A novel treatment to enhance survival for end stage triple negative breast cancer using repurposed veterinary anthelmintics combined with gut­supporting/immune enhancing molecules.

Patients with end­stage metastatic disease have limited treatment options and those diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (Her2, Estrogen receptor, Progesterone receptor) have a poor prognosis. Using a triple negative mammary tumor model selected for brain metastasis (4T1Br4) in the mouse, treatment options that may increase survival when therapeutics are applied at post­metastasis were assessed. Anti­parasitic benzimidazoles (BZs) destabilize microtubules, inhibit metabolic pathways, reduce cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Co­administration of two BZs was selected, oxfendazole (OFZ) and parbendazole (PBZ), shown to overcome resistance development in anthelmintic effects by imposing metabolic delay to assess if multiple BZ approach is also suitable to enhance anticancer effects. It has been previously reported that treatment of mammary tumor­bearing mice at an early stage with chitin microparticles (CMPs) decreased tumor growth and metastases by enhancing both innate M1 macrophage and TH1 adaptive immune response. Oral administration of CMPs was previously revealed to affect the gut in intestinal inflammation. A combination BZ (OFZ/PBZ) and CMP treatment was tested to target tumor development and metastasis and effects were compared in response to monotherapies of the same compounds or to untreated mice. The results demonstrated increased survival, decreased tumor cell proliferation, decreased metastasis in lungs and brain, increased levels of fecal SCFAs butyric, acetic, propionic and valeric acids with increased butyric and propionic acid levels in brain biopsies in combination treated compared with untreated mice. At the primary tumor, SCFA receptor FFAR2 expression was increased in combination treatment compared with untreated mice, suggestive of a non­invasive cancer phenotype. The superior cytotoxic effects of OFZ/PBZ were confirmed as opposed to single treatment with OFZ or PBZ using 3D spheroids generated from a human breast cancer cell line, MDA­MB­468. These data are compelling for treatment option possibility even at late stages of metastasized breast cancer.

The Marine Natural Compound Dragmacidin D Selectively Induces Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Spheroids.

Cancer cells grown in 3D spheroid cultures are considered more predictive for clinical efficacy. The marine natural product dragmacidin D induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) spheroids within 24 h of treatment while showing no cytotoxicity against the same cells grown in monolayers and treated for 72 h. The IC50 for cytotoxicity based on caspase 3/7 cleavage in the spheroid assay was 8 ± 1 µM in MDA-MB-231 cells and 16 ± 0.6 µM in MDA-MB-468 cells at 24 h. No cytotoxicity was seen at all in 2D, even at the highest concentration tested. Thus, the IC50 for cytotoxicity in the MTT assay (2D) in these cells was found to be >75 µM at 72 h. Dragmacidin D exhibited synergy when used in conjunction with paclitaxel, a current treatment for TNBC. Studies into the signaling changes using a reverse-phase protein array showed that treatment with dragmacidin D caused significant decreases in histones. Differential protein expression was used to hypothesize that its potential mechanism of action involves acting as a protein synthesis inhibitor or a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. Further testing is necessary to validate this hypothesis. Dragmacidin D also caused a slight decrease in an invasion assay in the MDA-MB-231 cells, although this failed to be statistically significant. Dragmacidin D shows intriguing selectivity for spheroids and has the potential to be a treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer, which merits further research into understanding this activity.

An Assessment of Potential Threats to Human Health from Algae Blooms in the Indian River Lagoon (USA) 2018-2021: Unique Patterns of Cytotoxicity Associated with Toxins.

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL), a 156-mile-long estuary located on the eastern coast of Florida, experiences phytoplankton bloom events due to increased seasonal temperatures coupled with anthropogenic impacts. This study aimed to gather data on the toxicity to human cells and to identify secondary metabolites found in water samples collected in the IRL. Water samples from 20 sites of the IRL were collected during the wet and dry seasons over a three-year period. A panel of cell lines was used to test cytotoxicity. Hemagglutination, hemolysis, and inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) were also measured. Cytotoxic blooms were seen both in the south (Microcystis) and the north (Pyrodinium) of the IRL. Each toxin induced a consistent pattern of cytotoxicity in the panel of human cell lines assayed. During blooms, cytotoxicity due to a single type of toxin is obvious from this pattern. In the absence of blooms, the cytotoxicity seen reflected either a mixture of toxins or it was caused by an unidentified toxin. These observations suggest that other toxins with the potential to be harmful to human health may be present in the IRL. Moreover, the presence of toxins in the IRL is not always associated with blooms of known toxin-producing organisms.

Barriers and Solutions to Successful Problem-Based Learning Delivery in Developing Countries - A Literature Review.

Problem-based learning (PBL) was introduced in the 1960s as an alternative to traditional teacher-centered and discipline-based preclinical medical education. A literature review was conducted to explore the barriers and solutions to successful PBL uptake and delivery in developing countries. The review involved the search of articles and scientific studies on PubMed, The Lancet, and Scielo. The review focused on the medical education literature, using as a primary search criterion "problem-based learning" in combination with "developing countries" and "education". The search was limited to articles in Spanish and English published between 2011 and November 2021, except for three articles due to their relevance to the subject. Faculty development programs are the cornerstone when implementing a new methodology in developing countries. Early career development, PBL methodology, and the available assessment options should be the primary learning objectives of these programs. Stakeholders will need to plan using available resources following the experience of other countries and institutions encouraging collaborative development. Evaluation and assessment will be crucial to understand the impact of PBL, and considerations should be taken to implement an integrated curriculum. Medical Education Research should be encouraged, appraised, and disseminated to improve evidence-based decision-making, creating a constant development cycle. PBL is innovative and represents many unanswered questions that will develop in the following decade as more schools implement new methodologies and Research on PBL.

Harlequin color change in a newborn who was positive for COVID-19: report of a case

Harlequin color change is a benign, idiopathic, self-limiting disorder characterized by the appearance of skin divided into two distinctly colored areas. Its etiology is unknown but thought to be caused by immaturity of hypothalamic regulation of peripheral vascular tone. COVID-19 infection in neonates is infrequent and rarely symptomatic, with only a few cases described in the literature. In isolation, both conditions have a low incidence. It is the first case reported in the world literature of harlequin color change in a newborn who tested positive for COVID-19. There isn't a single publication that links harlequin color change to COVID-19.

El cambio de color arlequín es un trastorno benigno, idiopático y autolimitado que se caracteriza por una apariencia de la piel dividida en dos zonas de color distinto. Su etiología es desconocida, pero se cree que está causada por una inmadurez hipotalámica del tono vascular periférico. La infección por COVID-19 en neonatos es infrecuente y raramente sintomática, con sólo unos pocos casos descritos en la literatura. De forma aislada, ambas afecciones tienen una baja incidencia. Este es el primer caso descrito en la literatura mundial de cambio de coloración arlequín en un recién nacido que dio positivo a COVID-19. Aun no existe ninguna publicación que relacione el cambio de color arlequín con COVID-19.

Brominated and Sulfur-Containing Angucyclines Derived from a Single Pathway: Identification of Nocardiopsistins D-F.

One novel brominated nocardiopsistin D (1) and two new sulfur-containing nocardiopsistins E-F (2-3) were identified from Nocardiopsis sp. HB-J378. The biosynthetic gene cluster ncd featuring a brominase was identified. Compounds 1-3 exhibited significant anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti-MRSA) activities with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.098, 3.125, and 0.195 µg/mL, respectively. The single bromination in 1 drastically enhanced the anti-MRSA activity by 128-fold without altering cell toxicity and acquired new activities against the bacterial pathogens vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), Enterococcus faecium, and Bacillus cereus.

High-Throughput Screening of a Marine Compound Library Identifies Anti-Cryptosporidium Activity of Leiodolide A.

Cryptosporidium sp. are apicomplexan parasites that cause significant morbidity and possible mortality in humans and valuable livestock. There are no drugs on the market that are effective in the population most severely affected by this parasite. This study is the first high-throughput screen for potent anti-Cryptosporidium natural products sourced from a unique marine compound library. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University has a collection of diverse marine organisms some of which have been subjected to medium pressure liquid chromatography to create an enriched fraction library. Numerous active compounds have been discovered from this library, but it has not been tested against Cryptosporidium parvum. A high-throughput in vitro growth inhibition assay was used to test 3764 fractions in the library, leading to the identification of 23 fractions that potently inhibited the growth of Cryptosporidium parvum. Bioassay guided fractionation of active fractions from a deep-sea sponge, Leiodermatium sp., resulted in the purification of leiodolide A, the major active compound in the organism. Leiodolide A displayed specific anti-Cryptosporidium activity at a half maximal effective concentration of 103.5 nM with selectivity indexes (SI) of 45.1, 11.9, 19.6 and 14.3 for human ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-8), human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep G2), human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and green monkey kidney cells (Vero), respectively. The unique structure of leiodolide A provides a valuable drug scaffold on which to develop new anti-Cryptosporidium compounds and supports the importance of screening natural product libraries for new chemical scaffolds.

Dynamics of microcystins and saxitoxin in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.

Harmful algal blooms that can produce toxins are common in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), which covers ~250 km of Florida's east coast. The current study assessed the dynamics of microcystins and saxitoxin in six segments of the IRL: Banana River Lagoon (BRL), Mosquito Lagoon (ML), Northern IRL (NIRL), Central IRL (CIRL), Southern IRL (SIRL), and the St. Lucie Estuary (SLE). Surface water samples (n = 40) collected during the 2018 wet and 2019 dry season were analyzed to determine associations between toxins and temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen saturation, concentrations of dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll-a, presence of biosynthetic genes for toxins, relative abundance of planktonic species, and composition of the microbial community. The potential toxicity of samples was assessed using multiple mammalian cell lines. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays were used to determine concentrations of microcystins and saxitoxin. Overall, the microcystins concentration ranged between 0.01-85.70 µg/L, and saxitoxin concentrations ranged between 0.01-2.43 µg/L across the IRL. Microcystins concentrations were 65% below the limit of quantification (0.05 µg/L), and saxitoxin concentrations were 85% below the limit of detection (0.02 µg/L). Microcystins concentrations were higher in the SLE, while saxitoxin was elevated in the NIRL and BRL. Cytotoxicity related to the presence of microcystins was seen in the SLE during the wet season. No significant patterns between cytotoxicity and saxitoxin were identified. Dissolved nutrients were identified as the most highly related parameters, explaining 53% of microcystin and 47% of saxitoxin variability. Multivariate models suggested cyanobacteria, flagellates, ciliates, and diatoms as the subset of microorganisms whose abundances were maximally correlated with saxitoxin and microcystins concentrations. Lastly, biosynthetic genes for microcystins were detected in the SLE and for saxitoxin in the BRL and NIRL. These results highlight the synergistic roles environmental and biological parameters play in influencing the dynamics of toxin production by harmful algae in the IRL.

The Marine Natural Product Furospinulosin 1 Induces Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Spheroids, But Not in Cells Grown Traditionally with Longer Treatment.

Cancer cells grown in spheroid conditions interact with each other and the extracellular matrix, providing a better representation of the in vivo environment than two-dimensional cultures and are a more clinically relevant model. A discrete screening of genetically diverse marine samples in the spheroid assay led to the identification of a novel activity for the known compound furospinulosin 1. This compound shows activity against MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cells grown as spheroids and treated for 24 or 48 h. No cytotoxicity was seen in traditional two-dimensional adherent cultures treated for a longer time (72 h). A reverse phase protein array (RPPA) confirmed the limited activity of the compound in cells grown traditionally and revealed changes in protein expression when cells are grown as spheroids that are associated with better clinical prognosis. Analysis of the RPPA data through the Broad institute's connectivity map suggested the hypothesis that furospinulosin 1 functions as an MEK inhibitor. Analysis of the RPPA data through STRING supports the apoptosis observed. The selectivity exhibited by furospinulosin 1 for triple negative breast cancer cells only when grown as spheroids makes it an interesting compound with strong therapeutic potential that merits further study.

Discovery of Survivin Inhibitors Part 1: Screening the Harbor Branch Pure Compound Library.

Survivin is a 16.5 KDa protein whose functions include promoting cellular mitosis, angiogenesis, and senescence as well as inhibiting apoptosis. Higher survivin expression is found in cancer tissues than normal tissues, and this expression correlates with disease progression and aggressiveness. Survivin has been validated as a clinical target for cancer. Small molecules are important antagonists of survivin levels in cancer cells. A structurally diverse library of genetically encoded small molecules (natural products) derived from marine plants, invertebrates, and microbes was screened for their ability to reduce expression levels of survivin in the DLD-1 colon adenocarcinoma and the A549 nonsmall cell lung carcinoma cell lines. This led to the identification of this novel activity for the known compounds eryloside E, ilicicolin H, tanzawaic acid A, and p-hydroxyphenopyrrozin. Both eryloside E and ilicicolin H showed the ability to reduce survivin expression in the low micromolar range against both cell lines.

Solvatochromic and pH-Sensitive Fluorescent Membrane Probes for Imaging of Live Cells.

Membrane trafficking is essential for all cells, and visualizing it is particularly useful for studying neuronal functions. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and application of several membrane- and pH-sensitive probes suitable for live-cell fluorescence imaging. These probes are based on a 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore scaffold. They exhibit a solvatochromic effect, and one of them, ND6, shows a substantial fluorescence difference between pH 6 and 7. The solvatochromic effect and pH-sensitivity of those probes are explained using quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamics simulation confirms their integration and interaction with membrane lipids. For live-cell fluorescence imaging, we tested those probes in a cancer cell line (MCF7), cancer spheroids (MDA-MB-468), and cultured hippocampal neurons. Confocal imaging showed an excellent signal-to-noise ratio from 400:1 to about 1300:1 for cell membrane labeling. We applied ND6 during stimulation to label nerve terminals via dye uptake during evoked synaptic vesicle turnover. By ND6 imaging, we revealed cholesterol's multifaced role in replenishing synaptic vesicle pools. Our results demonstrate these fluorescent probes' great potential in studying membrane dynamic and synaptic functions in neurons and other secretory cells and tissues.

Regulated Cell Death Signaling Pathways and Marine Natural Products That Target Them.

Our understanding of cell death used to consist in necrosis, an unregulated form, and apoptosis, regulated cell death. That understanding expanded to acknowledge that apoptosis happens through the intrinsic or extrinsic pathways. Actually, many other regulated cell death processes exist, including necroptosis, a regulated form of necrosis, and autophagy-dependent cell death. We also understand that apoptosis occurs beyond the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways with caspase independent forms of apoptosis existing. Our knowledge of the signaling continues to grow, and with that, so does our ability to target different parts of the pathways with small molecules. Marine natural products co-evolve with their targets, and these unique molecules have complex structures with exquisite biological activities and specificities. This article offers a review of our current understanding of the signaling pathways regulating cell death, and highlights marine natural products that can affect these signaling pathways.

The marine natural product Scalarin inhibits the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and autophagy in the PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, has a negative prognosis because metastasis occurs before symptoms manifest. Although combination therapies are showing improvements in treatment, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer five years post diagnosis is only 8%, stressing the need for new treatments. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has recently emerged as a chemotherapeutic target in KRAS driven pancreatic cancers both for treatment and in chemoprevention. RAGE appears to be an important regulator of inflammatory, stress and survival pathways that lead to carcinogenesis, resistance to chemotherapy, enhanced proliferation and the high metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer. RAGE expression has been demonstrated in pancreatic cancer tumors but not in adjacent epithelial tissues. Its presence is associated with increased proliferation and metastasis. In an effort to identify novel inhibitors of RAGE among our collection of marine-derived secondary metabolites, a cell-based screening assay utilizing flow cytometry was developed. This effort led to the identification of scalarin as the active compound in a marine sponge identified as Euryspongia cf. rosea. Scalarin is a sesterterpene natural product isolated previously from a different marine sponge. Scalarin reduces the levels of RAGE and inhibits autophagy in the PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Its IC50 for cytotoxicity ranges between 20 and 30 µM in the AsPC-1, PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Inhibition of autophagy limits tumor growth and tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer, making scalarin an interesting compound that may merit further study.

La retinopatía de la prematuridad en Sancti Spíritus: epidemiología y clínica / Retinopathy of prematurity in Sancti Spíritus province: epidemiology and clinical aspects

Objetivo: determinar las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de la retinopatía de la prematuridad en Sancti Spíritus desde el año 2004 al 2015. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en 1 165 recién nacidos prematuros examinados. Se empleó el análisis descriptivo, sustentado en el empleo de gráficos y tablas de distribución de frecuencia, considerando las tasas de incidencia y de prevalencia, así como las variables clínicas relacionadas con la entidad. Resultados: la retinopatía de la prematuridad presentó tasas de incidencia similares a las cubanas y menores a las de algunos países; también tasas de prevalencia en incremento. Los municipios con más pacientes diagnosticados fueron Sancti Spíritus, Cabaiguán y Jatibonico. En la pesquisa existió un predominio de los varones (54,5 opr ciento) y el color de la piel blanca (54,8 por ciento). Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes en los 108 pacientes con retinopatía de la prematuridad fueron la edad gestacional al nacimiento baja, el bajo peso extremo y el apgar bajo. Los grados de la entidad que más se presentaron en el período fueron el I y III. La fotocoagulación con láser fue el tratamiento aplicado a los pacientes que lo requirieron. Conclusiones: la retinopatía de la prematuridad es una realidad en la provincia espirituana, donde esta enfermedad presenta una relación directa con la prematuridad extrema, y su manejo ha sido oportuno en los pacientes que la han desarrollado(AU)

Objective: to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity in Sancti Spíritus province from 2004 to 2015. Methods: retrospective and descriptive study of 1 165 examined premature newborns. Descriptive analysis based on the use of charts and frequency distribution tables and considering incidence and prevalence rates as well as related clinical variables was used. Results: retinopathy of prematurity showed incidence rates similar to those at national level and lower than those of other countries whereas the prevalence rates were increasing. The municipalities with higher numbers of diagnosed patients were Sancti Spíritus, Cabaiguán and Jatibonico; males (54,5 percent) and Caucasians (54,8 percent) predominated. The most frequent risk factors in the 108 patients with retinopathy of were the low gestacional age, the extreme low weight and low Apgar. The main grades of retinopathy in the period were I and III. The laser photocoagulation was the treatment given to patients that required it. Conclusions: retinopathy of prematurity is a real situation in Sancti Spíritus province and had a direct relationship with extreme prematurity. Timely management of the disease has been observed in affected patients(AU)

Experiencia de la Atención Primaria de Salud en el proceso de rehabilitación visual en la provincia de Santi Spíritus / Experience of the Primary Health Care in the visual rehabilitation process in Sancti Spíritus province

Objetivo: describir la implementación del proceso de rehabilitación visual extendido a la Atención Primaria de Salud en el período 2011-2012. Métodos: se realizó una investigación con diseño experimental en 246 pacientes del Hospital General Camilo Cienfuegos, de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, desde el año 2011 al 2012. Se implementó el proceso de rehabilitación visual en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Su efectividad se midió a través de indicadores como agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca y continuidad con el uso de ayudas ópticas. Resultados: se alcanzó el 91,9 por ciento de pacientes rehabilitados y ninguno de ellos abandonó el proceso. La agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca mejoró en relación con el inicio y los pacientes rehabilitados continuaron usando sus ayudas ópticas al asistir a la consulta evolutiva. Conclusiones: el número de pacientes con baja visión continúa en ascenso y la rehabilitación visual es el proceder que les permite reinsertarse a la sociedad. La implementación de este proceso en la Atención Primaria de Salud permite mejorar la agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca en todos sus rangos(AU)

Objective: to describe the implementation of the extended visual rehabilitation process in the primary health care in the period of 2011 through 2012. Methods: an experimental research study was carried out in 246 patients from Camilo Cienfuegos General Hospital in Sancti Spíritus province from 2011 to 2012. The visual rehabilitation process was implemented in the primary health care and its effectiveness was measured with indicators such as best corrected near visual acuity and use of optical aids. Results: in this group, 91.9 percent of patients were rehabilitated and none of them quit the process. The best corrected near visual acuity improved when compared to that of the beginning of the process and the rehabilitated patients continued using their optic aids when going to the specialist's to see their progress. Conclusions : the number of patients with low vision is on the rise and visual rehabilitation is the procedure that allows them to be reincorporated into society. The implementation of this process in the primary health care allowed improving all the ranges of the best corrected near visual acuity(AU)

La retinopatía de la prematuridad en Sancti Spíritus: epidemiología y clínica / Retinopathy of prematurity in Sancti Spíritus province: epidemiology and clinical aspects

Objetivo: determinar las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de la retinopatía de la prematuridad en Sancti Spíritus desde el año 2004 al 2015. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en 1 165 recién nacidos prematuros examinados. Se empleó el análisis descriptivo, sustentado en el empleo de gráficos y tablas de distribución de frecuencia, considerando las tasas de incidencia y de prevalencia, así como las variables clínicas relacionadas con la entidad. Resultados: la retinopatía de la prematuridad presentó tasas de incidencia similares a las cubanas y menores a las de algunos países; también tasas de prevalencia en incremento. Los municipios con más pacientes diagnosticados fueron Sancti Spíritus, Cabaiguán y Jatibonico. En la pesquisa existió un predominio de los varones (54,5 opr ciento) y el color de la piel blanca (54,8 por ciento). Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes en los 108 pacientes con retinopatía de la prematuridad fueron la edad gestacional al nacimiento baja, el bajo peso extremo y el apgar bajo. Los grados de la entidad que más se presentaron en el período fueron el I y III. La fotocoagulación con láser fue el tratamiento aplicado a los pacientes que lo requirieron. Conclusiones: la retinopatía de la prematuridad es una realidad en la provincia espirituana, donde esta enfermedad presenta una relación directa con la prematuridad extrema, y su manejo ha sido oportuno en los pacientes que la han desarrollado(AU)

Objective: to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity in Sancti Spíritus province from 2004 to 2015. Methods: retrospective and descriptive study of 1 165 examined premature newborns. Descriptive analysis based on the use of charts and frequency distribution tables and considering incidence and prevalence rates as well as related clinical variables was used. Results: retinopathy of prematurity showed incidence rates similar to those at national level and lower than those of other countries whereas the prevalence rates were increasing. The municipalities with higher numbers of diagnosed patients were Sancti Spíritus, Cabaiguán and Jatibonico; males (54,5 percent) and Caucasians (54,8 percent) predominated. The most frequent risk factors in the 108 patients with retinopathy of were the low gestacional age, the extreme low weight and low Apgar. The main grades of retinopathy in the period were I and III. The laser photocoagulation was the treatment given to patients that required it. Conclusions: retinopathy of prematurity is a real situation in Sancti Spíritus province and had a direct relationship with extreme prematurity. Timely management of the disease has been observed in affected patients(AU)

Experiencia de la Atención Primaria de Salud en el proceso de rehabilitación visual en la provincia de Santi Spíritus / Experience of the Primary Health Care in the visual rehabilitation process in Sancti Spíritus province

Objetivo: describir la implementación del proceso de rehabilitación visual extendido a la Atención Primaria de Salud en el período 2011-2012. Métodos: se realizó una investigación con diseño experimental en 246 pacientes del Hospital General Camilo Cienfuegos, de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, desde el año 2011 al 2012. Se implementó el proceso de rehabilitación visual en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Su efectividad se midió a través de indicadores como agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca y continuidad con el uso de ayudas ópticas. Resultados: se alcanzó el 91,9 por ciento de pacientes rehabilitados y ninguno de ellos abandonó el proceso. La agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca mejoró en relación con el inicio y los pacientes rehabilitados continuaron usando sus ayudas ópticas al asistir a la consulta evolutiva. Conclusiones: el número de pacientes con baja visión continúa en ascenso y la rehabilitación visual es el proceder que les permite reinsertarse a la sociedad. La implementación de este proceso en la Atención Primaria de Salud permite mejorar la agudeza visual mejor corregida de cerca en todos sus rangos(AU)

Objective: to describe the implementation of the extended visual rehabilitation process in the primary health care in the period of 2011 through 2012. Methods: an experimental research study was carried out in 246 patients from Camilo Cienfuegos General Hospital in Sancti Spíritus province from 2011 to 2012. The visual rehabilitation process was implemented in the primary health care and its effectiveness was measured with indicators such as best corrected near visual acuity and use of optical aids. Results: in this group, 91.9 percent of patients were rehabilitated and none of them quit the process. The best corrected near visual acuity improved when compared to that of the beginning of the process and the rehabilitated patients continued using their optic aids when going to the specialist's to see their progress. Conclusions : the number of patients with low vision is on the rise and visual rehabilitation is the procedure that allows them to be reincorporated into society. The implementation of this process in the primary health care allowed improving all the ranges of the best corrected near visual acuity(AU)

Características clínicas en niños con baja visión. Sancti Spíritus 2001-2012 / Clinical characteristics in children with low vision. Sancti Spíritus 2001-2012

Fundamento: Las consecuencias del aumento creciente de la discapacidad visual afecta a los diferentes grupos etarios. En el niño limita el conocimiento del mundo y con ello sus avances académicos, el desarrollo sicomotor y la formación de su personalidad. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas en niños con baja visión en la provincia Sancti Spíritus desde el 2001 hasta el 2012. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, en el período de enero 2001 hasta diciembre 2012, en la consulta de baja visión del Hospital General Camilo Cienfuegos a los 87 niños entre 0 y 18 años, atendidos en intervención precoz y estudiantes de la escuela especial Miguel Ángel Echemendía. Resultados: Hubo un predominio del sexo masculino, en el grupo de pacientes atendidos en la consulta de intervención precoz, el motivo fundamental fue la retinopatía de la prematuridad y las principales causas de discapacidad en edad escolar fueron las anomalías congénitas, con 96,4 % de rehabilitación visual. Conclusiones: La estimulación visual en niños constituye un factor importante para contribuir al desarrollo de su visión. Se ofrece una atención diferenciada a este grupo etario para garantizar su inserción a la sociedad(AU)

Retinopatía de la prematuridad, su pronóstico a partir de los factores de riesgo del neonato / Retinopathy of prematurity prognosis starting from the new born´s risk factors

Fundamento: La ceguera infantil tiene un impacto en el niño, ya que afecta su desarrollo, educación y vida futura; por ello es necesario el diagnóstico temprano de sus causas, dentro de las que está la retinopatía de la prematuridad. En la provincia Sancti Spíritus se realizó una pesquisa activa de la enfermedad para detectar neonatos con factores de riesgo de padecerla, diagnosticarlos y tratarlos a tiempo. Objetivo: Proponer un modelo de regresión logística que pronostique la probabilidad de desarrollar retinopatía de la prematuridad en recién nacidos prematuros, a partir de sus factores de riesgo asociados. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico en 751 recién nacidos prematuros que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se emplearon el análisis descriptivo e inferencial, con un árbol de clasificación y luego la regresión logística. Resultados: Se expusieron los factores de riesgo asociados a los 82 pacientes diagnosticados, se identificaron los predictores de la enfermedad (ventilación mecánica, edad gestacional baja y oxigenoterapia) mediante el empleo de un árbol de clasificación. A partir de ellos se presentó un modelo estadístico pronóstico para predecir la enfermedad. Conclusiones: La propuesta permite, frente a un neonato prematuro, predecir la probabilidad de que ocurra la retinopatía de la prematuridad (AU)