Health Sciences in the Era of Convergence: Interdisciplinary Challenges and Transformative Solutions

This issue of the BIOCIENCIAS Journal of the Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia reaffirms the institutional commitment to formative research in the health sciences, establishing itself as an academic space where innovative perspectives converge to address contemporary health challenges. In this edition, we present six contributions that explore highly relevant topics from the integrative One Health approach, recognizing the inherent interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health.

The global health landscape of 2025 presents significant contrasts. According to the World Health Statistics 2025 report published by the World Health Organization, between 2019 and 2021 global life expectancy declined by 1.8 years—the largest drop in recent history—reversing a decade of health gains. Nevertheless, this adverse scenario has also catalyzed unprecedented innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence applied to health and in the development of therapeutic strategies targeting antimicrobial resistance, both central themes in this publication.

The article addressing autoimmune diseases as consequences of genetic and environmental factors examines a growing public health concern that affects approximately 7–10% of the world’s population. These conditions, known for their clinical complexity and diagnostic difficulty, embody the challenges of contemporary medicine, where etiological understanding remains incomplete despite notable scientific advances.

Current research has shown that the development of autoimmune diseases requires the interplay of three fundamental elements: an initiating event (infection, injury, or other), a genetically susceptible background, and a dysregulated immune system. Polymorphisms in HLA and non-HLA genes, along with epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, constitute the genetic substrate that confers susceptibility or protection against these conditions. Particularly relevant are recent findings linking prolonged exposure to environmental contaminants with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders, including infectious agents, inorganic compounds such as hydrocarbons and pesticides, ultraviolet radiation, and heavy metals.

The contribution on artificial intelligence in health—spanning diagnostic algorithms to foundation models—highlights one of the most promising and challenging developments in the evolution of biomedical sciences. Foundation models such as GPT, BERT, and domain-specific systems like MedCLIP represent a new generation of architectures trained on massive and diverse datasets, capable of adapting to multiple applications including diagnostic support, disease prediction, therapeutic decision-making, and automation of clinical workflows.

Unlike traditional algorithms trained for specific medical tasks, these models demonstrate adaptability, transferability, and generalization capabilities that raise unique challenges for clinical validation and regulatory oversight. The recent collaboration between Mayo Clinic, Microsoft Research, and Cerebras Systems to develop genomic foundation models illustrates the transformative potential of these technologies, enabling near–real-time genomic data analysis and comparison with similar patient profiles, thus supporting more precise predictions and targeted therapies.

In Europe, however, the regulation of such systems—structured under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)—requires a systematic and rigorous process to ensure safety, clinical effectiveness, and the protection of patients’ fundamental rights.

The literature review on gastrointestinal parasites in canine populations in the Colombian capital represents a significant contribution to national veterinary epidemiology, with clear zoonotic implications. Studies in Colombia report variable but consistently high parasite prevalence: in Bogotá, Giardia duodenalis has been documented at 11.1%, while research in other regions has identified overall parasitism rates up to 72.1%.

The most frequently identified parasites include Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara canis, Giardia spp., and Uncinaria stenocephala, all of which possess recognized zoonotic potential. Particularly concerning is that up to 81.3% of positive samples correspond to zoonotic species, which, combined with the high contamination of public spaces, represents a significant risk to human health—especially for children.

The review article on cancer predisposition in canine breeds and the role of nutrition and environmental exposure addresses an increasingly relevant issue in comparative veterinary medicine. The causes of cancer in dogs are multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and age-related components.

Research has demonstrated that environmental toxins—including household pesticides, tobacco smoke, airborne contaminants, and chemical substances—can significantly increase carcinogenic risk. In parallel, nutritional factors such as inadequate diets, obesity, and the presence of compounds like nitrates, nitrites, and aflatoxins can lead to chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, contributing to malignant transformation.

Genetic predisposition is also decisive: breeds such as Boxers display higher susceptibility to mast cell tumors, while other genetic lines show propensity toward different types of neoplasms. This knowledge is essential for designing preventive strategies aimed at mitigating modifiable risk factors.

The contribution on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and innovative therapeutic strategies addresses one of the most pressing global health threats. According to the WHO, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist drugs designed to eliminate them, compromising the effectiveness of long-established treatments.

Colombia has taken a decisive step with the updated National Response Plan to Antimicrobial Resistance (PNRAM) 2025–2030, structured around six strategic pillars: strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs), integrated AMR surveillance, education on rational antimicrobial use, sustainable financing, updated clinical guidelines, and intersectoral governance.

Innovative therapeutic strategies include new treatment regimens for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens, combined antimicrobial peptide–antibiotic therapies, and targeted approaches against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The success of these initiatives will depend on local implementation capacity, resource availability, and the effective integration of sectors under the One Health framework.

The article on the design of a digital educational resource for first aid training among primary school students at the Institución Educativa Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes represents a valuable contribution to health education pedagogy. Since 1966, childhood accidents have been recognized by the WHO as a global health problem, making early training strategies essential for empowering school communities to respond effectively to emergencies.

Virtual education in first aid promotes autonomous and self-directed learning, enabling greater flexibility and access to essential content such as medical emergency identification, basic first aid techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and hemorrhage control. The design of technology-enhanced learning platforms tailored to school contexts facilitates the identification of specific teacher needs and the development of content aligned with the most appropriate methodological strategies.

This edition of BIOCIENCIAS reflects the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary health challenges and the necessity of integrated approaches that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. From the immunological complexities of autoimmune diseases to the innovations of artificial intelligence, from veterinary parasitology to antimicrobial resistance strategies, these contributions demonstrate that formative research constitutes a foundational pillar for preparing professionals capable of responding to the health needs of our communities.

The One Health approach, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health, emerges as the unifying conceptual framework for addressing 21st-century public health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic brought this interconnection to the forefront, driving a more coordinated global response and underscoring the need for integrated surveillance systems.

We invite our academic community to continue contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge with methodological rigor and social commitment, thereby strengthening formative research as an academic construct that supports the integral education of our students.