Whole-Mount Histochemical Protocols in Zebrafish for a Hands-On Developmental Biology Practical Course in Ecuador.

Research-based education at the undergraduate level is ideal for fostering the training of future scientists. In an undergraduate Developmental Biology course, this learning strategy requires the availability of model species and enough research reagents, not only for technique training but also for the development of student original projects. This might be challenging in most countries, where resources are limited. Hence, there is a need to develop low-cost solutions for use in the classroom. In this study, we describe the optimization and use of two low-cost protocols in zebrafish embryos for hands-on practical sessions and project-based learning in a Developmental Biology undergraduate course in Ecuador. These protocols were designed for the practical and experimental learning of vertebrate meroblastic cleavage, gastrulation, and neural crest differentiation. The proposed protocols have been previously described in the literature and use silver nitrate and alcian blue, two relatively inexpensive reagents, to label cell membranes and cartilage. The silver nitrate protocol allows the study of cell contact formation during cleavage and the identification of cellular changes during gastrulation, including yolk internalization and epiboly. The alcian blue staining allows the analysis of cranial mesenchymal differentiation into cartilage. These protocols are ideal for practical sessions due to their ease of application, quick results, adaptability to the class schedule, and robustness in the hands of beginning researchers. Finally, these protocols are adaptable for research-based class projects.

Choroid Metastasis in a Patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 43-year-old woman with unilateral loss of vision who had a history of cervical cancer, staged as FIGO IIIB, and who had undergone previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but was not a surgical candidate. An examination revealed serous retinal detachment with an underlying choroidal mass in the left eye. We reviewed all available published case reports of uterine cervix metastases to the eye and adnexa and compiled all information into a table to present clinical and epidemiological findings. Unilateral choroidal metastasis arising from cervical cancer is extremely rare. In most cases, a history of cervical carcinoma is confirmed in the advanced stage of the disease. Ocular metastasis may be the presenting feature of primary cervical malignancy; therefore, to rule out malignancy in every woman who develops these clinical features, a cervical examination should be included in the workup.

Decision support algorithm for the selection of analytical methods in organic compounds detection for future extraterrestrial exploratory missions.

The search for biotic compounds beyond planet Earth is among the highest priorities in space discovery. We sought to detect organic molecules in various earth soil samples collected from environments with extreme climatic conditions comparable to extraterrestrial environments using HPLC, spectrophotometry (UV, IR), GC/MS and vertical gel electrophoresis analyses systems. The applied methods in the study were compared using a self-developed software tool that was designed to evaluate the viability of instrument selection for organics detection in any given exploratory mission. The tool was created to aid further development and refinements of rapidly improving technological solutions such as MCE and MS instruments. Such comparison can be done quickly and easily, acting as a decision support tool when choosing between analytical methods during any planning phase of future exploration missions led by space agencies (i.e., NASA).

Ações educativas do Enfermeiro ao cardiopata mediado pelas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) / Education action of nurse for cardiac patients mediated by Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) / Acciones educativas del enfermero al cardipata mediato por lãs Tecnologias de Informacion y Comunicacion (TIC)

Objetivo: Identificar como as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) contribuem para educação do cardiopata sobre os cuidados de enfermagem. Método: Revisão de Escopo com buscas realizadas entre 2005 a 2015, em português, inglês e espanhol, nas bases de dados Lilacs, Medline/Pubmed e Cinahl, utilizando URSI adaptado para apresentação de resultados e Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, para a classificação de nível de evidência. Resultados: De 8 artigos, 5(71,5%) foram publicados entre 2010 e 2015, todos em inglês, em (7;87,5%) os objetivos descreviam sobre avaliação do uso de TIC pelo paciente na sua educação. Os estudos randomizados prevaleceram (3;37,5%) e os resultados mostraram eficácia do uso de TICS nas ações educativas ao paciente (5;71,5%). Conclusão: As TICS aplicadas na educação ao cardiopata podem favorecer a mudança comportamental, o estilo de vida, acesso às informações para prevenção e promoção da saúde e diminuir custos.

Objective: Identify how information and communication technology contribute to education of cardiac patient about nursing care. Method: Scope of Review with searches conducted from 2005 to 2015, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in databases Lilacs, Medline/Pubmed and Cinahl, between 2005 to 2015 in Portuguese, English and Spanish, using URSI wich was adapted for presentation of results and Melnyk & Fineout- Overholt, to classify the level of evidence rating. Results: From 8 articles, 5 (71,5%) were published between 2010 to 2015, in 7(87,5%) the objectives described about evaluation of ICT by patients in their education. The randomized studies prevailed (3; 37,5%) and the results showed effectiveness of using ICT address this action of nursing education for patients (5; 71,5%). Conclusion: The TICS applied in education to patients with cardiac disease may promote behavioral change, improved lifestyle, access to information facilitating the prevention and health promotion, decrease in user cost.

Objetivo: Identificar cómo las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación contribuyen para la educación al cardiopata sobre cuidados de enfermeria. Método: Revisión de Escopo, con las búsquedas realizadas desde 2005 hasta 2015, en portugués, inglés y español, en las bases de datos Lilacs, Medline/Pubmed y Cinahl utilizando URSI adaptado para la presentación de los resultados y Melnyk y Fineout- Overholt , para la classificacion de al nivel de evidencia. Resultados: De 8 artículos, 5 (71,5%) fueron publicados en la década de 2010. En 7(87,5%) los objectivos describían sobre la evaluación del uso de TIC em educación por el enfermero al paciente. Los estudios randomizados prevalecieron (3;37,5 % ) y los resultados mostraron la eficacia de la utilización de las TIC frente a esta acción educativa (5;71,5%).Conclusión: Las TIC se aplica en la educación de los pacientes con enfermedad cardíaca puede promover el cambio comportamental, mejoria del estilo de vida, acceso a informaciones para la prevención y promoción de la salud, diminución de costos al usuario.

Unexpected results in Chernozem soil respiration while measuring the effect of a bio-fertilizer on soil microbial activity.

The number of studies investigating the effect of bio-fertilizers is increasing because of their importance in sustainable agriculture and environmental quality. In our experiments, we measured the effect of different fertilizers on soil respiration. In the present study, we were looking for the cause of unexpected changes in CO2 values while examining Chernozem soil samples. We concluded that CO2 oxidizing microbes or methanotrophs may be present in the soil that periodically consume CO2 . This is unusual for a sample taken from the upper layer of well-ventilated Chernozem soil with optimal moisture content.