Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples, revealing cellular targets involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

There is an urgent need to understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host interactions involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, which might contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples of patients who died with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its relationship with host factors involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, using microscopy-based methods. The cases analyzed showed advanced stages of diffuse acute alveolar damage and fibrosis. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (NC) in a variety of cells, colocalizing with mitochondrial proteins, lipid droplets (LDs), and key host proteins that have been implicated in inflammation, tissue repair, and the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle (vimentin, NLRP3, fibronectin, LC3B, DDX3X, and PPARγ), pointing to vimentin and LDs as platforms involved not only in the viral life cycle but also in inflammation and pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient´s nasal swab was grown in cell culture and used to infect hamsters. Target cells identified in human tissue samples included lung epithelial and endothelial cells; lipogenic fibroblast-like cells (FLCs) showing features of lipofibroblasts such as activated PPARγ signaling and LDs; lung FLCs expressing fibronectin and vimentin and macrophages, both with evidence of NLRP3- and IL1ß-induced responses; regulatory cells expressing immune-checkpoint proteins involved in lung repair responses and contributing to inflammatory responses in the lung; CD34+ liver endothelial cells and hepatocytes expressing vimentin; renal interstitial cells; and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may directly interfere with critical lung, renal, and liver functions involved in COVID-19-pathogenesis.

Intrauterine transfusion of a hydropic fetus with anemia due to a giant chorioangioma: A case report.

Giant chorioangiomas are a potentially life-threatening condition that may require intrauterine therapy. We describe a case of a large chorioangioma (>4cm) diagnosed at 30 weeks of gestation causing severe fetal anemia and hydrops. An intrauterine blood transfusion was performed at 31 weeks with reversal of the anemia and hydrops. The neonate was born at 37 weeks showing respiratory distress syndrome that required neonatal intensive care unit admission but was discharged at 30 days of life. Further evaluation at two months of age showed no signs of abnormal neurodevelopment. When timely indicated, intrauterine transfusion of a hydropic fetus with anemia due to a giant chorioangioma is a potentially life-saving therapy that shows good neurodevelopment of the surviving fetus.

Ejercicios terapéuticos para compensar deformidades posturales en atletas de balonmano / Exercícios terapêuticos para compensar deformidades posturais em atletas de Handebol / Therapeutic exercises to compensate postural deformities in handball athletes

Resumen El trabajo que se presenta hace referencia a la importancia de tener un control de las deformidades posturales que pueden apreciarse en las atletas de balonmano de 13 15 años; especialmente por la edad de estas atletas. Su objetivo se encamina a proponer ejercicios terapéuticos para la compensación de las deformidades posturales, tratadas desde la planificación de la preparación física, partiendo de indicaciones como las posiciones y movimientos convenientes, objetivos del tratamiento y ejercicios para cada deformidad; atendiendo las características individuales. Para la realización de la investigación se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos ( entrevista, trabajo con documentos y medición) y estadísticos lo que posibilitó concluir que la adopción de posturas incorrectas durante el entrenamiento y el uso intensivo de los sistemas osteomioarticular y locomotor incide en la ocurrencia de alteraciones de la postura que repercuten negativamente en el accionar de los atletas objeto de estudio, destacándose en ellos la cifosis, pies planos y varos y rodillas hiperextendidas y varas de ahí que sea necesario su compensación y/o corrección desde el entrenamiento de la preparación física; por lo que se recomienda la aplicación de los ejercicios terapéuticos propuestos para constatar su efectividad con el fin de extender el estudio a otras categorías.

Resumo O trabalho apresentado refere-se à importância de ter um controlo das deformidades posturais que podem ser observadas em atletas de andebol de 13-15 anos de idade; especialmente devido à idade destes atletas. O seu objectivo é propor exercícios terapêuticos para a compensação das deformidades posturais, tratados desde o planeamento da preparação física, partindo das indicações como as posições e movimentos adequados, objectivos do tratamento e exercícios para cada deformidade; atendendo às características individuais. Para a realização da investigação, foram utilizados métodos teóricos, empíricos (entrevista, trabalho com documentos e medição) e estatísticos, que permitiram concluir que a adopção de posturas incorrectas durante o treino e o uso intensivo dos sistemas osteomioarticulares e locomotores afectam a ocorrência de alterações posturais que têm um impacto negativo nas acções dos atletas em estudo, salientando cifose, pés chatos e joelhos e varas hiperextensos, daí a necessidade de compensação e/ou correcção a partir do treino de preparação física; Por conseguinte, recomenda-se a aplicação dos exercícios terapêuticos propostos para verificar a sua eficácia, a fim de alargar o estudo a outras categorias.

Abstract The work presented refers to the importance of having control of the postural deformities that can be seen in 13-15-year-old handball athletes; especially because of the age of these athletes. Its objective is to propose therapeutic exercises for the compensation of postural alterations, treated from the planning of the physical preparation, starting from indications such as the positions and convenient movements, treatment objectives and exercises for each deformity; taking into account the individual characteristics. To carry out the research, theoretical, empirical ( Interview, Documentary Review, Measurement) and statistical methods were used, which made it possible to conclude that the adoption of incorrect postures during training and the intensive use of the musculoskeletal and locomotor systems affects the occurrence of postural alterations that negatively impact on the actions of the athletes under study, highlighting in them kyphosis and knees varuss, hence its compensation and / or correction from the training of physical preparation; therefore, the application of the proposed therapeutic exercises is recommended to verify its effectiveness in order to extend the study to other categories.

Factores biológicos y sociales que influyen en la salud de la mujer durante el climaterio y la menopausia / Biological and social factors that influence women's health during climacteric and menopause

RESUMEN La menopausia es una tapa en la vida de la mujer sujeta a muchos cambios. Se sabe que es el cese completo de la menstruación, pero a menudo se menosprecian los síntomas producidos por esta, incluso por el personal de salud. A través de diferentes épocas, ha sido motivo de menciones históricas, literarias, culturales, etc. Alrededor del climaterio y la menopausia existen muchos factores que la condicionan. El objetivo de esta revisión es compilar información sobre los aspectos biológicos y sociales que influyen en la salud de la mujer en esta etapa de su vida.

ABSTRACT Menopause is a period in a woman's life subject to many changes. It is known that it is the complete cessation of menstruation, but the symptoms produced by it are often underestimated, even by health personnel. Through time, it has been mentioned in history, literature, culture, etc. There are many factors which condition the climacteric and menopause. The objective of this review is to compile information on the biological and social aspects that influence women´s health at this stage of their lives.

La tutoría en la formación del futuro profesional de Enfermería / The tutorial in training of the Nursing future professional

RESUMEN Muchos de los profesionales de enfermería, en su labor docente, deben cumplir con la función de ser tutor, lo que rebasa los marcos de la mera trasmisión de conocimientos. La figura del tutor se erige como el eje fundamental en la concepción de la enseñanza tutorial; él tiene la importante misión de formar al enfermero, lo cual es un honor y un reto. El mentor debe formar al futuro profesional de manera integral y para ello su meta suprema es la formación y producción de conocimientos, habilidades, destrezas, actitudes y valores que promuevan el desarrollo de su desempeño. El objetivo de esta revisión es reflexionar sobre la labor del tutor en enfermería, sus cualidades y retos en los momentos actuales.

ABSTRACT Many of the nursing professionals, in their teaching work, should fulfill the function of being a tutor, which goes beyond the framework of the mere knowledge transmission. The figure of the tutor is established as the main axis in the tutorial teaching conception; He has the important mission of training the nurse, which is an honor and a challenge. The mentor must train the future professional in a comprehensively and for it, his highest goal is the formation and production of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that promote the development of his performance. The objective of this review is to reflect on the function of the nursing tutor, his qualities and challenges in the current times.

Algunas reflexiones sobre el análisis de la situación de salud / Some reflections on the health situation analysis

RESUMEN El análisis de la situación de salud permite caracterizar, medir y explicar el perfil de salud-enfermedad de una población, incluye los daños o problemas de salud, así como sus determinantes y tendencias. Permite identificar desigualdades en los riesgos, en los daños, así como evaluar las estrategias diseñadas para la solución de los problemas de salud. Sin embargo, en la práctica, no se ha convertido en un instrumento de uso cotidiano para el trabajo diario en la comunidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar algunas reflexiones sobre el análisis de la situación de salud y los retos que aún enfrenta esta actividad en nuestro medio.

ABSTRACT The analysis of the health situation allows to characterize, measure and explain the health-illness profile of a population, including damages or health problems, as well as their determinants and trends. It promotes the identification of inequalities in risks, in damages, as well as evaluating the strategies designed for the solution of health problems. However, in practice, it has not become an instrument of daily use for daily work in the community. The objective of this work is to reflect on the health situation analysis and the challenges that this activity still faces in our environment.

Conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo y prevención de enfermedades oculares en pacientes atendidos en la provincia de Cienfuegos / Knowledge about risk factors and prevention of eye diseases in patients treated in the Cienfuegos Province

Fundamento: el conocimiento de la población sobre factores de riesgo y cómo llevar a la práctica las medidas preventivas para evitar la aparición de enfermedades visuales es vital para conservar una buena salud ocular.Objetivo: determinar los conocimientos que poseen pacientes atendidos en la provincia de Cienfuegos sobre factores de riesgo y prevención de enfermedades oculares. Métodos: estudio descriptivo sobre 300 pacientes mayores de 18 años que asistieron a las consultas de oftalmología en Cienfuegos, desde enero hasta marzo del 2016, a los cuales se les aplicó una encuesta que incluyó variables como: edad, sexo, profesión, así como aspectos relacionados con el conocimiento que tenían sobre factores de riesgo y prevención de las enfermedades oculares. Resultados: predominó el sexo femenino, la edad comprendida en mayores de 50 años y el grupo de profesionales. Los más atentos a la prevención ocular fueron las personas de mayor edad y las mujeres. Los encuestados presumen tener conocimientos sobre la prevención ocular, pero existe un desconocimiento elevado de las acciones que deben realizar para preservar al órgano visual con una buena salud, fundamentalmente los dos pilares de la prevención: la protección solar y la visita al especialista. Conclusiones: aún existe desconocimiento de los factores de riesgo y la importancia de la prevención ocular. A pesar de la relevancia de la función visual en la sociedad actual, los ojos no son objeto de tantas medidas preventivas.

Foundation: population’s knowledge about risk factors and how to implement preventive measures to avoid the appearance of eye diseases is vital to preserve a good ocular health. Objective: to determine the knowledge about risk factors and ocular disease prevention patients treated in the Cienfuegos Province. Methods: descriptive study about 300 patients older than 18 years who came to the ophthalmology consultation in Cienfuegos, from January to March 2016. They were applied a survey which included variables as: age, sex, profession so as aspects related to the knowledge they have about risk factors and prevention of ocular diseases. Results: the female sex predominated, age older than 50 years and the group of professionals. The most attentive to eye disease prevention were the elderly and women. The surveyed patients presume to have knowledge about eye disease prevention, but there is a high ignorance about the actions for visual organ preservation with good health, mainly the two bases of prevention: sun protection and specialist visit.Conclusions: there is still ignorance of risk factors and importance of eye disease prevention. In spite of the visual function relevance in the current society, eyes are not object of enough preventive measures.

Factores de riesgo para enfermedades oculares. Importancia de la prevención / Risk Factors for Eye Diseases. Importance of Prevention

El aumento de la incidencia de enfermedades oculares es multifactorial; los factores de riesgo relacionados con el individuo, el medio ambiente y la luminancia solar inciden en su génesis. La retina absorbe millares de fotones que provienen de los rayos ultravioletas y del espectro azul que son los causantes de una mayor fototoxicidad y provocan lesiones irreversibles. Estudiar su patogénesis y analizar a fondo la interacción luz/ojo es imprescindible. La prevención ocular y la personalización de los factores de riesgo son fundamentales con el objetivo de brindar una informacion correcta, adoptando una postura de autovigilancia y seguimiento médico más frecuente. Los continuos avances tecnológicos en el sector de la óptica oftálmica brindan nuevas perspectivas en el ámbito de la prevención. El objetivo de esta revisión es realizar una actualización de este tema para su aplicación en la docencia a estudiantes de medicina y médicos de la atención primaria.

The increased incidence of eye diseases is multifactorial in origin since risk factors related to the individual, environment, and solar radiation contribute to their development. The retina absorbs millions of photons of ultraviolet and blue light, which cause greater phototoxicity and irreversible damage. It is essential to study the pathogenesis of eye diseases and analyze the interaction of light with the eyes in depth. Eye disease prevention based on a personalized approach is critical to provide correct information, contribute to self-monitoring, and conduct a frequent medical follow-up. Continuous development of technology in the field of ophthalmic optics offers new perspectives for prevention. The aim of this review is to provide an update on this topic that can be used for training medical students and primary care physicians.

Reevaluación de pacientes débiles visuales tras intervención quirúrgica. Presentación de cuatro casos / Reassessment of Visually Impaired Patients after Surgery. A Four-case Report

La pérdida visual causa un enorme sufrimiento tanto para aquellos que la padecen como para sus familiares. Cerca del 80 % de la ceguera es evitable (prevenible o curable). Por tales razones se presentan cuatro casos atendidos durante varios años en la consulta de baja visión del Hospital General Universitario Gustavo Aldereguía Lima de Cienfuegos, por ser pacientes clasificados con una diversidad funcional secundaria a diferentes entidades oftalmológicas: hipermetropía elevada, miopía elevada, glaucoma crónico simple en estadio 4 y afaquia no corregida. Se empleó la técnica quirúrgica de extracción extracapsular con implante de lente intraocular, en uno de ellos Piggy Back primario; en todos los casos hubo resultados satisfactorios en diversos parámetros como agudeza visual, campo visual y disminución del defecto refractivo, por lo que se logró mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes, así como su inclusión social y escolar.

Visual loss causes enormous suffering to both the patients and their families. About 80% of blindness is avoidable (preventable or curable). Therefore, we present four cases treated for several years in the low vision consultation of the Gustavo Aldereguía Lima University General Hospital of Cienfuegos due to a functional diversity secondary to various ophthalmologic conditions including high hyperopia, high myopia, chronic simple glaucoma at stage 4 and uncorrected aphakia. An extracapsular extraction with intraocular lens implantation was performed, using a primary Piggyback in one of them. All cases showed satisfactory results in various parameters such as visual acuity, visual field and reduced refractive error; thus, it was possible to improve the quality of life of these patients as well as their social and school inclusion.

Incidencia de las urgencias oftalmológicas en el cuerpo de guardia del Hospital General Universitario de Cienfuegos / Incidence of ocular emergencies in the emergency room of the University General Hospital of Cienfuegos

Fundamento: existen pocos estudios, tanto nacionales como internacionales, sobre la incidencia de urgencias oftalmológicas, aunque son motivo de consulta frecuente.Objetivo: determinar la incidencia y tipo de las urgencias que se atienden en el Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital General Universitario de Cienfuegos.Métodos: estudio de serie de casos de todos los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Urgencias de Oftalmología del Hospital de Cienfuegos desde marzo de 2013 a marzo de 2014. Se analizaron: nombre y apellidos del paciente, sexo, edad, procedencia, diagnóstico de urgencia, código de clasificación de colores, total de pacientes que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico e ingreso hospitalario.Resultados: predominaron las edades entre 41 a 60 años (35,8 %), el sexo masculino ( 58,6 %) y el mayor número de casos correspondió a los pacientes de la cabecera provincial. Existió predominio del código verde (70,9 %); las afecciones más representadas fueron las inflamaciones de los anexos seguidas por los traumatismos; requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico 72 pacientes (0,38 %) y 59 necesitaron ingreso, el resto realizó tratamiento ambulatorio con seguimiento por consulta ( 0,31 %).Conclusiones: la incidencia de las verdaderas urgencias oftalmológicas fue baja, pues las afecciones inflamatorias de los anexos, clasificadas como código verde, fueron la causa más frecuente de asistencia de pacientes; afecciones que pueden ser tratadas en los servicios primarios, lo que parece indicar un mal manejo de los médicos en el tratamiento de estas afecciones oftálmicas con la consecuente sobrecarga social y económica que implica a los servicios secundarios.

Background: There are few international and national studies on the incidence of ocular emergencies though there are frequent complaints. Objective: To determine the incidence and types of emergencies attended by the department of Ophthalmology at the General University Hospital of Cienfuegos. Methods: Case series study of all patients attended in the Emergency Department of Ophthalmology in Cienfuegos Hospital from March 2013 to March 2014. There were analyzed: name of the patient, sex, age, origin, diagnosis emergency, classification code colors, total of patients requiring surgical treatment and hospitalization. Results: Predominated aged 41-60 years (35.8%), males (58.6%) and the largest number of cases attended corresponded to patients in the provincial capital. There was a predominance of green code (70.9%); the conditions most represented were inflammations of annexes followed by injuries; 72 patients needed surgery, (0.38%) and 59 required hospitalizations, the rest of the patients were on ambulatory treatment with follow up in outpatient department ( 0.31%). Conclusions: The incidence of true ophthalmologic emergencies was low, for inflammatory conditions of Annexes classified as green code, were the most frequent cause of patient care; conditions that can be treated in primary services, indicating to mismanagement of physicians in the treatment of these ophthalmic conditions with consequent social and economic burden involving secondary services.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Cuban Antipneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine PCV7-TT in Healthy Adults.

INTRODUCTION Pneumococcal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and are associated with considerable economic burden on health systems. To prevent pneumococcal infections, 7-valent conjugate vaccines have been available for over a decade; more recently, 10- and 13-valent conjugate vaccines have been formulated, which are more immunogenic than vaccines with capsular polysaccharides only. In Cuba, a new vaccine candidate has been developed, PCV7-TT, a conjugate of tetanus toxoid with antigens of seven of the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae with highest circulation in Cuba and in the world: 1, 5, 6B, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F. OBJECTIVE Assess the safety of the vaccine candidate PCV7-TT in healthy adults and conduct a preliminary assessment of its immunogenicity. METHODS A phase I, double-blind clinical trial was performed at the National Toxicology Center in Havana, Cuba. Healthy male volunteers aged 18-35 years were randomly assigned to two groups: 20 received the vaccine candidate PCV7-TT and 20 the polyvalent antipneumococcal vaccine PNEUMO-23 used as control, each in a single intramuscular dose. To assess safety, the occurrence of adverse events was monitored for 30 days following inoculation. To explore immunogenicity, concentrations of serotype-specific antibodies was quantified before and 30 days after inoculation, as well titers of opsonophagocytic antibodies. (National Clinical Trial Registry RPCEC00000133) RESULTS Local adverse events were pain, redness, induration, increased sensitivity to touch, and warmth in the injection area. Pain was registered in 70% of individuals who received PCV7-TT and in 75% of those vaccinated with PNEUMO-23. Reported systemic adverse events were general malaise, headache and drowsiness. All adverse events appeared in the first 72 hours post inoculation and lasted no longer than 3 days. One event was reported that was classified as severe in intensity and serious in consequences, but it was unrelated to vaccination appendicitis in one individual inoculated with the control vaccine. Before vaccination, all participants but one had antibody concentrations =0.20 µg/ml against the vaccine strains; after vaccination 100% of individuals were positive and the concentrations of antibodies increased in previously positive volunteers. Some individuals had opsonophagocytic antibodies against serotypes 1, 14, 19F and 23F before vaccination, with highest concentrations against serotypes 14 and 19F. After vaccination, the percent of individuals with opsonophagocytic titers >1:8 for all serotypes in the vaccine was >50% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS A single dose of candidate vaccine PCV7-TT was safe when used in healthy adults. Preliminary results showed that it was able to activate an immune response against the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae used. KEYWORDS Invasive pneumococcal diseases, pneumococcal vaccines, conjugate vaccines, immunization, randomized clinical trial, safety, Cuba.

Piggy Back primario: una alternativa en la cirugía de pacientes portadores de hipermetropías elevadas. Presentación de un caso / Primary Piggyback: an Alternative Surgical Treatment for Patients with High Hypermetropia. A Case Report

En nuestro país la hipermetropía es el defecto refractivo más frecuente. La mejor manera de corregir el defecto constituye un problema serio para el oftalmólogo y para el propio paciente, sobretodo en defectos elevados. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 45 años de edad con antecedentes patológicos personales oculares de hipermetropía elevada en ambos ojos; es un trabajador agrícola, el cual manifestó serias dificultades para la adaptación a sus cristales ya que le pesan mucho y su visión es borrosa con ellos, por lo que los cambia con frecuencia. Se analizaron las diferentes formas de tratar su defecto y se optó por el implante de dos lentes intraoculares (piggy back) con lo cual el paciente logró mejoría en su agudeza visual y la desaparición del defecto refractivo sin la aparición de ninguna complicación trans ni posoperatoria. La hipermetropía elevada es algo poco frecuente en los pacientes hipermétropes, por lo que esta técnica es poco utilizada en nuestro medio, razones por las que se decidió la presentación del caso.

Hypermetropia is the most common refractive disorder in our country. Finding the best procedure to correct this defect is a serious problem for the ophthalmologist and the patient, especially those with severe defects. The case of a 45-year-old patient with a history of high hypermetropia in both eyes is presented. He is an agricultural worker who had serious difficulties adapting to the lenses as they were too heavy and caused him blurry vision, leading to their frequent change. After analyzing the different ways to correct his defect, it was decided to implant two (piggyback) intraocular lenses, which resulted in increased visual acuity and elimination of the refractive disorder without occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications. High hypermetropia is uncommon in hypermetropic patients, thus this technique is not frequently used in our setting, which lead to the presentation of this case.

Repercusión de la capsulotomía láser en la calidad de vida de ancianos con opacidad de cápsula posterior tras cirugía de catarata / Impact of Laser Capsulotomy in the Quality of Life of the Elderly with Posterior Capsule Opacity after Cataract Surgery

Fundamento: la opacidad de cápsula posterior del cristalino después de cirugía de catarata ha disminuido en los últimos años, pero su incidencia sigue siendo elevada.Objetivo: evaluar la repercusión de la opacidad de cápsula posterior del cristalino y su tratamiento con capsulotomía láser en la función visual y calidad de vida de pacientes longevos operados de catarata. Métodos: estudio de serie de casos sobre los pacientes longevos con diagnóstico de opacidad de cápsula posterior del cristalino, después de cirugía de catarata, atendidos entre enero del 2010 y enero del 2011 en el Hospital General Universitario de Cienfuegos, que fueron tratados con capsulotomía láser. Se aplicó una batería de instrumentos de evaluación para medir el estado funcional y el test VF-14 para valoración de función visual. Resultados: se observó mejoría en el valor medio de la agudeza visual (0,326 antes de practicada la capsulotomía a 0,726 después), con un rango promedio de mejora en la eficiencia visual binocular de un 6,96 %, así mismo mejoró la capacidad visual funcional desde un 57,728 a un 96,223; la exploración mediante el VF-14 mostró una calidad de vida superior; el grado de validismo total se recuperó en el 86,56 % de los pacientes, solo un paciente quedó totalmente dependiente para la realización de sus actividades de la vida diaria. Conclusiones: los pacientes a los que se les practicó capsulotomía láser mostraron evidencias de mejoría en la agudeza visual, funcionabilidad y calidad de vida.

Background: the opacity of the posterior lens capsule after cataract surgery has decreased in recent years but its incidence remains high.Objective: To assess the impact of the opacification of the posterior lens capsule and its treatment with laser capsulotomy on visual function and life quality of patients after cataract surgery. Methods: A case series study of elderly patients with diagnose of opacity in the posterior lens capsule after cataract surgery who were treated with laser capsulotomy from January 2010 to January 2011 in the General University Hospital of Cienfuegos was conducted. A survey and a battery of assessment tools to measure functional status were applied as well as the VF-14 test for the assessment of life quality. Results: We observed an improvement in the average value of the visual acuity (0, 326 by 0, 726 practiced capsulotomy to later), with an average range of efficiency improvement of a binocular visual 6.96%, likewise improved functional visual capacity from 57, 728 to 96, 223; exploration by VF-14 showed a higher life quality. The degree of overall validism was recovered in 86, 56 % of patients and only one patient was totally dependent for the realization of daily life activities. Conclusions: Patients who underwent laser capsulotomy showed evidence of improvement in visual acuity, functionality and life quality.

CIGB-300, a synthetic peptide-based drug that targets the CK2 phosphoaceptor domain. Translational and clinical research.

CK2 represents an oncology target scientifically validated. However, clinical research with inhibitors of the CK2-mediated phosphorylation event is still insufficient to recognize it as a clinically validated target. CIGB-300, an investigational peptide-based drug that targets the phosphoaceptor site, binds to a CK2 substrate array in vitro but mainly to B23/nucleophosmin in vivo. The CIGB-300 proapoptotic effect is preceded by its nucleolar localization, inhibition of the CK2-mediated phosphorylation on B23/nucleophosmin and nucleolar disassembly. Importantly, CIGB-300 shifted a protein array linked to apoptosis, ribosome biogenesis, cell proliferation, glycolisis, and cell motility in proteomic studies which helped to understand its mechanism of action. In the clinical ground, CIGB-300 has proved to be safe and well tolerated in a First-in-Human trial in women with cervical malignancies who also experienced signs of clinical benefit. In a second Phase 1 clinical trial in women with cervical cancer stage IB2/II, the MTD and DLT have been also identified in the clinical setting. Interestingly, in cervical tumors the B23/nucleophosmin protein levels were significantly reduced after CIGB-300 treatment at the nucleus compartment. In addition, expanded use of CIGB-300 in case studies has evidenced antitumor activity when administered as compassional option. Collectively, our data outline important clues on translational and clinical research from this novel peptide-based drug reinforcing its perspectives to treat cancer and paving the way to validate CK2 as a promising target in oncology.

Safety and preliminary efficacy data of a novel casein kinase 2 (CK2) peptide inhibitor administered intralesionally at four dose levels in patients with cervical malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is now considered the second leading cause of death among women worldwide, and its incidence has reached alarming levels, especially in developing countries. Similarly, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the precursor stage for cervical cancer, represents a growing health problem among younger women as the HSIL management regimes that have been developed are not fully effective. From the etiological point of view, the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role for developing cervical malignancies, and viral DNA has been detected in 99.7% of cervical tumors at the later stages. CIGB-300 is a novel cyclic synthetic peptide that induces apoptosis in malignant cells and elicits antitumor activity in cancer animal models. CIGB-300 impairs the Casein Kinase (CK2) phosphorylation, by targeting the substrate's phosphoaceptor domain. Based on the perspectives of CIGB-300 to treat cancer, this "first-in-human" study investigated its safety and tolerability in patients with cervical malignancies. METHODS: Thirty-one women with colposcopically and histologically diagnosed microinvasive or pre-invasive cervical cancer were enrolled in a dose escalating study. CIGB-300 was administered sequentially at 14, 70, 245 and 490 mg by intralesional injections during 5 consecutive days to groups of 7 - 10 patients. Toxicity was monitored daily until fifteen days after the end of treatment, when patients underwent conization. Digital colposcopy, histology, and HPV status were also evaluated. RESULTS: No maximum-tolerated dose or dose-limiting toxicity was achieved. The most frequent local events were pain, bleeding, hematoma and erythema at the injection site. The systemic adverse events were rash, facial edema, itching, hot flashes, and localized cramps. 75% of the patients experienced a significant lesion reduction at colposcopy and 19% exhibited full histological regression. HPV DNA was negative in 48% of the previously positive patients. Long term follow-up did not reveal recurrences or adverse events. CONCLUSION: CIGB 300 was safe and well tolerated. This is the first clinical trial where a drug has been used to target the CK2 phosphoaceptor domain providing an early proof-of-principle of a possible clinical benefit.

CIGB-300, a novel proapoptotic peptide that impairs the CK2 phosphorylation and exhibits anticancer properties both in vitro and in vivo.

Protein Kinase CK2 is a serine-threonine kinase frequently deregulated in many human tumors. Here, we hypothesized that a peptide binder to the CK2 phosphoacceptor site could exhibit anticancer properties in vitro, in tumor animal models, and in cancer patients. By screening a random cyclic peptide phage display library, we identified the CIGB-300 (formerly P15-Tat), a cyclic peptide which abrogates the CK2 phosphorylation by blocking recombinant substrates in vitro. Interestingly, synthetic CIGB-300 led to a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect in a variety of tumor cell lines and induced apoptosis as evidenced by rapid caspase activation. Importantly, CIGB-300 elicited significant antitumor effect both by local and systemic administration in murine syngenic tumors and human tumors xenografted in nude mice. Finally, we performed a First-in-Man trial with CIGB 300 in patients with cervical malignancies. The peptide was found to be safe and well tolerated in the dose range studied. Likewise, signs of clinical benefit were clearly identified after the CIGB-300 treatment as evidenced by significant decrease of the tumor lesion area and histological examination. Our results provide an early proof-of-principle of clinical benefit by using an anti-CK2 approach in cancer. Furthermore, this is the first clinical trial where an investigational drug has been used to target the CK2 phosphorylation domain.

Preformulation study of the vaccine candidate TAB9 against HIV-1.

A preformulation study was performed for the evaluation of a vaccine candidate against HIV-1. Aluminium hydroxide was used in the preformulation. However, this adjuvant is not a good adsorbent for basic proteins since it is positively charged at a physiological pH. In the present study, we determined the adsorption of TAB9 (basic protein, pI: 11.3) by treating Alhydrogel with different ions. The immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate against HIV was also evaluated using three batches, 9801-A, 9802-A and 9803-A, and a placebo P-001. The evaluation was performed twice (0 and 9 months). Each batch was tested using groups of 10 mice that had a single inoculation. The results showed that the protein was totally adsorbed to the aluminium gel. Seroconvertion was attained in all analysed batches, indicating the potentiality of TAB9 as a vaccine candidate.

Estandarización de la técnica del veneno de víbora de Russell diluido para el diagnóstico del anticoagulante lúpico / Standardization of dilute Russell viper venom technique for the diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant

En 25 donantes se determinaron los valores de referencia para la técnica del veneno de víbora de Russell para lo cual se utilizaron diferentes concentraciones de veneno de víbora y de fosfolípidos. En 9 pacientes se investigó la existencia del anticoagulante lúpico mediante la prueba de Exner y el índice del anticoagulante circulante. El estudio de estos enfermos con las concentraciones diferentes de veneno de víbora de Russell y fosfolípidos con la técnica del veneno de víbora de Russell, permitió determinar que la dilución óptima de la cefalina es de 1:1200 y la del veneno de víbora: 1:150. Se determinó que el tiempo del veneno de víbora de Russell (TVVR) se prolonga cuando las concentraciones de heparina son superiores a 0,2 U/mL. El TVVR es una técnica sencilla y rápida que es de utilidad en el diagnóstico del anticoagulante lúpico

Atención de la enfermera en las unidades de cuidados intensivos polivalentes / Nurse attention at the polyvalent intensive care units

Se expone el desarrollo alcanzado en Cuba en las unidades de cuidados intensivos polivalentes, se expresa la importancia de una buena recepción del paciente, y del apoyo psicológico al enfermo grave. Entre las enfermedades que se atienden en estas unidades se seleccionó el asma bronquial, donde se reflejan los cuidados generales que se aplican por el personal de enfermería en el Cuerpo de Guardia, se atendieron a pacientes con status asmático clasificados en grados I y II. Al progresar la crisis de asma, que corresponde a los grados III y IV, estos enfermos necesitan cuidados intensivos, se expone la conducta que debe seguir la enfermera intensivista en estos casos. Se tratan, además, los cuidados de enfermería en los pacientes que presentan infartos agudos del miocardio, se destacan los logros alcanzados con el uso de agentes trombolíticos y el papel primordial que desempeña la enfermera en todos los procederes realizados con la inclusión de la reanimación en el paro cardiorrespiratorio