Evaluación de la gestión de calidad en la red de bibliotecas médicas de Villa Clara / Evaluation of quality management in Villa Clara medical library network

La calidad es una exigencia vigente a nivel mundial en el área de la educación, a su vez constituye un indicador fundamental para las instituciones educativas, sujetas a proporcionar un servicio de excelencia. Por ello resulta necesario evaluar la gestión de calidad en las bibliotecas médicas de Villa Clara, de manera tal que se contribuya al mejoramiento de su funcionamiento y lograr un mayor nivel de satisfacción de las necesidades informativas de sus usuarios. Se tomaron como referentes teóricos el modelo de evaluación de bibliotecas universitarias cubanas, y los documentos normativos y teórico-metodológicos del Centro Nacional de Información sobre la temática.

Quality is a worldwide requirement in the education area, and at the same time it is a fundamental indicator for educational institutions which are subjected to provide a service of excellence. For this reason, evaluating the quality management of medical libraries in Villa Clara is a necessity, in order to contribute to the improvement of their functioning and to achieve a higher level of satisfaction of their users' information needs. The evaluation model for Cuban university libraries and the normative, theoretical and methodological documents of the National Information Center of Medical Sciences regarding this subject were taken as theoretical references.

Enablers and barriers of maternal and neonatal immunization programs in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: The Region of the Americas has a long history of implementing maternal and neonatal immunization (MNI) programs. Our study aimed to understand the state of MNI policies, strategies and implementation practices in Latin America (LA). METHODS: Study conducted in 5 middle-income countries: Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico and Peru. The methods included a desk review, interviews with national stakeholders and health care providers, focus groups with pregnant women and observations in health facilities. Enablers and barriers were identified and categorized as individual, societal or related to the health system. RESULTS: All 5 participating countries had similar MNI policies and high access to antenatal care. Key enablers were the high acceptability of vaccination during pregnancy, high-level of political will and a national legal framework ensuring free access to vaccines. At the health system level, implementation was facilitated by the existence of immunization advisory committees, a pooled vaccine procurement mechanism, complementary vaccine delivery strategies, conditional cash transfer to users and performance incentives to health facilities. The main programmatic barriers were the lack of adequate MNI information; limited coordination between antenatal and immunization services; inadequate supply, resources and infrastructure; high staff turnover; insufficient training for health care providers; and weak monitoring and reporting systems. CONCLUSION: Middle-income countries in LA have successfully implemented MNI programs and several enablers were identified. To overcome remaining barriers, there is a need to focus on improving the "immunization journey" for pregnant women through providing more clear and timely information to users and providers; removing barriers to access; ensuring adequate supply, human resources and infrastructure; making the health service experience positive; and establishing integrated information systems that allow for monitoring the progress toward achieving MNI goals. Strengthening the MNI programs can also improve equitable access to health services and prepare for the introduction of future vaccines for pregnant women.

Trastornos del sueño en adulto mayor. Actualización diagnóstica y terapéutica / Sleeping disorders in older adults. Diagnostic and therapeutic update

RESUMEN Los trastornos del sueño en el adulto mayor son una afección frecuente. Sin embargo, es una parte de la medicina relativamente nueva, dado que ha sido en los últimos 40 años cuando se ha trabajado realmente en ella. El objetivo de esta revisión es profundizar y actualizar aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos sobre dichos trastornos, lo cual constituye siempre un reto para el médico que atiende este grupo poblacional.

ABSTRACT Sleeping disorders in the elderly are a frequent condition. However, it is a part of relatively new medicine, since it has only been in the last 40 years it has really studied. The objective of this review is to deepen and update diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these disorders, which is always a challenge for the doctor who attends this age group.

Medio siglo de gestión de la información para el desarrollo de la salud villaclareña / Half a century of information management for the health development in Villa Clara province

RESUMEN Arribar a medio siglo de existencia representa para cualquier institución la expresión de una fructífera vida profesional y la oportunidad de meditar sobre el camino transitado. El sistema nacional de información de ciencias médicas surgió en 1965, y la primera institución fuera de la capital del país fue el Centro Provincial de Información de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, que se constituyó en 1969. En estos años de labor el Centro ha crecido en: recursos humanos, instalaciones, medios tecnológicos y servicios que se brindan a los usuarios; sus proyecciones se han revolucionado en sintonía con el desarrollo científico-tecnológico. El crecimiento de la red de bibliotecas, la atención técnica y metodológica realizada, la creciente labor de superación profesional desplegada, la inserción de las tecnologías en la actividad científico-informativa y la producción de numerosos recursos y servicios digitalizados, son elementos que caracterizan la historia de esta institución.

ABSTRACT Reaching half a century of existence represents for any institution the expression of a successful professional life and the opportunity to meditate on the road traveled. The national information system of medical sciences emerged in 1965, and the first institution outside the capital of the country was the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, which was constituted in 1969. In these years of work the Center has grown in: human resources, facilities, technological means and services that are offered to the users; its projections have been revolutionized along with the scientific-technological development. The growth of the network of libraries, the technical and methodological assistance, the growing work of professional improvement, the insertion of technologies in the scientific-informative activity and the production of numerous resources and digitalized services, are elements that characterize the history of this institution.

El componente informacional en el currículo de la carrera de Medicina / The informational component in the study programme of the Medicine career

RESUMEN Introducción: la competencia y desempeño de los futuros egresados de la carrera de Medicina en el uso de la información científica en cualquier tipo de soporte, tiene relación con la presencia del componente informacional en el currículo de la carrera. Objetivos: diagnosticar qué niveles de representatividad tiene el componente informacional en el currículo de la carrera de Medicina, y en qué medida prepara a los estudiantes en el proceso de su formación para ser competentes informacionalmente. Métodos: se emplearon métodos del nivel empírico y del nivel teórico para diagnosticar en qué medida los contenidos de información científica presentes en el currículo de la carrera de Medicina contribuyen a formar estudiantes competentes informacionalmente. Resultados: se obtuvo un diagnóstico del nivel de competencia informacional de los estudiantes de 2do a 5to año de la carrera de Medicina de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Se realizó una evaluación interna de la presencia del componente informacional en el currículo de la carrera de Medicina. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico realizado reveló que son insuficientes los contenidos y actividades docentes incluidos en el currículo de Medicina dirigidos a formar un estudiante competente informacionalmente, y que los estudiantes alcanzan una deficiente preparación en el uso de los recursos informativos especializados en ciencias de la salud en el transcurso de su carrera.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the competence and performance of future medical graduates in the use of scientific information in any type of material media is related to the presence of the informational component in the study programme. Objective: to diagnose what levels of representativeness do the informational component has in the medicine programme and to what extent does it prepare students in their training process to be informationally competent. Methods: empirical and theoretical methods were used to diagnose to what extent the contents of scientific information included in the medicine programme contribute to the formation of competent students from the informational point of view. Results: a diagnosis of the level of informational competence of 2nd to 5th year medicine students at the University of Medical Sciences in Villa Clara was obtained. An internal evaluation of the presence of the informational component in the study programme of the Medicine career was conducted. Conclusions: the diagnosis showed that contents and teaching activities included in the study programme aimed at training a competent student informationally are insufficient and students achieve poor preparation in the use of specialized health science information resources throughout their careers.

Hospitalizaciones y mortalidad asociada a influenza, Honduras. 2011-2015 / Hospitalizations and deaths associated with Influenza, Honduras. 2011-2015

La carga de enfermedad por influenza está bien documentada en países de clima templado, pero hasta la fecha en Honduras solo se ha realizado un estudio, siendo este el segundo con respecto a la carga médica asociada a influenza. Objetivo: Estimar el número de hospitalizaciones y defunciones, debidos a la influenza, como causante de las infecciones respiratorias agudas en la población. Material yMétodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Seutilizó tres fuentes de datos secundarias:registros de todos los egresos hospitalarios, resultados de detección viral por influenza y proyecciones de población por grupos de edad. Se estimó la tasa de incidencia y su intervalo de confianza al 95%, combinando las tres fuentes de datos. Resultados: Las hospitalizaciones en las infecciones respiratorias agudas graves (IRAG) J09-J18 asociadas a influenza en el 2011-2015 son mayores en los menores de cinco años, en donde las hospitalizaciones son mayores en los años 2013 con 68.2 (IC 95%: 64.2-72.1) casos por 100, 000 habitantes. En el periodo 2011-2015. Las tasas de incidencia en las defunciones de IRAG asociadas a influenza1.Doctor(a) en medicina y cirugía.2.Doctor(a) en Pediatría3.Nivel Básico de Epidemiologia de Campo del FETP4.MSc.Epidemiólogo del FETP, coordinador de las enfermedades Transmisibles de la unidad devigilancia de la salud, Secretaria de Salud de HondurasAutor de correspondencia: Hommer Mejía, homams2003@yahool.comRecibido: Aprobado: (J09-J18) fueron mayores en el año 2014 con 1 caso (IC 95%: 0.4-1.6) por 100 000 habitantes. La circulación por influenza comenzó a incrementarse a partir de agosto del 2011 luego en los años 2012-2015 con picos altos durante los meses de octubre y noviembre. Conclusión: La carga médica asociada a influenza representa un impacto para los servicios de salud de Honduras, siendo los grupos de población en edades extremas, los que más hospitalizaciones y muertes presentaron. Se sugiere promover la vacunación contra influenza con la composición de cepas circulantes en el país y en temporada apropiada, enfatizando en los grupos más vulnerables de la población...(AU)

Assessing electronic immunization registries: the Pan American Health Organization experience

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To develop a methodology to assess electronic immunization registries (EIRs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods. A team from the Immunization Unit at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reviewed existing methodologies to evaluate health information systems, particularly the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework and methodologies used to assess information systems. In 2014, the PAHO team convened a small working group to develop an evaluation approach to be added to the existing World Health Organization immunization data quality self-assessment (DQS) tool. The resulting DQS with an added EIR component was named “DQS Plus.” The DQS Plus methodology was used in Panama in May 2014 and in Honduras in November 2015. Results. The DQS Plus tool proved feasible and easy to implement in Panama and Honduras, including by not adding much time or resources to those needed for a usual DQS. The information obtained from the DQS Plus assessment was practical and helped provide health authorities with recommendations to update and improve their EIR, strengthen the use of the registry, and enhance the data the assessment produced, at all levels of the health system. These recommendations are currently being implemented in the two countries. Conclusions. The DQS Plus proved to be a practical and useful approach for assessing an EIR in an LMIC and generating actionable recommendations. Further work on defining operational and related EIR functional standards in LMICs will help develop an improved EIR assessment tool for Latin America and the Caribbean, and potentially elsewhere.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Formular una metodología para evaluar los registros de inmunización electrónicos en los países de ingresos bajos y medianos de América Latina y el Caribe. Métodos. Un equipo de la Unidad de Inmunizaciones de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) examinó las metodologías existentes para evaluar los sistemas de información de salud, en particular el marco Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM), que analiza la gestión de la información sistemática, así como otras metodologías empleadas para evaluar los sistemas de información. En el 2014, el equipo de la OPS reunió a un pequeño grupo de trabajo para idear una estrategia de evaluación que se le agregaría a la herramienta existente de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para autoevaluación de la calidad de los datos (DQS) relativos a la inmunización. La herramienta DQS resultante, con un componente añadido de registros de inmunización electrónicos, se denominó “DQS Plus”. La metodología de DQS Plus se usó en Panamá en mayo del 2014 y en Honduras en noviembre del 2015. Resultados. Se demostró que la herramienta DQS Plus fue factible y fácil de aplicar en Panamá y Honduras, entre otras cosas por no requerir mucho tiempo ni recursos adicionales a los necesarios para la DQS ordinaria. La información obtenida mediante la evaluación con DQS Plus fue práctica y contribuyó a proporcionar a las autoridades sanitarias las recomendaciones para actualizar y mejorar sus registros de inmunización electrónicos, fortalecer el uso del registro y mejorar los datos que arrojó la evaluación, a todos los niveles del sistema de salud. En la actualidad están poniéndose en práctica dichas recomendaciones en los dos países. Conclusiones. Se demostró que DQS Plus es una estrategia práctica y útil para evaluar un registro de inmunización electrónico en los países de ingresos bajos y medianos y generar recomendaciones aplicables. El trabajo ulterior para definir las normas operativas y funcionales de los registros de inmunización electrónicos en los países de ingresos bajos y medianos contribuirá a crear una mejor herramienta de evaluación de dichos registros en América Latina y el Caribe, y posiblemente en otros sitios.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Elaborar uma metodologia para avaliar os registros eletrônicos de vacinação em países de baixa e média renda na América Latina e no Caribe. Métodos. Uma equipe da Unidade de Imunização da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) analisou as metodologias existentes para avaliação dos sistemas de informação em saúde, em particular a estructura de Desempenho da Gestão Rotineira dos Sistemas de Informação (PRISM) e as metodologias usadas para avaliação de sistemas de informação. Em 2014, a equipe da OPAS formou um pequeno grupo de trabalho com a incumbência de desenvolver um método de avaliação a ser integrado à ferramenta existente de autoavaliação da qualidade dos dados de imunização (DQS) da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). A ferramenta DQS com o novo componente de registros eletrônicos de vacinação foi denominada “DQS Plus”. A metodologia DQS Plus foi empregada no Panamá, em maio de 2014, e em Honduras, em novembro de 2015. Resultados. A ferramenta DQS Plus provou ser viável e fácil de ser implementada no Panamá e em Honduras, principalmente por não despender mais tempo ou recursos aos já necessários com a habitual ferramenta DQS. As informações obtidas na avaliação com a ferramenta DQS Plus foram práticas e contribuíram com recomendações às autoridades sanitárias de atualizar e melhorar os registros eletrônicos de vacinação, reforçar o uso do registro e aprimorar os dados produzidos com a avaliação em todos os níveis do sistema de saúde. Essas recomendações estão atualmente em fase de implementação nos dois países. Conclusões. A ferramenta DQS Plus é comprovadamente um método prático e útil para avaliar os registros eletrônicos de vacinação em países de baixa e média renda e gerar recomendações executáveis. Outros estudos com o objetivo de definir os padrões operacionais e funcionais relacionados aos registros eletrônicos de vacinação nos países de baixa e média renda devem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de uma versão aprimorada da ferramenta de avaliação de registros eletrônicos de vacinação para a América Latina e o Caribe e possivelmente para outras regiões.

La autoeficacia docente: un reto en el accionar del profesor universitario de las ciencias médicas / Teacher self-efficacy: a challenge in the actions of the university professor of medical sciences

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de indagar sobre la autoeficacia docente y su influencia en la calidad de la docencia universitaria. Se describe la evolución histórica del concepto enunciado por Bandura (1999) a partir de la Teoría Social Cognitiva de Rotter, que constituye un aporte para la comprensión de la adaptación y cambio humano; su desarrollo teórico-metodológico la ha posicionado como válida y confiable para explicar cómo sus componentes (mecanismos, fuentes y procesos) se encuentran mediados por la autoeficacia. Niveles de autoeficacia positivos o negativos marcan profundas consecuencias en el desempeño personal y/o profesional; es un reto para la academia motivar al claustro de profesores para asumir este concepto como factor determinante en su accionar sistemático en aras de incrementar la calidad del proceso docente educativo.

A bibliographic review was carried out with the objective of researching about the teaching self-efficacy and its influence on the quality of university teaching. The historical evolution of the concept enunciated by Bandura (1999) is described from the Social Cognitive Theory of Rotter, which constitutes a contribution for the understanding of adaptation and human change; Its theoretical-methodological development has positioned it as valid and reliable to explain how its components (mechanisms, sources and processes) are mediated by self-efficacy. Levels of positive or negative self-efficacy have profound consequences on personal and / or professional performance; it is a challenge for the academy to motivate the teaching staff to assume this concept as a determining factor in their systematic action in order to increase the quality of the teaching-learning process.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the introduction of the human papillomavirus vaccine in Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Honduras. With the availability of a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent for cervical cancer, the Honduran Secretary of Health undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis of introducing the HPV vaccine to support their national decision-making process. METHODS: A national multidisciplinary team conducted this analysis with the CERVIVAC model, developed by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization's ProVac Initiative. The cumulative costs and health benefits of introducing the HPV vaccine were assessed over the lifetime of one single cohort of 11-year-old girls. We assumed a three-dose series with 95% vaccination coverage of the cohort using a mixture of school-based and facility-based delivery. To estimate national cervical cancer cases and deaths, we used United Nations demographic projections and GLOBOCAN estimates based on registry data from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Based on estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Division of Intensified Cooperation with Countries (ICO), we assumed that 70% of cervical cancer would be due to vaccine types HPV16 and HPV18. We used a vaccine dose price of US$ 13.45 and evidence from the scientific literature to estimate vaccine effectiveness. National information was used to estimate health service utilization and costs of cervical cancer treatment. All costs and health benefits were discounted at 3%. RESULTS: Upon fully vaccinating 86,906 11-year old girls, 2250 (undiscounted) cervical cancer cases and 1336 (undiscounted) deaths would be prevented over the lifetime of the cohort. After discounting future health benefits at 3% per year, the equivalent cases and deaths prevented were 421 and 170. HPV vaccination is estimated to cost around US$ 5 million per vaccinated cohort, but this would be offset by around US$ 1 million in avoided costs borne by the government to treat cervical cancer. Furthermore, 4349 discounted disability adjusted life years (DALYs) could be avoided at a cost of US$ 926 per DALY avoided, making HPV vaccination in Honduras a highly cost-effective intervention. DISCUSSION: The net cost of HPV vaccination per DALY avoided is less than the WHO threshold for cost-effectiveness. However, at a cost of around US$ 5 million per vaccinated cohort, an important element to consider in this discussion is the budgetary implications that the introduction of the HPV vaccine would cause for the country. CONCLUSIONS: When comparing the costs and benefits of HPV vaccine introduction in Honduras, it is clear that this intervention would be highly cost-effective and that the intervention would greatly reduce cervical cancer disease. For these reasons, it is in the country's best interest to explore financing opportunities that could support the vaccine's introduction.

Caracterización de la preparación de los bibliotecarios en búsqueda y recuperación de información / Characterization of the training of librarians in the searching and retrieval of information

Fundamento: la búsqueda y recuperación de la información tiene una gran importancia en el desarrollo del conocimiento; esta puede realizarse a través de diferentes herramientas pero las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación, (TIC) imponen nuevos modos de comportamiento del bibliotecario, tanto en su vida social como laboral, si bien se aprecian dificultades en este sentido, y se indaga al respeto. Objetivo: caracterizar la preparación de los bibliotecarios del sistema de salud de Villa Clara en búsqueda y recuperación de información. Métodos: se emplean métodos del nivel teórico: analítico-sintético, histórico-lógico, inducción-deducción, sistémico y estructural-funcional. Del nivel empírico: observación, encuesta y análisis de documentos. Resultados: son escasos los estudios sistémicos realizados para solucionar la falta de conocimientos sobre búsqueda y recuperación de la información en los bibliotecarios de salud, el tiempo destinado a la superación profesional es insuficiente, no existen asignaturas incluidas en los planes de estudios que enseñen a utilizar herramientas que favorezcan el aprendizaje de los bibliotecarios ni una propuesta de superación sobre búsqueda y recuperación de la información en el contexto estudiado, y los materiales de consulta que existen en Infomed no son utilizados óptimamente. Conclusiones: se constata que aún existen deficiencias en la preparación de los bibliotecarios del sistema de salud en Villa Clara en búsqueda y recuperación de la información.

Background: the search and retrieval of information has great importance in the development of knowledge. It can be done through different tools, but the Information and Communication Technologies demand new ways of behavior of the librarians, both in their social and working life. There are difficulties in this respect which are inquired here. Objective: to characterize the training of librarians in the health system of Villa Clara in the search and retrieval of information. Methods: methods of the theoretical level are employed: analytic-synthetic, historical-logical, inductive-deductive, and systemic and structural- functional. Of the empirical level: observation, survey and document analysis. Results: there are scarce systemic studies done to solve the lack of knowledge about search and retrieval of information in the health librarians, the time devoted to their professional upgrading is insufficient, there are no subjects included in the curriculum that teach how to use tools that favor the learning of librarians, and there is no proposal on the search and retrieval of information in the context that is studied, and the reference materials that are available in Infomed are not used optimally. Conclusions: it was verified that there are still deficiencies in the training of librarians in the health system of Villa Clara concerning the search and retrieval of information.

Acciones para fortalecer el respaldo bibliográfico de los residentes de ciencias básicas biomédicas / Actions for further bibliographical support to residents in Biomedical Basic Sciences

Fundamento: la finalidad esencial de los servicios de referencia es dotar a los usuarios de la información de la localización y el acceso a todas las fuentes bibliográficas posibles de forma exhaustiva. Objetivo: elaborar un conjunto de acciones para fortalecer el respaldo bibliográfico que necesitan los residentes de las ciencias básicas biomédicas de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Métodos: se realizó un estudio cualitativo, en el área de Consulta y Referencia del Centro Provincial de Información de Villa Clara, en el período julio 2009-diciembre 2013; se utilizaron métodos teóricos: histórico-lógico y analítico sintético, y empíricos: análisis documental de los programas de formación de residentes, recopilación de la información y los datos que ofrecen las boletas de préstamo; y encuesta a los residentes, directivos y especialistas de experiencia para indagar acerca de la pertinencia de los fondos documentales del Servicio de Consulta y Referencia. Resultados: es evidente el nivel de desactualización del fondo bibliográfico, carece de diversidad y pertinencia, por lo que se elaboraron acciones para lograr un mayor respaldo bibliográfico para las necesidades de los residentes, y para el funcionamiento en general, con la incorporación del servicio de búsquedas automatizadas personalizadas y la realización de búsquedas digitales por encargo. Conclusiones: las acciones fueron valoradas como pertinentes por criterios de especialistas, porque contribuyen a transformar progresivamente el respaldo bibliográfico en el proceso de formación de residentes de las ciencias básicas biomédicas.

Background: the main purpose of the reference services is to provide users with information about the location, information and access to all possible literature sources exhaustively. Objective: to prepare a whole series of actions to strengthen the bibliographic support that residents in Biomedical Basic Sciences need, at the Medical University of Villa Clara. Methods: in the Consultation and Reference area at the Information Provincial Center, in Villa Clara, a qualitative study was conducted from July 2009 to December 2013. Theoretical methods: historical-logical and analytic-synthetic and empirical ones: documentary analysis of resident's curriculums, information retrieval and the data obtained from report cards, were used; and residents, managers and skilled specialists were surveyed to inquire about the relevance of the document collections at the Consultation and Reference Service. Results: it is obvious that bibliographic collection is outdated, it lacks diversity and relevance, so actions were developed to achieve greater bibliographic support for the needs of residents, and in general, to make the entire service operational, by incorporating the personalized automated search service. Conclusions: according to expert group criteria, actions were assessed as relevant, because they contribute to the progressive transformation of the bibliographic support to the professional training process for basic biomedical sciences residents.

Biblioteca del Centro Provincial de Información de Ciencias Médicas, Villa Clara: evaluación de su colección / Library of the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences, Villa Clara: an evaluation of its collection

Fundamento: la evaluación de la colección bibliográfica representa uno de los elementos de mayor importancia dentro del proceso de desarrollo de las bibliotecas, para garantizar la satisfacción de las necesidades informativas de sus usuarios. Objetivo: evaluar el estado actual de la colección bibliográfica que conforma la Biblioteca del Centro Provincial de Información de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Métodos: se realizó una investigación documental en el período comprendido del 2010 al 2012; se emplearon métodos teóricos: histórico-lógico y analítico-sintético; y empíricos: el análisis documental, y la encuesta en forma de entrevista a informantes clave, para conocer su respaldo bibliográfico de las diferentes especialidades dentro del fondo documental. Resultados: todas las especialidades están representadas dentro del fondo documental pero existen debilidades relacionadas con el cubrimiento, en relación con su desactualización; la composición temática fue evaluada de regular en seis especialidades, y una obtuvo la calificación de mal. La totalidad del fondo documental está debidamente procesado y es posible acceder a él mediante las bases de datos bibliográficas de referencia existentes. Conclusiones: en la evaluación realizada constituye una fortaleza la composición temática, y son debilidades el nivel de desactualización, y el tamaño por diversas categorías. En general, ninguna especialidad fue evaluada de excelente, de acuerdo con los indicadores establecidos.

Background: collection evaluation represents one of the most important elements within the collection development process in libraries for satisfying user's information needs. Objective: to evaluate the current state of the library collection that makes up the library at the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences in Villa Clara. Methods: a documentary research was conducted in the period from 2010 to 2012 period; theoretical methods: historical-logical and analytic-synthetic; and empirical ones: documental analysis, and the survey as key informant interview, were used, mainly to know, the lines of research in each of the specialties and to assess the status of them on the documentary collection. Results: all specialties are represented on the documentary collection but there are weaknesses related to informational coverage because information is outdated; the thematic composition was assessed regular in six specialties, and one of them was rated poorly. The entire documentary collection is duly processed and you may access to it through the existing bibliographic reference databases. Conclusions: in the evaluation that was performed, thematic composition is a strength and the outdating level, and size for various categories, are weaknesses. In general, according to previously established indicators, any specialty was assessed as excellent.

Software educativo para la ayuda del procesamiento analítico sintético de la información en la red de bibliotecas médicas de Villa Clara / Educational software to support the analytical-synthetic processing of information in the network of medical libraries of Villa Clara

El procesamiento analítico sintético es una de las etapas del ciclo de vida de la información que con la llegada de las nuevas tecnologías ha sufrido cambios. Después de realizar el diagnóstico de las necesidades de los bibliotecarios de la red de bibliotecas médicas, que en su mayoría son graduados de cultura y educación y no poseen suficientes conocimientos referentes al Sistema de Información de Ciencias Médicas, se ha constatado que el nivel de preparación para el procesamiento analítico sintético no es el más adecuado. Teniendo en consideración que los recursos humanos de la red tienen que estar preparados para garantizar la calidad del servicio, se propone elaborar un software para contribuir a la preparación de los bibliotecarios en el procesamiento analítico sintético de la información en la red de bibliotecas médicas de Villa Clara. Para el diagnóstico se aplicaron métodos y técnicas con enfoque cualitativo sin dejar de emplear algunos recursos con enfoque cuantitativo que posibilitaron conocer la situación actual en la red de bibliotecas médicas y determinar los contenidos a incluir en el software. Está estructurada en cinco temas con una interfaz amigable, donde el usuario puede navegar fácilmente por los temas de su interés en el tiempo que requiera. Con la puesta en práctica del software los bibliotecarios tienen a su disposición una fuente de información que brinda conocimientos y técnicas necesarias para el adecuado procesamiento analítico sintético de la información y una herramienta de consulta y apoyo para las actividades de superación e investigación

The introduction of new technologies has brought about changes in analytical-synthetic processing, one of the stages in the life cycle of information. Most librarians in the network of medical libraries are graduates in cultural and educational studies, and are not sufficiently familiar with the Medical Sciences Information System. A diagnosis of their needs showed that their training in analytical-synthetic processing is not adequate. Bearing in mind that personnel from the network should be ready to ensure the quality of services, we propose to develop a software supporting the training of librarians in analytical-synthetic processing of information in the network of medical libraries of Villa Clara. The diagnosis was based on qualitative methods and techniques as well as some quantitative resources making it possible to understand the current status of the network of medical libraries and determine the contents to be included. The software is structured into five topics, and a friendly interface enables users to easily move about their areas of interest at any moment. Implementation of the software will provide librarians with a source of information related to the knowledge and techniques required for the appropriate analytical-synthetic processing of information, as well as a tool for consultation and support to professional development and research activities

The hemibiotrophic cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa depends on a mitochondrial alternative oxidase for biotrophic development.

The tropical pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches' broom disease in cacao. As a hemibiotrophic fungus, it initially colonizes the living host tissues (biotrophic phase), and later grows over the dead plant (necrotrophic phase). Little is known about the mechanisms that promote these distinct fungal phases or mediate the transition between them. An alternative oxidase gene (Mp-aox) was identified in the M. perniciosa genome and its expression was analyzed througout the fungal life cycle. In addition, the effects of inhibitors of the cytochrome-dependent respiratory chain (CRC) and alternative oxidase (AOX) were evaluated on the in vitro development of M. perniciosa. Larger numbers of Mp-aox transcripts were observed in the biotrophic hyphae, which accordingly showed elevated sensitivity to AOX inhibitors. More importantly, the inhibition of CRC prevented the transition from the biotrophic to the necrotrophic phase, and the combined use of a CRC and AOX inhibitor completely halted fungal growth. On the basis of these results, a novel mechanism is presented in which AOX plays a role in the biotrophic development of M. perniciosa and regulates the transition to its necrotrophic stage. Strikingly, this model correlates well with the infection strategy of animal pathogens, particularly Trypanosoma brucei, which uses AOX as a strategy for pathogenicity.

The crystal structure of necrosis- and ethylene-inducing protein 2 from the causal agent of cacao's Witches' Broom disease reveals key elements for its activity.

The necrosis- and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (NEP1)-like proteins (NLPs) are proteins secreted from bacteria, fungi and oomycetes, triggering immune responses and cell death in dicotyledonous plants. Genomic-scale studies of Moniliophthora perniciosa, the fungus that causes the Witches' Broom disease in cacao, which is a serious economic concern for South and Central American crops, have identified five members of this family (termed MpNEP1-5). Here, we show by RNA-seq that MpNEP2 is virtually the only NLP expressed during the fungus infection. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results revealed that MpNEP2 has an expression pattern that positively correlates with the necrotic symptoms, with MpNEP2 reaching its highest level of expression at the advanced necrotic stage. To improve our understanding of MpNEP2's molecular mechanism of action, we determined the crystallographic structure of MpNEP2 at 1.8 Å resolution, unveiling some key structural features. The implications of a cation coordination found in the crystal structure were explored, and we show that MpNEP2, in contrast to another previously described member of the NLP family, NLP(Pya) from Pythium aphanidermatum, does not depend on an ion to accomplish its necrosis- and electrolyte leakage-promoting activities. Results of site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed the importance of a negatively charged cavity and an unforeseen hydrophobic ß-hairpin loop for MpNEP2 activity, thus offering a platform for compound design with implications for disease control. Electron paramagnetic resonance and fluorescence assays with MpNEP2 performed in the presence of lipid vesicles of different compositions showed no sign of interaction between the protein and the lipids, implying that MpNEP2 likely requires other anchoring elements from the membrane to promote cytolysis or send death signals.

A genome survey of Moniliophthora perniciosa gives new insights into Witches' Broom Disease of cacao.

BACKGROUND: The basidiomycete fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of Witches' Broom Disease (WBD) in cacao (Theobroma cacao). It is a hemibiotrophic pathogen that colonizes the apoplast of cacao's meristematic tissues as a biotrophic pathogen, switching to a saprotrophic lifestyle during later stages of infection. M. perniciosa, together with the related species M. roreri, are pathogens of aerial parts of the plant, an uncommon characteristic in the order Agaricales. A genome survey (1.9x coverage) of M. perniciosa was analyzed to evaluate the overall gene content of this phytopathogen. RESULTS: Genes encoding proteins involved in retrotransposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) resistance, drug efflux transport and cell wall degradation were identified. The great number of genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (1.15% of gene models) indicates that M. perniciosa has a great potential for detoxification, production of toxins and hormones; which may confer a high adaptive ability to the fungus. We have also discovered new genes encoding putative secreted polypeptides rich in cysteine, as well as genes related to methylotrophy and plant hormone biosynthesis (gibberellin and auxin). Analysis of gene families indicated that M. perniciosa have similar amounts of carboxylesterases and repertoires of plant cell wall degrading enzymes as other hemibiotrophic fungi. In addition, an approach for normalization of gene family data using incomplete genome data was developed and applied in M. perniciosa genome survey. CONCLUSION: This genome survey gives an overview of the M. perniciosa genome, and reveals that a significant portion is involved in stress adaptation and plant necrosis, two necessary characteristics for a hemibiotrophic fungus to fulfill its infection cycle. Our analysis provides new evidence revealing potential adaptive traits that may play major roles in the mechanisms of pathogenicity in the M. perniciosa/cacao pathosystem.

Characterization of necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins (NEP) in the basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom in Theobroma cacao.

The hemibiotrophic basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao. Analysis of the M. perniciosa draft genome led to the identification of three putative genes encoding necrosis and ethylene-inducing proteins (MpNEPs), which are apparently located on the same chromosome. MpNEP1 and 2 have highly similar sequences and are able to induce necrosis and ethylene emission in tobacco and cacao leaves. MpNEP1 is expressed in both biotrophic and saprotrophic mycelia, the protein behaves as an oligomer in solution and is very sensitive to temperature. MpNEP2 is expressed mainly in biotrophic mycelia, is present as a monomer in solution at low concentrations (<40 microM) and is able to recover necrosis activity after boiling. These differences indicate that similar NEPs can have distinct physical characteristics and suggest possible complementary roles during the disease development for both proteins. This is the first report of NEP1-like proteins in a basidiomycete.