Cloning, Expression, Characterization and Immobilization of a Recombinant Carboxylesterase from the Halophilic Archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum NCR-1.

Only a few halophilic archaea producing carboxylesterases have been reported. The limited research on biocatalytic characteristics of archaeal esterases is primarily due to their very low production in native organisms. A gene encoding carboxylesterase from Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 was cloned and successfully expressed in Haloferax volcanii. The recombinant carboxylesterase (rHsEst) was purified by affinity chromatography with a yield of 81%, and its molecular weight was estimated by SDS-PAGE (33 kDa). The best kinetic parameters of rHsEst were achieved using p-nitrophenyl valerate as substrate (KM = 78 µM, kcat = 0.67 s-1). rHsEst exhibited great stability to most metal ions tested and some solvents (diethyl ether, n-hexane, n-heptane). Purified rHsEst was effectively immobilized using Celite 545. Esterase activities of rHsEst were confirmed by substrate specificity studies. The presence of a serine residue in rHsEst active site was revealed through inhibition with PMSF. The pH for optimal activity of free rHsEst was 8, while for immobilized rHsEst, maximal activity was at a pH range between 8 to 10. Immobilization of rHsEst increased its thermostability, halophilicity and protection against inhibitors such as EDTA, BME and PMSF. Remarkably, immobilized rHsEst was stable and active in NaCl concentrations as high as 5M. These biochemical characteristics of immobilized rHsEst reveal its potential as a biocatalyst for industrial applications.

Health Disparities, Clinical Trials, and the Digital Divide.

In the past few years, there have been rapid advances in technology and the use of digital tools in health care and clinical research. Although these innovations have immense potential to improve health care delivery and outcomes, there are genuine concerns related to inadvertent widening of the digital gap consequentially exacerbating health disparities. As such, it is important that we critically evaluate the impact of expansive digital transformation in medicine and clinical research on health equity. For digital solutions to truly improve the landscape of health care and clinical trial participation for all persons in an equitable way, targeted interventions to address historic injustices, structural racism, and social and digital determinants of health are essential. The urgent need to focus on interventions to promote health equity was made abundantly clear with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which magnified long-standing social and racial health disparities. Novel digital technologies present a unique opportunity to embed equity ideals into the ecosystem of health care and clinical research. In this review, we examine racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials, historic instances of unethical research practices in biomedical research and its impact on clinical trial participation, and the digital divide in health care and clinical research, and we propose suggestions to achieve digital health equity in clinical trials. We also highlight key digital health opportunities in cardiovascular medicine and dermatology as exemplars, and we offer future directions for development and adoption of patient-centric interventions aimed at narrowing the digital divide and mitigating health inequities.

Unveiling the Probiotic Potential of the Anaerobic Bacterium Cetobacterium sp. nov. C33 for Enhancing Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Cultures.

The bacterium strain Cetobacterium sp. C33 was isolated from the intestinal microbial content of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) under anaerobic conditions. Given that Cetobacterium species are recognized as primary constituents of the intestinal microbiota in cultured Nile tilapia by culture-independent techniques, the adaptability of the C33 strain to the host gastrointestinal conditions, its antibacterial activity against aquaculture bacterial and its antibiotic susceptibility were assessed. The genome of C33 was sequenced, assembled, annotated, and subjected to functional inference, particularly regarding pinpointed probiotic activities. Furthermore, phylogenomic comparative analyses were performed including closely reported strains/species relatives. Comparative genomics with closely related species disclosed that the isolate is not phylogenetically identical to other Cetobacterium species, displaying an approximately 5% sequence divergence from C. somerae and a 13% sequence divergence from Cetobacterium ceti. It can be distinguished from other species through physiological and biochemical criteria. Whole-genome annotation highlighted that Cetobacterium sp. nov. C33 possesses a set of genes that may contribute to antagonism against competing bacteria and has specific symbiotic adaptations in fish. Additional in vivo experiments should be carried out to verify favorable features, reinforcing its potential as a probiotic bacterium.

Bioinformatic miRNA-mRNAs Analysis Revels to miR-934 as a Potential Regulator of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer and has the worst prognosis. In patients with TNBC tumors, the tumor cells have been reported to have mesenchymal features, which help them migrate and invade. Various studies on cancer have revealed the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in different biological processes of the cell in that aberrations, in their expression, lead to alterations and deregulations in said processes, giving rise to tumor progression and aggression. In the present work, we determined the miRNAs that are deregulated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in breast cancer. We discovered that 25 miRNAs that regulate mesenchymal genes are overexpressed in patients with TNBC. We found that miRNA targets modulate different processes and pathways, such as apoptosis, FoxO signaling pathways, and Hippo. We also found that the expression level of miR-934 is specific to the molecular subtype of the triple-negative breast cancer and modulates a set of related epithelial-mesenchymal genes. We determined that miR-934 inhibition in TNBC cell lines inhibits the migratory abilities of tumor cells.

Digital healthcare equity in primary care: implementing an integrated digital health navigator.

The 21st Century Cures Act and the rise of telemedicine led to renewed focus on patient portals. However, portal use disparities persist and are in part driven by limited digital literacy. To address digital disparities in primary care, we implemented an integrated digital health navigator program supporting portal use among patients with type II diabetes. During our pilot, we were able to enroll 121 (30.9%) patients onto the portal. Of newly enrolled or trained patients, 75 (62.0%) were Black, 13 (10.7%) were White, 23 (19.0%) were Hispanic/Latinx, 4 (3.3%) were Asian, 3 (2.5%) were of another race or ethnicity, and 3 (2.5%) had missing data. Our overall portal enrollment for clinic patients with type II diabetes increased for Hispanic/Latinx patients from 30% to 42% and Black patients from 49% to 61%. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand key implementation components. Using our approach, other clinics can implement an integrated digital health navigator to support patient portal use.

Esophageal Duplication Cysts in 97 Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal duplication cysts are a rare congenital cystic malformation from faulty intrauterine recanalization of the esophagus during the 4-8th weeks of development. They account for 20% of all gastrointestinal duplication cysts and commonly involve the distal esophagus. Presenting symptoms may be related to size and location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed by searching published literature in various databases. Data from 97 reported case reports were pooled to present a descriptive and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Patient population was composed of 51(52.5%) males and 46 (47.5%) females, and mean ages was 42.3 years (18-77). Distal cysts were the most prevalent. Seventy-nine (81.4%) patients were symptomatic; common symptoms included dysphagia, chest pain, cough and weight loss. Fifteen (15.5%) patients were treated conservatively and 75 (84.5%) by surgical treatment, among them thoracotomy in 30 (30.9%) patients and VATS in 17 (17.5%) patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 8.6 days (range: 1-26 days). One fatality was registered. Location, unlike size, was not found to influence presenting symptoms or treatment employed. Frequency of conservative treatment was not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Open approaches were associated with longer stays than their minimally invasive counterparts. CONCLUSION: Esophageal duplication cysts remain rare in adults and are frequently located in the distal esophagus. Larger cysts are more likely to cause symptoms. Various surgical techniques may successfully be employed in the treatment of this pathology. Minimally invasive procedures have a shorter hospital stay.

In Silico Screening of Putative Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Antigens and Serological Diagnosis for Caseous Lymphadenitis in Sheep by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent of Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA), a disease leading to severe damage in sheep and goats farming due to the lack of serological diagnosis, treatment, and effective prophylaxis. In this context, several strategies in an attempt to discover new antigens to compose diagnosis assays or vaccines are fundamental. Therefore, this study aimed to use bioinformatics software to evaluate the critical chemical characteristics of unknown proteins of C. pseudotuberculosis by selecting them for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. For this purpose, six protein sequences of ascorbate transporter subunit, UPF protein, MMPL family transporter, Ribonuclease, Iron ABC transporter domain-containing permease, and fimbrial subunit were obtained. In silico analyses were performed using amino acid sequences to access immunodominant epitopes and their antigenic and allergenic potential and physicochemical characterization. The expressed proteins were used as an antigen for serological diagnosis by ELISA. All proteins showed distinct immunodominant epitopes and potential antigenic characteristics. The only proteins expressed were PTS and Ribonuclease. In parallel, we expressed CP40 and all were used with ELISA antigen in 49 CLA positive sera and 26 CLA negative sera. The proteins alone showed 100% sensitivity and 96.2%, 92.3%, and 88.5% specificity for rPTS, rRibonuclease, and rCP40, respectively. When proteins were combined, they showed 100% sensitivity and 84.6%, 92.3%, 88.5%, and 92.3% specificity for rPTS/rCp40, rRibonuclease/rCP40, rPTS/rRibonuclease, and rPTS/rRibonuclease/rCP40, respectively. The results of this study show an excellent correlation of sensitivity and specificity with all proteins. None of the specificity values preclude the potential of rPTS, rRibonuclease, or rCP40 for use in ELISA diagnostic assays since the results of this work are superior to those of other studies on CLA diagnosis described in the literature.

Exoenzyme-producing halophilic bacteria from the former Lake Texcoco: identification and production of n-butyl oleate and bioactive peptides.

Halophilic bacterias from saline soil from former Lake Texcoco were isolated, identified based on 16 rRNA and tested to produce glucolytic, nucleolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic exoenzymes. The Bacillus, Virgibacillus, Kocuria, Salinicoccus, Gracilibacillus, Halobacillus, Tenuibacillus and Nesterekonia genera where identified. Lipase/eserases and proteases from Nesterenkonia sp. and Nesterenkonia aethiopica showed halotolerant characteristics and were selected to synthesize the oleochemical n-butyl oleate and antioxidant peptides from muscle protein of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), respectively. In organic media (2,2,4-Trimethylpentane), the lipase/esterases from Nesterenkonia sp. (0.6 U/mL) and N. aethiopica (1.2 U/mL) achieved a 62.7% and 53.2% of n-butyl oleate conversion, respectively. The protein hydrolysis from muscle of common carp (C. carpio) showed a degree of hydrolysis of 4.5 ± 0.2% and 2.8 ± 0.1% when proteases from Nesterenkonia sp. and N. aethiopica were used, respectively. Three peptidic fractions ranging molecular masses between 254 and 1002 Da [M + H] show antioxidant scavenging activity, and the principal fraction with a peptide of 547.3 Da [M + H] showed an inhibition of 37.7 ± 1.8% and 16.3 ± 0.6%, when 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) were used, respectively. These findings showed that the enzymatic battery of the halophilic bacteria from former lake Texcoco can be used in hydrolysis and synthesis of molecules with applications in different fields as food technology or bioenergy.

Characterization of cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2) blue protein: a pH-stable pigment.

Pigments are present in a broad variety of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. The cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2) is an important fishery resource in the northwest of Mexico and is processed to be traded and consumed as seafood. During the process, water with a soluble blue pigment and other compounds are discarded to the environment. In this work, we present some properties of the blue pigment from Stomolophus sp.2 (S2bp), to decide if it could be considered as a potential value-added waste and avoid the blue proteinaceous pigment wastewater. S2bp was purified to homogeneity and had a molecular mass of 28.0 kDa; this protein exhibited a ʎmax at 650 nm, contained Zn2+ and Cu2+ metal ions, and was stable from 10 to 50 °C and in a pH range of 3.0 to 13.0 for 1 h. It had halotolerant characteristics maintaining the blue coloration in a broad range of ionic strength (0-4 M NaCl) and showed changes in ʎmax with chaotropic salts. In addition, S2bp was stable in the presence of organic acids and EDTA and in zwitterionic, anionic, and nonionic detergents at critical micellar concentration. However, oxidant reagents like NaClO and H2O2 decrease the coloration. These results show that the jellyfish pigment is a stable protein which makes it an alternative pigment for the food industry.

Descripción de 12 pacientes VIH positivos que han padecido la COVID-19 en nuestra área / Description of 12 HIV-positive patients who have had the COVID-19 in our area

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Isolation of halophilic bacteria associated with saline and alkaline-sodic soils by culture dependent approach.

Cultivable halophilic microorganisms were isolated and identified from saline and alkaline-sodic soils: Cuatro Cienegas, Sayula and San Marcos lakes. Physicochemical characteristics of soils were determined to understand the relationship between those and the microorganisms isolated. The Cuatro Cienegas soils had a neutral pH, EC of 2.3-8 dS cm-1, classified as moderately saline. Whereas, the soils from Sayula and San Marcos lakes, had an alkaline pH, EC 15 to 65 dS m-1, typical of saline-sodic. We identified 23 cultivable halophilic bacteria using 16s rDNA, being Halobacillus sp., Marinococcus sp., and Alkalibacillus sp. the predominant genus by culture dependent approach. We found a correlation between the soils anion and cation content with the occurrence of different genus of halophilic bacteria in each studied site. Alkalibacillus sp. was predominant in Sayula and San Marcos lakes and was related to the high Na+ content; while Bacillus sp. and Halobacillus sp. were predominant in Cuatro Cienegas, their occurrence was related to a high content of Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4 2-.

Results of External Fixation and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fixation With K-Wire in Brachymetatarsia.

BACKGROUND: Brachymetatarsia is a rare foot deformity caused by the premature closure of the metatarsal physis. It may result in functional as well as cosmetic alterations, which may require operative management. METHODS: A prospective study examining outcomes of 48 cases of brachymetatarsia with gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and metatarsophalangeal joint fixation was performed. The difference between the length before treatment and after external fixator removal was measured. The patients were assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively; at the end of the period of distraction; and 1 year after surgery. The total number of patients was 26, and surgery was performed in 48 metatarsals. The mean age was 17.0 ± 4.1 (range, 11-24) years, and all were female. RESULTS: The fourth metatarsal was the most frequently affected, representing 98% of the cases; the third metatarsal represented the other 2%. The average length gained was 18.6 ± 6.7 mm, and the average length gained as a proportion of the original metatarsal length was 38.2% ± 3.1% (range, 13%-24%). The mean healing time was 71.0 (range, 64-104) days, and the mean healing index (healing time divided by centimeters of length gained [d/cm]) was 38.4 (range, 38.2-50.1) d/cm. CONCLUSION: Gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and intramedullary nailing was a safe and efficient method, representing a minimally invasive procedure with a low incidence of complications and satisfactory results for the patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Solución salina hipertónica para modificar la lesión tisular por isquemia/reperfusión: modelo porcino de oclusión de aorta / Hypertonic saline solution for modifying tissue ischemia/reperfusion injury: Porcine aortic occlusion model

Abstract Introduction: Decreased blood flow disrupts the endothelium, changes the nitric oxide/endothelin -1 ratio, narrows the capillaries and results in microcirculatory dysfunction. Secondary anoxia leads to mitochondrial energy imbalance, depletion of adenosine-triphosphate and disruption of the intracellular hydrogen, sodium and calcium homeostasis. If the flow is restored, the reperfusion stimulates the endothelial expression of adhesion molecules attracting polymorphic nucleotides and platelets, with sub endothelial infiltration of these cells and their entrapment in the microvasculature, as well as vasoconstriction, endothelial edema and reduced flexibility of the cellular membrane. Ischemia/reperfusion may result in inflammation and organ failure. Objective: To determine whether hypertonic saline solution reduces the ischemic/reperfusion injury in the liver, the kidney, and the ileum. Materials and methods: Experimental trial in pigs. Aortic blood flow suppression (15 min) and reperfusion (60 min). The experimental group was pretreated with 7.5% hypertonic saline and the control group received normal 0.9% saline solution. Hemodynamic, gasometric, and biochemical measurements were taken, and the serum and tissue levels of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-2 were determined. Results: There were no significant differences in the tissue expression of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-2 between the two groups. The hemodynamic behavior was similar in both groups. The group treated with hypertonic solution showed an increasing post-perfusion systolic rate up to the basal values, while the systolic rate in the control group dropped significantly (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Hypertonic solution prior to the ischemic insult improves the ventricular function after reperfusion.

Resumen Introducción: La disminución del flujo sanguíneo altera el endotelio, cambia la relación óxido nítrico/endotelina-1, estrecha capilares y produce disfunción microcirculatoria. La anoxia secundaria lleva a desacople energético mitocondrial, depleción de adenosín-trifosfato y alteración de la homeostasis intracelular de hidrógeno, sodio y calcio. Si el flujo se reanuda, la reperfusión estimula la expresión endotelial de moléculas de adhesión que atraen polimorfonucleares y plaquetas, con infiltración subendotelial de estas células y su atrapamiento en la microvasculatura, así como vasoconstricción, edema endotelial y disminución de la flexibilidad de la membrana celular. La isquemia/reperfusión puede derivar en inflamación y fallo orgánico. Objetivo: Determinar si la solución salina hipertónica disminuye la lesión isquemia/reperfusión en hígado, riñón e íleon. Materiales y métodos: Estudio experimental en cerdos. Supresión del flujo sanguíneo aórtico (15 min) y reperfusión (60 min). El grupo experimental recibió pretratamiento con solución salina hipertónica al 7,5% y el grupo control solución salina normal al 0,9%. Se realizaron mediciones hemodinámicas, gasométricas, bioquímicas y determinación sérica y tisular de ET-1, TNF-alfa, IL-10, IL-2. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas en la expresión tisular de ET-1, TNF-alfa, IL-10, IL-2 entre los grupos. Los grupos presentaron un comportamiento hemodinámico similar. El grupo tratado con hipertónica exhibió un índice sistólico post-reperfusión que aumentó hasta los valores basales, mientras que el índice sistólico del grupo control presentó una caída significativa (p = 0,015). Conclusión: La solución hipertónica antes del insulto isquémico mejora la función ventricular después de la reperfusión.

Not All That Blurs is Clot: An Unusual But Not Infrequent Cause of Acute Coronary Syndrome.

A 73-year-old man was admitted for non-ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography suggested intrastent thrombosis as the etiology, but optical coherence tomography revealed a non-expanded stent, which was successfuly crushed and covered with a new stent.

Acute myocardial infarction due to left main embolization of calcified tissue from mitral valve subapparatus.

An 81-year-old woman was referred for primary angioplasty due to a myocardial infarction. Upon her arrival, the patient was in cardiogenic shock. Coronarography revealed a large filling defect within the left main coronary artery. Thromboaspiration was performed, obtaining thrombotic material and tissue of different consistencies. Balloon angioplasty in the left anterior descending and left main arteries was performed, resulting in incomplete reperfusion, leading to irreversible electromechanical dissociation. Analysis of the aspirated material was consistent with thrombus, atheroma, and calcified tissue. Autopsy revealed a heavily calcified mitral valve, and distal embolization of amorphous material in the microvasculature identical to that found in the mitral valve subapparatus. .

Factores de riesgo y severidad de la retinopatía diabética / Risk factors and severity of diabetic retinopathy

Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes diagnosticados de retinopatía diabética en cuanto a severidad y presencia de factores de riesgo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal con 135 pacientes diagnosticados de retinopatía diabética en el Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto". Resultados: hubo predominio de retinopatía diabética no proliferativa; mayor número de pacientes clasificados como diabéticos tipo 2; la forma de tratamiento más utilizada fue la insulinoterapia; el 33,3 % con más de 21 años de diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y un control glicémico deficiente en el 54,1 %; excreción urinaria de albúmina menor de 20mg/L (normal). En el grupo con retinopatía diabética no proliferativa leve y moderada, el mayor número de pacientes se encontraba con un tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad entre 6 y 10 años, con tratamiento con hipoglicemiantes orales, control glicémico bueno y excreción urinaria de albúmina menor de 20 mg/L. En el grupo con retinopatía diabética no proliferativa severa y retinopatía diabética proliferativa predominaron: tiempo de diagnóstico de la enfermedad mayor de 21 años, tratamiento con insulina, control glicémico deficiente y excreción urinaria de albúmina mayor de 100 mg/L. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes se caracterizaron por presentar retinopatía diabética no proliferativa leve, diabéticos tipo 2, que reciben insulinoterapia, con evolución de la diabetes mayor de 21 años, control glicémico deficiente y excreción urinaria de albúmina normal.

Objective: to characterize patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy in relation to severity and presence of risk factors. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 135 patients who had been diagnosed as having diabetic retinopathy in the Ophthalmology Department of Dr. Luis Díaz Soto Central Military Hospital. Results: there was a predominance of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; more patients were classified as Type 2 diabetics; the most used form of treatment was insulin therapy; the 33,3 % with more than 31 years of diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and a deficient glycemic control in a 54,1 %; urinary albumin excretion less than 20mg/L (normal). In the group with mild and moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the largest number of patients presented with a period of evolution of the disease between 6 and 10 years, with oral hypoglycaemic therapy, good glycemic control and urinary albumin excretion of less than 20 mg/L. In the group with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy predominated: time of diagnosis of the disease of more than 21 years, insulin treatment, deficient glycemic control and urinary albumin excretion greater than 100 mg/L. Conclusions: most patients were characterized by presenting mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, being Type 2 diabetics, receiving insulin therapy, with evolution of diabetes for more than 21 years, and having deficient glycemic control and normal urinary albumin excretion.

Factores de riesgo y severidad de la retinopatía diabética / Risk factors and severity of diabetic retinopathy

Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes diagnosticados de retinopatía diabética en cuanto a severidad y presencia de factores de riesgo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal con 135 pacientes diagnosticados de retinopatía diabética en el Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Militar Central Dr Luis Díaz Soto. Resultados: hubo predominio de retinopatía diabética no proliferativa; mayor número de pacientes clasificados como diabéticos tipo 2; la forma de tratamiento más utilizada fue la insulinoterapia; el 33,3 por ciento con más de 21 años de diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y un control glicémico deficiente en el 54,1 por ciento; excreción urinaria de albúmina menor de 20mg/L (normal). En el grupo con retinopatía diabética no proliferativa leve y moderada, el mayor número de pacientes se encontraba con un tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad entre 6 y 10 años, con tratamiento con hipoglicemiantes orales, control glicémico bueno y excreción urinaria de albúmina menor de 20 mg/L. En el grupo con retinopatía diabética no proliferativa severa y retinopatía diabética proliferativa predominaron: tiempo de diagnóstico de la enfermedad mayor de 21 años, tratamiento con insulina, control glicémico deficiente y excreción urinaria de albúmina mayor de 100 mg/L. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes se caracterizaron por presentar retinopatía diabética no proliferativa leve, diabéticos tipo 2, que reciben insulinoterapia, con evolución de la diabetes mayor de 21 años, control glicémico deficiente y excreción urinaria de albúmina normal(AU)

Objective: to characterize patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy in relation to severity and presence of risk factors. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 135 patients who had been diagnosed as having diabetic retinopathy in the Ophthalmology Department of Dr. Luis Díaz Soto Central Military Hospital. Results: there was a predominance of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; more patients were classified as Type 2 diabetics; the most used form of treatment was insulin therapy; the 33,3 percent with more than 31 years of diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and a deficient glycemic control in a 54,1 percent; urinary albumin excretion less than 20mg/L (normal). In the group with mild and moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the largest number of patients presented with a period of evolution of the disease between 6 and 10 years, with oral hypoglycaemic therapy, good glycemic control and urinary albumin excretion of less than 20 mg/L. In the group with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy predominated: time of diagnosis of the disease of more than 21 years, insulin treatment, deficient glycemic control and urinary albumin excretion greater than 100 mg/L. Conclusions: most patients were characterized by presenting mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, being Type 2 diabetics, receiving insulin therapy, with evolution of diabetes for more than 21 years, and having deficient glycemic control and normal urinary albumin excretion(AU)