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Avian influenza is a disease of paramount economical importance for the poultry industry. In Mexico, only low pathogenicity H5N2 strain has been reported and it is controlled through inactivated-virus inoculation. This emulsified vaccine reduces clinical signs indeed, but not viral shedding. Over the last 50 years Transfer Factor (TF) has shown to be an efficient immunomodulator and has been used successfully in human clinical cases, and less commonly in animal models. The aim of this work was to establish an avian influenza-specific TF dose able to produce the highest percentage of mRNA expression of the following cytokines: IL-2 and IFN-γ. An experiment to show the mRNA expression of these cytokines in chicken previously inoculated with avian influenza-specific TF was set up. In the first experiment 0.1, 1 and 10 TF units were inoculated into 3 different groups of chickens; PCR for cytokines from splenic tissue was performed. For the second experiment, a second TF inoculation in combination with the vaccine was carried out using 3 new groups of chicken. Experiment 1: Only IL-2 expression was achieved in 58.33% of chickens using 1 TF unit (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, 75% of chickens showed IL-2 with 1 TF unit (P < 0.05) and all of them (100%) expressed IFN-γ(P < 0.01). From these results it can be concluded that IFN-γand IL-2 expression can be induced by the inoculation of 1 TF unit (equivalent to 7.3μg of protein) at the beginning of the experiment procedure and after a second inoculation of TF (10 days after) together with the inactivated virus vaccine. &nbsp, La influenza aviar es una enfermedad de gran importancia económica para la industria avícola. En México sólo se ha reportado la cepa H5N2 de baja patogenicidad y ésta se controla mediante la vacunación con virus inactivado. Esta vacuna en emulsión reduce la presencia de signos, pero no la eliminación viral. Desde hace más de 50 años se ha informado acerca de la eficacia del Factor de Transferencia (FT) como inmunomodulador en casos clínicos humanos y en menor cantidad en modelos animales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el de establecer la dosis que produce un mayor porcentaje de expresión del RNAm de dos citocinas: IL-2 y de IFN-γ. Se diseñó un experimento para evidenciar la expresión del RNAm de estas dos citocinas en pollos previamente inoculados con FT específico para influenza aviar. En la primera fase se aplicaron 0,1, 1, y 10 unidades de FT a diferentes grupos de pollos, posteriormente se realizó la PCR a partir de tejido esplénico. En la segunda fase se aplicó el FT junto con la vacuna a tres nuevos grupos de pollos. Del experimento 1 solamente IL-2 tuvo un porcentaje mayor de positivos (58,33%) con 1 unidad (P < 0,05). En cambio, en el experimento 2, con 1 unidad se obtuvo 75% de positivos para IL-2 (P < 0,05) y 100% para IFN-γ(P < 0,01). De estos resultados su puede concluir que al aplicar una unidad de FT (equivalente a 7,3μg de proteína) al inicio del experimento y 10 días después otra unidad de FT junto con la vacuna inactivada de IA se indujo la expresión del RNAm de IFN-γe IL-2. &nbsp

La influenza aviar es una enfermedad de gran importancia económica para la industria avícola. En México sólo se ha reportado la cepa H5N2 de baja patogenicidad y ésta se controla mediante la vacunación con virus inactivado. Esta vacuna en emulsión reduce la presencia de signos, pero no la eliminación viral. Desde hace más de 50 años se ha informado acerca de la eficacia del Factor de Transferencia (FT) como inmunomodulador en casos clínicos humanos y en menor cantidad en modelos animales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el de establecer la dosis que produce un mayor porcentaje de expresión del RNAm de dos citocinas: IL-2 y de IFN-γ. Se diseñó un experimento para evidenciar la expresión del RNAm de estas dos citocinas en pollos previamente inoculados con FT específico para influenza aviar. En la primera fase se aplicaron 0,1, 1, y 10 unidades de FT a diferentes grupos de pollos, posteriormente se realizó la PCR a partir de tejido esplénico. En la segunda fase se aplicó el FT junto con la vacuna a tres nuevos grupos de pollos. Del experimento 1 solamente IL-2 tuvo un porcentaje mayor de positivos (58,33%) con 1 unidad (P < 0,05). En cambio, en el experimento 2, con 1 unidad se obtuvo 75% de positivos para IL-2 (P < 0,05) y 100% para IFN-γ (P < 0,01). De estos resultados su puede concluir que al aplicar una unidad de FT (equivalente a 7,3 μg de proteína) al inicio del experimento y 10 días después otra unidad de FT junto con la vacuna inactivada de IA se indujo la expresión del RNAm de IFN-γ e IL-2.

The use of information technology (IT) in dentistry is far ranging. In order to produce a working document for the dental educator, this paper focuses on those methods where IT can assist in the education and competence development of dental students and dentists (e.g. e-learning, distance learning, simulations and computer-based assessment). Web pages and other information-gathering devices have become an essential part of our daily life, as they provide extensive information on all aspects of our society. This is mirrored in dental education where there are many different tools available, as listed in this report. IT offers added value to traditional teaching methods and examples are provided. In spite of the continuing debate on the learning effectiveness of e-learning applications, students request such approaches as an adjunct to the traditional delivery of learning materials. Faculty require support to enable them to effectively use the technology to the benefit of their students. This support should be provided by the institution and it is suggested that, where possible, institutions should appoint an e-learning champion with good interpersonal skills to support and encourage faculty change. From a global prospective, all students and faculty should have access to e-learning tools. This report encourages open access to e-learning material, platforms and programs. The quality of such learning materials must have well defined learning objectives and involve peer review to ensure content validity, accuracy, currency, the use of evidence-based data and the use of best practices. To ensure that the developers’ intellectual rights are protected, the original content needs to be secure from unauthorized changes. Strategies and recommendations on how to improve the quality of e-learning are outlined. In the area of assessment, traditional examination schemes can be enriched by IT, whilst the Internet can provide many innovative approaches. Future trends in IT will evolve around improved uptake and access facilitated by the technology (hardware and software). The use of Web 2.0 shows considerable promise and this may have implications on a global level. For example, the one-laptop-per-child project is the best example of what Web 2.0 can do: minimal use of hardware to maximize use of the Internet structure. In essence, simple technology can overcome many of the barriers to learning. IT will always remain exciting, as it is always changing and the users, whether dental students, educators or patients are like chameleons adapting to the ever-changing landscape.

Modern adult learning theory characterizes self-directed learning as most effective. While studying the effectiveness of an endoscopic sinus surgery simulator (ES3) as a training tool and acknowledging that its successful integration into a training program is dependent on its acceptance and self-driven use by trainees, we sought to determine our study subjects' attitudes toward the simulator.Twenty-six medical students were enrolled and trained in our ES3 study. Each student was asked to complete a 28-item questionnaire on completion of training. This questionnaire contained 10-point Likert scale instruments, yes/no questions, and one open-ended question.All but four subjects responded to the questionnaire; 90.9% of the respondents rated the training benefit derived from the simulator's novice mode as 6 or greater on a 10-point scale; the mean was 7.82 (+/- 2.22). The training benefit of the intermediate mode also was scored highly, with a mean score in the 7-9 range for all but one component-heart rate response to actions performed. Trainees appreciated the simulator's ability to help them adapt to a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional display. They also noted its strengths in elucidating intranasal anatomy.Medical students who enrolled in our study, as a group,felt that the ES3 provided them with significant training benefits. Although subjective, these attitudes, coupled with objective data indicating that there is a measurable benefit from use of the ES3, will ensure itsfull acceptance and use in otolaryngology training programs.

La región de San Sebastián de Buenavista, Magdalena (Colombia), se caracteriza por ser una de las más importantes en la producción de madera derivada de cultivos de eucalipto. Actualmente se han registrado pérdidas económicas grandes en las empresas madereras que operan en San Sebastián por el daño causado por termitas. Estas pérdidas alcanzan aproximadamente el 83,6% de la producción en el área de estudio. Las medidas de control realizadas son pocas empleándose fundamentalmente insecticidas químicos. En la región no se han realizado estudios de reconocimiento de las termitas que atacan los eucaliptos ni de los microorganismos asociados a ellas. Estos estudios son importantes ya que algunos microorganismos entomopatógenos pueden estar regulando las poblaciones de termitas en condiciones naturales, o tener utilidad potencial como agentes de control microbiológico. En este trabajo se registran los géneros de termitas presentes en la reforestadora y los hongos asociados a los termiteros y sustratos cercanos. Las termitas encontradas corresponden a los géneros Microcerotermes, Amitermes y Coptotermes, En total se obtuvieron 252 aislamientos de hongos correspondientes a 31 géneros y 29 especies. Los aislamientos füngicos se agruparon en categorías de acuerdo con su origen. Se resaltan aquellos reconocidos como entomopatógenos o registrados previamente en asocio con termitas. Entre los hongos más importantes se encuentran: Aspergillus spp. (33,3%), Fusarium spp. (21%), Penicillium spp. (7,9%), TYichoderma spp. (6,8%), Paecilomyces spp. (4,8%) y Entomophthora spp. (2,4%). The región of San Sebastián of Buenavista, Magdalena (Colombia), is characterized for being one of the most important producers of lumber derived from eucalyptus plantations. At present, large economic losses have been registered for lumber companies operating in San Sebastián due to the damage caused by termites. These losses reach approximately 83,6% of the production in the study. The control measures carried out are few, mainly using Chemical insecticides. In this región, studies have not been conducted on recognizing the termites that attack eucalyptus nor on the microorganisms associated with them. These studies are important because some microorganisms may be regulating termite populations under natural conditions, or have potential as microbiological control agents. In this paper we report the genera of termites present in eucalyptus and the fungi associated with their nests and nearby substratos. The termites found belong to the genera Microcerotermes, Amitermes and Coptotermes. A total of 252 fungal isolates corresponding to 31 genera and 29 species were obtained. The fungal isolates were grouped into categories according to their origin. We identify those isolates recognized as entomopathogenics or previously reported in association with termites. Among the most important fungí were Aspergillus spp. (33,3%), fltsarium spp. (21%), Penicillium spp. (7,9%), Trichoderma spp. (6,8%), Paecilomyces spp. (4,8%) and Entomophthora spp. (2,4%).

En Colombia la microscopia electrónica de huevos de phlebotomineos para determinación de especies es nueva. Debido a la diversidad de especies e importancia médica del grupo verrucarum se estudiaron cuatro de estas especies: Lutzomyia youngi, Lutzomyia evansi, Lutzomyia columbiana y Lutzomyia longiflocosa. El modelo de superficie del huevo es poligonal. Lutzomyia youngi y Lutzomyia columbiana exhibieron un modelo pentagonal o hexagonal, Lutzomyia evansi polígonos elongados y Lutzomyia longiflocosa un modelo poligonal frecuentemente rectangular. La microscopia electrónica de huevos es confiable para identificar especies del grupo verrucarum.The value of Colombian phlebotomine eggs for species determination was studied with a scanning electron microscope. The species diversity and medical importance of the verrucarum group were the bases to select Lutzomyia youngi, Lutzomyia evansi, Lutzomyia columbiana and Lutzomyia longiflocosa. The egg surface was poligonal. Lutzomyia youngi, and Lutzomyia columbiana had pentagonal or hexagonal patterns; Lutzomyia evansi elongated polygons and Lutzomyia longiflocosa irregular polygonal sculpturing, frequently rectangular. Egg scanning electron microscopy is reliable to identify species of the verrucarum group.