Oncoxin-Viusid® may improve quality of life and survival in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer undergoing onco-specific treatments.

The aim of the present study was to identify the efficacy and safety of Oncoxin-Viusid (OV) as a supportive treatment for patients with prostate cancer (PCA). A prospective, non-randomised, open-label phase II clinical trial, including 25 patients with hormone-refractory PCA (HRPC) was conducted at the Hospital Universitario General Calixto García (Havana, Cuba) between June 2017 and March 2018. Each of the patients received chemotherapy (CTX) and/or radiotherapy (RT) and OV treatment. Patients had a mean age of 73 years, clinical stage IV cancer and a high risk of relapse. Six cycles of CTX were completed by 80% of the patients, adverse reactions decreased and no weight loss was observed. Among the 25 patients, 5 were lost to follow-up and 4 died of disease progression. A total of 16 of these patients survived, of which 15 had an improved quality of life and 10 responded to treatment, with a significant reduction in pain and prostate symptoms and ≥50% reduction in baseline PSA. The progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 59% and the overall survival (OS) rate 64% at 1 year after treatment began. The OV nutritional supplement was effective, leading to a significant improvement in the patients' quality of life, good nutritional status and greater treatment tolerance. A clinical and humoral response was observed, with high survival rates and a delayed appearance of signs of disease progression. The present study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov PRS with ID #NCT03543670.

Phase boundaries, nucleation rates and speed of crystal growth of the water-to-ice transition under an electric field: a simulation study.

We investigate with computer simulations the effect of applying an electric field on the water-to-ice transition. We use a combination of state-of-the-art simulation techniques to obtain phase boundaries and crystal growth rates (direct coexistence), nucleation rates (seeding) and interfacial free energies (seeding and mold integration). First, we consider ice Ih, the most stable polymorph in the absence of a field. Its normal melting temperature, speed of crystal growth and nucleation rate (for a given supercooling) diminish as the intensity of the field goes up. Then, we study polarised cubic ice, or ice Icf, the most stable solid phase under a strong electric field. Its normal melting point goes up with the field and, for a given supercooling, under the studied field (0.3 V nm-1) ice Icf nucleates and grows at a similar rate as Ih with no field. The net effect of the field would then be that ice nucleates at warmer temperatures, but in the form of ice Icf. The main conclusion of this work is that reasonable electric fields (not strong enough to break water molecules apart) are not relevant in the context of homogeneous ice nucleation at 1 bar.

Infección Perinatal, por Trichomonas vaginalis / Perinatal infection, by Trichomonas vaginalis

Se presenta el caso de una RN de 20 días con diagnóstico presuntivo de sepsis, en la que se destacó infección vaginal y urinaria por Trichomonas vaginales resultante de transmisión vertical

Infección Perinatal, por Trichomonas vaginalis / Perinatal infection, by Trichomonas vaginalis

Se presenta el caso de una RN de 20 días con diagnóstico presuntivo de sepsis, en la que se destacó infección vaginal y urinaria por Trichomonas vaginales resultante de transmisión vertical

Punciones abdominales con guía ultrasonográfica / Abdominal punctures with ultrasonographic guide

Entre noviembre de 1984 y marzo de 1987 se efectuaron 70 punciones abdominales con guía ultrasonográfica en 58 pacientes. En el hígado (50 punciones) se confirmó la presunción de hepatocarcinoma en el 100%, de metástasis en el 78%, de abscesso en el 100% y de quiste seroso en el 80%. En masas abdominales palpables la citología demostró atipia en el 80% y con ele páncreas se obtuvo el diagnóstico de certeza en 3 carcinomas y 1 absceso. Con criterio terapéutico fueron colocados equipos de drenaje en el riñon (3 nefrostomías percutáneas), en el hígado (quiste seroso simple) y en una colección biliar subhepática. No se observaron complicaciones inmediatas o alejadas relacionadas con el procedimiento

Punciones abdominales con guía ultrasonográfica / Abdominal punctures with ultrasonographic guide

Entre noviembre de 1984 y marzo de 1987 se efectuaron 70 punciones abdominales con guía ultrasonográfica en 58 pacientes. En el hígado (50 punciones) se confirmó la presunción de hepatocarcinoma en el 100%, de metástasis en el 78%, de abscesso en el 100% y de quiste seroso en el 80%. En masas abdominales palpables la citología demostró atipia en el 80% y con ele páncreas se obtuvo el diagnóstico de certeza en 3 carcinomas y 1 absceso. Con criterio terapéutico fueron colocados equipos de drenaje en el riñon (3 nefrostomías percutáneas), en el hígado (quiste seroso simple) y en una colección biliar subhepática. No se observaron complicaciones inmediatas o alejadas relacionadas con el procedimiento (AU)