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

Introduction. Objective: to present a series of patients who underwent neurosurgical surgery for different variants of brain tumors during the period of time that the country has been exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. A descriptive study was carried out with 22 patients operated on brain tumors in which a new work system was applied as a consequence of the reorganization of medical and surgical services in the province as a result of the pandemic. Results. In the period of time between February 2020 and May 2021, 22 cases underwent a surgical operation, predominantly those of astrocytic origin, that is, 7 (31.81%). 13 patients (59.09%) suffered mild or no sequelae after surgery. Among patients with astrocytoma, 5 (71.42%) fit into grade V of the Glasgow Outcome Scale; eight patients died (36.36%). Conclusions: With adherence to the work system used, we did not suffer contagion in patients or specialists in our department; consequently, we have not had any deaths infected with COVID-19.

Introduction. This paper shows the description of the methods used to obtain doped lead-free KNN piezoceramics: (K0.5Na0.5)0.95La0.05(Nb0.9Ti0.05)O2.9 and (K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)0.97La0.01Nb0.9Ta0.103 piezoceramics, and their physical characterization. The objective was to achieve a reproducible obtaining method that will promote good physicochemical properties in the systems used and to use new dopants such as Ti, with a lower price in the market, and La, not studied yet in the literature consulted, to modify and control their physicochemical properties. Methods. A combined method of grain growth reaction is used, to obtain the precursor NaNbO3 and from this we make it react in solid state with the other reactants, thus simplifying existent methods, and the characterization: dielectric, phase transition, structural characterizations by X-ray diffraction and piezoforce microscopy (PFM). Results. The photo-luminescence piezoceramics doped with La and Ti show a good power emission of blue light. In both compositions presented, the doping with the La cation regulates the grain growth, modifies dielectric properties, and lowers transition temperatures. In the KNN compound doped with Li-La-Ta, the phase coexistence at room temperature and good dielectric properties and a certain anisotropy in the orientation of the domains are obtained. The experimental results carried out by PFM demonstrate excellent piezoelectric constants def = 166 pCN-1 compared to the best PZT ceramics. Conclusions: the results presented favor their potential use as ferroelectric light emitters, as well as lead-free transducers. Neither composition has been internationally accredited yet.

Introduction. Gender violence is sustained by structural inequality in power relations between men and women and is consolidated through culture. Gender violence that occurs in schools has multiple physical, psychological, and moral consequences, among others, and can cause poor performance, absenteeism, school dropout and, on many occasions, it causes death. The objective of this work is to reflect on the need to educate for equality from comprehensive, equitable and fair educational practices. Methods. Document analysis, synthetic-analytical and inductive-deductive methods, which made it possible to sustain the reflections provided, the results of which are declared from the theoretical-methodological point of view. Results. Within the framework of the research project “Study on homophobic bullying in Cuban educational institutions” of the University of Pedagogical Sciences Enrique José Varona in Havana, a research process was developed on gender violence in Cuba, examining its incidence in schools. The reproduction of various forms of gender violence is verified, as well as insufficient preparation by teachers to prevent its appearance. The solutions offered seek to promote the development of a culture of equality, as well as in the development of research on the subject. As a conclusions in Educating for Equality, it contributes to building barriers against gender violence and sexism. Humanizing and democratizing the pedagogical process, based on the design of the most appropriate educational procedures and methods, is the best way to advance towards peaceful, collaborative and full coexistence, without room for stereotypes and violence, fundamentally that which is exercised for gender reasons in schools.

Introduction. Pineal region tumors are infrequent, its surgical approach is difficult and total surgical resection is very hard too, because these tumors are located adjacent to very important vascular and neurological structures. This study reviews the results of diagnosis and treatment in patients with pineal region lesions treated at “Hermanos Ameijeiras” Hospital between January 2016 and January 2021. Methods. We made an observational, descriptive and retrospective study type cohort in a series of 19 patients diagnosed with a lesion in the pineal region. Results. Young patients predominated, with diagnosis of germinomas and, clinically, an increased intracranial pressure syndrome. Tumor markers were 31,6% positive. Survival after 6 months was 94,7% (18 patients), getting an acceptable functional status and control of the disease. Conclusions. Pineal region lesions are a group of conditions that imply a high risk to the life of the patients who suffer from them and interfere with the quality of life of these patients. Appropriate selection of the therapeutic modality in each patient, and particularly multimodal treatment, is the key to success.

Introduction. Increased intracranial pressure is a poor prognosis factor in patients with severe head trauma. Decompressive craniectomy is a surgical procedure that can reduce the intracranial hypertension sooner; we posed the following research problem: Could decompressive craniectomy reduce the secondary brain damage and reduce mortality? Methods. A descriptive correlational study was carried out with 230 cases admitted between 2007 and 2020, in the neurosurgery service of the General Teaching Hospital Roberto Rodríguez in Morón, Ciego de Àvila, Cuba, who underwent early decompressive craniectomy, in the first 12 hours of evolution of the trauma, as a measure to control intracranial pressure. Results and Discussion. 50,87 % of the cases showed intracranial pressure lower than 20 mm Hg over the first 24 hours after surgery, increasing to 73,48 % between the 2nd and 5th day, of which 75,74 % obtained satisfactory results. Decompression allowed 82,17 % to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure above 60 mm Hg and only 17,83 % to have an ischemic cerebral hemodynamic pattern. Mortality was 28,69 %. As some conclusions a 12 hour “surgical window” is proposed for decompressive craniectomy in severe head trauma, the diameter of the craniectomy is increased to more than 15 cm3, and it becomes a first-level therapeutic measure. The type of decompressive craniectomy was selected according to the type and location of the intracranial lesion.

This contribution discusses the creation of a government management system based on science and innovation (SGGCI). It explains the essential ideas on which it is based and provides some information about the progress and difficulties encountered in its implementation. Ideas are shared about the role of universities and the scientific and technological community in terms of a path to sustainable and inclusive development, in a context adverse to these purposes. The relevant role played by national science and technology in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted, closely linked to governmental management, all of which made it possible to offer a social, scientific, political and health response capable of facing the challenge posed by the pandemic. The reasons for considering science and innovation as fundamental pillars of government management in Cuba in all areas are discussed. It is reiterated that the pandemic highlighted the importance of a scientific, scientific-technological style, marked by speedy responses, synergies and strong collaboration. All this led to emphasizing the importance of the science-government link. The management system created favors a systematic dialogue between scientists and the government.

[letter to editor]

A recapitulation of a study into the founding documents is given. Previous research on Annals of the Academy is also analized, in order to document the original goals and editorial policies. The objective is also to illustrate some of the transformations the publication underwent through the different periods over which it has evolved. This leading editoril project of the Cuban scientific community is over one and a half century old already.

This paper analyzes the importance that citizens give to electoral polls in their vote intention, considering their intense propagandistic reach and news coverage in Mexico. The traditional factors of electoral behavior were contrasted as independent variables –partisan identification, candidates' proposals, the reference groups, and political sophistication– that predict the polls’ influence. Given the few previous studies in the region, we conducted an exploratory exercise of a mixed and case nature, using an online analytical survey (n=209) and five focus groups in the same five municipalities (n=40 participants). The results showed that the polls are widely consulted, but little considered in formulating the vote, in absolute terms and in relation to other factors of electoral behavior, partly due to a distrust of them. However, it was confirmed that informed voters, i.e., with higher levelsof political sophistication, of a higher socioeconomic level, and who pay more attention to the campaign, are the ones who show a greater poll influence. The research seeks to lay thefoundations for further studies of this phenomenon, which is little addressed in the current literature on electoral behavior.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has brough with it an information avalanche; thus, it is key to understand how people are informing themselves in this context. This study seeks to understand the patterns of information seeking, scanning or incidental exposure, and avoidance of coronavirus content in Chile, and to identify the individual characteristics that explain the three information behaviors. A survey of 3,592 people was conducted combining online (n=1,891) and telephone application (n=1,701) between September and November 2020. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models. Scanning was found to be more prevalent than seeking. The preferred source for scanning was television while digital media were the most central for seeking. Age was negatively associated with scanning and seeking, and positively associated with avoidance. Women sought less than men and avoided more. People with lower educational levels scanned and sought to a lesser degree and avoided more than those with a higher education. This work shows important gaps in access to information about the pandemic by age, gender, and educational level in Chile. These findings underscore the importance of making active efforts to reach the audience segments less motivated to access to this content and they highlight the centrality of television in reaching these users.