Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) in Latin-American migrants in Barcelona (Spain) Abras, Alba; Gállego, Montserrat; Muñoz, Cármen; Juiz, Natalia Anahí; Ramirez Gomez, Juan Carlos; Cura, Carolina Inés; Tebar, Silvia; Fernández Arévalo, Ana; Pinazo, María Jesús; de la Torre, Leonardo; Posada, Elizabeth; Navarro, Ferran; Espinal, Paula; Ballart, Cristina; Portús, Montserrat; Gascón, Joaquim; Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is divided into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs): TcI–TcVI. We aimed to identify T. cruzi DTUs in Latin-American migrants in the Barcelona area (Spain) and to assess different molecular typing approaches for the characterization of T. cruzi genotypes. Seventy-five peripheral blood samples were analyzed by two real-time PCR methods (qPCR) based on satellite DNA (SatDNA) and kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA). The 20 samples testing positive in both methods, all belonging to Bolivian individuals, were submitted to DTU characterization using two PCR-based flowcharts: multiplex qPCR using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR), and conventional PCR. These samples were also studied by sequencing the SatDNA and classified as type I (TcI/III), type II (TcII/IV) and type I/II hybrid (TcV/VI). Ten out of the 20 samples gave positive results in the flowcharts: TcV (5 samples), TcII/V/VI (3) and mixed infections by TcV plus TcII (1) and TcV plus TcII/VI (1). By SatDNA sequencing, we classified the 20 samples, 19 as type I/II and one as type I. The most frequent DTU identified by both flowcharts, and suggested by SatDNA sequencing in the remaining samples with low parasitic loads, TcV, is common in Bolivia and predominant in peripheral blood. The mixed infection by TcV–TcII was detected for the first time simultaneously in Bolivian migrants. PCR-based flowcharts are very useful to characterize DTUs during acute infection. SatDNA sequence analysis cannot discriminate T. cruzi populations at the level of a single DTU but it enabled us to increase the number of characterized cases in chronically infected patients.

Weighted least squares solutions of the equation AXB - C = 0 Contino, Maximiliano; Giribet, Juan Ignacio; Maestripieri, Alejandra Laura Let H be a Hilbert space, L(H) the algebra of bounded linear operators on H and W ∈ L(H) a positive operator such that W^1/2 is in the p-Schatten class, for some 1 ≤ p < ∞. Given A,B ∈ L(H) with closed range and C ∈ L(H), we study the following weighted approximation problem: analyze the existence ofmin{ ||AXB − C||p,W , X ∈L(H)}, (0.1)where ||X ||p,W = ||W^1/2 X ||p . We also study the related operator approximation problem: analyze the existence ofmin {(AXB − C)*W (AXB − C), X ∈L(H)}, (0.2)where the order is the one induced in L(H) by the cone of positive operators. In this paper we prove that the existence of the minimum of (0.2) is equivalent to the existence of a solution of the normal equation A*W (AXB − C) = 0. We also give sufficient conditions for the existence of the minimum.

Análisis de la vigencia y aplicación de ley de educación sexual integral a diez años de su sanción; Analysis of the validity and implementation of sex education law to ten years after his publication Patierno, Nicolas; Perín, Giuliana Carolina En este artículo pretendemos analizar los debates vigentes en torno a la educación sexual en escuelas públicas secundarias, con particular atención a la aplicación de la Ley de Educación Sexual Integral N° 26.150, pasados diez años de su sanción. Para llevar a cabo dicho análisis partimos del supuesto que la Ley mencionada no aparecería de manera clara y explícita en las prácticas docentes cotidianas del nivel secundario. En esta línea, consideramos que la sanción de la ley y la información contenida en sus artículos no coincidirían con su aplicación. Acompañando esta hipótesis, consideramos que la sexualidad -interpretada como problemática social contemporánea-, se halla influenciada y mediada por vertiginosos cambios histórico-sociales que imposibilitan una definición ortodoxa e inmodificable capaz de esclarecer su abordaje metodológico. Tanto su indefinición, como su imprecisión teórica, dan cuenta de un espacio susceptible de interpretaciones ambiguas y precarias. La propuesta de análisis adopta un enfoque mixto, en el que se incluye un recorrido por autores claves, documentos oficiales asociados al campo de la educación sexual y el análisis de datos cuantitativos.; This article analyzes the current discussions on sex education in public high schools, with particular attention to the implementation of the Integral Sexual Education Law 26.150, after ten years of his publication. To perform this analysis, it is assumed that the aforementioned law would not appear clearly and explicitly in daily teaching practices at the secondary level. In this line, we believe that the enactment of the law and the information contained in its articles would not coincide with the implementation of it. Accompanying this hypothesis, we believe that sexuality, played as contemporaneous- social problems, it is influenced and mediated by dramatic historical and social changes that prevent an orthodox and unchanging definition can clarify its methodological approach. Both its vagueness, as its theoretical inaccuracy, realizes susceptible space of ambiguous and precarious interpretations. The proposed analysis adopts a mixed approach, which includes a tour of key authors, official documents related to the field of sexual education and analysis of quantitative data.

Magnetostratigraphy of the Rabot Formation, Upper Cretaceous, James Ross Basin, Antarctic Peninsula Milanese, Florencia Nidia; Olivero, Eduardo Bernardo; Kirschvink, Joseph L.; Rapalini, Augusto Ernesto Problems of endemism and diachronous extinctions make global correlation of coeval strata in the mid Campanian-Maastrichtian of the James Ross Basin problematic. To provide a more precise chronological framework, we present two magnetostratigraphies of Campanian strata from the Rabot Formation that crops out at Hamilton Norte (200 m thick) and Redonda Point (340 m thick) in James Ross Island. Sampled sections consist of poorly-consolidated, drab-colored fine sandstones and mudstones. Bulk susceptibility logs of both sections show a similar pattern of relatively low values at the lower and upper levels with significantly higher values at mid-levels that confirms the lithostratigraphic correlation between sections. Rock magnetic studies suggest that this change is not attributable to a ferrimagnetic fraction but to a paramagnetic contribution of presumed detrital origin. Stepwise thermal demagnetization showed dominant unblocking temperatures higher than 400 °C. Progressive hybrid low-temperature cycling, low-field AF and thermal demagnetization in a controlled N2 atmosphere, reveals a two-polarity characteristic component of possible primary origin. Rock magnetic experiments suggest that detrital titano-magnetite is the most likely remanence carrier. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results show sedimentary fabrics, indicating that beds were not significantly buried or compacted. Magnetostratigraphies produced at each locality demonstrate a consistent change from reverse to normal polarity remanence in the middle of the sections. Biostratigraphic constraints identify this reversal as the C33r/C33n transition, indicating a 79.90 Ma depositional age for this level of the Rabot Formation. The remanence directions yield a mean whose corresponding paleopole is consistent with two recently obtained Upper Cretaceous reference paleopoles for the Antarctic Peninsula. Our data support the lack of tectonic rotation or oroclinal bending of this region since the Late Cretaceous.

Preface Spinedi, Eduardo Julio; Cardinali, Daniel Pedro; Gagliardino, Juan Jose In spite of the increased attention devoted to the literature and by health ministries, overweight and obesity prevalence continues to increase worldwide [1] . A systematic analysis performed in 2013 referred to the global burden of these conditions, and showed that more than 50% of the world’s 671 million obese people live in 10 countries: the United States, China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan, and Indonesia [2] . Additionally, overweight/obesity has unhealthy outcomes such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer [3] .

Helechos arborescentes en la Antártida Vera, Ezequiel Ignacio; Cesari, Silvia Nelida En este artículo se discute la presencia de los representantes del orden Cyatheales en la flora aptiana de la Formación Cerro Negro (Isla Livingston, Antártida), entre los que se incluyen cuatro taxones basados en petrificaciones de tallos, tres especies de frondes, y esporas aisladas. La presencia de esta considerable diversidad (representada además por numerosos especímenes) sugiere que el estrato arborescente no estaba restringido a las coníferas, sino que además era ocupado por los helechos. Además, considerando los requisitos ecológicos actuales de este grupo de helechos arborescentes, se sugieren condiciones climáticas relativamente benignas en la región hace 120 millones de años.

Ionic conductivity enhancement achieved by the incorporation of ZnO in a lithium tellurite glass Di Pratula, Pablo Emmanuel; Terny, Cintia Soledad; Sola, Mariela Edith; Frechero, Marisa Alejandra The reinforcement of the ionic conductivity in a lithium-vanadium-molybdenum tellurite glass is possible by modified with zinc oxide {0.7 [x ZnO (1 − x) Li2O] 0.3 [0.5 V2O5. 0.5 MoO3]. 2TeO2}. Structural features induced by zinc cation on the glassy matrix have a positive effect on the electrical behavior of the modified glass. The electrical response of the Zn/Li tellurite glass studied in the present work gives evidence that its ionic conductivity is improved due to the incorporation of small quantities of ZnO suggesting a potential solid ionic electrolyte useful in solid electrochemical devices.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in health care workers: First report from a major public hospital in Argentina; Portación nasal de Staphylococcus aureus en trabajadores de la salud: primer reporte en un hospital público en Argentina Boncompain, Carina Andrea; Suárez, Cristian Alejandro; Morbidoni, Héctor Ricardo Staphylococcus aureus es agente causal de numerosas infecciones en humanos, que pueden ser desde leves hasta graves, y circula tanto en la comunidad como en las instalaciones de los centros de salud. Los pacientes y los trabajadores de la salud pueden diseminar cepas durante los exámenes médicos de rutina o durante la hospitalización. El foco de este estudio fue determinar la tasa de portación nasal de S. aureus sensible o resistente a meticilina en trabajadores de la salud del Hospital Provincial del Centenario, un hospital público de atención primaria en Argentina. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 320 trabajadores de la salud (TS). Se tomaron hisopados nasales y se aislaron colonias presuntivas de S. aureus. La identidad de las bacterias y su resistencia a meticilina fueron confirmadas por amplificación de los genes nuc y mec. El análisis estadístico comprendió el test de la chi al cuadrado y el test de exactitud de Fisher. De 320 TS, 96 (30%) fueron portadores nasales de S. aureus, de los cuales 20 (6,3% del total) llevaban cepas de S. aureus resistentes a meticilina (SARM) y 76 (23,7% del total) eran portadores de cepas sensibles a meticilina (SASM). La portación entre los médicos fue del 30% y estuvo dentro de los niveles publicados; dentro del subgrupo del personal técnico la portación fue superior: 57%. Se detectaron resistencias acompañantes (64,6%; 62/96) a fluoroquinolonas (24%; 23/96), aminoglucósidos (13,5%; 13/96) o macrólidos (34,4%; 33/96). Todas las cepas fueron sensibles a vancomicina y solo el 3,1% (3/96), las 3 SASM, fueron resistentes a mupirocina. Este estudio, el primero en su tipo en Argentina y uno de los pocos hechos en América del Sur, remarca la relevancia de la portación nasal de SARM y SASM en el personal de atención de la salud y evidencia la necesidad de contar con recomendaciones consensuadas para el tamizaje regular de S. aureus, así como de estrategias de descolonización.; Staphylococcus aureus causes numerous mild to severe infections in humans, both in health facilities and in the community. Patients and health care workers (HCWs) may disseminate strains during regular medical examinations or hospitalization. The aim of this study was to determine the nasal carriage rate of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus among health care workers at Hospital Provincial del Centenario, a public general hospital in Rosario, Argentina. A transversal study was conducted on 320 health care workers. Nasal swabs were taken and presumptive S. aureus colonies were isolated. Bacterial identity and methicillin resistance status were confirmed by amplification of the nuc and mec genes. Chi square test and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. Of 320 HCWs, 96 (30%) were nasal carriers of S. aureus, 20 of whom (6.3%) carried methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 76 (23.7%) methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). Carriage was within thepublished values for physicians (30%) and higher for technicians (57%). Accompanying resistance (62/96, 64.6%) was detected, including resistance to fluoroquinolones (23/96, 24%), aminoglucosides (13/96, 13.5%) or to macrolides (33/96, 34.4%). All the strains were susceptible to vancomycin whereas only 3.1% (3/96), all of them on MSSA strains, were resistant to mupirocin. This study is the first one of its kind in Argentina and one of the few performed in South America, to highlight the relevance of nasal carriage of MRSA and MSSA in health care personnel and brings to light the need for consensus recommendations for regular S. aureus carriage screening as well as for decolonization strategies.

Adaptación al español de la Escala de Ambiente Invalidante Infantil; Adaptation to the spanish language of the invalidating childhood environmental Puddington, Martin Miguel; Duthu, Florencia; Gagliesi, Pablo El ambiente invalidante es un concepto central del Modelo Biosocial de Marsha Linehan (1993). La Escala de Ambiente Invalidante Infantil (ICES) es un cuestionario diseñado específicamente para evaluar este constructo de manera retrospectiva. Se presenta la adaptación al español de esta escala, junto con datos sobre las cualidades psicométricas del instrumento.La escala exhibió una buena consistencia interna. Según el análisis factorialexploratorio, mostró una estructura de dos factores, diferenciando los ítems relacionados con la reacción negativa del padre hacia la expresión emocional del niño, de los que reflejan la respuesta de apoyo de los padres hacia el niño.Estos primeros ensayos muestran que esta adaptación del ICES es una prueba adecuada para evaluar el ambiente invalidante infantil en sujetos de habla hispana.; The invalidating environment is a central concept in Linehan’s Biosocial Theory. The Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale (ICES) is a questionnaire specifically designed to assess this construct retrospectively. We present a Spanish adaptation of the ICES, along with data about its’ psychometric properties. The instrument showed good internal consistency. An explorative factorial analysis revealed a 2 factor structure differentiating the items that assess the parental negative reaction towards the child emotional expression, from the items that reflect a positive and supportive parental behavior. These early trials show that this adaptation of the ICES is a proper instrument to assess the childhood invalidating environment in Spanish speaking population.

Limits to the universality of the concept of human rights: Social representations in the judicial system of international migrants as rights holders; Les limites de l’universalité des droits de l’homme: Représentations sociales de l’appareil judiciaire sur les migrants internationaux en tant que titulaires de droits; Limites da universalidade dos direitos humanos: Representações sociais e o sistema judicial sobre os migrantes internacionais como titulares de direitos; Límites a la universalidad de los derechos humanos: Representaciones sociales en el sistema judicial sobre los migrantes internacionales como titulares de derechos Gonzalez, Anahi Patricia En el presente artículo se aborda la cuestión de las representaciones sociales presentes en el sistema judicial del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA) acerca de los DDHH de los migrantes internacionales llegados a la Argentina desde la mitad del siglo XX a la actualidad. Se analizan los resultados de una investigación de carácter cualitativo, en la que se efectuaron 50 entrevistas en profundidad a miembros del sistema judicial del AMBA donde pudieron evidenciarse- sin dejar de lado ciertos matices- discursos excluyentes que se alejan de una perspectiva universalista y respetuosa de los derechos de los migrantes. Para ello, se presentaron los resultados a partir de tres dimensiones de análisis: 1. Política migratoria anhelada, 2. Competencia entre nativos y migrantes en el acceso a derechos económicos y sociales y 3. Concepción de ciudadanía restringida.  ; O presente artigo aborda as representações sociais presentes no sistema judiciário da Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA), no que diz respeito aos direitos humanos dos migrantes internacionais vindos à Argentina desde meados do século XX até a atualidade. A partir de uma pesquisa de caráter qualitativo, que realizou cinquenta entrevistas minuciosas junto a membros do sistema judiciário da AMBA, se evidenciam discursos excludentes, distantes de uma perspectiva universalista e respeitosa aos direitos dos imigrantes. Ao examinar os resultados encontrados, são discutidas três dimensões de análises: a política migratória almejada, a competição entre nativos e migrantes no que tange ao acesso a direitos econômicos e sociais e, finalmente, a concepção de cidadania restringida.; The following article discusses the social representations present in the judicial system in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (MABA) in terms of the human rights of the internationalmigrants to have arrived in Argentina as of the mid twentieth century. By means of a qualitative study encompassing fifty in-depth interviews held with members of the MABA judicial system, exclusionary discourse emerged running against the universalist perspective that respects migrants’ rights. Upon further study of the results gathered, three lines of analysis are discussed: desired migration policies, competition between locals and migrants in accessing economic and social rights, and, finally, the concept of restricted citizenship.; Le présent article aborde les représentations sociales présentes au sein de l’appareil judiciaire de la Zone métropolitaine de Buenos Aires (AMBA) sur la question des droits humains des migrants internationaux arrivés en Argentine depuis le mitan du XXème siècle. Sur la base d’une recherche qualitative où cinquante entretiens en profondeur ont été menés à bien avec des membres de l’appareil judiciaire de l’AMBA, nous avons pu mettre en évidence des discours excluants contraires à la perspective universaliste et au respect des droits des migrants. L’étude des résultats obtenus a mis en perspective trois dimensions analytiques : la politique migratoire désirée, la concurrence entre natifs et migrants pour l’accès aux droits économiques et sociaux, et, finalement, une conception restreinte de la citoyenneté.

La ideología sobre lo agrario de los productores rurales bonaerenses (2013); The ideology about the agrarian of the farmers of Buenos Aires province (2013) Balsa, Juan Javier Este artículo estudia la ideología de los productores rurales de la provincia de Buenos Aires a través del análisis de una encuesta realizada en el año 2013. En particular, se procura conocer la eficacia interpelativa que tenían las distintas discursividades sobre lo agrario que predominaban en la esfera pública, observar el grado de coherencia ideológica que poseían los productores rurales, y determinar la existencia (o no) de un sentido de separación a la hora de identificar los intereses propios en relación con los del resto de los productores.; This article studies the ideology of the farmers of Buenos Aires province through the analysis of a survey made in 2013. Especially, it tries to know the interpelative efficacy that had different discursivities about the agrarian (than predominated in the public sphere), to observe the level of ideological coherence than had the farmers, and to establish the existence (or not) of a sense of separation upon the identification of their own interests in relation with the ones of the rest of the farmers.

La nación en la cancha: un diálogo comparativo entre los relatos nacionales argentinos y brasileros durante la Copa del mundo Brasil 2014 Cabrera Duran, Nicolás Eduardo En el presente trabajo buscaremos retomar el dialogo entre el fútbol y los nacionalismos desde una estrategia metodológica un tanto disímil en relación a nuestros antecedentes bibliográficos: pretendemos desplazarnos de la óptica naciocentrica. Para ello pondremos nuestro foco en los intercambios simbólicos dialogantes entre las narrativas nacionales construidas por los hinchas argentinos y los torcedores brasileros durante la Copa del Mundo Brasil 2014. El trabajo cuenta con dos apartados: en el primero intentaremos sistematizar algunas reflexiones pertinentes para pensar el fútbol y el mundial como terrenos simbólicos privilegiados donde leer la tensión local-global. En el segundo apartado nos adentramos al análisis de los cánticos desplegados entre los hinchas argentinos y los torcedores brasileros durante la Copa del Mundo Brasil 2014.

Middle Triassic trachytic lava flows associated with coeval dyke swarm in the North Patagonian Massif: A postorogenic magmatism related to extensional collapse of the Gondwanide orogen González, Santiago Nicolás; Greco, Gerson Alan; Sato, Ana Maria; Llambias, Eduardo Jorge; Stipp Basei, Miguel Angelo; González, Santiago Nicolás; Diaz, Pablo E. The Marifil Volcanic Complex is an extended volcanic and pyroclastic unit outcropping in the North Patagonia. It has been included in the Chon Aike large igneous province associated to the thermal anomaly of the Karoo plume. The Marifil Volcanic Complex is mainly composed of rhyolites, dacites, rhyodacites and minor trachytes and trachyandesites. The latter are common in the base of the unit. The upper acidic rocks have been dated between 192 Ma to 151 Ma (Early to Middle Jurassic) by K-Ar, Ar-Ar and Rb-Sr methods. On the other hand, the age of the mesosilicic rocks range from 221 Ma to 173 Ma (K-Ar whole rock ages).In this research, we revise the stratigraphic relations, geochemistry and petrography of the mesosilisic rocks from Marifil Volcanic Complex. Aditionally, a new U-Pb crystallization age of 247.22 ± 0.46 Ma was obtained for an trachytic lava flow that covers Permian granitoids and which is covered by rhyolitic ignimbrites. The mentioned mesosilisic rocks are chemically trachytes and trachyandesites and show subduction margin affinities. In the area, a Triassic trachyandesitic dyke swarm has been considered as an expression of Gondwanide postorogenic extension in the North Patagonian Massif.Basis on our new age data and considering the compositional and stratigraphic differences we separate the Triassic trachytic to trachyandesitic rocks from the Jurassic rhyolites and dacites. These two groups of rocks represent different geotectonic events in the Southwestern margin of Pangea.

Synthesis and characterization of a series of isoniazid hydrazones. Spectroscopic and theoretical study Ferraresi Curotto, Verónica; Echeverría, Gustavo Alberto; Piro, Oscar Enrique; Pis Diez, Reinaldo; Gonzalez Baro, Ana Cecilia A family of hydrazones of isoniazid and a group of hydroxybenzalaldehydes (vanillin, 5-bromovanillin, 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde) were obtained and fully characterized. The results, including theoretical data, are comparatively analyzed along with the already reported hydrazone of o-vanillin. The crystal structures of three compounds were determined. The hydrazones obtained from halogenated aldehydes are isomorphic and chiral to each other. Structures are further stabilized by (pyr)NH+⋯Cl− and OwH⋯Cl− bonds. The vanillin hydrazone shows a conformer that differs from the previously reported. Neighboring molecules are linked to each other through OH⋯N(pyr) bonds, giving rise to a nearly planar polymeric structure. The conformational space was searched and geometries were optimized both in the gas phase and including solvent effects by DFT. Results are extended to describe the 5-bromovanillin hydrazone. FTIR, NMR and electronic spectra were measured and assigned with the help of computational calculations.

Chile y Reino Unido: vaivenes de una relación diplomática no siempre tan cordial (1970-1980); Chile and United Kingdom: ups and downs of a diplomatic relationship not always so cordial (1970-1980) Bayle, Paola Adriana En este trabajo se abordarán diez años de relación diplomá-tica entre el Reino Unido y Chile (1970-1980), con el fin deexplicar una serie de elementos que confluyeron en el retiro deembajadores de sendas representaciones diplomáticas a partirde la segunda mitad de los años setenta del siglo pasado. En1975, el Reino Unido llamó a consulta a su embajador enChile, ante la denuncia de tortura recibida por una ciudadanabritánica detenida en ese país. Este hecho resume un conjuntode factores, tanto internos como del ámbito de las relacionesinternacionales, que derivaron en una relación diplomática notan cordial. El trabajo realizado en archivos del Ministerio deRelaciones Exteriores de Chile y en los National Archives enLondres, nos permitió reconstruir una relación bilateral enel marco de importantes cambios políticos en ambos países.; This paper will address ten years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Chile (1970-1980) in order to explain a number of elements that came together in the withdrawal of ambassadors diplomatic paths from the second half of the year seventies of last century. In 1975, the UK temporarily recalled its ambassador to Chile to the allegations of torture received by a British citizen detained there. This summarizes a number of factors, both internal and the scope of international relations, which led to a diplomatic relationship not as cordial. Work in files Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Archives in London allowed us to reconstruct a bilateral relationship in the context of major political changes in both countries.

Targeting Malassezia species for novel synthetic and natural antidandruff agents Angiolella, Letizia; Carradori, Simone; Maccallini, Cristina; Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio; Supuran, Claudiu T. Malassezia spp. are lipophilic yeasts not only present in the normal skin microflora, but also responsible of skin-related diseases (pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic/atopic dermatitis and dandruff) as well as systemic fungal infections in humans and animals. Their treatment and eradication are mainly based on old azole drugs, which are characterized by poor compliance, unpredictable clinical efficacy, emerging resistance and several side effects. These drawbacks have prompted the research toward novel synthetic and natural derivatives/ nanomaterials targeting other pivotal enzymes/pathways such as carbonic anhydrase (MgCA) and lipases, alone or in combination, in order to improve the eradication rate of this fungus. This review accomplished an update on this important topic dealing with the latest discoveries of synthetic scaffolds and natural products for the treatment of Malassezia spp.-related diseases, thus suggesting new opportunities to design innovative and alternative anti-dandruff drugs.

Regionalization of climate over the Argentine Pampas Aliaga, Vanina Solange; Ferrelli, Federico; Piccolo, Maria Cintia The aim of this study was to classify and characterize the climate of the Pampas, a vast region in the centre of Argentina. Due to its territorial extension, a climatic zoning of the region was performed, based on the topography and the most relevant climatological parameters. Climate data from 33 stations of the National Meteorological Service were analysed considering the period 1960-2010. A cluster analysis from the hierarchical method of Ward with an interval squared Euclidean distance as a measure of dissimilarity was applied. The obtained clusters responded to the north-south temperature gradient of the Pampas, influenced by geographical features such as the Tandilia and Ventania hills in Buenos Aires Province and the Pampean hills in Córdoba. Precipitation had a northeast-southwest gradient, and the influence of the arid southwest diagonal of the Pampas was appreciated by determining a semi-arid environment. The proximity to the sea marked the average humidity values, whereas the winds of strong intensity were registered in the south and west of the region. On the other hand, the standard precipitation index was calculated to identify wet and dry cycles in each cluster. It allowed to characterize these events considering frequency, periodicity, duration and intensity, resulting in the definition of eight climatic subregions.

Changes in the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Berberis microphylla G. Forst. berries in relation to light intensity and fertilization Arena, Miriam Elisabet; Postemsky, Pablo Daniel; Curvetto, Nestor Raul The objective of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative composition of the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of B. microphylla fruit under different light intensities and levels of fertilization during two production years. Total monomeric anthocyanin concentration in high light intensity conditions was three times more than that obtained at medium light intensity, expressed for both fresh weight and dry weight terms (299.7 mg/100 g FFW and 9.5 mg/g DFW, respectively). However, in the case of total polyphenol concentration, minor increases of 30 and 11% appeared under high light intensity in comparison with medium light intensity (906.6 mg/100 g FFW and 30.7 mg/g DFW, respectively). Scavenging activity on DPPH was increased from 56.0 to 66.8% under the high light intensity treatment. This was also true for the reducing power which increased from 40 to 46.2%. Fertilizers reduced the flavonoid concentration, but increased the total polyphenol concentration at fertilization level 2. In the case of flavonoids, the maximum contents in fruits were 200.2 and 7.6 mg (+)-catechin equivalents/100 g FFW and DFW, respectively in the control treatment. The total polyphenol concentration was the highest (856.1 and 31.2 mg tannic acid equivalents/g FFW and DFW, respectively) with the level fertilization 2. The scavenging activity on DPPH was from 60.3 to 62.8% when raising the fertilization level from 0 to 2, while the reducing power varied between 40.5 and 44.3% at levels 1 and 2. The total monomeric anthocyanin concentration increased with the level of fertilization in the fruits of plants at high light intensity, whereas the trend was inversed in those under medium light intensity. Hence, these studies display the possibility for maximizing both the productivity and the antioxidant capacity of fruits by crop management.

Apomixis frequency under stress conditions in weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) Rodrigo, Juan Manuel; Zappacosta, Diego Carlos; Selva, Juan Pablo; Garbus, Ingrid; Albertini, Emidio; Echenique, Carmen Viviana To overcome environmental stress, plants develop physiological responses that are triggered by genetic or epigenetic changes, some of which involve DNA methylation. It has been proposed that apomixis, the formation of asexual seeds without meiosis, occurs through the temporal or spatial deregulation of the sexual process mediated by genetic and epigenetic factors influenced by the environment. Here, we explored whether there was a link between the occurrence of apomixis and various factors that generate stress, including drought stress, in vitro culture, and intraspecific hybridization. For this purpose, we monitored the embryo sacs of different weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula [Schrad.] Nees) genotypes after the plants were subjected to these stress conditions. Progeny tests based on molecular markers and genome methylation status were analyzed following the stress treatment. When grown in the greenhouse, the cultivar Tanganyika INTA generated less than 2% of its progeny by sexual reproduction. Plants of this cultivar subjected to different stresses showed an increase of sexual embryo sacs, demonstrating an increased expression of sexuality compared to control plants. Plants of the cv. Tanganyika USDA did not demonstrate the ability to generate sexual embryo sacs under any conditions and is therefore classified as a fully apomictic cultivar. We found that this change in the prevalence of sexuality was correlated with genetic and epigenetic changes analyzed by MSAP and AFLPs profiles. Our results demonstrate that different stress conditions can alter the expression of sexual reproduction in facultative tetraploid apomictic cultivars and when the stress stops the reproductive mode shift back to the apomixis original level. These data together with previous observations allow us to generate a hypothetical model of the regulation of apomixis in weeping lovegrass in which the genetic/s region/s that condition apomixis, is/are affected by ploidy, and is/are subjected to epigenetic control.

Evolutionary ecomorphology of the Falkland Islands wolf Dusicyon australis Meloro, Carlo; Hunter, Jonathan; Tomsett, Louise; Portela Miguez, Roberto; Prevosti, Francisco Juan; Brown, Richard P. The Falkland Islands wolf Dusicyon australis is an extinct canid that was once the only endemic terrestrial mammal to inhabit the Falkland Islands. There is still a puzzling picture of the morphological adaptations of this wolf that quickly evolved from its mainland fossil ancestor: Dusicyon avus. We employ a geometric morphometric approach to identify patterns of skull shape variation in extant canids and Dusicyon spp. The Falkland Islands wolf and its fossil ancestor show a more carnivorous feeding morphology than other South American foxes, and they cluster morphologically with jackals. This supports convergence in skull shape between Dusicyon and Old World canids, although the convergence is not as strong as that exhibited by their sister hyper- and hypocarnivorous taxa.