Province Of Cordoba Research Articles

Evaluating Procedure-Linked Risk Determinants in Trichinella spp. Inspection under a Quality Management System in Southern Spain

Trichinellosis is a major foodborne zoonotic disease responsible for 41 human cases, according to the European Union One Health Zoonoses Report. In southern Spain, a quality management system (QMS) was applied to satellite laboratories (SLs) that conduct meat inspections of Trichinella spp. ensuring excellence practices. This study aimed to determine how eventual deviations from standard procedures may influence risk levels using Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA). Data were collected during slaughterhouses and game handling establishments’ official audits in 18 SLs located in the provinces of Cordoba and Seville during a 6-year period. Technical requirement deviations regarding technique and trial information, such as performing tests or calculations incorrectly or not following technical procedures, significantly increased risk level differences. Imminent risk levels were detected if the above-mentioned deviations arose. Quality assurance compromising deviations were responsible for 1150 times risk level differences, suggesting finding such may be critical for risk determination. A lack of significant influence of records and documents compromising deviations (incomplete forms or missing-erroneous or illegible data) was found. These results strengthen Trichinella spp. control strategies by pinpointing crucial aspects within QMS that require improvement, particularly in addressing deviations related to technique, trial information, and quality assurance procedures to mitigate associated risks effectively.

Understanding processes underlying cross-taxon congruence in species composition along elevational gradients

Changes in species diversity of different taxa along environmental gradients are usually correlated, resulting in a pattern called cross-taxon congruence. This pattern can be due to functional relationships between taxa, a common response to niche-related processes, or stochastic processes. However, it remains unclear the extent to which they contribute to the association among patterns of changes in species composition, (i.e., beta diversity), and whether these changes are related to species nestedness and turnover. Here we described patterns of change in the taxonomic composition of plant and orthopteran assemblages along an elevational gradient in Cordoba province, central Argentina. We assessed cross-taxon congruence and identified the main environmental variables accounting for such patterns. Mantel correlations showed congruence between the patterns of taxonomic dissimilarity of plants and orthopterans. According Generalized disiimilarity models (GDM) the main environmental variables driving the patterns were temperature for both taxa, and changes in soil nutrient content for plants, spatial effects were also found. Beta diversity was mainly due to species turnover for orthopterans and plants, indicating replacement by species adapted to elevational conditions. Niche-related process, such as environmetal filtering, along with neutral processes may have contributed to cross-taxon congruence in beta diversity.

Glyphosate Internal Doses of Exposure and Health Effects in Populations from an Agricultural Area of the Province of Cordoba (Argentina)

Glyphosate Internal Doses of Exposure and Health Effects in Populations from an Agricultural Area of the Province of Cordoba (Argentina)

Economic value of Brangus cattle traits in Argentina

AbstractStarting in the early 2000s, a boom in demand for agricultural commodities displaced cattle ranching out of the most productive areas of the Pampas' prairie. The crossbreeds between Angus and Hereford with Brahman, that is, Brangus and Braford, have been successfully adopted across Argentina. However, little is known about the specific bulls' traits that drive the demand for genetic selection of cattle outside the Pampas. Obtaining the economic value of traits would help to identify the demand for adapting livestock production to different ecosystems while preserving the meat quality of Angus and Hereford cattle. We estimated hedonic price models using Brangus bull sales data from two cattle breeding ranches in the north of Cordoba province. We find that cattle ranchers prefer observed traits such as weight, coat color, and age, while genetic indicators such as Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) have secondary importance. We argue that stronger preferences for red‐coated bulls, as opposed to black‐coated bulls, could be associated with the demand for reducing heat stress. In addition, the relatively weak association between EPDs and prices may be related to unobservable variables such as ranchers' characteristics, and that the value of genetics is implicit in the studs' reputation. [EconLit Citations: Q12, Q13, Q16].

Psychometric properties of the Risk Perception Scale for Technology Use in children and adolescents

The aim of this work is 1) to create a valid, reliable instrument with which to evaluate the risk perception of children and adolescents regarding their use of technology (cell phones, Internet, and video games); and 2) to analyze the frequency with which some risk behaviors occur in relation to perception, technology use and age. 807 children and adolescents from the province of Cordoba (Spain) answered an ad hoc questionnaire with several instruments: sociodemographic data; problematic use of cell phones, Internet, and video games; and risk perception with the Scale on Risk Perception of Technology Use for children and adolescents (EPRUT). The results obtained from the factor analysis reveal that the RPSTU has three dimensions, related to cell phones, Internet, and video games, respectively. Differences were observed in the relationship between age and risk perception, with older people having the highest risk perception. Assessing risk perception will favor the detection and development of prevention programs for the use of technology in children and adolescents.

Hydroxylbenyacarite, (H2O)2Mn2(Ti2Fe)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10⋅4H2O, a new paulkerrite-group mineral, from the El Criollo mine, Cordoba Province, Argentina.

Abstract Hydroxylbenyacarite, (H2O)2Mn2(Ti2Fe)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10⋅4H2O, is a new paulkerrite-group mineral from the El Criollo mine, Cordoba Province, Argentina (IMA2023–079). It was found in specimens of altered triplite, in association with bermanite, phosphosiderite, quartz, strengite and manganese oxides. Hydroxylbenyacarite occurs as light greenish-yellow rhombic tablets with dimensions of typically 20 to 50 μm, occasionally to 400 μm. The crystals are flattened on {010}, slightly elongated on [001] and bounded by the {111} and {010} forms. The calculated density is 2.32 g cm–3. Optically, hydroxylbenyacarite crystals are biaxial (+), with α = 1.608(3), β = 1.624(3), γ = 1.642(3) (measured in white light) and 2V(meas.) = 88(2)°. The calculated 2V is 87.5°. The empirical formula is Ca0.06 A [K0.46(H2O)0.88□0.66]Σ2.00 M 1(Mn1.52Mg0.02Fe2+0.35□0.11)Σ2.00 M 2+M3(Fe3+1.21Al0.02Ti1.77)Σ3.00(PO4)4 X [F0.16(OH)0.70O1.14]Σ2.00(H2O)10⋅3.77H2O. The average crystal structure for hydroxylbenyacarite has space group Pbca and unit cell parameters a = 10.5500(3) Å, b =20.7248(5) Å, c = 12.5023(3) Å, V = 2733.58(12) Å3 and Z = 4. It was refined using single-crystal data to wRobs = 0.074 for 2611 reflections with I > 3σ(I). The crystal structure contains corner-connected linear trimers of Ti-centred octahedra that share corners with PO4 tetrahedra to form 10-member rings parallel to (010). K+ cations and water molecules are located in interstitial sites within the rings. Additional corner-sharing of the PO4 tetrahedra with MnO2(H2O)4 octahedra occurs along [010] to complete the 3D framework structure. A new eight-coordinated interstitial site, previously unreported for paulkerrite-group minerals, is occupied by Ca2+ cations. Weak diffuse diffraction spots in reconstructed precession images for hydroxylbenyacarite violate the a and b glide plane extinctions for Pbca and are consistent with local, unit-cell-scale regions of monoclinic, P21/c structure, in which ordering of the interstitial K+ and Ca2+ cations occurs.

The possibility of spatial mapping of SOC content in olive groves under integrated production using easy-to-obtain ancillary data in a Mediterranean area.

Unlike most of Europe, Andalucía in southern Spain as a Mediterranean area still lacks digital maps of SOC content provided by machine learning algorithms. The wide diversity of climate, geology, hydrology, landscape, topography, vegetation, and micro-relief data as easy-to-obtain covariates facilitated the development of digital soil mapping (DSM). The purpose of this research is to model and map the spatial distribution of SOC at three depths, in an area of approximately 10000 km 2 located in Seville and Cordoba Provinces, and to use R programming to compare two machine learning techniques (cubist and random forest) for developing SOC maps at multiple depths. Environmental covariates used in this research include nine derivatives from digital elevation models (DEM), three climatic variables and finally eighteen remotely-sensed spectral data (band ratios calculated by the acquired Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI in July 2019). In total, 300 soil samples from 100 points were taken (0-25 cm). The purpose of this research is to model and map the spatial distribution of SOC, in an area with approximately 10000 km2 located in Seville and Cordoba Provinces, and to compare two machine learning techniques (cubist and random forest) by R programming. The findings showed that the novel approach for integrating the indices using Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI satellite data had a better result. Finally, we obtained evidence that the resolution of satellite images is more important in modelling and digital mapping.

Towards a true conservation zero tillage system: “A proposed solution based on computer vision to herbicide resistance.”

The Zero Tillage (ZT) or Non-Tillage system constitutes an agricultural production approach designed for improved soil conservation, reduced fossil fuel usage, mitigation of waterway pollution, water and wind erosion, and addressing soil compaction, among other objectives. In this way, ZT promises more sustainable agriculture. However, current ZT production systems depend on herbicide applications for weed control. The use of herbicides with the same modes of action over many years has led to numerous resistant weed species, which end up threatening the success of the herbicide weed control and, consequently, the overall success of the ZT system. Being able to automatically detect and classify weed species directly under the sprayer during the chemical application is an alternative to control populations of weeds since it would allow selecting the herbicide and dose for those particular species. This study, conducted over 15 years in commercial fields utilizing Zero Tillage (ZT) management, examined various ground covers intrinsic to the ZT system originating from previous crops or residues post-harvest. ZT features a broad spectrum of contexts due to the complexity of different ground cover types, which challenge computer vision techniques. The assessment focused on the automatic detection and classification of among the most problematic monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species in the province of Cordoba in Argentina, with the objective of enabling a more targeted and selective approach to their control. These are Amaranthus palmeri, Echinochloa crus-galli, Eleusine indica, Parietaria debilis and Conyza sumatrensis. Additionally, some species belong to the same botanical families with several morphological resemblances that defy vision algorithms. This work proceeded through a machine learning approach applied to computer vision features such as SIFT (scale-invariant feature transform), K-means (clustering), and Bag of Features over the Support Vector Machine for classification. The results showed an accuracy between 89 % and 98 % over the species, allowing a significant reduction of herbicide while applying the adequate active ingredient. Moreover, virtual binary maps from weed patches are devised to be implemented through ISOBUS protocol. Thus the current research contributes significantly to the issue of controlling populations of weeds in the ZT agriculture system.

Beyond extinction: Uncovering morphological aspects of the last typotherid population (Mesotherium cristatum) and the unexpected body mass decrease

We present a detailed analysis of the craniomandibular and dental remains of Mesotherium cristatum, the quaternary mesotheriid typotherid notoungulate, from Corralito, Santa María Department, Cordoba Province. This population represents the final lineage of Typotheria during middle Pleistocene, Post-Ensenadan Age (>220 ± 13 ka). We compared these new craniomandibular and postcranial samples from Corralito with those from Toscas del Río de La Plata, as well as other localities in the province of Buenos Aires dating to the Ensenadan Age 1.98–0.4 Ma). Our investigation reveals a substantial decline in the size and body mass of the last known population of M. cristatum during the Bonaeran Age period, before its extinction. This occurrence, hitherto unrecorded in any prior South American Land Mammal Age leading up to extinction, might be attributed to the climatic and abiotic changes of the Pleistocene. These changes notably caused a marked reduction in the paleobiogeographical distribution area ofM. cristatum during the Middle Pleistocene. This size and body mass reduction, possibly an outcome of compelled reproductive isolation, is situated against the context of global cooling and heightened predatory pressures. Moreover, our analysis unveiled distinctive taxonomic attributes specific to this taxon, we compare dental size and find a preliminary evidence of an accelerated tooth replacement pattern. Furthermore, we have effectively updated the faunal composition information of the Corralito deposit, elucidating previous biostratigraphic inferences that had led to the belief of Corralito being an Ensenadan Age site. This adjustment impacts the first appearance datum (FAD) of the Neolicaphrium recens proterotheriid litoptern, younger than previously estimated and revised Bonaerian-Lujanian. Finally, this study provides insights into the biological analysis of the iconic species M. cristatum, prevalent in the South American quaternary of the Pampean region. It unreveils new faunal features specific to the Pampean region, shedding light particularly on the lesser-explored western area. These findinngs provide crucial insight into the ever-evolving ecosystem dynamics during the Middle Pleistocene.

“My Father Put Me in a Patera So I Could Study”: Key Aspects of Socio-Educational Support for Minors Who Migrate Alone

The migration process for minors who migrate alone represents a complex reality, one entailing exciting life projects but which often clashes with a host society that at times responds in a way shaped by stereotypes and prejudices. In this regard, the role of public and private institutions responsible for the care and custody of these minors is of the utmost importance. This is the point of departure of this study: to explore the multicultural and inclusive practices that are implemented in the process of socio-educational support for minors who migrate alone. Taking as a reference the closest context, as a case study, and employing a qualitative methodological approach, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals from Centers for the Protection of Minors, Institutes of Compulsory Secondary Education (secondary schools), and third-sector entities involved in socio-educational intervention with minors who migrate alone in the province of Cordoba (Spain). The results show, firstly, the complexity of the process behind the socio-educational inclusion of these minors, mainly due to their backgrounds; and, furthermore, the role of the different expectations of the professionals involved with regards to this group’s educational and labor-oriented development, along with the importance of the diversity of socio-educational intervention strategies used, focused on individualized attention and with a comprehensive approach. In conclusion, the findings of this study highlight the importance of tackling the task of socio-educational care in a coordinated manner, without forgetting the cultural backgrounds and previous experiences that these minors have when they join these protection and educational systems. It is, therefore, necessary to continue to implement these inclusive practices that promote the comprehensive development of minors and facilitate their transition to adult life, as should be done with any other minor facing situations of social vulnerability.

Nutritional status and dietary intake of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

To analyze the association between energy and nutrient intake, nutritional status and motor compromise in children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with cerebral palsy (CP) attending rehabilitation centers in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina. Cross sectional study. Data from 105 children and adolescents of both sexes aged 2-19 years with CP (67 boys [63.8% 53.84-72.95]) were collected. Motor compromise was assessed with GMFCS. 24h records were collected and analyzed. The results were compared with the recommended by FAO/UNU/WHO for age and sex. Normal data were presented with mean and SD, while those of non-normal distribution were described as medians with their ranges. The relationship between variables was analyzed using Fisher, t, or Mann-Whitney tests, with a p value < 0.05. The mean age was 11 years 6 months (SD 4 years 4 months). Fifteen [14.3% 8.23-22.48] children failed to meet at least 80% of the recommended energy. Children with GMFCS IV-V consume fewer daily calories and carbohydrate calories than their peers (I-III). The median protein intake of children GMFCS IV-V group was significantly lower than that of their peers (47.37g vs. 71.56g, p=0.0057). Those who did not reach 80% of the recommended energy intake had lower intakes of macro and micronutrients. The greater the motor compromise in children with CP, the greater the compromise in the adequacy of nutrient intake. The intake of macro and micronutrients was different according to whether or not they were able to cover at least 80% of the recommended energy for their age.

Proof of life, proof of death: An anthropology of cancer among rural teachers exposed to agrochemicals in southeastern Cordoba (Argentina)

This article presents the results of anthropological research on cancer among rural teachers occupationally exposed to agrochemicals. The study was carried out in the southeastern region of the province of Cordoba (Argentina), an area characterized by the large-scale production of transgenic crops intensively treated with agricultural pesticides. Regarding the methodology, fieldwork was conducted between 2019 and 2020 and included in-depth interviews with ten teachers, as well as observations of everyday situations in the towns where they live and work. Among the main findings, it was possible to identify a hegemonic narrative that naturalizes the existence of cancer and renders it invisible; despite this, it was possible to document the social suffering it caused among rural teachers. The article concludes that there is a need to bring visibility to these conditions in order to protect the health and wellbeing of this sector of Argentine teaching professionals.

Ferulago brachylobae-Daucetum setifolii J. Lopez-Tirado, ass. Nova from southern Spain

Ferulago brachylobae-Daucetum setifolii, ass. nova is described from the southern edge of the Sierra Morena in the Cordoba province (Andalusia, Spain). It is characterised by the two hemicryptophytes naming the association, usually located in heliophilous and rupicolous or scree degraded areas, shaping an open community of low cover. Seventeen plots were studied during late summer in the surroundings of Cordoba town (the West Iberian Mediterranean province, the Luso-Extremadurese subprovince and the Marianese-Monchiquese sector). The new association grows in the thermo-Mediterranean and meso-Mediterranean thermotypes belonging to the Rumici indurati-Dianthion lusitani alliance, the Phagnalo saxatilis-Rumicetalia indurati order and the Phagnalo-Rumicetea indurati class.

The last record of the last typotherid (Notoungulata, Mesotheriidae, Mesotherium cristatum) for the middle Pleistocene of the western Pampean region, Córdoba Province, Argentina, and its biostratigraphic implications

We document a new Last Appearance Datum of the mesotheriine notoungulate Mesotherium cristatum in 220 ± 13 ka, Middle Pleistocene of the west Pampean Region of the Province of Cordoba, Corralito, Santa María Department, Argentina. We increase the previous LAD of this taxon into ca. 530 ka compared to its latest occurrence in Ensenadan Age (ca. 1.95–0.4 Ma; Early-Middle Pleistocene) sediments from the east Pampean Region.Our detailed literature review of the traditional biostratigraphic support (“Mesotherium cristatum Biozone”) of the Ensenadan Age for the east Pampean Region, and our new temporal record of M. cristatum for the western region of the Pampean Region, .allows us to draw the following conclusions that affect the biostratigraphic model considered so far extensive in South America: (1) M. cristatum should no longer be considered as the guide taxon of the Ensenadan Age; (2) “M. cristatum Biozone” no longer constitutes the biostratigraphic support of the Ensenadan Age as it is also present in sediments of Bonaerian Age; (3) Distinct biostratigraphic units (“M. cristatum Biozone” and “Megatherium americanum Biozone”) overlap in their temporal ranges. In application of the International Stratography Code, we proclaim that the models of chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic units, established for the Pampean Region, need a strong and consolidated biostratigraphic support, whose temporal limits must be defined by the presence of fossils and not by the temporal limits of the chronostratigraphic units.This study proclaims the biostratigraphic importance of the western Pampean Region near the Sierras Pampeanas (Córdoba Province) which due to its differential paleoecological conditions and its altitudinal diferenciation with respect to the eastern regions of the Pampean Region could have acted as a faunal reservoir during the Pleistocene.

A remarkably disjunct population of Valerianella multidentata (Caprifoliaceae) in the south of Spain

We provided the first record of Valerianella multidentata Loscos &amp; Pardo for the flora of Andalusia (south of Spain). The specimen was collected during fieldwork in the southwest of Cordoba province. This new population illustrates a remarkable expansion of the species' geographic range very disjunct from its northeastern distribution core. The main morphological differences of the achenes between Valerianella multidentata and its relatives (V. coronata and V. discoidea) are provided. A geographical distribution map and detailed pictures of the specimen are also presented.

Odor emission assessment of different WWTPs with Extended Aeration Activated Sludge and Rotating Biological Contactor technologies in the province of Cordoba (Spain)

In this study, five urban WWTPs (Wastewater Treatment Plant) with different biological treatment (Extended Aeration Activated Sludge – EAAS; Rotating Biological Contactor – RBC), wastewater type (Urban; Industrial) and size, were jointly evaluated. The aim was twofold: (1) to analyze and compare their odor emissions, and (2) to identify the main causes of its generation from the relationships between physico-chemical, respirometric and olfactometric variables. The results showed that facilities with EAAS technology were more efficient than RBC, with elimination yields of organic matter higher than 90%. In olfactometric terms, sludge managements facilities (SMFs) were found to be the critical odor source in all WWTPs compared to the Inlet point (I) or Post primary treatment (PP), and for seasonal periods with ambient temperature higher than 25 °C. Moreover, the global odor emissions quantified in all SMFs revealed that facilities with EAAS (C-WWTP, V-WWTP and Z-WWTP) had a lower odor contribution (19,345, 14,800 and 11,029 ouE/s·m2, respectively) than for those with RBC technology (P-WWTP and NC-WWTP) which accounted for 19,747 ouE/s·m2 and 80,061 ouE/s·m2, respectively. In addition, chemometric analysis helped to find groupings and differences between the WWTPs considering the wastewater (71.27% of total variance explained) and sludge management (64.52% of total variance explained) lines independently. Finally, odor emissions were adequately predicted from the physico-chemical and respirometric variables in the wastewater (r2 = 0.8738) and sludge (r2 = 0.9373) lines, being pH, volatile acidity and temperature (wastewater line), and pH, moisture, temperature, SOUR (Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate) and OD20 (Cumulative Oxygen Demand at 20 h) (sludge line) the most influential variables.

Assessing the long-term impact of climate change on olive crops and olive fly in Andalusia, Spain, through climate indices and return period analysis

The objective of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of climate change on olive crops in Andalusia, one of the most important olive growing areas worldwide, using tailored climate indices and return period analysis. Both the climatic indices and the occurrence probabilities of bad years in terms of olive yield and olive fly risk are being calculated for the reference period 1971–2000 and for the near (2031–2060) and distant future (2071–2100) under two emission scenarios using an ensemble of five high-resolution, bias-adjusted Regional Climate Models. Three threshold-based temperature related indices (SPR32, SU36, SU40) as well as mean temperature and precipitation related climatic indices (SPRTX, WINRR) have been calculated, revealing increasing changes in the near and distant future and pointing out the challenges faced by the olive sector due to climate change; a robust increase of the threshold-based indices are found in central and northern Andalusia, mainly in the provinces of Seville, Cordoba and Jaen. Although the changes of the precipitation-related index are less pronounced for the near future, robust decreases are projected for the distant future period under a high emission scenario. The identification of the bad years is based on observational data from five monitoring stations in Andalusia (Malaga, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen). The role of certain meteorological parameters (precipitation, temperature, relative humidity) is investigated and the return levels of interest for the calculation of the occurrence probabilities are estimated by the upper tail of the reference distribution. The results indicate an overall tendency for increased occurrence probability of bad years in terms of olive yield due to future decreased precipitation; bad year occurrences with return periods of below 2 years may increase by about 20 % by 2060. Spatial variability is also evident with overall larger changes in western Andalusia. The range of the olive fly is expected to decrease in the northern areas of Andalusia.

The possibility of spatial mapping of soil organic carbon content at three depths using easy-to-obtain ancillary data in a Mediterranean area

Background: Unlike most of Europe, Andalucía in southern Spain as a Mediterranean area still lacks digital maps of soil organic carbon (SOC) content at multiple depths, which can be generated by machine learning algorithms. The wide diversity of climate, geology, hydrology, landscape, topography, vegetation, and micro-relief data as easy-to-obtain covariates has facilitated the development of digital soil mapping (DSM). The purpose of this research is to model and map the spatial distribution of SOC at three depths, in an area of approximately 10000 km2 located in Seville and Cordoba Provinces, and to use R programming to compare two machine learning techniques (cubist and random forest) for developing SOC maps at multiple depths. Methods: Environmental covariates used in this research include nine derivatives from digital elevation models (DEM), three climatic variables, and 18 remotely-sensed spectral data (band ratios calculated by Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager ‘OLI’ and Sentinel-2A Multispectral Instrument ‘MSI’ in July 2019). In total, 300 soil samples from 100 points at three depths (0-25 cm, 25-50 cm, and 50-75 cm) were taken from existing literature. Both machine learning techniques were compared taking into account their accuracy using the goodness-of-fit criteria to predict SOC. Results: The findings showed that integrating the indices derived by Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI satellite data had a better result than when satellite data was used separately. Conclusions: We obtained evidence that the resolution of satellite images is a key parameter in modelling and digital mapping.

Curtobacterium, A Foliar Pathogen Isolated from Maize in Central Argentina

Plant pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, can cause serious damage to crops and significantly reduce yield and quality. Bacterial diseases of agronomic crops, however, have been little studied. The present study aims to isolate and identify bacteria recovered from symptomatic maize (Zea mays) leaves collected from field samples in the province of Cordoba, Argentina. Bacterial strains were identified using whole-cell matrix-assisted laser-desorption-ionization-time-off light mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing. Members of the genera Exiguobacterium and Curtobacterium were dominant in the studied vegetal material. Two strains (RC18-1/2 and RC18-3/1) were selected for further studies. The pathogenicity test showed that plants inoculated with Curtobacterium sp. RC18-1/2 exhibited the same symptoms as those previously detected in the field. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence about the isolation of a Curtobacterium pathogenic strain in maize. Effective crop disease management will require the use of integrated strategies, such as resistant cultivars and/or biocontrol agents.

Phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomics of SARS-CoV-2 from survivor and non-survivor COVID-19 patients in Cordoba, Argentina

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 early in the pandemic in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 strains detected in survivors and non-survivors of COVID-19. We also carried out an epidemiological study to find a possible association between the symptoms and comorbidities of these patients with their clinical outcomes.ResultsA representative sampling was performed in different cities in the Province of Cordoba. Ten and nine complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes were obtained by next-generation sequencing of nasopharyngeal specimens from non-survivors and survivors, respectively. Phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses revealed multiple introductions of the most common lineages in South America, including B.1, B.1.1.1, B.1.499, and N.3. Fifty-six mutations were identified, with 14% of those in common between the non-survivor and survivor groups. Specific SARS-CoV-2 mutations for survivors constituted 25% whereas for non-survivors they were 41% of the repertoire, indicating partial selectivity. The non-survivors’ variants showed higher diversity in 9 genes, with a majority in Nsp3, while the survivors’ variants were detected in 5 genes, with a higher incidence in the Spike protein. At least one comorbidity was present in 60% of non-survivor patients and 33% of survivors. Age 75–85 years (p = 0.018) and hospitalization (p = 0.019) were associated with non-survivor patients. Related to the most common symptoms, the prevalence of fever was similar in both groups, while dyspnea was more frequent among non-survivors and cough among survivors.ConclusionsThis study describes the association of clinical characteristics with the clinical outcomes of survivors and non-survivors of COVID-19 patients, and the specific mutations found in the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 in each patient group. Future research on the functional characterization of novel mutations should be performed to understand the role of these variations in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and COVID-19 disease outcomes. These results add new genomic data to better understand the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 variants that spread in Argentina during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.