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Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and in patients receiving novel hematological therapies. Its impact on morbidity and mortality necessitates effective management strategies. Despite recent advances in diagnostics and treatment, unresolved questions persist regarding monitoring and treatment, prompting the need for updated recommendations. Methods: A consensus was reached among a panel of experts selected for their expertise in CMV research and clinical practice. Key clinical areas and questions were identified based on previous surveys and literature reviews. Recommendations were formulated through consensus and graded using established guidelines. Results: Recommendations were provided for virological monitoring, including the timing and frequency of CMV DNAemia surveillance, especially during letermovir (LMV) prophylaxis. We evaluated the role of CMV DNA load quantification in diagnosing CMV disease, particularly pneumonia and gastrointestinal involvement, along with the utility of specific CMV immune monitoring in identifying at-risk patients. Strategies for tailoring LMV prophylaxis, managing breakthrough DNAemia, and implementing secondary prophylaxis in refractory cases were outlined. Additionally, criteria for initiating early antiviral treatment based on viral load dynamics were discussed. Conclusion: The consensus provides updated recommendations for managing CMV infection in hematological patients, focusing on unresolved issues in monitoring, prophylaxis, treatment, and resistance. These recommendations aim to guide clinical practice and improve outcomes in this high-risk population. Further research is warranted to validate these recommendations and address ongoing challenges in CMV management with emerging antiviral combinations, particularly in pediatric populations.

Abstract Over 60% of relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B‐cell lymphoma (LBCL) patients who receive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells will experience disease progression. There is no standard next line of therapy and information in this setting is scarce and heterogeneous. We analyzed 387 R/R LBCL patients who progressed after CAR T cells from July 2018 until March 2022 in Spain and the United Kingdom. Median overall survival (OS) was 5.3 months, with significant differences according to the interval between infusion and progression (6 months [not reached]). After progression, 237 (61%) patients received treatment. Focusing on the first subsequent therapy, overall (complete) response rates were 67% (38%) for polatuzumab–bendamustine–rituximab (POLA), 51% (36%) for bispecific antibodies (BsAb), 45% (35%) for radiotherapy (RT), 33% (26%) for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), 25% (0%) for lenalidomide (LENA), and 25% (14%) for chemotherapy (CT). In terms of survival, 12‐month progression‐free survival and OS was 36.2% and 51.0% for POLA, 32.0% and 50.1% for BsAb, 30.8% and 37.5% for RT, 29.9% and 27.8% for ICI, 7.3% and 20.8% for LENA, and 6.1% and 18.3% for CT. Thirty‐two (14%) patients received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant with median OS not reached after a median follow‐up of 15.1 months. In conclusion, patients with R/R LBCL who progress within the first 2 months after CAR T‐cell therapy have dismal outcomes. Novel targeted agents, such as polatuzumab and BsAbs, can achieve prolonged survival after CAR T‐cell therapy failure.

In the field of neuroscience, a considerable number of commercial data acquisition and processing solutions rely on proprietary formats for data storage. This often leads to data being locked up in formats that are only accessible by using the original software, which may lead to interoperability problems. In fact, even the loss of data access is possible if the software becomes unsupported, changed, or otherwise unavailable. To ensure FAIR data management, strategies should be established to enable long-term, independent, and unified access to data in proprietary formats. In this work, we demonstrate PyDapsys, a solution to gain open access to data that was acquired using the proprietary recording system DAPSYS. PyDapsys enables us to open the recorded files directly in Python and saves them as NIX files, commonly used for open research in the electrophysiology domain. Thus, PyDapsys secures efficient and open access to existing and prospective data. The manuscript demonstrates the complete process of reverse engineering a proprietary electrophysiological format on the example of microneurography data collected for studies on pain and itch signaling in peripheral neural fibers.

Abstract Background The clinical efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines according to antibody response in immunosuppressed patients such as hematological patients has not yet been established. Patients and methods A prospective multicenter registry-based cohort study conducted from December 2020 to December 2021 by the Spanish transplant and cell therapy group was used to analyze the relationship of antibody response at 3–6 weeks after full vaccination (2 doses) with breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in 1394 patients with hematological disorders. Results At a median follow-up of 165 days after complete immunization, 37 out of 1394 (2.6%) developed breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection at median of 77 days (range 7–195) after full vaccination. The incidence rate was 6.39 per 100 persons-year. Most patients were asymptomatic (19/37, 51.4%), whereas only 19% developed pneumonia. The mortality rate was 8%. Lack of detectable antibodies at 3–6 weeks after full vaccination was the only variable associated with breakthrough infection in multivariate logistic regression analysis (Odds Ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.2–4.6, p = 0.012). Median antibody titers were lower in cases than in non-cases [1.83 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL (range 0–4854.93) vs 730.81 BAU/mL (range 0–56,800), respectively (p = 0.007)]. We identified 250 BAU/mL as a cutoff above which incidence and severity of the infection were significantly lower. Conclusions Our study highlights the benefit of developing an antibody response in these highly immunosuppressed patients. Level of antibody titers at 3 to 6 weeks after 2-dose vaccination links with protection against both breakthrough infection and severe disease for non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants.

BackgroundDonor-specific antibodies (DSAs) are IgG allo-antibodies against mismatched donor HLA molecules and can cause graft failure (GF) in the setting of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Our aim was to report the experience of the Spanish Group of Hematopoietic Transplant (GETH-TC) in DSA-positive patients who had undergone haplo-HSCT.MethodsWe conducted a survey of patients who underwent haplo-HSCT in GETH-TC centers between 2012 and 2021. Data were collected on the DSA assay used, monitoring strategy, complement fixation, criteria for desensitization, desensitization strategies and transplant outcomes.ResultsFifteen centers from the GETH-TC responded to the survey. During the study period, 1,454 patients underwent haplo-HSCT. Seventy of the transplants were performed in 69 DSA-positive patients, all of whom lacked a suitable alternative donor; 61 (88%) patients were female (90% with prior pregnancies). All patients received post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Regarding baseline DSA intensity, 46 (67%) patients presented mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) >5,000, including 21 (30%) with MFI >10,000 and three (4%) with MFI >20,000. Six patients did not receive desensitization treatment, four of them with MFI 20,000 as an independent risk factor for survival and an increase in titers after infusion as an independent risk factor for GF.ConclusionsHaplo-HSCT is feasible in DSA-positive patients, with high rates of engraftment after desensitization guided by DSA intensity. Baseline MFI >20,000 and increased intensity after infusion are risk factors for survival and GF.

Abstract Background To investigate the multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) colonization rate in hematological patients hospitalized for any cause using a multi-body-site surveillance approach, and determine the extent to which this screening strategy helped anticipate MDRB bloodstream infections (BSI). Methods Single-center retrospective observational study including 361 admissions documented in 250 adult patients. Surveillance cultures of nasal, pharyngeal, axillary and rectal specimens (the latter two combined) were performed at admission and subsequently on a weekly basis. Blood culture samples were incubated in an automated continuous monitoring blood culturing instrument (BACTEC FX). Results In total, 3463 surveillance cultures were performed (pharyngeal, n = 1201; axillary-rectal, n = 1200; nasal, n = 1062). MDRB colonization was documented in 122 out of 361 (33.7%) admissions corresponding to 86 patients (34.4%). A total of 149 MDRB were isolated from one or more body sites, of which most were Gram-negative bacteria, most frequently non-fermenting (n = 83) followed by Enterobacterales (n = 51). BSI were documented in 102 admissions (28%) involving 87 patients. Overall, the rate of BSI caused by MDRB was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the presence of colonizing MDRB (16 out of 47 admissions in 14 patients) than in its absence (9 out of 55 admissions in 9 patients). Colonization by any MDRB was independently associated with increased risk of MDRB-BSI (HR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.38–9.90; p = 0.009). Conclusion MDRB colonization is a frequent event in hematological patients hospitalized for any reason and is associated with an increased risk of MDRB BSI. The data lend support to the use of MDRB colonization surveillance cultures for predicting the occurrence of MDRB BSI in this cohort.

Abstract Sirolimus has emerged as an alternative to calcineurin inhibitors‐based (CNI) graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. This retrospective study compares the outcome of 133 consecutive adult patients with haematological malignancies undergoing haploidentical stem cell transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), combined with cyclosporine A (PTCy–CsA–MMF, n = 67) or sirolimus (PTCy–Sir–MMF, n = 66) as GVHD prophylaxis strategy. The median follow‐up was 48 (range 22–83) and 13 (range 3–33) months, respectively. PTCy–CsA–MMF was associated in multivariate analyses with a higher risk of acute kidney injury (HR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.21–3.57, p = .008) and thrombotic microangiopathy (HR 12.5, 95% CI, 1.66–93.5, p = .014), whereas PTCy–Sir–MMF was associated with a higher risk of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) (HR 10.8, 95% CI, 1.52–77, p = .018), especially late‐onset forms, which totally resolved and none of the patients needed discontinuation of sirolimus. Two SOS‐related deaths were detected, both in the PTCy–CsA–MMF subgroup. Both GVHD prophylaxis strategies were otherwise comparable in terms of engraftment, GVHD incidence and survival.

Objective: To describe our pharmacovigilance program and to analyze the reported adverse drug reactions. Method: Observational longitudinal study conducted from 2008 to 2016. The Pharmacy Department leads the pharmacovigilance program and performs prospective, retrospective, intensive, and spontaneous reporting of inpatients and outpatients (emergencies, day hospital, external consultations, and nursing homes). Each adverse drug reaction is incorporated in the electronic health record of the patient along with an alert. Results: A total of 2,631 adverse drug reactions were reported in 2,436 patients. Of these patients, 52% were men with a mean age of 63.3 [0-98] years. A total of 92.8% drug events were reported by the pharmacists and 7.2% by doctors, nurses, and technicians. A total of 63.7% were reported in inpatients, 19.2% in emergencies, 10.6% in external consultations, 6.2% in the day hospital, and 0.3% in diagnostic radiology. There was an increase in adverse drug reactions detected by prospective and intensive pharmacovigilance. Principal therapeutic groups involved in adverse drug events were antineoplastic agents (21.3%), antibacterials (12.3%), antithrombotics (7.7%), analgesics (6.7%), corticosteroids (5.2%), psycholeptics (5.2%), diuretics (4.9%), antivirals (4.9%), antiinflammatories and antirheumatics (4.2%), and immunosupressants (3.3%). Adverse drug reactions mainly affected the skin and appendages (19.7%) and gastrointestinal tract (19.1%). Adverse drug reactions were mild (38.7%), severe (30.8%), and moderate (30.5%). In total, 60.9% of patients recovered from drug events and 31.7% were in recovery. The most frequent response was reatment interruption in 65% of cases and the patients received additional specific treatment in 56% of cases. Conclusions: The incorporation of the pharmacovigilance program within the daily routine of the hospital pharmacist provides added value to the safety and pharmacotherapy of the patient.

Background : Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cinacalcet use is controversial in non-dialysis patients. Methods : This retrospective observational study recruited patients receiving cinacalcet (off-label use) in 2010 and 2011. Patients were followed for three years from the beginning of treatment using an intention-to-treat approach. Results : Forty-one patients were studied: 14 CKD stage 3 (34.1%), 21 CKD stage 4 (51.2%), and 6 CKD stage 5 (14.6%). Median baseline parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 396 (101-1,300) pg/mL. Upon cinacalcet treatment (22 ± 12 months), PTH levels decreased by ≥ 30% in 73.2% of patients (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 59-87%), with a mean time for response of 18.7 months (95% CI, 15.4-22.1). Sixteen patients were followed for 36 months and treated for 32 ± 9 months. Mean reduction in their PTH levels was 50.1% (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 33.8-66.4%) at 36 months, with 62.5% of patients (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 35.9-89.1%) presenting reductions of ≥ 30%. Serum calcium levels decreased from 9.95 ± 0.62 mg/dL to 9.21 ± 0.83 and 9.12 ± 0.78 mg/dL at 12 and 36 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Serum phosphorus levels increased from 3.59 ± 0.43 to 3.82 ± 0.84 at 12 months (P = 0.180), remaining so at 36 months (P = 0.324). At 12 and 36 months, 2 (12.5%) patients experienced hypocalcemia. Meanwhile, 1 (6.3%) and 4 (25.0%) patients reported hyperphosphatemia at 12 and 36 months, respectively. Conclusion : Cinacalcet remained effective for at least 36 months in non-dialysis patients with SHPT. Electrolytic disturbances were managed with concurrent use of vitamin D and its analogs or phosphate binders.

Introduction Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for a number of haematological diseases. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is its main complication and hampers survival. There is strong evidence that intestinal microbiota diversity of the recipient may increase the risk of GVHD worsening survival. Antibiotic regimens used during the early phase of the transplant may influence clinical outcomes by reducing intestinal microbiota diversity. Present guidelines of European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia exhort to optimising antibiotic use in haematological patients including HSCT recipients. The present study aims to investigate if, in HSCT recipients, the optimisation of antibacterial use may preserve intestinal microbiota composition reducing the incidence and severity of acute GVHD and improving relevant clinical outcomes.Methods and analysis This is a prospective longitudinal observational study of two cohorts of HSCT recipients: (1) the intervention cohort includes patients treated in centres in which a predefined strategy of antibiotherapy optimisation is implemented, with the objective of optimising and reducing antibiotic administration according to clinical criteria and (2) the control cohort includes patients treated in centres in which a classic permissive strategy of antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment is used. Adult patient receiving a first HSCT as a treatment for any haematological condition are included. Clinical variables are prospectively recorded and up to five faecal samples are collected for microbiota characterisation at prestablished peritransplant time points. Patients are followed since the preconditioning phase throughout 1-year post-transplant and four follow-up visits are scheduled. Faecal microbiota composition and diversity will be compared between both cohorts along with acute GVHD incidence and severity, severe infections rate, mortality and overall and disease-free survival.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved between 2017 and 2018 by the Ethical Committees of participant centres. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and national and international scientific conferences.Trial registration number NCT03727113

Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have recently become the focus of global attention as possible treatments for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The current systematic review aims to assess their safety in short treatments (≤14 days), whether used alone or in combination with other drugs. Following the PRISMA and SWiM recommendations, a search was conducted using four health databases for all relevant English-, Chinese-, and Spanish-language studies from inception through 30 July 2021. Patients treated for any condition and with any comparator were included. The outcomes of interest were early drug adverse effects and their frequency. A total of 254 articles met the inclusion criteria, including case and case-control reports as well as cross-sectional, cohort, and randomised studies. The results were summarised either qualitatively in table or narrative form or, when possible (99 studies), quantitatively in terms of adverse event frequencies. Quality evaluation was conducted using the CARE, STROBE, and JADAD tools. This systematic review showed that safety depended on drug indication. In COVID-19 patients, cardiac adverse effects, such as corrected QT interval prolongation, were relatively frequent (0–27.3% and up to 33% if combined with azithromycin), though the risk of torsade de pointes was low. Compared to non-COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 patients experienced a higher frequency of cardiac adverse effects regardless of the regimen used. Dermatological adverse effects affected 0–10% of patients with autoimmune diseases and COVID-19. A broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric adverse effects affected patients treated with CQ for malaria with variable frequencies and some cases were reported in COVID-19 patients. Gastrointestinal adverse effects occurred regardless of drug indication affecting 0–50% of patients. In conclusion, CQ and HCQ are two safe drugs widely used in the treatment of malaria and autoimmune diseases. However, recent findings on their cardiac and neuropsychiatric adverse effects should be considered if these drugs were to be proposed as antivirals again.

Biological activity can be photoswitched by light-regulated drugs, but so far only diffusible ligands have been shown to work on endogenous receptors. Here the authors develop targeted covalent photoswitches that couple to a protein target by ligand affinity, and demonstrate photocontrol of GluK1-expressing neurons.

Recent advances suggest that impairment in social cognition (SC) may play a role in the development of social anxiety (SA). However, very few studies have analyzed whether SA fosters poorer social-cognitive development as it leads to social avoidance. This study aimed to analyze whether retrospectively assessed behavioral inhibition (BI) (i.e., an early form of SA) in childhood is associated with a deficit in social cognition operationalized as impairment of mentalizing (MZ) in adolescence. A sample of 256 adolescents (range: 12-18 years; mean age: 14.7 years; SD = 1.7) from general population were assessed for MZ capacities and retrospective BI through self-report and interview measures. Results comparing three groups of adolescents with different levels of childhood BI (low, moderate or high) and controlling for concurrent SA and depression reveal that the higher the level of BI, the lower the level of MZ. These results were consistent for almost all mentalization measures, including when both extreme (i.e., high vs. low BI) and non-extreme (i.e., high vs. moderate BI) were compared in both self-report and interview measures and in both dimensions of MZ (i.e., MZ referred to others' and to own mental states). These findings support that childhood forms of SA are associated to deficit in SC in adolescence. A possible bi-directional relationship between SA and SC, and the role that it may play in the pathway to clinical SA are discussed.

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de desarrollar un software para viabilizar la evaluación energética y económica del conjunto tractor-implemento, con un diseño de aplicación sobre ventanas y sistema portable. El software ExploMaq, determina la evaluación energética del conjunto tractor-máquina agrícola a partir del cálculo de las fuerzas que actúan en una única labor, también evalúa el balance de potencia, calculado a partir de las pérdidas de diferentes tipos de potencia y otros factores de resistencia. Es posible además, la evaluación de los gastos directos de explotación. El software, en su primera versión de prueba y puesta a punto, está a disposición de usuarios con objetivos académicos e investigativos sobre la evaluación energética de máquinas agrícolas.

Introducción: la cirugía refractiva es una subespecialidad que comprende todos los procedimientos quirúrgicos dirigidos a modificar la refracción ocular en sus distintas ametropías: astigmatismo, miopía, hipermetropía y presbicia. Este tratamiento se realiza con el láser de excímeros. Objetivo: describir los principales resultados con la técnica queratomileusis in situ asistida por láser de excímeros (LASIK). Material y Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal tomando como muestra 56 pacientes (106 ojos) operados por la técnica LASIK, que cumplieron con los criterios establecidos. El procedimiento quirúrgico fue realizado en el Excímer Láser ESIRIS de la SCHWIND, con zonas ópticas de 6.00 a 6.50 mm, microquerátomo pendular automatizado de Carriazo con programación del flap de 160 µm, diámetro del spot 0,8 mm, perfil de ablación gaussiano, tasa de repetición 200 hz, eyetracking activo de alta velocidad (328 hz), distancia de trabajo 29,5 cm. Resultados: predominó el sexo femenino entre 20 y 29 años de edad. El defecto refractivo tratado con mayor frecuencia fue el astigmatismo miópico compuesto. Las paquimetrías preoperatorios superaron las 500 micras, con niveles de ablación entre 50 y 70 micras obteniendo un lecho corneal residual superior a 300 micras en todos los casos. Conclusiones: la agudeza visual sin corrección preoperatoria fue inferior a 0.5 en todos los casos logrando máxima agudeza visual sin corrección postoperatoria en la mayoría de los pacientes.Introduction: refractive surgery is a sub-specialty which is comprised of all surgical procedures in order to modify the ocular refraction in different ametropias: astigmatism, myopia, hypermetropia and presbyopia. This treatment is performed using excimer Laser. Objective: to describe the main results using Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). Material and Method: an observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted taking 56 operated patients as a sample (106 eyes) using the LASIK technique, considering the established criteria to be included. The surgical procedure was performed with the Excimer Laser ESIRIS of the SCHWIND, with optical zones from 6.00 to 6.50mm, automatic pendulous microkeratome of Carriazo with a programming of the flap of 160 µm, diameter of the spot of 0,8 mm, Gaussian ablation profile, repetition rate of 200hz, active eye tracking of high speed (328hz), a distance of work of 29,5cm were taken into account. Results: female sex prevailed and ages between 20 and 29. The most frequent refractive defect treated was composed-myopic astigmatism. Preoperative pachymetries exceeded the 500 microns in all cases. Conclusions: visual acuity without preoperative correction was inferior to 0.5 in all cases, achieving the highest visual acuity without postoperative correction in the majority of patients.

La córnea por sus privilegios inmunológicos es uno de los tejidos más trasplantados en el mundo. En Cuba se realiza este proceder en todas las provincias del país. En la actual investigación se describen los aspectos éticos, sociales, económicos y psicológicos del trasplante de córnea. Se obtuvo que el trasplante de córnea encuentra su justificación ética en el principio bioético de la beneficencia. Asimismo, se justifican los trasplantes de órganos, por los principios de autonomía y consentimiento informado. Debe prevalecer el principio de justicia distributiva, la cual permitiría el acceso a los beneficios de esta terapéutica a todos los sectores de la población, sin distingos de la situación económica de los pacientes, mediante la debida regulación estatal. El desarrollo vertiginoso de las nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas de trasplante de córnea, dentro y fuera de nuestro país, con vistas a mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestros pacientes, supone un reto desde el punto de vista ético-social en vistas a satisfacer el incremento de las demandas de salud en este sentido, acorde con los principios establecidos.The cornea, due to its immunological privileges, is one of the most transplanted tissues all over the world. In Cuba, this procedure is performed in every province of the country. Ethical, social, economic and psychological aspects regarding the transplantation of cornea were described in this current study. This procedure finds its ethical good reason supported on the bioethical principle of benefit. Likewise, organ transplantation is justified, following the principles of autonomy and informed consent. The principle of distributive justice must prevail, allowing the access to the benefits of this therapeutic to the whole population, not making differences with respect to the economical situation of patients, following the state regulations appropriately. The significant development of the new surgical procedures of cornea transplantation, inside and outside the country, aimed at improving the quality of life of these patients, which will mean a challenge from the ethical and social view points to satisfy the health service demands, according to the established principles.

Objetivo: describir las principales manifestaciones clínicas del VIH/SIDA a nivel de la superficie ocular. Método: se realizó un estudio exploratorio en el periodo comprendido de octubre a diciembre de 2010 sobre el tema. Se utilizaron los buscadores médicos: Medline, Ebesco, Hinari, Scielo y otros. La información se resumió en vistas a la presentación del informe final de la investigación. Además, se empleó la entrevista a expertos. Desarrollo: la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) provoca un amplio espectro de manifestaciones clínicas por la afectación de múltiples órganos y sistemas. La frecuencia de las manifestaciones oculares varía desde un 30 a un 70% del total de pacientes en estadio SIDA, 3 de cada 4 casos desarrollarán en algún momento de la enfermedad clínica oftalmológica. Estas alteraciones pueden afectar a cualquier estructura del globo ocular. Las principales manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad en la superficie ocular son: microangiopatia conjuntival, conjuntivitis, síndrome de ojo seco y de Stevens-Johnson, sarcoma de Kaposi, carcinoma conjuntival, queratitis por Microscoporidium, variantes atípicas de queratitis por herpes simple. Conclusiones: las manifestaciones clínicas del VIH/SIDA a nivel de la superficie ocular tienden a ser frecuentes, y en ocasiones, su curso es más severo, así como con un mayor índice de atipicidades.Objective: to describe the main clinical symptoms of HIV/AIDS to the level of ocular surface. Method: an exploratory study about the topic was carried out from October to December 2010. The theme was sought out in the Bibliographic Database of Medline, Ebsco, Hinari, Scielo and others. The information was collected, as well as interviews to specialists were conducted in order to write the final details of the research. Development: the infection caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) provokes a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms due to the affection of multiple organs and systems. The frequencies of the ocular manifestations vary from 30% to 70% of the total of patients suffering from AIDS, 3 out of 4 cases can develop the clinical ophthalmologic disease at any moment. These alterations can affect any structures of the bulbus oculi. The main clinical manifestations of the disease in the ocular surface are: Conjuntival microangiopathy, conjunctivitis, dry-eyed syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Conjuntival carcinoma, keratitis by Microsporidium, atypical variants of keratitis due to simple herpes. Conclusion: clinical manifestations of HIV/AIDS to the level of ocular surface are frequent, and in occasions, its course is severe, with a high rate of atypical characteristics.

Objetivo: valorar la cirugía de catarata desde la perspectiva científico-tecnológica y su impacto social en el contexto del subdesarrollo. Método: se realizó un estudio exploratorio en el periodo comprendido de octubre a diciembre de 2010 sobre el tema. Se utilizaron los buscadores médicos: Medline, Ebesco, Hinari, Scielo y otros. Se resumió la información en vistas a la presentación del informe final de la investigación. Además, se empleó la entrevista a expertos. Desarrollo: las Ciencias Médicas constituyen un ejemplo de la interacción ciencia-tecnología-sociedad, y la Oftalmología que no ha estado ajena a estos problemas actuales, entre los que se encuentra la alta prevalencia de ceguera por catarata, cuyo tratamiento es quirúrgico, y con respecto al cual existe un gran desarrollo técnico y científico. A pesar de ello, el número de personas ciegas por esta causa es de millones, estando ubicados la mayoría de los casos no caprichosamente en los países no desarrollados. Conclusiones: las principales limitantes sociales para la cirugía de catarata son: falta de mano de obra entrenada e insumos, elevado costo de la cirugía, falta de calidad en los servicios, lejanía de los hospitales, barreras sociales y culturales, desconocimiento acerca de los servicios, miedo a los resultados negativos de la cirugía y falta de voluntad política de los gobiernos. Cuba cuenta con un programa nacional de prevención de ceguera y constituye un paradigma dentro de la Oftalmología mundial.Objective: to assess the surgery of cataracts from a scientific-technological perspective and its social impact in the underdeveloped context. Method: an exploratory study from October to December 2010 about the topic. The theme was sought out in the Bibliographic Database of Medline, Ebsco, Hinari, Scielo and others. The information was collected to write the final report of the research, as well as interviews to experts. Development: Medical Sciences constitute an example of the interaction science-technology-society and Ophthalmology has always been aware of current problems, among them the prevalence of blindness due to cataracts, which treatment is surgical, where technical and scientific developments are observed. Despite; there are millions of blind people, the majority of them from the underdeveloped countries capriciously. Conclusion: the main social limiting factors to perform the cataract surgeries are: lack of trained human resources and medical supplies, the high cost of the surgery, lack of quality in health services, remoteness of hospital facilities, social and cultural barriers, ignorance about health services, fears to negative surgery outcomes and lack of political will of the governments. Cuba has designed a national program to prevent blindness and constitutes a worldwide paradigm in Ophthalmology.

Se presentan 2 casos de degeneración marginal de Terrien, en sus formas clínicas: "surco marginal" y "opacidad marginal similar a un gerontoxon con vascularización periférica". Se expone el estudio topográfico realizado e imágenes de biomicroscopía anterior de la córnea.Two cases of Terrien’s marginal degeneration, in its clinical forms: “marginal groove” and “similar marginal opacity to a gerontoxon with peripheral vascularization”. Topographic study and anterior biomicroscopic images of the cornea were carried out.

BACKGROUND:Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Cinacalcet could be a therapeutic option although its use is controversial in patients not receiving dialysis. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of cinacalcet in patients with CKD and SHPT without renal replacement treatment (RRT) and without renal transplantation (RT). METHODS:A retrospective observational study was conducted. Patients were included if they had collected cinacalcet, under off-label use, during 2010 and 2011. Patients selected were followed from the beginning of cinacalcet therapy for one year of treatment. RESULTS:A total of 37 patients were included with CKD stage 3 (38%), 4 (51%) and 5 (11%). Baseline mean PTH value was 400.86 ± 168.60 mg/dl. At 12 months, a 67% of patients achieved at least a 30% reduction in their PTH value (p

Se hizo una investigación diseño observacional, longitudinal, prospectiva y descriptiva en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) del Servicio de Neonatología del Hospital General Universitario “Abel Santamaría Cuadrado”, en el período comprendido del 1/4/2006 hasta el 1/4/2007; y con el objetivo de evaluar la morbimortalidad en el recién nacido quirúrgico (RNQ). El universo y la muestra coincidieron, constituidos por los 13 nacidos vivos que ingresaron en la UCIN en el período establecido y que fueron sometidos a intervenciones quirúrgicas. Se analizaron variables como sexo, peso, edad gestacional, grado de crecimiento intrauterino, tipo de patología quirúrgica, diagnóstico prenatal, complicaciones y supervivencia. Se elaboró una base de datos en Epinfo versión 2002, y se aplicó el método porcentual para el análisis de los datos obtenidos. Existió un predominio del sexo masculino (61.5%), edad gestacional superior a las 40 semanas (46.1%) y un crecimiento adecuado para la edad gestacional (69.2%). La patología quirúrgica más frecuente fue el onfalocele, seguido de la atresia esofágica, hernia diafragmática y malformación ano rectal. Se realizó un diagnóstico prenatal en el 50% de las atresias esofágicas, 100% de hernias diafragmáticas, no así en el onfalocele y la atresia intestinal. Las complicaciones más frecuentemente encontradas fueron la sepsis de la herida (61.5%), dehiscencia de sutura (38.4%) y las complicaciones sistémicas (30.7%). Tuvimos una supervivencia del 76.9%.

Con la finalidad de identificar algunos factores maternos perinatales que se relacionan con la mortalidad fetal tardía (MFT), se realizó una investigación retrospectiva, transversal y analítica, en el Hospital “Abel Santamaría Cuadrado”, que comprendió el período desde mayo del 2001 hasta mayo del 2003.El universo estudiado estuvo constituido por todas las gestantes que tuvieron su parto en la etapa anteriormente mencionada. Como grupo estudio se tomaron a todas las pacientes que tuvieron una muerte fetal tardía, y para la comparación se escogió un grupo control integrado por gestantes cuyos recién nacidos fueron vivos. Las variables analizadas estuvieron relacionadas con la madre, el embarazo, el feto y el nacimiento, así como las causas directas de la muerte. El análisis estadístico se realizó a través del por ciento, la media, la desviación estándar, el test de diferencia de proporciones (Z), y se empleó también el Odds Ratio (OR). Se obtuvo una elevada significación estadística entre la muerte fetal tardía y la gestante añosa, multípara, multigesta con antecedentes de enfermedades tanto asociadas como propias del embarazo, y el bajo peso materno al inicio del embarazo. Se concluye que es necesario identificar las gestantes con factores de riesgo de muerte fetal tardía y profundizar en su atención obstétrica.

Se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva, retrospectiva y transversal, con el objetivo de describir el comportamiento del pterigion primario en pacientes del centro oftalmológico de San Cristóbal, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, en el período febrero-marzo de 2008. Se tomó como universo de estudio 332 pacientes operados de pterigion primario y como muestra 323 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios establecidos. Los datos fueron recopilados de las historias clínicas individuales; se utilizaron medidas de estadística descriptiva para su análisis. La información fue presentada en tablas, se tuvieron en cuenta los aspectos éticos. Se concluyó que la forma de diagnóstico más frecuentemente encontrada fue el pesquisaje activo; los grupos de edad más afectados fueron de 40-49 años y 30-39 años, en pacientes del sexo masculino; la ocupación laboral-campesina fue la más relacionada con el pterigion; la técnica quirúrgica más empleada fue la excéresis con autoplastia conjuntival. Palabras clave: Pterigion, ocupación laboral, sexo, técnica quirúrgica.

Se realizó un estudio histórico-lógico acerca de la labor del Che en la Medicina, con el objetivo de valorar sus proyecciones como profesional de la salud y lo que ha aportado a las nuevas generaciones de galenos. Se confirmó que su labor como médico es trascendente, sobre todo desde el punto de vista del aporte ético-moral a la medicina con la concepción del médico social, que estuvo reforzada con sus viajes por América y que contribuyeron a la consolidación del pensamiento médico social del Che, que vivió en carne propia las múltiples necesidades que presentaban los pobladores de la América toda. Se gradúa como médico el 11 de abril de 1953, en la Universidad de Buenos Aires y luego de su encuentro con Fidel en México y de involucrarse en la lucha revolucionaria de Cuba, tendría que definir entre médico y guerrillero.

Se realizó una investigación retrospectiva, longitudinal y analítica, con el objetivo de evaluar la morbilidad neonatal en el recién nacido a término, asociada a líquido amniótico meconial durante el año 2005 en el Hospital Docente Gineco Obstétrico “Justo Legón Padilla” de Pinar del Río, Cuba. El universo estuvo constituido por 2551 recién nacidos a término, de los cuales 637 presentaron líquido amniótico meconial. La intensidad del meconio estuvo relacionada con el parto distócico, las alteraciones cardiotacográficas, la presencia de meconio en la tráquea y la necesidad de intubación endotraqueal. La patología respiratoria constituyó la principal causa de morbilidad neonatal. En los pacientes con líquido amniótico meconial espeso fue más frecuente el desarrollo del síndrome de aspiración meconial, el uso de asistencia ventilatoria y de antibióticos profilácticos. Se concluye que constituye un importante factor de riesgo perinatal.

Objetivo: describir las características in vivo del epitelio corneal y su relación con la magnitud del defecto refractivo tratado posterior al tratamiento quirúrgico de LASIK. Método: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo-longitudinal con 24 pacientes (48 ojos) con astigmatismo miópico intervenidos con el ESIRIS (Schwind-Alemania) por la técnica quirúrgica LASIK con microquerátomo pendular. Se analizaron los resultados a partir de técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Se utilizó el microscopio confocal ConfoScan 4 de NIDEK para la obtención y estudio de las imágenes in vivo de tejido corneal. Resultados: el grosor epitelial central medio en el preoperatorio fue 34,7 mm, a los 7 días del posoperatorio hubo un incremento del 36 % en pacientes con defectos refractivos inferiores a 4D y un incremento del 44 % en pacientes con defectos refractivos de 4 D o más. El promedio de densidad de células del epitelio basal a los 7 días fue de 5 098,3±1 654 células/mm², tuvo variaciones mínimas inferiores a la unidad porcentual durante la etapa de estudio. Conclusiones: existió incremento del grosor epitelial posterior a LASIK que fue superior en defectos refractivos mayores de 4 dioptrías. La densidad celular del epitelio basal no tuvo variaciones significativas y fue independiente a la magnitud del defecto refractivo tratado.

Objetivo: describir los cambios del plexo nervioso subbasal durante un año, posterior a tratamiento con láser excímer y relacionar estos cambios con la magnitud de la ametropía tratada. Métodos: estudio prospectivo y longitudinal en 78 pacientes (151 ojos) que cumplieron con los criterios de selección establecidos. La técnica quirúrgica empleada fue LASIK con microquerátomo pendular. Las imágenes se obtuvieron por microscopia confocal de la córnea con el microscopio ConfoScan 4. El análisis se realizó por métodos de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: en el preoperatorio predominó el plexo nervioso subbasal mayor de 200 mm con interconexiones (87,4 %). A los 7 días posteriores a LASIK no existían pacientes en este grupo, sin embargo, al año de la operación solo 20,5 % de los pacientes tenían estas características. En pacientes con menos de 3 dioptrías tratadas; al año de LASIK, la mayoría se encontraban con plexo nervioso subbasal mayor de 200 mm sin interconexiones (grupo 3) o con interconexiones (grupo 4), 50,5 % y 19,4 % respectivamente, sin embargo, pacientes con 6 o más dioptrías tratadas, al año de LASIK se encontraban distribuidos en los 4 grupos de forma similar, incluso, con plexo menor de 200 mm (grupo 2) (38,1 %), es decir, fue más lento el proceso de recuperación del plexo nervioso. Conclusiones: después de un año de LASIK, las fibras del plexo nervioso subbasal no recobran las condiciones preoperatorias y su restablecimiento morfológico se produce de forma más lenta mientras mayor es la magnitud de la ametropía tratada.

Abstract Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an essential bedside tool for clinicians, but lack of access to ultrasound equipment has been a top barrier to POCUS use. Recently, several handheld ultrasound devices (“handhelds”) have become available, and clinicians are seeking data to guide purchasing decisions. Few comparative studies of different handhelds have been done. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing 6 handhelds readily available in the United States (Butterfly iQ + ™ by Butterfly Network Inc.; Clarius™ by Clarius Mobile Health; Kosmos™ by EchoNous; TE Air™ by Mindray; Vscan Air™ SL and CL by General Electric; and Lumify™ by Philips Healthcare). A multi-specialty group of physician POCUS experts (n = 35) acquired three standard ultrasound views (abdominal right upper quadrant, cardiac apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views) in random order on the same standardized patients and rated the image quality. Afterward, a final survey of the overall ease of use, image quality, and satisfaction of each handheld was completed. Results Thirty-five POCUS experts specializing in internal medicine/hospital medicine, critical care, emergency medicine, and nephrology acquired and rated right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views with 6 different handhelds. For image quality, the highest-rated handhelds were Vscan Air™ for the right upper quadrant view, Mindray TE Air™ for the cardiac apical 4-chamber view, and Lumify™ for superficial views of the neck and lung. Overall satisfaction with image quality was highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray, while overall satisfaction with ease of use was highest with Vscan Air™. The 5 most desirable characteristics of handhelds were image quality, ease of use, portability, probe size, and battery life. Ultimately, all 6 handhelds had notable advantages and disadvantages, with no single device having all desired qualities or features. Conclusions The overall satisfaction with image quality was rated highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray TE Air™when acquiring right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views. No single handheld was perceived to be superior in image quality for all views. Vscan Air™ was rated highest for overall ease of use and was the most preferred handheld for purchase by POCUS experts.

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy fails to achieve durable responses in over 60% of relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) patients in the third or later line setting. After CAR-T failure, survival outcomes are heterogeneous and a prognostic model in this patient population is lacking. A training cohort of 216 patients with progressive disease (PD) after CAR-T from 12 Spanish centers was used to develop the Post-CAR Prognostic Index (PC-PI); primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from CAR-T progression. Validation was performed in an external cohort from three different European centers (n = 204). The prognostic score incorporated five variables, assessed at time of PD to CAR-T: ECOG (> 0), hemoglobin ( 1) and time from CAR-T to PD (

Abstract Introduction Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can assist rheumatologists in monitoring disease activity, establishing diagnoses, and guiding procedural interventions. POCUS use has been increasing, but little is known about current use and barriers among rheumatologists. The purpose of this study was to characterize current POCUS use, training needs, and barriers to use among rheumatologists in practice. Methods A prospective observational study of all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers was conducted using a web-based survey sent to all chiefs of staff and rheumatology chiefs about current POCUS use, training needs, barriers, and policies. Results All chiefs of staff (n = 130) and rheumatology chiefs at VA medical centers (n = 95) were surveyed with 100% and 84% response rates, respectively. The most common diagnostic POCUS applications were evaluation of synovitis, joint effusion, tendinopathies, bursitis, and rotator cuff. The most common procedural applications were arthrocentesis and joint, bursa, and tendon injection. Most rheumatology chiefs (69%) expressed interest in training for their group. The most common barriers to POCUS use were lack of trained providers (68%), funding for training (54%), training opportunities (38%), funding for travel (38%), and ultrasound equipment (31%). Lack of POCUS infrastructure was common, and few facilities had POCUS policies (20%), image archiving (25%), or quality assurance processes (6%). Conclusion Currently, half of rheumatology groups use diagnostic and procedural ultrasound applications. Most rheumatology groups desire training, and lack of training and equipment were the most common barriers to ultrasound use. Deliberate investment is needed in ultrasound training and infrastructure for systematic adoption of POCUS in rheumatology. Graphical Abstract available for this article. Trial Registration NCT03296280. Graphical Abstract