Relationships between Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Clinical Measures in Naïve Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients Treated with Intravitreal Ranibizumab.

Our objective was to evaluate changes in patient-reported outcome measures using the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire during a treat and extend regimen in naive neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients, and its correlation with anatomical and functional data. We conducted a prospective observational study. Patients underwent a treat and extend regimen with intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Initial response was evaluated at 4th month, and subsequently in every follow-up visit. If a clinical response was achieved, the injection interval was extended in two-week increments, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Quality of life was assessed using the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire at baseline, 4th months, and 12th months. Patients were categorized as good or poor responders based on Best corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, intraretinal fluid, or subretinal fluid. Treatment with ranibizumab led to a significant improvement in quality of life, with a mean increase in NEI-VFQ 25 score of 4.27 points in the 12th month. No significant differences in improvement were observed between good and poor responders. Quality of life scores in neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients improved with intravitreal treatment regardless of the clinical response. The early response following the loading phase could indicate better quality of life after one year of treatment, with Best corrected visual acuity being the clinical parameter with the greatest influence on quality of life.

The Effect of Systemic Parameters and Baseline Characteristics in Short-Term Response Analysis with Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Treatment-Naive Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs keep being the main therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Possible predictive parameters (demographic, biochemical and/or inflammatory) could anticipate short-term treatment response with ranibizumab. 46 treatment-naive patients were included in a prospective observational study. They underwent three monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular AMD and the clinical examination was made at baseline and one month after the third injection. Demographic characteristics, co-morbidities and concomitant treatments were recorded at the baseline visit. Biochemical parameters, complete blood count and inflammation biomarkers were also measured at these times. Uric Acid was found to be statistically significant with a one-point difference between good and poor responders in both basal and treated patients, but only in basal parameters was statistical significance reached (p = 0.007 vs. p = 0.071 in treated patients). Cholesterol and inflammatory parameters such as white blood cell count and neutrophils were significantly reduced over time when treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. On the other hand, women seemed to have a worse prognosis for short-term response to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Uric acid may help identify possible non-responders before initial treatment with ranibizumab, and cholesterol and white blood cells could be good candidates to monitor short-term response to ranibizumab treatment.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters of low-cost air purifiers in community-based organizations.

This study aims to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in public spaces and assess the utility of inexpensive air purifiers equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for viral detection. Samples were collected from six community-based organizations in underserved minority neighborhoods in Northwest Miami, Florida, from February to May 2022. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in air purifier filters and surface swabs. Among 32 filters tested, three yielded positive results, while no positive surface swabs were found. Notably, positive samples were obtained exclusively from child daycare centers. These findings highlight the potential for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor air, particularly in child daycare centers. Moreover, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of readily available HEPA filters in detecting the virus. Improving indoor ventilation and implementing air filtration systems are crucial in reducing COVID-19 transmission where people gather. Air filtration systems incorporating HEPA filters offer a valuable approach to virus detection and reducing transmission risks. Future research should explore the applicability of this technology for early identification and mitigation of viral outbreaks.

Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms on the Short-Term Response to Ranibizumab in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To determine whether genetic risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) influence short-term response to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Methods: Forty-four treatment-naive AMD patients were included in a prospective observational study. They underwent three monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular AMD. After an initial clinical examination (baseline measurement), a follow-up visit was performed to determine treatment response one month after the third injection (treatment evaluation). Patients were evaluated based on ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography. Peripheral venous blood was collected for DNA analysis at baseline visit. Patients were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms within AMD-relevant genes and classified on good or poor responders based on visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intraretinal fluid, and subretinal fluid. Results: One hundred ten AMD-associated SNPs have been analyzed. Six were found to be relevant when associated to ranibizumab treatment response. The genetic variants rs890293 (CYP2J2), rs11200638 (HTRA1), rs405509 (APOE), rs9513070 (FLT1), and rs8135665 (SLC16A8) predisposed patients to a good response, whereas rs3093077 (CRP) was associated with a poor response. FTL1, SLC16A8, and APOE were the SNPs that showed significance (P < 0.05) but did not pass Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: This is the first study that links novel polymorphisms in genes such as CRP, SCL16A8, or CYP2J2 to treatment response to ranibizumab therapy. On the other hand, HTRA1, FLT1, and APOE are linked to a good ranibizumab response. These SNPs may be good candidates for short-term treatment response biomarkers in AMD patients. However, further studies will be necessary to confirm our findings.

Real-Time Mobile Teleophthalmology for the Detection of Eye Disease in Minorities and Low Socioeconomics At-Risk Populations.

PURPOSE: To examine the benefits and feasibility of a mobile, real-time, community-based, teleophthalmology program for detecting eye diseases in the New York metro area. DESIGN: Single site, nonrandomized, cross-sectional, teleophthalmologic study. METHODS: Participants underwent a comprehensive evaluation in a Wi-Fi-equipped teleophthalmology mobile unit. The evaluation consisted of a basic anamnesis with a questionnaire form, brief systemic evaluations and an ophthalmologic evaluation that included visual field, intraocular pressure, pachymetry, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, posterior segment optical coherence tomography, and nonmydriatic fundus photography. The results were evaluated in real-time and follow-up calls were scheduled to complete a secondary questionnaire form. Risk factors were calculated for different types of ophthalmological referrals. RESULTS: A total of 957 participants were screened. Out of 458 (48%) participants that have been referred, 305 (32%) had glaucoma, 136 (14%) had narrow-angle, 124 (13%) had cataract, 29 had (3%) diabetic retinopathy, 9 (1%) had macular degeneration, and 97 (10%) had other eye disease findings. Significant risk factors for ophthalmological referral consisted of older age, history of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, Hemoglobin A1c measurement of ≥6.5, and stage 2 hypertension. As for the ocular parameters, all but central corneal thickness were found to be significant, including having an intraocular pressure >21 mm Hg, vertical cup-to-disc ratio ≥0.5, visual field abnormalities, and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile, real-time teleophthalmology is both workable and effective in increasing access to care and identifying the most common causes of blindness and their risk factors.

Interrupción del embarazo en adolescentes de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Interruption of pregnancy in adolescents from Santiago de Cuba province

Introducción: La educación sexual debe promover actitudes positivas hacia una sexualidad responsable y contribuir a adoptar una postura activa para prevenir riesgos en las personas que inician su vida sexual. Objetivo: Caracterizar las adolescentes con interrupciones de embarazo según variables seleccionadas. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 16 356 adolescentes, a quienes se les interrumpió el embarazo, pertenecientes a la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, durante el quinquenio 2012-2016. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, total de adolescentes a quienes se les interrumpió el embarazo según métodos y procederes, así como tipo de interrupción. Resultados: Del total de interrupciones de embarazos, 25,3 % correspondió a adolescentes. Predominó el grupo etario de 15-19 años. Estas adolescentes decidieron no continuar el embarazo en edad gestacional avanzada (8-12 semanas). Entre los 2 métodos utilizados tuvo mayor frecuencia la práctica del aborto, lo cual continúa siendo un problema de salud en este segmento poblacional. Conclusiones: Las adolescentes mostraron un porcentaje significativo del total de interrupciones del embarazo entre las mujeres que se encontraban edad fértil, con un predominio del grupo de 15 -19 años de edad; el método más utilizado fue el aborto.

Introduction: Sexual education should promote positive attitudes toward a responsible sexuality and contribute to adopt an active posture to prevent risks in people that begin their sexual life. Objective: To characterize the adolescents with pregnancy interruptions according to selected variables. Method: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of 16 356 adolescents from Santiago de Cuba, who interrupted their pregnancy was carried out, from 2012 to 2016. The following variables were analyzed: age, total of adolescents who interrupted their pregnancy according to methods and procedures, as well as type of interruption. Results: Of the total of pregnancies interruptions, 25.3 % corresponded to adolescents. The 15-19 age group prevailed. These adolescents decided not to continue the pregnancy in advanced gestational age (8-12 weeks). Among the 2 methods used the practice of abortion had a higher frequency, what is still a health problem in this sector of the population. Conclusions: The adolescents showed a significant percentage of the total of pregnancy interruptions among the women that were in fertility age, with a prevalence of the 15-19 age group; the most used method was abortion.

Caracterización de pacientes con hipertensión arterial en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Characterization of patients with hypertension in Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial es un trastorno grave que incrementa de manera significativa el riesgo de sufrir cardiopatías, encefalopatías, nefropatías y otras enfermedades, a la vez que constituye una de las principales causas de muerte prematura en el mundo. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con hipertensión arterial en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 210 pacientes con hipertensión arterial, pertenecientes a 30 consultorios de los municipios Santiago de Cuba, Contramaestre y San Luis de la citada provincia. Las principales variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, ocupación, color de la piel, tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad, antecedentes patológicos personales, evaluación nutricional, así como control y tratamiento. Resultados: En la serie predominaron el sexo femenino, el grupo etario de 65-79 años, la diabetes mellitus como antecedente patológico personal, así como el sobrepeso y la obesidad según la evaluación nutricional. Por otra parte, 57,1 % padecía la enfermedad desde hacía 10 años y a 85,7 % se le había indicado tratamiento no farmacológico; mientras que 79,5 % no realizaba ejercicios físicos y solo 50,5 % fueron catalogados como controlados. Conclusiones: El no control de la presión arterial en la población hipertensa de este territorio la expone a la aparición de complicaciones cardiovasculares, con la repercusión que conlleva para el individuo, la familia y la sociedad.

Introduction: Hypertension is a serious disorder that increases in a significant way the risk of suffering heart, brain, kydney diseases and others, at the same time that constitutes one of the main causes of early death in the world. Objective: To characterize patients with hypertension in Santiago de Cuba. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 210 patients with hypertension, belonging to 30 family doctor´s offices of Santiago de Cuba, Contramaestre and San Luis municipalities of the mentioned county was carried out. The main variables analyzed were: age, sex, occupation, skin color, clinical course period of the disease, personal pathological history, nutritional evaluation, as well as control and treatment. Results: In the series the female sex, 65-79 age group, diabetes mellitus as personal pathological history prevailed, as well as overweight and obesity according to the nutritional evaluation. On the other hand, 57.1 % suffered from the disease for 10 years and 85.7 % had been indicated non pharmacological treatment; while 79.5 % didn't make physical exercises and just 50.5 % were classified as controlled. Conclusions: The non control of blood pressure in the hypertensive population of this territory exposes them to the emergence of cardiovascular complications, with the repercussion that bears for the individual, family and society.

Phytochemical Compounds and Antioxidant Activity Modified by Germination and Hydrolysis in Mexican Amaranth.

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) grains have become essential for human health and nutrition; due to the presence of bioactive compounds that have shown some biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of germination, enzymatic hydrolysis, and its combination on the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity in Mexican amaranth. Germinated amaranth flours (GAF) exhibited increases in the concentrations of soluble protein (SP), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity (AOX) by 35.7, 17.2, 163.0, 1472.2, and 54.3%, respectively, compared with ungerminated amaranth flours (UAF). In SDS-PAGE, both hydrolysates of UAF and GAF exhibited low molecular weight bands (< 10 kDa). The hydrolysates of UAFH and GAFH had the highest degree of hydrolysis at 205 min of sequential hydrolysis (pepsin with pancreatin) time with 73.4 and 60.3%, respectively. Both hydrolysates obtained from GAF and UAF released significantly SP, TPC, TFC after sequential enzymatic hydrolysis (up 205 min), which led to a remarkable improvement of AOX when compared to nonhydrolyzed amaranth samples. The UAFH and GAFH had the best AOX at 270 min of enzymatic hydrolysis with 983.1 and 1304.9 µmol TE/mg SP, respectively. Hence, the combination of germination and enzymatic hydrolysis could be used to produce functional ingredients for food product development.

Pharmacological Advances in the Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration is an acquired degenerative disease that is responsible for severe loss of vision in elderly people. There are two types: dry age-related macular degeneration and wet age-related macular degeneration. Its treatment has been improved and tries to be tailored in the future. The aim of this review is to summarize the pharmacological advances in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Regarding dry AMD, there is no effective treatment to reduce its progression. However, some molecules such as lampalizumab and eculizumab were under investigation, although they have shown low efficacy. Herein, in an attempt to prevent dry AMD progression, the most important studies suggested increasing the antioxidants intake and quitting the smoke habit. On the other hand, wet AMD has more developed treatment. Nowadays, the gold standard treatment is anti-VEGF injections. However, more effective molecules are currently under investigation. There are different molecules under research for dry AMD and wet AMD. This fact could help us treat our patients with more effective and lasting drugs but more clinical trials and safety studies are required in order to achieve an optimal treatment.

A Prospective Randomized Blinded Trial of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been proposed as an intervention to protect myocardium and attenuate end-organ dysfunction associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. We investigated the effect of RIPC in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass involving clinical outcome, cardiac and end-organ function, inflammatory response, and myocardial gene expression. A prospective, investigator-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was performed. Patients were randomized into RIPC or Control; RIPC consisted of three 5-minute cycles of limb ischemia-reperfusion taking place 1 and 12 hours preoperatively. Clinical outcomes included cardiac function, ICU surveillance, and renal function. In addition, inflammatory markers and myocardial gene expression were evaluated. RIPC patients required shorter ICU stay (days), RIPC: 1.8 (0.94-3.88) vs Control: 4.9 (1.63-7.20), P = 0.029. Echocardiography parameters demonstrated reduced biventricular function following surgery showing no difference between groups. A nonsignificant trend for reduced troponin was observed following RIPC: AUC analysis, RIPC: 393.05 (98.85-1038.73) vs Control: 596.10 (225.38-954.24) P = 0.75. B-type natriuretic peptide and renal function parameters were similar between groups. Postoperative TNF-α was significantly reduced after RIPC, RIPC: 15.42 (7.81-114.86) vs Control: 108.98 (42.28-301.19) P = 0.02. Remaining inflammatory markers demonstrated no significant difference between groups. HSP-60 showed lower myocardial expression following RIPC, RIPC: 3.95 (2.69-6.28) vs Control: 6.83 (4.74-8.81), P = 0.05. Expression of other analyzed genes was not influenced by RIPC. RIPC was associated with shorter ICU stay and reduced TNF-α but did not influence other clinical outcomes, not confer protection against cardiac injury or renal dysfunction. The association between RIPC and ICU stay may be influenced by unaccounted latent variables, including cardiac morphology.

Características de parejas infértiles en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Characteristics of infertile couples in Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: La incidencia de la infertilidad ha aumentado y, de acuerdo con médicos expertos y diversos organismos especializados, existe una clara relación entre el sistema de vida actual y la disminución de la fertilidad. Objetivo: Caracterizar a las parejas infértiles según variables clínico-epidemiológicas seleccionadas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 132 parejas infértiles asistidas en la consulta de Infertilidad y Reproducción Asistida del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso, durante el año 2018. Resultados: Un elevado número de las féminas tenían edades superiores a los 40 años (32,2 %), 7 % de las parejas estudiadas fueron diagnosticadas con infertilidad secundaria y existió 33,3 % de prevalencia del hábito de fumar, con predominio en el sexo masculino. Conclusiones: La edad de las féminas, las infecciones de transmisión sexual y el antecedente de abortos previos pudieran ser las principales causas de infertilidad en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba.

Introduction: The incidence of infertility has increased and, according to expert doctors and diverse specialized organizations, a clear relationship exists between the system of current life and the decrease of fertility. Objective: To characterize the infertile couples according to selected clinical-epidemiological variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of 132 infertile couples assisted in the Infertility Service and Assisted Reproduction of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital, was carried out during 2018. Results: A high number of women were older than 40 years (32.2%), as long as, seven percent of the studied couples was diagnosed with secondary infertility and thirty three point three percent presented nicotine addiction, with prevalence in the male sex. Conclusions: The age of women, sexually transmitted infections and history of previous abortions could be the main causes of infertility in Santiago de Cuba.

Critical Thinking and its Importance in Doctoral Education / Pensamiento crítico y su importancia en la educación doctoral / O Pensamento Crítico e sua Importância na Educação de Doutorado

Abstract Introduction: For a doctoral student it is necessary and mandatory to conduct research that leads them to move the frontier of knowledge. In this context, how does critical thinking contribute to generating new knowledge? Many authors attempt to explain and define critical thinking. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the most relevant critical thinking models and to develop a model for this personal attribute in doctoral education. Materials and methods: Seminal works and the most significant models of critical thinking were reviewed in the current literature. Results: A critical thinking model in doctoral education was developed as an integration of the most important contributions of all authors. Conclusions: We argue that there is not a unique definition for this concept and that critical thinking may be understood as a process rather than as a tool, attribute or skill.

Resumen: Introducción. Para un estudiante doctoral es necesario y obligatorio llevar a cabo una investigación que lo conduce a mover la frontera del conocimiento. En este contexto, ¿cómo contribuye el pensamiento crítico a generar nuevo conocimiento? Muchos autores intentan explicar y definir el pensamiento crítico. Objetivo. El propósito de este trabajo es discutir los modelos de pensamiento crítico más relevantes y desarrollar un modelo para este atributo personal en la educación doctoral. Materiales y métodos. Los trabajos seminales y los modelos más significativos de pensamiento crítico fueron revisados en la literatura actual. Resultados. Se desarrolló un modelo de pensamiento crítico en la educación doctoral, como una integración de las contribuciones más importantes de todos los autores. Conclusión. Argumentamos que no existe una definición única para este concepto y que el pensamiento crítico puede ser entendido como un proceso más que como una herramienta, atributo o habilidad.

Resumo: Introdução. Para um aluno de doutorado é necessário e obrigatório realizar uma investigação que o leve a mover a fronteira do conhecimento. Neste contexto, como o pensamento crítico contribui para gerar novos conhecimentos? Muitos autores tentam explicar e definir o pensamento crítico. Objetivo. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir os modelos de pensamento crítico mais relevantes e desenvolver um modelo para este atributo pessoal na educação de doutorado. Materiais e métodos. Trabalhos seminais e os modelos mais significativos de pensamento crítico foram revisados na literatura atual. Resultados. Um modelo de pensamento crítico na formação de doutorado foi desenvolvido como uma integração das contribuições mais importantes de todos os autores. Conclusões. Nós argumentamos que não existe uma definição única para esse conceito e que o pensamento crítico pode ser entendido como um processo e não como uma ferramenta, atributo ou habilidade.

Selling of Products: The Use of Single-Electrode Wireless EEG in Consumer Behavior.

The results of three different groups of customers, each exposed to a different sales technique, were compared in order to evaluate which sales technique was more effective for achieving higher levels of sustained attention. The study used the Neurosky headband to measure brainwaves in millivolts. The three compared sales techniques were: 1) the training technique for sale, termed as structured by the AIDA model; 2) the traditional sale, here called unstructured; 3) and a structured technique with the help of simultaneous stimulation by several neuroattentional pathways, prescribed by the developments of the neuroscience of consumption (CN). The results showed a statistically significant difference in achieved sustained attention levels, presenting higher levels in clients exposed to the sales training technique and ower scores in those exposed to one of the techniques used by the CN. These results are discussed in relation to the concept of sustained attention in clients when the stimulation of a single neuroattentional pathway is used as compared to the activation of several pathways simultaneously.

Con el objetivo de conocer qué tipo de técnica de venta es más efectiva en lograr mayores niveles de atención sostenida, se compararon los resultados obtenidos por tres grupos de clientes expuestos, cada uno, a una técnica de venta de un mismo producto. Para el efecto se recurrió a la medición en milivoltios de ondas cerebrales de atención a través de diademas Neurosky. Las tres técnicas de venta comparadas fueron: 1) la técnica de entrenamiento en venta, estructurada según el modelo AIDA; 2) la venta tradicional, denominada aquí como no estructurada; 3) y una técnica estructurada con ayuda de estimulación simultánea por varias vías neuroatencionales, prescrita por los desarrollos de la neurociencia del consumo (NC). Los resultados mostraron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los niveles de atención sostenida alcanzados, presentando mayores niveles en los clientes expuestos a la técnica de entrenamiento en venta y menores puntajes en aquellos expuestos a una de las técnicas usadas por la NC. Estos resultados se discuten en relación con el concepto de atención sostenida en los clientes, cuando se recurre a la estimulación de una vía neuroatencional en comparación con la activación de varias vías simultáneamente.

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de parejas infértiles / Clinical-Epidemiological characterization of infertile couples

Introducción: Aproximadamente, el 15 por ciento de todos los matrimonios no tienen hijos. Según estudios realizados en Cuba, la prevalencia de infertilidad oscila entre 12 y 14 por ciento, destacándose dentro de sus causas los factores pélvicos que afectan las trompas o el endometrio con 30-50 por ciento, seguido de la disfunción ovulatoria con el 10 a 25 por ciento y solo 10 por ciento son de causa desconocida. Objetivo: Caracterizar a las parejas infértiles según variables clínico epidemiológicas seleccionadas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal a 224 parejas infértiles, en la provincia Santiago de Cuba. Cuba, en el periodo 2015-2016. Resultados: El 40,3 por ciento de las parejas estudiados presentaron infecciones de transmisión sexual de diferentes etiologías y el 45,6 por ciento se diagnosticaron con infertilidad secundaria. Conclusiones: La edad de la mujer por encima de los 35 años, los antecedentes patológicos personales, la ingestión de medicamentos, la presencia previa de infección de trasmisión sexual así como el antecedente de varios episodios de enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria, están relacionadas con la etiología infecciosa de la infertilidad y pudieran constituir las principales causas de este trastorno en nuestro país(AU)

Introduction: Approximately 15 percent of all marriages do not have any children. According to studies carried out in Cuba, the prevalence of infertility ranges from 12 to 14 percent, among whose highlighted causes are pelvic factors that affect the tubes or the endometrium, accounting for 30-50 percent, followed by ovulatory dysfunction, accounting for 10-25 percent, while only 10 percent are of unknown cause. Objective: To characterize infertile couples based in the selected clinical-epidemiological variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with 224 infertile couples in Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba, in the period from 2015 to 2016. Results: 40.3 percent of the studied couples had sexually transmitted infections of different etiologies, while 45.6 percent were diagnosed with secondary infertility. Conclusions: The age of the woman over 35 years, personal pathological antecedents, ingestion of medications, the previous presence of sexually transmitted infections, as well as the history of several episodes of pelvic inflammatory disease, are related to the infectious etiology of infertility and could be the main causes of this disorder in our country(AU)

[Contributions to a feminist anthropology of health: the study of the menstrual cycle]. / Aportes a una antropología feminista de la salud: el estudio del ciclo menstrual.

Medical or Health Anthropology focused on the study of women continues to be a main area of anthropological study in Spain. The contributions of two referential figures in feminist health anthropology, Marcia Inhorn and Mari Luz Esteban, are applied to review the findings of a qualitative research study on the menstrual cycle carried out through 20 interviews with women between the ages of 16 and 44 years, between 2013 and 2014, in the municipality of Madrid. The analysis shows that menstruation is a clear example of the reproductive essentialization of women, of biological reductionism, of the medicalization of women's bodies and, above all, of the standardization of bodies. The visibilization and questioning of these assumptions through the voices of the women interviewed highlight the importance of this field within medical anthropology.

Not all boronic acids with a five-membered cycle induce tremor, neuronal damage and decreased dopamine.

Several striatal toxins can be used to induce motor disruption. One example is MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), whose toxicity is accepted as a murine model of parkinsonism. Recently, 3-Thienylboronic acid (3TB) was found to produce motor disruption and biased neuronal damage to basal ganglia in mice. The aim of this study was to examine the toxic effects of four boronic acids with a close structural relationship to 3TB (all having a five-membered cycle), as well as boric acid and 3TB. These boron-containing compounds were compared to MPTP regarding brain access, morphological disruption of the CNS, and behavioral manifestations of such disruption. Data was collected through acute toxicity evaluations, motor behavior tests, necropsies, determination of neuronal survival by immunohistochemistry, Raman spectroscopic analysis of brain tissue, and HPLC measurement of dopamine in substantia nigra and striatum tissue. Each compound showed a distinct profile for motor disruption. For example, motor activity was not disrupted by boric acid, but was decreased by two boronic acids (caused by a sedative effect). 3TB, 2-Thienyl and 2-furanyl boronic acid gave rise to shaking behavior. The various manifestations generated by these compounds can be linked, in part, to different levels of dopamine (measured by HPLC) and degrees of neuronal damage in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Clearly, motor disruption is not induced by all boronic acids with a five-membered cycle as substituent. Possible explanations are given for the diverse chemico-morphological changes and degrees of disruption of the motor system, considering the role of boron and the structure-toxicity relationship.

Aportes a una antropología feminista de la salud: el estudio del ciclo menstrual / Contributions to a feminist anthropology of health: the study of the menstrual cycle

RESUMEN La antropología médica o de la salud centrada en el estudio de las mujeres sigue constituyendo una de las áreas principales del quehacer antropológico en el Estado español. A partir de los aportes de dos referentes de la antropología feminista de la salud como Marcia Inhorn y Mari Luz Esteban, se revisan los hallazgos de una investigación cualitativa sobre del ciclo menstrual, en la que se realizaron 20 entrevistas a mujeres de 16 a 44 años, entre 2013 y 2014, en el municipio de Madrid. El análisis muestra cómo la menstruación es un claro ejemplo de la esencialización reproductiva de las mujeres, del reduccionismo biológico, de la medicalización de los cuerpos de las mujeres y, sobre todo, de su uniformización. La visibilización y cuestionamiento de estos supuestos, a través de las voces de las mujeres entrevistadas, pone de manifiesto la relevancia de este campo dentro de la antropología médica.

ABSTRACT Medical or Health Anthropology focused on the study of women continues to be a main area of anthropological study in Spain. The contributions of two referential figures in feminist health anthropology, Marcia Inhorn and Mari Luz Esteban, are applied to review the findings of a qualitative research study on the menstrual cycle carried out through 20 interviews with women between the ages of 16 and 44 years, between 2013 and 2014, in the municipality of Madrid. The analysis shows that menstruation is a clear example of the reproductive essentialization of women, of biological reductionism, of the medicalization of women's bodies and, above all, of the standardization of bodies. The visibilization and questioning of these assumptions through the voices of the women interviewed highlight the importance of this field within medical anthropology.

Factores de riesgo relacionados con la anemia carencial en lactantes de 6 meses / Risk factors related to iron-deficiency anemia in 6 months infants

Se realizó un estudio analítico de casos y controles de lactantes de 6 meses, pertenecientes al Consejo Popular Heredia del Policlínico Docente "Camilo Torres Restrepo" de Santiago de Cuba, durante 2012, con vistas a identificar los factores de riesgo de la anemia carencial en esta población infantil. El universo estuvo constituido por 120 pacientes: 40 casos y 80 controles, seleccionados a razón de 1:2, a partir de las cifras de hemoglobina en estos neonatos. Para la validación estadística se utilizaron la razón de productos cruzados y el riesgo atribuible en expuestos porcentual. Entre los factores desencadenantes del mencionado trastorno figuraron: lactancia artificial, antecedentes familiares de madre con anemia en el embarazo, desnutrición por defecto e infecciones respiratorias.

An analytic case-control study of 6 months infants, belonging to Heredia People's Council of "Camilo Torres Restrepo" Teaching Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during 2012, with the objective of identifying the risk factors of the iron-deficiency anemia in this infant population. The universe was constituted by 120 patients: 40 cases and 80 controls, selected at a ratio of 1:2, taking into account the hemoglobin figures in these neonates. For the statistical validation the odds ratio and the attributable risk were used in exposed percentages. Among the triggering factors of the mentioned disorders there were: artificial nursing, mother's history with anemia during pregnancy, malnutrition by defect and breathing infections.

Factores de riesgo relacionados con la anemia carencial en lactantes de 6 meses / Risk factors related to iron-deficiency anemia in 6 months infants

Se realizó un estudio analítico de casos y controles de lactantes de 6 meses, pertenecientes al Consejo Popular Heredia del Policlínico Docente Camilo Torres Restrepo de Santiago de Cuba, durante 2012, con vistas a identificar los factores de riesgo de la anemia carencial en esta población infantil. El universo estuvo constituido por 120 pacientes: 40 casos y 80 controles, seleccionados a razón de 1:2, a partir de las cifras de hemoglobina en estos neonatos. Para la validación estadística se utilizaron la razón de productos cruzados y el riesgo atribuible en expuestos porcentual. Entre los factores desencadenantes del mencionado trastorno figuraron: lactancia artificial, antecedentes familiares de madre con anemia en el embarazo, desnutrición por defecto e infecciones respiratorias(AU)

An analytic case-control study of 6 months infants, belonging to Heredia People's Council of Camilo Torres Restrepo Teaching Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during 2012, with the objective of identifying the risk factors of the iron-deficiency anemia in this infant population. The universe was constituted by 120 patients: 40 cases and 80 controls, selected at a ratio of 1:2, taking into account the hemoglobin figures in these neonates. For the statistical validation the odds ratio and the attributable risk were used in exposed percentages. Among the triggering factors of the mentioned disorders there were: artificial nursing, mother's history with anemia during pregnancy, malnutrition by defect and breathing infections (AU)