Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Chilean Thoroughbred Racing Horses.

This study aimed to serologically and molecularly survey Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in thoroughbred horses from racecourses in Chile. Additionally, the genetic diversity of the positive samples was assessed. A total of 286 thoroughbred horses from the Santiago and Valparaíso racecourses had their serum samples submitted to an ELISA for B. caballi and T. equi, and 457 samples (from the Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción racecourses) were tested with nested PCRs for the B. caballi 48 KDa rhoptry protein (RAP-1) and T. equi 18S rRNA genes. Selected RAP-1 and 18S positive products were sequenced to perform phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. An overall seroprevalence of 35.6% was observed for these Chilean racecourses: 23.7% for T. equi, 8.4% for B. caballi, and 3.5% for both agents. Overall, a 53.6% occurrence by nPCR was detected for the three Chilean racecourses: 44.2% for T. equi, 5.4% for B. caballi, and 3.9% for both agents. Phylogenetic analysis of T. equi and B. caballi showed genetic proximity with sequences previously detected in other countries. Haplotype analysis revealed a low diversity among the Chilean sequences, which may have originated from those reported in Brazil, Israel, or Cuba. Babesia caballi and T. equi were detected for the first time in Chilean thoroughbred horses.

Serological and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Thoroughbred horses from Chilean racecourses.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA). This study aimed to perform serological and molecular surveys of A. phagocytophilum in thoroughbred horses from racecourses in Chile. Additionally, hematological findings related to A. phagocytophilum molecular positivity were addressed, and phylogenetic analysis of selected positive samples was performed. Complete blood count and msp2 gene real-time PCR were performed in 457 thoroughbred horses from three racecourses located in three different cities of Chile (Santiago, Viña del Mar and Concepción). Sera from horses in two racecourses (Santiago and Vina del Mar) were tested by Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum by real-time PCR was 13.6 % (62/457, 95 % CI: 10.8-16.3 %), with the highest occurrence observed in Santiago (26.5 %), followed by Concepción (9%), and the lowest in Viña del Mar (5%). The overall frequency of IgG antibodies to A. phagocytophilum was 7.9 % (23/290, 95 % CI: 4.8-12.7 %), with 9.9 % in Santiago and 6.5 % in Viña del Mar. Only three animals from Santiago Racecourse were positive in both real-time PCR and serology. PCR-positive horses from Santiago racecourse presented significantly lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular value (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (CHCM), and higher eosinophil counts. Phylogenetic analysis based on the msp2 gene showed that A. phagocytophilum sequences found in the present study were closely related with A. phagocytophilum sequences from the USA and Europe. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA is detected for the first time in Chile.

Sistema de actividades para implementar la estrategia curricular de idioma inglés en quinto año de Medicina / System of activities for implementing the Curricular Strategy of English Language in fifth year of Medicine

Introducción: Las Universidades Médicas tienen la responsabilidad de formar profesionales competentes para interactuar a nivel nacional e internacional en contextos de alto rigor científico. La enseñanza del inglés y la implementación de la estrategia curricular de idiomas constituyen elementos imprescindibles de su formación integral.Objetivo: Implementar un sistema de actividades que contribuya a la aplicación de la estrategia curricular de idioma inglés.Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio experimental de corte pedagógico en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas Mayabeque, en los cursos 20152018. Se tomó como población 45 profesores del quinto año de Medicina en la provincia, como muestra intencional 21 de la Sede Universitaria de Güines. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: histórico lógico, analítico sintético, inductivo deductivo, modelación y enfoque sistémico-estructural para llegar a conclusiones sobre estrategias curriculares y enseñanza del inglés. Como métodos empíricos, observación, encuesta, entrevista, prueba pedagógica y la técnica de triangulación para la obtención de la información. Como método matemático-estadístico, la distribución de frecuencias absolutas y relativas para procesar la información. Resultados: Los métodos empíricos para el diagnóstico inicial del estado de implementación de esta estrategia curricular mostraron que no se implementaba correctamente en todos los procesos de enseñanza - aprendizaje de las asignaturas biomédicas y sociomédicas. Se diseñó un sistema de actividades para su implementación. Finalmente, el 100 por ciento de los profesores implementaron esta estrategia curricular aplicando el sistema de actividades propuesto.Conclusiones: Se implementó la estrategia, se contribuyó al desarrollo de habilidades comunicativas, influencias educativas, al logro de la interdisciplinariedad e integralidad de los estudiantes(AU)

Introduction: Medical Universities have the responsibility to form competent professionals for interacting at national and international levels in highly scientific contexts. The teaching of English and the implementation the Curricular Strategy of English Language constitute significant elements in the students´ integral qualification.Objective: To implement a system of activities for applying the Curricular Strategy of English Language in fifth year of Medicine.Methods: An experimental pedagogical study was carried out at Mayabeque Faculty of Medical Sciences, from 2015 to 2018. The population was formed by 45 professors from fifth year of Medicine in the province and as an intentional sample 21 professors from the University center in Güines. Theoretical methods were used: historical logical, analytic synthetic, inductive deductive, modeling and systemic - structural to reach to conclusions about curricular strategies and teaching of English. As empirical methods, observation, survey, interview, pedagogical test and the triangulation technique to obtain the information. As a mathematical and statistical methods, the distribution of absolute and relative frequencies to process the information.Results: The empirical methods to diagnose the initial status of the implementation of this curricular strategy showed that it was not applied correctly in all the teaching learning - processes of the biomedical and sociomédicas subjects. A system of activities was designed for its implementation. Finally the 100 per cent of the professors applied this curricular strategy using the proposed system of activities.Conclusions: The strategy was implemented and it contributed to the development of communicative skills, educative influences, the interaction among disciplines and integrality of the students were achieved(AU)

Selección de materiales científico-técnicos para el desarrollo de la comprensión de lectura / Selection of scientific-technical materials for the development of reading comprehension

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con el objetivo de identificar la necesidad de una estrategia metodológica que contribuya a la selección de materiales de carácter científico técnico para el desarrollo de la habilidad de comprensión de lectura en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de la lengua inglesa para fines específicos en la carrera de Ciencias médicas. El contenido de este trabajo se resume en algunas consideraciones de aspecto teórico_ práctico como base de una propuesta de esa estrategia metodológica para la selección de los materiales de carácter científico –técnico para ser utilizados en clases de inglés en las mencionadas carreras. Los profesores de Lengua Inglesa que desarrollan su actividad en grupos de estudiantes de estas carreras carecen de estrategias que permiten seleccionar materiales de contenido científico para su empleo en el desarrollo de la habilidad de Comprensión de lectura. El desarrollo de esta habilidad lingüística posee gran importancia para el desarrollo de las Ciencias Médicas en Cuba dada la importancia del idioma inglés en la formación integral de esos profesionales, por ser los países de habla inglesa los de mayor producción científica. Con una correcta preparación en el idioma y un alto desarrollo de la comprensión de lecturas, los profesionales de la salud tendrán la posibilidad de leer y extraer información de textos originales y aumentar su desarrollo científico aspecto que deviene en posterior desarrollo científico en esta rama del saber(AU)

Cardiovascular disease in HIV infection.

Cardiovascular disease has been well documented in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, especially after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. At present, HIV infection is one of the leading causes of acquired cardiovascular disease including heart failure. Some of the changes observed in these patients include left ventricular systolic dysfunction, dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, myocarditis, lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, accelerated atherosclerosis including myocardial infarction, prothrombotic state, pericardial effusion, pulmonary hypertension, autonomic dysfunction, and malignancy. This article summarizes the main findings in the principal HIV-associated cardiovascular manifestations in order to stimulate its early recognition so helping in early intervention and therapy.

The metabolic syndrome and its cardiovascular manifestations.

The metabolic syndrome is one of the most discussed topics in the past 15 years. It is a collection of risk factors that includes insulin resistance, central obesity, arterial hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. The presence of these risk factors increases the probability of developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, increasing coronary and cardiovascular mortality. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the US has increased in the past years due to an increased incidence of obesity and physical inactivity. Diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome can be done with the use of established criteria by the NCEP-ATP III and the WHO. The principal treatment for this condition is to modify life styles, most importantly, diet and exercise. In many cases, this intervention alone is not sufficient to control these risk factors and a more aggressive intervention is required, including drugs directed to each risk factor independently to avoid complications due to the development of cardiovascular disease associated to the syndrome.

The cardiomyopathies, a review for the primary physician.

The cardiomyopathies constitute a group of diseases with direct involvement of the heart muscle itself, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC) have promulgated a classification taking into consideration the etiology and pathophysiology, which includes dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and unclassified cardiomyopathies. Over 25 causes are associated with the development of the cardiomyopathies. The classification of the diseases affecting the heart and causing the cardiomyopathies is presented including the highlights of the most important data for diagnosis and management of each one.

Control de Calidad al servicio de radiología diagnóstica en los Policlínicos y Hospitales de Santiago de Cuba / Quality control to the service of diagnostic radiology in policlinics and hospitals of Santiago de Cuba

El trabajo presenta los resultados obtenidos en el control de calidad realizado a 33 salas de rayos x diagnóstico . Se incluyen los controles al generador de rayos X , al tubo a los dispositivos de colimación y alineación, así como a los sistemas de visualización (negastoscopios), cuartos oscuros, almacenes de películas, procesadoras, cartulinas insensificadoras y chasis. Además representan los resultados del control de las dosis impartidas a los pacientes en proyecciones radiográficas estándar (tórax, columna, lumbar, abdomen, cráneo y pelvis) mediante la determinación de las dosis de entrada para un paciente de referencia. Para la evaluación de los parámetros técnicos verificados se tomó como referencia los criterios de tolerancia recomendados por la guía técnica elaborada por el centro de control Estatal de equipos Médicos de la República de Cuba. En los niveles de dosis se tomó como niveles orientativos los recomendados por las Normas básicas Internacionales de seguridad para la protección contra la radiación ionizante y para la seguridad de las fuentes de radiación(AU)

The work presents the results obtained in the quality control diagnostic x-ray equipment accomplished in 33 clinics of Santiago de Cuba City. The performed test were to the x-ray generator. X ray tube, devices collimation and alignment. As well as to the light boxes. Dark rooms, and radiographic screen-film combinations .Morover the work presents the results of the entrance doses for reference patient in radiographic projections of frequents use in clinics of Santiago de Cuba city(Chest, lumbar spine , abdomen and pelvis). For the evaluation of the verified technical parameters were used the tolerance criterions recommended by the technical guide elaborated by the State Control Center of Medical Equipment of Cuba in the case of the entrance dose were used the dose levels that recommended by the International Basic Safely Standars for protection against ionizing radiation and for safely of radiation sources(AU)