Synthesis of Hybrid Molecules with Imidazole-1,3,4-thiadiazole Core and Evaluation of Biological Activity on Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani.

The aim of this work was to obtain and evaluate, as antiprotozoals, new derivatives of benzoate imidazo-1,3,4-thiadiazole 18-23 based on the concepts of molecular repositioning and hybridization. In the design of these compounds, two important pharmacophoric subunits of the fexnidazole prototype were used: metronidazole was used as a repositioning molecule, p-aminobenzoic acid was incorporated as a bridge group, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole group was incorporated as a second pharmacophore, which at position 5 has an aromatic group with different substituents incorporated. The final six compounds were obtained through a five-step linear route with moderate to good yields. The biological results demonstrated the potential of this new class of compounds, since three of them 19-21 showed inhibitory activity on proliferation, in the order of 50%, in the in vitro assay against epimastigotes of T. cruzi (Strain Y sensitive to nifurtimox and benznidazole) and promastigotes of L. donovani, at a single concentration of 50 µM.

A Novel Chemical Profile of a Selective In Vitro Cholinergic Essential Oil from Clinopodium taxifolium (Kunth) Govaerts (Lamiaceae), a Native Andean Species of Ecuador.

A novel chemical profile essential oil, distilled from the aerial parts of Clinopodium taxifolium (Kunth) Govaerts (Lamiaceae), was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS, qualitative analysis) and Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID, quantitative analysis), with both polar and non-polar stationary phase columns. The chemical composition mostly consisted of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids (>70%), the main ones being (E)-ß-caryophyllene (17.8%), α-copaene (10.5%), ß-bourbonene (9.9%), δ-cadinene (6.6%), cis-cadina-1(6),4-diene (6.4%) and germacrene D (4.9%), with the non-polar column. The essential oil was then submitted to enantioselective GC analysis, with a diethyl-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-ß-cyclodextrin diluted in PS-086 chiral selector, resulting in the following enantiomeric excesses for the chiral components: (1R,5S)-(-)-α-thujene (67.8%), (1R,5R)-(+)-α-pinene (85.5%), (1S,5S)-(-)-ß-pinene (90.0%), (1S,5S)-(-)-sabinene (12.3%), (S)-(-)-limonene (88.1%), (S)-(+)-linalool (32.7%), (R)-(-)-terpinen-4-ol (9.3%), (S)-(-)-α-terpineol (71.2%) and (S)-(-)-germacrene D (89.0%). The inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) of C. taxifolium essential oil was then tested, resulting in selective activity against BChE with an IC50 value of 31.3 ± 3.0 µg/mL (positive control: donepezil, IC50 = 3.6 µg/mL).

Novel Flavonoid Glycosides of Quercetin from Leaves and Flowers of Gaiadendron punctatum G.Don. (Violeta de Campo), used by the Saraguro Community in Southern Ecuador, Inhibit α-Glucosidase Enzyme.

Gaiadandendron punctatum G.Don. (violeta de campo) is a plant used in traditional medicine by the Saraguro people, an ancient indigenous group that lives in southern Ecuador. From samples collected in the region, six glycoside flavonoids, five with quercetin and one with kaempferol as aglycon, were isolated and characterized from hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and flowers. Rutin (2) was found in flowers and leaves, nicotiflorin (1) was found in flowers, artabotryside A (3) was found in leaves, and three novel quercetin flavonoid glycosides were isolated, elucidated, and characterized via 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H, 13C, COSY, DEPT, HMBC, HSQC, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY), acid hydrolysis-derivatization-GC-MS analysis, HPLC-MS, IR, UV, and optical rotation. The new quercetin flavonoid glycosides were named hecpatrin (4) (isolated from leaves), gaiadendrin (5) (isolated from leaves), and puchikrin (6) (isolated from flowers). The hydroalcoholic extracts of the leaves presented antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis and the hydroalcoholic extract of the flowers was active against Micrococcus luteus. However, glycoside flavonoids presented scarce antimicrobial activity against bacteria. Hydroalcoholic extracts from leaves and flowers and their secondary metabolites showed inhibition against the α-glucosidase enzyme at different concentrations. Rutin, gaiadendrin, and nicotiflorin showed competitive α-glucosidase inhibition, while hecpatrin presented non-competitive inhibition.

Chemical, Enantioselective, and Sensory Analysis of a Cholinesterase Inhibitor Essential Oil from Coreopsis triloba S.F. Blake (Asteraceae).

The fresh leaves of Coreopsis triloba S.F. Blake, collected at Cerro Villonaco in Loja, Ecuador, were investigated with respect to their essential oil (EO). The chemical composition was determined qualitatively through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantitatively by gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization (GC-FID), using relative response factors (RRF) based on the enthalpy of combustion. The essential oil contained between 92.5% and 93.4% of monoterpene hydrocarbons, with (E)-ß-ocimene being the main component (35.2-35.9%), followed by ß-phellandrene (24.6-25.0%), α-pinene (15.3-15.9%), myrcene (10.9-11.0%), sabinene (2.2-2.4%), (Z)-ß-ocimene (1.5%), and germacrene D (1.2-1.3%). The enantiomeric distribution of α-pinene, ß-pinene, limonene, and germacrene D was also determined. The main components responsible for the aroma were identified through aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), a gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) based technique, being α-pinene, ß-pinene (0.6%), terpinolene (0.1%), α-copaene (0.1-0.3%), ß-phellandrene, and (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (0.1-0.2%) the main olfactory constituents according to the decreasing factor of dilution (FD) order. The biological tests showed IC50 inhibition values of 42.2 and 6.8 µg/mL for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), respectively.

Ecuaciones alométricas de biomasa aérea para la estimación de los contenidos de carbono en manglares del Caribe Colombiano / Tree above-ground biomass allometries for carbon stocks estimation in the Caribbean mangroves in Colombia

ResumenLa distribución de carbono azul en los ecosistemas, entre los que se cuentan los manglares, es poco conocida en comparación con los grandes avances que existen para los ecosistemas forestales terrestres, a pesar de que su alta productividad y capacidad de almacenamiento de carbono es reconocida. Este estudio, tuvo por objetivo, analizar la biomasa aérea de las especies Rhizophora mangle y Avicennia germinans en el ecosistema de manglar localizado en el área marina protegida denominada Distrito de Manejo Integrado (DMI) Cispatá-Tinajones-La Balsa en el Caribe colombiano. Para ello, con la debida autorización oficial, se cosecharon 30 individuos de cada especie, con el fin de generar modelos alométricos que permitieran estimaciones de biomasa aérea con bajos niveles de incertidumbre. Los resultados indican que la biomasa aérea de los bosques de manglar del Caribe colombiano en el DMI, es de 129.69 ± 20.24 Mg/ha, es decir, que almacenan 64.85 ± 10.12 MgC/ ha. Teniendo en cuenta que el DMI presenta un área de 8 570.9 ha en bosques de manglar, se estima que el carbono total potencialmente almacenado por este ecosistema es de aproximadamente 555 795.93 MgC. Las ecuaciones generadas en este estudio se pueden considerar como una opción alternativa para la evaluación de las reservas de carbono en la biomasa aérea de los bosques de manglar en del Caribe colombiano, dado que otros modelos disponibles para la estimación de la biomasa aérea no discriminan a los bosques de manglar, a pesar de ser ecosistemas particulares. Los modelos pueden ser empleados como una opción para apoyar las estrategias de conservación de bosques y la reducción de emisiones. En general, el potencial de almacenamiento de carbono en los bosques de manglar del Caribe colombiano, es importante, y podría posesionar al país en la conservación de bosques y la reducción de emisiones a través de la conservación del carbono azul almacenado.

AbstractThe distribution of carbon in “Blue Carbon” ecosystems such as mangroves is little known, when compared with the highly known terrestrial forests, despite its particular and recognized high productivity and carbon storage capacity. The objective of this study was to analyze the above ground biomass (AGB) of the species Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans from the Marine Protected Area of Distrito de Manejo Integrado (DMI), Cispatá-Tinajones-La Balsa, Caribbean Colombian coast. With official authorization, we harvested and studied 30 individuals of each species, and built allometric models in order to estimate AGB. Our AGB results indicated that the studied mangrove forests of the DMI Colombian Caribbean was of 129.69 ± 20.24 Mg/ha, equivalent to 64.85 ± 10.12 MgC/ha. The DMI has an area of 8 570.9 ha in mangrove forests, and we estimated that the total carbon potential stored was about 555 795.93 Mg C. The equations generated in this study can be considered as an alternative for the assessment of carbon stocks in AGB of mangrove forests in Colombia; as other available AGB allometric models do not discriminate mangrove forests, despite being particular ecosystems. They can be used for analysis at a more detailed scale and are considered useful to determine the carbon storage potential of mangrove forests, as a country alternative to support forest conservation and emission reduction strategies. In general, the potential of carbon storage from Colombian Caribbean mangrove forests is important and could promote the country leadership of the “blue carbon” stored. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 913-926. Epub 2016 June 01.

[Tree above-ground biomass allometries for carbon stocks estimation in the Caribbean mangroves in Colombia]. / Ecuaciones alométricas de biomasa aérea para la estimación de los contenidos de carbono en manglares del Caribe Colombiano.

The distribution of carbon in "Blue Carbon" ecosystems such as mangroves is little known, when compared with the highly known terrestrial forests, despite its particular and recognized high productivity and carbon storage capacity. The objective of this study was to analyze the above ground biomass (AGB) of the species Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans from the Marine Protected Area of Distrito de Manejo Integrado (DMI), Cispatá-Tinajones-La Balsa, Caribbean Colombian coast. With official authorization, we harvested and studied 30 individuals of each species, and built allometric models in order to estimate AGB. Our AGB results indicated that the studied mangrove forests of the DMI Colombian Caribbean was of 129.69 ± 20.24 Mg/ha, equivalent to 64.85 ± 10.12 MgC/ha. The DMI has an area of 8 570.9 ha in mangrove forests, and we estimated that the total carbon potential stored was about 555 795.93 Mg C. The equations generated in this study can be considered as an alternative for the assessment of carbon stocks in AGB of mangrove forests in Colombia; as other available AGB allometric models do not discriminate mangrove forests, despite being particular ecosystems. They can be used for analysis at a more detailed scale and are considered useful to determine the carbon storage potential of mangrove forests, as a country alternative to support forest conservation and emission reduction strategies. In general, the potential of carbon storage from Colombian Caribbean mangrove forests is important and could promote the country leadership of the "blue carbon" stored.

Evaluación de la contaminación microbiana en las resinas de fotocurado utilizada por estudiantes de odontología en sus prácticas clínicas / Evaluation of microbial contamination in the light-curing composite used by dental students in their clinical practices

Introducción: Durante la práctica odonto - lógica se desarrollan procedimientos que favorecen la contaminación del ambiente de trabajo, por consiguiente, la presencia de microorganismos en los materiales emplea - dos en la atención clínica constituyen un riesgo de transmisión de agentes patógenos ocasionando infecciones cruzadas. Objetivo: Evaluar la contaminación micro - biana en las resinas de fotocurado utilizadas en la atención clínica de los pacientes que asisten a las clínicas de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, sede Envigado. Materiales y Métodos: Se conformó un grupo experimental de 46 muestras de resi - na manipuladas por los estudiantes durante la atención clínica; dos jeringas de resina nuevas y dos palillos estériles conformaron el grupo control. Las muestras de resina se depositaron en caldo BHI y después de 48h de incubación a 37°C se realizó una lectura de la turbidez en los caldos. Las muestras contaminadas se sembraron en medios de cultivo sólidos y las colonias fueron descritas por sus características macroscópicas y microscópicas. Se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS 21.0 y se calculó el coeficiente Chi-cuadrado Resultados: El 34,8% de las resinas estaban contaminadas por bacterias del género Staphylococcus y bacilos Gram positivos. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la contaminación de las resinas y la frecuencia de uso ( p >0,05) Conclusiones: Se comprobó que con sólo un uso de la resina después del procedi- miento clínico en un paciente es suficiente para promover su contaminación, por lo tanto el remanente de la resina puede ser considerado como uno de los vehículos responsables de contaminación cruzada.

Background: Some procedures that are performed during the daily dental practice might favor environmental contamina - tion by microorganisms. Therefore, their presence in materials that are routinely used in the dental office constitutes a risk of transmitting pathogen agents, thereby causing cross-contamination. Aim: To evaluate microbial contamina - tion of light-curing composites previously used in patients at the School of Dentistry, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Envigado campus. Materials and Methods: The experimental group consisted of 46 composite samples extracted from previously-used composite syringes. Composite from two as-received syringes and two sterile toothpicks were used as the control group. Samples were deposited in BHI broth for 48 hours at 37°C. After this time, a turbidity reading was performed. Contaminated samples were seeded in solid culture media and colonies were described according to their macro and microscopic characteristics. The SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used and Chi-square coefficient was calculated. Results: 34.8% of composites were contaminated by Staphylococcus sp and Gram positive bacillus. No statistical significant differences between composite contamination and frequency of use were observed (p >0,05). Conclusions: Composite microbial contamination after a single use was demonstrated. Therefore, composite remnants contained in previously-used syringes might be responsible for cross-contamination.

Sistema de utilización de medicamentos en pacientes de alto riesgo farmacológico: reto de calidad / Medication use system for patients in the high pharmacological risk group: quality challenge

El sistema de utilización de medicamentos (SUM) está compuesto por múltiples procesos donde interactúan enfermeras, médicos y personal de farmacia, siendo las primeras quienes tienen más responsabilidades. Este estudio buscó establecer la prevalencia y posibles causas de los errores en los pacientes de alto riesgo farmacológico en un hospital de alta complejidad. Método: estudio de corte transversal con seguimiento durante tres meses al SUM, con un total de 318 adultos; se revisó el cumplimiento en la formulación, entrega, preparación y administración de los medicamentos. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante observación en campo y revisión de historias clínicas. Resultados: la prevalencia global de error por cada 100 dosis/ pacientes en todo el SUM fue de 5% o más en 95% de los casos. Del total de errores reportados, 1.89% llegó a causar daño al paciente. Los turnos de la mañana y el fin de semana, la experiencia menor de seis meses del personal de enfermería y la estancia hospitalaria mayor de diez días fueron situaciones con mayor prevalencia. Conclusión: la prevalencia superior de errores en pacientes de alto riesgo farmacológico sugiere una mayor dificultad en el manejo de medicamentos en estos casos. Las estrategias de mejoramiento deben estar alineadas con el contexto institucional y ser específicas para este grupo de pacientes...

The medication use system (MUS) comprises multiple processes where nurses, doctors and pharmacists interact. Nurse practitioners have the greatest responsibility of the three. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and possible causes for medication errors in patients with high pharmacological risk in a high complexity hospital. Method: this was a three-month MUS follow-up cross-sectional study, including 318 adult participants; reviewing medication prescription compliance, delivery, preparation and administration. Data was obtained through field observation and a review of clinical records. Results: overall error prevalence per 100 doses/patients in the entire MUS was 5% or more, in 95% of the cases. Of the total amount of reported errors, 1.89% caused patient harm. Situations with the greatest prevalence were: morning and week end shifts, nurses with less than six month of experience and length of hospital stay greater than ten days. Conclusion: the highest prevalence of errors in patients with high pharmacological risk suggests a greater difficulty in medication management. Improvement strategies need to be aligned with institutional context and be specific for this group of patients...

Elementos para la Gestión de riesgos para entidades promotoras de salud-régimen contributivo en Colombia / Elements for risk management in health promoters institutions of the contributory system in Colombia

El riesgo se define como un evento incierto, indeseable, imprevisto e involuntario que puede producir consecuencias negativas para quien lo sufre; el sistema de administración de riesgos surge como una secuencia de pasos bien definidos, que ayuda a la toma de decisiones para enfrentar la generación o el impacto de un riesgo en una compañía. Es una forma eficiente de identificar oportunidades y evitar pérdidas y ayuda a mejorar el funcionamiento de las unidades de negocios de cualquier tipo de empresa, ya sea pública o privada. Está compuesto por algunos elementos fundamentales como son: comunicación y consulta, establecimiento del contexto, identificación de los riesgos, análisis, evaluación, tratamiento y monitoreo y revisión. El proceso se inicia determinando el nivel de riesgo, que resulta de confrontar el impacto y la probabilidad, para luego analizar las posibles acciones a emprender, las cuales deben ser factibles, efectivas, y de acuerdo con la significancia del riesgo. El éxito de la gestión de riesgos está determinado por factores como el reconocimiento de los objetivos y el establecimiento del rango de riesgo que enfrenta la organización. La implementación de un sistema de administración de riesgos en el sector asegurador en salud, requiere una visión integral que inicia con los procesos de mercadeo, ventas y afiliaciones, y finaliza con el impacto en los niveles de salud de los afiliados. El sistema le permite a la organización enmarcar sus procesos dentro de tres grandes áreas: riesgos en salud, riesgos operativos y riesgos generales del negocio. Debido a que la aplicación del sistema en el sector salud, aún se encuentra en ajustes legislativos, puede cambiar el alcance del mismo en la medida que se definan nuevos lineamientos desde el Ministerio de la Protección Social y la Superintendencia Nacional de Salud.

Risk is defined as an event that is unknown, undesirable, sudden, and beyond our control that when present could carry negative consequences for the parties at isk. As a result, the risk management program is created providing a sequence of clearly defined steps that help the individual in making decisions during the evaluation of risk impact in an enterprise. A planned approach is an efficient way of identifying opportunities and losses resulting from an action at risk, and help improving performance, quality, and safety of any type of businesses, whether they are public or privately owened. A risk Management program consists of basic elements such as background definition and risk identification, evaluation, management, monitoring, and renewal. Risk management usually starts with the identification of the level of risk that an entity faces, which results from a probabilistic analysis. Once the risk level is identified, an action plan is prepared for the mitigation of risk. The success of a risk management program is determined by the identification of clear and specific objectives as well as by how accurate is the identification of the level of risk that an organization may face. The program implementation for the public health sector will require a planning phase that starts with a detailed study of the business conditions such the marketing enviroment, sales, and number and type of the subscribers; and ends with an estimation of the impact to the health levels of the subscribers. The risk management program allows the organization to classify its activities in tree main areas: health risks, management risks, and others. Because this system, applied to the health sector is still in legislative settings, change the scope of that to the extent that the definition of new guidelines from the Ministerio de la Protección Social and the Superintendencia Nacional de Salud.

Propuesta de estudio de los enfoques de trabajo de organizaciones de y para jóvenes: Informe de investigación / Study of Youth Organizations

Este informe nos permite establecer la naturaleza de los métodos y modelos de trabajo que se implementan con jóvenes. Así mismo, identificar la información que manejan y el acceso a esta información. Determinar como estas organizaciones definen la noción joven y recoger las sistematizaciones existentes de proyectos realizados...