Abstract Scientists are facing enormous pressures posed by growing scientific communities and stagnant/reduced funding. In this scenario, mechanisms of knowledge achievement and management, as well as how recruitment, progression and evaluation are carried out should be reevaluated. We argue here that knowledge has become a profitable commodity and, as a consequence, excessive academic quantification, individual output assessment problems and abusive editorial market strategies have reached unsustainable levels. We propose to reinforce existing guidelines and to establish new ones to overcome these issues. Our proposal, the Initiative for Responsible Scientific Assessment (IRSA), has the main goal to strengthen and expand previous movements in the scientific community to promote higher quality research assessment, focused on better Science.

The improvement of aqueous solubility of methyl (5-[propylthio]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbamate, albendazole (ABZ) using polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers as solubility enhancers was investigated. Full generation PAMAM dendrimers with amine terminal groups, (G3), with hydroxyl terminal groups (G3OH) and half generation PAMAM dendrimers with carboxylate terminal groups (G2.5 and G3.5), were chosen for this study. The nature of dendrimer-ABZ association was investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence emission measurements and by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained show that these polymeric structures have the capacity to enhance the solubility of ABZ, both lipophilic and specific hydrogen bond interactions contributing to the guest-host association. Although all studied dendrimers have hydrophobic internal nanoenvironments with similar dimensions, their surfaces differ significantly and the nature and the localization of the interactions involved in ABZ-dendrimer association depend on the type of terminal groups.

An evidence based review on bulimia nervosa (Part 2) is provided for practicing pediatricians, alerting to the risk factors in the development of this condition and highlighting the existence of high risk groups. Current thoughts on ethiology are shared, as well as the different patterns that bulimia nervosa follows in each gender. We conclude reviewing recent reports on treatment, outcome and prevention.

Se provee al pediatra una revisión de la bulimia nerviosa (Parte 2), enfocada en la medicina basada en la evidencia, alertando acerca de los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de esta condición y con énfasis en la existencia de un grupo de alto riesgo. También se comparten los pensamientos actuales con respecto a etiología, así como las distintas manifestaciones de la bulimia nerviosa en ambos géneros. Concluimos con una revisión de la literatura reciente acerca de la prevención, el tratamiento y la evolución.

An evidence-based review of bulimia nervosa (Part 1), is provided for practicing pediatricians, alerting to the worrisome epidemiology and proteiform clinical manifestations of this secretive and cyclical disorder. In addition, data are shared that facilitate the detection of this condition through a directed history, recognition of typical signs on physical examination and careful analysis of laboratory findings. Finally, the variety of complications are outlined, as well as the frequent pattern of comorbidity.

Se provee al pediatra una revisión de bulimia nerviosa (Parte 1), enfocada en medicina basada en la evidencia, alertando con respecto a la alarmante epidemiología y a las proteiformes manifestaciones clínicas de este desorden cíclico y secreto. Además se comparte información que facilita la detección de este trastorno por medio de una historia clínica dirigida, el reconocimiento de los signos típicos en el examen físico y el análisis cuidadoso de los datos de laboratorio. Finalmente, se describe la variedad de complicaciones, así como la frecuente comorbilidad asociada.