A Clínica Psicológica Ana Maria Poppovic e seu percurso histórico (1959-2019) / The Psychological Clinic Ana Maria Poppovic and its historical course / La Clínica Ana Maria Poppovic y su percurso histórico

O artigo descreve a história da Clínica Psicológica "Ana Maria Poppovic". Considerando que a sua criação acompanha a história da Psicologia em São Paulo. Primeiramente, elencamos as atividades iniciais da Psicologia Clínica na cidade de São Paulo no período de 1938 a 1959, destacando as clínicas de atendimento à infância e os cursos de especialização em Psicologia Clínica. Em seguida, relatamos as propostas e objetivos da clínica psicológica da PUC-SP, mostrando que os seus objetivos principais: formação do psicólogo, atendimento à população e estudos e pesquisas se mantiveram no decorrer da sua história de 1959 - 2019 e, ao mesmo tempo, a direção e a equipe da clínica reviu e reorganizou a estrutura, os atendimentos e os fluxos de atendimento da clínica, considerando as demandas da Universidade, do Curso de Psicologia, da população atendida e dos tipos de adoecimento e sofrimento dos pacientes de acordo com cada época histórica-social nesse longo período. Para situar as formas de sofrimento na atualidade e caracterizar o perfil da clientela da clínica foram descritos os resultados de uma pesquisa de Iniciação Científica, assim como foi elaborada uma breve reflexão da inter-relação dos modos de viver na contemporaneidade e as patologias emergentes na atualidade.

The article describes the history of The Clinic of Psychology "Ana Maria Poppovic". Considering that its upbringing followed the history of Psycho-logy in São Paulo, we will first list the initial activities of Clinical Psychology in The City of São Paulo from 1938 to 1959, highlighting the childcare clinics and the specialization courses in Clinical Psychology. Then, we will report the proposals and objectives of the psychological clinic of PUC-SP, showing that its main objectives: education of the psychologist, attending the population along with studies and research which it has maintained throughout its history from 1959 ­ 2019, while at the same time , the administration and staff of the clinic reviewed and reorganized the structure, the care and the flow of care in the clinic taking into consideration the demands of the University, the Psychology Course, the population served and the types of illness and suffering of patients according to each social-historical epoch in this long period. To situate the forms of affliction today and to characterize the profile of the clinic's patients, the results of a Scientific Initiation research are described, as well as a brief reflection on the interrelationship of contemporary ways of life and emerging pathologies today.

El artículo describe la historia de la Clínica Psicológica "Ana María Poppovic". Tomando en consideración que su creación acompaña la historia de la psicología en São Paulo, en primer lugar, incluimos las actividades iniciales de la Psicología Clínica en la ciudad de São Paulo en el período entre 1938 y 1959, destacando las clínicas de atendimiento a la infancia y los cursos de especialización en Psico-logía Clínica. A continuación, relatamos las propuestas y objetivos de la clínica psicológica de la PUC-SP, mostrando que sus objetivos principales: formación del psicólogo, atendimiento a la población y estudios e investigaciones, se mantu-vieron a lo largo de su historia entre 1959 y 2019 y, al mismo tiempo, la dirección y el equipo de la clínica revisó y reorganizó la estructura, el atendimiento y los flujos de atendimiento en la clínica, considerando las demandas de la Univer-sidad, del Curso de Psicología, de la población que recibe el atendimiento y de los tipos de padecimiento y sufrimiento de los pacientes según época histórica-social durante el largo período. Para situar las formas de sufrimiento de la actualidad y caracterizar el perfil de los clientes de la clínica, fueron descriptos los resultados de una investigación de Iniciación Científica, así como fue elaborada una breve reflexión de la interrelación de los modos de vida de la contemporaneidad y las patologías emergentes de la actualidad.

Congenital Leukemia In Down’s Syndrome- A Rare Case Report.

Congenital leukemia is a rare disorder presenting in the immediate neonatal period & diagnosed at or within few days of birth.1 Because of the doubling time of leukemic cells, the disease becomes clinically evident after birth or shortly thereafter.2 Neonates with Down’s syndrome have an increased risk for congenital leukemia particularly acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (FAB M7).3 The incidence of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in Down’s syndrome is estimated to be 400 times than in normal children.4 We present a case of congenital leukemia in a 22 day old female child with Down’s syndrome who had cyanosis and skin rashes for 2 days. Diagnosis was established on the basis of hematological investigations and cytochemistry of the cells

Hibiscus sabdariffa L: fuente de fibra antioxidante: [revisión] / Hibiscus sabdariffa L: source of antioxidant dietary fiber: [review]

Fibra dietética y compuestos antioxidantes son dos conceptos que generalmente se utilizan por separado tanto en la industria como en nutrición. Actualmente el concepto de fibra se ha ampliado debido a que en los alimentos hay otros componentes diferentes a polisacáridos y lignina que no son digeridos en el intestino delgado y que pasan al intestino grueso constituyendo la mayor parte del substrato para la microbiota colónica. El concepto de fibra antioxidante se refiere a aquella materia prima con un elevado porcentaje de fibra dietética y cantidades apreciables de antioxidantes naturales asociados a la matriz del conjunto de compuestos no digestibles. Las flores de Hibiscus sabdariffa L, presentan en su composición un porcentaje importante de fibra dietética así como una elevada capacidad antioxidante. La infusión que se obtiene de la decocción de los cálices de Hibiscus, ha sido ampliamente estudiada debido a las propiedades saludables que se le confieren. En este trabajo se consideran los principales aspectos nutricionales de Hibiscus sabdariffa L y se plantea la posibilidad de estudiarlos como una posible fuente de fibra antioxidante, con propiedades funcionales de interés nutricional.

Dietary fiber and antioxidants are food constituents and functional ingredients that are generally addressed separately. Nowadays there is scientific evidence that primary characteristics of DF assigned to non starch polysaccharides and lignin (resistance to digestion and absorption in the small intestine and fermentation in the large intestine) can be extended to other indigestible food constituents that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine. The antioxidant dietary fiber concept was defined as a dietary fiber concentrate containing significant amounts of natural antioxidants associated with non digestible compounds. Hibiscus sabdariffa L flower shows in its composition an important percentage of dietary fiber and high antioxidant capacity. The infusion obtained by decoction of flowers, had been extensibility studied due to the healthy properties. In this work the principal nutritional aspects from Hibiscus sabdariffa L and its use as a possible antioxidant dietary fiber source had been considered.

Trypanosoma cruzi: parasite antigens sequestered in heart interstitial dendritic cells are related to persisting myocarditis in benznidazole-treated mice

We investigated whether sequestered Trypanosoma cruzi antigens found in heart interstitial dendritic cells (IDCs) contribute to the residual myocarditis found in mice following treatment with benznidazole, a specific chemotherapeutic drug. IDCs are antigen-presenting cells that are MHC-II-receptor dependent. Swiss mice were divided into two experimental groups: the 1st group was infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi, which is resistant to treatment with benznidazole, and the 2nd group was infected with clone 21SF-C 3, which has a medium susceptibility to the drug. Treatment of the Colombian strain group started on the 120th day post-infection and for the 21SF-C3 strain group treatment was started on the 90th day. In both groups, treatment lasted for 90 days. The animals were sacrificed either 150 or 200 days post-treatment. The myocardium was analysed by immunohistochemistry using anti-MAC3, 33D1, CD11b and CD11c monoclonal antibodies for IDCs or anti-T. cruzi purified antibodies. Parasite antigens were expressed on the IDC membranes in both treated and untreated mice. Myocarditis subsided following treatment, evidenced by both histological and morphometrical evaluation. A reduction in the number of IDCs carrying T. cruzi antigens in the treated group indicates that the elimination of parasites influences antigen presentation with concomitant decreases in inflammation. There is a correlation between the presence of T. cruzi antigens in these cells and the chronic focal, residual myocarditis seen in treated mice.

Correlation of serum leptin, follicle stimulating hormone and leutinizing hormone levels among beta-thalassemic females during puberty

Despite medical advances in management of beta.Thalassemia, growth failure, pubertal delay and hypogonadism remain significant clinical problems in thalassemic patients in adolescence. Leptin levels were significantly lower in females with thalassemia major compared with normal females. This study was designed to assess serum leptin level and anterior pituitary gland hormones [F.S.H. and L.H] among thalassemic females during puberty and to correlate serum leptin level and S.ferritin level. Twenty eight female patients with P thalassemia major aged 10-18 years and 28 matched normal females were included. Anthropometric measures; assessment of puberty, Hb%, ALT, AST, S.creat., FSH, LH, S.Ferritin, S. Leptin levels were performed for the two groups. There was significant positive correlation between Serum leptin hormone level and FSH and LH in thalassemic group. A significant number of thalas-semics had delayed puberty, low FSH and LH and low serum leptin levels

Importance of TNF-alpha in the course of acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi: influence of its inhibition by pentoxifylline treatment

Infection of C3H/He mice with the Peruvian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (Biodeme type I, Z2b), a macrophagotropic strain, determined severe parasitism of macrophages, necrosis of the spleen, and high host mortality. In the present study, pentoxifylline (PTX), an inhibitor of TNF-alpha was investigated on its action upon splenic necrosis, parasitemia and host survival. Immunohistochemical data suggested the importance of this cytokine in parasite destruction and decreasing of parasitemia, although paradoxically contributing to the high mortality of infected mice. Necrotic lesions involving several organs, specially the heart, in acute Chagas disease, are important aggravating factors, increasing cardiac morbidity. Advantage of inhibiting TNF-alpha action was herein investigated. Infected mice were divided into two groups: untreated (n = 24), and PTX treated mice (n = 25). PTX was administered in two daily doses of 30 mg/kg/bw, by intraperitoneal route. Normal controls either treated with PTX or saline were also included. Histopathology of the spleen and in situ immunolabeling of TNF-alpha, using anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, were performed. Necrotic areas were evaluated by morphometry. Mice treated with PTX showed a significant decrease of necrotic areas and diminution of TNF-alpha expression in spleen tissue, suggesting that PTX treatment could control TNF-alpha effects, and thus be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute Chagas' disease.

Detection of cyclospora cayetanensis infections among diarrheal children attending Suez Canal University Hospital

The objective of the present study is to detect the occurrence of Cyclospora cayetanensis among diarrheal children with or without immunosuppressant conditions. Stool samples were collected and examined for identification of the parasite using different concentration methods [Formaline ethely acetate, Potassium hydroxide and Sheather's floatation] and different stains [acid fast, modified Ziehl Neelsen, modified Kinyoun and modified safranin]. Confirmation of the results was performed using autofluorescence technique. Cyclospora oocysts were detected in 19.6% of 230 diarrheal children without immunosuppressant conditions and 34.6% of 230 diarrheal children with immunosuppressant conditions with significant difference between the two groups. Sheather's floatation method was significantly more sensitive than direct smear, FEA and KOH sedimentation methods [with sensitivities of 93.6%, 63.7%, 75.8% and 79.8%, respectively]. Additionally, the modified safranin was the best staining method as it was significantly more sensitive than the acid fast and the modified Ziehl Neelsen staining. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between the acid fast, the modified Ziehl Neelsen or the modified Kinyoun staining. Cyclosporiasis predominated in the age group 1-4 years compared to other age groups. There was a significant association between infection with Cyclospora and low socioeconomic level, living in rural areas and using tap water. Cyclospora was found as a sole parasite in 55 out of 124 [44.4%] infected children. Co-infection with other pathogenic parasites occurred in 69 cases; most commonly Cryptosporidium [30/124]. It was concluded that cyclosporiasis is common among diarrheal children especially if it is associated with immunosuppressant conditions. Feces examination for oocysts using Sheather's floatation and the modified safranin staining are recommended for diagnosis

Schizodeme analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi Colombian strain clones isolated from the acute phase of murine infection

Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, biodeme Type III (T. cruzi I), has been cloned by micromanipulation at two phases of the acute infection: early (10 days ) and advanced (30 days). Twelve clones were obtained therefrom. Characterization by their biological and biochemical behavior showed an identity among the several clones and their parental strain, albeit with different degrees of virulence. Molecular characterization of the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) after amplification by polymerase chain reaction revealed identical profiles of the bands from the kDNA minicircle by the analysis of restriction fragment lenght polymorphism for the isolated clones, their parental strain, and to the clones isolated at two different phases of the infection. Results suggest the predominance of a "principal clone", in the composition of the Colombian strain, responsible for the biological and biochemical behavior. However, no relationship was detected between the molecular profile of kDNA and the degree of virulence presented by the several clones.

Concentração de flúor em bebidas das escolas de Curitiba / Fluor concentration in drinks of the Curitiba´s school

Foi realizada pesquisa em uma distibuidora de bebidas que fornece refrescos não alcoólicos para 05 escolas públicas municipais e 04 escolas particulares do primeiro e segundo grau na cidade de Curitiba-PR, Brasil. O estudo objetivou descobrir quais os refrescos mais consumidos por esta amostra de adolescentes e posteriormente foi analisada a concentração de flúor pelo método colorimétrico SPANDS e o potencial hidrogeniônico (pH) pelo método eletrométrico destas bebidas

Musical brains: a study of evoked musical sensations without external auditory stimuli: preliminary report of three cases

Existen personas, generalmente músicos, que tienen la capacidad de evocar sensaciones musicales sin un estímulo auditivo externo. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha no hay evidencias que sugieran que sea posible tener estas sensaciones, ni que exista un sustrato biológico para ellas. Diseño del trabajo: Se hicieron dos estudios de neuroSPECT con [99mTc]-HMPAO en cada una de tres mujeres músicos. El primer estudio fue hecho en condiciones basales (sin evocar) y el segundo mientras estaban evocando sensaciones musicales. Resultados: En el estudio de las voluntarias que fueron evaluadas mientras evocaban una composición musical, hubo un aumento significativo de perfusión en los hemisferios derecho e izquierdo en las áreas de Brodmann 9 y 8 (área ejecutiva frontal) y en el área 40 en el lado izquierdo (área auditiva). Sin embargo, en condiciones basales no hubo aumento de perfusión en las áreas 9, 8, 39 y 40. En un caso hubo mayor aumento de perfusión en el área 45 durante la autoevocación respecto a la condición basal. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos son sugerentes de un sustrato biológico para el proceso de evocar sensaciones musicales.

Maternal adaptation toward their children with chronic conditions

The present study is a descriptive analytic study aiming to assess maternal adaptation toward their children with chronic conditions, assess the factors that affect this adaptation and compare adaptation in case of sick children with chronic physical illness versus intellectual illness. The study was conducted in Port-Said city. The subjects of the study were from in and out-patient clinics affiliated to Port-Said General Hospital, El-Mebara for Health Insurance hospital, Asphor Center for Dialysis and a Governmental School Serving Mentally Retarded Children namely; EL-Tarbya El Fekrya. It includes 174 mothers of chronically ill children. Data were obtained through interviewing the mothers of chronically physically ill and mentally retarded children, using four tools namely; a structured interview questionnaire, a socioeconomic standards scale, a coping scale and an adaptation patterns scale. The results of the study revealed that 67.8% and 60.9% of mothers of mentally retarded and of physically chronically ill children had poor adaptation, respectively. It was found that socio-economic standards, maternal knowledge, coping mechanisms used by mothers

Comportamiento de la presentación podálica en la gestante primigrávida. Resultados perinatales / Behavior of podalic presentation in primigravid woman. Perinatal results

Con la finalidad de analizar el comportamiento de los resultados perinatales en la presentación podálica en gestante sin partos y con partos, se realizó una investigación retrospectiva, transversal y analítica en el Hospital Universitario "Abel Santamaría Cuadrado" entre mayo del 2001 y diciembre del 2002. El universo de estudio lo conformaron todos los nacimientos ocurridos en la etapa analizada, mientras que la muestra quedó constituida por todos los nacimientos ocurridos con presentación podálica; este grupo se dividió en dos: el grupo "A" formado por las gestantes que no tenían partos anteriores y el grupo "B" integrado por gestantes con partos anteriores. Se analizaron diferentes variables de la madre, el parto y el recién nacido. El análisis estadístico se realizó por el porciento, la media, la desviación estándar y para la comparación de los grupos se utilizó el test de Chi Cuadrado con nivel de significación de p < 0.05. Se obtuvo asociación entre las adolescentes con presentación podálica y el grupo "A" y entre las mujeres del intervalo de 30-34 años y el grupo "B". El peso del recién nacido, el Apgar y la morbilidad no resultaron significativas estadísticamente. Se concluye que los resultados perinatales en la presentación podálica son similares tanto para las gestantes como para las que han tenido embarazos anteriores.

In order to analyze the behaviour the perinatal results in podalic presentation in pregnants with delivery and without delivery, a retrospective, cross - sectional and analytic research was performed at Abel Santamaria University Hospital from May, 2001 and December, 2002. The universe in the study consisted of all births taking place during the analyzed period, whereas the sample comprised all births taking place with podalic presentation; this group was devided into two: group A which is formed by pregnants with no previous delivery and group B formed by pregnants with previous delivery. Defferent variates of the mother, delivery and new born were analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed by percent, mean, and standard deviation; and for comparing groups chi square test was used with a p <0.05 significance level. There was an association between adolescents with podalic presentation and group A, and between women raging from 30 to 34 years of age and group B. Post-term pregnancy was associated with previous deliveries; an association between caesarean section and group A, and eutocic delivery and group B was significant. The newborn´s weight, Apgar and morbidity did not turn out to be statistically significant. As a conclusion, perinatal results in the podalic presentation are similar both for primigravidas and for those women having previous deliveries.

Participation of cytokines in the necrotic-inflammatory lesions in the heart and skeletal muscles of Calomys callosus infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Calomys callosus, a sylvatic reservoir of Trypanosoma cruzi, when infected with the Colombian strain (Biodeme Type III, T. cruzi I ) develops necrotic-inflammatory lesions and intense early fibrogenesis in the heart and skeletal muscles, that spontaneously regress. Participation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) , and tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), in the pathogenesis of the lesions is herein studied. Eighty C. callosus weighing 20 to 30 g were used. Seventy of them were inoculated with the Colombian strain (10(5) blood forms) and 10 were maintained as intact non-infected controls. After infection, C. callosus were sacrificed at different time-points from 15 to 70 days. The heart and skeletal muscle were processed for histopathology and cryopreserved for immunohistochemistry. Early necrotic lesions of parasitized skeletal muscle and myocardium with intense inflammatory lesions were present. Search for the in situ presence of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, was performed using rat-IgG anti-mouse antibodies against these cytokines. For the in situ search of TGF-beta, rabbit IgG anti-mouse antibodies were used. Immunolabeling of the cytokines in tissues of infected C. callosus was successful. The cytokines TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma , and TGF-beta were detected in the cytoplasm of macrophages and in the necrotic material from 15 to 45 days post-infection, decreasing their intensity until complete disappearance by the 65th day, which correlated with subsiding histopathological lesions. These findings suggest the participation of these cytokines in the control of parasite multiplication, in the development of an early fibrogenesis and in the regression of fibrotic-inflammatory lesions observed in C. callosus.

Resultados del oligohidramnios en el parto y el recién nacido: análisis caso-control / Results of oligohydramnios in the delivery and the newborn infant. A case-control study

Se efectuó un estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal y analítico de corte caso - control en el hospital universitario "Abel Santamaría" entre el 1ro. de mayo de 2001 y el 31 de diciembre de 2002, con el objetivo de identificar la repercusión que tiene el oligohidramnios sobre el parto y el recién nacido. Se formaron 2 grupos, el de estudio quedó conformado por las pacientes con diagnóstico de oligohidramnios (ultrasonográficamente) y con más de 27 semanas y el grupo de control se conformó formado aleatoriamente con gestantes que tenían líquido amniótico normal. Se evaluaron variables del parto y el recién nacido, para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la media, la derivación estàndar y el Chi cuadrado con diferentes niveles de significación. Se obtuvo asociación entre el oligohidramnios y la gestación postérmino, la inducción del parto, la cesárea, el bajo peso al nacer, el sexo masculino del neonato, el Apgar bajo a los 5 minutos y la morbilidad del recién nacido. La tasa de mortalidad perinatal fue de 0.92 x 1000 NV. Se concluye que el oligohidramnios es un evento que se presenta negativamente en el parto y el recién nacido

Impacto de la menarquía en los resultados maternos perinatales en la adolescencia / Impact of menarche on the maternal perinatal results in adolescence

Para analizar los resultados perinatales en relación con la menarquía en la adolescencia, se realizó una investigación prospectiva, transversal y analítica en el hospital universitario "Abel Santamaría", entre el 1ro. de enero y el 30 de abril de 2003. El universo del estudio estuvo integrado por todas las gestantes que parieron en el período analizado y la muestra quedó conformada por todas las adolescentes que parieron en dicho periodo. Se constituyeron 2 grupos, el I integrado por las adolescentes que el intervalo de tiempo entre la menarquía y el parto fue menor de 5 años y el grupo II formado por adolescentes en que éste fue superior o igual a 5 años. Se analizaron diferentes variables de la madre, el nacimiento y el recién nacido. El análisis estadístico se realizó por la frecuencia porcentual y el test de Chi cuadrado con diferentes niveles de significación. Se obtuvo relación altamente significativa entre las enfermedades propias y asociadas con el embarazo, la escasa ganancia de peso durante la gestación, la inducción del parto, la cesárea y el bajo peso al nacer, con el grupo I. Se concluye que la adolescente que tiene su parto con un intervalo inferior a 5 años entre la menarquía y el nacimiento de su hijo se considera un factor de riesgo para que se produzcan alteraciones perinatológicas

Response to chemotherapy with benznidazole of clones isolated from the 21SF strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (biodeme Type II, Trypanosoma cruzi II)

A suscetibilidade à quimioterapia com o benzonidazol, de 5 clones isolados da cepa 21SF (biodema Tipo II, T. cruzi II), foi investigada. Camundongos suíços foram infectados com a cepa parental e com cada clone e submetidos à quimioterapia com benzonidazol (100mg/k/dia durante 90 dias). Os índices de cura foram avaliados pelos testes de cura parasitológicos. A sorologia foi avaliada para os animais tratados e (de negativo a 1: 640) e para os controles não tratados( 1:160 a 1:640). Os índices de cura variaram de 30% a 100% para os 5 clones sendo de 25% para a cepa parental. Os resultados sugerem que a variabilidade de resposta ao tratamento das populações clonais das cepas Trypanosoma cruzi II é responsável pela grande variação na resposta à quimioterapia com benzonidazol e nifurtimox das cepas deste biodema.

Estudio comparativo entre la vía vaginal y la abdominal en la presentación pelviana a término / Comparative study among vaginal and abdominal delivery in the term-pelvic presentation

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, transversal y analítico en el Hospital Universitario Abel Santamaría en el año 2002, con el objetivo de determinar la influencia que tiene la vía del nacimiento en la presentación pelviana. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por los 4020 nacimientos ocurridos en dicho periodo. La muestra estuvo formada 247 nacimientos en presentación pelviana a término que hubo en este periodo, los cuales se dividieron en dos grupos según la vía del nacimiento. Se analizaron diferentes variables: edad materna, paridad, modo de comienzo de la labor de parto, peso del recién nacido, Apgar y morbilidad neonatal. Se obtuvo una elevada asociación entre la vía abdominal y la adolescencia, la nuliparidad y los neonatos con peso igual o superior a 3500 gramos. El Apgar bajo a los 5 minutos fue muy significativo para la cesárea. La morbilidad de recién nacido fue similar para ambas vías. Se concluye que existen factores maternos que influyen en la toma de decisión cuando de vía de parto se trata en la presentación pelviana.

A prospective, cross-sectional and analytic study was performed at Abel Santamaría Hospital in 2002, aimed at determining the influence that birth via has on pelvic presentation. The study universe consisted of 4020 births which took place during this period. The sample comprised 247 births in term pelvic presentation occurring during this period, which were divided into two groups according to birth via. Different variables were analyzed: mother age, parity, way of delivery start, newborn's weight, Apgar and neonatal morbidity. There was a high association between abdominal via and adolescence, nuliparity and neonates with the same weight or over 3500 grams. Apgar at 5 minutes was very significant for cesarean section.

Infection of Calomys callosus (Rodentia Cricetidae) with strains of different Trypanosoma cruzi biodemes: pathogenicity, histotropism, and fibrosis induction

The influence of different Trypanosoma cruzi biodemes on the evolution of the infection and on the histopathological lesions of the heart and skeletal muscles, during the experimental infection of Calomys callosus, was investigated. Three groups of C. callosus were infected, respectively, with parasite strains representative of three different Biodemes: Type I (Y strain), Type II (21 SF strain), and Type III (Colombian strain). For each group, normal C. callosus were also used as controls. Marked differences have been detected in the responses of C. callosus to the infection with the three strains in this model. The strains Types I and II (Y and 21 SF) determined moderate lesions, mostly in the myocardium, with low parasitism, a rapid course, and total regression of the lesions by the 60th day of infection. Differently, Type III strain (Colombian), was more pathogenic for C. callosus and induced necrotic-inflammatory lesions in skeletal muscles and myocardium, in correspondence to intracellular parasitism. Proliferation of fibroblasts and amorphous matrix deposits, followed by interstitial fibrosis were present. Progressive regression of the inflammatory changes and collagen deposits occurred spontaneously. The progression and regression of both inflammation and fibrosis induced by the Colombian strain were further submitted to quantitative evaluation by morphometry. Results of the morphometric studies presented good correlation with the histopathological findings. The results confirm the importance of the different biodemes in the determination of tissue lesions and the peculiarities of response of C. callosus to infection with T. cruzi.

Paciente obstétrica críticamente enferma / Critically-ill obstetric patient

Con la finalidad de identificar algunos factores que inciden en la morbilidad puerperal grave, se realizó una investigación retrospectiva, transversal y analítica en el Hospital Universitario "Abel Santamaría Cuadrado" durante el año 2002. El universo de nuestro estudio se conformó con todas las puérperas del período analizado, mientras que el grupo estudio estuvo formado por las puérperas que tuvieron una mortalidad grave; para la comparación se escogió otro grupo integrado por puérperas sin morbilidad de forma aleatoria simple. El análisis estadístico se realizó por el porciento, la media, la desviación estándar y la prueba de hipótesis de proporciones para dos muestras independientes con nivel de significación de p < 0.05. Se obtuvo relación positiva entre la adolescente, la añosa, la multigesta, la multípara, el trabajo de parto prolongado y la cesárea con la morbilidad puerperal grave; la sepsis fue la morbilidad más frecuente. Se concluye que las variables antes analizadas son factores de riesgo para que se produzcan los procesos morbosos graves del puerperio.

Aimed at identifying some factors which influence on severe puerperal morbidity a retrospective, cross-sectional and analytic research was carried out at Abel Santamaria Teaching General Hospital during year 2002. The universe of the study was constituted by all the puerperal during this period while the case control group was formed by puerperal having a severe morbidity, to the comparison a group formed by post _ puerperal without morbidity was chosen at random. The statistical analysis was conducted by the percentage mean, standard deviation and proportional hypothesis testing to two independent samples with the significance testing of p < 0.05. a positive relationship among the adolescence, old puerperal, multigravid, multipara, delayed delivery and cesarean section with severe puerperal morbidity was achieved. Sepsis was the most frequent morbidity, concluding that the variables analyzed above were the risk factors which lead to severe morbid process of puerperium.

The probable relationship between toxoplasma gondii infection and cryptogenic epilepsy

Cryptogenic epilepsy is a group of epilepsy syndromes for which the etiology is unknown but the underlying brain disease is suspected. So the present work aims to study the probable relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and cryptogenic epilepsy. Fifty patient, were selected with cryptogenic epilepsy and 50 patients with known cause of epilepsy in comparision to 50 healthy as control group to investigate the sero-positivity rate for anti-To-Toxoplasma IgG antibody by ELISA. The sero-positiviry rate of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies among cryptogenic epilepsy patients was [20%] and it was higher than healthy controls [2%] and known cause epilepsy patients [4%] with highly significant statistically difference [P< 0.01]. There might be a causal relationship between chronic toxoplasmosis and cryptogenic epilepsy