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Background: original investigations represent the fulfillment of a research process; it test all the research team’s abilities, from detecting the problem and conducting the study to interpreting the results and proposing solutions to the problem.Objective: to characterize the original research presented at the COVID-19 First National Scientific Conference, CovidCien2021. Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. 57 papers presented at the event were included. Variables: number of original researches presented, student investigations or professional investigations, type of study, type of research, most common methodological errors, number of authors. Descriptive statistics were used for processing and analysis of the results.Results: 57 free topics were presented (32.6%). Research belonging to students stood out (32; 56.1%). Descriptive observational studies (50; 87.7%) and quantitative studies (50; 87.7%) stood out. Papers with four and five authors prevailed (14; 24.6%). Difficulties such as the absence of the research objective and errors in the methodology that make its reproduction impossible were observed.Conclusions: descriptive observational researches, mostly quantitative, provide general and particular elements of a problem. There is a need to educate future generations in good methodological practices, in order to achieve science of quality and excellence.

School bullying or bullying is a social problem that has increased in such a way that it represents a worldwide concern, from which Cuba is not exempt. This paper reflects on the conditions and risks that can generate negative consequences in vulnerable people to suffer this type of aggression. Depression, anxiety and certain physical and social conditions stand out in those affected and, among these, the suffering from obesity that could increase, as a cumulative risk, sleep disorders in children and adolescents. A review was carried out about the possible impacts of linking obesity and bullying in terms of sleep disorders in children and adolescents. It is concluded that there is an association between obesity, bullying and the risk of suffering from sleep disorders, which, fundamentally from Primary Health Care, should be considered so that the corresponding protocols can be detected and applied to this population at risk and its environment, for which psycho-pedagogical actions and intersectoral coordination are recommended.

In this paper reflections related to the pedagogical process of postgraduate in the medical specialization, made by the authors after having read the essential statements in the article ¨ “Reflections on the Final Paper of the Specializations”, published by Medisur. A deep analysis of the above-mentioned work raised the need to expose, in a synthetic way, some particular considerations about the topic, not aimed at replying, but with the purpose of clarifying some invariant issues corresponding to the object of study in which it is inscribed, in this case the pedagogical process of postgraduate in specialization, its purposes and essential characteristics according with the most updated theoretical studies about the theme, from which some answers to the questions made by the author of the cited publication are derived.

The training and development of human capital is one of the priorities of the National Health System. This paper aims to present a reflection on the training of health professionals focusing on the competencies they need to perform successfully in their future workplaces, where they will be able to demonstrate in practice the integration between clinical care, teaching, and research. For this purpose, theoretical and empirical methods were used. It includes a logical-historical analysis of the competencies, as well as the bases for the development of the professional competencies required in the field of health. The processes for the operationalization of competency building and the sources of evidence that this process requires are proposed and described. The paper also presents a detailed analysis of the evaluation of student performance through the demonstration of attitudes, skills, and values in health settings, in addition to the procedures and sources of evidence for such evaluation. New methods and evaluation techniques are described to support the reflections on the use of competency-based training in Health Sciences.

Encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis is the most common of the neurocutaneous syndromes with a predominance of vascular abnormalities. It is a rare, but not exceptional, congenital process that affects both sexes equally. It consists, in its complete form, in the association of brain, skin and eye abnormalities. The case of a 1-year-old female patient, white skin, eutocic birth result, weighing 3660 g is presented. Physical examination confirmed patient with generalized hypotonia, delay in psychomotor development; with extensive bilateral facial hemangioma, right hemiparesis, tonic-clonic convulsive manifestation. Taking into account all these elements, the diagnosis of a Sturge-Weber syndrome is made. The early stimulation of language, the motor and cognitive part, the training in fine motor skills is the physiotherapeutic treatment that should start in an early stage. The objective of this paper is to point out the timeliness of treatment for a better prognosis and quality of life.

Background: the publication of the results from scientific research and projects ensures dissemination of science, exchange, feedback and update of its trends.Objective: to characterize the scientific output of health professionals from Cienfuegos visible in the Scopus database. Methods: a descriptive study was conducted in the Provincial Medical Sciences Information Center including the publications by health professionals from Cienfuegos visible in the Scopus database from January 2007 to September 2013. The variables analyzed were: publications per year, topics discussed in the publications, most prolific authors, collaboration among institutions and countries as well as institutions according to the authors' affiliation. Results: 102 papers were retrieved, mostly by authors working in secondary care, specifically at the Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Provincial Hospital. A total of 141 authors are represented, 82 times as first authors and 230 as co-authors. Only 9.2 % appears five or more times. Most common topics are: cardiovascular diseases and public health. Collaboration with 13 institutions (nine papers with four national institutes and 30 with foreign institutions) was observed. Conclusions: scientific output of health professionals from Cienfuegos visible in the Scopus database is still scant.

Listening comprehension is one of the linguistic skills to be considered in English language teaching. The present paper is aimed at designing exercises to strengthen the development of listening skills in first year medicine students at the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos. In order to conduct this research, it was performed the analysis of the official documents governing the discipline so that we could identify weaknesses in the existing programs. Instruments of qualitative methodology were applied such as surveys to teachers for the diagnose of learning needs of future professionals and a diagnostic test for first year medicine students to determine the major challenges in the domain of communicative skills. Triangulation of these results justified and guided the proposal described in this paper. It was validated by a group of specialists in the Languages Department who agreed on its successful implementation during the 2011-2012 accademical course, which has showed significant progress in the mastering of listening skills.

Very typical situations of the Pediatric Surgery Services in the Pediatric Hospital of Cienfuegos may interfere with the appropriate development of the educational process. Consequently, students might not master the principles of medical practice in the most common surgical diseases in children, thus limiting its further application in their professional performances as basic general practitioners. To obtain more accurate information on the causes of this phenomenon is considered to be paramount in order to search for practical solutions to improve the educational process and to fulfil the goals of the teaching stage. The contents on the following information sources are analyzed in this paper: documents for higher education and for medicine career, publications and papers presented in scientific events (directly or indirectly related to the practice of Pediatric Surgery) and hospital statistics. This review was aimed at analyzing the situations that negatively affect the educational process during the pediatric surgery area teaching of fourth year medicine students.

This paper reports the case of an inpatient from the provincial hospital ¨Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima¨ from Cienfuegos Province that had a difficult access to the air ways. The paper describes the application of the predictive tests as well as the results when using Fastrach, a useful tool that favoured the location of the endotracheal tube of less calibre in this patient.

Higher education continues to be in the process of change in the national and international context, determined by the needs of structural and curricular modernization, as well as by the need to respond to social requirements. Massiveness is a strength based on accessibility to the university and is related to equity and equality of rights for all in the training process of the health professional, but, on the other hand, it constitutes a challenge for the system which can directly affect quality in the process of medical teaching. This paper aims to address some guidelines and points of view about the interaction between medical teaching in mass environments and its challenge to increase quality.

The case of a 15 year-year-old female patient is presented, attended at the Children's Hospital of Cienfuegos, who reported that since childhood has diaphoresis (profuse sweating) on her body and very noticeable hands and armpits, which prevents proper perfomance in public and the inability to write on paper without it getting wet. He was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis and it was decided to perform video-laparoscopic surgery for thoracic sympathectomy. General anesthesia was used; a laryngeal mask and apneic oxygenation were used to permeabilize the airway, with which hemodynamic stability was achieved. The patient did not present complications and a definitive solution of hyperhidrosis was achieved.

The book Actor and Witness. Half a century of a Health worker, from Dr.C. Francisco Rojas Ochoa is a text of the so-called indispensable for study and consultation of all those who work in the health sector in any of its fields, both in care, education and research. Structured in four parts and complementary pages with their corresponding chapters, in addition to the preamble and the prologue, this book synthesizes in an elegant way, with an entertaining speech and of solid scientificity, the historical evolution of the author from his childhood to the present times. The purpose of this paper is to present some reflections that are considered fundamental and that are related to the conceptions that support the content of the aforementioned text.

The university as part of its social mission trains the student comprehensively and incorporates him to the research movement from the very first years of study. Scientific research at the university is aimed at developing research abilities and a scientific thinking which enables the formation of a comprehensive professional, strengthen the process developed in higher education and satisfy the demands to improve the medical problems and the social development of our country. This paper has the purpose of reflecting about the role of the university in developing the scientific activity in the process of training with a starring role to promote a culture of science.

Molecular studies development in breast cancer has provided arguments to establish subclassifications of diagnostic and therapeutic importance, which are bringing to the daily practice the desirability of a patients personalized therapy, to better identify the type of neoplasia. Most current studies seek to phenotypically relate these subtypes to the classic factors reported in the breast cancer anatomopathological report, using conventional hematoxylin and eosin techniques. Immunohistochemistry is a reliable tool that allows subclassification of these neoplasms in different categories using markers, which can establish necessary parameters in diagnosis and prognosis. In this paper the main immunohistochemical markers used in Cienfuegos are presented as well as their usefulness.

Assessing the quality of health services is a complex task, due to the multidimensional character of its definition, diversity of the theoretical approaches and component variability of each specialty and service. This paper is aimed at presenting the characteristics of quality assessment in Dentistry services in Cuba at present. It was carried out a review of documentary and published studies in the last ten years. At the beginning antecedents and health services quality approaches are highlighted; then assessment methods and programs are presented, so as quality management in Cuba. The assessment is carried out by means of supervisions and audits to the services with particular interest in indicators statistics. This a fundamental element in the quality continue improvement program in Dental services and the satisfaction of providers, including annex II of the National Program of Dental Care to the population. Various sources identify quality problems in Dentistry services, which should be considered from the academic and administrative point of view. It is concluded that assessing dental services in Cuba, needs an updating or a methodological redesign.

Curriculum transformation in the university majors in Ecuador has generated a growing concern for studying different aspects of interpersonal communication in the teaching-learning process. This paper is aimed at presenting a system of methods for interpersonal communication in the teaching-learning process. The proposed system supports the possibilities offered by the problem methods at different phases of the teaching-learning process, which is achieved by promoting dialogue, cognitive and affective exchange among all those who participate, share and contribute to the learning of others. The system of methods for interpersonal communication in the teaching-learning process suggests a change in the teacher's role and in the way in which this process is conceived and developed. Due to its didactic nature, it is a system which explains interpersonal communication as the center of the teaching-learning process.

In general when the phrase ¨man of science¨ is heard, One immediately thinks of a physicist, a mathematician, a chemist, an astronomer, a biologist, etc., but very few imagine a scientist in a humanist, a philologist, a musicologist, much less in a politician. In this paper reflections are presented to answer the following question: was Martí a scientist? And arguments are offered, from different conceptual points of view, to demarcate Marti’s life and work as a man of science.

Modernity was perceived in Cuba in large and medium-sized cities by the end of the 1970s, extending to about 1930; it brought economic and social changes. Urban mobility, news traffic, technological development, was all synonym of Modernity. By these years Cienfuegos had a totally consolidated economy influenced by powerful economic development of the Modern World. The Cienfuegos Dentistry was not alien to this process and gained splendor with the arrival of specialists of recognized prestige. This paper offers a historical panorama of this profession in Cienfuegos, highlighting the dental art development in the context of Modernity. Services and contributions by the professionals of this branch in this period are presented. With emphasis on the personality of Serafina C. Daumy Martínez, Cuban odontologist considered to be the first woman graduated in Dental Surgery in Cuba.

The avatars of Web 2.0 as a philosophy of educational teaching processes conception, have gained momentum in recent years. The objective of this paper is to characterize theoretically the Web 2.0 tools in terms of higher education context teaching. The study was done with documents socialized by experienced authors in the subject, coming from the region and the world. Web 2.0 has fundamental tools, such as massive and open online courses, ePortafolio, among others, which function as mediating elements in the teaching-learning process. It is concluded that the Web 2.0 supposes for higher education teachers a theoretical instrument, whose knowledge and application is reverted in university teaching quality.

In the consulted bibliography it is shown the theoretical dimension on interdisciplinarity is more developed than its practical dimension. It is understood that developing interdisciplinarity from practice requires singling out its projection from the academic year staff and discipline staff which integrate a given curriculum. The discipline staff of Philosophy and Society put into practice an interdisplinary approach from its own discipline, applied to the first year of the medical major taking advantage of the possibilities offered by its broad application to all disciplines. The results achieved are exposed and recommendations on the Marxist Leninist role to set a dialectic rupture with content presentation by parts, in fragmented way and in many cases decontextualized from the students´ living reality. The paper is aimed at showing the possibilities the discipline Philosophy and Society has to strengthen the practical dimension of interdisciplinarity.

The development achieved by the scientific activity in the public health field, during the revolutionary period, promoted the origin of subsidiaries of scientific societies in different provinces of the country. In Cienfuegos the different medical specialties started to form their own chapters, among them, the Physiological Sciences. This paper is aimed at exposing the collected information about the emergence and development of the Scientific Society in Cienfuegos. A bibliographical review was realized and written testimonial sources were used (documents linked to the functioning of the mentioned organ). Elements related to the society, from its first Board of Directors, the main evidences found in scientific activities developed from its foundation, until its main contributions to the scientific work of the province.

Unquestionably the scientific activity study throughout the national historical evolution can provide a better understanding of the substantive due process of our national cultural and national identity. The present paper is aimed at explaining the process of foundation and development of the Cienfuegos pharmaceutical medical center. On the basis of documentary sources, the activity of the center is analyzed and unpublished elements are shown on its integration, functioning and contribution to the Cienfuegos society. Therefore this work will contribute to the construction of a science social history in the province.

Quantity and quality assessment with which the different components on the natural, cultural and social environment achieve to satisfy the range of needs of human beings during the interaction with the environment results of vital importance to understand its comprehensive development. Man has biologic, psychological, social, cultural and cultural needs which should be satisfied for its full development. This paper reflects on the current imperative to form individuals with a developed spirituality, as the only alternative facing hyperhedonism and passivity that has invaded the world today.

The need of providing a better understanding of Radiology in Cienfuegos, is founded on the importance the development and the adequate use of Radiology (currently imaging) has had for the diagnosis of diverse medical conditions in the present century, specially in the last decades, so as the absence of research associated to the origin and evolution of this specialty in the locality. The objective of this paper is to present the elements related with the emergence and development of Radiology in Cuba, particularly in Cienfuegos, and the benefits it has brought about for the population of this city. Aimed at that, a qualitative study was carried out, with a historical and descriptive profile. Aspects related to non medical personnel assistance and teaching are presented and it is alluded to diverse relevant personalities linked to this activity. The emergence of Radiology in the province dates back to the early years of the second decade of 1900, however, it was not until after the triumph of the revolution in 1959, which experienced true technological advances.

Historically, the bodies responsible for designing the curricula in our country have included the English discipline in them and have conceived graduate profiles covering elements that require knowing this language. They have invested in the training of teachers, the reproduction of materials, methods designed abroad by native English-speaking specialists, and some sound reproduction equipment in line with the economic resources of the country. More recently, various Cuban authors specialized in English language have been asked to design the basic materials used to teach the courses in the program. The efforts made over the years have yielded some results, although they could be qualitatively superior. This paper presents a reflection on some elements that still hamper the achievement of better results.

Oral cancer rates have been increasing. There are several ongoing studies on this subject that specifically focus on the risk factors for this type of cancer. Addressing this problem holistically will allow analyzing this phenomenon using various approaches. For such reasons, we conducted a review of research papers published in electronic journals in SciELO and PubMed databases in order to demonstrate the contribution of the Oral Cancer Screening Program to Cuban public health and its interrelation with science, technology, and society. The assumed starting point allows stating that the science, technology and society approach is not only a field of study concerned with the complex interrelationships between science, technology, and the societies in which they develop. In addition, this approach is related to all social areas. Therefore, it is not just a matter of thought or study; it is, above all, a practical-existential problem.

Scientific societies emerged in Cuba in the second half of the nineteenth century as a result of the scientific and technological development, the need to disseminate the best experiences, and certain social, political, and economic circumstances. This paper aims to present the most important events related to the development of scientific health societies in Cienfuegos in chronological order. For this purpose, a historical research was conducted involving an extensive literature review and key informant interviews. During the colonial and republican period, Cienfuegos stood out because of the creation and sustainability of these societies. The first formal attempt of Cuban doctors to work together took place in Cienfuegos in 1874, but this effort did not materialize until 1881. The rise of this type of associations occurred during the revolutionary period. The year 1978 marked the beginning of profound changes, and by 1980 the Provincial Council of Scientific Societies was legalized as a body to establish relations between scientific societies and the Ministry of Public Health. It is concluded that scientific societies in Cienfuegos emerged in a short period of time in relation to their national counterparts. Several personalities of the province have been members of these associations, which have conducted scientific and social activities of great importance.

This paper presents a series of considerations on the syndrome known as no one knows what the patient has, a phrase ingeniously coined at the University General Hospital of Cienfuegos to refer to those patients whose underlying condition cannot be clearly established despite countless efforts of all sorts: application of clinical methods, investigations, continuous diagnostic discussions, and consultations with the most diverse specialists. This represents a stressful situation for patients, relatives, and medical staff, with a significant impact not only on the health care setting, but also on administrative, social, ethical, and possibly legal spheres.

The establishment of interdisciplinary relationships is a present imperative derived from scientific development. Education cannot ignore this development, on the contrary, should integrate it into the teaching process. Educational institutions should promote increased methodological activities, curriculum designs and educational actions using this approach in order to train students in correspondence with the time they live in, which will result in better preparation of professionals. This paper aims to update scholars about the possibilities offered by interdisciplinarity to improve the teaching-learning process. The theoretical and methodological premises of interdisciplinarity are analyzed through a literature review. It also presents different experiences from the implementation of this approach, which have enabled ratifying the need for interdisciplinary relationships in the teaching-learning process, the difficulties encountered when designing a proposal using this approach, and the benefits of its application.

Background: the assessment of journals is undoubtedly a continuous process that is determined by the quality of scientific papers and authors’ recognition of the most cited scientific journals. Objective: to describe the ranking of Cuban medical journals according to the h5-index. Methods: a bibliometric study of all scientific journals related to Cuban medical sciences included in the Virtual Health Library was conducted. The h5-index and the h5-median obtained through Google Scholar Metrics were used to calculate the ranking. Results: eighty two point seven percent of Cuban medical journals have an h5-index registered in Google Scholar Metrics. Seventy two percent are indexed in SciELO Cuba. The average h5-index for Cuban medical journals is 6.88 and the h-median is 6.00. For those indexed in SciELO Cuba, the h5-index is 7.60. The h5-index of journals published by ECIMED is 8.69; showing significant differences in relation to other publishers in the country. Among the top 20 Cuban medical journals according to the Google Scholar H5-index, only seven are not edited by ECIMED. Conclusions: the assessment of national journals using the h5-index is vital, even considering its weaknesses, since most of these journals are not included in databases such as Scopus and WOS.

This paper presents a historical review of the contribution of the Dr. Gustavo Alderguía Lima Hospital to the emergence and development of higher medical education in Cienfuegos, emphasizing on the early stages. It highlights the fact that, true to the provincial tradition, everything was organized, implemented and developed with our own professionals. It includes some events that demonstrate the role played by this institution, its faculty, workers in general, and undergraduate and graduate students in achieving better health and education in the province, as well as the integration with other institutions. A group of difficulties and challenges in the field of teaching faced by the hospital for almost four decades is also discussed. It is argued that the university hospital of the future in Cienfuegos must be based on the general policies of our health system, but adapting them to the local context to be consistent with Marti's dream "with all and for the good of all", bearing in mind that we have to fulfill the mandate that the hospital must be “a symbol of the health, life, and happiness of the people of Cienfuegos” and that “it is impossible to close the doors”.

Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture-dislocation of the ankle with plates, screws and Kirschner wires is a well-defined treatment method. This paper presents the management of a fracture-dislocation of the right ankle in a 33-year-old female patient stabilized by using a one-third tubular plate, screws, and Kirschner wires with tension-band wires. Results were satisfactory.

This paper reviews the application of the informed consent within the specialty of allergology in procedures (skin tests), therapeutic interventions (immunotherapy) and research (clinical trials) from a scientific, technological and social perspective, based on the advances achieved in Cuba in recent years to obtain better allergenic extracts for testing, high-quality vaccines and new drugs to benefit the allergic patient. It is demonstrated that when applying the informed consent in this specialty, the humanistic social precepts are respected by directing health actions to respect the integrity of the patients against possible risks, offering the option to use immunotherapy and respecting their autonomy in research. It benefits the patients by improving their lifestyles to control the allergic disease, improve their health and quality of life. Furthermore, it promotes social justice by making available these services to the entire population.

In medical practice there are several situations that require immediate intervention of the airway in some patients, in order to ensure proper entrance and exit of gases into and out of the lungs and prevent aspiration. Rapid-sequence intubation has been considered as the administration of a hypnotic agent and a neuromuscular relaxant consecutively (virtually simultaneously) to facilitate orotracheal intubation in critically ill patients and minimize the risk of aspiration. This paper aims to collect elements that promote a successful medical management according to the situation presented, since there is no single way of proceeding in case of rapid-sequence intubation. The elements to consider include: knowing the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract, having a group of drugs to choose from, receiving adequate training and having an alternative plan for the difficulties that may arise.

At a time like this, marked by incredible scientific and technological advances, many doctors also feel the need to share and write about their experiences, not strictly in academic terms, but using a narrative register more related to human interactions. This paper presents a group of phrases and comments, considered as “clinical pearls", which I have heard or learned during a long medical practice in direct contact with many colleagues in different places. It briefly and coherently compiles knowledge or tips for carrying out this profession and can be useful to others, especially, the young.

Dental traumas in children are common; therefore the dentist should be trained to solve them. This paper presents the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of a child with a 12 mm overjet, mouth breathing habit and bilabial incompetence who suffered a severe trauma to tooth number 11, causing its mobility. A splint was applied to the affected tooth and subsequently, a root canal filling was performed, all with a satisfactory outcome. Although these traumas are common, the presentation of this case is important due to its use in the teaching context.

There have been serious deficiencies in the completion of medical records over the years, being the diagnostic discussion the section with more difficulties. This paper analyses such deficiencies, responsible for the lack of the most basic features and functions of medical records. It tries to get to the source of the poor quality of diagnostic discussions, while proposing a different approach that could solve the problem. We conclude that the problem is related to the unconditional requirement of a rigid structure, not applicable to all situations, which causes the adherence to this structure to affect the logical clinical reasoning.

The triumph of the Revolution led to a series of changes in the health system. Hence, the revolutionary period is considered the upper stage of medical teaching in Cuba. This paper analyzes the development of Higher Medical Education in Cuba from 1959 to 1989. The situation in the country at the beginning of the Revolution was taken as a starting point. Aspects related to the achievements in health professional training, teaching methods, curricula and the network of medical schools throughout the country are discussed. The period analyzed was the scene of major changes and steps forward to achieve teaching, practical and research integration based on the community problems and needs.

Intracranial aneurysms are fairly common. Many of them produce no symptoms, often remaining undiagnosed during life. At autopsy, aneurysms of the basilar artery appear in 2 to 5% of the cases; among them, saccular and congenital aneurysms are more common than atherosclerotic and fusiform aneurysms. A case of atherosclerotic aneurysm of the basilar artery diagnosed at autopsy in an 88-year-old man is presented. This patient had been admitted with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalus, which led physicians to consider a posterior fossa tumor. This paper aims at presenting the autopsy findings that showed the presence of an atherosclerotic aneurysm of the basilar artery.

Ward round teaching is an essential professional medical activity as an organizational form of teaching in undergraduate medical education. Its great importance for shaping a professional "personality" is well recognized by the faculty; as well as its extremely complex implementation and development of the necessary skills. The problem to be solved in this paper is related to the need to help younger clinical teachers in undergraduate medical education to develop the skills to conduct ward round teaching; which would be achieved through appropriate guidance on how to perform this activity. Based on this, the teaching staff in the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Dr. Raúl Dorticós Torrado Faculty of Medical Sciences in Cienfuegos has designed a model or representation of ward round teaching to be used as a guide. The main results include the development of a model with two variants, according to the care provided to a recently admitted patient or an already known patient; and the definition of conditions, both in practical and educational areas, which should be considered for the proper implementation of the activity. The model is not a complete representation of the ward round teaching, thus the proposal is open to review and improvement; and its use is based on its adaptation to the particularities of the different disciplines and learning scenarios.

Patients who experience dental trauma resulting in permanent tooth loss are often prosthetically rehabilitated through any of its variants. However, it is uncommon to rehabilitate a patient using composite resin when a tooth is lost. The case of a patient who had lost a maxillary central incisor years ago and its space had been occupied by the lateral incisor is presented. The missing tooth was built up through the enlargement of the lateral incisor using the layering technique or stratification with Brilliant New Line resin. This paper aims at demonstrating a more economical and simpler alternative for restoring the aesthetics of a patient with unfavorable prognosis.

Professor’s performance has been and will remain a subject of study. Efforts are required to enhance their pedagogical training, which will contribute to a better preparation of university graduates. One of the challenges to be faced in Higher Medical Education is to train new generations of professors considering their learning needs. The present paper aims to provide a theoretical and reflective compilation about the need for training university professors to meet the needs of today's society.

Deciding on a university degree is undoubtedly a difficult choice. This situation brings about fear of failing and disappointing yourself and others, which is a common feeling among high school students, becoming a source of anxiety and stress. This demonstrates the need for an appropriate vocational and professional guidance. In Cuba, this subject is gaining importance, since a greater number of youngsters have the opportunity to choose from more professions; thus, deciding on one or the other is a problem of great practical and social impact. Vocational guidance and training in the Cuban educational context aims to reaffirm the inclination of youth towards medical studies, where they fully develop their potential, on the basis of consolidating values and feelings, and a high social, moral and unconditional commitment to the practice of the profession. This paper presents various issues that currently affect vocational guidance and the role of each of the major participants in the process itself.

Advances in information and communication technologies bring about a development in the teaching-learning process, particularly in universities. This paper aims at establishing the psycho-pedagogical bases of using virtual learning environments for distance education in higher education. The psycho-pedagogical postulates that must be considered in courses on management platforms designed for distance education in higher education are formulated and analyzed. In conclusion, it may be said that the psycho-pedagogical aspects that support the use of virtual learning environments for distance education in the context of universities were established.

Emergency care services have got an organizational tool of evident usefulness in the stratification of patients. This paper shows a stratification tool for diabetic patients with uncomplicated acute hyperglycemia in the Emergency Department. Group discussion, a process based on several guidelines or principles, was used in its design. The stratification tool classifies patients into one of four groups distinguishable from each other, which contribute to performance of different procedures on patients. It is based on the analysis of clinical information complemented with blood glucose readings, specifically for decision making; each group has a defined context, actions to take and pillars of therapeutic management, primarily focusing on insulin therapy. The tool is accompanied by a flow chart for management of diabetic patients with uncomplicated acute hyperglycemia in the yellow zone.

The learning environment has suffered major transformations with the rapid development of the information and communications technologies; in this context the concept of learning and knowledge technologies and technologies for the empowerment and participation emerges. This paper aims at contributing to the reflection on the use of information and communication technologies that must be continually made in education, especially among teachers of the 21st century University. As main result, some comments on the digital competence of students of the 21st century are included. Although it has been demonstrated that these technologies are a social phenomenon of great significance that has changed the lives of millions of people, it has also been recognized that their impact on education is far from their potential.

This paper is aimed at teachers of the Philosophy and Society course, tutors, personnel in charge of the educational work and those involved in the task of leading new generations towards a better society by conducting an appropriate ideological and political work. It is inspired by the objectives of the First National Conference of the Party in its attempt to adjust the teaching of Marxism to the present time; thus our purpose is to contribute to the teaching of this theory, considering the political and ideological impact it will have on Cuban youth dealing with the challenges posed by reality.

Models for teacher evaluation should be in line with advances in science and technology, and constitute the most effective means for professional development of university teachers. This paper aims to analyze the 360 degree model, emphasizing the use of management platforms. A literature review on the subject of study was conducted. The model allows evaluating teachers according to four dimensions: self-assessment, assessment by students, peer assessment and teacher’s electronic portfolios. It is concluded that a systematic and comprehensive evaluation results in teacher’s development, which benefits higher education students.