Nanostructured PbSe Films Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis Using PbSe Colloidal Solutions.

This work describes the spray pyrolysis deposition of PbSe films, using as-prepared PbSe colloids as the starting solution. The PbSe colloids were prepared by using the alkahest approach, where Pb and Se precursors were made to react with the following green polyols: glycerin, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, to subsequently spray them onto glass substrates. The results of the characterization indicated that amine or thiol groups-free and single-phase rock-salt cubic PbSe powder was obtained, producing nanocrystals 16-30 nm in size. X-ray diffraction also showed that the PbSe films containing PbSeO3 and PbO·xH2O as impurity phases were produced during the deposition. The morphology of the powders and films was developed by a self-assembly process, in which the primary PbSe nanoparticles self-assemble to produce peanut-like microstructures. Additionally, a non-continuous and porous feature was formed in the thick films. Certain films revealed optical structures characterized by broad- and low-intensity bands resembling an exciton-like behavior. This could be attributed to the presence of nanocrystals with a size less than the Bohr radius, indicating reminiscent quantum effects. The results suggest that the usage of colloidal dispersions as spray solutions represents an effective approach to forming PbSe films, as well as that the synthesis method allows for the elimination of thiol and amine groups before deposition, significantly simplifying the process.

Tuberculosis miliar, un hallazgo clínico-radiológico: a propósito de un caso / Miliary tuberculosis, a clinical-radiological finding: about a case

La tuberculosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa, con espectro clínico variable. El objetivo es presentar un caso con tuberculosis miliar, una de las formas clínicas menos frecuente de la enfermedad y la utilización del método clínico proporcionó el diagnóstico certero. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 54 años, no fumador, alcohólico atendido en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras por referir historia de tos poco productiva, cefalea, fiebre, pérdida de apetito y de peso de dos meses de evolución. En la radiografía y tomografía de tórax se evidencia un patrón miliar y la baciloscopía directa confirma la presencia del Mycobacterium tuberculosis. La TB miliar es muy poco frecuente, pero se puede sospechar ante un patrón radiológico miliar y confirmar mediante análisis microbiológico.

Tuberculosis is a granulomatous disease with a variable clinical spectrum. The objective is to present a case with miliar tuberculosis, one of the least frequent clinical forms of the disease, and the use of the clinical method provided an accurate diagnosis. We present a 54-year-old male, non-smoker, alcoholic who attended in the Ameijeiras Brothers Surgical Clinical Hospital for referring to a history of unproductive cough, headache, fever, loss of appetite, and weight two months of evolution. Chest X-ray and CT showed a miliar pattern and direct bacilloscopy confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Miliar TB is very rare but can be suspected by a miliar radiological pattern and confirmed by microbiological analysis.

Data on sodium tetraborate as a modulation of hypertrophic intracellular signals.

The present work benefits the use of sodium tetraborate to prevent and treat hypertrophic cardiac. The data obtained from the work could serve as a reference point to compare with data obtained in vivo studies with cardiac damage. This research will be an advantage for future researches to stimulate the ones focused on developing food supplements to prevent heart diseases such as cardiac hypertrophic. This article also indicates the data on the optimal concentration of isoproterenol as an inducer of hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes. Also, data of the cytotoxic effect of sodium tetraborate on normal cardiomyocytes is revealed. Finally, data of viability, cell size, proliferation nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis is shown. The expression of transcription factors linked to hypertrophy such as GATA-4, MEF2c, NFAT, CDk9, and myogenin was also quantified by immunofluorescence. The mRNA expression of adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta), AKT1 and Erk1 / 2 and genes of early response to hypertrophy (c-myc, c-fos, c-jun) are also shown as Cts of RT-qPCR. GAPDH and 18 s were used as housekeeping genes.

Strong texture tuning along different crystalline directions in glass-supported CeO2 thin films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis.

The strong facet-dependent performance of glass-supported CeO2 thin films in different applications (catalysis, smart windows, etc.) has been the target of diverse fundamental and technological approaches. However, the design of accurate, cost-effective and scalable methods with the potential for large-area coverage that produce highly textured glass-supported CeO2 thin films remains a technological challenge. In the present work, it is demonstrated that under proper tuning conditions, the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique enables one to obtain glass-supported polycrystalline CeO2 films with noticeable texture along both the (100) and (111) directions, as well as with randomly oriented crystallites (no texture). The influence of flow rates, solution molarity, and substrate temperature on the texture and morphological characteristics, as well as optical absorption and Raman response of the deposited films, is evaluated. The obtained results are discussed on the basis of the combined dependence of the CeO2-exposed surfaces on the thermodynamic stability of the corresponding facets and the reaction kinetics, which modulate the crystallite growth direction.

Nimotuzumab combinado con quimioradioterapia en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide esofágico avanzado en el mundo real / Nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the real world

Introducción: La supervivencia global de pacientes con cáncer de esófago continúa siendo baja a pesar de los avances terapéuticos realizados en las últimas décadas. Objetivo: Evaluar respuesta al tratamiento y supervivencia global. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y observacional en pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide esofágico avanzado, tratados con nimotuzumab combinado con quimioradioterapia, atendidos en el Servicio de Oncología Clínica del Hospital Ameijeiras, entre enero 2013 y junio de 2019 (n = 94). Se utilizó chi-cuadrado para la asociación de variables, con un valor p< 0,05. Se evaluó supervivencia global por el método de Kaplan Meier, y la prueba de Log-Rank para la comparación de las curvas. Resultados: La tasa de respuesta objetiva y de control de enfermedad fue 64,9 por ciento y 83 por ciento, respectivamente. El esquema de quimioterapia con cisplatino/fluouracilo fue el empleado con más frecuencia. Las variables con mayor respuesta y significación estadística fueron: ECOG cero, color de piel no blanca, tratamiento radiante ≥ 50 Gy, y más de catorce dosis de nimotuzumab. La mediana de supervivencia fue 13,03 meses (IC95 por ciento -10,9; 15,2), y las variables asociadas a una mayor probabilidad de supervivencia fueron: ECOG cero, dosis de quimioterapia > 75 por ciento de lo planificado, tratamiento radiante ≥ 50 Gy, más de catorce dosis de nimotuzumab, y alcanzar una respuesta objetiva (p< 0,05). Solo 5,8 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron toxicidades clasificadas como grado 3-5. Conclusiones: En condiciones de práctica clínica, este esquema de combinación obtuvo óptimas tasas de respuesta objetiva y supervivencia con buen perfil de toxicidad(AU)

Introduction: Overall survival of esophageal cancer patients remains low despite the therapeutic advances achieved in the last decades. Objective: Evaluate response to treatment and overall survival. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted of patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy at the Clinical Oncology Service of Ameijeiras Hospital from January 2013 to June 2019 (n = 94). Association of variables was analyzed with the chi-square test, using a value of p < 0.05. Overall survival was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier method, whereas the Log-Rank test was used to compare the curves. Results: Objective response and disease control rates were 64.9 percent and 83 percent, respectively. The chemotherapy scheme with cisplatin / fluorouracil was the most commonly applied. The variables with the greatest response and statistical significance were ECOG zero, skin color not white, radiation therapy ≥ 50 Gy and more than 14 doses of nimotuzumab. Median survival was 13.03 months (CI 95 percent -10,9; 15,2), whereas the variables associated to a greater probability of survival were ECOG zero, chemotherapy dose > 75% of plan, radiation therapy ≥ 50 Gy, more than 14 doses of nimotuzumab, and achieving an objective response (p< 0.05). Only 5.8 percent of the patients presented toxicities classified as grades 3-5. Conclusions: In clinical practice conditions, this combination scheme achieved optimum objective response and survival rates with a good toxicity profile(AU)

Role of sodium tetraborate as a cardioprotective or competitive agent: Modulation of hypertrophic intracellular signals.

Boron is an essential trace element in cellular metabolism; however, the molecular mechanism of boron in the heart is unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of sodium tetraborate (as boron source) as a possible protective agent or competitive inhibitor of cardiac hypertrophy in an in vitro murine model. We evaluated different previously reported sodium tetraborate concentrations and it was found that 13 µM improves viability without affecting the cellular structure. We demonstrated that cardiomyocytes pretreated with sodium tetraborate prevents cellular damage induced by isoproterenol (cardioprotective effect) by increasing proliferation rate and inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, the reduction of the expression of the α1AR and ß1AR adrenergic receptors as well as Erk1/2 was notable. Consequently, the expression of the early response genes c-myc, c-fos and c-jun was delayed. Also, the expression of GATA-4, NFAT, NKx2.5 and myogenin transcription factors involved in sarcomere synthesis declined. In contrast, cardiomyocytes, when treated simultaneously with sodium tetraborate and isoproterenol, did not increase their size (cytoplasmic gain), but an increase in apoptosis levels was observed; therefore, the proliferation rate was reduced. Although the mRNA levels of α1AR and ß1AR as well as Erk1/2 and Akt1 were low at 24 h, their expression increased to 48 h. Notably, the mRNA of expression levels of c-myc, c-fos and c-jun were lower than those determined in the control, while the transcription factors GATA-4, MEF2c, Nkx2.5, NFAT and CDk9 were determined in most cells. These results suggest that pretreatment with sodium tetraborate in cardiomyocytes inhibits the hypertrophic effect. However, sodium tetraborate attenuates isoproterenol induced hypertrophy damage in cardiomyocytes when these two compounds are added simultaneously.

Effectiveness of Two Targeted Temperature Management Methods After Pediatric Postcardiac Arrest: A Multicenter International Study.

OBJECTIVES: It is currently recommended that after return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest, fever should be prevented using TTM through a servo-controlled system. This technology is not yet available in many global settings, where manual physical measures without servo-control is the only option. Our aim was to compare feasibility, safety and quality assurance of servo-controlled system versus no servo-controlled system cooling, TTM protocols for cooling, maintenance and rewarming following return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest in children. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, study. SETTING: PICUs of 20 hospitals in South America, Spain, and Italy, 2012-2014. PATIENTS: Under 18 years old with a cardiac arrest longer than 2 minutes, in coma and surviving to PICU admission requiring mechanical ventilation were included. METHODS: TTM to 32-34°C was performed by prospectively designed protocol across 20 centers, with either servo-controlled system or no servo-controlled system methods, depending on servo-controlled system availability. We analyzed clinical data, cardiac arrest, temperature, mechanical ventilation duration, length of hospitalization, complications, survival, and neurologic outcomes at 6 months. PRIMARY OUTCOME: feasibility, safety and quality assurance of the cooling technique and secondary outcome: survival and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category at 6 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy patients were recruited, 51 of 70 TTM (72.8%) with servo-controlled system. TTM induction, maintenance, and rewarming were feasible in both groups. Servo-controlled system was more effective than no servo-controlled system in maintaining TTM (69 vs 60%; p = 0.004). Servo-controlled system had fewer temperatures above 38.1°C during the 5 days of TTM (0.1% vs 2.9%; p < 0.001). No differences in mortality, complications, length of mechanical ventilation and of stay, or neurologic sequelae were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TTM protocol (for cooling, maintenance and rewarming) following return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest in children was feasible and safe with both servo-controlled system and no servo-controlled system techniques. Achieving, maintaining, and rewarming within protocol targets were more effective with servo-controlled system versus no servo-controlled system techniques.

Hallazgos por imagen de tumor carcinoide bronquial en hospital de la habana / Imaging findings of bronchial carcinoid tumor in haban-hospital

Se presenta un caso de adolescente sin comorbilidades, quien cursó durante tres meses con infecciones respiratorias a repetición sin mejoría a pesar de manejo médico apropiado. En imagen de control posterior a la hospitalización, se documenta en estudios de imagen lesión del lóbulo inferior derecho con crecimiento endoluminal y mediante broncoscopía se confirma la presencia de una masa tumoral en la luz del bronquio para dicho lóbulo. Se realiza biopsia y el estudio anatomopatológico reporta tumor carcinoide variedad típica. A pesar que es una entidad poco frecuente, el tumor carcinoide es una neoplasia neuroendócrina que se puede presentar en el sistema respiratorio en este grupo poblacional y se debe considerar en el contexto de infecciones respiratorias a repetición. Los estudios de imagen deberían ser parte de la evaluación de todo paciente que cursa con complicaciones de infecciones respiratorias y en el diagnóstico diferencial de otras entidades respiratorias.

It is present a case of teenager without comorbidities, who had recurrent respiratory infections during three months without improving besides proper medical treatment. Imaging post-hospitalization control documented in imaging studies a right lower lobe lesion with endobronchial grow and bronchoscopy confirmed a growing into the lumen tumoral mass of such lobular bronchi. A biopsy was performed and an pathological study reported carcinoid tumor typical type. Even though it is a rare entity, carcinoids tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms that can be found in the respiratory system among this population group and it should be considered in a repetitive respiratory infections scene. Imaging studies should be part of every patient evaluation that course with complications as well as a tool for other entities differential diagnosis.

Neumonía por citomegalovirus en el adulto inmunocompetente / Cytomegalovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adult patient

Introducción: la Neumonía por Citomegalovirus (CMV) es una entidad rara en los pacientes inmunocompetentes, pero cuando se asocia con otras enfermedades como la neumonía, puede ser altamente letal. Objetivo: presentar un caso infrecuente de infección primaria por Citomegalovirus complicado con neumonía. Presentación del caso: se presenta el caso de una paciente de 36 años de edad, que trabajaba directamente con pacientes trasplantados renales, y que acudió a consulta por presentar fiebre de 38 oC en un período de más de 10 días, precedida de escalofríos, dolor de garganta, tos seca al inicio y luego expectoración de color verde claro; examen físico negativo; todo lo anterior acompañado de astenia marcada durante todo el día y anorexia. La falta de respuesta adecuada al tratamiento con Levofloxacino y Azitromicina nos hizo sospechar la presencia de una Neumonía viral por un germen de etiología no habitual, por lo que se le indicaron exámenes de anticuerpos anti-virales, resultando positivo para Citomegalovirus. Conclusiones: existen procesos inflamatorios pulmonares agudos reversibles de causa infecciosa sin manifestaciones auscultatorias, es decir con disociación clínico-radiológica, que en su mayoría corresponden a procesos de índole viral, y que además no son exclusivos de pacientes inmunodeprimidos(AU)

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus pneumonia is a rare disease in immunocompetent patients, but when associated to other diseases such as pneumonia, it becomes deadly. Objective: to present an uncommon case of primary Cytomegalovirus infection complicated with pneumonia. Case presentation: this is the case of a 36years-old patient who directly worked with renal transplanted patients and went to the doctor´s because of 38o fever for more than 10 days, thrills, throat ache, dry cough at the beginning and clear green colored sputum, negative physical examination results, and marked asthenia during the day and anorexia. The inadequate response to Levofloxacine and Azitromycin treatment made us suspect of viral pneumonia caused by an infrequent germ. Anti-viral antibodies tests were indicated to reveal positive results for Cytomegalovirus. Conclusions: there are reversible acute pulmonary inflammatory processes of infective origin without any manifestation on physical exam, that is, a clinical-radiological dissociation; the majority of these processes are of viral origin but they do not occur only in immunodepressed patients(AU)

Neumonía por citomegalovirus en el adulto inmunocompetente / Cytomegalovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adult patient

Introducción: la Neumonía por Citomegalovirus (CMV) es una entidad rara en los pacientes inmunocompetentes, pero cuando se asocia con otras enfermedades como la neumonía, puede ser altamente letal. Objetivo: presentar un caso infrecuente de infección primaria por Citomegalovirus complicado con neumonía. Presentación del caso: se presenta el caso de una paciente de 36 años de edad, que trabajaba directamente con pacientes trasplantados renales, y que acudió a consulta por presentar fiebre de 38 oC en un período de más de 10 días, precedida de escalofríos, dolor de garganta, tos seca al inicio y luego expectoración de color verde claro; examen físico negativo; todo lo anterior acompañado de astenia marcada durante todo el día y anorexia. La falta de respuesta adecuada al tratamiento con Levofloxacino y Azitromicina nos hizo sospechar la presencia de una Neumonía viral por un germen de etiología no habitual, por lo que se le indicaron exámenes de anticuerpos anti-virales, resultando positivo para Citomegalovirus. Conclusiones: existen procesos inflamatorios pulmonares agudos reversibles de causa infecciosa sin manifestaciones auscultatorias, es decir con disociación clínico-radiológica, que en su mayoría corresponden a procesos de índole viral, y que además no son exclusivos de pacientes inmunodeprimidos...

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus pneumonia is a rare disease in immunocompetent patients, but when associated to other diseases such as pneumonia, it becomes deadly. Objective: to present an uncommon case of primary Cytomegalovirus infection complicated with pneumonia. Case presentation: this is the case of a 36years-old patient who directly worked with renal transplanted patients and went to the doctor´s because of 38o fever for more than 10 days, thrills, throat ache, dry cough at the beginning and clear green colored sputum, negative physical examination results, and marked asthenia during the day and anorexia. The inadequate response to Levofloxacine and Azitromycin treatment made us suspect of viral pneumonia caused by an infrequent germ. Anti-viral antibodies tests were indicated to reveal positive results for Cytomegalovirus. Conclusions: there are reversible acute pulmonary inflammatory processes of infective origin without any manifestation on physical exam, that is, a clinical-radiological dissociation; the majority of these processes are of viral origin but they do not occur only in immunodepressed patients...

Utilidad de la osteosonometría del calcáneo en el diagnóstico imagenológico del riesgo de fractura / Usefulness of the calcaneus osteosonometry imaging in the diagnosis of fracture risk

El aumento de la esperanza de vida en países desarrollados ha favorecido el incremento de la incidencia de afecciones crónicas como la osteoporosis, que actualmente constituye un problema de salud pública de magnitud creciente. Su consecuencia principal es la producción de fracturas. Predomina el sexo femenino, después de la menopausia; su prevalencia asciende al aumentar la edad, alcanzando el 52% en mayores de 70 años. Cerca de 200 millones de personas sufren de osteoporosis en el mundo. Cuba con población cada vez más envejecida no escapa de esta situación...

Severe retinal hemorrhages in infants with aggressive, fatal Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

Retinal hemorrhages in children occasionally accompany bacterial meningitis, usually due to hemophilus or meningococcal organisms. The hemorrhages may be intraretinal, usually in the posterior pole of the eye and few in number, or, more uncommonly, subhyaloid or vitreous. Pathogenesis may include vasculitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or intracranial hypertension. We report 2 cases of bilateral severe retinal hemorrhages in fatal Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

[Sirolimus for rescue of recurrent acute rejection and diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation: report of one case]. / Rescate con Sirolimus por rechazo agudo recurrente y diabetes mellitus en trasplante hepático. Caso clínico pediátrico.

Sirolimus (SRL) is a new immunosuppressive drug approved for renal transplantation, but is being used increasingly in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Compared with the calcineurin inhibitors, SRL has different mechanisms of action and side effects profile. Thus, this drug offers significant potential advantages over other immunosuppressive agents. SRL does not cause glucose intolerance, hypertension or renal failure, but it may cause dyslipidemia, hepatic artery thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, oral mucosa ulcers, edema, arthralgias and wound complications. SRL inhibits the signal of interleukin 2 at a post-receptor level, inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation and fibroblast proliferation. It also has antineoplastic and antifungal effects. We report a 10 years old girl who underwent OLT, experiencing a biopsy-proven recurrent acute rejection (AR) in spite of using three immunosuppressive agents (tacrolimus, mofetil micofenolate and steroids). She developed diabetes mellitus as a consequence of the immunosuppressive therapy. She was rescued with SRL, not experiencing AR again. Mofetil micofenolate, steroids and insulin could be discontinued and tacrolimus doses were reduced, without experiencing severe complications. SRL is a new and safe immunosuppressive agent for rescue in patients with OLT and recurrent AR.

[Paecilomyces lilacinus systemic infection in an immunocompromised child]. / Infección sistémica por Paecilomyces lilacinus en un paciente inmunodeprimido pediátrico.

The incidence of systemic fungal infections increased during the last two decades. Rare fungi, such as Mucor, Fusarium and Paecilomyces, are emerging as causes of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts. There are reports of cutaneous infections, endophthalmitis, keratitis, sinusitis, neuropathy and fungemia in immunocompromised and immunocompetent adult patients. We report a 5 years old neutropenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia treated with multiple courses of chemotherapy, with a fungemia caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus (PL). His initial clinical course was characterized by fever, skin lesions, respiratory distress and shock. Blood and bone marrow cultures were positive. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and itraconazole with a good clinical response.

[Combined liver-kidney transplantation: report of a case]. / Trasplante combinado hepato-renal: a propósito de un caso.

End stage renal disease is not an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with end stage liver disease. Actuarial patient and graft survival are comparable for children and adults who undergo LT alone and liver-kidney transplantation (LKT). The most common indications for LKT are the primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1) and the liver and renal polycystic disease. We report a 12 years old boy with congenital hepatic fibrosis with severe portal hypertension, encephalopathy and polycystic kidney disease with end stage renal disease on dialysis that underwent LKT. During the second postoperative week, he had a biopsy-proven acute liver and renal rejection, that had a good response to corticosteroids. Thirty days after surgery, the liver biopsy was without rejection. No other complications were observed.

Rehidratación en lactantes con diarrea / Rehydration in infants with diarrhrea

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los niños menores de un año ingresados en la sala de enfermedades diarreicas agudas del Hospital General Docente "Aleida Fernández Chardiet" durante el año 2001 que presentaron en su evolución algún grado de desequilibrio hidroelectrolítico con el objetivo de identificar la terapia de rehidratación utilizada en dichos lactantes. Del total de 324 niños ingresados el 18.2 porciento se deshidrató, siendo más frecuente la ligera. La terapia de rehidratación intravenosa resultó ser la forma más empleada, encontrándose que solamente en 19 pacientes, de los 33 que utilizaron la vía intravenosa, tenían bien fundamentado su uso, lo cual incrementa la estadía y los costos del paciente en la unidad (AU)