Dispensation of outpatient hospital medicines by hospital only versus hospital-community pharmacies collaboration: a cross-sectional study and survey of patient's satisfaction.

Goal: To describe the experience of a dispensing model of outpatient hospital medicines (OHM) via collaboration of hospital and community pharmacies, and to explore patient satisfaction with the strategy as compared with the hospital pharmacy only service. Background: Patient satisfaction is an important component of the quality of health care. Study: A new model of dispensing OHM was conducted in the Outpatients Unit of the Service of Hospital Pharmacy of Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain. Participants were patients on stable chronic treatment with clinical or social fragility, immunocompromised patients, and those whose residence was located at a distance from the hospital that justified drug delivery through the community pharmacy. A cross sectional study was done using an ad hoc 14-item questionnaire collecting demographic data, duration of treatment, usual mode of collecting medication, and the degree of satisfaction regarding waiting time for the collection of medication, attention received by professionals, information received on treatment, and confidentiality. Results: The study population included a total of 4,057 patients (66.8% men) with a mean age of 53 (15.5) years, of whom 1,286 responded, with a response rate of 31.7%. Variables significantly associated with response to the survey were age over 44 years, particularly the age segment of 55-64 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.51) and receiving OHM via the community pharmacy (OR 12.76). Patients in the community pharmacy group (n = 927) as compared with those in the hospital pharmacy group (n = 359) showed significantly higher percentages of 'satisfied' and 'very satisfied' (p < 0.001) in the waiting time for the collection of OHM (88.1% vs. 66%), attention received by professionals (92.5% vs. 86.1%), and information received on treatment (79.4% vs. 77.4%). In relation to confidentiality, results obtained were similar in both pharmacy settings. Conclusion: Dispensing OHM through the community pharmacy was a strategy associated with greater patient satisfaction as compared with OHM collection at the hospital pharmacy service, with greater accessibility, mainly due to close distance to the patient's home. The participation of community pharmacists could further optimize the care received by patients undergoing OHM treatment.

Efectividad de la acupuntura para el alivio del dolor lumbar en el cuerpo de guardia

Introducción: La lumbalgia se presenta en aproximadamente 9,4 % de la población mundial. La acupuntura es empleada por la medicina tradicional china para estimular determinados puntos del cuerpo con diferentes tipos de agujas. Entre sus efectos beneficiosos se describe la remisión del dolor. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento acupuntural en pacientes con dolor lumbar asistidos en el cuerpo de guardia. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental de intervención terapéutica (sin grupo control) en 35 pacientes con dolor lumbar, los cuales fueron atendidos en el Cuerpo de Guardia de Medicina Natural y Tradicional del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde julio hasta diciembre del 2021. Resultados: En la investigación primaron el grupo etario de 40-49 años (31,4 %), el sexo femenino (57,1 %), las amas de casa, el dolor entre grave y moderado al inicio del tratamiento, así como los pacientes sin dolor una hora después de la terapia. En cuanto a la evolución final, el total de la muestra clasificó en las categorías de aliviados y mejorados. Conclusiones: Se demostró la efectividad de la acupuntura en pacientes con dolor lumbar agudo.

Introduction: Low back pain is presented in approximately 9.4% of the world population. Acupuncture is used by Chinese traditional medicine to stimulate certain points of the body with different types of needles. Among its beneficial effects the pain remission is described. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the acupuntural treatment in patients with lumbar pain assisted in the emergency room. Methods: A quasi-experiment of therapeutic intervention study (without control group) was carried out in 35 patients with lumbar pain, who were assisted in the Natural and Traditional Medicine Emergency Room of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from July to December, 2021. Results: In the investigation there was a prevalence the 40-49 age group (31.4%), female sex (57.1%), housewives, serious and moderate pain at the beginning of the treatment, as well as patients without pain one hour after the therapy. As for the final clinical course, the total of the sample classified in the relieved and improved categories. Conclusions: The effectiveness of acupuncture was demonstrated in patients with acute lumbar pain.

Terapia multimodal en ancianos con manifestaciones psicosomáticas por el síndrome poscovid-19

Introducción: Un elevado porcentaje de pacientes que han padecido la covid-19 refiere una serie de manifestaciones clínicas que persisten luego del cuadro original. Uno de los grupos poblacionales en el que esto ocurre con mayor frecuencia es el de adultos mayores, a los cuales se les debe prestar máxima atención. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la terapia multimodal en ancianos con manifestaciones psicosomáticas por síndrome poscovid-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental de intervención terapéutica, sin grupo de control, en el Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, durante el periodo de marzo a mayo de 2021. La población estudiada se conformó por 25 pacientes de 60 y más años de edad con síndrome poscovid-19, quienes presentaron manifestaciones psicosomáticas y recibieron tratamiento multimodal (psicoterapia grupal y terapia floral). Se analizaron las variables sexo, edad, manifestaciones psicosomáticas y respuesta al tratamiento, cuya efectividad se evaluó según la proporción de pacientes con respuesta satisfactoria, considerando un nivel de significación de 5 %. Resultados: Predominaron el sexo masculino y los grupos etarios de 65-69 y 70-74 años. Las manifestaciones más frecuentes fueron la disnea, la astenia y la ansiedad. Después de aplicar la terapia multimodal, se logró una proporción significativa de pacientes con condición favorable, pues disminuyó el número de manifestaciones psicosomáticas. Conclusiones: La terapia multimodal resultó ser efectiva para reducir el número de manifestaciones psicosomáticas en los adultos mayores con síndrome poscovid-19.

Introduction: A high percentage of patients that have suffered from covid-19 refer a series of clinical manifestations that persist after the original pattern. One of the population groups in which this happens most frequently is the elderly, to whom maximum care should be paid. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the combined modality therapy in elderly with psychosomatic manifestations due to postcovid-19 syndrome. Methods: A quasi-experiment study without control group of therapeutic intervention was carried out at Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Teaching Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from March to May, 2021. The population studied was made up of 25 patients of 60 years and over with postcovid-19 syndrome, who presented psychosomatic manifestations and received combined modality treatment (group psychotherapy and floral therapy). Sex, age and psychosomatic manifestations were analyzed as variables, as well as the response to treatment, which effectiveness was evaluated according to the proportion of patients with a satisfactory response, taking into account a significance level of 5 %. Results: There was a prevalence of the male sex and the 65-69 and 70-74 age groups. The most frequent manifestations were dyspnea, asthenia and anxiety. After applying the combined modality therapy, a significant proportion of patients with a favorable condition was achieved, since the number of psychosomatic manifestations decreased. Conclusions: Combined modality therapy was effective to reduce the number of psychosomatic manifestations in elderly with postcovid-19 syndrome.

Monkeypox disease in a breastfeeding infant.

A previously healthy breastfed 7-month-old infant presented with several papulovesicular lesions, a hyperemic pharynx and a petechial enanthema. His mother had confirmed monkeypox infection with similar skin lesions on the chest wall. Skin-to-skin contact is the most likely mode of transmission of monkeypox. Precautions to limit skin contact during activities such as breastfeeding are recommended if suspected skin lesions are present.

Single-dose intravenous ferric carboxymaltose infusion versus multiple fractionated doses of intravenous iron sucrose in the treatment of post-operative anaemia in colorectal cancer patients: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical guidelines suggest that treatment of postoperative anaemia in colorectal cancer surgery with intravenous iron reduces transfusion requirements and improves outcomes. The study aimed at comparing two intravenous iron regimens in anaemic patients after colorectal cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery. Patients with moderate to severe anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <11 g/dL) after surgery were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive ferric carboxymaltose (FC; 1,000 mg, single dose) or iron sucrose (IS; 200 mg every 48 hours until covering the total iron deficit or discharge). Randomisation was stratified by Hb level: <10 g/dL (Group A) or ≥10-10.9 (Group B). The primary endpoint was the change in Hb concentration at postoperative day 30. Secondary endpoints included iron status parameters, transfusion requirements, complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: From September 2015 to May 2018, 104 patients were randomised (FC 50, IS 54). The median intravenous iron dose was 1,000 mg and 600 mg in the FC and IS groups, respectively. There were no between-group differences in mean change in Hb from postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 30 (FC: 2.5 g/dL, 95% CI: 2.1-2.9; IS: 2.4 g/dL, 95% CI: 2.0-2.8; p=0.52), in transfusion requirements or length of stay. The infection rate was lower in the FC group compared with the IS group (9.8% vs 37.2%, respectively). DISCUSSION: The administration of approximately 500 mg of IS resulted in an increase in Hb at postoperative day 30 similar to that of 1,000 mg of FC, but it was associated with a higher infection rate. Future research will be needed to confirm the results, and to choose the best regime in terms of effectiveness and side effects to treat postoperative anaemia in colorectal cancer patients.

[Clinical profile of patients with chronic urticaria in a tertiary care hospital of the social security system in Costa Ricas]. / Perfil clínico de los pacientes con urticaria crónica en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención del sistema de seguridad social de Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the medical and laboratory profile of the patients who have been diagnosed with chronic urticaria in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital of the social security system in Costa Rica. METHODS: All patients over 13 years of age who had been diagnosed with chronic urticaria between January 1st, 2014, and December 31st, 2018 were included. Variables of medical and laboratory data were statistically analyzed, and the treatment of the patients between their first and last medical consultation was compared. RESULTS: This was about 160 patients who had been diagnosed with chronic urticaria; 129 of them were women, 45.7 % between the ages of 30-49 years; in 17.5 % of them (28 patients), inducible urticaria was associated; 54.8 % (46/84) had positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies; 16.9 % (27 patients) maintained a single dose of second-generation anti-H1 antihistamines in the last consultation; 16.3 % (26 patients) no longer required antihistamine treatment in the last consultation. Cyclosporine was used in 8.8 % (14 patients), and omalizumab was used in 2.5 % (four patients). CONCLUSION: Since this is a real-life study in a geographic region with limited publications on this pathology, we trust that the provided information will contribute to the scientific community in order to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria through a timely diagnosis and an effective and efficient treatment.

Objetivo: Describir el perfil clínico y de laboratorio de los pacientes diagnosticados con urticaria crónica en la consulta externa de alergología en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención del sistema de seguridad social de Costa Rica. Métodos: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 13 años diagnosticados con urticaria crónica entre el 1 de enero de 2014 y el 31 de diciembre de 2018. Se analizaron estadísticamente variables de datos clínicos y de laboratorio y se comparó el tratamiento de los pacientes entre la primera y última consulta. Resultados: Se trató de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica: 129 del sexo femenino, 45.7 % con edad entre 30 y 49 años, en 17.5 % (28 pacientes) se asoció urticaria inducible, 54.8 % (46/84) presentó anticuerpo antitiroperoxidasa positivo, 16.9 % (27 pacientes) se mantuvo en la última consulta con una dosis de antihistamínicos anti-H1 de segunda generación; 16.3 % (26 pacientes) ya no requería tratamiento antihistamínico en la última consulta. En 8.8 % de los casos (14 pacientes) se utilizó ciclosporina y en 2.5 % (cuatro pacientes), omalizumab. Conclusión: Al tratase de un estudio de vida real en una región geográfica con limitadas publicaciones sobre esta patología, confiamos que la información provista contribuya a la comunidad científica a mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con urticaria crónica mediante un diagnóstico oportuno y un tratamiento eficaz y efectivo.

Spray Drying of Chitosan Acid Salts: Process Development, Scaling Up and Physicochemical Material Characterization.

We investigated a spray drying process for preparing water-soluble salts of high molecular weight chitosan (CH) intended for pharmaceutical excipient applications. CH was derived from chitin of marine lobster origin (Panulirus argus). The effects of organic acid (acetic or lactic acid) and the ratio (difference) of inlet/outlet air temperature (140/90 °C or 160/100 °C) on spray drying were studied. The yield of spray-dried CH salt powders ranged from 50% to 99% in laboratory and industrial-scale processes. The spray-dried dry powder of CH salts consisted of spherical agglomerated particles with an average diameter of 36.2 ± 7.0 µm (CH acetate) and 108.6 ± 11.5 µm (CH lactate). After dispersing the spray-dried CH salt powder samples in purified water, the mean particle sizes obtained for the CH acetate salts were 31.4 nm (batch A001), 33.0 nm (A002) and 44.2 nm (A003), and for the CH lactate salts 100.8 nm (batch L001), 103.2 nm (L002) and 121.8 nm (L003). The optimum process conditions for spray drying were found: an inlet air temperature of 160 ± 5 °C, an outlet temperature of 100 ± 5 °C and an atomizer disk rotational speed of 18,200 min-1. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results confirmed the amorphous state of the CH salts. The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of CH acetate and lactate salts verified that the spray drying process does not affect the polymer backbone. In conclusion, both laboratory and industrial-scale spray drying methods for preparing water-soluble acid salts of CH are reproducible, and the physicochemical properties of the corresponding CH acid salts are uniform.

Contact dermatitis: Clinical practice findings from a single tertiary referral hospital, a 4-Year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 20% of the general population is sensitized to some kind of contact allergen. Contact dermatitis is one of the major occupational diseases worldwide. This disease has a higher prevalence in the female gender and is more frequently observed in the third or fourth decade of life. The main objective of this study was to describe the main sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with contact dermatitis treated in the Allergy Unit of the San Juan De Dios Hospital - Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. METHODS: Clinical records of contact dermatitis outpatients from a single hospital were analyzed, in a 4-year retrospective observational study. RESULTS: At the time of the patch testing, patients showed a mean age of 42.2 years. Disease frequency was higher in the female population (female/male ratio of 4.2:1) and in patients mostly dedicated to household workchores. Most patients presented several years of disease history, and the hands were the highest affected body part. Patch testing revealed that nickel sulfate, Cl+Me-Isothiazolinone (Kathon CG), and thimerosal were allergens regularly associated with contact dermatitis in the analyzed population. CONCLUSIONS: To a great extent, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics identified in these patients resemble what is reported in other regions, including the Americas and worldwide. It is worth highlighting a high female proportion rate probably related to cultural aspects, a smaller percentage of irritant contact dermatitis that may be associated to institutional patient management, and a slight difference in the most common allergens when compared to other published studies.

Capacitación pedagógica de alumnos ayudantes: una necesidad sentida en la carrera de Estomatología / Pedagogical training of teaching students: a felt need in the Dentistry degree

Fundamento: el perfeccionamiento de la preparación pedagógica de los alumnos ayudantes es una necesidad para el desempeño de su rol en la docencia médica. Objetivo: elaborar una estrategia que desde una perspectiva pedagógica contribuya a la preparación de los alumnos ayudantes en Estomatología. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo longitudinal entre los cursos 2013-2015, en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis e inductivo-deductivo y empíricos: análisis de documentos, encuesta a alumnos, profesores e informantes clave. La estrategia fue valorada por criterio de especialistas. Resultados: la revisión documental permitió constatar irregularidades en la planificación, sistematicidad y contenido de las actividades desarrolladas para la preparación de los alumnos ayudantes. Ellos identificaron necesidades en relación con su capacitación para la docencia, la búsqueda de información científica y la presentación de temas relacionados con la ayudantía y otras temáticas sobre la carrera. Los profesores y directivos entrevistados coinciden en la necesidad de articular las acciones dirigidas a los alumnos ayudantes por lo que se elaboró una estrategia para solucionar esas carencias. Conclusiones: contiene realización de talleres, clases prácticas, jornadas pedagógicas de intercambio de experiencias, actividades metodológicas y acciones de evaluación. Fue valorada por criterios de especialistas como adecuada para el cumplimiento de los objetivos del movimiento de alumnos ayudantes.

Background: the improvement of the pedagogical preparation of the teaching students is a necessity for the performance of their role in medical teaching. Objective: to elaborate a strategy that from a pedagogical perspective contributes to the preparation of teaching students in Dentistry. Methods: a prospective longitudinal study was carried out in the academic years comprising from 2013 to 2015 at the Dentistry Faculty of Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and inductive-deductive and empirical ones: analysis of documents, survey to students, teachers and key informants. The strategy was assessed by specialists' criteria. Results: the documentary review allowed verifying irregularities in the planning, systematization and content of the activities developed for the preparation of teaching students. They identified needs in relation to their training for teaching, the search for scientific information and the presentation of topics related to training and other topics on the degree. The professors and executives interviewed agree on the need to articulate the actions intended for the teaching student, so a strategy was developed to solve those deficiencies. Conclusions: it contains implementation of workshops, practical classes, pedagogical days of experiences exchanging, methodological activities and evaluation actions. It was valued by criteria of specialists as adequate for the fulfillment of the objectives of the teaching students movement.

Analysis of survival and prognostic factors in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Spanish patients with drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) improves the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intermediate stage [i.e. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-B (BCLC-B)]. The aim of our study was to analyse the overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors of patients with HCC treated with DEB-TACE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients' clinical course was recorded from January 2005 to July 2014. The median OS was obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The prognosis factors associated with OS were determined by a multivariate Cox regression analysis and the accuracy of the OS prediction was determined by calculation of the assessment for retreatment with TACE score (ART score). RESULTS: A cohort of 147 consecutive patients treated with DEB-TACE was included. Median age of the patients was 73.4 years. Overall, 68.7% were men, and all had cirrhosis, with 68.8% being hepatisis C virus positive. Moreover, 35.2% were staged as BCLC-A and 60.2% as BCLC-B. After a median follow-up of 19.2 months, 29.3% were alive, 4.3% needed treatment with sorafenib and 56.1% underwent DEB-TACE retreatment. Median OS was 22.8 [95% confidence interval (CI)=19.6-25.9]. After censoring for ascites and more than one nodule, OS was 23.87 (95% CI =20.72-27.01) and 26.89 (95% CI =21.00-32.78), respectively. The risk of death decreased by 22.3% with the number of DEB-TACE sessions (hazard ratio=0.777) and increased by 25.9% with higher Child-Pugh score (hazard ratio=1.259). Overall, 61.2% of the cohort had an ART score between 0 and 1.5. There were no statistical differences in OS between cohort groups with ART of 0-1.5 and at least 2.5. CONCLUSION: The results validate the efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE in patients with HCC and the importance of some prognostic factors for patient survival.

Terapias tradicional y natural combinadas en pacientes con alopecia areata / Combined traditional and natural therapies in patients with alopecia areata

Se realizó un estudio de intervención terapéutica en 30 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de alopecia areata en forma de placas, atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde junio del 2014 hasta igual mes del 2015, con vistas a determinar la efectividad de la terapia tradicional china y la natural combinadas (esencias florales de Bach por modelo transpersonal, acupuntura con martillo de 7 puntas y masaje local con el rizoma del jengibre), para lo cual se conformó un grupo de estudio que la recibió y otro de control que fue tratado con crema esteroidea (triamcinolona a 0,1 por ciento). Los pacientes, cuya mayoría comprendía las edades de 25 a 34 años y era del sexo masculino, fueron evaluados al inicio, y luego a la cuarta, la octava y duodécima semanas. La terapia tradicional y la natural combinadas en pacientes con alopecia areata presentó una mejor respuesta y no existieron efectos secundarios, lo que demostró su efectividad al respecto

A study of therapeutic intervention in 30 patients with diagnosis of patchy alopecia areata, assisted in the Dermatology service of Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from June, 2014 to the same month in 2015, aimed at determining the effectiveness of the combined Chinese traditional therapy and the natural one (Bach flowers remedies for transpersonal pattern, acupuncture with hammer of 7 tips and local massage with ginger rhizome), for which a study group was formed which received it and another control group which was treated with steroid cream (triamcinolone 0,1 percent). Patients from the age group 25 - 34 years and male sex, were evaluated at the beginning, and then at fourth, eighth and twelfth weeks. The combined traditional and natural therapies in patients with alopecia areata provided a better response and there were no secondary effects, what demonstrated its effectiveness on this respect

Efectividad de la tintura de pasiflora asociada al tratamiento convencional de pacientes con hipertensión arterial esencial / Effectiveness of passiflora stint associated with conventional treatment of patients with hypertension

Se realizó una intervención terapéutica para evaluar la efectividad del uso de la tintura de pasiflora asociada al tratamiento convencional en 120 pacientes con hipertensión arterial esencial, atendidos en un consultorio médico del municipio de Manzanillo, provincia de Granma, desde octubre del 2014 hasta abril del 2015. La población quedó distribuida en 2 grupos: uno de estudio y otro de control. Al primero se le indicó la tintura de pasiflora combinada con medicamentos convencionales, según las enfermedades asociadas y riesgos personales; al segundo, tratamiento médico convencional, con iguales requisitos. Se evaluó a los 15 y 30 días hasta 6 meses. Predominaron los pacientes mayores de 60 años (35,0 por ciento) y el sexo femenino. El tratamiento resultó efectivo en 42 (70,0 por ciento) integrantes del grupo de estudio y en 27 (45,6 por ciento) de los controles. Se concluyó que la tintura de pasiflora asociada al tratamiento convencional fue eficaz en el control de las cifras tensionales.

A therapeutic intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of using passiflora stint associated with the conventional treatment in 20 patients suffering from essential hypertension, who were assisted in a family doctor's office of Manzanillo Granma, was carried out from October, 2014 to April, 2015. The population was distributed in 2 groups: study and control. The first group was prescribed with passiflora stint combined with conventional medicines, according to associated diseases and personal risks, the second group received conventional medical treatment with the same requirements. An evaluation was carried out after 15 and 30 days to 6 months. There was a prevalence of sixty years and over patients (35.0 percent) and female sex. The treatment was effective in 42 members of the study group (70.0 percent) and 27 members of the control group (45.6 percent). It was concluded that passiflora stint associated with conventional treatment was effective to control tension numbers.

Música, religión y chakras energéticos / Music, religion and energy chakras

Se realizó un análisis sobre musicoterapia, los chakras energéticos y sus posibles relaciones con los orishas de la religión yoruba, con el objetivo de interpretar de una manera científica y lógica, los efectos beneficiosos para la salud, que en muchas ocasiones proporcionan en el ser humano sus prácticas musicales, teniendo en cuenta las relaciones e interconexiones energéticas que pudieran existir entre estos tres aspectos, que de esta forma, justifica las respuestas que experimentan algunas personas al escuchar o danzar ante la ejecución de estos ritos tan frecuentes y arraigados en este medio.

An analysis about musical therapy, the energy chakras and their possible relationships with the orishas of yoruba religion was carried out, with the objective of interpreting in a scientific and logical way, the beneficial effects for health that provide in the human being their musical practices in many occasions, taking into account the relationships and energy interconnections that could exist among these three aspects and that this way, justifies the responses that some people experience when listening or dancing the performance of these rites deeply rooted and so frequent in this environment.

Relación y diferencias entre la historia clínica convencional y la homeopática / Relationship and differences between the conventional and homeopathic medical records

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre los aspectos que comprende la confección de una historia clínica, tanto convencional como homeopática. Aunque ambos documentos tienen como fin recoger los datos objetivos proporcionados por el paciente, así como los subjetivos, obtenidos de los exámenes físico y complementario, difieren en cuanto a los síntomas utilizados para el diagnóstico, por lo cual se considera oportuno complementar los criterios al evaluar al paciente desde el punto de vista holístico

A literature review on the aspects involved in making either a conventional or homeopathic medical record was carried out. Although both aim at collecting the objective data provided by the patient, as well as the subjective ones, obtained from the physical and complementary exams, they differ as for the symptoms used for the diagnosis, reason why it is convenient to supplement the approaches when evaluating the patient from the holistic point of view

Efectividad de la terapia Su-Jok en pacientes con dolor por espolón calcáneo / Effectiveness of the Su-Jok therapy in patients with pain due to heel spur

Se realizó una intervención terapéutica en 128 pacientes con dolor por espolón calcáneo, seleccionados aleatoriamente, quienes fueron tratados en el Departamento de Rehabilitación del Hospital General Docente "Orlando Pantoja Tamayo" en el municipio de Contramaestre, de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, de enero del 2014 a abril del 2015, con vistas a evaluar la efectividad de la terapia Su-Jok. Se conformaron 2 grupos: uno de control, que recibió tratamiento convencional, y otro de estudio, en el cual se aplicó la terapia Su-Jok. Luego de efectuado el análisis estadístico mediante las pruebas de hipótesis de homogeneidad de la Χ² y de diferencias de medias (ambas técnicas con un error permisible de 5 %), pudo concluirse que la terapia Su Jok es efectiva para aliviar el dolor por espolón calcáneo, por lo que se recomendó promoverla para ello debido a su fácil empleo y bajo costo.

A therapeutic intervention was carried out in 128 randomly selected patients with pain due to heel spur, who were treated in the Rehabilitation Department of "Orlando Pantoja Tamayo" Teaching General Hospital in Contramaestre municipality, Santiago de Cuba province, from January, 2014 to April, 2015, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the Su-Jok therapy. Two groups were formed: a control group which received conventional treatment, and a study group, in which the Su-Jok therapy was applied. After the statistical analysis was carried out by means of the homogeneity and hypothesis tests of homogeneity of Χ2 and the means differences (both techniques with a permissible error of 5%), it could be concluded that the Su-Jok therapy is effective to mitigate the pain due to heel spur, so it was recommended to promote it taking into account its easy use and low cost.

Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad: algunas consideraciones sobre su etiopatogenia y tratamiento / Disorder due to lack of attention and hyperactivity: some considerations about its etiopathogenesis and treatment

El trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad constituye un modelo persistente o continuo de inatención y/o hiperactividad e impulsividad, que impide las actividades diarias o el desarrollo típico, pues provoca dificultades para mantener la atención, la función ejecutiva y la memoria de trabajo. Por su repercusión tanto en niños como en adultos, en la actualidad resulta un tema de gran interés sobre el cual se efectúan muchos estudios a nivel mundial. En este artículo se abordan aspectos importantes relacionados con la etiopatogenia de dicho síndrome y los diferentes tratamientos empleados para paliarlo; asimismo se ofrece información acerca de las morbilidades asociadas y los enfoques conceptuales que se evidencian en los sistemas de clasificación internacionales.

The disorder due to lack of attention and hyperactivity constitutes a persistent or continuous model of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness that hinders the daily activities or the typical development, because it causes difficulties to keep the attention, the executive function and the work memory. For their repercussion either in children or in adults, at the present time it is a topic of great interest on which many studies are made worldwide. In this work important aspects related to the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome are approached and the different treatments used to palliate it; also some information about the associated morbidities and the conceptual approaches that are evidenced in the international classification systems are offered.

Estabilidad del aceite de hígado de tiburón microencapsulado vs. pool de aceite / Stability of microencapsulated shark liver oil vs pool oil

El estudio de estabilidad del aceite microencapsulado y sin microencapsular se realizó por el método de vida de estante a las temperaturas de 2-8 °C, y temperatura ambiente, respectivamente, durante doce meses. Los parámetros analizados al pool de aceite fueron: características organolépticas, índice de acidez, peróxido, saponificación, contenido de vitamina A y conteo microbiológico. Mientras que al aceite microencapsulado se le evaluaron las características organolépticas, la eficiencia de encapsulación, contenido de humedad, aceite superficial, contenido de vitamina A y conteo microbiológico. Los resultados evidenciaron una disminución superior al 5% en el contenido de vitamina A en el aceite sin microencapsular, a diferencia del aceite microencapsulado. Se logró el enmascaramiento del olor intenso a pescado, y los restantes parámetros evaluados se encontraron dentro de los límites establecidos. El aceite de hígado de tiburón microencapsulado resultó estable física, química y microbiológicamente por doce meses, mientras que el aceite sin microencapsular solo seis meses. El proceso de microencapsulación no solo mejoró sus características organolépticas, sino también favoreció su estabilidad lográndose un mayor período de vida útil.

A stability study was carried out for microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated oil by applying the shelf-life method at temperature ranges of 2 to 8 °C, and ambient temperature, respectively, for a period of 12 months. The analyzed parameters in the case of pool oil were: organoleptic characteristics, acidity index, peroxide, saponification, vitamin-A content and microbiological count. For microencapsulated oil, the following parameters were evaluated: organoleptic characteristics, capsulation efficiency, humidity content, superficial oil, vitamin-A content and microbiological count. The stability study for non-microencapsulated oil proved that there was a decrease of over 5% in vitamin-A content, when compared to microencapsulated oil. The intense fish smell was properly masked and the remaining evaluated parameters were within established limits. Microencapsulated shark liver oil turned out to be physically, chemically and microbiologically stable for a period of 12 months, while non-microencapsulated oil remained stable for only 6 months. The microencapsulation process not only improved the oil´s organoleptic characteristics, but it also made it more stable, allowing for a longer shelf life.