Evaluation of the influence of texture and microstructure of titanium substrates on TiO2 anodic coatings at 60 V

The current paper analyzes the influence of texture and microstructure of Ti substrates on morphology and color of titanium dioxide coatings obtained by anodic oxidation. Substrates of Ti grade 2 and Ti grade 5 with different thermo-mechanical histories were used in the shape of cylindrical bars cut in both longitudinal and transversal directions, and laminated sheets. The crystalline orientation of the surface grains in the substrate before oxidation, were determined by electron backscatter diffraction. The oxide coatings were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that different substrate grain orientations produce oxides with different colors, because of different thickness depending on their orientations. An oxide grown on a basal hcp plane, with higher atomic density is thinner than an oxide grown on a transversal hcp plane with lower atomic density. This effect is more pronounced on elongated grains. Different anodic oxidation process parameters and heat treatments of the substrate were applied in order to obtain a more uniform oxide thickness. A specific heat treatment of the substrate was the most efficient, starting from a favorable orientation of crystals, characteristic of rolling texture.Fil: Vera, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Avalos, Martina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberger, Mario Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Bolmaro, Raul Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Schvezov, Carlos Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Second-generation bioethanol from industrial wood waste of South American species

There is a global interest in replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy. The present review evaluates the significance of South-American wood industrial wastes for bioethanol production. Four countries have been chosen for this review, i.e., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, based on their current or potential forestry industry. It should be noted that although Brazil has a global bioethanol market share of 25%, its production is mainly first-generation bioethanol from sugarcane. The situation in the other countries is even worse, in spite of the fact that they have regulatory frameworks in place already allowing the substitution of a percentage of gasoline by ethanol. Pines and eucalyptus are the usually forested plants in these countries, and their industrial wastes, as chips and sawdust, could serve as promising raw materials to produce second-generation bioethanol in the context of a forest biorefinery. The process to convert woody biomass involves three stages: pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and fermentation. The operational conditions of the pretreatment method used are generally defined according to the physical and chemical characteristics of the raw materials and subsequently determine the characteristics of the treated substrates. This article also reviews and discusses the available pretreatment technologies for eucalyptus and pines applicable to South-American industrial wood wastes, their enzymatic hydrolysis yields, and the feasibility of implementing such processes in the mentioned countries in the frame of a biorefinery.Fil: Vallejos, María Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Kruyeniski, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Area, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Electrochemical behavior of Sn-Zn alloys with different grain structures in chloride-containing solutions

In the present research the electrochemical behavior of the Sn-Zn alloys (Sn-1 wt.%Zn, Sn-4 wt.%Zn and 8.9 wt.%Zn) in 3% NaCl solution is analyzed using potentiodynamic cyclic polarization measurements and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique. Specimens were longitudinally solidified with simultaneous heat extraction in two opposite directions. Working electrodes were constructed using longitudinal and cross sections of the specimens with both types of structure: columnar and equiaxed. Results obtained from the polarization curves indicated that the two types of grain structures of Sn-Zn alloys (Sn-1 wt.%Zn, Sn-4 wt.%Zn and Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn) corresponding to longitudinal section present a pseudo passive zone. In the case of specimens from cross sections of the samples, the columnar and equiaxed zones of Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn are the only ones that do not have this pseudo passive region. In addition, the interdendritic zone of alloys is susceptible to corrosion by dealloying because this phase is zinc-rich. This type of corrosion also occurs in the zinc rich lamellar structure present in the eutectic. The percentage of zinc in the alloy increases with increasing susceptibility to pitting corrosion. The EIS values obtained revealed that the susceptibility to corrosion increases with increasing zinc content in alloys, for both the columnar and equiaxed zones. In addition, the columnar zones of Sn-4 wt.%Zn and Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn specimens are more resistant to corrosion than the equiaxed grain specimens. However, the equiaxed zone of Sn-1 wt.%Zn alloy is less susceptible to corrosion than the columnar zone. After adjustment by equivalent circuits it is revealed that the equiaxed zone of Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn alloy has a second porous layer composed of corrosion products on the electrode surface.Fil: Mendez, Claudia Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Scheiber, Verónica L.. Provincia de Misiones. Comité de Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica. Centro de Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: Rozicki, Roberto S.. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kociubczyk, Alex Iván. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Removal of recalcitrant organic compounds from an industrial complex effluent by heterogeneous Fenton-type treatment

Because of their chemical complexity, industrial chemi-mechanical pulping effluents are evaporated and burned, in spite of the high associated cost involved in these processes. The aim of this study was to remove recalcitrant compounds from this kind of wastewater using a Fenton-type treatment. The main parameters involved in the process and their influence on the results were determined. Homemade catalysts based on CuO, Fe2O3, NiO and ZnO, supported on γ-Al2O3 have been tested for catalytic oxidation, and the CuO/γ- Al2O3 catalysts showed the greatest effect on total organic carbon (TOC) reduction (52.7%). A series of twolevel factorial experiments was subsequently applied to evaluate the most favorable range of conditions for CuO/γ-Al2O3 application. The studied variables were hydrogen peroxide concentration ([H2O2], g/L), active phase content (metal oxide supported on alumina, %), mass of catalyst (metal oxide/alumina system, g), and reaction temperature (°C). The highest reduction of all parameters was obtained at the superior level of all variables with CuO/γ-Al2O3, achieving reductions of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and TOC between 40 and 50%. Increasing catalyst mass did not produce additional benefit. This variable has a significant effect only on the reduction of aromatic compounds. At its low level, reduction in aromatic content exceeded 80%. Color reduction was influenced only by temperature (maximum reduction of 90%)Fil: Covinich, Laura Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Felissia, Fernando Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Fenoglio, Rosa Juana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Area, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

First time identification of Pandoraea sputorum from a patient with cystic fibrosis in Argentina: a case report

Background: Pandoraea species are considered emerging pathogens in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF) and are difficult to identify by conventional biochemical methods. These multidrug resistant bacteria remain poorly understood particularly in terms of natural resistance, mechanisms of acquired resistance and impact on the prognosis of the disease and the lung function. Among them, Pandoraea sputorum has been previously described in few cases of CF patients from Spain, Australia, France and United States, underlining the need of more clinical data for a better knowledge of its pathogenicity. This is the first report relating to P. sputorum in a CF patient in Argentina. Case presentation: Pandoraea sputorum was identified in a nine-year-old cystic fibrosis patient from Argentina, after treatment failure during an exacerbation. The isolates were successfully identified by combining molecular techniques based on 16S rRNA sequencing and mass spectrometry (MS) methods, after reassessing previous misidentified isolates by conventional methods. After first isolation of P. sputorum, patient´s clinical condition worsened but later improved after a change in the treatment. Although isolates showed susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and imipenem, in our case, the antibiotic treatment failed in the eradication of P. sputorum. Conclusions: All combined data showed a chronic colonization with P. sputorum associated to a deterioration of lung function. We noted that the presence of P. sputorum can be underestimated in CF patients and MALDI-TOF MS appears to be a promising means of accurate identification of Pandoraea species.Fil: Martina, Pablo F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Mónica Elisabeth. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital público provincial de pediatría de autogestión Dr. Fernando Barreyro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Frada, Guillermo. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital público provincial de pediatría de autogestión Dr. Fernando Barreyro; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Leguizamon, Lorena Beatriz. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital público provincial de pediatría de autogestión Dr. Fernando Barreyro; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Claudia Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Barrias, Carolina. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital público provincial de pediatría de autogestión Dr. Fernando Barreyro; ArgentinaFil: Bettiol, Marisa. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital de Niños ; ArgentinaFil: Lagares, Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Bosch, María Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Ferreras, Julian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Von Specht, Martha Helena. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital público provincial de pediatría de autogestión Dr. Fernando Barreyro; Argentin

Office paper recyclability: fibrous characteristics

Recyclability is the ability of a material to reacquire the same properties it had originally. The aim of this work was to verify the recyclability of three printing and writing papers, from the characteristics of their fibers after two recycles. Three ECF bleached kraft eucalyptus commercial bond papers from Argentina and Brazil were studied (A, B, C). The papers were repulped and refined using different levels and intensities of energy (1st recycle). Laboratory sheets were produced, and they were repulped and refined again (2nd recycle). The microscopic characteristics of repulped papers were obtained by automatic equipment based on image analysis. Differences found in the behavior of the different samples can be explained by fiber parameters. The fiber length was significantly different in the three papers (A > B > C) and globally decreased in the second recycle (about 6%). Sample A had the highest initial fiber length and length/width, but it largely decreased with refining conditions in the 1st recycle (length fall 12%, generating fines by cutting), whereas it fall 9% between the 1st and 2nd recycles, and nothing with refining conditions in the 2nd recycle. Sample B fall by 5% with refining conditions in the 1st recycle, and 9% between the 1st and the 2nd recycle, but suffered few alteration in the second recycle. Fiber length of sample C was unaffected by refining conditions and only decreased 9% between the 1st and 2nd recycles. In all cases, the generated fines increased lightly with refining in the first recycle, but were two-fold higher in the second recycle than in the first one. The fiber coarseness of the 3 samples was similar in the first recycle, but decreases significantly in the 2nd recycleFil: Benitez, Julieta Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Koga, Mariza E. T.. Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Otero D'Almeida, Maria L.. Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Felissia, Fernando Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Park, Song W.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Area, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Lignocellulosic Recycled Materials to Design Molded Products: Optimization of Physical and Mechanical Properties

The object is to contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution, by reusing a fraction of urban solid waste, forestry and agroindustrial waste: newspaper (ONP), office paper (OWP), corrugated cardboard (OCC), pine sawdust, eucalyptus sawdust and sugar cane bagasse as raw material to design biocontainers suitable for growing plants, by applying pulp molding technology. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of the combination of these lignocellulosic materials on the physical-mechanical properties and optimize responses in order to select an ideal mixture on basis the product?s necessities. An experimental design of type mixture of extreme vertices was followed, considering secondary fibers as base material, in a 0-100% proportion, and pine sawdust, eucalyptus sawdust and bagasse fibers as reinforcement, in a 0-40% proportion. An experimental matrix by each reinforcing material was proposed. Properties were evaluated: density, tensile, bursting, tearing, compression, stiffness, wet tensile, permeability and water retention, testing handsheets weighing 150 g/m2. Responses were optimized using a statistical program. It was found that OWP pulps increase strength properties; OCC pulps increases tear and wet tensile; ONP pulps increase stiffness and reinforcement materials increase permeability. Factors that allow reaching the objectives are a mixture of pulp OWP/OCC in a 50/50 proportion.Fil: Aguerre, Yanina Susel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Gavazzo, Graciela Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Antagonistic capacities of Trichoderma species and their mass multiplication with agricultural wastes

El objetivo de esta investigación fue aislar y caracterizar cepas de Trichoderma nativas de Misiones (Argentina)explorando sus capacidades antagónicas y su multiplicación masiva utilizando diferentes residuos agroindustriales.Quince cepas nativas de Trichoderma spp. fueron aisladas de muestras de suelo. Estos aislamientos secaracterizaron mediante observaciones morfológicas y moleculares basados en secuencias de ADN de la regiónespaciadora transcrita interna del ADNr. Las cepas de Trichoderma spp. fueron identificadas como T. koningiopsis,T. harzianum, T. pleuroticola y T. brevicompactum. Estas cepas mostraron actividades antagónicas in vitro contraAlternaria sp., Fusarium sp. y Botrytis sp.. T. koningiopsis LBM 090, LBM 091, LBM 092 y LBM 098, T. pleuroticolaLBM 097 y T. harzianum LBM 096 presentaron una inhibición del crecimiento micelial mayor del 50% y un índicede antagonismo entre 3 y 4 contra los fitopatógenos ensayados. La cáscara de arroz y el pulido del arroz fueronlas combinaciones más adecuadas para la multiplicación de T. harzianum LBM 096.The aim of this research was to isolate and characterize Trichoderma native strains from Misiones (Argentina) exploring their antagonistic capacities to phytopatogens fungi and their mass multiplication using different agricultural wastes. Fifteen native strains of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from soil samples. These isolates were characterized via morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region. The Trichoderma native strains were identified as T. koningiopsis, T. harzianum, T. pleuroticola and T. brevicompactum. All strains showed antagonistic activities in vitro against Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp. and Botrytis sp. T. koningiopsis LBM 090, LBM 091, LBM 092, and LBM 098 strains, T. pleuroticola LBM 097 and T. harzianum LBM 096 presented radial mycelial growth inhibition higher than 50% and antagonism index between 3 and 4 against the phytopathogens assayed. Among the different substrate sources evaluated, rice husk and rice polishing were the most suitable combination for mass multiplication of T. harzianum LBM 096.Fil: Sadañoski, Marcela Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Gutierrez Brower, Gimena. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Castrillo, María Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Ana Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Paola. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Zapata, Pedro Dario. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, Laura Lidia. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Otegui, Monica Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentin

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections in a pediatric hospital in Argentina

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) emerged at the Pediatric Hospital of Misiones Province, north Argentina, in 2003 as a cause of community-acquired (CA) infections, mostly associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). This study aimed to assess the microbiological, epidemiological, and clinical features of CA-MRSA SSTIs treated at the hospital. Methodology: From 2003 through 2006, a longitudinal study on CA-MRSA SSTIs was conducted. Clinical, bacteriological, and molecular data were collected and analyzed by multiple correspondences and cluster analysis (MCCA). Results: A total of 138 children were enrolled; 55.8% of the children required hospitalization. The main clinical presentation was abscesses (51%). Antibiotic therapy in the previous six months was registered in 41% of the patients, and 72% of the patients had relatives with similar symptoms. Resistance to non-b-lactam antibiotics was found in less than 12% of patients. All 44 isolates carried staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec (SCCmec) type IV, and 30/44 had Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) coding genes. Six pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were detected from 17 isolates. MCCA hierarchic classification resulted in four distinctive patient classes (new variable). No relationship could be observed regarding the PVL detection, as PVL (+) isolates were detected in all classes; the same lack of significance was observed concerning the distribution of resistance to non-β-lactam antibiotics. Conclusions: This study increases the understanding and knowledge about CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infections in pediatric patients. Continuous efforts should be made to control this significant public health problem.Fil: Von Specht, Martha Helena. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital Publico Provincial de Pediatria de Autogestion Dr. Fernando Barreyro; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Gardella, Noella Mariel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Ubeda, Clotilde. Dirección Nacional del Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr.C.G.Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia; ArgentinaFil: Grenon, Sandra Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones. Hospital Publico Provincial de Pediatria de Autogestion Dr. Fernando Barreyro; ArgentinaFil: Gutkind, Gabriel Osvaldo. Dirección Nacional del Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr.C.G.Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mollerach, Marta Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Dirección Nacional del Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr.C.G.Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia; Argentin

KH2PO4 improves cellulase production of Irpex lacteus and Pycnoporus sanguineus

The optimization of cellulase production by Irpex lacteus and Pycnoporus sanguineus was investigated. Fractional factorial design was conducted to determine significant variables and interactions. Response surface methodology was applied through Box-Behnken design to determine the optimum level of each factor on cellulase production. The optimal conditions of culture media were (g/L): for I. lacteus CaCl2.2(H2O) 0.3, MgSO4.7(H2O) 0.3 and KH2PO4 3, while for P. sanguineus was CaCl2.2(H2O) 0.1, MgSO4.7(H2O) 0.2 and KH2PO4 9. This optimized medium improved cellulase production, especially β-glucosidase activity values for I. lacteus. KH2PO4 was found in this work to be a useful mineral compound for cellulolytic production.Fil: Rodríguez, María Daniela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Alonso Paiva, Iván Mathias. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Castrillo, María Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Zapata, Pedro Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, Laura Lidia. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentin