Different Regions Of Argentina Research Articles

Obtention of an antivenom against Phoneutria nigriventer (arachnida; ctenidae) venom

Envenomation by spiders of the genus Phoneutria ("banana spider") may be lethal, especially in children. The only available specific treatment is the use of antivenom, which is produced by only one laboratory in the world. In this study we report the development of an equine F (ab')2 experimental antivenom raised against the venom of Phoneutria nigriventer. The antivenom neutralized the venom of spiders from different regions of Argentina (Misiones and Jujuy), the development of envenomation symptoms in experimental animals was totally inhibited. These results show that local production of this type of antivenom is possible. Independence of production is important since international acquisition is always conditioned by the availability of stock surplus from the sole producer.

Molecular Typing of Mycobacterium bovis Isolates in Argentina: First Description of a Person-to-Person Transmission Case

Bovine tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a mycobacterium highly similar to M. tuberculosis that belongs to the M. tuberculosis complex. The main host of M. bovis is cattle but it also affects many other mammalians including humans. Tuberculosis in humans caused by either M. bovis or M. tuberculosis is clinically hard to distinguish. During 2004-2005, samples from 448 patients with diagnosis of TB were collected from different regions of Argentina. The PRA technique identified 400 isolates with representative patterns of mycobacterium. The predominant ones were the M. tuberculosis complex, the M. avium-M. intracellulare complex and M. gordonae. Samples with M. tuberculosis complex PRA restriction profiles were analyzed with a multiplex PCR to differentiate between M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Multiplex PCR identified nine M. bovis. The results allowed the possibility to establish that 2% of pulmonary tuberculosis was due to M. bovis. Isolates of M. bovis from humans were examined using spoligotyping. These isolates presented five different spoligotypes. The main spoligotype was also the most frequently one found in cattle. The remaining human spoligotypes (grouped in clusters) are occasionally found in cattle. Variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis identified five different patterns. By combining the results of spoligotyping and VNTR analysis, we were able to differentiate seven M. bovis isolates. The remaining two M. bovis samples showed the same spoligotype and VNTR profile and belonged to household contacts. An MDR-M. bovis was isolated from the samples of these household contacts. The identification of two epidemiologically linked cases of human M. bovis infection suggests person-to-person transmission of an MDR-M. bovis.

Radical-scavenging activity and phenolic constituents of propolis from different regions of Argentina

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources. The composition of propolis depends on the type of vegetation and the area of collection. We examined the radical-scavenging activity of propolis from the following regions of Argentina: Mendoza, Rio Negro, La Pampa, and Entre Rios. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared and their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities were evaluated. Furthermore, the major constituents in EEP were identified by HPLC with photodiode array (PDA) detection, and each component was quantitatively analysed. Almost all of the propolis samples, except La Pampa, had radical-scavenging activity. Propolis with strong radical-scavenging activity contained large amounts of antioxidative compounds, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester.

A study on the venom of Bothrops alternatus Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, from different regions of Argentina

We report a comparison of toxic and enzymatic activities of Bothrops alternatus venoms collected from specimens of different regions of Argentina with a pool of these same venoms. We determined lethal, hemorrhagic and pro-coagulant (plasma and fibrinogen) doses, as well as indirect hemolysis, hydrolysis of gelatin and fibrinogen. The electrophoretic pattern of the venoms and that of fibrinogen incubated with each of the venoms was studied by SDS-PAGE. The toxic activities were consistent with those reported for these venoms but with noticeable differences between samples which do not seem related to geographical or climatic characteristics. In some cases the pooled venom showed values close to the individual samples, but it was not representative since at least the half of the venoms (4/9) exhibited very different patterns of toxicity. The potency of some activities in the individual venoms ranged from much higher to much lower than those determined in the pooled venom (0.1 to 3 fold). Not all venoms exhibited thrombin-like activity but all hydrolyzed α and β chains of fibrinogen; however, degradation patterns were not always similar. Variation in activities and toxicities do not seem to be related to geographical or climatic characteristics.

Current resistance status to temephos in Aedes aegypti from different regions of Argentina

In Argentina, more than 25,000 cases of dengue were reported in the summer of 2009, even in provinces where the disease was formerly absent. We analysed the susceptibility levels to the larvicide temephos in seven populations of Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, collected during summer 2007/2008, using the susceptible Rockefeller strain as a control. Although no control failures were observed during the experiment, a majority of the lethal concentration and resistance ratio values indicate an incipient resistance. An integrative program to monitor the resistance of Ae. aegypti to insecticides is needed in the country.

Type and non-type specimens of Aegla (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae) housed in the Museo de La Plata, Argentina

The present contribution deals with the type and non-type material of the species of Aegla (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae) deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of Museo de La Plata, Argentina. One hundred and thirty-four lots are included, of which 10 lots are type specimens. The material examined includes 11 of the 13 species known from Argentina. Among the studied lots, those examined by Ringuelet (1948, 1960) and by Bond-Buckup & Buckup (1994) stand out. Also, several lots from different regions of Argentina were identified. Type specimens examined were compared with the original descriptions; photographs of the specimens are given in the present report. For each lot the following information is provided: georeferenced locality of collection, collector and collecting date, bibliographical references, category, number of collection according to the rules of the Museo de La Plata, label data (precise transcription), remarks and map of the locations.

Allele frequencies of 15 STRs loci in an Argentine population sample

It is well known that the use of STR (Short Tandem Repeats) for forensic purposes requires the existence of databases that reflect the allele distribution in the population they will be applied. During the last years we have received a greater affluence of samples from different regions of Argentina, instead of receiving almost only from Buenos Aires city, as we did six years ago. Because of this change in the population we are working with, our aim is to study the distribution of allele frequencies for 15 STR loci and calculate the statistical parameters of forensic interest, in a sample provenient from different regions of Argentina. A total of 375 unrelated individuals from different provinces in Argentina, were included for the analysis. DNA was obtained from blood samples with salting out Miller's method, and AmpFlSTR ® Identifiler was applied. Capillary electrophoresis of the amplification products were performed on an ABI PRISM ® 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). The 3100 Data Collection Software–v1.0.1 (Applied Biosystems) and GeneScan–v3.7 (Applied Biosystems) and Genotyper Software-v3.7 (Applied Biosystems) were used. Statistical analysis for allele frequencies, power of discrimination and power of exclusion were calculated using PowerStats software. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, observed and expected heterozygosity was calculated with Arlequin V3.1 software. All the loci studied were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and statistical parameters calculated were consistent with the bibliography. This database is a useful tool for routine forensic applications in our population.

Composition of Essential Oils of Gaillardia megapotamica and Gaillardia cabrerae from Argentina

The composition of the essential oil obtained by water distillation of the aerial parts of Gaillardia megapotamica var. scabiosoides, collected in two different regions of Argentina, was compared with the composition of the oil of Argentinean G. megapotamica var. radiata and G. cabrerae. In total, 53 compounds were identified, of which α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, β-caryophyllene, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide were found as the major components. The oils of the different Gaillardia species analyzed were rather similar. The total yield of volatiles from G. megapotamica var. radiata was considerably lower than that from G. megapotamica var. scabiosoides.

Characterization of Monovarietal Argentinian Olive Oils from New Productive Zones

AbstractQuality characteristics (acidity, peroxide value, K232, K270, ΔK, oxidative stability index) and chemical data (antioxidant compound, fatty‐acid, sterol, erythrodiol‐uvaol, and wax compositions) were studied in monovarietal virgin‐olive oil samples (2004–2005 harvests) from different regions of Argentina. The data obtained according to standard methods were compared with international quality and purity criteria. The total‐polyphenol content ranged from 25 to 263 mg/kg, showing the highest values for Coratina and Arauco oils. The α‐tocopherol content varied between 160 and 428 mg/kg; these values are generally stated to belong to good quality oils. Most of the samples from the new productive zones failed at least one purity criterion. Arbequina samples presented the highest deviations from the International Olive Oil Council criteria in fatty acids, waxes, and sterol percentages, indicating a poor adaptation of this cultivar to the agronomic medium and its sensibility to adverse climatic conditions. Principal component analysis revealed that the harvest‐year influence was attributable to environmental factors.

Heights, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Argentina, ca. 1850–1950. Preliminary Results

ResumenEste ensayo presenta resultados de estimaciones de estaturas medias para diversas regiones de Argentina durante el período 1850–1950. Esta evidencia, tomada de registros de reclutas y prisioneros, es utilizada para cuestionar algunas de las generalizaciones sobre el crecimiento económico argentino, basadas en datos de ingresos per-cápita y salarios. Se sostiene que, en términos de estatus nutricional y de salud, la era del progreso liberal derramó menos bienestar que el esperado. Algo similar ocurrió con el crecimiento agro-exportador de principios del siglo XX. Por el contrario, el período conocido como la «gran demora» —el período de inter-guerras— fue testigo de notables aumentos de bienestar biológico, particularmente en la década de 1930. Se sugiere también que durante la segunda guerra mundial y los primeros gobiernos peronistas, las estimaciones sobre alturas indican un retraso nutricional y de salud en el conurbano bonaerense. El ensayo presenta además datos sobre la distribución regional de las alturas, que reflejan un alto grado de desigualdad regional hacia la década de 1920.

Spatial and temporal transmission risk of Dirofilaria immitis in Argentina

The aim of this work was to assess spatial and seasonal Dirofilaria immitis transmission risk throughout Argentina with models based on the temperature threshold below which filarial development will not proceed in the mosquito (i.e. 14 °C), the occurrence and the number of potential vector mosquito species, and the Heartworm Development Units derived from the degree-days concept. The four models showed a similar increasing southwest-northeast tendency and correlated significantly with canine prevalences used as external validation data. About one-third of Argentina would be suitable for heartworm transmission and the highest risk areas include the north-eastern provinces. According to our models, heartworm transmission is markedly seasonal with peaks in January and February; no region would support transmission throughout the year. To improve the present models, it is necessary to know which mosquito species are competent rather than potential vectors in the country. We believe the present study provides the first risk assessment maps for D. immitis transmission in the Southern Hemisphere and provides a useful guide for heartworm prevention during the transmission periods in different regions of Argentina.

Diversity of Saccharomyces strains on grapes and winery surfaces: Analysis of their contribution to fermentative flora of Malbec wine from Mendoza (Argentina) during two consecutive years

Spontaneous fermentations are still conducted by several wineries in different regions of Argentina as a common practice. Native Saccharomyces strains associated with winery equipment, grape and spontaneous fermentations of Malbec musts from “Zona Alta del Río Mendoza” region (Argentina) were investigated during 2001 and 2002 in the same cellar. Low occurrence of Saccharomyces on grapes and their limited participation during fermentation were confirmed. Strain sequential substitution during fermentation was observed. Between 30% and 60% of yeast population at the end of fermentation was coming from yeasts already present in the winery. A stable and resident Saccharomyces micro-flora in the winery was confirmed. It exhibited a dynamic behaviour during season and between years. Commercial strains were found during fermentation in different percentages, but their presence on winery equipment was low. The present work represents a first approach to winery yeast and spontaneous fermentation Saccharomyces population dynamics in an important viticultural region from Argentina that has never been characterized before. The results obtained have an important significance for the local industry, showing for the first time the real situation of the microbial ecology of alcoholic fermentation in an industrial winery from Mendoza, Argentina.

Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Viruses from Argentina

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses detected in commercial flocks of different regions of Argentina were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of a VP2 gene fragment, followed by sequence analysis. Two out of eight IBD viruses presented an SspI restriction site, typical of the very virulent phenotype. Three IBD viruses presented a SacI restriction site, typical of classic virulent strains, and one isolate presented restriction sites for both enzymes. The Argentine IBD viruses showed three different molecular patterns by RFLP with the restriction endonuclease BstNI and five different patterns with MboI. By comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the hypervariable region of the VP2 protein, four Argentine viruses were found to be closely related to Brazilian subclinical strains and two isolates were found to be related to vaccine IBDV strains in use in Argentina. Strain LD9569 was genetically characterized as a very virulent strain and was found to be closely related to international and regional vvIBDV strains. This is the first report on variability of IBDV strains circulating in Argentina.

Forensic considerations on STR databases in Argentina

A genetic comparison study was conducted between populations from different regions of Argentina in order to determine if a pooled population STR database could be used for general forensic purposes. Samples were from urban populations of six geographically distant provinces of Argentina (Tucumán, San Luis, La Pampa, Buenos Aires, Neuquén and Santa Cruz), and two Native American populations from the North and Northwest region of the country (Tobas and Collas). Fifteen autosomal markers were analyzed. Exact tests did not show deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Low Fst values were observed for population pairwise comparisons. However, significant differences were found when comparing Buenos Aires with Neuquén, San Luis and Santa Cruz, and Neuquen with La Pampa. Concerning Native American populations, Fst P-values were statistically significant when comparing Tobas and Collas with all urban populations and between them. Single locus comparisons showed significant differences when comparing Neuquén and Buenos Aires at D5S818, FGA and Penta E loci, between Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz at PENTA E locus, and between Neuquen and Santa Cruz at PENTA E locus. However, no significant differences were found between the urban samples from San Luis, Santa Cruz, Tucumán and La Pampa. When comparing urban populations with Amerindians and European populations, significant P-values were observed at 12–15 loci. The four non-differentiated urban populations were pooled and P-values showed no deviation for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. A combined matching probability of 2.0×10−18 and an a priori chance of exclusion of 0.9999995 were obtained. These results suggest that it would be possible to use a combined database for Tucumán, San Luis, La Pampa and Santa Cruz, as no significant differences were found between them. Caution should be taken concerning small isolates where Native American component could be much more relevant. When comparing Argentina urban population with two Iberian samples, some significant differences were found. Therefore, an Iberian database might not adequately represent the Argentinean genetic makeup.

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in healthy elderly people living at home in Argentina.

To evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin D in urban populations of healthy elderly people living at home, in different regions of Argentina. Cross-sectional study. In total, 386 ambulatory subjects over 65 y of age from seven cities (between latitude 26 degrees S and 55 degrees S) were asked to participate between the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Of these, 369 accepted, 30 were excluded because of medical history or abnormal biochemical determinations. Finally, 339 subjects (226 women and 113 men) (X+/-s.d.) (71.3+/- 5.2 y) were included. Serum 25OHD levels were lowest in the South (latitude range: 41 degrees S-55 degrees S): 14.2+/-5.6 ng/ml (P<0.0001vs North and Mid regions); highest in the North (26 degrees S-27 degrees S): 20.7+/-7.4 ng/ml (P<0.03 vs Mid, P<0.0001vs South); and intermediate in the Mid region (33 degrees S-34 degrees S) 17.9+/-8.2 ng/ml. Serum mid-molecule PTH (mmPTH) and 25OHD were inversely related: (r=-0.24, P<0.001). A cutoff level of 25OHD at which serum mmPTH levels began to increase was established at 27 ng/ml. A high prevalence (87-52%) of subjects with 25OHD levels in the deficiency-insufficiency range (25OHD levels <20 ng/ml) was detected. This study shows that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in the elderly is a worldwide problem. Correction of this deficit would have a positive impact on bone health of elderly people.

Table of Contents

Ninety-nine strains ofPaenibacillus larvaesubsp.larvae,the causal agent of American Foulbrood disease (AFB) of honeybees, were isolated from different regions of Argentina and other countries. The isolates were characterized on the basis of DNA fingerprints by a polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) with BOX sequence-specific primers. Isolates from Argentina generated three groups of patterns (designated A, B, and C), whileP. larvaesubsp.larvaestrains obtained from other countries yielded two distinguishable patterns (coincident with A and B). Strains from U.S.A. and Germany were identical and related to Group A, while all Czech and English isolates belonged to Group B. Strains from France, Poland, Italy, Sweden, and New Zealand showed two different patterns (A and B). Comparisons of the biochemical type and genotype of isolates rendered no obvious linkage between both features. These results suggest that AFB in Argentina resulted from multiple sources of contaminated material.

A contribution to the subgeneric systematics of Oligoryzomys (Rodentia, Muridae) from Argentina by means of PCR–RFLP patterns of mitochondrial DNA

Subgeneric recognition of rodents of the genus Oligoryzomys from Argentina is specially difficult because morphologic and morphometric criteria to identify species are poorly defined. In order to contribute to the unequivocal identification and geographic distribution of Oligoryzomys species, we studied the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) patterns of the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA in specimens collected from different regions of Argentina. PCR amplification products of 59 individuals were digested with five restriction enzymes. Patterns obtained were used to produce two phylogenetic consensus trees, one obtained with PAUP and the other with MIX analyses. All specimens from the Patagonia (southern region) clustered together and would correspond to O. longicaudatus . Individuals from the North grouped in four clusters (two of them comprising one individual), supported by high bootstrap values. The one including the 82% of the rodents from the northern region would correspond to the species O. chacoensis .

Genotype by environment interaction and indirect selection for yield in sunflower: II. Three-mode principal component analysis of oil and biomass yield across environments in Argentina

The genotype by environment (G×E) interactions observed for sunflower oil yield in different regions of Argentina can be analyzed in terms of differences among genotypes in individual environments for its components grain number, grain weight, and oil content (yield analysis). Similarly, G×E interactions observed for oil-corrected grain yield can be analyzed in terms of its determinants total biomass and harvest index (physiological analysis). Three-mode (genotypes×environments×attributes) principal component analysis was applied to 10×21×4 and 10×11×3 matrices, for each of the first and the second analyses, respectively, to collectively interpret the changes in these attributes in a sunflower genotype–environment system, and to assess the relative importance of each trait as underlying determinant of the observed G×E interaction for oil yield. The 3×2×3 and 4×4×2 (genotypes×environments×attributes) principal component models explained about 65% of the variation computed for first and second approaches, respectively. For the yield analysis, the first environment component (54% of the variation) explained the common pattern of oil yield over environments and showed that oil content was highly positively correlated to oil yield, while grain number and grain weight showed lack of association with oil yield and were negatively correlated. The second environment component (11% of the variation) contrasted northern and central environments and showed that grain number is the main underlying determinant of the observed G×E interactions between these two mega-environments for oil yield. In the physiological analysis, the first environment component (29% of the variation) explained the common pattern of oil-corrected grain yield over environments and showed that harvest index was more strongly positively correlated to oil-corrected grain yield, but not to total oil-corrected biomass. The second environmental component (19% of the variation) contrasted northern and central environments and showed that oil-corrected biomass is the physiological attribute that is largely responsible for the G×E interactions for oil-corrected grain yield.

Comparison of the free radical-scavenging activity of propolis from several regions of Argentina

Propolis is extensively used in Argentine folk medicine. Alcoholic extracts of propolis from different regions of Argentina were prepared. The extracts were analysed for the determination of total flavonoid content (from 13.3 to 42.6 mg/g of propolis) by using the aluminum nitrate method, UV spectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography. All of them contained high total flavonoid content. It was also observed that all samples of ethanolic extracts of propolis showed free radical-scavenging activity in terms of scavenging of the radical DPPH but the highest activities were found for samples from Tucumán and Santiago del Estero. In all cases with 20 μg/ml of soluble principles, the percentage of DPPH degradation was different (Banda Oeste: 67.5%; Verónica: 45%; Forres: 35%; Saenz Peña: 20% and Juan José Castelli: 55%). These results may justify their use as a source of natural antioxidants.

DISTRIBUTION OF GARLIC VIRUS A IN DIFFERENT GARLIC PRODUCTION REGIONS OF ARGENTINA

Comparative tests using inmunosorbent electron microscopy plus decoration and ELISA with antibodies against Garlic virus A (GarV-A) and Garlic virus C (GarV-C) coat proteins showed that they specifically recognize the respective viruses. On this basis, the GarV-A antiserum was used in DAS-ELISA tests to study the distribution of GarV-A in different regions of Argentina. A total of 2655 samples, representing 115 garlic fields were analyzed. GarV-A was detected in 64%, 51%, 43% and 35% of samples collected in San Juan, Mendoza, Cordoba and Buenos Aires Provinces, respectively. Positive samples were not found in plants from Santa Cruz Province. Distribution among different garlic cultivars showed that this virus was present in 33%, 46%, 53%, 70% and 43% of plants belonging to cvs ‘Colorado’, ‘Chino’, ‘Violeta Frances’, ‘Blanco’ and ‘Rosado Paraguayo’, respectively. Negative results were obtained in samples of cvs ‘Castano-INTA’ and ‘Violeta Santacruceno’.