Evaluación biológica in vitro del extracto etanólico de Kaa tái, Polygonum punctatum Elliot. (POLYGONACEAE)

En Paraguay, así como en las Américas, la leishmaniasis constituye una de las problemáticas de salud pública importante, debido a su complejidad tanto epidemiológica, clínica y biológica, afectando especialmente a los más pobres y en los países en vía de desarrollo. Polygonum punctatum Elliot. pertenece a la familia Polygonaceae, la medicina popular le atribuye varias propiedades, por medio de estudios anteriores se confirma que diferentes extractos de esta planta presentan actividad antibacteriana, antiinflamatoria y antifúngica. En este trabajo, se evaluó la actividad citotóxica del extracto etanólico de Polygonum punctatum de la familia Polygonaceae en concentraciones de 100, 50 y 25 µg/ml en células de macrófagos de ratones, en los cuales no se encontró actividad citotóxica. Además, se evaluó la actividad leishmanicida por medio de estudios experimentales in vitro a concentraciones de 100, 75, 50, 25, 20 y 10 µg/ml frente a tres cepas de parásitos: Leishmania infantum, L. amazonensis y L. braziliensis, en los cuales se observó una actividad de 58 y 56% de lisis de parásitos con el extracto de 100µg/ml frente a las cepas de L. braziliensis y L. infantum, respectivamente y 51% para L. amazonensis. Estos resultados son prometedores, y aportan una base para el desarrollo y búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos para la leishmaniasis, sin embargo, son necesarios estudios posteriores en cuanto a aislamiento e identificación del compuesto y evaluación en modelos animales in vivo.

In Paraguay, as well as in the Americas, leishmaniasis constitutes one of the important public health problems, due to its epidemiological, clinical, and biological complexity, especially affecting the poorest and developing countries. Polygonum punctatum Elliot belongs to the Polygonaceae family, and popular medicine attributes several properties to it. Previous studies confirmed that different extracts of this plant have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal activity. In this work, the cytotoxic activity of the ethanolic extract of Polygonum punctatum was evaluated at concentrations of 100, 50 and 25 µg/ml in mouse macrophage cells, in which no cytotoxic activity was found. In addition, the leishmanicidal activity was evaluated through experimental in vitro studies at concentrations 100, 75, 50, 25, 20 and 10 µg/ml against three strains of parasites: Leishmania infantum, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. Activities of 58 and 56% of parasite lysis were observed with the 100 µg/ml extract against strains of L. braziliensis and L. infantum, respectively, and 51% for L. amazonensis. These results are promising and provide a basis for the development and search of a new treatment for leishmaniasis. However, further studies are necessary regarding the isolation and identification of the compound and its evaluation in in vivo animal models.

Operationalizing Integrated Water Resource Management in Latin America: Insights from Application of the Freshwater Health Index.

Water crises in Latin America are more a consequence of poor management than resource scarcity. Addressing water management issues through better coordination, identification of problems and solutions, and agreement on common objectives to operationalize integrated water resources management (IWRM) could greatly improve water governance in the region. Composite indices have great potential to help overcome capacity and information challenges while supporting better IWRM. We applied one such index, the Freshwater Health Index (FHI) in three river basins in Latin America (Alto Mayo, Perú; Bogotá, Colombia; and Guandu, Brazil) to assess freshwater ecosystem vitality, ecosystem services, and the water governance system in place. The approach included convening management agencies, water utilities, planning authorities, local NGOs and industries, community groups and researchers to co-implement the FHI. The results provide detailed information on the ecological integrity of each basin and the sustainability of the ecosystem services being provided. All three basins show very low scores for governance and stakeholder engagement, thus improving both in the region should be a priority. The results also shed light on how the FHI framework can help inform decision-making to improve IWRM implementation by facilitating stakeholder engagement while contributing to coordination, identification of problems and solutions as well as agreement on common objectives. Because implementation of IWRM is part of the solution for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.5 ("By 2030, implement IWRM at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate"), our case studies can serve as examples to other Latin American countries to achieve SDG 6.5.

Evaluación de la generación de residuos sólidos en la ciudad universitaria, facultad de odontología, Juliaca / Evaluation of the generation of solid residues in the university city, faculty of odontolgy, Juliaca

Introducción: El estudio buscó evaluar la generación de residuso sólidos respecto a su cantidad, composición y producción per cápita en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Andina Néstor Cáceres Velásquez. Método: Se realizó en instalaciones del 2do piso de la Clínica Odontológica: laboratorios, aulas y área administrativa, el total de la población asistente fue de 251 personas; la evaluación se realizó durante ocho días, identificándose los puntos de generación, la determinación de cantidad y volumen se realizó por el método de cuarteo, tomando su respectivo peso y volumen, la producción per cápita se estimó opnderando el número de personas que asisten diariamente a la Fa cultad de Odontología. Resultados: La generación de residuos sólidos fue en promedio de 7.21 Kg/día, el volumen promedio de 0.12 m3/día, los principales componentes son materia orgánica con 31.18%, botellas de vidrio 21.94%, bolsas diversas 15.94%, papel 12.70% y botellas descartables y chapas 8.66%; la producción per cápitap romedio fue de 0.03 Kg/día/indiv. Conclusiones: La producción de residuos sólidos en la Facultad de Odontología es similar a la reportada para instituciones universitarias, siendo su mayor componente el orgánico. (AU)

Population Genetics of Plasmodium vivax in the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Characterizing the parasite dynamics and population structure provides useful information to understand the dynamic of transmission and to better target control interventions. Despite considerable efforts for its control, vivax malaria remains a major health problem in Peru. In this study, we have explored the population genetics of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Iquitos, the main city in the Peruvian Amazon, and 25 neighbouring peri-urban as well as rural villages along the Iquitos-Nauta Road. METHODOLOGY/ RESULTS: From April to December 2008, 292 P. vivax isolates were collected and successfully genotyped using 14 neutral microsatellites. Analysis of the molecular data revealed a similar proportion of monoclonal and polyclonal infections in urban areas, while in rural areas monoclonal infections were predominant (p = 0.002). Multiplicity of infection was higher in urban (MOI = 1.5-2) compared to rural areas (MOI = 1) (p = 0.003). The level of genetic diversity was similar in all areas (He = 0.66-0.76, p = 0.32) though genetic differentiation between areas was substantial (PHIPT = 0.17, p<0.0001). Principal coordinate analysis showed a marked differentiation between parasites from urban and rural areas. Linkage disequilibrium was detected in all the areas ([Formula: see text] = 0.08-0.49, for all p<0.0001). Gene flow among the areas was stablished through Bayesian analysis of migration models. Recent bottleneck events were detected in 4 areas and a recent parasite expansion in one of the isolated areas. In total, 87 unique haplotypes grouped in 2 or 3 genetic clusters described a sub-structured parasite population. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study shows a sub-structured parasite population with clonal propagation, with most of its components recently affected by bottleneck events. Iquitos city is the main source of parasite spreading for all the peripheral study areas. The routes of transmission and gene flow and the reduction of the parasite population described are important from the public health perspective as well for the formulation of future control policies.

Risk factors for severe influenza A-related pneumonia in adult cohort, Mexico, 2013-14.

During the 2013-14 influenza season, we assessed characteristics of 102 adults with suspected influenza pneumonia in a hospital in Mexico; most were unvaccinated. More comorbidities and severity of illness were found than for patients admitted during the 2009-10 influenza pandemic. Vaccination policies should focus on risk factors.

Evaluación nutricional, física y sensorial de panes de trigo, yuca y queso llanero / Nutritional, phisical and sensorial evaluation of wheat, cassava and white cheeses

Se formularon y elaboraron panes tipo molde con harinas de trigo almidón de yuca y queso blanco llanero en proporciones variables 50 por ciento; 22 por ciento y 25 por ciento respectivamente a una de las formulaciones se añadió albúmina de huevo. Los panes obtenidos presentaron altos valores de proteína 14,5 por ciento; grasa 10 por ciento y calcio. Se evaluaron las características texturales de los panes observándose que el almidón de yuca aumenta la gomosidad de los panes, pero la albúmina de huevo la redujo, dando una textura más suave. Se estudió el efecto de la congelación sobre la humedad, pH y contenido de amilosa de las masas para los panes en estudio. Se observó que durante la congelación a -14 ºC durante 30 días las masas aumentaron el contenido de amilosa y el pH se mantuvo constante. El estudio de la hidrólisis in vitro del almidón de los panes mostró que el almidón de yuca disminuye el grado de hidrólisis y todos los panes se comportaron como alimentos de digestión lenta. Los panes resultaron de gran aceptación por el panel sensorial en especial el que contenía 50 por ciento trigo; 22 por ciento almidón de yuca; 25 por ciento queso llanero y 30 g de albúmina de huevo. Se concluye que es posible diversificar el uso de la yuca y queso en la elaboración de panes de molde mejorando el valor nutricional.