Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Introduction: Uveal melanoma is a rare condition that accounts for approximately 5% of all primary melanomas; the choroidal melanoma is the most common. Objective: To describe, from a clinical and pathological point of view, a patient with choroidal melanoma. Clinical case: A 58-year-old male patient with progressive vision loss of one year's duration is presented. Direct ophthalmoscopy revealed a tumor-like pigmented lesion in the right eye, in the choroid, which had grown into the vitreous cavity. A computed tomography scan showed a hyperdense image in the nasal area of ​​the right eye. Based on clinical suspicion of uveal melanoma, right enucleation was performed. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of spindle cell B-type choroidal melanoma. Conclusions: Understanding the clinical and pathological characteristics of uveal melanoma is crucial to increasing survival and improving the quality of life of affected patients. Early diagnosis and timely treatment help minimize the impact of this rare and fatal disease.

The incorporation of advanced technologies like ChatGPT into higher education has transformed learning dynamics, providing fast and accessible solutions. However, its excessive use raises concerns about its impact on students' academic and personal development. Particularly in the field of Health Sciences, dependence on these tools can affect essential skills such as effective communication and critical thinking, which are necessary for professional practice. Moreover, the risk of students adopting a passive attitude toward learning and using artificial intelligence to generate work without ethical reflection is a growing concern. Therefore, universities must integrate these technologies ethically, promoting active learning, critical thinking, and ethical reflection. It is crucial to ensure a balance between technological innovation and human development, preparing future professionals to face the challenges of the professional environment.

Introduction: The global emergence of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales, especially strains carrying plasmid-mediated mcr genes, poses a significant threat to public health. Rapid detection of mcr-mediated resistance is critical for timely clinical management and infection control, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Southeast Asia. Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the lateral flow immunoassay (NG-Test MCR-1) in comparison with the combined reference method of EDTA-Colistin Broth Disk Elution (CBDE/EDTA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting mcr-mediated colistin.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 160 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 128) and Escherichia coli (n = 32), along with 2 additional E. coli strains carrying the mcr-1 gene, were tested for colistin resistance using Broth Microdilution (BMD) combined with the NG-Test MCR-1 in comparison with the CBDE/EDTA combined with PCR detection of mcr-1 to mcr-10. Results: Among 32/160 colistin-resistant isolates, only 2 E. coli strains were confirmed to carry mcr-1 by both NG-Test MCR-1 and PCR, while no K. pneumoniae isolates tested positive for mcr genes. The NG-Test MCR-1 showed perfect agreement with the CBDE/EDTA method combined with PCR. Furthermore, it achieved 100% PPA and NPA, with wide 95% confidence intervals due to the limited number of mcr-positive isolates. Conclusions: NG Test MCR-1 provides rapid, specific detection of mcr-1, while CBDE/EDTA is a cost-effective screening tool but less definitive. Combining these methods is recommended to improve mcr-mediated colistin resistance detection.

Introduction: Candida parapsilosis complex represents a serious threat to newborns, with an increase in resistance to antifungal sused for treatment. Objective: To characterize the epidemiology, clinical symptoms and mycology of critically ill neonates with candidemia due to the C. parasilosis complex. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study of newborns hospitalized in acute care units at two provincial institutions from May 2022 to December 2024. Epidemiological variables were analyzed, including patient sex, month, season and hospital; and mycological variables included sensitivity and resistance to antifungal tested. Absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results: Of the 30 newborns with candidemia due to C. parapsilosis complex, 76.7% were female.  April was the most representative month with 11 isolates, followed by December with four. 66.7% of infections occurred between November and April, which corresponds to the coldest months, and women are the most affected population group. 26.7% of patients died, and of these, 62.5% were from the Gynecological-obstetric Hospital, with gender equality in both institutions. The highest levels of susceptibility were to amphotericin B (90%). Conclusions: Female neonates with candidemia, diagnosed primarily during the winter season, predominanted; despite the high mortality rate, clinical isolates sensitive to amphotericin B prevailed.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has the potential to cause vascular complications in all body systems. Objective: To determine arterial echo-Doppler findings in the distal segment of the upper extremities in COVID-19 convalescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 173 COVID-19 convalescents using echo-Doppler of the aforementioned arteries. Variables studied included sex, age, atherosclerotic risk factors, and spectral morphology of arterial segments in the distal segment of the upper extremities. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used. Results: Monophasic flow predominated (40.2%–43.4%) in the bilateral ulnar and radial arteries. This finding was associated (p=0.000-0.005) in all 4 arterial segments, with male sex (23.1% to 24.9%), the presence of 2 to 3 atherosclerotic risk factors (22.5% to 24.9%; p = 0.000-0.002); as well as age <60 years (p = 0.001-0.010) in the distal sector of the upper left extremity (31.2% and 33.5%) and right (p = 0.008-0.025) in the case of overweight (16.8% and 17.9%). Furthermore, it was associated with dyslipidemia in the left radial segment (20.8%; p = 0.029). Conclusions: Monophasic spectral morphology in upper distal arteries is the most frequent abnormal finding in COVID-19 convalescents, especially in those under 60 years of age, men, and with atherosclerotic risk factors such as overweight and dyslipidemia.

Introduction: Local complications following simple extractions, such as dry socket, bleeding, and prolonged pain, are common in dentistry. Their proper treatment depends on the professional's knowledge, so assessing dental students is key to strengthening their clinical training. Objectives: To evaluate the level of knowledge about local complications post-simple tooth extraction in dental students. Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 252 students from cycles VI to X of the Stomatology degree. The target population consisted of students enrolled in these cycles during the 2021-II semester who had taken the subject of Oral Surgery or Oral Surgery I. A validated 12-item questionnaire was applied through a virtual survey. The variables studied were sex, academic cycle, and level of knowledge on the management of local complications post-extraction. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used to evaluate associations. Results: 73.8% of students had an average level of knowledge, 15.5% had a high level, and 10.7% had a low level. No significant relationship was found with gender (p= 0.66), but a significant relationship was found with academic year (p= 0.037). High level was most common among students in the tenth year. Conclusions: It is essential to strengthen education about postoperative complications from the early stages of training to ensure safer and more effective dental care.

The proposed predictive model for in-hospital cardiac complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction stands out for its prognostic horizon (24-48 h post-admission), based on clinical and echocardiographic variables (LVEF ≤40%, RV TDI ≤9.5 cm/s, IAP ≥15 mmHg), with high sensitivity (89.68%) and positive predictive value (94.17%), although limited by moderate specificity (79.41%) and low negative predictive value (67.50%). It outperforms traditional models (GRACE, TIMI) by integrating structural parameters, but its dependence on echocardiography restricts its use in resource-limited settings. Calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow, p=0.760) and Nagelkerke R² (0.65) support its fit, although 34% of variability remains unexplained. Its validity in contexts outside of Cuba (thrombolytic therapy vs. angioplasty) requires external validation. Although useful for early stratification and optimization of care, its implementation requires adaptation to local conditions, technical training, and consideration of socioeconomic factors.

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy increases the risk of obstetric and neonatal complications. Therefore, identifying associated risk factors is essential to implement effective prevention strategies and improve maternal health outcomes. Objective: To identify sociodemographic, anthropometric, obstetric, and clinical factors associated with obstetric complications in adolescent mothers treated at a public hospital. Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical case-control study was conducted. Medical records of 90 cases and 180 controls selected through simple random sampling were analyzed. Variables were assessed using bivariate analysis (chi-square test and trend test for ordinal variables) and multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Results: The risk factors significantly associated with obstetric complications were being a student (OR= 2.07; 95% CI: 1.09–3.91) and excessive gestational weight gain (OR= 2.22; 95% CI: 1.19–4.15). In contrast, adequate gestational weight gain was identified as a protective factor (OR= 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34–0.87). Additionally, 15% of pregnancies resulted in preterm births (mean gestational age: 34.95 weeks), while 85% reached full term (mean: 38.63 weeks). Conclusion: Obstetric complications in adolescent mothers are influenced by multiple factors, including being a student and exceeding the recommended gestational weight gain. On the other hand, adequate weight gain during pregnancy showed a protective effect.

Introduction: The technologies used in medical imaging diagnosis comprise two broad categories, depending on whether they require anatomical or functional details of the organs or tissues analyzed. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of introducing iMagis® software as a teaching formative aid in health sciences. Development: In addition to leveraging existing technological potential, it is necessary to incorporate iMagis® as a teaching aid in the training processes of medical, technology, and residency students in various medical and surgical specialties. In health sciences, it is essential to design methodologies that guide the use of the software, taking into account the gnoseological specificities of the programs and specializations in their training dynamics, in order to address the identified shortcomings in the preparation of future health professionals to interpret the images obtained which provide relevant elements for medical diagnosis. Conclusion: It is considered appropriate to develop strategies to optimize the use of iMagis® software as a teaching aid for teaching purposes in various health science programs and residencies.

Chronic noncommunicable diseases, particularly cancer, have surpassed infectious diseases as the leading threat to global health. Among them, gastric cancer occupies a worrying position. Gastric carcinogenesis is multifactorial, with the following factors standing out: Helicobacter pylori infection, genetic factors, and environmental exposures. The sequence of inflammation, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia, and cancer underscores the importance of early detection and eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Gastric cancer is not only a clinical problem but also a social and economic one. In Cuba, its control requires primary prevention, screening in at-risk groups, and health policies, including regulation of processed foods and access to diagnostics. It is urgent to integrate these strategies into national cancer programs, with a multisectoral approach that prioritizes primary care and local research. Cuba's experience in public health can be key to designing cost-effective interventions to address this challenge.