The aim of this study was to detect species of Rickettsia in Amblyomma tigrinum ticks collected from domestic carnivores and blood of domestic dogs of San Luis (Argentina). Between 2013 and 2015, 56 adults of A. tigrinum from dogs and cats and 65 blood from dogs were collected. Three ticks were positive by amplification of a 23S-5S rRNA fragment, and the sequence of one of the positive products was obtained. The positive sample sequenced was positive by PCRs of fragments of genes gltA and ompA. The sequences obtained were 100% identical with "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae". All blood samples were negative. "Ca. R. andeanae" has not been associated with disease in humans or animals; however, further research is necessary to achieve greater awareness of the potential risk of transmission of rickettsial diseases in the region.

El objetivo del estudio fue detectar especies del género Rickettsia en garrapatas de la especie Amblyomma tigrinum colectadas sobre carnívoros domésticos y en sangre de caninos domésticos de la provincia de San Luis (Argentina). Entre 2013 y 2015 se colectaron 56 garrapatas adultas de la especie A. tigrinum sobre caninos y felinos domésticos, y se obtuvieron 65 muestras sanguíneas de caninos. Tres garrapatas resultaron positivas mediante la amplificación de un fragmento del espacio intergénico 23S-5S ARNr del género Rickettsia, lográndose secuenciar uno de los productos positivos. La muestra positiva secuenciada también resultó positiva por PCRs de los fragmentos de los genes gltA y ompA. Las secuencias obtenidas resultaron tener una identidad del 100 % de identidad con "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae". Todas las muestras sanguíneas resultaron negativas. "Ca. R. andeanae" no ha sido asociada con enfermedad en humanos o animales, sin embargo, es necesario realizar nuevas investigaciones para lograr un mayor conocimiento del riesgo potencial de transmisión de rickettsiosis en la región.

The discipline Defense Preparedness in Bachelor of Radiochemistry, is complemented by the other subjects of Basic and Specialized Chemistry training through a series of contents that equip the professional greater awareness of their social responsibility in relation to peaceful use of nuclear energy, the prevention of radiological accidents and environmental protection. In this paper examples of learning activities aimed at the independent work of students are introduced, allowing, systemically, a coherent link between the disciplines of General and Inorganic Chemistry and Defense Preparedness, through the study of toxic substances of different nature and risks that can arise for human health during handling and employment, economic resources and the environment; aspects to consider within the dimensions of National Security.

La disciplina Preparación para la Defensa, en la Licenciatura en Radioquímica, se complementa con las restantes disciplinas de formación Química Básica y Especializada, a través de una serie de contenidos que permiten dotar al profesional de una mayor conciencia acerca de su responsabilidad social con relación al uso pacífico de la energía nuclear, la prevención de accidentes radiológicos y la protección del medioambiente. En el presente trabajo se presentan ejemplos de actividades de aprendizaje dirigidas al trabajo independiente de los estudiantes, que permiten, de forma sistémica, lograr una vinculación coherente entre las disciplinas de Química General e Inorgánica y Preparación para la Defensa, a través del estudio de sustancias tóxicas de diferente naturaleza y los riesgos que durante su manipulación y empleo pueden presentarse para la salud humana, los recursos económicos y el medioambiente; aspectos a tener en cuenta dentro de las dimensiones de la Seguridad Nacional.

The incidence of the disease «sugar cane leaf yellows phytoplasma (SCYP)», was evaluated in 733 clones of 26 biparental families of the breeding program of sugarcane of the year 2006 in Cuba. The objective was to determine in the Stage of Clonal lot 1, the incidence of the SCYP through natural infection in order to select resistant clones to this disease and also to identify the parents that give origin to progenies with low incidence of this disease. The natural infection by SCYP in the initial stages of the selection scheme increased with the age of the plant, as well as the severity of the disease. It was recorded the presence of symptoms in the 26,6 and 80,42 % respectively of the evaluated clones at 6 and 18 months of age, resulting that the natural infection could be used to select resistant clones to the SCYP. From all the studied combinations, C86-12 x B45181, C86-503 x B6368 and C86-456 x B45181, resulted the progenies with the lowest incidence of SCYP. The parents used as feminine C86-12 and C86-503 and those used as masculine B6368 and B45181, showed the lowest frequencies in incidence of SCYP in their descendants. The natural infection of the SCYP was grown in the parents of the biparental families evaluated, in most of them with high incidence.

La incidencia de la enfermedad «amarillamiento de la hoja de la caña de azúcar (SCYP)», fue evaluada en 733 clones de 26 familias biparentales del programa de cruzamiento de caña de azúcar del año 2006 en Cuba. El objetivo fue determinar en la Etapa de Lote Clonal 1, la incidencia del SCYP por infección natural para seleccionar clones resistentes a esta enfermedad y además identificar los progenitores que dan origen a progenies con baja incidencia de esta enfermedad. La infección natural por el SCYP en las etapas iniciales del esquema de selección, se incrementó con la edad de la planta, lo mismo sucede con la severidad de la enfermedad. Se registró la presencia de síntomas en el 26,6 y 80,42 % de los clones evaluados a los 6 y 18 meses de edad respectivamente, demostrando que la infección natural podría ser usada para seleccionar clones resistentes al SCYP. De todas las combinaciones estudiadas, C86-12 x B45181, C86-503 x B6368 y C86-456 x B45181, dieron lugar a las progenies con más baja incidencia de SCYP. Los progenitores usados como femeninos C86-12 y C86-503 y los usados como masculinos B6368 y B45181, mostraron las frecuencias más bajas de incidencia de SCYP en su descendencia. La infección natural del SCYP se desarrolló en los progenitores de las familias biparentales evaluadas, en la mayoría de ellos con alta incidencia.

Disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) differs from other clinical forms of the disease due to the presence of many non-ulcerated lesions (papules and nodules) in non-contiguous areas of the body. We describe the histopathology of DL non-ulcerated lesions and the presence of CD4-, CD20-, CD68-, CD31- and von Willebrand factor (vW)-positive cells in the inflamed area. We analysed eighteen biopsies from non-ulcerated lesions and quantified the inflamed areas and the expression of CD4, CD20, CD68, CD31 and vW using Image-Pro software (Media Cybernetics). Diffuse lymphoplasmacytic perivascular infiltrates were found in dermal skin. Inflammation was observed in 3-73% of the total biopsy area and showed a significant linear correlation with the number of vW+ vessels. The most common cells were CD68+ macrophages, CD20+ B-cells and CD4+ T-cells. A significant linear correlation between CD4+ and CD20+ cells and the size of the inflamed area was also found. Our findings show chronic inflammation in all DL non-ulcerated lesions predominantly formed by macrophages, plasmacytes and T and B-cells. As the inflamed area expanded, the number of granulomas and extent of the vascular framework increased. Thus, we demonstrate that vessels may have an important role in the clinical evolution of DL lesions.

The frequency of the appearence of atypical dry and rainy periods in the last years, has put up with the establishment of a new conception for the evaluation and management of sugarcane varieties, with a view to framing correctly the harvesting stage and its possible lengthening in certain places. Under those new premises 48 experiments in blocks totally at random were designed and established in four contrasting regions of the country. The behavior of three representative varieties of sugarcane of three different maturity periods (early, middle and late), harvested during the whole year, with ages between nine and 24 months, in the variable tons cane/ha, percentage of pol in cane and tons pol.ha-1 was studied. It was obtained as a result that the counties of Camagüey and Matanzas reached the highest values in the pol percentage in cane to harvest beginnings (November-December) in the three evaluated cultivares, while Holguín achieves them in the period from April-July. In accordance with the obtained results is possible to harvest with a bigger sugar content, if the crop age is increased and this is made in early time for traditional harvests (November-January) and varieties corresponding to the «families» of early and intermediate maturation are used, suggesting the possibility to contain crop ages and to determine the best combinations «family-age-moment» for edafoclimatic region, in such way that can guide the composition varietal and of stumps to be able to take place with the biggest efficiency.

La frecuencia con que se han venido presentando en los últimos años períodos secos o lluviosos atípicos, ha conllevado al establecimiento de una nueva concepción para la evaluación y manejo de las variedades de caña de azúcar, con vistas a enmarcar correctamente la etapa de cosecha y su posible alargamiento en determinados sitios. Bajo esas nuevas premisas fueron diseñados y establecidos 48 experimentos en bloques completamente al azar, en cuatro regiones contrastantes del país. Se estudió el comportamiento de tres variedades de caña de azúcar representativas de tres períodos de madurez diferentes (temprano, medio y tardío). Las cosechas se realizaron durante todo el año (enero-diciembre), con edades entre nueve y 24 meses, en las variables toneladas de caña/ha, porcentaje de pol en caña y toneladas de pol.ha-1. Se obtuvo como resultado que los tres cultivares evaluados alcanzaron los valores más elevados en el porcentaje de pol en caña a inicios de zafra (noviembre-diciembre) en las localidades de Camagüey y Matanzas, mientras que en la localidad de Holguín se logra en el período de abril-julio. De acuerdo con los resultados es posible cosechar con un mayor contenido azucarero, si se incrementa la edad de cosecha y esta se efectúa en época temprana para zafras tradicionales (noviembre-enero) y se utilizan variedades correspondientes a las «familias» de maduración temprana e intermedia, sugiriendo la posibilidad de agrupar edades de cosecha y determinar las mejores combinaciones «familia-edad-momento» por región edafoclimática, de manera tal que pueda orientar la composición varietal y de cepas para lograr producir con la mayor eficiencia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to characterize the neuroinfection profile in a tertiary neurological ward. INTRODUCTION: Neuroinfection is a worldwide concern and bacterial meningitis, tetanus and cerebral malaria have been reported as the commonest causes in developing countries. METHODS: From 1999 to 2007, all patients admitted to the Neurology Ward of Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University School of Medicine because of neuroinfection had their medical records reviewed. Age, gender, immunological status, neurological syndrome at presentation, infectious agent and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy four cases of neuroinfectious diseases accounted for 4.2% of ward admissions and the identification of infectious agent was successful in 81% of cases. Mean age was 40.5 + 13.4 years, 63.8% were male, 19.7% were immunocompromised patients and meningoencephalitis was the most common clinical presentation despite infectious agent. Viruses and bacteria were equally responsible for 29.4% of neuroinfectious diseases; parasitic, fungal and prion infections accounted for 28%, 9.6% and 3.5% respectively. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, Taenia solium, Schistosoma mansoni, Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum were the more common infectious pathogens in the patients. Infection mortality rate was 14.2%, of which 62.3% occurred in immunocompetent patients. CONCLUSION: Our institution appeared to share some results with developed and developing countries. Comparison with literature may be considered as quality control to health assistance.

Objective: To study the minimum assistance level during proportional assist ventilation (PAV) to decrease the work of breathing to physiological limits (0.6 j/l) and the relationship between breathing pattern changes and respiratory effort at different PAV levels. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Polyvalent intensive care unit of a teaching hospital of Jaen, Spain. Patients and methods: Twelve long-term mechanical ventilated patients who met criteria to initiate weaning from the ventilator. Interventions: We used the Puritan-Bennett 840 ventilator in proportional assist ventilation. The percentage of support was randomly modified between 5% and 80%, in intervals of 10%. Prior to the change in the PAV level, the patients were ventilated in assist-volume control followed by pressure support ventilation. Main variables of interest: Before PAV, we measured the respiratory mechanics and the breathing pattern and work of breathing during this mode. Results: The decrease in respiratory assist in PAV was related to significantly higher work of breathing, this going from 0.2 ± 0,07 (0.1-0.3) j/l with PAV80 to 0.9 ± 0.2 (0.4-1.5) j/l with PAV5 (p = 0.002). The coefficient correlation between PAV level and work of breathing (measured as j/l and j/min) was r = -0.8 and -0.6, respectively. Minimum PAV level related with physiological work of breathing was 30% (0.63 ± 0.13 j/l). Except for the tidal volume that increased significantly (PAV80 vs PAV5 = 0.4 ± 0.1 vs 0.3 ± 0.1; p = 0.02), the remaining variables defining the breathing pattern did not changed with the increase in PAV. Conclusions: In the group of patients studied, the increase in the PAV levels decreases work of breathing, without significantly changing the breathing pattern. Levels lower than 30% of PAV are associated to excessive work of breathing.

Objetivo: Estudiar el grado mínimo de asistencia, en ventilación proporcional asistida (VPA), que disminuya el trabajo respiratorio a límites fisiológicos (0,6 j/l), y la relación entre los cambios en el patrón respiratorio y el esfuerzo que realiza el paciente a diferentes niveles de VPA. Diseño: estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Ámbito: Unidad de Medicina Intensiva polivalente del Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluye a 12 pacientes que han precisado ventilación mecánica prolongada, y cumplen criterios para iniciar la retirada del respirador. Intervenciones: utilizamos el respirador Puritan-Bennett 840 en modo proporcional asistido. De forma aleatoria se modifica el porcentaje de asistencia entre el 5 y el 80%, en intervalos del 10%. Antes de cada modificación del nivel de VPA, el paciente recibe ventilación asistida controlada por volumen seguida de presión soporte. Principales variables de interés: medimos la mecánica respiratoria antes del inicio de VPA y, en este modo de ventilación asistida, el patrón respiratorio y el trabajo respiratorio. Resultados: El descenso en la asistencia respiratoria con VPA conlleva un aumento significativo del trabajo respiratorio, que va desde 0,2 ± 0,07 (0,1-0,3) j/l con VPA80 hasta 0,9 ± 0,2 (0,4-1,5) j/l con VPA5 (p = 0,002). El coeficiente de correlación entre el nivel de VPA y el trabajo respiratorio (medido en j/l y j/min) fue r = -0,8 y -0,6, respectivamente. El grado mínimo de asistencia en relación con un trabajo fisiológico fue del 30% (0,63 ± 0,13 j/l). Excepto el volumen corriente que aumentó de forma significativa (VPA80 de 0,4 ± 0,1; VPA5 de 0,3 ± 0,1; p = 0,02), los demás parámetros que definen el patrón respiratorio no cambiaron con el aumento de VPA. Conclusiones: En el grupo de pacientes estudiado, al aumentar la asistencia respiratoria con VPA disminuye el trabajo respiratorio, sin cambiar el patrón respiratorio de forma significativa. Valores menores del 30% de VPA conllevan un excesivo trabajo respiratorio.

A descriptive study was conducted with a randomized sample of 9 513 patients selected (19 026 eyes) that presented ametropias and that received attention at the department of refractive surgery in "Ramón Pando Ferrer" Cuban Institute of Ophthalmlogy. Ametropias were more frequent among women aged 21-30. The compound myopic astigmatism was the commonest ametropia in the sample, with difference of gender in favor of females. The simple hypermetropic astigmatism was the only ametropia that did not show differences among the age groups. There was a positive lineal correlation between age and the intensity of hypermetropia and myopia in the group of patientes aged 18-39. It was observed a predominance of myopias and mild and moderate hypermetropias. In the spheric ametropias, 36.8 % of eyes had a severity range that exceeded the surgical criteria. No relation was found between the magnitude of the cylinder and the age of the studied cases. The direct, the oblique and the direct oblique astigmatisms showed a higher frequency in the sample, where the right eye prevailed in the direct and indirect type. The direct oblique and the inverse oblique predominated in the left eye. The ansimetropia was uncommon in the sample and reached only 2.1 % of the total of patients with ametropia. It moslty affected the group aged 31-35

Se realizó un estudio con una muestra aleatoria de 9 513 pacientes seleccionados (19 026 ojos) que presentaban ametropías y que asistieron a consulta de cirugía refractiva en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología "Ramón Pando Ferrer"; donde se encontró una mayor frecuencia de éstas en el sexo femenino con predominio en las edades entre los 21 y los 30 años. El astigmatismo miópico compuesto fue la ametropía más frecuente en la muestra, con diferencias de género a favor del sexo femenino; el astigmatismo hipermetrópico simple fue la única ametropía que no mostró diferencias entre los grupos de edades. Existió una correlación lineal positiva entre la edad y la intensidad de la hipermetropía y miopía en el grupo de pacientes entre los 18 y los 39 años. Hubo predominio de las miopías y las hipermetropías ligeras y moderadas. Entre las ametropías esféricas un 36, 8 % de ojos obtuvo un rango de severidad que excedía los criterios quirúrgicos. No se encontró relación entre la magnitud del cilindro y la edad de los casos estudiados. Los astigmatismos directo, oblicuo y oblicuo directo demostraron mayor frecuencia en la muestra, donde prevaleció el ojo derecho en el tipo directo e indirecto, mientras que en el ojo izquierdo predominaron el oblicuo directo y el oblicuo inverso. La anisometropía fue poco frecuente en la muestra y alcanzó solamente el 2,1 % del total de pacientes emétropes y predominó en el grupo de 31 a 35 a

A comparative study was made between sympatric isolates of Schistosoma mansoni: one from a wild rodent (R) Nectomys squamipes and another one from humans (H) isolated from a low endemic schistosomiasis transmission area in Brazil. Our purpose was to detect differences between them concerning chaetotaxy (number and pattern of distribution of the argentophilic papillae) of the cercariae by means of silver impregnation. No significant difference (x > 0.05) between isolates was noted. Nevertheless, a significant difference (x < 0.05) was observed in the cercarial index (ratio of the distance between the first and the second preacetabular papillae and the distance between the first and the second dorsal preacetabular papillae) of male and female cercariae in both isolates. Males presented a greater cercarial index than females. By means of multivariate analysis, male cercariae were distinguished from female cercariae through the following characteristics: average number of dorsal papillae on the right quadrant, average number of ventral middle papillae on the right quadrant (H isolate) and average number of dorsal middle papillae on the left quadrant (R isolate). The results suggest that R and H isolates belong to the same population that could complete its life cycle in rodent-snail-rodent fashion.

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar os cuidados primários prestados à população materno-infantil e contribuir para a avaliação da assistência integral a esse grupo. MÉTODOS: Inquérito populacional realizado por entrevistas, no principal posto de vacinação do Município de Teresópolis, RJ, no Dia Nacional de Vacinação, que abrangeu questões sobre utilização de serviços de saúde e prestação de cuidados primários preventivos. RESULTADOS: Foram colhidas informações de 329 crianças e suas respectivas mães. Mais de 90% das crianças haviam comparecido à consulta pediátrica nos três meses anteriores e quase todas possuíam o cartão da criança, embora em 30% desses cartões não havia qualquer peso registrado no período. Observou-se associação positiva entre consulta de puericultura e registro de peso no cartão da criança (RP = 1,34; IC: 1,13-1,58; p = 0,0002). Cerca de 59% das mães compareceram à consulta de revisão de parto, mas 25% referiram nunca ter feito exame colpocitológico-oncótico e 36% nunca haviam realizado exame de mama. Observou-se associação positiva entre a idade materna acima de 20 anos e a realização de algum exame colpocitológico-oncótico durante a vida reprodutiva (RP = 1,56; IC: 1,08-2,26; p = 0,03). Quase 70% das mães relataram uso de algum método anticoncepcional, principalmente pílula, condom e laqueadura tubária. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de algumas limitações, os resultados sugerem a viabilidade da metodologia utilizada, permitindo a identificação de deficiências importantes na prestação de cuidados primários de saúde para crianças e principalmente para mães.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze primary health care provided to mother-and-child population in Teresópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A population survey was performed at the main vaccination station on the local Vaccine National Day, to collect information about the use of health care services and preventive primary care. RESULTS: Information was collected from 329 mothers and their children. More than 90% of children had at least one pediatric visit in the past three months. Almost all had their growth chart, but in 30% of them the child's weight was not registered. There was a positive association between having a routine visit and the registration of the child's weight in the card (RP = 1.34; IC: 1.13-1.58; p = 0.0002). Around 59% of the mothers had a medical visit after giving after birth; 25% said they had never had a Pap smear test before, and 36% never had a breast examination. There was a positive association between the mother's age being over 20 years and ever having a Pap smear test (RP = 1.56; IC: 1.08-2.26; p = 0.03). Almost 70% of the mothers referred the use of any contraceptional method, and the most common used were contraceptive pills, condoms and tubal ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, the results suggest a valid and useful methodology, which allows the identification of important needs in primary health care delivery to children and their mothers.

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar os cuidados primários prestados à população materno-infantil e contribuir para a avaliação da assistência integral a esse grupo. MÉTODOS: Inquérito populacional realizado por entrevistas, no principal posto de vacinação do Município de Teresópolis, RJ, no Dia Nacional de Vacinação, que abrangeu questões sobre utilização de serviços de saúde e prestação de cuidados primários preventivos. RESULTADOS: Foram colhidas informações de 329 crianças e suas respectivas mães. Mais de 90% das crianças haviam comparecido à consulta pediátrica nos três meses anteriores e quase todas possuíam o cartão da criança, embora em 30% desses cartões não havia qualquer peso registrado no período. Observou-se associação positiva entre consulta de puericultura e registro de peso no cartão da criança (RP = 1,34; IC: 1,13-1,58; p = 0,0002). Cerca de 59% das mães compareceram à consulta de revisão de parto, mas 25% referiram nunca ter feito exame colpocitológico-oncótico e 36% nunca haviam realizado exame de mama. Observou-se associação positiva entre a idade materna acima de 20 anos e a realização de algum exame colpocitológico-oncótico durante a vida reprodutiva (RP = 1,56; IC: 1,08-2,26; p = 0,03). Quase 70% das mães relataram uso de algum método anticoncepcional, principalmente pílula, condom e laqueadura tubária. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de algumas limitações, os resultados sugerem a viabilidade da metodologia utilizada, permitindo a identificação de deficiências importantes na prestação de cuidados primários de saúde para crianças e principalmente para mães.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze primary health care provided to mother-and-child population in Teresópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A population survey was performed at the main vaccination station on the local Vaccine National Day, to collect information about the use of health care services and preventive primary care. RESULTS: Information was collected from 329 mothers and their children. More than 90% of children had at least one pediatric visit in the past three months. Almost all had their growth chart, but in 30% of them the child's weight was not registered. There was a positive association between having a routine visit and the registration of the child's weight in the card (RP = 1.34; IC: 1.13-1.58; p = 0.0002). Around 59% of the mothers had a medical visit after giving after birth; 25% said they had never had a Pap smear test before, and 36% never had a breast examination. There was a positive association between the mother's age being over 20 years and ever having a Pap smear test (RP = 1.56; IC: 1.08-2.26; p = 0.03). Almost 70% of the mothers referred the use of any contraceptional method, and the most common used were contraceptive pills, condoms and tubal ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, the results suggest a valid and useful methodology, which allows the identification of important needs in primary health care delivery to children and their mothers.