Exploring Cognitive Dysfunction in Long COVID Patients: Eye Movement Abnormalities and Frontal-Subcortical Circuits Implications via Eye-Tracking and Machine Learning.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is regarded as one of the most severe aftereffects following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Eye movements, controlled by various brain regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal-thalamic circuits, offer a potential metric for evaluating cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to examine the utility of eye movement measurements in identifying cognitive impairments in long COVID patients. METHODS: We recruited 40 long COVID patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints and 40 healthy controls and used a certified eye-tracking medical device to record saccades and antisaccades. Machine learning was applied to enhance the analysis of eye movement data. RESULTS: Patients did not differ from the healthy controls regarding age, sex, and years of education. However, the patients' Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score was significantly lower than healthy controls. Most eye movement parameters were significantly worse in patients: the latencies, gain, and velocity of visually and memory-guided saccades, the number of correct memory saccades, the latencies and duration of reflexive saccades, and the number of errors in the antisaccade test. Machine learning permitted distinguishing between long COVID patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest impairments in frontal subcortical circuits in long COVID patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints. Eye-tracking, combined with machine learning, offers a novel, efficient way to assess and monitor long COVID patients' cognitive dysfunctions, suggesting its utility in clinical settings for early detection and personalized treatment strategies. Further research is needed to determine the long-term implications of these findings and the reversibility of cognitive dysfunctions.

Is the Predisposition to Have More Children Beneficial among Parents with Only One Child? Evidence from Spanish Parents.

The fertility deficit in many European countries is related to a low rate of second births. Understanding the factors associated with the predisposition of one-child parents to have more children could contribute to the search for solutions to this social problem. Although previous evidence highlights the role of employment and social factors, psychological factors have been poorly investigated. This study examines the relationship between different psychosocial factors (rumination, personality, life satisfaction, perfectionism, social support, parental stress, guilt linked to work-family conflict, age and child temperament) and parents' predisposition to have more children. The sample consisted of 96 one-child Spanish parents whose child was in early childhood education (59.3% women; Mage = 37.41). The results show that one-child parents with the predisposition to have more children, compared to those without a predisposition to have more children, showed higher levels of life satisfaction, extroversion and adaptive perfectionism but lower levels of rumination and parental stress. The social implications of these findings and how they may affect parenting today are discussed.

Refractive outcomes of toric intraocular lens in combined trabecular micro bypass stent implantation and cataract surgery in glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of trabecular micro bypass stents (iStent Inject) on refractive outcomes with toric intraocular lens (IOL) in glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: We identified glaucomatous eyes receiving a toric IOL between October 2017 and December 2020. Eyes with iStent implantation were included in the study group and eyes undergoing isolated phacoemulsification served as controls. Corrected and uncorrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of hypotensive drugs three months after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: 26 eyes comprised the study group and 41 eyes the control group. Mean postoperative refractive cylinder was 0.26D in the control and 0.11D in the iStent group, with 63% and 85% of eyes with a cylinder of 0 and 85% and 92% of eyes with a cylinder ≤ 0.5D respectively. The mean absolute difference between target and outcome spherical equivalent was 0.26D in the control and 0.22D in the iStent group, with all eyes within 0.75D of target. LogMar uncorrected postoperative vision in eyes targeted for emmetropia was 0.04 in the control and 0.03 in the iStent group. There was a statistically significant reduction in IOP and number of hypotensive drugs in both groups, with a mean decrease in IOP of 8.6% in the control and 15.7% in the iStent group. The number of hypotensive drugs dropped from 1.63 ± 0.80 to 1.34 ± 0.91 in the control group and from 2.12 ± 0.65 to 0.44 ± 0.71 in the iStent group. CONCLUSION: Toric IOLs provide predictable refractive outcomes in glaucomatous eyes undergoing combined phacoemulsification with iStent implantation, reducing postoperative spectacle dependence.

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Job Satisfaction in Music Therapists in Spain: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome and job satisfaction are topics of increasing interest due to their relevance in people's health and well-being. Besides, they are considered very relevant in the fields of social and health care studies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse the professional profile of music therapists in Spain and the prevalence of burnout syndrome and job satisfaction among them. METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out using an ad-hoc online questionnaire, the Maslach Scale and the general satisfaction scale on a sample of employed Spanish music therapists with more than two years of working experience in Spain. RESULTS: Eighty questionnaires were analysed. The majority of the participants were between 30-39 years old (38.8%) and were women (85%). They combined their profession with other occupations (76.3%), mostly in care roles with a fix term contract and were self-employed (40%). The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 3.8% (p < 0.001) and the predisposition or tendency to develop this condition was over 57.5% (p < 0.001). The highest levels of burnout syndrome were found in professionals with trainee contracts (p = 0.001), in those who were providing training (p = 0.021), who attended 6 to 10 patients per week (p = 0.001), who were usually working with a therapist colleague (p = 0.046) and those who did not take prescribed psychotropic drugs (p = 0.034). The highest level of job satisfaction was observed in music therapists working in the field of disability (p = 0.010) and mental health (p = 0.022) and with seniority in their job position. The lowest level of job satisfaction was seen in music therapists with trainee contracts (p = 0.041), with less working hours per week (p = 0.016), working in the field of education (p = 0.006) and in those who did not feel valued by their colleagues (p < 0.001) or by the director of the centre where they worked (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, Spanish music therapists show a low prevalence of burnout syndrome but a moderate-high predisposition to develop it. Music therapists with burnout syndrome are those who work longer hours and perform their job in palliative care setting. In general, music therapists have a high level of both intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. The lowest level of job satisfaction was found in music therapists with trainee contracts and the highest in music therapists with senior positions.

Visual Function and Patient Satisfaction with Multifocal Intraocular Lenses in Patients with Glaucoma and Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report visual function and self-reported satisfaction of patients with glaucoma and dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) implanted with multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOL). METHODS: Patients with glaucoma or dAMD as well as healthy individuals implanted with MIOL were invited to participate. Explorations performed were uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA), low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA), binocular contrast sensitivity, and defocus curves. Patients completed the Catquest-9 questionnaire and reported on the presence of dysphotopsias and the need for spectacles. RESULTS: 38 subjects were included: 11 in the healthy/control group and 9 each in the preperimetric glaucoma, perimetric glaucoma, and dAMD groups. Controls had statistically better monocular UDVA, CDVA, and LCVA than patients with glaucoma and dAMD, as well as better binocular acuity in the defocus curves between -2.00 D and +0.50 D. Differences between controls and patients with preperimetric glaucoma were not statistically significant. Between -3.0 D and +0.5 D, all groups except dAMD achieved acuities better than 0.2 logMAR. Patients with dAMD had worse contrast sensitivity than all others for 3 cycles per degree (cpd), and patients with glaucoma had worse values than all others for 12 cpd; other differences did not reach statistical significance. Healthy subjects and patients with preperimetric glaucoma perceived halos more often than patients with glaucoma or dAMD, while suffering less from glare. Patients with glaucoma and dAMD found more difficulties when driving at night and required spectacles for near more often than the other subjects. Patients with dAMD were less satisfied with their vision. CONCLUSIONS: MIOLs may be implanted in patients with preperimetric glaucoma with little fear of patient dissatisfaction. In glaucoma and dAMD, MIOLs might be considered with caution, after explaining the increased risk of glare and the higher need for spectacle correction for reading.

Changes in Ganglion Cell Complex and Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer after Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Compared to Manual Phacoemulsification in Patients Receiving a Trifocal Intraocular Lens.

INTRODUCTION: During femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), there is a significant increase in intraocular pressure, which might lead to ganglion cell damage. We aimed to determine whether there were differences in the changes produced in the ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, as evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT), between phacoemulsification and FLACS, after implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Patients with no coexistent pathologies undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of a PanOptix IOL were explored with the Cirrus-OCT before and three months after surgery. GCC values were obtained from the built-in software. The differences between pre- and postoperative GCC and pRNFL thicknesses after phacoemulsification were compared to differences after FLACS. RESULTS: A total of 171 eyes were included, 74 undergoing FLACS and 97 phacoemulsification. For both groups, there was a statistically significant increase in GCC values after cataract surgery, except for the inferior and inferonasal sectors. There were no statistically significant differences between FLACS and phacoemulsification. Mean change in average GCC and minimum GCC were 1.08 ± 1.40 µm (range -1 to +6 µm) and 1.69 ± 2.54 µm (range -3 to +11 µm) after FLACS and 0.99 ± 1.67 µm (range -5 to +6 µm) and 2.02 ± 3.54 µm (-6 to +18 µm) after phacoemulsification. These values are similar to those previously reported after phacoemulsification with monofocal IOL implantation. No significant changes after surgery were detected for the pRNFL, with no differences between groups. Discussion. There were no differences in the changes produced by FLACS and phacoemulsification in either GCC or pRNFL values. Although mean change was small, the range of variation was wide. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a new baseline for GCC and pRNFL thicknesses after cataract surgery in order to monitor any subsequent changes.

Unilateral acute iris depigmentation and transillumination after glaucoma surgery with mitomycin application and intracameral moxifloxacin.

PURPOSE: Bilateral acute iris depigmentation (BADI) and transillumination (BATI) syndromes have been linked with the use of antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones. They are characterized by acute onset of pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber, depigmentation of the iris and pigment deposition in the angle and in the posterior surface of the cornea (BADI), with iris transillumination defects and atonic pupil with sphincter paralysis (BATI). The purpose of this paper is to report the development of clinical depigmentation and iris damage similar to BADI and BATI in patients who had undergone uneventful glaucoma surgery with intracameral moxifloxacin as prophylaxis for endophthalmitis. OBSERVATIONS: Four patients who had undergone Ex-Press implantation (cases 1 and 2) or non-penetrating deep sclerotomy (cases 3 and 4) developed asymptomatic pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber, which cleared after treatment with topical corticosteroids and NSAIDS. However, pupillary damage ensued, with mid-midriasis and pigment deposition under the filtration bleb. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of acute unilateral iris depigmentation and transillumination after intracameral use of moxifloxacin. Moxifloxacin's toxic effect may have been promoted by the subconjuntival mitomycin employed to prevent scarring at the filtration bleb. Surgeons should be aware of these potential side-effects of drugs used as widely as moxifloxacin and mitomycin.

Análisis bibliométrico de la retinopatía diabética en revistas médicas cubanas: un producto de información con valor agregado / Bibliometric analysis of diabetic retinopathy in Cuban medical journals: an information product with added value

Los estudios métricos sobre la producción científica constituyen productos de información útiles a las comunidades académicas; sin embargo, no existen abundantes indagaciones que cuantifiquen y evalúen las fuentes que publican trabajos sobre retinopatía diabética. Este trabajo se propuso determinar la producción científica sobre retinopatía diabética publicada en revistas médicas cubanas entre los años 1970 y 2017. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica a partir de la identificación en los registros de los términos [adultos - retinopatía diabética]. Se utilizó el gestor de referencias bibliográficas Zotero, para recuperar y analizar los metadatos de cada artículo seleccionado; Microsoft Excel para la tabulación de los resultados y Mindjet mindManager (2010), para la elaboración del mapa conceptual. Se seleccionaron 56 artículos relacionados con la temática después de aplicados los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. La producción científica de la retinopatía diabética publicada en revistas médicas cubanas se concentra en los últimos 10 años. El peso de la distribución de los artículos recae en revistas que pertenencen a Institutos Nacionales. Asimismo, la tendencia de los tipos de trabajos se concentra en investigaciones originales de carácter descriptivo, estudios de caso y artículos de revisión; y en menor cuantía los estudios de cohortes, analíticos y experimentales(AU)

Metric studies about scientific production are information products useful to academic communities. However, not many inquiries are available which quantify and evaluate the sources publishing papers about diabetic retinopathy. The present study was aimed to determine the scientific production about diabetic retinopathy published in Cuban medical journals in the period 1970-2017. A bibliographic review was conducted based on identification of records of the terms [adults - diabetic retinopathy]. Retrieval and analysis of the metadata for each paper selected was performed with the bibliographic reference manager Zotero, while Microsoft Excel was used for tabulation of results and Mindjet MindManager (2010) to develop the conceptual map. A total 56 papers about the study topic were selected upon application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Scientific production about diabetic retinopathy published in Cuban medical journals is concentrated in the last ten years. Most of the papers were found to have been published by journals sponsored by national institutes. Regarding paper types, most were original studies of a descriptive nature, case studies and review papers, and to a lesser degree cohort, analytic and experimental studies(AU)

Actividad de la Asociación Cubana de Bibliotecarios en la red de bibliotecas médicas de Sancti Spíritus / Activity of the Cuban Association of Librarians in the network of medical libraries of Sancti Spiritus

La Asociación Cubana de Bibliotecarios es una organización no gubernamental de afiliación voluntaria. Una parte de los bibliotecarios de Ciencias Médicas de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus han integrado esta organización desde la fundación de la delegación de base en el año 2004. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar las principales actividades desarrolladas por la Asociación en la red de bibliotecas médicas de Sancti Spíritus en el período 2004-2017, teniendo en cuenta las dimensiones de la capacitación, la investigación y la publicación en que han participado los afiliados. Para la obtención de datos se realizó un análisis de los principales documentos de trabajo de la Asociación. Los resultados evidencian un crecimiento de la afiliación durante los trece años analizados. El ejecutivo se ha mantenido estable, lo que ha permitido una disciplina organizativa y un desarrollo sostenido de actividades de capacitación. Aunque aún son limitadas las actividades investigativas y de publicación, también se observa una participación sostenida en eventos y jornadas científicas(AU)

The Cuban Association of Librarians is a non-governmental organization of voluntary affiliation. A number of medical sciences librarians from the province of Sancti Spiritus have been members of this organization ever since its base delegation was founded in the year 2004. The purpose of the study is to present the main activities conducted by the Association in the network of medical sciences of Sancti Spiritus in the period 2004-2017, with reference to the areas of training, research and publication in which affiliates have participated. Data were obtained via document analysis of the main work documents of the Association. Results show an increase in membership throughout the thirteen years analyzed. One executive has remained stable, which has favored both organizational discipline and the sustained development of training activities. Though research and publication activities are still limited, sustained participation is observed in scientific conferences and meetings(AU)

Clinical outcomes after Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt versus non-penetrating deep sclerectomy: two-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To compare the two-year outcomes of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) and Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who had undergone NPDS or Ex-PRESS since 2012 was conducted. Patients were excluded if they had undergone eye surgery other than cataract extraction, were diagnosed with ocular pathology other than glaucoma or had less than two-year follow-up. Pre- and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of hypotensive drugs and visual fields were recorded, as well as intra- and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes were included in the NPDS and twenty-three eyes in the Ex-PRESS group. There were no differences in baseline IOP and hypotensive drugs, IOP reduction or postoperative IOP-lowering medications between groups. Two years after surgery, IOP decrease compared to baseline was 23.5% with NPDS and 24.8% with Ex-PRESS. Qualified success (a 20% IOP reduction, with IOP ≤ 18 mmHg with or without medication) rates were similar: 53.8 and 69.6% for NPDS and Ex-PRESS. Visual fields progressed in four eyes of the NPDS (10.2%) and in three eyes (8.7%) of the Ex-PRESS group. As regards complications, early hypotony was more frequent after NPDS (9 eyes, 23.1%) than Ex-PRESS (2 eyes, 8.7%), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both NPDS and Ex-PRESS produce an IOP-lowering effect of approximately 25%. Success rates are similar after both procedures, and both seem to lead to a stabilization of visual loss.

La Revista de Ciencias Médicas 3 de Diciembre, su historia en la salud espirituana / December 3rd Medical Sciences magazine. Its history in the health of people form Sancti Spíritus

RESUMEN Fundamento:La preservación del patrimonio cultural ha jugado un papel importante en el desarrollo científico-técnico de Cuba, por ello es una necesidad rescatar y mantener actualizada la historia de las publicaciones que divulgaron resultados de investigaciones científicas. Objetivo:Valorar la trayectoria de la Revista de Ciencias Médicas 3 de Diciembre en la socialización de los resultados científicos del sector de la salud en la provincia Sancti Spíritus. Metodología:Se realizó un análisis documental para obtener evidencias y realizar el análisis histórico tendencial de la revista. Conclusiones:Constituyó un precedente sustancial para el desarrollo de la publicación científica de las ciencias de la salud en la provincia Sancti Spíritus. El canje nacional e internacional enriqueció el fondo documental de las bibliotecas médicas del territorio y con ello el nuevo conocimiento.

Las bibliotecas cubanas en el pensamiento y el accionar del Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz / Cuban libraries in the thought and action of the Commander Fidel Castro Ruz

Fundamento: Las bibliotecas constituyen formas auténticas de desarrollo y socialización de la cultura en la ideología y accionar de Fidel Castro Ruz, a pesar de ello no se ha profundizado en su importancia. Objetivo: Argumentar la dimensión del accionar del Comandante Fidel Castro en el papel que históricamente han jugado las bibliotecas en el desarrollo de la cultura cubana. Desarrollo: Del nivel teórico se emplearon los métodos histórico-lógicos, los análisis-síntesis, apoyados en la observación y el análisis de documentos. Conclusiones: Las ideas y las acciones del Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz impulsaron formas auténticas de desarrollo y de socialización de la cultura, la emancipación social y una concepción participativa de la promoción del libro y la lectura a través del fomento y la diversificación de las bibliotecas.

Background: Libraries are authentic forms of development and socialization of culture in the ideology and action of Fidel Castro Ruz, despite the fact that their importance has not been deepened Objective: To argue the dimension of the actions of Commander Fidel Castro in the role historically played by libraries in the development of Cuban culture Development: From the theoretical level we used historical-logical methods, analysis-synthesis, supported by observation and analysis of documents Conclusions: The ideas and actions of Commander Fidel Castro Ruz promoted authentic forms of development and socialization of culture, social emancipation and a participatory conception of book promotion and reading through the promotion and diversification of libraries.

Galería de imágenes en el sitio web de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus / Gallery of images in the web site of Medical Sciences University of Sancti Spíritus

Fundamento: La mayoría de los sitios web utilizan galerías de imágenes para mostrar sus productos y servicios, la página web del Centro Provincial de Información de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus no tenía una galería de imágenes médicas donde los profesionales de la salud pudieran compartir, organizar y preservar el patrimonio fotográfico de las Ciencias Médicas del territorio. Objetivo: Proponer una Galería de imágenes en el sitio web del Centro Provincial de Información de Ciencias Médicas de la de Sancti Spíritus. Desarrollo: Para el diseño de esta Galería se utilizó el sistema de gestión de contenidos Drupal porque es totalmente gratuito, personalizable, muy potente y flexible, incorpora las funcionalidades más comunes, es prácticamente un estándar "de facto", facilita la internacionalización, facilita la escalabilidad, el sistema implementado constituye un medio idóneo para lograr el acceso abierto a las imágenes médicas. Conclusiones: La Galería de imágenes médicas del sitio web es una fuente de consulta para los profesionales de la salud, esta contribuye a la actividad docente, asistencial e investigadora de los profesionales.

Background: Most of the web sites use galleries of images to show their products and services, the web site of the Provincial Center of Information of the Medical Sciences University of Sancti Spíritus didn't have a gallery of medical images where the professionals of the health could share, organize and preserve the photographic patrimony of the Medical Sciences in the territor. Objective: To propose a Gallery of images in the web site of the Provincial Center of Information of Medical Sciences University of Sancti Spíritus. Development: For the design of this Gallery the system of administration of contained Drupal was used because it is completely free, customizable, very potent and flexible, it incorporates the most common functionalities, it is practically a standard "of facto", it facilitates the internationalization, it facilitates the scalability, the implemented system constitutes a suitable mean to achieve the open access to the medical images Conclusions: The Gallery of medical images of the web site is a consultation source for the professionals of the health, it contributes to educational, assistance activity and investigative of professionals.

Las competencias informacionales de bibliotecarios de las Ciencias Médicas para la diseminación selectiva de la información. Sancti Spiritus / The informational competitions of librarians of the Medical Sciences for the selective dissemination of the information. Sancti Spiritus

Fundamento: La consulta y referencia es un servicio que se presta en las bibliotecas y dentro de sus bondades está la diseminación selectiva de la información que se encarga de mantener actualizado a los profesionales de las Ciencias Médicas la que suministra periódicamente las referencias de los documentos que corresponden con sus intereses cognoscitivos. Objetivo: Diagnosticar las competencias informacionales que tienen los bibliotecarios de las ciencias médicas para la diseminación selectiva de la información en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: Se realizó una investigación transversal en el periodo de enero a noviembre de 2014 en la red de bibliotecas médicas; con una muestra compuesta por 57 bibliotecarios, se eligió mediante un muestreo estratificado. Se recogió información sobre el nivel profesional de los bibliotecarios, la implementación del servicio de diseminación selectiva de la información y la utilidad del mismo, además de aquella relativa a los documentos utilizados por estos profesionales para enviar la información, así como sobre las bases de datos bibliográficas utilizadas y medios que empleaban para obtener los datos de la tarjeta control de usuario y bases de datos bibliográficas. Los datos fueron procesados mediante el paquete estadístico profesional SPSS (versión 15.0.1, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Resultados: Se observaron carencias de competencias informacionales, fundamentalmente, técnicas y metodológicas, para desarrollar el servicio de diseminación selectiva de la información, por lo que al buscar y evaluar la información que entregan a los usuarios del servicio es insuficiente no en cantidad sino en calidad. Conclusiones: Los bibliotecarios de las Ciencias Médicas de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus no tienen suficientes competencias informacionales para ofrecer el servicio de diseminación selectiva de la información y refieren la necesidad de cursos de superación.

Background: The consultation and reference is a service that is lent in the libraries and the selective dissemination of the information that takes charge of maintaining is inside its kindness up-to-date to the professionals of the Medical Sciences that gives the references of the documents that correspond with its cognitive interests periodically Objective: To diagnose the informational competitions that the librarians of the medical sciences for the selective dissemination of the information in the county of Sancti Spíritus Methodology: It was carried out a traverse investigation in the period from January to November, 2014 in the net of medical libraries; with a sample composed by 57 librarians, it was chosen by means of a stratified sampling. Information was picked up about the professional profile of the librarians, the implementation of the service of selective dissemination of the information and the utility of it, besides that relative to the documents used by these professionals to send the information, as well as on the used bibliographical databases and means that were used to obtain the data of the card user control and bibliographical databases. The data were processed by means of the professional statistical package SPSS (version 15.0.1, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USES) Results: Lacks of informational competitions were observed, fundamentally, technical and methodological, to develop the service of selective dissemination of the information, for what is insufficient when looking for and to evaluate the information that is given to the users of the service not in quantity but in quality Conclusions: Librarians of the Medical Sciences of the county of Sancti Spíritus doesn't have enough informational competitions to offer the service of selective dissemination of the information and they refer the necessity of overcoming courses.

El Centro Provincial de Información de las Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus. Evolución histórica (1980-2012) / Provincial information Center of Medical Sciences. Sancti Spiritus. Historical evolution (1980-2012)

Fundamento: La memoria histórica de los Centros Provinciales de Información favorece la comprensión del presente y la proyección del futuro del Sistema Nacional de Bibliotecas Médicas en Cuba. Objetivo: Determinar el papel que históricamente ha desempeñado el Centro Provincial de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus en el desarrollo del sistema de salud entre 1980 y 2012 Metodología: Se empleó la perspectiva epistemológica cualitativa, apoyada en el método histórico-lógico, el análisis documental y la entrevista en profundidad. Conclusiones: La exploración aporta nuevos conocimientos sobre las características que distinguen al Centro Provincial de Información: Su alcance, limitaciones, inserción en los principales problemas de salud en el territorio y sus manifestaciones concretas. Enriquece los estudios regionales sobre el fenómeno informacional y su relación con los procesos asistenciales, educacionales y científicos del sistema de salud.

Background: The historical memory of the Provincial Centers of Information favors the understanding of the present and the projection of the future of the National System of Medical Libraries in Cuba. Objective: To determine the role that historically has carried out the Provincial Center of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spíritus in the development of the system of health from 1980 and 2012. Methodology: The epistemological perspective qualitative was used, supported in the historical-logical method, the documental analysis and the interview in depth. Conclusions: The exploration contributes new knowledge on the characteristics that distinguish to the Provincial Center of Information: their reach, limitations, insert in the main problems of health in the territory and their concrete manifestations. It enriches the regional studies on the informational phenomenon and their relationship with the assistance, educational and scientific processes of the system of health.

OCT: New perspectives in neuro-ophthalmology.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become essential to evaluate axonal/neuronal integrity, to assess disease progression in the afferent visual pathway and to predict visual recovery after surgery in compressive optic neuropathies. Besides that OCT testing is considered a powerful biomarker of neurodegeneration and a promising outcome measure for neuroprotective trials in multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) technology allows quantification of retinal individual layers. The Ganglion Cell layer (GCL) investigation has become one of the most useful tools from a neuro-ophthalmic perspective. It has a high correlation with perimetry, is predictive of future progression and is a highly sensitive, specific of several neuro-ophthalmic pathologies. Moreover the superior correlation with clinical measures compared to peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) suggests that GCL analysis might be a better approach to examine MS neurodegeneration. In disorders with optic disk edema, such as ischemic optic neuropathy, papillitis and papilledema, reduction in RNFL thickness caused by axonal atrophy is difficult to distinguish from a swelling resolution. In this setting, and in buried optic nerve head drusen (ONHD), GCL analysis may provide more accurate information than RNFL analysis and it might be an early structural indicator of irreversible neuronal loss. Enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT) provides in vivo detail of ONHD, allowing to evaluate and quantify the drusen dimensions. OCT is improving our knowledge in hereditary optic neuropathies. Furthermore, there is growing evidence about the role of OCT as an adjunctive biomarker of disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease.

Papillomacular bundle and inner retinal thicknesses correlate with visual acuity in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the papillomacular bundle (PMB) retinal nerve fiber layer and macular inner retinal layer thickness measurements with Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) to differentiate eyes with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) from uninvolved eyes and to evaluate whether their thicknesses correlate with visual acuity. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was performed, including 29 eyes with NAION and 29 uninvolved eyes from 29 patients. Eyes underwent scanning with Cirrus OCT (peripapillary and macular scanning) and Spectralis OCT (N-site axonal peripapillary scan and a new automated segmentation macular scan to measure individual retinal layers) in both eyes. RESULTS: The NAION eyes showed significant thinning versus uninvolved eyes in the macular retinal nerve fiber (P < 0.05), ganglion cell layer (GCL; P < 0.001), and inner plexiform layer (IPL; P < 0.01) by Spectralis and in the GCL-IPL by Cirrus (P < 0.02). Average and sectors of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and total macular thickness (TMT) were significantly reduced in NAION eyes, with both Spectralis and Cirrus OCT (P < 0.05). Spectralis temporal (ρSpearman = -0.768; P < 0.001) and PMB pRNFL thicknesses (ρSpearman = -0.675; P < 0.001), as well as central macular IPL thickness (ρSpearman = -0.735; P < 0.001), correlated strongly with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Quadratic regression using outer nasal TMT by Cirrus OCT and temporal pRNFL thickness by Spectralis were the best models to predict BCVA. CONCLUSIONS: Macular segmentation by Spectralis and Cirrus OCT revealed inner retinal layer atrophy in NAION eyes. The temporal and PMB pRNFL thicknesses and central macular IPL thickness by Spectralis-OCT and outer nasal TMT by Cirrus were strongly correlated with BCVA in NAION eyes.

Artículos científicos publicados por profesionales de la salud de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus / Scientific articles published by health professionals in the province of Sancti Spíritus

Fundamento : las revistas médicas constituyen uno de los principales medios de divulgación de resultados de investigaciones científicas, a pesar de esto se analiza que la provincia de Sancti Spíritus ha disminuido la publicación de artículos en revistas médicas, por lo que es necesario establecer estrategias para aumentar con calidad el índice de publicaciones. Objetivo : identificar la contribución de artículos científicos que aportaron los profesionales de la salud de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus a las revistas médicas cubanas en el periodo enero 2010 a enero 2011. Metodología : Se realizó un estudio transversal; se revisaron todos los artículos publicados en las revistas médicas cubanas desde 2008 hasta el 2011, la muestra del estudio fueron los 127 artículos publicados en el período de enero 2010 a enero 2011, editados en 41 títulos de revistas un total de 90 volúmenes. Las principales variables fueron: título de la revista donde se realizó la publicación, especialidad de los autores, filiación de los autores, categoría docente, grado académico o científico y municipio donde se realizó la investigación. Se utilizó el análisis porcentual y se creó una base de datos para procesarlos. Resultados: Los autores de la provincia publicaron en la revista Gaceta Médica Espirituana, para un 77,27 %, publicación que representa las ciencias médicas del territorio; el 22,73 % publicó en 5 de las 41 revistas especializadas en medicina incluidas para esta investigación. Conclusiones : la contribución de artículos científicos que han realizado los profesionales de la salud de la provincia de Sancti Spíritus a las revistas médicas cubanas en el periodo analizado presenta bajos índices aportados a la producción científica.

Background: medical journals are one of the main dissemination means of results of scientific research, in spite of this fact in the province of Sancti Spíritus the publication of articles in medical journals has declined; therefore it is a necessity to establish some strategies to increase the publishing index with quality. Objective: to identify the contribution of scientific articles that health professionals provided in the province of Sancti Spíritus to Cuban Medical Journals from January 2010 to January 2011. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was made; all published articles in the Cuban Medical Journals were reviewed from January 2008 to 2011, the sample was performed by the 127 published articles from January, 2010 to January, 2011 edited in 41 journals in a total of 90 volumes. The main variables were: the title of the journal where the publication was made, authors' specialty and filiation, teaching category, scientific or academic degree and municipality where the publication was carried out. Percentage analysis was used and a data base was created to process the information. Results: the authors of the province published in Sancti Spíritus Medical Gazette magazine, with a 77, 27 %, publication that represents most of the medical specialties in the territory; 22, 73 % did it in 5 of the 41 medical specialized journals included for this research. Conclusions: the contribution of scientific articles that health professionals have provided in the province of Sancti Spíritus to Cuban Medical Journals in the analyzed period shows low rates of contribution to scientific production.