By bioactivity-directed fractionation, three new antimicrobial and cytotoxic 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrones, pectinolides A-C, have been isolated from Hyptis pectinata (Lamiaceae). The absolute stereochemistry of pectinolide A [1] was established as 6S-[(3S-acetyloxy)-1Z-heptenyl]-5S-(acetyloxy)-5 ,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one, on the basis of spectral, chiroptical, and chemical evidence. The structures of pectinolides B [2] and C [3] were determined as the monodeacetylated forms of 1 by comparison of their spectral data and chemical correlation with the prototype compound. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were sensitive to pectinolide A [1] in the concentration range of 6.25-12.5 micrograms/ml. Compounds 1-3 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity (ED50 < 4 micrograms/ml) against a variety of tumor cell lines.

The effectiveness of health interventions against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is influenced by several “non-biological” factors that may hamper bTB detection and control. Although the engagement of stakeholders is a key factor for the eradication programme’s success, social factors have been often ignored in the control programmes of animal diseases, especially in developed countries. In this study, we used a qualitative approach to investigate perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and beliefs of farmers, and veterinarians who may influence the effectiveness of the Spanish bTB eradication programme. The study was carried out in two phases. First, 13 key representatives of different groups involved in the programme were interviewed through exploratory interviews to identify most relevant themes circulating in the population. Interviews focused on strong and weak points of the programme; reasons for failure to achieve eradication; benefits of being disease free; future perspectives, and proposed changes to the programme. Based on these results, a thematic guide was developed and detailed information was gained through face-to-face in-depth interviews conducted on a purposive sample of 39 farmers and veterinarians. Data were analysed following an ethnographic methodology. Main results suggested that the bTB programme is perceived as a law enforcement duty without an adequate motivation of some stakeholders and a general feeling of distrust arose. The complexity of bTB epidemiology combined with gaps in knowledge and weak communication throughout stakeholders contributed to causing disbeliefs, which in turn generated different kinds of guesses and interpretations. Low reliability in the routine skin test for bTB screening was expressed and the level of confidence on test results interpretation was linked with skills and experience of public and private veterinarians in the field. Lack of training for farmers and pressure faced by veterinarians during field activities also emerged. Few benefits of being bTB free were perceived and comparative grievances referred to wildlife and other domestic reservoirs, sector-specific legislation for bullfighting farms, and the absence of specific health legislation for game hunting farms were reported. Understanding reasons for demotivation and scepticism may help institutions to ensure stakeholders’ collaboration and increase the acceptability of control measures leading to an earlier achievement of eradication.

The university population represents a pool of desirable donors; an informative and motivating campaign could successfully convert the 87.3% potential donors into actual volunteer blood donors.

El estudio del contenido de las publicidades dirigidas a las audiencias infantiles resulta interesante para generar una aproximación a la exposición que tiene este público a un discurso social marcado por un manifiesto interés de persuasión. Desde las teorías de género y de los estudios culturales en este trabajo de investigación se analiza cómo se configuran los estereotipos de género en las publicidades transmitidas en el contexto de programas infantiles de España y Argentina durante varias semanas de los meses de julio y agosto del año 2019. La muestra se extrae del canal Disney Channel en la franja matutina de programación. La particularidad del estudio que se presenta es que la observación y el análisis no se ha restringido únicamente a anuncios provenientes de la industria del juguete, sino que se ha ampliado el abanico de observación a otras industrias que comparten espacio publicitario con este mismo sector. Para ello, se ha optado una metodología de análisis de contenido mixta de una muestra no probabilística de comerciales dirigidos a la infancia con el objetivo de observar y analizar las apelaciones de género y contextos en los que se articula la narrativa publicitaria. Los resultados indican que las publicidades dirigidas a esta audiencia mantienen roles binarios y dicotómicos que se traducen en representaciones y estereotipos presentes tanto en la narrativa publicitaria, como en las acciones de los personajes que protagonizan los anuncios.