[Experience of the National Autonomous Board for Certification of Medical Specialties].

After 6 years of operation of a National (autonomous) Board for Certification of Medical Specialists, the number, distribution and training of medical specialists is analyzed. Problems regarding significant differences in the quality of training and imbalance among different specialties are identified. The medical profession has expressed its confidence and feels supported by the activities of the Board.

[Complicated primary splenic cyst: a clinical case].

A 16 year old man developed progressive swelling at the left hypochondrium over a 3 month period. Non painful splenomegaly was shown by physical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography and scintigraphy. Successful splenectomy disclosed a primary splenic cyst.

[Selenium content in the blood cattle from Venezuela. I. Central and Portugueste zones].

Whole blood concentrations of selenium were determined in 776 dairy cows and calves from 28 farms located in three States (Aragua, Carabobo and Guárico) of the central zone of Venezuela and in Portuguesa State. Selenium levels largely varied according to both the geographic distribution and animals breed. Cattle from Guárico State showed the lowest average concentration (0.