Characteristics and impacts of peer assisted learning in university studies in health science: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Systematically analyse the characteristics and impact of peer assisted learning programmes implemented in undergraduate health education. METHODS: Following the PRISMA protocol, we searched the electronic indexed databases WoS and SCOPUS; original studies reporting peer assisted learning in health science careers were included in the systematic review. Among them, the studies between 2010 and January 2020 were selected, and information regarding programme structures and principal results was subsequently extracted. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were included in the review. The most frequent programme characteristics were the near-peer teaching modality, lecture classes, clinical laboratories and peer tutor training. The main findings identified were benefits in tutors' confidence and knowledge, better student comprehension and a more comfortable learning environment in comparison with that established by academic tutors. CONCLUSION: Peer assisted learning programmes have shown qualitative benefits in the learning environment, generation of support networks and confidence in knowledge acquired. Nonetheless, quantitative benefits measured as improvements in marks are inconclusive. Future studies are needed to standardise the methodologies used to determine which characteristics are the most positive in the learning process.

Exploiting electronic strategies to stabilize a planar tetracoordinate carbon in cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

A new approach to stabilize compounds containing a planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC), embedded in aromatic hydrocarbons, is presented herein. This is achieved by using ligands that promote the formation of a 3c-2e σ-bond with the ptC under two conditions: without altering the sp2 hybridization of the aromatic carbons; and containing empty orbitals perpendicular to the aromatic ring to participate in the aromatic π-electronic delocalization.

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, wound-healing effectiveness and chemical characterization of the latex of Jatropha neopauciflora Pax.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jatropha neopauciflora Pax is an endemic species to Mexico, and its latex is used in traditional medicine to treat mouth infections when there are loose teeth and to heal wounds. In this research, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity, wound healing efficacy and chemical characterization of J. neopauciflora latex in a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial activity was determined using Gram positive and negative strains, the antifungal activity was determined using yeast and filamentous fungi, and the wound healing efficacy of the latex was determined using the tensiometric method. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the plantar oedema model in rats, administering the latex orally and topically. Cytotoxic activity was determined in vitro in two different cell lines. Antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, reducing carbohydrates and latex proteins were quantified. The latex analysis was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Finally, molecular exclusion chromatography was performed. RESULTS: The latex demonstrated antibacterial activity. The most sensitive strains were Gram positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus (MIC=2mg/mL), and the latex had bacteriostatic activity. The latex did not show antifungal activity. The latex demonstrated a wound-healing efficacy, even the positive control (Recoveron). The orally administered latex demonstrated the best anti-inflammatory activity and was not toxic to either of the 2 cell lines. The latex had a high antioxidant capacity (SA50=5.4µg/mL), directly related to the total phenolic (6.9mg GAE/mL) and flavonoid (12.53µg QE/mL) concentration. The carbohydrate concentration was 18.52µg/mL, and fructose was the most abundantly expressed carbohydrate in the latex (14.63µg/mL, 79.03%). Additionally, the latex contained proteins (7.62µg/mL) in its chemical constitution. As secondary metabolites, the HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenols and flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS: The J. neopauciflora latex promotes the wound healing process by avoiding microorganism infections, inhibiting inflammation and acting as an antioxidant.

An epidemiological study of familial neurocysticercosis in an endemic Mexican community.

Neurocysticercosis (NC) caused by Taenia solium is a frequent parasitic disease of the central nervous system. It is highly endemic in many developing countries, where many people are exposed but few become infected. Here, the relevance of age, gender, and genetic and exposure factors on NC susceptibility was studied in 649 inhabitants of a rural community of Mexico. Endemicity was confirmed by the high prevalence of pig cysticercosis (32.8%) and human seroprevalence (43.8%). Human NC cases were diagnosed by computerised tomography scans. A questionnaire to evaluate risk factors was applied and familial relationships between participants were registered. An overall NC frequency of 9.1% (59/649) was found. NC frequency increased with age but did not associate with gender. Most NC cases were asymptomatic. None of the evaluated risk factors were associated with NC. No familial aggregation was detected when studying all cases, although a significant relationship between mother and child in cases with multiple parasites was found. These findings point to the fact that human NC in high exposure conditions is not simply related to exposure factors and they do not support the participation of a major gene in single-cyst NC. Rather, our results point to a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors involved in NC.