The transportation, transformation and (bio)accumulation of pharmaceuticals in the terrestrial ecosystem

Soil dwelling organisms, plants and many primary consumers in food webs face the challenge of exposure to contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) present in terrestrial systems, including thousands of substances derived from pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). The recent increase in the consumption of modern human or veterinary drugs has resulted in a surge of anthropogenic pharmaceuticals, frequently introduced into terrestrial environments via untreated/treated wastewater. Pharmaceuticals display diverse degradation and accumulation behaviours in receiving bodies, however their impact on soils has, at large, been overlooked. Details about adsorption, absorption, degradation and uptake behaviours, as well as the fate and actual environmental impact of pharmaceuticals are a prerequisite before the traditional transportation prediction models originally designed for the aquatic environment can be extrapolated to terrestrial systems. Without this knowledge, our ability for informed risk assessments and the resultant implementation of contamination management strategies of soils will remain limited. This review discusses the current knowledgebase pertaining the introduction of pharmaceuticals to soils via wastewater irrigation or the application of biosolids. The focus on the transportation, transformation and accumulation of pharmaceuticals through the food chain highlights the urgent need to strengthen our capabilities concerning their detection and characterization in the terrestrial ecosystem

Earthworm Lumbricus rubellus MT-2 : metal binding and protein folding of a true Cadmium-MT

Earthworms express, as most animals, metallothioneins (MTs)—small, cysteine-rich proteins that bind d10 metal ions (Zn(II), Cd(II), or Cu(I)) in clusters. Three MT homologues are known for Lumbricus rubellus, the common red earthworm, one of which, wMT-2, is strongly induced by exposure of worms to cadmium. This study concerns composition, metal binding affinity and metal-dependent protein folding of wMT-2 expressed recombinantly and purified in the presence of Cd(II) and Zn(II). Crucially, whilst a single Cd7wMT-2 species was isolated from wMT-2-expressing E. coli cultures supplemented with Cd(II), expressions in the presence of Zn(II) yielded mixtures. The average affinities of wMT-2 determined for either Cd(II) or Zn(II) are both within normal ranges for MTs; hence, differential behaviour cannot be explained on the basis of overall affinity. Therefore, the protein folding properties of Cd- and Zn-wMT-2 were compared by 1H NMR spectroscopy. This comparison revealed that the protein fold is better defined in the presence of cadmium than in the presence of zinc. These differences in folding and dynamics may be at the root of the differential behaviour of the cadmium- and zinc-bound protein in vitro, and may ultimately also help in distinguishing zinc and cadmium in the earthworm in vivo

Los productores ganaderos ovino - extensivos y la adopción tecnológica en el sureste de la provincia de Santa Cruz

Trabajo Final para obtener el grado de Especialista en Desarrollo Rural, de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, en 2013La finalidad del trabajo es comprender la realidad de los productores ovinos extensivos del sureste de la provincia de Santa Cruz y conocer sus necesidades para que a partir de ello, desde el INTA, podamos generar tecnologías que permitan de alguna manera sostener sus empresas agropecuarias en el marco de un manejo sustentable. De esta manera los productores ovinos extensivos dispondrán de más y mejores herramientas que contribuyan a seguir anclados al territorio, siendo este uno de los grandes objetivos del INTA.EEA Santa CruzFil: Sturzenbaum, Maria Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; Argentin

New records of bats (Chiroptera) from Santa Cruz province (Argentina) and the southernmost record of Lasiurus varius (Poeppig, 1835) for Argentina

Here, we report new records for the distribution in Argentina of 3 bat species from the family Vespertilionidae: Lasiurus varius (Poeppig, 1835), Histiotus magellanicus (Philippi, 1866), and Myotis chiloensis (Waterhouse, 1838). The range of L. varius is extended by more than 800 km south of the previous known limit, representing the southernmost known occurrence for the species in Argentina. The new information for M. chiloensis fills a previous existing gap between records known from Chubut and Tierra del Fuego. Similarly, the new record of H. magellanicus also completes its known distribution in the Santa Cruz province.Fil: Díaz, María Mónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Programa de Investigación de Biodiversidad Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Valenzuela, Alejandro Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Presidencia de la Nación. Secretaría de Gobierno de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Coordinación Patagonia Austral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Sturzenbaum, Silvina. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Barquez, Ruben Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Programa de Investigación de Biodiversidad Argentina; Argentin

Effect of egg turning and incubation time on carbonic anhydrase gene expression in the blastoderm of the Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica)

(1) The gene expression of carbonic anhydrase, a key enzyme for the production sub-embryonic fluid (SEF), was assessed in turned and unturned eggs of the Japanese quail. The plasma membrane-associated isoforms CA IV, CAIX, CA XII, CA XIV, and the cytoplasmic isoform CA II, were investigated in the extra-embryonic tissue of the blastoderm and in embryonic blood. (2) Eggs were incubated at 37.6C, c. 60% R.H., and turned hourly (90 ) or left unturned. From 48 to 96 hours of incubation mRNA was extracted from blastoderm tissue, reverse-transcribed to cDNA and quantified by real-time qPCR using gene-specific primers. Blood collected at 96h was processed identically. (3) Blastoderm CAIV gene expression increased with the period of incubation only in turned eggs, with maxima at 84 and 96h of incubation. Only very low levels were found in blood. (4) Blastoderm CA II gene expression was greatest at 48 and 54h of incubation, subsequently declining to much lower levels and una ected by turning. Blood CA II gene expression was about 25-fold greater than that in the blastoderm. (5) The expression of CA IX in the blastoderm was the highest of all isoforms, yet unaffected by turning. CA XII did not amplify and CA XIV was present at unquantifiable low levels. (6) It is concluded that solely gene expression for CA IV is sensitive to egg turning, and that increased CA IV gene expression could account for the additional SEF mass found at 84-96h of incubation. in embryos of turned eggs

Polyester-derived microfibre impacts on the soil-dwelling earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Microplastic (MP) pollution is everywhere. In terrestrial environments, microfibres (MFs) generated from textile laundering are believed to form a significant component of MPs entering soils, mainly through sewage sludge and compost applications. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of MFs on a keystone soil organism. We exposed the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris to soil with polyester MFs incorporated at rates of 0, 0.1 and 1.0 %w/w MF for a period of 35 days (in the dark at 15 oC; n = 4 for each treatment). Dried plant litter was applied at the soil surface as a food source for the earthworms. We assessed earthworm vitality through mortality, weight change, depurate production and MF avoidance testing. In addition, we measured stress biomarker responses via the expression of metallothionein-2 (mt-2), heat shock protein (hsp70) and superoxide dismutase (sod-1). Our results showed that exposure and ingestion of MFs (as evidenced by subsequent retrieval of MFs within earthworm depurates) were not lethal to earthworms, nor did earthworms actively avoid MFs. However, earthworms in the MF1.0% treatment showed a 1.5-fold lower cast production, a 24.3-fold increase in expression of mt-2 (p < 0.001) and a 9.9-fold decline in hsp70 expression (p < 0.001). Further analysis of soil and MF samples indicated that metal content was not a contributor to the biomarker results. Given that burrowing and feeding behaviour, as well as molecular genetic biomarkers, were modulated in earthworms exposed to MFs, our study highlights potential implications for soil ecosystem processes due to MF contamination

INVASIÓN EN EL PARQUE NACIONAL LOS GLACIARES

Didymo es una diatomea invasora de la que aún no se conocen métodos para su control. Se presenta su distribución en el Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, y se discute sobre su dispersiónEl alga didymo fue declarada “Especie Exótica Invasora” para la Argentina. En Santa Cruz, se detectó en 2014 en el Río de las Vueltas en cercanías del Lago del Desierto y, en 2016, dentro de la jurisdicción del Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Para evaluar su distribución y avance, se establecieron 39 estaciones fijas de muestreo de perifíton en distintas cuencas, que semestralmente se analizan bajo microscopio óptico. Actualmente, su expansión afecta a dos cuencas muy importantes y a un sector de la costa del Lago Argentino. Se discute sobre los agentes de dispersión hacia otros cuerpos y cursos de agua

Aprovechamiento de mallines y Alternativas de Negocios. Informe actualizado abril 2020

Los mallines son ambientes de alto valor productivo, económico, social y ofrecen alta cantidad y calidad de forraje insustituible en los sistemas productivos. Debido a que ocupan una baja proporción de la superficie de los establecimientos y tienen alta susceptibilidad al sobrepastoreo, es necesario potenciar estos ambientes y planificar un uso sustentable. El aprovechamiento de estos ambientes puede ser con ovinos, bovinos o ambos y diferentes categorías con objetivos de producción diversos. En función de esto, y con el objetivo de brindar información para la toma de decisiones de los productores, se generaron planillas de simulación de negocios para mallines del sur de Santa Cruz. En este contexto, se realiza un análisis económico sencillo para cada negocio, el cual se actualizará al menos tres veces durante la zafra productiva: inicio (diciembre), mediados (enero) y fin (abril).EEA Santa CruzFil: Sturzenbaum, Maria Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia De Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; ArgentinaFil: Milicevic, Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia De Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; ArgentinaFil: Santana, Jorge Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia De Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; ArgentinaFil: Rivera, Emilio Hernan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia De Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; Argentin

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, stress and aging:Identifying the complex interplay of genetic pathways following the treatment with humic substances

Low concentrations of the dissolved leonardite humic acid HuminFeed(®) (HF) prolonged the lifespan and enhanced the thermal stress resistance of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. However, growth was impaired and reproduction delayed, effects which have also been identified in response to other polyphenolic monomers, including Tannic acid, Rosmarinic acid, and Caffeic acid. Moreover, a chemical modification of HF, which increases its phenolic/quinonoid moieties, magnified the biological impact on C. elegans. To gain a deep insight into the molecular basis of these effects, we performed global transcriptomics on young adult (3 days) and old adult (11 days) nematodes exposed to two different concentrations of HF. We also studied several C. elegans mutant strains in respect to HF derived longevity and compared all results with data obtained for the chemically modified HF. The gene expression pattern of young HF-treated nematodes displayed a significant overlap to other conditions known to provoke longevity, including various plant polyphenol monomers. Besides the regulation of parts of the metabolism, transforming growth factor-beta signaling, and Insulin-like signaling, lysosomal activities seem to contribute most to HF’s and modified HF’s lifespan prolonging action. These results support the notion that the phenolic/quinonoid moieties of humic substances are major building blocks that drive the physiological effects observed in C. elegans

Jornadas de bienestar animal en ovinos en la provincia de Santa Cruz

Llevar a cabo las tareas de un establecimiento ganadero extensivo considerando las pautas de bienestar animal tiene un impacto positivo en la calidad de los productos y además mejora las condiciones en que se realizan los trabajos. Al seguir las pautas de los estándares de bienestar animal los trabajadores rurales, el productor y su familia incorporan o suplantan tareas cotidianas que reducen el estrés de los animales, simplifica su manejo y facilita el trabajo con las instalaciones y herramientas adecuadas. Además, la necesidad de asegurar comida y agua a los animales conduce a realizar una evaluación más detallada de los recursos disponibles y llevar algunos registros que facilitarán la certificación de su proceso productivo.EEA Santa CruzFil: Sturzenbaum, Maria Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; Argentina.Fil: Sánchez, Gonzalo. Productor ganadero. Estancia Chali Aike. Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Rivera, Emilio Hernan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural Río Gallegos; Argentina.Fil: Alvarez, Juan Mauricio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; Argentina