Nonspecific Effects of Infant Vaccines Make Children More Resistant to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

A myriad of reasons, or a combination of them, have been alluded to in order to explain the lower susceptibility of children to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe forms of COVID-19. This document explores an additional factor, still little addressed in the medical literature related to the matter: nonspecific resistance to SARS-CoV-2 that could be generated by vaccines administered during childhood. The analysis carried out allows one to conclude that a group of vaccines administered during childhood is associated with a lower incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pediatric ages. Looking from an epidemiological perspective, this conclusion must be taken into consideration in order to ensure greater rationality in the design and implementation of prevention and control actions, including the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, for these ages.

Sterile Insect Technique: Successful Suppression of an Aedes aegypti Field Population in Cuba.

Dengue virus infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue in Cuba. As there is no vaccine or specific treatment, the control efforts are directed to the reduction of mosquito populations. The indiscriminate use of insecticides can lead to adverse effects on ecosystems, including human health. The sterile insect technique is a species-specific and environment-friendly method of insect population control based on the release of large numbers of sterile insects, ideally males only. The success of this technique for the sustainable management of agricultural pests has encouraged its evaluation for the population suppression of mosquito vector species. Here, we describe an open field trial to evaluate the effect of the release of irradiated male Ae. aegypti on a wild population. The pilot trial was carried out in a suburb of Havana and compared the mosquito population density before and after the intervention, in both untreated control and release areas. The wild population was monitored by an ovitrap network, recording frequency and density of eggs as well as their hatch rate. A significant amount of sterility was induced in the field population of the release area, as compared with the untreated control area. The ovitrap index and the mean number of eggs/trap declined dramatically after 12 and 5 weeks of releases, respectively. For the last 3 weeks, no eggs were collected in the treatment area, clearly indicating a significant suppression of the wild target population. We conclude that the sterile males released competed successfully and induced enough sterility to suppress the local Ae. aegypti population.

Sexually transmitted diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus on syphilis and gonorrhoea in Cuba.

OBJECTIVES: The implementation of social confinement measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has limited the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their transmission. This study aims to explore the epidemiological behaviour of two notifiable STDs during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba. STUDY DESIGN: This is an exploratory study of the incidence rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba. METHODS: This study compares national weekly surveillance data on syphilis and gonorrhoea incidence rates in Cuba with the timeline of implemented social confinement measures. RESULTS: Incidence rates for both STDs were declining before the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Cuba. Following the confirmation of COVID-19 in Cuba and the implementation of social confinement measures, the decreasing incidence rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea continued. When social measures were subsequently relaxed, there was an increase in the incidence of syphilis, but incidence levels of gonorrhoea remained at a plateau. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the social measures introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 influenced the sexual risk behaviours of individuals and subsequently modified the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea. It is necessary to continue epidemiological surveillance for longer periods of time and to explore it at the local, regional and national levels to better understand STDs in times of COVID-19.

Haloperidol potentiates antinociceptive effects of morphine and disrupt opioid tolerance.

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic agent recently described as an antinociceptive drug able to mediate the antagonism of sigma-1 receptors while morphine is an opioid used in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The objectives of this work were to determine the type of interaction generated by the combination of morphine and haloperidol in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury and to evaluate morphine tolerance and side effects. The antiallodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects of morphine (0.01-3.16 mg/kg, s.c.) and haloperidol (0.0178-0.1778 mg/kg, s.c.) were determined after single-doses, in monotherapy and combined, using the acetone and von Frey tests, respectively. Evaluations were performed until 10-days postsurgery. Data were processed using "Surface of Synergic Interaction analysis". The rotarod test was used to evaluate motor coordination, and the constipation test was performed using 5% charcoal. The effects of haloperidol and BD-1063, sigma-1 receptor antagonists, naloxone and PRE-084 (sigma-1 agonist) were determined using the morphine-tolerance model. Morphine (0.0316 mg/kg)+haloperidol (0.0178 mg/kg) was determined to be the optimal combination. Morphine-tolerance was observed on day 5 after 11 administrations, although in animals that received the combination, tolerance was delayed until day 8. PRE-084 and naloxone administered on day 5 in animals treated with the combination resulted in a blockade of its antiallodynic effects. Adverse effects of constipation or motor incoordination were not shown in animals treated with morphine + haloperidol. In conclusion, haloperidol enhances the antinociceptive effects of morphine without significant adverse effects, as it is able to disrupt or delay the morphine-tolerance in neuropathic pain.

Abordaje de la comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis en Cuba versus conocimientos, percepciones y prácticas de la población / Communication for arbovirus infection prevention in Cuba vs. knowledge, perceptions and practices of the population

Introducción: La emergencia y reemergencia de las arbovirosis en Las Américas conllevaron a la adecuación de las acciones tradicionales de prevención y comunicación en este campo. Objetivo: Contrastar el abordaje de la comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis promovido en Cuba y los conocimientos, las percepciones y las prácticas de la población sobre estas enfermedades y Aedes aegypti, su principal vector. Métodos: Estudio exploratorio, sustentado en un diseño mixto por triangulación de datos cualitativos y cuantitativos. En la fase cualitativa se realizó una revisión documental y en la cuantitativa una encuesta poblacional. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el municipio La Lisa en el período 2014-2017. La muestra quedó conformada por 51 documentos y 90 viviendas. Para el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó QSR Nvivo10 y SPSS versión 19.0. Resultados: El dengue fue la arbovirosis más conocida por la población encuestada, seguido por el zika y el chikungunya. En tanto, la fiebre amarilla resultó menos conocida por los encuestados. Los resultados evidenciaron la influencia de las acciones de comunicación en los conocimientos, las percepciones y las prácticas de la población sobre las arbovirosis y Aedes aegypti, su principal vector. Sin embargo, persisten vacíos de información y la necesidad de transcender la función informativa para contribuir a atenuar las prácticas de riesgo en el escenario comunitario. Conclusiones: Promover el monitoreo y la evaluación de las acciones de comunicación, y acortar las brechas entre el abordaje promovido desde diferentes niveles de implementación y los conocimientos, las percepciones y las prácticas de la población, pueden contribuir a consolidar la participación consciente, activa y sostenida de diferentes actores sociales en la prevención y el control integrado de las arbovirosis(AU)

Introduction: Emergence and re-emergence of arbovirus infections in the Americas have led to changes in traditional prevention and communication actions so they adjust to this new situation. Objective: To contrast the communication for arbovirus infection prevention implemented in Cuba with the knowledge, perceptions and practices of the population concerning these diseases and their main vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Methods: A mixed-design exploratory study was conducted based on qualitative and quantitative data triangulation. A document review was performed during the qualitative stage, whereas the quantitative stage centered around a population survey. The study was carried out in the municipality of La Lisa in the period 2014-2017. The sample was 51 documents and 90 households. Data processing was based on QSR Nvivo10 and SPSS version 19.0. Results: The arbovirus infection best known by the population surveyed was dengue, followed by zika and chikungunya. Yellow fever, on the other hand, was found to be less known by respondents. Results showed the influence of communication actions on the knowledge, perceptions and practices of the population concerning arbovirus infections and their main vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, information gaps continue to exist, and actions are required which go beyond the mere informative function to help reduce the occurrence of risk practices in the community. Conclusions: Fostering the surveillance and evaluation of communication actions, and bridging the gap between the approach promoted by various levels of implementation and the knowledge, perceptions and practices of the population, may help consolidate the conscious, active and sustained participation of different social actors in the integrated prevention and control of arbovirus infections(AU)

Comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis: adecuación de iniciativas de la OPS al contexto cubano

[RESUMEN]. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las oportunidades y los desafíos de los procesos de capacitación en la articulación de iniciativas regionales y nacionales de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis, usando como ejemplo las lecciones aprendidas en el contexto cubano. En febrero de 2016 y diciembre de 2017 profesionales del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí participaron en la realización de talleres de fortalecimiento de capacidades de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis en la Atención Primaria de Salud con la incorporación paulatina de los más recientes enfoques promovidos por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud sobre el tema. Se capacitaron especialistas de diferentes perfiles profesionales a nivel nacional, provincial, municipal y de áreas de salud, se formaron y consolidaron equipos multidisciplinarios en los diferentes niveles, se asignaron y articularon tareas concretas a cada nivel, y se establecieron sitios de demostración de los enfoques de comunicación promovidos en los talleres. Asimismo, se identificaron necesidades de aprendizaje en comunicación social y se incorporaron a la estrategia nacional 2018-2021 actividades de capacitación del personal técnico y de monitoreo y evaluación con el objetivo de garantizar la implementación de acciones de comunicación y su sostenibilidad. No obstante, las instituciones participantes tendrán que afrontar desafíos propios de la comunicación en la prevención de las arbovirosis como, por ejemplo, la fluctuación del personal entrenado, la movilización de recursos para la comunicación, y la identificación de indicadores adecuados de evaluación.

[ABSTRACT]. The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of training processes in the coordination of regional and national communication initiatives for arboviral disease prevention, using the lessons learned in the Cuban context as an example. In February 2016 and December 2017, professional staff from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine attended workshops for strengthening communication capacities for arboviral disease prevention in primary health care settings through gradual introduction of the most recent approaches promoted by the Pan American Health Organization in this regard. National, provincial, municipal, and health area specialists with diverse professional profiles were trained; multidisciplinary teams were strengthened at the different levels; specific tasks were assigned and coordinated at each level; and demonstration sites were established for the communication approaches promoted in the workshops. Learning needs in the field of mass communication were also identified, and activities for training technical staff and for monitoring and evaluation were introduced in the national strategy 2018-2021 to guarantee the implementation and sustainability of communication activities. Notwithstanding, participating institutions will have to address the challenges characteristic of communication for arboviral disease prevention, which include the rotation of trained personnel, the mobilization of resources for communication, and the identification of appropriate evaluation indicators.

[RESUMO]. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever as oportunidades e os desafios da capacitação em articulação de iniciativas regionais e nacionais de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses, a partir dos ensinamentos tirados com a experiência cubana. Em fevereiro de 2016 e em dezembro de 2017, profissionais do Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, em Cuba, participaram de um seminário sobre o fortalecimento da capacidade de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses na atenção primária à saúde com a incorporação gradual dos enfoques mais recentes promovidos pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS). Especialistas com diferentes perfis profissionais foram capacitados ao nível nacional, de província, do município e de áreas de saúde. Equipes multidisciplinares foram formadas e consolidadas nos diferentes níveis e elas receberam a incumbência de tarefas concretas coordenadas em cada nível e participaram da demonstração dos enfoques de comunicação apresentados nos seminários. Além disso, as necessidades de aprendizagem em comunicação social foram identificadas e atividades de capacitação do pessoal técnico e atividades de monitoramento e avaliação foram incorporadas à estratégia nacional 2018–2021 com o objetivo de garantir a implementação e a sustentabilidade das ações de comunicação. Porém, as instituições participantes terão de enfrentar os próprios desafios de comunicação na prevenção das arboviroses, por exemplo, rotatividade do pessoal capacitado, captação de recursos para comunicação e identificação dos indicadores adequados de avaliação.

[Communication for arboviral disease prevention: tailoring PAHO initiatives to the Cuban contextComunicação para prevenção de arboviroses: adequação das iniciativas da OPAS ao contexto cubano]. / Comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis: adecuación de iniciativas de la OPS al contexto cubano.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of training processes in the coordination of regional and national communication initiatives for arboviral disease prevention, using the lessons learned in the Cuban context as an example. In February 2016 and December 2017, professional staff from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine attended workshops for strengthening communication capacities for arboviral disease prevention in primary health care settings through gradual introduction of the most recent approaches promoted by the Pan American Health Organization in this regard. National, provincial, municipal, and health area specialists with diverse professional profiles were trained; multidisciplinary teams were strengthened at the different levels; specific tasks were assigned and coordinated at each level; and demonstration sites were established for the communication approaches promoted in the workshops. Learning needs in the field of mass communication were also identified, and activities for training technical staff and for monitoring and evaluation were introduced in the national strategy 2018-2021 to guarantee the implementation and sustainability of communication activities. Notwithstanding, participating institutions will have to address the challenges characteristic of communication for arboviral disease prevention, which include the rotation of trained personnel, the mobilization of resources for communication, and the identification of appropriate evaluation indicators.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever as oportunidades e os desafios da capacitação em articulação de iniciativas regionais e nacionais de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses, a partir dos ensinamentos tirados com a experiência cubana. Em fevereiro de 2016 e em dezembro de 2017, profissionais do Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, em Cuba, participaram de um seminário sobre o fortalecimento da capacidade de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses na atenção primária à saúde com a incorporação gradual dos enfoques mais recentes promovidos pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS). Especialistas com diferentes perfis profissionais foram capacitados ao nível nacional, de província, do município e de áreas de saúde. Equipes multidisciplinares foram formadas e consolidadas nos diferentes níveis e elas receberam a incumbência de tarefas concretas coordenadas em cada nível e participaram da demonstração dos enfoques de comunicação apresentados nos seminários. Além disso, as necessidades de aprendizagem em comunicação social foram identificadas e atividades de capacitação do pessoal técnico e atividades de monitoramento e avaliação foram incorporadas à estratégia nacional 2018­2021 com o objetivo de garantir a implementação e a sustentabilidade das ações de comunicação. Porém, as instituições participantes terão de enfrentar os próprios desafios de comunicação na prevenção das arboviroses, por exemplo, rotatividade do pessoal capacitado, captação de recursos para comunicação e identificação dos indicadores adequados de avaliação.

Comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis: adecuación de iniciativas de la OPS al contexto cubano / Communication for arboviral disease prevention: tailoring PAHO initiatives to the Cuban context / Comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses: adequação das iniciativas da OPAS ao contexto cubano

RESUMEN El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las oportunidades y los desafíos de los procesos de capacitación en la articulación de iniciativas regionales y nacionales de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis, usando como ejemplo las lecciones aprendidas en el contexto cubano. En febrero de 2016 y diciembre de 2017 profesionales del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí participaron en la realización de talleres de fortalecimiento de capacidades de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis en la Atención Primaria de Salud con la incorporación paulatina de los más recientes enfoques promovidos por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud sobre el tema. Se capacitaron especialistas de diferentes perfiles profesionales a nivel nacional, provincial, municipal y de áreas de salud, se formaron y consolidaron equipos multidisciplinarios en los diferentes niveles, se asignaron y articularon tareas concretas a cada nivel, y se establecieron sitios de demostración de los enfoques de comunicación promovidos en los talleres. Asimismo, se identificaron necesidades de aprendizaje en comunicación social y se incorporaron a la estrategia nacional 2018-2021 actividades de capacitación del personal técnico y de monitoreo y evaluación con el objetivo de garantizar la implementación de acciones de comunicación y su sostenibilidad. No obstante, las instituciones participantes tendrán que afrontar desafíos propios de la comunicación en la prevención de las arbovirosis como, por ejemplo, la fluctuación del personal entrenado, la movilización de recursos para la comunicación, y la identificación de indicadores adecuados de evaluación.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of training processes in the coordination of regional and national communication initiatives for arboviral disease prevention, using the lessons learned in the Cuban context as an example. In February 2016 and December 2017, professional staff from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine attended workshops for strengthening communication capacities for arboviral disease prevention in primary health care settings through gradual introduction of the most recent approaches promoted by the Pan American Health Organization in this regard. National, provincial, municipal, and health area specialists with diverse professional profiles were trained; multidisciplinary teams were strengthened at the different levels; specific tasks were assigned and coordinated at each level; and demonstration sites were established for the communication approaches promoted in the workshops. Learning needs in the field of mass communication were also identified, and activities for training technical staff and for monitoring and evaluation were introduced in the national strategy 2018-2021 to guarantee the implementation and sustainability of communication activities. Notwithstanding, participating institutions will have to address the challenges characteristic of communication for arboviral disease prevention, which include the rotation of trained personnel, the mobilization of resources for communication, and the identification of appropriate evaluation indicators.

RESUMO O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever as oportunidades e os desafios da capacitação em articulação de iniciativas regionais e nacionais de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses, a partir dos ensinamentos tirados com a experiência cubana. Em fevereiro de 2016 e em dezembro de 2017, profissionais do Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, em Cuba, participaram de um seminário sobre o fortalecimento da capacidade de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses na atenção primária à saúde com a incorporação gradual dos enfoques mais recentes promovidos pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS). Especialistas com diferentes perfis profissionais foram capacitados ao nível nacional, de província, do município e de áreas de saúde. Equipes multidisciplinares foram formadas e consolidadas nos diferentes níveis e elas receberam a incumbência de tarefas concretas coordenadas em cada nível e participaram da demonstração dos enfoques de comunicação apresentados nos seminários. Além disso, as necessidades de aprendizagem em comunicação social foram identificadas e atividades de capacitação do pessoal técnico e atividades de monitoramento e avaliação foram incorporadas à estratégia nacional 2018-2021 com o objetivo de garantir a implementação e a sustentabilidade das ações de comunicação. Porém, as instituições participantes terão de enfrentar os próprios desafios de comunicação na prevenção das arboviroses, por exemplo, rotatividade do pessoal capacitado, captação de recursos para comunicação e identificação dos indicadores adequados de avaliação.

Repercusión del intercambio científico TRAMIL-Cuba en las investigaciones y difusión del uso de plantas medicinales / Impact of TRAMIL-Cuba relationships in researches and diffusion of medicinal plant use

Introducción: Cuba, representada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública y la Unidad de Investigaciones Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, se incorporó a TRAMIL (Programa para la Investigación Aplicada y la Difusión de Plantas Medicinales en el Caribe) en 1988. Ese mismo año participó en el III Taller Científico celebrado en La Habana. Se ha coordinado el Programa Cubano de Investigaciones de Plantas Medicinales (1988-2004) para incorporar el uso de plantas medicinales en el Sistema Nacional de Salud y ejecutado proyectos de colaboración científica conjuntos con resultados publicados. Objetivo: valorar la repercusión del intercambio científico entre TRAMIL y el Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Cuba, durante 25 años. Métodos: se revisaron los principales acontecimientos, los impactos en la difusión y la docencia médica superior, así como los resultados publicados y los incluidos en la Farmacopea Vegetal Caribeña de TRAMIL desde 1988 hasta 2014. Resultados: se expusieron las plantas científicas validadas que han sido incorporadas al Sistema Nacional de Salud cubano, los resultados científicos experimentales, las publicaciones, eventos; se mostraron objetivos del Programa Nacional de Investigaciones de Salud y cómo se insertan los contenidos básicos del uso de plantas medicinales en las Ciencias Médicas y las acciones de difusión. Conclusiones: los datos indican que TRAMIL es una red científica regional bien establecida, útil para los sistemas de salud y las universidades médicas. Ha existido un intercambio científico provechoso para ambas partes, con retroalimentación bilateral durante estos 25 años. Existe un elevado porcentaje de usos tradicionales de plantas, respaldados por evaluaciones experimentales preclínicas, se ratifica la ausencia casi total de toxicidad en las formas de uso tradicional, se manifiestan los impactos en la difusión y la incidencia de los resultados experimentales de los proyectos en las publicaciones(AU)

Introduction: since 1986, Cuba, represented by Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) and Central Pharmacological Research Unit has joined TRAMIL (Program for Applied Research and Diffusion of Medicinal Plants in the Caribbean). In 1988, the III TRAMIL Scientific Workshop was organized in Havana. We also have coordinated the Medicinal Plant Cuban Research Program (1988-2004) to incorporate medicinal plants in the National Health System. We have performed some scientific projects and there results has been published. Objective: to evaluate the impact of scientific exchange between TRAMIL and Central Pharmacological Research Unit, Cuba, for 25 years. Methods: it was reviewed the most important events, the main impacts in diffusion and higher medical education, as well as our published results and those included in TRAMIL´s Caribbean Herbal Pharmacopoeia during 1988-2014. Results: it was exposed the scientific-validated medicinal plant uses which has been incorporated to Cuban National Health System, the survey TRAMIL and diffusion workshop are analyzing, the results in pharmacological and toxicological studies of different species had been incorporated to Caribbean Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Conclusions: our data indicate that TRAMIL is a well established regional scientific network which may be useful for health systems and medical universities. There have been an advantageous scientific interchange and two-sided feed back for both organizations during the last 25 years. There is a high percentage of traditional medicinal plant uses which may be supported with preclinical evaluation, the toxicity reaction are almost negative in traditional use forms; some publications shown the impacts in diffusion and experimental project results(AU)

Repercusión del intercambio científico TRAMIL-Cuba en las investigaciones y difusión del uso de plantas medicinales / Impact of TRAMIL-Cuba relationships in researches and diffusion of medicinal plant use

INTRODUCCIÓN: Cuba, representada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública y la Unidad de Investigaciones Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, se incorporó a TRAMIL (Programa para la Investigación Aplicada y la Difusión de Plantas Medicinales en el Caribe) en 1988. Ese mismo año participó en el III Taller Científico celebrado en La Habana. Se ha coordinado el Programa Cubano de Investigaciones de Plantas Medicinales (1988-2004) para incorporar el uso de plantas medicinales en el Sistema Nacional de Salud y ejecutado proyectos de colaboración científica conjuntos con resultados publicados. OBJETIVO: valorar la repercusión del intercambio científico entre TRAMIL y el Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Cuba, durante 25 años. MÉTODOS: se revisaron los principales acontecimientos, los impactos en la difusión y la docencia médica superior, así como los resultados publicados y los incluidos en la Farmacopea Vegetal Caribeña de TRAMIL desde 1988 hasta 2014. RESULTADOS: se expusieron las plantas científicas validadas que han sido incorporadas al Sistema Nacional de Salud cubano, los resultados científicos experimentales, las publicaciones, eventos; se mostraron objetivos del Programa Nacional de Investigaciones de Salud y cómo se insertan los contenidos básicos del uso de plantas medicinales en las Ciencias Médicas y las acciones de difusión. CONCLUSIONES: los datos indican que TRAMIL es una red científica regional bien establecida, útil para los sistemas de salud y las universidades médicas. Ha existido un intercambio científico provechoso para ambas partes, con retroalimentación bilateral durante estos 25 años. Existe un elevado porcentaje de usos tradicionales de plantas, respaldados por evaluaciones experimentales preclínicas, se ratifica la ausencia casi total de toxicidad en las formas de uso tradicional, se manifiestan los impactos en la difusión y la incidencia de los resultados experimentales de los proyectos en las publicaciones.

INTRODUCTION: since 1986, Cuba, represented by Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) and Central Pharmacological Research Unit has joined TRAMIL (Program for Applied Research and Diffusion of Medicinal Plants in the Caribbean). In 1988, the III TRAMIL Scientific Workshop was organized in Havana. We also have coordinated the Medicinal Plant Cuban Research Program (1988-2004) to incorporate medicinal plants in the National Health System. We have performed some scientific projects and there results has been published. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of scientific exchange between TRAMIL and Central Pharmacological Research Unit, Cuba, for 25 years. METHODS: it was reviewed the most important events, the main impacts in diffusion and higher medical education, as well as our published results and those included in TRAMIL´s Caribbean Herbal Pharmacopoeia during 1988-2014. RESULTS: it was exposed the scientific-validated medicinal plant uses which has been incorporated to Cuban National Health System, the survey TRAMIL and diffusion workshop are analyzing, the results in pharmacological and toxicological studies of different species had been incorporated to Caribbean Herbal Pharmacopoeia. CONCLUSIONS: our data indicate that TRAMIL is a well established regional scientific network which may be useful for health systems and medical universities. There have been an advantageous scientific interchange and two-sided feed back for both organizations during the last 25 years. There is a high percentage of traditional medicinal plant uses which may be supported with preclinical evaluation, the toxicity reaction are almost negative in traditional use forms; some publications shown the impacts in diffusion and experimental project results.

Determinación de saponinas y otros metabolitos secundarios en extractos acuosos de Sapindus saponaria L. (jaboncillo) / Determination of saponins and others secondary metabolites in aqueous extracts of Sapindus saponaria L. (jaboncillo)

INTRODUCCIÓN: la especie Sapindus saponaria L. se encuentra ampliamente distribuida en el continente americano. La abundante presencia de saponinas que la caracteriza, le confiere un elevado valor farmacológico, por lo que determinar la concentración de este metabolito y la presencia de otros en las diferentes partes de la planta, permitirá desarrollar futuras evaluaciones biológicas. OBJETIVOS: determinar cualitativa y cuantitativamente saponinas en los extractos acuosos de las semillas, tallo y frutos de Sapindus saponaria L., así como identificar la presencia de otros metabolitos secundarios de la planta. MÉTODOS: los extractos (infusión y decocción) se prepararon con los frutos, semillas y tallos de la planta. Se utilizó el método de extracción mediante solventes, y se aplicó las técnicas de infusión y decocción. Para identificar la presencia de metabolitos secundarios se realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico a todos los extractos acuosos. Se realizó el ensayo de hemólisis de eritrocitos para determinar las concentraciones de saponinas en los extractos. Los carbohidratos y las proteínas detectadas se cuantificaron por los métodos de Orcinol Sulfúrico y Lowry, al respecto. RESULTADOS: el tamizaje fitoquímico sugirió la presencia de saponinas, taninos, azúcares reductores y flavonoides en los tres extractos. La mayor concentración de saponinas se encontró en el extracto del pericarpio del fruto, seguido por el de las semillas y el del tallo. La concentración de carbohidratos y proteínas fue mayor en el extracto del fruto que en el resto de los extractos evaluados. CONCLUSIONES: los extractos acuosos obtenidos contienen metabolitos secundarios de elevado interés farmacológico. Las saponinas se encuentran a elevadas concentraciones en el fruto, mientras que, carbohidratos y proteínas están presentes a bajas concentraciones en los tres extractos. of secondary metabolites.

INTRODUCTION: the species Sapindus saponaria L. is widely distributed in America. The abundant presence of saponins is characteristic of this specie and it offers a high pharmacological value. Determine the concentration of these metabolites in various plant parts; allow the development of biological assessments. OBJECTIVES: to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the presence of saponins in aqueous extracts of seeds, stems and fruit of Sapindus saponaria L. and identify other metabolites that may be present in the plant. METHODS: the extracts of the plant, with the fruits, seeds and stem was prepare. The extraction by solvent method and the infusion and decoction techniques was used. To identify the presence of secondary metabolites a phytochemical screening was performed on all extracts. Erythrocyte hemolysis assay was used to determine the concentration of saponins in the extracts. The carbohydrates and proteins were quantitatively determinate by Orcinol Sulphuric method and Lowry method respectively. RESULTS: the phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of saponins, tannins, reducing sugars and flavonoids in the three extracts. The extract of the pericarp had higher concentration of saponins, followed by the seeds and stem. The concentration of carbohydrates and protein was higher in fruit extract than in the rest. CONCLUSIONS: the aqueous extracts obtained by conventional methods, contain secondary metabolites of high pharmacological value. The saponins are found in high concentrations in fruit; however, the carbohydrates and proteins are present at low concentrations in the three evaluated extracts.

Multimedia English for Dentistry / Multimedia English for Dentistry

Los cambios que tienen lugar en la enseñanza superior, en particular en la formación de los estomatólogos y la capacitación posgraduada de los ya egresados exige una preparación idiomática superior, acorde a las exigencias de los tiempos actuales y a los compromisos internacionales del estado cubano. Ello requiere hacerlo en un breve plazo con una tecnología efectiva y al alcance de estos profesionales. La Multimedia English for Dentistry pretende cubrir estas expectativas, aborda los elementos lingüísticos indispensables para cualquier personal vinculado a esta actividad, incluye vocabulario y frases a utilizar durante el interrogatorio, evaluación, presentación y discusión del caso, todos con vínculos que permiten escuchar la pronunciación. Utilizado por estudiantes, profesores y personal de esta especialidad tiene sus antecedentes en un texto de amplio perfil elaborado para el personal de la salud del polo turístico Cayo Largo del Sur. Posteriormente fue incluido en el CD de 4to. año de medicina. En esta ocasión se presenta ampliado en formato de Multimedia que lo convierte en una poderosa herramienta para el aprendizaje y el estudio independiente, no requiere de instalación previa. Parte del soporte sonoro fue extraída de las grabaciones realizadas en Canadá por la editorial de Ciencias Médicas para el Libro de Texto Inside Dentistry(AU)

Changes that take place in higher education, in particular in the formation of dentists and the post graduated training of those already school leavers, demands a higher idiomatic preparation, in keeping with the demands of current times and the international commitments of the Cuban state. This requires doing it in a short-term period with an effective technology and within these professionals reach.The English for Dentistry Multimedia seeks to cover these expectations, it approaches the indispensable linguistic elements for any personnel linked to this activity, it includes vocabulary and sentences to use during patient interview, evaluation, presentation, and discussion of the case, all with links that allow listening to the pronunciation. Used by students, professors and people from this speciality it has its antecedents in a text of wide profile elaborated for health working people at Cayo Largo del Sur tourist resort. Later on it was included in the 4th year course medicine CD. In this occasion it is presented in an enlarged format of Multimedia that turns it into a powerful tool for learning and independent study, it doesnt require of previous installation. Part of the sound support was extracted from the recordings carried out in Canada by the Medical Sciences editorial for the Inside Dentistry Book(AU)