• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2023

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a well-established opportunistic bacterium, primarily impacts healthcare settings. Infection of the musculoskeletal system with this bacterium is rare. We report on the first known case of hip periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by S. maltophilia. The potential for development of a PJI caused by this pathogen should be considered by orthopaedic surgeons, particularly in patients with multiple severe comorbidities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2011

Bacillus species have been involved in metal association as biosorbents, but there is not a clear understanding of this chelating property. In order to evaluate this metal chelating capacity, cultures and spores from Grampositive bacteria of species either able or unable to produce surface layer proteins (S-layers) were analyzed for their capacity of copper biosorption. Only those endowed of S-layers, like Bacillus sphaericus and B. thuringiensis, showed a significant biosorption capacity. This capacity (nearly 50%) was retained after heating of cultures, thus supporting that structural elements of the envelopes are responsible for such activity. Purified S-layers from two Bacillus sphaericus strains had the ability to biosorb copper. Copper biosorption parameters were determined for strain B. sphaericus 2362, and after analyses by means of the Langmuir model, the affinity and capacity were shown to be comparable to other bacterial biosorbents. A competitive effect of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$, but not of $Cd^{2+}$, was also observed, thus indicating that other cations may be biosorbed by this protein. Spores that have been shown to be proficient for copper biosorption were further analyzed for the presence of S-layer content. The retention of S-layers by these spores was clearly observed, and after extensive treatment to eliminate the S-layers, the biosorption capacity of these spores was significantly reduced. For the first time, a direct correlation between S-layer protein content and metal biosorption capacity is shown. This capacity is linked to the retention of S-layer proteins attached to Bacillus spores and cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.246-253
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• 2004

Constitutional RB1 gene mutations were studied in a series of 21 families with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma patients. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed by "exon by exon" PCR-heteroduplex and sequencing. Mutations were identified in 6 (29%) of the patients. One mutation corresponded to an intronic polymorphism in g.174351T > A. The other five mutations resulted C to T exonic transitions, four were CGA sequences (g.65386, g.150037 in two patients, and g.162237), creating stop codons and presumably truncated proteins. The fifth one was new and resulted in alanine to valine substitution (g.73774). Two patients had the same the germline truncated mutation (g.150037C > T), one with a familial bilateral early onset retinoblastoma and one with a sporadic unilateral late onset retinoblastoma. The later type has not been previously described. This finding is discussed in the genotype/phenotype correlation context. Additionally, a single nucleotide change was found in six studied samples, where a C to T homozygous transversion was identified in intron 26 (IVS26 + 28). It is worthy the non concordance of the nucleotide with the published sequence. This analysis proved to be a useful method for the detection of mutations in the RB1 gene, and contributed to the adequate genetic counseling to patients and relatives.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2006

Recently, the PPP (Public-Private-Participate) program on water and wastewater services in Korea has been under an active debate. However, the controversy has reached the limits of getting more valuable implications from past foreign experience beyond conceptual and/or qualitative case studies. This paper analyze scientifically and quantitatively the Buenos Aires Water Concession Project focused on propriety of the contract using system dynamics modeling. The results show that Buenos Aires's Project has several problems in the contract phase even though Argentina government spent much time to design it. Analysis results suggest that estimation of K factor considering delay effect and future uncertainty, reduction of the first fixed terms of contract, etc., are needed for a proper contract.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.277-291
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• 1996

The structures of the egg envelope in fertilized eggs of three species of characidae, head and tail light fish (Hemigrammus ocellifer), black tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), and buenos aires tetra (Hemigrammus caudovittatus) were studied using light and electron microscopes. The fertilized eggs in all species were colorless, transparent, spherical and non-floted type. The egg envelopes have a single micropyle resembling the pathway of sperm in the area of the animal pole. The micropyle was surrounded by protruded lines of the egg envelope in a radiated form. Egg envelopes of fertilized eggs in both head and tail light fish and buenos aires tetra consisted of three distinct layers; an outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer. And that of blacktetra consisted of two layers; an outer layer and an inner layer. Also, an outer layers of both head and tail light fish and black tetra were adhesive types but, in that of buenous aires tetra was non-adhesive type. An outer surface of egg envelope in black tetra was arranged by pores regularly. In that of head and tail light fish and buenos aires tetra have a rough side. An inner layer of egg envelope in fertilized eggs consisted of lamellae alternating with interlamellae of lower electron density; an inner layer of fertilized eggs in head and tail light fish consisted of three layers, that of black tetra was four layers, and that of buenos aires tetra was five layers.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2023

Objectives: Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoleaceae) is cultivated to produce "yerba mate". Due to its nutritional, energizing, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects, it is used in the elaboration of food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The oxidative stress related to protein glycation and production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to the development of several diseases. The objective of this work was to compare the antioxidant and anti-AGEs activity of a decoction of fruits (F) and leaves (L). Methods: The antioxidant activity was assayed by the DPPH assay and the inhibition of egg yolk lipid peroxidation (ILP), and anti-AGEs activity, through the inhibition of the formation of fructosamine (IF), β-amyloid (Iβ), protein carbonylation (IC) and AGEs (IA). Polyphenols were quantified by HPLC. Results: Maximum response ± SEM: For F 0.01 ㎍/mL: IF = 42 ± 4%, IC = 17 ± 2% and for 10 ㎍/mL: IA = 38 ± 4%, Iβ = 67 ± 7%. For L 0.1 ㎍/mL: IF = 35 ± 2%, IC = 19 ± 2% and for 100 ㎍/mL: IA = 26 ± 3%, Iβ = 63.04 ± 2%. The DPPH IC₅₀ = 134.8 ± 14 ㎍/mL for F and 34.67 ± 3 ㎍/mL for L. The ILP IC₅₀ = 512.86 ± 50 ㎍/mL for F and 154.8 ± 15 ㎍/mL for L. By HPLC L presented the highest amounts of flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids. F and L showed strong anti-AGEs activity, affecting the early stages of glycation at low concentrations and the late stages of glycation at high concentrations. The highest activity for both F and L was seen in the IF and Iβ. F presented the highest anti-AGEs potency. L presented the highest antioxidant potency, which was related to the highest content of polyphenols. Conclusion: The fruits of I. paraguariensis could be a source of antioxidant and anti-AGEs compounds to be used with medicinal purposes or as functional food.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of group A ${\beta}-hemolytic$ streptococci (GAS) in children living in a rural community and to investigate the association between episodes of acute pharyngitis and carrier status. Methods: Throat swabs were collected from September to November 2013 among children 5-13 years of age from a rural community (Maria Ignacia-Vela, Argentina). The phenotypic characterization of isolates was performed by conventional tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assayed for penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and clindamycin (disk diffusion). The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined for penicillin, cefotaxime, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Results: The carriage of ${\beta}-hemolytic$ streptococci was detected in 18.1% of participants, with Streptococcus pyogenes in 18 participants followed by S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis in 5. The highest proportion of GAS was found in 8 to 10-year-old children. No significant association between the number of episodes of acute pharyngitis suffered in the last year and the carrier state was detected (p>0.05). Tetracycline resistance (55.5%) and macrolide-resistant phenotypes (11.1%) were observed. Resistance to penicillin, cefotaxime, or chloramphenicol was not expressed in any streptococcal isolate. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated significant throat carriage of GAS and the presence of group C streptococci (S. dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis) in an Argentinian rural population. These results point out the need for continuous surveillance of GAS and non-GAS carriage as well as of antimicrobial resistance in highly susceptible populations, such as school-aged rural children. An extended surveillance program including school-aged children from different cities should be considered to estimate the prevalence of GAS carriage in Argentina.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2015

We have launched an investigation for Embryonic Development, Larvae and Juvenile Morphology, of Buenos aires tetra in order to build basic data of Characidae and fish seeding production. We brought 50 couples of Characidae from Bizidduck aquarium in Yeosu-si, Jeollanamdo, from Korea on March of 2015. We put them in the tetragonal glass aquarium ($50{\times}50{\times}30cm$). Breeding water temperature was $27.5{\sim}28.5^{\circ}C$ (mean $28.0{\pm}0.05^{\circ}C$) and being maintained. The shape of fertilized egg was round shape, and it was adhesive demersal egg. The egg size was 0.63~0.91 mm (mean $0.74{\pm}0.07mm$, n=20). After getting fertilized egg, the developmental stage was gastrula stage, and embryo covered almost two-thirds of Yolk. Incubation was happened after 16 hours 13 minutes from gastrula stage, and the tail of juvenile came out first with tearing egg capsule. Immediately after the incubation, prelarvae had 3.78~3.88 mm length (mean $3.84{\pm}0.04mm$, n=5), and it had no mouth and anus yet. 34 days after hatching from the incubation, juvenile had 8.63~13.1 mm (mean $10.9{\pm}1.66mm$), and it had similar silver-colored body shape with its mother.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.766-773
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• 2006

Fragile-X-syndrome (FXS) is the most common type of inherited cognitive impairment. The underlying molecular alteration consists of a CGG-repeat amplification within the FMR-1 gene. The phenotype is only apparent once a threshold in the number of repeats has been exceeded (full mutation). The aim of this study was to characterize the FMR-1 CGG-repeat status in Argentine patients exhibiting mental retardation. A total of 330 blood samples from patients were analyzed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Initially, DNA from 78 affected individuals were studied by PCR. Since this method is unable to detect high molecular weight alleles, however, we undertook a second approach using the Southern blotting technique to analyze the CGG repeat number and methylation status. Southern blot analysis showed an altered pattern in 14 out of 240 (6%) unrelated patients, with half of them presenting a mosaic pattern. Eight out of 17 families (47%) showed a (suggest deleting highlight). The characteristic FXS pattern was identified in 8/17 families (47%), and in 4 of these families 25% of the individuals presented with a mosaic model. The expansion from pre-mutation to full mutation was shown to occur both at the pre and post zygotic levels. The detection of FXS mutations has allowed us to offer more informed genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and reliable patient follow-up.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2022

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) over the past three decades in Argentina and determine if there are differences between the first two decades and the past decade. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analytical study in children with IBD between 0 and 18 years of age diagnosed between 1987 and 2017 in three tertiary health centers in Argentina. The evaluation included clinical characterization, endoscopy, histology, and imaging data together with therapeutic strategies. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, diagnosed between 1987 and 2007, and Group 2, diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. Results: Of the 756 patients included, 409 (54%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), 250 (33%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 97 (13%) had IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). The positive family history was 3.8%, which was more frequent among children under two years of age (6.7%). There were no significant differences in clinical presentation and extraintestinal manifestations between periods, with hepatic manifestations being the most frequent. In the last decade, we found an upward trend in CD, a downward trend in UC/IBD-U, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status, and a decrease of 50% in surgical treatments coinciding with the advent of biological therapy. Conclusion: This is the first multicenter cohort study in a Latin American country to describe clinical, endoscopic, and therapeutic data across the past 30-year period. Although CD was responsible for the overall increase in incidence, UC was still prevalent in this region.