The period during and after World War II saw enormous changes in the practice and status of anaesthesia, as well as in female participation. This article offers an account of three South African (SA) women who trained in anaesthetics before and during the War and participated in these changes. By the mid-1960s, they presided over the three independent anaesthetic departments at Johannesburg's three main teaching hospitals, teaching generations of junior doctors. The first woman to register as a specialist anaesthetist in SA, Miriam (Mollie) Barlow, broke the glass ceiling in her own career by lobbying for the professional rights of medical women, although working within the constraints of the medical and political establishment. She also contributed to important SA research on malignant hyperthermia. Hilde Ginsberg collaborated with Barlow in the 1950s, reducing intraoperative and perioperative mortality at Coronation Hospital, and fought for key interventions in anaesthetic practice and policy through the South African Society of Anaesthetists (SASA), becoming its most long-serving and honoured female member. Kathleen Barbara Vetten's exemplary career in academic medicine, including pioneering animal research (developing anaesthetic techniques for open-heart surgery in dogs and protocols for liver transplantation in primates) and a successful operation to separate craniopagus twins, shows both the achievement of and limits to female achievement at the end of this period. This article also offers a short account of factors that hindered black women from entering anaesthesia training, contributing to this history before the 1990s.

Introduction: retinitis pigmentosa is a group of degenerative diseases of genetic origin and hereditary cause which results in important visual disability. Objective: to assess eye acuity and visual field changes in retinitis pigmentosa women during and after pregnancy. Methods: a descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study was conducted at the National Reference Center of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Havana (1999-2011). Acuity and visual field were evaluated in six stages for 21 months since recruitment. The quantitative values of these parameters were taken using visual standards of the American Medical Association. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 11.5, with a significance level of 0.01 and confidence interval of 95% for the consideration of mean, standard deviation and frequency as a measure of summary. Results: 59 women were studied with a mean age of 27.11 years (SD 6.7), different types of inheritance of retinitis pigmentosa and variable number of pregnancies. 24 were pregnant (40.7 %) had autosomal-recessive and 18 (30.5 %) no definite inheritance. During pregnancy, 36 (61.0 %) worsened visual acuity and 47 (79.7 %) decreased the visual field that was most remarkable from the 3rd. quarter. At the end of the study, 50 pregnant women (84.7 %) deteriorated visual function, especially those with autosomal recessive inheritance and multigravidae. Conclusions: there were irreversible changes in visual acuity and field during and even after pregnancy in women with retinitis pigmentosa. Pregnancy has negatively affected moderately visual function and evolution of retinitis pigmentosa.

Introducción: la retinosis pigmentaria comprende un grupo de enfermedades degenerativas de origen genético y hereditario que causan importante invalidez visual. Objetivo: evaluar cambios oftalmológicos de la agudeza y campo visual en mujeres con retinosis pigmentaria durante y después del embarazo. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal realizado en el Centro de Referencia Nacional de Retinosis Pigmentaria de La Habana (1999-2011). Agudeza y campo visuales fueron evaluados en seis etapas por 21 meses desde la captación. Se tomaron los valores cuantitativos de estos parámetros utilizando estándares visuales de la Asociación Médica Americana. Se realizó análisis estadístico con SPSS versión 11.5, con un nivel de significación de 0,01 e intervalo de confianza de 95 % para la consideración de media, desviación estándar y frecuencia como medida de resumen. Resultados: se estudiaron 59 mujeres con edad media de 27,11 años (DS 6,7), diferentes tipos de herencia de la retinosis pigmentaria y número variable de gestaciones. Presentaban 24 embarazadas (40,7 %), herencia autosómica-recesiva y 18 (30,5 %) sin herencia definida. Durante el embarazo 36 (61,0 %) empeoraron la agudeza visual y 47 (79,7 %) disminuyeron el campo visual lo que fue más notable a partir del 3er. trimestre. Al final del estudio 50 gestantes (84,7 %) deterioraron su función visual, sobre todo en aquellas con herencia autosómica recesiva y multigrávidas. Conclusiones: existieron cambios irreversibles en la agudeza y campo visual durante y aún después de la gestación en las mujeres con retinosis pigmentaria. El embarazo ha afectado negativamente de forma moderada la función visual y la evolución de la retinosis pigmentaria.

Introduction: phytoaromatherapy is a supplementary treatment using essential oils found in specific parts of plants. One of the effects attributable to certain types of essences such as lavender (Lavandula officinalis L., Labiateae), widely studied around the world, is the anti-ansiolytic impact. There are no studies in Chile of the anti anxiety effect of this essence in sensitive populations. Work-related stress has been defined as a series of events that occur in a worker's body in which work-related harmful stressing agents are involved and may affect health and work performance Objective: to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of Lavender as a non-invasive supplementary therapy in the treatment of anxiety and on the perception of affectivity, and general psychological well-being in voluntary group of workers from the University of Concepción. Methods: the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in Clavenger equipment and the chemical characterization was performed by CG-MS. To evaluate the anxiolytic effects, three instruments: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB Index) were used. Results: the chemical analysis of the essence evinced existence of recognized anxiolytic action compounds such as linalol and linalilo acetate. After applying the lavender, workers reported lower levels of anxiety, and improvement of their general psychological well-being in terms of anxiety, global health condition and strength and negative affect whereas no significant changes were seen in positive affect. Conclusions: the natural aroma-based therapy constitutes a simple and inexpensive method of increasing the quality of life of the population sensitive to several daily stress-derived diseases.

Introducción: la fitoaromaterapia es una terapia complementaria que utiliza los aceites esenciales contenidos en órganos especializados de las plantas. Uno de los efectos atribuibles a algunas esencias es el ansiolítico, presente en especies como la lavanda (Lavandula officinalis L., Labiateae), una de las más estudiadas a nivel mundial. No obstante, en Chile no existen registros de estudios que evalúen el efecto ansiolítico de esencias en poblaciones susceptibles. El estrés laboral se conceptualiza como el conjunto de fenómenos que suceden en el organismo del trabajador, con la participación de agentes estresantes lesivos derivados directamente del trabajo o que con motivo de este, pueden afectar la salud y el rendimiento del trabajador. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos de la lavanda, como una terapia complementaria no invasiva en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y la percepción de afectividad y bienestar psicológico en trabajadores voluntarios de la Universidad de Concepción. Métodos: la esencia se obtuvo por hidrodestilación en aparato clavenger y su caracterización química se realizó por CG-MS. Para evaluar el efecto ansiolítico se utilizaron 3 instrumentos: beck anxiety inventory (BAI), escala de afectos positivos y negativos (PANAS) y psychological general well-being index (PGWB). Resultados: el análisis químico de la esencia evidenció presencia de compuestos con reconocida actividad ansiolítica, como el linalol y el acetato de linalilo. Con respecto a la percepción de los funcionarios, después de aplicar la intervención con lavanda, se observó una reducción de la ansiedad, al mismo tiempo hubo una mejoría en el bienestar psicológico general en relación con la ansiedad, salud general y vitalidad, y en la afectividad negativa; mientras que en la afectividad positiva no hubo cambios significativos. Conclusiones: la terapia sobre la base de aromas naturales, como el de la lavanda, constituye un método simple y barato de mejorar la calidad de vida de la población susceptible a desarrollar diversas enfermedades producto del estrés diario.

INTRODUCTION. Retinosis pigmentosa is the most frequent cause of retina dystrophy. Ocular diseases of dystrophic type, genetic origin and progressive course appear in adolescence. The objective of the present study is to identify the clinical characteristics and evolution of retinosis pigmentosa in adolescence. METHOD. A descriptive and prospective study was conducted among young subjects aged 10-14 (group 1) and 15-19 (group II) of both sexes that were seen at the National Pediatric Centre of Retinosis between 2002 and 2006. Heredity, symptoms, age, time elapsed; general diseases and electroretinogram were observed. The transparent means, fundus oculi, biomicroscopy and perimetry were performed at the beginning, at a year and at the end of the study. Taking into consideration the acuity and visual field, the cases were classified into 4 stages. RESULTS. White males prevailed. Opacities of the crystalline were found in 61 eyes (71.4 %), mainly in group 2. At the end of the study, 32 adolescents (76.2 %) had no progressive evolution; 5 (11.9 %), fairly progressive; and 5 (11.9 %), very progressive, with a marked worsening of the visual function. CONCLUSIONS. The characteristics of retinosis pigementosa identified in most of the youth agreed with the first stages of the disease. The evolution has not been progressive in most of the adolescents of both groups, which makes us think that the biological changes of this stage of life do not apparently worsen the course of the ocular disease.

INTRODUCCIÓN. La retinosis pigmentaria es la causa más frecuente de distrofia retiniana. En la adolescencia comienzan enfermedades oculares de tipo distrófico, origen genético y curso progresivo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar las características clínicas y evolución de la retinosis pigmentaria en la adolescencia. MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo en jóvenes de edad entre 10 y 14 años (Grupo I), y entre 15 y 19 años (Grupo II), de uno y otro sexo, que fueron atendidos en el Centro de Retinosis Pediátrico Nacional entre 2002 y 2006. Se observó herencia, síntomas, edad, tiempo transcurrido, enfermedades generales y electrorretinograma. Los medios transparentes, fondo de ojo, biomicroscopia y perimetría se hicieron al inicio, al año y al final del estudio. Se clasificaron los casos en 4 estadios atendiendo a la agudeza y campo visual. RESULTADOS. Predominaron los pacientes del sexo masculino y color blanco de la piel. Se hallaron opacidades del cristalino en 61 ojos (71,4 %), principalmente en el grupo 2. Al final del estudio 32 adolescentes (76,2 %) no tuvieron evolución progresiva; 5 (11,9 %), medianamente progresiva y 5 (11,9 %), muy progresiva, con marcado empeoramiento de la función visual. CONCLUSIONES. Las características de la retinosis pigmentaria identificadas en la mayoría de los jóvenes concuerdan con los primeros estadios de la enfermedad. La evolución durante 5 años no ha sido progresiva en la mayoría de los adolescentes de uno y otro grupo, lo que nos hace considerar que los cambios biológicos de esta etapa de la vida, aparentemente no influyen empeorando el curso de la enfermedad ocular.

Uma amostra de 45 estudantes de graduação em nutrição da San Jose State University (SJSU) nos Estados Unidos e 46 da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas) responderam a um questionário elaborado para comparar experiência, conhecimento e atitude sobre amamentação. Os resultados mostraram que apenas 44,4% dos estudantes da SJSU e 80, 4% da PUC-Campinas haviam sido amamentados (p=0, 01). Apesar da pretensão de amamentar seus filhos, ambos os grupos apresentaram uma atitude negativa contra a amamentação em local público: os alunos da SJSU (56,8%) referiram pressão social para não amamentar em público e os alunos da PUC-Campinas (54,3%) referiram constrangimento pessoal em amamentar em público. Os estudantes da SJSU enfatizaram a conveniência e os da PUC-Campinas os fatores imunológicos como as principais vantagens da amamentação. Os graduandos da PUC-Campinas consideraram proteção como uma das vantagens dos formulados. Como fatores responsáveis pelo fracasso da amamentação, os estudantes da SJSU citaram a pressão social negativa e os problemas biológicos e os da PUC-Campinas a falta de informação. Conclui-se que há necessidade de melhoria dos currículos para que o futuro profissional tenha conhecimento adequado sobre amamentação de modo a promover e a escolher o aleitamento materno com sucesso.

A sample of, forty-five undergraduate nutrition majors from San Jose State University (SJSU) in the United States and forty-six from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas) in Brazil completed a 9uestionnaire elaborated to compare their' breast feeding experience, knowledge and attitudes. Results showed that 44.4% of SJSU and 80.4% of PUC-Campinas .students had been breast-fed (p=0.01). Although students intended to breast-feed, both groups had a negative attitude toward breast-feeding in public: SJSU students (56.8%) felt social pressures to not breast=feed in public, and PUC-Campinas students (54.3%) expressed personal constraint. SJSU students emphasized convenience, and PUC-Campinas students mentioned, immunological factors as advantages of breast-feeding. PUC-Campinas students considered protection as an advantage of formula, feeding. Concerning causal factors for breast feeding failure, SJSU students cited negative social pressure and biological problems, and PUC-Campinas students mentioned, lack of information. In conclusion, it is necessary to improve the curricula, if we expect future nutrition professionals to have adequate knowledge to promote and choose breast feeding successfully.