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La leptospirosis es una enfermedad zoonótica de distribución mundial que puede transmitirse por contacto directo o indirecto con orina o tejidos de animales infectados. En Argentina, la leptospirosis es endémica en la provincia de Santa Fe y presenta brotes epidémicos durante las inundaciones. Sin embargo, se sabe muy poco sobre el papel que cumplen los roedores silvestres en la diseminación de la enfermedad en el país. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las especies hospederas de leptospiras patógenas entre los roedores presentes en un asentamiento ribereño de la provincia de Santa Fe. Se realizó un muestreo de roedores durante octubre de 2015. Los riñones de los animales capturados se analizaron por real-time PCR para el gen LipL32 de leptospiras patógenas. En los animales que resultaron positivos, se realizó test de microaglutinación (MAT) y tipificación molecular por amplificación del gen 16S rRNA y dos esquemas de MLST. Se capturaron 37 roedores de las especies Akodon azarae, Cavia aperea, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Rattus rattus y Scapteromys aquaticus. En el análisis por real-time PCR resultó positivo un macho de Scapteromys aquaticus. El suero de este individuo y del resto de los S. aquaticus capturados (n = 18) se analizaron por test de microaglutinación (MAT), y fueron no reactivos para los 10 serovares probados. La amplificación del gen 16S rRNA identificó la especie infectante como Leptospira interrogans, mientras que no se obtuvo amplificación para los dos esquemas de MLST. El hallazgo de este estudio aporta nueva información acerca de presencia de leptospiras patógenas en roedores silvestres, que es relevante para la zona por tratarse de una especie ampliamente distribuida en ambientes pantanosos e inundables de América del Sur.

Se analizó la composición y la distribución de algas perifíticas en un mesohábitat de corredera del arroyo Achiras, al suroeste de Río Cuarto, Córdoba, estacionalmente durante el período 2005-2006. Se seleccionaron tres sitios de muestreo en el gradiente longitudinal de una zona serrana y pedemontana, donde se realizará la construcción de una presa. Esta investigación aporta los primeros resultados sobre la comunidad algal perifítica y sienta las bases para una profundización futura. Se determinaron 267 taxones, la clase Bacillariophyceae aportó 174, Chlorophyceae 78 y Cyanophyceae 15. La máxima similitud entre las muestras fue de 100 %, correspondiendo a los sitios 1 y 2 durante la primavera. La mayor abundancia promedio fue de 320.486 org.cm-2 para el sitio 3 durante el verano. La clasificación de las muestras separó dos grupos principales y conformó subgrupos. El CCA efectuado a muestras y especies mostró una separación del sitio 3, ubicado en el pedemonte, con mayor porcentaje de sedimento de menor tamaño y una menor velocidad de corriente respecto a los otros. Los sitios 1 y 2 se caracterizaron, en general, por un gradiente de pH. Todos los grupos formados por la clasificación estuvieron integrados, en su mayoría, por organismos del orden Biraphidales.Composition and distribution of periphytic algae in a run mesohabitat of the stream Achiras, southwest of Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, were analyzed seasonally during 2005-2006. Three sites were selected for sampling in the longitudinal gradient of a mountainous and piedmont area, where the construction of a dam is considered. This research provides the first results on the algal periphytic community and lays the groundwork for a deepening future. A total of 267 taxa were identified, the class Bacillariophyceae contributed with 174 taxa, Chlorophyceae with 78 and Cyanophyceae with 15. The maximum similarity between samples was 100%, corresponding to sites 1 and 2 during the spring. The highest average density was 320.486 org.cm-2 in site 3 during summer. The classification of samples separated two main groups and formed subgroups. The CCA, which was performed considering samples and species, showed a separation of site 3 located in the piedmont, with higher percentage of small size sediment and less speed flow, regarding the others. Sites 1 and 2 were interpreted, in general, by a pH gradient. All groups formed by the classification were integrated mostly by organisms of Biraphidales order.

Our study included 42 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) confirmed by polysomnography. In these patients we investigated the clinical manifestations, the results of the laboratory examinations, including polysomnography, ORL observations and tests of pulmonary function, as well as the therapeutic results. Our patients presented a serious set of symptoms which included excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, obesity, cranio-facial abnormalities, systemic hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, incapacity to work with precocious retirement, marital conflicts and high incidence of accidents, namely traffic accidents. An adequate treatment, mostly with nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), induced marked relief of the symptoms; some patients had an advantage in surgical treatment and weight reduction. OSAS is a frequent entity, affecting mostly male adults after the 5th decade. The lack of knowledge about this entity and the common social acceptance of some of its cardinal symptoms induces considerable delays in its diagnosis. The severity of the symptoms, the personal and social risks of excessive daytime sleepiness, the cardio-circulatory effects and the risk of sudden death during sleep justify an early diagnosis in order to prevent the severe evolution of the disease. Its complex physiopathology and multiple etiological factors justify a multidisciplinary approach.

Objective: To describe the methodological procedures and some sociodemographic and medical care characteristics of the population studied in a research project on perinatal health developed in the Ribeirão Preto county, SP, in 1994, in order to make historical comparisons with the indicators of mother-child health of a similar study conducted 15 years before in the same municipality., Material and Method: All the hospital births that occurred in Ribeirão Preto from June 1978 to May 1979 were studied by interviewing the mothers and obtaining data about maternal and paternal habits, social situation of the family, medical care during pregnancy and delivery, duration of pregnancy, and anthropometric and mortality data about the newborn children. A new study was conducted in 1994 using the same methodology to collect data about a sample of 1/3 of the births that had occurred in the municipality in that year (all the hospital births observed during a period of 4 months), and also about the mortality of this group up to one year after the termination of birth data collection. The interviews were held after delivery and infant weight and length were measured immediately after birth. Infant mortality was evaluated by surveying the data referring to all deaths of infants born during the year of the study and up to 1 year after its termination. The data were obtained from the Municipal Health Secretariat to which copies of all death certificates emitted in the registry offices of the county are sent obligatorily., Results: An investigation was made into 3,663 births, 3,579 of which were singletons; of these, 2,846 were from the municipality. Comparison with the data obtained in the previous study showed an increase in the frequency of some indicators such as adolescent mothers, prematurity, low birth weight and cesarian section; on the other hand, there was a 50% decrease in the mortality rate and its components.

Our study included 42 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) confirmed by polysomnography. In these patients we investigated the clinical manifestations, the results of the laboratory examinations, including polysomnography, ORL observations and tests of pulmonary function, as well as the therapeutic results. Our patients presented a serious set of symptoms which included excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, obesity, cranio-facial abnormalities, systemic hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, incapacity to work with precocious retirement, marital conflicts and high incidence of accidents, namely traffic accidents. An adequate treatment, mostly with nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), induced marked relief of the symptoms; some patients had an advantage in surgical treatment and weight reduction. OSAS is a frequent entity, affecting mostly male adults after the 5th decade. The lack of knowledge about this entity and the common social acceptance of some of its cardinal symptoms induces considerable delays in its diagnosis. The severity of the symptoms, the personal and social risks of excessive daytime sleepiness, the cardio-circulatory effects and the risk of sudden death during sleep justify an early diagnosis in order to prevent the severe evolution of the disease. Its complex physiopathology and multiple etiological factors justify a multidisciplinary approach.