[Digital marketing of commercial infant formula in Argentina: a digital ethnographic study]. / Marketing digital de fórmulas comerciales infantiles en Argentina: un estudio etnográfico digital.

Although evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding is widespread, there are several challenges to initiate and sustain it. Infant formula companies use marketing strategies that violate existing regulations, contributing to its early abandonment. We explore the digital marketing exposure of infant formulas in Argentina by analyzing people's interactions with brands and the traces of these interactions in conversations engaged in Facebook groups during 2022, from a qualitative approach based on digital ethnography. Results show that companies deploy regulatory avoidance tactics and seek contact with mothers. Users do not interact with the accounts but are exposed to their strategies given the correlation between product attributes present in advertising with their motivations and aspirations. The mediators between marketing and mothers are medical professionals, used as marketing resources. We conclude that authorities should promote new agreements on the practices of medical professionals and develop regulations taking into account digital environments.

Si bien es extendida la evidencia de los beneficios de la lactancia materna, diversos son los desafíos para iniciarla y sostenerla. Las empresas productoras de fórmulas infantiles utilizan estrategias de marketing violatorias de las regulaciones existentes, contribuyendo a su temprano abandono. Exploramos la exposición al marketing digital de las fórmulas infantiles en Argentina mediante el análisis de las interacciones de la población con las marcas y las huellas de dichas interacciones en conversaciones entabladas en grupos de Facebook durante 2022, desde un enfoque cualitativo basado en la etnografía digital. Los resultados muestran que las empresas despliegan tácticas elusivas de las regulaciones y buscan el contacto con las madres. Las usuarias no interactúan con las cuentas, pero están expuestas a sus estrategias dado el correlato entre los atributos del producto presentes en la publicidad con sus motivaciones y aspiraciones. Los mediadores entre el marketing y las madres son los profesionales médicos, utilizados como recursos del marketing. Concluimos que las autoridades deben promover nuevos acuerdos sobre las prácticas de los profesionales médicos y desarrollar regulaciones teniendo en cuenta los entornos digitales.

[Public conversation on vaccines during the covid-19 pandemic in Argentina, 2021-2022]. / Conversación pública sobre vacunas en la pandemia de covid-19 en Argentina, 2021-2022.

In the face of declining vaccination coverage and the dissemination of health-related information, conversations in the public/mediatic digital sphere constitute a relevant study area for the field of health communication. Through a qualitative study based on the analysis of government publications, digital press, and social media, we characterize the public conversation on vaccines - in terms of topics, moments, axes, and framings in Argentina during the 2020-2021 period - marked by the debate on covid-19 vaccines. The results show that public conversation focused on covid-19 vaccination, structured in two distinct moments (vaccine production and vaccination campaign), and under moral framings grounded in vaccination as a care practice and science as an authoritative voice. Simultaneously, doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines shaped arguments of vaccine hesitancy, which we understand as part of extended practices associated with distrust towards institutions and reinterpretations of scientific knowledge and care.

Ante la caída de las coberturas vacunales y la circulación informativa sobre salud, las conversaciones en el entorno público/mediático digital constituyen un ámbito de estudio relevante para el campo de la comunicación en salud. A través de un estudio cualitativo, basado en el análisis de publicaciones del gobierno, la prensa digital y las redes sociales, caracterizamos la conversación pública sobre vacunas ­en términos de temas, momentos, ejes y encuadres en Argentina en el período 2020-2021­ signada por el debate sobre las vacunas covid-19. Los resultados muestran que la conversación pública se centralizó en la vacunación contra el covid-19, se estructuró en dos momentos diferenciados (producción de vacunas y campaña de vacunación) y bajo encuadres morales sustentados en la vacunación como práctica de cuidado y la ciencia como voz autorizada. En simultáneo, las dudas sobre la seguridad y eficacia de las vacunas estructuraron argumentos de reticencia vacunal, que entendemos como parte de prácticas extendidas, asociadas con las desconfianzas hacia las instituciones y reinterpretaciones del conocimiento científico y del cuidado.

Farmers' Perceptions on Implementing Automatic Milking Systems in Large USA Dairies: Decision-Making Process, Management Practices, Labor, and Herd Performance.

Automatic Milking System (AMS) installations are increasing in the USA despite the higher investment cost than conventional systems. Surveys on AMSs conducted outside the USA focused on small-medium herds, specific regions, or aspects of AMS milking. This study described farmers' perceptions about the decision-making process of adopting an AMS in the USA's large dairies (≥7 AMS boxes) regarding changes in technology, housing, management practices, labor, herd performance, and health. After being contacted, 27 of 55 farmers from large AMS herds completed the survey. The main reasons for adopting an AMS were labor costs, cows' welfare, and herd performance. Most farms constructed new barns, used a free-flow traffic system, and changed their feed management. Increases in water and energy use were perceived by 42% and 62% of farmers, respectively. Farmers estimated decreases in labor costs of over 21%, and AMS employees worked 40-60 h/week. Milk production increases were reported by 58%, with 32% observing higher milk fat and protein content. Easier sick cow detection, better mastitis management, and improvements in pregnancy rates were reported. Thus, farmers transitioning to AMSs perceived altered resource utilization, labor cost savings, and improvements in employee quality of life, animal welfare, and farm management. While 54% of respondents would recommend an AMS to other farms, 38% suggested considering additional aspects prior to adoption.

Conversación pública sobre vacunas en la pandemia de covid-19 en Argentina, 2021-2022 / Public conversation on vaccines during the covid-19 pandemic in Argentina, 2021-2022

RESUMEN Ante la caída de las coberturas vacunales y la circulación informativa sobre salud, las conversaciones en el entorno público/mediático digital constituyen un ámbito de estudio relevante para el campo de la comunicación en salud. A través de un estudio cualitativo, basado en el análisis de publicaciones del gobierno, la prensa digital y las redes sociales, caracterizamos la conversación pública sobre vacunas -en términos de temas, momentos, ejes y encuadres en Argentina en el período 2020-2021- signada por el debate sobre las vacunas covid-19. Los resultados muestran que la conversación pública se centralizó en la vacunación contra el covid-19, se estructuró en dos momentos diferenciados (producción de vacunas y campaña de vacunación) y bajo encuadres morales sustentados en la vacunación como práctica de cuidado y la ciencia como voz autorizada. En simultáneo, las dudas sobre la seguridad y eficacia de las vacunas estructuraron argumentos de reticencia vacunal, que entendemos como parte de prácticas extendidas, asociadas con las desconfianzas hacia las instituciones y reinterpretaciones del conocimiento científico y del cuidado.

ABSTRACT In the face of declining vaccination coverage and the dissemination of health-related information, conversations in the public/mediatic digital sphere constitute a relevant study area for the field of health communication. Through a qualitative study based on the analysis of government publications, digital press, and social media, we characterize the public conversation on vaccines - in terms of topics, moments, axes, and framings in Argentina during the 2020-2021 period - marked by the debate on covid-19 vaccines. The results show that public conversation focused on covid-19 vaccination, structured in two distinct moments (vaccine production and vaccination campaign), and under moral framings grounded in vaccination as a care practice and science as an authoritative voice. Simultaneously, doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines shaped arguments of vaccine hesitancy, which we understand as part of extended practices associated with distrust towards institutions and reinterpretations of scientific knowledge and care.

The Impact of an Intensive Care Diary on the Psychological Well-Being of Patients and Their Family Members: Longitudinal Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Thanks to medical and technological advancements, an increasing number of individuals survive admission to intensive care units. However, survivors often experience negative outcomes, including physical impairments and alterations in mental health. Anxiety, depression, cognitive impairments, post-traumatic stress disorders, and functional disorders are known collectively as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Among the key triggering factors of this syndrome, memory impairment appears to play a significant role. AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the impact of an intensive care diary on the psychological well-being of patients and their relatives after discharge from the ICU. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. EXPECTED RESULTS: The results of this study evaluate the impact of an ICU diary on the quality of life of ICU survivors and their family members.

[Tensions between social acceptance and individual reticence to COVID-19 vaccination: the perspective of fathers and mothers residing in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Tensiones entre la aceptación social y la reticencia individual a la vacunación: la perspectiva de padres y madres que residen en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires en contexto de pandemia por COVID-19.

The decline in vaccination coverage associated with the population's mistrust of vaccines has been defined as a global health threat. Adopting a qualitative approach centered on the social significance of vaccines, we conducted semi-structured interviews with mothers and fathers in the City of Buenos Aires between July and December 2020. We describe and analyze their knowledge and the arguments used to justify their acceptance or reluctance to vaccinate their children in the context of COVID-19. The results show that the studied population possesses knowledge about vaccines and accepts them as a preventive practice. Nonetheless, it was possible to identify a broad spectrum of attitudes towards vaccination, including more reticent positions based on concerns regarding their safety, adverse effects, and the need to apply them for eradicated diseases, proposing vaccination as an optional and complementary practice to other care practices. Arguments are organized under the assumption of individual and moral responsibility for health care, an expression of the current sociocultural and health backdrop.

La caída en las coberturas de vacunación asociada a la desconfianza de la población hacia las vacunas ha sido definida como una amenaza para la salud a nivel global. A través de un enfoque cualitativo centrado en la significación social de las vacunas, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a madres y padres de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, entre julio y diciembre de 2020. Describimos y analizamos sus conocimientos y los argumentos esgrimidos para justificar su aceptación o reticencia a la vacunación de sus hijas e hijos en el contexto del COVID-19. Los resultados muestran que la población estudiada maneja conocimientos sobre las vacunas y las acepta como práctica preventiva. A su vez, reconstruimos un amplio espectro en el que identificamos actitudes reticentes a la vacunación, basadas en dudas sobre su seguridad, efectos adversos y la necesidad de aplicarlas para enfermedades erradicadas, proponiendo la vacunación como práctica opcional y complementaria a otras prácticas de cuidado. Los argumentos se organizan bajo el supuesto de la responsabilidad individual y moral sobre el cuidado de la salud, expresión del actual escenario sociocultural y sanitario.

Tensiones entre la aceptación social y la reticencia individual a la vacunación: la perspectiva de padres y madres que residen en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires en contexto de pandemia por COVID-19 / Tensions between social acceptance and individual reticence to COVID-19 vaccination: the perspective of fathers and mothers residing in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

RESUMEN La caída en las coberturas de vacunación asociada a la desconfianza de la población hacia las vacunas ha sido definida como una amenaza para la salud a nivel global. A través de un enfoque cualitativo centrado en la significación social de las vacunas, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a madres y padres de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, entre julio y diciembre de 2020. Describimos y analizamos sus conocimientos y los argumentos esgrimidos para justificar su aceptación o reticencia a la vacunación de sus hijas e hijos en el contexto del COVID-19. Los resultados muestran que la población estudiada maneja conocimientos sobre las vacunas y las acepta como práctica preventiva. A su vez, reconstruimos un amplio espectro en el que identificamos actitudes reticentes a la vacunación, basadas en dudas sobre su seguridad, efectos adversos y la necesidad de aplicarlas para enfermedades erradicadas, proponiendo la vacunación como práctica opcional y complementaria a otras prácticas de cuidado. Los argumentos se organizan bajo el supuesto de la responsabilidad individual y moral sobre el cuidado de la salud, expresión del actual escenario sociocultural y sanitario.

ABSTRACT The decline in vaccination coverage associated with the population's mistrust of vaccines has been defined as a global health threat. Adopting a qualitative approach centered on the social significance of vaccines, we conducted semi-structured interviews with mothers and fathers in the City of Buenos Aires between July and December 2020. We describe and analyze their knowledge and the arguments used to justify their acceptance or reluctance to vaccinate their children in the context of COVID-19. The results show that the studied population possesses knowledge about vaccines and accepts them as a preventive practice. Nonetheless, it was possible to identify a broad spectrum of attitudes towards vaccination, including more reticent positions based on concerns regarding their safety, adverse effects, and the need to apply them for eradicated diseases, proposing vaccination as an optional and complementary practice to other care practices. Arguments are organized under the assumption of individual and moral responsibility for health care, an expression of the current sociocultural and health backdrop.

Hospitalized population diagnosed with Covid-19 in public health centers in the southeastern region of Greater Buenos Aires / [Población hospitalizada con diagnóstico de Covid-19 en los centros de salud públicos de la región sudeste del Gran Buenos Aires]

Introduction: The present work describes the clinical characteristics and interventions to minimize morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: It is a prospective cohort investigation of patients who received a response from the Health Centers in the southeast region (RS) of the metropolitan area (AMBA) from April 8 to September 30, 2020. A Situation Room was used epidemiological with two monitoring and follow-up boards, one for bed management and the other for patient management. Results: During the analyzed period, 2,588 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were admitted, 1,943 with suspected COVID-19 pathology, and 1,464 subjects with other pathologies. 55% of the patients were men and the mean age was 51 years. There were 82.8% patients with pre-existing diseases, hypertension and diabetes were the most frequent. 14% were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. The mortality of the cohort was 15.05%, mortality was higher for men, with a mean age of 60 years, 92.65% had some pre-existing disease. Conclusion: Our cohort is younger than other published works. Older people, men, and people with comorbidities are at increased risk for COVID-19-related mortality. The public health system was able to respond to the demand without collapsing the hospital institutions.

Introducción: En el presente trabajo se describen las características clínicas y las intervenciones para minimizar la morbimortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de COVID-19. Métodos: Es una investigación de cohorte prospectiva de pacientes que recibieron respuesta de los Centros de Salud en la región sudeste (RS) del área metropolitana (AMBA) desde el 8 de abril hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2020. Se utilizó una Sala de Situación epidemiológica con dos tableros de monitoreo y seguimiento, uno de gestión de camas y otro de gestión de pacientes. Resultados: Durante el periodo analizado se internaron2.588pacientes con diagnóstico COVID-19 confirmados, 1.943 con sospecha de patología COVID-19, y 1.464sujetos con otras patologías. El 55% de los pacientes eran hombres y la edad media fue de 51 años. Hubo 82,8% pacientes con enfermedades preexistentes, hipertensión y diabetes fueron las más frecuentes. El 14% fue hospitalizado en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva. La mortalidad de la cohorte fue del 15,05%, la mortalidad fue mayor para los hombres, con una edad media de 60 años, el 92,65% tenía alguna enfermedad preexistente. Conclusión: Nuestra cohorte es más joven que otros trabajos publicados. Las personas mayores, los hombres y las personas con comorbilidades tienen mayor riesgo de mortalidad relacionada con COVID-19. El sistema de salud público pudo responder a la demanda sin llegar a colapsar las instituciones hospitalarias.

Tuberculosis situation in the program area of a general acute care hospital in Buenos Aires City, 2017-2019 / Tuberculosis situation in the program area of a general acute care hospital in Buenos Aires City, 2017-2019

INTRODUCCIÓN: La tuberculosis (TB) genera una gran carga de enfermedad a nivel global. Su elevada presencia en grandes ciudades se explica porque ellas son escenarios de urbanización acelerada, fuertes inequidades sociales y concentración de circunstancias de vulnerabilidad. El objetivo fue analizar la situación epidemiológica de la TB en un área programática (AP) de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires entre 2017 y 2019. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. La población de estudio fueron los casos notificados de TB en residentes en el AP del Hospital Fernández (HF). La fuente de datos principal fue el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de Salud. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 375 casos. En 2017 se presentó la tasa de notificación de TB más alta del AP (29,2). Los casos se concentraron en el barrio de Retiro y alcanzaron su mayor tasa en 2018 (134,5). Los barrios populares presentaron 12 veces la tasa del AP (305,1). De todos los casos, 213 fueron de género masculino (56,8%), con 29 años como mediana de edad. Mayormente fueron notificados por la red de efectores del AP del HF. Respecto a la evolución, en 169 casos fue satisfactoria (45,1%), y 138 no registraron datos de evolución (36,8%). DISCUSIÓN: El análisis epidemiológico desagregado reveló la gran complejidad del territorio respecto a este padecimiento de salud. Las redes de abordaje interdisciplinarias e intersectoriales resultan claves para garantizar la accesibilidad al cuidado y tratamiento en esta población.

Cognitive Polyphasia, Social Representations and Political Participation in Adolescents.

Studies conducted in the last few decades show that young people have a negative evaluation of politics since they relate it to conventional forms of participation. In addition, they engage in unconventional forms of political participation, though they do not think of them as political practices. In this context, a qualitative study was carried out in order to describe the social representations of politics through the narratives provided by adolescents during an interview based on Piaget's clinical method. The results obtained reveal the coexistence of two representations of politics: a conventional and an unconventional one. The representation in which politics is mainly understood as conventional forms of participation appears to be hegemonic, although a polemic unconventional representation was identified. Moreover, in many of the subjects both representations coexist in state of cognitive polyphasia that express a relation of selective prevalence between them, depending on the discursive context they are elicited.

Inclusión educativa, aprendizaje y deseabilidad social en docentes de niños con trastorno del espectro autista de la CABA

Resumen El Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) es una afección neurológica del desarrollo que comienza en la niñez y dura toda la vida. Su diagnóstico se encuentra en constante aumento en todo el mundo. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer las perspectivas de los docentes en relación a las herramientas y estrategias con las que cuentan en el proceso educativo para la inclusión. Además, se buscó indagar el aprendizaje y la deseabilidad social de estos niños. Se utilizó un método cualitativo con un enfoque de estudio de casos. Se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas a ocho docentes de escuelas privadas de CABA. Cabe señalar que, la recolección de datos se realizó de manera on line dado que Argentina atravesaba un aislamiento social, preventivo y obligatorio por Covid-19. Los resultados muestran que los niños adquieren los conocimientos básicos curriculares según sus potenciales y capacidades personales. Asimismo, se puso de manifiesto que para las docentes, la actualización y formación continua es un factor fundamental para mejorar la labor profesional diaria. Con relación a la deseabilidad social se ha evidenciado que la sociedad aún maneja parámetros de normalidad. Se concluye que, falta mucho por recorrer para lograr una inclusión educativa genuina.

Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental neurological condition that begins in childhood and lasts a lifetime. Its diagnosis is constantly increasing throughout the world. The purpose of this study is to describe the perspectives of teachers in relation to the tools and strategies that they use in the teaching process for inclusion. In addition, it propose to analize the process of learning and social desirability of these children. A qualitative method was used with a case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight teachers from private schools in CABA. It should be noted that the data collection instrument of this research was carried out online since Argentina was going through a social, preventive and mandatory isolation due to Covid-19. The findings of this study showed that children acquire basic curricular knowledge according to their personal potentials and abilities. Likewise, it was shown that for teachers, updating and continuous training is a fundamental factor to improve daily professional work. In relation to social desirability, it has been shown that society still manages parameters of normality. It is concluded that there is still a long way to achieve genuine educational inclusion.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of and Psychosocial Changes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nursing-Led Cross-Sectional Study of Patients in Clinical Remission.

Background and Objectives: Nursing management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is focused on global patient care. Starting from basic knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic management, nurses can assess the impact of IBD on patients' quality of life not only at the physical level, but also at the psychological, social, and emotional levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal symptoms on psychosocial changes in IBD patients in remission through nursing-led Patient-Reported Outcomes. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 109 IBD patients in clinical and endoscopic remission. Specialist nurses invited patients to complete questionnaires on gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life through the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Results: We found that the gastrointestinal symptoms that the patients reported had a significant impact on the analyzed aspects of health. More specifically, belly pain, diarrhea, and bloating were associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), and sleep disturbances (p < 0.001). Moreover, these symptoms also significantly affected patients' social dimension in terms of satisfaction with participation in social roles (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.001 for belly pain, diarrhea, and bloating, respectively) and physical functions (p < 0.001). The results were virtually the same in a multivariable analysis adjusted by age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and disease duration. Conclusions: Even during remission, gastrointestinal symptoms are the main factors that influence quality of life in IBD patients. This exploratory study highlights the need to adopt validated questionnaires in clinical practice, and demonstrates that PROMIS is a valid, objective, and standardized instrument that can help nursing staff to better define the consequences of the disease in a patient's daily life.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Taqman Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma bovis: Comparison of Assay Performance with a Conventional PCR Assay and Another Taqman Real-Time PCR Assay.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a Taqman real-time PCR assay for the detection of Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis). Unique primers targeting the highly conserved house-keeping gene (uvrC) were designed and the probe sequence was derived from a previously published microarray study. There was 100% agreement in the outcome between our assay and the other two published assays for M. bovis detection. The analytical limit of detection of our assay is 83 copies of the uvrC gene. This assay was validated on a total of 214 bovine clinical specimens that were submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), Texas, USA. The specificity of the assay was assessed to be 100% since no cross-reactivity occurred with 22 other bacterial and other Mycoplasma species. We conclude that the uvrC gene serves as a good and reliable diagnostic marker for the accurate and rapid detection of M. bovis from a wider variety of specimen matrices.

Differential levels of mRNA transcripts encoding immunologic mediators in mammary gland secretions from dairy cows with subclinical environmental Streptococci infections.

Dry-off, and the period around parturition, are associated with increased susceptibility to intramammary infections in dairy cows. The immunological profiles of mammary gland secretions during these periods are not well described. The objective of the present study was to better characterize association(s) between chronic subclinical Environmental Streptococci infections at dry-off and relative levels of mRNA transcripts encoding multiple immunologic mediators present in cells derived from mammary gland secretions at dry-off and continuing through parturition. The chronic subclinical bacterial infections in the present study were characterized by multiple isolations of Streptococcus species and elevated SSC for a minimum of three weeks prior to dry-off. The majority of differences between principal and control quarters were identified at dry-off. Transcript levels of IL-17, IL2Rα and iNOS were increased while pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, and the regulatory cytokine IL-10, were reduced. Following antibiotic treatment of mammary glands, IL-17 transcripts remained elevated over the course of the study, indicative of a persistent insult. IL-4 transcript levels were modestly elevated at 7 days following dry-off and significantly elevated at 14 days, consistent with activated T(H)1 and T(H)2 lymphocytes in the principal quarters, respectively. From a temporal perspective, transcript levels of IL-8 decreased in all animals through the dry-off period animals and returned to pre-dry-off levels at parturition; levels of iNOS peaked at parturition. Five of the six principal cows experienced recurrent bacterial mastitis during the subsequent lactation; four were in the same quarter as was initially infected with Streptococcus and three of these four were due to coliforms. Taken together, this apparent chronic susceptibility of select mammary glands to bacterial infection would suggest a physiologic and/or immunologic dysfunction. Identification of factor(s) that contribute to the predisposition of mammary glands to developing mastitis should facilitate development of new control strategies.

Evidence of autonomic dysregulation in otherwise healthy cancer caregivers: a possible link with health hazard.

Caregiving, an important component of cancer patient treatment, may set forth a cascade of stress responses such as sympatho-adrenal activation, immuno-humoral changes and an unhealthy lifestyle, which could be hazardous to caregivers' health. In this observational study, we addressed whether autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation and perception of stress would be altered in a group of 58 health cancer caregivers as compared to 60 controls. We employed non invasive autoregressive spectral analysis of cardiovascular variabilities and ad hoc questionnaires. Caregivers show, in addition to signs of psychological involvement, a clear autonomic imbalance, suggestive of sympathetic predominance at rest and of a reduction of vagal cardiac regulation (overall gain of baroreflex -index alpha- was respectively of 17.5+/-1.5 versus 25.1+/-1.8 msec/mmHg, p<<0.02). These data suggest possible preventive strategies, based on tailored treatments aiming at a betterment of individual autonomic profile.

Vulnerable among the vulnerable: drug users in situations of poverty and indigence in Argentina.

To study drug use in the context of poverty, it is necessary to undertake a complex analysis of various perspectives to understand the dense interweaving of socioeconomic, political, and cultural factors involved in the problem. The analysis of this social scenario was our starting point in planning holistic actions for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other illnesses related to drug use. Merely copying successful models from developed countries, which are designed for other contexts and populations, would result in insufficient and ineffective actions. The Asociación Civil Cristiana Recuperación Atención de Drogadependientes (ACCRAD), also known as "El Retoño" ("sprout"), is a nongovernmental organization that has been working since 1985 to consolidate a model of analysis and intervention that considers this complex framework and seeks to meet the needs of drug users from the poorest sectors of society. Our research on the use of drugs and its relationship to poverty, together with the documentation of harm-reduction interventions, has been carried out since 1997.