ABSTRACT Introduction: hip fracture is a problem for the Cuban health system for which large resources are allocated by the state; the aging population that afflicts society promotes growth and an even greater cost. Objective: to evaluate the epidemiological behavior of the hip fracture in the northwestern region of the Province of Villa Clara in 2018. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study of epidemiological and sociodemographic type of all patients who went to the Hospital “Martires del 9 de Abril” of Sagua la Grande with hip fracture was carried out between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Results: a total of 119 hip fractures occurred, with a female predominance of 2: 1, an average age of 80.8 years and a fashion of 91 years, the majority over 70 years, inter-trochanteric fractures and the left side predominated. The incidence rates by municipalities and global show high results comparable with highly developed countries. Conclusions: the hip fracture in the northwest region of Villa Clara constitutes a serious and worrying health problem in which the participation of all the factors of society is necessary in order to minimize the negative impact that this disease plays.

RESUMEN Introducción: la fractura de cadera es un problema para el sistema de salud cubano para el que se destinan cuantiosos recursos por parte del estado; el envejecimiento poblacional que aqueja a la sociedad propicia un crecimiento y un encarecimiento aún mayor. Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento epidemiológico de la fractura de cadera en la región noroeste de la Provincia de Villa Clara en el año 2018. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal de tipo epidemiológico y sociodemográfico de todos los pacientes que acudieron al Hospital “Mártires del 9 de Abril” de Sagua la Grande con fractura de cadera entre el primero de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2018. Resultados: se produjeron un total de 119 fracturas de cadera, con un predominio del sexo femenino de 2:1, una media de edades de 80,8 años y una moda de 91 años, la mayoría mayores de 70 años, predominaron las fracturas intertrocantéricas y el lado izquierdo. Las tasas de incidencia por municipios y global muestran resultados elevados comparables con países altamente desarrollados. Conclusiones: la fractura de cadera en la región noroeste de Villa Clara constituye un serio y preocupante problema de salud en el que se impone la participación de todos los factores de la sociedad con el fin de minimizar el impacto negativo que desempeña esta enfermedad.

Abstract: Background: Actinic prurigo (AP) is an idiopathic photodermatosis. Although its initial manifestations can appear in 6 to 8-year-old children, cases are diagnosed later, between the second and fourth decades of life, when the injuries are exacerbated. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with clinical manifestations of AP such as skin and mucosal lesions. Methods: Thirty patients with AP and 60 controls were included in the study, the dependent variable was the presence of skin or labial mucosal lesions, the independent variables were age, sex, solar exposure, living with pets or farm animals, exposure to wood smoke, smoking habit, years smoking, and hours spent per day and per week in contact with people who smoke. Results: Of the 30 diagnosed AP patients, 66.7% were female. Patients age ranged from 7 to 71 years and the mean age was 35.77 ± 14.55 years. We found significant differences with the age and cohabitation with farm animals. Those who lived with farm animals presented 14.31 times higher probability of developing AP (95% CI 3-78.06). Study limitations: This is a case-control study; therefore, a causal relationship cannot be proven, and these results cannot be generalized to every population. Conclusions: The identification of factors related to the development of AP increases our knowledge of its physiopathology. Moreover, identifying antigens that possibly trigger the allergic reaction will have preventive and therapeutic applications in populations at risk of AP.

Abstract: Background: Pemphigus is part of a group of blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Based on its autoimmune origin, autoantibodies develop in pemphigus that are directed toward cell surface components of keratinocytes. However, some data cannot be explained, such as the lack of a relationship between autoantibody levels and the severity of clinical manifestations, treatment resistance, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and the potential occurrence of apoptosis as determinants of vesicle formation. Objective: To examine the presence of apoptosis in pemphigus vulgaris by TUNEL technique. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 15 paraffin-embedded tissues from subjects who were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The samples were subjected to TUNEL assay and examined under an Olympus BX61 fluorescence microscope. Positivity was categorized dichotomously, and the statistical analysis was performed using the X2 test. Results: Positivity was observed in basal layer cells in 14 (93.3%) cases. In 13 (86.7%) of the positive cases, we noted espinosum and granular layers that formed the blister roof, and in 12 cases (80%), positive acantholytic cells were observed. Conclusions: TUNEL positivity was observed in pemphigus vulgaris, implicating apoptosis in the pathophysiology of this condition, which can help guide the development of apoptotic blockers as therapeutics.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Actinic prurigo is an idiopathic photodermatosis, the pathophysiology of which has been hypothesized to involve subtype IV type b (Th2) hypersensitive response, whereby IL4, IL5, and IL13 are secreted and mediate the production of B cells, IgE, and IgG4. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of serum IgE levels and the clinical severity of injuries. METHODS: This case-control study comprised patients with a clinical and histopathological diagnosis of actinic prurigo, as well as clinically healthy subjects, from whom 3cc of peripheral blood was taken for immunoassay. Cases were classified by lesion severity as mild, moderate, and severe. Descriptive statistics were analyzed, and chi-square test was performed. RESULTS: We included 21 actinic prurigo patients and 21 subjects without disease; 11 patients with actinic prurigo had elevated serum IgE levels, and 10 had low serum levels. Six actinic prurigo (AP) patients with elevated serum levels of IgE had moderate injuries, 4 had severe injuries, and 1 had minor injuries. Eight out of 10 patients with normal IgE levels presented with minor injuries in the clinical evaluation. The 21 controls did not have increased serum IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IgE levels are associated with moderate to severe clinical lesions, suggesting that actinic prurigo entails a type IV subtype b hypersensitivity response in which Th2 cells predominate.