[Immune response to poliovirus]. / Respuesta inmune a poliovirus.

General aspects on the immune response to poliovirus are described, considering it's molecular structure. Since the poliovirus is a cytocide agent, antibody immune response is the most important among those related to protection; however probably a minimum of helper T cells are required (more than 200 T lymphocytes with phenotype CD4) in order to get a best response. Phagocyte, NK cells and T lymphocytes probably take part in the viral clearance from the central nervous system, also in the host injure mechanisms. Some molecular aspects of the neutralizing antibodies combining site are described too. Activation particularities, of the common mucosal immune system confirm the importance of the secretory immune response in the control of the poliomyelitis.

[Mexico: comparative evaluation of 2 study plans for the career of surgeon. Academic effectiveness]. / México: evaluacíon comparativa de dos planes de estudio de la carrera de médico cirujano. Eficacia académica.

The authors discuss an experiment conducted at the Zaragoza National School of Professional Studies of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (ENEP-Zaragoza). This experiment, already reported in a previous issue of this quarterly, consisted of the simultaneous application of two different curricula for studies leading to a medical degree in surgery. In this second article, the authors discuss the process used in evaluating the current curricula, which were assessed from three standpoints: theory and concept; academic effectiveness, and a follow-up on graduates. They describe the methodology used and analyse the findings. Their conclusion is that with the modular curriculum, the students obtained a greater command of their professional functions at an earlier stage, than with the curriculum organized by subject matter. These observations are corroborated by the fact that there are academic differences between students taught according to different educational models and curricula. On the basis of these and other significant facts, the authors state that the modular plan of studies is better suited to the country's health needs, since it trains medical students to deal with the health problems of higher-risk groups (maternal and child care).

[Comparative evaluation of 2 plans of study for the career of surgeon: a theoretical-conceptual approach]. / Evaluación comparativa de dos planes de estudio de la carrera de médico cirujano: un enfoque teórico-conceptual.

The authors describe a specific experiment concerning the degree of medical doctor and surgeon in the Zaragoza National School of Professional Studies of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNEP-Zaragoza). The experiment was prompted by the concurrence at a certain point of two study programs: the traditional one, which had been in use for a number of years, and a recently introduced modular program. The analysis reported in this paper was made by the prospective self-evaluation method devised in PAHO's Manpower Development Program in 1986. Results indicated that the modular program brings medical education closer to the ideal standard of the physician that Mexico's health services need, more consistently and conclusively than the traditional subject-oriented program. The modular program was rated more highly in 65.9% of the 41 indicators used. UNEP-Zaragoza is conducting two more research projects to validate the forecasts produced by the self-evaluation method. The results will be published in coming issues of this quarterly.