Oral Zinc Sulphate Supplementation for Six Months in SCA2 Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Cuban patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 (SCA2) have reduced concentrations of zinc in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To assess the effect and safety of zinc supplementation, 36 Cuban SCA2 patients were randomly assigned to receive daily either 50 mg ZnSO4 or placebo, together with neurorehabilitation therapy in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial during 6 months. Outcome measures included the changes of zinc levels in CSF and serum, ataxia score, oxidative stress and saccadic eye movements. At the end of the study, the Zinc-treated group showed: (i) a significant increase of the Zn levels in the CSF, (ii) mild decrease in the ataxia scale subscores for gait, posture, stance and dysdiadochocinesia (iii) reduction of lipids oxidative damage, and (iv) reduction of saccadic latency when compared with the placebo group. The treatment was safe and well tolerated by all subjects. This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Zn supplementation, combined with neurorehabilitation for SCA2 patients and therefore it may encourage further studies on the clinical effect of zinc supplementation in SCA2 based in the conduction of future clinical trials with higher number of subjects(AU)

¿Cómo concebir lo educativo desde los objetivos de la clase en la enseñanza médica superior? / How to conceive the educative aspect from the objectives of the class in higher medical education?

Se presentó un análisis de los fundamentos teóricos acerca de cómo educar a través de la clase y el papel que juega en dicho proceso la correcta redacción del objetivo de la clase. Como punto de partida se tomaron las dimensiones y funciones del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y la unidad de lo cognitivo y lo afectivo en la conducta de la personalidad. Se ofrecieron además, ejemplos de cómo elaborar el objetivo para diferentes clases en diferentes especialidades de la educación médica superior(AU)

An analysis of the theoretical foundations on how to educate through the class and of the role played in such a process by the correct writing of the objective of the class is presented. The dimensions and functions of the teaching-learning process and the unit of the cognitive and the affective aspects in the personality behaviour were taken as a starting point. Examples of how to develop the objectives for different classes in various specialties of higher medical education were also given(AU)

¿Cómo concebir lo educativo desde los objetivos de la clase en la enseñanza médica superior? / How to conceive the educative aspect from the objectives of the class in higher medical education?

Se presentó un análisis de los fundamentos teóricos acerca de cómo educar a través de la clase y el papel que juega en dicho proceso la correcta redacción del objetivo de la clase. Como punto de partida se tomaron las dimensiones y funciones del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y la unidad de lo cognitivo y lo afectivo en la conducta de la personalidad. Se ofrecieron además, ejemplos de cómo elaborar el objetivo para diferentes clases en diferentes especialidades de la educación médica superior.

An analysis of the theoretical foundations on how to educate through the class and of the role played in such a process by the correct writing of the objective of the class is presented. The dimensions and functions of the teaching-learning process and the unit of the cognitive and the affective aspects in the personality behaviour were taken as a starting point. Examples of how to develop the objectives for different classes in various specialties of higher medical education were also given.