We acknowledge that our framework is preliminary and will require application and constant refinement. We suggest that our framework will also advance our understanding of the construct of 'emergence' in HPE research.

The effect of sound on visual fidelity perception in stereoscopic 3-D.

Visual and auditory cues are important facilitators of user engagement in virtual environments and video games. Prior research supports the notion that our perception of visual fidelity (quality) is influenced by auditory stimuli. Understanding exactly how our perception of visual fidelity changes in the presence of multimodal stimuli can potentially impact the design of virtual environments, thus creating more engaging virtual worlds and scenarios. Stereoscopic 3-D display technology provides the users with additional visual information (depth into and out of the screen plane). There have been relatively few studies that have investigated the impact that auditory stimuli have on our perception of visual fidelity in the presence of stereoscopic 3-D. Building on previous work, we examine the effect of auditory stimuli on our perception of visual fidelity within a stereoscopic 3-D environment.

Improving health through policies that promote active travel: a review of evidence to support integrated health impact assessment.

BACKGROUND: Substantial policy changes to control obesity, limit chronic disease, and reduce air pollution emissions, including greenhouse gasses, have been recommended. Transportation and planning policies that promote active travel by walking and cycling can contribute to these goals, potentially yielding further co-benefits. Little is known, however, about the interconnections among effects of policies considered, including potential unintended consequences. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We review available literature regarding health impacts from policies that encourage active travel in the context of developing health impact assessment (HIA) models to help decision-makers propose better solutions for healthy environments. We identify important components of HIA models of modal shifts in active travel in response to transport policies and interventions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Policies that increase active travel are likely to generate large individual health benefits through increases in physical activity for active travelers. Smaller, but population-wide benefits could accrue through reductions in air and noise pollution. Depending on conditions of policy implementations, risk tradeoffs are possible for some individuals who shift to active travel and consequently increase inhalation of air pollutants and exposure to traffic injuries. Well-designed policies may enhance health benefits through indirect outcomes such as improved social capital and diet, but these synergies are not sufficiently well understood to allow quantification at this time. CONCLUSION: Evaluating impacts of active travel policies is highly complex; however, many associations can be quantified. Identifying health-maximizing policies and conditions requires integrated HIAs.