Dissociable Contributions of Basolateral Amygdala and Ventrolateral Orbitofrontal Cortex to Flexible Learning Under Uncertainty.

Reversal learning measures the ability to form flexible associations between choice outcomes with stimuli and actions that precede them. This type of learning is thought to rely on several cortical and subcortical areas, including the highly interconnected orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), and is often impaired in various neuropsychiatric and substance use disorders. However, the unique contributions of these regions to stimulus- and action-based reversal learning have not been systematically compared using a chemogenetic approach particularly before and after the first reversal that introduces new uncertainty. Here, we examined the roles of ventrolateral OFC (vlOFC) and BLA during reversal learning. Male and female rats were prepared with inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs targeting projection neurons in these regions and tested on a series of deterministic and probabilistic reversals during which they learned about stimulus identity or side (left or right) associated with different reward probabilities. Using a counterbalanced within-subject design, we inhibited these regions prior to reversal sessions. We assessed initial and pre-/post-reversal changes in performance to measure learning and adjustments to reversals, respectively. We found that inhibition of the ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex (vlOFC), but not BLA, eliminated adjustments to stimulus-based reversals. Inhibition of BLA, but not vlOFC, selectively impaired action-based probabilistic reversal learning, leaving deterministic reversal learning intact. vlOFC exhibited a sex-dependent role in early adjustment to action-based reversals, but not in overall learning. These results reveal dissociable roles for BLA and vlOFC in flexible learning and highlight a more crucial role for BLA in learning meaningful changes in the reward environment.

A pilot study to assess the bacterial contaminants in hookah pipes in a community setting.

SETTING: Hookah smoking among young adults remains a public health threat. Increasing research has uncovered the deleterious effects of hookah smoking, including both acute and chronic health conditions. Due to the current lack of regulation, hookah bars/lounges lack protocols for equipment sanitation. OBJECTIVES: To examine evidence of bacterial contamination in hookah pipes due to a lack of sanitation regulations. DESIGN: For this field/laboratory study, 10 hookah bars/lounges were studied. Isolated bacteria were characterized and identified by species using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: At the 10 hookah bars sampled, the mouthpiece had the highest bacterial prevalence and diversity. Some of the bacterial isolates were found to be antibiotic-resistant. Ten of the isolated bacteria were Gram-positive and two were identified as Gram-negative. CONCLUSION: Levels of bacterial contamination vary widely from one hookah bar to the next, and reflect a lack of industry standards for cleaning these devices. Bacterial contamination of hookah pipes may represent a fomite for transmission of infectious diseases. Our results warrant future surveillance of hookahs to monitor for potential human pathogens.

Carcinoma linfoepitelial del cuello uterino / Linfoepitelial cancer of the cervix

El cáncer linfoepitelial del cuello uterino es excepcional en nuestro continente, el propósito de la presente publicación es evaluar la etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de un caso clínico. El estudio anátomo-patológico ofreció ciertas dificultades, por lo que se recurrió a la inmunohistoquímica para hacer el diagnóstico diferencial con el carcinoma epidermoide, el carcinoide de células grandes y el linfoma anaplásico. El compromiso del virus de Epstein-Barr y el virus del Papiloma Humano, con el cáncer linfoepitelial, no fueron con-cluyentes. Se encontró tinción positiva granular en el citoplasma de células epiteliodeas aisladas en relación al primero, e indicios de daño coilocitico en el epitelio pavimentoso en relación al segundo. La enfermedad se presentó como lesión única sangrante en el labio anterior del cuello uterino. El tratamiento fue quirúrgico con erradicación completa, lo que favorece el pronóstico.

Linfoepitelial cancer of the cervix is exceptional in our continent. The purpose of this publication is to evaluate the etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Anatomical and pathological study offered certain difficulties; immunohistochemistry was used to make the differential diagnosis with squamous carcinoma, large cell carcinoid and anaplastic lymphoma. Compromise of Epstein - Barr virus and virus of Human Papilloma, with linfoepitelial cancer, were not conclusive. We found positive granular staining in the cytoplasm of isolated epithelioid cells in relation to the first virus and koilocytic damage of the squamous epithelium in regard to the second. The disease was presented as unique, bloody injury, in the anterior lip of the cervix. The treatment was surgical with complete eradication, which favors the prognosis.

La biblioteca de Julio Lobo: una aproximación a su colección napoleónica / The library of Julio Lobo: an approach to Its Napoleonic collection

Se intenta esclarecer, a partir de documentos y entrevistas, los orígenes, el desarrollo y el destino de una de las joyas de la cultura cubana: la colección napoleónica de la biblioteca de Julio Lobo Olavarría(AU)

An attempt is made to clarify, based on documents and interviews, the origins, development and destiny of one of the jewels of the Cuban culture: the Napoleonic collection of the library of Julio Lobo Olavarría(AU)

La biblioteca de Julio Lobo: una aproximación a su colección napoleónica / The library of Julio Lobo: an approach to Its Napoleonic collection

Se intenta esclarecer, a partir de documentos y entrevistas, los orígenes, el desarrollo y el destino de una de las joyas de la cultura cubana: la colección napoleónica de la biblioteca de Julio Lobo Olavarría.

An attempt is made to clarify, based on documents and interviews, the origins, development and destiny of one of the jewels of the Cuban culture: the Napoleonic collection of the library of Julio Lobo Olavarría.

Correlación anatomopatológica de las hiperplasias endometriales antes y después de la histerectomía / Histopathological correlation of endometrial hyperplasia: before and after of hysterectomy

Objetivo: Correlacionar histológicamente las biopsias del legrado uterino con las biopsias de las piezas de histerectomía en pacientes con hiperplasia endometrial (HE). Método: Se diagnosticaron con biopsia de legrado uterino 90 pacientes con HE entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2005. De estas pacientes, 46 correspondieron a HE con atipia (grupo 1) y 44 a HE sin atipia (grupo 2). Todas las pacientes del grupo 1 se sometieron a histerectomía total más salpingooforectomía bilateral. A 28 pacientes del grupo 2 se les realizó la misma cirugía por patologías ginecológicas asociadas. Se compararon los resultados de las biopsias pre y postoperatorias de las 74 pacientes operadas, evaluándose la concordancia entre ellas. Resultados: En la biopsia de la pieza de histerectomía del grupo 1 se observan 31 casos con HE con atipia (67,4 por ciento), 13 casos (28,3 por ciento) sin atipias y 2 casos (4,3 por ciento) de cáncer endometrial. En el grupo 2 hubo 16 casos (57,1 por ciento) con HE sin atipia, 10 casos (35,7 por ciento) con endometrio normal y 2 (7,1 por ciento) casos de HE con atipia. La concordancia fue de un 63 por ciento (p=0,000) entre ambas biopsias y resultó significativamente más baja en el subgrupo de pacientes que presentaban atipias en la biopsia preoperatorio, respecto a las pacientes sin atipias (p=0,028). El likehood ratio de la biopsia preoperatorio de pacientes con HE con atipias fue de 33,2. Conclusión: El diagnóstico con biopsia preoperatoria por legrado, de las pacientes con HE, tuvo una precisión aceptable en comparación a la biopsia de la pieza operatoria, apoyando su utilidad en el manejo de estas pacientes.

Objective: To evaluate the hystopathologic correlation between curettage and hysterectomy specimens in patients with endometrial hyperplasia. Methods: 90 patients were diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia in curettage specimens between January 2001 and December 2005. Of these patients 46 were found to have atypical hyperplasia (group 1) and 44 hyperplasia without atypias (group 2). All the patients in group 1 had a total hysterectomy plus bilateral anexectomy; 28 patients of group 2 had the same surgery because of associate gynecological pathology. Curettage and hysterectomy specimens of 74 patients were compared and evaluated the concordance between them. Results: Of hysterectomy specimens in group 1, 31 cases had atypical hyperplasia (67.4 percent), 13 cases (28.3 percent) hyperplasia without atypias and 2 cases (4.3 percent) with endometrial carcinoma. In group 2, 16 cases (57.1 percent) of hyperplasia without atypias, 10 cases (35.7 percent) with normal endometrium and 2 (7.1 percent) cases of atypical hyperplasia were found. The agreement of the hysto-pathological diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia between both biopsies was 63 percent (p=0.000) and it was significantly lower in the subgroup of patients that had atypias on the curettage biopsy with respect to the patients with hyperplasia with no atypias (p=0.028). The likehood ratio of the biopsy by curettage of patients with atypias was of 33.2. Conclusion: The accuracy of the curettage biopsies as compared with hysterectomy specimens in patients with endometrial hyperplasia was acceptable, supporting its usefulness in the management of these patients.

La revista Cuba Bibliotecológica: reflejo del desarrollo de la bibliotecología cubana en la década de los años 1950 / The Cuba Bibliotecológica journal: reflex of the development of the Cuban Library Science in the 1950s

Se realizó un examen multifacético de la revista Cuba Bibliotecológica, con el objetivo de determinar su aporte al desarrollo de la bibliotecología cubana de la década de los años 1950. Para esto, se creó una base de datos en la que se describió la totalidad de los artículos, reseñas de libros y noticias publicadas y se realizó un estudio métrico que reveló las tendencias de la disciplina durante el período en estudio. Por último, se aplicó un análisis de contenido a las contribuciones comprendidas en cada número de la publicación analizada(AU)

A multifaceted study of the Cuba Bibliotecológica journal was made with the objective of determining its contribution to the development of Cuban library science in the 1950s. To this end, a database was created containing the description of all articles, book reviews and news published, and a metric study was conducted to reveal the tendencies of this discipline during the studied period. Finally, a content analysis of the contributions included in each number of the analyzed publication was made(AU)

La revista Cuba Bibliotecológica: reflejo del desarrollo de la bibliotecología cubana en la década de los años 1950 / The Cuba Bibliotecológica journal: reflex of the development of the Cuban Library Science in the 1950s

Se realizó un examen multifacético de la revista Cuba Bibliotecológica, con el objetivo de determinar su aporte al desarrollo de la bibliotecología cubana de la década de los años 1950. Para esto, se creó una base de datos en la que se describió la totalidad de los artículos, reseñas de libros y noticias publicadas y se realizó un estudio métrico que reveló las tendencias de la disciplina durante el período en estudio. Por último, se aplicó un análisis de contenido a las contribuciones comprendidas en cada número de la publicación analizada.

A multifaceted study of the Cuba Bibliotecológica journal was made with the objective of determining its contribution to the development of Cuban library science in the 1950s. To this end, a database was created containing the description of all articles, book reviews and news published, and a metric study was conducted to reveal the tendencies of this discipline during the studied period. Finally, a content analysis of the contributions included in each number of the analyzed publication was made.

La metodología de la investigación en la formación del profesional de Bibliotecología y Ciencia de la Información / Research Methodology in the Formation of the Library Science and Information Science Professional

Se realiza una aproximación a la introducción y desarrollo de la metodología de la investigación en la formación del profesional en Bibliotecología y Ciencia de la Información en Cuba. Se describe la evolución de los contenidos de los planes de estudio de la asignatura. Finalmente, se explora el estado de opinión de los estudiantes sobre esta asignatura en la Facultad de Comunicación de la Universidad de La Habana(AU)

An approximation is carried out, to the introduction and development of the research methodology in the formation of the library science and information science professional in Cuba. The evolution of the contents of the study plans of the subject is described. Finally, the state of opinion of the students of this subject is explored, in the Faculty of Communication of the University of Havana(AU)

La metodología de la investigación en la formación del profesional de Bibliotecología y Ciencia de la Información / Research Methodology in the Formation of the Library Science and Information Science Professional

Se realiza una aproximación a la introducción y desarrollo de la metodología de la investigación en la formación del profesional en Bibliotecología y Ciencia de la Información en Cuba. Se describe la evolución de los contenidos de los planes de estudio de la asignatura. Finalmente, se explora el estado de opinión de los estudiantes sobre esta asignatura en la Facultad de Comunicación de la Universidad de La Habana.

An approximation is carried out, to the introduction and development of the research methodology in the formation of the library science and information science professional in Cuba. The evolution of the contents of the study plans of the subject is described. Finally, the state of opinion of the students of this subject is explored, in the Faculty of Communication of the University of Havana.

La lectura en las tabaquerías en Cuba / Reading in the Cuban cigar factories

Se examina el fenómeno de la lectura en las tabaquerías en Cuba desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad; se abordan los inicios de la actividad, la lectura de tabaquería y los tabaqueros en las luchas sociales del siglo XIX, los tabaqueros emigrados y José Martí en la Tribuna Avanzada de la Libertad, la lectura en las tabaquerías de la república, así como la lectura en las tabaquerías en el período posrevolucionario(AU)

The phenomenon of reading activity in cigar factories was studied from its origins to the present day; the starting of the reading activity at cigar factory; the involvement of workers in the 21ST century social struggle, the immigrant cigar factory workers and the work of José Martí in Tribuna Avanzada de la Libertad were addressed. An analysis was made of the reading activity at cigar factories at republican times and after the triumph of the revolution

La lectura en las tabaquerías en Cuba / Reading in the Cuban cigar factories

Se examina el fenómeno de la lectura en las tabaquerías en Cuba desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad; se abordan los inicios de la actividad, la lectura de tabaquería y los tabaqueros en las luchas sociales del siglo XIX, los tabaqueros emigrados y José Martí en la Tribuna Avanzada de la Libertad, la lectura en las tabaquerías de la república, así como la lectura en las tabaquerías en el período posrevolucionario.

The phenomenon of reading activity in cigar factories was studied from its origins to the present day; the starting of the reading activity at cigar factory; the involvement of workers in the 21ST century social struggle, the immigrant cigar factory workers and the work of José Martí in Tribuna Avanzada de la Libertad were addressed. An analysis was made of the reading activity at cigar factories at republican times and after the triumph of the revolution.

Facial skin fluorescence as a marker of the skin's response to chronic environmental insults and its dependence on age.

BACKGROUND: Throughout life facial skin is exposed to a variety of adverse environmental conditions and is constantly required to repair itself. The rate of epidermal cell proliferation is indicative of the skin's repair rate and can be monitored noninvasively in vivo using skin intrinsic fluorescence markers. OBJECTIVES: The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of ageing, geographical region, ethnic origin and season on the ability of facial skin to repair itself in the presence of chronic environmental insults using in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy. METHODS: Skin fluorescence emission was measured on the cheeks of 522 individuals in winter and repeated in summer in five different geographical locations in the Asia-Pacific region. Fluorescence emission was also measured from 80 caucasians of fair complexion in the United States (New Jersey area) on the face and on a relatively protected area (upper inner arm). The age range of the participants was 14-75 years. RESULTS: We found that epidermal proliferation rates decrease monotonically with age, while the fluorescence of collagen and elastin cross-links increases with age indicating accumulation of advanced glycation end-products. These trends were independent of geographical region, ethnic origin and season of measurement. Epidermal proliferation rates of facial skin were higher than those of unexposed sites; they may be 10 times higher in younger (second decade) than in older (seventh decade) individuals, and they decrease with age at rates 10 times faster compared with those of unexposed sites. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that epidermal proliferation and its dependence on ageing have been measured noninvasively on the human face. The higher tryptophan fluorescence values on the face vs. the protected site are indicative of accelerated rates of epidermal proliferation in the presence of chronic environmental insults. The repair potential of facial skin, i.e. its ability to maintain high proliferation rates, is maximal in younger populations and gradually decreases with age.

Carcinoma escamoso ovárico bilateral / Bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary

Se presenta un caso clínico de carcinoma escamoso de ovario bilateral, derivado de un teratoma quístico maduro de ovario derecho, en paciente de 41 años, que ingresó de urgencia por dolor y aumento de volumen pélvico. Se efectuó histerectomía total más salpingooforectomía bilateral, omentectomía infracólica, apendicectomía, citología líquido peritoneal y resección parcial de tumor en fondo de saco de Douglas que comprometía el recto. Fue derivada a centro oncológico, se efectuó nueva cirugía y quimioterapia complementaria. Fallece a los 7 meses de su cirugía inicial.

Mecanismo de infección y transformación neoplásica producido por virus papiloma humano en el epitelio cervical / Infection mechanism and neoplastic transformation produced by human papilloma virus in cervical epithelium

Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica del mecanismo de infección y transformación neoplásica producida por el virus papiloma humano, de alto riesgo oncogénico, en el epitelio cervical. Se expone la interacción cápside receptor, internalización celular, expresión de genes tempranos, integración del genoma viral al de la célula huésped y algunos mecanismos vinculados a la proliferación y desarrollo neoplásico.

Tumor borderline mucinoso ovárico gigante con microinvasión / Borderline mucinous ovarian tumor with microinvasion

Se presenta caso clínico de tumor borderline mucinoso gigante de ovario derecho operado. Se describe una breve revisión de la literatura, incluyendo los conceptos de microinvasión, arquitectura micropapilar, implantes, así como algunas características de su patogenia y tratamiento.

Neurofibromatosis tipo I diagnosticada en el embarazo / Diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type I in pregnancy

Se presenta un caso clínico de neurofibromatosis tipo I diagnosticada a las 28 semanas de embarazo con evolución materna y fetal satisfactoria.

Fisiopatología de la rotura prematura de las membranas ovulares em embarazos de pretérmino / Physiopathology of the premature rupture of membranes in preterm pregnancies

Se revisa la información de la literatura respecto de la estructura de las membranas ovulares, describiendo la zona de morfología alterada extrema, los mecanismos fisiopatológicos involucrados en la rotura prematura de membranas (destacando el proceso de apoptosis), relacionados a infección, isquemia placentaria, distensión de membranas, hemorragia coriodecidual, tabaquismo, relaxina, prolactina, hormona paratiroídea.

Plasmodium falciparum EBA-140 kDa protein peptides that bind to human red blood cells.

The erythrocyte-binding antigen 140 (EBA140) sequence was chemically synthesized in 61 20-mer sequential peptides covering the entire 3D7 protein strain, each of which was tested in erythrocyte-binding assays. Peptides 26135, 26144, 26147, 26160, 26170 and 26177 presented high erythrocyte-binding activity, with affinity constants ranging from 350 to 750 nM. Critical erythrocyte-binding residues were determined by competition-binding assays with glycine analogous peptides. Cross-linking assays with SDS-PAGE from high erythrocyte membrane protein binding peptides showed that all these peptides bound specifically to 25, 52 and 75 kDa erythrocyte membrane proteins. The nature of these receptor sites was studied in peptide-binding assays using enzyme-treated erythrocytes, showing that these protein receptors are susceptible to structural changes provoked by enzyme treatment (neuraminidase, trypsin or chymotrypsin). Inhibition invasion assays in 'in vitro' cultures showed that all specific high binding sequences were able to inhibit invasion by 11-69% at 200 microM concentration.