Abstract Throughout the 20th century, more precisely between 1930 and 1960, asserting Brazil’s independence became a political and cultural project that led to Brazilian Modern Architecture and established accurate landmarks as Ministry of Education and Public Health (MESP) and Brasília. The Brazilian identity, built on Portuguese heritage, justified the approximation and cultural exchanges between Brazil and Portugal, in an ebb that would later cause some nausea. We analyse the national and international criticism exposed in books, magazines and congress proceedings about Brazilian Modern Architecture in counterpoint to the international political framework, concluding by understanding the weight of political decisions under the criticism and the place reserved to Brasília in the architectural and urbanistic history.

Resumo Ao longo do século XX, mais precisamente entre 1930 e 1960, afirmar a independência do Brasil ganhou contornos de um projeto político e cultural que urdiu a Arquitetura Moderna Brasileira e definiu precisos marcos de fundação (Ministério da Educação e Saúde Pública, MESP) e ocaso (Brasília). A identidade brasileira, construída sob a herança lusa, justificavam a aproximação e as trocas culturais entre Brasil e Portugal, num refluxo que mais adiante causaria alguma náusea. Analisamos a crítica nacional e internacional exposta em livros, revistas e atas de congressos acerca da Arquitetura Moderna Brasileira em contraponto ao enquadramento político internacional, concluindo por compreender o peso das decisões políticas sob as críticas e o lugar reservado a Brasília na história arquitetónica e urbanística.

Resumen: La Universidad Nacional promueve la integridad académica en su normativa institucional, no obstante, es necesario la divulgación de otras prácticas deshonestas que no considera, como la colusión, la cual paradójicamente tiene implícito una cooperación activa con otras personas, principio que también es parte esencial del trabajo colaborativo, sin embargo, la colusión induce al fraude y es deliberada y, en algunos casos, desconocida por la comunidad universitaria. La población seleccionada considera estudiantes de primer ingreso de la Escuela de Secretariado Profesional de la Universidad Nacional, se utiliza el enfoque mixto y el diseño explicativo secuencial (DEXPLIX). Entre los principales resultados obtenidos, se logró determinar que la mayoría del grupo estudiantil tiene un óptimo desarrollo moral de acuerdo con los estadios de Kohlberg, lo que coadyuva a identificar prácticas de colusión como faltas a la integridad académica. Sin embargo, en algunos casos, debido a la disonancia cognoscitiva, se justifican estas prácticas, a partir de valores como la solidaridad, la lealtad y la compasión. Asimismo, por factores culturales de normalización, por pensamientos como “todo el mundo lo hace”, el estudiantado incurre en colusión en lugar de realizar trabajo colaborativo. Se concluye que los actos de deshonestidad académica deben ser abordados desde un enfoque formativo y no punitivo, convirtiéndolos en experiencias de aprendizaje y reflexión que conduzcan a una toma de decisiones acertada. El estudiantado debe aprender a vivir la integridad académica y actuar con responsabilidad, honestidad, respeto, confianza, justicia y valentía en cualquier actividad relacionada con el trabajo académico.

Resumo: A Universidade Nacional da Costa Rica promove a integridade acadêmica em suas normas institucionais, entretanto, é necessário divulgar outras práticas desonestas que ela não considera, como o conluio, que paradoxalmente implica em cooperação ativa com outras pessoas, um princípio que também é parte essencial do trabalho colaborativo, entretanto, o conluio induz à fraude e é deliberado e, em alguns casos, desconhecido pela comunidade universitária. A população selecionada considera estudantes do primeiro ano da Escola Profissional de Secretariado da Universidade Nacional, utilizando a abordagem mista e o projeto explicativo sequencial (DEXPLIX). Entre os principais resultados obtidos, foi determinado que a maioria do grupo de estudantes tem um desenvolvimento moral ótimo de acordo com as etapas de Kohlberg, o que ajuda a identificar práticas de conluio como faltas à integridade acadêmica. Entretanto, em alguns casos, devido à dissonância cognitiva, estas práticas se justificam com base em valores como solidariedade, lealdade e compaixão. Também, devido a fatores culturais de normalização, por causa de pensamentos como “todo mundo faz isso”, os estudantes se envolvem em conluio ao invés de trabalho colaborativo. Conclui-se que atos de desonestidade acadêmica devem ser abordados a partir de uma abordagem formativa e não punitiva, transformando-os em experiências de aprendizagem e reflexão que levem a uma tomada de decisão acertada. Os estudantes devem aprender a viver a integridade acadêmica e agir com responsabilidade, honestidade, respeito, confiança, justiça e coragem em qualquer atividade relacionada ao trabalho acadêmico.

Abstract: Universidad Nacional promotes academic integrity in its institutional regulations; however, it is necessary to consider other dishonest practices such as collusion, which lacks disclosure, and importance and, in some cases, is confusing or unknown to the university community. Paradoxically, collusion implies active cooperation with other people, a principle that is also an essential part of collaborative work; however, collusion induces fraud and is deliberate. This research considers first-year university students at the Secretarial School of Universidad Nacional and uses a mixed-method sequential explicative design. According to the findings, it was possible to determine that most students have optimal moral development according to Kohlberg stages, which helps them to identify collusion practices as a lack of academic integrity. Nonetheless, cognitive dissonance justifies these practices based on values such as solidarity, loyalty, and compassion. Likewise, because of cultural normalization factors, due to thoughts such as "everyone does it," the students incur in collusion instead of carrying out collaborative work. In conclusion, acts of academic dishonesty must be approached from a formative and not a punitive approach, turning them into learning and reflexive experiences that lead to correct decision-making. The students must learn to live with academic integrity and act with responsibility, honesty, respect, trust, fairness, and courage in any activity related to academic work.

Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de este informe es presentar tres casos clínicos de piezas dentarias anterosuperiores calcificadas y con decoloración, resueltos según tres protocolos clínicos de blanqueamiento diferentes, con un mismo fin: devolver la estética al sector anterior. Casos clínicos: Cada una de las tres situaciones clínicas de decoloración dentaria se trató siguiendo un protocolo diferente. A partir del análisis clínico y radiográfico, se estableció un diagnóstico y un plan de tratamiento acorde. Todos los casos evolucionaron de manera favorable y siguen siendo controlados periódicamente. Conclusiones: En casos clínicos como los que se muestran en este trabajo, en los que el conducto y la cámara pulpar están calcificados u obliterados totalmente, sería posible realizar blanqueamiento interno y externo para recuperar la armonía óptica de forma conservadora. Este tipo de tratamientos permitiría responder a la alta prevalencia de demanda estética debido a traumatismos y cambios de coloración.

Abstract Aim: To present three clinical cases of discoloration in calcified upper anterior teeth, that were resolved following different clinical protocols for teeth whitening to return the aesthetics of the anterior teeth. Clinical cases: Each clinical case of discoloration was treated following a different treatment protocol based on a correct clinical and radiographic diagnosis. All cases had a favourable outcome and have no regular review. Conclusion: In clinical cases as those presented in this article where the canal and pulp chamber are totally calcified or obliterated, it was possible to perform internal and or external whitening to restore optical harmony in a conserv-ative way. This type of treatment would allow responding to the high prevalence of aesthetic demand due to trauma and colour changes.

Resumen: En las últimas cinco décadas Costa Rica ha evidenciado un interés especial en la Educación Técnica y la Formación Profesional, especialmente en la modalidad Comercial y Servicios, lo que ha generado la necesidad de establecer acciones estratégicas para responder a los nuevos retos y oportunidades de un mundo cambiante en los ámbitos económico, social, cultural, ambiental y tecnológico. Desde la Escuela de Secretariado Profesional de la Universidad Nacional, se ha dado respuesta a la creciente demanda de profesorado de calidad para ocupar diversos puestos en el Ministerio de Educación, con personas graduadas de la carrera de Educación Comercial, específicamente para impartir las especialidades de Secretariado Ejecutivo, Secretariado Ejecutivo Bilingüe y Ejecutivo para Centros de Servicio en los colegios de las ramas técnicas y académicas.

Summary: In the last five decades, Costa Rica has shown a special interest in Technical Education and Professional Training, especially in the Commercial and Services modality, which has generated the need to establish strategic actions to respond to the new challenges and opportunities of a changing world in the economic, social, cultural, environmental and technological fields. From the School of Professional Secretariat of the Universidad Nacional, there has been a response to the growing demand for quality teachers to occupy various positions in the Ministry of Education, with graduates from the Commercial Education major. Specifically they will teach the specialties of Executive Secretariat, Executive Bilingual Secretariat and Executive for Service Centers in colleges of technical and academic branches.

RESUMO Considerando o envelhecimento como um fenômeno em que há um declínio nos processos essenciais a sobrevivência celular, investigamos as vias autofágica e proteassômica em três grupos: jovens, idosos e longevos. O perfil de expressão dos genes relacionados à via autofágica foi analisado em sangue periférico, e a quantificação do proteassoma realizada em plasma. Não foram encontradas alterações significativas nas concentrações plasmáticas de proteassoma ou na correlação entre as concentrações de proteassoma e as idades. No entanto, alguns genes relacionados a autofagia e / ou apoptose foram expressos diferencialmente. Além disso, as análises de rede e de enriquecimento mostraram uma interação entre quatro dos cinco genes diferencialmente expressos e a associação desses ao processo transcricional. Considerando que os indivíduos longevos mantiveram tanto a expressão de genes ligados à maquinaria autofágica, quanto os níveis de proteassoma quando comparados aos idosos, concluímos que esses fatores poderiam ser considerados cruciais para o envelhecimento bem-sucedido.

ABSTRACT Considering aging as a phenomenon in which there is a decline in essential processes for cell survival, we investigated the autophagic and proteasome pathways in three different groups: young, older and oldest old male adults. The expression profile of autophagic pathway-related genes was carried out in peripheral blood, and the proteasome quantification was performed in plasma. No significant changes were found in plasma proteasome concentrations or in correlations between proteasome concentrations and ages. However, some autophagy- and/or apoptosis-related genes were differentially expressed. In addition, the network and enrichment analysis showed an interaction between four of the five differentially expressed genes and an association of these genes with the transcriptional process. Considering that the oldest old individuals maintained both the expression of genes linked to the autophagic machinery, and the proteasome levels, when compared with the older group, we concluded that these factors could be considered crucial for successful aging.

ABSTRACT Objective To retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of patients with low and intermediate risk thyroid carcinoma treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) and who did not undergo radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) and to compare them to patients receiving low dose of iodine (30 mCi). Subjects and methods A total of 189 differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients treated with TT followed by 30mCi for RRA or not, followed in two referral centers in Brazil were analyzed. Results From the 189 patients, 68.8% was ATA low-risk, 30.6% intermediate and 0.6% high risk. Eighty-seven patients underwent RRA and 102 did not. The RRA groups tended to be younger and had a higher frequency of extra-thyroidal extension (ETE). RRA did not have and impact on response to initial therapy neither in low (p = 0.24) nor in intermediate risk patients (p = 0.66). It also had no impact on final outcome and most patients had no evidence of disease (NED) at final follow-up. Recurrence/persistence of disease was found in 1.2% of RRA group and 2% in patients treated only with TT (p = 0.59). Conclusions Our study shows that in low and intermediate-risk patients, RRA with 30 mCi seems to have no major advantage over patients who did not undergo RRA regarding response to initial therapy in each risk group and also in long term outcomes.

Resumo Introdução: A Paralisia Cerebral (PC) é um distúrbio não progressivo que caracteriza-se por alterações no tônus muscular e movimentação voluntária, levando a modificações adaptativas do comprimento muscular e em alguns casos, chegando a resultar em deformidades ósseas e aumento do gasto energético durante a realização de atividades da vida diária. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do condicionamento cardiovascular em um adulto com PC atetóide. Métodos: Participou do estudo um paciente com quadriparesia atetóide. Como instrumentos foram utilizados o Teste de Dez metros; o Questionário de Qualidade de Vida SF-36, o Teste de Caminhada de 6 Minutos e Teste Timed Get Up and Go. Foram realizadas 24 sessões, com duração de cinquenta minutos, durante oito semanas, utilizando uma Bicicleta ergométrica e exercícios resistido de MMSS. Resultados: Em todos os testes aplicados foi possível observar melhora após a quarta e a oitava semanas, especialmente nas primeiras quatro semanas. No destreino, observou-se melhora quando comparado com os valores de pré-treinamento. O Questionário de Qualidade de Vida SF-36 apresentou melhora em alguns domínios e declínio em outros. Conclusão: Um paciente com PC pode se beneficiar de um programa de condicionamento, podendo este melhorar sua qualidade de vida, e ser incluído em seu protocolo de reabilitação.

Abstract Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder characterized by changes in muscle tone and voluntary movement, leading to adaptive changes in muscle length and in some cases, resulting in bone deformities and increased energy expenditure while performing activities of daily living. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cardiovascular training by an adult with athetoid CP. Methods: The sample was composed of one patient with athetoid CP. The instruments used were the timed ten-meter walk test; the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, a six-minute walk test and the Timed Up and Go test. Using an exercise bike and resistance exercises for the upper limbs, the patient underwent 24 sessions lasting fifty minutes each during eight weeks. Results: In all tests, significant improvement was observed at four and eight weeks, especially in the first four, and progressed in the following four weeks. In the post-training period, improvement was observed when compared to pre-training values. The SF-36 questionnaire on quality of life showed increase in some areas and decrease in others. Conclusion: Patients with CP can benefit from a physical training program, which can improve their quality of life and be included in their rehabilitation protocol.

Resumo O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar a influência do cimento endodôntico e da fonte de luz fotoativadora na resistência de união (RU) regional da resina composta às raízes fragilizadas. Noventa raízes de incisivos foram experimentalmente fragilizados, submetidos ao preparo biomecânico e obturadas com Endofill, AH Plus ou MTA Fillapex. Os canais foram desobturados e reforçados com pinos de fibra de vidro e resina composta fotoativada com uma das fontes de luz: halógena a 600 mW/cm2 (QTH-600), diodo emissor de luz a 800 mW/cm2 (LED-800) e LED a 1500 mW/cm2 (LED-1500). As raízes foram seccionadas em slices provenientes dos terços cervical, médio e apical das regiões da raiz reforçada e analisadas por meio do teste de push out, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia confocal de varredura a laser (MCVL). Os dados de resistência de união foram analisados por ANOVA a três critérios e teste de Tukey (α=0,05). Os espécimes obturados com AH Plus apresentaram maior resistência de união, seguido do MTA Fillapex e do Endofill (p<0,05). Para fonte de luz fotoativadora, LED-1500 apresentou resistência de união superior ao LED-800 que foi maior que QTH-600 (p<0,05). A região cervical obteve as maiores médias (p<0,05), enquanto que a região apical apresentou a menor resistência de união (p<0,05). MCVL revelou remanescente de material endodôntico nos túbulos dentinários para todos os grupos. O cimento contendo eugenol (Endofill) comprometeu a resistência de união da resina composta à dentina radicular. A resistência de união foi favorecida na região cervical, e quando o LED-1500 foi empregado.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sealer and light-curing unit on regional bond strength of resin composite to the weakened roots. Ninety roots of incisors were experimentally weakened, subjected to biomechanical preparation and filled with either Endofill, AH Plus or MTA Fillapex The roots were desobturated e reinforced with resin composite and fiber post light-activated with one of the light sources: halogen at 600 mW/ cm2 (QTH-600), LED at 800 mW/ cm2 (LED-800) and LED at 1500 mW/ cm2 (LED-1500). The roots were sectioned in slices from cervical, middle and apical root-reinforcement regions and analyzed by push out test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Bond strength data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey´s test (α=0.05). Specimens filled with AH Plus had higher bond strength, followed by MTA Fillapex and Endofill (p<0.05). For light-curing unit, LED-1500 presented superior bond strength than LED-800, which was higher than QTH-600 (p<0.05). The cervical region had the greatest mean values (p<0.05) while apical part showed the lowest bond strength (p<0.05). CLMS revealed remaining filling material in the dentinal tubules for all groups. The eugenol-containing sealer (Endofill) compromised the push-out bond strength of composite resin to the root dentin. Bond strength was favored in the cervical region, and when LED-1500 was used.

La leche en polvo es un producto de alto consumo humano que no precisa de ser conservado en frío, no obstante, diversos microorganismos pueden deteriorarlo. En la población costarricense, también se observa este alto consumo, por la facilidad del alimento para transporte, preparación y su costo competitivo. Bacillus cereus es una bacteria potencialmente patógena asociada a este tipo de producto, capaz de desarrollar toxinas dependiendo de la presencia o ausencia de los respectivos genes codificantes. En este estudio se determinó la presencia de los genes toxigénicos nheA, nheB y nheC en cepas de B. cereus aisladas de leche deshidratada vendida en el mercado nacional costarricense.Se examinaron cinco lotes diferentes, de diez marcas comerciales de leche en polvo distribuidos en el área metropolitana de San José Costa Rica. Se procedió a cuantificar B. cereus en las muestras de leche en polvo mediante la técnica de Número Más Probable (NMP) e identificar los aislamientos utilizando el equipo automatizado Vitek®. Adicionalmente, se determinó la presencia de los genes nheA, nheB y nheC mediante la técnica de PCR. La frecuencia de aislamiento de Bacillus cereus en las muestras de leche en polvo analizadas alcanzó un 50%, con cantidades que oscilaron entre 3 y >100 NMP/g. Se recuperaron 19 cepas de B. cereus aisladas, cinco fueron positivas para los tres genes toxigénicos, lo cual revela la presencia de B. cereus potencialmente toxigénico en leches deshidratadas del mercado nacional, lo que representa un riesgo para la salud pública.

Powdered milk is a frequently consumed product that does not need to be kept under cold conditions. Nevertheless, different microorganisms may contaminate it. Powdered milk is a highly consumed product by Costa Rican population, and Bacillus cereus is a potentially pathogenic bacteria associated to it, with the ability to develop toxins depending on the presence of the respective codifying genes. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of the toxigenic genes nheA, nheB and nheC from B. cereus strains, found in powdered milk sold at the Costa Rican national market. Five different lots of ten brands of powdered milk, distributed in the metropolitan area of San José, Costa Rica were analyzed. B cereus load was quantified using the Most Probable Number technique and identified using the Vitek® system. The presence of the toxigenic genes was determined using the PCR technique. The isolation frequency of this bacteria in the powdered milk samples analyzed reached 50%, with populations ranging from 3 to >100 MPN/g. Five out from nineteen strains were found positive for the three toxigenic genes, indicating contamination with potentially toxigenic B. cereus in powdered milk distributed in the national market, and an important risk for public health.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união à dentina de uma resina utilizada para reforço de raiz, ativada com diferentes fontes de luz. De acordo com a fonte de luz utilizada as raízes foram divididas em 4 grupos (n = 15): GI, raízes não fragilizadas (controle); GII, luz halógena (H) 600 mW/cm2; GIII, LED 800 mW/cm2 e GIV, LED 1500 mW/cm2. O reforço foi feito com adesivo, resina composta e pino de fibra de vidro. Após 24 h, os espécimes foram seccionados e o primeiro slice de cada região utilizado para o teste de união push out, na máquina de ensaios universais com 0,5 mm/min, e o tipo da falha avaliada. Os dados obtidos (MPa) foram analisados utilizando os testes de ANOVA e Holm-Sidak (=0.05). O segundo slice de cada região foi analisado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). O LED-1500 (4.69 ± 1.74) proporcionou resistência a união similar ao controle (5.05 ± 2.63) e estatisticamente diferente do H-600 (1.96 ± 0.94) e LED-800 (2.75 ± 1.90), que são similares entre si (p<0.05). As regiões cervical (4.16 ± 2.32) e média (4.43 ± 2.32) apresentaram alta resistência à união quando comparadas à região apical (2.25 ± 1.50) (p<0.05). Houve uma predominância de falhas adesivas com as fontes de luzes H-600 e LED-800 e coesivas com o LED-1500. A análise em MEV demonstrou a formação de longos tags resinosos. Desta forma, pode-se concluir que o LED-1500 proporcionou maior resistência à resina utilizada para o reforço da dentina radicular.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength to the dentin of an adhesive material used for root reinforcement light activated with different sources. Roots were divided into 4 groups (n=15) according to the light source used to activate the resin reinforcement: GI, non-weakened roots (control); GII, halogen light (H) 600 mW/cm2; GIII, LED 800 mW/cm2 and GIV, LED 1500 mW/cm2. The reinforcement was done with adhesive, composite resin and fiberglass posts. After 24 h, the specimens were sectioned and the first slice of each post region was used in the push out test in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Failure modes of the debonded specimens were examined. Data (MPa) were analyzed by ANOVA and Holm-Sidak test (=0.05). The second slice from each region was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). LED-1500 (4.69 ± 1.74) provided bond strength similar to the control group (5.05 ± 2.63) and statistically different from H-600 (1.96 ± 0.94) and LED-800 (2.75 ± 1.90), which were similar to each other (p<0.05). Cervical (4.16 ± 2.32) and middle (4.43 ± 2.32) regions showed higher bond strength than the apical (2.25 ± 1.50) (p<0.05). There was a prevalence of adhesive failures in H-600 and LED-800 and cohesive failures in LED-1500. SEM showed the formation of long, numerous and fine tags. It was concluded that LED-1500 provided higher bond strength of resin reinforcement to the dentin.

Antecedentes: los adultos mayores están expuestos a medicación múltiple, tienen dificultad con el cumplimiento de los esquemas y mantienen medicamentos almacenados en sus casas, lo que conlleva al uso inadecuado con riesgos para la salud. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la utilización de medicamentos a nivel domiciliar, por personas mayores de 65 años que viven en Pavas. Métodos: estudio analítico, muestra aleatoria de 40 adultos mayores (32 mujeres y 8 hombres) de 65 años que consumían -al momento del estudio- 5 o más medicamentos; visita domiciliar doble, aplicación de entrevista estructurada y test Morisky-Green; análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: el 100% de los varones y el 70% de las mujeres conservan sus medicinas con etiquetas; un 55% recibió alguna información farmacoterapéutica y la aspirina fue el medicamento más prescrito. Las aptitudes evaluadas para la autoadministración resultaron adecuadas en el 75% de las mujeres y el 50% de los varones. Mediante recuento directo se estableció que el 9% de mujeres y el 37% de varones tendrían un buen cumplimiento de la prescripción; por autoevaluación, el 28% de mujeres y el 25% de varones refirieron tener alto cumplimiento, en el 69% y el 63%, respectivamente, era moderado, y en el 13% de las mujeres y el 12% de los varones, fue bajo. El 85% de las mujeres y el 63% de los varones tomaban menos dosis de las prescritas y almacenaban una mayor cantidad de medicamentos. El principal sitio para almacenar las medicinas fue el dormitorio, seguido por la cocina. Conclusión: debe mejorarse la utilización a nivel domiciliar de los medicamentos, aprovechando que los adultos mayores son capaces de manejarlos, pero necesitan mayor información, intervención y supervisión para asegurar las buenas prácticas.

Background: Elderly patients are exposed to multiple drug prescriptions, face difficulty in following the schedules and store drugs within their homes; all of which leads to misuse of such drugs with high health risks. The study´s aim was to analyze household use of drugs by patients older than 65 years that live in Pavas. Methods: An analytical study, with a randomized sample consisting of 40 elderly patients (32 females and 8 males) older than 65 years which, at the time of the study, used 5 or more drugs; double household visits, a structured interview and the Morisky-Green test; descriptive statistical analysis. Results: In the case of 100% of males and 70% of females, the patients kept their drugs labeled; 55% received some pharmacotherapeutic information and aspirin was the most frequently prescribed drug. The skills assessed for self-administration of medication where adequate in 75% of female and in 50% of male patients. It was possible to establish through direct accounts that 9% of female and 37% of male patients would have good compliance of the prescription. Regarding self-evaluation, 28% of female and 25% of male patients reported high compliance; 69% and 63%, respectively, reported it as moderate; 13% of female and 12% of male patients reported low compliance. In the case of 85% of females and 63% of males, the patients took doses below those prescribed by their physicians and stored a greater amount of drugs. The main storage area was the bedroom, followed by the kitchen Conclusions: Household use of drugs should improve, benefiting from the fact that elderly patients are capable of handling their own medication. Nonetheless, they require more information, intervention and supervision to ensure conformity with good practices.

Objetivo: Conocer la calidad bacteriológica de muestras de sushi expendidas en diferentes restaurantes de la provincia de San José en Costa Rica. Materiales y Método: Se analizaron 60 muestras de éste producto, a las cuales se les realizó mediante los procedimientos descritos en el Compendio de Métodos para el Examen Microbiológico de Alimentos, los siguientes análisis: recuento total aerobio mesófilo, número más probable de coliformes termotolerantes, fecales y E. coli, recuento de S. aureus y número más probable de B. cereus. Adicionalmente se investigó la presencia de patógenos relacionados con el sushi como: L. monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. y V parahaemolitycus. Resultados: El 6 (46%) establecimientos presentaron positividad por E coli, aunque en poca cantidad (1 a 10 NMP/ g en promedio). Siete establecimientos (54%) mostraron presencia de S. aureus, la mayoría en el orden de 10² UFC/ g. Adicionalmente, se logró aislar 2 cepas de B. cereus y2 de L. monocytogenes. No fue posible establecer la presencia de Salmonella sp. ni Vibrio parahaemolyticus en ninguna de las muestras evaluadas. Discusión: Según el Reglamento Técnico Centroamericano RTCA 67.04.50:08, en su sección 17.1 el 62% (8) de los establecimientos incluidos en el estudio incumplen con la norma establecida para este tipo de alimento. Esta no conformidad se da en la mayoría de los casos por la presencia de cantidades de S. aureus superiores a las 100 UFC/g.

Objective: Knowing the bacteriological quality of samples issued at different sushi restaurants in the province of San José in Costa Rica. Methods: Sixty sushi samples, acquired from different restaurants from the province of San José, Costa Rica were analyzed in order to determine their bacteriological quality. Methodology followed was that described in the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Food and included total aerobic plate count, Staphylococus aureus plate count, Most Probable Number of total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and B. cereus. Also, the presence of potential pathogens found in sushi including Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was analyzed. Results: That 6 (46%) of the restaurants were positive for E. coli, even though in small quantities (1 to to NMP/g average). S. aureus was isolated from seven restaurants (54%) also in small concentrations (10²CFU/g). In addition, two strains of B cereus and two of L monocytogenes were isolated. Neither Salmonella sp nor Vibrio parahaemolyticus were isolated from the samples evaluated. Discussion: According to the Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67 04 50 08 sections 17.1 62% (8) of the restaurants included in this study do not comply with the regulations established for this kind of food. This nonconformity is due, mainly, to the presence of S aureus in concentrations greater than 100 CFU/g.

Objective This study evaluated the fracture toughness (FT) of denture base and autopolymerizing reline resins, with and without thermocycling (T). Material and Methods Specimens of each material (denture base acrylic resin - Lucitone 550 – L; autopolymerizing reline resins - Ufi Gel Hard–UH, Tokuyama Rebase II-TR, New Truliner–NT and Kooliner-K), were produced, notched and divided into two groups (n=10): CG (control group of autopolymerizing reline resins and L): FT tests were performed after polymerization; TG (thermocycled group): FT tests were performed after T (5°C and 55°C for 5,000 cycles). Results: Results (MPa.m1/2) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05). L exhibited the highest FT mean values in both groups (CG - 2.33; TG - 2.17). For the CG groups, NT showed the highest FT (1.64) among the autopolymerizing reline resins, and K the lowest (1.04). After T, when the autopolymerizing reline resins were compared, a statistically significant difference in FT was found only between the NT (1.46) and TR (1.00). Conclusions Thermocycling increased the FT of K and did not influence the FT of L, UH, TR and NT.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue el determinar algunos de los indicadores de vida útil, higiene y condiciones del proceso y almacenamiento, la asociación entre la pulpa de la fruta y microorganismos patógenos de pulpas de guanábana, mango y maracuyá provenientes de las principales cadenas de supermercados de la gran área metropolitana (GAM) de San José, Costa Rica, así como examinar la potencial presencia de Listeria monocytogenes en ellas. Se analizó un total de 60 muestras, a las cuales se les determinó su pH así como su recuento total aerobio, recuento de mohos y levaduras, bacterias lácticas, número más probable de coliformes totales y fecales y la presencia o ausencia de Listeria monocytogenes en 25 g del producto. Los rangos de pH encontrados en las pulpas variaron entre 3,1 y 3,9 y los recuentos obtenidos fueron relativamente bajos a excepción de los provenientes de una industria. Ninguna de las muestras analizadas presentó coliformes totales ni fecales. Se confirmó la presencia de Listeria monocytogenes en tres muestras, todas provenientes de la industria C. Los bajos recuentos obtenidos pueden deberse a la adición de sustancias preservantes pero también porque son productos pasteurizados; la falta de estos dos elementos puede significar la presencia de bacterias tan peligrosas como Listeria monocytogenes.

The objective of this work was to determine some of the indicators associated to shelf life, hygiene, process and storage conditions for some of custard apple, mango and passion fruit pulps distributed by the main supermarket chains of the Metropolitan Area of San José, Costa Rica, as well as to examine the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes in them. Sixty fruit pulp samples were analyzed. Tests included pH determination, total aerobic plate count, yeasts and mold count, lactic bacteria count, total and fecal most probable number and the presence/absence of Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g of the product. Fruit pulp’s pH ranged between 3,1 and 3,9, and the microbiological counts obtained were relatively low except for one industry. None of the samples analyzed presented total or fecal coliforms. The presence of Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed in three samples, all of them coming from industry C. Low microbiological counts obtained may be due to the addition of preserving substances and to the pasteurization of some of the products; lack of these two elements may allow the presence of dangerous bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes.

El gran consumo de arroz a nivel mundial es uno de los factores que favorece su implicación en brotes de origen alimentario y de uno de los patógenos más importantes ligado a este producto como el Bacillus cereus El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la calidad microbiológica de 50 muestras de arroz blanco cocido expendido en restaurantes de área Metropolitana de San José Costa Rica, incluyendo la determinación del recuento total aerobio mesófilo, Número Más Probable de coliformes totales, fecales y E. coli, B. cereus así como de detección de sus genes nheA, nheB, y nheC. Para el análisis bacteriológico se siguieron los procedimientos descritos en el Compendio de Métodos para el Examen Microbiológico de Alimentos y para la detección de los genes se utililzó un PCR múltiplex y la metodología descrita por Hansen et al., 2001. De las muestras analizadas 46% fueron positivas por coliformes totales, 34% por coliformes fecales, 16% por E. coli, 10% por B. cereus y un 8% por B. cereus toxigénico Lo anterior sugiere que el consumo de arroz blanco en restaurantes puede representar un riesgo para la salud pública y que es necesario implementar mejoras con el fin de brindarle al consumidor un producto inocuo y de mejor calidad.

Bacteriological quality and toxigenic Bacillus cereus detection in cooked white rice sold at the Metropolitan Area of San José, Costa Rica.. The wide use of rice is one of the factors that favors its implication in food borne diseases, and one of the most important pathogens associated to it is Bacillus cereus. The aim of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of 50 samples of white cooked rice sold in restaurants at the Metropolitan Area of San José, Costa Rica, including the determination of the total aerobic plate count, the Most Probable Number of total and fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. MPN of Bacillus cereus and the detection of nheA, nheB and nHeC genes, associated to its toxicity, was also performed. Procedures described in the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods were followed for the bacteriological analysis, multiplex PCR was used for the detection of genes following the methodology described by Hansen et al, 2001. 46% of the samples analysed were positive for total coliforms, 34% for fecal coliforms, 16% for E. coli and 10% for B. cereus, being 8% toxigenic. These facts suggest that white cooked rice may represent a risk for Pubic Health and that improvements shall be performed in order to offer a safe and high quality product to consumers.