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Nesting characteristics of the Green turtle Chelonia mydas (Testudinata, Cheloniidae) at Caleta de los Piojos Beach, Cuba, determined from tagging studies Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) females nesting during 2002 and 2003 nesting seasons at Caleta de los Piojos Beach, Cuba, were studied using data from individual tagging. Nesting occurred on average twice per season with a mean interval of 10.9 days. A high number of turtles nested only once per season (39% and 40% respectively). The percentage of failed multiple nesting attempts was high in both seasons. However, the percentage of failed attempts prior to the first nesting was higher in the 2003 season. Vegetation areas seem to be the most suitable sites for nesting and have a significant effect on nest-site selection behaviour. Fidelity to first nest-site was high, 50.3% and 72.9% respectively for 2002 and 2003. Observed mean clutch size (117 eggs) was closely related to body dimensions.

Background: Deep infection after open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures represents a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon, particularly in patients in whom conventional surgical treatments have failed. The aim of this study was to assess the results of a modified technique of tibiotalocalcaneal fusion using a retrograde locked intramedullary nail covered in cement with antibiotics., Methods: Six patients treated using the authors' technique were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had deep infection after ankle osteosynthesis and several surgical procedures (debridement, external fixation, etc) had failed. Radiographs were analyzed to confirm the healing of the bone. Outcome was measured by maintained construct stability and eradication of infection (no clinical signs of infection and normal values of laboratory markers). The average age of the series was 64.2 (range, 50-75) years, and the average follow-up period was 19.5 (range, 8-41) months., Results: Tibiotalocalcaneal stability and eradication of the infection were achieved in all patients, along with the normalization of clinical and radiologic parameters. In the patient who underwent a talectomy, one of the calcaneal locking screws broke, with no clinical repercussions., Conclusion: Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion with antibiotic cement-coated retrograde nails was useful in providing clinically acceptable results in the control of chronic infection in complex patients after the failure of previous surgeries., Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Background: With hundreds of operative methods described for correction of hallux valgus we can state that the ideal surgical treatment is still controversial. The Bösch technique has been used as a percutaneous way of correcting hallux valgus deformities with the use of a pin fixation. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new method of fixation by using a percutaneous locking plate., Methods: Between June 2013 and January 2015, 24 consecutive percutaneous subcapital osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone were performed for the treatment of painful hallux valgus deformities in 24 patients. Additional surgical procedures included DMMO's (Distal Metatarsal Minimally-Invasive Osteotomies) in 12 of the operated feet (44.44%); minor digits were corrected in 7 cases (25.9%). An Akin procedure was performed in 81% of cases and all cases underwent an adductor hallucis tenotomy. All patients were clinically assessed using the AOFAS score. Radiographic measures included the preoperative and postoperative values of the Hallux Valgus Angle (HVA), Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA), and the Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle (DMAA)., Results: The mean correction achieved improved for AHV from 36.57±7.1 to 12.22±8.69°, for IMA from 13.8±1.59 to 7.08±2.72 and for DMAA from 13.98±7.38 to 6.07±4.99. Clinically, scores on the AOFAS scale improved from a 45.8±9.6 to 91.29±9.8. Although healing of the osteotomies was observed radiographically within 6 to 12 weeks, two cases (8.3%) exhibited delayed healing. There were no cases of nonunion. There were no superficial or deep infections or wound healing problems. Plate had to be removed in 3 cases (12.5%)., Conclusion: This technique modification is an acceptable procedure to correct hallux valgus in patients with a moderate level of deformity., Level of Evidence: Level IV., (Copyright © 2017 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Percutaneous surgery to correct deformities of the forefoot presents the advantages of using a minimal incision, which involves less soft tissue damage and less risk of wound complications. For severe deformities, percutaneous techniques have not been proven as effective. We propose a technique for the treatment of severe hallux valgus., Methods: In a sample of 52 feet operated on 48 patients, we performed a double percutaneous osteotomy (closure proximal osteotomy and a distal Akin) or triple when a Reverdin-Isham osteotomy was added. We measured preoperatively the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at the 1-year and 2-year follow-up, as well as the values of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), distal metatarsal articular ankle (DMAA), and shortening and elevation of the first metatarsal. The presence of metatarsalgia was recorded before and after the surgery., Results: HVA, IMA, and DMAA improved from 39.3 ± 7.1, 17.0 ± 2.0, and 16 ± 8.7 to 11.2 ± 6.2, 8.4 ± 3.4, and 8.3 ± 6.2, respectively. In 5 cases (10%), there was an elevation of the distal metatarsal bone, but only in 2 cases did a transfer metatarsalgia develop. There were no significant correlations between the amount of shortening and the presence of postoperative metatarsalgia. Scores on the AOFAS scale improved from 47.6 ± 5.6 to 89.7 ± 10.1 points., Conclusion: The results are comparable to those reported with other more established techniques. Transfer metatarsalgia did not correlate with lifting or shortening of the metatarsal. We indicate the percutaneous technique for IMA above 15 degrees and increased DMAA or congruent joints., Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Introduction: in the last few years, the Incidence rate of fascioliosis caused by Fasciola hepatica has increased worldwide. Cuba is one of the countries that have reported sporadic cases and also some outbreaks of fasciolosis., Objective: to describe clinical and therapeutic features of this trematodiasis of digestive transmission found in 87 patients, who had been admitted to "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 1996 to December 2005., Methods: patients were divided into 2 groups according to the prescribed drug, that is, triclabendazole and dihydroemetine. The clinical variables were collected at the time of diagnosis and 90 days after treatment; the means and the standard deviation were estimated., Results: males was slightly predominant (54) in our series of patients admitted to the institute service. Consumption of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) was found in almost half of the patients. Abdominal pain, fever and malaise were the most frequent symptoms. Both drugs were useful to treat F. hepatica., Conclusions: this study showed the usefulness of lab tests for diagnosis and follow-up of patients after treatment. The anti-parasitic drugs dihydroemetine and triclabendazole proved to be effective at the prescribed doses in this research with minor adverse effects.

The case of a 52-year-old white female patient with personal and family history of psychiatric disorders and pubic pediculosis that was referred for presenting exulcerated lesions of the skin during the last two years was reported. On the microscopic study, the samples taken from the patient during her admission corresponded to epithelium and hair. The skin biopsy was interpreted as exulceration secondary to scratching, and no evidence of parasites was found. Psychological and psychiatric evaluation of the patient confirmed her hallucinatory state. She was finally diagnosed a Delusional Parasitosis (II grade Primary Dermatozoal Parasitic Delirium, ectoparasitosis). This is a very infrequent diagnosis and no documented case was found of this dermatological pathology in Cuba.

One hundred and sixty four (164) patients were evaluated. Sixty (60) with Sickle cell disease (SSHg.) and ninety seven (97) with Trait (ASHg.); seventeen (17) were normal control group. The study confirmed that the incidence of cardiomyopathy in Trait (ASHg.) is greater than reported by other clinical investigations. Cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, bundle branch blocks, and T and ST modifications with sub epicardial isquemia were most significant electrocardiographics changes. The possibility of myocardial infarction in SS patients with low or normal hemoglobin is significant. M-Mode and 2-D echo, demonstrated similar end diastolic volumes in AS and SS patients in which cardiomyopathy were diagnosticated. Patients with cardiac failure, treated with cardiotonics, diuretics and ACE were compensated most frequently. To prevent hemosiderosis, antioxydant (alfatocoferol and Ubiquinones) were used with satisfactory response.