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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: the use of 3D cameras for gait analysis has been highly questioned due to the low accuracy they have demonstrated in the past. The objective of the study presented in this paper is to improve the accuracy of the estimations made by robot-mounted 3D cameras in human gait analysis by applying a supervised learning stage. METHODS: the 3D camera was mounted in a mobile robot to obtain a longer walking distance. This study shows an improvement in detection of kinematic gait signals and gait descriptors by post-processing the raw estimations of the camera using artificial neural networks trained with the data obtained from a certified Vicon system. To achieve this, 37 healthy participants were recruited and data of 207 gait sequences were collected using an Orbbec Astra 3D camera. There are two basic possible approaches for training and both have been studied in order to see which one achieves a better result. The artificial neural network can be trained either to obtain more accurate kinematic gait signals or to improve the gait descriptors obtained after initial processing. The former seeks to improve the waveforms of kinematic gait signals by reducing the error and increasing the correlation with respect to the Vicon system. The second is a more direct approach, focusing on training the artificial neural networks using gait descriptors directly. RESULTS: the accuracy of the 3D camera to objectify human gait was measured before and after training. In both training approaches, a considerable improvement was observed. Kinematic gait signals showed lower errors and higher correlations with respect to the ground truth. The accuracy of the system to detect gait descriptors also showed a substantial improvement, mostly for kinematic descriptors rather than spatio-temporal. When comparing both training approaches, it was not possible to define which was the absolute best. CONCLUSIONS: supervised learning improves the accuracy of 3D cameras but the selection of the training approach will depend on the purpose of the study to be conducted. This study reveals the great potential of 3D cameras and encourages the research community to continue exploring their use in gait analysis.

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This study evaluates the acaricidal activity of Mexican native plants against a Rhipicephalus microplus population resistant to both amitraz and cypermethrin. To explore the activities of plants, the larvicidal effects of 72 Kupchan fractions (Hex, DCM, AcOEt and MeOH:H2O) of 18 plant species collected in Veracruz, Mexico were studied. The evaluation of the Kupchan fractions against double resistant R. microplus indicated that the fractions of Annona globiflora (Hex, LC50 = 0.007% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.007% w/v), Annona scleroderma (Hex, LC50 = 0.08% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.02% w/v), and Litchi chinensis (Hex, LC50 = 0.79% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.54% w/v) showed the greatest larvicidal activities. To identify the presence of additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects, the acaricidal activity of binary mixtures of the most active fractions of A. globiflora, A. scleroderma, L. chinensis and Citrus sinensis were also evaluated. The latter was chosen as it is easy to obtain due to its substantial presence in agricultural activity locally and globally. The results showed synergistic interaction of the fraction Hex of C. sinensis with the fractions of Hex and DCM of L. chinensis. The most active larvicidal fractions were tested against engorged ticks of R. microplus by adult immersion test at concentration of 2.5% w/v. The Hex and DCM fractions from A. globiflora and A. scleroderma were the most active, causing 100% mortality. The Hex and DCM fractions of L. chinensis exhibited approximately 50% mortality, while the other evaluated fractions did not show efficacy at this concentration. Therefore, it is evident that the fractions of these plants have the potential to be used in either combined or single form as effective alternatives in the control of R. microplus zoonoses.

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Four cyclic octapeptides, squamins C-F, were isolated from the seeds of Annona globiflora Schltdl. These compounds share part of their amino acid sequence, -Pro-Met(O)-Tyr-Gly-Thr-, with previously reported squamins A and B. Their structures were determined using NMR spectroscopic techniques together with quantum mechanical calculations (QM-NMR), ESI-HRMS data and a modified version of Marfey's chromatographic method. All compounds showed cytotoxic activity against DU-145 (human prostate cancer) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines. Clearly, A. globiflora is an important source of bioactive molecules, which could promote the sustainable exploitation of this undervalued specie.

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A new cyclic heptapeptide, ectyoplasin (1), was isolated from a methanol extract of the sponge Ectyoplasia ferox. The planar structure of 1, cyclo(-Leu1-Asn2-Ala3-Val4-Thr5-Pro6-Gly7-), was determined by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Its absolute stereochemistry was solved by Marfey's method. The in vitro assays show that ectyoplasin (1) possess significant cytotoxic activity (2.9 - 23.5 µM) against the cell lines, DU-145 (human prostate cancer), Jurkat (human T-cell acute leukaemia), MM144 (human multiple myeloma), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and CADO-ES1 (human Ewing's sarcoma). The DU-145 cell line showed apoptotic cell death in response to ectyoplasin (1) treatment.

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Resumen Introducción: La medición y evaluación de las competencias laborales, en el personal farmacéutico ambulatorio, debe combinar aspectos relacionados con los conocimientos (que sabe), habilidades (como lo hace) y actitudes (de que modo lo hace). Objetivo: Identificar y seleccionar las directrices y recomendaciones sobre las competencias laborales que requiere el personal farmacéutico ambulatorio, y construir un instrumento para su medición. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión estructurada en dos fases: a) se revisaron y seleccionaron las funciones/dominios, los criterios de desempeño (habilidades y actitudes), los conocimientos, los marcos de competencias establecidas a nivel internacional, y los instrumentos de medición reportados en la literatura; y b) se identificaron las competencias laborales necesarias de acuerdo con la normatividad colombiana y con los procesos de los Establecimientos Farmacéuticos ambulatorios (droguerías y farmacias-droguerías). Finalmente, se construyó el instrumento de medición por un panel de expertos. Resultados: Se identificaron las competencias laborales establecidas por las organizaciones de regulación internacional. Se revisaron 993 artículos que reportaban la medición y evaluación de las competencias, seleccionándose y analizándose 9 referencias. Se analizaron los marcos de competencias de diferentes países. Se analizaron las regulaciones en Colombia sobre el tema. El instrumento construido contiene 101 competencias distribuidas en los siguientes componentes: a) suministro de cuidados al paciente; b) personales; c) solución de problemas; y d) gestión y organización. Conclusión: Directrices y recomendaciones internacionales, además, la normatividad colombiana para identificar las competencias laborales que requiere el personal farmacéutico para el correcto funcionamiento de los Establecimientos Farmacéuticos ambulatorios, y partir de esto, se construye un instrumento de medición para evaluarlas.

Abstract Introduction: The measurement and evaluation of labor competencies, in outpatient pharmacy staff, must combine aspects related to knowledge (who knows), skills (as it does) and attitudes (in what way it does). Objective: Identify and select the guidelines and recommendations on labor competencies required by outpatient pharmacy staff and build an instrument for their measurement. Methodology: A structured review was carried out in two phases: a) the functions/ domains, performance criteria (skills and attitudes), knowledge, competency frameworks established internationally, and measurement instruments reported were reviewed and selected in the literature; and b) the necessary labor competencies were identified in accordance with Colombian regulations and with the processes of the outpatient Pharmaceutical Establishments (drugstores and pharmacies-drugstores). Finally, the measuring instrument was built by a panel of experts. Results: Labor competencies established by international regulation organizations. were identified. A total of 993 articles were reviewed that reported the measurement and evaluation of competencies, selecting and analyzing 9 references. Competency frameworks from different countries were analyzed. The regulations in Colombia on the subject were analyzed. The constructed instrument contains 101 competencies distributed in the following components: a) provision of patient care; b) personal; c) troubleshooting; and d) management and organization. Conclusion: The international guidelines and recommendations were reviewed and analyzed, in addition, the Colombian regulations to identify the labor competencies required by the pharmacy staff for the correct functioning of the outpatient Pharmaceutical Establishments, and from this, an instrument was built of measurement to evaluate them.

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