Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity and phytoconstituents of lichen extracts with temperate and polar distribution.

The objective of this research was to characterize the chemical composition of ethanolic extracts of the lichen species Placopsis contortuplicata, Ochrolechia frigida, and Umbilicaria antarctica, their antioxidant activity, and enzymatic inhibition through in vitro and molecular docking analysis. In total phenol content, FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH assays, the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity, and in in vitro assays for the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase enzymes, together with in silico studies for the prediction of pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity risks, and intermolecular interactions of compounds, the extracts evidenced inhibitory potential. A total of 13 compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in P. contortuplicata, 18 compounds in O. frigida, and 12 compounds in U. antarctica. This study contributes to the knowledge of the pool of bioactive compounds present in lichens of temperate and polar distribution and biological characteristics that increase interest in the discovery of natural products that offer alternatives for treatment studies of diseases related to oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro and In Silico Biological Studies from Ferns of Genus Blechnum (Blechnaceae, Polypodiales).

The genus Blechnum represents one of the most ecologically and therapeutically important groups of ferns that grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. In this work, the chemical fingerprint of lyophilized extracts of Blechnum chilense, B. hastatum, B. magellanicum and B. penna-marina species, the determination of their antioxidant activity through ORAC, FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE), and an in silico analysis of selected majority compounds on cholinesterase enzymes were identified. Nineteen compounds were recorded for B. chilense, nine in B. hastatum, seventeen in B. magellanicum and seventeen in B. penna-marina by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were variable among species, with best results for B. penna-marina. Molecular docking evidenced low toxicities, significant pharmacokinetic properties, and significant binding affinities of the tested compounds for the AChE and BChE enzymes. These fern species show high diversity of bioactive compounds and represent a promising resource in phytotherapy, especially for their optimal levels of phenolic compounds that support their antioxidant activity.

Effect of the Deposit Temperature of ZnO Doped with Ni by HFCVD.

The effect of the deposit temperature of zinc oxide (ZnO) doped with nickel (Ni) by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique is reported in this work. The technique allows depositing ZnO:Ni in short intervals (1 min). A deposit of undoped ZnO is used as a reference sample. The reference sample was deposited at 500 °C. The ZnO:Ni samples were deposited at 500 °C, 400 °C, 350 °C, and 300 °C. The samples were studied using structural, morphological, and optical characterization techniques. The Ni incorporation to the ZnO lattice was verified by the shift of the X-ray diffraction peaks, the Raman peaks, the band gap, and the photoluminescence measurements. It was found that the deposit temperature affects the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the ZnO:Ni samples too. The structure of the ZnO:Ni samples corresponds to the hexagonal structure. Different microstructures shapes such as spheres, sea urchins, and agglomerate were found in samples; their change is attributed to the deposit temperature variation. The intensity of the photoluminescence of the ZnO:Ni improves concerning the ZnO due to the Ni incorporation, but it decreases as the deposit temperature decreases.

Metabolomic Profiling, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Properties and Molecular Docking Analysis of Antarctic Lichens.

The lichen species Lecania brialmontii, Pseudephebe pubescens, and Sphaerophorus globosus are part of the prominent lichenoflora of the Antarctic territory. In this work, we report the metabolomic identification of ethanolic extracts of these species, their antioxidant and cholinesterase enzyme inhibitory activity, and conduct a molecular docking analysis with typical compounds. Eighteen compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in L. brialmontii, 18 compounds in P. pubescens, and 14 compounds in S. globosus. The content of phenolic compounds was variable among the species, ranging from 0.279 to 2.821 mg AG/g, and all three species showed high inhibition potential on the cholinesterase enzymes. Molecular docking showed important interactions between AChE and BChE with the selected compounds. This study evidences the chemical fingerprint of three species of the order Lecanorales that support the continuation of the study of other biological activities and their potential for medical research.

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Properties of the Chilean Endemic Plant Ovidia pillopillo (Gay) Meissner (Thymelaeaceae).

Ovidia pillopillo (Lloime) is an endemic species of the Valdivian Forest of Chile. Little is known on the chemistry and biological activity of this plant. In this study, the phenolic profile, antioxidant capacities and enzyme inhibition capacities (against tyrosinase and cholinesterase) of the plant were investigated for the first time. The phenolic profile of the plant was obtained by UHPLC-MS fingerprinting with high resolution, which showed the presence of several flavonoids and coumarins. The antioxidant potential was measured by FRAP and ORAC (45.56 ± 1.32; 25.33 ± 1.2 µmol Trolox equivalents/g dry plant, respectively) plus ABTS and DPPH methods (IC50 = 9.95 ± 0.05 and 6.65 ± 0.5 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, the flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined (57.33 ± 0.82 and 38.42 ± 1.32, µg of Trolox and quercetin equivalents/100 g dry weight, respectively). The ethanolic extract showed cholinesterase (IC50 = 1.94 ± 0.07 and 2.73 ± 0.05 µg/mL, for AChE and BuChE, respectively) and tyrosinase (4.92 ± 0.05 µg/mL) enzyme inhibition activities. Based on these in vitro studies, in silico simulations were performed, which determined that the major compounds as ligands likely docked in the receptors of the enzymes. These results suggest that Ovidia pillopillo produce interesting special coumarins and flavonoids, which are potential candidates for the exploration and preparation of new medicines.

Phylogenetic Studies and Metabolite Analysis of Sticta Species from Colombia and Chile by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution-Q-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry.

Eleven species of lichens of the genus Sticta, ten of which were collected in Colombia (S. pseudosylvatica S. luteocyphellata S. cf. andina S. cf. hypoglabra, S. cordillerana, S. cf. gyalocarpa S. leucoblepharis, S. parahumboldtii S. impressula, S. ocaniensis) and one collected in Chile (S. lineariloba), were analyzed for the first time using hyphenated liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. In the metabolomic analysis, a total of 189 peaks were tentatively detected; the analyses were divided in five (5) groups of compounds comprising lipids, small phenolic compounds, saturated acids, terpenes, and typical phenolic lichen compounds such as depsides, depsidones and anthraquinones. The metabolome profiles of these eleven species are important since some compounds were identified as chemical markers for the fast identification of Sticta lichens for the first time. Finally, the usefulness of chemical compounds in comparison to traditional morphological traits to the study of ancestor-descendant relationships in the genus was assessed. Chemical and morphological consensus trees were not consistent with each other and recovered different relationships between taxa.

UHPLC-MS Chemical Fingerprinting and Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibition, Anti-Inflammatory In Silico and Cytoprotective Activities of Cladonia chlorophaea and C. gracilis (Cladoniaceae) from Antarctica.

The lichen species Cladonia chlorophaea and C. gracilis (Cladoniaceae) are widely distributed in the island archipelago of maritime Antarctica and represent a natural resource of scientific interest. In this work, the metabolomic characterization of the ethanolic extracts of these species and the determination of the antioxidant activity, enzymatic inhibition and anti-inflammatory potential of selected compounds on the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme by molecular docking and cytoprotective activity in the SH-SY5Y cell line were carried out. Nineteen compounds were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) in each of the species. The contents of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, the inhibition of cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) and digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were variable among species, with better results in C. chlorophaea. Molecular docking evidenced significant binding affinities of some compounds for the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, together with outstanding pharmacokinetic properties. Both extracts were shown to promote cell viability and a reduction in reactive oxygen species production in an H2O2-induced oxidative stress model. This study contributes to the chemical knowledge of the Cladonia species and demonstrates the biological potential for the prevention and promising treatment of central nervous system pathologies, inflammatory disorders and metabolic alterations.

Amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles promote cardiac dysfunction via the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in rat heart and human cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: Silica nanoparticles (nanoSiO2) are promising systems that can deliver biologically active compounds to tissues such as the heart in a controllable manner. However, cardiac toxicity induced by nanoSiO2 has been recently related to abnormal calcium handling and energetic failure in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the precise mechanisms underlying this energetic debacle remain unclear. In order to elucidate these mechanisms, this article explores the ex vivo heart function and mitochondria after exposure to nanoSiO2. RESULTS: The cumulative administration of nanoSiO2 reduced the mechanical performance index of the rat heart with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 93 µg/mL, affecting the relaxation rate. In isolated mitochondria nanoSiO2 was found to be internalized, inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and significantly reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) was also induced with an increasing dose of nanoSiO2 and partially recovered with, a potent blocker of the mPTP, Cyclosporine A (CsA). The activity of aconitase and thiol oxidation, in the adenine nucleotide translocase, were found to be reduced due to nanoSiO2 exposure, suggesting that nanoSiO2 induces the mPTP via thiol modification and ROS generation. In cardiac cells exposed to nanoSiO2, enhanced viability and reduction of H2O2 were observed after application of a specific mitochondrial antioxidant, MitoTEMPO. Concomitantly, CsA treatment in adult rat cardiac cells reduced the nanoSiO2-triggered cell death and recovered ATP production (from 32.4 to 65.4%). Additionally, we performed evaluation of the mitochondrial effect of nanoSiO2 in human cardiomyocytes. We observed a 40% inhibition of maximal oxygen consumption rate in mitochondria at 500 µg/mL. Under this condition we identified a remarkable diminution in the spare respiratory capacity. This data indicates that a reduction in the amount of extra ATP that can be produced by mitochondria during a sudden increase in energy demand. In human cardiomyocytes, increased LDH release and necrosis were found at increased doses of nanoSiO2, reaching 85 and 48%, respectively. Such deleterious effects were partially prevented by the application of CsA. Therefore, exposure to nanoSiO2 affects cardiac function via mitochondrial dysfunction through the opening of the mPTP. CONCLUSION: The aforementioned effects can be partially avoided reducing ROS or retarding the opening of the mPTP. These novel strategies which resulted in cardioprotection could be considered as potential therapies to decrease the side effects of nanoSiO2 exposure.

Competencias de enfermera: vigilancia de infección nosocomial en un hospital de primer nivel / Nurse competencies: surveillance of nosocomial infection in first level hospital

El presente trabajo tiene por objeto el análisis de la infección nosocomial (IN) en el hospital de referencia regional de la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura en el primer trimestre de 2017. Utilizamos para ello como fuente de información los resultados de los cultivos clínicos y los antibiogramas realizados a los distintos pacientes y remitidos desde el Servicio de Microbiología de dicho hospital. La metodología seguida consiste en un análisis descriptivo individualizado y pormenorizado de los pacientes con cultivo positivo, realizado por una enfermera formada en vigilancia, prevención y control de infecciones, para determinar, según los criterios de la CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), si el paciente ingre-sado en el centro hospitalario padece una IN. El resultado principal fue que el paciente tipo fue varón, en la sexta década de la vida, cuya infección más frecuente fue la de herida quirúrgica, causada por Staphylococcus spp., y si fuera el germen multirresistente sería por el Acinetobacter baumannii. Insistimos en la necesidad de tener una enfermera formada en vigilancia, prevención y control de la infección dada la importancia de estas funciones y su impacto en la calidad asistencial

The aim of this study is to analyze nosocomial infection (NI) in the regional reference hospital of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura in the first quarter of 2017. We used the results of clinical cultures and test of sensitivity to antibiotics as sources of information performed to the different patients and sent from the Microbiology Service of the hospital he methodology followed consists of an individualized and detailed descriptive analysis of patients with positive culture, performed by a nurse trained in surveillance, prevention and infection control, to determine, according to the criteria of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), if the patient admitted to the hospital has an IN. The main result was that the type patient was a male, in the sixth decade of life, who's most frequent infection was surgical wound infection, caused by Staphylococcus spp., and if it were caused by a multidrug-resistant germ, it would be by Acinetobacter baumannii. We insist on the need of a nurse with training in surveillance, prevention and control of the infection due to the importance of these functions and the impact in quality of healthcare services

Thermoelectric properties of SnSe nanowires with different diameters.

Tin selenide (SnSe) has been the subject of great attention in the last years due to its highly efficient thermoelectricity and its possibilities as a green material, free of Pb and Te. Here, we report for the first time a thermoelectricity and transport study of individual SnSe micro- and nano-wires with diameters in the range between 130 nm and 1.15 µm. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirm an orthorhombic SnSe structure with Pnma (62) symmetry group and 1:1 Sn:Se atomic ratio. Electrical and thermal conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient were measured in each individual nanowire using a specialized suspended microdevice in the 150-370 K temperature range, yielding a thermal conductivity of 0.55 Wm-1 K-1 at room temperature and ZT ~ 0.156 at 370 K for the 130 nm diameter nanowire. The measured properties were correlated with electronic information obtained by model simulations and with phonon scattering analysis. The results confirm these structures as promising building blocks to develop efficient temperature sensors, refrigerators and thermoelectric energy converters. The thermoelectric response of the nanowires is compared with recent reports on crystalline, polycrystalline and layered bulk structures.

Thermoelectric properties and thermal tolerance of indium tin oxide nanowires.

Highly crystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) nanowires were grown via a vapor-liquid-solid method, with thermal tolerance up to ∼1300 °C. We report the electric and thermoelectric properties of the ITO nanowires before and after heat treatments and draw conclusions about their applicability as thermoelectric building blocks in nanodevices that can operate in high temperature conditions. The Seebeck coefficient and the thermal and electrical conductivities were measured in each individual nanowire by means of specialized micro-bridge thermometry devices. Measured data was analyzed and explained in terms of changes in charge carrier density, impurities and vacancies due to the thermal treatments.

Design of a cathodoluminescence image generator using a Raspberry Pi coupled to a scanning electron microscope.

In this work, an innovative cathodoluminescence (CL) system is coupled to a scanning electron microscope and synchronized with a Raspberry Pi computer integrated with an innovative processing signal. The post-processing signal is based on a Python algorithm that correlates the CL and secondary electron (SE) images with a precise dwell time correction. For CL imaging, the emission signal is collected through an optical fiber and transduced to an electrical signal via a photomultiplier tube (PMT). CL Images are registered in a panchromatic mode and can be filtered using a monochromator connected between the optical fiber and the PMT to produce monochromatic CL images. The designed system has been employed to study ZnO samples prepared by electrical arc discharge and microwave methods. CL images are compared with SE images and chemical elemental mapping images to correlate the emission regions of the sample.

Metabolomic Analysis of Two Parmotrema Lichens: P. robustum (Degel.) Hale and P. andinum (Mull. Arg.) Hale Using UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS-MS.

Lichens are symbiotic associations of fungi with microalgae and/or cyanobacteria. Lichens belonging to the Parmeliaceae family comprise 2700 species of lichens, including the Parmotrema genus which is composed of 300 species. The metabolites of this genus include depsides, depsidones, phenolics, polysaccharides, lipids, diphenylethers and dibenzofurans, which are responsible for the biological activities reported including antidiabetic, antihelmintic, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimitotic, antitumoral, antifungal, and antioxidant enzyme inhibitory. Due to scarce knowledge of metabolomic profiles of Parmotrema species (P. andinum and P. robustum), a full metabolome study based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- diode array detector-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-orbitrap-mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-orbitrap MS) was performed for a comprehensive characterization of their substances. From the methanolic extracts of these species, a total of 54 metabolites were identified for the first time using this hyphenated technique, including thirty compounds in P. andinum, and thirty-seven in P. robustum. Moreover, two compounds were not identified as known compounds, and could be new structures, according to our data. This report shows that this technique is effective and accurate for rapid chemical identification of lichen substances and the compounds identified could serve as chemotaxonomic markers to differentiate these ruffle lichens.

Structural analysis of the epitaxial interface Ag/ZnO in hierarchical nanoantennas.

Detectors, photo-emitter, and other high order radiation devices work under the principle of directionality to enhance the power of emission/transmission in a particular direction. In order to understand such directionality, it is important to study their coupling mechanism of their active elements. In this work, we present a crystalline orientation analysis of ZnO nanorods grown epitaxially on the pentagonal faces of silver nanowires. The analysis of the crystalline orientation at the metal-semiconductor interface (ZnO/Ag) is performed with precession electron diffraction under assisted scanning mode. In addition, high resolution X-ray diffraction on a Bragg-Brentano configuration has been used to identify the crystalline phases of the arrangement between ZnO rods and silver nanowires. The work presented herein provides a fundamental knowledge to understand the metal-semiconductor behavior related to the receiving/transmitting mechanisms of ZnO/Ag nanoantennas.

Gastroprotective activity of synthetic coumarins: Role of endogenous prostaglandins, nitric oxide, non-protein sulfhydryls and vanilloid receptors.

Natural or synthetic coumarins showed gastroprotective and antiulcer activity in animal models. In this study, we have synthetized twenty coumarins using classic methods to evaluate their gastroprotective effects on the ethanol/HCl-induced gastric lesion model in mice at 20mg/kg. Among the coumarins synthetized, compounds 6 and 10 showed the greatest gastroprotective activity being as active as lansoprazole at 20mg/kg and reducing gastric lesions by 75 and 76%, respectively. Then, in a second experiment, compounds 6 and 10 were re-evaluated in order to understand the possible mode of gastroprotective activity. Regarding coumarin 6, the protective effect was reduced by pre-treatment of the mice with N-ethylmaleimide and l-NAME suggesting that sulfhydryl compounds and endogenous nitric oxide are involved in its gastroprotective activity. While for coumarin 10 the effect was reduced by pre-treatment with indomethacin suggesting that prostaglandins are positively involved in its gastroprotective activity.

Hand hygiene technique quality evaluation in nursing and medicine students of two academic courses.

OBJECTIVE: because they are health professionals, nursing and medical students' hands during internships can function as a transmission vehicle for hospital-acquired infections. METHOD: a descriptive study with nursing and medical degree students on the quality of the hand hygiene technique, which was assessed via a visual test using a hydroalcoholic solution marked with fluorescence and an ultraviolet lamp. RESULTS: 546 students were assessed, 73.8% from medicine and 26.2% from nursing. The area of the hand with a proper antiseptic distribution was the palm (92.9%); areas not properly scrubbed were the thumbs (55.1%). 24.7% was very good in both hands, 29.8% was good, 25.1% was fair, and 20.3% was poor. The worst assessed were the male, nursing and first year students. There were no significant differences in the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: hand hygiene technique is not applied efficiently. Education plays a key role in setting a good practice base in hand hygiene, theoretical knowledge, and in skill development, as well as good practice reinforcement.

Hand hygiene assessment in the workplace using a UV lamp.

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of the hand hygiene (HH) technique of healthcare workers (HCW) in real conditions, without previous education or training. All 705 participants did the World Health Organization sequence for HH correctly, but only 9.5% actually achieved the highest rating (ie, all hand areas with hand rub distribution).

Hand hygiene technique quality evaluation in nursing and medicine students of two academic courses / Avaliação da qualidade da técnica de higiene das mãos em alunos de enfermagem e medicina em dois cursos de graduação / Evaluación de la calidad de la técnica de higiene de manos en alumnos de enfermería y medicina en dos cursos académicos

AbstractObjective: because they are health professionals, nursing and medical students' hands during internships can function as a transmission vehicle for hospital-acquired infections.Method: a descriptive study with nursing and medical degree students on the quality of the hand hygiene technique, which was assessed via a visual test using a hydroalcoholic solution marked with fluorescence and an ultraviolet lamp.Results: 546 students were assessed, 73.8% from medicine and 26.2% from nursing. The area of the hand with a proper antiseptic distribution was the palm (92.9%); areas not properly scrubbed were the thumbs (55.1%). 24.7% was very good in both hands, 29.8% was good, 25.1% was fair, and 20.3% was poor. The worst assessed were the male, nursing and first year students. There were no significant differences in the age groups.Conclusions: hand hygiene technique is not applied efficiently. Education plays a key role in setting a good practice base in hand hygiene, theoretical knowledge, and in skill development, as well as good practice reinforcement.

ResumoObjetivo:assim como as mãos dos professionais de saúde, as mãos dos estudantes de Enfermagem e Medicina durante os estágios clínicos podem funcionar como veículo de transmissão das infecções hospitalares.Método:estudo descritivo com estudantes de Graduação em Enfermagem e Medicina. Avaliou-se a qualidade da técnica de higiene das mãos por meio de prova visual a partir de solução hidro-alcoólica marcada com fluoresceína e lâmpada de luz ultravioleta.Resultados:avaliaram-se 546 alunos, 73,8% da Graduação em Medicina e 26,2% da Enfermagem. As áreas das mãos com correta distribuição de sabão foram as palmas (92,9%); as áreas não esfregadas corretamente foram os polegares (55,1%). Em ambas as mãos, a higienização foi muito boa em 24,7%, boa em 29,8%, regular em 25,1% e má em 20,3%. Os piores foram: os homens, os estudantes de Enfermagem e os estudantes do primeiro ano de escola. Não houve diferenças significativas por idade.Conclusões:a técnica de higiene de mãos não foi realizada de modo eficaz. O papel educativo é fundamental para sedimentar as bases de boas práticas na higienização das mãos, em conhecimentos teóricos e no desenvolvimento de habilidades e reforço de boas práticas.

ResumenObjetivo:al igual que los profesionales sanitarios, las manos de los estudiantes de enfermería y medicina durante las estancias clínicas pueden funcionar como vehículo de trasmisión de las infecciones nosocomiales.Método:estudio descriptivo con estudiantes de Grado de Enfermería y de Medicina. Se evaluó la calidad de la técnica de la higiene de manos por prueba visual con solución hidroalcohólica marcada con fluoresceína y lámpara de luz ultravioleta.Resultados:se evaluó a 546 alumnos, Grado de Medicina 73,8% y 26,2% de Enfermería. Las zonas de las manos con una correcta distribución de desinfectante fueron las palmas (92,9%); las no frotadas correctamente fueron los pulgares (55,1%). En ambas manos fue muy buena en el 24,7%, buena en el 29,8%, regular en 25,1% y mala en 20,3%. Los peores han sido: los hombres, los estudiantes de enfermería y los de primer año de estudio. No hubo diferencias significativas por edad.Conclusiones:no se realizó la técnica de higiene de manos de una manera eficaz. El papel de la educación es fundamental para sentar las bases de buenas prácticas en higiene de manos, en conocimientos teóricos y en el desarrollo de habilidades y el refuerzo de buenas prácticas.

Evaluación de formación y destreza de la asepsia de manos empleando lámpara ultravioleta / Evaluation of education and skills in hand hygiene using ultraviolet light lamp

Objetivo principal: La higiene de manos (HM) es fundamental para una atención sanitaria limpia y segura. Los futuros profesionales de enfermería deben adquirir conocimientos tanto teóricos como prácticos en materia de HM. Metodología: Se evaluó la técnica de HM, registrando las regiones de las manos con/sin exposición a la solución alcohólica marcada con fluoresceína mediante una lámpara de luz ultravioleta. Resultados principales: Evaluamos 71 alumnos, 56,3 % de 2o curso y 43,7% de 3er curso de Enfermería. El 73,3% fueron mujeres. Realizaron la HM bien o muy bien el 45,1% de los alumnos. Las zonas donde con más frecuencia no se extendió la solución alcohólica fueron los pulgares (54,9%) y dorso (46,5%). No hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos cursos. Conclusión principal: El papel de la educación es fundamental para sentar las bases de buenas prácticas en HM, en conocimientos teóricos y en el desarrollo de habilidades y reforzamiento de buenas prácticas

Objective: Hand hygiene (HH) is essential for a clean and safe healthcare. The future nurses have to acquire both, theoretical and practical, knowledge, competencies and skills on HH. Methods: The HH technique was evaluated using an alcoholic solution incorporating fluorescent marker and ultraviolet lamp, and recording regions of the hands with / without exposure. Results: We evaluated 71 students, 56.3% in the 2nd year and 43.7% of 3rd year of Nursing School. The 73.3% were women. The HH was performed very good or good by 45.1% of students. The areas that alcoholic solution didn't reached most frequently were thumbs (54.9%) and dorsal part of hand (46.5%). No significant differences between courses were found. Conclusions: The role of education is essential to lay the foundation of good technique in HH, in theoretical knowledge and in the development of skills and reinforcement of good practices

Conocimiento de la higiene de manos en estudiantes de enfermería / Knowledge of hand hygiene in nursing students

Las manos de los estudiantes de enfermería pueden ser el vector de la infección nosocomial. La mejora en el conocimiento sobre la higiene de manos (HM) reduce la infección nosocomial. Para ello debemos conocer el grado de adherencia al protocolo de lavado de manos (LM) por parte de los alumnos de enfermería Para ello se pasó un cuestionario estructurado de la OMS para profesionales de salud, antes y después de llevar a cabo un taller formativo. Han participado en el Estudio un total de 63 alumnos de dos cursos de grado en enfermería de la Universidad de Extremadura (UEX), con una predominancia del sector femenino en 76,2 % (48) y 23,8 % (15) para el masculino.Se obtuvo datos muy significativos (p<0,015) en el cuestionario en P9a (0,012), P9b (0,000), P10 (0,000), P11 e (0,005), P11f (0,002). Los estudiantes tienen un conocimiento moderado sobre HM. El estudio muestra la necesidad de seguir mejorando los programas de formación de HM existentes, para hacer frente a las lagunas en los conocimientos y obtener unos enfermeros altamente cualificados en el futuro (AU)

Nursing students’ hands can be the vector of nosocomial infection. Improving knowledge about hand hygiene (HM) reduces nosocomial infection. This is the reason we must know the degree of adherence to hand washing protocol (LM) by nursing students For this purpose, a WHO structured questionnaire for health professionals was done before and after putting a training workshop into practice. A total of 63 students from two nursing degree courses of UEX have participated in the study, with female sector predominance 76.2% (48) and 23.8% (15) for the male. Very significant data were obtained (p <0.015) in the questionnaire P9a (0.012), P9B (0,000) P10 (0,000) P11 and (0.005), P11f (0.002). Students have a moderate knowledge about HM. The study shows the need to improve existing HM training programs, to address gaps in knowledge and to obtain highly qualified nurses in the future (AU)