Resumen La hidatidosis o equinococosis quística es una zoonosis parasitaria endémica causada por el estadio larvario del cestode Echinococcus granulosus. El hígado y el pulmón son los órganos con afección más frecuente. Su ubicación subcutánea es una entidad rara, poco descrita, y por ende un reto diagnóstico. Describimos el caso de una mujer, de 18 años de edad, procedente de un área endémica, que presentó un quiste hidatídico primario supraclavicular.

Abstract Hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis is an endemic parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, the liver and lung being the most frequently affected organs. Its subcutaneous location is a rare entity, little described, and therefore a diagnostic challenge. We describe the case of an 18-year-old woman from an endemic area who presented with a primary supraclavicular hydatid cyst.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In late 2019, a new coronavirus named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes respiratory-related illness was reported in Wuhan, China. This virus can attack human lung cells causing a disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Objective: Describe the structural characteristics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: A review was written from 47 bibliographic references. Articles and information from national and international journals available in the PubMed, Scopus, Medline, SciELO databases were used. The quality, reliability and validity of the selected articles were analyzed to carry out an adequate review. Analysis-synthesis and logical deduction methods were applied. Development: An introduction to the general aspects of the structure of SARS-CoV-2 is provided by stating the characteristics of the structural and non-structural proteins encoded by the viral genome, which provides the basis for understanding viral entry mechanisms to the host cell, and may be useful to stimulate the search for novel insights and possible therapeutic targets to fight the infection. Conclusions: Knowledge of the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the characteristics of the structural and non-structural proteins provides the basis for understanding the viral mechanisms of infection and the strategies for developing effective therapeutics.

RESUMEN Introducción: A finales de 2019 se informó el brote de un nuevo coronavirus en Wuhan, China, llamado Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) que causa alteraciones en el aparato respiratorio. Este virus puede atacar las células humanas del pulmón causando una enfermedad denominada enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), que puede producir neumonía y un síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda. Objetivo: Describir las características estructurales del virus SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica a partir de 47 referencias. Se utilizaron artículos e información de revistas nacionales e internacionales disponibles en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Medline, SciELO. Para llevar a cabo una revisión adecuada, se analizaron la calidad, fiabilidad y validez de los artículos seleccionados. Se aplicaron métodos de análisis-síntesis y deducción lógica. Desarrollo: Se proporciona una introducción de los aspectos generales de la estructura del SARS-CoV-2. Se enuncian las características de las proteínas estructurales y no estructurales codificadas por el genoma viral, lo que provee la base para comprender los mecanismos virales de entrada a la célula huésped. El artículo resulta de utilidad para estimular la búsqueda de nuevos conocimientos y posibles objetivos terapéuticos para combatir la infección. Conclusiones: El conocimiento sobre la estructura del virus SARS-CoV-2 y las características de las proteínas estructurales y no estructurales que lo forman ampara significativamente las bases para entender los mecanismos virales de la infección y las estrategias para el desarrollo terapéutico efectivo.

FUNDAMENTOS: Melasma é uma melanodermia comum, cuja terapêutica representa um desafio clínico. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança clínicas do complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides, em comparação à hidroquinona 2%, na abordagem do melasma. MÉTODOS: Após 60 dias de uso exclusivo de fotoprotetor FPS35, 56 mulheres com idades entre 18 e 60 anos, fotótipos I a IV, com melasma epidérmico ou misto, foram divididas em dois grupos de um estudo clínico monocego: A) creme contendo complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides 7%, usado duas vezes ao dia; B)creme de hidroquinona 2%, usado à noite. O estudo durou 60 dias consecutivos e avaliações médica, das voluntárias (auto-avaliação) e fotográfica (Visia®) foram realizadas quinzenalmente. RESULTADOS: 89% das voluntárias (50/56), 23 do Grupo A e 27 do Grupo B, concluíram o estudo. Duas voluntárias do Grupo A contra sete do Grupo B apresentaram eventos adversos leves transitórios. Houve despigmentação do melasma pelas avaliações médica (Grupo A: 78,3%; Grupo B: 88,9%) e auto-avaliação (Grupo A: 91,3%; Grupo B: 92,6%), todos estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001), sem diferenças entre os grupos (p>0,05). O mesmo padrão foi observado pelo Visia®, tanto no número (p = 0,001) quanto no tamanho e no tom (p<0,001), para ambos os grupos, e sem diferenças entre eles (p>0,05) nas manchas UV. CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença estatística na melhora do melasma nos dois grupos; o Grupo A apresentou menor incidência de eventos adversos. Logo, o complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides é uma alternativa segura e eficaz na abordagem do melasma.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common skin pigment disorder with a difficult clinical response to treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the association of Belides, Emblica and Licorice 7%, compared to Hydroquinone 2%, in the treatment of melasma. METHODS: After 60 days of exclusive use of an SPF35 sunscreen, 56 women, 18 to 60 years of age, phototypes I to IV, with epidermal or mixed melasma, were divided into two different groups in a mono-blind clinical study: A) cream with Belides, Emblica and Licorice, applied twice a day; B) cream with Hydroquinone 2%, used at night. They were observed in a 60-day study; every 15 days, they were submitted to medical evaluation, self-evaluation, and photographic registration (Visia®). RESULTS: 50 volunteers (89%), 23 in Group A and 27 in Group B, concluded the study. Two volunteers in Group A and 7 in Group B had mild skin adverse events. Depigmentation was observed through medical evaluation (Group A: 78.3%; Group B: 88.9%) and volunteers' self-evaluation (Group A: 91.3%; Group B: 92.6%); these results were statistically significant (p<0.001), with no differences between groups (p>0.05). This pattern of results was observed by Visia® in the number (p = 0.001) and size and tone (p<0.001) of the uv stains, for both groups, with no differences between them (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no statistic differences between groups in the improvement of melasma. Group A showed less skin adverse events. Therefore, the association of Emblica, Licorice and Belides is a safe and efficient alternative for the treatment of melasma.

The presence of students carriers of the deficiency in the glucose-6-phosphate erytrocitary dehydrogenase enzyme was studied at the "Victoria de Girón" Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences by using the methylene blue method, the enzymatic activity and the starch gel electrophoresis. Later, it was studied the hemolytic effect of the prophylactic administration of chloroquine phosphate to these subjects and the variations in the concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit with clinical significance before and after the treatment with this drug. The existance of diseases associated with hemolytic pictures among individuals carriers of this disease was discarded. Of the 994 Latin American students attended at the Institute in 2001, 8 were confirmed as G6PD deficient. The treatment with chloroquine did not cause hemolysis.

Se estudió la presencia de estudiantes portadores de la deficiencia en la enzima glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa eritrocitaria en el Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Preclínicas "Victoria de Girón" mediante el del azul de metileno, la actividad enzimática y la electroforesis en geles de almidón. Luego se estudió el efecto hemolítico de la administración profiláctica de fosfato de cloroquina en estos sujetos, estudiando las variaciones con significación clínica en la concentración de hemoglobina y el hematócrito, antes y después del tratamiento con este fármaco. Se descartó la presencia de enfermedades asociadas a cuadros hemolíticos en sujetos portadores de esta deficiencia. De los 994 estudiantes latinoamericanos que arribaron al instituto en el año 2001, 8 fueron confirmados como deficientes de G6PD y el tratamiento de cloroquina suministrado no provocó hemólisis.